It’s the New Year, which means everyone is thinking – “New Year, New Me” and while many people head to the gym or aspire to be kinder to others, many of us are still struggling with the prospect of another year struggling to make ends meet or finding enough money to have to play with when we’ve paid all our bills…!
The cost of living has been rising for some time, and it doesn’t look like it’s stopping anytime soon. So here you’ll find a few helpful hints and tips on how you can save money this New Year and hopefully fill those coffers for a rainy day.
Why buy new when you can renew?
Many of us get drawn in by the glitzy January sales and the prospect of a new household appliance! Who can resist when there’s 20% off right? Well, if you’re on a budget or looking to save money as you start the new year, then instead of rushing out on Boxing Day or heading to the shops if your vacuum has broken call a company like Repair It Reuse it.
You can have your old appliance working – potentially better than it was before – at a fraction of the price of buying a new one! What could be easier? Doing it this way also means that you’re less likely to be drawn into more extortionate “breakdown” and “cover plans” by flashy salesmen.
Learn to say No
We’ve all been there – you’re in the supermarket and your little one is having a very loud meltdown because you won’t buy them what they wanted. Whether it’s a magazine, a small toy at the checkout, or even just a very small packet of sweets, you must be firm and say no. It might be easier to give in, but if you do this every time you go shopping – this habit could turn into a very expensive one, very quickly.
The same goes for those “let’s just go for one” evenings with friends. It’s amazing how quickly they turn into a £130 night out! If someone asks to borrow a substantial amount of money you must say No. Now is the time to put your own fiscal situation before others.
Find cheap/free days out
It’s easy for me to say – don’t spend anything in order to save money. But when you have children, it’s healthy for everyone to get out and enjoy their time together. The trick is to remember that you don’t have to spend a fortune to do so!
Country walks or walks along the beach rock pooling – avoiding the ice cream man if possible – can be just as fun as a day at an extortionate swimming pool with 20-minute queues for expensive rides! You could also do a little research and see if there are any free events coming up in your area.
You can also visit many UK attractions such as Castles, The Natural History Museum and if all else fails – take them to the park and feed the ducks!
Featured Article
Photo Credit: rawpixel.com Todd Diemer
No Comments