12 WAYS TO GET YOUR SAVINGS INTO SHAPE
These tips from comparison site quotezone.co.uk will leave you much better prepared for Christmas
1. Check how competitive your gas, electricity, phone and broadband suppliers are, and switch to a cheaper rival.
2. Review all your direct debits and subscriptions, and cancel any you can happily live without.
3. Don’t just auto-renew motor and home insurance policies, check rivals on comparison sites.
4. Order in bulk. Buying food and drink wholesale can save money.
5. Make sure you are signed up to any eligible Government schemes, such as childcare vouchers, child benefit, pension credit and so on.
6. Downgrade mobile phone and internet packages. You could save money by ditching extras you don’t actually use.
7. Explore energy-saving tips for your house such as smart meters, draft excluders and energy-efficient lighting.
8. Make sure you’re not paying too much council tax. Up to 400,000 homes are in the wrong council tax band.
9. Shift credit card debt on to an interest-free balance transfer card. This can give you up to two years to clear your debt without paying interest, although you may need a clean credit record to qualify for the best deals.
10. Set up a standing order to move a regular sum into your savings account after pay day.
11. Think about small extras you could cut on a daily basis. One less takeaway coffee every morning could save you £280 by Christmas.
12. Have a proper clear-out and sell quality used items on second-hand sites or local Facebook community pages.