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Cut Your Bills


  • Energy bill rises on the horizon
    Rebecca Atkinson
    09.10.09
    Consumers are likely to end up footing the bill for £200 billion of investment to secure energy supplies and meet environmental targets over the next 10 years.
  • Energy bills unlikely to fall this winter
    Tanya Powley
    18.09.09
    Consumers are unlikely to see a cut in the cost of their electricity or gas bills this winter despite a fall in wholesale energy costs for suppliers.
  • Your consumer rights explained
    Rebecca Atkinson
    17.09.09
    What are your rights as a consumer when things go wrong? Find out in Moneywise's five-minute guide to consumer rights.
  • How to ensure your cover pays out
    Emma Lunn
    11.09.09
    If you contract a serious illness, you don't need money problems too - critical illness cover can give peace of mind. Emma Lunn explains how to ensure your policy will pay out when you need it most.
  • Turn the downturn to your advantage
    Sam Barrett
    04.09.09
    There's nothing like a 
downturn to get us counting the pennies. Sam Barrett provides strategies to for you to banish the gloom from your finances and become a recession winner.
  • Should you pay for debt advice?
    Rebecca Atkinson
    03.09.09
    Charities offer free debt advice, but the credit crunch means there might well be a waiting list. Is it then worth paying for help to manage your debt?
  • Beat the fuel duty price hike
    Rebecca Atkinson
    01.09.09
    The latest fuel duty rise will cost drivers £36 million. Find out how you can beat the hike.
  • Give yourself a £10,000 pay rise
    Sam Barrett
    03.08.09
    Your employer is more likely to ask you to tighten your belt than award you a pay rise these days, but as Sam Barrett shows, there are a number of 
alternative ways to maximise your income.
  • Energy firms told to "up their game"
    Chris Thomas
    30.06.09
    The energy regulator Ofgem has urged suppliers to improve the way they deal with customer complaints, after a poll showed huge levels of customer dissatisfaction.
  • Cut the cost of your energy bills
    Nathalie Bonney
    25.06.09
    Following steep price hikes last year, 2009 has seen the cost of energy come down. Nathalie Bonney explains how you can make the most of falling costs now.
  • Save money by dropping a brand
    Nathalie Bonney
    18.06.09
    How much can you save if you opt for the cheaper brands in your weekly shop? 
Nathalie Bonney challenges her parents to 'drop a brand'.
  • British Gas cuts electricity bills
    Rebecca Atkinson
    07.05.09
    British Gas has announced a surprise 10% electricity price cut, making it the cheapest supplier in the market.
  • Free yourself from debt
    Sam Barrett
    14.04.09
    It may feel like a distant hope, but you can break out of your debt prison. 
Sam Barrett 
reveals the route to a debt-free future.
  • 20 steps to a frugal lifestyle
    Hannah Ricci
    07.04.09
    From entertaining at home to growing your own veg, Hannah Ricci shows how you can cut back on costs without sacrificing your quality of life.
  • Does your energy company owe you money?
    Rebecca Atkinson
    27.03.09
    Energy suppliers have been rapped by their regulator for increasing customers' direct debit payments without explaining why and making it hard for people to get their money back.
  • Fairer energy bill rules under-fire
    Rebecca Atkinson
    23.03.09
    "Unjustified" energy bill pricing is to be banned, under a new set of rules designed to give households more power.
  • Beat council tax rises
    Rebecca Atkinson
    25.02.09
    Council tax bills are set to jump by 3% this year - but there are ways you can reduce your bill.
  • Get a mobile phone contract for under £10
    Rebecca Atkinson
    25.02.09
    It is now possible to get a mobile phone contract for less than £10 a month, as Virgin Mobile becomes the latest provider to offer the tariff.
  • Households set for rise in water bills
    Liam Tarry
    18.02.09
    Millions of households are set to be hit with above-average increases in water bills this year, the water regulator Ofwat has confirmed.
  • E.ON refuses to budge on gas bills
    Rebecca Atkinson
    13.02.09
    E.ON has become the latest energy provider to cut electricity bills, with more than four million people due to receive a 9% reduction from the end of March.
  • Is now a good time to change energy provider?
    Rebecca Atkinson
    11.02.09
    EDF Energy has announced it is cutting the cost of its fixed-rate energy tariff by an average of £65 a year, making it the latest provider to pass on cheaper crude oil costs to customers.
  • Fight for your money
    Liam Tarry
    10.02.09
    Everyone's heard stories of banks and insurance companies taking our money and then failing to deliver. Liam Tarry shows how you can boost your finances by fighting back.
  • British Gas in 10% price cut
    Liam Tarry
    22.01.09
    British Gas has announced it will cut the price of gas by 10% - becoming the first major energy company to announce a price reduction since 2007.
  • What will British Gas' cut mean for you?
    Liam Tarry
    22.01.09
    Finally some good news - British Gas is reducing energy bills by 10%, the first cut since 2007. But will other suppliers also cut the cost of gas and electricity? Liam Tarry investigates.
  • A lesson in old-fashioned home economics
    Nathalie Bonney
    19.01.09
    Re-thinking the way you shop and cook can cut down your waste and save you a fortune. Nathalie Bonney dusts down the tricks and tips from granny's kitchen.
  • Energy firms urged to cut bills
    Rebecca Atkinson
    10.12.08
    The Government is considering taking action to force energy companies to cut bills and pass on the benefits of cheaper crude oil costs to customers.
  • Don't be conned by festive sales scams
    Sarah Coles
    09.12.08
    Despite it being the season of goodwill, scammers will do anything to part you from your cash. Sarah Coles investigates the latest Christmas shopping scams.
  • Cut the cost of Christmas travel
    Liam Tarry
    05.12.08
    With the cost of travel set to rocket over Christmas, Liam Tarry explains how to cut the cost of visiting friends and family this December.
  • Why haven't energy bills fallen?
    Chris Thomas
    28.11.08
    The Government and Ofgem, the electricity and gas regulator, have pledged to continue to put pressure on energy providers to cut their prices and pass on the benefits of cheaper crude oil to their customers.
  • Could a SIM-only deal save you money?
    Emma Lunn
    05.11.08
    Ditching traditional mobile phone deals could mean the end of being tied into long contract and could also save you money. Emma Lunn finds out what's on offer.
  • Save money: Winterproof your home
    Johanna Gornitzki
    24.10.08
    Johanna Gornitzki explains how to cut the cost of heating your home without catching a chill this winter.
  • Energy bills need to come down
    Rebecca Atkinson
    17.10.08
    Energy companies are coming under increased pressure to slash bills inline with cheaper crude oil.
  • M&S to start selling energy
    Rebecca Atkinson
    15.10.08
    Marks & Spencer is to launch into the energy market through a partnership deal with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE).
  • Supermarkets slash petrol prices
    Rebecca Atkinson
    15.10.08
    ASDA and Morrisons have both slashed the price of petrol to less than £1 per litre, the lowest price since last December.
  • Beat the energy price hikes
    Hannah Ricci
    17.09.08
    Already this year millions of UK households have been hit by yet more gas and electricity bill hikes. But there are ways of reducing the impact of soaring energy bills.
  • Why is switching ISP such a pain?
    Sarah Coles
    04.09.08
    With tariffs for broadband suppliers varying wildly, why is it so difficult to change your internet provider? Sarah Coles investigates.
  • Two more energy firms put up prices
    Rebecca Atkinson
    29.08.08
    npower and Scottish Power have today both announced massive energy bill hikes, with the latter increasing gas bills by 34%.
  • MPs back calls to tax energy companies
    Rebecca Atkinson
    27.08.08
    Energy companies may be forced to pay a one-off tax to help families in the UK meet the rising cost of heating their homes.
  • Cost of supermarket shop up £1,404
    Rebecca Atkinson
    12.08.08
    The cost of food has increased by nearly 30% in the past 12 months with households spending an extra £1,404 a year on their groceries.
  • United Utilities plans water bills rise
    11.08.08
    United Utilities has said it plans to increase household water bills by just over 2% a year in real terms between 2010 and 2015 to help fund a £4 billion investment plan.
  • Water bills set to soar
    Rebecca Atkinson
    11.08.08
    Water bills are set to soar over the next five years as utility companies unveil measures to invest in improving quality.
  • Burst your inflation bubble
    Hannah Ricci
    09.08.08
    For many people, the rate of inflation feels much higher than official figures suggest. Hannah Ricci investigates how to protect your finances from inflation.
  • Centrica defends hike in gas prices
    31.07.08
    British Gas-owner, Centrica, said it had been "absolutely necessary" to raise household gas prices, as first half operating profit fell nearly 20% to £992 million.
  • British Gas bills to rise by 35%
    Rebecca Atkinson
    30.07.08
    British Gas customers face paying up to 35% more for the energy bills this winter after the utility giant confirmed prices are going up.
  • Homes hit with further energy price hikes
    Rebecca Atkinson
    25.07.08
    EDF Energy has announced that it is putting up the cost of its gas and electricity, following Scottish and Southern Energy's warning of higher energy bills going forward.
  • Energy supplier warns of price rises
    Rebecca Atkinson
    24.07.08
    Scottish and Southern Energy have warned that their customers may face higher energy bills going forward as the high oil costs continue to hit energy suppliers' revenue potential.
  • Energy bills to hit £1,000 a year
    Rebecca Atkinson
    18.07.08
    Households should invest in warm clothing as energy bills look set to rise by 60%, British Gas has warned. Rebecca Atkinson reports.
  • Cut your water bill
    Matthew Sharp
    01.07.08
    Many households could slash their waterbills by installing a meter. Matthew Sharp finds out how.
  • Keep your food bills looking trim
    Emma Lunn
    01.07.08
    Emma Lunn finds out why our prices are rising so rapidly and shares her tips for cutting the cost of your weekly food shop.
  • Save energy and cut your bills
    Rachel Lacey
    01.07.08
    Reducing your energy useage doesn't just help the environment, it can help you beat rising energy prices and lower your bills, writes Rachel Lacey.
  • Fuel bills set for further hikes
    Chris Thomas
    25.06.08
    Energy companies have revealed that further increases in gas and electricity bills are inevitable, but did not put a figure on how much. Chris Thomas reports.
  • Households feel the pinch as inflation soars
    Rebecca Atkinson
    12.06.08
    According to research from the Bank of England, households in the UK are struggling with an average personal inflation of nearly 5%, reports Rebecca Atkinson.
  • Consumers grossly overcharged for PPI
    Rebecca Atkinson
    05.06.08
    Banks are overcharging borrowers taking out payment protection insurance (PPI) by over £1.4 billion each year, an investigation has found. Rebecca Atkinson reports.
  • Utility bills lift inflation to nine-month high
    18.03.08
    Inflation leapt further above target to a nine-month high in February but the jump was purely due to changes in the way utility bills are calculated, according to official data.
  • Darling tells energy companies to help poor
    14.03.08
    Utilities should give millions of people paying for power and gas with pre-paid meters a better deal and triple funding for their poorest customers, chancellor Alistair Darling.
  • Get the best broadband deal
    Harriet Meyer
    06.03.08
    You're probably paying more than you need to for your broadband. Harriet Meyer shows how easy it is to switch provider and find a broadband option that's right for you.
  • Energy bills on the up again
    Rebecca Atkinson
    18.01.08
    After price hikes by npower and EDF Energy, British Gas has now followed suit after it announced gas and electricity prices would rise by 15%. Rebecca Atkinson reports.
  • EDF set to raise its prices
    15.01.08
    EDF Energy is set to increase its prices for UK gas and energy customers from Friday, citing the increase in wholesale energy costs.
  • Recovering costs from energy saving
    Jeff Salway
    05.12.07
    The costs of installing energy-saving measures in the home could take longer to recoup than previously thought, it has been claimed, writes Jeff Salway.
  • Cut the cost of Christmas
    Hannah Ricci
    21.11.07
    Christmas will always be expensive but there are still plenty of ways to save money without turning into Mr Scrooge. Hannah Ricci reveals her top tips.
  • Slash your motoring costs
    Joanna Sutherland
    11.11.07
    Running a car is becoming more expensive, but, as Joanna Sutherland explains, there are many ways to drive down the costs.
  • Pre-budget report summary
    Jeff Salway and Hannah Ricci
    09.10.07
    This year's pre-budget report - the first from Alistair Darling - shows encouraging signs for first-time buyers and pledges an increase in the IHT threshold.
  • Starting a new, debt-free life
    Hannah Ricci
    09.10.07
    An expert offers advice to a recently wed couple who are looking to clear their debts. Hannah Ricci reports.
  • Protecting children online
    28.09.07
    Parents are relying too heavily on their children doing as they are asked to keep them safe online, according to new research from BroadbandChoices.
  • Why aren't you investing?
    Sarah Coles
    25.09.07
    Our quiz will help you banish your investment fears and start a healthy savings habit. Sarah Coles shows how to lay the foundations for a more secure future.
  • Get your finances fighting fit
    Hannah Ricci
    22.08.07
    Just a couple of days' hard graft could transform your finances. Hannah Ricci takes you through our boot camp.
  • Are over-50s accounts a rip-off?
    Jeff Salway
    25.07.07
    Financial services companies are cashing in on the power of the over-50's 'silver pound'. Jeff Salway reports.
  • Gas prices rise again
    09.07.07
    Gas prices rose again on Monday as a short system and uncertainty over supplies helped spur more strong buying.
  • Cut your motoring costs
    Rob Griffin
    18.06.07
    Regardless of whether or not road charging eventually comes into force, there are a number of ways to cut the cost of motoring.
  • Ditch fixed-rate energy deals
    Rachel Lacey
    12.06.07
    At last energy bills are starting to fall, but those on capped rate tariffs won't feel the benefit. Rachel Williams says it's time to shop for a better deal again.
  • Domestic fuel prices start falling
    Hannah Ricci
    12.06.07
    After months of inflated prices and fierce competition between providers fuel bills have begun a slow descent.  But you should still shop around for the best deal, says Hannah Ricci.
  • TV, phone and broadband bundles
    Emma Lunn
    08.05.07
    Media and telecoms companies are fighting for our custom, with all-in-one broadband, phone and digital TV packages. But are they good value? Emma Lunn finds out.
  • More energy price cuts
    Hannah Ricci
    01.05.07
    Scottish Power lowers tariffs on gas and electricity, after price cuts by British Gas. Should we expect prices to fall further? Hannah Ricci finds out.
  • British Gas to cut residential prices
    Jennifer Hill
    09.02.07
    British Gas said on 8 February it would cut its standard residential tariffs by 17% for gas and 11% for electricity from 12 March.
  • 10 tips to cut your tax bill
    Rachel Lacey
    23.01.07
    Rachel Williams introduces our top 10 tips for cutting your tax bill and cashing in on tax relief.
  • Millions switch to cheaper gas
    17.01.07
    Millions of households abandoned their old suppliers in search of cheaper energy last year, leaving former monopoly British Gas with less than half of the gas market.
  • Revamp your finances
    Hannah Ricci
    02.01.07
    Even if your boss isn't feeling generous, it doesn't mean you can't have a pay rise. We show you how you could save yourself £10,000, explains Hannah Ricci.
  • When bargains become big mistakes
    Pepi Sappal
    01.01.07
    The January sales are upon us and while many of us will seize the opportunity to snap up a few bargains, some will make expensive errors. Pepi Sappal explains our rights as 'sale' shoppers.
  • Check your mobile usage
    Sarah Pennells
    14.12.06
    Mobile phone providers are bringing down the costs of making calls abroad, but this doesn't add up to a free-for-all. You still need to keep track of your minutes, explains Sarah Pennells.
  • The benefits of fuel price drop
    Emma Lunn
    07.12.06
    We've all felt the pain of rocketing fuel bills, so the news that wholesale energy prices are coming down holds out some hope of respite, explains Emma Lunn.
  • The best money-saving websites
    Emma Lunn
    30.11.06
    From homes and holidays to an online swap shop, we reveal some of the best money-saving websites ever to go online, by Emma Lunn.
  • Cut your household energy bills
    Hannah Ricci
    11.10.06
    If your last energy bill left you reeling, you are not alone. But there's no need to panic. We explain how making your home more energy efficient can slash your household bills.
  • Boiling down boiler breakdown policies
    01.10.06
    Come the cold snap, plumbers become like gold dust - very rare and very expensive. The answer is to take out boiler-breakdown cover, but what do the insurance companies offer?
  • Why say no to free money?
    Nina Montagu-Smith
    14.09.06
    Make sure you don't ignore those benefits or grants that you could be eligible for. Follow our guide to what you could be entitled to and how to claim it.
  • How to shop smart and save
    Hannah Ricci
    30.08.06
    If you find time to review your spending habits it's possible to save hundreds of pounds without tightening your belt, explains Hannah Ricci.
  • Powergen hikes bills again
    18.08.06
    Powergen, the country's second-biggest energy supplier, said on Thursday it was raising domestic gas bills by 18.4% and electricity charges by 9.7%.
  • How to beat rocketing petrol prices
    Nikki Watkins
    28.07.06
    You can't do much about steep oil prices, but here's how to cut the amount you spend on your own petrol consumption.
  • Centrica raises energy bills
    27.07.06
    Centrica said on Thursday 27 July it was raising energy bills for the second time this year after turning in a 29% fall in operating profits for the first-half.
  • Record utility bills push up inflation
    18.07.06
    A record increase in household utility bills pushed the inflation rate further than expected above target to a nine-month high in June, boosting expectations of an interest rate rise.
  • Change your energy supplier
    05.07.06
    More and more Britons are changing energy supplier in search of better deals as gas and electricity bills soar.
  • Get your money back without a fuss
    Brandon Gee
    29.06.06
    Being a smart consumer isn't just about getting the best deal, a vital part of keeping retailers on their toes is knowing your rights when it comes to returning faulty goods.
  • Moneywise celebrates UK's best saver
    22.06.06
    The winner of the first MoneySaver Awards, Stephen Davies an IT consultant from St Albans, grabbed first prize by saving more than £16,000 in a year.
  • Are your finances on the ball?
    Rachel Lacey
    06.06.06
    Breaking old habits or defying conventional wisdom is never easy, but when it comes to planning for your future financial security it may be crucial to do just that.
  • Smart ways to bag a better broadband deal
    Emma-Lou Montgomery
    04.05.06
    If you are a 'pioneer' of broadband, chances are you could be paying much more than you need to. Here's how to save money and get yourself a better deal.
  • How to buy a laptop
    Brandon Gee
    20.04.06
    Whether you are a student or a professional, laptop computers are the way to work on the move.
  • Reduce the shock of energy price hikes
    Rob Griffin
    17.03.06
    Utility bills are set to rocket in 2006, leaving the average family £100 a year worse off.  Should you consider trying to offset those losses by making investments in booming energy companies?