A topic that is on our minds like everyone else is the cost of living crisis so we chatted with
Jasmine Birtles, broadcaster, journalist, 'money guru' and founder of popular consumer money website moneymagpie.com. We asked her to give us some creative tips so that we can all save a little and
also to bring in some much needed cash.
You'll be amazed how much money can be made from the comfort of your home!
All the links to the websites and apps mentioned can be found on the Two Women Chatting resources page
25 ways to Save a Little (well quite a lot actually!)
Take an audit of how much you spend on groceries and see if any savings can be made
Search for discount coupons via moneysavingexpert.com or moneymagpie.com
Sign up for the Olio app which connects neighbours with each other and with local businesses so surplus food can be shared, not thrown away.
To Good to Go is an app which allows you to purchase unsold food from eateries such as Pret a Manger at the end of service, to prevent it from being thrown away. This means you get high-quality food at a great price and do some good for the planet.
Use the app Gander to discover local stores that are discounting food or just ask in the store when they usually 'yellow sticker'.
Add pulses to bulk out meat dishes
Slice a steak once it’s cooked you’d be amazed how much further it goes
Organise a swap of excess harvest produce. Swap seeds and plants with friends and neighbours
Use washing machines in the evening when energy prices are lowest and use powder not liquid - almost all washes can be done on the 'cold' setting
Consider water-saving gadgets to reduce energy and water bills such as a water meter – if you have more rooms than people it may be worth looking into
Amazon Family – consolidate all your accounts
Cancel automatic credit cards which are filed on your computer to stop impulse purchases in the middle of the night. Do you really need those new shoes?
Do a 'subscriptions audit' - do you really need them all or could you do 'family' accounts with your adult kids. Handy for apps like Spotify, Hulu, Amazon Prime
Check bank accounts for old direct debits, subscriptions, recurring payments
Buy lost or stolen goods at auctions – just search police or lost luggage sites
Unplug electrical items such as TV's and kettles when they are not in use
Consider a NHS Prepayment subscription
Buy a Railcard
Hire rather than buy an outfit for a special event (great links on the resources page like Rent the Runway)
Check insurance policies and renegotiate - they won’t want to lose you
For large purchases consider getting a 0% purchases credit card where the 0% lasts at least 12 month and pay off monthly - more info on moneysavingexpert site.
If you wear a uniform for work you can receive a tax rebate for washing/repair
Freecycle/ Freegle has lots of wanted goods for free
17 ways to earn a little extra money
There are plenty of ways to earn a little extra cash ….
If you have attractive feet or hands you can become a hand or foot model
Become a film extra for the day
Complete surveys for companies online and receive free goods or cash through sites like you gov or Ipsos isay ( NB. Create a new email address for signing up to survey websites)
Sign up to websites like Upwork or fiverr where you can offer your expertise to businesses on a freelance basis
Sell unwanted items –mobile phones, I pads and laptops·
Test products for companies - Usertesting.com are always looking for people to try out products and websites
Check that promotions and ads are in stores for companies using your smart phone
Offer your house for a TV or movie set
Rent out a room, there are lots of people wanting a room only from Monday-Friday - there's a website just for this (see resources)
Become a dog sitter
Sell unwanted clothes on sites like Vinted or Depop
Sign up to be a games tester
Rent out spare storage space or your garage or driveway (check out JustPark or YourParkingSpace to list yours)
If you take great quality photos consider selling your images to professional sites like Alamy or Shutterstock
Sell odd gold earrings and unwanted jewellery and perfumes - even bits of broken jewellery will sell
Repurpose jewellery and old furniture and sell online. A lick of paint or some new accessories could appeal to a buyer
Become a Property Guardian which is an arrangement by which people are granted cheap accommodation in return for living flexibly often in desirable locations
Two Women Chatting key takeaways ….
Do an audit of your costs and a financial health check
Use your skills or spare time to generate income
Sign up for apps and free money management and budgeting apps like Snoop or Emma which help you track your spending, cut your bills and control your finances.
Listen to the full conversation with Jasmine Birtles here and visit our resources page which has all the links to our tips.
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