The July Price Cap

Why Fix Your Energy Price?

Jasmine Says

How to Shop Around for Energy Deals

The July Energy Price Cap

In a two-for-one bonus for households this summer, not only is the energy price cap reducing by 7% from 1st July, reduced need for heating and energy in the house will slash energy bills for a few months.

If you’re on a Direct Debit payment, this is a good time to check how much credit you’ve built up on your energy account too. Your summer bills will be lower, so you could get some money back from your energy supplier if you need some more cash in your pocket. Direct Debits have been set at an historically high level in the past year, combined with a warm winter reducing heating costs, so you could have hundreds of pounds sitting there!

The July price cap only applies to 30th September. This means that the October cap could – and is predicted to – rise. That’s why it’s a good time to start preparing to switch tariffs to lock in a good rate. You have a few months to do so, which gives you time to switch if your on a fixed tariff due to end between now and 30th September 2024.

Why Fix Your Energy Tariff?

As we’ve seen in recent years, energy pricing has become increasingly volatile. There are several reasons for this, such as international unrest disrupting supply.

A fixed energy tariff has previously been risky in recent years, as you might have ended up fixing at a higher price overall and locking yourself into a contract when others are paying less for their energy. However, the combination of the July reduction AND the anticipated October increase, means now is a good time to make the most of deals.

Variable tariffs go up and down with the market – which means you can easily be surprised with a large energy bill even with a reduction in usage. Fixed tariffs don’t do this, but that does mean when prices drop you could pay more than those on a variable.

Jasmine’s Thoughts on the Energy Price Cap:

Go for a nice cheap 12-month fix if you can. That way, you lock in the summer rate for a good few months. I wouldn’t go for more than that, as it’s likely that bills will come down a little in January. Of course, we don’t know what will happen geopolitically in the next year – if tensions between the West and Russia continue to worsen, we could find our bills going up again. We also don’t know the outcome of the General Election and how that could impact prices. For the moment, I’d say it’s safest to fix for 12 months and then see what happens.

How to Shop Around for Energy Deals

Your current supplier might already offer an ideal fixed term tariff, so that’s the best place to start. Existing customers may get preferential rates too, so log into your online account or call your provider to find out about your tariff options. Your supplier cannot tell you which the best rate is for your usage (as they could get in trouble if they advise incorrectly), but they can tell you about the options you have.

Make a note of the different rates for day and night (if they are there) as well as the standing charge. Check the term is for 12 months, too. Then shop around before you commit.

Research other providers by looking at their websites or using a comparison tool. There are sometimes switching incentives too. Remember that if you are on a fixed term contract already, there may be financial penalties to switch supplier. Some providers offer to cover these fees for you if you switch to them.

Next, look at your last year of bills to get an idea of your average usage across the year. This is important, because the cheaper summer months can be misleading if you use those to work out your annual bill. Look for the kW/h price as well as the standing charge. Work out how many kW/h you used in the last year by subtracting a meter reading from 12 months ago from one taken today. This will help you decide if a tariff switch is a better price across the year.

The post Start Looking for a Fix on Your Energy Prices NOW appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Why Money Could Be Owed

The USwitch Survey Results

How to Claim Your Money Back

Should You Claim Your Energy Refund?

What to Do If You’re in Energy Debt

Why You Could Be Owed

The last few years have seen energy prices go through the roof – but they are finally starting to come down. However, when they were on the rise, most energy suppliers increased direct debits for customers to make sure the higher costs of winter months would be covered.

Now, millions of people are owed an energy refund from their supplier because they have built up hundreds of pounds in credit they don’t need. The reason for this is two-fold: first, many direct debits were raised and over-estimated, meaning you could have been paying way more than you needed to, to cover the winter heating and electric bills. This can happen every year, especially if you rely on mostly estimated readings from your supplier.

However, the second reason is more surprising: as the cost of living crisis hit everyone, we all became a lot more aware about ways to save energy in the home – and as we had a particularly mild winter, many of us used our central heating a lot less than usual, too. So, while we were paying more than we needed to for our direct debits, we were also using less energy than usual which reduced bills further.

The Annual Bill Cycle

Typically, May is around the time households should have around a zero credit build-up in their energy account. This is because of the cycle of energy usage and direct debits. Your direct debit is the same amount each month, even though you don’t use that much every month. In the spring and summer, your energy costs are lower. This means you’ll build credit in your account through these months. That credit then gets used up as your winter bills increase with central heating and extra use of appliances like tumble dryers, so by early spring the credit should be levelled out.

However, this year, millions of households have saved more energy AND built up extra credit with their energy supplier because of higher direct debits throughout the last year or so – which means they’re entering the ‘zero’ months of early spring with a significant chunk of cash already built up against their energy bills for the summer.

The USwitch Survey Results

Comparison website USwitch conducted a survey of 16 MILLION energy customers and their accounts, and the results are eye opening. The average household has a credit built up with their energy supplier of £210.08. This varies a lot between regions and households, though – Newcastle has the highest average of £315.58 built up, while five per cent (that’s 800,000 households) have over £500 sitting in their energy account.

In fact, the total amount held of customers’ money held by energy suppliers is around THREE BILLION pounds. Yes, billion. However, what is interesting is that industry regulator Ofgem say this is also around the same amount of debt owed by customers – which could put the industry on shaky ground. However, customer payments should be ‘ringfenced’, which means your money must be returnable to you.

How to Claim Your Money Back

Energy suppliers should return your spare credit to you – but it can take a bit of arguing. The first step is to make a simple request to your supplier – many have a contact email address on their website. It is always best to communicate with your energy supplier in writing, in case you need to take a complaint to the Ombudsman (Ofgem) at a later date.

You might reach an agreement with your supplier to leave a small amount of credit in your account – for example, if you have built £300 credit, you could arrange a £250 refund, leaving £50 in your account. This gives you peace of mind, too. However, you can request it all back if you want it.

If your supplier doesn’t reply to your request or refuses, escalate it as a complaint. They have 8 weeks from the date of your complaint to resolve the matter – and if you still don’t have your refund, you can take it to the Energy Ombudsman who have the power to force the supplier to return your money.

When you raise a complaint with the Ombudsman, you’ll be asked for evidence of your attempt to resolve it with the supplier first – which is why getting everything in writing is ideal. Then, you’ll need to write details of your complaint. It doesn’t need to be reams and reams for something like an energy refund – in fact, you could use this exact wording and fill in the bits in brackets with your own details if you like:

“On (date you requested the refund), I requested the refund of (amount of credit), with my account currently in credit by (total amount of credit on your account). They have (not replied/refused). I wish to access (amount of credit) and request the Ombudsman intervene to return my funds.”

That’s it!

Should You Claim an Energy Refund?

There are reasons both to claim your energy refund and also to leave the account in credit.

You should claim if:

• You don’t plan to move house soon
• There is a significant excess (such as over £200) and you want a partial refund
• You’re in temporary significant financial difficulty

You shouldn’t claim if:

• You want to have lower bills for the rest of the year (you can amend your direct debit and use up your credit)
• You’re in financial difficulty that could last several months (energy bills must be paid so keeping your account in credit could avoid energy debt)
• You’re planning to switch energy supplier soon (wait until you have switched)
• You’re planning to move house soon (different houses use varied amounts of energy so your bills could change – and you might need to switch supplier)

If you decide to keep your credit in your account, make sure you lower your direct debit bill to as little as possible (and remember to put it up again before you run out of credit). This will stop you from adding to the credit and losing money you don’t need to pay out.

What To Do If You Are In Energy Debt

While there are millions of households in credit, unfortunately there are further millions struggling to pay their energy bills. The same survey mentioned above also revealed around four million households owe an average of £194 in energy debt.

If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, don’t fret – there are things you can do. We’ve created a guide to help you tackle energy debt and make sure it doesn’t have a long-term impact on your finances or your mental health.

The post Are You Owed Hundreds of Pounds in an Energy Refund? appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

It took me years to get a dryer. I seemed to be living at our launderette: something I hadn’t done since my student days. My mother-in-law visited and suggested we get the same one as her. It changed our lives.

The dryer we purchased was Haier’s incredible I-PRO Series 7 Plus Tumble Dryer.

This tumble dryer which is A+++ rated, boasts incredible advanced technologies and knows how to enhance your drying, leaving clothes smelling fresh, perfectly clean and dry and even prolonging their life.

It has something called “I-Refresh function” and this works by magically adjusting the temperature and the duration of each cycle according to the type of fabric, allowing you to obtain perfectly dry and clean laundry.

The Hygienic Program ensures a longer and better life for your clothing by eliminating more than 99% of bacteria from garments. Plus, with the 3-in-1 filter, performances are maintained at the highest level at every cycle, since lint and fibres are gathered together and not allowed to fluctuate inside the drum.

Gold Standard Energy Saving

We’re all aware that energy costs have gone through the roof in recent years, so I was pleased to find out that the I-PRO Series 7 Plus Dryer could save us up to £6,185* over its lifetime thanks to the smart technology making sure each cycle is efficient for whatever it is drying. Not only do you save money with the smart cycles, you’re saving the environment every time you dry, too. No more leaving the dryer running needlessly for hours on end, wasting cash and electricity.

Benefits of Smart Drying

Smart drying comes with a bunch more benefits than cash savings, too. The hOn app lets you check the machine from wherever you are – even when you’re away from home. You’ll never forget your laundry either, as it’ll send a notification when the cycle is finished.

Extending the lifetime of your appliances is another important way to save money, and the programmed maintenance updates and reminders can help you stay on top of essential maintenance to keep your dryer in tip-top condition.

The smart aspect of drying is my favourite bit of the whole appliance: it’ll give you suggestions for the perfect setting for each load, making sure you’re not accidentally shrinking your smalls or putting on a cycle that’s hours longer than it needs to be.

For the tech lovers out there, you can even use the app to get real-time energy consumption data as well as track your usage habits. Why is this cool? Because it means you can look at how you use your dryer and discover ways to be even more efficient – do you run loads of half-loads, for example? Combine into fewer each week and you’re saving on energy consumption and chores in one fell swoop!

Haier, the number one global appliance brand for the past 15 consecutive years, is at the forefront of providing solutions for the smart home. In drying, the Haier series of tumble dryers were created to deliver professional-level laundry results in the comfort of your own home. Each one of its features has been designed to improve performance, while at the same time reducing noise and energy consumption, saving you time and even allowing you to fine tune the duration of your drying cycles.

Check out Haier’s complete range of tumble dryers. Here you’ll see the energy efficiency rating of each one along with their savings and how they can contribute to your not only your home  but the way you do your household tasks.

Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.

The post Get Professional Drying at Home with Haier’s Smart and Efficient Dryer appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

• Inflation linked price rises kick in from April – but millions could take action now and skip price rises until 2025

• New customers who switch to Vodafone, Virgin Media, Community Fibre and Shell Energy Broadband won’t see a price rise until 2025

• Several providers will not be not increasing prices at all, such as Hyperoptic and SMARTY

• Sky Broadband, Direct Save Telecom and Giganet customers can leave penalty free if they face a price increase

• Customers who have stayed with the same provider will face an aggregate 23.4% bill rise since March 2023 [1]

• Experts at Uswitch.com say broadband and mobile customers should check if they can switch now to avoid overpaying

• Check MoneyMagpie’s Broadband Comparison tool to see if you can get a better deal.

Around 11 million broadband and 36 million mobile customers will experience an inflation linked price increase in April [2], but many can take action now to skip this year’s price rises, according to Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.

April price rises are expected to add an extra £27.19 and £24.23 annually to broadband and mobile bills respectively for those on current market deals [3], equating to an estimated total of £92.5 million over 12 months for all those affected [3]. But for customers who have stayed with the same provider, this means an aggregate 23.4% bill rise since March 2023 [1].

Who can beat the price rises

Around 4.2 million consumers are out of contract on their broadband [4], and are therefore free to switch providers now if they wish to escape potential upcoming price increases.

The majority still in contract will not be able to avoid the pending price hikes without paying a penalty exit fee – but there are still options for many.

Sky Broadband, Direct Save Telecom and Giganet all allow customers to leave penalty free if they wish within the 30 day window of the price rise announcement – although this does not apply to Sky TV customers.

How to beat the price rises For those searching for a new broadband service, both Vodafone and Community Fibre are freezing prices until 2025 for those switching now ahead of the April increases.

Shell Energy Broadband also guarantees no price rises for new customers joining after 22nd January 2024 until subsequent years of their agreement.

Check our comparison here.

Commitment to no price increases

For customers who wish to dodge price increases altogether, several providers have committed to fixed prices for the duration of a contract.

Smaller regional alternative networks, such as Trooli, Zen Internet and Hyperoptic, offer full fibre deals and have committed to not hiking their costs for consumers throughout their current contract agreements.

For those looking to save on their mobile phones, customers with providers such as Giffgaff, Talkmobile, Lebara, SMARTY, iD Mobile and Sky Mobile can rest assured these providers are committed to not increasing their prices mid-contract.

• If you are out of contract: You’re in a good position to make a saving right away, as you’re no longer tied to your contract and can avoid your provider’s price rises, if it has any. Use a comparison website to see your options.

• If you’re part way through your contract: Check if you are with a provider which allows you to exit without penalty. This will be within the listed terms and conditions. Even if there is a charge to switch, this may still offer you a saving in the longer term, but you should weigh-up your decision based on personal circumstances.

• If you have no existing contract: If available in your area, it is worth considering whether you can access a provider with no price rises. Several smaller regional full fibre providers, known as ‘alternative networks’ have committed to no increases so you could end up making a saving, if one covers your region.

• If you can’t switch, sign up: Uswitch provides up-to-date consumer information on the mobile and broadband market. Sign up for the latest deals so you’re fully clued-up on the market when you are able to switch in future.

 Tips for mobile customers:

• Switch to a SIM-only contract: If you find your mobile bill is going up, you might find a SIM-only deal could save you up to £321 per year, particularly if your handset is already paid off. There are also several SIM-only providers, such as Lebara, which do not have mid-contract price increases and come with low monthly costs.

• Text 85075: Check how much it would cost to leave your current contract by texting INFO to 85075. You will receive a text message confirming if you have to pay exit fees to leave your provider

• Consider your mobile data usage: Many Brits are currently paying for more mobile data than they need. If you regularly have data left over at the end of the month, consider reducing the data in your plan to save money

MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUR HANDY PRICE COMPARISON TOOL HERE.

The post Millions could beat April price hikes with this easy hack appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Most importantly – don’t ever ignore a bill. It won’t go away and the problem will only get worse.

• Ask for help
• Are you eligible for more benefits?
• I can’t pay my energy bills
• I can’t pay my rent
• I can’t pay my council tax
• Are loans worth it?
• Jasmine’s advice
• More useful links

Ask for help

Speak to the organisation you owe money to. It is possible they will work with you to arrange smaller payments, more time to pay or to take a short break while you sort yourself out.

Contact your local council. They might be able to offer help with bills, food and essential items like clothes or even appliances. This is known as ‘welfare assistance’. The help available is different depending on where you live but it is always worth asking.

You can find out how to contact your local council here.

Are you eligible for more Benefits?

If you are already on benefits or are struggling to pay for food or your rent you should check to see what extra help you can get. Other criteria include:

• Being sick or disabled
• Out of work
• On a low income
• Pensioner on a low income
• Being a carer
• Being responsible for children

Citizens Advice has a really helpful page where you can check what benefits you can get.

I can’t pay my energy bills

First – contact your provider. They might be able to arrange for you to pay less or to pay over a longer time to clear your debt. If you don’t know who your supplier is click here for the Ofgem website.

The “Big 6” energy suppliers are:

• British Gas
• Scottish Power
• Npower
• E.ON
• EDF Energy
• OVO

You might be able to apply for a grant to help you pay your energy bills. Are you:

• Pensionable Age?
• Registered Disabled?
• On a low income (or no income)?
• Or have you missed a payment to your supplier?

If you can answer yes to any of these check here to see if you can apply for a grant.

I can’t pay my rent

If this is you, don’t panic. First speak to your landlord – they might give you more time to pay. If they won’t accept your offer (based on what you can afford), pay what you can and keep a really careful record of every payment.

If you are a council tenant – talk to your housing officer. They will do what they can to help you and give you advice.

If you’re really struggling, you could get benefits to help you pay, such as Universal Credit or Housing Benefit. (You’ll usually get Universal Credit if you’re under State Pension age. You’ll usually get Housing Benefit if you’re over State Pension age.)

Click here for more information about how to find out if you can apply:

• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit

If you are already on benefits and can’t pay your rent, you can apply for a discretionary housing payment (DHP). This is extra money from the council to help you pay your rent. (You need to be already getting Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit to get DHP). You get DHP by applying to your local council.

Talk to Citizens Advice if you are threatened with eviction. Don’t worry – your landlord cannot evict you with no notice. There is a process they have to follow. Even at this stage it’s not too late to come to an agreement with them.

I can’t pay my council tax

If you miss a council tax payment you should contact your local council straightaway. Don’t wait for them to contact you. Missing a payment means you are in arrears.

Ask to speak to someone in the Council Tax office and explain what’s happened. They will be able to advise you on what to do and what help they can offer (this is different depending on where you live).

Remember – mortgages are different. Click here for the MoneyMagpie guide on what to do if you can’t pay your mortgage or miss a payment.

Are loans worth it?

Be really careful when it comes to loans. It’s often much more expensive to borrow money to pay off debt as it means paying interest on what you borrowed. It’s much better to negotiate with your landlord or energy provider first. Loans should be a last resort.

If you feel you have no other option then make sure the lender is on the FCA register. If they aren’t – do not borrow money from them. You can check by clicking here.

JASMINE’S ADVICE

Jasmine says, “A lot of companies have the ability to give you extra time or even to reduce or write off your debt. It depends on your circumstances of course and it’s often a good idea to get a debt advisor to speak to them on your behalf. Volunteers at Community Money Advice, Christians Against Poverty, StepChange, Citizens Advice and others are really used to doing this. It may harm your credit rating if you have to go through this but it could be worth it just to reduce your current debts.”

MORE USEFUL LINKS

Here are some more useful links with information on what to do if you can’t pay your household bills:

• Citizens Advice
• Moneyhelper.org
• Financial Ombudsman

The post What to do if you can’t pay your bills appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

How free-to-use service bark.com takes all the pressure and stress out of getting jobs done…

Last summer, I was at my wit’s end trying to find someone to paint our guttering, which looked worn and was causing me a great deal of frustration. However, lacking the expertise, ladders, and scaffolding to tackle the job myself, I felt stuck. That’s when a friend recommended Bark.com. To my surprise, within just two days, I found myself making cups of tea for the work crew who efficiently addressed the issue. Not only did they save me from the hassle, but their quote was also a third of what I had been previously quoted by another service.

Now, I am looking for a local dog groomer to help with my rather teethy Jack Russel Terrier. So let’s see if they come up triumph again…

Who Are Bark?

Essentially, they function as an aggregate site that assists you in finding virtually any service you need while securing competitive quotes. By collecting details about your requirements, urgency, and budget, they connect you with a perfect match for your needs.

How it Works

Bark acts more like an agent; if you provide a service, you pay them a small fee to reach out to the customer that you can help. This instantly weeds out any time-wasters, and Bark makes this clear from the off to ensure the customer is a serious buyer.

It’s easy to use for the customer and asks all the right questions to help you find what you need. It also checks whether you are researching for a hypothetical quote or urgently need the service.

Step One:

Enter what service you need in the search bar – alongside your postcode. (Mine is removed for privacy reasons).

Step Two

Bark will guide you through a series of questions tailored to your specific needs. There are multiple pages of options to help you find the right service. Once you reach the end, you can specify any additional requirements, making the process much easier. This feature proved incredibly helpful for me, as I was able to highlight my dog’s need for a more experienced handler. Typically, I spend days making calls to create a shortlist, but this streamlined approach was a game-changer.

Step Three:

After submitting my request, I was initially offered a few options, but I had concerns that they might not be the perfect match. While they met the criteria, I couldn’t find one that was conveniently located. However, my concerns were alleviated in the next stage, as I was presented with a variety of suitable options.

Step Four

I confirmed my email and phone number by entering the code sent via text, allowing my request to go live. Remarkably, within 24 hours, multiple groomers who perfectly matched my criteria reached out to me. Consequently, I swiftly booked my dog in for a trim next week.

How was the experience?

The most important thing is how stress-free this experience is. I hate doing research online and often never know where to start. I then waste my time calling lots of people who are either booked up or can’t do the work I need. Because Bark only lets people who match the brief and timeframe contact you,  I was saved so much stress and time.

Will I use them again?

The fact that I’m back for the second time speaks volumes and is probably the best endorsement I can give. They have a huge range of categories and can be used in a professional capacity too. They have everything from gardeners to web designers and are free to use. So, if you’re in search of any service, it’s definitely worth taking a look.

Get started, and browse Bark here.

Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.

The post There is No Need to Overpay: How to Get the Best Prices on Bark appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Proof of Burglary

According to law: Section 9 of the 1968 Act creates two offences that both require proof that the defendant entered any building or part of building as a trespasser. There must also be an additional element concerning the intention or the actions of the defendant whilst in the building or part of. Therefore in order to prosecute for a domestic burglary, evidence will be required. CCTV is a perfect way to record any break-ins.

Good Home Security Make Insurance Cheaper

Did you know if your area has a high crime rate, your home and contents insurance premium could be higher? Did you also know that insurers often ask about your levels of security? Therefore do your absolute utmost to prove that you have tried to make your home as secure as possible. This should keep your insurance premium lower.

Security Options

Home security cameras are surveillance devices that are often part of a larger security system showing us what is happening on and around our properties. They may be placed indoors or outdoors, and you can monitor footage whether you are at home or away. Some allow you to record continuously; others are triggered by motion or infrared detection. Almost all provide real-time monitoring options, but many also feature video recording for later playback.

Some people consider security cameras a luxury, but we beg to differ. If you’re serious about home security, security cameras are a necessity. While they were traditionally used for the purpose of surveillance, newer models have since gained advanced features that can do so much more. For instance, there are cameras now that can let you know when a package arrives at your doorstep or when a person is seen sneaking around your backyard.

However, setting up a security system and camera can feel daunting and out of your budget. Security.org named Lorex the simplest to use and with systems starting at £40, they may well also be within budget.

MoneyMagpie’s Top CCTV Systems

The Best Budget Option

At only £129.99 the Lorex 2K Pan-Tilt Outdoor Wi-Fi Security Camera can work inside or outside. Placed in a prominent place (like a door or window) this is an incredible start to your home security system. The fact that it pans and tilts means that it covers every angle and can eliminate any blind spots with the camera’s vertical and horizontal rotation. Digitally zoom in or out to see every detail near and far. Easily install on a ceiling, wall, or pole with the versatile mounting bracket to get the perfect view. Featuring a weatherproof rating of IP66, this camera can withstand temperature variations across all seasons.

Best Under £50

The Lorex 2K Pan-Tilt Indoor Wi-Fi Security Camera is currently on offer at a very affordable £43.99. The camera is compact and lightweight, giving you the benefits of a flexible placement option and easy installation. The Pan and Tilt feature allows you to view an entire room with just one camera, while the Privacy Mode ensures that the camera lens is hidden. There are no monthly fees and it’s pan and tilt options and motion detectors are a great way to feel that your home is safe. These also work well as a pet camera.

The Best Package for Full Coverage

Lorex Fusion 4K 8-Channel 2TB NVR CCTV Wired System with Dome Cameras Featuring Listen-In Audio comes in at £499 for the four camera option, £649 for the six camera option and £799 for eight. This allows you to combine the reliability and performance of the included 4K IP Security Cameras with the versatility and convenience of Smart Home Wi-Fi Cameras, Video Doorbells, and Floodlights to create a tailored security system perfect for your property. At the core of this camera is an 8MP image sensor. 8MP means there are more than 8 million pixels, which results in exceptionally sharp 4K video, realistic colour representation, and superior digital zoom capabilities. This makes it absolute leads ahead for identifying faces.  You can view the cameras from your phone wherever you are in the world and can feel your home is safe.

Amazing discounts

The post Affordable Ways to Keep my Home Safe appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

We’ve priced up the best gadgets on the market and, where we can, included the cost of running them. Overall we’ve found that an electric blanket, for example, is much cheaper to run than your radiators.

Whatever your situation, we’ve got something for everyone.

• Hot water bottles and electric blankets
• Warm sheets and blankets
• Heat-producing products
• Sheepskin and wool products
• Warmth you can wear

Hot water bottles and Electric Blankets

Energyguide.org.uk has calculated that it costs around £4.50 to run an average sized gas boiler.

According to the Citizens Advice website, it costs an average of 7p to boil a full kettle. That will fill a normal sized hottie and one of those new long thin ones you may have seen. (Remember you should always let the water cool down a little bit before filling a hot water bottle and never fill it completely full.)

You can buy a cosy long hot water bottle from Dunelm for just £14.

Wilko sell a basic hot water bottle with cover for £6.50.

Electric blankets are a great way of warming your bed when the heating is off. Just pop it on for an hour or two before bedtime and then it will stay warm with body heat through the night. Silentnight sell one for £22 (available from Asda) which they say costs 1p to heat up for 2 hours.

If it’s a really bitter night, keeping your electric blanket on until morning would cost you a few pence, compared with leaving the central heating on it’s a much more cost efficient way of staying warm.

We are big fans of heated throws here at MoneyMagpie and VonHaus does a quality range of them. They have a great one reduced to £49.99 right now.

WARM SHEETS AND BLANKETS

Another way of staying warm in bed is to use a weighted blanket. Amazon sell one for £18.99. Not only do they keep you warm, there is something ever so comforting about them, they keep you calm and are very cosy.

Another idea is to use a heat-reflective bedsheet underlay. These were developed by NASA to help astronauts cope with freezing conditions in space. This version stops heat from escaping through your mattress. You can buy one from Coopers of Stortford for just £19.99.

Have  you heard of teddy fleece duvet covers? Along with brushed cotton sheets, this combination will help you stay warm in bed all night long. You can get both from Marks and Spencer. Duvet cover sets start from £19.50 and the sheets from £12.50.

Lastly you can buy teddy bear fleecy throws from Dunelm for as little as £10 – these really are very cosy and are great to wrap yourself in.

It also makes a big difference to have a  warm duvet. Slumberland does a fantastic range – we’ve tried them! – and their All Seasons duvet is particularly good at this time of year. They go from 4.5-10.5 tog and retail from 325 upwqrds.

Heat-producing products

Selkistore sell heat pads that cost £33.99. Although aimed at one part of your body (they are intended for people with issues that require therapeutic heat), they can work to keep the whole of you warm.

Amazon also sell heating pads that are great to either sit on or pop on your lap, especially if you work from home. They have one that costs £15.34 that we’ve tried and it really does work!

SHEEPSKIN and WOOL PRODUCTS

Sheepskin is amazingly warm – almost too hot for some! One of our team wears sheepskin gloves to walk her dog and even in the depths of winter, on the coldest of days, she can find her hands are so hot she needs to remove the gloves.

Sheepskin products can be a bit pricey, but they will often last for years and are worth keeping an eye on the sales for.

Real wool products are also very warming, but are often cheaper. You can get a pure wool blanket from LaRedoute for £14.

The same can be said for wool and you can get real wool throws for a really reasonable price these days. Pagazzi have a fantastic one for only £45 which looks great on the sofa

WARMTH YOU CAN WEAR

Another member of the team swears by her Oodie. The people who make the Oodie describe them as “like a jumper crossed with a blanket , crossed with a cloud.” They are on sale at the time of writing – you can grab an adult sized one for £54.

Another idea is the Selkbag. It’s even warmer than the Oodie but a little less easy to move around in. We can only describe it as a giant sleeping bag.  They retail at around £59.99 but you really wouldn’t need anything else on to stay warm and of course they are free to run.

Lovely warm clothes

The best way to keep warm as you move around the house, of course, is to wear warm clothes. Have layers on if you can so that you can take some off if you’re by the fire and put them on if you’re in the kitchen.

We’re big fans of thermal-wear and the big brand for that is Damart. We love their Thermolactyl Pyjamas – soft and lightweight, great for relaxing on the sofa watching your favourite film. Lovely ribbed fabric, these thermal pyjamas are a hit for a cosy afternoon in. Sale price £27.50

They also do lovely, cosy, fur-lined slip-on Thermolactyl mules that we found really comfy. Warm and very comfortable, perfect for those who prefer a slip-on rather than a boot style slipper.  Memory foam adds to the comfort and at £25, a great price point from a well known brand. £25.00 

There’s also the heated gilet from Yardforce. It’s a light-weight gilet that you can heat up through a USB port. It’s like wearing a heated throw…but much lighter. It’s brilliant for anyone who needs to spend extra time out in the cold, or even if you want a bit of extra heat around your upper body as you move around the house.

Do you have any products or top tips about how to stay warm without using the central heating? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

The post How to stay warm without putting the heating on appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

‘Generation rent has forgotten how lucky it is,’ a leading broadsheet newspaper claimed this week.  Tell that to my friend’s 25-year-old son who, like most of his generation, has had to watch up to half his income each month be swallowed up by rent, and that’s before bills, eating, commuting and life came into the equation. 

He could have moved further out from his South London flat but then he’d have to pay much higher commuting costs and the real savings would be minimal.  Instead, when the rent jumped from £1,600 to £2,200, he decided to move back home and try and save some money – an impossibility when he was renting. 

The rise in renters has led to high demand yet it was revealed today the number of UK properties available has hit a 14-year low.  No surprise then some tenants are offering above the market rate to secure a property.   

The knock-on-effect of this is that the average asking price for rent outside London has reached a record £1,190 a month while average London prices have topped £2,500 for the first time , according to experts at quotezone.

• Are renters ‘lucky’?
• Renters waiting for a house rises from 20 to 25

• More than 1 in 3 renters use credit to pay rent

• Four in 10 renters can’t pay their rent
• The reality of renting: A case study
• What help exists to protect renters?
• Tips for renters
• Further help

Are renters ‘lucky’?

One broadsheet analyst suggests renters should consider themselves lucky when compared to people who stretched themselves to get on the property ladder at the peak of the market, and are now left to face punishing mortgage rises alone. 

He even highlights the fact that renting is risk- and responsibility-free, pointing out that the landlord picks up the bills for the big things – roof leaks, broken ovens and washing machines – and that it enables tenants to live in places they couldn’t afford to buy as well as giving them flexibility. 

But the stark truth is that however you manage to keep a roof over your head these days, latest figures from the Office for National Statistics reports 2.65 million people ran out of food in the past two weeks and couldn’t afford to buy more, such is their struggle with rents, mortgages and the cost of living. 

Renters waiting for a house rises from 20 to 25

The average queue of tenants requesting to view a rental property in Britain has jumped from an already high 20 to a depressing 25 in five months, figures show.

Four in 10 renters are finding it hard to keep paying their rent

Laura Suter, Head of Personal Finance at A J Bell says: ‘On average renters are handing over more than a fifth of their disposable income to have somewhere to live and that’s before they’ve heated it or paid council tax. And around four in 10 renters are finding it difficult to keep paying their rent.’ 

She adds: ‘What is emerging is a split society – those who face higher rent or mortgage costs and experience financial vulnerability compared to older, wealthier people who own their own home outright and are protected from the negative effects of rate hikes.’

The reality of renting: A case study

Inevitably there are some landlords who are more ruthless than others, as Susan Kane (not real name) from York discovered.  

‘I was renting a house for £950 a month in a fashionable area of the city.  It had one bedroom, no central heating, and a horrific black mould problem that started to impact my health.  

‘When I told my landlord he suggested I open the windows, despite the fact it was minus 3 degrees outside and there was ice on the inside of the windows.  Multiple times he refused to help, when he actually did something it was to simply paint over the mould and said it was sorted. 

‘I wasn’t in a financial position to move so was stuck in the mould pit – he had the power and he knew it. 

‘Every shower, every potato boiled created damp, we spent a fortune on dehumidifiers.  The landlord said we could just move if we didn’t like it.  We had zero stability and the ever-present fear of being made homeless.  When we could finally afford to move out two years later we saw the house go back on the market two months later. 

‘There was still no central heating, the front door was like pulp, caused by the damp and the same lack of double glazing yet the rent had gone up to £1,400 a month for the same hellhole’. 

What help exists to protect renters?

Susan could have taken action but some landlords, as is likely in this case, can decide to evict rather than repair, says www.citizensadvice.org.uk. You could contact the local authority’s Environmental Health Department or take them to court but this is both time consuming and costly. For help and advice go to their website.  

Cases like this highlight the need to know how to make the most of being a renter, including taking photos prior to moving in and taking inventory of damage to safeguard your deposit and avoid money being withheld at the end of a tenancy.  

Tips for renters

Think about your amenities: 

Is a gym, parking space or onsite washer and dryer included in the tenancy? Have you considered commuting costs and proximity to friends and family? This can help make a more-informed decision about the pros and cons of a particular property and whether it will actually be cheaper for you or not over time. 

Pay on time:

Your credit score can be badly affected if you don’t pay on time, making it harder to get a mortgage and other credit in the future. Some landlords also charge hundreds of pounds in late fees. Be honest if you are struggling and they may offer you some flexibility. 

Consider a roommate:

Sharing costs will give you more disposable income, even if it’s for the short term. But make sure you discuss it with your landlord to ensure you aren’t in breach of your contract and make sure there is a written agreement about how rent and utilities will be divided. 

Know your rights:

There should always be a month’s notice in place for price increases on rent. The rise should be fair, realistic and in line with other properties in the area. The price can only be increased once per year and remember that you can negotiate. 

Do an inventory:

Take photos and videos of its condition – doors, windows, and highlighting anything that needs the landlords attention.  Don’t be afraid to speak up.  Landlords can’t make deduction for wear and tear.  Do date and time stamp any damage you notice so you can’t be blamed.  Problems such as damp walls and mould will need to be addressed immediately for health reasons and to prevent it becoming more serious. 

If something goes wrong:

If there’s an accident in the property it is important to notify the landlord straight away as this can help safeguard your deposit and avoid further damage. 

Tenants insurance:

This covers your items against theft and damage of furniture, electrical equipment and anything else you own. It also covers fire, floods and water damage. Check your tenancy agreement as some landlords insist you have insurance as part of the agreement.  

Further help

If you need help with an issue, try www.justicefortenants.org for free advice and support. 

The post The Truth About Renting as Rental Crisis Deepens appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Here at MoneyMagpie we’ve put together a guide on how to keep your home dust-free and clean  – without breaking the bank. We tell you what you need (basics and extras); what you should spend; how to clean on a budget; and included some fun tips and tricks.

Just remember that when using home-made cleaning products, it’s really important to spot-test surfaces before launching in with a cloth soaked in lemon juice or vinegar. Always wear gloves, even if what you are using is natural. (Some essential oils can irritate the skin.) Don’t use things like vinegar neat – always water it down. Lastly, read the box – products like soda crystals need to be used with care.

Time to dig out that apron…

• What you need
• How much to spend
• How to use these products
• How to clean with items found around the home
• More tips and tricks
• Be careful…!

What you need

Before you get going you need to see if you’ve got the following. (If not, we’ve included a handy guide on what to buy and how much to spend below). Don’t forget, you can use microfibre cloths to save money. They are designed to work with just water. Also don’t bother buying specifics products (like a bathroom or kitchen spray), try a general all-purpose cleaner or the Pink Stuff. They work just as well but are versatile and will save you money in the long run.

Essentials:

• White distilled vinegar
• Bicarbonate of soda
• Soda crystals
• Empty spray bottle
• Lemons and grapefruit
• Foil
• An old or cheap toothbrush
• All-purpose cleaner
• Microfibre cloths
• The Pink Stuff

Extras:

• Shaving foam
• Coffee filter
• Essential oils

How much to spend

You can get all the essentials (minus the shaving foam, coffee filters and essential oils) from the list above for under £10:

You can buy a litre of white distilled vinegar from Wilko for £1.50.

When it comes to bicarbonate of soda, don’t waste your money on those small tubes of bicarbonate of soda for baking, they are far more expensive per gram. You can get a 500g box from the Online Poundstore for £1.65.

You can get a 1kg bag of Dri Pak Soda Crystals from Sainsbury’s for 80p.

Lemons and grapefruit – around 30p for a lemon and 50p for a grapefruit.

If you don’t have an empty spray bottle you can use (for mixing vinegar and water) you can buy one from Wilko for £1.50.

Asda Smart Price Foil is only 68p for 20m.

Cheap toothbrush – get two for 25p from Asda.

Tesco own brand 1L all purpose cleaner £1.25.

Microfibre cloths are 4 for £1 at the Poundshop.

The Pink Stuff – 500g pot of paste  for £1 at Asda.

Extras:

If you want to add essential oils, you can get these from places like the Poundshop and chemists like Boots. Nikura has an incredibly wide range of scents with prices at around £2.30 for 10ml. You only need a drop or two so it should last.

You can get a pack of 40 coffee filter papers from Tesco online for £1.20 (for cleaning screens).

Tesco own brand essential shaving foam costs just 70p.

How to use these products…

Now you’ve got what you need – what can you do with them?

Vinegar

• Fill a spray bottle with 50:50 white vinegar and water to clean most surfaces.
• Use vinegar and water (50:50) to descale your kettle. Make sure it’s unplugged and that everyone knows you are cleaning it! Leave to soak overnight, empty, rinse, fill, boil and discard that water and rinse again.
• Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and water 1:9 ratio – and use to clean your windows. Don’t do this on warm sunny days as the glass will dry too quickly and you’ll get smears. Use a microfibre cloth to buff to a shine.

Bicarbonate of soda (bicarb for short)

• Clean your shower head with a freezer bag filled with vinegar and bicarb, seal with a plastic band and allow to soak overnight. Remove and rinse really well.
• Make a paste with bicarb and water and apply to the inside of the oven. Leave overnight. Next day, spray with vinegar and then wipe away the grime.
• Clean off tannin stains from teaspoons and mugs by making a paste with bicarb and a little water, rub round stain then rinse well.
• Odours – use bicarb in a ramekin in the fridge to get rid of smells; sprinkle in bottom of bin to keep it smelling fresh; deodorise pet beds, upholstery and carpets by sprinkling and then vaccuuming up.
• Bicarb can also be used to freshen gym clothes by soaking the items in the sink with cool water and five or six tablespoons of bicarb. Rinse well then wash as normal.
• Clean grout with a bicarb/water paste and an old or cheap toothbrush. Spread on, then spray with vinegar. It should start bubbling! Next, scrub gently with toothbrush (even an old electric one would work well). Rinse well with clean water.
• Clean your Tupperware, takeaway boxes and lunchboxes with bicarb. Sprinkle on a clean sponge and wipe. For stubborn stains like tomato sauce, soak in a solution of four tablespoons of bicarb with a litre of water.
• Add bicarb to your washing up liquid for extra oomph.
• Naturally clean children’s toys with a damp sponge dipped in bicarb (rinse well after).
• Remove crayon from walls with bicarb.
• Use bicarb to clean mildew off windows and frames as well as shower curtains and tiles.

Soda crystals can be used for:

• Cleaning/deodorising washing machine.
• Removing burnt bits from pans.
• Keeping sinks clean and clear (and smell free).
• Unblocking drains.
• Removing moss/algae from patios.

Remember to read the instructions on the box for amounts and how to use. Always wear gloves.

Foil

• Clean your iron with foil and salt. Turn on iron (without steam function), sprinkle some salt on the foil and the salt with pull off the grime.
• Use tin foil instead of Brillo (or other metal scourer). Scrunch it up into a ball and use as you would a scourer.
• Use ketchup on scrunched up tin foil to clean rust off stainless steel.

Lemon and grapefruit

• Use half a lemon to clean stainless steel.
• Use half a grapefruit sprinkled with salt to clean soap scum marks off bath and basin.
• Clean chopping boards with lemon juice, leave overnight and then rinse really well.

Coffee filter

• Use a coffee filter to clean TV and computer screens. Cloth cleaners create static which attracts more dust.

Shaving Foam

Use cheap shaving foam to polish stainless steel, clean toilets and remove carpet stains.

How to clean with items found around the home

• Use a hairdryer to remove dust, cobwebs and dirt from radiators.
• Use uncooked rice to clean vases. Swirl round in warm water then add a dishwasher or denture tablet and leave overnight. Should come up sparkling.
• Use an old damp sock to clean venetian blinds.  Put it on your hand and wipe away…
• Use nail varnish remover to clean product build up on hair straighteners (just a little on a cotton pad).
• Use cold tea to clean glass and chrome. Get a bowl, fill with a litre of boiling water, add the teabag and wait for the water to cool down. Then use this water to clean mirrors, taps, glass door of oven and microwaves.
• Another use for teabags – while soaking pots and pans, drop in a used teabag and the tannins help to lift the residue.
• Use a damp rubber glove to remove pet hair. Rather than investing in expensive bespoke products, pop on your marigolds, dip your hand in cool water and rub the carpet or upholstery to remove the hair. Don’t over wet – you don’t want to create a watermark!
• Use toothpaste to remove coffee stains from mugs and tables. It can also be used to remove coffee stains from carpets and rugs.

More tips and tricks

• Use baby oil on stainless steel – hobs, kettles, splash-backs. The oil will prevent finger marks and makes cleaning them next time so much easier. You can also use baby oil to remove sticky labels (it’s way cheaper than branded label removers).
• Use your dishwasher (if you have one) to clean over racks, draining racks and fridge shelves.
• It may sound obvious but use a doormat! You can cut down on the dirt and debris that comes into your home with a good doormat. Clean it regularly though or it will stop working as well! (Take outside and knock hard against a wall.)

Be careful…!

• Avoid using bleach for cleaning. It can be so tempting to get rid of stains quickly but all you’re doing is hiding them and you could be causing surface damage (as well as damaging the environment). This is especially true with toilet seats – those yellow stains aren’t anything nasty, it’s usually build up of limescale or the wrong cleaning products (like bleach!). Use bicarb and vinegar, apply with toothbrush then wait half an hour and wipe off.
• Vinegar is great and popular for homemade cleaning – but be cautious. It should never be used on natural stone, such as marble countertops or tiles. Also, never use on the inside of an iron (to descale). If you are unsure always test an area first – eg if you don’t know what your taps are made from, be careful as the vinegar could cause more marks than it removes.
• Don’t ever spray window cleaner or vinegar on your computer screen. Remove dust with a coffee filter or microfibre cloth and if you must, you can use a slightly damp cloth to get rid of stubborn marks. Be patient, go slowly and don’t saturate the cloth or the screen.
• Don’t use nail polish remover on anything (apart from very carefully on hair straighteners!). It can damage surfaces (eg polish or varnish on wood), and discolour plastics.

Get in touch in the comments below to let us know how you’ve got on with any of these ideas and let us know how you save money on housework too!

The post How to save money on cleaning and housework appeared first on MoneyMagpie.