File Genie: Blog

How Tech Can Help You Save Money

20/7/2022

Our top suggestions on how tech can help you save money.

This year we have seen prices rise dramatically- from energy to food, prices are continuing to spiral and there doesn’t seem to be a sign of them dropping anytime soon. It’s a scary time and we all need as much help and support as possible to help us through these difficult times. So we thought this month we would share some really useful ways that you can save money on some of your everyday costs using tech.

Add a Coupon or Cashback App to your Browser
Coupons are a great way to make savings and we now have a great selection of free apps that will do the hard work for you. Some will give you the discount in the form of cashback after you submit your receipt so it’s important you get and keep your receipt.

Cashback and coupons are great for things you needed to buy anyway but if the app is tempting you to buy something you don’t need then you really aren’t making a saving at all!

Sweeten your shopping with Paypal Honey. This free app can be added to Chrome, Safari and other browsers and it searches for coupons for over 3000 shops.

Vouchercodes is another well known coupon site and app that offers discounts and deals when you shop online.

For supermarket shopping Shopmium is another great free app to have to hand. It works in store or online at selected supermarkets and gives you exclusive offers and discounts that you get as cashback when you submit your receipts.

Top Cashback is probably one of the best known cashback apps. You can add the extension to your browser so you don’t forget when you shop online and there is also an app you can download to your smartphone. You can often get quite good returns on insurance and utilities so it’s worth a look when it’s time to renew.

Get control of your Finances
There are lots of budgeting apps out there all offering slightly different things. Some will link up with you bank accounts and help you keep track of your accounts, credit cards and savings while others will keep an eye on your payments and alert you when you are spending too much on different categories such as food, entertainment etc.

If you need help keeping no eye on where your money goes, then Emma is a great tool to keep you on the right track. The app analyses your subscriptions and keeps track of where you spend your money. The interface is simple to use so it’s great if you’re just getting the hang of budgeting.

Snoop is another good app that helps you track your money in one place, simply add your accounts to the app and it will show you all your transactions in one place. It also offers personalised money saving suggestions.

For money saving help there are a number of free apps out there. Chip monitors your spending and works out how much you could afford to save, then automatically moves the money into a savings account. Monzo is a free digital only banking app where you can set up a bank account and associated ‘Pots’ where you can set money aside i.e for bills, savings etc.

Get the Best Prices for Fuel
As fuel prices continue to make jaws drop it’s a great idea to be aware of the cheapest places to fill up in your area. Petrol Prices have an app you can use once you're signed up. It’s a great way to check which fuel station is offering the cheapest fuel at any given time.

Smart Life
You probably already have quite a lot of smart gadgets in your home so make sure you are making the most of them.

Hive are a great example of how we can live smarter. From heating to lighting, everything is linked and controlled in one app on your smartphone. Having smart features such as a thermostat that will switch off when a window is opened or motion sensor lights will save you money on your energy bills. Check out this Money Saving Expert guide to smart thermostats.

Smart meters are one way you can keep an eye on your energy usage (and take steps to reduce it if you need). They will help ensure you only get charged for the energy you’re using rather than relying on estimates. There are arguments to both sides when it comes to smart meters, especially as there are currently two generations of smart meter with the earlier version being unable to communicate with a new energy supplier if you switch.

If you would like any help with any of the apps or tech contact Ben here or why not pop along to one of our monthly surgeries over at The Kiosk at Itter Park?

What are your favourite money saving apps and websites? Leave us a comment and let us know.

Get The Most Out Of Your Broadband

19/11/2021

We’ve come a long way since the days of dial up internet and the associated time it took for - well, anything to happen really. If you don’t remember those days, then you should count yourself lucky.

Using the internet was often interrupted by someone (usually your mum or dad) trying to make a phone call or generally just slow and irritating.
Then broadband came along and changed life as we know it.

Suddenly you could access the internet at the touch of a button, no annoying dial up tone and everything was super-fast. That’s not to say it always runs smoothly, in fact more and more of us are dealing with slow broadband connection speeds daily. With our reliance on the internet for pretty much everything these days, it’s more than a little irritating if your broadband connection is running a bit under par.

But don’t panic just yet, there are a few tricks and tips you can try to help get the most out of your broadband:

Run a Speed Test
If you think your broadband is running much slower than the provider has guaranteed, then you should run a speed test. There are lots of online speed test tools, Thinkbroadband.com gives comprehensive results which you can then use when you contact your provider. You need to check your broadband speed through a wired connection first and then check through the Wi-Fi - if the speed is slow through both methods you need to contact your provider. If the speed is ok through the wired connection but slow with Wi-Fi, then you have a problem with your router.

Contact Your ISP
They should be able to help you work out what the cause could be.

Slow Wi-Fi
If you connect to your broadband using Wi-Fi, then there are a couple of things you can try to improve the speed such as moving your router:

Avoid metal objects and appliances that send out electromagnetic waves (metal is one of the biggest Wi-Fi signal disruptors) and keep it off the floor and as far away as possible from appliances such as tumble dryers, washing machines, microwaves and dishwashers. Ideally, your router needs to be as close to the centre of your house as possible and away from any obstructions.
Give the signal a boost by making sure the antennae are vertical and place it on a high shelf.
Update your router to make sure it’s running the latest firmware.
If your router is old, it might be time to upgrade - older tech is often outdated and it’s probably a good idea to replace it.
Invest in a Wi-Fi extender to give your Wi-Fi a much-needed boost. Check out TechRadar’s suggestions.
Make sure your router is password protected.

Update Your Browser
Make sure you’re using the latest version of your browser as this will offer better security and run faster.

Most importantly, remember you have a right to request a decent broadband service. From March 2020 if your download speed is less than 10 Mbps and your upload speed is less than 1 Mbps you have a right to request an upgraded service. Find out more here >.

Contact File Genie for further help with your broadband/Wi-Fi speed or for advice on upgrading your router.

Home and Small Business Support for your Broadband

17/5/2021

Reliable, affordable broadband is an essential utility for all homes and businesses but making sure you have the best deal for your needs can be a bit of a minefield. There are so many providers offering various different packages,it’s enough to make your head spin! How do you know when you are paying too much? How do you know you have the right package? There are a few simple steps you can take to help ensure you’re getting a reliable broadband service without paying over the odds.

Use comparison websites such as Uswitch - they do the hard work for you so you know you're getting the best deal for your needs.
Head to Which? for thorough, unbiased reviews and expert advice on all the available broadband deals
Ofcom provides free, helpful advice if you’re having problems with your broadband and information on complaints and compensation.

Some common complaints for broadband users in the UK include slow speed, poor signal, limited technical support and high prices.

Slow Speed
There are a few reasons why your broadband speed might be slower. First of all, establish what type of internet you are on, ie ADSL or fibre. ADSL broadband uses a standard copper telephone line and speed can be massively affected by how close you are to your telephone exchange. Fibre broadband is much faster and reliable than standard ADSL internet, it uses fibre optic cables to deliver super fast internet direct to your home. Secondly, check the age of your router. An older router can cause a slow connection speed and simply upgrading to a newer model or updating the software will solve any connection speed issues.

Poor Signal
Limited wi-fi range causing a weak signal will slow your broadband connection right down making internet browsing and online gaming a nightmare. Various factors can cause a poor signal. Again, check the wireless router- is it old and in need of replacing? Where is your router placed? Pick somewhere in the middle of the house in order to get a better signal throughout the building. Avoid plugging it into a telephone extension cable- it will work much better if plugged directly into the master socket.

Paying Too Much
This is where price comparison websites come into their own. You can easily search for the right package for you and get the best deal possible. Make sure you check when your current contract is due to finish- many people forget to renew their broadband and end up on an expensive package once their current deal expires. Put a note in your calendar to check for new deals when your current one is due to run out. Don't be afraid to negotiate with your provider, you could end up on a better deal than the one you’re on right now as they often reserve their best deals for new customers or retaining old customers.

Limited Support
If you’re struggling with the tech side of your broadband connection don’t be afraid to ask for help. File Genie can communicate with your provider to help make sure you’re getting the right service for your needs.

Technology moves on and deals are constantly changing. Keep an eye on it just as you do with your car insurance and move to a better deal if you see one and you’re current contract is due to run out.

Are you having slow connection speed issues? Need some help with your broadband? Give File Genie a call.