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MONEY COMMENT
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One of the best ways to save a little cash is to examine your major monthly bills and look around for something a little cheaper. Gas and electricity costs are a classic example. Following deregulation in the late 1990s, the domestic energy market has become fiercely competitive - there are now more than twenty different gas and electricity suppliers fighting for our business. However, about two-thirds of us haven't bothered to switch to a better deal. Now for the good news: if you're with British Gas and also get your electricity from your incumbent (local) supplier, you're certain to save money by switching to new providers. Here's some even better news: if you switch your energy to the best deal(s) you can find, you can easily dismiss the dodgy energy salespeople that knock at your door far too often. ("Be off with you, I've already found my best deal online!") The Fool has teamed up with uSwitch, one of the leading price-comparison websites, to help you find your energy Best Buys. Give uSwitch a try: it only takes a few minutes and most people save over £100 a year by switching, as I did. I now pay about £33 a month, instead of almost £45, thus saving up to £140 every year (and my price rises have been lower than most). Oh, and the service has improved, too. Be warned: although many companies offer discounts for signing up to a "Dual Fuel" contract, it's often the case that you can save more by using separate suppliers. I know this sounds weird, but I don't make the rules! Also, the lowest prices are reserved for customers who pay by fixed monthly direct debit, so pay this way if you can. In addition, you can reduce your bills even further by opting for online billing and servicing. It's simple to swap suppliers online via uSwitch. All you need to do afterwards is sign and return a couple of forms and send off your meter readings on changeover day – the suppliers do the rest. It's as simple as that, guv – no engineering work required! So, be a Fool and switch your fuel – you'd be mad not to... More: uSwitch | Watchdog Ofgem | Summertime... And Your Gas Bill Is Rising | Slash Your Household Bills