Energy bills, council tax, broadband, and water charges have all risen in what has been dubbed 'Awful April'. However, financial experts say it is not too late for households to take action and start saving money within weeks.
One of the simplest steps is to challenge your council tax band, which can take just minutes and could lead to a permanent reduction. Consumer expert Helen Dewdney, known as The Complaining Cow, advises putting complaints in writing and escalating them if necessary, including to the ombudsman.
Broadband and mobile bills can also be cut by calling your provider and asking to cancel or speak to the retentions team. A script shared by money-saving creators on TikTok suggests saying: 'I've noticed my bill has gone up and I can't afford the increase. If I can't get it back down, I'll have to cancel — is there anything you can do?' Providers often have unadvertised retention deals designed to stop customers leaving.
TV finance expert Jasmine Birtles notes that many people believe once bills have risen, there is nothing they can do. But she says that taking action now can make the biggest difference, with a quick switch or a single phone call potentially saving money almost immediately.
The key message from MoneyMagpie is that those who act now can prevent these increases from quietly draining their finances for the rest of the year. Even after 'Awful April', it is not too late to fight back.
