But even if you have to pay for eyecare there are still ways to cut the cost. If you are unlucky enough to need glasses or contact lens, shop around before you buy. You don't have to get them from your optician. Once you have had an eye test, ask the optician for a copy of your lens prescription, then either check other high-street opticians for the best deal or go online, where there are big savings to be had. Getlenses.com, Contactlenses.co.uk, Thespecsplace.com and Visiondirect.co.uk all sell discounted branded contact lenses and glasses, as they don't have to cover the costs of running a shop.
If you opt for the permanent solution of laser surgery, then you can "cut your bill without compromising on the quality of the procedure", says Hughes, by checking with surgeries to see whether they offer discounts on any free treatment slots they have at the end of the month or quarter.
Read your meter. Over 11 million Britons unexpectedly owe an average of £137 to their energy supplier because their estimated meter readings are lower than the actual ones, says Uswitch in The Sunday Times. To avoid these unexpected debts, keep your supplier informed. If you miss the person who comes to read your meter, make sure you fill in and return the slip they will have left, or enter your meter readings online. If you are with EDF it's doubly worthwhile as they will give you Nectar points for submitting your own meter readings. And it might turn out you've been overpaying, in which case you'll be due a refund.
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Claim your dues. If you are over 60, you are entitled to receive a tax-free winter fuel payment of at least £250. If you receive a state pension it should be paid automatically, but if you are not receiving it, call the Government's winter fuel payments helpline on 0845-915 1515.
Buy this weekend's Guardian and Observer to get 2 for 1 vouchers for main meals at Strada, says Martin Lewis on Moneysavingexpert.com. The papers cost £1.50 and £1.90 respectively, but you'll save around £10 on your meal. The vouchers are valid on Sundays to Friday lunchtimes 10 to 24 August, Strada branches in Centre Parcs, The Strand and the Royal Festival Hall are excluded.
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What happens if you can’t pay your tax bill, and what is "Time to Pay"?Millions are due to file their tax return this Friday as the self-assessment deadline closes. Though the nightmare is not over until you pay the taxman what you owe - or face a penalty. But what happens if you can't afford to pay HMRC your tax bill, and what is "Time to Pay"?
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What does Rachel Reeves’s plan for growth mean for UK investors?Rachel Reeves says she is going “further and faster” to kickstart the UK economy, but investors are unlikely to be persuaded
