MONEY COMMENT
How To Beat Rising Prices

By Cliff D'Arcy
August 20, 2003

Bad news: it looks as though the British economy will nose-dive into recession. Why do I say this? Well, following a rise in tomato prices worldwide, Heinz has raised the prices of its famous baked beans and tomato ketchup, bought by millions of people across the UK every week, by an inflation-busting 6%!

Things are even worse in 'that London', with Tube fares set to increase by up to a quarter next January. Furthermore, bus fares in Greater London are set to rise from 70p to £1 for passengers paying by cash (a 43% increase). Thirdly, water bills across the UK look certain to rise following the current price review, in order to fund essential repairs and maintenance.

Of course, these three price hikes won't mean financial ruin for most of us, but they mean yet more money coming out of our pockets. So, how do we go about clawing back this cash? Here are a few tips on bashing your bills without curbing your lifestyle.

Gains without pain

• Save on supermarket shopping and other goods and services - even luxuries - with these ten wonderful websites
• Learn how to slash your energy, home telephone and pay-TV bills
• Get crafty with your credit cards
• Reduce the cost of new and existing investment, protection and pensions plans via discount brokers
• Learn how to cut the cost of motoring and find cheaper motor insurance
• Insure your home for less with bargain home insurance
• Avoid over-priced loan and mortgage payment protection insurance
• Learn how to spot rip-off financial products
• Discover how to pay less tax
• Give yourself a £2,500 pay rise today.

If you want to go the whole hog and really control your spending, you can take our financial healthcheck, find out how to get out of debt, and visit our Living Below Your Means discussion board, where the Lords of Budgeting rule!