Top Ten Tip for Newbies!

sammy2802

Heres some I found helpful

Go shopping after dinner, if you feel full the temptation of adding the unwanted items because you fancy them is reduced.

Don't get attracted by offers, if its bogoff etc - If its not on your shopping list (or your not going to use it shortly ignore the offer, Its surprising how many items get picked up because it was BOGOF then get left in the cupboard.

Buy a composter - if fruit and veg go off, put it n the composter, if you can afford the new special ones taht let you use cooked veg and meat even better. A composter saves you binning as much and nect year you can grow some veggies and save on shopping too. Looking after the planst is also a cheap hobby.

Walk to work - if you can get to work on foot in half hour leave 45 minutes early and take a slow walk, it wakens you up ready for work, healthy and saves you bus fairs, parking petrol, wear and tear etc.

Think green - Im not talking buying organic stuff as that expensive, but reduce your carbon foot print and you will find your costs reduce too for example
Walk instead of vehicles - no parking, petrol wear and tear etc
switch off not standby - we all know this one
energy saving bulbs - reduce your feul bill.
The list is endless and as already said all this small saving add up.

Shop alone - avoid taking kids and OH, they all want to add to the trolly.

MinniMe_2

here's one - leave your purse at home one ady a week - you will be amazed how much you don't need that bar of choc or the overspending on lunch and its a NSD

Naomim

If you work, take packed lunch with you. A little effort at home saves a fortune you wouldn't even notice you are spending every month!

Naomi x

GeorgeUK

Don't consolidate unless you are getting an excellent interest rate - banks are there to make money. They make money from their customers - it may not be in your best interest.

Tiglet

Make the most of your local charity shop. Save yourself money and help a good cause at the same time. Also, instead of giving money to charity, give them some of your time.

Jacks_xxx

Get to know The Snowball until it's your new best friend!

Speak to CCCS even if you don't think you want to start a DMP. Having a real live person you can go over the options with and ask questions is invaluable when it all seems too overwhelming, too complicated and too hard.

Piquant_2

Pledge yourself to one of the challenges on this site. For me the "what have you spent today" one makes me think before I spend unnecessarily off budget as I'll have to confess to everyone!

rubydoiwannabee

When on a tight, tight budget like we are. It helps enourmously to withdraw cash at the start of the week (DH gets paid weekly on a Friday, so anytime over the weekend). This cash is used for:

Groceries (if not already done online with voucher codes for free delivery!!)
Petrol
Parking for work (boo hoo, I work 25 miles from home, so have no choice)
Then we have £10 (I told you it was tight) a week each for 'stuff'

When that money is gone we go without..... it works well for us and really makes question EVERY PENNY!!

hth

(Land_of)_Maz

don't be embarassed to use vouchers whenever possible!

Robbda

Thanks guys this is brilliant i've certainly take some idea's away today - hopefully people that were like me a few weeks ago will find this so helpful and a good point of reference to start saving straight away x