Household Bills

Brits can save money and the planet

Fourteen million households that have never changed their electricity tariff now have two compelling reasons to do so – saving money and the planet.

Saga babysitters

Grandparents are the overlooked Mary Poppins’ of the family, with some spending the equivalent of a weeks full time employment every month looking after their grandchildren, despite being unpaid and uncompensated for costs, according to research by Saga Insurance.

Savings go north whilst spending stays south

Results from the latest Legal & General Money Mood Survey show a growing regional divide in the spending and savings habits between the North and the South of Great Britain.

Beat the credit crunch and save money

When people have to tighten their belts, every penny counts – and this spring could herald the start of an extra 410,900 pennies for many Brits.

Brits prefer their plastic to cash

A third of Brits (32%) use their credit cards regularly for everyday spending according to a survey of the nation’s cash-carrying habits by personal finance website Fool.co.uk. Debit cards account for over a third (37%) of spending, and cash accounts for a quarter (29%).

Boarding school fees soar

Average school fees for boarding pupils have increased by 86%, nearly three times the rate of retail price inflation over the past ten years (31%), according to new research from Halifax Financial Services. In 2007, boarding school fees rose by 5%, more than the increase in retail prices (4%).

Credit crunch hits home as millions cut back

More than 26.3 million adults are planning to cut spending this year as worries about the credit crunch hit home in the real economy, new research from MoneyExpert.com shows.

Last energy price hike ‘green light to switch’

Scottish and Southern Energy’s recent price increase is the green light to switch suppliers, says Switch with Which?, the home energy switching service from consumer watchdog Which?

Five out of six Brits fear for their finances

Last week's budget could be the final financial straw for many Brits. A budget week survey by price comparison site moneysupermarket.com found 30 per cent of Brits don't think they can cope much longer financially.

Credit crunch strikes heart of single parent Britain

Three in four Britons (75%) say they are preparing for financial hardships and serious cut backs as a result of the credit crunch – and single parent families are the family unit feeling most vulnerable (87%) – according to new research from BrightHouse Stores.

Scottish & Southern Energy price hike

Commenting on Scottish & Southern increasing the price of its main tariffs by 12 to 15 per cent, Scott Byrom, utilities manager at price comparison site moneysupermarket.com, said: "Scottish & Southern said in January it would freeze prices for existing customers for as long as possible after 30 March – so it is a little disappointing it has only managed to hang on for another 48 hours.