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10 Practical Money Saving Tips And Ideas by David
Over a period of time on my main website i have been accumulating practical money saving ideas and tips that help you to save money and beat the credit crunch. The result of all these money saving ideas is that today the banks pay me interest and not the other way around.If you have any you would also like to share we are always happy to share them.Below are a selection that you might find helpful.
1/ Only half fill your car with fuel. Heavier cars achieve fewer miles to the gallon.
2/ Don't carry around any excess weight (like golf clubs in the boot when not needed). Each extra 50kg will increase fuel consumption by as much as 10%. 3/Take control of your heating You can avoid heating an empty house by using the timer so your central heating is switched off when nobody's at home. If you have radiator valves, you can also turn off radiators in rooms that are not being used. And if you would like to cut your heating bills down by 10%, just turn your central heating down by one degree.
4/This is one of the classic money saving tips but worth reminding you of. You buy a sandwich or tea or sweet each day at work. Cost $4 a day so over a course of a year assuming you work 5 day a week less the assumption you don't work for 5 weeks you will spend $940.5/ Drive Smart. according to the Energy Savings Trust, an average motorist can save £120 per year by eco-driving, simply change gear upwards before you hit 2500rpm, leave air conditioning off and drive at speeds around 45-50 mph.
6/ If you have credit card debts consider switching them to one of the ones that offer upto 15 months interest free on the debt transferred across
7/ Once you have a current account paying interest think about when your direct debits go out. Most people get paid on the 28th and d/d's go out on 1st. But if you change them to the 27th that money will be in your account for an extra 27 days earning interest. £500 of d/d's shifted to the 27th at 5% is almost another £25 per year earn't in interest
8/SHOWER DON'T BATH, This will save water but it will also save you energy costs as you will not use so much hot water. A 5 minute shower will save you 400 litres of water each week if you usually take a bath. If you are on a water meter that is a lot of water you have saved. One caveat is that a power shower can use more water and hence electricity than a bath.
9/MICROWAVE When the microwave is not in use, make sure it is completely switched off to save money. The clock can use more energy than heating your food.
10/Holiday Insurance, If you use annual holiday insurance when the renewal notice comes don't renew it until your next holiday is due and booked. If you are not planning on booking a holiday for a few months why pay for something you will not be using.
The above are a small selection of our money saving tips so if you still want to save money and want more please feel free to read many more at http://www.carpetbagging.co.uk/id3.html
About the Author
Helping to find money saving tips and ideas at http://www.carpetbagging.co.uk/id3.html
Time To Make Do and Mend During the Credit Crunch by Jane Turner
During a credit crunch, you're more likely to think twice about splurging on the latest designer outfits. More and more people seem to be following the advice of making use of what they already have.
During the Second World War, the government issued a pamphlet entitled 'Make Do and Mend'. The guide gave tips on how to save food and mend clothes on the cheap. Whilst we're currently not living amidst a war, the same advice can be applied to our current state of recession, as a call for a return to post-war thriftiness may be just what we need.
You may own an old A-Line skirt, which you could unpick and use as a template. You could pin it to some taped together newspaper and make a reusable pattern, or pin it straight to the fabric you're going to use to make a new skirt and cut around it.
Consulting an image consultants will help you ascertain what style of skirt suits your shape. For instance, if you're what's classified as a 'lean column' an A-Line skirt will look great on you. If you're a 'neat hourglass' opting for a straight lined skirt may be the better option. Finding out what your best fabrics and patterns are for you to wear, plus what you should avoid, can only be invaluable advice.
Visiting your local charity shop can be a good place to find interesting fabric. Even old-fashioned headscarves, old linen tablecloths, duvet covers and vintage curtains can be made into dresses, skirts or bags. Have a look out for buttons too, as you could replace existing buttons on your garments with some interesting ones found in charity shops. Adding military buttons can update an outfit instantly.
Visit a haberdashery department, local market or a Hobby craft shop and look for ribbons, lace, sequins, feathers, which you could add to a plain coloured jumper. Salvage an old summer dress by teaming it with a polo-neck sweater and thick tights. Look out for tartan belts or bags, as this key trend can update your look for this season. Perhaps you have an old kilt hanging about that you could turn into a tote bag.
Fix as many of your damaged clothes as you can. Sew on missing buttons, turn up hems. Adjust lengths of sleeves, skirts, trousers or dresses - and if you can't sew, consider enrolling on a sewing course at your local college, or look out for 'how to sew' books at charity shops.
So, enjoy what you've got, keep it at its peak, and get more creative. You never know, you may emerge from the Big Squeeze as a more stylish, fashionable individual!
About the Author
Jane Turner is a Colour and Image Consultant with Colour Me Beautiful based in Reading Uk. She offers Colour Consultations, ColourAnalysis and Make-Up lessons.
Beat the Credit Crunch - money saving tips for your holiday by Paula Garrett
As the credit crunch starts to bite, most people are looking atways to reduce their spending on everything from utility bills toclothing, food shopping and even holidays. Luxury items are usuallythe first to go, however, when thinking about booking a holidayconsider the cost-cutting tips below which should help you save moneyand make next year's summer holiday more affordable.1.Book your holiday earlyThat old law of supply and demand applies to everything - book yourholiday early and you're likely to grab a bargain, wait till a coupleof months before you want to fly and chances are you'll pay more asthere are fewer holidays/flights available.
By leaving it late, you may grab a bargain holiday but you will havereduced options, and there's the possibility that other components ofyour holiday, such as accommodation, will have increased in price.Last minute deals are great for flexible travellers, but if you havechildren and school holidays to worry about it's best to book early.
2.Shop around for a bargainDo your research before booking. Spend some time shopping around asit's worth keeping an eye on the cost of flights and package holidaysfor a while to determine what represents a good price.
Check out deals at travel agents and online, compare prices, flighttimes and accommodation before booking.
3.Buy your foreign currency before you get to the airportThe cost of buying foreign currency at an airport is much higher thanbuying online, or on the high street, so avoid this if at allpossible. When buying currency, keep an eye on the exchange rates inthe run-up to your holiday and shop around for the best deal - you'llbe amazed how much rates can vary.
4.Check out transport to the airportCheck the different types of transport available to get you to theairport. If it's practical, consider using public transport, look atall the alternatives and consider the cost of slower methods, forexample: the cost of using the high-speed Gatwick Express service ismuch higher than the regular train service.
If you've got young children, you're probably better off paying topark at the airport or using a meet and greet parking company - it maycost you more but you'll save time and the hassle of herding the kidsabout.
5.Book your airport parking in advanceIf you plan to drive to the airport, make sure you book your parkingwell in advance - the later you leave it the more likely you are topay more for it. Never just turn up without booking as this is themost expensive way of parking. Booking your airport parking online maysave you money as some companies now charge more for bookings madeover the phone.
6.Mobile phone chargesCheck before you travel that your mobile phone will work abroad. Checkalso to see if your provider offers a special package available fortravelling abroad or consider purchasing a sim card for yourdestination - calls will work out cheaper, but this may only benecessary if you need to send and receive calls regularly whileabroad. You may have to factor in the cost of unlocking your phone soweigh up this cost too.
7.Take out a year-long travel insurance policyIf you're planning to make more than one trip in a year, considertaking out a year-long policy - the more you travel the more you'llsave. A family policy should work out cheaper than individual covertoo.
If you're booking your flights direct with the airline and as not partof a holiday package with an ATOL bonded agent, make sure you areinsured against airline failure. The number of airlines failing hasrisen considerably this year and you're best to insure against thistoo.
Work out what you need from your policy and make sure it is included.
8.Travel with hand luggage onlyTravel light - most low-cost airlines charge for checked in luggage,so if you can travel with only hand luggage you'll save money - forexample: one low-cost airline will charge £128 for a family of four,with one case each! Alternatively, if there are four of you, trychecking in two bags - that's a 50% reduction.
If you're booking directly with an airline, pay for your cabin baggagein advance - you'll pay extra if you wait until the airport. Butwhatever you do, don't over pack your case - know your luggage limits- each extra killo can add a significant amount to your costs.
9.Check-in onlineSome airlines now charge for airport check-in, so check-in online andprint your own boarding passes. It will also save you time at theairport as you'll be able to use the fast bag drop.
10.Use public transportConsider using public transport at your destination. It's worthresearching the area prior to travelling to find out what publictransport options are available - you may even find there's more onyour doorstep than you realise. You could save yourself the cost ofhiring and insuring a car and you'll see more of the local area.
11.Holiday with friends or familySharing accommodation and car hire with friends or family members cansave you quite a bit of money, but be certain you'll get along okayfor two weeks.
These money saving tips should help you reduce the cost of yourholiday and ensure that the financial squeeze doesn't scupper yourholiday plans.
About the Author
Paula Garrett is a frequently traveller and recommends using "http://www.help-me-park.co.uk" Gatwick meet and greet parking,advising passengers to book their "http://www.help-me-park.co.uk/02-gatwick-meet-and-greet-parking.html"Gatwick valet meet and greet parking as early as possible toavoid disappointment.