Image courtesy of Images of Money

Going on holiday, at home or abroad, is expensive enough before you’ve even jetted off with your nearest and dearest. Nobody wants to be concerned about money when you’re supposed to be kicking back, enjoying a bit of much-needed rest and recuperation and having some fun in the sun. However, you can watch the pennies and have a stress-free time by factoring in the following money-saving tips.

Book up early
For the best deals possible on things like accommodation, flights and travel insurance, try to book as far in advance and do it online if you can. When it comes to getting reduced holiday insurance over 70 different quotes are potentially just few clicks away on price comparison websites so it’s important to shop around. Last-minute sites also offer enticing discounts so there are pros and cons to either sorting out a holiday months before you go or leaving it late.

Carry on surfing
Don’t forget to stay connected to the Internet when you’re away as there could be online discounts and vouchers relevant to wherever you are in the world. Major tourist attractions will, no doubt, have their own websites that can sometimes have offers available to people that book in advance on their website. Take the London Eye, for instance. You can save up to 18 per cent on a standard ticket for a family of four simply by booking online 24 hours before you plan to take in stunning aerial views of London.  This means that ‘daycations’ can now be a little bit easier on your pocket.

Get back to basics
You need to get around on holiday and that usually means hiring a car, hailing a taxi or jumping on and off public transport. Yet, there’s a lot to be said for seeing as much of a city or resort as possible by foot. For starters, it’s free, then there’s the fact that it’s a great way of exploring and finding out more about the culture and customs in a different country. Plus, the fresh air will do you no harm, will it?
Be picky at meal times
Eating out a couple of times every day will decimate your holiday budget, so either go self-catering or cook your own meals whenever you can. Nobody is suggesting you need to slave over a hot stove three times a day, every day, for the duration of your break. Rather, you could keep dining out to a minimum and perhaps only venture out for your evening meal. Breakfast and lunch tend to be pretty basic meals anyway and you can quite easily pick up some local produce and prepare something yourself with the minimum of fuss. You’ll only end up paying over the odds if you don’t, just like you will if you don’t recycle and reuse water bottles.

The price of car insurance – and especially modified car insurance – is creeping up to such an extent that more and more people are now giving serious consideration to selling off their pride and joy and turning to public transport instead. If you are struggling to afford to stay on the road then at least you can find some solace in the fact that you’re not alone.
So, what can you do to get cheaper cover? Read on to find out…
Surf the web
Image courtesy of Mike L
Regular visitors to Discount Tart will know how highly we rate the Internet when it comes to unearthing a bargain or two and it’s no different when it comes to getting car insurance at a reduced price. There are plenty of price comparison websites available for motorists to log on to, input all their details and then get a real range of quotes from countless companies. With it being such a competitive market, you’re well placed as the consumer to take advantage of insurers constantly undercutting their rivals. Another interesting feature on these types of websites is the fact that it makes clear the difference in prices if you pay in one lump sum or if you opt to pay on a monthly basis, with the former usually a few hundred pounds cheaper.
Take care on the roads
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No matter how competent you think you are behind the wheel, the chances are high that you still get distracted from time to time. And what happens if you have a crash and are forced to claim? Or you’re found guilty of committing a crime on the roads? Yes, you guessed it, the price of insurance rockets and you may be slapped with a fine and maybe even points on your license. Recent research has suggested that anyone convicted of driving without due care and attention – and just under 16,500 people are in Britain every year – will pay an average of £202 more for car insurance annually, although that figure could rise to as much as £402 in some cases. This just goes to show what could happen if you lose concentration and the benefits of always playing it safe. By avoiding harsh accelerating and braking and sticking to speed limits you can also mitigate the general wear and tear on your vehicle, which should in turn save you money.
Get security conscious
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An alarm or immobilizer on your car will not only put off any potential car thieves, but also lower the price of car insurance. Where you park during both the day and night is another factor that insurers take into account. If you’ve got a drive or garage then make sure you use them. Failure to do so could prove crucial in the event of having to make a claim.
Stay off the roads
Image courtesy of Grant McDonald
Okay, this might initially seem a little drastic, but reducing your mileage means that it works out cheaper overall to get your car covered – so that’s cheaper to insure and, indeed, cheaper to run.
Increase your excess
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There’s a certain risk factor associated with raising your excess, yet it can be offset by the fact that it should lead to a discounted insurance premium. Obviously, make sure first that you can afford to pay the excess should you need to before you start making radical changes to your policy. Perhaps the best thing to do is to talk to the insurer first to see what they recommend and if you live in a household with more than one vehicle ask about the possibility of starting a multi-car policy.

Image courtesy of Andrew Malone

How much easier life has become since the World Wide Web arrived in homes and offices. Every time you had a renewal for anything like car insurance or home contents insurance cover there was a rather shaky choice of: one, just accept the new figures and settle without hassle, or two, spend days on the phone or in a broker’s office seeking out alternatives that might be a little cheaper even if not necessarily better in value. But now thanks to the power of information technology insurance companies actually come to us at the touch of a button.

Home insurance cover is one of those areas that generates natural confusion on a large scale. In the bad old days you would receive lengthy policy documents in legalese that you would have to plough through without nodding off and hope to understand. Now you can ask for quotes on line and tailor your cover quote by answering a simple yes or no to a series of questions aimed at helping you through this quagmire. You can even do the same en masse if you like by using one of the comparison websites and then just choose the policy that best meets your expectations at the lowest cost.

Of course once you have decided which home insurance cover to go for you can expect to receive hard copies of all the relevant documents and policies. So you are so much better off all round. First, the computer does all the hard work chasing round for quotes – you put your feet up. Second, you get a clear easy to read quote or choice of comparative quotes from which to decide who to go with. Third, you press a button to confirm which home insurance cover policy you have elected to take on. Fourth, you save a small forest in only having the documentation for the policy that you finally select. And finally, when next year comes around you will be confidant in knowing that you are not tied to your current insurer simply because changing your provider is too much hassle – your friendly World Wide Web will provide a free service to you; same time next year. So you can rest assured that insurance companies will be kept on their toes and be economically obliged to compete for your custom so that you can expect consistently improved terms and value for money.