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Change your attitude to your mortgage
Your home is likely to be your biggest buy so make sure you get the best deal on any mortgage. If you are currently paying your lender's full standard variable rate (SVR) it is most likely you are paying hundreds of pounds a year more than necessary. This is one of the best ways to save money and as there are thousands of deals to choose from it will save you a lot of money.
Saving: £1,000s
Cut the cost of your utility bills
Prices are rising each year as the demand for power increases. Luckily enough the utilities market is competitive and you can save a lot of money by switching companies via the internet; best of all the supplier will take care of all the paperwork for you.
Saving: £100
Consider installing a water meter
You may want to consider the possibility of installing a meter. Especially if you have a big home with few occupants you may be surprised to learn you could halve your annual bill.
Saving: £100s
Make a shopping list
Food shopping is a significant part of our monthly or weekly outgoings and the supermarket is where the most of your pay will go. It is a fact that Tesco takes £1 in every £8 spent by UK shoppers and by spending money on researching the way we shop supermarkets maximize the amount you spend when out shopping for food. So next time when shopping instead of singling along to the background m,usic (which is specially selected) plan a list and buy only what you need. As well as this get out your old cookery books and plan a few meals.
Saving: £10 a week = £520 a year
Buy supermarket own-brand goods
You can buy a tin of Asda own-brand baked beans for 14p and a loaf bread at Asda, Tesco or Sainsbury's for 19p. Don’t be tempted to buy branded goods when the quality is the same.
Saving: £100
Never been to the market?
Use your local market stall to get lower prices and for a healthier way of life. At the time of writing, cherries were on sale in Asda for £2.99 for 400g with the equivalent at the local market for just over £1.
Saving: £100+
Learn to say 'no'
It is easy to give in to the demands of a screaming child in a packed Woolworths on a Saturday afternoon. But don't do it. Saying 'no' a few times a year will help save you money in no time. Be strong.
Saving: £100
Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses
Trying to keep up appearances is little more than a costly illness. Remember, you cannot judge someone by what they have because you don't know how they got it. Chances are they're in more debt than you are.
Saving: £1,000s
Cut down your drinking
A few beers after work a few nights a week is a financially debilitating state of affairs. Set limits and stick to them.
Saving: £100s
Pack up smoking
Never mind the health implications, the guilt and the smell, your 20-a-day habit is costing you nearly £2,000 a year. Pack it in.
Saving: Nearly £2,000
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