How to drive down your car running expenditure

The cost of running a new car is nearly £4,000 a year – and older cars are not too far behind. Most bills are drip-fed so it is easy to pay without realising that for most homes, a car is the second biggest cost after a mortgage or rent.

Here are five tips on how to save money on your motor:

PRIVATE PARKING FIRMS CANNOT FINE YOU

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Beware of those hidden costs

It is the financial nightmares you never thought would happen that really hurt. Here is how to fight back against the top 10 hidden bill perils.

1. “My six-year-old spent £3,200 on an iPhone game”.
Letting youngsters sit with you while you use your smartphone or tablet means they are likely to know your password, and that can be expensive.

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Make a save on ... your savings

If you have savings, making them work for you is tougher than ever. Here are the 10 things you need to know right now.

● the best easy access account is currently offering only 2% AER

This sets the benchmark for everything else. But, remember, if the best is this bad, what is yours offering? Check.

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Get more bang for you bank

2012 was another awful year for banking. Yet far too many sit on their hands complaining without acting, thinking there is little option.
That is not true. There is banking choice out there. Here are the 10 things you need to know.

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Don’t get burnt by existing debt

Don’t wait to deal with debt — costs add up and the situation festers. The first step is not to borrow any more, however, just as important is how you deal with the existing debt. So here are my credit card debt-busters:

1. Shift credit card debts to 2-year 0%

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Some hot tips for winter trips

If heading off on a winter getaway or planning next summer’s big break, there is a plane-load of ways to keep costs down.

1. Unbeatable rates
The cheapest way to spend in a foreign currency is with specialist overseas credit card. Most plastic expensively adds a 3 per cent load, so spend £100 of euros and it costs £103, plus sometimes extra fees on top.

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Don't wait to pay off your debts

Don't leave sorting your debts out until January. Do it now.
To help, we are seeing some of the best borrowing rates ever, and opportunities to cut costs for those with poor credit. Plus call centres have shorter queues now than in January.
So here are my top debt-sorting tips, though, of course, the prequel to all this is don’t borrow any more.

1. Debit or credit cards?

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Some final tips for saving on your Chanucah gifts

At this time of year many feel the need to trudge around the shops in time for Chanucah. With a little hidden shopping magic (and internet access), a raft of techniques can slash both costs and time.

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How best to invest in your children

It is the gift that keeps on giving. Why not give your children money for a savings account to start a nest egg this Chanucah? Then an even better present is to teach them how to ensure it is at the best rate to encourage them on the path to being money-savvy. Sadly children’s savings are not immune from the dire savings rates available right now.

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When is it good to use credit cards?

Credit cards are not all bad. The problem is many people think of credit cards as a way to borrow, and that isn’t good. Yet, used right, they are by far the best way to spend. Now is the time to take advantage as Christmas is around the corner, and some plastic gives 5 per cent back on all spending.
Here are the top need-to-knows.

First, neuter the card’s interest-charging ability

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