With winter now over, it is hopefully a better time for receiving bills as the cold weather becomes a distant memory. But the bills continue, and this is still a good time to look at how costs can be reduced in the future. After all, as a nation we are very poor at energy efficiency. Moolr has thus taken a look at how to save money on household bills.
Save Money On Household Bills – Electricity and gas costs
Switching energy providers is more straightforward than many probably think. Switching does not have to be stressful and can save you money. Ofgem, the energy supplier regulator have reported that the average household could save £200 a year.
The key to saving money is to find the deal that suits your particular energy consumption routine. Comparison websites like Energy Helpline help you assess all UK energy suppliers. In addition, a new dual fuel price cap introduced recently means that energy suppliers are compelled to set prices to either the same level or below the cap which was £1,137 per year for a standard dual fuel customer paying via direct debit. This should help 11 million UK households save on their fuel bills.
A rather obvious way to cut costs is naturally to use less energy. There is a wealth of information on the internet on how you could cut costs. Such measures include switching off appliances rather than leaving them on standby. Filling a kettle with only the water you need. Turning off heating when nobody is in the home. Using timers so that devices are active only when needed.
Home phone and broadband contracts
Again the internet has a wealth of advice and sites where you can compare prices for phone and broadband contracts. Many of us plod along with existing contracts without ever bothering to check if there are better deals out there. Even if you wish to stay with your current provider, you have options. By phoning up and threatening to cancel, you will almost certainly be lured back with discounts.
Further savings can be made if you pay via direct debit and avoiding calling from the home landline during peak office hours. Staying within your package data allowance is a must. Extra data charges will seriously dent your wallet.
Save Money On Household Bills – Mobile phone charges
Consumer magazine Which? calculates that over 10 million phone users could save money on their contract. Personally, I spent £200 on a phone, went onto a sim-only deal on O2, and saved £400 compared to my old 48 month contract with snazzy phone.
Many people will be on contracts that supply free calls, texts and data they do not need. Check your contract and your usage and see if there is a better deal to suit your consumption.
Save Money On Household Bills – Water usage
Using a water meter can help households monitor their usage and thus see how much they are using or wasting. Water meters may not save you money than traditional style water rates. However, water meters can be beneficial when water is not used during the day. The other obvious option is simply to reduce water usage. Try to avoid waste. Don’t leave taps running. Take showers instead of baths. When using the washing machine, always have full loads.
Car fuel and insurance
With ever-rising fuel costs, it pays dividends to plan when filling up. Search for the lowest fuel prices around you by using a fuel-saving service called Petrolprices.com. Saving just 5p a litre on the cost of diesel or petrol could save the average driver £100 a year or more. By adjusting how you drive, eliminating sudden braking and with more efficient gear changes, you can make your petrol go further too.
Other Considerations
When looking at car insurance, consider paying for your premium in one large chunk (if you can afford it). Use comparison sites once more and see what is available. Furthermore, choosing a comprehensive policy can also be cheaper than a lower-level of protection like third party, fire and theft, and subsequently offers better coverage regardless.
