BA50 TalkersMoving house can be one of the most expensive and stressful times in life. There are endless lists of things to do and prepare and the cost seems to just keep adding up. Whether you are buying a new home or renting, there are things you can do to make your money go further and save some of your hard earned cash.
Store your stuff – your lease has run out on your rental property and you’re staying with friends until your new place is available or you’re selling your home and the dates haven’t quite matched up so you need somewhere to store your possessions. Keeping things in storage can be quite costly but I find that www.alligatorselfstorage.co.uk offers great value for money and competitive rates to keep your goods safe and secure during the move. They can also help with removal services.
Save on your gas and electric – You don’t have to stay with the previous owner’s energy supplier when moving into your own home. You can save hundreds of pounds a year by switching suppliers. Have a look at uswitch.com to find out how much you can save on your energy bills. Simply type in your postcode and it’ll find options for you in your area. Remember to also take meter readings when you move in so you’re not being billed for usage by the previous owner.
Compare removal costs – Maybe you are lucky enough to have a friend with a van to help you move your stuff but if not then shop around for the best removal deals. You could hire the professionals to move it for you or hire a van and do it yourself.
Save on new furniture – To furnish your new home you can pick up some really good quality items totally free of charge by checking out websites such as Freecycle and Freegle. These are sites that offer up unwanted goods to the local community rather than putting them into landfills. Keep an eye out and you can find some real gems.
Reduce your internet and phone bills – Instead of paying separately for your landline and internet see if you can save money by using a company that offers a landline, TV and broadband bundle. If you already have a TV subscription and/or internet, see if it is cheaper to add a phone line to your current deal. Find a phone tariff that matches your usage – check if ‘unlimited’ evening or weekend calls are best for you, or are you more likely to use your phone in peak times? Re-evaluate your mobile phone tariff. I saved a fortune changing my contract to ‘sim only’ and pay now just £13 a month.
Cheaper home insurance – Moving home is a good time to review your home insurance. Use a comparison website such as moneysupermarket.com or gocompare.com to see if you can save money by switching. Insurance companies do look favourably on customers who can ensure their home is secure so by installing a burglar alarm or other security system you can bring down the cost of your insurance.