Winter has arrived, which means we’re closing in on that special time of year when households up and down the country start thinking about whether or not to turn the heating on.
A warm, cosy house is an inviting prospect for all of us, of course, so you may be pleased to hear that it doesn’t necessarily need to result in weighty heating bills. Homeowners are constantly told to consider double glazing, or a heating system overhaul; but are there any quicker, less expensive ways to keep your monthly heating bills in check?
We’re here to run you through a few tips and tricks that could help to cut the cost of staying warm over the coming months – let’s dive straight in.
Review your insulation
A solid first port of call for any homeowner is to review their quality of insulation, particularly in the attic and cavity walls. People often do this manually by gaining access to the insulation through a small hole, or entry point, in an interior wall to check what has already been fitted.
Alternatively, many energy companies are happy to arrange an official review that will confirm what type of insulation is installed, and whether it is sufficient to prevent rapid heat loss. When fitted correctly, a comprehensive approach to insulation can shave hundreds off an annual energy bill.
Check for draughts
Beyond wall insulation, doors and windows play a huge role in any property’s ability to retain heat, so it makes sense to review any air leaks that may be causing cold around your house – before patching them up.
Start with a detailed inspection of each room. If you find that the border or stripping of a particular door or window is not sufficiently sealed then you’re likely to be losing valuable heat. A single threshold that isn’t properly insulated may not seem like much, but when more than one gap is left unchecked, that’s when you start feeling the draughts.
Localise the warmth
Many people are quick to switch on the heating for an entire house, even if they only need to heat a single room or space. Rather than relying solely on the boiler, you might be able to save a few quid by investing in a portable heater and putting it to use where necessary.
Sure, the remaining rooms in the house might be a little bit cooler, but the overall saving on gas often outweighs the additional electricity usage. Decent heaters tend to start at around £30 but the savings from the boiler should offset this cost and then some, particularly in the long run.
Invest in thicker curtains
While you may be committed to a particular colour scheme in your living room or bedroom, it’s always a good idea to have a backup pair of curtains ready to go when the temperatures start to drop.
This is especially the case if a house does not have double glazing installed throughout. In this case, a pair of curtains with a thick thermal lining is essential for those who want to retain as much internal heat as possible.
Shop around for a better rate
It’s no real surprise that the total price of our gas and electric bills tends to come to the fore of our minds during the winter months. This is usually the time when homeowners start thinking about the best possible deal they can get on their utilities.
There are plenty of comparison websites out there through which people can check how much, if anything, they are in line to save by switching. But before changing providers, it’s important to bear in mind that there may be certain cancellation fees for exiting out of a fixed rate tariff early.
Recently, the Bank of England made the decision to raise interest rates for the first time in ten year – an increase back to 0.5% from the historic low rate of 0.25%. This marks a signal of intent from the BoE’s monetary policy committee and ultimately means that the cost of borrowing is on the up.
So how exactly will this affect the average UK household? First of all, standard procedure will see this change in the base interest rate reflected on the high street, with most retail banks increasing their mortgage rate by 0.25% in line with the BoE.
For those people who are currently on a variable or tracker mortgage, this will see their monthly expenditure rise in the run-up towards Christmas. According to recent stats from Nationwide, this amounts to around 5 million British people, which works out to just under half of all mortgage owners across the country. It’s also worth remembering that the increase comes at a time when most homeowners are experiencing a freeze in their earnings, which will ultimately mean less disposable income to spend at the end of each month.
Are rates expected to increase further?
As you’d probably expect, the Bank of England’s decision has provoked plenty of reaction from economists and social commentators. Some experts say that, although there will be an expected dip in demand within the housing market, this suggests a fledgling indication of greater confidence in the economy that could have a positive impact in the longer term.
In fact, it’s perhaps our best indication in over a decade that the air of caution surrounding the economy since the credit crunch is beginning to turn around. Speaking to journalists off the back of the announcement, Governor of the BoE Mark Carney explained that the country was perfectly placed to handle the increase:
“To be clear, even after today’s rate increase, monetary policy will provide significant support to jobs and activity. And the Monetary Policy Committee continues to expect that any future increases in interest rates would be at a gradual pace and to a limited extent.
“Fully 60% of mortgages are now at fixed interest rates. Even with this Bank Rate increase, many households will refinance onto lower interest rates than they are currently paying by around 30 basis points for those moving from an expiring two-year fixed rate deal to around two percentage points for someone refinancing an expiring five-year fixed rates deal.”
If you’re still looking to clarify how your own mortgage may be affected by the interest rate increase, we recommend getting in touch with your local bank or building society.
Halloween season is upon us once more, and what better way to celebrate than throwing a little shindig (preferably fancy dress) with your nearest and dearest.
One thing’s for certain: you certainly won’t be alone in the celebrations. A survey from consumer experts Mintel last year found that British people spend a whopping £33 million per year on Halloween goodies, costumes and party props. And while this total spending may pale in comparison to our American cousins across the pond, it’s still enough to send shivers down the spine of your wallet.
With this in mind, we’re here to pull together a few useful Halloween party ideas and details that could really flip the switch on any Halloween party. In fact, we’d say you don’t need to spend a whole lot of money at all, so long as you’re thinking creatively about how to give folks a frightful evening they won’t soon forget.
Let’s dive straight in, shall we?
The budget costume
While any old Tom, Dick or Harry can nip down to their local fancy dress shop and pick out a pre-packaged Zorro outfit complete with hat, sword, eye mask and all the trimmings… we’d say that’s taking the easy way out.
Perhaps a more challenging (and fun!) approach is to put the kettle on and write a shortlist of memorable people, icons or characters that you can recreate with items you already have. This could even help establish a particular theme for the party. For instance, if you like glam-rock and happen to have some blue eye-shadow hanging around then you’re already well on your way to an awesome Ziggy Stardust costume.
Just remember, the devil really is in the detail.
The food and drink selection
Ah yes, what fine Halloween bash would be complete without a comfortable provision of cool things to nibble and cold things to sip? For those looking to inspire a little spookiness among their guests, here’s another perfect opportunity to get creative.
If it’s a classier affair, a pumpkin cheesecake or ‘spider web’ cake always go down a treat – and they’re not too difficult to make. Or, if you wanted to go a little bit more gross with it, you could even get yourself a cheap mould and make a few helpings of ‘brain jelly’, perhaps even stirring in a few glugs of your preferred liqueur. The choice is yours.
Decorations
Of course, you might also be looking for ways to transform your house into a den of evil; for one night, at least. One of our favourite tricks to paint an old egg carton black and give each one a pair of stick on eyes. When hung upside-down from a lamp shade, you’ve got yourself a makeshift bat colony.
Lighting is also important here, and you can create an unusual ambience in a few ways. A well-cut jack-o’-lantern is an obvious purchase for most parties, though you can take this to the next level by dotting a few more around the rooms in which you are entertaining. Perhaps each one with a different facial expression. Or, if you have a neon theme going, replace your standard light bulb with a UV version for a chillingly strange effect.
Anyway, if you’re thinking about throwing a Halloween party of your own then we hope this list has inspired you to think a little bit more outside the coffin. Good luck and happy spooking.
There’s been a lot of talk over the past few years regarding Britain’s so-called ‘gig economy’, particularly the growing number of zero-hours contracts in the job market. In a nutshell, these are contracts that do not guarantee a minimum number of hours per week. But while some say this structure of working affords people greater flexibility and control over their work-life balance, many people argue it can easily lead to a basic breach of employment rights.
Whichever way you look at it, recent findings from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that the number of people currently on zero-hours contracts has fallen by 2.2% compared to this time last year. This also means that the number of zero-hours contracts is now at its lowest point in the past three years, a sign that the trend may be beginning to slow down.
It tends to be larger established businesses and corporations that are among the main proponents of zero-hours contracts, particularly those in the admin support, delivery and food services industries.
Under investigation
Following calls from workers and union officials, Theresa May ordered a national inquiry into modern working practices, including the widespread usage of zero-hours contracts, earlier this year.
The subsequent report delivered by Matthew Taylor back in July found that zero-hours contracts had contributed greatly to record levels of employment in the UK. And although Taylor made the point that around 68% of those on these contracts did not want more hours, he also argued that employers and businesses were relying too heavily on short-hours contracts in their scheduling, as well as stating that all zero-hours workers should have the right to request a fixed number of working hours contract should they wish to.
Although any prospect of a national strategy to protect the rights of zero-hours workers remains in its infancy, the feeling is there that the Government is starting to better define the parameters for businesses and workers alike. And, judging by the recent drop in these contracts, it may very well be that the casual working boom has reached its peak.
You may have heard in the news over the past few days that the UK’s rate of inflation has jumped to 2.9%, a four-year high that came as a bit of a surprise to many economists. But what does this actually mean for people and families up and down the country?
It effectively spells higher prices for goods and services across the board, particularly clothing which has become more expensive due to rising import costs for retailers. According to the latest figures from the Consumer Price Index, petrol prices have increased from 1.8p a litre to 115.7p over the course of August, while diesel rose 2p to 117.6p. In both cases, experts say that this is also a continued knock-on effect from the falling price of the pound, which has dropped 13% since the Brexit referendum last June.
As for wage growth, recent statistics from the ONS also show that the value of the average British pay packet remains unchanged in months, and therefore lagging behind the rising cost of living. The challenge now facing households is working out how to stave off the impact of inflation wherever they can, particularly in the key areas mentioned above.
Making your money go further
The weekly shop. Most households have their preferred choice of supermarket nailed down, and this is often based on convenience rather than value. While most of the big UK supermarket brands may be closer to our home, or offer online delivery, it usually pays to scout around places like Aldi or Lidl to find bargain deals on your pricier purchases such as meat or alcohol. Get hunting!
An alternative commute. If you’re a regular commuter and drive to and from work in the car every day, it’s worth weighing up the total cost of your weekly petrol against public transport options. This might mean that you have to get up slightly earlier in the morning, or make walking a bigger part of your daily routine, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing – and if you stand to save a few bob in the process, even better.
Track your spending. For those who are serious about making their monthly income go a little further, it might be worth downloading a personal finance app that can help you to measure and manage your daily and monthly expenditure. Most of these apps are quite intuitive and can be synced safely with your personal bank account. Clever, huh?
Almost six months have passed since the new 12-sided pound coin was unveiled and introduced into financial circulation by the Royal Mint. Although the new design is thinner, lighter and said to be the most difficult coin in the world to counterfeit, it also effectively spelt the death knell for our beloved ‘round pound’, which has been in circulation since 1983 when it was introduced as a replacement for the former £1 note.
During these 34 years, it’s said that over two billion pound coins have been printed by the Mint, making it one of the most widely produced coins in British history. Now, people living in Great Britain only have a limited time remaining to spend, bank or donate their old pound coins before they becomes obsolete and no longer usable.
The deadline
If you have any old £1 coins lying around in your wallet, or down the back of the sofa, you have until 15 October to spend them. This is the date by which shops and businesses are legally allowed to refuse the old coin as legal tender.
For those who are looking to make every penny go as far as possible, we recommend having a major review of every nook and cranny in your house to make sure you’ve no quids lying around.
Adam Lawrence, the chief executive of the Royal Mint, said: “The end of the round £1 is a significant chapter in the Royal Mint’s 1,000-year history, and I’m sure that many in Britain who have grown up with the familiar round coin will experience a certain amount of nostalgia when the last one comes off the presses.
“The Royal Mint is constantly looking to the future, however, so, whilst the round £1 has served us well, it is time to turn our attention to the new £1 that in time will be used by millions of people in Britain and become equally well-recognised across the world.”
It’s not all that long ago that the very idea of booking your holidays online seemed like something out of a science fiction movie. Fast forward to the modern day and it’s clear that digital technology (particularly the Internet) has changed the way we do things forever, and it seems that taking our vacations is no exception to that rule.
But it’s not just the process of booking your jollies that has been updated for the modern world. It’s safe to say the Internet has made its stamp on the average holiday in a number of different ways – and we’re here to run through a few of them for you…
Well-connected airports
The journey to the airport is always one full of promise and anticipation. Now, the very act of being there has been optimised and streamlined by the Internet of Things.
Aside from the ability to cut the queues and check in online before getting there, many airlines now let you download your boarding pass to your smartphone or tablet, so you don’t have to worry about any missing tickets or paper. Not only that, certain airports even send you notifications when your passenger gate opens, or if there’s a delay on your flight.
Bye, bye maps
When you picture a tourist, it’s hard not to conjure up the classic image of them floundering with a oversized map of the city, trying to pinpoint their path to a beautiful bridge, church or some other local landmark.
This image is becoming far less commonplace these days, all thanks to our friend the Internet. Mobile 3G data (or 4G if you’re really lucky) allows holidaymakers to ditch the A3 fold-up map in favour of one that is a fraction of the size, completely intuitive at the touch of a thumb and that even directs you where to go! All things considered, that’s some feat that has probably saved a lot of tourists a lot of time getting lost.
A bigger voice
In the past, the prospect of a bad experience with a particular travel agent, airline or resort was often brushed under the carpet to an extent. People could lodge complaints, of course, but the need for the organisation or establishment in question to address these concerns was always a private affair.
That’s certainly not the case now with social media. Many people are choosing to voice their bad experiences on Twitter or Facebook, where their entire network (potentially thousands of people) get to view their displeasure for a particular experience. No wonder then that some of these companies make a show of replying to the customer in kind, promising them freebies or discounts or whatnot! Not bad, eh?
So you’ve finally got a firm foot on the property ladder and now find yourself sitting at a kitchen table that you can call your own – congratulations! All that saving has proven worthwhile, and so begins the enviable task of unpacking the mountain of boxes that line various rooms throughout the house. Lucky you.
Of course, such an occasion clearly warrants the ordering of a takeaway to christen the new place in style, but we recommend that you don’t make a regular habit of it. For most homeowners, it’s essential to maintain a tight handle on finances to keep up with mortgage payments, bills and to rebuild a nice little nest egg for all those home improvements already in your mind’s eye.
We’ve put together this neat little list of tips, tweaks and changes that could help you put away a few extra pennies each month in your new home. Have a read through and see which ones might work for you…
Handling the heat
While it may not seem like the most attractive of tasks, it’s well worth popping up to your attic and having a root around the insulation you have between the beams up there. Is it installed correctly? Is it at least 6 inches thick?
These are key considerations that may save you money on your heating bills during the winter months. If your house is poorly insulated it means that heat is able to escape more easily, and therefore your central heating system is likely to be working overtime to keep the temperature up.
Lightbulb moments
If you’re looking to cut down on the cost of electricity in your household, conducting a full-scale review of your lightbulb situation is an integral element.
You may want to consider switching to LED bulbs. While they’re definitely more of an immediate investment than standard bulbs and will set you back a few pounds more, they use very little energy, contain no mercury vapour and last at least 10 years. Financial savings aside, imagine not having to change a lightbulb for an entire decade!
Forget the tumble dryer
When the tumble dryer first started becoming a fixture of British homes back in the 20th century, the technology was considered to have spurred a small household revolution. Finally, the days of hanging out clothes to dry on a washing line were over. Joy!
But are tumble dryers really that necessary? Compared to their washing machine counterparts, we’d have to say no. Hanging clothes out on a line (preferably under shelter from potential rain) may take a little longer for them to dry, but it’s certainly far cheaper and more environmentally friendly.
Cook up a storm
A really simple tip that is more like common sense than rocket science. You remember what we were saying earlier about the takeaway curry? Of course, it’s okay to treat yourself every now and again, so long as you avoid falling into the trap of ordering food every other night.
Technology hasn’t helped in this respect because there are a whole host of newfangled apps designed to make ordering a takeaway a piece of cake. Well, don’t give in! Make sure you stick to your weekly shopping schedule and force yourself to whip up a quick meal in the kitchen, even when there’s a slight feeling of ‘I can’t be bothered’.
With the summer holidays now in full swing, no doubt you’ve been enjoying some extra time with the kids, and plying their free time with as many activities (and chores!) as possible.
For parents who like to plan ahead as much as possible, thoughts will soon turn to the new school year, only a month or so away. We know all too well that the cost of sending your child into the next year at school can soon rack up, especially if you’ve more than one little darling in your ranks. But while certain essentials, like a new pair of shoes, are obviously better-bought brand new, there are plenty of bits and bobs that you can pick up second-hand for a fraction of the retail price.
A good idea would be taking a full inventory of your requirements before starting the big push, as this will allow you to get a clearer view of where you could potentially save a few pennies. Here’s a choice handful of our best back-to-school bargain tips…
Textbooks
With each new school year comes a fresh curriculum, and a fresh set of textbook requirements. The total cost of that book list can seem a tad daunting, particularly if your child has reached GCSE level and beyond.
Scouting around on online directories like BookFinder, or even Amazon, which cleverly compile a comprehensive list of used textbooks from a wide range of online vendors. Just make sure you’re getting the correct edition of the title in question, and you’re good to go!
Laptops
Whether completing assignments or coursework, or making regular use of interactive revision tools, a good quality laptop or PC is now absolutely essential for the 21st-century high school student.
Fortunately, there’s more choice than ever when hunting down the best bang for your buck, providing you know what to look for in a solid spec. You won’t need anything higher than an i3 (or equivalent) processor, 250GB hard drive and 4GB of RAM, which will set you back somewhere around the £200-300 mark.
Musical instruments
Got a keen violinist, trumpeter or, heaven forbid, drummer in the household? Before you go forking out top dollar on a brand new instrument, it’s well worth checking any local classifieds and notice boards to see what’s available.
Even if it means replacing a few strings or two, chances are you’ll be able to pick up something decent for a fraction of the price, especially if your child is still at a fairly beginner level.
PE kit
Any parent will know that sports gear is one of the main back-to-school expenses that they’re likely to face each year. As with school shoes, it makes sense to have a good quality pair of all-purpose trainers that your child can use for PE, but beyond that, you should be able to pick up a few bargains when scouting around for shorts or shin pads or a second-hand tennis racquet.
Before you head into your nearest sports megastore, why not get the feelers out on social media to see if any friends have any unwanted items or scout around local thrift shops and discount stores to see what you can find at a good price.
In many countries, cities and marketplaces dotted all over the planet, haggling is a way of life. No doubt most of us will have been caught up in the excitement of haggling at some point, probably on holiday.
The rudimentary process of buying and selling is less of a soulless transaction in these places, and more of a ballet that has been going on for centuries. There’s no danger of looking cheap for wanting to get a fair price for something, particularly if you think it’s far more expensive than what it should be. In fact, if you choose not to haggle in countries with ingrained haggling tendencies then it’s almost certain that you’re going get ripped off. It’s a necessary game that people must play, and enjoy.
But not so much in the UK, right? Think of the way that any major supermarket operates and you might say it’s indicative of our way of life. We now rely on fast-paced services that require as little human interaction as possible. We’ve replaced humans on the till with optimised robots who almost rush you into gathering your bags and change, and leaving the shop.
The very idea that haggling could become a part of our day-to-day life seems more unlikely now than ever before. We’d argue otherwise.
Location, location, location
Okay, so while haggling over the price of a cheese and onion sandwich in Tesco isn’t likely to get you very far, there are plenty of independent shops, butchers, bakers, grocers etc. where you can strike a deal with the proprietor, particularly if you’re looking to buy several items.
In this sense, twenty-first-century life has been built on convenience in favour of best value for money, or quality. By seeking out the more informal shopping atmosphere that tends to be found in an independent shop, it’s far more natural to engage the shopkeeper in conversation. If you find an item with a slight issue, a shirt with a button missing or a cushion with a slight mark, then it’s likely you can talk your way into saving a few pounds.
The online haggler
If you thought the art of haggling would soon bite the dust in the digital age, think again. The Internet has afforded shrewd shoppers with more opportunities to sniff out a deal.
Live web chats are a great way to interact one-on-one with a member of staff and ask for discount codes, promotional offers and free delivery. Certain social media platforms like Twitter also allow people to broadcast their views on a particular product or customer service experience to the general public, which can often prod the business into getting in touch with the customer with a discount or some sort of freebie.
Point out your loyalty
As a customer who spends money regularly with a certain business, it’s only fair to expect some recognition for your ongoing loyalty. Fortunately, many businesses do make efforts to reward their regulars in some way, even if you have to ask for it.
For instance, the next time you’re in the market to upgrade your mobile phone then it’s worth pointing out how long you’ve been on your contract for. This could easily land you a discount, a better tariff or more 3G data each month.
Representative 22.93% APRC variable.
For a typical loan of £26,600 over 180 months with a variable interest rate of 19.56% per annum, your monthly repayments would be £484.00. This includes a Product Fee of £2,660.00 (10% of the loan amount) and a Lending Fee* of £763.00, bringing the total repayable amount to £87,030.00. Annual Interest Rates range between 11.7% to 46.5% (variable). Maximum 50.00% APRC. *Lending Fee varies by country: England & Wales £763, Scotland £1,051, Northern Ireland: £1,736.
Think carefully before securing debts against your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other loan secured against it. If you are thinking of consolidating existing borrowing, you should be aware that you may be extending the terms of the debt and increasing the total amount you repay.
