JANUARY 2024: BEING THRIFTY

 I've decided this year to not do monthly favourites posts. However I'm going to do monthly being thrifty posts instead. Being thrifty isn't just about saving money but it's about changing your spending habits. So for me it's going to be about "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without" I know I'm going to find it hard and won't be like this 100% of the time but I think it's something that I definitely want to get into the mindset about. I've started following some frugal bloggers including Katy at The Non Consumer Advocate to inspire me.

So what have I done this month for being thrifty?

Tracked my monthly expenses 

I've been using the snoop app for awhile to track my expenses. However I've found that writing down my expenses is making me more aware and accountable when it comes to my spending. 

Roundups

I opened up a regular digital saver with my current bank for round ups and I've already managed to save just under a tenner in the space of two weeks.

Stocks and shares ISA 

I'm learning more about investing and have opened up a stock and shares ISA with Monzo.

Upcycled Elegance: Giving Old Furniture a Chic Bedroom Makeover

*This is a collaborative post

Giving your old furniture a chic bedroom makeover doesn't require a hefty budget or professional skills. Upcycling can transform your outdated pieces into stylish, eco-friendly highlights of your bedroom. By reimagining what you already have, you create a personalized space and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. Upcycling furniture allows you to preserve the history embedded in old items while modernizing them to fit your current aesthetic.

You can rejuvenate worn-out furniture with a touch of creativity through various DIY techniques. The process of a furniture makeover can involve simple steps such as sanding and repainting, or it may include more intricate modifications like reupholstering or adding new hardware. Each alteration not only improves the look of your bedroom but also extends the life of the furniture, reducing waste and the demand for new resources.

Remember, tackling a furniture makeover project can cater to all levels of DIY expertise. Whether you opt for a subtle refresh with a new coat of paint or a complete overhaul of a piece's function and appearance, the result is a room that reflects your unique taste. By embracing the art of upcycling, you'll forge an intimate and stylish bedroom setting that speaks volumes of your commitment to eco-friendly living.

Planning Your Upcycled Bedroom Makeover

Embarking on an upcycled bedroom makeover offers an exciting opportunity to transform your space with unique charm. Let's outline the process, from selecting pieces to stylize to finalizing the design, and preparing the essential materials and tools.

Choosing Furniture to Upcycle

To start your DIY project, carefully evaluate your home furniture or consider visiting a thrift store for hidden gems. Focus on finding sturdy pieces like a single bed for your bedroom that can be revitalized. Think beyond the aesthetics; for example, an old bedside table can be incredibly functional once refurbished. Your target should be items that reconcile with your vision while keeping them budget-friendly.

Designing the New Look

Designing the new look of your furniture is where creativity meets practicality. Imagine a color palette that harmonizes with your existing décor or opt for a bold contrast to make a statement. Include vintage, classic, or modern influences depending on your taste. Visualize the transformation of that thrift store find into a chic furnishing for your home. Use platforms like Pinterest for inspiration, ensuring your makeover aligns with the indoor environment.

Gathering Materials and Tools

Once you have the design, it's time to assemble your materials and tools. You'll need essentials like sandpaper, paint, and brushes for aesthetic changes and possibly more specialized tools for structural work. It's important to be precise with your needs; this will keep the DIY ideas both affordable and feasible. Whether you're shopping at Ikea or using repurposed materials, ensure you have everything required for your furniture projects before starting.

Remember, your goal is a unique, tailored piece that breathes new life into your space. The sky's the limit with upcycled elegance in your hands.

ALL GROWN UP BY CATHERINE EVANS - BOOKTOUR

 Ad – review. I was sent a copy of this book for review purposes and all thoughts are my own. 

* Trigger Warning this book is about sexual consent. There are depictions rape although these aren't gratuitous in any way.

Today I am involved in the book tour for All Grown Up by Catherine Evans. Catherine Evans is an author and publisher. She’s the Editor of fictionjunkies, which publishes book and short stories online by authors around the world and the co-founder of Inkspot Publishing – www.inkspotpublishing.com, which has now released four titles. She’s a trustee of the Chipping Norton Literary Festival, and lives in Oxfordshire. She’s married with a daughter and three stepdaughters. 

About the book

Neveah is fifteen. A schoolkid. With a secret life.

She’s a digital freelancer, and is having an affair with her biggest client.Giles is married. He thinks Neveah is twenty-two. She’ll do just about anything to stop him from finding out her true age.But secrets have a way of spilling out. With devastating consequences.

When Should You Apply for Emergency Loans?

*This is a collaborative post

Financial emergencies can arise without any prior warning, making the need for immediate funds all the more necessary. In such cases, considering urgent loans for bad credit is crucial as they offer rapid financial assistance, especially when traditional lending options might be slightly slow or inaccessible. 

However, while taking these loans is extremely helpful, it is equally important to use them effectively and responsibly. Although there are several types of loans, emergency loans are common among people looking for immediate financial assistance on an urgent basis.

However, given the urgent nature of these loans, it is essential to only use them for emergencies. Otherwise, they may lead to unwanted financial stress and a cycle of debt.

In case you are wondering what constitutes an emergency when applying for these loans, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we will explore a few common situations in which an emergency loan may be a wise solution. 

I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU BY ELAINE ROBERTSON NORTH - BOOKTOUR

 Ad – review. I was sent a copy of this book for review purposes and all thoughts are my own. 

* Trigger Warning this book features references to domestic violence and someone does get shot.

Today I am involved in the book tour for I've been waiting for you by Elaine Robertson North. Elaine spent twenty-five years working in marketing and communications in the media and entertainment industries. This included seven years marketing national newspapers, running the publicity campaign for three Red Nose Days and a number of years working in entertainment PR. She held senior communications roles at Capital Radio and UKTV, and latterly, she was the MD of a small marketing agency. It was all fast and furious and a fantastically rich source of material. 

Having harboured a desire to write for many years, Elaine finally made this her focus once she’d hung up her corporate hat, publishing her first book, I Can’t Tell You Why in 2019. Her second book, Bring Me To Life, followed in 2022.

Today Elaine lives in North London with her husband and their two sons. When she’s not writing, she can be found looking harassed on the school run, on the side lines of her sons’ football matches, or singing her heart out with her local branch of Popchoir. 

 

LUXURY NIGHTWEAR WITH IDENTITY LINGERIE

 * I was  gifted the Silky Satin pyjamas featured for the purpose of this post. All views and opinions are 100% my own.

I love getting into a comfortable pair of pyjamas, especially this time of year. Once I'm in a pair of comfy pyjamas I feel like I can relax and de-stress. IDENTITY LINGERIE is a handmade nightwear brand based in Lincolnshire.

Their mission is to inspire people to embrace unconditional confidence and self love. They are a size inclusive brand with custom options available for any of their customers unique needs. They also pride themselves on using a multitude of zero-waste practices. An example of this is by having on-demand production to help avoid overstocking so almost every item that's produced is either sold or upcycled.

IDENTITY LINGERIE's luxury pair of womens long sleeve pyjamas that have a silky satin feel are a great combination of comfort with a touch of elegance. They are ideal for this time of year for warmth, this particular set is available in a range of colours. I opted for the navy pair which has gorgeous white piping details. They are button up with a pocket on the chest and the trousers are high waisted. I like that they are light weight and loose fitting which makes them definitely comfortable to wear.

Outdoor Play A Recipe for Lifelong Wellness

*This is a collaborative post 

In a world brimming with digital screens and indoor comforts, the allure of outdoor play often seems like a nostalgic idea from a bygone era. Yet, it remains an indispensable ingredient in the recipe for lifelong wellness. Outdoor play is not just a way to pass time; it's a multifaceted activity that nurtures physical health, emotional well-being, and social skills.

The Magic of Movement: Physical Benefits of Outdoor Play

Building a Healthy Body

Outdoor play is synonymous with physical activity, which is crucial for developing strong, healthy bodies. Activities like running, jumping, and climbing strengthen muscles and bones, improve coordination and balance, and enhance overall fitness. For instance, playing on Round Trampolines offers a fun, exhilarating way to engage in aerobic exercise, which boosts cardiovascular health and aids in maintaining a healthy weight.

SINKING FUNDS FOR BEGINNERS

Sinking funds - only something I had started using approximately 18 months ago when I had signed up to Monzo and was able to set up pots. Sinking funds are a great way to save up for any large expense. It's definitely something I'm glad that I started doing as spreading the cost has made things a lot easier than trying to find money in one go.

If you are wanting to get started with sinking funds and have no idea where to start than this guide for beginners is for you. I'll be explaining all the basics including what a sinking fund is,  benefits of them as well as how to create one. 

What is a sinking fund?

A sinking fund is a way of saving money by putting away a set amount each month for the purpose of being used at a later date. It means you are saving small amounts over a set period of time instead of needing to find money all in one go. This is a great idea for those things that you know are coming up and won't be able to afford from one month's income and also saves you having to go into debt.

You can set up a sinking fund for any financial goal you may have. I have four different sinking fund categories at the moment although this may change - mine are:

- Summer Holiday

- Back to school 

- B's Birthday 

- Christmas 

Sinking fund/savings /emergency fund

A sinking fund is a way of saving but should be separate from your savings and emergency fund. A savings account is where your savings go and sinking funds are how you save your money.

Sinking funds are also different from an emergency fund. A sinking fund is for those expenses you know are coming and can plan ahead for - such as for your home insurance, back to school, Birthdays, Christmas or even for things such as saving for a new sofa. An emergency fund, on the other hand, is for unexpected expenses. Examples include: damage to home like needing a new roof, car repairs from an accident, medical emergencies etc.

5 TYPES OF BUDGETING METHODS

The number one thing I recommend to anyone wanting to sort out their finances is to have a budget. Having a budget helps you to keep track of where your money is going. There are quite a few different types of budgeting methods and what works for others may not work for you. The right type of method for you, should fit with your own personal goals.

Budgeting does take time and effort, however it's great for helping you to gain financial independence by spending money responsibly, improving debt repayment strategies and  increasing your savings goals. 

5 Budgeting methods to consider 

Before choosing a budgeting method it's a good idea to sit down and  look through your finances to see if you can spot any trends. You can do this by looking at bank statements or by keeping approximately two months worth of receipts. To make it easier it's wise to sort them into categories such as household, food, personal, entertainment etc. Once you understand your finances better and understand your spending patterns then it's time to look into budgeting methods such as the five below.

The 50, 30, 20 method

The 50 30 20 budgeting method is where you plan your budget by allocating it into three categories: needs (50%), wants (30%) and savings (20%). This is a great method if you are starting out with budgeting as it doesn't mean having to track thoroughly. It's also great if you struggle with budgeting and want to find a method that's a bit more easier. You can also customise the percentages depending on your circumstances, for example 40/25/35 if you are wanting to put more into savings/debt. 

5 Essential Tips for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

*This is a collaborative post

We live in a busy, and rapidly moving world, and this can make getting a good night's sleep a challenge. The demands of both our careers and family responsibilities can leave us tossing and turning at night, preventing us from finding the restful sleep that is so important to our overall well being. 

Luckily, there are some simple changes that you can make to your routine and environment that can make it easier to get the quality sleep that you deserve. 

So, if you’re looking to sleep better each night, here are just five fantastic tips to help you get started!

1) Work on Your Sleep Schedule

Setting your sleep schedule can make all the difference for ensuring that you get enough sleep to leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

Our bodies operate on a natural clock that helps to determine our waking and sleeping hours. While setting your internal clock can take time, it can be achieved by consistently getting up and going to bed at the same time each day — even on weekends!

On average we need 7-9 hours a night, so figure out what time you need to get up in the morning, and use this to work out your bedtime. 

MY 2024 FINANCIAL GOALS

 In my previous post about my 2024 goals I mentioned that my top goal this year is in regards to my finances. There are quite a few financial goals that I'm hoping to achieve this year that I thought I'd share with you. 

Savings:

Quite a few of my goals this year are savings related. The three goals I'm setting myself in this area I'm sure I'll have no problem achieving.

Emergency Fund

My first goal is to save £1000 for an emergency fund. We had to use savings to pay towards our new roof and so I'm starting my Emergency fund from scratch. I've decided to do a money saving challenge where I'm putting away £20 a week so by the end of 2024 I should have achieved this.

MY GOALS FOR 2024

 Happy New Year! So 2024 is here and I've sat and  planned my list of personal goals/resolutions for the year ahead. I enjoy goal setting and I like to set achievable goals that challenge me and help with my personal development. 

Below I'm sharing these personal goals and I'm hoping they will also inspire you to set your own goals or even just give you something to think about.

Move for Mind

I've signed up for Move for Mind this year where I'll be raising money and awareness for better mental health by completing 31 minutes of activity a day for the 31 days of January.