Help for home improvements
If you need a loan to do up your home, there is a fair, flexible and affordable solution
If your home improvements are urgent but you’re short on money, there’s a government-backed social enterprise that specialises in helping families kit out their homes. Even if your credit score is less than perfect, Fair for You may be able to help with an affordable loan to shop at Dorset Home Stores, Whirlpool and other retailers. You set the repayment terms to suit your circumstances and if you pay off your first loan or have been repaying on time for six months, you’ll be able to apply for a pre-paid shopping card to spend in store and online at Dunelm, Carpetright and Habitat.
Live rent-free!
Fed up of rents going up? Here’s how to live rent-free
If you’re struggling with high rent, Kindroom has the solution. This new start-up works by helping people rent properties, rooms or spaces without a single penny changing hands. The idea is that you’ll contribute to your host with valuable services or skills instead so if you’re handy with a hammer, you could pay your way with DIY. Or maybe you’re a maths whizz who could provide exam tuition or offer to take the dog for walks twice a day. Hosts list when they have a room available and what they are looking for while tenants can set up their own profile, adding their skills. Rooms are either free or extremely low, around £200 to £250 in London, so it’s a win – win.
NEED TO KNOW: All users (tenants and hosts) will be fully vetted and ID checks are carried out using government systems. Hosts and potential tenants will also liaise before working together and there’s a stringent AI review system in place.
Avoiding scams
Don’t get caught out by scams
Citizens Advice is running its Scams Awareness campaign from 3 to 9 July to help you spot scams and give advice if you think you’ve been caught out. There’s lots of advice on its website including how to check, what to do, report a scam, get support and suss out online scams, that are all too clever these days.
- If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.
- Never feel pressurised into transferring or paying money quickly.
- If you’ve been asked to pay in an unusual way such as an iTunes voucher or transfer service, avoid.
- Never give anyone any personal information such as passwords, PINs or verification codes.
- Always check carefully the email address if you’re corresponding with anyone involving money.
- If you’re concerned, talk to your bank or card issuer immediately.
- You can also contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and Citizens Advice.
Saving energy in the kitchen
Keep bills as low as possible with a little energy know-how
Once you know the average costs for using various cooking appliances, it can help you decide where to spend and where to save. The following figures are from the Energy Saving Trust and are based on prices until the end of June 2023.
Best for batch cooking:
- Electric oven– typical cost per use £0.27 (Tip: avoid opening the door any more than necessary to keep hot air in)
Best for quick meals:
- Gas or electric hob – typical cost per use £0.01 to £0.02 (Tip: cover pans with lids)
Best for busy lifestyles:
- Slow cooker – typical cost per use £0.26 (Tip: use the low setting)
Best for 1-2 people:
- Air fryer – typical cost per use £0.07 (Tip: don’t open the drawer more than needed to keep heat in)
Best for reheating and quick meals:
- Microwave – typical cost per use £0.04 (Tip: use to reheat batch cooked meals)
Mortgages to combat rising interest rates
With even higher mortgage repayments on the cards, here are three ways to reduce the cost
Anyone with a mortgage or loan or taking out a new loan has been keeping their eyes firmly fixed on the Bank of England’s rate rises. David Hannah, Property Expert and Chairman of Cornerstone Group International, shares his top 3 mortgage products to look out for:
- Zero-deposit mortgage – Skipton Building Society has recently launched a new zero-deposit mortgage aimed at helping first-time buyers and renters get onto the property ladder. The ‘track record’ mortgage should help those with a strong history of paying rent on time and in full buy their first home.
- Zero-interest loans for green improvements – From 1 June, Nationwide offers a 0% loan to existing mortgage customers looking to spend up to £15,000 on energy efficient home improvements.
- Long-term mortgages – Kensington Mortgages currently has a 40-year mortgage, the longest on offer, and other lenders may have similar.
Here at YourHomeStyle.UK HQ we're always scouring the internet for money-saving tips and energy-efficient appliances, so check out our other practical guides, including clever ways to save money and reduce your bills, energy-saving tips and Christmas on a budget, as well as buyer's guides, including best smart thermostats and best energy efficient air fryers. We've even put together some how-to features, including how to insulate a loft and how to save water in your bathroom.
