Christmas is a stressful period for all of us. Costs and prices constantly rising, financial stability constantly wavering and Christmas fast approaching means that saving money now is more essential than ever.
Christmas is an expensive time for all of us and not just because of the amount we spend on gifts but also because we use a lot more energy on heating our houses during the colder winter months
To help guide you on the coming holiday season we’ve highlighted some key areas that you can explore to save serious cash this winter.
Tax
You may or may not be entitled to a tax refund but HRMC states that 1 in 3 people are due some kind of tax refund so the chances are good. If you are it can be a much needed cash injection of surprisingly large amounts.
You may have unknowingly paid too much tax through your job, be on the wrong tax code, only worked part of the year or not exceeded your personal government allowance. There are numerous factors that determine whether or not you are eligible for a tax refund, so check to see what you qualify for.
Energy
With the 6 major energy providers rising their prices this winter ( EDF prices are set to rise 3.9%) its now more expensive than ever to power our homes. So checking that you’re getting the best deal is absolutely crucial and it couldn’t be easier.
There are an array of comparison sites on the internet such as uSwitch that offer you the chance to compare different supplies rates based upon several factors such as location and usage. By switching provider you could save hundreds annually!
Be sure to make sure you aren’t wasting energy too. Changing to energy efficient appliances and lighting could have big financial short term impact but in the long run you will save hundreds.
Food
Your weekly food shop is one way you can really slash costs. All supermarkets offer their own branded items on many times and a lot of the time they are just as good! Check out supermarketbrandguide, there you will find how over 2000 own-brand products compared to the well-known brands; it reveals some surprising results!
If you really want to save there are also the basics ranges offered by the supermarkets. For instance Sainsburys basics tuna is £0.90 a tin where as John west Tuna is £2, over double the price.
Bills
Saving money on your bills is easy and can really benefit your cash flow. For instance with your mobile phone bill you can sign up to family packages and favourite number services to ensure you don’t go over your monthly allowances.
Getting internet, TV and landline packages from the same provider will also save you a bundle each month as they all come from the same provider.
Finally, if you are buying insurance for gifts this Christmas make sure you shop around online and get the best possible deal, it’s so easy to sign up in store for their insurance but more often than not you are paying way more than you need to.
