Hi there,
Yes, the Money Saving Expert website is a great and very well known resource used by many. You'll get alot of tips there.
It's a massive area to ask here as there's just so many areas where you can make your pound/money go further.
For instance, (and i've posted this on other threads here on UKY) I went through the whole house and got rid of things I just didn't need anymore. Changed light switches to dimmers to make the GU10 bulbs last much much longer after they kept popping very frequently with just normal switches, changed some bulbs to lower wattage ones, found things just plugged in on standby (DVD player in the kitchen for instance) and removed them, put some heaters on timers, have got switched extension cords, put mobile chargers on one extension lead and flick them off during the day while everyones out etc.
I always shop when there's a sale on! as i have my own business, I registered at Costco, have changed energy companies, utilised package deals for boiler, electrics, and drains insurance, sell off old printer cartridges, buy as much as I can off ebay ! - some of my current savings have been nothing short of phenomenal as we are doing some building work - a designer bathroom sink that someone realised was wrong and had paid £350 for, we picked up on ebay for £3.75! - I've also rung up my broadband supplier and threatened to leave, at which point they've knocked a whopping £12/month off my package, so instead of £24/month I now pay £12.
As you can see, theres lots you can do - just depends on where you'd like to start and how far you want to go! for instance I know of some online threads where people will go as far as ditching television, not having sky, just a pay as u go phone to no phone at all, right the way up to selling their houses and going to live on narrow boats and others even selling up everything to go live in motorhomes as they have a 5 year journey plan going around Europe!
As it seems you are looking to pay off debts asap, and hence wanting to cut back on expenditure to help realise that goal, I suggest
1. You make an accurate statment of affairs right now - list everything and dont hold back. Monitor and make a note of everything you spend right down to pennies if you like, and maybe do that for a month or two to get a benchmark.
2. All the while you are doing that, you can look to see any major obvious expenses you could minimise or exclude rightaway.
3. Start then to exclude items/elements you have decided are no longer needed
4. Keep recording all income and outgoings.
5. You'll build up a good picture - albeit financial figures! of how you stand and how you're improving.
6. I suggest picking up a copy of Quicken or Microsoft Money, or any of the other more minor personal finance software packages to help you. If you choose Quicken, drop me a PM as I used to work for Intuit and know that software very well indeed!
You should then be able to meet your goal as quickly as possible, without having to resort to what could be for you, desparate measures. A controlled and well thought out plan of action will really help!
Good luck !
DtM ! West London & Slough UK
