Money Saving and useful Web Pages

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This page contains a wide variety of links to other websites.  From Hotels in Orlando to how to research your family tree. So get surfing the net !  Just click on the underlined link.  To return here click on the 'Back' arrow. For Financial site links click HERE

Want the news from around the world ?  Click HERE

One special site, which I use frequently is Wikipedia.  There is information about almost everything under the sun and much of it is contributed by volunteers around the world.  I really do believe that information is the key to human advancement and understanding, so I feel that it is worth supporting.  

Did you know that you can move down the list of links by pressing the Tab key ?  Then press Enter to go to  a selected site.  You can also move down the page by pressing the space bar.... holding shift to move up again.

Now where's that dictionary ?  No need : http://dictionary.reference.com/  Dictionary, thesaurus, language translator and more.

Sites relating specifically to older people, including Health sites, have been moved to Here Click on this link. For Savings and Investments click Here and Computer purchasing click Here.

Some folks have saved a fortune using these links. One couple saved hundreds on flights to New Zealand, another bought a new car via Oneswoop and saved loads.  I have saved a couple of hundred on a holiday and lots on travel and house insurance.  For computer bits I favour www.ebuyer co.uk For books and many other items try Amazon. It really pays to shop around.

News, Weather and Football

Reuters World News

        Top 500 sites accessed from the UK  click HERE

• CASHBACK and VOUCHERS  See below under shopping
• AUCTION SITES
  www.ebay.co.uk  ebid.net    www.icollector.com
• BOOKS etc
  www.amazon.com  Get second hand and rare books  www.bibliofind.com
• CARS   I have bought two cars as a result of internet research. Very happy with both.  But do be careful. Scammers can use the 'net' to sell fictitious or cloned cars. 'Which?' did a study and found that new cars were often much cheaper on line
• http://www.visitcars.co.uk   Buy or sell cars.  Free advertising for your car
• cartransportertrailer.com  Buy or hire a car transporter
• http://www.breakdowncover.org/  Not quite what you expect but great news on the motoring front
• cateringtrailerburgervan.co.uk A new career ? 
• Brokers include www.Ukcarbroker.co.uk and www.buyacar.co.uk which specialises in supplying discounted cars without the waiting lists. A large selection of new and used cars available, but no older cars. Car supermarkets include www.cargiant.co.uk and www.Mortorpoint.co.uk and you can try http://www.uk-car-discount.co.uk/  www.oneswoop.com  www.autoexpress.co.uk  www.BroomBroom.com If you are nervous about buying on line then you can still use it to research prices before bargaining with your local dealer.  
  www.dvla.gov.uk/vehiclelicence To tax it on line;  www.askmid.com To check a car's insurance status. www.motinfo.gov.uk (Check a vehicle MOT history)  MOT at www.kwik-fit.com can be booked on line
• Feel like spoiling yourself with the 'Drive of your life ?  Take a look at www.drivingdaysuk.co.uk Or it could be a great birthday present for someone.
• COMPUTING & COMPUTERS
• Donating Computer for charities at home or abroad : http://www.computersforcharities.co.uk/
• Computer Fairs
• July 2011 World of Deals I have just bought an Acer 15.6" laptop with W7, 3Gb, 350gb via their site for £230.  It really is super.  How do they do it ?
• http://malektips.com/ All kinds of free tips about computing
• Manuals (Computers or ANYTHING ELECTRONIC) Go to http://safemanuals.com/
• Ready-made Spreadsheets for budgeting.  Excel etc.  Very useful.  All the work done for you  www.budgetworksheets.org
• Loads of videos on a variety of computer subjects.  Often the easiest way to learn.  See http://www.computeractive.co.uk/tv/
• http://www.donateapc.org.uk/  Spare equipment?  Find a loving home for it (UK only) Get equipment for clubs etc.
• www.computer-aid.org  if you have a spare computer.  They do them up for 'Third World' schools.
• http://www.direct.gov.uk  or  Ukonlinecentres.com.  Free Computer courses
• www.learndirect.co.uk  Another government sponsored initiative providing more advanced courses
• www.bbc.co.uk/webwise.  A couple of on line courses from the BBC
• www.howstuffworks.com has a Computer Section
• www.help.com also provides various courses
•  http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/All kinds of help for the disabled PC user.  www.remakes.org  Enabling disabled people to play games
• See also pensioners page for more
• Free games :  www.free-games-net.com
• Hardware :  Comparative shopping : www.computeractive.co.uk/activeprices (now links to Pricerunner comparison site) www.argos.co.uk/  www.ebuyer.com  www.dabs.co.uk  www.insight.com/uk  www.7dayshop.com  www.misco.co.uk (was Simply Business) www.maplin.co.uk
• Information :  www.pcpro.co.uk  www.Reviews.co.uk (alive but under revision)
• Software downloads :  www.filehippo.com www.jumbo.com  www.tucows.com  www.download.com www.cnet.com  www.pcworld.co.uk
  Web based e-mail addresses  www.gmail.com  www.hotmail.com  www.yahoo.com
• www.address.com  Find people in the USA
• Find the Best/Worst ISP :  www.ispreview.co.uk
• Viruses and Virus Hoaxes :  www.f-secure.com  www.mcafee.com  www.symantec.com  www.ca.com  www.sophos.com
• General Help :  www.helpwithpcs.com  www.techsupportguy.com  www.allexperts.com  www.howstuffworks.com  www.pcpitstop.com  (Pcworld) This site will give you a health check of your computer.
  
• EDUCATION and TRAINING  see also under Other Silver Surfers Sites, below
• http://www.educational-freeware.com/  Very useful for youngsters.
• www.educationquizzes.com. These are quizzes to help children (and parents) with Sat3 tests
• A talking Wikipedia  http://www.qwiki.com (good for blind or partially sighted - little clicking required)
• Free computers and broadband for children in low income families (Scheme closed)
• www.niace.org.uk The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) aims to encourage all adults to engage in learning of all kinds.
• http://typefaster.sourceforge.net/ Free touch typing tutor program
• http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/ Application for grants from £300 to £10,000 for community projects of all kinds (Lottery Funded)
• http://www.computeractive.co.uk/computeractive/features/2152190/build-skills-links-page
• http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses  www.open2.net (both lead to Open University) or phone 0800 77 1234 to book your Free Internet starter session with the government sponsored UKonline  http://u3a.org.uk (University of the Third Age)   www.free-ed.net Free courses in almost everything.. http://www.direct.gov.uk Free course availability.
• Encyclopaedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
• www.remoteemployment.com Specialist site for home working jobs
  
  EQUIPMENT FOR DISABLED AND ELDERLY PEOPLE
• Age UK will supply a number of free guides including Care homes, Winter, Home adaptions, Stair lifts, Baths, Fuel, Equity ReleaseHome insurance, Alarms, a Carer's Guide  if you call 0800 169 29 39 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/guides
• http://www.manageathome.co.uk/ Manage At Home are a UK based retailer of disability & mobility aids.
• AgeUk have 26 vans around the country for those small jobs.  Phone 0845 026 1055 or email handyvan@ageuk.co.uk. For more detail see www.ageuk.org/handyvan
• http://www.clarriotsmobilityonline.co.uk/ Low prices on mobility scooters, wheelchairs, grab rails, adjustable beds, recliner chairs, bath lifts, incontinence pads, dressing aids, pressure relief, overbed tables, medication dispensers and much more.
• www.bentleyfielden.co.uk  Providers of Wheelchairs and Wheelchair Ramps UK-wide
• http://www.stairlifttrader.com/  Second hand stairlifts and free advertising if you have one spare
• http://www.meritltd.co.uk/Has a range of equipment at very reasonable prices. Hearing aids, Pain relief (TENS), Shopping Trolleys, Scooters, Stair lifts, Canes and Guides to equipment of all kinds such as adjustable beds
• www.age-enable.com  UK family run company providing useful products for the elderly to enable them to enjoy living independently at home and make senior living easier. From walking sticks to pill boxes, grab rails to shower stools. With free delivery on orders over £30.
  
• FINANCIAL (see also Savings page)
• The Government MoneyMade Clear site is now http://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/
• I often use a Paypal account both to buy and to sell things.  It seems secure and the currency becomes irrelevant.  They now say you can send people money as long as they have an email address.  See https://www.paypal-marketing.co.uk/sendmoney/index.htm as to how to do this
• Pension information http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/pensions-tips-and-guide. Look into SIPPS
• http://www.surf4finance.com/. This site provides links to useful sites dealing with Debt Management, Mortgages, Insurance, Bank charges etc.
• www.litrg.org.uk  The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group
• The Financial Services Authority has a useful comparative site at http://www.fsa.gov.uk/, dealing with many different financial offerings.  Just fill in what you want to do and it will show an up-to-date list of what is available.
• AgeUk Financial advice
• www.thisismoney.co.uk/  (Daily Mail) www.moneyexpert.com  www.learnmoney.co.uk   www.virginmoney.com 
• Did you know there is £8 billion unclaimed money in banks and Premium Bonds ? Maybe granny forgot an account !  You can check all 45 banks in one go by getting a form from the British Bankers Association www.bba.org.uk  For Building Societies go to www.bsa.org.uk   To check Premium Bonds go to  http://www.nsandi.com The Pension Scheme Registry can check if you are due for anything http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/
• In debt ?  The first port of call should be your Citizens Advice Bureau
• http://www.thinkmoney.com/debt/   Thinkmoney also has  a number of useful links at http://www.thinkmoney.com/tag/pension/
  
• INSURANCE
• insurance64.co.uk  This is a good site to help you comapre insurance of various kinds
  Car insurance can be a problem for older people.  An article in the Mail on Sunday dealt with this .  It found that the chances of having an accident were 13% higher anongs the over 70s and that the cost of claims for over 75s was 50% higher than for those aged 60.  As a result a number of companies are refusing to take on new customers over certain ages, though most will continue to insure existing customers who reach a certain age.  For new customers More Than has an upper age limit of 79; Tesco made that 80, Churchill say 90 and draw the line finally at 99 for existing customers. The most amenable are Saga, Age UK and RIAS, but the cost of cover varies a great deal, depending on location, gender and, of course, accident record. Health factors may also be a consideration and it is essential that you inform your insurer (and DVLC). In the Mail's example, insuring an 84 year old living and working in London RIAS worked out the most expensive. Age UK was nearly half of the RIAS cost.... do shop around
  http://www.norwichunion.com/nud/index.htm (Now Aviva -10% off if you sign on the web). 
  This company was recommended by a (60+) contact: : www.cornhilldirect.co.uk  Brokers : www.inspop.com (I got a good quote here on House Contents insurance - and got better cover)  www.coverquote.co.uk for over 50's.
  Cars If you have a big 'No Claims Discount' and your spouse wants their own cover do shop around to see if you they can benefit from your good record.  Try Churchill for what they term and 'introductory bonus'.
  TRAVEL INSURANCE  Look at my page Here or for general advice see www.travelinsuranceguide.org.uk/
   
• GENEALOGY  << See my page on the subject
  I have not attached links to these sites, so you will have to key in the address, adding www. at the beginning.  Some may charge to do research for you. WWW.GOOGLE.CO.UK  CYNDISLIST.COM, ANCESTRY.COM,  FAMILYSEARCH.COM (Mormon church) FAMILY.COM. ROOTSWEB. COM  RECORDS@GRO.SCOTLAND.GOV.UK,  GENUKI.COM (UK site),  ESSEXVILLAGES. NET, GOOGLE.COM, ASKJEEVES.COM, COPERNIC.COM.  PRO.gov.uk (Public Records Office) SOG.ORG.UK (Society of Genealogists) ARMY.MOD.UK FAMILYRECORDS.GOV.UK
  
• MEMORIAL SITES Some people would like to have a site as a memorial to a loved on.  See http://www.gonetoosoon.org/  and www.muchloved.com
  
• OTHER SITES TO TRACK DOWN LONG LOST FRIENDS OR RELATIVES
  www.missing-you.net  www.myoldmate.net  www.familysearch.org   www.lookupuk.com    www.missing-you.net http://people.yahoo.co uk   www.bigfoot.com   http://uk.bigfoot.com   www.army.mod.uk, www.smartgroups.com www.bureauofmissingheirs.com   www.probate.com (charge made)    www.british legion.org.uk   www.servicepals.com   www.missingpeople.com. www.missingpersons.org  www.peoplesearchers.co.uk  www.lookupuk.com www.infospace.com  www.whowhere.com   www.switchboard.com  www.192.com (phone number, address, electoral roll), www.411.com (U.S. private phone numbers) Track old school friends.  www.friendsreunited.com www.ukbirth-adoptionregister.com  www.locatefirst.com/uk (UK Electoral roll) www.locatefirst.com/us  and www.addresses.com (USA people finders)
• HEALTH SITES  Most have been moved to Here
  
• HOLIDAYS & TRAVEL   All  travel links have been transferred to my Travel Page Help40.htm
  
  HOUSEHOLD
  May 09 . Wrongly Rated ? Since Moneysavings Expert started to suggest that people check their rating band 130,000 households have been rerated.  See HERE for instructions as to what to do
  Winter heating It is important to check the latest government offers as to whether you can gain from any of their energy saving measures. At least they have bludgeoned the energy providers to help fund the schemes. A government report said "Some 11 million people are expected to be offered assistance through the scheme. Almost half a million of the most vulnerable consumers would not see their bills rise at all this winter. Under the package, all low-income and pensioner households will be eligible for free insulation, saving up to £300 a year.
  So ,you may be able to get assistance with wall and roof insulation and, more important with an efficient central heating system, including up to five radiators. Some people may get small grants if there is a hard winter. I was hoping they would double glaze my house.. but no such luck !
  The Energy Saving Trust (0800 512 012) can tell you about grants (up to £2,000) from power companies and councils in your area.  Tap in your postcode.
  GRANTS In addition you may find grants available to bring substandard propery up to scratch (such as damp, problems, installing a bath or shower, hot and cold water and inside toilet) There are more generous grants where disabled facilities are required, such as widening of doors, ramps, stair lifts and downstairs toilets.  Although these may be means tested, no means test is applied if a child under 19 is disabled.  There is even an 'empty rooms grant', to bring back accomodation to a habitable state and also lead (water) pipe replacement.
  Compare your Gas , Electricity, Telephone and Broadband : www.uswitch.com.  Make sure you include offers from companies with which Uswitch do not have a deal. And bear in mind that all comparison sites are in it or their own good !
  www.TheEnergyShop.com is another free, totally impartial, energywatch accredited price comparison and switching service that allows domestic customers find the best deals for their gas and electricity. Customers can compare deals from all the main licensed suppliers and then switch suppliers online or over the telephone. The whole process takes just a few minutes and customers switching for the first time can typically save themselves as much as £150 a year.
  
  If you want to compare bills for commercial/business energy prices, use Utility-Exchange
  
  Another useful site for this is www.ukpower.co.uk. Very simple to use.  But I find that there are so many factors to take into account that comparison is very difficult and the cold callers and swap sites take advantage of this. Some companies have got into trouble with OFGEM over this.
  E-on, formerly Powergen, formerly Txuenergi, have a Staywarm scheme for pensioners, see.... http://www.ukpower.co.uk/staywarm.asp (for people on low incomes) which sets a monthly amount you pay regardless of the gas and electricity you use. To set up an account telephone them on 0800 169 4694. But one contact had a quote under Staywarm that was £20 more than he was paying !
  
  Check the value of your property and see trends :  www.hometrack.co.uk
  
  INFORMATION
  Crime in your area ? A fascinating site http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/WP/DG_WP193625
  Legal advice : A Comprehensive article from Computer Active magazine HERE
  Four Newspaper on one page ! HERE
  Major Newspapers all over the world http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/
  Can't find a manual for your equipment ?  Search for one here :   http://safemanuals.com/
  http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/index.htm  Yes, you can do it on line.  Police, health, leisure, motoring, Your rights, voting, tax and benefits and lots more
  Encyclopaedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mai
  Business enquiries (yellow pages type) www.118.com/ 
  www.number-10.gov.uk. (Your chance to sound off at the government)
  http://astronomylinks.com  (Astronomy )
  www.nature.com  (science) www.newscientist.com (Science)  
  www.britannicaca  (World records )
  The British Library - View ancient documents e.g. Dead Sea Scrolls. 
  Government : http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index,htm Access to sites on Education, Caring, Housing, Justice, Disability, Jobs, Health, grants and  benefits. Passports, Motoring (SORN and tax)
  Mr Goh's site at http://pgoh13.free.fr and it is well worth having a look for computer tips, news, jokes, inspirational poems, brain teasers, dictionaries. http://www.separatedfamilies.org.uk/  
  http://www.createwrt.net/. A voluntary group which aims to help housebound people with creative writing.
  Will Writing from £48: http://www.halifaxlegalexpress.co.uk/halifax/ The page also offers legal advice at fixed costs
  Will Writing from £39 http://www.glosslegal.co.uk.  Try it free. Each Will is checked by a qualified solicitor, and is then professionally printed, bound and sent to you by post to make sure it does not get invalided by the probate office.
  Other legal services can be found at The Coop and QualitySolicitors.com (a group of 150 High Street Solicitors)
  www.lawrights.co.uk (now called Compact Law) (Legal questions)  
  
  MAPS, POSTCODES AND TELEPHONES  http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2/JourneyPlanning/JourneyPlannerInput.aspx  http://maps.google.co.uk/
  www.mapquest.co.uk   www.ukphonebook.com (phones, postcodes, addresses and maps)   Postcodes can also be found HERE (Royal Mail site) www.getmapping.com.  www.royalmail.com http://uk.multimap.com  Telephone numbers : http://www.bt.com.  www.old-maps.co.uk (download old maps of your area)   For free Faxing or SMS messages to mobile phones see a full list on www.textmefree.com  
  MISCELLANEOUS
  The Oliver Foundation.  A very worthwhile cause, which is training disadvantaged youths near Port Elizabeth, South Africa  
  
  
  Landshare.  A website that connects people with land and those who want an allotment See http://landshare.channel4.com/
  TV Guide : http://www.tvguide.co.uk/
  Sport on TV e.g. football highlights for a week after the games www.virginmedia.com/sport
  www.upmystreet.com Information about your area. House values, policing, best schools etc.  Just enter your postcode.
  www.teachingart.co.uk  www.saa.co.uk Sites dedicated to helping people with their art hobby.
  Glasses :  No need to spend £300 - £500.  Get your prescription free from any optician - don't be embarassed to just ask for it - and look at www.glassesdirect.co.uk or www.specs-by-post.com The latter will send you your chosen frame with clear lenses. If you like them, you then return them with a photo, so they can pick the correct measurements. You choose the combination of features you like (bi focal, multifocal, anti -reflective, light reactive, stronger, lighter, anti scratch etc) and send them your free prescription. Voila. Who needs an optician ? If you don't save £200 I will eat my fedora.
  Glasses Enthusiastic comments from customers buying high end glasses (Chanel, Ray Ban) at http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews243510.html
  
  MUSIC  http://entertainment.msn.co.uk  Get tracks even before the shops do for 75p - 99p each. 200,000 to choose from and all legit.  
  Lyrics. Mr Goh's site includes the titles of many songs at http://pgoh13.free.fr and it is well worth having a look for computer tips, news, jokes, inspirational poems, brain teasers, dictionaries. Also see http://askbobrankin.com/finding_lyrics.html for links to lyric sites
  
  SHOPPING 
• http://www.sofeminine.co.uk/  and http://www.sofeminine.co.uk/home-cooking-recipes-food.html
• http://www.oodeals.co.uk/ Is a site which finds special offers and also asks people to vote for them on Twitter and Facebook
• http://www.worldofdeals.co.uk/ Useful site
• Good site for Trampolines at http://www.365trampolines.co.uk
  VOUCHERS and Promotional codes are the in thing these days with many companies vying for your business by offering money off and 2 for 1 deals.
  Have you ever noticed, when buying on line that it says 'Enter your promotional code here'. So what is that about ? Almost every large retailer is now doing this from Argos to Vodaphone and Wickes.
• http://www.thinkmoney.com/voucher-codes/
• www.slashprices.co.uk Another voucher site
• SmartClicks - Discount voucher codes and online shopping offers. Helping consumers to save money shopping online. A free, easy to use directory of discounts and savings at thousands of online shops, with hints for people who haven't shopped on line before.
   
• http://voucherbuddy.co.uk/ Free Voucher Codes in the UK
• Money Supermarket Vouchers
• http://www.topvouchercodes.com
• www.voucherseeker.co.uk
• Vouchersmarter
• www.vouchercodes.co.uk
• Promotional Codes Org UK
  
• MyVoucher Codes 
• CouponCodes4U for American promo codes.
  
  Cashback sites are also all the rage.  If you buy via them you eventually get cash back. Wepromiseto: Pays £25; Topcashback: Pays £22; Cashback Kings: Pays £22; Quidco: Pays £21. To my knowledge none of these are related to Shopper Discounts and Rewards (Webloyaty International) which charges a monthly fee
  
  http://www.cheaptraintickets.info/cheap-train-tickets-guide/  Is an excellent guide to how to save money on train tickets.  
  How about www.howtocomplain.com
  http://www.hotukdeals.com/ This site lists bargains that people have spotted in shops or on line
  Cheapest petrol in you area (it changes by the day).  Just put your postcode in at http://www.petrolprices.com/
  Get rid of your junk and find bargains. Join your local Freecycle. See http://uk.freecycle.org/
  http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/  A comparative shopping site for the major supermarket chains
  http://www.trustedreviews.com/  Excellent site for independant views of modern gadgets
  Don't forget the Which ? site at http://www.which.co.uk/.  You don't have to sign up for much of the info.
  http://www.ageuk.org.uk/buy/
  www.kelkoo.com  www.pricewatch.co.uk  uk.shopping.com   Letsbuyit.co.uk  www.tesco.com  www.iceland.co.uk  www.toysrus.co.uk 
  www.sears.ca  will deliver things to Canadian addresses using your Visa card.
  
  Telephone Calls
  Telephone call charges are very confusing. At least computer based telephony should make competition fiercer.  But you may still be paying a premium on some calls if you are not careful. Premium rate numbers include all those beginning with 090 and can vary between 49p and £1.50 a minute of which the recipient gets a substantial cut. But even the following numbers have variable charges :  0845 numbers ARE charged at 'lo-call' (not local) call rates.  But 044 is charged at 5ppm at any time.  0870 and 0871 numbers are charged at the national rate, even if it is local and pay the owner a cut if you phone at peak times, whereas 0871918 numbers are 10ppm at any time. Many companies will quote an 0870 number even though they have a free 0800 number.  There is a website that enables you to check whether a company has a cheaper alternative. Study the site at www.saynoto0870.com to find non geographical alternatives to 0870 numbers. Always bear in mind that most telephone companies will charge around 5p for the first minute. So, if you are on pay-as-you-go dialup and get through but then your PC has to re-dial  seconds later it is probably costing you.
  
  With competition opening up the telephone market you should check the comparative costs of telephone suppliers. OFTEL suggests www.uswitch.com,  who are allowed to help you change. It only takes a few minutes and can save you tens of pounds a month, particularly if you phone abroad a lot. You may be able to save on telephone calls especially to the USA and Australia (e.g. 2p per minute). But the cheapest of all is a PC to PC call by a service such as Skype. When it comes to cost FREE is hard to beat !  See Here.  
  
  For international calling codes see http://www.countrycallingcodes.com/index.php

Other Silver Surfer's Sites - see Here

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