Great 'Recession Survival Tips' Hunt

LittleVoice

shell1000 wrote: »

12. rent your spare room out.. you will need to pay more council tax, clear it with the mortgage company and house insurance people but it is possible.. im gaining 400 a month and the girl is no trouble at all

Good list: thanks.

The extra Council Tax is only if you were getting a single person discount before - or had just students living in the house.

crazycookie

* i always shop in charity shops for clothes, homeware etc before i search the shops (i usually can find what i need in the charity shops)
* use freecycle
* become vegetarian! its much cheaper and often healthier too. i can buy a huge bag of soya mince from health food shops for under a pound and its lasts for ages!
* actually use all those coupons you have lying around, and shop in the last hour before closing at the supermarket
* learn to use a sewing machine
* have clothes/furniture/skill swapping parties with friends and family. I am a seamstress and recently swapped my skill with my neighbours! he now has a new roof for his camper van and i have new radiator covers!

shell1000

LittleVoice wrote: »

Good list: thanks.

The extra Council Tax is only if you were getting a single person discount before - or had just students living in the house.

absolutely correct, i was living alone before. Thanks for clarifying!

pyglett

If you work in the public sector or transport, you might think your job is secure, however, do think again! In time, as the recession filters through, councils, hospital trusts (foundation or otherwise) and transport are all likely to be hit. Therefore, as someone who works in the health sector, the word is 'Keep yourself informed'. Read intranets, in-house magazines and briefings to see where things are heading. Look out for the unusual (senior managers reading the Financial Times for the first time ever), and see if planned projects are suddenly put on hold for no valid reason. If this sounds like scaremongering, believe me it certainly isn't. This is good, honest advice.

julietandcleo

If you're self employed, do as much of your accounts as possible, keep everything organised and write out everything on a sheet of paper that is quickly and clearly understood by your accountant. This saves alot of time and money. Also try to find a cheaper accountant. I pay £150 a year for mine, alot cheaper than everyone i know!

Before you buy anything, look at Ebay for it first, you'd be surprised at what is for sale on there, virtually anything!! It's not all second hand stuff you know. I save hundreds a year by buying from there.

MEND STUFF!! If things used to break or get shabby years ago, people used to fix them. Darn the holes in your socks, de-fuzz that bobbly jumper, dye that faded item of clothing, if you're good at sewing, alter it to something more fashionable.

If you need a new sofa but can't afford it, buy a throw (Ebay), some cushions and it'll relly jazz it up!

Sell your stuff on Ebay. Take a good enough photo and you'll be surprised what sells! Beats standing at a car boot sale on a cold, damp, 7am start. Ebay has a world wide viewing!!

Ask your hairdresser if they could do your hair cheaper if you forego the blowdry. Have it cut dry. Just have the top highlighted in between the full head being done! :eek:

retiredlady

Check your local colleges/hairdressing schools. They are often looking for people to practice on! Normally free or very very cheap!

ames100

as a student my tips are

- car boot sales can be amazing places with a range of items and the option to haggle especially this time of year with unwanted xmas presents and your helping other people out

- shopping an hour before the store ends has been a god send for me and my bf everything gets reduced down by 90% and it means we can still eat well- keeps it exciting as well as you eat a lot of stuff you wouldn't normally pick up but like. i also stock pile my freezer and take it home to my parents every now and again.

- home bargains is amazing for toiletries

- share your wardrobe with friends if going out and have nothing new to wear and i try to go out on promotional nights to make it cheaper

- swapped normal ciggs for roll ups- thinner, shorter and take a while to roll so it isnt as easy to reach for one- grow your own tobacco seeds are cheap and its easy peasy to grow!

- my boyfriend runs his car on veggie oil and as its a classic it only costs £120 to insure (fuel free)

- dry clothes on radiators rather than a spin dryer, energy saving bulbs, duvets on sofas, no standby appliances

- use clubcard vouchers to have meals out for a change

- universal cleaners will do the job ie- tescos has a simple bleach spray for 79p i think and will do your kitchen, bathroom etc no need for all the seperate gimmicks

- share and lend dvds with friends for a cheap night in

- bin bags in the lounge and bathroom we just use carrier bags (recycle the rest or reuse to get more green points)

- buy stuff you know you will need once a year in sales like trainers i bought a pair recently were £60 down to £15

- have game nights at home with mates like poker

all i can think of atm but my aim is to save as much money from my student loan as possible for a bit of security as this is the worst time to graduate unfortunatly so the next few years could be very interesting....

Sue-UU

ames100 wrote: »

- swapped normal ciggs for roll ups- thinner, shorter and take a while to roll so it isnt as easy to reach for one- grow your own tobacco seeds are cheap and its easy peasy to grow!

Great really good tips there ames, but if, in time, you can quit the one above you'll have a 100% saving for your pocket and a MUCH greater saving for your health!!! Please quit asap and save yourself possible heartache later!!!;)

Not preaching, just to hope you'll think on.

Sue

ilikefreefood

I know this isn't an exact tip on surviving recession however if you live in West London there is an event (FREE!!!) happening on 26th March at Richmond Adult Community College, Parkshot Richmond (Two min walk from the station). It is a whole day of events designed to help you survivie the recession and get back in to employement. There will be work shops on CV writing, Job Hunting, Interview Skills. You can have one to one guidance and there will be employers there and local services offering advice from growing your own veg to local jobs. There will be more information from Feb 26th at www.racc.ac.uk but if you want more info please email [EMAIL="cag@racc.ac.uk"]cag@racc.ac.uk[/EMAIL] or if you just want free careers advice, no matter what your age or circumstance email the same address.

I know its not exactly helping you save money but it could help you find employment!

Good Luck

Han x

mancmum

I spent about two months of the 1980s recession sitting in the very large and very warm airing cupboard learning shorthand. I did it and it got and kept me in work.

As I now reclaim number one son's bedroom I find that the kneehold desk which has been placed against a radiator has much the same effect. At least you can stay warm when you are studying or job hunting. That's much nicer than sitting in the airing cupboard.