Why burglar alarms aren't worth the bother

published 1 August 2008

"Time was when it was worth the expense of buying and installing a burglar alarm, if only for the juicy discount handed out by home contents insurers," says Julian Knight in The Independent on Sunday. But that time may have passed. Attitudes to burglar alarms have changed over the years neighbours are more likely to roll their eyes when a siren starts wailing, rather than rush, golf club in hand, to defend your possessions. As a result insurers are less inclined to offer discounts to those who have them.

"Insurers will only offer them according to their previous claims experience. If they don't think it will make much difference in your area then no discount will be on offer," says Malcolm Tarling at the Association of British Insurers in The Independent on Sunday. The lesson? Check with your insurer whether you would get a discount for an alarm before installing it and get friendly with the neighbours, who might then keep half an eye on your home.

Drink from the tap

Tap water is 141 times cheaper than Evian, the best selling mineral water, says Neil Fowler in Which? What's more, "the UK has some of the safest and best-quality water in the world. It's time we started appreciating it." So buy one more bottle of Evian and then refill it from now on with tap water.

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Sell your junk

Cut down on the cost of entertaining the children and make money during the summer holidays with a family trip to a car boot sale, says Jasmine Birtles in the Daily Express. Get the kids to help collect up any junk in the house, then head down to the nearest event. "By doing this you will have cleared the house, had a day out, helped to teach the children some money management and you'll have extra cash."

Spend

At Sainsbury's, spending £40 or more on one transaction, either in store, online or at the petrol pump, before 12 August gets you three discount vouchers for days out at an array of attractions, from Alton Towers to Warwick Castle. Or visit a Sainsbury's Local store, where you only have to spend £20 for the same offer. A similar deal is available to Walkers crisps customers special packets come with vouchers to get free adult or child entry to an array of attractions. Tetley Tea also has two for one vouchers available on promotional packs.

And one to avoid

Save money by buying a Cashmere blanket from Just Blankets, says Jasmine Birtles on Moneymagpie.com. Apparently "it is a steal at £169" compared to similar blankets available at The White Company for £595. Classic shoppers' accounting. How about saving loads more money by not buying a cashmere blanket at all?

Ruth Jackson-Kirby is a freelance personal finance journalist with 17 years’ experience, writing about everything from savings accounts and credit cards to pensions, property and pet insurance.

Ruth started her career at MoneyWeek after graduating with an MA from the University of St Andrews, and she continues to contribute regular articles to our personal finance section. After leaving MoneyWeek she went on to become deputy editor of Moneywise before becoming a freelance journalist.

Ruth writes regularly for national publications including The Sunday Times, The Times, The Mail on Sunday and Good Housekeeping, among many other titles both online and offline.