Household Bills
Has the recession spelled the end of the big weekly shop?
As rising living costs and tight budgets continue to take their toll, people are getting smarter about the way they shop, according to research from budgeting account provider thinkmoney.
Bargain-obsessed Brits save £452 a year by discount shopping
More than four in five (82 per cent) Britons say they are regular users of discount sites, cashback rewards and other means of securing discounted prices, according to research from Santander 123.
Brits waste millions as broadband bundle costs plummet
Brits are throwing away over £500 million a year by failing to switch their broadband package according to a new report. More than third (39%) of UK households admitted they haven't switched in over 4 years despite a dramatic drop in prices during this time.
Impulse-buy Brits spend £6.2 billion on things they don't use
Despite today's tough economic times, 85 per cent of Brits admit to spending money in the last five years on goods they've never or rarely used.
Cold War: just four in ten consumers trust energy suppliers
New research from uSwitch.com reveals the depth of the breakdown in trust between energy suppliers and consumers.
Consumer spending power growth suffers fall in January
Consumers began the New Year with a further squeeze on household budgets, according to the Lloyds TSB Spending Power Report.
Fakeaways and joint baths to beat frugal February
Money savvy Brits are sharing bath water and recreating costly takeaways with home-made ‘Fakeaways’ as they tighten their belts for Frugal February, according to new research.
The £300 hidden cost of first love
For all the latest mobile phone functions and apps that have teens glued to their handsets, the most likely cause of sending their phone bill skyrocketing isn’t social media or watching the latest One Direction video but simply having a teenage crush.
Brits overspend on monthly mobile tariffs by £180 million a year
Phone-happy consumers overspend on their mobile tariffs by £180 million a year, according to uSwitch.com.
BT blocks nuisance calls with new BT6500 phone
Nuisance calls are a major issue in the UK with BT receiving over 50,000 calls to its Nuisance Calls Advice line every month.
British gas customers to get free six-monthly tariff ‘MOT’
British Gas customers are set to benefit from an energy account check-up every six months. British Gas, the nation's largest energy supplier, has introduced ‘Tariff Check' - a personalised half-yearly review for each customer, using their actual energy consumption.
Co-op Energy now more expensive than the big six
Pioneering new supplier, Co-op Energy, is putting its prices up for new customers. The price hike, 8.7% or £101 for gas and electricity, will take its average dual fuel bill up to £1,258 a year.
Half-term'oil' - February half-term spending costs parents £1.7bn
Parents' wallets are due to take a battering this half-term to the combined tune of £1.7 billion with cash-strapped mums and dads shelling out an average of £230 for the week - £33 every day - in a bid to keep their kids occupied.
BT launches better value totally unlimited broadband
BT has raised the stakes in the battle for broadband customers by introducing Totally Unlimited Broadband on all but its entry level offerings – and cutting the price.
Consumers call for change to winter fuel payments
Consumers would give the Government a green light to overhaul the winter fuel allowance, according to new research from uSwitch.com.