Last updated at 12:00, Tuesday, 11 May 2010

Advertising feature. No matter what it is you are putting cash aside for, a high interest savings account could be just what you need to make the most of your money. Often this type of option might be ideal for people preparing for a future rainy day, but with the washout that was the last British summer still fresh in many people's minds - wouldn't it make more sense to use that money for a sunny getaway?

As the most treacherous part of the year draws to a close and you begin to think about turning down the thermostat, there is every chance there will be some savings to be had on energy bills. As your home should already be getting a little warmer, this could mean more cash in your pocket. And with this in mind, you could be using the extra dough to help get closer to taking a well-deserved break. In fact, if you could put it in a place where it will generate a little interest, you could be boarding a plane even sooner.

So with a number of options available, what might be the best savings account for you? Well, the Halifax Web Saver Extra is just one facility that might just serve all of your needs as it provides 24/7 access. This makes checking up on the progress of that holiday fund just a few clicks of the mouse away. In addition you will get unlimited withdrawals and you can also make as many deposits as you like. Plus getting the fund started up couldn’t be simpler as a the balance can start at just £1, so even if you just want to get things moving you really have no excuse! The whole application takes around five minutes - so heading on over to our website on your next lunch break could have you relaxing on the beach even sooner.

But the first thing you might want to know is how you can change the way you spend in order to free up extra cash to put into this account. One of the best ways to make this happen is to think about some of your regular outgoings you have and how they can be reduced. Of course, looking at your utilities around the home and comparing providers is one approach, but one that could be much simpler is just altering your behavior. Experts regularly suggest turning down your thermostat by just a single degree C, as this can reduce bills by anything up to 10 per cent. If you have old-style incandescent bulbs lighting your property, why not replace them with greener energy-efficient ones? This will also help you be a little kinder to the planet. Cutting the amount of water you waste around the home might also be a good idea and this is also something that can be easier than you think. Trying not to overfill the kettle is one tip, while another is running power-hungry appliances only when they are absolutely needed. In addition, running the dishwasher or washing machine only when fully loaded might be wise.

If reducing the carbon footprint of your home and living a more frugal lifestyle is a priority for you, it is likely that these are things you are already doing. However, although these energy-saving moves might seem small to some, there is extra money to be had by making them that would be much better off in your savings account.




Halifax offers a complete range of bank accounts and personal investment products. Whatever you're looking for: from savings to personal loans, a mortgage or a credit card, at Halifax we aim to give you a little extra help. We even offer help with your home insurance and travel insurance too

 

First published at 16:32, Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Published by http://www.workingtonlocal.co.uk