Money Saving Tips

We know that sometimes money doesn't stretch as far as we'd like it to, so here are some great ideas and tips to make your money go further. With a few simple changes you could save hundreds of pounds a year.

Shopping

• Plan meals in advance and stick to the plan, this will stop you spending extra money on takeaways or eating out at restaurants
• Choose BOGOFs and special offers on non-perishable goods
• Look out for the reduced item sections, you can save £££s.
• Buy supermarket own brands - On average they’re 35% cheaper.~
• When you go to the supermarket always take a list with you, this will help stop you buying things that you don’t need.
• For larger items look in store and buy online, you may be able to get cheaper deals 
• Use discount vouchers whilst shopping to save money on your goods. 
• Try doing your food shop online, that way you won’t be tempted to buy goods that you don’t necessarily need just because they’re on offer. Plus you’ll save on petrol/bus fare too!

At home 

• The average household could save £250 by being more energy efficient around the home.^
• Turning your thermostat down by 1°C can save you around £50 a year*
• Service your boiler every year to keep it running efficiently and replace it every 15 years.
• Don’t leave TVs, DVD players and stereos on standby. They still use around 60% as much electricity as they would if switched on.
• Turn lights off when you leave the room – in the UK we waste around £85 million a year by leaving lights on unnecessarily*
• Turn off the tap whilst brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing your face -you can save up to 9 litres a minute by doing this
• Save water and cash by showering instead of taking baths.
• Compare energy prices regularly to make sure that you are getting the best deal
• Use energy saving light bulbs, they use up to 80% less electricity than standard bulbs and last 10 times longer*
• When buying new electrical goods for you home, always look for the Energy Saving Trust Recommended logo. This means that the item has met the strict criteria on energy efficiency.
• Visit the energy saving trust’s website for some great tips on how to save money at home.

In your car save money on fuel by:

• Driving smoothly and staying in higher gears
• Switching off your engine if you are stationary for more than a couple of minutes
• Making sure that you tyres are properly inflated, in good condition and are aligned
• Reducing the weight in your car by not carrying unnecessary items.
• Not filling your fuel tank, it makes you car weigh more and therefore, uses up more fuel.
• Visit www.thisismoney.co.uk for more great tips on how to save money on fuel.

Make money!

• Get rid of your unwanted goods at car boot sales or on online auction websites like eBay
• Fill out online surveys
• Become a mystery shopper
• Sell your old mobile phones
• If you are a current customer Recommend a friend for a Greenwood loan

Grab yourself a bargain on Freecycle

 Get yourself some items for FREE at Freecycle. Freecycle is an entirely non-profit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by local volunteers and membership is free. Visit Freecycles website for more information.

Visit www.cccs.co.uk and www.direct.gov.uk for more helpful tips on saving money.

If these tips aren’t enough and you still feel like you may need a small loan to tide you through, then we may be able to help. We could offer you a small cash loan from £100-£500 over 14 – 52 weeks. If you are interested in applying for one of our loans, visit our product page for more details or click here to apply.

*http://www.npower.com

 ^ Energy Saving Trust

~ www.mysupermarket.com

These hints and tips are for information purposes only and do not constitute any advice or recommendation. Your attention is drawn to the website Terms and Conditions