Over the 9 years, we’ve been serving the people of Selby, we’ve helped hundreds of clients take their first steps onto the property ladder.
Our experience means we know just how exciting, terrifying, inspiring, and overwhelming the whole process can be.
Some people are excited about moving out of rented, shared accommodation, or parents’ homes.
Others are anxious about the amount of responsibility, paperwork, and money this move involves.
We are here to guide and support you throughout the ups and downs of your home buying journey.
We aim to ensure you have the right guidance and support to help you make the best decision for you and your future.
After reading this, you may find it beneficial to have a no-obligation, confidential chat with us about your situation.
Thank you for your time, and please get in touch with us if you have any questions whatsoever.
Director
JP Harll
Here are four things experts suggest people can do to lessen the impact of soaring energy bills.
Heat the human – not the home
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis shared this advice, as he put it, reluctantly, due to the severity of the current energy situation. On his website, there is a list of ideas around this subject which include:
Buying base layer clothing
Investing in heated blankets
Purchasing oversized blanket hoodies
Keeping your feet warm with rugs and slippers
* Cutting back on heating to save money can significantly impact your mental health and wellbeing. So, if you are faced with the choice between cutting back on heating or reducing spending in other areas, consider the impact a cooler house will have on your mental health and motivation. Source: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/
Know what Government help you are entitled to.
It can be confusing trying to work out what Government support is available to you. The best advice we’ve read is to visit the Government’s website www.gov.uk or to contact www.citizensadvice.org.uk.
Get your boiler serviced
Boilers working at a reduced efficiency due to not being serviced regularly can massively impact their efficiency and cost to run. Always use a Gas Safe engineer to carry out your boiler service. We’d be happy to recommend local, trusted engineers who can carry out this work.
Start small
The energy advice websites advocate the importance (and benefit) of changing our energy habits, where possible. Simple suggestions include:
Switch off items which are always on standby mode
Get a smart meter if you don’t already have one
Find out when your energy supplier’s off-peak rates are
Here are five tips from the popular website – www.netmums.com
Plan your meals
We know writing a shopping list might seem like you’re turning into your mum. But let’s face it, she was right – it really does pay to plan what you’re going to eat.
Bulk cook and freeze
If you’re making a Bolognese, make double and freeze half. It takes no more effort, and you’ll feel much more organised when a homemade ready meal is waiting for you a week later. Batch-cooking recipes not only saves you time, but often money.
Ditch expensive takeaways
A supermarket pizza still gives you a cook-free treat but at a fraction of the cost. Or make your own ‘fakeaways’. There are plenty of online recipes to bring the taste of takeout back to your home.
Learn to love leftovers
Creating meals from your leftovers doesn’t mean second best. All you need to do is think before you throw. Could those chicken roast leftovers go in a risotto? Could those old bread bits be whizzed up and frozen as breadcrumbs?
Switch up your brands
Getting out of your comfort zone when it comes to the brands you buy can add up to savings. For example, if you always buy named brands, why not try a slightly cheaper brand and see if you enjoy it?
Bonus Tip:
Be savvy about online shopping – If you do shop online, remember to seek out the special offers and try to use any available free delivery codes. If not, get it delivered midweek when it’s usually cheaper.
Below are five things you can look at when it comes to controlling your household expenses.
Home Budget
There are plenty of good templates and free spreadsheets available online to help you better understand where your money is going. Nearly all the money-saving gurus recommend this as an excellent first step.
Waste not, want not
Once you’ve done your budget, do any glaring ‘money down the drain’ things leap out? Do you need all those digital entertainment subscriptions? Are those daily trips to the convenience shop, instead of a couple of bigger weekly shops, hitting you in the pocket?
Broadband, TV and phone rates
Are you on the best possible mobile phone, TV and broadband deals? Shop around using money comparison sites.
Homeowners
If you are a homeowner with your mortgage on your mind, it’s worth having a chat with an independent mortgage adviser to see what’s available. Depending on the length of your current mortgage, it could be a good time to seek out a new deal at a decent rate while you can
Council Tax
According to Money Saving Expert, up to 400,000 homes are in the wrong Council Tax band – so it’s worth making sure you’re not being overcharged. It shouldn’t take more than ten minutes to find out. And you might end up saving hundreds of pounds and getting a rebate.
It’s important to remember that while many of us are facing significant financial challenges, there are some things that are priceless. Your health and wellbeing are two of these things you can’t put a price tag on. The tips below on coping if you are experiencing anxiety and stress due to the current economic situation were originally shared on www.giveusashout.org
Be open about financial challenges.
Talking about financial challenges can be difficult, but it can help to take your thoughts out of your head by discussing them with someone else, which can relieve and de-stress you.
Look after your physical health.
Stay active by walking or running on your own or with a friend, talking or listening to music or a podcast. These activities can help support your wellbeing and help boost your mood. Stay hydrated, too.
Sleep and rest are essential.
If you’re struggling to sleep, get up and write a list of things on your mind, listen to some calming music, turn off the media in your bedroom, consciously empty your head of racing thoughts and focus on your breathing.
Take some time for yourself.
It can be hard to focus on some ‘me time’ when things are feeling overwhelming, but focused breathing helps to control feelings of anxiety. Take a deep breath through your nose, filling your lungs to the count of about 5-7, hold for a couple of seconds, and then let the breath out through a pursed mouth. A couple of rounds of focused breathing, and you should feel calmer.
Belowis a list of charities, organisations and people offering sound advice and support.
Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert A passionate expert and a helpful website. www.moneysavingexpert.com
Step Change A charity providing free advice and help for people in debt. www.stepchange.org
Citizens Advice One of the largest organisations offering advice and expertise on many things affecting people in the UK today. Its website has a helpful section focusing on the cost of living crisis and what help is available. www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Samaritans At times like this, our mental health can be severely strained. The wellrespected Samaritans charity offers 24/7 support and a compassionate ear. Helpline: 116 123 (Monday to Sunday at any time). www.samaritans.org
Energy Saving Trust A charity focused on climate emergencies and offering sound advice on all things energy. www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Trussell Trust This website helps you easily find a foodbank local to you. www.trusselltrust.org
Government Advice The Government has a range of information on support available to people, which you can access online. www.gov.uk/cost-of-living
Podcasts Here are some podcasts offering cost of living advice, money-saving ideas and a sense of community. Mrs Mummypenny www.mrsmummypenny.co.uk The Which? Money Podcast www.which.co.uk/money/podcast
Facebook Seek out local community groups on Facebook that can often include posts on where to find advice, neighbourly support offered and what’s needed by local people.
Watch out for scam texts and emails offering unsolicited Government energy and cost of living grants.
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