BeatThatQuote News

Five cheap ways to make your property sell

Sun, 20 May 2012 09:43:00 GMT

We’ve all heard that strategically placed vases of flowers and the smell of freshly baked bread can make a property seem more welcoming, but do these really help a property to sell?

The 2012 HSBC Home Improvement Survey has revealed that there are many misconceptions regarding what can help a homeowner to sell their property.

More than 100 property valuation experts were asked to give their views and here’s what they recommended:

1. De-clutter – Some 93% of experts quizzed by HSBC revealed that cleaning and tidying a property can make it seem more appealing to prospective buyers. Six out of 10 said this was the most important thing for a seller to do before showing people around.

2. Re-do paint or wallpaper – 75% of the experts said that repairing chips in paintwork or replacing damaged wallpaper would make buyers more inclined to put in an offer.

3. Garden – Only slightly fewer of the property gurus (71%) said that keeping a tidy garden, with neat lawns and flowerbeds, would make a difference to a home’s appeal.

4. Repair fences and gates – Some 64% of the experts thought that tatty fences and gates could potentially put buyers off. Sprucing up these exterior features may make a property more likely to sell.

5. Repaint front door – Of those questioned by HSBC, 63% said that giving a property’s front door a fresh lick of paint or varnish would increase the likelihood of buyers being interested.

Moving on

If you’re trying to make your property more attractive to buyers then chances are you’re moving on somewhere new yourself.

If this is the case, you may be wondering what’s out there in terms of mortgage deals.

Chelsea Building Society offers a tracker mortgage, which comes with an initial rate of 3.34% until 31 August 2014. From September 2014, the rate increases to 5.79%.

It’s also worth bearing in mind this mortgage comes with a product fee of £395 and it’s only for those borrowing up to 70% of the value of their property.

If you’d prefer a fixed rate deal, HSBC offers a rate of 2.64% with its 2 Year Fixed Special mortgage.

This rate increases to 3.94% after 30 September 2014 and the product fee is £1,999.

Borrowers should also note that a 40% deposit is needed to take out this mortgage.

**This material is for information purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We strongly encourage our readers not to rely solely on this content, but to seek independent advice when making financial decisions.**

You’re under budgeting by £132,000

Sun, 20 May 2012 09:24:00 GMT

If you’re careful with your cash, you probably live by a pretty strict budget. However, you could be seriously underestimating some of life’s major expenses.

Cast your mind back to your wedding, the birth of your first child or those alcohol-fuelled university days. These may have been the happiest times of your life, but were probably some of the most expensive too.

According to new research from HSBC, Brits estimate that life’s major events will set them back £178,140. However, the actual cost is much higher at £310,279, which represents a discrepancy of £132,139.

Worryingly for families, parents misjudge the expense of having their first child by £92,000 and people underestimate wedding costs by £12,000.

Life event	Average cost	Average expected cost
Raising first child	£165,648	£73,221
University debt	£43,500	£9,541
Wedding	£20,273	£8,365
Sending child to university	£52,376	£43,046
First car	£1,450	£4,835
First house deposit	£27,032	£39,132
TOTAL	£310,279	£178,140
Source: HSBC

Bear in mind, nothing on this list is remotely extravagant and many of us hope to meet at least one of these milestones at some point.

Luckily, there are steps you can take to help get your finances in order if you’re approaching a major life event.

Budget, budget, budget

We all know the importance of budgeting, but how do you decide how much you can afford to spend?

Rather than simply pulling a figure out of thin air and hopelessly trying to stick to it, it’s sensible to plan for every possible expense.

Imagine you were getting married. In this scenario, you shouldn’t focus solely on major expenses such as the venue and honeymoon but would need to factor in hidden expenses as well.

For example, couples need to pay a fee of £45 to register a marriage or civil partnership. I’m pretty sure this wouldn’t have occurred to me before I started researching this article.

Emergency funds

Whenever you have a big event coming up, try to set up an emergency fund to cover unforeseen costs.

Building up a savings nest egg could be one of the most effective ways to prepare for the unexpected. While interest rates on savings accounts may not be great in the current climate, it’s nevertheless prudent to find the most competitive rate you can.

In the easy access market, Coventry Building Society pays 3.15% gross AER on deposits between £1 and £250,000 and allows up to four penalty-free withdrawals per year.

If you may need to a higher number of withdrawals, Derbyshire Building Society’s NetSaver offers unlimited withdrawals and pays 3.06% gross AER. Note, the minimum deposit for this account is £1,000.

If you do need to borrow

Of course, it’s ideal to have sufficient savings to pay for major life events without getting into debt. If you really believe you need to borrow, however, try to do so in the cheapest way possible.

With a 0% credit card, for instance, borrowers won’t pay any interest on new spending during an introductory period.

Remember, however, borrowers start paying interest as soon as this interest-free period elapses so it’s wise to clear any debt before this point.

How much money do you need to be happy?

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:41:00 GMT

We’d all like a larger bank balance, but just how much would you need to feel satisfied with your lot?

Perhaps money can’t buy happiness, but it would be naïve to think that being financially secure wouldn't put a smile on most people's faces.

According to research from investment group Skandia, 64% of Brits believe that having savings of up to £5,000 would make them happy.

In perhaps a sign of growing economic uncertainty, people seem to require a larger nest egg to feel secure than they would have done in the past. Back in 2010, some 82% would have been satisfied with savings of up to £5,000.

When it comes to salaries, more than a quarter of those surveyed would be satisfied with less than £25,000, while 62% would be happy to earn an income of £50,000 or below.

Graham Bentley, Skandia UK's Head of Investment Proposition said: ‘The amount of annual income, [people] need to make them happy is surprisingly modest, possibly because rising unemployment is making them put more value in having a job that provides predictable income.’

Set savings goals

Of course, there’s no universal figure as to how much a person actually needs in savings and this figure depends on individual circumstances.

Imagine you have a large debt outstanding on your mortgage and three young children. In this scenario, you would probably need a larger safety net than if you owned your house outright and didn’t have any kids.

When deciding on your savings goals, it makes sense to consider what you’re trying to achieve. Having an aim in sight could also help increase your motivation to save.

Job security

If you find yourself worrying about your job security, it might be worth coming up with a plan of action in case the worst does happen.

For example, you could try researching your statutory redundancy rights and state benefit entitlements.

People who find themselves in this position might want to consider taking out an income protection policy.

Having this type of cover could help prevent a family from facing serious hardship during times of unemployment.

Although income protection won’t replace a person’s entire income, it can supplement up to 75% of it (less state benefits) depending on the policy type.

Despite the benefits of income protection insurance, there may be exclusions and technicalities to consider. To learn more, see our beginner’s guide to this product.

Retirement options

For many of us, this sense of feeling ‘happy’ with our finances is rooted in the knowledge that we’ll be able to support ourselves in our twilight years.

However, fewer and fewer people probably have that sense of security in the current climate. According to the State of Retirement report from insurer LV=, more than six million people over the age of 50 look set to retire on less than the minimum wage.

Although government plans to introduce a universal state pension paying £140 per week may mean a higher income for many pensioners, this will still likely be below the minimum wage.

If you’re currently of working age, it might be a sensible idea to investigate any pension schemes offered by your employer or consider the possibility of a private pension.

Bear in mind, tax breaks on pension contributions mean this could be one of the most efficient ways to save money.

As soon as you have a plan in place, you’re much more likely to feel happy about your finances – even if you never manage to achieve that dream bank balance.

Would you lie to avoid a parking fine?

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:32:00 GMT

Discover how far some motorists will go in order to avoid getting hit with a parking fine.

According to research from car insurance company Sheilas’ Wheels, 14% of British drivers have spent up to £100 paying parking fines during the last year.

Even if caught red-handed, some drivers will try their luck to see if they can escape paying the fine.

One in 12 motorists has successfully appealed a parking fine despite knowing they were in the wrong, according to the data.

Jacky Brown, of Sheilas’ Wheels, said: ‘Flouting parking regulations has become a game of cat and mouse between many motorists and parking wardens and often involves people who would never consider themselves as law breakers.’

Top five excuses given for avoiding a parking fine

1. The regulations were not clear (nine percent)

2. I was only gone briefly (six percent)

3. I was looking for a place to buy a ticket (five percent)

4. I had a personal emergency (four percent)

5. My ticket went missing (three percent)

Sources: Sheilas’ Wheels

The research suggests men are more likely than women to break the rules – with 11% of male drivers regularly parking illegally.

Some 15% of those surveyed felt it was less hassle to pay a fine than find a legal spot – difficult to believe when driving is expensive enough as it is.

Perhaps most shockingly, 13% have also roped their kids in to play ‘look-outs’ for parking wardens.

Fighting unfair parking tickets

Rather than feeling you have deliberately flouted parking regulations, you may believe you have been issued with a fine unfairly.

Drivers who receive a parking ticket (penalty charge notice) from a council will usually receive a discount of half the fine amount if they pay within 14 days.

Should you wish to appeal during the discount period, the fine may be frozen if you lodge your appeal within two weeks – though this isn’t guaranteed.

Bear in mind, your appeal may stand a greater chance of success if you have ample evidence to substantiate your case, so it could be wise to send any photographs or witness statements when you write to the council.

At this point, the council will accept or reject the challenge – in the case of the latter, you can decide to take the matter to the independent adjudicator if you’re still not satisfied.

If you’re on private land

The above rules don’t apply if you receive a penalty while parked on private land such as a supermarket car park. In this situation, you’ll be dealing with contract law, rather than criminal law.

For instance, it is the driver of the car (and not the owner) who is responsible for the ticket when on private land. Furthermore, the Citizens Advice Bureau points out that you could ignore the request for payment unless the company decides to take you to court.

For more information on bad British drivers, see Are these Britain’s worst drivers?

The worst regions for identity theft

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:28:00 GMT

Discover which town has overtaken London to become the worst region for identity theft in the UK.

It seems identity fraud can happen to anyone. Across the pond, celebrities such as Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey have famously fallen victim to the crime.

In the UK, however, it’s the residents of Slough who are at greatest risk of having their personal information stolen, according to research from credit referencing agency Experian.

The town, famously home to blundering boss David Brent in The Office, recorded 25 attempts of identity theft per 1,000 households.

The programme’s creator and star Ricky Gervais was himself the victim of attempted identity theft in 2009, when fraudsters tried to steal more than £200,000 from his bank account.

Next up, London, Gravesend, Birmingham and Luton also made the list of hotspots.

Top 10 nationwide	Cases per 10,000 households	Top 10 in London	Cases per 10,000 households
Slough	25	East Ham	78
London (all)	22	Woolwich	46
Gravesend	20	Stratford	43
Birmingham	17	Ilford	33
Luton	16	Walthamstow	27
Manchester	15	Harrow	27
Leicester	14	Cheapside	26
High Wycombe	13	Lewisham	26
Peterborough	13	Hatfield	26
Windsor	12	Enfield	26
Source: Experian

The Olympics effect

In previous years, London has been named as the worst region for identity theft. Although the city has been overtaken in the latest set of results, the research did reveal interesting trends in the capital.

According to the data, regions in the vicinity of Olympic sites have experienced particularly high incidences of identity theft.

For instance, people living in Olympic neighbourhood East Ham were targeted at 11 times above the national average rate. Likewise, Stratford and Woolwich were also high risk areas.

Who is most at risk?

According to the data, young people renting small flats are the most common victims – being two and a half times more likely to be targeted than the average Brit.

Notably, this the first time such individuals have been the highest risk demographic. ‘Identity fraudsters have traditionally focused the bulk of their attentions on the wealthiest sections of society living in prestigious London postcodes,’ said Nick Mothershaw, UK Director of Identity and Fraud Services at Experian.

Reducing the risk of identity theft

Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to protect your personal data wherever you live in the UK.

Don’t forget about your mail: If you move to another property, it’s sensible to contact your debtors and creditors to notify them of the change.

If you’re concerned that some post may still be going to your previous address, Royal Mail offers a redirection service – though there is a fee.

Keep important documents safe: Carrying around a birth certificate or National Insurance card could make you vulnerable to identity theft should these documents be stolen or lost.

Vary your passwords: Using the same password for every online account could make it easier for fraudsters to gain access to your banking details.

To learn more, see How you’re putting your cash at risk and Signs your identity has been stolen

Earn money just by paying your bills

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:16:00 GMT

Want to earn cashback simply for paying your bills? If so, Santander’s 123 Current Account may be what you’re looking for.

This account pays cashback on household direct debits as well as paying interest when the account is in credit.

Customers can earn 1% cashback on their water and council tax bills, 2% when they pay their energy bills and 3% on mobile, home phone, broadband and paid-for TV packages.

All of these bills have to be paid by direct debit from the Santander 123 Current Account.

Those who have between £1,000 and £1,999 in their account will earn interest at a rate of 1%, those who have between £2,000 and £2,999 will earn 2% and those who have between £3,000 and £20,000 will earn 3%.

What’s the catch?

First of all, the account costs £2 per month, so customers need to make sure the cashback they earn is more than this or they’ll end up losing money, rather than making it.

Also, customers must pay in a minimum of £500 per month and have at least two active direct debits set up in order to receive the cashback.

The good news is this account isn’t exclusively for existing Santander customers – it’s open to new customers too, so long as they’re aged 18 or over and are UK residents.

Cashback earned

According to Consumer Focus, the average annual energy bill for a UK home is currently around £1,260.

Based on this amount, a person paying via a direct debit from their Santander 123 Current Account would earn £25.16 in cashback over a year.

When it comes to water, Ofwat announced earlier in the year that the average annual water bill in the UK is to rise to £376 in 2012.

This would earn a Santander 123 Current Account holder a not-quite-so-impressive £3.76.

We’ve done a bit of number crunching and figured out that a customer may be able to earn £58.67 in cashback over a year with this account.

Those who have more expensive bills could earn even more in cashback.

Bill	Example of cost per year	Cashback earned
Energy¹	£1,258	£25.16
Mobile	£420 (£35 per month)	£1.05
Water²	£376	£3.76
Council tax³	£1,439	£14.39
Home phone, broadband and paid-for TV package⁴	£477 (£39.75 per month)	£14.31
Total		£58.67

However, it’s worth bearing in mind that once the monthly fee over a year (£24) is deducted from the cashback earned (£58.67), this only leaves £34.67.

What else is out there?

With Secure Trust Bank’s Prepaid Bank Account, customers can earn up to 4% cashback on their purchases.

The account, which comes with a MasterCard Prepaid Card, has a set up fee of £12.50 and a monthly fee of £12.50.

There are plenty of current accounts on the market offering different benefits to cashback, for example the NatWest Select Silver Account.

Customers can receive European travel insurance, mobile phone insurance, five music downloads every month from hmvdigital and three DVD rentals and up to two hours online streaming every month from LOVEFiLM.

This account comes with a monthly fee of £8 and is only available to those aged 18 or over.

Alternatively, the Halifax Reward Current Account doesn’t have a monthly fee, but pays account holders £5 per month, so long as they pay in at least £1,000 a month.

Cashback cards

Some customers may find that they earn more cashback with a credit card than they would with the Santander 123 Current Account.

Both the American Express Platinum Cashback Card and Capital One Aspire World Card offer 5% cashback in the first three months on purchases up to £2,000. After the initial three-month period, they can earn 1.25% cashback.

It’s worth noting that these cards are only available to customers with a good credit rating and the Amex card has an annual fee of £25.

¹Figure calculated by Consumer Focus.

²Figure calculated by Ofwat.

³Figure calculated by Department for Communities and Local Government.

⁴ Sky bundle featuring Sky TV, Sky+, Talk Freetime and unlimited internet.

The sneaky small print on insurance policies

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

There are some ways in which your home, travel and car insurance can be invalidated that you may not be aware of.

If you’ve ever had a look at the small print on one of your insurance policy documents, you’ll probably realise that your cover is surrounded by what seems like hundreds of exemptions and conditions.

There are some obvious ways in which your insurance can be invalidated, but there are many that you may not have considered.

Around the home

When it comes to home insurance, you may find your insurer refuses to cover fire damage if it’s caused by fuel you’ve been storing at home.

Many policies state you’re not allowed to store any fuel in your main property and only limited amounts in outbuildings such as garages and sheds.

Animals

Most home insurance companies won’t pay out for damage caused by vermin, but there is inconsistency in what is classed as vermin – some insurers include squirrels and pigeons.

While we’re on the subject of animals, some pet insurers require pets to have an annual oral check-up, vaccinations and health checks.

If you miss these, you could find your pet insurance is no longer valid, so you may have to pay for expensive vet treatment yourself.

Pimping your ride

Adding a tint to your car windows may make you feel like a celebrity, but it could invalidate your car insurance, leaving you out of pocket.

By law, windscreens have to let through 75% of light and side windows have to let through 70%.

If yours are too heavily tinted and you’re involved in an accident, your insurer may decide not to pay out.

You should check with your insurer before making any modifications, as there may be some that they don’t allow, such as increasing your engine’s power and fitting snow tyres.

A car owner may also find their insurance is invalidated if they fail to mention any previous driving convictions to their insurer, even if the points are no longer on their licence.

Fibbing

If your insurer finds out you’ve insured yourself as an occasional driver and someone else as the main driver, when the opposite is true, your policy could be invalidated.

In the worst case, you could be prosecuted for fraud or blacklisted by insurance companies.

Your policy could also be invalidated if you claim your vehicle is for personal use only, when you actually use it for business.

Travel

When you’re on holiday, by all means do whatever you like to unwind, but try not to have too much to drink.

Many travel insurance policies don’t cover injuries or damage to property that occurs when the insured person has had one too many beverages.

If you have children but they don’t live with you, bear in mind they may not be covered under your travel insurance.

Conditions vary from one insurance policy to the next, so be sure to read the small print on yours carefully so you’re fully aware of any exclusions.

Are these Britain's worst drivers?

Sun, 06 May 2012 14:51:00 GMT

We reveal shocking details of drivers caught breaking the law on Britain's roads.

Think back to the last time you were running late for work. Were you tempted to bend the speed limit just a little to avoid yet another lecture from your stony-faced boss?

According to data from insurance company LV=, one in 10 British drivers has been caught speeding during the past three years and 17% of those have two or three convictions.

Some of the worst offenders have reached speeds even seasoned Formula 1 drivers may envy – with one driver being clocked doing 152 mph in Sussex.

Next up, police in Tayside apprehended a driver speeding at 149 mph, while another rogue motorist in Thames Valley hit 142 mph.

10 speed demons from 2011*

Police force	MPH
Sussex Police	152
Tayside Police	149
Thames Valley Police	142
Durham Constabulary	139
Lancashire Constabulary	137
Leicestershire Constabulary	133
Norfolk Constabulary	133
Northamptonshire Police	132
Northumbria Police	128
Kent Police	129
Source: LV=

A less extreme speed

Obviously, most of us would never hit such speeds and let’s face it, many old bangers aren’t even capable of such an extreme performance.

According to the data, drivers caught speeding are doing an average of 8.5 mph above the legal limit – less shocking, though still illegal.

During 2011, speeding offences increased by 6% compared with the previous year, according to the LV= data.

The £200 cost of speeding

Of course, safety is the top concern when it comes to speeding. However, there are also financial implications for these law breakers.

British motorists paid out £41 million in speeding fines and gained 2 million penalty points during 2011, according to the research.

However, the expense may not end there, as a motorist’s insurance premiums are likely to increase following a speeding conviction.

According to the AA, motorists could end up paying out more than £200 for just one motoring offence – factoring in the £60 fine and subsequent hike in insurance costs.

Simon Douglas, Director of AA Insurance, said: ‘Those who have a single speeding conviction are 10% to 12% more likely to make a claim than those who have a clean licence. Someone who picks up a second offence is 18% more likely to do so than a driver with just one.

‘Why should the majority of motorists who stay within the law, subsidise those who don't?’

*Broken down by police force. Includes the 10 areas recording the highest speeds from the LV= data.

Don’t wait until you’re £14,500 in debt

Sat, 05 May 2012 14:55:00 GMT

The average Brit would need to be £14,416 in debt before starting to seriously worry about their finances. Don’t let this happen to you.

This alarming figure comes from new research into attitudes to debt carried out by insurer Bright Grey.

Although this statistic seems shocking, the research suggests we’re actually becoming more conservative when it comes to borrowing money. During 2010, people didn’t start to worry seriously about their debts until they owed a massive £15,590.

I’m pretty sure I’d be suffering from sleepless nights and near-constant pangs of anxiety if I owed this much.

If you feel the same, we’ve rounded up some tips to deal with debt before it spirals out of control.

Know the early warning signs

Anyone who regularly runs out of cash before payday or frequently needs to borrow from family and friends could be heading for trouble.

If you suspect you’re showing the early warning signs of debt, it may be time for an honest assessment of your finances.

Start by looking at your monthly income and outgoings and then consider any money you owe in the form of overdrafts or credit cards.

Once you have this information, it’ll be easier to figure out how desperate the situation really is and decide on a course of action.

Balance transfer cards

Those with significant amounts of credit card debt could potentially reduce their interest payments by switching to a card that offers a 0% balance transfer period.

These products don’t charge any interest during an introductory period, which may allow borrowers to clear their debts more quickly and cheaply.

Bear in mind, these products typically charge a fee to transfer a balance – often in the region of 3%. To put this into context, it would cost £30 to transfer a debt of £1,000.

Both Barclaycard and Halifax currently offer balance transfer cards with interest-free periods of 22 months.

Snowballing

Rather than tacking numerous debts simultaneously, it might be prudent to consider a debt-busting technique known as ‘snowballing’. This approach involves singling out one debt and concentrating on paying this off, while making minimum repayments on everything else.

As soon as this debt has been cleared, get to work on the next and continue until everything has been paid off. Psychologically, it can be satisfying to see the number of debts become fewer and fewer.

Are all debts bad?

Of course, we’d never advocate the kind of cavalier attitude that allows someone to be almost £14,500 in debt before regarding the problem as serious.

However, it’s worth remembering that not all debts are equal. For instance, mortgage debt that you can afford to repay is normally preferable to racking up thousands of pounds on a store card.

Likewise, taking out a credit card and managing the debt responsibility could help increase your credit rating. This tactic may help you secure more competitive interest rates if you do need to borrow in the future.

Make money from the Olympics

Thu, 03 May 2012 09:30:00 GMT

Discover how you could potentially make a small fortune from the most anticipated sporting event in years.

There’s no denying the Olympics is a topic that divides opinion – some of us are counting the days until the games begin, while others dread the hassle and disruption.

Wherever you stand on this issue, there’s good news for financially-minded Brits. We’ve rounded up a number of ways you could possibly become richer from London 2012.

Soaring salaries

Anyone undertaking paid work as part of the games could benefit from higher salaries than they would otherwise earn, according to research from job website Adzuna.

The average salary for jobs during the 2012 Olympics is £27,248, which is 13% higher than the national average of £24,180.

IT professionals working at the Olympics stand to enjoy the greatest salary increase, picking up a wage equivalent to £55,000. This tidy sum is 36% above the current national average for this type of work.

Translators, security guards, media officers and bar staff will also see their earnings temporarily increase.

If you don’t live in London

Fortunately, there are other ways to make money if you don’t happen to live in the capital.

For example, pubs across the country may see a surge in business at this time – especially if hosting parties or televising the games.

This means anyone with bar experience could potentially pick up a few shifts during these busy periods.

Cash in on Olympic goodies

As well as making short-term cash, the Olympics 2012 could present an opportunity for a long-term windfall.

Those willing to take a bit of a gamble could consider investing in Olympic memorabilia.

Remember, however, this technique doesn’t come with any guarantees – purchases that seem like a shrewd investment could end up languishing in the attic in decades to come.

Rent out a room

With athletes, officials and tourists flocking to the UK, those who live near an Olympic site could consider renting out their home during the games.

Alternatively, sports enthusiasts who would prefer to stay close to home during the events could let out a single room instead.

Under the government-backed Rent a Room scheme, homeowners can receive up to £4,250 tax free every year by renting out a furnished room in their property.

A word of caution

If you’re planning to let out your home, it’s wise to inform both your insurance company and mortgage lender. Otherwise, you risk invalidating the terms and conditions of your agreement, which could lead to financial disaster.

Also, remember to report any income from paid work or rental to HMRC.

Now the serious bit is over with, we hope you enjoy the build up to the games and don’t forget to cheer on Team GB!

The shocking cost of running a home

Thu, 03 May 2012 09:29:00 GMT

It’s no secret that running a home is expensive, but do you know just how much it actually sets you back a year?

Once mortgage or rent payments have left your account and your household bills have been paid, your monthly pay packet is likely to be a mere shadow of its former self.

Add to this council tax payments and spending on maintenance or repairs and the expense really starts to add up.

According to Halifax, the cost of owning and running a home for a year has reached £9,394 – the highest it has been since 2008.

Over the past year, the expense has risen by 2.7% (£243) from £9,149 in January 2011.

There are a number of ways in which you may be able to reduce the cost of running your home.

Remortgage

Mortgage payments are most likely the biggest monthly outgoings you have, with Halifax research showing the typical annual mortgage payment in January 2012 was £3,485.

Those who are paying a high standard variable rate on their mortgages may be able to save money by remortgaging.

Chelsea Building Society currently offers an interest rate of 2.39% to those borrowing up to 70% of the value of their property.

This rate only applies until 31 May 2014, when it rises to 5.79%. It’s also worth bearing in mind that this offer comes with a product fee of £1,495.

Alternatively, First Direct provides a two-year fixed mortgage with a rate of 2.89%, which rises to 3.69% after the first two years.

This mortgage has a lower product fee of £499, but is only available to those borrowing up to 65% of the value of their home.

Overpay

If you have to stick with the mortgage you’re on, you may be able to save money by making overpayments.

Check whether your lender will allow you to make overpayments at all and if it does, ask how much you’re allowed to overpay by per year without being charged a penalty.

If you have £150,000 left to pay on your mortgage at a rate of 4%, you’ll have to pay £909 per month over the next 20 years.

Overpaying by £100 per month would mean you save £10,776 in interest alone and pay off the loan two years and 11 months earlier.

Reduce your energy bills

According to Halifax, one of the main causes of the increase in living costs is the rise in utility bills, which have gone up by an average of £218 over the past year.

Use a comparison website to check whether you’re on the cheapest available tariff and if not, it may be wise to take the time to switch.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, making the following simple changes can reduce your energy bills:

Bulbs – Replacing a traditional light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb of the same brightness will save £55 over the life of the bulb. This could amount to a major saving if you think about the number of bulbs you have in your house.

Light switches – Some people believe that switching a light off and then turning it on again a few minutes later uses more electricity than just leaving the light on. This isn’t the case, so turn your lights off whenever they’re not in use.

Appliances – UK households waste an average of £35 a year each by leaving appliances on standby mode, so make sure you turn off your TVs, microwaves and DVD players at the wall socket.

Insulation – By insulating your hot water cylinder, you may be able to cut heat loss by over 75% and save £40 per year. It only costs around £15 for a British Standard insulating jacket, so you’d make back the money you spend in no time.

Crazy ways to power your home

Thu, 03 May 2012 09:28:00 GMT

We’ve all heard of solar panels and wind farms, but there are some utterly bizarre ways of generating energy that you may not be aware of.

We take a look at some of these methods and reveal simple ways you may be able to cut your energy bills at home.

Volcanoes

It was recently revealed that the government is backing plans to use Iceland’s volcanoes to generate electricity for the UK.

The energy minister, Charles Hendry, told the Guardian that he would be visiting Iceland in May to see whether this idea could actually be viable.

‘We are in active discussions with the Icelandic government and they are very keen,’ Mr Hendry said.

If the plans go ahead, it would mean thousands of miles of cables would be laid along the ocean floor in order to channel the energy to the UK.

Gym equipment

A number of fitness centres in the US are installing equipment that turns gym-goers’ efforts into energy.

By pedalling on special exercise bikes, fitness fanatics are helping to power the lights in these gyms and to reduce their carbon emissions.

The Green Microgym in Portland, Oregon, claims to produce 36% of its own electricity, combining human and solar power.

Dance floors

Bar Surya, which is located in Kings Cross, London, opened in 2008 as Britain’s first eco-nightclub.

It has a special floor that turns the vibrations from clubbers’ dance moves into electricity.

The club also generates its own energy using solar panels and a wind turbine and it features waterless urinals and drinks served in recycled cups.

Used tealeaves

If clubbing’s not your thing, how about a cup of tea?

A study by Professor Syed T Hussain of the National Centre for Physics in Pakistan reveals that used tea leaves can be turned into a biofuel.

‘Bioenergy is the only alternative and cheap source of energy which can be made easily available to the world,’ the study’s research paper states.

Used tealeaves could, potentially, be used to power our vehicles or light our homes.

How to lower your bills

It might be a long time before we all benefit from Icelandic volcanoes and tealeaves being used as cheap energy sources. Until then, there are a number of simple things you can do at home to cut your gas and electricity bills.

Shop around – Check whether you could be on a cheaper energy tariff. Comparison websites can show you how much you may be able save if you switch to a different supplier or tariff.

Switch to dual fuel – If you currently pay for your gas and electricity separately, you may find it’s cheaper to move to a dual fuel tariff and pay for both together.

Opt for online – Some energy suppliers offer discounts to those who receive their bills via email, rather than through the post.

Reduce your energy use – Turn lights off when you leave a room and make sure you don’t leave appliances on standby – doing so may lead to a slight reduction in your bills.

How you're putting your cash at risk

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:23:00 GMT

Do you think you’re too savvy to make silly security mistakes with your cash? Don’t be so sure.

If you’re in a serious relationship, you may share almost every detail of your life with your other half – your first kiss and any skeletons rattling around in the family closet. However, it seems the intimacy doesn’t end there…

According to research from credit referencing agency Equifax, 60% of Brits reveal their bank PINs to their partner, family and friends. Likewise, 17% of those surveyed know their partner’s passwords.

Sharing this information with people you trust probably seems harmless enough, but those who do are taking a serious risk.

If you were the victim of fraud and the bank discovered you had shared your PIN, it may refuse to reimburse any losses. In this case, you may well wish you had kept your lips sealed.

Social networking security

Do you regularly log onto Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn? Perhaps you have hundreds of connections – some of whom you’ve only met once or twice?

According to Equifax, users reveal alarming amounts of personal information on these sites.

Almost 62% enter their full date of birth when using Facebook, some 78% provide a personal email address and more than 30% give details of their employer. Without adequate privacy settings, this information could potentially be seen by anyone with access to the internet.

‘In an increasingly cashless society, personal data is actually more valuable than cash,’ says Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director at Equifax. ‘You wouldn’t leave your wallet lying open for anyone to take your cash – so don’t do the equivalent with your personal information.’

Burglary risks

As well as increasing the risk of identity fraud, carelessness on social networking sites may also put you at an increased risk of burglary.

If you’re going on holiday, revealing that you’re going to be away from home for several weeks could alert opportunistic thieves that your property is vulnerable.

However tempting it may be, it’s probably not a good idea to declare that you’re at the airport stocking up on duty-free vodka.

Increase your financial security

Luckily, there are several steps to enhance the security of personal information.

Don’t share your PIN – with anyone: Doing so will likely breach the terms and conditions of your current account, meaning your bank may not pay out in the event of fraud.
Regularly review bank and internet passwords: Longer passwords that include a combination of numbers and letters could also increase security.
Delete phone data: If you decide to sell or recycle an old mobile phone, remember to remove all personal data stored on the device, which can be done by restoring factory settings.

To learn more on this topic, see Is your bank password a hacker’s dream? and Signs your identity has been stolen.

The 10 most vandalised cars

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:27:00 GMT

As the average cost of vandalism nears £1,000, we reveal which cars are most at risk.

Having your car windows smashed or paintwork scratched is a nightmare for any motorist. However, drivers with a Fiat 500 may have particular reason to be concerned.

The three-door hatchback has the dubious honour of being the most vandalised car in the UK, according to new research from insurer Swiftcover.

Owners of these cars stood a 3.62% chance that their vehicle would be vandalised during last year. Next up, the BMW Z4 and Peugeot 207 were the second and third most vulnerable vehicle types.

The Ford Focus, which was the best-selling car of 2011, is far less attractive to criminals – having a 0.87% chance of being vandalised.

2011/12 position	2010/11 position	Model
1	New entry	Fiat 500
2	2	BMW Z4
3	New entry	Peugeot 207
4	7	BMW X5
5	New entry	Land Rover Range Rover
6	21	Volkswagen Beetle
7	5	Audi TT
8	30	Fiat Punto
9	46	Mini Cooper
10	11	BMW 3 Series

Source: Swiftcover

Curse of the luxury car

Although the most vandalised car on the list is relatively everyday, expensive or flashy cars tend to be popular targets for criminals.

Robin Reames, chief claims officer at Swiftcover, said: ‘The majority of vehicles in the top 10 are what we call ‘executive cars’ such as the BMW Z4 and Audi TT, likely to be driven by high earners who see their car as a status symbol’.

The financial costs

If my car were vandalised (assuming I had one, of course), my first reaction would be blind rage, accompanied by some choice language.

Once the anger had settled down, I'd start to worry about the financial consequences.

Alarmingly, Swiftcover estimates the typical cost of a car vandalism claim stands at £972.75.

Will my car insurance pay out?

Unfortunately for drivers with third party or third party, fire and theft cover, the cost of repairing the damage won’t be covered by insurance.

Although insurance companies may pay out to drivers who have comprehensive policies, the victims will probably need to pay an excess, which would leave them out of pocket.

A few insurance companies allow motorists to retain their no claims discount if they claim for malicious damage. However, this isn’t a standard feature of insurance policies, so it's wise to check the fine print carefully.

If you are the victim of vandalism, remember to report the incident to the police – without a crime reference number, the insurance company won’t pay out.

Protect yourself against vandalism

It goes without saying that drivers can never be completely free from the threat of vandalism. However, there are a number ways to reduce the risk of malicious damage.

Installing motion-sensitive lighting puts vandals at increased risk of being detected outside your property
Using off-road parking such as a garage increases the car’s security and may also cut the cost of insurance premiums
Investing in a car cover could stop the vehicle for attracting the attention of vandals

The most penny-wise professions

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:57:00 GMT

Of all of the different job sectors in the UK, you’d think people working in finance would be the most savvy-savers, right? Wrong.

It turns out teachers are the people who tend to save the most money, putting away an average of £2,125 each per year, according to research from the Co-operative Bank.

Those working in marketing and finance are the second and third best savers.

At the other end of the spectrum, however, are those working in agriculture, who save just £343 per year.

Amount saved on average per year by profession
Education/teaching	£2,125
Marketing	£2,107
Finance	£1,999
Engineering	£1,951
Computing	£1,917
Health	£1,762
Industry	£1,715
Legal	£1,595
Government	£1,553
Construction	£1,501
Environmental	£1,489
Property	£1,453
Transport	£1,387
Travel	£1,312
Telecoms	£1,306
Retail	£1,175
Media	£968
Hospitality	£876
Design	£812
Entertainment	£732
Voluntary	£677
Cultural/Sporting	£494
Utilities	£489
Agriculture	£343

Source: Co-operative Bank

Build a nest egg

So, how do your savings compare? If you’re not much of a saver, or your money is currently languishing away in a savings account with a poor interest rate, it could be time to look for something new.

Saffron Building Society’s 12 Month Fixed Rate Regular Saver (Issue 2) offers an interest rate of 4% AER.

You have to pay in between £10 and £200 per month for a year, but you can make as many withdrawals as you like without being charged a penalty.

This account can’t be opened or accessed online, you have to operate it via a Saffron Building Society branch or post.

If you don’t want to be tied to making a payment every month, a normal savings account like Coventry Building Society’s Online Saver (2) may be worth considering.

This account has an interest rate of 3.15% gross AER, but bear in mind this drops to 2% after the first year.

You can invest as little as £1 and make up to four withdrawals a year.

Long term

If you’re prepared to lock your money away for a few years, you may be able to earn a higher rate of interest.

United National Bank offers an interest rate of 3.60% gross AER on its 3 Year Fixed Term Deposit account, however, this requires a minimum deposit of £2,000.

Progressive Building Society’s 4 Year Fixed Rate Savings account, which is available through Governor, has an interest rate of 4.05% gross AER.

The minimum you can open the account with is £100 and the interest is paid annually.

Tax-free interest

Cash ISAs allow you to earn interest on your savings, without the taxman taking a cut.

Cheshire Building Society’s Direct Cash ISA comes with an interest rate of 3.5% gross AER, but you have to pay in more than £1,000 to benefit from this rate.

A couple of things to think about are that the account can only be accessed by post and after 30 October 2013, the interest will fall to 1%.

As with any cash ISA, the maximum amount you can pay in this tax year is £5,640.

Those who want to be able to access their money online may want to consider the AA’s Internet Access ISA (Issue 3), which also pays 3.5% gross AER.

After the first year, the interest rate will fall to 0.5% gross AER and savers should bear in mind that they have to have at least £2,500 to open the account.

The biggest financial health risks

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:37:00 GMT

Do you know what could be putting your financial health in danger? A new report by the Financial Services Authority reveals all.

The city watchdog has published a list of areas within the financial services industry that are most likely to put consumers’ money at risk.

Unsuitable products

One of the Financial Services Authority’s (FSA’s) biggest concerns is that people are being sold unsuitable financial products.

It highlights the fact that consumers are often sold products, such as mortgages, insurance policies or investments, that they don’t understand or that don’t even meet their individual needs.

The FSA claims that when people use comparison sites, they shouldn’t merely opt for the insurance that has the cheapest premium, they should check whether the policy is extensive enough for their needs.

Mortgages

Mortgage providers are also mentioned in the FSA report, which highlights in particular unfair terms in mortgage contracts and the poor treatment of customers who are in arrears.

The regulator has already issued fines to five lenders for treating customers unfairly when they default on their mortgage payments.

Interest-only mortgages are highlighted by the FSA as being risky, because borrowers can find they’re unable to repay the full loan at maturity.

With this type of mortgage, monthly repayments are made for an agreed period, but these only cover the interest on the loan. The borrower normally has to also pay into another savings or investment plan that will hopefully pay off the loan at the end of the term.

Product bundling

The FSA expresses concern in its report about product bundling, such as current accounts that come with benefits, aka packaged accounts.

It suggests some customers would be better off buying these benefits, such as car and mobile phone insurance, separately.

However, some customers may find packaged accounts to suit their needs and be of good value.

Avoid being ripped off

There are a number of things people can do to try and make sure they’re not ripped off by the financial services industry:

Get recommendations – Ask friends and family to recommend lenders, mortgage brokers and banks that they’ve had positive experiences with.

Shop around – It may be a mistake for a person to settle for the first product or deal they come across. Looking around and comparing products may help to find something suitable for a lower price.

Do your homework – If a person is taking out a mortgage, for example, being clued up on at least the basics may help them to secure a good deal.

Take time – People should make sure they are 100% sure before signing on the dotted line. Taking time to read the small print may help people to avoid being locked into unsuitable contracts.

Hidden costs of buying a home

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:40:00 GMT

Have you found the perfect property and scraped together a deposit? Be prepared to face some pretty painful expenses before actually moving in.

When it comes to buying a house, you may be tempted to focus your energy on finding a competitive mortgage rate. As people are constantly reminding us, it’s the most important loan we’ll ever take out.

However, it could be a mistake to forget to budget for other costs and expenses. We’ve rounded up a few common expenses that could add thousands of pounds to the cost of buying a home.

Stamp Duty

When you’re purchasing a property, tax payments in the form of Stamp Duty could significantly bump up the cost.

If you’re buying a home worth more than £125,000, you’ll pay between 1% and 7% depending on the value of the property. Let’s say, the property price is £200,000, you’ll fork out an additional £2,000 in Stamp Duty.

Previously, the top rate of Stamp Duty had been 5%, which had been payable on properties worth more than £1 million. However, the Chancellor announced a new 7% rate on properties worth more than £2 million in last month’s Budget speech.

The survey

Having a surveyor inspect the property could expose any potential problems, which may have otherwise cost thousands of pounds to put right.

The price of the survey will vary according to a number of factors, such as the size of the property and the level of detail.

For more information on the different types of surveys, visit the RICS website.

The legal costs

As most homeowners probably know, the legal work involved in transferring ownership from one person to another is known as conveyancing.

During this process, the conveyancer (often a solicitor) conducts a range of searches to ensure there aren’t any legal obstacles to the sale.

Such searches are designed to ensure the vendor has the legal right to sell the property.

Although it’s possible for buyers to carry out their own conveyancing, any mistakes could be costly to rectify and also delay the sale.

The actual cost of moving

If you’re hiring professional movers, this won’t come cheap and will probably be more expensive if you want to move on a weekend.

Rather than accepting the first quote you’re given, try to obtain a number of estimates from different companies.

Expect the unexpected

Finally, consider setting some cash aside for unforeseen expenses. For instance, you may need to pay for minor repairs to the property after moving in.

Likewise, you may be surprised if your lender asks you to pay a CHAPS fee when transferring money to your solicitor.

These fees are designed to cover the cost of electronically transferring money from one bank to another and could be yet another expense you hadn’t anticipated. Alternatively, the bank may also charge a 'reservation fee' to arrange to allocate funds to you.

The best and worst paid jobs

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:08:00 GMT

Ever wondered how your salary compares with the average pay packet? We identify the UK’s best and worst-paying occupations.

The average full-time UK worker has a weekly salary of £498* or £26,100 a year, according to the 2011 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Of course, there’s no such thing as ‘an average worker’ and a person’s income will depend largely on the kind of work they do.

At the more affluent end of the spectrum, managers, directors and senior officials are taking home an average of almost £721 a week. In contrast, people in sales and customer service roles earn, on average, less than half this amount – £318.90 a week.

Weekly earnings by occupation*

Managers, directors and senior officials	£720.90
Professional occupations	£685.90
Associate professional and technical occupation	£570.40
Skilled trades occupations	£463.10
Process, plant and machine operatives	£427.00
Administrative and secretarial occupations	£388.70
Caring, leisure and other service occupations	£333.80
Elementary occupations	£328.90
Sales and customer service occupations	£318.90
All	£498.30

Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS)

The 45% pay gap

It’s common knowledge that people tend to be better paid in certain parts of the country. However, these regional divides may be more pronounced in some professions than others.

According to research from job website Adzuna, housekeeping and domestic staff working in London earn 45% above the national average for these roles.

Further, call centre employees receive an additional 35% and bar staff benefit from an extra 30%.

Conversely, private sector workers in the West Country, the Midlands and the North of England earn at least 15% below the national average.

To learn more on this topic, check out The best and worst cities to find a job.

During tough economic times, the chances of being awarded a significant pay raise are slim for most of us. However, there are other ways to potentially increase your monthly income.

Check your benefit entitlement

Although we traditionally think of people out of work as claiming state benefits, a number of other groups may be eligible for financial help from the government.

For instance, employees with a low income could qualify for working tax credits.

If you’d like to carry out on an anonymous benefits check on your finances, visit the Directgov website.

Earn cashback

By using cashback credit cards or websites, shoppers may be able to get paid a certain percentage of the money they spend on their purchases.

If you do decide to take out a cashback credit card, bear in mind these cards tend to carry relatively high interest rates. This means borrowers who fail to clear the balance in full each month could end up paying more in interest than they earn as rewards.

Prove your worth

Despite the difficult job market, some employees may still feel they deserve a raise from their current employer.

If this sounds familiar, trying certain tactics could increase the chances of success. For instance, looking at recruitment sites and job adverts could provide an idea of salaries for similar roles at other companies.

Workers earning below the market average could produce this data to back up their request during any salary negotiations.

Also, timing can be crucial in these matters. If you would like to discuss your pay packet with your line manager or HR department, it could be wise to call a meeting well in advance.

Letting your employer know you wish to discuss money matters could also be a shrewd move. Otherwise, he or she could feel bamboozled and unprepared when you raise the issue, which could slow any discussions.

*Median full-time gross weekly earnings

Five luxuries you probably don't need

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 16:41:00 GMT

Which seemingly harmless treat could set you back more than £17,000? We reveal five little luxuries that could cost you a fortune.

Of course, we all need the occasional treat – even if money is tight. Although luxuries may not themselves be a waste of money, the problem is that many of us routinely pay for luxuries we rarely use.

We’ve rounded up some examples.

1. Weekly takeaways

During their lifetime, the average Brit consumes 2,453 takeaways, according to research from the Benenden Healthcare Society.

Shockingly, one in 20 of those surveyed admits to indulging in a takeaway three times a week.

While such habits clearly aren’t good for the nation’s health, the consequences for our finances could also be pretty unappetising. According to the data, this takeaway addiction costs an average £17,250 per person.

We’re not suggesting cutting out takeaways altogether – though perhaps save them for an occasional treat.

2. Hundreds of TV channels

Be honest, do you watch the sports channel and do you really sit through enough films to justify having movie channels in your TV package?

If not, consider switching to a deal that only contains the channels you need or opting for Freeview instead. Bear in mind, however, you could face expensive ‘termination’ fees if you leave a contract early so read the fine print carefully before calling to cancel.

Most TV networks now offer online services, such as BBC iPlayer or 4oD. As well as recent episodes of current programmes, you may also be able to watch older episodes of popular series.

3. Magazine subscriptions

Subscribing to one or more magazines might seem like a minor indulgence – say each publication costs around three pounds.

However, these expenses soon add up over the course of a year and are especially wasteful if you only spend five minutes skimming through the magazine.

Remember, plenty of publications (both newspapers and magazines) put a great deal of their content online for free.

4. Unused gym membership

If you’re a member of a gym but never go, you’re simply wasting your hard-earned cash. With some gyms charging around £70 per month, you may be able to make significant savings by cancelling your membership.

Again, remember to check for any penalties before cancelling – many gyms will tie you in for at least a year when you join. It might therefore be more prudent to ask yourself how often you would actually attend before signing on the dotted line.

5. Unlimited calls and texts

A massive three quarters of us overpay on our mobile phone bills by £200 per year, according to comparison site billmonitor.

The next time your contract is up for renewal, it could be a good idea to dig out recent bills to figure out exactly how many calls and texts you use a month.

Once you have this information, there are a number of comparison sites that could help you find a competitive tariff based on your actual usage.

Do you spend like a man or a woman?

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 16:39:00 GMT

Do men and women really spend their money differently or is this just sexist nonsense? We find out.

If the jokes we hear in the pub are true, women blow all their cash on designer shoes and men spend every spare penny on tinkering with their cars. But is there any truth to these clichés or should we try to be a little more enlightened in 2012?

In an attempt to find out, Santander has published details of its customers’ spending habits, broken down by gender. The results have revealed some definite patterns in ‘male’ and ‘female’ spending.

According to the data, women spend more in pharmacies, clothing and department stores. In contrast, men spend a far greater portion of their cash on their cars – those Top Gear boys and F1 drivers could have a lot to answer for.

Male versus female credit card expenditure

Areas where men spend more on their credit cards than women	Areas where women spend more on their credit cards than men
Car rental +113%	Pharmacies +87%
Vehicle outlets +108%	Clothing stores +83%
Restaurants and bars +79%	Department stores +36%
Hardware +79%	Healthcare +20%
Sports and toy stores +75%	Supermarkets +12%
Repair shops +68%	Mail order +11%
Petrol stations +63%	Discount stores +10%
Hotels +44%	Travel agencies +2%

Source: Santander

Overall, men are the biggest credit card spenders and fork out an average 15% more than women, according to Santander’s data.

Despite the gender divides, there are spending patterns common to both genders. Men and women do the greatest amount of their shopping in supermarkets and petrol stations.

While there’s no reason to take a light-hearted survey too seriously, there are ways we could all make savings on our shopping – men and women.

Earn cashback

Regardless of gender, anyone who regularly spends on a credit card but manages to pay off their bill every month could consider a credit card that offers rewards or cashback.

Motorists could benefit from the AA Credit Card, which doubles the amount of points it pays when borrowers spend on motoring, fuel and AA products.

The card carries a representative APR of 16.9% so it would be wise to pay off the bill in full each month – otherwise the interest payments could cancel out any rewards

Alternatively, Santander’s 123 Credit Card pays 3% cashback on fuel purchases – but, there is a £24 annual fee and a 22.8% representative APR to consider.

Those who spend in a range of retailers such as department and clothing stores may want to opt for a straightforward cashback credit card.

With the Capital One World MasterCard, borrowers receive 5% cashback for the first three months on up to £2,000 worth of purchases. Thereafter, the card pays up to 1.25% depending in the level of spending.

Again, it would be prudent to clear any debt on this card as the representative APR is 19.9%.

Search for a cheaper deal

When it comes to using money-off and discount vouchers, it seems women are already pretty wise to the benefits.

According to research from Tesco Bank, 60% of women planned to use this method to save money on their Christmas spending last year.

In fact, any men (or women for that matter) who don’t use vouchers could be missing out on significant savings.

Last but not least, it was probably little surprise that both sexes do the greatest amount of their spending in the supermarket.

If you’d like to reduce your spending in this area, check out Save £630 at the supermarket.