Category: Money Saving

1. Frugal Christmas Shopping

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 28th Sep 2018

   It is almost October, I have seen Christmas cards in the shops so I am sure that it is okay to start mentioning Christmas. There has been a lot of talk online and on TV this week about not being excessive with Christmas shopping and remembering that being with family is the most important thing, not the latest gadget.

   Last year I worked out that I had 25 children to buy for and that is without my own children and all my family, so with a list that long how do you remain frugal with your Christmas shopping? 

   

   Start Early

   It is never too early to start Christmas shopping and it is always good to have the list of the people that you need to buy for close at hand so you can buy what you need, rather than what you like.

   Take advantage of the sales

   This week I had an email to say that the Paperchase sale was on and I quickly clicked through and ordered 3 presents online for less than £30 and because I spent over £25, I also got free next day delivery. They were 3 presents that I needed to buy, within my budget and great quality, so it was a win all round.

   Find out what they want / need

   I love buying gifts but get so much satisfaction buying a gift that I know someone really wants or needs. It is lovely to get indulgent gifts or the typical bath and moisturiser sets but how many of them get put to the back of the cupboard or regifted to someone else? This year I have resolved to spend a bit more time finding out what people want so that I spend more wisely.

   Cash in those points

   All those points that have been building up this year on my Tesco clubcard, Boots advantage card and even my Costa card, now is the time to cash them in and turn them into "free" gifts.

   Tap into your creativity

   Whether it is taking advantage of your childrens cute school photos and making frames for the grandparents or getting the children to handmake gifts for their friends this Christmas, a present doesn't have to be bought from a shop.

   

   We have talked previously about how to stay debt free this Christmas and with the cost of everything rising, hopefully we can all be a little more frugal and spend a little less this Christmas.

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2. How do you get the best deals online?

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 14th Sep 2018

   How do you get the best deals online? This is a question that my mom in particular regularly asks me as I am always on a quest for a deal online, whereas she prefers going into a physical shop to do her shopping (and haggling). She is very tactile and likes to see things in the flesh, a real old skool shopper but what if you can do all of those things AND still get the best online deals?

   Let's say that you go into a shop, find the perfect item but it is a little more than you really want to pay? Well now you can simply go home and find the best deal.

   Sounds good right?

   I am going to let you into a little secret, this week I have been introduced to a new price tool alert in the form of PIWoP which lets me know when the item I want is at the price I set.

   

   I can't tell you the amount of times I have seen a product I want, only for the price to change a few days later.

   Or get a discount code from a voucher site, then to find it has expired.

   PiWop takes away all of this guess work, their universal price-drop alert engine simply tells you when items you like drop in price to or below a level you choose. Take a look at this video that explains a bit more.

   Registering for the service is FREE and it can be used on a PC/Mac but, if like me, you prefer all the information at your fingertips, you can also download the App so you can use on your phone/tablet too. 

   

   I usually get involved in a weekly link up of money saving activity and 5 frugal things I have done this week and I have to be honest after our holiday and a certain little lady's birthday, things have not been so frugal around here but I think that is about to change after being introduced to PiWop.

   In my mind, finding the best deal means more shopping for less money and whilst that may not make me frugal, it definitely makes me happy!

   Why not take a look for yourself?

    

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3. Why reading is saving me money!

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 18th Jul 2018

   I love to read but what with all the girls activitives, school, work and general life being bonkers busy most of the time, reading seems to take little priority. So along with my 40 things in my 40th year list, I have challenged myself to read more this year and I love that it is also saving me money!

   Why is reading saving me money you may ask (or may not) but I am going to share it anyway.

   

   I have never been a big fan of reading on a tablet, I love the smell and feel of a paper book but trying to squeeze in a couple of chapters before I go to sleep isnt practical when you have a husband who likes to sleep in the pitch black. Reading on a tablet gives me a solution to this. 

   

   I can download books instantly.

   I can download free books. 

   I can download the latest releases without going to the shops and spending money unecessarily on other things I don't need.

   I can read on the sofa and not spend my time browsing online websites and spending money.

   I can read in the dark (saving on the electricity .... okay I admit that this is a very loosely hinged money saving point).

   My most favourite thing though? It might keep my pennies in my purse but it keeps my mind rich too! I am looking forward to reading on holiday this summer ..... I just hope the iPad doesn't overheat! 

   

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4. Five Frugal Things I've Done This Week

   Posted on 11:00am Thursday 7th Jun 2018

   Despite my best efforts (or not as the case maybe), I don't feel like I have been particularly frugal lately. May was a really expensive month and with the 40 Things To Do in My 40th Year challenges, I know I need to save a little more this month. My plan is to write a post about it each week to make me more accountable, so here goes!

   Free Make Up!

   Make up is expensive, especially if you want the named brands. Emma Bradley very often shares links for free make up samples which are always welcomed, especially when recently my daughter got to try a (very small) sample of MAC lipstick. 

   I also subscribe to Martin Lewis's money saving email and he sent out a link for Max Factor make up last week. If you spent £14, you got a free gift which includes a primer, mascara, kohl pencil and lip gloss. Obviously if you don't need or use any of this stuff it isn't such a great deal but I was running out of lip gloss and primer so was ideal timing for me.

   

   Costa Coffee Club

   We seem to spend a lot of time in Costa, whether it is waiting around for one of the girls to finish an after school club or going for a warm drink after swimming, I decided that getting a Costa Coffee Club card was the smart idea. It definitely has been because with my points I have had a few free hot chocolates lately ...... without even doing anything differently!

   Annual delivery pass savings

   I am sure I have probably mentioned this before but as I buy a lot of things online, having annual delivery passes totally makes sense. I use Amazon Prime (it has genuinely got me out of trouble with their next day delivery on more than one occasion) but the big one for me is Next. £20 a year means that you get free delivery every time you shop. So you only have to make 5 orders in the year to make this pay (my husband might say that I do this in one month but we won't mention that). For me it is having the freedom to order clothes / gifts / homeware and look at it at home, without the worry of not liking it and it costing me to order alternatives.I know it probably encourages me to shop more with Next online but I suppose it works for both me as the consumer and them as the brand. Win win!

   

   Buying in advance

   Buying online helps me to seek out the bargains but popping into local stores can also mean you find some great deals. My present cupboard is currently stocked right up and I have got gifts sorted for my daughters friends birthdays right up until the end of August. Finding deals makes me more organised and prepared (which I love) but also helps with the bank balance too!

   Not going out

   Later in the month I have some really exciting days out planned from Ladies Day at the Races and Afternoon Tea at the Ritz (squeal) so this weekend, I am staying put. I am not spending any money and going to eat out of the freezer. No takeaways, no taxis, no spending!

   Wish me luck!!

    

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