Showing posts with label saving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label saving. Show all posts
Here we are in the middle of June and, along with the premise of dodgy tan lines and excessive sangria consumption, the holiday season is fast approaching. HOORAY.
With hotels, flights and overseas spending to save for, my friends and I have been talking a lot about smart holiday spending (see my post on How To Get Cheaper Flights)
But there's one question that not many people consider and that's how to save money whilst ON holiday. Don't miss a trick here - there's plenty of small changes you can make now to save yourself some money while in the house AND away from it.
It's not rocket science but it's stuff that we never really do because a) we can't be bothered or b) we don't understand just how much of an impact it can have. For me, it's a little bit.. mainly.. always a)
But then I thought about the real impact of it all and now I do it every day, saving myself probably about £100 just by making some small changes. And you could do them too!
The crux of it is simple: don't pay for energy that you're not using when at home, and especially when on holiday. Voiilaa
Here's some examples of what I mean:
With hotels, flights and overseas spending to save for, my friends and I have been talking a lot about smart holiday spending (see my post on How To Get Cheaper Flights)
But there's one question that not many people consider and that's how to save money whilst ON holiday. Don't miss a trick here - there's plenty of small changes you can make now to save yourself some money while in the house AND away from it.
It's not rocket science but it's stuff that we never really do because a) we can't be bothered or b) we don't understand just how much of an impact it can have. For me, it's a little bit.. mainly.. always a)
But then I thought about the real impact of it all and now I do it every day, saving myself probably about £100 just by making some small changes. And you could do them too!
The crux of it is simple: don't pay for energy that you're not using when at home, and especially when on holiday. Voiilaa
Here's some examples of what I mean:
Read Full Post
MONEY MONDAY: Holiday Savings... At Home!
I love Public Holidays. When I was a student, I used to use them for some serious snooozing (and serious boozing), but once you start working 9-5, you realise that Bank Holidays are for doing things which you don't normally have time for.
I'm talking about doing that pile of dishes, washing your clothes, fixing that squeaky chain on your bike - all the boring admin stuff. That's why, for me, Bank Holidays are also the perfect time to re-consider your financial admin too. Can you hand on heart remember what balances are earning what? And have you thought about looking at how much you're spending on the food shop lately?
It's that "should" feeling which we all know, but we keep putting off - I know you know what I mean! Your financial future deserves your attention so be smart with your cash and devote some time to sorting your financial life out.
Here's my Top 5 Finance Admin To-Do's, for those Bank Holiday "Sort Out My Life" moments.
I'm talking about doing that pile of dishes, washing your clothes, fixing that squeaky chain on your bike - all the boring admin stuff. That's why, for me, Bank Holidays are also the perfect time to re-consider your financial admin too. Can you hand on heart remember what balances are earning what? And have you thought about looking at how much you're spending on the food shop lately?
It's that "should" feeling which we all know, but we keep putting off - I know you know what I mean! Your financial future deserves your attention so be smart with your cash and devote some time to sorting your financial life out.
Here's my Top 5 Finance Admin To-Do's, for those Bank Holiday "Sort Out My Life" moments.
1) Is your money in the right place?
Read Full Post
MONEY MONDAY: Top 5 Finance Admin To Get Done This Bank Holiday
So we are well into the new tax year and, as with all new years, I MUST have new year resolutions. Whether it's lists or notes, I love setting targets for myself - they keep me aiming forward and they make sure I'm on track with "THE PLAN" - oho how fun do I sound right now?!
But in all seriousness, if you're going obsessively try and over-engineer anything, it may as well be your money. You've got way more control over it, plus it requires far less self-control than a diet! Also, I figured if I manage my money well, I can just buy lipo right? I'm kidding!! We all know I'd spend my well-managed money on Laduree Macarons and MORE makeup....
Moving on. One week into the new tax year and what's the plan Batman? The Budget told us some stuff about ISAs, some stuff about pensions and then there's general "must save money" on top of that. Where to begin?
I've already talked a couple times about general spending such as choosing a credit card and curbing my shopaholic tendencies so today I'm going to cover savings.
My last MoneyMonday- A Story About Tax got a huge standing ovation by way of exactly 5 tweets from other people ha, so today I'm going to put my accounting qualification to good use and do another one of these explaaaaaining posts. The subject? It's all about ISAs and the NEW ISA.
Come on dudes, I'll try and make it fun- let's go for it.
So ISAs. Step 1 - the basics. What is an ISA? If you already know all this business, you go right ahead and skip onto Step 3- WHATS NEW?
But in all seriousness, if you're going obsessively try and over-engineer anything, it may as well be your money. You've got way more control over it, plus it requires far less self-control than a diet! Also, I figured if I manage my money well, I can just buy lipo right? I'm kidding!! We all know I'd spend my well-managed money on Laduree Macarons and MORE makeup....
Moving on. One week into the new tax year and what's the plan Batman? The Budget told us some stuff about ISAs, some stuff about pensions and then there's general "must save money" on top of that. Where to begin?
I've already talked a couple times about general spending such as choosing a credit card and curbing my shopaholic tendencies so today I'm going to cover savings.
My last MoneyMonday- A Story About Tax got a huge standing ovation by way of exactly 5 tweets from other people ha, so today I'm going to put my accounting qualification to good use and do another one of these explaaaaaining posts. The subject? It's all about ISAs and the NEW ISA.
Come on dudes, I'll try and make it fun- let's go for it.
So ISAs. Step 1 - the basics. What is an ISA? If you already know all this business, you go right ahead and skip onto Step 3- WHATS NEW?
Read Full Post
MONEY MONDAY: Nicer ISAs? What's a NISA?
Last week, I was talking with some gurrrrlfriends
over lunch and our conversation turned to money. That’s right, why talk about Manolos
and New York gossip when we can talk about personal finance? Take that, Carried
Bradshaw et al, we Londoners live it large… hmm.
Anyway, my Belgian pal recently moved to London and we were advising her about
UK bank accounts. Did you know each country has it’s own banking
characteristics? Not all banking products are available to everyone, credit
clearance in one country isn’t the same in another. No wonder she was confused. And while we were trying to
explain why you shouldn’t save all your money in your current account, it
dawned on us - why is it so confusing to bank in the UK?
How many accounts do we need? What type of accounts should we have? Savings
account? Current account? ISA? Fixed-rate? Foreign exchange?! Credit Cards? PERSONAL FINANCE OVERLOAD.
Well, how many bank accounts should I have?
Read Full Post
#MoneyMonday: How Many Bank Accounts Should I Have?
So last week we talked about getting Financially Fit and there was a huge focus on saving and planning - regularly putting something aside, shopping smart and making more money where possible.
I don't know about you but for me, the biggest challenge for me is to control is my spending. I've got the savings part down and I plan well but let's be honest, if I can't curb that spending side, I'm basically in the boat with only one paddle.
Let me remind you of my New Year Resolutions from last week: SAVE MORE, SPEND LESS, STOP BUYING SHIT I DONT NEED, GET MY 5-A DAY & DRINK MORE WATER.
Today's post is going to cover the SPEND LESS & STOP BUYING SHIT I DON'T NEED bit. Yes, that's right kids - let's talk about cracking the whip at the beast that is...... your SPENDING.
Just three simple tips today - simple but effective ways to control that inner Rebecca Bloomwood...
(if you're a regular reader, you may have noticed that I make several references to Confessions of a Shopaholic. If you haven't seen the film or read the book, you should!!)
I digress - let's continue shall we?
I don't know about you but for me, the biggest challenge for me is to control is my spending. I've got the savings part down and I plan well but let's be honest, if I can't curb that spending side, I'm basically in the boat with only one paddle.
Let me remind you of my New Year Resolutions from last week: SAVE MORE, SPEND LESS, STOP BUYING SHIT I DONT NEED, GET MY 5-A DAY & DRINK MORE WATER.
Today's post is going to cover the SPEND LESS & STOP BUYING SHIT I DON'T NEED bit. Yes, that's right kids - let's talk about cracking the whip at the beast that is...... your SPENDING.
Just three simple tips today - simple but effective ways to control that inner Rebecca Bloomwood...
(if you're a regular reader, you may have noticed that I make several references to Confessions of a Shopaholic. If you haven't seen the film or read the book, you should!!)
I digress - let's continue shall we?
Read Full Post
MONEY MONDAY: Confessions of A (soon-to-be-Ex) Shopaholic
It's January - the month of resolutions! The month of "I shalls" and "I wills" and (if you're like me) resolutions to sort out your life! And where best to start than with your finances?
Enter the accountant in me to save the day! This week's Money Monday is going to be to specifically address some common financial goals which we tend to set at new year. Namely SAVE MORE, SPEND LESS, STOP BUYING SHIT I DONT NEED, GET MY 5-A DAY & DRINK MORE WATER. Sound familiar?
Well here are a few tips from your resident beauty blogger accountant, to help you deal with these shouty resolutions. TIME TO SORT OUT MY LIFE.
First up, let's start with the boring one. The one that your parents would tell you to do. The one we all know deep down inside..
Enter the accountant in me to save the day! This week's Money Monday is going to be to specifically address some common financial goals which we tend to set at new year. Namely SAVE MORE, SPEND LESS, STOP BUYING SHIT I DONT NEED, GET MY 5-A DAY & DRINK MORE WATER. Sound familiar?
Well here are a few tips from your resident beauty blogger accountant, to help you deal with these shouty resolutions. TIME TO SORT OUT MY LIFE.
First up, let's start with the boring one. The one that your parents would tell you to do. The one we all know deep down inside..
Read Full Post
MONEY MONDAY: NY Resolution? Get Financially Fit!
So i have a thing about not wearing makeup. The thought of going bare faced in public is actually horrifying. No, dont worry, this isn't an annoying case where girl says "errmagahd, I am sooo ugly, tell me how pretty I am" - I'm just saying I feel much more confident wearing makeup. (and I look better!)
So now you've got the background, imagine my dilemma when I was preparing for my Three Peaks challenge the other month!
If I wear makeup on the mountain it'll end up melting off my face and onto my clothes. Panda eyes in addition to my puffy red face ain't gonna a good look.
And more importantly, there's going to be photos on each mountain and a video montage. A montage! Girl's gotta look good in a montage.
And more importantly, there's going to be photos on each mountain and a video montage. A montage! Girl's gotta look good in a montage.
So what did I do the weekend before my hike? Only a DIY Brow Tint and Eyelash Extension! How
If you were to get this professionally done every fortnight it really can add up, but doing it myself only set me back an hour and less than £15. Everyone kept asking how I got these results and I wanted to prove just how easy it is! So here we go a cheeky DIY tutorial and review of the products I used. Enjoy!
Part 1. The easiest, the DIY brow tint.
Read Full Post
Barefaced Confidence Part1 : A DIY Brow Tint How-To
Okay, today I'm going to float something at you which may sound CRAZY-INSANE. But just hear me out...
How long have you had your current account for? Is it the same one you opened when you were like 16?
Have you thought about changing your current account?
A surprisingly number of my friends have had only one current account in their whole lives. And for most of them, it's the longest relationship they've ever been in.
How long have you had your current account for? Is it the same one you opened when you were like 16?
Have you thought about changing your current account?
A surprisingly number of my friends have had only one current account in their whole lives. And for most of them, it's the longest relationship they've ever been in.
And, as with most long-term relationships, some of the main reasons for not leaving your account:
1) You're not completely happy with your current account but you don't know if you'll find a better one out there
2) You can't imagine life without it, it's all you've known and change is scary!
3) The hassle of breaking up with your current account and moving your stuff around is lonnnng.
Well, as your resident Makeup & Money expert - let's address those concerns shall we?
Read Full Post
MONEY MONDAY: You 4 Your Current Account 4eva?
At Christmas, I wrote about cash back sites in my list Getting Paid To Shop Online. It was hugely popular with lots of my friends finding a new income stream so I thought I'd have a little revisit 6 months later on to tell you about my progress and share my tips with you.
You're all probably thinking HURRY UP and get to the good stuff Zoe, HOW MUCH ARE YOU MAKING? Well, in my first 6 months I've managed to make an extra 40 quid, by doing nothing except clicking a link before I shop.
Rewind for a second - For those of you who didn't read the post and can't be arsed to, here's a summary.
Create an account and every time you want to shop online, you access the site from a link on your cash back website. This then records the visit, tracks the purchase you make and pays you a percentage of what you spent!
So what have I learnt?
Read Full Post
Money Monday: Cashback Catchup - how much have I earnt?
Yes – you heard me. What if you got paid a percentage of your
spend every time you shopped online? WELL YOU CAN.
Welcome to the world of cashback sites.
|
| The annoying man that does the MC Hammer dance. I'd like to see him in a fight with the Go Compare man. |
I’ll be honest, I never wanted to use them before. I have a million internet accounts that I no longer remember my login details for, do I reeeally need another?
Also - I thought it would only be teeny amounts and only from unknown shopping sites selling things I won’t ever actually use. Like coloured hats! Seriously I have so many hats that I never actually wear…. Anyway.
Consider me converted!! Upon further research, I realised that, actually, most of the sites I use are all involved. And, the earnings are considerably more than expected, I’m talking hundreds of pounds here.
Anyone shop at ASOS, Argos ,
Debenhams, Tesco?? All huge names which we spend hundreds of pounds a year –
all signed up to cashback sites.
How do they work?
Read Full Post
Top Cashback websites: Get paid to shop online.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
