Step 2 Maximise your money 2 Are you getting the best deal for your phone and broadband? Whether it’s a landline or a mobile contract, phone costs vary between providers. Broadband costs also differ depending on the type of contract or package you have. You could be paying a lot more for a service than you need to. Check if you can get a better deal elsewhere. Ofcom has a list of approved comparison sites that you can use. Go to www.ofcom.org.uk and search for ‘Price comparison’. If you can't access the internet, call Ofcom on 0300 123 3333. See if you can save money by buying your broadband and landline in a package from the same provider. This is called a ‘bundle’. Ofcom says that you could save at least £15 a month by buying your broadband and landline services as a bundle. Check your contract. Are you paying for a service that you do not need, such as voicemail or call barring? Avoid using directory enquiries if you can. If you do, dial the number they give you instead of agreeing for them to transfer you. Fai’s story Fai is a stay-at-home parent with two children. She was juggling her bills and finding it difficult to pay for all her essentials. Fai decided to see whether she could reduce her everyday spending and make managing her money easier. Fai started with her grocery bill and drew up a weekly meal plan. She made a shopping list and kept to it. Fai also set herself a challenge to buy at least one cheaper brand each week. By the end of the first month, she had saved over £70 on her grocery costs. Fai then looked at her energy costs. She had been with the same supplier since she had moved into her home. She was surprised at how easy it was to do a price comparison and to change supplier. Fai expects to save around £17 a month on her new energy deal. Fai is also looking at ways to use less energy, which should cut her costs further. The changes Fai has made so far should save her over £1,000 a year. She told us that she ‘gets a buzz’ from saving money and getting a good deal. But best of all, she doesn’t have to worry about her money lasting until the end of the month. Page 35