Economiser
Move over Steptoe, we're all economising now
Filed under: Economiser
After a decade of high living and fast spending it was always going to be tricky to learn to give up the unnecessary extras and live within our means, but a new survey has shown that we've finally mastered it.Four in five of us have embraced what it is calling the 'age of austerity', and the best news is that we're doing it cleverly enough for it to be sustainable.
British Gas profits not just a rip off
Filed under: Economiser, House and Home
While we were all freezing during the coldest winter for 30 years, Centrica bosses were rubbing their hands together, not to keep warm, but in glee as their company's profits soared.Centrica is the parent of British Gas which posted a surplus of £585 million – 98% ahead of last year – as shivering households cranked up the heating and gas usage rose 8%.
Have a Chelsea-Clinton-style wedding on the cheap
Filed under: Economiser, Celebrity Pockets, Weddings
When Chelsea Clinton is walked down the isle by her dad on Saturday, she'll do so at a mystery venue, in front of celebrity guests like Steven Spielberg, Barbra Streisand and Tony Blair ( lucky girl) . She will also do it for an estimated cost of £2 million. And while the cost of her wedding to financier Marc Mezvinsky is unlikely to worry her dad, it needn't be so pricey. So how do you have a wedding with the trimmings, for less?
9 ways to save money on home insurance
Filed under: Economiser, House and Home, Insurance
In these cash-strapped times, there are a number of ways you can reduce the cost of your buildings and contents insurance without compromising on the cover.You can get discounts for having alarms or smoke detectors fitted and for a host of other things – read on for more tips.
Earning enough to get by is getting tougher
Filed under: Economiser, Families, Budgeting & Planning
It is getting harder for people on low incomes to earn enough to afford a decent standard of living - even before the budget has fully kicked in.This is down to sharp rises in the cost of food, transport and council tax. Research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) also shows that a computer and an internet connection at home are no longer regarded as luxuries but as essentials if people want to feel they are part of society.
Brits waste millions by renewing home insurance
Filed under: Economiser, House and Home, Insurance
Homeowners are wasting a staggering £937 million a year - which translates into £132 per household - by sticking with their existing home insurance provider instead of shopping around for a better deal.Staying loyal to your home insurance provider simply because you can't be bothered to look for a better deal will cost you dearly, says moneysupermarket.com.
It's time to stop craving and start saving
Filed under: Economiser, Mortgages, Saving
Last week marked the third anniversary of the smoking ban across England and Wales, when many smokers chose to pack in the habit for good. Other places have followed suit. Even the Oktoberfest, Munich's famous beer festival, has gone smoke-free.New numbers highlight the benefits of quitting: ex-smokers could have built a nest egg of nearly £7,000 in a savings account over the last three years – or knocked 7 ½ years off their mortgage and saved £21,333 in interest.
How tenants can save energy and cut costs
Filed under: Economiser, House and Home
How green is your home? Chances are, if you're renter rather than a homeowner, your living environment isn't as eco-friendly as it could be, and it's costing more to run as a result.But there's a host of ways to reduce energy consumption as a tenant, and landlords have a responsibility too, so follow this checklist to save both energy and money in your home.
Earn extra cash on your current account
Filed under: Economiser, Saving, Budgeting & Planning
How do you get the best deal on your bank account - along with the best customer service, and how do you know whether the current account topping the best-buy tables is the best one for you? Here are the top ten things you need to think about when picking a current account, compiled by consumer champion Which?.
High overseas charges just for switching on your mobile
Filed under: Economiser, Travel, Budgeting & Planning
Did you know that you could be charged just for switching on your mobile phone whilst abroad, without making any calls yourself? As we're all gearing up for our summer holidays, many more could be joining the third of us who have been shocked by a large phone bill upon returning home.
