Ways To Save Money

I write all the time about how much more it is costing us to live and thought I would put together a few ways I have advised people over the years to save money.

Now for many people, you may already be doing these, or for some they will seem very common sensical, if there is such a word.  But you may find one or two ideas that may help.

Now this is not to show you how to immediately save hundreds of pounds, although there are some ways this can be done, these ideas are more to show how to free up a few quid each month, which then adds up.

If you were to free up £10 a month, that is £120 a year....it does all add up.

Mobile phones - So many people go over there contracted minutes or texts, and this gets expensive.  review your plan, do you need to increase it, or are you not using all the allotted time.  Yes, it costs more to increase your plan, but it can save you in the long run if you keep going over.

If you are not using all your allotted time, reduce the plan, if possible, or also if you are a minimal user, go for a pay-as-you-go (PAYG).  Some of the new plans offer a lot of minutes and unlimited texts for £10.  Also, watch out if you have a fancy smancy iPhone and/or use your phone for the Internet;  data usage plans can be expensive, and just to check Facebook??

Cars - These can be costly to maintain and just own; petrol, insurance, MOT, tax disc, etc.  I walk a lot, and I do mean a lot.  I will walk just about anywhere before I’ll fire up the car.  Set a limit, if you need to go to the shop or somewhere within 2-3 miles, walk it, if you can. This can make a difference in your monthly petrol costs.

I used to advocate the use of public transport, and still do, but it has gotten costly there as well.  If you are going to use public transport, by weekly or monthly passes.  These can help reduce the costs to you.

Shopping around for insurance goes without saying, it also goes without saying almost no matter who you go with it will be expensive.You can look into raising your deductible, and also inquiring if driving less miles will reduce the premium.  I got my car insurance reduced by only driving a few thousand miles a year.  Well it didn’t actually reduce my insurance, it offset an increase.

Sometimes safety features on a car can reduce the premium, also where you park (keep it honest, no address swaps).

Bundling your auto and home or tenant/contents insurance with the same insurance company can also help in lowering the costs.

Phone-Internet - and let’s add TV to this as well - In my house we use a free box and that is it, no Sky, or other elaborate and costly TV add ons.  We also have bundled our landline phone and Internet with one company and for £25 a month now, it was a bit cheaper last year, we have unlimited calls to other landlines, no mobiles, and a very good Internet service.  I use the Internet to watch the BBC iPlayer most times anyway.  And between that and Youtube, who needs Sky.

Clothes - Here there can be a difference of opinions.  I am not a clothes horse and some I know are.  I shop at Primark, Matalans and have found many cheap discount clothing shops privately owned in town.  I got a jumper for a fiver the other day, and it is stylish and well made. There are values to be found, but some need to have the latest and greatest and will pay dearly for it.

Electronics - For me I cannot skimp on a computer, I do need/require a powerful machines, for my work, so this can get costly.  But by buying a refurbished Mac, which has lasted three (3) years, it was well worth it as I can wear out a computer in one (1) year to 18 months.  They are on 24/7 and just die young.  So not replacing something until you need to, not just because you want the largest TV, newest mobile phone, or whatever.

Save for the purchase.

Don’t be as materialistic.

Wait, as last year’s gadget gets cheaper when this year’s gadget comes out.

So just a few, common sense helpful tips to try and save a few quid.