Save money....

Below are a few things you can do to ensure you keep your outgoings in good shape. For our TEN POINT SAVINGS PLAN click here.

Household

• Loft insulation and cavity wall insulation can reduce heating bills enormously - and qualifying households can get a 100% grant to have it installed. 50 - 70% grants are available whatever your income.Visit www.ukhomeinsulation.co.uk for more information.
• Use energy saving devices such as low energy lamps. These last up to ten times longer than ordinary bulbs and use far less electricity - so you can do your bit towards saving the planet from climate change too. Remember to turn off lights when you leave a room for long periods.
• Use a kettle to boil water for cooking - they're more efficient at getting up to temperature. Avoid over-filling the kettle but be sure to cover the element.
• Use a toaster rather than the grill to make toast.
• Make sure your hot water tank and hot water pipes are fully lagged, this can pay for itself in a few months and go on saving you money for years to come.
• Put draught strips around windows and exterior doors. If possible fit a flap across the letter-box.
• Where possible wait until you have a full load before using your washing machine.
• If you use a dishwasher select the low-temperature programme unless you have very soiled dishes.
• If you have a dripping tap ensure it is repaired quickly. In just one day, you could waste enough hot water to fill a bath.
• Switch off your TV, video and Hi-Fi at the set. Standby can use as much as 10%-60% of the power that would be used by the device if it was switched on.
• Defrost fridges and freezers regularly to keep them running efficiently.
• Shower if possible, rather than take a bath, this saves money and water.
• At night, pull all curtains to stop heat loss through the windows. Take care not to drape curtains over radiators as this will funnel heat straight out of the windows.
• Don't set your water thermostat too high; 60°C/140°F is usually adequate for bathing and washing.
• Turning your thermostat down by just 1°C can cut as much as 10% off your heating bills.

General

• Make a complete shopping list before you go shopping and stick to it. It's amazing how many non-essential items you can amass during a trip to the supermarket.
• When shopping, look around. Less expensive items are usually placed near the top or bottom of the shelves. The shelves that are eye-level are usually reserved for the more expensive items.
• Buy in bulk where possible. Buying non-perishable items in bulk can save money and trips to the shop
• Take packed lunches to work instead of buying sandwiches.
• Keep a detailed spending diary. It is often amazing how little purchases add up to big weekly expenses.
• If you have children, get them searching for coupons for items you regularly purchase, each time you use a coupon pay them half the saving. It's difficult to find time to cut out coupons and remember to take them shopping with you. With a financial incentive, the kids are likely to be able to.

Financial

• If you have not changed your mortgage in the last two years, there is a chance you could reduce your monthly payments. Click here for our mortgage advice site.
• Don't use an overdraft to pay off your credit card bills - you could be paying nearly 30% in interest charges. Call us for advice about this if you are doing so.
• Check you are getting the best deals from service companies in your area. Many companies are now offering the 'cheapest' electricity, gas and telephone services, but which one really is? Reduce energy costs the rightway - by reducing energy usage. See above in household for more on that.
• Keep track of what you spend This will make you more aware of where all your money goes.
• Move all your households bills onto direct debit, most utility companies also offer discounts of up to 5% for setting this up.
• Check the interest on your bank accounts and credit cards. Average bank accounts pay just 0.1 per cent interest but if you shop around you can get up to six per cent a year. Some credit cards are more expensive than others.

Motoring

• For most families, the second biggest expense is motoring. It is sometimes wise to stand back and look at the vehicle/s you presently own. Is your vehicle too costly for your needs? Do you have equity in a car that you no longer use frequently? Could you downsize and save money, not only in monthly payments but also in maintenance, insurance and operating expenses? With the vehicles that you do own, are you getting the best deal on your repairs, maintenance and insurance?