Most parents have enough on their plates without having to worry about how much money they’re spending on the family’s internet access.
But if you never make time to compare broadband deals, there’s a strong chance you’re paying more than you have to for your internet.
To save money, and maybe get a better service with faster speeds in the process, the best place to start is a trusted broadband money-saving website that’ll do most of the hard work for you, showing packages from all the main UK providers available where you live.
Here are some tips to help you compare broadband and get the best deal:
1. Keep your eyes peeled for bargains
Internet providers are constantly updating their deals and offers, so even you’re happy with what you’ve got at the moment it doesn’t hurt to keep a lookout for something even better. If you use the web to shop around, you’ll often come across online exclusives such as half-price broadband for the first six months of your contract.
2. Pick value for money over price
It might seem slightly counter-intuitive to say you can save money by not getting obsessed with prices, but a certain extent it’s actually true. If you skimp on your broadband - signing up to a cheap basic package with a low usage limit - then you’re likely to rack up extra costs further down the line, for example if you need to increase your download allowance.
3. Don’t get stung by expensive hidden costs
It’s easy to get carried away when you see a broadband deal with a super-cheap price, but it’s important to look a bit deeper to make sure you’ll definitely be saving money. The main thing to watch out for is line rental, which you need to pay in order to receive the vast majority of broadband services in the UK. Prices vary a lot, so it shouldn’t be overlooked.
4. Bundle with one provider for everything
If you’re trying to save money, one of the worst things you can do is have separate providers for your family’s broadband, home phone and TV. It almost always works out cheaper if you bundle the whole lot with one company, such as BT, Sky, Virgin Media or TalkTalk, which all offer landline, internet and digital TV packages rolled into a bundle.
5. Switch every couple of years
Providers generally save their best offers and discounts for attracting new customers, so while you might get everything half-price for a few months you’ll usually have to pay the full amount for the remainder of a 12 to 24-month contract. As soon as your contract period expires, it’s time to shop around again. There’s usually a better deal to be had.
Author bio:
Anthony Hill is a writer for broadbandchoices, where you can compare broadband, TV and mobile phone deals and that’ll save money for you and your family.