Know Your Money: A guide to dealing with your finances

I've not always been good with money, in fact I could still do much more better when it comes to my finances. When I moved out of my family home at 18 to go and live with Stuart it was certainly a learning curve. 

Taking the time to manage your finances better can really pay off. It can help you save money on your bills as well as save a good amount of money each year. I wanted to share with you the many things I have learnt and also the things I do to make sure we are saving those precious £s.

Budget

One of the first things you should do before moving out or even to a new property is to sort out a budget so that you know what you can and can't afford. This way you have an idea of money coming in and out. You can purchase a range of budget planners but you can also find some free ones online. Managing your family budget is so important as you can see what you have left over after essentials.

Cutting household bills

Household bills take up a huge chunk of your money and so one of the best things you can do is shop around. There are so many ways you can cut down on your bills.

Set a savings goal

If you have a goal in place it helps you to be motivated in sticking your budget and saving money. One of things that is important is to have an emergency fund which I admit we don't have and is something we need to rectify. Once you have an emergency fund you can then think of goals such as saving for a mortgage, going on holiday or a car so that you don't have to take out a loan are some examples. 

Sorting out debts

It is easy to get overwhelmed with debts but sometimes you may need to take out a loan and  Swift Money® are there to help you with online applications. When it comes to debts its always best to put them into priority order such as ones that have an high interest rates and then pay off them first.

Meal plan  

Meal planning really helps as its stops you from wasting money and food and you know what you will be having every day I use a magnetic planner to help this and it includes a handy memo and shopping list section. 

Insuring valuable products

This is important I've been caught out before when tablet broke down and I didn't have insurance/extended warranty so ended up having a to buy a new. I learnt my lesson and now I have insurance on both my tablet and on my mobile as well as other items that are valuable. 

Setting up direct debt/s to savings

You can do this weekly or however you see fit and its a good idea to look into what you can afford to save no matter how little.

Change banks

Some banks offer cash intensives to change to them which is dependent on what you can put in each month. When it also comes to banks its worth looking into whether you feel you will need an overdraft facility. 

 Get Cashback 

My current bank offers cashback in certain stores but as of last year I've started when shopping online using Quidco. This is such a good idea and handy if you shop online a lot more than you do in store.

Buy second hand 

If you really need something see if you can buy it second hand or see if a friend or family member are getting rid of an item you are looking for. 

Find free things to do 

Go to the park or for walks, do craft activities try and find some fun things to do that wont cost a thing or are cheap to do.

Get into couponing

One of the things I started doing to the end of last year was to start using coupons. You can get ones to print off to use in store or promo codes that you can use online. This way when buying something you can get a discount or even a freebie. Just make sure you use promo codes and coupons if you are actually need or will use the item. 

There are so many more tips on ways to secure your financial future and saving money and you can find many books or articles online to give you a helping hand. 

*In collaboration with Swift Money 

#PlanAheadToSave

As I mentioned in my new years goals post this year my main goal is to sort out mine/our finances. I really want to start saving more this year, spend less and lower our out goings. 

I think its important to be more aware about where your money is going and areas you can cut down on. Before I moved in with Stuart back in late 2008 I wasn't sensible with money and had no savings. Over the years I've learnt to be a lot more thrifty and frugal but there is definitely more room for improvement, especially when it comes to unnecessary spending on Blake for example. 

I wanted to share with you some of the things that caused us to loose money in 2016 and what we will be doing this year to prevent similar pitfalls.

Here are things which caused us to loose money:

 Not meal planning

Not meal planning meant that we ended up wasting food and not using up what we had in. This meant we were literary throwing away our money into the bin.

 Not having a budget 

 Not having a budget meant we didn't know where our money was going. Having a budget means you can see where your money is going, therefore being able to see  the areas where we need to cut down on

 Not having insurance on valuable possessions

Not having insurance on valuable possessions meant that when my tablet broke I ended up loosing out on money as I had to buy a new one. So lesson learned and now I make sure I have insurance on my tablet, mobile and other expensive gadgets.

 Not keeping an eye on when bills go out 

Not keeping a record of when certain bills go out has meant on a few occasions going overdrawn leading to fees as our bank accounts don't have an overdraft

Not saving 

Not saving has meant that when we had an emergency we didn't have the money to help us out meaning on occasion credit cards had to be used.

So here are some ways I plan on saving money in 2017:

1. Meal plan 

I have started doing this using a magnet meal planning board which also has a handy memo and shopping list section. We have already decided a budget for our weekly food shop which we didn't do before which is helping to stop waste. 

2. Using a budget planner

We have started to use a budget planner and will look at what we get in each month and what will be going out. The planner has sections for monthly and weekly spends and any monthly and weekly income we receive. The planner i'm using has has different sections for your outgoings such as bills, car, childcare, clothing, food, healthcare, insurance, leisure etc. 

3. Insuring valuable products

I've recently got insurance on my new phone and also made sure my tablet has insurance too. I would recommend insuring expensive gadgets such as Iphones especially if you have children. 

4. Use a filofax/diary 

I've started using a filofax and diary to keep any eye on when certain bills go out which is very helpful as I can make sure we have the money to cover for them. 

5. To do lists

I've started using to do lists in my filofax to remind me to do certain things for example set up a direct debit to my savings account. 

6. Set up a direct debit to savings

I am setting up a weekly and 4 weekly direct debit into my savings account I'm starting off small with £5 a week and £20 every 4 weeks to see how I get on. 

7. Use cash back sites when shopping online

8. Spending ban 

I plan on doing a few weekend and also a month ban at some point this year 

9. Sell unwanted items 

Any money I get from sell unwanted items will go straight into a money tin

10. Cut down on takeaways and eating out.

By meal planning we will know what we are having each day so the temptation to go out or have a takeaway will be less. 

I hope this post is helpful to you if you are like me and looking at sorting out your finances. 

*In collaboration with Contact Numbers 

Saving money during January

January tends to be one of the toughest months financially because of paying back Christmas. January is the perfect time to start looking at your finances and finding ways to cut back and ways to save money when you do need to spend. 

Here are some ideas of what you can do to start doing today to help you start saving: 

- Start the year with a  fresh budget

- Change Banks

This is something I am considering doing as some banks have cash/voucher intensives to change to them. It is all dependent on what you are able to put in each month so this is something you will have to consider. 

- Get into couponing

One of the things I started doing to the end of last year was to start using coupons and using places such as https://www.promocodesfor.co.uk/ to find promo codes so that when I do need to buy something I am able to get it at a discount. 

- Switch energy suppliers

Again this is something we are looking into in hope of cutting down our bill. 

- Clear out clutter and sell online

The new year always makes me want to be more organised so I have a good clear out and try and sell any good quality products that I no longer use. 

- Set up a direct debt to savings

This is something I am starting to do you can start off small (£5 a week is what I am doing) 

-Ditch memberships you don't need

- Get Cashback 

My current bank offers cashback in certain stores but as of last year I've started when shopping online using Quidco. 

- Cut down on takeaways

- Meal plan

This is a great way to make sure food doesn't go to waste and you use up what is in your cupboards and freezer. 

- Buy second hand 

If you really need something see if you can buy it second hand or see if a friend or family member are getting rid of an item you are looking for. 

- Borrow books and films from the library.

I love reading and I did spend some of my Christmas vouchers on new books but a cheaper way is to borrow books and films from your local library. 

- Have a no spend weekend/month 

This is something I plan to have a go at some point this year. 

- Find free things to do 

Go to the park or for walks, do craft activities try and find some fun things to do that wont cost a thing or are cheap to do.

- Do the 365 day money challenge 

You can find many posts about this on Pinterest

£200,000 To Raise A Child? Try These Money-Saving Tips

There are many ways to save money on parenting. Buying second-hand prams and using freebies are some of the things. At the beginning prices can be extortionate.

It costs a lot to raise a child today and it's not unusual that the cost of raising a child from birth to the age of 21 is almost £200,000. In the first year alone it's estimated to set you back £9,152.

It's quickly easy to see how the mounting costs of raising a child can add up. From clothes that are adorable when they first come out but will be outgrown in weeks to the bling on the baby carrier to the buggy, you'll find that you're spending more and more money and pretty soon, you've spent more than a new car would cost. 

With so many online checklists, there are ways to part you and your hard earned money if you have children. The best ways to cut back and save money are to be creative and buy used items for your new baby. There are many great shopping lists available online that will help you to decide if you must have something, might want something or don't need it at all. By sorting your items into categories, you can determine how important they are to you and whether or not you can borrow them or buy them used. 

If it's not a necessity then wait until you need it and don't spend any more than you have to on it. Otherwise, you end up with things that are never used or cost a fortune, or both. Always find out if you can borrow items that are going to be used for just a short time.

Essentials

Keep the pre-shopping to a minimum. Believe us, the shops will still be there after the baby arrives. Buy just what you need. Here is a scaled down list to start with:

• Clothes (in large quantities-babies can go through several outfits in a day).
• Baby friendly detergent (to wash the clothes babies go through in a day).
• Nappies (either disposable, cloth or both). Don't forget a changing mat and some cotton wool, baby wipes or a soft flannel to help clean baby up.
• Baby bed: A moses basket, cot or somewhere for baby to sleep.
• A sling, pram or both so that you can easily transport baby back and forth.
• Baby bath (this isn't essential, but it is very helpful when baby is very small). They help you to save on water until baby can sit up and they help you to wash a slippery soapy baby when you've slathered baby up for his or her bath.
• Car seat. Even if you don't have a car, you're going to need this when you go to and from doctors appointments or ride with someone else.
• Bottles if you're not going to be breastfeeding. If you are going to breastfeed, you will want a few muslins to help wipe baby's face and perhaps you may want to use a breast pump.

It's easy to get caught up in wanting to have the best of everything for your baby. It's an emotional time, especially for first-time parents. With so much pressure to buy everything new, it may be hard to not feel guilty for buying used. 

However, if you want to save money, if you want to save on the initial cost of £9,000 in that first year, be patient and don't buy everything the moment you find out you're expecting. Wait and see if things come in as gifts, borrow whenever possible and buy used whenever you can. Baby isn't going to notice if things are brand new and shiny. 

However, always buy a car seat brand new. These shouldn't be second hand unless you know, without a doubt, that they've never before been in a wreck. If you have a car seat from a previous baby and you've never been in a wreck, that car seat is fine. As long as there haven't been any recalls on it. Wrecks can leave a car seat weakened and unsafe.

For the remainder of items, you can buy used. Even for cloth nappies. Don't be tempted by fancy things that will just eat up your money, a baby will likely outgrow these before you can wash them and put them back on baby. Accept all the hand-me-downs that you can and know that newborn clothes will be outgrown quickly. Ask around, borrow if you can and when you can't borrow buy used. 

You can check eBay, charity shops, local NCT sales, car boot sales, online and also with friends who have children just slightly older than your new baby. 

Find free stuff wherever you can. Consider free samples that baby companies offer and sign up for all of those that you can. Use coupons and take advantage of offers where you buy an item and get other items for free.

If you have friend or family who are asking you what they can buy as a gift. Have a short list handy to give them. It doesn't have to be expensive to help you out. It can be simple items such as baby shampoo or powder.  

Try to list items you'll use and keep the cuddly toys to a minimum. Many people just want to help and get things they know you need or will use so be prepared for some inexpensive items that would really help you out.

Lastly, if you plan to have other children, save what you can for the next child. This can save you a lot of money.

Saving money for our holiday with Debenhmas voucher codes

Recently we have started thinking more about our finances and trying to get better at saving and cutting down on costs. Its pretty difficult at the moment to stop spending as we need to get bits and bobs ready for our holiday in a few months time. There is also birthdays and Christmas that are coming up pretty fast. 

When it comes to holiday items I've made sure that I have a list of all the things we need to purchase and so it makes sense to find Big savings with the latest Debenhams discount codes. I'll be checking out the promo codes to find items we need such as suitcases which we really need to get. We also need to check out fashion and accessories for when we go away the main things I need are a few more tops, shorts, swimming costume and a hat. 
Stuart needs to mainly get shorts, tops and a hat and Blake has most of the stuff he needs. 

I know that Debenhams also have promo codes for health and beauty which is ideal as we will need to purchase suncream and I'd like a few beauty products for using on our holiday and its a good idea for us to make sure we have some calpol and other health related items to take with us. 

Our holiday will definitely come around quick and my mind is at rest knowing that I'll be able to find big savings on the items we need before we go.

*collaborative post"

10 Ways to Save Money On Kids Clothing And Toys

When it comes to clothing and toys for children it can be hard not to get too carried away when it comes to buying for them. I know from time to time I can be really bad at impulse buying especially when it comes to things for Blake. Now I'm starting to think more about saving any money where I can as one day we want to have another child and will have to think about moving to a bigger place. One of the ways to save money is on what I buy for Blake.  So here are some ways on which you can save money on clothing and toys for your little one.

Budget

When it comes to Blake needing new clothes, shoes or toys then I try and do a budget. 

I look at what he needs and then decided how much I can spend. Most of Blake's clothing are second hand and I do a budget for what to spend on second hand clothing and new clothing. I also do this with toys, I've not had to purchase many toys recently as he got loads for Christmas and his Birthday which are pretty close together. I have however purchased books for him as he loves for me or Stuart to read to him. 

Buy Second Hand

As children grow out of clothing so quickly most stuff are in Excellent condition so buying second hand is a great way to save money. I use Ebay a lot to buy clothing for Blake and charity shops and boots sales are also great places to find bargains. 

Shop in supermarkets

Supermarkets such as Tesco have a fab range in store and/or online and they tend to be much cheaper than shops such as Next for example. This also applies to toys as well. 

Shop around

If your child needs for example a new pair of jeans shop around and see if you can find cheaper ones. If you are shopping online make sure you also factor in postage costs. It's pointless spending £6 on a pair of jeans if the postage is £3,99 and you can buy some in another shop for £8. For toys its a good idea to shop around as prices vary from store to store and sometimes Amazon works out cheaper. 

Accept Cast offs

If you know someone who has a little one who is a little older and are getting rid of their child's clothing or toys and asks if you would like them, accept. I was passed on some clothing for Blake which he has worn and it's saved me a bit of money. 

Buy in the Sales

This is pretty obvious shops have sales on throughout the year ready to get new season items in so why not buy in the sales and save £s in doing so. Toys also go on sale for example I knew I wanted Blake to have the Happy Land Train Set for Christmas and my Mum was going to get it him. I found it on the ELC website down to £22 from £50 and told her so she snapped it up whilst it was on sale. 

Buy out of season

This kind of relates to buying in the sales. For example if after Christmas all the winter clothing goes on sale buy for the next year. 

Stock pile

I like to stock pile when I see a good offer on and I've already got Blake 3 of his presents hidden for Christmas/Birthday. 

Buy only what is needed

If you think your child doesn't really need something he/she probably doesn't. 

Write a list of what is needed when it comes to clothing such as x3 Jeans, x3 joggers etc. 

I also make sure Blake has clothing that he can get messy in as well as the more nicer clothing. 

Buy Unisex Items

If you are planning on having another child it's a good idea to try and buy a few unisex items of clothing and toys. Most of Blake's clothing from when he was newborn are all unisex so ideal for when we have another child. Although Blake has toys such as trains, cars and football; I also plan on buying him dolls etc. If we have a girl one day she will be playing with Blake's toys and I have no problem with girls playing with trains and cars, just like I have no issues with Blake having a doll.