Living On A Budget

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Times are tough and very few of us have cash to splash. So here are some tips to make your money go further.

Go To Markets

  • Check if you have a local market near you. The food sold there will most likely be a lot cheaper and fresher than a supermarket and you can pick up some real bargains.
  • Buy fruit and vegetables that are in season. These are normally much cheaper as they haven’t had to be imported.

Scout The Supermarket

  • If you don’t have access to a market, then go to a large supermarket, rather than a smaller ‘express’ one, as it will have a much wider selection of products.
  • Write a shopping list to avoid impulse buying and plan meals, so you won’t arrive home with just a random assortment of ingredients.
  • I highly recommend checking out the reduced section, as you can find some amazing items at rock-bottom prices.
  • Don’t be afraid of economy food; the majority of it doesn’t taste too different to the more expensive brands and they can be less than half the price.
  • Look out for special offers and if you can, stock up on foods that keep, such as pasta, rice and tins, whilst they’re cheap.

On Your Bike

  • If you live in a city, cycling is normally quicker than public transport and buying a bike can work out significantly cheaper than paying for a travelcard each week. Have a look in a second-hand bike shop and you should be able to find a decent one for about £100.
  • Having a car gobbles up money, with the rising petrol prices, insurance and road tax you can find yourself spending a fortune. Think about whether you really need a car, as not having one could save you a lot of money.

Check Out Offers

  • When buying something, do your homework to see if it’s cheaper elsewhere or online.
  • Have a look for special offers. Companies want to entice you in, so see what they are offering, whether it’s a half price hair cut or a free eye test.

Do It Yourself

  • A great money-saving tip is to do things yourself rather than paying other people to do them. Whether it’s decorating or cleaning, it’s much cheaper to get your hands dirty.

Prioritise

  • If you can’t afford to do everything that you want to do, you need to prioritise and decide what is most important to you. Budget how much you can afford to spend after paying for food and rent and other necessities.

Get Creative

  • For a friend’s birthday splashing out on a card, present and cake can easily add up to quite a bit. However, with a bit of creativity you could make the lot yourself for a fraction of the price. Why not make them a personalised cd? It’s cheap to make, but there’s a lot of thought and effort behind it.

On the go

  • Buying convenience food can be extremely costly and really does add up. It is much cheaper to buy a bulk of ingredients and prepare a lunch each day.
  • Carry a water bottle with you to refill rather than buying a new one.

Spend wisely and live well!