Online shoppers are saving a fortune

  Millions of shoppers are turning to EBay to source products at cheaper prices. This is the consumer behaviour a recent consumer survey has revealed. For many families, EBay represents an opportunity to buy the items they need at a much lower price. And all sorts of items are being bought in this way.If you want to save some money it is always worth looking online. There are a number of leading online retailers offering major brands and...

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Are you throwing money in the bin every day?

A recent report in a leading British newspaper reported that the average family is throwing away £60 worth of food per week!Are you throwing up to three crisp twenty pound notes in the bin every week?Here are some tips to cut down on wasting food and save money while you do it.Bulk buying – this was highlighted as the number one reason for waste. People are tempted to buy large quantities of produce that has been sold as offers. Multi-buy options create the habit of buying far more than we need, or can eat. The result is wasted food, and money,...

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Keep an eye out for holiday special offers and last minute deals

Last minute deals and special offers for package holidays are a great way to enjoy the sun this summer, without having to pay high prices. And the last minute deals are not always so last minute. Today, after a simple search online, the results revealed deals available for holidays in May and June.It is worth remembering that as soon as a hotel or holiday resort can see that it needs to boost bookings or if certain weeks need to be filled, they...

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Watch Out For Email Scams, Phishing Emails And Nasty Viruses!

Sadly, the number of email and social media scams is increasing. Every day we are bombarded with information and it is becoming harder to distinguish between the truth and the lies!Even the most tech savvy people can be caught out by these terrible schemes. Here are a few that have been doing the rounds that you should be aware of.Scammers are now becoming more aware of our social networks and the connection’s we have with people on line. As...

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Do You Check Your Bank And Utility Bill Statements?

Many people do not check the statements they receive from their banks or utility companies. This is a mistake, since computers and companies can often make errors and mistakes that result in us having to pay more. It is always worth checking.Checking your bank statements is the best way to keep an eye on your expenditure, make sure there are no unauthorised payments coming off, and it’s a great way of keeping your account in the black and avoiding...

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Reading Does Not Need To be Expensive!

We’ve received a few emails from parents keen for suggestions on how to encourage their children to read more without having to fork out for expensive books every week.While this answer may be obvious, the truth is, the best way to encourage children to read for free is to take them to the library. Sadly, increasing numbers of libraries are being closed down, and this is removing wonderful resources that we have traditionally always enjoyed in...

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Imagine A Week In A Country Cottage

Spending part of your summer vacation in a country cottage was once the choice of the middle classes. Now, this option is increasingly the top choice for working families on a budget. It’s an option that is particularly popular amongst families who are not keen on going abroad to spend the obligatory two weeks spit-roasting on the beach!There are literally thousands of holiday cottages all over England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that...

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Start Planning A Great Summer For Your Kids Now

Daylight savings is nearly upon us once more. This heralds lighter nights, spring, warmer weather and very soon it will be summer time again! Now is the time to start getting organised for summer and arranging some fun activities and holiday leisure time for your children. It needn’t be expensive.Keep an eye out for events and workshops for kids. They are starting to advertise them now. Many local authorities offer clubs, classes and fun days...

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Eating out – Take Advantage Of Offers!

Eating out is a treat and not the norm. In America, families eat out up to four and five times per week, it is part of their culture and food prices in restaurants and diners are much cheaper comparatively than they are here in the UK.We’re not suggesting that you eat out so many times per week, but we have noticed an increase in the number of offers being promoted by restaurants as a way of attracting customers in. It’s worth keeping an eye...

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The shocking price of Easter Eggs

The Easter Eggs are for sale in the shops already! Before you buy yours, take a minute to consider whether you are really buying a bargain. We’re not suggesting you don’t get your children an egg this Easter, but it is worth pointing out just how much the price of these seasonal confections has risen in the last two years!Some Easter egg prices have almost tripled! Now, it may seem that they cost the same, but the packaging and marketing of these...

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Mother’s Day On A Budget

  Mother’s Day, like many other national celebration days, has turned into a highly commercial occasion. For all of us, there is increasing pressure to spend money on cards, presents, flowers and other specially made ‘Mother’s Day’ gifts. And we will all have noticed how much the prices go up in the weeks leading up to Mother’s Day! For those of us who do want to give your Mums a treat, but who are on a tight budget, here are some great...

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How To Make Sure You Don’t Run Out Of Money

For people who are struggling on a low income, this can seem almost impossible. And yet, there are simple things you can do to ensure you don’t run out of money before you are paid. It’s not easy budgeting for an entire month. And for many families, unexpected expenses crop up and it is easy to get into a cycle of being very short of cash in the final week before payday.It’s common and happens to millions of people who all have different levels...

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Forgotten Direct Debits Are Costing Us A Fortune!

A recent online money advice article highlighted the issues of forgotten direct debits. It seems that many people often forget about small seemingly insignificant amounts of money that are coming out of their accounts. And it is something we have all done. We may have forgotten a subscription for a magazine or an additional television channel, or subscriptions to mobile apps, online games or even online services. When the amount is just a pound...

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A Simple Saving Exercise To Show You How Easy It Is!

This is a simple saving tip that you can try yourself, or you could encourage your children to try it. It’s a great way to learn about saving and an easy way to get started. Saving can seem like an almost impossible task, but in fact, it is much easier than most people imagine. Try this simple tip and see how much you could save in just a month.Cut back on one thing you buy every day, just one item. It could be a coffee on route to work or your...

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Millions Of Consumers Are Shopping Around

   In a bid to save money on everyday purchases, consumers are increasingly shopping around. Retail loyalty is not as strong as it once was, especially with regard to supermarkets and high street chains. Families who are trying to make their money go further are shopping around, online and in town, so they can find the very cheapest prices on the items they are hoping to buy.This is great news for the consumer. It is a trend that is...

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A Fun Night In At No Extra Expense!

Over the last few years, while we have all been struggling to survive the double recession, there have been a number of leisure activities and entertainment options that have grown in popularity. The desire to save money, cut back on expenditure and still enjoy life has encouraged millions of families to identify much cheaper and even free ways to enjoy their leisure time. Here are some of the most popular ways to have fun with no additional...

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Enjoy A Trip To the Movies Without Spending A Fortune

The average cost for a family of four to enjoy a film at the cinema is now £60! That is an amount of money which many families are simply unable to spare. £60 makes up a significant part of the weekly budget for the majority of families.However, we all deserve a treat. And after a hard working week, sometimes it’s important to enjoy some leisure time and get away from the stresses of the week by watching a good film at the cinema.Here are some...

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Is buying organic produce really an expensive option?

Recent consumer surveys highlight a popular belief that organic produce is far more expensive than its non-organic counterpart. This is largely due to the pricing policies of the supermarkets from where the majority of consumers buy their groceries.However, a growing number of people are sourcing wonderful fresh organic vegetables and meat, straight from farmers, using organic producer networks, farmers markets, and farm shops. While there...

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Which Is The Cheaper Option – A Used Car Or A New Car?

This is a question often asked by consumers. At first it may seem that the answer is that a used car is cheaper, but this is not always the case. It is dependent on the type of car you are looking for, how old it is, and upon how you will use it. In truth, the difference in price between new and used cars is not always significant.Used cars – They are obviously much cheaper than brand new cars. However, if they are more than three years old,...

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Start Saving Now For Christmas!

It may seem far too early to think about the festive season, but in fact, now is the perfect time to start saving for the end of year expenses. Here are some simple ways you can save a significant amount of money between now and December.A coin bank or bottle – Buy a coin bank or jar. There are many shops that sell sealed tins for saving money. Did you know that if you put only pound coins in one of these savings tins, when it’s full, you will...

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Can Grocery Shopping With A Credit Card Save You Money?

This is a serious question! There have been a number of consumer blogs discussing this subject lately. The conversations are centred on some advice which was posted online recently, suggesting that using a credit card for grocery shopping was a way to save, and even money. While the original article failed to fully qualify this statement, and as a result, caused much heated debated, we have looked at this subject and can share our thoughts.Don’t...

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Should You Take In A Lodger To Make Some Extra Cash?

  Recently published articles, online and in the press, have highlighted the increasingly popular trend of taking in a lodger. Many families who have a spare room or ‘granny flat’ are opting to rent the space out to supplement their income.If you have a spare room in your home, here are some pieces of advice that may help you decide if this is an option for you.Renting a room or an annex of your home to a lodger can result in an increase...

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Renting Out A Second Property

Families are changing in the 21st Century. Now, it is quite normal for men and women in their forties, with children, to be living on their own after a divorce. Consumer research reveals that increasing numbers of couples who meet and enjoy a second marriage, will have two homes. While some couples may opt to sell both houses and buy a new one, increasingly, they are opting to rent one property and live in the other.This makes huge financial...

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Do You Pay For Satellite TV?

We are all aware that television is digital now. However, we have the choice of using Freeview or paying a subscription for a satellite or cable service.Paying a monthly subscription for satellite or cable television channels can be extremely expensive.One satellite company, charges almost £90 per month for a package which include all the channels, including movie channels and sports channels. £90 per month equates to £1080 per year. It is...

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Growing Numbers Of People Have More Than One Job

Increasingly, the trend for many people is to have more than one job or source of income. Sadly, the cost of living is making it extremely hard for families to survive on the traditional one wage scenario. Today, it is rare to find a family where only one adult works. In most cases, both parents of a family will have some sort of income or employment, and in some cases, even the older children have a small part time job too.While this is highly...

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Treating Yourself Is Good For You And Not So Bad For Your Bank Balance!

After working hard all month, we all deserve to have a treat. Although it can be difficult to really splash out, research, and studies show that if all we do is work and pay bills, we will quickly become exhausted and sometimes even depressed. Giving yourself a treat is definitely good for your health!However, it does not need to cost a lot of money. Taking a long walk with a loved one is as much of a treat as a meal out in an expensive restaurant....

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