Tips To Reduce Your Expenditure

• Look around for the best deals: Use comparison websites to find the best deals for your utility bills and insurance needs. Being loyal to your provider can cost you money, today’s market is extremely competitive, make sure your getting the best deal and take advantage of introductory offers many providers advertise. 

• Landline: Do you actually use your landline enough to justify its expense? Many people now have their own personal mobile, which is slowly making the traditional landline phone a thing of the past which has lead to many people terminating their landline contacts in a bid to save money as mobile phone charges continue to fall. Also look for alternative options such as Skype, who offer free calls and instant messaging to other Skype users. The software is free and can be downloaded from www.skype.com, they also offer reduced call costs to landline numbers both nationally and internationally.

• Weekly Food Shop: Before visiting your local supermarket write down a list of things you need and stick to it this can prevent overspending, also take cash only and leave your credit/debit card at home. Your more likely to stick to your food budget as you can physically see the cash you’re spending. If you have given yourself a good time slot to go shopping, visit more than one supermarket for best deals on products including ‘by one get one free’ and visiting the reduced items isle or ‘woops’ section of your local supermarket. Some products are offered at better value for money when bought in bulk, look for your popular products with this offer.

• Take Food To Work: Make your own sandwiches to take to work with your own food, the average price of a sandwich in shops range from €2 – 3, which means you end up spending between €10 – 15, and that’s regardless of any extras such as; drink, fruit or snacks. If possible take a kettle to work and keep your self topped up with tea and coffee throughout the day.

• Learn How To Cook: Make home cooked meals using fresh ingredient’s which can be bagged and frozen when made in large quantities, take a portion into work the following day.

• Your Vehicles: Do you really need that second car? The costs of running a car are becoming increasingly expensive, particularly in some places where there are road tolls. You could also contrast the costs of using public transport against your weekly petrol cost, many bus services offer weekly bus passes for a great value.

• Smoking: If you are like many people making empty promises to yourself about giving up cigarettes, now is a good time to do it. The average price of a pack of 20 cigarettes has increased from €1.65 in 1990 – to €5.85 in April this year! If you feel that quitting smoking now is not an option then consider buying tobacco pouches and making your own, it’s a much cheaper option and you may find that you tend to smoke less.

• Don’t Be An Ostrich: If you are having money difficulties don’t stick your head in the sand, contact your creditors to let them know your financial situation. If your expenditure is still larger than your income then contact The Debt Advice Team for free confidential advice from our experienced debt advisors on 01657 5602.