Chapter 8 - Money-saving ideas

If you are living on a low income, you’ll have thought of any number of ways to save money simply to stay afloat. Here’s a list of our ideas – some of which, hopefully, should be helpful.

General

Don’t confuse price with quality. It doesn’t necessarily follow that the more expensive something is the better it is, so shop around. Use the Which? guides in your local library to find the best kettle, or whatever you’re buying.
Shop seasonally – for example you can always buy half-price Christmas cards in January. A child’s warm winter coat will be reduced in the summer.
Try waiting thirty days (well at least seven!) before you buy something. This should test how much you really need it.
Keep receipts and guarantees in case things go wrong. Often small problems can be easily fixed if you still have the appliance instructions. It will save the cost of an engineer. Beware their call-out charges.
Ask your friends how they manage.
Avoid gambling – it may seem like a good idea, but in the end you nearly always lose money. You have more chance of dying in the week that you buy a National Lottery ticket than of winning the jackpot! Now there’s a cheery thought for you!
Visit internet comparison sites to find the best deals for utilities, loans and other services.

Heat and light

The most expensive appliance in many homes is the immersion heater. If you have to have an immersion heater, keep the temperature at the lowest acceptable level and insulate the tank and all exposed pipes.
Always switch lights off when leaving a room.
Make sure that your home is adequately insulated. Draught excluders are very cheap and effective.
You can get grants for some energy saving improvements. Contact the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012 or visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.
Take showers instead of baths if possible.
Run your washing machine at night as often electricity rates are cheaper at this time.

Telephone

Try to make as many calls as possible off-peak (after 6pm and at weekends) but do keep in touch with friends and try to meet with them regularly.
Check if other providers can give you a better deal.
Monitor the length of your teenagers' calls (or put a lock on the phone).
If you use your mobile phone only occasionally investigate whether a pay-as-you-go contract rather than a monthly contract will save you money.

Car expenses

Keep your car well maintained – check oil and water levels regularly as well as tyre pressure. If this all sounds daunting, get a friend to show you how.
Buying cars when they are two years old and keeping them for three years is the most economical way of owning a car – but make sure you get the car checked over before buying.
For major repairs, get a detailed written estimate as this restricts unexpected add-ons. Recreation/entertainment
Study your local newspaper for good cheap or free family recreation. Check the notice board in your local library too.
Think of going to certain places out of season. Visit your local tourist information centre to find out about attractions that are free and possibly pick up special offers.
Don’t forget snacks, drinks and packed lunches to keep you and your children going without having to spend a fortune on food while you’re out.
Borrow books, videos and CDs from the local library. If you’re looking for jobs the local library should have a good selection of newspapers and trade magazines to look through.
Join a baby-sitting circle – preferably for single mothers who are prepared to have your child stay over.
Holidays can be cheaper if you book them either very early or at the last minute.

Grocery shopping

Plan a weekly menu, make a shopping list and stick to it!
Look out for special offers, reduced item shelves etc. Three for the price of two offers are good value for tinned food, for example, where the food won’t go off.
Compare prices in different shops and supermarkets. The price of milk, for example, varies enormously.
Take advantage of seasonal variations in the price of fresh fruit and vegetables. Or why not even grow your own?
Never go shopping when you are hungry and try to avoid taking your children if you can.
Avoid waste – put your leftovers into a soup or cook a large quantity of something and then freeze what’s leftover to have another day.
Ready-meals and products from well known brands can be a rip off. You can get great bargains at markets or by buying own-brand goods in supermarkets.
Make your own baby food by mashing-up or processing your food. You’ll save a fortune.

Clothes

Repairing is much cheaper than buying new! Save buttons from old clothes for repairs.
Kids grow out of clothes so fast – balance the quality and price of clothes with the length of time they will actually fit your children.
Check out charity shops, jumble sales and car boot sales – you can get some great bargains.
Try to have a base colour with which to mix and match – that way you can get a lot of outfits from mixing and matching a few items of clothing.

Toys and kids’ things

Keep a bits-and-bobs box if you have young children. Keep old boxes, packaging, bottle tops, egg boxes, bits of wood, silver foil, containers, card etc. to make pictures, space stations and dolls’ houses... Kids love to be creative and however much we spend on toys, some kids still love the packaging more! Old clothes and jewellery are good for dressing up.
Find out if there is a toy library in your area – you can borrow toys for a short time just as you would borrow books from the library (Social Services will have details or visit the National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries at www.natll.org.uk)
Make your own modelling dough. Combine 3 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, 1 cup of water and a little food colouring. Knead the mixture well and store in a polythene bag.
Look for toys in jumble sales or charity shops, but make sure that they are safe. Around the house
Re-use plastic bags as bin liners.
Wash J-cloths and re-use for a while.
White vinegar is a very cheap and effective cleaning agent.
Save old Christmas cards to cut up and use as gift tags or even make your own cards if you or your kids are feeling creative. Similarly help your kids make birthday cards for their friends.
Shredded newspaper makes great cat litter.
Re-use old envelopes by buying labels – charities often sell these.
You can apply for council grants for some home improvements. Ask at the Housing department for details.
Use energy saving light bulbs. These are more expensive to buy, but running costs are low and they last for years.
Try DIY if you can. You might find you actually enjoy it!