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Beat the Crunch: What can we do?
10:06am Friday 18th July 2008
LET'S beat the credit crunch together. If we join forces we could all have a bit of extra money in our pockets.
A gloomy economic cloud is hovering over most of us, mainly thanks to living costs rocketing during the past year.
A slump in the housing market, tax increases and worries over job security - all these factors have added to the pressure and are causing a lot of us to tighten our belts.
Research shows three-quarters of parents are worried about the cost of keeping children entertained during the summer holidays, and even children's pocket money is being cut as families feel the pinch.
It seems things are going to get worse still, with talk this week of the UK facing possible recession in the coming months.
But, staying positive about it, what can we do to get through this tough economic period?
How can we save money on food, fuel, energy and other things?
Our new Beat the Crunch section is your chance to share cost-saving secrets with other people and to perhaps get some fresh ideas for yourself and your family.
Share your advice on trimming the weekly grocery bill, tell us where you have found the cheapest petrol and pass on your tips for keeping energy costs under control.
If you have discovered any other tricks for saving money, tell us about them and be a financial hero.
Add your comments below or email News Shopper
Or if you discover any fantastic deals or offers while you are out and about, you can text us. Put the keyword NEWS SHOPPER then a space and then your message, and send to 80360. Texts are free but your normal operator rates apply (we can't do anything about that!).
Your Say YourShopper
Mark L, SE13 says...
11:12am Wed 16 Jul 08
Drew, Dartford says...
1:19pm Wed 16 Jul 08
Stop finding ways of giving the taxes I pay too every tom dick and harry, and look at ways of improving the lives of the minority of people who are contributing to the welfare state we live in. I.E if you work you shouldn't have to wait for check ups. you shouldn't pay for perscriptions, dental care and so on. How about subsidised public transport for people travelling too work?
Harry Brown, Bromley says...
1:49pm Wed 16 Jul 08
How does share your money saving tips translate into "make a random political point"? Why do people always feel inclined to make some moan about the state of the country when nobody has asked for those views?
My own personal tip for saving money, which is something very quick and easy to do, is for people to get on to fixed/capped rates for energy bills as soon as possible. I've done it and I should save lots of money when the price of electricity rockets in the next few months.
Martin, Dartford says...
2:05pm Wed 16 Jul 08
Petrol prices at the pump are about 6 months behind the price paid per barrel before the refinery. So, whe you hear about the dollar price of a barrel of crude oil going up, that rise will hit the forecourts in about 6 months time.
The experts are telling us that crude is expected to continue rising for another 18 months.
This price-rise will be significant (particularly in the UK where the fuel duty is amongst the highest in the world) and, as a real cost-saving tip: plan for this price-rise, and think about car journeys.
If the journey is not vital, and if there is an alternative, consider it seriously.
If the journey IS vital, or cannot be avoided, stick to the speed limits and change gear at 3000rpm as opposed to 4000 rpm - the experts reacon that driving like this will significantly affect the fuel consumption of your car. It also has the added bonus of NOT PAYING SO MUCH TAX!!!!! - so not only are you saving money, you are harming the environment less AND denying Gordon Brown some tax!!!
Me, Bromley says...
7:11pm Wed 16 Jul 08
Kath, belvedere says...
9:14pm Wed 16 Jul 08
m for money saving advice on every subject under the sun. Martin Lewis is the best!
j, bromley says...
11:07am Thu 17 Jul 08
Jasper, Thamesmead says...
11:29am Thu 17 Jul 08
joe, says...
12:40pm Thu 17 Jul 08
hope this helps someone, says...
1:11pm Thu 17 Jul 08
I wanted to wall mount my tv, on looking for a mount the cheapest I could find here was 89.99 in currys, it got more expensive after that for what was basically to bits of metal you bolted to the wall and hooked the tv onto.
On looking online on e bay i found one that was of a much better quality and paid just 23.99 including the 10.00 postage and packaging, now my wallet isnt so light, my tv is on the wall and i can swivel it up down left and right as well.
The internet is a wealth of knowledge and bargins, Check out prices of items you want to purchase online before deciding where to buy it, ebay is great for things like games, buy from the us or hongkong and you will get them not only b4 they are released over here but also for a lot less money.
Dont know how legal this one is but instead of throwing your old chip oil away, if you have a diesel car, filter it off and poor it in your tank, most cars will run happily on a mixture of diesel and vegatable oil, the thinner the oil the more you can use, example, if its used oil you can get away with 5 litres of diesel to 3 of oil, if its new oil then 10 litres diesel to 4 litres veg oil.
jayjay, here says...
1:17pm Thu 17 Jul 08
petrolprices.com is another - just sign up and put in your postcode and it will give you the cheapest garage in your area
James, Dartford says...
1:25pm Thu 17 Jul 08
Arrange with neighbours to do shopping trips together so that you are only taking one car.
If you pay a flat rate for broadband, don't buy newspapers or magazines as you ca read these online at no extra cost.
If you spend a lot on lunches at work but can't be bothered making sandwiches to take in, just take in a loaf for teh week and tins of beans, corned beef, spaghetti etc to have on your toast at lunchtime.
Poddleman, Erith says...
1:44pm Thu 17 Jul 08
sam, dartford says...
1:53pm Thu 17 Jul 08
P_Man, Erith says...
1:54pm Thu 17 Jul 08
Poddleman wrote:I've seen this guys back garden. Environmental hazzard!! Animals stink. Shouldn't have a farm in this area!
I've started growing my own fruit and veg and keeping chickens, goats and sheep. Very green and saves lots of money!
mt, says...
1:59pm Thu 17 Jul 08
L, says...
5:35pm Thu 17 Jul 08
mt wrote:Animals only stink if not cared for correctly!
flamin 'eck you having a giggle P_ man ??? animals stink and erith aint the area to have a farm. i would have thought it would have made erith smell nicer.
As for saving money -
Don't smoke as I understand they cost a fortune tho never having had one I have no idea.
Have fewer take aways, cook your own meals -take aways are an unhealthy rip off. Go to the sales or seconds shops or the factory outlets.
Use your freezer to its best. Cook in bulk and freeze some for another day - saves time and stress too!
Geoff, Northfleet says...
12:37am Fri 18 Jul 08
c may, bromley says...
4:59pm Fri 18 Jul 08
j wrote:wages are less to in france not everyone can up sticks and move away if you have young children or elderly relatives a family dumper sorry ex pat ill never be
Up sticks and leave the uk. Go and live in France less overcrowding,cheaper property and fuel prices. We are a nation of lemmings.
SG, USA says...
10:45pm Fri 18 Jul 08
c may, bromley says...
3:26pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Geoff, Northfleet says...
6:20am Tue 22 Jul 08
c may, bromley says...
9:10am Tue 22 Jul 08
j wrote:you forgot to mention higher income tax and road tolls they have in france
Up sticks and leave the uk. Go and live in France less overcrowding,cheaper property and fuel prices. We are a nation of lemmings.
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Have rising living costs left your pockets empty?
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Homeowner, London says...
10:52am Wed 16 Jul 08