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6 hacks to lower your bills

Managing household bills can be a real challenge, especially when they seem to keep climbing higher each month.

But fear not!

We’ve got your back with six ingenious household bill hacks that will help you save money without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

These simple yet effective strategies will empower you to take control of your expenses and free up some extra cash for the things that truly matter to you.

Let’s dive in and discover how you can make a significant difference in your monthly budget!

Why are household bills soaring in the UK?

Since 2020, prices have been rising nationwide. Although this may have been kickstarted by the pandemic in several ways, the war in Ukraine has also led to soaring inflation.

Staying up to date on market trends is more important than ever and can help you stay prepared for further price rises.

Our weekly shops, insurance, petrol, and energy bills are sky-high, so it’s understandable that you’re looking to cut back where you can.

Our top 5 expert tips for cutting household bills

We asked our experts to explain the top six most effective hacks for reducing your home bills.

Everyone can try at least one of these – so read on for more!

  1. Energy-Efficient Appliances: Cut Costs, Not Comfort

One of the most impactful ways to save on your household bills is by investing in energy-efficient appliances. These modern marvels consume less power while delivering the same level of performance.

From energy-saving LED bulbs to Energy Star-rated refrigerators and showerheads, these appliances will not only lower your electricity bill but also reduce your carbon footprint.

We say that’s a win-win for your wallet and the planet!

  1. Embrace the Power of Smart Thermostats

Heating costs can take a considerable chunk out of your budget.

Enter the era of smart thermostats – the ultimate household bill hack. These intelligent devices learn your preferences, adjust temperatures accordingly, and can be controlled remotely through your smartphone.

By optimizing your home’s climate, you’ll avoid energy waste and save big on your bills.

Plus, some energy providers even offer rebates for installing smart thermostats, giving you an extra incentive to make the switch.

This is also the case for solar panels, depending on whereabouts you live.

It’s worth investigating if you would be eligible for a government grant.

  1. Bundle Up and Save on TV, Internet, and Phone Services

If you’re still paying for TV, internet, and your landline phone separately, it’s time to bundle up and save!

Many providers offer attractive bundle packages that combine these services into one convenient, discounted bill.

Not only will you enjoy the convenience of a single monthly payment, but you’ll also benefit from significant savings compared to individual subscriptions.

As for your mobile, could you consider a SIM-only plan?

If you’re nearing the end of your contract, and you’re happy with the device, you should look into it.

See our blog explaining everything you need to know.

  1. Unplug to Save: Combat Phantom Energy Drain

Did you know that even when your electronic devices are turned off, they still draw power? Our experts call this “phantom energy drain”, and it contributes to unnecessary energy costs.

Combat this sneaky expense by unplugging “vampire” devices when they’re not in use.

You’ll be amazed at how much you can save just by being more mindful of your off switches!

  1. Save on the Splash and Save up Your Cash

We all love a hot bubbly bath from time to time, but showering is much more efficient.

Even by just swapping to showers and having one bath per week, you can save tens of litres per month.

Putting your clothes on a slightly cooler wash of 30 degrees also saves you money every month, without decreasing the effectiveness of your washing powder.

  1. Don’t be Afraid to Switch, Shop Around and Haggle

When it comes to your bills, switching is your secret weapon. Many providers offer low priced and unbeatable introductory periods, or discounts for new customers.

We’re here to find these deals for you. Small changes make a big difference to your bills, and when it comes to broadband, you might be able to save AND upgrade!

In essence, our team will do all the haggling for you and find you a personalised deal within your budget.

Could you be Overpaying on Your Bills?

Switching your broadband or mobile deal could potentially save you hundreds per year. If you haven’t switched plans in a while, there’s a very real chance you could be overpaying.

Many suppliers will automatically enrol you onto a new standard tariff plan once your initial contract ends.

The catch? You’ll likely be paying more per month – and not necessarily for a better service in return.

We’ll find out how much you could be saving in no time, whilst also ensuring that your new contracts are well suited to your home.

Switch and Save Now

We can help you cut back on your expensive contracts. Whether it’s your mobile, or your home broadband, we can find you a personalised deal today.

Get started with a few clicks and you’ll be surprised by the savings!

 

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Is a SIM plan right for you?

Unlike smartphone contracts that come with a brand-new handset, a SIM-only plan refers solely to your mobile usage. 

If you’re happy with your current mobile handset, and also looking to cut your monthly expenses, a SIM-only plan could be exactly what you need. 

Our experts have covered the main benefits below to help you decide.

1. Money Saving

Compared to smartphone contracts, SIM-only plans can be ridiculously cheap. Especially when you consider the eye-watering monthly cost for the newest smartphone on the market, which could be up to a shocking £90.

For example, one of the specialist suppliers we work with, Neatley, offer a completely unlimited SIM deal for just £24.95 per month.

Compare this to the average contract bill of £50+, you’re guaranteed to save money. Switch today and you’ll soon see the savings add up.  

2. Good Credit Building – Even if you Don’t Have it

When you apply for a mobile contract, your credit rating is checked.

Having a poor credit rating means you’re likely to struggle in finding a mobile network to accept you. This is because a mobile contract works similarly to a credit agreement, with monthly payments planned to cover the cost of the handset itself.

SIM-only plans are a much lower risk to the network, so the requirements for signing up are a lot laxer.

Say you have bad credit at the moment, then getting a SIM plan will actually help you improve your score – especially if you choose a 12-month or more deal. 

Paying your SIM plan price every month helps to strengthen your rating, as you’re proving to the network that you’re a financially responsible customer. 

By the end of your SIM plan, you should have built up a fairly respectable credit score for yourself – AND saved money for your next handset!

3. Business Benefits

Business owners – you could benefit from a SIM deal too.

It’s a cheap way to keep your professional and personal life separate, such as using a second mobile number for clients to call. SIM plans are also incredibly flexible and can grow with your business as and when it needs to.

We’ve compared mobile networks offering specialist plans to small business owners. 

4. Flexibility

Aside from the low price, the biggest benefit of SIM plans is undoubtedly the flexibility they give you.

Rather than being tied down to an expensive contract for 2 years or more, SIM plans can be tailored. No one can predict where life will take them in that time, so a SIM plan could offer you peace of mind.

You also get the freedom of choosing which mobile network to go with, despite which network you originally took your phone out with. 

There’s also the complete control over your usage. Regardless of what’s most important to you (be it data, texts, 5G access etc), we’ll find you a fair-priced plan that meets all your needs.

Besides, unlimited mobile data is a lot cheaper nowadays! 

Find a new SIM-only deal

Happy with your device but not the usage allowance?

Nearing the end of your contract and looking to cut costs?

These are perfect examples of situations in which it would be wise to get a SIM.

We’ve already compared mobile providers for you. Get started with a few clicks and find your new deal today.

Could you save on your broadband bills next?

Search the latest broadband offers.

Apple iPhones

It’s that time of year again – where a new iPhone hits the market.

Meet the iPhone 14 Pro, plus its slightly larger countermodel, the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

So you don’t have to, our Experts have already explored the main differences between the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 13.

First impressions

The 14 Pro is the same size and shape as the 13, featuring a 6.1-inch OLED screen and a stainless-steel edge.

However, even when the phone is locked, you’ll notice one key difference – an always-on display. Even on standby, you’ll see a dimmed version of your lock screen (useful for checking the time).

We’ve explained the other key changes below.

iOS 16

A new lock screen and features!

Every device runs on IOS 16, giving it a fresh and modern user experience.

The software even comes with a new revolutionary car-crash detection app, designed to sense the force of a collision and alert emergency services.

Speaking of this new update, it hit the headlines recently.

Its effectiveness (or rather, sensitivity) was noted by one American user, after their mobile identified a roller coaster as a high-impact car crash – mistakenly alerting the police to a theme park!

Imagine getting off a coaster and finding out your phone has called for help!

Battery and charging

Fit with the A16 Bionic chip, it’s 10x faster than previous models.

When it comes to battery life however, the 14 Pro isn’t too dissimilar to the 13. It offers 75 hours of audio playback and 23 hours of video.

The iPhone 14 Pro Plus is the new champion though, with 95 hours of audio and 29 hours of video playback available on full charge.

“Dynamic island”

You know that rectangular notch at the top of your iPhone screen? It’s now 31% smaller and interactive.

Just by clicking and expanding the notch, you can skip songs, stop timers, or open notifications.

Fondly called “Dynamic Island” by Apple, we can see why!

The main event – an impressive camera

Expect crisp and defined landscapes.

The new camera is what makes the 14 Pro that bit heavier than the 13 – and it’s worth it.

It features a 48-megapixel sensor and a slightly wider shot, plus a whole new image-processing technique called the Photonic Engine.

This Photonic Engine is particularly important for taking high-quality images in darker conditions.

The price

Our least favourite part.

Currently, the iPhone 14 Pro can be bought outright for £849.

The 14 Pro Max comes in at an even steeper £949.

Contracts are priced from around £39 per month, but you need to compare to find the best deal.

This way, you won’t get caught out by a hefty upfront fee or a ridiculously long contract.

Our conclusion

There’s no denying that the iPhone 14 Pro/Plus are impressive new phones, but this is certainly reflected in the price tag.

The iPhone 13 is also still an impressive phone – and now it’s more likely to drop in price.

However, we’re all trying to battle price rises right now, so you might not be interested in a super-luxurious mobile if it’s not necessary.

For now, you might be better investing in a new SIM deal to help save up for an upgrade