Piggybank The recession may be officially over, but belt-tightening could become a way of life. Andrew Stucken presents ten money-saving tips to help cut everyday costs:
Go to market Farmers' markets get a lot of publicity, and no less useful are traditional street markets selling food. Often locally produced, lower overheads can translate into cheaper fruit and veg than in supermarkets.
Ditch the ready meals The horrors of processed food are well known – and do you really want to pay £3.50 to nuke that lump of glorified gristle? A little imagination and you can knock out a simple meal from the scraps in your larder in no time.
Do grocery shopping online Spare yourself the crush of the supermarket and buy exactly what you planned and no more. It is all too easy to succumb to impulse purchases in store. If shopping at the store, be sure to take a list and stick to it.
Avoid vending machines as the products they dispense almost always cost more.
Cook multiple meals in one go – and then freeze them. Saves both time and money.
Save money on glasses and contact lenses Optical aids are expensive. If you are happy with the idea of ordering online, there are a number of websites selling at a fraction of the high street price. Be sure to get a thorough eye test at an optician’s first of course, and obtain a prescription.
Take online surveys In return for 20 minutes of your time you can earn discount vouchers worth £10-15. Not a bad return. Caveat: do beware surveys advertised via pop-ups. They may well be fake and do nothing but gather your personal information. If in doubt, do an internet search on the survey.
Motorists are meanwhile always being told how to save fuel. Does it really make a difference? The answer is yes. Even if you only do a few thousand miles a year, overall savings could run into hundreds of pounds. For a start…
Don’t over–rev Change up a gear when you hit 2,500 revs in a petrol car and 2,000 in a diesel.
Speed bumps Don’t accelerate and brake hard on a speed-bumped road – you will guzzle petrol. A steady 15-20mph is far preferable.
Use good motor oil Cheap oil can damage your engine. Meanwhile make sure you use a good air filter and keep it clean.
*And for a bit of light relief, Channel 4 have produced an online application where you get to decide where the government makes cuts. See ‘Chop or Not’ at http://chopornot.channel4.com
Written by Andrew Stucken, this article was first published on May 13, 2010. Andrew's opinions are his own and for general information only. Always seek independent, professional, financial advice.