loadsa rainy days in UK (Saving tips)

Member Name: 1st2thebar

Product:	Saving tips
Date:	28/05/07 (157 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: you will have more money

Disadvantages: can be difficult

---SAVING TIPS---

*This review on saving tips is all fact and I hope you all will view it as "advice"... and get something out of it*

*Saving Mindset*

My advice for those who are thinking about saving money is to make realistic financial goals. This has to be realistic because otherwise saving can be a real chore, or you will start spending more than you would even before you set your financial saving goal. A happy saver is a successful saver. By setting yourself a monetary value and a time limit, this will enable you to start your saver mindset. I have to admit that the only way of being a successful saver is to develop a strong money mindset that will help you reach them and go beyond. For some it can be rather difficult, for those disciplined enough it won’t be too much trouble. Most of us already have it installed in our minds and do not act upon it. A lot of us do it without realising at work for big corporations, yet do not do it for their own financial means. What I have found is the best savers are the business owners, the people who NOW do not need to save, the reason why they still do is because it is a mindset, they have developed it is a powerful thing the mind. The saving mindset is also evident in societies older generation, whereby a war created "forced" this saver mindset in the WWII generation. You probably know or hear of the OAP's who have saved for many years and still live on a shoestring. Their whole life is on a saver mindset. They will say that this form of lifestyle is what made GB great, and who is going to argue with them; if you talk to them about their beliefs you will get a glimpse of how their saver mindset is.

*Be aware of how you can make money*

I'm not sorry to say this but I'm a sucker to a good deal. I'm sure that you are as well. Sometimes knowing that you have made a wise money move, does give you an extra bounce in your walk. On every deal that you are saving money, add the saved amount to your monthly financial goal. By being aware of how can make money this will help you on your way. I was amazed to learn that there is a double-sided sword to bargain hunting. For example “Buy one get one FREE offers” There are so many of these offers when shopping that they bombard you- even worse if you have children. Try and avoid them. The one thing you have to ask yourself is; was that item on your original shopping list, if it was go ahead and buy the extra, if it wasn’t don’t. You are paying out another £1.39. The consumer watchdog regard this sales tactic a health hazard due to problems with “best before dates” and “quality control”; hence the reduced prices.

*Saving is getting easier*

The one difference that many good savers have compared to the rest of us is that they are ---always aware of a money opportunity--- It doesn’t cost money to research and compare prices for any products. The tools are ready to use for all of us due to competitive markets in services and product ranges. In the UK we have a vibrant exciting retail market that when put into good use it helps with saving money. James Dyson quoted in 2005 in a retail lecture that “UK’s product manufactures have been replaced by retail parks, the manufacturers are disappearing the retail market is thriving, deals have never been better for consumers”. The retail market has made saving easier, yet many of us fall short of actually saving any money. Our living standards have grown over the last 10 years by having a stable economy; this has gone hand in hand with higher expectations. There are more choices now and sadly saving is very low on the priority list of must do’s. Companies offer credit whenever possible. You cannot escape the adverts… “Buy now pay 2008”. I’m not surprised the saving game is a distant voice from the past. It is all so easy to have this credit. The temptations are always there but just like a diet, everything in moderation, something we all should review.

The UK’s debt log is now over a 1 trillion pounds on just credit. Weird but… I still say it has never been easier to save money. The problem is actually managing money.

*Never accept the 1st deal on the table*

Yeah, this is a little quirky and is a mighty fine saving tip. You don’t gain many friends with using this money saving method. Haggle with the supplier and claim that you had an offer from a competitor available for today only that was better than their initial quote. 9/10 times they will comeback with a better offer; again saving you money. I view parting with any money is hardly friendly. It is always a business transaction. Shop around and regularly change suppliers in all service providers. I was fortunate to save £360.00 per annum on energy suppliers by putting electric and gas with the same supplier, earlier this year.

The biggest time saver and money saver is to never ring up a customer service phone line. The customer service system is installed especially to detract any monetary fee problems or service problems you may have. Send an email to your supplier instead that including your own terms and conditions and legal statement. This method is far the quickest to do and the ball is in your court if any reply is unsatisfactory dealt with. The web has many letter type emails that can be used as templates for your use for free.

----Top Up cash for pensioners----

There was a news report recently that said that there was 4.2 Billion pounds in the pot for ‘pension credits’ that has yet to be claimed. Pensioners generally do not know what they are entitled due to the fact they don’t get out or less likely to ask for help. You maybe entitled to a piece of the pie, so have a look into the Pension credit scheme, if you feel you are on the breadline, this could be of help.

----- Yet more cash saving tips----

The other obvious method is by having a second job that does not take too much time. ISA’s and Tessa’s whoever he names are can provide very good returns, but none compares to the number of cashback offers that many websites offer you; you can check them out by doing a search online. The system is simple and warrants a viewing, I’m happy to offer any help if requested. They are very effective and notable reliable, this is unheard of in some money service sectors. Off shore merchant/saver accounts can be very lucrative depending on the market trends and how much is allocated to this method of saving.

The most important saving tip I can offer you is to keep your eyes and ears peeled and have a “saver mindset”. Fortune favours the brave.

Thank you for reading this review.

Summary: Saving Tips for all