THE SHOPPING TROLLEY
KEY POINTS:
There are plenty of ways to save on your supermarket bill - and not just by cutting back on cheese.
A little planning can go a long way, says Darryl Evans, of Mangere Budgeting and Family Support Services.
He says many stressed-out families are telling him their weekly grocery bill has jumped $100 a week in the past year - but he's adamant families should not "give up" and survive on toast alone.
"Make a shopping list every time, and ensure you spend some time in the aisles. Look carefully at the lower or top shelves for the bargains, or at the end of the aisles.
"And remember, whenever possible, to buy in bulk."
Other trolley tips include:
Do your research before leaving the house. Make full use of flyers and coupons to find the best deals, or take a look online.
Plan the week's meals.
Shop at quieter times, such as just before closing, to make the experience less stressful.
Take a calculator, have a weekly budget and stick to it religiously.
Don't go shopping when you're hungry, leave children at home when possible and don't get sucked in by specials on foods you don't need.
Buy supermarket brands when possible - they taste just as good and are cheaper.
Sign up for a One Card or similar rewards scheme.
Go to the greengrocer for the best deals on veggies and the butcher for meat - but price check everything carefully and ensure you only buy what's on special.
FUEL
While there has been slight relief in recent weeks, global oil prices have seen motorists hit hard at the pumps over the past year, and it's best not to get complacent about the future, warns the Automobile Association.
"All indications are there will be no let up in the long-term," says Mark Stockdale of the AA.
He says the average family's annual petrol bill climbed a massive $600 in the year to this June.
The website fuelsaver.govt.nz, run by LTNZ, is great for checking fuel consumption, especially if you are looking to buy a new vehicle.
You type in the car model and make and the site rates the vehicle with up to five stars for fuel efficiency, while also giving you a total estimated annual fuel cost, based on an annual kilometre count of 14,000.
It could also be time to trade in the V8, Stockdale says.
"Eventually everyone needs a new car and people are starting to go for smaller models."
But there are other ways to save on fuel.
Hang on to discount receipts handed out at supermarket check-outs during the weekly shop - the more you spend, the more cents per litre you save.
When heading to the forecourt, take note of the advertised prices, especially in remote places, and remember Gull and Challenge are usually slightly cheaper.
If in Hamilton, head to Gull's site on Norton Rd - it always has the cheapest petrol in the country although it's completely self-service.
And be fuel-conscious while you're driving - accelerate smoothly and try to keep a constant speed.
By travelling at 100km/h instead of 110km/h you can cut about 13 per cent off your fuel bill.
Cut back on air conditioning - it uses 10 per cent more fuel - and don't drive fast.
Regular servicing and checking your tyre pressure will also help.
POWER, GAS AND WATER
Got complaints about a hefty power bill? You're not alone.
The price of utilities, such as power, gas and water have rocketed worldwide.
In Auckland city, water bills have risen 25.7 per cent over three years, LPG went up 30 per cent this year, while the the average electricity bill for a family of four is now $2670 a year, says Andrew Smith of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.
Meridian customers have just experienced a hike, while other big power companies say bills have increased between 4 and 9 per cent "on average" in 12 months.
Things don't look like improving, so now's the time to check you are getting the best deal on electricity and gas.
Thankfully, there's an easy way to do that.
Consumer NZ-run website powerswitch.org.nz allows you to compare different power company plans available in your area for free, while members can check out retailers of reticulated natural gas in the North Island.
Online manager Andrew Leggott says: "We know some people are paying a lot more for power than they could be.
"A lot of people are still with the sole company that was available in their area years ago.
"For those people in particular, who haven't looked around yet, there can be quite large savings to be made."
It is also a good idea to get into the habit of paying your bill by the date specified to get the discount most companies offer for early payment, says Leggott.
Once you're sure you have got the best deal, it's time to change wasteful habits.
Get rid of old, underused fridges, such as the garage beer fridge - it can save you up to $100 a year.
Turning off electrical appliances at the wall is a great habit to get into - that saves about 10 per cent on the average power bill.
Hot water is still the biggest drain on power in a typical household, accounting for about 34 per cent of the bill, so remember to take short showers, cut back on baths, don't pre-rinse your dishes in hot, running water, and fix any leaking taps.
Smith says the shower alone accounts for 28 per cent of the entire power bill.
Installing a new head with a flow rate of 9 litres a minute or less can cut your bill noticeably, because some heads flow at up to 20 litres a minute.
Insulating your hot water cylinder saves $140 per year, while "lagging" or insulating the first metre of the pipe coming out of it can save an additional $35.
Changing your four most commonly used lightbulbs to energy efficient ones saves $65 per year, says Smith.
It is also important for families to be aware of the running costs of new appliances before they buy them, especially when it comes to big TVs.
COMMUNICATIONS
Now is the time to check you are getting the best deal on your internet, home phone line and mobile phone - they make up a hefty chunk of a monthly budget.
The Government's "unbundling" legislation has seen more players, such as Vodafone and Orcon, enter the home line market, and TelstraClear's entry into the mobile market has Consumer NZ chief executive Sue Chetwin predicting a "price war" in the mobile market.
The key here is to shop around. Unbundling has brought with it the most competitive conditions the country has seen, according to industry experts such as Rosalie Nelson of research consultancy IDC, so make the most of it to get the best deal.
Talk to your internet provider and/or mobile phone company about your usage, research deals and specials offered by the opposition, and tell your provider you are thinking of taking your business elsewhere.
It will usually try to keep you by offering you a better deal or a free phone.
If you switch, remember it's best not to sign lengthy contracts.
"Prices are likely to come down even further," says Nelson. Package deals, for landline, internet and mobile, are likely to become more common and cheaper, she says.
Other ways to save money on your phone include:
Consider ditching mobile phone insurance. Unless you have an expensive model, it's not worth it.
Trim back on extras such as call waiting if you don't need them.
Monitor how many free or discount minutes you have remaining each month on your mobile contract and consider using pre-pay if you can't keep to your monthly allowance.
Try texting rather than making a call.
