It seems like there's no respite to be had in the current situation of rising costs for living. There seems to be a general antipathy towards unprecedented rises in fuel and food prices, the traumatised British shopper seems resigned to facing higher prices at the till and the pump.

It's always been a good place to start, but shopping around for a cheap energy supplier can result in considerable savings. The internet has a number of comparison and switching sites such as Uswitch, but energy companies themselves are more keen to advertise their rates and try to win over business from consumers with cheaper deals or dual-fuel discounts. Doorstep switch-sellers often try and capture customers before an energy price-hike, so take any rate-busting offers back to your current supplier and see if they can match these or put you on a preferential capped rate: that way you get cheaper prices and save the hassle of switching supplier.

Also take a look at outstanding bills. There are still a variety of credit card suppliers with competitive rates that you might find provide some savings if you balance transfer or use to consolidate several other card debts. More and more retail grocery outlets are offering their own store cards, and although you should approach any store card with caution, some of the rewards offered by Tesco or Sainsburys can provide some welcome vouchers off your monthly shopping through responsible use. If this is one of your main shopping destinations, this might save a few pounds on your grocery bill.

When you go shopping, ensure that you have a list and a fixed amount you want to spend in mind. Otherwise it's all too easy to impulse buy and exceed your intended budget. Keep checking the prices on your regular items so that you aren't hit by price increases. Items that are new in a store inventory are often loss-leaders, and will jump in price after they become popular. It's also tempting to spend a large amount every time you go to the shops, so only pop in when you absolutely need to restock on food, and make it a habit to get through all the food in your freezer each month. This will help you defrost it regularly which will save on running costs too.

Any one of these methods won't make you financially secure overnight, but if you kee a careful eye on all the little outgoings here and there, you'll be pleasantly surprised in a year's time at how much it all adds up to. Reduce outgoings in a number of areas and you may soon find yourself in a healthier financial position than before.