Guest Post

Lethargy is the retailers’ and bankers’ greatest money-making asset. Most consumers consider themselves to be savvy shoppers but only in these tougher times is that really being put to the test.

In a period when every penny counts, there are a number of simple ways to stretch the household budget and make your money work harder for you.

Credit Cards

Firstly, check out those credit cards sitting in your purse or wallet. They are probably the same ones that you have had since you left school and well due for a financial overhaul.

So, whether you have an excellent credit history or not, you could probably benefit from changing your credit card. At worst, you could benefit from a low or zero rate balance transfer deal to help clear your total card debt. Why pay interest at 18% when you can pay at zero?

Use the saving to pay off the balance but remember to check the transfer fee to make sure that this is as low as possible.

Outfits

Ladies, do you need a new outfit for your wardrobe? Well, why pay designer label prices when using a dress agency can deliver the same results but at a fraction of the cost?

Top quality dresses from excellent sources are available and maybe you can sell some of your existing wardrobe to earn some money.

Automated Payments

Make sure that all the bills you pay are on direct debit arrangements. Suppliers usually give additional discounts for direct bank payments as this saves them money.

There are guarantee schemes in place with banks that refund wrongful payments so the system is secure. However, check statements regularly to make sure both the right amount and supplier are involved.

Utilities

Check out your utility suppliers and fix payments if sensible to do so. Energy costs are soaring so check that you are on the best tariff deal for your area. Fixing costs for the next few years may also be a good hedge against both inflation and runaway bills.

Bulk Buying

Bulk buying usually gets discounts. As long as you have somewhere to store the goods and will use them before they go past any sell by date, this can be a great way to save money.

Why not team up with the neighbours and see if there are common goods that you can jointly buy to take advantage of bulk discount deals.

Check out the grocery stores too. Many have now developed their own designer labels that are sourced from the same manufacturers as some higher end brands. Likewise, it may be worth a peek at a lower cost store to see how they have changed recently to reflect the need for lower cost shopping.

Back To Basics

But the most important thing you can do is to prepare a budget and be aware of how much and where cash goes. This can identify areas where savings can be made and those bigger spend areas that deserve a little more focus of attention.

If you need to save, start with the big costs first and work down. Saving 10% of your utility costs will more than outweigh changing your hairdresser.

Article provided by moneysupermarket.com. Compare a range of financial products online including, balance transfer, cashback and bad credit credit cards with money supermarket

Photo Courtesy Of reallyboring