How to be better off in 2012

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Have your finances been getting you down this year? Has the rise in energy prices put a squeeze on your household budget? 2011 has undeniably been a tough year due to rising fuel prices, wage freezes and high unemployment levels. While the outlook for 2012 doesn’t look much better, with every new year comes a new chance to change one’s own circumstances; as the saying goes, “new year, new start.” So why not include some of these money-saving and money-making ideas in your New Year’s resolutions.

Make money: recycle your unwanted possessions

Do you have a mobile phone you never use? Jewellery you never wear? Do you have clothes that no longer fit you? Stop hanging onto these things in the hope they’ll either come back into fashion or fit you again. You could be sitting on a little gold mine, especially with your jewellery.

The recession has pushed gold prices right up, and now is the time to sell your unwanted or broken gold necklaces, rings and ornaments. You can even sell your dental gold! Request a free selling pack from a good online gold buyer, like Postgoldforcash.com and sell gold. You could receive some excellent cash payments within days, but try not to spend it all in the January sales!

Make money: turn everyday household chores into a business

Get paid to iron! As dull as it sounds, if you love watching TV why not catch up on all your favourite programmes and earn cash at the same time? Busy professionals pay handsomely for their shirts and trousers to be ironed by someone else. Set up a simple website, make contact with a large local business or put an advert in the local paper to advertise your ironing services and make some cash when it suits you.

Save money: avoid paying full price for products online

Voucher code sites and group discount sites exploded in 2011 as discounting became the norm for the everyday online shopper. If you’re booking a holiday, hotel stay or buying a sizable purchase, why not create a free account on a site like Groupon or myvouchercodes.co.uk. They’ll give you access to the best deals and you’ll be the first to find out the latest offers. Why pay full price when you don’t have to?

Save money: economise and be eco friendly

Considerably lessen your chances of falling into the fuel poverty trap by:

• Turning your hot water off. Who needs to keep it heated all the time? Enjoy a hot shower by switching the hot water on half an hour before you need it.
• When boiling your kettle, only boil as much water you need.
• Search for another energy supplier. You could be getting a better deal elsewhere. If you’ve got money to invest why not consider switching your energy supply to a renewable energy source – solar pv panels for electricity and solar thermal installations for hot water could save you pounds on your monthly bills and earn you a tax free income at the same time.
• If you have an electric key meter, switch to a monthly direct debit payment which will work out cheaper.

Save money: lessen your food shop

Shop online for the best deals and offers, and don’t be afraid to try a new supermarket. Buying fruit and veg from an outdoor market could also save you money.

• Set a budget and stick to it, do not deviate from your list.
• Freeze what you don’t eat and use again, or cook in bulk and prepare your own ‘ready meals’.
• Resist the temptation to impulse buy. Supermarkets are designed to tempt us with attractive displays. Stay strong and stick to your list.
• Compare supermarket prices here www.mysupermarket.co.uk
• Take up the supermarket giants on their offers of price matching – do your research and reap the rewards in cashback and money off your next purchase.

Hopefully you’ll find these tips useful and have a prosperous 2012!

This article has been brought to you by Postgoldforcash.com, one of the UK’s leading gold buyers.