| Life in Britain today has never been so expensive. | | | | sympathy with their customers do not appear to be |
| Monthly expenses have shot through the roof. Every | | | | that bothered knowing how little choice we |
| essential area has been severely affected - food, | | | | customers have. The only way I have managed to |
| petrol, mortgages, council tax, gas prices, electric | | | | have any control over these is to break down the |
| prices etc. | | | | massive winter bills and pay by direct debit. The |
| In reality it is very difficult to reduce our monthly | | | | savings made by paying by direct debit are not really |
| outgoings without changing our way of living and | | | | worth mentioning. But maybe it is worth following the |
| nobody really wants to do that unless we are in | | | | little tips like turning down the thermostat by 1 |
| serious debt. But small changes can be made which | | | | degree, time the heating for when you really feel |
| can help reduce our outgoings. Some of the following | | | | you need it, for example first thing in the morning, |
| tips I am sure people will willingly accept other are | | | | when you get in from work,etc. Wear warmer |
| worth trying. | | | | clothing - I can't survive without my cardigan and |
| Supermarket Shopping | | | | socks first thing in the morning! |
| We all have our standard of shopping, some of us | | | | If you can afford to have the loft insulated, the |
| are only happy to buy brands that we see | | | | government now have grants for some families on |
| advertised. They always appear to be well packaged | | | | some low incomes and receiving tax credits. |
| and claim good quality ingredients. For these shoppers | | | | Double glazing is very expensive but if you haven't |
| is it worth buying a supermarket own brand. These in | | | | already got it it's well worth investing in especially if |
| many cases are made with similar ingredients, similar | | | | you have long term plans to stay in that place. |
| recipes and even sometimes by the same | | | | Should you have a small family you should definitely |
| manufacturers, eg biscuits, cereals, etc. I have | | | | have a water meter fitted. Water meters are |
| recently changed by kids breakfast cereal from | | | | fantastic way of making big savings. I managed to |
| Kelloggs Coco Pops to Sainsbury's Choco Pops. The | | | | cut one third off my bill. Other smaller ways of |
| kids didn't even realise I had done this. The were 50p | | | | making savings are by having showers instead of |
| cheaper and 100g more! | | | | baths. Only boil the kettle for the amount of water |
| Another way of downsizing is to downsize from the | | | | you needs - this saves water and electricity. The |
| supermarkets own brand to the economy brands on | | | | water companies provide free expandable bags |
| some items only. Obviously like myself if you feel | | | | which you put in the cistern uses less water every |
| strongly about some items, for example I feel | | | | time you flush. Only use the dishwasher and washing |
| strongly about free range eggs and no matter what | | | | machine when you have full loads. Try not to use the |
| the cost I would still try and afford these. But there | | | | tumble dryer if the weather is good! Turn everything |
| are some items I do not feel so strongly about and | | | | off standby contrary to what some people believe |
| therefore I always economise on these mainly boxes | | | | standby does use electricity! |
| of tissues, tins of kidney beans, sweetcorn, | | | | Council Tax |
| tomatoes, etc. | | | | Lets face it anybody who pays this finds it difficult |
| If you really don't want to fill your cupboards with | | | | to digest. There is no way we have any control over |
| dreary economy brand items then why not change | | | | this ridiculous tax which is supposed to fund every |
| your supermarket altogether. Some the German | | | | council service you can think of but provides no |
| supermarkets don't have 20 types of apples or | | | | service that anybody is happy with. |
| strawberries which are not in season but they do | | | | Mortgages |
| have many other items which are good value for | | | | Mortgages again are very hard to reduce. You can |
| money. Having to compete against the big | | | | shop around for better interest rates or fixed |
| supermarkets make the prices in these more | | | | interest rates. These seem such a hassle and |
| competitive and quality quite good. They don't have | | | | sometimes involve arrangement fees and valuation |
| much of an emphasis on customer service so make | | | | fees so it seems easier to stay where you are. |
| sure you go when you have plenty of time and | | | | However with the internet making everything now |
| patience as the check out queues can be quite long! I | | | | so easy to access there isn't really an excuse for at |
| speak from personal experience of supplying a chilled | | | | least not looking at what deals maybe out there that |
| product to one of these German stores. The checks | | | | may suit you. Another idea for "younger couples" is |
| are rigorous as any other supermarket so they are | | | | to extend the term of your mortgage which is |
| not cutting any corners and giving you a products | | | | getting more and more common with the rise in |
| which is strictly adhered to to the food guidelines in | | | | house prices. |
| this country. | | | | General Expenses |
| A general rule for all supermarkets is to look out for | | | | Its always looking through your monthly bank |
| what they have on offer and only buy it in bulk if it | | | | statements to see where you can make any |
| is a product you use anyway, for example I did that | | | | changes. |
| this morning with washing powder which was half | | | | Do you really need to see the beautician or |
| price so I could afford to stock up. Obviously don't | | | | hairdresser that often? |
| buy time sensitive or fresh products if you cannot | | | | Do you need to buy so many clothes/shoes so |
| use them as this would be a waste of money no | | | | often? |
| matter what the price! | | | | Do you really need the huge Sky package? Could |
| Petrol | | | | you get by with less choice. |
| Petrol is a hard product to shop around and get | | | | Can you switch your mobile phone package? Do you |
| cheaper as it is expensive everywhere! However if | | | | need that many texts and minutes. |
| you do have daily long journeys it is worth shopping | | | | Is your internet package meeting your needs - do |
| around on the usual route and stocking up from the | | | | you need to up or down grade? |
| cheapest place. The other tips are a little obvious in | | | | Can you use your leisure time in a different way - do |
| that you should leave the car at home if possible | | | | you need to eat out that often? |
| (you will be doing your bit for the environment as | | | | Do you take full advantage of the expensive gym |
| well!). Walk to your local shops, walk to your local | | | | membership? |
| school, walk wherever you can. Work out if its more | | | | For most of us we will already doing exactly what |
| economic to take the bus or take your car. Plan | | | | we're happy with and what we can afford. However |
| ahead and do a big supermarket shop, so you're not | | | | should you wish to change anything go through the |
| using your car to get to the shops every other day. | | | | above list and tweak things here and there to make |
| If you know you have a numbers of errands try and | | | | them more suitable for yourself. |
| do them in groups rather than one a day. If you are | | | | There are lots of "thrifty" websites which are worth |
| going a particular way anticipate all the other you | | | | looking at simply because they suggest little ideas |
| needs to get done in the next few days that use | | | | which can make a big difference. |
| the same route. | | | | Everyone should do there bit for the environment |
| Utility Bills | | | | regardless of whether you're interested in saving |
| Electric and gas bills again are very hard to reduce | | | | money or not. Our little contributions are all worth |
| especially as we are all used to switching the heat on | | | | doing, recycling etc. But with parcels now going here, |
| and off whenever we fancy. Again chopping and | | | | there and everywhere the transport companies |
| changing energy providers makes very little | | | | should be more responsible and we should try and |
| difference. They all declare millions of pounds of | | | | use couriers and freight companies which encourage |
| profit every year. They appear to have very little | | | | return loads and therefore are not running on empty. |