We’re parents, that means there is a long list of things that we have to buy for the kids and home. But it is possible to improve our financial situations, save money and cut costs, despite the things that restrict us.
It’s less about making more money, although there are certainly things you can do to be more likely to get a pay rise, and if you work for yourself you could change things potentially and bring in more money.
It’s also not about becoming a millionnaire, because that’s not what I’m skilled in.
What I’m good at, is making the most of the money we have, and getting value from it.
After all, how much money we have doesn’t actually determine how much is left at the end of the month. It’s how we manage it, prioritise it, value it, and use it that determines what we get from it.
Money is just money. It’s not good or evil. It can stress us, or help us.
The question is, how would you like your relationship with money to be?
These are the blog posts that initially birthed the chapter on how to get more time in my book. Feel free to check them out. They will be more polished in the book and there will be extra bits, but I’ll also be adding new tips or clever products in my blog that help when I find them.
How to invest in yourself!
So back at Radio Verulam today with the Gorgeous Danny Smith and I was inspired to chat about 'investments' by Curly Headed Boy. It's spring time,…
My house’s journey in 2013 – from salon to normality
Loads of people do reviews of their life for the previous year, I'm going to do a review of my house's life last year. For the first quarter of…

Can you really upcycle if you aren’t Kirstie Allsopp?
Yay, the summer holidays are over, so I was back over with the gorgeous Danny Smith on Radio Verulam today. Listen again here. I thought I'd…

How to go on holidays with more than two children and not pay a fortune
No one warns people when they have more than two children that suddenly there will be huge problems with holidays. A couple of years ago we went…

Getting unusual jewellery doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
So you'd like to buy your wife/partner/girlfriend some jewellery, but don't know how to do it without bankrupting yourself? I love jewellery, but…

Tips on getting the right gifts without spending a fortune!
I was asked to come up with top tips for people worried about what to by for friends and loved ones from Christmas and Birthdays by the lovely Danny…

Tips on affording and buying birthday or christmas presents for children
I was asked to come up with top tips for parents worried about affording presents for their kids at Christmas and Birthdays by the lovely Danny Smith…

How to easily build a family budget that works and reduces your stress!
Now stay awake! Remember I told you in my previous post about why budgeting is fab, that having a budget will reduce your stress, improve your…

Why Would You Want To Bother To Budget?!!!
Guess what, I'm now a 'Lifestyle Correspondent' for Radio Verulam's Drivetime show with Danny Smith. How cool is that! I'm doing a monthly tips…

Don’t Forget a Thing! Packing List For Camping With Your Kids
I'm just back from my first ever camping trip and first ever family music festival, so being addicted to lists I thought I would share and share…

The Perfect Tent For First Timers and Family Festival Goers
Ok I admit it, the Big hairy northern one was right! It might not happen often, but his tendency to want to spend the spangdoolies was correct…

My Five Top Tips On Deciding Whether To Buy Something
However much we cut back, at some point we do have to buy stuff. The hairy northerner and I cut our costs drastically when he was made redundant,…

How buying a car can save you money!
As most of you know we are on a big cost cutting, money saving campaign in this house at the moment. The big hairy northern one has got a job, but…

7 Top Tips For Saving Money And Cutting Costs: My Piggy Bank Tale
Trying to cut costs, and even save money can seem daunting to start off with. But I've found that once we got going, it gets easier. What I've…

Does everyone like the simple things, can it be learnt?
I spent all friday filming a ‘thingy’ you’ll see soon about top tips to save money. I’ve actually found myself more contented and less…
Smart Meters making the geek and tree hugger in me really happy
Energy Saving: the problem is how to go about it without appearing like a nag! Plus my brain isn't what it was, and although I remember that I was…

Money Saving Tip: Use up month!
With Christmas credit card bills enroute, Little Dimples birthday one month away, and hubby still looking for a job having been made redundant, my…

Would you take back a present, or is it mean and rude?
For years I have taken the attitude that the Big Hairy Northern Hubby knew something I didn't when buying me presents, and that given…

An Alternative to New Years Resolutions: Your Top 3 Life Priorities
I'm not a fan of New Years Resolutions, I think it's a time for a detox, clear out and rest. Goals can just add to the weight of things we don't…

Beware the refunds policy when buying presents
I know this post is a bit late for christmas, but there is all the birthday's next year and Christmas in 12 months time. Basically, BEWARE buying…

Redundancy Tip No4: What expenses can you cut straight away? What do we really need?
I'm not a pessimistic person, but facts are facts, and it is possible that it will take a while to get a job after a redundancy. So it's important…

How to read a Kindle book if you don’t have a Kindle
Obviously Amazon wants to sell Kindles, so although it makes it possible and it does explain how to read a Kindle book elsewhere, it is NOT really…

Dealing With Being Made Redundant When You Are A Parent
So the big northern hubby got made redundant on monday, perfect timing with Curly Headed Boy's birthday coming up, followed by Christmas and then…

Sparkle Tips: Go Shopping With Friends
We might not all be able to afford a personal shopper, but we all have mates. (Mind you I don't think that all personal shoppers cost money, it's…

Are You Struggling Financially? Tips For Appreciating What We Have Got And Worrying Less
With the recession, there are some winners, but in general most people seem to be down 10-30% if they are lucky, and then there are those people who…