Money saving guide Top tips on how to save and manage your money - Auriga Services
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Money saving guide
Top tips on how to save and
manage your money
Page | 1Broadband, TV and Phone Energy
If you’ve been with your TV, phone or Switching your energy provider is a great way
broadband provider for a while, you may want There are many comparison to save money on gas and electricity costs. To switch you will need:
to consider switching. It is relatively easy to sites, a few are listed below:
do, and many people find cheaper deals and Energy tariffs usually have an expiry date, after • Your postcode
faster broadband speeds by looking around. www.Uswitch.com
this date your tariff ends and your supplier will
• Current supplier details plus name of tariff
www.Moneywise.co.uk most likely put you onto their standard tariff.
Before you switch www.Broadbandchoices.co.uk Although standard tariff prices are capped, • How much you spend or use in Kwh -
Check if you’re still in contract with your there are normally much cheaper deals kilowatt hours on gas and electricity
current provider - leaving a contract before available on selective tariffs.
Before you commit • How you normally pay for your energy
the end could attract cancellation fees, (All of the above information can be found
Make sure you have checked all the
contact your current provider if you’re unsure You can switch supplier with any type of meter on a recent bill) Your bank details, should
contract details including; costs, price
when your contract ends. whether it’s a standard, smart or prepayment. you decide to switch and pay by direct debit
increases, and length of contract.
Compare Prices – before choosing your new You could be missing out on up to Once you have decided to switch, you have
provider. There are several comparison sites Switch a 14 day cooling off period if you change
£300 per year by not switching supplier.
available, it’s worth checking a few as they You will need to contact your current supplier your mind.
don’t all show every provider. to give them notice to end your service, Switching energy usually takes around
even if your contract term has ended. When 10 minutes. There is no need for your new supplier to
Check the available speed for your address you call to terminate, your current supplier access your home, and you will not need to
and the type of broadband you could receive may offer you a better deal to stay. You can switch online at: change pipes or meters (some suppliers may
- fibre or standard. This can normally be found Once you have confirmed your switch, in most www.aurigaswitch.co.uk offer you a better tariff if you change to a
on the provider’s website, and will give you an cases your new provider will do the rest. smart meter though).
Or by calling Auriga Switch
estimate of what is available.
on 0800 9202 137 Your new supplier should contact you to
Other things to consider advise the start date of your new supply, it’s a
What services you need? Speed and data Auriga Services Limited is a public benefit good idea to take meter readings before your
allowance, TV channels and calls. entity, profits made through switches are new supply starts.
used to support community emergency gas /
• Contract length, shorter contracts, more
flexibility vs longer contracts, cheapest deals electric funds and to help ease fuel poverty.
Auriga Switch searches and compares every
• Check if prices are introductory periods only tariff available from every supplier in the UK.
• Check for provider ratings
• Could you get it cheaper as part
of a package? It may be worth
considering if it would be cheaper to
take one package for all services
• Any costs involved – some companies
may charge installation, connection
or delivery charges
2 | Page Page | 3Energy Efficiencies Shopping
You can save money and make your home more energy efficient by making small changes to Groceries are an essential part of every WATCH OUT FOR DEALS
your energy behaviour. Some of the simplest ways to change which will save you money are: household’s budget. Groceries include Supermarket deals can be a good way of
items such as food, pet food, nappies, and saving money, but they can also tempt you
baby food, cleaning products, laundry and into spending more. A deal is only good if
toiletries. Although every household must you needed the item and if you can use the
Turn your lights off – this could save you £14.00 per year
buy and budget for these items, there are item before it goes out of date.
Not leaving electrical items on standby – could save you £50.00 per year still ways to save money on these essentials.
YELLOW STICKERS
Change to energy saving light bulbs – could save you £35.00 per year MAKE A SHOPPING LIST Check out any reduced items, if you would
Write down all the things you need to buy, buy it normally and can freeze it, then it
Only fill the kettle with enough water – could save you £6.00 per year this will stop you picking up items that you could be a bargain.
don’t need. Writing a list can also help you
Turn the thermostat down 1 degree – could save you £80.00 per year plan your meals for the week ahead. OTHER QUICK WAYS TO SAVE
Money Advice research found 60% of people AT SHOPPING
who take a shopping list to the supermarket
• Take cash, you won’t be tempted
save money. to go over budget
There are a range of different improvements you could make to your home from draught
proofing to cavity wall insulation. The costs can vary significantly but so can the savings. USE LOYALTY CARDS OR POINTS • Pick up a basket, once it starts getting
If your supermarket offers them, remember heavy you won’t want to over fill it
to collect your points each time you check • Take your own bags to save
Eco Schemes
out. buying supermarket ones
• Try supermarket own brands
SHOP AROUND
All shops offer different products and prices, Supermarkets are designed and planned to
it’s worth shopping around for the best influence your spending, by budgeting and
The Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO) is a government energy efficiency scheme to help
prices. You can use a comparison site to preparing in advance, you can shop savvy.
reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty.
check which supermarket has the cheapest
deals. You can also consider bargain shops
Funding could be available under the Home Heating and Cost Reduction Obligation (HHCRO) scheme
for cleaning products and toiletries.
which could help provide grants towards home energy efficiency measure such as:
• Loft Insulation
• Boilers
• Cavity Wall Insulation
Under this scheme the measures could be provided either heavily subsidised or in some cases free.
You may be eligible if you:
• Own your own home, or rent in the private sector. Housing Association
and Local Authority tenants should contact their landlord
• If you are in receipt of certain benefits or a low income
You don’t have to be a customer of the energy provider to qualify for their scheme.
Call us on 0800 111 4894 to check if you are eligible and to refer you through to an installer.
4 | Page Page | 5Insurance Budgeting
Insurance helps you to protect your home, car, Planning a budget is a great way to review Once you have all the details of your income
family and pets. It’s there to help you in times There are many comparison your spending, spot potential savings and and expenditure you can work out what your
of need, emergencies or crisis. If you don’t sites, a few are listed below: stay in control of your finances. People who disposable income is.
have insurance it may be expensive to replace budget are less likely to fall into debt, more
www.Uswitch.com
items, pay medical fees or cover bills. likely to save and less likely to be caught out by INCOME (MINUS) OUTGOINGS = DISPOSABLE
www.moneysupermarket.com unexpected costs. INCOME
Regardless of what type of insurance or cover
www.gocompare.com To start planning your budget you will need:
you need, insurance prices can be compared to Your disposable income is the money you have
ensure you are getting the best deal. www.comparethemarket.com • Details of your income – pay slips, left after paying all of your expenses.
benefit letters, pension letters
Types of insurance There is a lot to consider when deciding on If your outgoings are more than your income,
whether to buy insurance • Details of your outgoings – bills,
you need to consider where you could reduce
• Home receipts and bank statements.
spending to help get your budget back on
• Car
For information on: As well as all your essential items, don’t forget track. Your budget can change frequently, so
• Travel
• Understanding insurance and how it works those extra’s like planning for birthdays, leisure try to review it every few months to make sure
• Pet
• Choosing the right level of cover and hobbies. You can use our handy budget you’re still on track.
• Life
• How to use a comparison site sheet on the next page to help you.
• Health
• How to make a claim
The money you have coming in to the Debts:
You can use a comparison site to search for
Go to the Money Advice Service website. household is your income, the money going out You should seek advice
the best insurance product. Before you start
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk of your household is your expenditure. immediately if you have
to compare, you need to know what you want
fallen behind with any of your
covered and consider the amounts that need to
To work out monthly to weekly use - payments.
be covered, for example:
MUTIPLY BY 12 DIVIDED BY 52 =
Home contents – how much are all your Our free, confidential and
contents worth To work out weekly to monthly use - impartial Welfare Rights and
Travel – the cost of the holiday and the medical MULTIPLY BY 52 DIVIDED BY 12 = Debt service can help you plan
costs covered your budget and advise you on
all appropriate solutions.
6 | Page Page | 7Budget Planner
Home/Essential Weekly Monthly Compare/Switch
Rent
Mortgage a
Ground rent/Service Charge x
Council Tax Check for discounts
Income
Building and Contents Insurance a
Earnings Weekly Monthly TV Licence x
Hire Purchase x
Salary
Secured Loans a
Partners Salary Court Fines Seek debt advice
A benefit check could help you identify any
Child Maintenance costs x
Benefits
income you may be missing out on.
Utilities
Job Seekers Allowance, Employment and Support
Gas a
Allowance, Income Support or Universal Credit Electric a
Water Check tariffs
Child tax Credit, Working Tax Credit
Housekeeping Check Tariffs
Child Benefit Food, toiletries, cleaning, laundry, tobacco, a
alcohol etc.
Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Clothing and Footwear a
Payments / Attendance Allowance
Travel Costs
Carers Allowance Car running costs, Inc. fuel, MOT, Insurance a
Bus/Train travel Check for passes
Other Benefits
Other Check for passes
Other Income Telephone a
Mobile Phone a
Pensions Broadband/TV Package a
Credit Cards/Loans a
State Pension
Prescriptions/Glasses/Dentist Check for discounts
Pension Credit Hairdressing a
Pet costs, insurance, food, a
Occupational Pension
Childcare costs
Total Adult care costs
School Costs, uniform, trips meals
Other
If you require assistance creating your budget planner or working
out your expenditure, you can call us on 0800 111 4894 Other
We can also advise you on income maximisation Totals
For advice and assistance with comparing or switching, call us free on 0800 111 4894
8 | Page Page | 9Water Priority Services Register
Although you can’t choose who supplies these schemes. Your water supplier may The priority services register is a free The types of services you could receive are:
your water, you can look at ways to save also offer social tariff discounts for certain service provided by gas, electric and water
• Advance notice of planned power cuts
money. people. The criteria for social tariffs are set suppliers to customers in need. You can
• Priority support in an emergency
by the individual water supplier. receive this service if you:
• Identification scheme
WATER METERS:
• Are pensionable age • Password Protection
As a general rule, if you have more GRANTS AND TRUST FUNDS:
• Nominee scheme
bedrooms than people living in your If you have arrears with your water supplier, • Are disabled or chronically sick or
• Meter reading services
property, you are likely to save money with a they may have a trust fund that could help have a long-term medical condition
•A ccessible information
water meter. Most water companies offer a reduce these arrears and in some cases • Have a hearing or visual impairment (e.g. large print/braille)
water calculator on their website to check if award a grant to clear the debt. They may or additional communication needs
a water meter would save you money. also be able to help with replacing broken
• Are in a vulnerable situation To register contact your energy and water
essential household items such as cookers
supplier or your network operator.
SCHEMES: and fridges. • Live with children under 5 years old
Most water companies offer reduced
tariffs and schemes to people who are on Contact your water supplier for information
Warm Home Discount
qualifying benefits or use more water due to on what schemes and grants they offer.
medical conditions. This is called WaterSure Or you can contact us for information or
and Watersure Plus. You can contact your assistance to apply.
water company to check if you qualify for
Health and Wellbeing The Warm Home Discount is a scheme offered
by many energy suppliers. If you meet the
criteria you could receive a £140 discount
You should register early as
discounts can be limited.
off your electricity bill. The schemes normally open
between August - September
The core group, are those in receipt of and discounts are usually
If you have a health or medical condition and Guaranteed Pension Credit, if you receive received by March.
find it difficult to manage around your home, this and your energy supplier offers the Warm
you could ask your local authority for an Home Discount, you should receive a letter
assessment of your home or care needs. between October and December asking you
to call the Warm Home Discount hotline to
The assessment is free, and they could provide confirm your details.
you with appropriate aids and adaptions to
your home at no cost. The broader group, are those on a low income
or means tested benefits. Check with your
It doesn’t matter if you are a home owner or supplier for their eligibility criteria and if they
renting, although if you rent you may need offer the Warm Home Discount.
permission from your landlord for some
adaptations.
For advice and assistance call us free on 0800 111 4894
10 | Page Page | 11Three million healthy
homes by 2030
For more help with water and energy, download
our help with water and energy booklet from
www.aurigaservices.co.uk
12 | PageYou can also read
