1. Gumtree
Getting a perfectly good used motorbike, TV or sewing machine from a classified advert is cheaper than buying new, and sometimes less hassle. Likewise, make money by selling your unwanted goods and chattels. Gumtree.com adverts are free, unless marked ?urgent? or ?featured? ? probably unnecessary for detritus lying in the hallway. Alternatively, give away your stuff on Freecycle, which creates a warm glow inside and, more practically, reduces landfill. Uk.freecycle.org offers free gifts of everything from old pianos to rabbit hutches, often in good condition.
Getting a perfectly good used motorbike, TV or sewing machine from a classified advert is cheaper than buying new, and sometimes less hassle. Likewise, make money by selling your unwanted goods and chattels. Gumtree.com adverts are free, unless marked ?urgent? or ?featured? ? probably unnecessary for detritus lying in the hallway. Alternatively, give away your stuff on Freecycle, which creates a warm glow inside and, more practically, reduces landfill. Uk.freecycle.org offers free gifts of everything from old pianos to rabbit hutches, often in good condition.
2. Travelsupermarket
One of the best things about the web is being able to mull over different holidays options. Check flights, hotels, car hire and travel insurance at Travelsupermarket.com, which has some market-beating prices. The flights function, for instance, sits above other search engines such as Opodo, Expedia and ebookers, scanning them for offers. Car hire is often cheaper than if booked through an airline.
One of the best things about the web is being able to mull over different holidays options. Check flights, hotels, car hire and travel insurance at Travelsupermarket.com, which has some market-beating prices. The flights function, for instance, sits above other search engines such as Opodo, Expedia and ebookers, scanning them for offers. Car hire is often cheaper than if booked through an airline.
3. Ecopromotion
Energy efficiency is dull, but it?s important for climate change and saves pots of money. And once you do it, you don?t have to do it again. Browse a range of environmentally friendly products from solar battery chargers to shower timers at Nigel?s Eco Store (nigelsecostore.com). Alternatively Ecopromotion.co.uk has some good energy (and money) saving tips, such as reflective radiator panels, which are attached to the wall and direct heat back into the room. The site reckons a £25 pack of six will cut heating bills by up to 20 per cent, or £120 a year for the average three-bedroom semi-detached house. In any case, they should at least pay for themselves in a year, after which your home will be warmer, and cheaper to run.
Energy efficiency is dull, but it?s important for climate change and saves pots of money. And once you do it, you don?t have to do it again. Browse a range of environmentally friendly products from solar battery chargers to shower timers at Nigel?s Eco Store (nigelsecostore.com). Alternatively Ecopromotion.co.uk has some good energy (and money) saving tips, such as reflective radiator panels, which are attached to the wall and direct heat back into the room. The site reckons a £25 pack of six will cut heating bills by up to 20 per cent, or £120 a year for the average three-bedroom semi-detached house. In any case, they should at least pay for themselves in a year, after which your home will be warmer, and cheaper to run.
4. TheEnergyShop.com
Millions of homes are still paying too much for their heat and power. Someone with a combined annual gas and electricity bill of £1,200 could save around £300 by switching to an internet deal, which email rather than post the bill (the supply coming into your house stays the same). Price comparison sites such as TheEnergyshop.com and uswitch.com offer a quick postcode search. Just tap in a few details and switch online in minutes. The Independent also has a site, compare.independent.co.uk.
Millions of homes are still paying too much for their heat and power. Someone with a combined annual gas and electricity bill of £1,200 could save around £300 by switching to an internet deal, which email rather than post the bill (the supply coming into your house stays the same). Price comparison sites such as TheEnergyshop.com and uswitch.com offer a quick postcode search. Just tap in a few details and switch online in minutes. The Independent also has a site, compare.independent.co.uk.
5. Fonebank
At least 60 million mobile phones are thought to be languishing in drawers across the UK. Fonebank.com re-uses or recycles them, giving new life to their polluting metals and you a few pounds: £2 for an old Nokia to £150 for a new BlackBerry. Just send off a phone to the freepost address. Redcross.org.uk runs a similar scheme, which funds the charity?s national and international work, such as giving first aid training and running water and sanitation projects.
At least 60 million mobile phones are thought to be languishing in drawers across the UK. Fonebank.com re-uses or recycles them, giving new life to their polluting metals and you a few pounds: £2 for an old Nokia to £150 for a new BlackBerry. Just send off a phone to the freepost address. Redcross.org.uk runs a similar scheme, which funds the charity?s national and international work, such as giving first aid training and running water and sanitation projects.
6. Moneydashboard
If you end up overspending it might be worth looking at this website. Moneydashboard.com?s downloadable free software links with your online bank account and credit cards, allowing you to monitor your spending in one place. You can tag different types of expenditure, set a monthly budget and receive alerts when you tip into the red. Moneydashboard.com makes its money from commission on financial products which periodically it suggests you buy, though obviously you don?t have to. The US giant Yodlee manages the online security and it?s claimed there?s no risk of a hacker accessing personal details because they?re anonymised.
If you end up overspending it might be worth looking at this website. Moneydashboard.com?s downloadable free software links with your online bank account and credit cards, allowing you to monitor your spending in one place. You can tag different types of expenditure, set a monthly budget and receive alerts when you tip into the red. Moneydashboard.com makes its money from commission on financial products which periodically it suggests you buy, though obviously you don?t have to. The US giant Yodlee manages the online security and it?s claimed there?s no risk of a hacker accessing personal details because they?re anonymised.
7. Savewatersavemoney
Even if you don?t have a meter, you can save money by saving water. At £20, aerated showerheads should pay for themselves within a year. Savewatersavemoney.co.uk has another idea: tap inserts. Kitchen taps can run at 15 litres a minute, sending hot water down the plughole. Fitting a £5.99 gizmo slows the rate to 3 litres a minute, and saves money, year after year after year.
Even if you don?t have a meter, you can save money by saving water. At £20, aerated showerheads should pay for themselves within a year. Savewatersavemoney.co.uk has another idea: tap inserts. Kitchen taps can run at 15 litres a minute, sending hot water down the plughole. Fitting a £5.99 gizmo slows the rate to 3 litres a minute, and saves money, year after year after year.
8. Consumer Direct
What do you do if the new washing machine breaks down and the shop won?t take it back? The Government?s free shopping advice service, consumerdirect.gov.uk, dispenses expert advice on buying cars and mobile phones and hiring builders and decorators, among other things.
What do you do if the new washing machine breaks down and the shop won?t take it back? The Government?s free shopping advice service, consumerdirect.gov.uk, dispenses expert advice on buying cars and mobile phones and hiring builders and decorators, among other things.
9. European Consumer Centre
If you are buying something from outside the UK but inside the EU, the European Consumer Centre could save you a fortune. Funded by the EU and trading standards, ukecc.net offers advice about your shoppping rights ? which at a European level are surprisingly robust. For instance, a ruined holiday could be repaid under the Package Holiday Directive and, if you don?t like an online delivery, you can ask for a refund within seven days under the Distance Selling Directive.
If you are buying something from outside the UK but inside the EU, the European Consumer Centre could save you a fortune. Funded by the EU and trading standards, ukecc.net offers advice about your shoppping rights ? which at a European level are surprisingly robust. For instance, a ruined holiday could be repaid under the Package Holiday Directive and, if you don?t like an online delivery, you can ask for a refund within seven days under the Distance Selling Directive.
10. Credit Counselling
If you have already spent too much, it?s better to confront your money problems. Most debt management companies charge a fee for sorting out your finances. The estimable Consumer Credit Counselling Services, a registered charity, doesn?t. It?s well used to dealing with the most woefully mismanaged finances, confidentially and free at cccs.co.uk.
If you have already spent too much, it?s better to confront your money problems. Most debt management companies charge a fee for sorting out your finances. The estimable Consumer Credit Counselling Services, a registered charity, doesn?t. It?s well used to dealing with the most woefully mismanaged finances, confidentially and free at cccs.co.uk.
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