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Archive for June 21st, 2009

Top Ten Ways to Save Money

In the current economic climate we are all looking for ways to spend less cash, so here are our top ten money saving tips to help you spend less.

1. Look for cheaper gas and electricity. If you haven’t already done so, with recent cuts in energy prices, now is a great time to switch. British Gas for instance have some excellent dual fuel rates if you use them to supply your gas and electricity.

2. Don’t get caught out by bank charges. It is easy to go over your overdraft limit or forget the expiry date on an interest free credit card offer, but even a small mistake can cost you a fortune in fees. Work out your household budget and plan your spending.

3. Don’t be scared to complain. If you are unsatisfied with a product or service you have paid good money for, you may have cause to complain. If your complaint is justified you could get a refund, money off or vouchers to spend another time.

4. Don’t be fooled into spending more on big brands. Supermarket own brands of toilet roll and staple foods like flour are much cheaper and you will be hard pushed to tell the difference.

5. Shop around for your financial products like mortgages, credit cards, savings accounts and loans. Even in the credit crunch there are massive differences in interest rates on offer, and even a fraction of a per cent on your mortgage could add up to thousands of pounds over the lifetime of the loan.

6. Don’t be so competitive. What would you rather have, a brand new car or more money to spend on days out with the family? Let other people’s lifestyles be their problem and work out your own priorities.

7. Give up smoking. It’s anti-social, it’s unhealthy and it costs a fortune.

8. Wait for the sales. Look for the sales to get your clothes and household goods. Buy your Christmas cards, decorations and even presents at bargain prices in the January sales and keep them for the following year.

9. Take up cookery. Takeaways, ready meals and convenience foods cost a fortune and can be unhealthy. Cooking is really relaxing, and you will eat better food for less. Make double the amount you need and freeze half, then if you’re not in the mood for cooking one day just pop one of your frozen home cooked meals in the microwave.

10. Don’t spend money on a gym membership you hardly ever use. If you go three or more times a week then great, if not you’re probably wasting your money. Many local authority gyms let you pay for the odd session rather than signing up for a monthly bill. Walk, cycle or run for free.

British Gas have the cheapest energy prices on average in the UK. To find out more and take advantage of these great electric rates visit their website www.britishgas.co.uk

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/top-ten-ways-to-save-money-983496.html

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Feeling hot?

Everyday almost every UK household produces carbon dioxide through energy use. Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas responsible for climate change.

Our electricity is mainly generated from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. This process produces carbon dioxide. Although cars produce a lot of CO2, the amount pales in comparison to that emitted in the making of electricity.

6 tonnes of carbon dioxide are produced by the average house each year.

Carbon dioxide, combined with other gases, when emitted into the atmosphere form a blanket around the Earth, helping to prevent heat from escaping. Without the greenhouse effect, the average temperature on Earth would be around -18 degrees centigrade, compared with the current average of around +15 degrees centigrade.

The increase in the temperature of our planet affects the weather, plants, animals and our health!

During the last 40 years, the UK’s winters have grown warmer, with heavier bursts of rain. The summers are growing drier and hotter.

If we are not careful, the kind of heat waves which killed thousands of people across Europe in 2003 could be commonplace in Britain by the end of this century.

Because of the change in temperature, many of the species of animals and plants that we traditionally associate with Britain may disappear. England’s green and pleasant lands may become brown and burnt.

A warmer climate in the UK could increase the number of people suffering from cataracts, skin cancer and even tropical diseases such as Dengue fever and West Nile virus. Even now, mosquitoes carrying such diseases are invading the US because of rising temperatures.

When we waste electricity in our homes, we are contributing to climate change. Things like insufficient insulation, leaving lights on unnecessarily or overfilling the kettle all waste energy and result in needless carbon dioxide emissions.

To slow down the greatest disaster which could affect our planet, it is clear that our electricity use needs to change.

Switch to British Gas today, the UK’s leading green electricity supplier. Take a look at their energy prices online now at britishgas.co.uk.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/feeling-hot-983497.html

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