Money:
Ways to save money

Here are some ideas that will help you cut down on your every day spending.

Food. Learn to cook:

If you eat out a lot or order take a-ways this can be very expensive. Buy foods that you like that are easy to prepare. Buy a cook book and learn how to cook (you will have loads of fun trying). Eat out or order in only once a month.

Children's food and sweets! Cut down on sweets (most parents spend a bulk of their money on children's sweets and snacks.)

Consider store brands. You may find the quality is equal to (and sometimes better than) the national brands, and store brands are generally less expensive.

Check your food cupboards/fridge and make a list of all the food you have and take it with you when you go shopping so you don`t buy what you have already got. You will spend less on food if you shop with a list.

Always use shopping lists and meal plans. To create a shopping list, write down the ingredients that you need to make the recipes from your meal plan. Using a well-organised list will save you both time and money by organising your purchases, keeping you to a plan and stopping repeat trips and impulse buying.

Take advantage of the sales. Buy two for one foods (but only if you would normally buy them). Stock up with foods that are on sale (remember to check the expire date).

Use money off coupons (but only for things that you already buy or like or for something you have fancied trying but is usually to expensive

Attractive displays, fancy packaging, and convenience foods almost always cost more. Look at top and bottom shelves for the best bargains. Stores often put the most expensive and prettiest packages at eye level.

Freezing meals ahead saves money, because you use up what was bought. Any spare vegetables can be cut up and freezed as well then when you have enough make a stew or soup.

Prepare your lunch at home for work.

Clothes:

Look around markets for clothes they are always cheaper and the clothes are just as good as your high street stores.

Buy clothing that is on sale. When clothing is first put in the stores, it is not on sale. But, stores need to constantly clear and restock new inventory. Keep checking until the item goes on sale. In the majority of cases within a few weeks the piece you want will go down in price.

If you can`t decide whether or not you should buy an outfit you see that you like. You shouldn`t if you have to decide you probably will only wear it once.

Shop around a lot of shops sell more or less the same things at different prices.

Look around car boot sales, second hand shops it`s surprising how many good clothes and often designer clothes you can find.

Try looking around dry cleaners for clothes that people forget to collect, they usually go for a fiver a piece.

Buy separates that coordinate. You can make numerous combinations with a few well matched items. Jackets, trousers, skirts and blouses can be mixed and matched to create many different outfits.

Transportation.

Use your car for shopping, work and emergencies only.

If you have to pay for parking while you are at work buy a bus/rail pass it works out a lot cheaper then parking.

Take the kids to school on the bus this will save money and time in the school rush. Or if you live near the school walk them this will not only save on petrol but is also good exercise for you and the kids.

Don`t use the car if you are going to the local shop (unless you live in the country side and your local shop is two miles away.)

Reading.

Buy your books second hand.

Visit your local library they don`t cost anything and you can get up to eight books out at a time and keep them for four weeks.

Ask friends and family for any old magazines.

Use the Internet for online magazines.

Entertainment.

Going out to the movies, concerts, sports events and bars etc. is expensive. Check with the local papers, they often publish inexpensive and free events around the city.

If you are going to a bar, decide how many drinks you can afford before hand and only take enough for that amount.

When going to the cinema take your own drinks and snacks as their prices are far too expensive.

You can rent videos from your local library for a very small fee.

If you have any money saving tips send them to us. We show all tips that are submitted!