One in four adults in Britain haven’t had an eye test in the last two years, says Kate Hughes in The Independent, with 30% of those people putting the reason down to cost. But an array of Government schemes and online deals can dramatically cut the cost of looking after your sight. For one thing, teenagers, pensioners and anyone with certain health conditions that can affect eyesight, such as diabetes, are entitled to free eye tests through the NHS. For the rest of us, there is Eyecare. Eyecare is a Government voucher scheme that anyone who works with a computer is entitled to. With it you get free eye tests and in some cases vouchers towards the cost of glasses. To find out whether you qualify, talk to your human resources manager.
But even if you have to pay for eyecare there are still ways to cut the cost. If you are unlucky enough to need glasses or contact lens, shop around before you buy. You don’t have to get them from your optician. Once you have had an eye test, ask the optician for a copy of your lens prescription, then either check other high-street opticians for the best deal or go online, where there are big savings to be had. Getlenses.com, Contactlenses.co.uk, Thespecsplace.com and Visiondirect.co.uk all sell discounted branded contact lenses and glasses, as they don’t have to cover the costs of running a shop.
If you opt for the permanent solution of laser surgery, then you can “cut your bill without compromising on the quality of the procedure”, says Hughes, by checking with surgeries to see whether they offer discounts on any free treatment slots they have at the end of the month or quarter.
• Read your meter. Over 11 million Britons unexpectedly owe an average of £137 to their energy supplier because their estimated meter readings are lower than the actual ones, says Uswitch in The Sunday Times. To avoid these unexpected debts, keep your supplier informed. If you miss the person who comes to read your meter, make sure you fill in and return the slip they will have left, or enter your meter readings online. If you are with EDF it’s doubly worthwhile as they will give you Nectar points for submitting your own meter readings. And it might turn out you’ve been overpaying, in which case you’ll be due a refund.
• Claim your dues. If you are over 60, you are entitled to receive a tax-free winter fuel payment of at least £250. If you receive a state pension it should be paid automatically, but if you are not receiving it, call the Government’s winter fuel payments helpline on 0845-915 1515.
• Buy this weekend’s Guardian and Observer to get 2 for 1 vouchers for main meals at Strada, says Martin Lewis on Moneysavingexpert.com. The papers cost £1.50 and £1.90 respectively, but you’ll save around £10 on your meal. The vouchers are valid on Sundays to Friday lunchtimes 10 to 24 August, Strada branches in Centre Parcs, The Strand and the Royal Festival Hall are excluded.