Emma and 3 Saves

Saving You Money

  • About Me
  • Family Life
  • Saving Tips
  • Bargain Buys
  • PR & Disclosure
    • Competition Terms and conditions
  • Work with me
  • In the media
  • Personal Finance
  • Making Money
  • Travel

How to live well and spend smart

November 20, 2017 by EmmaB 11 Comments

The coco cola advert has been on, the celebs (or their dads and wives) are in the jungle. It can only mean one thing – Christmas is coming.  This week traditionally sees the start of Christmas shopping for many.  Black Friday is this week and with it a whole host of voucher deals to get us to part with our hard-earned cash.

Many of us are not good at talking about money. I find it so subjective when people ask what is the right amount to spend on their children or partners for presents.  I spend quite a bit on my teenagers, less on my 8-year-old. But my quite a bit is very different to others as it is relative to what we have.  I have never bought presents on credit cards and would never want to see people buying what they cannot afford.  Likewise, I may spend a fair bit but I don’t tend to buy them things throughout the year.

When I started this blog, the premise was simple. I wanted to show how I live well, but at the same time, I am mindful of my income.  I left a regular salary to go self-employed, and with that comes months of boom and the odd month of bust. I had to adjust my spending and my expectations to fit in with my new lifestyle.  I chose to leave the stability of a regular income to be more available to my children, but we all had to adjust to this new approach.  Especially in those early days and months that followed.

My tips for living well but living for less are easy to follow but I thought it iss a good time to refresh how I manage to give my kids pretty much what they want without breaking the bank.

  1. Lists, be organised.  I ask the children to write me a list of what they would like for Christmas.  This means that we are not wasteful and I get them to think about the things they need as well as want.  I have this list in my notes on my phone. This often includes practical things as well as a wishlist.
  2. Set a budget.  Ours is not to the exact pound but we have a rough budget which the children know.  This manages their expectations, especially as they get older.
  3. Buy throughout the year.  I absolutely love a bargain and one of my favourites is the Boots sale when it hits 70%. In fact, my vlog of the sale is one of my more popular captures, you see can see it and subscribe to my channel here. I always manage to have a drawer full of lovely presents that I can use throughout the year and they will often make up the stockings for my kids too.  One tip is to buy gift sets but then separate out the products or repackage them.
  4. Using My Voucher Codes allows you to get the best deals.  There are often codes for free delivery or 10% off.  There promises to be plenty of voucher deals listed on Black Friday. With the amazing voucher codes, you can save even more on the 24th November. In the lead up to the event, the MVC Savvy Squad has been dedicated to searching the web to find and bring you only the best Black Friday vouchers and offers.
  5. When buying online use Topcashback wherever you can.  I have just withdrawn over £100 of FREE money.  Money I have simply been given because I shop through Topcashback first. If you sign up through this link you will be given £5 Amazon voucher for FREE to get you started.
  6. Homemade where you can.  My youngest loves crafting so making cards is her thing.  I buy blank cards and let her make Christmas cards, this works out so much cheaper, plus it occupies Erin. Last year we also made a Christmas rag wreath for under £5.

These money saving tips allows me to cut corners but certainly not go without.  I would estimate I save thousands of pounds each year with my money savings approach.  What do you do to make your money go further? If you have enjoyed this money saving post make sure you like my Facebook Page and follow me on Twitter for more of the same.

 

Share this:

  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Related

«
»

Filed Under: Saving Tips

Comments

  1. Becky says

    November 20, 2017 at 3:04 pm

    Great post Em – really good tips
    Becky recently posted…How to revamp your wardrobe with broochesMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Eileen Adamson says

    November 20, 2017 at 5:25 pm

    Great post Emma. Loving your rag wreath!

    Reply
    • Katy from Modern Mummy says

      November 21, 2017 at 8:25 pm

      Great tips – thank you 🙂 x

      Reply
  3. Jane Taylor says

    November 20, 2017 at 6:37 pm

    I’m glad you mentioned homemade presents, Emma. I haven’t done it this year yet but I often create calendars or frame some prints or create things on Photoshop. My daughter’s friend wrapped her favourite coloured thread around her iphone headphones and they look fab. She was really delighted with such a thoughtful gift.

    Reply
  4. Kerry says

    November 20, 2017 at 7:06 pm

    Yes, homemade seems to get forgotten around Black Friday, although I am sure crafting type shops probably have their own black friday sales.

    Reply
  5. Emma says

    November 20, 2017 at 7:13 pm

    We love homemade presents – they are the tear jerkers. Puts the commercial side of Chrsitmas to shame when you get an amazing handmade gift that’s meaningful 🙂
    Emma recently posted…Christmas gift guide : practical presents for MumsMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Lynn james says

    November 20, 2017 at 8:34 pm

    Homemade gifts are the best. So thoughtful.

    Reply
  7. Andy Webb says

    November 21, 2017 at 1:10 pm

    It really can be harder when you’re self employed can’t it, especially as when you don’t have a guaranteed income.

    Reply
  8. Lauren - Dilan and Me says

    November 21, 2017 at 8:51 pm

    Really good tips, I’m going to save this as a reminder! Thanks for posting x

    Reply
  9. Tightwad Mama says

    November 22, 2017 at 1:27 pm

    We love homemade gifts! Such a good way to make gifts more personal.

    Reply
  10. Emma Drew says

    November 22, 2017 at 1:38 pm

    Homemade gifts are such a lovely idea – I love receiving them so I don’t know why I don’t make more of an effort to make them. Great tips!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hello Savvy Savers

EmmaBBlogger, teacher and more importantly mummy to 3. Committed to raising awareness of DDH Developmental Dysplasia of Hip. Finalist in the The Mad blog awards 2014 Read More…

Let’s Hangout

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Is it Time you Thought About Investing?
  • Five Fabulously Frugal Things I’ve Done Linky
  • Find My Child Trust Fund: Parents of Teenagers MUST Read This Up To £1000 Could Be Waiting For You
  • 6 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Moving Abroad
  • Finding the Right Childcare when on a Budget
  • 5 Easy Ways to Organise your Home
  • How to Save Money on Laundry
  • Everday Money Saving Tips for You and Me
  • Tips for Budgeting on an Irregular Income
  • Five Fabulously Frugal Things I’ve Done Linky

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Categories

Archives


HIBS100 Index of Home and Interior Blogs
HIBS100

Tots100

MAD Blog Awards UK 2015

One show

Copyright © 2019 · Design by Stacey Corrin

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.