Most household bills automatically increase when your deal ends, moving you to the provider’s most expensive default tariff. Switching regularly is one of the easiest ways to save money — and the process is usually straightforward and handled by the new provider.
Energy (Gas & Electricity)
When to Switch
- When your fixed deal ends and you move to the standard variable tariff (SVT)
- When cheaper deals become available (check every few months)
- When your usage changes (e.g. working from home, new EV)
How to Switch
- Find your current tariff name and annual usage (on your bill or supplier’s app)
- Compare deals on Ofgem-accredited comparison sites — Uswitch, Compare the Market, MoneySupermarket
- Choose a new deal (usually a fixed-rate tariff)
- The new supplier handles the switch — usually takes 5 working days for a standard switch
- There is a 14-day cooling-off period if you change your mind
Typical Savings
| Scenario | Typical Annual Saving |
|---|---|
| SVT → best fixed deal | £100–£400 |
| Expired fixed deal → new fix | £50–£200 |
| No change (already on good fix) | £0 (stay put) |
Important: Currently, energy prices are regulated by the Ofgem price cap. Savings depend on market conditions — sometimes fixed deals are not cheaper than the cap.
Broadband
When to Switch
Broadband contracts typically last 18–24 months. When yours expires, the price usually increases by £5–£15/month.
How to Switch
- Note when your contract ends (check your bill or call your provider)
- Compare deals on broadband comparison sites — consider speed, data allowance, and contract length
- Negotiate first — call your current provider and ask for a retention deal. Many match or beat competitors’ prices
- If not satisfied, switch — the new provider manages the transfer
Typical Savings
| Switch | Typical Monthly Saving |
|---|---|
| Out-of-contract → new deal (same provider) | £5–£15 |
| Out-of-contract → new provider | £10–£20 |
| Annual saving | £60–£240 |
Negotiation Script
“Hi, my contract is ending on [date] and I’ve seen [competing provider] offering a similar package for [price]. I’d like to stay but I need a competitive deal. What can you offer?”
This works more often than you might expect. Providers would rather keep you at a discount than lose you entirely.
Mobile Phone
SIM-Only vs Contract
The biggest mobile saving comes from switching to SIM-only once your handset contract ends:
| Plan Type | Typical Monthly Cost | Data |
|---|---|---|
| Handset contract | £30–£60 | Varies |
| SIM-only (12 month) | £8–£15 | 10–100GB |
| SIM-only (30 day) | £6–£12 | 5–50GB |
Annual saving from switching: £200–£500 if moving from a handset contract to SIM-only.
If you need a new phone, consider buying it outright (or on 0% finance) and pairing it with a cheap SIM-only deal — often cheaper overall than a bundled contract.
Car Insurance
Never auto-renew car insurance. See our car insurance guide.
How to Save
- Compare prices 3–4 weeks before renewal (not earlier — quotes are priced for the start date)
- Use multiple comparison sites — not all insurers appear on all sites
- Increase your voluntary excess (if you can afford a higher claim excess)
- Check telematics/black box policies — especially valuable for young drivers
- Pay annually instead of monthly — monthly payments typically add 15–25% APR
Typical Savings
| Action | Potential Saving |
|---|---|
| Compare and switch | £50–£200 |
| Increase voluntary excess | £20–£50 |
| Pay annually | £30–£80 |
| Add security features | £10–£30 |
Home Insurance
Similar to car insurance — compare annually using comparison sites. See our home insurance guide.
TV and Streaming
Review Your Subscriptions
| Service | Monthly Cost | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Sky TV | £25–£50+ | Negotiate at contract end, or switch to streaming |
| Netflix | £5–£18 | Downgrade plan or rotate with other services |
| Amazon Prime | £8.99 | Worth it if you use delivery and Prime Video |
| Disney+ | £5–£11 | Consider annual plan for discount |
| Multiple services | £40–£80 total | Rotate — subscribe to one at a time |
Rotation strategy: Instead of paying for four streaming services simultaneously, subscribe to one for a month, watch what you want, cancel, move to the next.
Switching Calendar
Set reminders for these key dates:
| Bill | When to Review | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | When fixed deal ends | 4–6 weeks before |
| Broadband | When contract ends | 4 weeks before |
| Mobile | When contract ends | 4 weeks before |
| Car insurance | Annual renewal | 3–4 weeks before |
| Home insurance | Annual renewal | 3–4 weeks before |
| TV/streaming | Monthly review | Cancel anytime |
| Council tax | Annual (April) | Check discounts once |
Total Potential Savings
| Bill | Low Estimate | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | £100 | £400 |
| Broadband | £60 | £240 |
| Mobile | £100 | £500 |
| Car insurance | £50 | £200 |
| Home insurance | £30 | £100 |
| TV/streaming | £50 | £300 |
| Total | £390 | £1,740 |
Most households can realistically save £500–£1,000/year by switching bills regularly. Combine this with cashback sites and our other money saving tips for maximum impact.