In a recent blog, I looked at whether you get the best deal by remaining with the same suppliers. The answer was a resounding no and the conclusion was to shop around for everything – from insurance and utilities to finances.

Having just made various switches, I have realised that it is a bit like chess – you need to be planning your next two or three moves when you make the first one. It’s always worth reading the small print to see what will happen when the introductory offer comes to an end and, as most firms are probably hoping, you will just let it roll over to the full (and ever-increasing) price.

Having done your research and saved money with a new deal, it’s worth considering just how long your new supplier values your custom. Does anyone have a nanosecond hand on their watch?

It’s like a revolving door – you come in with your new deal, you leave when it ends because the price will increase, and someone else comes in on the new introductory offer you enjoyed 12 months ago.

My latest lesson happened at the weekend. February is car insurance time in our house and I have had a rollercoaster ride with premiums over the years. As my family will tell you, I hate rollercoasters. I can just about manage the teacups and probably the carousel.

The renewal for one car had gone up £37 on last year. I was about to shrug it off when I decided to hit the price-comparison sites. Two minutes later, I was inundated with quotes that were half what I am currently paying – never mind the increase. Taking the bull by the horns, I picked up the phone and asked them to match the other offers. The best they could do was knock £100 off so it was a no-brainer.

Striking while the iron was hot, I asked about my other policy, which was due for renewal a couple of weeks after the first one. Bigger car, bigger engine, but with a bit of haggling, it has been renewed for less than the price they couldn’t match on the other car. Confused.com. 

My success prompted me to look in my inbox at any other offers that might be lurking. As if by fate, a new one landed – from my broadband, landline and TV service. It was offering 24/7 tech support and guaranteed service while we’re all working from home, etc. The £5 a month had been cut to £3 and, for a limited time, was now available for £1. I was interested, but the real saving happened when I was going through the contract and discovered that we have unlimited calls from the landline - for £15 a month.

I can count on one hand the number of times we make calls from the landline, and calls from our mobiles are free as part of our contract anyway.

So now we’ve got cheaper car insurance, cheaper phone, broadband and TV, better tech support – and my bank account is nearly £100 a month better off. 

I’m going to put that to one side for our first post-lockdown visit to the pub.

#pricecomparison #shoparound #moneysaving