We can all manage our money better, it's just knowing how.
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
When you’re feeling ill, the last thing you want to worry about is how much you’re spending on pricey pills and health treatments. Here’s our simple guide on how to cut the price of your prescriptions and medicines so you can concentrate on a swift recovery.
It may come as a bit of a surprise to a nation built on cups of tea, but the humble kettle nestled happily at the heart of every kitchen is one of the most energy expensive appliances we use.
Getting water up to boiling temperature is no simple feat - the way a standard electric kettle turns electricity to heat using an element is rather energy expensive.
Baking can be many things: relaxing, challenging, creative, fun, delicious, super affordable… and if you are self isolating is a great way to keep you occupied once you have run out of box sets. Here’s how to make your cakes on the cheap.
Budget on the basics
Tasty bakes don’t require expensive ingredients – a successful cake or biscuit depends on accuracy, patience and a good recipe - not artisan butter, coconut oil and organic quinoa flour. Check out discount stores and supermarket budget ranges for your baking essentials including flour, butter, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, sugar and cocoa powder.
Getting active costs a lot less than you’d think, with a load of cash-saving sports activities on offer during the sunny months adults and kids can break a sweat without having to break the bank.
Get running
Going for a run is not only Free, but enjoyable and ideal for keeping you fit, especially when being at your fittest is even more important during these difficult times. All you really need is a pair of trainers and some light clothing and you are ready to set your PB (Personal Best).
So we’re mid summer hols, and your children have bags of energy - how do you keep the little angels busy? Days out and new toys might stop those ‘I’m bored’ moans, but the cost soon adds up. Why not try a few fun garden/park games to entertain the kids? They’ll love playing together as a family and you can save cash for bigger things like a holiday.
Beast Hunters
All kids love bugs and mud, so combine the two and take them on a mini-beast hunt around the garden or local park. You’ll need some gardening spades and a bucket or plastic bug pot (with air holes). A magnifying glass comes in handy too. See how many different types of insect you can find and take photos to show their friends at school.
Whilst throwing a BBQ party is against government guidelines at the moment due to Covid19, a BBQ MINI party for your household or support bubble sounds like a brilliant idea, until you consider the cost. All that cool kit and fancy food seems more likely to burn a hole in your wallet than give your meat a good grilling.
You don’t need to spend much to get a BBQ that works, although it’s worth forking out a little more if you’re going to be grilling every summer weekend.
Dreaming of a week in the sun but finding your finances don't quite fit the fantasy? Don't despair. There are ways to bag a bargain summer break – and it will make that poolside cocktail taste all the sweeter.
Plan ahead
For the best choice of cheap deals in popular resorts, book early – like now! The same goes for low-cost flights to top destinations. If you're prepared to wing it and risk settling for a less than perfect package hold your nerve until around eight weeks before you travel.
There's nothing quite like the feeling of owning your own car, getting behind the wheel and hitting the open road. But burning rubber can be a budget-busting experience. We look at ways you can drive… and save!
Lower car insurance
Insuring your car can be a costly business, especially if you're a new driver, or have made a previous car insurance claim. But it's worth shopping around as deals can vary wildly. Use comparison sites such as Go Compare and Compare the Market to search out the best deal.
Of course, you need a mobile phone – most of us do. But do you really need to hand over the equivalent of your electricity bill each month to use it? Here's how to cut the cost without having to downgrade.
Get the right model for your needs
Contract or Pay as you Go?
Renegotiate your deal
Trade in or sell your old phone
Get the right contract
Keep an eye on the usage
Use the internet instead
Get the right model for your needs
Flagship smartphones are expensive. Really expensive. Before you spend over £1,000 From £1,049 on an iPhone 11, ask yourself if you actually need a top-of-the-range model. Budget handsets like the Motorola G5 or G5 Plus can do most of what premium models can, for a third of the price.
We've all been there: you go to the fridge and realise the bread you bought a couple of days ago has passed its best-before date. It looks fresh, and it smells good – but what's the risk?
Most of the time, we choose to chuck out of date food in the bin rather than risk an upset stomach or food poisoning. But is all out of date food dangerous to our health?
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
