Have you switched gas and electric companies recently? Who are you with?

[Spidermama]

I am trying to put the leg work in and find the moneysavingexpert advice baffling. Why won't the site just say X is cheapest at the moment? I realise I sound naive and thick but money has never been my strong point. I've realised I waste hundreds every year on all sorts of bills because I am so crap at it.

So having just renegotiated my mobile bill I'm feeling motivated to sort out the gas and electricity. At the moment I'm with Atlantic.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as we are really struggling and have to make serious savings somewhere.

Off on school run. Back soon.

go on compare.com or money supermarket. It isn't as simple as a 'cheapest' as we all use fuel differently and like to pay differently.

We have been with alot of companys atm we are with eon and I nearly died when they told me last week that I have been over paying and we are £400 in credit!!!!!!!
This is the 1st time this has happened ..... Imo british gas and n power have been the worst.

We have just switched to Eon, and currently paying £100 less per month on electricity, no gas. Will be interesting to see what they adjust to when they come and meter read.

You need to find out how much gas and electricity you have used over the past year -- your current supplier will be able to give you this info.

Then use one of the comparison sites like go compare or moneysupermarket - put the figures for the last years' consumption, how you pay your bills (monthly dd, or whatever), and they should then be able to tell you who is the cheapest supplier in your area. Dual fuel is cheaper than seperate suppliers usually, as is paying by direct debit.

Once you have figured who is cheapest, go onto a cashback site such as Quidco, and go through them, find the cheapest supplier that was recommended, and get cashback too - I have just switched from EDF to EON, and got £70 cashback, and will hopefully saving £300 a year.

If and when you do change, go via Quidco to check if you can get cash back, that can be very ££worthwhile. Foolish not to IMO.

Thanks all. I've just phoned Atlantic who supply my gas and electricity and given them a reading. It turns out I have over paid by 350 for lec and 150 for gas. I've asked them to pay it back into my account as they were all set to just carry it over into next years bills.

So I made £500 in that 'phone call. Woohoooo!!

well done you - happy christmas

perhaps make a new years resolution o keep an eye on bills - so you dont end up over-paying/getting a rubbish deal in future?

I will Geordie. Today has been an eye opener. You have to keep your wits about you don't you?

Hi was with Atlantic til about a year ago - think you should be able to get cheaper (although I thought the welsh customer service people were ace !) Then went to Scottish power now going to Scottish Hydro which is a bit better for gas but £40 cashback, yay ! Also check out your boiler maintenance contract - I'm going to save £5/month plus £40 cashback for switching.

I agree price comparison sites can be very confusing - I thought uswitch was the worst - took 3 months to change. best to do the price comparison on a site - then phone the company of choice direct.

Good Luck

ps very envious of your £500 credit - just spent £100 at the dentist on one filling and check up - that's the Xmas club money then

Yes I was eyeing up those cash for switching deals but Atlantic have just given me the £500 (which was mine because they massively overcharged me obv!!) but also they paid £138 into my account a week or so ago as a 'loyalty' payment. Maybe I should stick with this which already seems too good to be true.

I like the customer service at Atlantic too.