Travel can work out to be one of our main expenses over the month. Today we are looking at ways to reduce travel costs. Below we have listed some of the main costs related to travel.

Petrol Prices

Find the cheapest petrol station in your area. You can do this by looking on the internet. Some websites allow you to search on your postcode and they then give you a list of garages you could use in your area. Some examples of these are http://www.petrolprices.com/ and http://www.findcheappetrol.com/ 

Be vigilant, as some supermarkets do offer price reductions at the pumps if you spend so much in store, so this could be a great way of making savings.

Reducing Petrol Consumption

There are many ways of improving your fuel consumption and making your car more efficient. By cutting your speed, you will save at the pumps. Things you could consider are;  

• Use the left hand lane wherever possible on motorways - 56mph could use 25% less fuel than doing 70mph
• Check your car tyre pressure regularly
• Air conditioning and heated seats use a lot more fuel
• A full petrol tank adds weight to the car, therefore uses more fuel

Compare Quotes

Does your insurance provider offer loyalty bonuses? If not bin them, and move onto a better deal.

Use price comparison websites to compare insurance quotes, use more than one to make sure that the companies really are the cheapest.

Car Finance

If you are struggling with debts and you are on a tight budget, car finance can be a nightmare! One thing you really need to ask yourself, is this an essential in your budget? If you need a car, does it have to be one on hire purchase? Or could you get by with a cheap run around?

If you feel you can do without your car on HP, Section 99 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 allows you to terminate your agreement and return the goods. This is known as Voluntary Termination (VT). Once you have handed the car back to the finance company, they will sell the vehicle at auction, and you would be liable for any wear, tear and shortfall but this does give you the opportunity to come out of the agreement if needed. If this is something that you would like to do, then you will need to have paid at least half of your agreement and you will need to put it in writing to the finance company to get the ball rolling. If you would like to discuss this in more detail, you can call our helpline on 0800 138 1111.

Cut Back on Unnecessary Travel

This can apply to bus users and car drivers. Walk whenever possible, not only is this more cost effective but it will also be a way of shedding those extra pounds – An all round winner!!

Car Share

Some councils have set up car share schemes all over the UK. Have a search for a car share group in your area. This will also help reduce the cars on our roads, and stop those big rush hour tail backs.

Parking

If you have to pay for your parking, does your work offer a discount scheme? City centre parking can work out expensive over the month. Check on the internet to see if anyone is has a garage or drive to let, this could again work out cheaper than commercial inner city companies.

In your area is there a Park and Ride system? If so, then you could look to use this to avoid the city centres extortionate prices.

Travel Passes

Local travel companies have a wide range of different passes available to suit everybody’s needs. Look up your local companies and see what the have to offer.

Generally yearly passes work out cheaper but are a big initial outgoing. Does your work offer an Interest free travel loan? If not, ask them if this is something they are willing to set up for their employees as you will be able to spread the cost. 

Forward Planning

As a general rule, the earlier you buy your ticket the cheaper it will be, so forward planning pays. When looking at the prices of train tickets, check what the cost of a single and then a return would be. Sometimes two singles can be cheaper than a return!

Mothering Sunday is always the fourth Sunday of Lent and has been since at least the 16th century.  This is why Mothers Day in the UK falls on different dates each year and sometimes even falls in different months.

In days gone by, young British children that worked as maids and servants were only allowed one day to visit their family each year and this was usually Mothering Sunday.   They would often be allowed to take a gift for their mothers of fresh eggs and baking.  The children would also collect wild flowers as they were making their way home. 

The old English Mothering Sunday has its roots in pre-Christian times, but modern-day Mother's Day - the cards, flowers, chocolates etc - was started in the United States. 

In modern times it is inevitable that businesses see the day as a way to make money.  However, many mothers would be happier with a homemade card because it shows some thought and effort has been put into it.

No one objects to spoiling their mother on her special day but there are other ways to do it rather than buying expensive flowers and chocolates.  With the credit crunch biting hard, here are some ideas:-

• Home cooked meal instead of restaurant meal
• A lie in and breakfast in bed.
• Offer to do the cleaning/ironing while she puts her feet up and reads a good book or has a leisurely soak in the bath.
• Basket of fruit.
• A letter or poem telling your mother why she is loved
• Home made chocolates/cakes/biscuits instead of buying expensive shop bought.  If you want to make these extra special you could present them in decorated box. 

 We have included a cheap and easy recipe for “Credit Crunchies” which children can make for their mums…..with a little adult supervision of course.

Warning! You may find that these “Crunchies” disappear very quickly and may not even reach mum!!

Credit Crunchies

• 75g white chocolate, or milk chocolate
• 2 tbsp golden syrup
• 30g Rice crispies

Method

Melt the chocolate with the golden syrup in a large bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Add the crispies and gently stir in.

Spoon into mini bun cases and put into the fridge for 30 minutes to set.