#life sytle

This is a quick post, but a friend of mine wrote in recently asking me to help her save up for a house. I replied to her directly of course, but with her permission, I also put some of the ideas into this blog-they are not specific to anybody, I figured they may help others.

Turn saving money into a hobby, not a chore.

I really do believe that if you look after the small things, , the big things look after themselves 

When first saving money, make sure all you save goes into paying off any debts. Pay off the highest interest loans/cards first.You don't have money until you don't have debt.

Figure what you spend your money on-and cut it right down. It soon becomes easy and it can be quite fun.

If your largest expense is on rent, consider moving. If not an option, save on bills.

Insulate your bath with loft insulation.

Don't fill up your kettle.

Get energy saving lightbulbs.

Watch programmes films online and make the TV redundant.

Make sure your mobile phone is the most efficient contract for you.

Don't keep electric appliances on standby, TURN THEM OFF!

Only use your dishwasher/washing machine when full and try to cut down the frequency of using it. Wash your small items by hand on the stove (pant soup,anyone?) :)

Consider other fuel methods (an energy saver heater can cut bills down from using central heating).

Don't heat up the parts of the house you don't need.

Ask your landlord to insulate your loft or install double glazing. Sell some stuff you don't need.

Make food from scratch-turn this into a hobby.

Switch to non-brands. Find cheaper places to shop for everything. 

Make friends with a hairdresser if you spend money on that (delete trade/skill as appropriate)! Swap skills with friends to save money on things they can do and you can return the favour.

Reconsider travel methods. If you drive, find people you can give lifts to to help cover fuel costs. Walk instead of spending money on gas/parking/car upkeep.

Customise clothes instead of buying new. Every time you go to buy something, think 'Do I REALLY need this'?