Running a home can be stressful and expensive! If you have a busy family or just looking to save a little money here and there, you’ve came to the right place! The average UK household debt is now a record £15,400! With this in mind, many homeowners and busy families are looking to save as much money as possible. There are a few easy ways in which you can boost your savings account and you may be costing yourself money without even realising!
Price compare everything
Online price comparison websites are rising in popularity. With households across the UK saving as much money as possible by comparing a whole range of products or services and getting the deal that’s right for them. You can compare pretty much everything nowadays which includes car insurance, home insurance, energy bills, life insurance, travel insurance, credit cards, broadband and much more! All you need to do is fill in the required details and then get an instant result of the cheapest deals for you. You can also use price comparison websites to get better deals on your current contracts. For example, if your car insurance policy is due to expire and you aren’t happy with your renewal quote but like your current provider, why not let them know of cheaper quotes you have been offered elsewhere? They may match this quote to keep you as a long-term customer!
Set yourself a budget
Once of the easiest ways to spend less is to give yourself a budget. We all want to save money here and there, but no one wants to be house bound! We all need to let our hair down once in a while so don’t sell yourself sort each month, make sure you set a realistic budget. When your monthly income comes in, set aside money to pay off your bills, pop some money in a savings account and then leave a little left over for yourself. If you’re bad at budgeting, there are many money saving and budget panning applications and websites that can help you sort your finances properly.
Don’t be a brand snob
There are some products that we love, and branded items may be essential to some families, but do you know how much you could be saving by swapping? Buying supermarkets own brand products can save you loads on your weekly big shop! Also, cheaper discount supermarkets such as Lidl and Aldi have some great rival products to your favourite brands at lower prices! Why not try the taste test and swap one item for a cheaper alternative and see if the family can tell the difference?
Open a savings account
If your savings goal is to save up for a specific event such as a new car or wedding, or you just want to have a healthy emergency fund, there are many different types of savings accounts on the market. Do you want to access your money? Do you want to make fixed monthly payments? Do you want to save without paying tax? Do you want a fixed rate savings account? Knowing what you want from your savings account it the first step before you open one. You can also use online comparison websites for savings accounts too!
Save on car payments
Have you ever considered car finance to reduce a big car pay out? 3 out of 5 people in the UK choose to get their car on some sort of finance or credit and with the UK car finance industry becoming more popular than ever, should you consider car finance? Not many of us have a savings account healthy enough to buy the car we want outright. Car finance is an easy way to spread the cost of owning the car you want. Your finance deal is broken down into affordable monthly payments over a fixed term so you can get the car you want.
Try cashback websites
Cashback sites are on the rise! Instead of going directly to a website or shop, you access the retailer through a cashback website. You still get your products direct from the retailer but on completion, you get cashback from the cashback website! Cashback companies use affiliate links online, which lets the retailer know where your purchase came from and retailers then pay for the traffic. You can get cashback on a range of things such as fashion, broadband, entertainment and leisure, travel, home, car insurance and much more! You could also consider a cashback credit card which gives you cashback each time you spend.
Plan your meals
Making a weekly plan of all your meals can really benefit you and the family! Not only can it save you money, but it can be a family activity to do together. See what you already have in your cupboards and utilise it where possible. Then make a list of the food you need for your weekly meals and stick to it! You are more likely to spend more money without a plan and frequent trips to the supermarket within a week.
Sell what you don’t need
Turn your trash into cash. One of the easiest ways to make money is to sell the stuff you don’t need! Whether its clothes, toys, electricals, furniture, books or anything else, there will be a platform to sell it on. There are many easy ways to sell online, depending on how you want to get rid of your old stuff.
Turn your heating down
It may seem obvious but turning your heating down can save you money! Even by turning your thermostat down by 1°C, can save you up to 10% on your heating bills. You’ll probably not even notice the drop-in temperature. Also, adjusting your central heating timer to switch off at night or during the day whilst you’re out can also minimise fuel consumption.
Drive to save fuel
Are you driving efficiently? Did you know the way you drive can be costing you in fuel! One of the easiest ways to reduce fuel consumption is to drive safely and smoothly, anticipate the road ahead and reduce harsh braking and acceleration. You should also reduce the amount of weight your car is carrying by emptying out your boot and removing the roof rack. Increased weight causes increased fuel consumption.