I’m looking to change my television, phone and internet provider – how can I ensure I’m getting the most for my money?
There are several things to consider when switching and before you even start comparing prices, you should make a list of what is important to you. Do you need superfast broadband or fibre? Are you always downloading movies, uploading pictures, streaming music which means you would need unlimited data.
Do you use your landline or would it be useful to be able to carry over unused landline minutes to your mobile? This kind of flexibility is really important and TalkTalk offer genuinely unlimited data and great flexibility.
Their Talk2Go app allows you to carry over all those free landline minutes so you can use on your mobile. Plus they are currently offering free Simply Broadband for a year, saving you £250 compared to BT. The offer is open now, and will run until 19 February.
I’ve heard that having your loft insulated can shave money off of your utility bills – is it really worth shelling out the initial high cost?
I agree that any investment in your home has to be justified by the long term gain. When it comes to insulating a roof you don't have to be a mathematical genius to see that it makes complete sense.
Heat rises up, and in an uninsulated home, a quarter of the heat that you are paying for, is lost through the roof. Insulating your loft, attic or flat roof is a simple and effective way to reduce heat loss and reduce your heating bills.
The average semi detached house will cost approximately £300 to insulate (or about £200 to reinforce existing insulation to an effective standard).
The annual saving on your bill should be potentially about £25 and the insulation will be effective for at least forty years. So although it may take about 10 years to pay for itself, it will then pay many times over.
There is more good news in that there are a number of schemes to help with the cost of any energy-saving improvements in your home.
The Green Deal is a government backed scheme to help you make improvements which may give you money to help and also could provide finance to cover the remaining cost. Contact the GDHIF (Green Deal Home Improvement Fund) administrator on claims@energy-saving-home-improvement-fund-service.gov.uk or call 0300 555 0201.
Some local authorities may also provide energy-saving grants - it is worth calling to see if there is any help available in your area.
Mobile phone contracts are confusing – how do you know if you’re being ripped off?
Are you going to buy your phone upfront and get a SIM only deal? Or do you need to get a phone and go SIM free.
Once you have made these decisions you can use an online tool such as with www.uswitch.com which will calculate and show you the best deals for you.
I would then double check the offers on price comparison sites as they change day to day and you may find that by asking a provider they will do an even better deal on the phone.
When I first got my daughter a phone, I asked the company if she could have a month’s data trial so that we could see how much she was using, thus avoiding any scary bills.
We’re first time buyers and are getting quite confused with all the different mortgages available. Have you got any tips?
Yes! Get organised and then get help! If you haven't already done this then you need to sit down and put on paper absolutely all your monthly incomings and outgoings (not forgetting the quarterly or annual payments).
You should never be looking for a mortgage (or a house) without a completely accurate and realistic budget.
You are right, the mortgage market is very confusing. Fixed or variable, rate and fees, cash back or repayment charges! What should you be looking for and what avoiding? You can do it on your own if you feel confident and speak a certain amount of financial jargon.
There are plenty of sites like www.moneysupermarket.com or www.moneysavingexpert.com which will show you day to day who is offering the best deal.
As I write, both sites are recommending the Clydesdale bank offering 2 years fixed rate at 2.9% with 1,000 cash back is a good choice.
I think most people entering the market for the first time would do well to use an expert and then confirm the advice they are offering can’t be beaten online.
Go to a qualified mortgage broker (CeMAP is recognised by most professionals) and be very upfront about how you are paying them.
This could be a fee from you or it could be that they just take a payment from the lender that they recommend you to. One last thing is to check that your broker is looking at all the best deals across the UK and not just tied to a small group.
That way you will get a better choice. Good luck and enjoy your new property!
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