This blog aims to provide a common sense approach to the community to manage their personal finances better.
It should not be treated as financial advice and it is not related to the regulated financial products offered
by Fund Ourselves
Don't make it a cold lonely winter
Working from home may save money on travel – but it can mean running your household heating for longer, which can cost you the money you have saved and more.
Cutting the cost of Christmas...
Without feeling like Scrooge.
Christmas comes but once a year, which is just as well, as many of us can find we are still paying for it when the summer holidays come round.
How to make your own compost
If food waste is eating you up, give composting a go. You’ll be doing your bit for the planet, and giving your garden a treat too.
The compost will be ready to use as a free fertiliser on plants and flowers after nine to twelve months and, if it helps you to grow your own fruit and veg, you’ll be saving even more. Composting is easy for everyone. Just follow these basic rules:
How to save even when you can’t
Rubbish at saving? These easy tips will flip your saving goal from daydream to reality.
Save £5 a week
A fiver isn’t much, but times it by 52 and suddenly you’ve got an extra £260 a year which isn’t to be sniffed at. That’s a shopping spree or weekend away. Just put £5 cash a week into a saving pot or set up a direct debit into a separate savings account to benefit.
Who should fix it? You or the landlord?
Let down by letting agents? Duped by dodgy landlords? Resigned to renting forever? With more Brits living in rented homes than ever before, it’s time to take back control. And that starts with knowing your rights.
Letting agents low-down
Be prepared to be asked for a lot of cash up front, with letting agents at the front of the queue. They’re allowed to charge for admin such as drawing up the contract and doing the inventory, but they must set out their fees on their website and office – and must not pull the wool over your eyes! Shop around to find an agent with fair fees and a good attitude, and make sure they belong to a recognised professional body.
Saving money for your child's future
From the moment your little cherub enters the world, generous aunts and uncles are likely to shower them with gifts of money on special occasions.
It’s a good idea, then, to set up a savings account so your child can benefit from the interest as they get older. It’s also the perfect way to teach children about the value of money. Fortunately, there are a wealth of different savings, bonds and investments to choose from. Here are our top picks:
Student Saving Tips
Heading off to university for the first time or about to return for another year? Saving money can be hard but we are here to help.
In 2019, 1 in 5 students used their overdraft facility to tide them over before their next loan instalment. However, with our money saving tips, you’ll be able to save a fortune for those fun moments between lectures and essay writing.
Am I entitled to help with childcare costs?
Childcare costs in the UK are among the most expensive in the world. Yet every year, thousands of pounds’ worth of help with childcare costs go unclaimed. Here is a guide to help you find out what you are eligible to claim.
- Who is entitled to 15 hours free childcare?
- Who is entitled to 30 hours free childcare?
- Am I entitled to childcare tax credits?
- Tax-free childcare
- Can I claim universal credit?
- More information
Who is entitled to 15 hours free childcare?
Currently, in the UK, all three and four-year-old children are entitled to 15 hours of free early education each week. This is only available during the 38 weeks of school term-time.
Talking about money in a relationship
Whether you’re about to get married or move in together, have just started dating or have been together for years, money is one topic you cannot avoid talking about in your relationship. It might seem daunting, but chatting about money can be just as stress-free as debating who’s most likely to win Love Island. And far less controversial…
Take it slow
Remember those painful ‘we need to talk’ moments with exes? Well having The Money Chat can seem like a re-run of one of those, especially if you go in all serious or accusatory. Instead, start it off lightly with general questions and talk about other people you both know and how they manage money – this will give you an insight into your partner’s money values.
Five money-saving ideas for lockdown and beyond
So during the Covid19 pandemic, job security has sure been a worry, you may have had to take a pay cut, furlough may have left you out of pocket, contracts may have been cancelled or perhaps the payrise or bonus you were banking on has been retracted.
So what can you do to help soften the blow and find ways to save where you can free up cash wherever possible.
1. Comparison sites
Most of us use comparison sites for the obvious such as car insurance, right. Well how about using them to compare prices for more than just insurance. Why not compare TV packages, mobile phone contracts, or energy bills. You can use various websites that can track and compare prices from the high street some even providing reviews from genuine customers. Shopping around online is so easy and can save you hundreds of pounds with just a click of a button Checkout Be Clever With Your Cash blog for more ideas on how to save, or Uswitch to switch providers quickly, simply and safely. GoCompare is also a very good site to compare prices.
Make your own DIY cleaning products
Make your own DIY (Do It Yourself) cleaning products
Time for a house clean? Rather than splashing out on pricey cleaning products, why not make your own easy peasy (lemon squeezy) cleaning products? It’s all good clean fun!
You’ll probably already have everything you need in your kitchen cupboards, such as vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, salt and lemons.
Save money with DIY
Save money with DIY (Do It Yourself)
Owning your own home is an expensive business. Nice stuff, like improving the décor, and tedious stuff, like fixing the heating, can cost a fortune if you hire a professional.
Fortunately, you can save hundreds of pounds by doing certain jobs yourself, and if you need someone to help you can always phone a friend. Here’s our guide to jobs you can do easily yourself, those that require a bit of moral support and those that sit firmly with the skilled tradesperson.
