One of the things that I have got much, much better at with age, is managing my finances well, especially since the children came along and we had all those extra costs to think about. In the past, especially whilst at university, I was terrible with the little money I had, and had no idea about budgeting well, or the best ways of saving money.
Whether you’re super-organised when it comes to your finances, or need a bit of a helping hand, I’ve got a great giveaway on the blog for you today!
I’m giving one lucky reader the chance to get their hands on a Paperchase Financial ‘Budget Planner’.
This great personal notebook is ideal for keeping track of your financial affairs, and includes space to record income and expenditure, guidance on how to budget, thrifty tips and a glossary of financial terms.
There is also a handy pocket for receipts, coupons, bills and gift cards, plus plenty of space to write any notes and those often sweat-inducing Christmas and birthday lists for friends and family!
To be in with a chance of winning, just fill out the Rafflecopter widget below, and enter using as many of the options as you’d like:
Good Luck!
Terms and Conditions: Competition closes at 12.00am (midnight) GMT on Sunday 3rd April 2016. Entries received after this time and date will not be valid. UK residents only. Entrants must be 18 and over. Winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter after the closing date and will be notified within 5 days of competition end. Only entrants received via the Rafflecopter widget will be considered valid.The prize is a Paperchase Budget Planner- no cash alternatives to the stated prize will be offered.
Find more great giveaways at Super Lucky Di and The Prize Finder.
To plan your meals ahead and not go food shopping when hungry!
Checking your fridge, meal planning and writing a shopping list before you go food shopping and stick to it!
Freeze leftovers to make meals from instead of throwing them away 🙂
Only buy what you can afford don’t get into debt for something you don’t need
to plan your meals ahead and never go shopping when you are hungry
don’t spend any
Use google shopping tp try to find the best deal for anything
know what’s in your bank account
Always write a shopping list and dont buy so much that you end up throwing lots away.
Don’t go to the supermarket hungry!
Think before you buy – also use loyalty cards!
Don’t go for the supermarket shop when hungry. As you are likely to stock up on more food than if you shop following a satisfying meal.
I try not to buy anything unless I have a coupon code, use my student discount as much as possible.
With food shopping, approvedfood.com is my best friend!
This is a brilliant idea…. especially as I’m saving for a big holiday!
Freeze all foods before they spoil and the food that can’t be frozen, eat first!
Make enough at dinner for packed lunches the next day. Add pulses to as many dishes as possible as it makes them go further but it is also healthy.
Shop around, obviously, if you can xx
Write a list and stick to it, For food shopping, school shopping or Christmas shopping it always helps.
Plan, plan, plan. There’s no room for impulse buying when you’re on a tight budget! x
just get in a routine of transferring savings each month, and have an aim, a target to reach.
Freeze any food possible to make it last longer, for example we buy breakfast muffins but only use 2 a week and they come in packs of 6 so we freeze them so they last for 3 weeks.
shop around for the best deals.
Take advantage of offers and plan them before you go out – dinners, 2for1 cinema tickets etc. Plan your activities around them.
Use reward cards & cash back, especially when making larger purchases
Do not take credit cards or debit cards with you when you pop out, Take limited cash this will stop you being tempted to buy items you do not need.
I always use cash whenever I’m out shopping… seeing the money in my hands stops me buying things I don’t need!
I don’t have any money saving tips as I am absolutely useless at saving money which is exactly why I need this planner in my life. We are really trying to do the “do I actually need this item” before purchasing which is helping to stop some impulse buys. I would love something like this though as at the moment all my budgeting notes are everywhere in various notebooks and spreadsheets and I need something to help as I go!
A friend introduced me to charity shopping for my clothes, she always looks well presented and commented on how nice she always looked and she told me her secret.
Always stick to the shopping list!!
Do your grocery shopping online so you don’t get distracted and by things you don’t need when you are out shopping.
Save for what you want, don’t use credit.
Meal planning is important, but being flexible with offers that are at the supermarket is also a good idea !
Raid the discount shelves
I always look out for discount codes and put all my spare change into a tin- it all adds up
Plan your meals weekly so you can minimize waste of food = minimizing wasting money!
Only take what cash you budgeted for shopping and leave your cards at home
Look for any good deals and vouchers before you shop and don’t buy unnecessary items
Before buying something like a TV or computer, look around first and research to make sure you get the best deal!
Buy the best you can afford but only when you can afford it.
Meal plan, it saves a fortune. Also at the end of each day empty all of the change out of your coin purse and put in a sealed pot. At the end of each month open it and you will be surprised how much is in there
Use cash not credit cards, that way you can see what you’re spending.
Look for voucher codes before buying online
Shop online and plan your meals. You won’t be distracted this way to buy random things you don’t need.
Be aware of what you have and use it before buying more. Also, sign up for product testing. You can get a great deal free or at a substantial discount, particularly consumable goods.
meal planning,couponing and buying ahead such as bday pressies in jan sales ect
take out cash and not your cards
Plan your meals in advance and then use your plan to manage your shopping trips. It saves you ending up with a fridge and freezer full of food that you don’t get through before it goes off.
PLAN ahead xx
Keep track of what your spending and when going shopping only take out what you want to spend.
Only take out what you want to spend 🙂
Question every purchase you make. “Do I really need this?”. Means I only spend money I really need to.
Take a list to the supermarket and stick to it
Order your weekly shop online, it stops you from picking up random special offers and food you don’t want
Lists are your friend! Don’t ever shop without one and always research best buys online before purchasing something high in value.
Do foodshop online to reduce impulse buys
Look for coupons on the Internet before you go shopping. Be a savvy shopper x
Make a shopping list and stick to it and don’t take the hubby or kids shopping with you as extras seem to find your way into the trolley!
Make soup. So cheap to do.
Take lunch to work. I’m amazed at how much I used to waste by being disorganised!
Never pay full price! Always use a code voucher or link!
search around for the best deals before you buy.x
mine if you do not need to spend any money when your do not take your bank card or cash out with you.. I found I saved a lot and stopped buying rubbish
I scout around in charity shops for things I can make to help with the budget.Recently I bourght some material in a charity shop and made some curtains which would have cost a fortune if I had bourght them new.
Always write a shopping list & never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry 🙂
Always make a shopping list before you go to the supermarket, and stick to it! Then you won’t be tempted to spend a lot of money on food you don’t need that will go to waste
keep your eye’s peeled throughout the year for offers on items that would make great Christmas gifts & put them away till Christmas, It saves cash in the long run & means you don’t have to spend so much all at once come Christmas. I find buying all my wrapping paper, ribbons, tags & cards in the January sales means I save a lot.
I only buy items I use when they are on offer, then buy in bulk. I’ve even bought some xmas prezzys when 50% or more off
Menu planning x
Meal plan is my number one money saving tip! I don’t over buy when I meal plan 🙂
Take a list to the supermarket and don’t deviate from it.
Meal plan, then stick to your shopping list.
First ask yourself if you really need it and then google to see if you can find it cheaper elsewhere
Plan your meals each week and make a list of exactly what you need, it helps over-spending at the supermarket
Shopping lists
Before buying check comparison sites or shop around and check around for discount codes, coupons, etc
When you’re going to buy something, imagine someone offered you the item or the money that it cost – which would you prefer? If you choose the money then the item isn’t worth it.
DO NOT take your kids shopping with you! A simple shopping trip ends up very complicated and expensive once you add children into the mix!! And, if you shop online don’t give in to their pop ups about special offers – the price of your basket can increase very quickly if you’re tempted! Voice of experience….!
Take sandwiches for days out.
Wait to book things. My boyfriend and I love to save money by using Groupon or Wowcher, or by using deals like going at a later time or mid-week (we get half price bowling by going at 9pm on a Saturday night instead of our preferred earlier time). A voucher code or deal ALWAYS comes up (and if not – don’t hesitate to use social media to ask the company why or if there’s one that you’ve missed)
Shop online for groceries so you are not tempted to buy unnecessary items.
Stock up on bogof offers for toiletries and washing powder and cleaning products. You always need them so get them while they are on offer!
plan meals before going food shopping
Always bank some savings from your wage every week or month. Think of it as a bill. Then you have some money for an emergency or for an holiday etc
Before buying anything online do a price comparison, use a cashback site and look for discount codes before purchasing.
Go food shopping after you’ve eaten – saves on those impulse buys!
do you really need it ? if yes research cheapest price=== get bonus cash back if possible via web or c. card or store card or other or all 3 –…look after it..—resell if no longer need it ..
if you cant afford it, you cant gave it, is my motto
Save one bit at a time
Buy bulk items as they are usually cheaper. If you don’t have room to store everything split the items & cost with a relative or friend 🙂 x
Give yourself a weekly budget x
To write down everything you buy or pay for big and small; it shows you where you are spending too much and allows you to cut down in the easiest way of all.
Buy in bulk, make lots and then freeze portions. You stick to the portion size, and it makes it cheaper .
try to save a little every week,it soon builds up…….or so ive been told…….!!!
Always make a list when you go shopping. Also make sure you never go food shopping on an empty stomach as you want food that you don’t even need.
never go to the supermarket without eating first and taking a list with you.
Save 10 percent of your wages and save it. Always keep an eye on your finances. Pay in cash instead of card