Make your money go further
We’ve picked the top five tips from our new Money Guides to help make your money go further.
Budget wise
It sounds obvious but it’s easy to lose track of what you’re spending, so why not keep a spending diary or a budget sheet? Allocate yourself a certain amount each month to spend on things like meals out, shopping and even petrol. You’ll stay more in control if you know what you’re spending and how much you’ve got left for the rest of the month. Why not download our budget sheet to kick start your money-mastering skills?
Staying focussed
Some people prefer to use only cash so that they don’t get caught out with impulse buys, but there are other ways to stay focussed. If you’re going shopping for a new outfit for example, give yourself a limit on what you can safely afford. And when it comes to the weekly food shop, whilst shopping on a full stomach is a must, think about making a list and sticking to it.
Do your research
If you’ve got a big purchase to make, be sure to shop around and go online to compare prices. Many online retailers will offer lower prices as they don’t have to pay for town centre outlets and can cut out the middle-man.
Bag a bargain
We Brits love a good deal, so check out discount or voucher websites such as Groupon, LivingSocial or KGB deals. Customers we recently surveyed have saved up to £100 in the last year through using vouchers – but remember, it’s only a good deal if you really need it or were going to buy it anyway! (Source: Nationwide May 2012)
Cut back on your holiday costs
Again, do your research – sometimes it’s more cost effective to plan your holiday yourself, but remember that most packaged holidays come with ABTA assurance.
Another great way to make your money go further on holiday is by ensuring that you don’t pay commission when you’re shopping – for example our main Nationwide current account customers get exclusive access to our Select Credit Card (12.9% APR Representative variable) which comes with commission-free purchases abroad – plus you could get free European travel insurance if you are a FlexAccount customer. So make sure you look out for good deals like these.
For more ways to manage your money, why not check out our Money Guides which are available through the Nationwide Education site. And if you’re looking to review your financial products to make sure you’re getting great value, you can always visit us online, in branch or via the telephone for more information and ways to save.
Notes :
Free European travel insurance
To qualify for free European travel insurance, all you need to do is:
• Hold a FlexAccount with a Visa debit card (not cash card or cash card+)
• Agree to an account transfer from an account (non Nationwide) using our Account Transfer Service
• Have been paying in £750 (excluding internal transfers) a month for the last three months
• To maintain free FlexAccount European travel cover, you must credit £750 or more each month into your FlexAccount (excluding internal transfers)
• We will review your cover once per year
To apply for the Nationwide Select Credit Card
To apply, you must hold a main Nationwide current account FlexAccount with a Visa debit card (not cash card or cash card+) and:
Have been paying in £750 (excluding internal transfers) a month for the last three months, or;
Complete an account transfer to us (from a non-Nationwide account) using our Account Transfer Service, or have done so in the last four months; or;
Hold a FlexDirect account
For cashback, you must continue paying £750 or more into your FlexAccount each month (excluding internal transfers).
Standard current account terms and conditions available on request. You need to be 16 or over to apply for a FlexAccount with a Visa debit card and 18 or over to apply for a FlexDirect account.
Nationwide FlexAccount Travel Cover is subject to eligibility, and conditions and exclusions apply. It is provided by UK Insurance Limited