24 great ways to save you money

If you find yourself struggling with day-to-day finances, like paying for your mortgage re-payments and insurance payments, phone bills, even your weekly food bills, here are 24 helpful, foolproof ideas to cut the cost of your spending in order to keep yourself on top of your finances.

Move your mortgage.

If you are thinking about shifting your mortgage, then now is the time to do it, as there are many good deals lurking about on the market these days.

Move your buildings insurer.

Premiums can vary, all depending on location, claims experience etc. So it is a good idea to shop around and find the best deal for you.

Move your contents insurance.

As buildings insurance. There could be a cheaper deal just waiting for you to snap them up.

Move your car insurance.

Extreme savings can be gained form changing your car insurer, rewarding and benefiting those with a good driving record, age and type of car etc. So do it now.

Move your life insurance.

Premiums concerning life insurance have also come down dramatically in the last few years. So even if you shopped around for a good deal a couple of years ago, you may still get a better one today.

Replace your credit card.

You may have hit the maximum limit on your credit card and will have to start thinking about how you are going to pay it back. Why not switch your card to another cheaper rate with flexible repayments in order to do so on terms that suit you.

Find a new gas and electricity supplier.

How much you are likely to save will depend upon who you are with, how much fuel you use and how you repay your bills, but it is worth researching into.

Ordering your phone bills.

Even if you don’t fancy changing your telephone supplier, at least think about changing the tariff you’re on. BT is a prime example. They offer a staggering variety of different tariffs, which will bring down your bill greatly.

Switch your savings.

Even if you have little savings stashed away, it is important that you are getting the best possible rate for it. It is especially important if you don’t have a ‘flexible’ mortgage, where you can earn added interest by leaving your savings to help pay off the loan, and can then claim it as needed, so try using a ‘money savings account finder’.

Shift your bank account.

In past years banks used to make it very difficult for you to switch your bank account, but now banks allow easy transfers of direct debits and standing orders between each other, allowing you to use the best bank for your financial circumstances.

Travel insurance.

If you have a family and take more than one foreign holiday each year, then there are no exceptions. Take out annual cover. It works out cheaper in the long run, and covers you and your family for all of those unexpected mishaps and accidents.

Find a good stockbroker.

Despite the poor reputation of the Stock market in recent years, you may be a glutton for punishment. If so it is worth finding a broker with the lowest charges and best services.

Invest in an inexpensive ISA.

You may be reluctant to invest in an ISA, but remember that shares have risen by 30% since March 2003.

Invest In a car – cheaply.

You are likely to find a better deal to purchase a car outside of the showroom. So contact your local suppliers and dealers to see what you can find.

Find a cheap foreign currency rate.

For small holiday amounts, the best deals can be found at Marks & Spencer’s, or at your local post office. Or for larger amounts, such as buying a new car abroad, or that perfect little villa in Spain, go to a foreign exchange office.

Find a cheaper flight or holiday.

At the moment tour operators are desperate for your money, which is why they are slashing off money for the price of a holiday. It may seem mad to talk about going on holiday when you are supposed to be saving, but it is likely you are able put down a small deposit to reserve that destination, and then pay for the bulk of it when you have the money.

Find a cheap loan.

An extremely useful device if you want to pay off your debts in an organised, simple manner. In order to do this, you must compare deals, and watch out for any hidden charges.

Invest in loan protection insurance.

Forget about lenders expensive loan protection cover if you trip or have an accident. By far the better deals are often Lenders own insurances.

Supermarket Shopping

Always write a list to prevent you from buying things you don't need. Never shop on an empty stomach as you are likely to buy more food when you're hungry. You can save between 15% and 30% on your shopping bill by swaping the brands you normally buy for something just one brand level lower.

Market Shopping

One alternative to supermarkets is to visit your local market. Lower overheads can mean lower prices and greater deals.

Pay-as-you go mobile

Is your mobile phone absolutely necessary? Do you really need all the free minutes and texts that come with your mobile package? Spending £50 a month on a mobile phone contract adds up to £600 a year. If you don't use your mobile to the full extent of the contract then consider buying a cheap pay-as-you-go phone and only pay for calls when you need to.

Sell stuff on eBay

If you have cupboards of stuff that you don't use anymore or clothes you haven't worn in ages, then get rid of them by selling them to someone who will. You can sell your unwanted clutter on Ebay, the online auction site, for a very small commission and bring in some extra cash as well as keeping your home clutter free. Tip: buy a few items on Ebay first so that your rating increases and you become a respectable eBayer before you start selling.

Keeping up appearances

Trying to keep up with the Jones's can be costly. You can't judge someone by what they have because there is no way of telling how they got it. Chances are they're probably in more debt than you are.

Give up smoking

Putting the health implications aside for a minute, a 20-a-day habit can cost you almost £2,000 a year. So cut down or give up.