Have you saved money? Want to tell the world?

[jbentz123]

Yesterday I went for treat with my colleague and as per Martin's advise I used coupons to save my money it was really enjoyable treat in cheap amount. Thank you martin for providing such a helpful resource for me.

[yoshi12]

How to beat your insurer!!! More than 50% Saved This is what everyone should do to beat the insurers at their own game!

My Home Insurance Renewal Annual was quoted at £460.
So I phoned up my insurer (A famous High Street Bank) and asked if they can do something to reduce my quote. I was quoted £365. A saving of £95 but I thought I will be loyal and give them a chance to ensure that do not lose my custom.

I spoke to the Manager who was rude and said they cannot reduce my quote any further. He also said that everyone has to pay extra for the people who have claimed on their insurance!!

So I had time that weekend and I decided to surf every Home Insurance Comparison site.

Guess what after inputting all the data as per my Renewal Quote I found MY INSURER quoting me £240, with interest free monthly payment!!!

This was a MASSIVE SAVING OF £220 WHICH WAS 50% OFF THE ORIGINAL QUOTE FROM THE SAME INSURER WITH SAME TERMS!!!!

I have time on my hands now so I can get the best deal for everyone.

[logan3d]

Im not paying for anything, so i guess i save 1000's, or 10'000's each year.
Have been squatting for 2 years now, huge house noone cares about in 3rd zone of london. Injunction with the police, because they've made illegal entry when the law changed = they agreed not to show up ever, under the threat of beein sued by my lawyers.
Not buying any food, skipping "expired" food from trashbins of big supermarkets - sainsbury, tesco, coop, iceland. they throw away tones of food, most is good for a long time after exp date.
Making money out of double betting. there's a section on MSE for that, last month i've netted £2300 no tax on gambling(which it isint technically). wxw.fixtheodds.org
what else.. im borrowing internet from the neighbour, so no expense here, i brought car from my country, insurance costs me £130/month (but i do have to change cars every half a year due to eu regulations)

overall, i do well, and sorry to say but all those tiny cashbacks savings and whatnot above just make me smirk think out of the box!

[jackdaw3]

to all those doubters mytopcashback site has given me hundreds over the last 2 years, last year with cash back my bike ins was £31, this year £20,40, I've had incredible success with ins cash back and now buy all the familys ins for them through this site, I got £50 just for getting a PO credit card, the list is endless so use it and save.

[Julesrules]

I found an alternative quote, told direct line and bish bosh bash they came back with £130 off my renewal. ! Very pleased as theirs included Travel cover which alternative didn't. Phew off for a cuppa now!

[VfM4meplse]

I needed some shelving, bought a tasteful unit suitable for my study priced at £50, scanned through at just £5!

From a large national chain of hardware stores, no complaints from me

[Atlanticus]

Hi everyone my name is Jack and i want to tell you all that Martin's advice really helped me saving money. Now i am confident that my future is secure and i can save more money all credit goes to Martin.

Thank You
Jack

[japmis]

It's taken me 6 months but I've finally managed to rein in my spending so I can save £500 a month!!!

When I first started, the maths said it was possible but it took me ages to change my spending mind frame, be ruthless about not going out, watching every penny and letting the pounds look after themselves.

I've cut down my lovefilm subscription (essential as I have boycotted the cinema because it's too expensive!),
I've renegotiated my cat insurance,
I no longer over spend on my phone bill,
I haven't bought a take away in 2013,
I've switched to buying spirits instead of wine (or getting a box of wine as a treat, not a bottle),
I car shared for 2 months (saving me £200),
I have a forecast and actuals spreadsheet,
I scrutinise my outgoings vs. my income,
I buy own brand everything including shower gels, face wash etc.,
I renegotiated my AA cover,
and my food bill is about 40% lower now I don't buy ready made coffee or lunch from the canteen.

I'm really proud of myself!! Small changes go a LONG way.

By June 2014 I will have paid off all of my loans (except student loan). I don't ever want to get a loan EVER again. My new place needs a new bathroom but I'm going to scimp and save and pay for it all upfront rather than getting sucked into another loan, even if it is 0%.


Cheers to Money Saving Expert!!!

[blue_mango]

Sooo jealous, JAPMIS!!...


I am trying to do the same at the moment Good luck to us both.

[japmis]

Originally Posted by blue_mango

Sooo jealous, JAPMIS!!...


I am trying to do the same at the moment Good luck to us both.

The thing that helped me most was a spreadsheet with a forecast, gave me something to aim for!! I update it once a week with actuals, each cell from left to right is 7 days, and it runs for 12 months (I can see when I'm going to hit my overdraft before it happens).

I also download my bank statement into excel to track money in/out 3 times a month (because I get paid every 4 weeks and not monthly, and I'm in charge of the house share bills which means my housemates transfer money to me once the bills have be paid - annoying).

What have you tried so far? Are you aiming for anything in particular? I had massive pressure to save for my deposit because my lease ends July 4 and I didn't want to rent again.

[blue_mango]

Originally Posted by japmis

What have you tried so far? Are you aiming for anything in particular? I had massive pressure to save for my deposit because my lease ends July 4 and I didn't want to rent again.

I tried spreadsheet before but I got bored of it... Now I just know how much I can spend per month, and how I spend it it's up to me. The hardest thing is to resist shopping at Clarks and House of Fraser...those nice things eat a lot of my money!

I am saving for making myself pretty. Vanity, I know. But people don't know where I am coming from, so not bothered if anyone judges me. I get 950 per month and can live on 450-500 if not overspending, but as I said it's hard not to go shopping...

[musicmad07]

I looked at where we spend the most. I wondered if we could cut costs without cutting our living. And the great news is yes!!! Firstly we spend a huge amount on our everyday shopping. So I have started shopping in a smaller supermarket that sells a "cheaper" version of the brands we normally use. Although I can't buy everything we need, just by shopping once a week in an alternative supermarket so far have saved £120 in a month. Yes that's £120 in 1 month. The next big expense is utilities. Gas and electric, we were with the same supplier for 5 years on a prepayment meter. After a lot of phone calls and research I found a new supplier, got credit meters put in for FREE, and based on the usage over the past year and going on our new tarrif rates, we will be saving nearly £240 per year. Also with a discount for paying by direct debit that's an extra £80 per year. And £12 per year for managing our account online. So we are on a good start to a money saving future, without living less. Thank you

[alexnewk]

Originally Posted by blue_mango

Sooo jealous, JAPMIS!!...


I am trying to do the same at the moment Good luck to us both.

I am also doing the same - so good luck to me too