How to save money in Spain

How to save money in Spain


The Spanish financial crisis is affecting every body; locals and ex-pats alike.
We are all feeling the strain on our wallets and our bank accounts look less healthy
As prices are beginning to rise more and more.

Pension incomes have benefited from a stronger Sterling, and everybody who is on a UK
Pension should be receiving a bit more but the increase in IVA (VAT) and also the medicine prescription charges are all new factors to take into consideration.

Some banks are trying to charge more for their services and the cost of electricity, diesel, petrol and gas seem to be rising all the time.

Saving money in Spain

First of all we all have to eat so saving money on food is important.
There are several supermarket schemes you can take advantage of and they are very user friendly.
Supermarkets chains are some of Spain’s biggest and most profitable business so I think we all should take advantage of what they offer us.

Supermarkets

Consum Supermarkets – there are now quite a few branches of Consum around, and I understand they are expanding.  Consum have a Customer Loyalty Card which you can apply for and the scheme works really well.
The application form for the card is even available in English, and they even send you a magazine every month so you know what the special offers are before you visit the supermarket. Great way to plan your shopping.

The Consum card works on an accumulative basis so the more you spend the more you get back in the money off coupon which is sent to you every month.
On certain products you get extra discount ( it is called cheque crece) and this extra discount is returned to you in your end of month cheque.

Consum also have an excellent range of their own products so look out for those when you shop, and they do a really nice sliced whole meal bread which is very popular which I see in a lot of ex-pats shopping baskets.

If you are retired you will also get free home delivery of all purchases of 25€ in your local area.


Carrefour – they also have their own loyalty card which works in a very similar way to Consum but I have heard a lot of people complain they don’t receive their coupons very often.  The Carrefour card also gives you better deals on petrol and fuel and they run some special offers in junction with other businesses.

Carrefour also offers special deals for retirees so ask for their special card if you are over 65 years of age. Friendly staff will help you to fill out the card application.

Mas Y Mas – another supermarket chain with a loyalty card. With this card you accumulate points and when you have reached a certain level a money off coupon is
triggered when you go through the check out. They also do a lot of special offers,
And when you get your till receipt you normally also get a promotional money off coupon.  For instance if you buy a lot of pet food you could get a money off coupon on your next purchases on pet food.
Shop staff our always happy to fill out the application for you.

Eroski supermarkets – Eroski are members of the Travel Club scheme and you accumulate points. The points can be used to redeem for gifts or you can send off for
money off coupon. The Travel Club magazine is available in all Eroski supermarkets.

There are now quite a few other companies participating in the Travel Club scheme including Repsol, Banco Sabadell Atlantico and travel agencies.
Great card if you use it in the right way, and the customer service counter will fill out the application for you.

Dia Supermarkets – more and more ex-pats are beginning to use the Dia loyalty card.
The application forms are all in Spanish, and this is a very “Spanish” supermarket but offers great value for money.

Twice a month you can pick up their special offers brochure in their stores, and when you
Go through the till on your first monthly visit the check out staff will present you with a bunch of lovely money off coupons on certain products. The twice a month brochure is full of special offers for card holders, and extra discount vouchers are available off Dia
web site. After registering you click on the coupon you would like and the next time you
are shopping the coupon will be printed off for you.
Prices are similar to Aldi or Llidl but the quality is a bit better, and when you take advantage off the money off coupons you get an excellent deal.
Look out for special offers on the day such as 20% off meat counter products.

Dia also have their own mobile phone service which works through the Orange network.
You simply put credit on your phone when you shop, and for every shop you get a bit of free credit. Many of my Spanish friends use this service.
The application form is completed in store and the staff will help.


Banks

Let’s be honest about there is little or no confidence in Spanish banks, and they are all after making as much money as possible. In my opinion they are just too greedy.

Caja Murcia – I have never heard a bad word said about this bank. They offer all
retirees who receive a UK  pension a commission free account, and the branch staff are friendly and they have a great personal approach to banking.
Also they have a line of add on services such as insurance etc which are good value for money. Go and speak to them, it might just be worth it. Find your nearest branch here:
www.cajamurcia.es


Petrol and Diesel

Cepsa service stations run a money saving scheme, and the staff our keen for you to join.
With the card you collect points and for every 1000 points you get a 1€ off fuel.
You normally get bonus points when you fill up so your points build up rather quickly,
and I normally wait until I have 10,000 points which gives me 10€ in fuel.

Repsol Service Stations are members off the Travel Club scheme and you can use your blue Travel Club card here to collect points.

Electricity

Iberdrola now do a great money saving scheme called Night and Day.
You get a lower charge during certain hours and at other times it is a little bit more expensive but still over all it is very cost effective.
I cut my electricity bill in half when I signed up for this scheme. Well worth it!

You can also pay a fixed amount every month by Direct Debit, just like in the UK.

Hopefully this will help but I will keep you up to date with any other money saving tips which I find.