5 secrets to saving money
At a time like now, when so many people are having to seek advice from a debt management company, saving money has never been so important.
Whether it's buying items in the sale or looking for special offers, we all love to save money every now and again. It's such a good feeling, walking away from a shop knowing you haven't had to pay full price and you've got yourself a bargain.
Saving money doesn't have to be strictly in the sales though. In fact, you can save money all the time - but how?
These five money-saving tips should give you what you need to hit the shops and save money right now.
1. Be patient and listen to your conscience
If you're about to buy something that you wouldn't class as 'necessary', put it back and think about it. Ask yourself whether you really need it, and whether you can actually afford it. Listen to those 'voices in your head' that tell you not to buy it.
If you're finding it hard to put the item back, just tell yourself you'll come back another time to buy it. Take time to think about whether you really need it - a few days is often all it takes. You'll have either found it cheaper elsewhere, or you'll have decided that you actually don't need it and you won't buy it.
2. Make your money go further
Are you guilty of washing that little bit of red wine at the bottom of the bottle away? If you are, don't do it again! You can keep this little bit of wine and use it in your cooking. Simply freeze it in a little tub, and add to it each time you've had a bottle - then when you need it, simply defrost and add it to your cooking.
What about lemons? Do you throw them away when they seem to have run dry? If you do…then don't do it again! Before you use the lemon in the first place, you should roll it around in your hands to warm it up - if your lemon is warm and loose, you'll get more juice out of it…helping you make your money go further.
And remember - these are just examples…
3. Create a shopping list
Before you hit the shops, search your kitchen cupboards and check out what you actually need to buy - then write these items down on a shopping list. Don't just rush to the supermarket and buy whatever you see, because you will spend more than you need to.
I must stress that your shopping list should only include items you actually need, not items that you would deem to be unnecessary.
4. Why buy branded goods, when you can buy value?
Next time you're out shopping, instead of buying the top brand box of cereal (the one that's placed at eye level), take a look at the shelves higher and lower for cheaper alternatives. You may find that you could save around £1 just by opting for a cheaper/value brand of the same food.
5. Don't be taken in by supermarket psychology
As mentioned in the point above, the branded products (the most expensive ones) will be placed at eye level, while the cheaper/value ones will be lower or higher. This is a common tactic used by supermarkets - the most expensive item will be the first one you see.
Other tactics employed by supermarkets include placing 'special offers' on the end of aisles - where you are bound to walk past them (even if you just walk down the centre aisle to avoid 'trolley traffic' elsewhere)!