Learn how to save money!

We are here to help you find ways of saving money so have a quick read below and put it to the test.

Unfortunately the credit crunch has hit us again. Even in times of less financial struggle, you should be careful with your money; look after it and it will look after you!

Many people have far more outgoings than they earn a month. Because of this as each month goes by they are getting more and more into debt. Utilities bills are rising with the electricity and gas rates increasing and food has reached an all time high.

This site has aimed to try and help people to save money where they might not feel they can or struggle to in certain places. Here we will find great ways to save those pennies without it feeling tough or going without certain things. Some of these points are obvious, other aren't but if you put them into practice you will notice the pennies pile up in your pockets in no time!

The way our social lives are these days we tend to take many things for granted, like for example grabbing that skinny latte from Starbucks. It's all the little things we tend to forget about that we don't really need which add up to a big sum at the end of the week. Write down a list of everything you have spent today even if it was just a chocolate bar and see what you could really do without. Of all the small 'luxuries' you have each day, try and give up just one - the bag of chips, your third Starbucks, or the daily newspaper.

In and around the home

• Your T.V, toaster, kettle, microwave, games consoles does not need to be on at all, it is a little more hassle but turning the socket off will save you a lot of money of the year. In general a television left on 'standby' still uses about 25% of the electricity that it does when it is on. Turn it off, it's a waste!

• Hang your clothes on an airier instead of using the tumble dryer.

• Use energy efficient light bulbs in your home.

• Only boil the water you need, this way the kettle will not be boiling for as long and will use less energy.

• Did you know 55% of our electricity is used for heating our homes? Turn your thermostat down just one degree and you will save over 10% over the year.

Your Vehicle

• If you have a short journey choose to walk instead of driver it’s free.

• Pump up your tyres this will put less pressure on them.

• It’s easy not to when going slow or high speeds on a motorway but always try and use the right gear this will reduce revving the engine and using up more fuel.

Your Grocery's

• At the end of every week roughly plan out the meals you will have every evening for that week.

• Write down a list of things to have for your lunch each day.

• Choose to buy just one cereal to have per week, alternate each week so you do not get bored.

• Go for the supermarkets own brand, they really are not that bad – 9 times out of 10 you are paying extra for the packaging.

• Take a packed lunch to work, you will save around £5 every day and have less calories.

• Check out discontinued lines.

• Look out for offers, buy 1 get 1 free, half price, xxx off, save xxx, 2 for xxx.

Savings Online

• Voucher sites to check before you buy like - www.voucherheaven.com

• Again look out for offers.

• Check a comparison price website for the same product, especially if it has a high price as you may be surprised the difference in prices.

• Use compare price sites -  www.moneysupermarket.com/

General

So you start your week with great intentions to not spend any money this week, you've told yourself your going to save, save, save!!

Your first day

You’re rushing out the door for work, running out the door slamming it behind you, yet you still nip into Starbucks to get your morning skinny latte - it's only 3.20...

Work is just 10-15 minutes down the road but it’s a horrible day and you didn't eat much chocolate cake last night so you don't need to burn any extra calories off you'll get the bus instead of walking, it only costs 2.50...

You've got off the bus and have completely forgotten it's your colleagues birthday today, not to worry there’s a liqueur store just a few stores from where you work you can nip in there and get a bottle of wine or champagne. It's only a one off 6.90...

Lunch time you haven't any lunch with you as you got up late this morning. The supermarket is only next door. I'll just get a sandwich, a packet of crisps, some fruit and a drink - I need to eat 7.29...

Your walking back to work and you notice a huge SALE sign in the window of a shoe shop. Well Freddie did mention about seeing some trainers he liked you will just go in and have a look.

Ooops your walking back to work with 2 great bags of shoes as it was a half price sale on selected items how could you not - x3 pairs of shoes at 24.00 each, those being half price so that’s only 36.00. Then you'll be thinking well 'I really only paid for one pair of shoes and got the other 2 free'. I saved there! [actually you spent 36.00, didn't save anything!].

Your boss pops out and asks you to get some milk for the office and he will give you the money when you get back. Another 1.20...

Finished work, it's dark, horrible and still raining I’ll get the bus it's so much quicker and only 2.50...

A typical day like that is easy to have and in our example the total spent was 59.60! How much really could you have saved there? Really it is dependant on the individual but I'm sure everybody reading that would notice a few items they could do without, or do more cheaply. Use that example as a reflection on your own spending and you may find it's easier then you think to save money.

Yes you need to eat, you don't want to be soaking wet when you get to work, the boss has asked you to get milk and you can't say no. But it’s about being more prepared and organised for these things. Don't forget your lunch or get up earlier to make it, make sure you get the money back from your boss and get a lift home with a work colleague for example.

Anyway it's time to stop reading and time to start doing. Hopefully we have planted some ideas into your brain, you just need to take it one step further and start to save money!

If you would like further help there are some great recourses available on saving money and of course how to make extra money. Of course if you make mo money it becomes easier to save and luckily there are many ways to earn extra cash on the Internet. There are 3 proven examples below: