7 Top Saving Tips for 2021
Times are hard and very strange. There's no shame in trying to cut back here and there. But where and what are the best ways to cut back to get the best value for your family?
Here's 7 super simple ways to save on the family budget.
1. Batch cooking for the week will give your family budget a boost
Its as simple as it sounds, but it does take some planning ahead. On of the biggest expenditures my family has is lunch. The amount of money I've spent on snacks and ready made lunches over the years is amazing. However I've learnt that with just a little planning and a few plastic food tubs and a freezer, that my family can save crazy amounts on food each month. We cook all our lunches for the week on a Sunday afternoon and put them in the fridge or freezer, so we can just grab them on the week day mornings and go, (obviously if they frozen you should defrost the night before). We also buy all our snacks and soft drinks at a discount supermarket and share them out over the weekdays meaning, we don't have to spend money on pricey confectionery in overpriced shops. Its astonishing how such simple things as food prep can make such a big difference to a family budget!
2. Don't be snobby about second hand goods
There was a time the thought of second hand goods disgusted me. But I've learnt that second hand doesn't mean dirty, old or gross. You can find some amazing items that people don't want anymore that can help you save on the family budget. Visit your local charity store and spend enough time there and you will for sure find some great items that you may have otherwise had to spend full price on. Of course its not just physical retail stores that have great bargains, online spaces such as Facebook Marketplace are great for finding hidden gems. Recently i found a site called Freegle. Its literally a site where people give away free things. If you can pick it up, its yours. Great stuff.
3. Have family fun days at home
This might sound a little redundant in 2021, but cutting down on how much you spend on family outings can make a real difference to your budget. Instead of a night at the movies (not that there's any movies out), why not try having a family movie night on the couch. Buy all your popcorn and snacks from a discount supermarket and you will be in the money. Instead of night out in a restaurant, why not have a family cooking night where the whole family can get their hands dirty and cook a great value family meal. Personally our family are suckers for Monopoly, if were not out and about were trying to financially destroy one another. Good times. The pandemic has somewhat forced us to think of family life differently, but why not make the best of it and save yourself a little money at the same time!
4. Loyalty is overrated
When was the last time you compared energy rates or considered switching from Apple to Android? Could you get your broadband any cheaper? Or a better insurance deal? Websites such as USwitch can help to find the cheapest deal for you. It's worth doing the research and saving those extra pounds.
5. Food for thought....
Grocery shopping is one of the easiest areas in which to save money. There are some basic rules......Plan your meals and set a budget. Use discount supermarkets where possible. Bulk out meat dishes with veg and batch cook. Make the most of loyalty cards and supermarket apps offering discounts. Don't be afraid of supermarket own brands. Just stick to the basic rules and you will be amazed at how much you can save.
6. Free money does exist!
Cash back sites such as Quidco give you money whenever you buy something through their website. They have various deals throughout the year. You just enter the store name into their search engine and deals will pop up offering you cash back. The percentage will vary depending on the deal. It's a great way of saving up throughout the year without having to do anything that you weren't going to do anyway!
7. Only if you can....
Do you have something you must have to get you through the day? A latte on the way to work, a fruit smoothie every time you leave the gym? For my wife she has a diet coke addiction....seriously it's insane. For me I probably buy too many energy drinks that I could do without. Some of you may be smokers or have to have that extra large glass of pinot noir waiting for you at the end of the day. Whatever your vice, cutting it out will most likely save you a bob or two so why not have a go? Alternatively, enjoy your vices. Apparently life is too short to go without diet coke!!
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