Credit Crunch - find out how to beat it - By: Traderdog

According to Wikipedia, Credit Crunch means a sudden reduction in the availability of money.

That's the polite version. We could all probably provide a much more graphic explanation.

Politicians seem to be wary of using the R word for fear of creating panic, but a rose by any other name smells just as sweet - recession or credit crunch? Not a lot of difference really.

The cold facts are that things are getting tight and are liable to get even tighter in the months ahead.

The bad news is:

Fuel bills are set to rise this winter as energy prices take a jump of 17% upwards in one sudden move, but it is possible to take action against this.

Grocery bills speak for themselves. With the tightening of belts this is one way of getting slimmer!

On fish alone, trawler owners have to spend $25,000 on fuel in one trip order to land a catch valued at $50,000. Then wages and all other incidentals have to be covered.

Farmers have been urged to grow crops for use as bio-fuels but this is creating a shortage of food. Logic surely tells us we need to eat first but can develop another means of getting around. Perhaps someone should tell the politicians?

Farmers are also facing chronic increases in the price of both fertilisers and fuel.

Where will it all end? Well, no one really knows, but general opinion (the experts) reckon the credit crunch will last until the end of 2010.

So what's to do about it?
First of all take a look at http://www.save-money-guide.com. This site will give you a head start on saving money and living well.

* On energy, plan your journeys so that a tank of petrol goes further. Try to find someone going in the same direction, such as your journey to work, so that they can share the cost.
* Plan your shopping trips and your shopping list so that you are not constantly popping out for things you have forgotten. If you can, do a week's shop in one visit to the supermarket, so plan your meals ahead.

* In winter cut down the thermostat on the boiler by a degree or two, this will make a terrific difference. Why not form a heating oil co-operative?

* If you have a wood burning stove, congratulations, make good use of it.

* Food. Plan ahead. Make good use of BOGOF's - Buy One Get One Free.

* Don't try and follow recipes with "way out" ingredients that you will probably never use again. Stick to tried and tested oldies unless you are entertaining - then jazz up the oldies.

* Clothing. Don't be proud, visit the Charity Shops and see what bargains you can find.

* DIY, Gardening, Medicines, Insurance, Mobile phones, heating oil, property etc. etc. are all areas where you can save money with fantastic results.

* Don't make yourself miserable by trying to save in the wrong places. It is possible to economise and still maintain a good standard of living.

* Pick someone's brains, use their ideas - visit http://www.save-money-guide.com and see how it is done.

* It's easy when you know how. Take a look and save money - now!

About the Author

Jo Withey is an experienced author and her web site is http://www.save-money-guide.com Here you will be able to find advice on all aspects of saving money and getting the best use of the money you have.

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