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Money Saving Tips Part 1 : How to save money and create a more environmentally friendly home
Reduce your home phone bills - Have a look at the alternatives on offer from other providers. Nowadays it is so competitive and you can get packages including internet and free digital TV. Also some providers offer free international calls to selected places in Europe or the US.
Free mobile calls? - If you are on contract and have built-in free calls use them. If you pay for them don’t let them go to waste. If you use them correctly you can avoid unnecessary spending on your landline.
Which Mobile? - If your phone usage is varied then think about getting a pay-as-you-go phone. You can get a cheap handset and only make the calls you need to.
Tip: If you get a top of the line phone when you upgrade, next time round instead of upgrading ask for money off your tariff. Some mobile companies now offer this as standard.
Tip: Also if you are not on paperless billing yet, ask to be put on it and they will take some money off your tariff for this as well.
Say No To 0870 - If you are sick of paying extra on these premium telephone lines, look for the service or number on saynoto0870. This website has free-phone numbers and also local numbers so you can avoid paying the premium charges.
Tip: Don’t let on about where you got the number from otherwise they will disable that number if they can. And if you come across any useful numbers for local services in your area or national services add it to the database.
MSN & SKYPE - Instead of mounting up very expensive call charges calling abroad...why don't you set up MSN and a camera and video-call your friends and relatives for free! You can also set up SKYPE and as long as the other person has SKYPE set up on their computer or has a SKYPE mobile phone you can talk for free!
Fuel bills – Shop around. Suppliers are offering very competitive rates so have a look to see which provider offers you a better deal. Also change to paperless billing and duel fuel (i.e. gas and electricity) to get even more off the price.
Tip: Some providers will also offer free or partially free insulation for your loft. Call your energy provider and enquire if they offer free loft insulation.DIY – Why spend a fortune on tradesmen when for the price of one job you can take a DIY course at a local college and equip yourself to do minor jobs around the home.
Tip: Get a group of friends to agree to take the courses with you, so between the group you will be qualified electricians, plumbers, plasterers etc…
How much TV can you really watch? –Save some money and get a Freeview box. Some of these now offer features like recording capabilities and rewinding live TV. You also get a few premium channels and no monthly fee!
But if you really want some more channels then have a look at what’s on offer and choose carefully!
Start your own Herb Garden – Growing your own herbs will not only save you money once the herb seeds start production but it will also make your window sill or garden smell lovely. Dried herbs are cheap and are a good substitute but you can’t beat the flavour of fresh herbs.
Stand-By? – You can save electricity around the house by following a few simple tips:
- Switch off lights when you leave a room
- Take all appliances off properly and don’t leave them on standby
- Turn your thermostat down – it is recommended between 18.c / 64.4.f – 21.c / 69.8.f. If you have good insulation 20.c is normally quite warm.
Insulate your home and save hundreds! – If you follow the basic steps and insulate your home you will save hundreds of your fuel bills every year. Some simple steps:
- Insulate your boiler / water tank
- Insulate your loft
- Insulate cavity walls
- Insulate floors
- Fit draft excluders
- Fit heat reflective foil panels behind your radiators to reflect heat back into the house
Tip: You can make a very inexpensive reflective foil panel from strong foil bought in your local supermarket. Secure into place behind the whole width and length of the radiator to benefit fully.
Tip: You may also qualify for free insulation or a grant for home insulation from your local council or regional government body.
Buy a Water-butt – If you have a garden and need to water it, then you should invest in a water butt. A cheap and effective way of saving water and money.
Tip: Also if you are on a water meter remember not to leave taps running while you are brushing teeth or washing dishes.
Energy-saving = Money-saving – Here a few simple tips to help you cut down on your fuel and energy usage and therefore cut down on your spending:
- Only boil as much water as you need in the kettle
- Take showers not baths
- Open curtains and let sunshine in, close curtains as soon as it starts to get dark (the heat is sucked out of rooms where the curtains aren’t closed) or if you are not using the rooms.
- Keep furniture away from radiators to allow the warm air to circulate.
- Only do full loads of laundry. But don’t overstuff your machine it will break.
- If you are using a dishwasher do full loads only.