How often do you switch service providers?

It’s easy to let contracts like gas, electricity, broadband and TV services automatically renew, just for the sheer convenience. But not shopping around does have a price.

Companies rarely reward customers for their loyalty and you could be missing out on better deals from other providers.

So it’s worth spending a little time looking at what you’re paying for and seeing if you could save money by switching.

When did you last switch?

New figures from Spring show that nearly one in three (28%) households have switched broadband and mobile phone contracts in the last 12 months.

Meanwhile, one in five (20%) have switched utilities, and the same number has switched TV subscriptions.

But a third of Brits haven’t switched any service at all over the past year.

What would prompt you to switch?

Many households would be happy to consider switching if it saves them money.

Nearly one in three people say they’d think about it if they got savings of between £11 and £20.

On average, households have saved £12.62 from their most recent switch.

How to stay on top of your contracts

When you’re dealing with so many contracts just to keep your household going, it’s worth having a plan in place to make sure they’re working for you.

Check when your contract ends

Broadband, TV and mobile deals often go up in price when the introductory period ends.

So make sure you know when your contract is due to end and set a reminder on your phone or calendar a month before your renewal date.

You’ll then have time to start looking at other deals and maybe even haggle with your current provider for a more competitive price.

There’s a good chance they’ll match a competitor’s price rather than lose your business completely.

Compare before you commit

Don't automatically accept the first renewal offer your provider sends you.

Use comparison websites to see what's out there, as well as what other deals your current provider is offering.

And when you’re comparing, don’t just look at the monthly price.

Factors like the length of your contract and whether you’ll have to pay any upfront costs are also important to consider.

Only pay for what you use

Think about whether you’re getting value for money from your contracts.

You might be paying for a TV package full of sports or movie channels you never watch.

Or unlimited data on your phone, when you never come close to exceeding the limit on cheaper packages.

If you don’t use it or need it, you don’t need to be paying for it.

Sometimes, simply cutting back on services can be just as effective as switching to a different provider.

Every little saving adds up

Saving a tenner on one bill might not be a life-changing amount.

But it adds up if you’re switching different services throughout the year and getting the best deals.

That’s money that could help the weekly shop feel a bit easier, or maybe even go into savings or an emergency fund.