When doing our weekly supermarket shop, most of us keep a close eye out for bargains. We look to BOGOF (buy one, get one free), 'buy one, get one half price' and other deeply discounted deals to save us money.
However, how many of us remain bargain-hunters when we leave the supermarket? Alas, for some people, the search for best buys ends when they step into their homes.
This is a great shame, because there are big savings to be made on everyday purchases. In particular, it's easy to save hundreds of pounds every year by finding the right bundle for broadband, home phone and digital television.
Big savings on broadband bundles
Indeed, by shopping around for the best 'home communications' bundle, a typical British household could be £25 a month better off. Over a year, that's a saving of £300, which is worth grabbing with both hands.
In short, by combining your Internet access, home telephone and TV channels into a single package, you could buy all three at a substantial discount. Let's take a look at the Best Buy bundles on offer today, courtesy of lovemoney.com's award-winning, Ofcom-accredited partner, Broadbandchoices.co.uk.
1. Plusnet value broadband and evening and weekend calls
Plusnet offers up to 20Mb broadband, plus free evening and weekend calls to UK landlines, for a mere £6.49 a month. However, the first nine months are half price (£3.24), so this broadband and call package will cost you just £48.63 in year one if you live in one of its low cost areas.
In my view, broadband plus calls for a year for under £50 is an incredible deal. Also, this offer includes free activation (saving you £25), but ends on 5 December, so don't delay if you want this delicious deal.
2. Free Sky+/Sky HD box, plus £100 Marks & Spencer voucher
The second great deal comes from Sky, which is offering a free Sky+/Sky HD box plus a £100 M&S voucher to new customers signing up online (but not over the phone) and any existing Sky customers upgrading to HD (high-definition TV).
This bundle includes up to 20Mb broadband, plus inclusive evening and weekend calls and certain Sky TV channels, from £20 a month. However, this deal runs out soon: it expires on Monday, 14 November, but may be replaced with a similar offer.
These first two deals are the stand-out bargain bundles right now. However, here are eight more of the best bundles on offer from leading providers:
3. BT broadband and evening and weekend calls
This bundle is free for four months and £13 a month thereafter. It offers up to 20Mb broadband, unlimited evening and weekend calls to UK landlines and 0845/0870 numbers. It also includes free connection and a free wireless BT Home Hub.
4. Virgin Media: save up to £159
Virgin's latest deal provides up to 10Mb broadband (with unlimited downloads), plus TV and inclusive weekend calls, from only £23 a month. This includes free installation (saving you £49.95) and a TiVo box with free activation (worth £49.95). This special offer also includes £60 off your first bill, which means that your first three months could cost just £9.
5. Sky: half-price broadband and calls for six months
Sky's other special offer is half-price broadband (up to 20Mb, with truly unlimited downloads), plus inclusive evening and weekend calls, for six months. In effect, this package costs from £5 a month for the first six months.
6. TalkTalk: £3.25 a month for broadband and calls
Until 7th December, TalkTalk has two broadband+calls deals. Essentials is 12 months half price at just £3.25 a month and offers up to 24Mb broadband (with a 40GB download limit), plus evening and weekend calls. Plus offers unlimited downloads and adds anytime calls and is 9 months half price at £7.25 per month.
Both deals include free connection (saving you £30), a free wireless router, free HomeSafe online protection, plus the Value Line Rental option adds an extra £9.50 a month when paid upfront (£114).
7. Primus: £6.49 for line rental
This deal from Primus offers the UK's cheapest line rental: just £6.49 a month (exclusive to Homephonechoices.co.uk), versus BT's rental of £13.90. Although you pay for your calls, these are just 2p a minute during evenings and weekends and 6p a minute during the day to UK landlines. Again, these are much cheaper than BT's standard tariffs.
This 12-month contract is ideal for light users, plus customers who use their phone line mostly for broadband and rely on their mobiles to make calls.
8. O2: free for six months
Existing O2 mobile customers for more than two years get free broadband for six months on The Works and The AllRounder packages. Other customers get free broadband for three months.
This includes up to 20Mb broadband (truly unlimited), plus free connection for existing O2 customers, all from £8.50 a month for existing O2 mobile customers.
9. Orange broadband plus off-peak calls
Orange offers truly unlimited broadband, plus free evening and weekend calls, for £5 a month for existing Orange customers or £10 a month for new customers.
This deal comes with loads of freebies, including free connection, a free wireless router, a free HP printer (exclusive to Broadbandchoices.co.uk), two-for-one cinema tickets with Orange Wednesdays, plus one free movie download from iTunes every Thursday.
10. Tesco Broadband: 12 months ½ price broadband
Tesco offers up to 20Mb broadband, plus free evening and weekend calls, 12 months half price and £8 a month thereafter. This includes free connection and UK-based call centres and customer service.
Check the small print
Before you sign up to these or any other bundles, check the fine print for the following:
- New deals and offers are launched almost every week, so shop around online before picking your best deal.
- Some deals are not available in certain areas, so your switching options will be limited if you live in a rural, isolated or far-flung location.
- How long must my contract last? Many deals have a minimum contract length of 12, 18 or 24 months.
- Will I need to move my home phone? Many deals require you to switch your line rental to a new provider. With BT charging £13.90 a month for rental, this is no bad thing!
- What initial, ongoing and exit charges will I pay? Make sure you understand all charges, fees and costs before signing up.
- You don't necessarily need a bundle to save money. Instead, you can create your own low-cost package of broadband, home phone and TV from different providers.
In summary, there are big savings to be made by finding the right bundle to suit you. In this age of austerity, such savings are most welcome, so don't delay -- switch today!
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