Cheaper Supermarkets Have Become Increasingly Popular

Leading supermarket chains are in competition more today than ever before. They are all trying to compete on the most important aspect to all of us – price.Recent consumer surveys are highlighting the cheaper supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl are becoming increasingly popular choices for millions of people all over the country. When once, families would loyally stick to one supermarket, the surveys reveal that families are now inclined to shop...

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How do you cut down your weekly expenditure?

Although this is not an easy task, it is one that millions of people are trying to answer. Cutting back on weekly expenditure is the best way to make your monthly wage last a little longer and go further. Unfortunately, with the costs of living rising while wages remain the same, it is increasingly difficult to make the savings we need to make.Here are some simple suggestions and ways you could save a little extra money each week.Packed lunches...

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Take-Away Food – Bad For Your Waistline And Your Wallet

We all love fast food! As a treat, there is nothing better than a pizza, curry or Chinese take-away. However, if you are on a budget and trying to save money, cutting back on the amount of fast food you buy can make a huge difference.The average cost of a take-away for a family of four is now £25. Just five years ago it was £12! Fast food chains have become very good at disguising how much they are charging by creating meal deals and changing...

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Are Credit Cards Good In An Emergency?

  The simple answer to this question is - they can be. It depends entirely upon the nature of the emergency and whether you will need cash or not. If you are suddenly faced with an unexpected bill for car repairs or you need to buy a last minute gift. Or even if a vital home appliance breaks down and you need another one, using a credit card can be an excellent option which gives you the spending power that you need, instantly.However,...

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What would you do with £1000?

Thinking about what you could do with £1000? For most people, there must be many things they could do with this sum of money. But you won’t need to wait until you receive an unexpected windfall on the Lottery, or are sent a surprise cheque from somewhere. If you start saving today, you could have this amount much sooner than you think. Here’s how.If you saved £100 per month, you could have £1000 in time for Christmas. That equates to £25 per...

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Bank Accounts – What Are Your Choices?

A quiet night in watching television will result in you seeing a whole host of adverts promoting bank accounts of all kinds. So, how do you choose the right account for you? These days, it seems that all banks and building societies are trying everything they can to attract us and gain our business.Current accounts – These are accounts that have a switch card facility. Sometimes they have overdraught facilities too. They usually do not pay interest...

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What should you do if you need money quickly?

If you are short of cash and need money quickly, there are a number of options that may be available to you. Here are some of them.If you are able, you could borrow money from a partner or family member. This is often a very quick way to get the financial help you need. It is not always suitable though and many people feel uncomfortable asking family for money. An overdraught at the bank can be arranged extremely quickly. If you have a well-kept...

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How Credit Cards Work For You?

Credit cards are great, and they can be awful!If you do not handle them correctly, they can cause huge financial difficulties. However, if you deal with them in a sensible and controlled way, they can actually help you with your finances. Here’s how.If you have a credit card, then you should use it. The more you use it, the more your credit rating and score will improve. However, the key is, to only use it for amounts you know you can repay. And...

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Using More Than One Bank Account Can Help You Stay In Control

Having more than one bank account can make running a household and controlling your finances much easier. If you are employed, you will most likely have a current account that your wage is paid into. In addition, it is a good idea to have a simple deposit account. This can be used to deposit money for direct debits only. It’s a great way of being able to see your bills coming in and being paid. It keeps the statements simple and easy to read and...

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Simplify Your Bills And Save Huge Money

Sometimes we can get out of sync with our money and feel as though there is never enough to cover everything. This is when bills can pile up and it can be difficult to get by without accessing some credit.Sorting out your bills and making them more manageable can be one way to make your money go further.Utility bills like gas and electricity are cheaper if they are paid monthly by direct debit. Your usage will dictate what the monthly amount should...

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Looking After Your Car Can Easily Save You Money

Cars can be a drain on our finances. In addition to the shockingly high price of fuel, the cost of upkeep, MOTs, and regular services all add up. Here are some tips to help you keep your car running well for longer and prevent some unexpected, unwanted expenses.A recent consumer survey suggests that the majority of people do not regularly check the air pressure on their tyres. This is especially important in the UK climate because we have such...

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Valentine’s Treats That don’t Break The Bank

Valentine’s Day is a time for romance and giving your loved one a special treat. If you look at the shops, it would be easy to presume Valentine’s Day means spending huge amounts of money on expensive nonsense that no one needs! A quick look at social media will reveal a huge number of people who are saying no to unnecessary expense this year, and instead, they are opting for more meaningful and less pricey Valentine options. Here are some...

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Give Yourself An Incentive To Save For Unpredictable Future

Saving can be tough, so sometimes it is worth having a good incentive. Saving towards something that is important to you will have the effect of keeping you focused and determined to succeed.Saving for a holiday – This year, instead of dreaming about a wonderful holiday, or wishing you could go on a longed for break to sunnier shores, why not start saving right now and work towards the holiday of a lifetime next year.Saving for a house – This...

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Start Your Kids Saving At The Very Early Stages

Here is a simple sum. It is simple mathematics and not hard to understand. 100 x 300 = 30000 Now let’s put this same sum into a family context. If you start saving £25 every week for your child, from the time they are aged five, by the time they reach the age of 30, you will have saved £30,000 for them, not including interest. The age of 30 is the average age for getting married, buying a house, and starting on a career path. Imagine being...

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Simple And Easy Tips For Saving Each Week

If you would like to start saving a little money each week, here are some useful tips that could help you.Cut back on coffees and lunches bought at work. This is a great way to save a significant amount of money. The average price of a coffee bought in a high street chain is around £3. If you are normally buying one coffee per day, that can come to a total of £15 per week saved. Over a year that comes to approximately £780. That a huge amount!Another...

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Throwing a dinner party that won’t cost a fortune

Entertaining at home and inviting friends round for a meal is not only the pass time of the middle classes. We all enjoy entertaining and spending time round the table with friends and family. Unfortunately, there is a misconception that having a dinner party can be extremely expensive, and as a result, many people do not bother. Here are some tips to help you throw a fantastic dinner party that will not cost a fortune.Menu planning is the key...

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Grow your own vegetables and watch your savings grow!

Did you know that growing your own vegetables saves you money? In addition to being a much healthier option, home grown vegetables are a way to save a significant amount of money each week during the spring, summer and early autumn. Here’s an example:A kilogram bag of potatoes costs an average of £2.00. These are not speciality potatoes. They are basic white varieties, usually regarded as the cheapest option. An average family will go through...

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Keeping your children happy on a rainy day can be expensive!

When the weather is bad, and the kids are off school, it can result in additional expense trying to keep them happy and occupied. Here are some great tips for activities and fun days out that will keep them happy on a rainy day, without breaking the bank.It’s common knowledge that a trip to the cinema can prove to be very expensive. If you have a family of four or more, the costs can easily spiral to over £60 just to see one family film. Most...

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Making your holiday money go further

After a year of working hard, there is nothing better than the achievement of enjoying a well-earned rest on a wonderful family holiday. Even if you have saved well and have a healthy amount of spending money, it can often get used up quickly.Expenses like drinks and meals bought away from your hotel can add up, especially if you have a young family. Here are some simple tips to help you make your spending money last a little longer.Soft drinks...

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Switch of your electrical appliances and lights to save money every day

One of the easiest ways to save money is to switch off your lights and cut back on needless electricity usage. Consumer surveys and research have shown that the majority of families will be paying for electricity they did not need to use. Up to 20% of your electricity bill could be for energy that was wastefully burned when not required. Here are some tips to help you make very real savings on your electricity bill. And with the price of energy...

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Cut down on food waste and you will save more than £500 per year!

£500. This is the average value of the food a standard sized family will throw out each year. There is no doubt that this is an incredibly shocking statistic. And the statistics are current. They were realised by the press in the last few weeks.The problem is education. Many families are unaware of the good food they are throwing away. People do not have the cooking skills they once did and this is resulting in a huge amount of food waste.In addition...

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Kids’ lunchboxes on a budget

Feeding children interesting packed lunches can be really costly. If you are a parent, you will understand the pressure of buying your kids the ‘cool’ drinks, or the favoured brand of crisps and yoghurts. This can add up. Sometimes it seems as though the manufacturers know that parents feel pressured into buying these products and so they bump up the prices accordingly! Here are some tips to help you give your kids a healthy and interesting pack...

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Do loyalty cards really save us money?

Yes and no! The truth is some loyalty cards can be useful and give you a reasonable return on your loyalty. Tesco, Boots, The Cooperative and Nectar cards are all regarded as some of the better cards.Make no mistake; a loyalty card is a form of marketing. It is a way of encouraging you to continue being a customer and keep buying. If you are given a loyalty card for a company you usually use anyway, then it is a bonus. However, if you are only...

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How to improve your credit rating?

Credit ratings are one of the most hated aspects of computerised finances today. People who have a good credit rating do not fully appreciate how debilitating a bad rating can be. Someone with a very bad credit score can find it difficult to even get a bank account.And the worst part is that often, people who have bad credit scores are not bad people, they are not fraudsters or bad with money, they have simply fallen on hard times and found it...

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Give Birthday gifts on a budget

If you have a young family, you will understand the need to always be ready for the sudden need to produce a birthday present for one of your children’s friends. And of course, there are family members and close friends of the family to consider too. Statistics suggest that the average family can spend approximately £300 a year, just on birthday gifts for class mates, friends and relatives. In most cases we imagine it will be much more than this.Here...

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Are you paying too much for your mobile phone?

There are so many mobile offers available it can be difficult to know whether you are getting a good deal or not.Here are some simple suggestions to help you identify the best mobile phone deal.The first way to save money on your mobile phone is to decide on your monthly budget rather than the phone model. Unfortunately, mobile phones like iPhones and high-end Androids are so sought after, often consumers sign up for contract deals that are costly,...

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Magazines and Newspapers are more expensive than they seem

   Do you regularly buy newspapers and magazines? Consumer statistics indicate that most households will by one newspaper per day and a magazine per week. Let’s consider how much newspapers and magazines really cost. Would you save any money if you stopped buying them?A newspaper costs between 50p and £1, with a national average of 75p per paper. If you buy a paper 7 days per week, that comes to £273.50 per year.A woman’s glossy fashion...

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How your freezer can save you money.

A recent consumer study revealed that on average, families throw out up to 1/3 of the food they buy and prepare weekly. This is a huge amount! In terms of money, and in terms of wasted resources, it seems like a horrifying figure. In Western society, we seem to have developed a habit for throwing food away rather than using it. With the costs of food spiralling and so many inequalities around the world, and people going hungry or relying on food...

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Do you really need a landline?

There has been a lot of discussion online about the cost of telephone lines in recent weeks. It seems there is a trend amongst many families for closing their land-line accounts in order to save money. Do you really need a landline or is it an unnecessary expense?A landline was traditionally the only telephone a family had easy access to. However, today, we have mobile phones with us all the time. In a family of four, the chances are that at least...

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Does Pet Insurance really save you money?

This is a question that is often asked by pet owners around the country. If you have a beloved pet, you will know that vets fees can be extremely expensive. Our pets are members of the family so if they get sick or have an accident we will want to ensure they receive the best veterinary care possible. This costs money.One way of saving money that many pet owners choose is to purchase pet insurance. This is designed to cover emergency treatments...

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Enjoying a romantic Valentine’s Day on a budget

Romance can be difficult if you are on a tight budget and don’t have a lot of money. For Valentine’s Day, there can be a lot of pressure to spend money that you may not have. Here are some tips to help you surprise your loved one and show your love without breaking the bank.A special meal – Making your partner a special meal is a wonderful way to celebrate and enjoy romantic times without the expense of a fancy restaurant. Sometimes it can be...

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Save On Heating Bills This Winter

During the winter, our heating bills can sky-rocket. It doesn’t help that most of the energy companies have raised their energy rates over recent months. Here are a few tips which could help you keep the fuel bills under control this winter, while you stay warm.Draft proofing – This is essential in order to preserve the heat in your home. Check your doors and windows. Can you feel a draft coming in? If you can, then make plans to urgently...

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Spring-Clean your house, And Make Money At The Same Time!

Giving your home a good Spring-Clean is a great way of keeping busy during cold winter days, but it is also a way of making some extra money.You will be amazed by the number of items you will find, and you will be able to sell them on after a good clean-out. Here are some ideas to inspire you:Clear out your drawers and cupboards for unused items of clothing you could sell on E-bay.Everyone has a few unwanted gifts they no longer need. Save money...

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Entertaining The Family On A Budget

If you have a young family, you will know how difficult it can be to keep them entertained without breaking your weekly or monthly budget.You will also know that it can be extremely expensive to take a family of four out for the day. A trip to the cinema for four can cost as much as £60. Even a meal out at a reasonable family restaurant can cost over £50. Here are some great ways to entertain your family on a budget.Keep an eye out for special...

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Looking Good For Less

We all have times when we wish we had more money to spend on clothes, accessories and fashion items. Unfortunately, for most of us, even when we work hard to earn a living, it is not possible to regularly buy the most popular designer labels and fashion must-haves.Here are some clever tips that will help men and women look good for less.Buy from the sales - Sales are great places to find bargains that cost a fraction of the full price items....

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Giving great gifts and presents on a budget.

Even when money is tight, there are still times when we need to spend money on luxury items. Buying a gift or present for a family member or friend is one example. If you are on a budget, how can you buy wonderful gifts that will not break the bank?There are many ways you can save money and still give your loved ones a special gift. You can also do some simple things to save money on the gifts or cards and wrapping paper.   Here are some...

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Where can you find good money advice online?

There are many sites and blogs online featuring information, guidance and advice on how to save money, and how to deal with your finances. But how do you know which advice is correct? A few searches on financial subjects can reveal conflicting advice. As a result, they can sometimes cause more confusion instead of answer questions.If you are looking for money advice online here are some suggestions on how to find the answers to your questions.If...

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Do Insurance comparison sites really save us money?

  Whether we agree with it or not, we all need insurance. Unfortunately car insurance and home insurances are both essential parts of everyday life. Many people are using insurance comparison sites in order to find the best insurance deal. But we wondered if they really work? And now that there are a number of comparison sites offering a similar service, does it matter which site we use?The answer is, comparison sites will show you a range...

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