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Housing costs

Utility bills

Shop around for the best price. Below are links to popular price comparison sites for gas and electricity. These prices go up and down all the time so it’s definitely worth looking into.

These sites are independent and show no bias towards one provider over another.

Limit the costs by:

  • Turning off lights when you leave a room.
  • Not leaving appliances on standby. Many still use 70 per cent of their energy when in standby mode.
  • Not having the heating on full for short periods of time. It's more cost-effective to lower the thermostat and leave the heating on for longer.
  • The EDF eco 20:20 tariff gives you 20% cheaper electricity from 9pm to 7am weekdays and at weekends. See more details here: http://www.edfenergy.com/products-services/for-your-home/smart-metering/energy-in-the-future.shtml
  • It often works out cheaper by amalgamating utilities and using the same provider

Make sure your bills get paid, set up direct debits. They can save you money and you will know how much you're spending. Read more here about direct debit.

Telephone

Landline

  • Shop around. You can have a different landline provider and main call provider. Use comparison sites to find out what’s the best deal for your needs.
  • Find out how much you are paying, maybe it is cheaper to make calls after 7pm or at the weekends?
  • Avoid 0870 calls – check out www.saynoto0870.com for alternative numbers. For more information about the cost of contacting 08 and 03 numbers check out www.direct.gov.uk/en/Hl1/Help/DG_173539
  • If it’s not just you using the phone, get an itemised bill so you only need to pay for your calls.
  • There are many packages out there for both landline and internet. It might be worth getting a package for extra savings.

International calls

  • You can easily buy an international calling card which cuts down the price of calls. They can be bought from most local convenience stores.
  • Do you chat a lot? Consider using Skype instead – from £3.99 for unlimited calls might save you more.

Mobile

  • Do you need pay-as-you-go or a monthly contract? Pay-as-you-go is easier to manage but often incurs a higher cost per minute. Look at how you use your phone.
  • What do your friends use? Some providers let you have free calls within the same network.
  • Be wary of taking a longer contract (eg 18–24 months) if you think your circumstances may change. It could cost you more in the long run.
  • If you enjoy going to the cinema, invest in an Orange SIM for £5 to enjoy ‘Orange Wednesdays’

Other practical advice

Before you move in

Paying for your bills

  • If you live in a house with other friends, try to share costs of food, utility bills etc by all paying into a 'house fund'.
  • Spread the cost of utility bills over the year by paying monthly by direct debit.
  • If you receive estimated utility bills, make sure that you take regular readings and let the utility company know before you pay.
  • Always double check meter readings especially whenever you move in or out of a property.
  • Check with your landlord if you have a water meter. They are free to install and you are only charged for the water you use.
    Southern Water's website
  • Always open your post, even if you find it scary or intimidating.

Insurance

  • Make sure you have adequate insurance for your belongings.
  • Check out www.endsleigh.co.uk for insurance quotes.

TV licence

Cleaning

Living with other students