Hey,

I could really do with some advice on cutting down on our spending. I got made redundant back in Feb, just as I was about to head back to work after maternity leave. I decided to register as a childminder instead and I have just done this but obviously in the middle of a recession there isn't much business out there and I haven't had any response yet to my repeated advertisements.

On top of this in the last week my 17 yr old brother has just moved in with us and I'm learning now just how expensive teenage boys are!!! He eats like a horse, never switches anything off and produces more washing than my one year old daughter!! So obviously money is quite tight. Any advice??

I've already done a few things. I'm making everybody put a jumper to avoid the heating, shopping online to avoid being tempted by things I don't need. I also avoid using the tumble dryer, switched to energy saving bulbs and we switched energy suppliers too. We don't own a car so not got that expense. Any other suggestions as I really need to cut back about £100 off our monthly outgoings.

Ali

Hello & welcome!

One thing you could try is swapping brands of things to the supermarket own brands of things, this would save you a bit. Also have a look around for mobile phone deals & broadband home phone tv packages can save you a bit too.

Hi Ali,

Sorry to hear about the redundancy and lack of response with the new business.

In terms of your brother and the laundry I'd do the tried and tested method of telling him he has to do his own washing! It generally works. Do you think he'd be receptive to you having a chat with him - you never know, if you're honest with him and just tell him even though he thinks things are tiny (like switching things off) it really helps to save money as you're trying to save cash where it doesn't matter so you can all still have the nice things you all enjoy. It might make him appreciate what you're doing for him and how he can show his appreciation to you too...

Helle is right about the dropping down a brand it can save cash and even the basic ranges have some nice products - have you used one of the comparison sites for the cheapest online shop. DoseyRosey from this board likes www.mysupermarket.co.uk Do you have insulation and stuff in the house? That can help reduce the need for heating and is inexpensive.

Sorry my internet is spotty so I'm going to have to disappear...

Hi

Sorry to hear about your redundancy and the slowness of your business.

I use dolly balls in my washer so I cut down on the amount of powder / liquid etc that I use.  I also have an airer hanging from my kitchen ceiling where I hang my clothes to dry as I don't have a dryer.  They are usually dry within a day or so and I wash every other day.  Anything that isn't quite dry gets finished off on a radiator as they are on usually in the colder months.

Have you thought of using washable nappies you could ask on freecycle if anyone has any they have finished with.  They save you money and save the environment (well if you don't use the dryer).

Batch cooking also saves time and money and makes for quick meals when they are needed and saves you picking at rubbish instead of healthy meals.

I always look online for any vouchers that I can find and you could also try selling unwanted stuff on an auction website.

HTH

Kaz x

Hi Aliharri,

Sorry to hear about your money probs but don't worry, you are not the only one! Hopefully i've got a few things that I've done that can also help you and anyone else.

I've had big money troubles since the recession hit, I was working as an events manager but its not what I want to do so I made a big step and quit my job, and good salary and just took a job as a waitress so I could look for some work experience in PR/Marketing.

Obviously waitressing is not the best paid job on the planet so I googled money saving tips and found some great ones that really helped me.

I made a list of what I spend my money on and what money comes into my account and then decided what was priority so rent was first, then phone bill, household bills, food then leisure stuff like going out and clothes and I saw that I spent half my money on rubbish like clothes I never wore and endless coffee's from Starbucks! So I now prioritise, pay rent as soon as I get paid and put money for bills in another account and when I go food or clothes shopping, I make a list of what I need, not what I want so I don't impulse buy. With food, I plan my meals for the week so then I actually use everything I buy and don't throw away food thats gone off and as for my favourite Starbucks, I got a loyalty card which has saved me a bit and I got a Boots and Tesco one too which is going to be handy with christmas coming up.

Other little things that I know friends have done is go through their clothes, jewellery etc and sell it on websites or send it to any of those companies that swap your stuff for cash, my auntie sent off some gold rings and got a few hundred pounds. It might be frowned upon but its a great way to make a quick buck with not much effort!!

Hope that helps, let me know how you get on!