Charity Shops

Today I had to take a trip to a nearby town to register with college. (I'm on Council Tax Benefit and am entitled to some courses for free, it is certainly worth looking into if you intend to go back to work in the future). While I was there I thought I would look around the charity shops there as otherwise I couldn't justify using the petrol as it is about 10 miles away. I found a few things that I could resell on ebay so it was well worth taking time out to look in the shops there.

Make savings when you can

Today I managed to get 6 pens and 2 post it pads in a pack for 59p from Home Bargains which I can take out of the pack and make look pretty with a ribbon and give away for Christmas. A real bargain.

I also found cheap summer clothes in Tesco's sale for the kids. It might be a bit early to buy, but I just got 2 sizes bigger than they are and took advantage of the t-shirts for 75p, dress with leggings for £2 and even got myself some long warm socks for 50p a pair and they weren't even in the sale (just black which is a bit plain for my taste but when you don't have much money you can't complain!).

Little Savings Add up

It might seem like a waste of time remembering to leave your TV switched off and not on standby or unplugging your mobile phone charger when you aren't using it, but little things really add up when you are trying to save money. So remember to turn off lights in rooms when you aren't using them and put in energy saving bulbs. Walk to the shops instead of automatically taking the car, and try to warm up with a sweater and a hot drink before automatically switching on the heating.

Saving Heating Costs

Well having no boiler has certainly made me think about how to keep the house warm. Keeping the curtains shut all day is keeping the bedrooms warmer as my windows are quite draughty. I am just heating the rooms I need, sad keeping the doors shut to keep that h eat in. So in the day I have a halogen heater on in the living room for a while to warm that up with the door shut, and at night I warm up the kids bedrooms early and then mine for a while later. Once we are in bed it is warm enough without heating at all (which we are used to anyway).
I haven't got any hot water bottles yet, but that was a useful suggestion that was given to me as well. Any other hints would be welcomed.

Warm Front

Warm Front give grants to help you be more energy efficient by helping with loft lagging, insulation and currently arranging for me to have a new boiler. If you are on benefits you can contact them on 0800 316 6011 or look at http://www.warmfront.co.uk/

Toddler Entertainment

I am very lucky to have in my local area two different groups who provide free activities for toddlers. I can go to 2 toddler groups a week for 2 hours with free play (and one optional craft activity) followed by a snack, songs and a story. I have 2 free sessions for 2 hours a week in a soft play area where toast and a drink (for both parent and child) are provided. I have 2 mornings a week where I can mix with other mums and my daughter is looked after by creche workers, and 2 other sessions a week for 1.5 hours each where I can do activities with my daughter for free.

I am not sure if these opportunities happen all over the country but it is certainly worth talking to your local health visitor who will know all about local free activities. Most libraries have a free story session which is great for toddlers. My daughters both love these when we can make them (unfortunately they currently clash with my voluntary work).

I don't take advantage of them all as the times aren't always convinient and in fact I would rather pay £1 a session for an alternative toddler group where my daughter is happier. But because I'm on a low income there are some swimming sessions I can get free too so there is plenty to keep us occupied.

The only problem is trying to explain to my older daughter why I didn't do the same amount of activities with her, which was because I had a higher income and had to pay for them all, plus I was working.

Birthday Savings

My daughter had a birthday yesterday and I found it very easy to make it cheaper. I found presents in the sales through the year to save money on her present. Got Barbie gift bags and invitations from Home Bargains for 40p for 20. Then I have saved on her party by having it at home instead of taking the children out. I made her birthday cake myself. Small savings really add up and a birthday that could have cost me hundreds of pounds ended up only costing about £50 including all her presents.