Not everything is rising in price
We take a look at where prices are dropping instead of rising.
The price of living is rising with fuel, food and bills shooting up each month adding hundreds to the household budget.
But whilst the price of necessities are reaching an all time high there are still many things, particularly leisure pursuits, which have dramatically dropped in cost over the last few years.
The Chronicle & Echo take a look at where consumers are now saving their pennies.
Home entertainment
Although games consoles and high definition televisions are still fairly high in price, DVDs and CDs have dropped considerably in the last decade. It is now possible to download films and music for free or little cost, on the internet.
Websites such as play.com offer entertainment at bargain prices, for example this week DVDs are on sale for 2.99. By having a shop front on the internet rather than paying rent for a premises, companies can offer many goods at low prices.
Technology expert Christian Payne from Hartwell who runs www.ourmaninside.com, said: "If you stay at home entertainment is cheaper on the internet and there is far more choice." But he said going out was increasingly expensive with a single, adult cinema ticket at Leicester Square, London costing 19.
Air travel
The expansion of no frills budget airlines has meant that it is now cheaper than ever to fly abroad particularly to European cities. Easyjet, Ryanair, BMI Baby all offer flights sometimes for as little as 10, with a round trip costing between 30 and 100.
Easyjet is currently offering flights from East Midlands airport to Geneva, Switzerland in June for a total of 49.98 including all taxes.
Rebecca Smith, 32, of The Mounts, often flies to Amsterdam with Easyjet because her brother lives there. She said: "I would never be able to visit him if the cost of flights wasn't so cheap. It is ridiculous. I have a friend who lives in Bristol and his girlfriend lives in Scotland. It is now at least half the price for him to fly from Bristol to Edinburgh than to get the train."
Electrical goods
Whether it is a 4 toaster, 20 DVD player or 15 microwave, chances are you can pick it up at the supermarket with no problems. Although these items are not necessarily built to last they certainly help keep costs low and can be readily found along the food aisles or in discount stores such as Argos.
Long lasting equipment still comes at a cost though including best brand Miele- which often comes top of Which? Magazine's consumer tests. A tesco slimline dishwasher costs 190, compared to 800 for the Miele equivalent.
Clothing
The influence of supermarkets has also had a knock on effect on clothes prices, with Asda and Tesco leading the way in cheap clothing. George at Asda, the brand that kick started the value clothing trend when it launched in 1990, has now been overtaken by Primark, with Tesco, New Look and TK Maxx next in line.
Primark has grown by 22 per cent in the last six months despite retail decreases on a whole in the high street. Here clothes can be picked up for 1 and often emulate fashions in other stores which can cost anywhere up to 50. Catalogue shopping has been upstaged by internet shopping which has also seen prices drop.
Mobile phone calls
There are still many good deals to be had with the amount of competition around. When first introduced it was not unheard of for people to run up bills of 200 on their mobile each month. But the introduction of monthly packages with a free amount of calls and texts for a set price have seen prices drop.
Claire Roberts, 27, from Semilong, Northampton said: "I got a really good deal with Virgin Mobile because I have broadband with them. I get 300 texts and 300 minutes a month for 10, which works out at 1.6p a text and 1.6p a minute, which is far cheaper than a landline when you factor in line rental."
Number 3: We'll save you pounds on... Spending abroad
Whether it's taking advantage of the dollar or maximising the value of every single Euro, being canny with currency is one aspect of going on holiday where shopping around can help the purse.
Using plastic is said to be the cheapest way of spending abroad - but rates charged by banks vary. Some high street banks will charge for cash withdrawals, foreign spending and a fee on top of the exchange rate, known as a load.
Some cards - including a Halifax debit card - will cost 1.50 per transaction to use. Use it 10 times and it will have cost 15. But use a Nationwide debit card and you will incur no extra charges.
Meanwhile, anyone jetting off abroad but waiting until the airport to buy foreign currency will more than likely pay higher fees than those who have bought cash in advance.
Look out for commission charges and exchange rates and go with whoever will give you the most for your money after all fees and charges. Chronsumer found, online, Thomas Exchange Global would exchange 100 for 124 euros, with the highest exchange rate of any provider. By means of comparison, 100 would only buy you 115 euros at the Co-op, subject to an additional 4.95 delivery charge.
Web providers will be likely to undercut the high street, so order online but pick currency up for the best deals - and avoid paying on a credit card.
Nationwide have a branch in the Grosvenor Centre and a branch on the Drapery. Thomas Exchange Global will deliver cash to holidaymakers, but this is subject to a fee. Their website can be found at http://www.thomasexchangeglobal.co.uk/
POTENTIAL SAVING FOR 1,000 IS 90 EUROS.
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