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May 2008
30th May 2008
With the government set to announce its plans regarding tackling fuel poverty and the developing food crisis, the Guardian has revealed what the poorest in Egypt spend their money on 
The BBC has posed the question 'Is it still worth switching?' (including a tacky reference to The Clash) .
Advice includes checking with your existing supplier, you can imagine how that conversation would go.
Customer: Hello, I’m thinking about leaving you for another cheaper supplier.
Energy Customer Services Advisor: Thanks for calling the 'win back' team, how can I help?
Anyway the answer is a resounding yes. The Save for a Change energy comparison service is completely free and impartial and compares all the major tariffs and suppliers out there, plus a few others. It's ridiculously easy to see if you can save any money by switching your fuel(s) to another supplier, or even reduce your carbon footprint AND we will arrange the transfer for you. Did I mention it's free to use and we let you decide to the charity of your choice that we will make a large donation to?
28th May 2008
Save for a Change were invited along to a benefit night for Orphans of Rwanda on Wednesday 28th May. Taking place in the cosy surroundings of the Burlington Arms in London, a good night was had by all who could answer questions regarding Celine Dion duets in the pub quiz. Feeling confident this writer joined a team that only missed out by half a point in the previous quiz - and with my insight only managed third. All I can say is I did get the following right: Badly Drawn Boy, Cary Grant and 2006.
Remember, you can avoid the humiliation of not knowing the answer to 'what direction was the wind blowing, during Elvis's first live concert?' by simply switching your energy and donating to Orphans of Rwanda.
Save some money for yourself by switching your gas and electricity and help someone else as well.
21st May 2008
After staring, many times I might add, at the latest British Heart Foundation poster on the tube, I thought it was time to write something about being a donor. Heart Week begins on the 4th June followed by World Blood donor day on 4th June14th June. There has been plenty of discussion regarding donors but I thought the following blog may get you to consider filling in a donor card or even giving blood.
I have personally not given blood for a few years but will drop off a pint this week and hopefully qualify for a 'blue' National Blood Service card.
20th May 2008
In other news this just goes to prove what can be done if we all get together .
15th May 2008
The cost of practically everything is due to carry on increasing according to the governor of the Bank of England .
Meanwhile, it looks like we are heading for some 'Hard Times' indeed, as there have also been stirrings regarding further price increases to gas and electricity - British Gas being the first to utter what we are all dreading .
As great a time that it is to switch your energy supplier right now, it is also probably going to be better if you choose a 'Capped' or 'Fixed' tariff. These tariffs provide you with some security in these turbulent times, and ensure that should there be a price increase by your supplier, it will not effect the rates you will be paying.
Although you may not see an immediate saving by choosing one of these tariffs they will give you peace of mind, a fixed cost for your gas and electricity rates to make budgeting easier. Most of the energy providers do not have any penalties for leaving should prices begin to fall, so you can always switch tariffs in the future with no penalty should you wish.
Energylinx have provided us with a table showing that while you may not necessarily make a saving straight away by switching to a 'Capped/Fixed' tariff, it will only take one price increase to immediately see the benefits of switching.
| Area | Supplier | Capped till | Existing | Saving | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Electricity | £972.14 | ScottishPower - fixed price online NSC | 28/02/2011 | £983.23 | £11.09 |
| East Midlands Electricity | £977.71 | ScottishPower - fixed price online | 28/02/2011 | £989.20 | £11.49 |
| London Electricity | £946.75 | ScottishPower - fixed price online NSC | 28/02/2011 | £981.12 | £34.37 |
| Manweb | £981.80 | ScottishPower - fixed price online NSC | 28/02/2011 | £997.30 | £15.50 |
| Midlands Electricity | £979.47 | E.ON Price Protection 2009 v14 | 01/10/2009 | £1,025.13 | £45.66 |
| Northern Electric | £998.66 | ScottishPower - fixed price online | 28/02/2011 | £1,042.76 | £44.10 |
| Norweb | £991.41 | ScottishPower - fixed price online NSC | 28/02/2011 | £992.54 | £1.13 |
| Scottish Hydro | £976.79 | npower ONE | 31/07/2009 | £992.22 | £15.43 |
| Scottish Power | £983.42 | ScottishPower - fixed price online NSC | 28/02/2011 | £995.60 | £12.18 |
| Seeboard | £949.18 | E.ON Price Protection 2009 v14 | 01/10/2009 | £970.76 | £21.58 |
| Southern Electric | £976.56 | ScottishPower - fixed price online NSC | 28/02/2011 | £990.84 | £14.28 |
| SWALEC | £995.69 | ScottishPower - fixed price online NSC | 28/02/2011 | £1,007.74 | £12.05 |
| SWEB | £984.09 | ScottishPower - fixed price online NSC | 28/02/2011 | £1,008.60 | £24.51 |
| Yorkshire Electric | £974.94 | E.ON Price Protection 2009 v14 | 01/10/2009 | £1,026.67 | £51.73 |
based on 20,500kWhs of gas and 3,300 kWhs of electricity payable by monthly direct debit. As at 13th May 2008. Existing cost is based on the customer never having changed energy supplier but at least already paying by monthly direct debit.
You may be wondering where the government is in all this?
Fear not! Ofgem is set to recruit a consumer panel regarding the rising costs of gas and electricity for us all .
While we wait for them to state the obvious I am going to switch my gas (not the electricity because that is with a green supplier) in protest and donate the money to the charity of the month, Orphans of Rwanda.
Power to the People or www.saveforachange.co.uk
12th May 2008
Limerick Day
Today is the 12th of May
and I have something about the black stuff to say
St. James Gate will continue to stand
as long as we all have a glass in our hand.
So three cheers for Edward Lear and Limerick Day.
Alex
There was a young man from Kent
who could not believe how much he'd spent
so he called save for a change
to see if they could rearrange
and to a cheaper supplier he was sent.
Kieran
7th May 2008
Happy birthday to Alex's dad
1st May 2008
Pet Month Continues - To celebrate the wonder of animals of all kinds we are getting behind National Pet Month - 5th April to 5th May.
National Pet month aims to promote
- Responsible pet ownership.
- the public's awareness of the companionship, comfort and joy that owning a pet can bring.
- awareness of the role that working animals make to our society.
To celebrate this, Save for a Change have got behind the following charities as they really contribute to the society we live in and make a huge difference:
The Border Collie Trust of Great Britain help to resuce and re-home border collies. If you get a chance look at 'Damien and Clancy's fundraising walk.
Canine Partners assists people with disabilities to enjoy a greater independence and quality of life and, where possible, helps them into education and employment, through the provision of specially trained dogs, whose well-being is a key consideration.
A 'Canine Partner' assistance dog is life transforming for people with disabilities, providing practical, physiological, psychological and social benefits that help keep people happy and healthy.
Three Counties Dog Rescue based in Bourne Lincolnshire accepts, cares for, and finds homes for unwanted, lost and stray dogs.
Aristocat Cat Rescue is run entirely by volunteers, they have no paid staff and all of the funds are spent on the cats and kittens they help.
Aristocat has a non-destruct policy and does not put healthy animals to sleep.
Haworth Cat Rescue is a small independent UK registered charity which offers a half-way home to unwanted cats and kittens. The charity is funded and run by volunteers and operates a no-kill policy.
Tŷ Agored Animal Sanctuary is a registered charity that for over 35 years has provided care and support for unwanted, abused and abandoned animals. They mainly care for cats and dogs but all animals are welcome. Tŷ Agored is Welsh meaning Open House and the animals in their care are guests until a suitable home is found.
Many of the animals that go and stay a while have lived troubled lives. The aim is to change that; they are loved and cared for whilst they stay and Tŷ Agored work hard to find them a good home.