Five money-savvy habits for 2010
If 2009 was about just getting by, make 2010 the year your family changes its financial habits for a better 2011 and beyond.
Even if you get into just one or two of these money-savvy habits you’ll quickly see a difference for a more prosperous 2010…
1. Upcycle it
Upcycling is the new buzzword among trendy fashion and interiors designers. Thrift chic isn’t just about stumbling across a Chanel handbag at a car boot sale (if only!) it’s about seeing the potential in your own or other people’s cast-offs, and adding value via your own creativity.
Luckily, you don’t have to be a craft genius to give this a try: it’s more about getting your eye in and spotting potential treasure when you see it. A lick of paint can transform a nasty-but-serviceable old chest of drawers or side table into a homemade design classic: think about painting a set of similar items – like a ’70s-style nest of tables – in different vibrant shades of the same hue for a look that’s very on-trend for 2010. And it doesn’t take much skill – just a good dose of patience – to decoupage a headboard or a bookshelf for a child’s room: cut out pictures of flowers, cars or anything you like, paste them on with PVA glue, then varnish.
For more inspiration don’t miss our tips for throwing your own Swap Party and tips for getting the best out of Selling on eBay.
2. Lose the latte
It’s the little daily expenses that add up, and ‘the latte factor’ is only the most obvious. It doesn’t take a PhD in maths to work out that if you’re spending £2-3 in a coffee shop each day, you’re pouring a big chunk of your hard-earned cash into someone else’s pocket. Make your own and take it with you in an insulated cup with a lid. And while you’re at it, get yourself a water filter and stop buying expensive bottled water.
3. Shop quick, cook slow
This is a great way to make your food budget go further, and make healthy choices for your family at the same time. It’s easy to overspend at the supermarket if you wander around aimlessly, with no list and plenty of time ahead of you. Instead, plan ahead to cook as much as possible from scratch, then make a list and allocate a set time-slot for the shop. And – this is the important bit – have a definite deadline, like school pick-up time or a work-related appointment, that focuses your mind on getting in and out quickly. You’ll save lots of money – not to mention lowering your carbon footprint – by not buying all those extras that you end up throwing away uneaten each week.
For inspiration on kitchen savings, don’t miss SuperSavvyMe’s tips from the Economy Gastronomy team.
4. Unplug
Yes, you know it, and we know it, but it’s amazing how difficult it is to get the whole family to remember to switch things off when they’re not being used. Think about starting a forfeit system for the kids – depending on their age and the potential sulk-factor involved, you can extract payment for transgressions in the form of chores or dock pocket money. But don’t forget that parents have to play the game too: you can’t expect compliance if you duck your own forfeits when you’re the one who left the TV on standby.
Read more in our article, Greener Home, Cheaper Home.
5. Cool it
There’s an old trick some people recommend for people who need a credit card for emergencies, but can’t resist taking it shopping: put your card in a plastic bag, fill the bag with water, and stick it in the freezer. If you really, really need it, you have to physically thaw out the card (and no, microwave-defrosting doesn’t work) before you can use it.
For real shopaholics it’s really much better to get rid of credit cards all together, but the idea of giving yourself a cooling off period is worth remembering when you see something you desperately want. Simply wait a week, then see how you feel. It’s a drastic step, but it’s amazing how that desperation can miraculously disappear.
Super savvy tip: It’s always worth finding out if your broadband, mobile phone and other providers have any money-saving deals you don’t know about – they often won’t tell you unless you ask.