Week 5 - Television Packages

Television packages can be very confusing. I think it all depends on what you are wanting to watch and when.

The main players in this market are Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT. There are also a lot of deals out there so it can be confusing as to what is good and what is not.
The key here is to haggle, haggle, haggle! Effective haggling will be covered in the coming weeks, but for new customers you can make considerable savings to the standard rates.

Also to add into the mix, many providers now bundle up other services such as Broadband, telephone and mobile phone packages. Broadband and telephone is going to be covered in the next few weeks
https://www.cable.co.uk/guides/digital-tv/

This is a package that offers digital channels over the air through your existing TV aerial. Many televisions include the tuners in them and so you do not need any extra equipment to view.
Pros: Free and no subscription costs.
Cons: Limited channels, may need an extra box to get the channels,

https://www.cable.co.uk/guides/is-sky-tv-worth-it/
Sky is probably the biggest and meanest of all the options. They are a premium brand offering a choice of packages.
Pros: You can tailor your package to suit your needs, most channel options, has on demand services, some sky exclusive content
Cons: Can be expensive, may have channels that you do not need included in packages, you need a dish on the side of your house.

https://www.cable.co.uk/guides/is-virgin-media-tv-any-good/
Virgin is a big player offering packaged solutions depending on what you want to watch.
Pros: Has both BT and Sky Sports package options, has on demand services
Cons: Can be expensive, may have channels that you do not need included in packages,

New player in the market and has started to buy up various sporting events taking them from Sky.
Pros: Sports channels available for free if you take their broadband,
Cons: Can be expensive, may have channels that you do not need included in packages,
Online services

This is an online package which streams television for a monthly subscription
Pros: Free time available, netflix exclusive content available, can be viewed anywhere you login, view when you want
Cons: for viewing on your main tele you will need a smart box attached, subject to your internet speed/data allowances, limited content

This is an online package which streams television for a monthly subscription
Pros: Free time available, Amazon exclusive content available, can be viewed anywhere you login, view when you want
Cons: for viewing on your main tele you will need a smart box attached, subject to your internet speed/data allowances, limited content

Boxes and technology:
All of the packages are available with a box that allows you to record, rewind and get 'smart' with your viewing.

Sky offers their Sky Plus box, Virgin have Tivo, and the rest tend to use YouView. They all do roughly the same thing and can be included as part of the packages you get.
There are some other smart boxes that can be used such as Now TV (owned by Sky), Chromecast (Google), Apple TV, Roku Streaming Player, WD play to name a few.


I think that the main point is to research what you actually need, what you actually will watch and get a package that is right for your needs. Also ask friends and family for their thoughts.

There may be deals available from referring friends as well so always keep an eye out for the elusive deal!

Week 4 - Mobile Phones

There are a number of mobile phone checking websites out there, but in my opinion the best and most accurate one is Billmonitor.


How to use:
Billmonitor

When you analyse your bills the site logs into you online account.
The analysis will look at your last three months bills and average out what you have used.
The system will then tell you which tariff would be best for you!
You can build into this if you want a new phone or not.
It will also tell you if you can switch from your current tariff to another one without penalty - ie if you are out of your existing contract.

If you don't want to use the bill analysis then you can use the calculator then go for it!

Also when you are at the end of your contract – haggle haggle haggle!!! You can make significant savings from doing this.
Haggling techniques will follow in the coming weeks.

PAC code.
Porting Authorisation Code - This is a code which allows you to transfer your same number to your new provider. By requesting this code as soon as the transfer happens then your old contract stops and the new one starts! Easy!

Your existing provider has a legal obligation to provide this to you immediately if you ask for ir or within 2 hours on a text message. It is valid for 30 days, so gives you plenty of time to change your mind. If you are still in your contract then your provider may charge you for the remainder of your contract.

Remember to cancel your direct debit though!

Week 3 - Supermarkets

I buy stuff from supermarkets and I do like a bargain! This is what I tend to do when shopping about! 

Hint: DO NOT buy anything that you do not need! A lot of people buy things that is on a 'sale' but don't need it. Just think if you actually need it!

Hint: Make a list of items you need and what you already have before you go out. Why buy the same thing over again when you already have it?!

Hint: Beware of the BOGOF or the 241's etc. Sometimes these are good value and sometimes not. Look for the single equivalents to see if there are any better deals!

Hint: Don't forget places like Poundland or Home Bargins. They sometimes have decent stuff at a good price!

How do I check if what I am buying is the cheapest?

Look at mySupermarket

With this site you can look to see where the item is the cheapest! Also if you want to save even more, use the alternatives that they suggest - ie downshift and get a different brand than the more expensive ones you might already be buying.

IPHONE/IPAD APP

ANDROID APP

Also use the app. You can scan the item with your phone to see the costs elsewhere!

Big 4

10% price guarantee

Hint: Split your shopping into 2 parts. When you pick up the item, if a deal or reduced then separate out to what is normally full price. Then fill in www.asdapriceguarantee.co.uk and see what you can get as a voucher!

Hint: When shopping use the mysupermarket app to see if the item is cheaper elsewhere, if not, then put into the full price pile!

Discounted gift cards. Some gift cards are discounted here so if buying items it is worth getting the gift cards then spending them in the respective stores.

WARNING: Gift cards have no protection if the organisation goes bust. They effectively will have no value. Please use asap when receiving them.

Morrisons Miles - Collect points every time you fill up and exchange for money vouchers

FuelSaver

Nectar points. These can be accumulated at a number of outlets so keep the card on you!

Use the app. They have addidional points that can be obtained with buying certain items

Nectar events. Everyso often there are extra deals from nectar points. Keep an eye out for these and capitalise on the extras!

Fuel: They sometimes run offers where you spend £x and get 1p off a litre etc. Beward though as 1p off a litre on a 50 litre tank is only a 50p saving!

Clubcard points. Sometimes Tesco allows points to be exchanged into other vouchers, but you get 4 times the value!

Warning: There are hints that clubcard may disappear in the future, so if this happens make sure you use the points before they expire!

Clubcard: Log into you online account with your clubcard. There may be unsued cash vouchers on there that haven't been used!

Fuel save: If you spend a lot at Tesco then you can get money off your fuel. Beware though as 1p off a litre on a 50 litre tank is only a 50p saving!

Smaller operators - See article about the rise of these here!

ALDI

Weekly deals available. Please refer to their website for these.

LIDL

Weekly deals available. Please refer to their website for these.

CO-OP

Weekly deals available. Please refer to their website for these.

WAITROSE

At the upper end of the cost scale, however sometimes the branded items can be cheaper. Use mysupermarket for cost analysis!

M&S FOOD

At the upper end of the cost scale, however price reductions can be quite good if you catch them right!

Week 2 - Cashback sites – Buy the same stuff, but get some cash back!

Cashback sites work by passing on some of the advertising revenue onto you that they receive for the referral. Think about google ads. If they get cash for each time you click the link, why shouldn't you as well?!

The best and biggest sites are Topcashback and Quidco.

To sign up to these sites visit

Topcashback link

And

Quidco link

There are a couple of smaller cashback sites so use the maximiser to see where you can get the best rates!

Cashback Maximiser

All you need to do to use these sites is login to the site. Search for the place that you are purchasing the item from (clothes, insurance, mobile phones etc – the list is almost endless!) and click the link that is there. Just use the website you are now on in the same way as you would normally do and in a few months you will get some cash back!

On Topcashback you are able to take the money as vouchers as well. Sometimes this also gives you a bit of an uplift to the rate you will receive!

As of 04/03/2015 I have ‘earnt’ £186.20 from topcashback and a whopping £840.44 from quidco. Not bad for buying the things that I would have bought anyway!

Caution: if you have cashback withdraw it as soon as you can. If the site goes bust, then you will have lost the full amount and have no chance of claiming it back

Week 1. Gas and Electricity

Gas and Electric – Steps to follow for great rates…All of the time

1.       Call your existing provider and ask for your annual usage of energy in kw/h

2.       Ask for the specific tariff name you are currently on

3.       Enter your details into www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub

4.       See what you can save based on your usage!

5.       Be careful though. If you think energy rates are going to reduce then ensure that you           select a tariff that has no exit penalties.

6.       Monitor this (at least) each year, set up an alert on the energy club for savings that               you want and you’ll be informed when this has been reached. Then just switch again!

For additional savings and cash back look at the following:

1.       If you apply through the energy club then you will get up to £30 cashback (I know it               works as I have done it myself!)

2.       For potentially more cash back apply through topcashback or quidco. (Guides on this           will follow in the coming weeks)

It is also worth checking the following for extra deals:

Sometimes there are bulk switching deals. There are where lots of people club together and you benefit from a collective switch deal.

These are time sensitive deals.

Noddle Collective Switch - ends 22nd March

Sheffield Collective Switch - ends 22nd March

Utility Warehouse

For some people Utility warehouse may be a good option. The best thing to do is look at your personal circumstances to see if it is.

For more information please click on the Which guide to Utility Warehouse that gives a unbiased view of this offering. I have not used this option as it doesn't work for my circumstances.

Which guide

Pros: One bill for all utilities, shopping vouchers for referring friends

Cons: It needs to improve its processes and isn’t that cheap, despite offering discounted bundles of services