Cost Checking Centre

Whether you want to call it a recession or if you still prefer the now aging term `credit crunch`, everyone is feeling the pinch of the global economic slow down and seemingly every day a new huge company is getting itself into financial troubles. For the average consumer this can mean a range of things, whether it`s destruction of job security, redundancy or simply less free cash in your wallet at the end of each week due to rising food and utility costs. Though the media is full of doom and gloom, a good recession will help to teach people about the value of saving money and shopping for bargains, and this applies to all areas of our lives. That`s why it`s so essential in these tough times that you make your money work for you and choose the best value deal on broadband. Broadband internet has revolutionised so many aspects of our lives, and as connections speeds rise and the costs fall in negative correlation, it should be easy to find cheap broadband that meets your needs. However, with such a busy and confusing market place and range of technologies it can be easy to get blinded by the big names and confusing jargon and miss out on good deals. So what can you do to find the best broadband deals?

Well, the first port of call for any bargain hunter should of course be the internet. However, don`t just rush straight for the big name broadband providers` websites as checking each one individually will take time and effort that you don`t need to expend. The best advice for any online shopper is to check out a broadband price comparison website. This will provide you with powerful, adaptable tools to help you compare broadband deals. Price comparison is a good place to go for several reasons. Firstly, you`ll be able to look at all of the deals side by side on the same web page rather than traipsing around the individual ISP websites. You`ll be able to search for specific criteria that you want out of your broadband connection, whether it`s download speed, monthly cost, customer rating and many other variables. This will allow you to make the best compromise between service cost and performance to suit your needs. Most good broadband price comparison sites will also let you enter your postcode and automatically generate a list of the relevant broadband services that are available in your area. You may also want to check the speed and performance of your current interne connection, whether you`re with a broadband ISP already or if you`re still on dial-up and want to know what your missing, so price comparison will often come with a speed test. This will further arm you with important information to help you choose between broadband deals. It`s vital in these taxing times that you keep a check on your monthly spending, and you needn`t skimp on broadband and be left with a sub-par service if you use price comparison.

Mobile broadband now allows an affordable method of internet connection and email usage when not at the home or the office. It is available for individual users as well as businesses, and is delivered using light weight, small USB sticks (the modem) that can deliver fast data transfer using mobile networks. The coverage and speed will be different according to the network, but can be up to 7 Mbps, which is faster than many landline broadband services. This has made it cheaper and more practical as a replacement for existing fixed line connections for many users.

Mobile broadband is delivered using the same networks mobile phone operators use to provide their newer phone services: the 3G networks. These can handle more data than previous 2G digital networks, making them suitable for sending internet data. The service can therefore be used anywhere with 3G network, which now covers 99% of the UK population. As the USB modem is small enough to carry round on its own, it can be taken with you without taking the computer, and plugged into most computers that have a USB socket.

In selecting a package, you should think about what speed you are likely to need, considering what you need mobile broadband for. For example, if it is only in addition to a fixed line service, a lower speed might be appropriate as this will be more than sufficient for basic browsing an email use. If you are looking to use it every day, you should also consider the download allowance, as this varies between packages and providers. Some providers offer unlimited downloads for an agreed fee, but bear in mind this will be subject to fair usage policies, although this is the case with most fixed line services anyway. If your connection speed is important, consider the network coverage, as the maximum quoted speeds might not necessarily be available in your area. Some providers allow you to check network coverage before signing up. In addition, consider how you feel about being tied to a contract. Contract lengths vary, and now go up to 24 months - the upside of these being that you’ll generally pay a smaller monthly rate for signing up over a longer time, though your price might not be as competitive near the end of the contract. Pay as you go services are available for casual users, which allow you to purchase a download amount up front, which you can use as you wish within a month. These will generally require you to purchase a USB modem, while monthly services will often include this free as part of the package.

It`s a good idea to compare all providers before making a choice, and the comprehensive comparison offered by broadband genie is one of the best ways to do this, featuring guidance and information on all of the factors described above, including any special offers or extras offered by providers.

Pre-Pay USB Mobile Broadband Starter Pack 12GB for only £99.99
Here is an amazing deal from 3 Mobile. We have all seen those mobile broadband deals from the phone operators. Most have a monthy long contract or you can pay as you go where you have to top up every 30 days. This is completely different. You buy the USB dongle for £99.99 and it comes pre-loaded with 12GB of bandwidth which last for a year! That means for most people you will have nothing else to pay for a years of mobile internet. After a year or if you use up the 12 GB allowance you can either top up or just buy another one. There is no contract to worry about.

What is mobile Broadband?

In case you have never heard of mobile broadband here is simple explanation. Instead of getting your internet connection from your phone line, you just plug in this USB thumb drive and it gives you an instant connection to the internet without any wires. It works by using the data facilities of the mobile phone network. And because it uses the mobile phone network, you can get connected practically anywhere at home or on the move.
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Canon is offering cash back on their range of digital cameras. The offers runs until 12th January 2009 and includes models such as the 1000D, 450D and the 40D.

See Canon cash back offer at Amazon

My pick would be the new Canon EOS 1000D currently at £336.97. It is Canon’s cheapest smallest and lightest digital SLR. But it is packed with so many features:
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Flash memory for digital cameras are getting incredibly cheap. It’s worth getting a few spares and keeping them in your camera bag so you never fall short.

As another handle tip, if you are taking photos for special occasion, do not take all your photos on one card just in case it get corrupted and you end up losing everything. Instead, every now and then swap to a new card. That way if one card goes bad you will have the others save.

Buy the SanDisk CompactFlash 4GB Extreme III Memory from Amazon for £14.53

Last week, I mentioned the fantastic deal with the LC-32X20E for only £449.97
Now, you can get the bigger 37″ model LC-37X20E for only £499.99 at Argos. Delivery is £5.95 or you can collect in-store save more money.
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Amazon Super Saver Delivery

Amazon has reduced the mininum spend required for free delivery from £15 to just £5 on qualifying products. This is great news as it means you can now take advantage of Amazon’s low prices on small items without worrying the delivery charge costing more than the goods. For more details see this page on Amazon Supersaver Delivery.

Amazon Prime

If you can’t wait for your deliveries, you might want to consider the Amazon Prime service. For an annual fee of £49 you get unlimited next day delivery for all eligible purchases. You can even upgrade to same day or evening delivery if you live in London or Birmingham.

Well, it’s only 73 days till Christmas (and counting!) and we need all the help we can get to limit the damage to our wallets.
Visit Woolworths.co.uk and use voucher code earlybird10 to bag yourself 10% off toys at Woolworths. This voucher is valid until 31st October 2008.

Woolworths.co.uk has loads of offers on toys at the moment including 3 for 2 offers on selected toys which ends midnight on Sunday 19th October.

As any keen photographer will know, the extremely popular Canon 5D digital SLR is due for a make-over with the MKII version expected for release in the next month. But hold on to your money as the old MK 1 still represents incredible value for money at £1697.95 (Originally sold at £2499).

The new Canon 5D MKII is going to be £2399 for the body only and when you add the lens, you are looking at around £3000. So for a little over half the price you can have a top spec full frame digital SLR camera.

What do you get with the old 5D?

• Full size 35mm sensor for low noise and full detail.
• A proper 3:2 aspect ratio.
• Canon’s professional range  ’L’ series zoom lens.

Get the old Canon 5D while there are still stocks - Canon EOS 5D at Amazon.

Get yourself £10 off an iPod Classic at Comet using voucher code:

AWCLASSIC10 (Expires 19/10/2008)

The iPod Classic 120GB is normally £179. With the voucher code the price is £169.

See Ipod offer at Comet