There has never been a better time to get on your bike. High fuel costs and the economic downturn are proving highly effective at cutting road congestion – down 12% in the first six months of 2008 compared with the same period in 2007. A Trafficmaster report has shown that fewer people are driving. Those who are, drive more slowly to conserve fuel, meaning emptier, safer roads for cyclists. And it’s approaching the ideal time to buy a bicycle. September and October are the best times to buy bicycles and cycling equipment, says Which?, as retailers cut the price of old stock to make room for the new season’s products, which are launched now in readiness for Christmas. If you buy a bike and accessories at the same time, it’s worth trying to negotiate a discount. Or you can save about 30%-50% on the cost of cycling equipment by getting your company to sign up to Cyclescheme, a government initiative designed to get more people cycling to work. See www.cyclescheme.co.uk for more information.
Don’t always pay by direct debit. Paying by direct debit can save you money on a range of goods and services, but this is not always the case, says Rosie Murray-West in The Daily Telegraph. By paying your energy and phone bills by direct debit you can save anything from a few pounds to 10% of your bill. But if you pay for your home or car insurance monthly you will often pay interest on your “loan”. To avoid this, either pay for these as a lump sum or pay using a 0% credit card, which you can then pay off monthly without incurring damaging interest payments.
Free virus protection. Shielding your computer from threats such as spyware and viruses is an absolute must, says Which? But that doesn’t mean you have to fork out for virus protection. Which? recommends www.free.avg.com for a free download that will protect your computer against viruses and spyware. Other useful freebies include Open Office, a free word processing and spreadsheet alternative to Microsoft Office.
Cheap shopping. This month’s Glamour magazine contains an array of tempting money-off vouchers for various high street shops, including Wallis, Oasis and Office. Most are valid only on certain days next week, though, so buy the magazine for £2 and then get out and buy those essentials for the autumn/winter season.
Insulate your home for free. In a rare act of generosity, the government is handing out grants to help people get their home insulation up to scratch. Whether you own your home or rent from a private landlord you could be eligible for up to £2,700 of insulation and heating improvements. To find out if you qualify, visit warmfront.co.uk or call 0800 316 2805.