Recession Tips
Recession Busting Tips
The best time to prepare for the recession would have been 3 years ago when things were good and the economy was relatively stable. Saving in the good time would have allowed you to relax a bit more in the bad times but if you didn't manage to save over the last few year, all is not lost.
Surviving through the recession generally means you needing to cut back on your spending and find the best deals possible on the goods and services you buy. You will need to have a little more discipline during these harder times and if that means cutting out a few of the luxuries you might have become accustom to, then so be it. Budget within your means, spend on necessities and try to save a little too.
Do you really need that new 32" plasma TV, new dress, 5 star hotel etc. If you can find a bargain on these luxuries, that's great but if you cannot, then it's money spent that you probably didn't need to spend and could be better spent elsewhere.
One of the easiest ways you could ever wish to hear about all the best deals, special offers, freebies and voucher codes is to subscribe to our FREE alerts service that keeps you informed about all the latest deals and promotions from thousands of major companies throughout the UK. Before you go any further, I would recommend you sign up and try it TODAY. It's absolutely FREE so you really do have nothing to lose, except even more money this year if you don't receive it.
FREE Alerts Service, Please click here
We have compiled a list of tips that hopefully will be of benefit to you and your family. Most are simple tips that are just common sense but it doesn't hurt to remind yourself as it is very easy to forget the simple ways to save money.
Taking a few minute now to read the list below could save you a huge amount of money over the next couple of years. The Easy Finder has been designed to try and help everyday people find solutions to their problems. If everybody helps each other, it is far easy to find the solution. If you have any tips on saving money or any other topic that you would be willing to share, please click on the click below and send us your tip, we can then add it to or website.
Money Saving Tips
- Don't change your job as a recession looms. When companies are hit by a recession and fall on hard times, usually it is the newest employees that go first. So, unless you really need to move jobs, it could be a bad time to move.
- If you are not mortgage free, one of the biggest outgoing every month will be on your mortgage. Obviously, depending on what your current situation is, interest rates will effect your payments. Interest rates usually fall during a recession but if you are finding it difficult to make payments, try to find a way to reduce your payments. Even if it means extending payments over a longer term. Do not miss payments. The bottom line is, are you getting the best deal possible for your mortgage?
- Keep a spending diary - Each day, note down what you are spending. It sounds very trivial but if you are concerned about not having enough money at the end of each month, this is a very good way to see were your unecessery outgoings occur and it is a good habit to get in to. You will be very surprised at how much money you are spending and what on!
- Save for yearly occasions - You know when certain financial times of the year occur such as birthdays, Christmas, car insurance, MOT's, council tax etc make a calculation of how much you will need and then divide the total either by 12 or 52. This will give you a weekly or monthly total you need to save in order to cover the costs. Set up a standing order with a high interest account and put in the weekly or monthly sum. It may seem like more expense each week to start with but it is money that you will need to pay out and if it is already being saved, it will release the financial pressures later. Plus, if you use some of the technique listed on this page, you will be probably be able to save some of the money needed for that standing order, just on applying these tips.
- Check if you are getting the best deals on direct debit payments, some companies offer discount if you pay by direct debit and if you are not already getting them, make sure you do.
- Check your bank statements, are you paying for something you no longer require or a subscription you had forgotten about?
- Slash your bills - The cost of energy has been rising at an alarming rate and you could be paying far too much for your bills than needs be. It costs nothing to compare providers with websites like -
uSwitch
it could save you a considerable amount of money each year.
- Energy saving light bulbs are a great way to reduce the cost on your bills and can be found at sites such as Screwfix Direct
- Reduce your phone bill - If you have been on the same contract or with the same provider for a couple of years, then it is worth getting in touch with your provider and asking them if they can reduce your bill in any way. If you say that you are happy with the service and don't really want to change but unless they can reduce the tariff you will move to another provider, they will probably offer you a better deal to keep your custom. If they don't offer you a better deal, look elsewhere.
Land Line Phones Mobile Phones
- Phone for FREE - Using the FREE download you can speak to people worldwide for FREE. Set up your account today and start talking for FREE.
- Are you on the best deal for your Internet connection. Internet connection and broadband is becoming cheaper and cheaper. As above, get in touch with your provider and try to get a better deal, if they cannot offer you one, look around for cheaper.
Broadband
- If you use credits cards to buy your goods, use cash back or loyalty points credit cards such as
But make sure you pay off the monthly balance!
- Use loyalty cards such as nectar or Tesco club card and start earning points when you shop.
- When booking coach fare, book well in advance and save a fortune, there are some great deals to be found on Megabus
- If you are traveling abroad, make sure you get the best deals on currency. There are all kinds of hidden extras that occur when withdrawing money out from cash machines and using your cards abroad but something like the
Fair FX Currency Card will be of great benefit to you. The card provides market leading exchange rate, delivered on a card and is a fantastic money saver for any traveler.
- If you do want to use a bank card abroad, it might be worth opening an account that charges you nothing to use the card abroad Post Office. Even if you only open this account to use on holiday, it is worthwhile as it will save you money and you will not receive unexpected charges on your next statement.
- When booking a flight, If you are flexible to fly, try to book a flight midweek as the flights tend to be cheaper.
- When booking flights, use a flight comparison site such as Wegolo to find the best deals
- If using rail travel book in advance. Check the prices for a return and then check for 2 singles, it can sometimes be cheaper.
- The cost of using your phone abroad is certainly not cheap and using a prepaid card is a great way to cut your phone bills whilst abroad.
- When shopping write a shopping list and stick to it, don’t go shopping on an empty stomach, you will end up spending more on unecessary items
- Use comparison website such as:
My Supermarket
- Use pound shops, it's amasing what they have for a pound
- Brew Your Own - Brew your own beer and wine. With the cost of alcohol ever increasing, you can reduce the price of a pint to just 16p and once your friends get a taste for it, you won't need to spend so much time and money in the pub!
- Use the library instead of buying new books
- Stock up when items are discounted, forward planning and budgeting will save you money in the long term.
- Use coupons - So many people do not bother using the coupons they are given from supermarkets, use them every penny saved is better in your pocket.
- Use discount vouchers - Most companies have promotions and discount voucher that offer you even more money off the purchase price. Click here to see some of the latest discount vouchers from major companies
Around The House
- Use old clothes to make dusters instead of buying new ones
- Try to find a multi purpose cleaner that is capable of cleaning all areas, it will save you money and also storage space.
- Simple but effective, go easy on squeezable products. More often than not, you will squeeze more than you need on such items as washing up liquid, shampoo, toothpaste, ketchup, salad cream, cheese spreads etc.
- Use candlelight where possible but be very careful and ensure you extinguish the flame at the end of the night
- Cook in bulk and then freeze, this will save you buying ready made meals and save you a fortune
- Make soup - If you cook too many vegetables and have a few left over, don't throw them away make soup, it's another meal!
- 3 meals from 1 - From 1 chicken you can have 3 seperate meals. First roast the chicken and have roast chicken meal, The with the chicken you can cook a curry or casserole and then with the left overs of the chicken make a stock and have soup.
- Car share - Save on your petrol consumption and car share with friends, family or other people in your area. It will help save you money and help the environment. Get started today visit
- Showering instead of having a bath, can save on your bills as a bath will use 6 times as much water
- Buy fruit & veg unpackaged. You pay for the packaging!
- Buy fruit and veg from the local market, it's cheaper and it keeps the markets in business
- Grow your own veg - If you have a spare piece of land or a family member or friend has one, why not try growing your own, you could even sell it!.
- Use supermarket own brand foods, most are made buy the same companies , it’s just the packaging that is different.
- Take a packed lunch to work, it will save you money and probably be much healthier. If your average dinner costs you £3, thats £15 minimum per week - £60 per month - £720 per year. Yes, you will have to buy bread, filling for your sandwiches but it will be nothing compared to how much you are spending. (The sale of sandwich boxes has risen by 60% over the last year!)