Some places are more expensive than others. According to the holiday cost infographic, if you want to go get a bottle of wine in Bangkok you’re going to pay around £16, a litre of milk in San Francisco will set you back a fairly steep £2.18, while two theatre tickets in New York City will cost you around £198, as opposed to Chiang Mai, whose theatre fans can purchase a ticket for closer to nine quid. So, as that arresting opening line revealed, some places will cause more of a drain on your personal cash flow than others. And no matter where you are going you’ll need to save a considerable amount of pennies to make your trip worthwhile. Here are a few things you can do to help make the task of saving a little easier.
Be realistic
Before you do anything, it’s best to be realistic about your holiday options. Some destinations and accommodation types you just won’t be able to afford. Is it worth paying for a four-star hotel in the Bahamas but having to cut back on nights out when you get there? Be pragmatic about what you want from your holiday and don’t be afraid to cut back on a few luxuries if it will make your trip that much better.
Do your homework
It’s best to know how expensive the country you are travelling to is before you go there. Take a look at the Holiday Cost Tool above to get some idea of the cost of travelling to certain countries. Start with the basics – food, travel, hotels and work from there. Are you a theatre goer? How much will a night at the theatre cost you? More of a cinema buff? Check out the average ticket prices. Are you a night clubber or more of quiet evening in the pub kind of person? Do your research beforehand and there will be fewer surprises when you get to your country of choice.
Set a goal
You should certainly be setting yourself a savings goal. But make sure it’s an achievable one. And set your goal a little higher than you have budgeted for. There are always some unexpected costs popping up on a holiday. An extra night out, an unexpected trip to the theatre, the jet ski’s that didn’t appeal to you until you saw them in action… all these will sponge your expenses unexpectedly. But if you’ve put extra aside, you can relax knowing you can still afford the taxi to the airport at the end of the week, and that’s a load off.
Start saving early
The key part about setting a goal is to set it well in advance. In fact, ideally you should start your holiday savings fund as soon as you get back from your last holiday. Even if you don’t actually know where you’re going at the time, start saving as soon as possible, so that when next year rolls around and you know exactly where you are going you already have a little bit in the bank.
Cut back… just a little
A few small changes in your daily routine can make a big difference to your overall spend in a year. Do you eat out at lunch every day? Try bringing a packed lunch instead. Spending a little too much on sugary treats or alcohol? Try cutting back a little and saving the money instead. Start saving today and tomorrow (or a certain point in the not too distant future, probably during the summer sometime) will be that much easier to manage financially. Do it old fashioned style by chucking the pounds you would’ve spent into a piggy bank. It’s the consistent trimmings of everyday life that will make a big difference, and that holiday will be all the more enjoyable as a result.
If you are saving for your holiday and want to win a £60 Amazon voucher to buy some holiday essentials (or whatever you like really), fill in the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to enter.
This is a promotional post.
A money saving tip is to use libraries rather than buying books…a great way to check out a new author, without risking wasting money if you don’t like their writing style.
You can’t beat your local Freecycle for obtaining items for nothing. It’s brilliant if you want an item that you’re only going to use once or twice and don’t want to shell out for, or for finding a quarter ball of wool when you need to finish off a knitting project but don’t want to buy a full packet.
It’s also worth searching Facebook for your town – most towns have buy, sell and swap or service swap groups and it’s a great way to make new friends, too!
I save all 1ps 2ps 5ps 10ps 20ps all year and use them for Christmas x
Never go shopping hungry!!
I have a post here that you may like.http://www.giventodistractingothers.co.uk/2014/01/easy-oven-baked-mexican-rice.html
Instead of spending lots of money going out to bars or cinemas etc.. there are lots of free, or very cheap events out there such as exhibitions & concerts. You spend less yet enjoy it all the same. 🙂
i have learn to book flights and hotels seperate when taking my 3 children on holiday, most companies charge adult prices for my children anyway so i book a cheap flight then get a cheap room as long as there is access to a pool and sun the kids are happy.
Always check out cashback websites, voucher codes etc before ordering online. You can save a lot of money!
If you’re planning a family day out, search online first for offers/2 for 1’s etc. We rarely pay full price to visit an attraction xx
Use vouchers and coupons at the supermarket, it all adds up, you can find lots online
Love The Little Things (#2) – http://mebookshelfandi.co.uk/2014/01/13/love-little-things-2/
I know it’s probably going to be repeated and repeated, but don’t use the big supermarkets for fruits and veg and the like! Aldi and Lidl have great-value, UK-sourced (when available!) fruits and veg which are generally a heck of a lot cheaper than Asda, Waitrose, Tesco, etc. It’s where I make my biggest savings. (Also, they do amazing cheeses!)
Have a budget when food shopping. That way you just buy what you need.
Planning meals – planning your weekly meals can save you money and prevent all those pricey impulse buys you succumb to at the supermarket. Use the meal planner and write a shopping list in advance to avoid extra spending.
A blog post on where to find coupons to print or codes to use online would be great!
Put spare change of 1ps, 2ps, and 5pcs in a pot and save them until Christmas….it is surprising how much they add up to!
switch off all stand by lights on everything
I recently wrote my best money saving tip, and its simply to be more mindful when using products – it’s amazing how much shampoo/shower gel/laundry liquid/washing up liquid I was glooping out! Now everything last much longer.
I’d really like to read a post titled, “Ways to lose weight that ACTUALLY WORK FOR EVERYONE!” 🙂
If you’d like to read one of my posts that I personally find inspiring, head over here: http://www.fatgirlslim.org/?p=1455 ! 🙂
I wish I knew the trick 😉
Do online surveys and put the earnings into a saving account.
use money saving websites such as mse
Save water by not flushing every time and using waste water to flush toilet
I bulk buy some products (e.g. pasta & rice) to save money. Rather than spending £1 a week it costs us around 50p for 2 weeks when it’s split up. I also walk down to our local small supermarket around 5pm 3 or 4 times a week to buy reduced items which I can freeze.
Live of lentils. Seriously, they have to be the cheapest foodstuff in the world.
If you see an item of clothing you really want dont buy it right away wait a few days and if you still really want it then think how many times am i really going to wear it?? once or more often if the answer is once then its not really worth buying.
Turn the heating down, and put on a jumper / grab a hot water bottle…
Do your food shopping online, if you don’t go into the store the smell of the food won’t tempt you and its easy to take advantage of special offers and stick to your shopping list.
Split all of my money into separate e-saving accounts,labelled for holiday, long term, bills etc, and only spend what’s allocated. Also keep a certain amount of cash for the week, and keep as many purchases as possible paid for from that cash.
How to house train children!!!!
Save money by winning your Valentine’s flowers ! Win a gorgeus bouquet with Serenta http://www.thediaryofajewellerylover.co.uk/2014/01/win-gorgeous-bouquet-with-serenata.html
Try and put your washing out on the line, a massive saving compared to using the tumble dryer
Dont stick to just one shop for your food shopping, shop around for the best deals.
eat jacket spuds & beans all week 😀
always take a packed lunch to work and a drink out with you when p
Budget!
Plan and prepare to save £1 per day toward Christmas, prepare meal plans and shopping lists don’t shop when hungry look ahead for birthday gifts when on offer in shops. x
I save all our change in a big bottle.
I plan ahead, which saves a lot of money in the long run, by buying things reduced or on offer
Save money wherever you can, even if it is just the odd 10p as it really does add up. If you see something at a great price that you do not need at the time, but will need at some point – get it.
Book train tickets three months in advance to take advantage of the cheapest fares (UK).
Look online for vouchers and join loyalty schemes 🙂
always look online for codes or vouchers for instore or online before buying anything
Use loyalty cards and cashback sites!
Coupons are only worth using if you were going to buy the goods – remember a bargain, no matter how cheap is not a bargain if you don’t really want it!
Spend a little, save a little, always look online for bargains, never shop while hungry.
Inspire Me – How to plan the best childrens party!
Do we ever grow up or do we just learn to behave in public ?
I’m taking on board Liz’s tips, but we save all our loose change, £2 coins, have stopped feeding parking meters, saved a bundle on our holiday by checking all the different compare sites, chose a lower standard hotel to enable us to do more whilst there and cash back site, great deal on a nice hotel at the airport next to the terminal, cost about £9 more but saves on taxi fare and got £8.70 back 🙂 x
I save £1 coins in a huge whisky jar and normally have saved enough for my partner and I to go on holiday in the summer! It’s amazing how quickly it stacks up …
Home cook all meals and use up leftovers 🙂
I love any post to be read but how about some stuffed mushrooms and poached egg?
Use the bath water, to water the plants outside
The big thing that saved money for me was to shop at markets and cheaper supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl. I plan meals throughout the week using leftovers from the night before if I can. This saves so much money and has meant that we can afford little treats that we wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise and we’ve got our family food budget down from £300+ a month to £160-£180 a month.
spend less lol!
Make a list when you go shopping AND STICK TO IT!!
Don’t buy more than you need
Walk instead of using the car, no petrol costs plus you can’t carry lots home if shopping
I TRADE IN MY GAMES
THE ONES I’VE PLAYED
I BUY SECOND HAND
LOADS OF MONEY IV’E SAVED 🙂
Plan your meals for the week and then write your shopping list accordingly. Be strict at the supermarket and stick to your list!
make sure you shop when the ‘whoopsies’ are done at the supermarket, bread is always on offer & easily frozen
Budget everything and stick to it
Always have a meal plan!
Leave bank cards at home … do not enter any shops
Blog post idea “A year of German traditions for children”
don’t spend any
Breastfeed for as long as possible (if you can)! Saves loads on formula hehe 🙂
Most of us have one thing we regularly buy but don’t need. It could be anything from a cup of coffee on the way to work to a newspaper. Try cutting that out for 6 months and putting the money in a jar…
I try to have at least 1 ‘no spend’ days a week. It is so easy, on the school run, to nip into the local shop and buys sweets or bits and bobs. I try consciously at least once a week to lock my purse away
Don’t spend money on takeaway’s and only cook what you will eat or freeze the rest for another day.
We save all our 50p pieces its amazing how many we have saved by the time holidays come around.
use the bath water to flush the loo
Use cashback sites
Use bargain shops like Home Bargains and B&M to top up on essentials, e.g. toothpaste and shampoo
The biggest secret I have ever kept was…… Now that could be an interesting blog post 🙂
I coupon to save money on my weekly shop
Meal plan, meal plan, meal plan before you go shopping! And don’t forget your list LOL.
save money in a piggy bank you have to smash to get the money out,that way you will be less tempted to keep dipping into it.
shop in budget supermarkets- you’ll save loads!
I try and save all my smaller coins and hopefully in time they will add up 🙂 x
use pound shops for stuff cheaper than in supermarket
A blog post titled ‘The things that bug me most about men!’
Just one? 😉
Look on the internet for cheaper deals on everything. Don’t get tempted by the coffee shop – it’s amazing how much you can save by not buying a coffee whilst out.
Grow your own vegetables.
It seems an obvious one, but bulk-buying is by far one of my favourites!
Buy your sun cream now! Much cheaper out of season and always book airport parking in advance! X
Always use supermarket own brands – they’re much cheaper than the ‘official’ big brands, thus saving a huge amount of money on the weekly shop 🙂
A blog post I’d like to read… “Things you can get for a pound!”
Just stop buying stuff! Weigh up everything you buy and consider how hard it was to get hold of that amount of money in the first place!
Buy things in bulk when they are on offer especially things like toothpaste, shampoo, toothbrushes they’ll never go off as you’ll use them
My best (although a little obvious) money saving tip, is always take your own lunch to work, you spend a fortune buying pre-prepared stuff and there’s just no need. You could save the money you don’t spend in a jar to help you see the benefit.
Use Clubcard vouchers or offer of 2 for 1 on cereal packets for days out
Stick to a strict budget
Use cashback websites such as Quidco for all your shopping.
Get into the mindset of only buying what you need, not what you want.
I do online surveys. Oh my word are they boring but come the end of the year I’ve usually got a nice saved bank of Paypal and Amazon vouchers to help with Christmas.
Also. Save. Pure and simple – don’t use the credit cards, don’t go into the overdraft. If something is out of your budget – save for it. The old fashioned way.
Saving up all my coppers and using my change when possible 🙂
Use cashback sites and look for money saving vouchers online
look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves
try not to waste food
Use cash back sites, especially when home/car/travel insurance is due. I save a fortune
Downsize from premium items in the supermarket to value ones. Somethings are impossible to tell the difference especially biscuits!
take your heating off timer and switch the heating on when you get up will save about 7 hours of gas a week.
If something is in the sales, ask yourself would you buy it at the price it is now if you didn’t know it had been reduced, i.e. is the worth the price you are paying for it or are you just tempted because it is half price.
Never shop on an empty stomach
a blog post on how to restore paintwork
Before buying anything online I always search cashback and discount code sites to see if I can save some money 🙂
Always research purchases online first to find the best price
put all liquids/shampoos/shower gels/conditioner and detergents into pump dispensers, you can buy these on the high street and in using a pump rather than tipping and pouring you will be surprised how much longer these products last, saving money.
eat before you go shopping, you buy more when hungry at the time of shopping
a blog post suggestion – tips for men buying gifts for ladies, we can get it all very wrong!
Use cashback sites when buying online.
do your research!
Always look for discount codes if shopping online and use cashback sites, the savings really do add up. In the home, put heatholder socks and an extra jumper on before turning on the heating, even an hour or so without the heating on will save quite abit.
make a list of what you have in the freezer to help you buy less, waste less and plan meals ahead.
how to avoid temper tantrums!
Use cashback websites
10 things you would not have guessed about Carolin
Proper Planning Prevents P*** Poor Performance!
use vouchers in shopping
Blog post: “I knew it was going to be one of those days when I….”
Buying the supermarket’s own brand for food can help save money. Most times the items are just as good as all the branded ones..plus you usually get the money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied. 🙂
As for the “inspire me” option… :D… wait for it…. 😀
I’d like to see a post titled “How to make money from your blog.”
save change in a sealed jar, we do this every year after xmas and always gets us a big chunk towards our spending money and also stops u wasting change in your purse
Buy LED light bulbs – you can make huge savings in electricity costs
How about – what to do on Valentines day with your kids when you are a single mum!?
Do you save coppers then sort them in one of those change sorting machines at the supermarket? They take a big percentage commission. Instead, do some shopping in the supermarket and pay by cash at the self service till, tipping all your coins into the coin acceptor. It will sort your coins, use them to pay for your shopping with no commission charge and give you any leftover cash as change!
Look for free things to do at the weekends rather than paying to do something similar
I borrow books from the library and do an on-line search of library’s to order in books that may not be in my local small library. Cheaper than buying a book and then finding out that you don’t like it!
http://asaucystitch.blogspot.co.uk/
Make list before going shopping and stick to it. shop around and DON’T take the husband or children alsorts end up in the trolley without you knowing
make your own pancakes/batter mixes, and cake mixes its way cheaper than buying ready made, i’ve never understood why people buy pancake mix its so easy to make!
Excellent post, I agree it is vital to build a fund and plan in advance, hopefully looking forward to going to Canada this year, if everything goes smoothly! 🙂
Before going shopping, check voucher sites 🙂
Save all your loose change in a jar.
Set a credit card limit and cash limit every month and stick to it, so it leaves some surplus for savings etc.
have a bucket we fill up with loose change and cash in when it’s full
i’m a total bookworm and was lucky enough to win a kindle last year. i used to get my books from the library but with kindles you cant borrow from libraries in the UK. i accidentaly found that amazon offer lots of free books; and a lot of them are really good. i’ve saved a lot of moneysince finding that.
a blog post i would be interested to read would be on how to boost your income through comping. you could give comping tips and people could comment on things they have won.
Charity shops! It’s amazing how much money you can save and the amazing things you can find!
I try to have a “no spend” day once a week. Then put aside the cash that would have been used on snacks/coffee/magazines etc etc
we get those money tins you can only open with a can opener, put in the loose change and you will be amazed how much you have saved
I would like to see a gardening blog post, “grow your own”
ALWAYS MAKE A SHOPPING LIST
A post on getting the best value for your weekly shop.
Always use the comparison sites when changing insurance, savings, energy provider, telecoms provider etc. as they can really save you money – never just renew without checking other quotes
Swap to supermarket own brands
save up all loose change in a jar, plus get one of them saving tins, put in £1 a day every day for a year
Turn your heating thermostat down a couple of degrees—-it will make a difference on your energy bill
I stubbornly refuse to borrow or accept credit and as result I don’t owe a penny.This has paid dividends!!
How to keep your pets happy on a budget
I always save any spare change under 50p in a jar, and every quarter I take it to the bank. Its amazing how it all adds up and gets rid of all the bulk in your purse. I also make my own baby food, much cheaper and lots healthier too!x
Use Money Saving Expert website religiously. Martin Lewis is a God!
I keep a big savings tin that I can’t get into. And contribute when I have a little extra ! All adds up!
look for special offers and enter lots of competitions
Make your lunch and do not buy from the shops or cafes, you will save a lot.
I quit buying clothes this year to have money to travel more.
Buy toys and books on the bootsales
book your holidays in advance for better deals
Don’t always purchase brand names especially cleaning products!
Also be careful that your not lured in to 3 for 2 items sometimes this isn’t the cheapest way
and NEVER go shopping Hungry LOL!!!!
Get cash back for items you buy online through Quidco and Topcashback. Look online for voucher codes off
Eat healthier! It might seem more expensive at first, but healthier food fills you up more and provides you with more nutrients, so you eat less *and loss weight* I’ve noticed our food bill go down dramatically since eating healthier, makes a huge difference.
All natural ways to beat a cold or flu 🙂
Using coupons can save you loads of cash
How To Keep Your Sanity In The School Holidays!!
Empty my purse of all the small change when it gets full, keep it in a jar until it’s full and then change it up t one of those coin machines- amazing how much you can save!
Always look for things on offer when shopping.
Take a packed lunch to work rather than spending money every day!
i always use scissors to cou open shampoo and bubble bath bottles as its amazing how much is left in but wont sqeeze out
Swap your usual brand if another make is on offer
How to win the Euromillions Lottery!
Meal plan – try checking the weekly 6 at Aldis to see if you can build meals around those to save even more
When you go shopping take a list to avoid unnecessary purchases. x
Use coupons
Three years Eve
http://www.mummyslittlepeeps.co.uk/2014/01/your-three-years-eve.html
The best I know has already been mentioned – do not go food shopping before you eat.
Make a shopping list of what you need and only buy what’s on the list when you go shopping.
Blog post, Are cats actually crazy? 😛
Compare prices before you buy something, and look out for promotional codes 🙂
Shop around – don’t just buy everything from the same supermarket. Markets are brilliant for picking up cheap veggies, especially when the stalls are about to close for the day.
I’d like to read a blog post entitled ‘Free things to do with children in the winter’.
try not to get to much money out as you will only spend it if it is in your purse
Buy BOGOF offers or larger packs of fresh mince, chicken etc. which are usually cheaper then separate into portions and freeze what you don’t need immediately, or bulk cook and freeze meals for future use
I’d love to read “How to get your children to do their homework without nagging”
I save all money off coupons. Tesco Clubcard to get extra out of my vouchers. I save nectar points at Sainsburys. I shop a few different places to make sure I’m getting the best value for my money.
Only spend what you’ve got – I find the easiest way to do this is to carry the cash I’ve got rather than risk using cards and going into credit.
Cashback! you can’t beat it, especially if buying insurance – just shop about to get the cheapest price available!
USE A SHOPPING LIST OF ONLY THINGS YOU HAVE RUN OUT OF OR NEED AND STICK TO IT
I overspend during grocery shopping so best way to cut down on junk food buy is to go shopping in a full stomach!!!
Next title: Tips on keeping the balance at home; love life work children.
Keep a shopping list (and stick to it) and plan all of your meals for the week. This way you buy exactly what is needed. There’s no waste, no over-spend and no temptation to splurge on take-away food.
I would like to read about some ideas and tips for spending quality time together as a family without having to spend much or any money.
The title could be something like ‘LOVE = TIME not MONEY’.
As for today’s inspire me option.. I was thinking.. You’re in a cross cultural marriage, just like we are.. :D.. and that means there’s more than one language in the family.. so my blog title for you today would be ..
“Teaching young children a second language.”
My best moneysaving tip is definitely to meal plan – we often have weeks where we are ‘living out of the freezer’ before a food shop
I quite like seeing your posts about your beauty items every now and again so I would love to see something like the How Much Is My Face Worth? tag 🙂
SHOP AT ALDI, LIDL AND HOMEBARGAINS!
I go on a trip around my town every few days armed with a large backpack and visit all the discounters, it saves a fortune on supermarket prices. When I do have to visit the supermarket for the odd thing I can’t find anywhere else I walk down the aisles thinking ‘I got that for half that price’!
If you have a kindle download the free books, there are loads of them.
What to do when the first grey hairs sprout through! Ekkk! To cover or not to cover is the quesion!?
I always use libraries as I read a lot and if I bought every book I’d never be able to afford food! I also make sure I shop around for the best price, and buy my clothes in the sales 🙂
a good book review
Healthy meals on a budget.
Save as much as you can each week or on each payday at the end of the month towards christmas then you will have a lump sum at the end of the year and have paid for christmas outright
WRITE A MENU AND SHOPPING LIST BEFORE LEAVING TO GO TO THE SUPERMARKET, AND STICK TO THE LIST
If you’ve never tried online grocery shopping before,I would recommend giving it a go.I’ve been doing it for the last couple of years and it’s easy once you get the hang of it.You don’t tend to buy things you don’t need,there’s no trolley up your backside plus you notice more of the offers on the things you need.You also get a running total so there is no nasty surprise at the checkout.
make your own lunches and invest in a little flask for coffe for work.
Seasonal Sandwiches!
Do your food shop online.
looking for bargains/vouchers online is great
Use a dehumidifier with a clothes drying function instead of a tumble dryer – much more economical. Of course line drying beats both, but in winter that’s not always possible.
dont take your husband or kids with you when you go food shoping they will make you spend more! (or at least mine do)
Today’s “inspire me option”… “My favourite place in Germany.” It’ll be lovely to have a deeper and more personal insight for those that want to go on holiday! 🙂
A look back at each decade in detail – ie fashion, music etc
To work out a budget and stick to it really helps save money.
As for the post – Eat cake and lose weight would be nice, wishful thinking though no doubt
Great family holiday ideas.
If your looking to buy an item then check the vouchercode or cashback sites.
Plan your meals to prevent food waste
Always wait for the January Sales if you need a new Laptop/Computer/Tablet….you can save loads 🙂
online grocery to save impulse buying
http://beckywilloughby.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/100-days-of-happy-100daysofhappy.html
Meal plan! Make your list and stick to it
Charity shops!
Seal a pot and put all loose change into it
meal planning so I don’t buy extra things in the week I don’t need
Stick to your shopping list!
I use the tins that you need a can opener to get into to and put all my change below 20p in it at the end of the day. Last year she added up to nearly £200 for the kids spending money
I would recommend joining your supermarket savers club, this way you don’t notice you’re saving. Last year I accumulated £110 in Clubcard vouchers, which could then be doubled up on various departments. So, I had £220 to spend in the Toys online! Christmas was sorted!
Blog Post: “How to save money easily”
Buy items from the Reduced to Clear section
Keep an eye on Amazon’s free kindle titles – there are some gems amongst the tat so you will have a constant supply of free books.
Shopping List, Meal Plan and Budget – Collection coupons from local magazines and online then put them to good use when out shopping. Search out current offers to make sure you get the best price.
Also go shopping on a Sunday afternoon or later at night when you can pick up some real bargains on the reduced shelf. They are close to use by date but lots can be frozen.
Ebay, Gumtree, Freecycle if you need any bits they are usually really cheap but some are in fantastic condition. Also look online for Glitches and Special offers. I also buy all my Christmas Paper in January as its sold very cheap not to forget using old Christmas Cards as Tags for the following year. Just a few of the things I do myself to save pennies.
use money boxes which you cannot get into unless u smash or can open them. Less tempting to borrow.
Today’s “inspire me” option.. 😀
I’d like to see a blog post titled:
” The top best 10 family friendly attractions in England.”
Go to the supermarket about 2 hours before it closes to get reduced items
I would love some info on hair make up to suit your hair/eye colours!
Write a list for everything you need when you go shopping
My son loves Lime Doritos so i bought 3 small boxes in £1 for £1 and stock up on family abgs when they 2 for £2 in supermarkets . I can then pop small amount daily for lunch in school and use a peg on bag to keep fresh. Son gets flavour he loves and loads cheaper than giving a single packet a day
Best Healthy Snacks
Just don’t go to the shops – it’s not a hobby
Today’s “inspire me” option… I’d like to see a post on:
“how to deal with toddler tantrums- the do’s and the dont’s” 😀
A post on “How to stop your husband putting your underwear on a boil wash – without deterring him from helping round the house”
Plan lunches and food in advance; my work is surrounded by gorgeous but expensive places to eat. I plan in advance, keep emergency (but cheap) cans of soup in my drawer at work, and keep a list of the local eat out places i want to try and I am allowed to treat myself to one on pay day!
Try to plan as much as possible in advance; meals so you know exactly what to buy when you go shopping, how much you’ll need for treats
I’d love to see a post of: “a day in the life of me”
It’s easy to spend a fortune of those little things you don’t really notice but buy often – the odd latte, magazine, chewing gum. Trying keeping a note of what you spend for a couple of weeks and you can soon see where you can cut back.
Blog Post: “How to make the perfect cake” – Mine always sink and are about half an inch thick!
try subbing lower price alternatives for cleaning products. Most often, even the cheapest own brand works just as well.
put all your change in a container all 1ps, 2ps and five pence and empty when full surprising how much it mounts up
Not being brand loyal can save you a lot of money. I use supermarket comparison websites to compare prices of things I want to stock up on so I go where the best deals are! Also, I make a list so I don’t spontaneously buy things I didn’t plan or research for 🙂
this sounds great
Cycle to save on transport costs and get a bit fitter
I save 20p coins and cash them in once a year, I usually get about £100 which can be used for holiday spending money or for a special treat whilst on holiday
I always kee[ a small tupperware box of almonds and dried fruit in my bag. Great for on the go and saves me buying impulse snacks!!
Use the local library; books are quite expensive and it will save you a fortune and your children can get 8 new books a fortnight (in our area).
Do all your food shopping online. Then you can stick to a budget and not be tempted by all the special offers/treats in-store
Today’s “inspire me” Option..
“How to choose the right foundation to suit your skin tone. ” 🙂
I fill a bucket from the water butt to flush the toilet – easy and cut a 1/3 off the water bill………..
Easy hairdos for busy mums who have little time before the school run for example!
when cooking dont throw anyway any left overs an little extra foods such as stews etc you can freeze and use as single portions
i would like to read how to travel with kids
i am a total bookworm and manage to save quite a bit of money by buying books for my kindle on amazons freebie pages. theres some really good titles to choose from.
i would love to see you do a blog post about comping; hints ant tips. readers could comment on what they have won or ask comping related questions.
Online grocery shopping is my biggest money saving tip. I find I stick to my list, don’t get distracted by things I don’t need and I actually end up buying healthier foods, too.
Today’s “inspire me” option… “How to get your baby to settle and sleep in their own cot.”
Best value chocolate
Shop around and then use flubit to get it a little bit cheaper
money tins to put spare coins in, it’s a hassle to get money out so you aren’t tempted and my partner has managed to save a few hundred pounds over the last couple of months from it
How to have a fab time without breaking the bank!
saving all pennies in a box and then every 1/4 of the year, take them to the bank and save them all! 🙂 steady way of increasing savings account. with love, faye xx
i’d love to read a blog post on how to help get kids to go to sleep painlessly (relatively)!! faye xx
Let’s discuss the fashion colour wheel!
I borrow library books instead of buying them as they’re often only read once or twice anyway x
recycling tips
Valentines on a budget.
I just budget everything I’m good at managing our money I figure what comes in and what goes out and what can be used for what. Spreadsheets help with this 🙂 xx
I search sites such as Trivago for hotels and travelsupermarket and skyscanner for flights.I recently saved loads of money by booking everything seperately.
I hunt the internet for voucher codes for anything I want to purchase saves me a fortune 🙂 xx
meal planning! i wasted so much food (mince mainly!)
Healthy food ideas that still taste great
Use your washing powder as a general cleaner…it really cuts through dirt, grime and grease…very good on shower trays, baths and sinks…put some down the loo and watch the stains disappear…no need for other high priced cleaners.
I’d love a list of special days at the beginning of each year – like when Easter is this year, bank hols etc. I never seem to remember!
Today’s inspire me option ..
“How to make your own home-made natural,and organic baby food. “
Recipes for treats.
Valentines ideas!
save all the penny’s cause they do ad up in the end!
Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves
TIPS ON HOW TO SAVE
I use confused.com to get a best deal
For today’s “inspire me” option… I’d like to see a post titled:
“The best places to visit in Europe.”
Useful phone numbers like SAYNOTO0870.COM – I just discovered this site and it has saved me loads of money – if you type in an 0845 number, it gives you a free direct landline number!
I’ve stopped ‘nipping out’ to buy lunch everyday and am bringing packed lunches to work. Already saving around £15 a week. Trying to curb my shoe collection… not so easy!
use price comparison sites to save money
Interesting things to do in the holidays.
Saving tips would be great!
Turn down the thermostat on the central heating by a couple degrees
Winter warmer recipes.
Making to sell ideas!
I’ve been doing my main grocery shop in the discounter stores. I am amazed at how much I have saved – up to £30 a week.
use money of coupons when buying items, its amazing how much you can save over the year
Always have some savings to fall back on, you never know what is going to happen in the future. Every time you get your wage put some savings away, and think of it as a bill to make sure you do it
Always shop around before you buy to find the best price.
Look for free days out in your area, there are more than you realise!
I like a lot of the tips on here, some good ones.
My money saving tip is to buy the regular things you use in bulk when they are on offer. (obviously the things that keep like loo roll and washing liquid).
Book reviews 🙂
Only take money and cash cards out with you if you are specifically going out to buy something. You can’t impulse buy with no money.
Today’s “inspire me” : “What to do if your child is afraid of the dark.”
Valentines ideas for the singletons!
Shop around online – and start Christmas shopping in January!
i found that instead of doing shops in the usual supermarkets, places like poundland and B&M save me a HECK of a lot of money!!
i have a blog mainly on beauty and books, so if you need a recommendation on books to read, im ya girl! Ive also got a giveaway for a limited edition Dogs trust polish that you might like to see?
Thank you for the giveaway!!
Claire
xx
http://pennyforthemuk.com
Winter warmers.
Today’s “inspire me” option:
“How to make the perfect (well done) lamb steak” 🙂
get together with friends and swap things you might not want, such as toys, clothes etc
hairstyle tips
Put away any £2 coins that we get, it slowly adds up x
use money saving websites
Makeup tips 😀 x
How to get kids more active.
I sell old toys/games/clothes etc at boot fares or online and save money from that, we also save money in a moneybox that you can’t open unless you break it, saved £750 last year with that.
Today’s Inspire me option: “Making the perfect tomato soup”
Easter getaways in the UK
always look in the “sell by” fridge in supermarkets
uk holiday destinations
Recipes 🙂
Seasonal recipes.
Cut open cosmetic plastic containers when you think you’ve finished them before throwing away, it should reveal alot of product leftover, even though they seem empty.
tv subscriptions compared (Nowtv etc)
Today’s “inspire me” : ” How to make the perfect poached egg.”
use cash back sites
A post to inspire you is Crafting on a budget
Shrove Tuesday ideas.
Best buy websites 🙂
Today’s “inspire me” : ” The pros of homeschooling your child.”
Easter card making with kids
Take your own lunch to work
Energy saving tips
use left over food to make another meal
Holiday ideas with kids.
In the winter, invest in thermal lined curtains, and draw them shut at dusk, in every room in the house. This keeps a lot of heat in the house as we have found out, trying it for the first time this winter!
Best chocolate!
Intenet security
plan what meals you are having for the week before you go shopping
Today’s “inspire me” : “organic makeup brands.”
Money saving tips.
How to knit tutorial!
I have at least two no spend days per week
An article on the Olympics.
Add up your food shop online before you buy, that way you can keep track on how much you’re going to spend but also find the cheapest deals.
Today’s “inspire me” option: ” Learning how to say “no” to others.”
Dog friendly holidays in the UK!
My local green grocers sell fruit and veg that are about to go off at a discount, so I get that and have some pretty interesting meals sometimes!
By haggling holiday costs down
Best Olympics moment.
Keep a log of all your expenses, it’s amazing what money gets frittered away on! 🙂
A wine guide
Firstly, I must be being dense, but I cannot find anywhere on the page where I can subscribe by email. Please add me to your email list 🙂
My moneysaving tip is to have a present cupboard. During the year, buy presents as you see them in sales etc and then when you have a birthday, you can choose something from the ‘present cupboard’. Especially good for kids parties.
I was silly and changed my blog layout after the competition went live. You can find the box in the left bar x
How to avoid the yummy mummy trap 🙂 (ie competitive mum syndrome)
Today’s “inspire me” option: Ten things you can buy with a 60 pound amazon voucher. 😀
Simple, but make a shopping list and stick to it, don’t be tempted by deals and you’ll be surprised how much you can save.
If it’s broken, fix it, no need to get everything new 🙂
Budget, plain and simple
Why chocolate is the best thing in the world. 😀
Information sources for parenting.
Tips on how to set up a blog.
health tips
Don’t just shop at the supermarket, try out local butchers, greengrocers, cheaper shops etc and learn which places are better value for money.
How about, revamp your house, one room at a time 🙂 Develop a project plan for each room saving up for the new furniture. This is what I’m doing right now
Today’s Inspire me option: The pros of being a SAHM.
Buy in bulk
Use a cashback site like quidco (there are many) to get the best out of your money
coupons and lots of researching before purchase for the best price
Getting a good night’s sleep as a mum.
Simnel cake recipe!
have two accounts. one to cover all the direct debits and make sure enough is in at the beginning of month to save forgetting about a dd and ending up overdrawn
Todays inspiration : are we making our children Wuss’s ? Today, walking to school it started raining heavily, so we turned round and got in the car. In hindsight, I think I should have carried on walking because I was turning her into a Wuss.
Today’s inspire me option: ” using homeopathic remedies to cure a headache. “
Great advice 🙂 We are getting married next year and will definitely put this advice to use when it comes to our honeymoon xxx
Don’t impulse buy always check prices elsewhere first!
Best moneysaving tip – budget budget budget. Set a limit and don’t go over it, even do it daily if you have to 🙂
Use HotUKdeals
Turn down the heating
put money towards small investments of antique silver and gold
Money saving
Get into the habit of leaving your purse at home or just taking the exact amount of cash you need when you next pop into town. It works!
How the weather had been affecting you.
Stop the takeaways!! Making pizza can be so much fun! Plus in my opinion it tastes so much nicer too. And most importantly….. cheaper!
Helping secure your home during wet weather!
Think about how your elders used to mend, make, grow and reuse most things. Gardens grew veg and fruit that saves money and makes if you sell any you don’t need. When you buy things reuse containers, jars we all know can be used for storage like food, candle holders or crafting. With glue, paper, material, beads or coloured tape they can be interesting money box so you save buying a piggy bank, children are better off with plastic versions like nesQ milk powders or cocoa type containers. There are lots of sites that tell of wartime make and mend so do a little research for info. My own grandmother would unpick clothes turn them inside out and restitch to freshen the item, si if like her you can handle a needle you probably could do it to items well loved. After all you know what people say a penny here and there makes the pounds!
my best money saving tip is this…STOP WASTING FOOD!!!
I always plan what meals we are going to have as a family at the start of the week and do my shopping list based on that, that way I have a little money left over for treats and nothing gets wasted!!
Today’s inspire me option: How to begin a set sleep routine with your little one.
The thing that made me decide to get into blogging was…..
Blog is great. We only buy what we need & if i think the veg will go off before we use it, i cut it up, bag it & freeze it.
Instead of putting the heating on put another layer on first
Work out a meal plan use it to make a shopping list and only buy what you need.
Do the grocery shopping online. Although there will be a delivery charge, you will save money on petrol and by not spending on impulse buys!
Always shop on a full stomach and write a shopping list, look for coupons in papers/magazines
Team Honk Relay Bristol 14 mile walk, I need some insperation to loose weight and I love walking so hopefully this post may help.
Some nice recipes to warm you up/fill you up on cold, windy days.
best pets for different ages
wet weather activities
Tips on finding cheap holiday accommodation.
Today’s inspire me option: How to make your own home-made bread.
If you’re a fan of jam, go out and pick blackberries in the late summer/autumn. The bushes have been heaving with them recently,.
Wash them, freeze them, save all your old jam jars for re-use and bingo. All it costs then is a decent pan and a bag of sugar and you’ll have enough jam to last months.
Ooops, forgot, you’ll also need some apples or a bottle of apple pectin, but that’s not expensive.
How to make half an hour a day for yourself
Shop at Aldi. Has saved me so much rather than Asda or Tesco.
Also make a list so you don’t forget anything and end up going to a corner shop which will cost you more
only buy the things you really need
Car boot sales!
Fun things to do when it’s wet (and windy) outside.
Don’t go shopping unless you need something specific! It’s easy to buy things you don’t need when you’re browsing!
Just rambles – every day rambles are fun!
Today’s inspire me option: How to make home made carrot soup.
Plan for all your meals and shop only from a shopping list 🙂
Inspiration : How do you supress your fear when you’re really scared, so you don’t scare your children? With the really strong winds, I was terrified, but had to pretend it was all ok. Any top tips on how to do this ?
We save money by double baking; making one batch of tea to eat and one to freeze. Saves energy, time and you can buy produce in bigger quantities which often is on offer
Visit the supermarket after 3 pm when they make all the reductions!
Use ebay and gumtree to sell unwanted items
When you go to buy something ask your; “Do I NEED it?” and if the answer is no, then don’t buy it 🙂
I always do my food shopping on line as this saves the oh and kids adding to the trolley saves me a fortune
my tip is to save loose change 1p to £2 Coins apart from £1 coin soon amounts up
Improve my cooking skills
Keep a few treats in your budget, just small things that you like. I find if I budget too much I eventually snap and go crazy – so it saves that from happening!
We want to go to Florida in 2 years so have bought a £2 tin that can only be opened with a tin opener. We have made a deal that every £2 coin we receive has to be put in the tin whether we are skint or not!
Always have a meal plan and stick to it.
top savings tips
Meal plans are a must. Buying big joints of meat and using them over two or three meals us cheaper than buying portions of meat.
Set a cash amount for spending money for one week and draw it out and do not take any more out till the next week. Spending hard cash rather than using your card makes it go longer 🙂
Plan menus
http://whatjennathought.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/happy-valentines-day.html xxx
Pros & cons of ‘natural’ mothering
Have a change jar for coppers and small coins. It’s amazing how quickly it adds up and I use it for a family treat every few months.
Before supermarket shopping, make a list and stick to it. IT’s too easy to come home with things you don’t need otherwise!
Turn your heating down by 1d you will be amazed at what you save.
Only take advantage of BOGOF offers if you’ll use both, or have room in the freezer 😉
Don’t buy coffees at work, take a flask instead!
If you’ve got a good friend you can shop with, when you’re buying everyday essentials such as toilet roll etc, you can bulk buy & split cost and packets between you.
Don’t be a brand snob, try the supermarkets own label foods, you’ll never know til you’ve tried it, or like me, shop in the discounted supermarkets.
don’t gamble
If you are making large purchases e.g. for a wedding always ask for their best price or money off or something for free. There is no harm in asking and you may get a bargain!
Have a moneybox (the type that you have to use a can opener to open) and put in any spare change, especially £1 and £2 coins. They soon add up
What ever you are buying shop around find the best price, and then look for cashback offers or money off that price
Walk as often as possible – it’s good for your health and it’s also good to save the fares/petrol!
How to win more competitions blog?
Store cupboard essentials to prepare for floods/snow etc
make a shopping list and stick to it
Simple tip – stop chasing the latest technology developments, only replace old devices when they go wrong.
Don’t live too close to a shop!! I do and I seem to end up in there every day for 1 thing and end up buying about 10 things!!
Walk when you can – Saves money and is free exercise
If food shopping look around online for offers first,vouchers are great.
Don’t always do bogof deals unless you need that item,again check if it’s on offer on its own first.
Future blog post : food bargains of the week
If you often pop in and buy a Starbucks, consider making your own coffee at home and putting in a flask! You save so much really easily!
Save the change out of your purse and count it at Christmas, it really mounts up!
Write a meal plan and a list before shopping, saves loads
I budget every month, have a small change jar and ebay which helps towards our holiday fund 🙂
Take a shopping list and stick to it, or shop online. Impulse buys can add £££ to your weekly shopping bill! 🙂
I save £2 coins you don’t get that many, but they do mount up by the end of the year.
Always eat before going food shopping. Stops you buying random food!
If you have to buy something, shop online and use a cashback website.
I stock up by buying in bulk when products are on special offer. (Rebecca Beesley)
We shop at Lidl for groceries … saves loads! For other stuff … shop around and look at the alternatives 🙂
Make sure you use coupons from the supermarket
Meal plan and only buy the food you need. It’s much cheaper and there’s a lot less waste.
i recently started entering competitions and doing surveys. the money i earn from surveys goes straight to my paypal and so far have earned over £100 in cash, amazon vouchers and high street vouchers. Competitions have let me win things that id never afford to buy.. and comping and surveys are free! Its my top saving and making money tip.. 🙂
Always look for special offers when shopping.
Find a use for things you think you no longer need – odd socks? Use that lonely sock as a dish cloth…it will last much longer than a shop bought one
Price compare absolutely everything! Grocery shopping supermarket prices, utility supplier, online retailers, the list is endless. Its amazing how much prices can vary. If i’m after certain items I often take advantage of “deal” sites, which often allow you to type in a key word and it will quickly bring up any offers/bargains that anyone has been kind enough to spot and post about. I also buy my xmas/birthday pressies throughout the year when I see a great bargain, not only does it save money per present, but also means that come Christmas you don’t have to break the bank. Just makes is much less of a worry (I even have next years Xmas wrapping paper and cards stored away safely which I got for a snip in the sales!)
I would love to read a blog post about unconventional money saving methods which they tried out for a week to see how they got on – would be an eye opener and perhaps inspiration to others.
save up all your loose change – it soon adds up !
use coupons when shopping. x
Blog Name – Small Money
i have a block on my phone so i cant go over my contract every month, it has saved me loads
Holiday ideas on a budget.
Draw your spending money for the week out of the bank and keep in your purse, leave your cards at home when you go shopping and you can only spend what you have in cash.
The same as my mum used to say to me..
Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves! I keep a glass jar in the living room that i can pop loose change into so it doesn’t get scattered about the house
Diabetic chocolate reviews!
If you’ve the time visit your local charity shop, you can make great savings on children’s toys I’ve bought some great jigsaws & board games for £1. Some of the bits I’ve bought have been brand new. Great stocking fillers for kids.
the title of a blog post that I would like to read is ‘second hand isn’t second best’
I make good use of my local library by ordering in the books we want to read rather than buying.
I like to buy all my household products from places like B&M and Family bargains, so much cheaper! x
If you have left overs from meals, freeze them into portions. You can then either take them to work – it saves buying lunch at the canteen – or use them at another late date.
My money saving tip is set a food budget and stick to it – for years i was spending £300-400 on food shopping just buying what i fancied 5 days a week – now i have a strict budget shop every 2 weeks and if i run out of something i just have t use something else instead – i converted to almond milk as its healthier and last for weeks too.
I would like to read – my diary of cut backs to pay for my holiday – i always find it useful to see how other people are doing it to see if you can use some of the ideas.
Make a shopping list and stick to it
Think very carefully about everything you buy – whether you really need it and if you could get it cheaper online at eBay or Amazon.
I would like to read a diary of savings made each week or month by cutting corners and clever savings tips. I would find it inspirational.
Today’s inspire me option: crafts you can do with your little one.
should we limit the amount of time children spend on computers, and how do we do this?
Sign up for an allotment, save money by growing your own veg and get the kids involved
Shop at a local greengrocer
Use vouchers to get money off food save your tesco vouchers for days out or for xmas put odd coppers and 5p in a money box and sell items you don’t use it all adds up.
selling unused household items, buying second hand
Leave the oven door open after cooking to heat the house
We put any money ‘left’ into savings at the end of the month, and try to put at least £50 aside on payday!
Share/swap clothes with friends. That way you both get a new look for free.
cook frm scratch its cheaper in the longrun and better for you
Keep a small notebook with you and record all your spending, it will highlight areas to save money.
Blogging for Beginners
Send my other half to do the shopping as he sticks to the list religously whereas I get drawn in to the special offers.
Dont be snobby, use places like charity shops often the products in there are good as new if not new too. you might have o route and go to a few until you find a fave but its all good!
For family days out always take a panic as places such as zoos and theme parks the food is so overpriced and not always the best
Cycle lots,turn lights off when not needed turn heating down, and my big one for me is do a main big shop no need to make lots of small trips which end up costing lots more!!!
How to be a successful blogger?
look for coupons for shopping
Turn your heating thermostat down & put a jumper on.
My best money saving tip is if you have a garden grow your own veg, a lovely activity anyway – cheaper and tastes better!
Use money saving websites to find the best offers.
The final inspire me!! How to deal with terrible two’s!
– Search online for vouchers before buying ANYTHING.
– Sign up to paid market research companies to earn some extra cash by doing surveys and attending focus groups.
– Always check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.
– Shop around in charity shops if there’s something specific you’re after.
– eBay is great for bargains – try adding the ‘time ending soonest’ filter to pick up some last minute deals.
I have been saving for my holiday this year by walking to work insread of paying £2.90 for the bus.
Have a big change jar for pennies to be saved up and put any unwanted items on sale sites or ebay
Don’t be shy about using vouchers, since i’ve started using them i’ve saved a fortune x
I make large stews in my slow cooker, it saves heating up the oven, the ingredients are cheap and it goes a long way.
use freecycle and go to car boot sales you can pick up great things for the home etc.
A change jar
Switch energy suppliers every 12 mths, be mindful of
leaving on lights on when not in rooms & always switch electric devices off of stand-by mode last thing at night.
Look for all the offers when grocery shopping, it’s surprising how much more you can get for your money or how much you can cut back by!
I would love to read about household cleaning tips!
Meal plan, it is surprising how much and how quickly money goes on quick trips to the shops.
I have started doing a weekly food plan and only buying what i have on my list, if its not on the list i dont buy it, no matter how much i neeeeeeeedddddddd it! (chocolate muffins) It has cut my food shop bill by half.
When food shopping, make a list and stick to it, I found I saved around £15 – £20 a week doing this
Always check your receipts
Always use a shopping list so you are not tempted by things yo don’t need
Leave the oven door open after cooking for some extra heat 🙂
Join Cashback websites & when shopping online try price comparrason websites