Using technology to save money is actually more about you using your tech-smarts alongside the actual, you know, tech! There’s no point downloading this, that and the other app if you never actually use them. You don’t have to buy all the latest gadgets, either – all you really need is a laptop or PC and a smartphone.
About those apps…
To save money with apps, you need to make sure you’re downloading the right ones and that you’re using them as often as possible. Cashback apps like Quidco, a couple of comparison apps, an app to monitor your spending and a voucher finder are pretty much essential, If you’re a frequent traveller, then something like Skyscanner is vital as well. Find out more about money-saving apps here.
Do as much as you can online
Ordering groceries, shoes, flowers, furniture; booking flights, asking for advice, banking… You name it, it’s almost always quicker and cheaper to do it online.
Online banking in particular is great because you can check your balances in seconds, which makes late payments and failed direct debits far less likely. Many utility providers will also offer incentives – albeit small – for you to go paperless, so why not?
Ditch your landline
It may be time for you to ask your internet provider how they can make your bills cheaper and if you do still have an old-fashioned landline, then you need to – ahem – ring the changes (sorry, not sorry). Some providers offer the option of broadband without a landline, or you may be able to keep your old fixed phone but for a nominal fee.
Make your thermostat smarter
This actually involves spending money to start with, but it’s guaranteed to pay off in the end. Smart thermostats are at the vanguard of domestic eco-technology as they constantly monitor the temperature of your house and fine-tune the temperature so your heating system uses as little fuel as possible. Some of the more premium models even know whether your home is occupied so they can turn the heating down or off. On average, smart thermostats save householders 10% a year on heating bills.
Change your mobile network
You may have been with your usual mobile network provider for a couple of decades by now, but the chances are that you’re paying too much each month. It’s true that you get a new phone every 18 months or two years, but if you’re trying to save some money, do you really need that upgrade as frequently as that? Part of your monthly bill is the cost of the phone itself, so by jettisoning your network, you could reduce your mobile bill by half or even three quarters.
In some ways, you’re not actually dumping your faithful old provider because the so-called virtual networks like GiffGaff lease their services from the bigger providers. Once your current contract ends, you can go SIM-only and save loads. Of course, you need to save a little bit up for a new handset, but you really don’t need to buy the latest iPhone every two years – you’ve been brainwashed into this mindset! Technology should be your friend, not a financial drain!
