Compare Gas and Electricity Suppliers in Scotland

She wants to have easy access to this money, although she knows this may limit the rate she can enjoy. That said, the savings market is a hive of activity at the moment. Even though the Bank of England base rate has remained unchanged at 0.5% since March, savings rates are still rising.

Yet Hermione and millions of other savers are missing out on the great rates available. If Hermione moved her savings to Citibank Flexible Saver Account Issue 6, she'd get a rate of 3.30%, which would earn her an extra £989 a year in gross interest. What's more, this is an easy access account so she can get at her savings at any time without a penalty.

However, this account has a bonus of 2.25%, which is fixed for 12 months, but the underlying rate of 1.05% is variable. That means the rate could fluctuate throughout the year.

If Hermione preferred a guaranteed rate, then she could move her savings to an ING Savings Account. That offers a rate of 3.20% and is guaranteed for 12 months - making her £946 extra in interest, compared to the First Direct account she's using at the moment.

Once 12 months have passed, though, this account will move onto a standard variable rate, which is currently 0.50%. That means it is vital Hermione looks for a new best deal after this year, so her money continues to work as hard as possible.

At the moment, Hermione's savings are protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, which will guarantee savings of up to £50,000 with any one institution.

If her account ever exceeds £50,000, though, she should split her funds and invest them with more than one provider.

The retired teacher, aged 70, lives in Acton, London. She has no pressing money troubles but knows that the money she's saved isn't working as hard as it could.

After 30 years in front of the blackboard, Hermione has cash in savings accounts and ISAs, which she would like to see give her a better return. She's also convinced some of her household bills could come down.

Hermione says: "I would really like to increase the amount I can get from my savings. With any savings that I make, I will use the money [on] the activities that I enjoy - mainly making jewellery, gardening, photography and picture framing."

Simply using the search tools available on Compare Cheap Energy Prices and Suppliers, we managed to save Hermione a staggering £1,830. She admits this is quite a surprise: "I thought there'd be some savings but I didn't quite expect that much."

What will our makeover do with the money she's saved? "Maybe I can have a little trip somewhere with that - maybe India. I went there at the beginning of the year and I'd like to visit another part."

If you want to make your money work harder then read on to find out how we did it.

If you are not already registered for paperless bills, sign up and win FREE energy for a year. Get up to £100 annual discount Pay by monthly Direct Debit for 12 months for your electricity and gas

First Utility has become the latest provider to slash its prices ahead of the winter weather.

Just a few hours after E.ON moved into the lead by cutting the cost of its FixOnline V3 tariff, First Utility regained the lead by bringing down the price of its iSave dual fuel.

The average bill for the tariff is now a market-busting £954 - £65 less a year than npower's cheapest average bill.

It follows a spate of cuts within the energy markets, which is great news for householders as they crank up the heating as the temperature drops.

Yet millions of people are still failing to switch and take advantage of the cheaper prices, with some paying hundreds of pounds a year more than they need to.

Scott Byrom, utilities manager at moneysupermarket.com, said: "Let the battle commence! Hot on the heels of E.ON taking top spot in the energy price market today, newcomer First Utility has reacted, just hours later, with a price cut on its dual fuel tariffs - iSave Dual Fuel and Smart Dual Fuel online Saver. This will be made available to new and existing customers of First Utility.

"They now sit comfortably at the top of the table with an average annual bill of £954. Scottish Power has also changed its prices in a number of regions, but this hasn't moved First Utility from the top spot. The scene is now set for competitors from the Big Six to retaliate - I don't think First Utility will hold its crown for long and expect British Gas to join the battle."

All the leading deals require customers to manage their accounts online and pay by monthly direct debit, so if you're paying quarterly or receiving paper bills you are not on the best rate.

Scott urged bill payers to switch to a better deal as soon as possible.

"Moving to one of the market-leading deals and switching to monthly billing will mean you pay less, but that's not the only benefit.

"By paying monthly and managing their accounts online, customers can submit regular meter readings and pay the correct amount, rather than rely on estimates. That means they won't have any unpleasant surprises."

Remember when prices soared last year? Did you fix to protect yourself from rising bills? Well, that fix is most likely coming to an end and failing to move to another competitive rate quickly could undo all your good work.

Just because First Utility is the cheapest provider on average, it doesn't mean it has the lowest cost for everyone.

Using uk-domestic-energy-savings.com's comparison tool, you can find out which gas and electricity provider is the cheapest for you. Just enter your postcode and current usage.

Compare Scotland Gas Suppliers Today & SAVE! click here

Compare Scotland Gas Suppliers Today & SAVE! click here

• Minimum 6% discount against our Standard tariff until 28/02/11. Cancellation fee of £30 if you cancel before 30/06/10


• Available to existing customers only


• Limited availability


• Not available with EnergySmart

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£457

• Minimum 3% discount against our Standard tariff until 31st May 2011


• Pay your bills monthly by direct debit or debit/ credit card


• Manage your account online, including paperless billing


• FREE electricity monitor


• Only available with EnergySmart

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£537

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• Discounts of up to £37

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• Pay for your bills monthly by direct debit or debit/ credit card


• Submit meter reads monthly and manage your account online


• FREE electricity monitor


• Still the cheapest standard electricity on average of any major supplier

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• We'll provide your electricity supply from renewable energy sources to the national grid, on your behalf

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• Pay for your bills monthly by direct debit or debit/ credit card


• Submit meter reads monthly and manage your account online


• FREE electricity monitor

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Save an extra £641 with