“Retirement is like a long vacation in Las Vegas. The goal is to enjoy it to the fullest, but not so fully that you run out of money." - Jonathan Clements

When in retirement there is a vast range of ways to save money from cheaper, term-time holidays to reduced travel fares. The Teachers' Retirement Agency has compiled a list of further ideas to make your money go further...

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• If you are with e-on and you have a Tesco card get points for your energy bills. Tel: 0800 051 0760.
• www.energysavingtrust.org.uk will give you energy saving suggestions. E.g. look for Energy Saving Recommended logo when buying home appliances. A washer with this logo could use 1/3 less energy and save you the initial cost over its lifetime.
• www.lowermybills.co.uk has a wealth of information about lowering your bills. E.g. Price comparison for mobile phone tariffs.
• www.homeserve.com screens tradesmen according to several criteria before ranking them based on customer feedback. Could save you stress and money.
• The very best deal from on-line book retailers can be found on www.bookbrain.co.uk
• Complete your own tax return using a dedicated piece of software such as Taxcalc. It guarantees that you can complete your return in 30 minutes!
• AUTO AID on 01277 235 820 can offer motoring for retired couples Roadside Assistance for just £37.
• Saga also offer a basic, low cost package – call 0800 015 4752.
• Get an insurance quote from organisations that target the elderly. E.g. Age Concern 0845 601 2235, Saga 0800 068 8718. Could be cheaper than your current company.
• Take your holiday homesitting for someone else. Sites include: www.home-and-pets.co.uk, www.homeandpetcare.co.uk and www.housesitters.co.uk
• Visit www.petrolprices.com to find the least expensive fuel in your area.
• Share the cost of travel with www.liftshare.org
• The best boiler for your needs www.sedbuk.com
• Free money saving tips and ideas www.piggy-bank.org.uk
• Swap books and just pay the postage www.readitswapit.co.uk
• Don’t bin it – swap it! www.whatsmineisyours.com
• Best broadband, phone, energy supplier deals www.uswitch.com
• Help to cut food waste by half www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
• Furniture re-use network www.frn.org.uk
• Check out recycling in your area www.recyclenow.com
• Pass on unwanted goods to someone who wants them www.uk.freecycle.org
• Eateries where you can take your own wine. Corkage often applies. www.wine-pages.com
• Check out your availability for different types of grants www.government-grants.co.uk
• Sell CDs and video games www.musicmagpie.co.uk
• Sell unwanted books direct to online marketplace www.adebooks.co.uk
• A classified alternative to selling on eBay www.gumtree.com
• Recycle or donate unwanted electrical appliances. Nationwide campaign to reduce these items ending up in landfill. www.weeeconnect.co.uk