Money saving tips
1. Clear your credit card debt
Credit cards offer a convenient way to pay for goods and services but if you can't clear the
balance every month, consider a low-cost loan as an alternative. Do the sums: a credit card debt
(APR 15%) of £2,200 over three years will cost £545 in interest. A loan at 6% will cost £209.
2. Cut your home phone bills
If you must use your phone there are scores of cheaper alternatives from cable companies that
package your telephone, television and even broadband Internet access to low-cost dial-up services
that give you access to cheaper calls.
3. Home Contents Insurance
This is a special service for tenants of Ealing Council, which can be a cheaper alternative
for insuring your home. For more information please contact Ealing Council on 020 8825 8378 or the
Area Offices on 020 8825 8822/8833
4. Make a shopping list
Simply make a shopping list. Dig out the cookery books, plan a few meals and only buy what
you need.
5. Dual Fuel
Obtaining both your gas and electricity from the same supplier as part of a combined, dual
fuel plan, can have major benefits. Knowing about the gas & electricity industry can ensure you
pick the right supplier. uSwitch.com will help you get the best dual fuel deal. One of the biggest
benefits is that most dual fuel plans typically include discounts or reduced prices.
6. Sell your clutter on eBay/Car Boot Sale
7. Ask yourself: do I really need this?
You pick up a beautifully packaged selection of barbecue tools and associated
garden paraphernalia. And it's half price. Now, stop! Ask yourself: Do I really need this? Exactly.
Now, put it down and walk away.
8. The National Lottery - it won't be you!
The odds of winning the Lotto jackpot are stacked 14m to 1 against each ticket. Some highly
organized syndicates buy 14,000 tickets a week, which reduces the odds to 1,000 to 1 - but that's
no guarantee of a win.
9. Claim your benefits and tax credits
There was once a certain stigma in Britain attached to claiming benefits. Well, not any more.
The Government has put benefits at the heart of the family budget and it's your money so make sure
you're claiming it. That includes Child Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and other
employee-related tax benefits.
10. Do you need all those TV channels?
The choice is already bewildering and with telephone-based services now being launched it's
going to get more complicated. Packages include every sports and movie channel costing around £50 a
month, down to free view, which is free. Choose wisely.
11. Avoid the payment protection racket
Banks and other lenders are selling expensive insurance policies to cover loan repayments to
people who don't need it. Don't be a victim of the hard sell.
Some of the above extracts have been taken from:
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/50ways
Useful "Money Saving" Websites:
www.thisismoney.co.uk
www.moneysavingexpert.com
www.uswitch.com
If you would like further information on benefits please contact Housing Benefit on 020 8825
7000 or the Area Offices on 020 8825 8822 (East Office) & 020 8825 8833 (West Office).
The Following Organisations are either furniture projects, which provide affordable
furniture, or provide assistance/support to those on low incomes
Furniture Projects:
De Sio Furniture
Tel: 020 8752 0777
18, Churchfield Rd, London, W3 6EG
Sells Second-Hand Furniture
Contact: Maria or Sandy
Hours: 9.30am – 5.30pm Monday – Saturday
Furnish
Tel: 020 8969 3332 Fax: 020 8969 3339
Scrubbs Lane, London, W10
Furniture Re-cycling
Contact: Tom Lynch
Hours: 10.00am – 3.00pm Monday – Friday (By appointment only)
The Yeldall Shop
Tel: 020 8797 9505 Fax: 020 8797 8505
www.yeldall.org
3 – 7 Willow Tree Lane, Yeading, Middlesex, UB3 9BB
Recycles good quality unwanted furniture and electricals, and provides paid employment and
training to disadvantaged people and quality furniture to the community at bargain prices.
Collections are free of charge.
Voluntary Organisations
Grants Service – Family Welfare Association
Tel: 020 7254 6251 Fax: 020 7249 5442
Email:
grants.enquiry@fwa.org.uk
501-505 Kingsland Road, London E8 4AU. (Tues, Wed, Thurs 2.00pm-4.00pm)
Distributes funds for clothing, fuel bills, household needs e.g. beds cookers. Help with
educational needs e.g. fares to college, books. Assistance primarily for families and individuals
with low incomes, particularly on benefits.
Contact: Welfare Grants Department
Keep Warm Keep Well
Tel Free Phone: 0800 085 7000/ Fax: 01623 724 524
Website:
www.dh.gov.uk/socialcare
P.O Box 777, London, SE1 6XH
Winter Warmth Advice Line – visit website for further information
Ealing Direct
Tel: 020 8840 2356 Fax: 020 85744 South Ealing Road, Ealing,London, W5 4QA
Offer clients support in employing their own carers and dealing with the associated paperwork
Eligibility: Aged 65 or over, mental health needs, those learning disabilities, of those
parents responsible for a child with a disability.