How we’re spending our money has changed dramatically over the past 12 months. Whether you have managed to save or deplete your funds, we all need a little financial inspiration to help us save where we can. So, check out our tried and tested money-saving tactics which could save you a small fortune in the long run. You’ll be amazed at just how much you can save without much effort.

Try lowering your energy bill

Now is also a good time to review your energy tariff, and to look into moving to a cheaper deal before temperatures plummet in a few months’ time.

The energy price cap was raised on 1 April, so the 11 million people on a standard or default tariff will be facing higher bills from this month. It is a simple and easy switch to make so click here to find out how you can save £216 a year. And don’t stop there, you should also consider switching everything from your media deal to broadband.

Grow your own garden

Fancy helping to save the planet while saving some cash? Try growing your own food at home – you might be surprised by just how easy it is. From sewing and puzzles to gardening, the past year has thrown out some unsuspecting hobbies which have proven to be surprisingly calming and therapeutic. So don’t stop now! Some of the easiest plants to grow are tomatoes and strawberries. And you don’t even need a garden. As long as you have a window sill with light you can release your green-fingered ambitions.

Get your boiler serviced

Getting your boiler serviced in the summer is a good way to avert any potential problems which may arise further down the line.

As heating engineers are far less busy in summer months it’s a good idea to call in a registered heating tradesman at this time of year and you can normally expect to pay around 20% less for a boiler service in the summer. If you have boiler breakdown insurance, it’s also worth taking advantage of the free annual service offered by this cover.

Turn off taps

Break the habit of leaving taps running while you clean your teeth – just rinse the sink out when you’re done. Brushing teeth with the tap running uses 10 litres – even more than flushing the toilet!

Keep a happy fridge

According to the Energy Saving Trust, fridges work best at three-quarters full – as this allows the air to circulate freely. Don’t keep yours crammed full. Likewise, if it’s on the low side, instead of over-buying on food, fill any empty spaces with bowls, jugs of water and ice trays to prevent cold air from escaping.

Manage your gadgets

One of the biggest culprits of wastage relates to ‘vampire energy’, where electrical appliances are plugged into the wall but aren’t in use. Instead of charging overnight, juice up for a couple of hours during the day and unplug to save on your electricity bills. This could save you as much as £30 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Other devices guilty of draining our cash – when out of use – include laptops, tablets and bedside lamps. And don’t forget to switch energy supplier, you could save up to £216 a year.

Check the showerhead

We are constantly told that you can save money and water by taking a shower rather than a bath. But, if your showerhead is inefficient you could be using more water in under five minutes than a bath. Try fitting a water-saving showerhead – they can save around 20 litres per shower.

Install a water meter

Although you can’t switch water providers, there are still ways to save money on your water bill. One way is completely free of charge to install and could save hundreds a year, such as installing a water meter. The amount of money you can save is completely dependent on how much water you use.

Less dust, more heat!

Make sure you bust the dust on your radiator surfaces. Dust and grime seriously impede the flow of heat in your house. Also, put aluminium foil, shiny side out, behind radiators to reflect heat back into the room rather than out through the walls. You can pick up some specially-designed radiator foil from most DIY stores for just over a tenner.

Join Our Energy Campaign

This is where a better understanding of the benefits to be gained from switching and saving comes in. So to help cut through the jargon, we’ve launched a fantastic energy switching awareness service for gas, electricity or both.

It’s fast and easy to use along with our accredited partner Uswitch, the UK’s most popular energy comparison site. And we can offer you a simple and fast way to make great savings quickly, with no interruption to your supply.

Uswitch has helped more than 5 million people compare energy prices and save on their bills, and its free energy comparison site has been fully accredited by the Ofgem Confidence Code since 2006.

Let’s see what we can do for you.