Money

As Brexit nears, try these patriotic ways to cut your costs – from buying seasonal British produce to boycotting Amazon


TODAY’S the day when thousands across the UK will be waving the Union Flag to celebrate the Last Night Of The Proms.

But aside from singing Rule Britannia, there are more practical ways of supporting Brexit Britain as it prepares to go it alone outside of the EU. Today, I look at how you can boost our economy while saving yourself money at the same time.

 Brits proudly wave the Union Flags at The Last Night of the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall

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Brits proudly wave the Union Flags at The Last Night of the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert HallCredit: PA:Press Association

Food

Buying seasonal British produce not only means eating fresher food with less of a carbon footprint, but it can also be cheaper.

Learn what is in season and look out for deals on UK produce, which will say “Produced in the UK” or have the Red Tractor logo with Union Flag behind it.

 Look for the Red Tractor logo or the words 'Produced in the UK' to ensure that you are eating British produce

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Look for the Red Tractor logo or the words ‘Produced in the UK’ to ensure that you are eating British produceCredit: Alamy

This week British mushrooms, which are just starting to harvest, are reduced from 90p to 59p in Morrisons, while sweetcorn cobs are reduced by 50p to £1.

In Tesco a punnet of British raspberries has gone down from £2.20 to £1.65 and a pack of five apples is now down 60p to £1.

Alexia Robinson, founder of Love British Food and British Food Fortnight, said: “Eating seasonally means it will be most flavoursome and there should be a lot more of it, meaning lower costs.”

Also consider farm shops as a way of supporting your local economy. These can often compete with supermarkets on the cost of fresh produce due to “cutting out the middleman”, according to Rob Copley, of The Farm Retail Association.

This week a lamb rack cost £22 per kilogram from the butchers counter in Sainsbury’s compared to £16.49 per kilogram at the farm shop Fodder in Harrogate, North Yorks.

Mr Copley added: “Many farm shops will also welcome you taking your own food storage containers, which cuts packaging, and you can dictate the exact amount of food you want, which reduces waste.”

Other shopping

For other shopping, boycott Amazon as much as possible and look for better deals from British retailers.

Not only can it be dearer, but the US shopping giant has also been blasted for paying a “minimal” amount of tax to the UK Government.

 Try to use sites such as Amazon less and opt for British retailers such as Currys PC World

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Try to use sites such as Amazon less and opt for British retailers such as Currys PC WorldCredit: AFP or licensors

Last week it emerged Amazon paid just £220million in tax in Britain last year — despite raking in revenues of nearly £11billion.

British retailers often offer better value and guarantees. This week a Dyson V11 Animal vacuum cleaner cost £499 from Currys PC World but the cheapest on Amazon — listed by a third party — was £559.

In another example, the Lego Creative Fun building kit costs just £18 in Asda, but is £33.93 on Amazon.

Deborah Vickers, personal finance expert at moneyguru. com, advised shoppers to buy British when shopping for Christmas prezzies.

She said: “Shop for gifts in independent shops instead of relying on online or mainstream retail giants.

“Whether it’s for Christmas, an engagement, baby shower, birthday or wedding, visit a local independent shop or check out indie online outlets such as Etsy so you know you’re putting money back into the British economy.”

To find British-made products and manufacturers, visit makeitbritish.co.uk.

Holidays

Staycations are a great money saver as well as beneficial for the UK holiday industry.

VoucherCodes found the average cost for a couple to go abroad this year would be £987.50 while staying in the UK would only cost £574.10.

 The North Yorkshire seaside town of Whiby has been named the most popular staycation destination

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The North Yorkshire seaside town of Whiby has been named the most popular staycation destinationCredit: Alamy

Not only are you saving on the cost of flights but you will also not lose out through the poor exchange rate.

This week it emerged that a pint of beer in France costs around 16 per cent or 65p more compared with three years ago due to the weakened Pound, according to foreign exchange firm Caxton FX.

Experts say the British have much to explore in the UK and at a fraction of the cost of a foreign holiday.

Sally Fielding, who runs a holiday cottage rental site in the Lake District, said: “It’s funny that we fly off all over the world exploring new places when we don’t even know our own country.

“Having adventures and exploring Great Britain has been an opportunity that we’ve all been missing for the past 20 years.”

Whitby, North Yorks, was this year named as the most popular staycation destination, according to Sykes Holiday Cottages’ annual index, followed by Salcombe and Dartmouth in Devon and Keswick in the Lake District.

For a bargain holiday, try camping, hosteling or hiring out a holiday cottage — although try to use a British rental firm rather than the US giant Airbnb.

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Spread the word

Look out for promotional competitions designed by UK firms to generate new business.

Retailers often hold contests on social media where users are invited to like and share promotional posts.

 Be in with a chance of winning £250 of Barbie products at Littlewoods

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Be in with a chance of winning £250 of Barbie products at Littlewoods

Currently Littlewoods is holding one on Facebook with the chance of winning £250 of Barbie products. It closes on September 23.

Smaller companies do it too for local followers.

The Onley Grounds Farm Shop and Butchery in Rugby, Warks, for example, is currently asking people to share a post for a chance to win a £50 meat hamper.

Twitter has similar promotions.

Boots this week offered customers the chance to win a bundle of toiletries in return for a retweet.

Save Money: Good Health investigates kids’ packed lunches… and reveals how to cut sugar content in half and save nearly £200 per year



 





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