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Money Tips

Spending less on what a household buys every week, without the advice that only works if you were not going to buy it anyway.

Edited by Sam Allcock

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Sections

Energy Bill TipsWhat actually moves a bill, and what is folklore worth pennies a year.Food Shopping TipsCutting a weekly shop without buying things you will throw away.Frugal Living TipsSpending less across a whole household, on the things that repeat.Bills and Switching TipsContracts, renewals and the money that leaks out on autopilot.

Calculators for this section

What does it actually cost?

The one thing a search result cannot tell you, because the answer depends on today's price cap, your tariff and your appliance, and it changes four times a year.

Appliance Running Cost CalculatorWhat any appliance costs per use, per week and per year, plus eighteen worked out for you at today's rate.Energy Price Cap RatesThe current unit rates and standing charges, what they become on 1 October, and why your own rate is probably different.Bath or Shower Cost CalculatorWhich is actually cheaper in your house, worked from how you heat the water.
Electricity 26.11p per kWh, gas 7.33p per kWh. Ofgem price cap average for 1 July to 30 September 2026.

The data

Figure£1,723The energy price cap for a typical household from 1 October, which Ofgem states is 4 per cent above the previous period.
Figure+8.7%The change in the gas unit rate on 1 October. If you heat with gas, that is where your winter gets more expensive.
Figure26.1p vs 7.3pElectricity against gas per kWh. Electricity costs roughly three and a half times as much per unit of heat, which decides most running-cost questions.

Newest money tips

Browse a section
2023
How to avoid paying for a warranty you already have

You have statutory rights that last far longer than most extended warranties, and many are duplicated by a bank account or credit card you already pay for.

Consumer rights
2022
What to do if you cannot pay a bill

Contact the company before the payment is missed, not after. Energy and water suppliers have hardship schemes, and free debt advice is available that is better than anything advertised.

DebtFree help exists
2021
How to check you are not overpaying for water

If you have more bedrooms than people in the house, a meter is usually cheaper. In England and Wales you can generally ask for one to be fitted free and switch back within a set period if it costs more.

Bills
2020
How to get a better broadband or mobile deal

Wait until the contract ends, then ring and say you are leaving. Out-of-contract prices are typically far higher than new customer prices for the same service.

Contracts
2019
How to stop insurance renewing at a higher price

Start shopping about three to four weeks before renewal, get comparison quotes, and then ring your existing insurer with them. The renewal quote is an opening offer.

Insurance