MOST people in their forties are used to shopping around to get the best financial deals on essentials like gas and electricity, insurance and mortgages.

It's second nature to them that when, for example, an insurance renewal notice arrives they seek out quotes from rival firms before parting with cash.

For many of us in later life this has never been the case.

We got used to a system in which, for example, car insurance got cheaper as you got older and accident-free years brought an increasing 'no claims bonus'.

Today, as far as all the companies I've dealt with are concerned, there's no financial recognition of the concept of loyalty.

Early last year my wife and I moved house for the first time in thirty years. This forced us to look at a lot of expenses.

For the first time, for example, we got a single insurance policy for the house building and contents and congratulated ourselves on the saving that came with it.

Then last month the renewal notice arrived and the premium had risen by 30 per cent although nothing had changed and we had made no claims.

I phoned up to ask why and was given some general waffle which made me so cross that I decided to get some alternative quotes.

The result is that I secured a house and contents policy with a very reputable company that actually has marginally better benefits and have made saving of almost £100 on what I had been quoted in the renewal notice!

After a cold winter that has lasted longer than for many years fuel bills many pensioners will now be worrying about fuel bills.

The answer is to follow the example of our sons and daughters!

Don't just meekly pay up huge sums and moan about it.

There are all kinds of gas and electricity tariffs and introductory offers around that could save you money.

The internet is the obvious source for finding out what's available and if you are confident online but don't have a computer then your local library might be able to help.

Also a call to Age UK could point you in the right direction and plenty of companies and brokers will provide telephone quotes.

Remember too that if you used to drive to work annual car mileage after retirement should be a lot less. If annual mileage is 10,000 instead of 15,000 there will be a reduction in your premium.

Nick Nunn