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As temperatures outside drop and thermostats inside are cranked up, now is not the best time for consumers’ fuel prices to rise. Unfortunately, however, this is exactly what is happening; uSwitch.com notes that all but one of the major fuel providers has increased their cost for fuel. Scottish & Southern Energy is the only remaining company, and has promised that their rate increases would be delayed until late March 2008.
Recently, E.ON has added their name to the list of fuel providers with increasing rates. After studying the numbers, uSwitch.com estimates that the average household bill for dual fuel E.ON customers will rise from £913 to £1,063. E.ON customers can expect rate increases to start on February 8, 2008.
Besides being conscious of household fuel use, what is a consumer to do? Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, suggests using company competition to your advantage. She suggests there is up to £325 in savings to be had in doing so.

Most likely, thoughts of watching your credit card does not make you heart thump fondly. All the same, building society, Nationwide, has a few tips for making your Valentine’s Day celebration a bit more budget friendly.
Based on their information gathered that consumers lost an estimated £27 million in February 2007 from unnecessary credit fees, Nationwide is urging consumers who plan on travelling abroad for the Valentine’s holiday to research any hidden fees their card charges for overseas usage. If you find that your purchases will be subject to extra fees, consider using your debit card or converting currency.
However, it also pays (yes, literally), to be aware of the potential dangers in Dynamic Currency Conversion, which is when a cardholder can pay in sterling or local currency. In this situation, individual retailers can set their own conversion rate.
Summarizing the company’s advice, Nationwide division director, Jeremy Wood, states, “Couples who are planning to go abroad for a romantic getaway this Valentine’s Day should be aware of the hidden charges that most card providers impose, which are both costly and unnecessary.”