Energy Prices Are About to Rise – Again

Brace yourself: UK households are facing another energy price hike. Ofgem has announced that the Energy Price Cap will rise by 6.4% from 1 April 2025, pushing the average annual dual-fuel bill to around £1,823.

If you’re one of the millions on a standard variable tariff, you’re directly affected. And once the new cap kicks in, suppliers are likely to remove or reprice the best fixed deals—leaving latecomers stuck paying more.

So, what can you do right now? Fix your energy tariff before April—and potentially save hundreds.

Why You Need to Lock In Your Energy Prices Now

Here’s the deal: some suppliers are offering fixed-rate tariffs that are cheaper than the upcoming April cap. Locking in now means:

• Immediate savings on your bills

• Protection from further hikes later in 2025

• Stability and peace of mind

For example, one UK supplier is offering a 12-month fixed tariff priced up to 13% lower than the April price cap. But these deals are going fast—and may vanish once the new cap takes effect.

How to Lock in a Cheaper Energy Tariff in 2025

1. Act Quickly—Deals Are Time-Sensitive
Energy companies often pull their lowest fixed rates as soon as wholesale prices rise or Ofgem makes a new announcement. Don’t wait until April—compare and switch now.

2. Use a Reputable Comparison Tool
Websites like Uswitch, GoCompare, or direct supplier pages let you compare live fixed tariffs. Look for plans that undercut the April 2025 price cap and offer terms of 12–24 months.

3. Watch Out for Exit Fees
Already on a plan? Check the small print. Some fixed deals come with exit fees, but others allow you to switch early with no penalties—especially if you’re moving to a better rate.

4. Choose the Right Deal for Your Usage
If you live in a smaller home or have low energy usage, some fixed deals may not be the cheapest overall. Use a recent bill to estimate your annual usage before comparing.

What If You Wait Too Long?

If you don’t act before April 1st:

• You’ll pay more as soon as the new cap kicks in

• You’ll lose access to today’s cheapest fixed tariffs

• You’ll be stuck on variable rates—exposed to further price spikes

Final Thoughts: Secure Your Energy Future Today

Energy prices are unpredictable, but your bills don’t have to be. By switching to a fixed-rate deal now, you can take control of your finances, avoid unnecessary stress, and stay ahead of the curve.

Don’t let April’s hike catch you off guard. Compare fixed energy deals today and lock in your rate before it’s too late.

The post Act Now: How to Lock in Your Energy Prices in 2025 Before the April Hike Hits appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

So we’ve looked around to find some bright, attractive, mood-enhancing and good value light-producers to make your Christmas full of light, whether you’re on your own or with friends and family.

• Create great mood lighting in your home
• Indoor Christmas lights
• Candles
• How to bring inner light into your life

Create great mood lighting in your home

It doesn’t take a lot to make a Christmassy mood in your home with just a few lights.

• Look for old candles in drawers and shelves, display them in jam jars that the kids can paint or put stickers on to make them look more like Christmas
• Buy tea-lights (£7.99 for 50 at Amazon) and put them around the table on saucers surrounded by holly or ivy or other pretty sprigs of berries you have picked up on walks
• Set up a candle ‘winter shelfie’: gather up all the sold candles that you have an arrange them on a shelf, or on the mantlepiece, with pine cones, arranged prettily. Pick some branches of pine to display behind the candle arrangement to put greenery behind the white candles and brown pine cones. You could even spray some of the cones in gold or silver to add some glamour!
• Grab an old, glass bowl (maybe one of those cut ones that your mum used to use), fill with some soil and top with moss, pine cones and odd Christmas decorations that you don’t know what to do with (baubles without their hook, a Father Christmas that should go on a cake…that sort of thing) and arrange around some tall dinner candles that you fix into the earth. Display on the dinner table.

Indoor Christmas lights

Northern Lights Colour Fire Cones RRP: £14.99 from Lakeland. This is a lovely way to bring additional lighting into your home in an atmospheric way.  Coming in a pack of 30 to 40 cones and suitable for any real-flame fire, drop 2 or 3 into the flames of your fire and watch the blues and greens of the Northern Lights come to life.

Lights don’t just belong on the tree, use them around your home or to decorate your Christmas table. Lakelands Star Cluster Lights RRP: £19.99 and Snowflake String Lights RRP: £11.99 (currently on offer £9.99 while stocks last) are perfect to add that festive glow to your space for you, friends and family to enjoy.

Lakeland have a great range of Christmas lights to choose from. Our favourites include the Christmas Car String Lights and Light Up Ribbon. Both battery operated, you won’t have any issues in trying to reach the plug socket. RRP: £14.99 each. 

How to bring inner light into your life

The long, dark nights of mid-winter can make us feel miserable if we allow it.

I used to complain about it endlessly and I hear people talking about how the long  nights make them depressed and afraid.

But do we have to have this unhappiness? Really. I’m serious – do we really have to?

I’ve learnt over the years that much of this unhappiness really is unnecessary. After all, thinking of the Scandinavian countries – they have a lot more darkness than we do and they manage to make the most of it. Cosiness, getting comfortable, cuddling up to friends and family or enjoying cosy time at home alone, are all ways of making the most of the long nights.

But event more than that, it’s an opportunity to discover light that isn’t material and isn’t affected by where the sun happens to be.

Remember, the Scriptures say “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light” but it didn’t say there was a sun or even stars – it was just light. 

Do you know anyone who just lights up a room? Someone who just somehow is light? That person can be you. Light is light and you can find it – maybe with a fair amount of effort – by determinedly looking away from the dark thoughts, the gloomy reminiscences, the critical and downbeat thoughts, to actual loving thoughts, thoughts that look for the good and thoughts that are not centred in the body or things or what you think you’ve lost.

Light really is here now, even if we don’t seem to be able to see it just yet. But we can turn to the light – and actually be the light – when dark thoughts tempt us to be down. Accepting the fact that Light is here and is real, actually filling the universe,  it’s easier to express light ourselves.

Try it each time the darkness has a go at taking over your thought. Persisting with it will work, just as switching on a light in a room instantly dispels the darkness. It can’t hold out against light.

Outdoor Lights

Level up your lighting decorations with smart LED lights Twinkly Festoon.

Whether you’re hosting summer parties and barbecues, planning a dinner with friends, or sitting back to relax, create just the right vibe with Festoon. Available in multiple lengths and with various numbers of bulbs, these premium, app-controlled, addressable LEDs were designed for extraordinary brightness and color quality in over 16 million colors. Perfect for use both indoors and outdoors.

The post Let there be light! appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

We’ve priced up the best gadgets on the market and, where we can, included the cost of running them. Overall we’ve found that an electric blanket, for example, is much cheaper to run than your radiators.

Whatever your situation, we’ve got something for everyone.

• Hot water bottles and electric blankets
• Warm sheets and blankets
• Heat-producing products
• Sheepskin and wool products
• Warmth you can wear

Hot water bottles and Electric Blankets

Energyguide.org.uk has calculated that it costs around £4.50 to run an average sized gas boiler.

According to the Citizens Advice website, it costs an average of 7p to boil a full kettle. That will fill a normal sized hottie and one of those new long thin ones you may have seen. (Remember you should always let the water cool down a little bit before filling a hot water bottle and never fill it completely full.)

You can buy a cosy long hot water bottle from Dunelm for just £14.

Wilko sell a basic hot water bottle with cover for £6.50.

Electric blankets are a great way of warming your bed when the heating is off. Just pop it on for an hour or two before bedtime and then it will stay warm with body heat through the night. Silentnight sell one for £22 (available from Asda) which they say costs 1p to heat up for 2 hours.

If it’s a really bitter night, keeping your electric blanket on until morning would cost you a few pence, compared with leaving the central heating on it’s a much more cost efficient way of staying warm.

We are big fans of heated throws here at MoneyMagpie and VonHaus does a quality range of them. They have a great one reduced to £49.99 right now.

WARM SHEETS AND BLANKETS

Another way of staying warm in bed is to use a weighted blanket. Amazon sell one for £18.99. Not only do they keep you warm, there is something ever so comforting about them, they keep you calm and are very cosy.

Another idea is to use a heat-reflective bedsheet underlay. These were developed by NASA to help astronauts cope with freezing conditions in space. This version stops heat from escaping through your mattress. You can buy one from Coopers of Stortford for just £19.99.

Have  you heard of teddy fleece duvet covers? Along with brushed cotton sheets, this combination will help you stay warm in bed all night long. You can get both from Marks and Spencer. Duvet cover sets start from £19.50 and the sheets from £12.50.

Lastly you can buy teddy bear fleecy throws from Dunelm for as little as £10 – these really are very cosy and are great to wrap yourself in.

It also makes a big difference to have a  warm duvet. Slumberland does a fantastic range – we’ve tried them! – and their All Seasons duvet is particularly good at this time of year. They go from 4.5-10.5 tog and retail from 325 upwqrds.

Heat-producing products

Selkistore sell heat pads that cost £33.99. Although aimed at one part of your body (they are intended for people with issues that require therapeutic heat), they can work to keep the whole of you warm.

Amazon also sell heating pads that are great to either sit on or pop on your lap, especially if you work from home. They have one that costs £15.34 that we’ve tried and it really does work!

SHEEPSKIN and WOOL PRODUCTS

Sheepskin is amazingly warm – almost too hot for some! One of our team wears sheepskin gloves to walk her dog and even in the depths of winter, on the coldest of days, she can find her hands are so hot she needs to remove the gloves.

Sheepskin products can be a bit pricey, but they will often last for years and are worth keeping an eye on the sales for.

Real wool products are also very warming, but are often cheaper. You can get a pure wool blanket from LaRedoute for £14.

The same can be said for wool and you can get real wool throws for a really reasonable price these days. Pagazzi have a fantastic one for only £45 which looks great on the sofa

WARMTH YOU CAN WEAR

Another member of the team swears by her Oodie. The people who make the Oodie describe them as “like a jumper crossed with a blanket , crossed with a cloud.” They are on sale at the time of writing – you can grab an adult sized one for £54.

Another idea is the Selkbag. It’s even warmer than the Oodie but a little less easy to move around in. We can only describe it as a giant sleeping bag.  They retail at around £59.99 but you really wouldn’t need anything else on to stay warm and of course they are free to run.

Lovely warm clothes

The best way to keep warm as you move around the house, of course, is to wear warm clothes. Have layers on if you can so that you can take some off if you’re by the fire and put them on if you’re in the kitchen.

We’re big fans of thermal-wear and the big brand for that is Damart. We love their Thermolactyl Pyjamas – soft and lightweight, great for relaxing on the sofa watching your favourite film. Lovely ribbed fabric, these thermal pyjamas are a hit for a cosy afternoon in. Sale price £27.50

They also do lovely, cosy, fur-lined slip-on Thermolactyl mules that we found really comfy. Warm and very comfortable, perfect for those who prefer a slip-on rather than a boot style slipper.  Memory foam adds to the comfort and at £25, a great price point from a well known brand. £25.00 

There’s also the heated gilet from Yardforce. It’s a light-weight gilet that you can heat up through a USB port. It’s like wearing a heated throw…but much lighter. It’s brilliant for anyone who needs to spend extra time out in the cold, or even if you want a bit of extra heat around your upper body as you move around the house.

Do you have any products or top tips about how to stay warm without using the central heating? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

The post How to stay warm without putting the heating on appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Winter energy bills always start creeping up from around October until April, as the heating goes on more, tumble dryers replace air drying on a line, and we spend more time indoors on dark nights. Keeping the costs down is something we’re all looking to do, so we’ve created this handy guide with Uswitch for energy saving tips to reduce your winter energy bills this year.

Improve Your Home’s Heat Retention

Switch and Fix Your Tariff

Make the Most of Night Rates

Double Your Power with Battery Devices

Use Auto-On LED Lights

Reduce Tumble Drying Time

Turn the Heat Down

Apply for Bill Discounts

Improve Your Home’s Heat Retention

A few small changes can make a difference to how much heat is lost from your home. Removing draughts and improving insulation is really straightforward and cheap to do, but will save on your bills every winter as the heat stays in your home instead of wafting away from it!

1. Hang thermal curtains

You don’t need to get rid of your existing curtains, but instead buy thermal curtains and either hang them behind your existing ones or sew them to the lining for a neater look. This will keep the heat in during winter – and help keep the heat out during summer, too.

2. Use draught excluders

Stuff an old pillowcase with the endless plastic carrier bags we know you’ve got stuffed under the sink! You can also use draught tape around doors and windows to help prevent the wind getting in.

3. Consider thermal window film

If you don’t have double glazing, thermal window film can help improve the insulation of your windows. It can be expensive though, so if you don’t mind how the window looks you can also use bubble wrap! Cut to size of the window pane and spray some water on the window. Apply with the bubbles facing the window, as this traps the air and creates a thermal barrier.

4. Look for energy grants

Some homeowners and tenants might be eligible for home improvement grants to improve the heat efficiency of their property. Local authorities may have grants to improve your home’s insulation, change an old boiler, or install air pumps. The Government also sometimes run schemes like the Boiler Upgrade program, so check Gov.uk for help.

Switch and Fix Your Tariff

When was the last time you shopped around for your energy supplier? Most people will keep the same supplier from when they move in, not realising they might be able to save hundreds of pounds a year. This is especially true for households with previously fixed tariffs that have ended, and may have been migrated to a higher rolling tariff – or those who have just moved house and have the legacy of the previous owner’s supplier to deal with.

Use a comparison service like Uswitch to check out available tariffs from each supplier. You’ll be able to compare them to find out if you can save money.

The price cap goes up again in October 2024 from £1,568 to £1,717, and there’s no guarantee it won’t rise again in the future either – prices will likely stay high throughout winter. Fixing a tariff for at least twelve months will give you some peace of mind over the fluctuating cap and energy prices.

Finding the Best Energy Prices

When you compare energy prices and suppliers with a service like Uswitch, make sure you have the most detailed information you can. For example, find out your annual usage by finding a bill from a year ago and your most recent bill. Take the meter reading from the old one away from the new one, and that’s how many kWh you’ve used in the last year.

Having an accurate picture like this will make sure the options you’re presented with are as accurate as possible.

Also, think about whether you want to stay in your property for the next year or if there’s a chance you might move. This is because some tariffs have exit rates if you leave within a certain period of time, and people don’t always move their supplier to their new house. So, if you’re moving, weigh up the exit fee against the annual savings to see if you should fix your tariff and be prepared to pay the fee if you move, or if opting for a slightly higher tariff will end up cheaper overall if you don’t need to pay an exit fee.

Check the Standing Charge Rate

When you’re comparing prices to find the best energy tariff for your needs, remember to take into account the standing charge cost. This might seem a lot higher than others, but the unit rate is lower – or the other way around. Which one suits you better all depends on the energy you use, so do your sums.

If you’re switching energy supplier for a second home or an empty property you’re trying to sell, a lower standing charge is usually the better option. This is because the unit rate will be high but you won’t use much energy if the house is empty all or most of the time.

If you’re switching for your main home, a higher standing charge with lower unit rate could be beneficial for those who use a lot of energy, such as families or people who work from home.

Check for Electric Car Tariffs

Our final tip for finding the best energy tariff to switch to is to look for specific electric car rates, if you have an electric vehicle. This is because some suppliers offer unique tariffs that allow you to charge at a cheaper rate during the night, specifically for your EV charger. This could save you hundreds of pounds across the year.

Make the Most of Night Rates

Some people will have Economy 10 meters, which use a day rate and a night rate. The night rate is much cheaper than the day – but the hours are limiting, usually between midnight and 6am.

If you have one of these meters and a two-rate tariff, make the most of the night rate. If it won’t disturb people (such as if you’re in a detached house with a utility room) put your laundry on a timer to run at night. Set the dishwasher to run in the early hours. And for those with a hot water tank, time your heating for the cheap rate to save on hot water.

Double Your Power with Battery and Rechargeable Devices

While we’re on savvy energy usage, if you have a cheaper night rate make sure that’s the time you charge devices like laptops and mobile phones. Many people also charge power banks on their cheaper rate, so they can minimise the use of chargers for electronic devices during the daytime. (And, if you’re out and about during the day, charge your phone at the office or while you commute on the train!).

But anybody can also make the most of charging their devices and then using the battery time. It’s so easy to constantly keep your laptop or tablet plugged in even when it’s fully charged, so you’re wasting energy. When the battery is full, disconnect the charger and use the device until the battery is in the red. It’s healthier for the battery AND your bank balance.

Use plug-in timers, too. Many of us will leave something to charge for several hours when it only needs a couple. Reduce your energy usage by setting a timer for your chargers.

Use Auto-On LED Lights

Do you have a porch light that you always forget to turn off? Perhaps you need a lamp for your pantry or wardrobe. Battery-powered LED lights are cheap and efficient, and can be put anywhere. They can be set to automatically turn on when they detect movement, which saves the battery and also stops you from accidentally leaving lights on everywhere.

A common use is to have one in the bathroom, so that if you have to get up in the night you don’t switch on a noisy fan with the main light. They’re also useful for porches, cupboards, and under kitchen cabinets for some extra lighting.

Reduce Tumble Drying Time

Tumble dryers are incredibly useful in winter months as the weather gets too wet and cold to air dry clothes outside. However, they absolutely eat energy!

Make sure you don’t overload your tumble when you do use it, as this extends the time you need to get everything dry.

You should also run your laundry on an extra spin cycle in the washing machine (most have a ten-minute quick spin option). This significantly reduces the amount of moisture in clothes, which reduces the time required to dry them.

You could also switch entirely to a heated airer instead. A tumble dryer costs around 40p to run per hour compared to a heated airer around 17p, and it’s also much more gentle on your clothes.

Turn the Heat Down

Yes, you’ve heard it before – but it really can make a difference! Turning down the thermostat by just a couple of degrees can make a significant dent in your energy bills. Pop on some socks and slippers, wear layers, and use that hot water bottle you have forgotten about in the back of the wardrobe.

You can also set timers for your heating to make sure it is on at the most efficient times. For example, in deep winter we all like waking to a warm house – but if you then all leave to go to work, there’s no need for it to be on. If you wake at 6am to leave by 8am, set the heating to come on at 5.45am and off at 7.45am. The same goes for the evenings – you can set the house to warm at chosen hours, but reduce the temperature or turn it off while you’re sleeping.

Apply for Discounts

If you’re a low income household you could claim the Warm Home Discount. Check with your supplier to find out if you’re eligible. If so, £140 credit is added to your account by March of each year (applications open in October) to help with the cost of winter energy bills.

For those over State Pension age, despite all the furore in the news recently, there are many who can still claim the Winter Fuel Payment, which is either £200 or £300 towards fuel bills.

The post How to Cut Your Winter Energy Bills appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

To avoid higher charges from the new price cap starting on October 1, households on standard variable tariffs (SVTs) without a smart meter must submit their meter readings by Tuesday.

The average SVT household with typical usage is expected to spend £55 on energy in September, but this will increase to £135 in October. This spike is due to a combination of higher energy rates and increased usage as autumn begins.

Households on SVTs without a smart meter who fail to submit meter readings before October 1 may have some of their energy usage estimated and charged at the new, higher rates.

Read Your Meter

Submit Meter Readings

Think Your Bill Is Wrong?

Should You Fix Your Tariff Now?

Read Your Meter

While meters all vary a little between each other, there are a few common similarities. If you’ve never taken a meter reading before, here’s how to do a meter read.

Your meter will have a line of numbers. If it starts with a zero, you may not need to write that down. Some online submission forms require a zero though, so make a note just in case.

You may also have numbers after a decimal point that are in red. You don’t need to write those numbers down.

If you have a day/night rate, look for two visible rows of numbers, or  press a button to display the second row. Make sure you write down both as these are your day and night numbers.

Some may have older digital meters, especially if you’re on an Eco10 or Eco7 tariff. This is where you have two supplies, one for storage heaters and another for everything else. If this is the case, your meter will show four readings instead of two.

You need to cycle through the digital displays, usually by pressing a button that says ‘display’ or similar. It will tell you the time, the date, and the four different rates. It is likely that some of these numbers will look very small compared to the others, this is normal – your night rate on an eco tariff might be hardly used in the summer months, for example.

Make sure you take readings for both your electricity and gas meters if you have both types supplied to your property.

Always take a photo of your meter if you can. This will help with evidence if there is ever a bill dispute. Keep the photos in a separate folder to make them easy to find and compare.

Submit Meter Readings

When you have read your meter, most energy companies let you submit your meter reading online. Log in to your account online and submit the reading, making sure you have the day and night rate the correct way around before pressing submit.

You can also use live web chat on the website to submit the reading to an agent, if you prefer.

Many people like to speak to someone, especially if they have a complex meter like an Eco10 meter. Use the main contact phone number to get in touch, ensuring you have your account details and meter readings to hand. Make sure you ask the phone agent to repeat the numbers back to you, to check they have input them correctly.

If You Dispute Your Bill

If you haven’t submitted a meter reading in a long time (or ever), your energy bill could wildly change. This might go in your favour with a nice big refund, or it could land you with a big bill. This is because energy companies use estimates unless you give them accurate readings, so they could have been over- or under-estimating a lot.

If you think there is something wrong with your billing, the first step is to get in touch with your supplier. Sometimes, it can be something as simple as your day and night rates being input the wrong way around. However, it might be a more serious billing issue which needs investigating.

Your energy supplier should look into it and keep you updated of their actions. If you haven’t heard anything within ten working days, raise a formal complaint. This should escalate the issue to help reach a resolution. If, after eight weeks from the date of complaint, you haven’t reached a resolution, you can appeal to the energy ombudsman.

They will look at the evidence of both sides of the complaint and find a resolution. This could go in your favour, such as compensation for inaccurate billing, or it could go in the energy company’s favour, such as owing the debt they say you have. Make sure you have a strong case before you appeal to the ombudsman.

Should You Fix Your Energy Tariff Now?

With the Energy Price Cap at its lowest to date, until at least October, now is a good time for locking in a fixed price tariff for most people. This will secure a lower tariff for 12 months compared to if you stay on your current tariff or a variable one that can go up and down with the market.

If you want to switch tariff, contact your energy supplier to find out which rates are on offer and how to switch. There might be an exit fee if you’re still in a fixed-term contract, but usually you can get this waived if you’re staying with the same provider, so make sure you’re ready to haggle!

The post Warning: It’s Meter Reading Week So Act Now appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

The July Price Cap

Why Fix Your Energy Price?

Jasmine Says

How to Shop Around for Energy Deals

The July Energy Price Cap

In a two-for-one bonus for households this summer, not only is the energy price cap reducing by 7% from 1st July, reduced need for heating and energy in the house will slash energy bills for a few months.

If you’re on a Direct Debit payment, it was a good time to check how much credit you’ve built up on your energy account too. Your summer bills will be lower, so you could get some money back from your energy supplier if you need some more cash in your pocket. Direct Debits have been set at an historically high level in the past year, combined with a warm winter reducing heating costs, so you could have hundreds of pounds sitting there!

The July price cap only applies to 30th September. This means that the October cap could – and is predicted to – rise. That’s why it’s a good time to start preparing to switch tariffs to lock in a good rate. You have a few months to do so, which gives you time to switch if your on a fixed tariff due to end between now and 30th September 2024.

Why Fix Your Energy Tariff?

As we’ve seen in recent years, energy pricing has become increasingly volatile. There are several reasons for this, such as international unrest disrupting supply.

A fixed energy tariff has previously been risky in recent years, as you might have ended up fixing at a higher price overall and locking yourself into a contract when others are paying less for their energy. However, the combination of the July reduction AND the anticipated October increase, means now is a good time to make the most of deals.

Variable tariffs go up and down with the market – which means you can easily be surprised with a large energy bill even with a reduction in usage. Fixed tariffs don’t do this, but that does mean when prices drop you could pay more than those on a variable.

Jasmine’s Thoughts on the Energy Price Cap:

Go for a nice cheap 12-month fix if you can. That way, you lock in the summer rate for a good few months. I wouldn’t go for more than that, as it’s likely that bills will come down a little in January. Of course, we don’t know what will happen geopolitically in the next year – if tensions between the West and Russia continue to worsen, we could find our bills going up again. We also don’t know the outcome of the General Election and how that could impact prices. For the moment, I’d say it’s safest to fix for 12 months and then see what happens.

How to Shop Around for Energy Deals

Your current supplier might already offer an ideal fixed term tariff, so that’s the best place to start. Existing customers may get preferential rates too, so log into your online account or call your provider to find out about your tariff options. Your supplier cannot tell you which the best rate is for your usage (as they could get in trouble if they advise incorrectly), but they can tell you about the options you have.

Make a note of the different rates for day and night (if they are there) as well as the standing charge. Check the term is for 12 months, too. Then shop around before you commit.

Research other providers by looking at their websites or using a comparison tool. There are sometimes switching incentives too. Remember that if you are on a fixed term contract already, there may be financial penalties to switch supplier. Some providers offer to cover these fees for you if you switch to them.

Next, look at your last year of bills to get an idea of your average usage across the year. This is important, because the cheaper summer months can be misleading if you use those to work out your annual bill. Look for the kW/h price as well as the standing charge. Work out how many kW/h you used in the last year by subtracting a meter reading from 12 months ago from one taken today. This will help you decide if a tariff switch is a better price across the year.

Check our compoarisons now.

The post Experts Say “There Are Few Weeks Left to Fix on Your Energy Prices” appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

It took me years to get a dryer. I seemed to be living at our launderette: something I hadn’t done since my student days. My mother-in-law visited and suggested we get the same one as her. It changed our lives.

The dryer we purchased was Haier’s incredible I-PRO Series 7 Plus Tumble Dryer.

This tumble dryer which is A+++ rated, boasts incredible advanced technologies and knows how to enhance your drying, leaving clothes smelling fresh, perfectly clean and dry and even prolonging their life.

It has something called “I-Refresh function” and this works by magically adjusting the temperature and the duration of each cycle according to the type of fabric, allowing you to obtain perfectly dry and clean laundry.

The Hygienic Program ensures a longer and better life for your clothing by eliminating more than 99% of bacteria from garments. Plus, with the 3-in-1 filter, performances are maintained at the highest level at every cycle, since lint and fibres are gathered together and not allowed to fluctuate inside the drum.

Gold Standard Energy Saving

We’re all aware that energy costs have gone through the roof in recent years, so I was pleased to find out that the I-PRO Series 7 Plus Dryer could save us up to £6,185* over its lifetime thanks to the smart technology making sure each cycle is efficient for whatever it is drying. Not only do you save money with the smart cycles, you’re saving the environment every time you dry, too. No more leaving the dryer running needlessly for hours on end, wasting cash and electricity.

Benefits of Smart Drying

Smart drying comes with a bunch more benefits than cash savings, too. The hOn app lets you check the machine from wherever you are – even when you’re away from home. You’ll never forget your laundry either, as it’ll send a notification when the cycle is finished.

Extending the lifetime of your appliances is another important way to save money, and the programmed maintenance updates and reminders can help you stay on top of essential maintenance to keep your dryer in tip-top condition.

The smart aspect of drying is my favourite bit of the whole appliance: it’ll give you suggestions for the perfect setting for each load, making sure you’re not accidentally shrinking your smalls or putting on a cycle that’s hours longer than it needs to be.

For the tech lovers out there, you can even use the app to get real-time energy consumption data as well as track your usage habits. Why is this cool? Because it means you can look at how you use your dryer and discover ways to be even more efficient – do you run loads of half-loads, for example? Combine into fewer each week and you’re saving on energy consumption and chores in one fell swoop!

Haier, the number one global appliance brand for the past 15 consecutive years, is at the forefront of providing solutions for the smart home. In drying, the Haier series of tumble dryers were created to deliver professional-level laundry results in the comfort of your own home. Each one of its features has been designed to improve performance, while at the same time reducing noise and energy consumption, saving you time and even allowing you to fine tune the duration of your drying cycles.

Check out Haier’s complete range of tumble dryers. Here you’ll see the energy efficiency rating of each one along with their savings and how they can contribute to your not only your home  but the way you do your household tasks.

Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.

The post Get Professional Drying at Home with Haier’s Smart and Efficient Dryer appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Most importantly – don’t ever ignore a bill. It won’t go away and the problem will only get worse.

• Ask for help
• Are you eligible for more benefits?
• I can’t pay my energy bills
• I can’t pay my rent
• I can’t pay my council tax
• Are loans worth it?
• Jasmine’s advice
• More useful links

Ask for help

Speak to the organisation you owe money to. It is possible they will work with you to arrange smaller payments, more time to pay or to take a short break while you sort yourself out.

Contact your local council. They might be able to offer help with bills, food and essential items like clothes or even appliances. This is known as ‘welfare assistance’. The help available is different depending on where you live but it is always worth asking.

You can find out how to contact your local council here.

Are you eligible for more Benefits?

If you are already on benefits or are struggling to pay for food or your rent you should check to see what extra help you can get. Other criteria include:

• Being sick or disabled
• Out of work
• On a low income
• Pensioner on a low income
• Being a carer
• Being responsible for children

Citizens Advice has a really helpful page where you can check what benefits you can get.

I can’t pay my energy bills

First – contact your provider. They might be able to arrange for you to pay less or to pay over a longer time to clear your debt. If you don’t know who your supplier is click here for the Ofgem website.

The “Big 6” energy suppliers are:

• British Gas
• Scottish Power
• Npower
• E.ON
• EDF Energy
• OVO

You might be able to apply for a grant to help you pay your energy bills. Are you:

• Pensionable Age?
• Registered Disabled?
• On a low income (or no income)?
• Or have you missed a payment to your supplier?

If you can answer yes to any of these check here to see if you can apply for a grant.

I can’t pay my rent

If this is you, don’t panic. First speak to your landlord – they might give you more time to pay. If they won’t accept your offer (based on what you can afford), pay what you can and keep a really careful record of every payment.

If you are a council tenant – talk to your housing officer. They will do what they can to help you and give you advice.

If you’re really struggling, you could get benefits to help you pay, such as Universal Credit or Housing Benefit. (You’ll usually get Universal Credit if you’re under State Pension age. You’ll usually get Housing Benefit if you’re over State Pension age.)

Click here for more information about how to find out if you can apply:

• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit

If you are already on benefits and can’t pay your rent, you can apply for a discretionary housing payment (DHP). This is extra money from the council to help you pay your rent. (You need to be already getting Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit to get DHP). You get DHP by applying to your local council.

Talk to Citizens Advice if you are threatened with eviction. Don’t worry – your landlord cannot evict you with no notice. There is a process they have to follow. Even at this stage it’s not too late to come to an agreement with them.

I can’t pay my council tax

If you miss a council tax payment you should contact your local council straightaway. Don’t wait for them to contact you. Missing a payment means you are in arrears.

Ask to speak to someone in the Council Tax office and explain what’s happened. They will be able to advise you on what to do and what help they can offer (this is different depending on where you live).

Remember – mortgages are different. Click here for the MoneyMagpie guide on what to do if you can’t pay your mortgage or miss a payment.

Are loans worth it?

Be really careful when it comes to loans. It’s often much more expensive to borrow money to pay off debt as it means paying interest on what you borrowed. It’s much better to negotiate with your landlord or energy provider first. Loans should be a last resort.

If you feel you have no other option then make sure the lender is on the FCA register. If they aren’t – do not borrow money from them. You can check by clicking here.

JASMINE’S ADVICE

Jasmine says, “A lot of companies have the ability to give you extra time or even to reduce or write off your debt. It depends on your circumstances of course and it’s often a good idea to get a debt advisor to speak to them on your behalf. Volunteers at Community Money Advice, Christians Against Poverty, StepChange, Citizens Advice and others are really used to doing this. It may harm your credit rating if you have to go through this but it could be worth it just to reduce your current debts.”

MORE USEFUL LINKS

Here are some more useful links with information on what to do if you can’t pay your household bills:

• Citizens Advice
• Moneyhelper.org
• Financial Ombudsman

The post What to do if you can’t pay your bills appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

‘Generation rent has forgotten how lucky it is,’ a leading broadsheet newspaper claimed this week.  Tell that to my friend’s 25-year-old son who, like most of his generation, has had to watch up to half his income each month be swallowed up by rent, and that’s before bills, eating, commuting and life came into the equation. 

He could have moved further out from his South London flat but then he’d have to pay much higher commuting costs and the real savings would be minimal.  Instead, when the rent jumped from £1,600 to £2,200, he decided to move back home and try and save some money – an impossibility when he was renting. 

The rise in renters has led to high demand yet it was revealed today the number of UK properties available has hit a 14-year low.  No surprise then some tenants are offering above the market rate to secure a property.   

The knock-on-effect of this is that the average asking price for rent outside London has reached a record £1,190 a month while average London prices have topped £2,500 for the first time , according to experts at quotezone.

• Are renters ‘lucky’?
• Renters waiting for a house rises from 20 to 25

• More than 1 in 3 renters use credit to pay rent

• Four in 10 renters can’t pay their rent
• The reality of renting: A case study
• What help exists to protect renters?
• Tips for renters
• Further help

Are renters ‘lucky’?

One broadsheet analyst suggests renters should consider themselves lucky when compared to people who stretched themselves to get on the property ladder at the peak of the market, and are now left to face punishing mortgage rises alone. 

He even highlights the fact that renting is risk- and responsibility-free, pointing out that the landlord picks up the bills for the big things – roof leaks, broken ovens and washing machines – and that it enables tenants to live in places they couldn’t afford to buy as well as giving them flexibility. 

But the stark truth is that however you manage to keep a roof over your head these days, latest figures from the Office for National Statistics reports 2.65 million people ran out of food in the past two weeks and couldn’t afford to buy more, such is their struggle with rents, mortgages and the cost of living. 

Renters waiting for a house rises from 20 to 25

The average queue of tenants requesting to view a rental property in Britain has jumped from an already high 20 to a depressing 25 in five months, figures show.

Four in 10 renters are finding it hard to keep paying their rent

Laura Suter, Head of Personal Finance at A J Bell says: ‘On average renters are handing over more than a fifth of their disposable income to have somewhere to live and that’s before they’ve heated it or paid council tax. And around four in 10 renters are finding it difficult to keep paying their rent.’ 

She adds: ‘What is emerging is a split society – those who face higher rent or mortgage costs and experience financial vulnerability compared to older, wealthier people who own their own home outright and are protected from the negative effects of rate hikes.’

If equity release is an option, you can find out more about it here.

The reality of renting: A case study

Inevitably there are some landlords who are more ruthless than others, as Susan Kane (not real name) from York discovered.  

‘I was renting a house for £950 a month in a fashionable area of the city.  It had one bedroom, no central heating, and a horrific black mould problem that started to impact my health.  

‘When I told my landlord he suggested I open the windows, despite the fact it was minus 3 degrees outside and there was ice on the inside of the windows.  Multiple times he refused to help, when he actually did something it was to simply paint over the mould and said it was sorted. 

‘I wasn’t in a financial position to move so was stuck in the mould pit – he had the power and he knew it. 

‘Every shower, every potato boiled created damp, we spent a fortune on dehumidifiers.  The landlord said we could just move if we didn’t like it.  We had zero stability and the ever-present fear of being made homeless.  When we could finally afford to move out two years later we saw the house go back on the market two months later. 

‘There was still no central heating, the front door was like pulp, caused by the damp and the same lack of double glazing yet the rent had gone up to £1,400 a month for the same hellhole’. 

What help exists to protect renters?

Susan could have taken action but some landlords, as is likely in this case, can decide to evict rather than repair, says www.citizensadvice.org.uk. You could contact the local authority’s Environmental Health Department or take them to court but this is both time consuming and costly. For help and advice go to their website.  

Cases like this highlight the need to know how to make the most of being a renter, including taking photos prior to moving in and taking inventory of damage to safeguard your deposit and avoid money being withheld at the end of a tenancy.  

Tips for renters

Think about your amenities: 

Is a gym, parking space or onsite washer and dryer included in the tenancy? Have you considered commuting costs and proximity to friends and family? This can help make a more-informed decision about the pros and cons of a particular property and whether it will actually be cheaper for you or not over time. 

Pay on time:

Your credit score can be badly affected if you don’t pay on time, making it harder to get a mortgage and other credit in the future. Some landlords also charge hundreds of pounds in late fees. Be honest if you are struggling and they may offer you some flexibility. 

Consider a roommate:

Sharing costs will give you more disposable income, even if it’s for the short term. But make sure you discuss it with your landlord to ensure you aren’t in breach of your contract and make sure there is a written agreement about how rent and utilities will be divided. 

Know your rights:

There should always be a month’s notice in place for price increases on rent. The rise should be fair, realistic and in line with other properties in the area. The price can only be increased once per year and remember that you can negotiate. 

Do an inventory:

Take photos and videos of its condition – doors, windows, and highlighting anything that needs the landlords attention.  Don’t be afraid to speak up.  Landlords can’t make deduction for wear and tear.  Do date and time stamp any damage you notice so you can’t be blamed.  Problems such as damp walls and mould will need to be addressed immediately for health reasons and to prevent it becoming more serious. 

If something goes wrong:

If there’s an accident in the property it is important to notify the landlord straight away as this can help safeguard your deposit and avoid further damage. 

Tenants insurance:

This covers your items against theft and damage of furniture, electrical equipment and anything else you own. It also covers fire, floods and water damage. Check your tenancy agreement as some landlords insist you have insurance as part of the agreement.  

Further help

If you need help with an issue, try www.justicefortenants.org for free advice and support. 

The post The Truth About Renting as Rental Crisis Deepens appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Here at MoneyMagpie we’ve put together a guide on how to keep your home dust-free and clean  – without breaking the bank. We tell you what you need (basics and extras); what you should spend; how to clean on a budget; and included some fun tips and tricks.

Just remember that when using home-made cleaning products, it’s really important to spot-test surfaces before launching in with a cloth soaked in lemon juice or vinegar. Always wear gloves, even if what you are using is natural. (Some essential oils can irritate the skin.) Don’t use things like vinegar neat – always water it down. Lastly, read the box – products like soda crystals need to be used with care.

Time to dig out that apron…

• What you need
• How much to spend
• How to use these products
• How to clean with items found around the home
• More tips and tricks
• Be careful…!

What you need

Before you get going you need to see if you’ve got the following. (If not, we’ve included a handy guide on what to buy and how much to spend below). Don’t forget, you can use microfibre cloths to save money. They are designed to work with just water. Also don’t bother buying specifics products (like a bathroom or kitchen spray), try a general all-purpose cleaner or the Pink Stuff. They work just as well but are versatile and will save you money in the long run.

Essentials:

• White distilled vinegar
• Bicarbonate of soda
• Soda crystals
• Empty spray bottle
• Lemons and grapefruit
• Foil
• An old or cheap toothbrush
• All-purpose cleaner
• Microfibre cloths
• The Pink Stuff

Extras:

• Shaving foam
• Coffee filter
• Essential oils

How much to spend

You can get all the essentials (minus the shaving foam, coffee filters and essential oils) from the list above for under £10:

You can buy a litre of white distilled vinegar from Wilko for £1.50.

When it comes to bicarbonate of soda, don’t waste your money on those small tubes of bicarbonate of soda for baking, they are far more expensive per gram. You can get a 500g box from the Online Poundstore for £1.65.

You can get a 1kg bag of Dri Pak Soda Crystals from Sainsbury’s for 80p.

Lemons and grapefruit – around 30p for a lemon and 50p for a grapefruit.

If you don’t have an empty spray bottle you can use (for mixing vinegar and water) you can buy one from Wilko for £1.50.

Asda Smart Price Foil is only 68p for 20m.

Cheap toothbrush – get two for 25p from Asda.

Tesco own brand 1L all purpose cleaner £1.25.

Microfibre cloths are 4 for £1 at the Poundshop.

The Pink Stuff – 500g pot of paste  for £1 at Asda.

Extras:

If you want to add essential oils, you can get these from places like the Poundshop and chemists like Boots. Nikura has an incredibly wide range of scents with prices at around £2.30 for 10ml. You only need a drop or two so it should last.

You can get a pack of 40 coffee filter papers from Tesco online for £1.20 (for cleaning screens).

Tesco own brand essential shaving foam costs just 70p.

How to use these products…

Now you’ve got what you need – what can you do with them?

Vinegar

• Fill a spray bottle with 50:50 white vinegar and water to clean most surfaces.
• Use vinegar and water (50:50) to descale your kettle. Make sure it’s unplugged and that everyone knows you are cleaning it! Leave to soak overnight, empty, rinse, fill, boil and discard that water and rinse again.
• Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and water 1:9 ratio – and use to clean your windows. Don’t do this on warm sunny days as the glass will dry too quickly and you’ll get smears. Use a microfibre cloth to buff to a shine.

Bicarbonate of soda (bicarb for short)

• Clean your shower head with a freezer bag filled with vinegar and bicarb, seal with a plastic band and allow to soak overnight. Remove and rinse really well.
• Make a paste with bicarb and water and apply to the inside of the oven. Leave overnight. Next day, spray with vinegar and then wipe away the grime.
• Clean off tannin stains from teaspoons and mugs by making a paste with bicarb and a little water, rub round stain then rinse well.
• Odours – use bicarb in a ramekin in the fridge to get rid of smells; sprinkle in bottom of bin to keep it smelling fresh; deodorise pet beds, upholstery and carpets by sprinkling and then vaccuuming up.
• Bicarb can also be used to freshen gym clothes by soaking the items in the sink with cool water and five or six tablespoons of bicarb. Rinse well then wash as normal.
• Clean grout with a bicarb/water paste and an old or cheap toothbrush. Spread on, then spray with vinegar. It should start bubbling! Next, scrub gently with toothbrush (even an old electric one would work well). Rinse well with clean water.
• Clean your Tupperware, takeaway boxes and lunchboxes with bicarb. Sprinkle on a clean sponge and wipe. For stubborn stains like tomato sauce, soak in a solution of four tablespoons of bicarb with a litre of water.
• Add bicarb to your washing up liquid for extra oomph.
• Naturally clean children’s toys with a damp sponge dipped in bicarb (rinse well after).
• Remove crayon from walls with bicarb.
• Use bicarb to clean mildew off windows and frames as well as shower curtains and tiles.

Soda crystals can be used for:

• Cleaning/deodorising washing machine.
• Removing burnt bits from pans.
• Keeping sinks clean and clear (and smell free).
• Unblocking drains.
• Removing moss/algae from patios.

Remember to read the instructions on the box for amounts and how to use. Always wear gloves.

Foil

• Clean your iron with foil and salt. Turn on iron (without steam function), sprinkle some salt on the foil and the salt with pull off the grime.
• Use tin foil instead of Brillo (or other metal scourer). Scrunch it up into a ball and use as you would a scourer.
• Use ketchup on scrunched up tin foil to clean rust off stainless steel.

Lemon and grapefruit

• Use half a lemon to clean stainless steel.
• Use half a grapefruit sprinkled with salt to clean soap scum marks off bath and basin.
• Clean chopping boards with lemon juice, leave overnight and then rinse really well.

Coffee filter

• Use a coffee filter to clean TV and computer screens. Cloth cleaners create static which attracts more dust.

Shaving Foam

Use cheap shaving foam to polish stainless steel, clean toilets and remove carpet stains.

How to clean with items found around the home

• Use a hairdryer to remove dust, cobwebs and dirt from radiators.
• Use uncooked rice to clean vases. Swirl round in warm water then add a dishwasher or denture tablet and leave overnight. Should come up sparkling.
• Use an old damp sock to clean venetian blinds.  Put it on your hand and wipe away…
• Use nail varnish remover to clean product build up on hair straighteners (just a little on a cotton pad).
• Use cold tea to clean glass and chrome. Get a bowl, fill with a litre of boiling water, add the teabag and wait for the water to cool down. Then use this water to clean mirrors, taps, glass door of oven and microwaves.
• Another use for teabags – while soaking pots and pans, drop in a used teabag and the tannins help to lift the residue.
• Use a damp rubber glove to remove pet hair. Rather than investing in expensive bespoke products, pop on your marigolds, dip your hand in cool water and rub the carpet or upholstery to remove the hair. Don’t over wet – you don’t want to create a watermark!
• Use toothpaste to remove coffee stains from mugs and tables. It can also be used to remove coffee stains from carpets and rugs.

More tips and tricks

• Use baby oil on stainless steel – hobs, kettles, splash-backs. The oil will prevent finger marks and makes cleaning them next time so much easier. You can also use baby oil to remove sticky labels (it’s way cheaper than branded label removers).
• Use your dishwasher (if you have one) to clean over racks, draining racks and fridge shelves.
• It may sound obvious but use a doormat! You can cut down on the dirt and debris that comes into your home with a good doormat. Clean it regularly though or it will stop working as well! (Take outside and knock hard against a wall.)

Be careful…!

• Avoid using bleach for cleaning. It can be so tempting to get rid of stains quickly but all you’re doing is hiding them and you could be causing surface damage (as well as damaging the environment). This is especially true with toilet seats – those yellow stains aren’t anything nasty, it’s usually build up of limescale or the wrong cleaning products (like bleach!). Use bicarb and vinegar, apply with toothbrush then wait half an hour and wipe off.
• Vinegar is great and popular for homemade cleaning – but be cautious. It should never be used on natural stone, such as marble countertops or tiles. Also, never use on the inside of an iron (to descale). If you are unsure always test an area first – eg if you don’t know what your taps are made from, be careful as the vinegar could cause more marks than it removes.
• Don’t ever spray window cleaner or vinegar on your computer screen. Remove dust with a coffee filter or microfibre cloth and if you must, you can use a slightly damp cloth to get rid of stubborn marks. Be patient, go slowly and don’t saturate the cloth or the screen.
• Don’t use nail polish remover on anything (apart from very carefully on hair straighteners!). It can damage surfaces (eg polish or varnish on wood), and discolour plastics.

Get in touch in the comments below to let us know how you’ve got on with any of these ideas and let us know how you save money on housework too!

The post How to save money on cleaning and housework appeared first on MoneyMagpie.