Nowadays, we are all looking for ways to cut costs on bills and other expenses. One of the easiest ways to conserve money is to shop around for the best energy tariff. Finding the cheapest energy provider and the tariff that best suits your needs isn’t always the easiest task, but, the rewards are well worth the effort.
According to experts, customers can save around £300 when they switch gas and electricity suppliers. The biggest mistake that many people make is remaining on a standard tariff. Prices change constantly, and when you switch suppliers to land a better deal, you’ll save yourself much more money. Some experts even suggest that you should move deals every six months to a year to ensure that you have the cheapest rate.
The only way to know if you have a cheap or expensive deal is to compare your tariff with others that are being offered by competitors. Comparison websites make the job easier by scouring thousands of tariffs for you and displaying the cheapest ones. All you have to do is provide the name of your current supplier, the name of your current tariff, how much energy you use and how much you pay. You will automatically be given a list of alternative providers and tariffs. Websites often offer their own guides to help you decipher the pros and cons of each tariff and deal, so that you can make an informed decision.
In addition to shopping around for the best deal, consumers should be more aware of how much energy they use and make a greater effort to conserve energy. Little habits such as turning lights off when exiting a room, unplugging appliances that are seldom used and setting the thermostat can significantly help reduce the cost of gas and electricity.
While switching suppliers and being more conscientious of the amount of energy you use is one of the most effective ways to save money, there are other ways which you can save. Similar comparison sites have mortgage calculators that help you find the best rates. Carefully selecting the right mortgage can save you quit a bit of money, but it is often best to consult a broker to help you make the best decision.
Even if you aren’t ready to make big changes such as changing energy suppliers or re-mortgaging, there are other money-saving methods that can be just as effective.
A couple of times a year, you should go through your house cleaning and getting rid of unused or unwanted items. But, don’t just delegate unwanted items to the trash. You can give barely used items to charity, sell DVDs online or recycle items and give them a new purpose. It’s amazing how much extra money you can come up with when you take the time to sell old and unwanted items. Just remember to do it often, and keep track of your spending habits.