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Help With Energy Bills

Get Help With Energy Bills In 2010

As the snow, ice and cold weather continues to cause havoc this week, people could be feeling financial strain when their next energy bills come through the post, as the UK uses more gas and electricity than usual in the struggle to keep warm.

According to research collected by The Scottish Power Energy People Trust there are over 2 million households throughout Britain already living in fuel poverty, spending more than 10% of their monthly income on basic energy needs (which, especially during Winter of course, includes keeping warm).

Finding help with energy bills is clearly becoming increasingly important.

Energy Suppliers and Charities that Offer Funding

If you’re having trouble paying your energy bills, Payplan recommends checking with your supplier to find out what help is available from them first.

British Gas Energy Trust

The British Gas Energy Trust offers grants to individuals and families in need, to cover arrears of energy charges and other household bills and costs.

To be eligible for an energy grant you must be a customer of British Gas or Scottish Gas.

Additionally, a winter fuel rebate of up to £90 may be available to British Gas’ most vulnerable customers.

Please contact The British Gas Trust for further information.

EDF Energy Trust Fund

EDF Energy currently fund the EDF Energy Trust, offering grants to people who have electricity, gas, telephone and other essential household bill debts.

To see if you qualify for a grant contact The EDF Energy Trust’s website for more information.

Government Schemes

The Government also offer help with various benefit and schemes to help those most vulnerable. If you are over 60 years old, you may qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment. Claims for the Winter 09/10 must be made by 30 March, 2010.

The Government also offer other energy efficient money saving schemes such as free loft and cavity wall insulation and the recent Boiler Scrappage Scheme that has been introduced for this year.

For further information you can also visit the Direct.gov website.

Free Debt Advice

If you’re struggling to afford your monthly utility bills contact Payplan today for free advice on how to manage your debts.

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Smart Supermarket Shoppers Save Money

The next time you visit your local supermarket, be aware that your store has been carefully laid out to extract as many pounds and pennies from you as possible, quite literally at every turn.

So, to save money on one of your most expensive weekly costs, you’ve got to become a smart supermarket shopper. First, you need to ‘know your enemy’.

Know Your Enemy

Layout
Designed to keep you interested and to keep you in, like a Las Vegas casino. This usually means displaying delicious fresh food first followed by the smell…

Smell
Three words – freshly baked bread.

Loss Leaders
These are items reduced below the profit margin to draw you in, either through advertising, or internally throughout the store – the gamble the supermarket makes is that they can be pretty certain you’ll buy something else that delivers them profit whilst you’re there.

Packaging
Bright, garish, over-sized packages that say “pick me, pick me!”

Check-Out
Whilst many supermarkets have removed chocolates and sweets from their counters to protect children’s teeth (and parents’ ears), these have been replaced with small everyday items such as batteries, air fresheners and sellotape. Also, offers of other services that the supermarket can provide, including credit cards, loans and insurances, are displayed.

Become a Smart Supermarket Shopper

Shopping List
Always write one, and stick to it religiously. Only buy what you need – simple but effective.

Eat
Eat before you shop. This way, your hunger won’t tempt you into making unnecessary purchases.

Seasonal
Buy seasonal products. They will be cheaper when they are at their most abundant – in season.

Counter v Pre-packed
Compare prices of products available in the fresh food counters to the pre-packed varieties on the shelves.

Branded v Own Label
Own labels don’t mean poor quality. Often, own labels are made in the same factories as the leading brands. Try a few, find out what you like, and remember the next time you shop – you could save a small fortune.

mySupermarket.co.uk

You can save more money by supermarket shopping online. If you use mySupermarket.co.uk, you can compare prices between leading supermarkets and they will help you select the cheapest option. Once you’ve done this, mySupermarket.co.uk will make further suggestions to help you save money on your shopping list.

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Prioritise Your Costs and Debts in 2010

If you’re struggling to manage your bills at the beginning of what could be a tough year for many, understanding and prioritising your debts may help avoid serious consequences in the New Year and throughout the rest of 2010.

Priority Costs in 2010

Prioritising your costs and debts means using your available money to settle the most important costs and debts first. Usually, the three most important priority costs are:

1. Mortgage and Rent
If you fall behind on your mortgage, your mortgage lender could take legal action by repossessing your house and selling it on. Similarly if you fall behind on your rent, your landlord may try to evict you and take you to court to recover the money you owe.

2. Utility Bills
Failing to pay utility bills such as your electricity or gas could result in providers disconnecting you.

All of the above hold serious consequences that may affect basic survival and security, so it is important to address gas arrears and electricity arrears first.

3. Taxes and Court Fines
If you fail to pay outstanding Council Tax or court fines the court could enforce bailiffs to recover goods from your home.

Unsecured Debt and Non-Priority Bills

They include:

If you are worried or struggling with your unsecured debt or are behind with your priority costs due to spiralling monthly debt bills, then contact Payplan online for free debt advice or call 0800 280 2816.

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