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Bills and Switching Tips

Contracts, renewals and the money that leaks out on autopilot.

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The rule that covers most of them

Put every renewal date in a calendar with a reminder a month before, and never let anything auto-renew without checking the market.

A lot of household money leaks out on autopilot through contracts that renew at a worse price than they started at. Loyalty is priced as apathy by almost every industry that auto-renews, and the defence is a diary rather than vigilance.

What it covers

InsuranceContractsBillsDebtConsumer rights

Every tip in bills

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
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
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
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
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

Tipking is general household information, not professional advice. Test anything on a hidden patch first. Full disclaimer.