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If you’ve not done so already, download our Free Budget Planner below and give your finances a once over. You might be surprised what crops up on your bank statements. Use our article Budgeting for Beginners in 4 Simple Steps to figure out exactly where you’re at. If you find you’re short of cash, then following these simple steps will help you spend less and save you a small fortune.
1. Fix Up.
The next time something stops working, don’t be tempted to throw it away. There’s a growing movement of people dedicated to repairing, re-using and recycling rather than replacing. It’s also better for the planet!
YouTube has a how-to video for just about everything. All you need is a steady hand, a little patience and some basic tools for the job. There’s nothing more satisfying than making something work again. Alternatively, if you’re not the practical type, try to find a local community repair shop to give you help and advice.
2. Do It Yourself.
Now I’m not suggesting you tackle the electrics or gas pipes, but you’ll find with a bit of practice you can do almost everything else around the house yourself. In some cases you might find you’ll do it better than the professionals!
Again, YouTube is your best friend here. Don’t be afraid to have a go, it could save you a fortune. We’ve fitted kitchens and bathrooms ourselves, hung doors moved radiators. You’ve nothing to lose, you just need to do your research and have the confidence to give it a go.
3. Look After Your Stuff.
This might seem obvious but tech in particular is very expensive. Mobile phone and tech insurance policies can be relatively cheap compared to the cost of a new device, however if this cost is beyond your budget you could buy a protective cover for your mobile phone or tablet.
Also don’t fill up their memory with endless apps and games which will just slow them down. Sofas and carpets are also expensive to replace. Make or buy some nice throws, or consider a carpet cleaner especially if you have pets to keep them as good as new.
Clean, maintain and look after everyday things to extend their lifespan where possible. As an example, I think I could be the only person on the planet still using a Samsung Galaxy S6! Always try to buy well in the first instance, make sure your purchases give you the functionality you’ll need for years to come and read reviews to find the most reliable brands.
4. Grow Your Own.
Whether you have a large garden, allotment or a lowly window box it’s a great idea to grow your own food if you can. Herbs, lettuce and cress can thrive in a small window box or pots. Tomatoes, strawberries and potatoes can be grown in a simple growbag and root vegetables if you have a bit more space to dig. If you have kids, get them involved too, they’ll love it.
5. Make Your Own.
There are lots of everyday (sometimes expensive) products you can make yourself. Home made cleaning products are a great place to start. White vinegar and baking soda are just two of the magical ingredients you can use to make glass cleaner, kitchen cleaners and degreasers and a host of other products.
They’re also much more environmentally friendly and save on single use plastics. A simple search online will give you endless inspiration to try some of these products for yourself and maybe save a heap of cash in the process.
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