Photo by Stuart Miles

Christmas is an expensive time of year and especially so for many this Christmas. Therefore I thought I would share with you some of my frugal ideas to still make the festive period as magical as it should be without breaking the bank!

There are lots of ways of saving money and making things for Christmas and along with being frugal, it will give you some fun activities you can do with your children which will create great memories for them to look back on in years to come.

Cards and Wrapping Paper

I have decided this year that for family’s presents we are going to make our own wrapping paper! I know there are lots of stores selling cheap paper but I wanted to make our own as I thought not only is it cost effective, it will a nice activity to do with my little ones. So I have brought some parcel paper and will cut stars, angels and Christmas tree’s out of potatoes and stamped them in festive colours and maybe add some glitter too!

For the cards why not make some salt dough decorations which will hang on the front of folded piece of card. Salt dough is really easy to make and great to paint or simply glaze with PVA. You need 1 cup plain flour, ½ cup of salt, ½ cup of water. Mix it all together and roll out. Once you have cut them out bake them in the oven at 120C/240F for 2hrs. These are great for frugal decorations for your tree too!

There really aren’t that many ways to be frugal on what you spend on your children other than look out for offers on the items they want or use price comparison websites to check prices. But for family you can always make your own presents or recycle old items into new things. Old knitted jumpers can be turned into hot water bottle covers and mismatched tea sets can be made into a beautiful cake stands! Homemade biscuits and sweets are a lovely thoughtful gift and another activity your children can join in with. Another great gift idea is to fill a large jar with all the ingredients to make cookies, decorate the jar. Looks great and saves on time for you!

Decorations

Paper chains are easy to make and fun for your little ones to do. You can use coloured strips of paper or left over wrapping paper and glue to make the links. Pine cones edged in glue and glitter can make a great wintery table decoration when added to a candle and holly on a pretty plate.

Why not make your own stockings to hang on the fireplace? You can recycle worn out t shirts or old bed sheets by simply cutting out 2 stocking shape’s, sew or hot glue the two pieces together and decorate with glitter, glue and other crafty items you may have.

Food

If you are having family over for Christmas dinner, why not suggest everyone bringing a dish with them. It could be vegetables or a dessert, every little helps!  Buying own brand nibbles such as nuts and crisps will also save some money and if you have time, try popping into your local supermarket just before closing on Christmas Eve as they usually have some great reductions with the stores being shut for a few days.

So I hope these ideas and tips will help you save money and still enjoy the most wonderful time of the year!

WIth the economy in the state it is in, it is always nice to be able to save money, especially on nice treats that you may not always find the spare money for.

Well there are many sites around nowadays that offer fantastic savings on activities, beauty treatments, days out, theatre tickets, meals out and items for around your home.

Deals London is a great place to visit if you are looking to take a trip there and want to find some great treats that won’t cost the earth. They have amazing savings on activities, such as art lessons or meals out, so making the most of your visit to London won’t leave you counting your pennies.

Another great site to visit if you are planning on a trip the the capital is Groupon London, again this site has even more savings on activities such as theatre tickets and driving days. These would also make great birthday or Christmas presents for your loved ones.

Livingsocial currently has some exciting offers including a bespoke suit with a saving of 59% off RRP and a teeth whitening which would save you 79% off RRP. These are great savings, meaning you can spend less on enjoying yourself making it even more enjoyable!

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With summer upon us, it means warmer weather, tans, BBQs, and longer days. Sadly, this can also mean higher energy bills. The hot weather means many people use more energy on air conditioning and water usage. So, I?ve joined forces with uSwitch and uSwitchforbusiness to bring you some brilliant energy saving tips. Therefore, before you dust out the BBQ, slap on the sun tan lotion and get out the burgers, here are five fantastic tips to help you save money this summer?

1. Replace Your Old Air Conditioning System

Replacing your old air conditioning system with a new energy efficient one is a great way of saving you money. Keep your eyes open for cheaper air conditioning systems that may also have energy approved program standards. If you run a small business you may want to look at the service history of any air conditioning systems you may have and replace them with newer models. This will ultimately help reduce your business electricity bills and save your company a small fortune.

2. Change Your Cooking Methods

I don?t mean become Ray Mears and start rubbing two sticks together to cook a wild boar on a spit (although that would be tasty). Simply consider using your microwave or an outside grill instead of an oven. Heating up your oven on a daily basis can add more heat to your house and make your air conditioning system work harder and therefore use more energy.

3. Automate your thermostat:

With gas and electricity prices set to rise this summer, why not lower your energy bills by purchasing an automated thermostat to regulate the temperature in your house. Programming your air conditioning system to come on just before you arrive home will allow you to not waste any heat during the hours that you are away.

4. Keep your house cool

Here?s a helpful tip that will leave your home feeling cooler during the summer. When it is the hottest part of the day, close your curtains or blinds to block out extra warm sun rays. This means that your household will feel cooler and your air conditioning system won?t have to work as hard to pump cold air around the rooms of your home.

5. Use Cooler Showers

With the sizzling summer heat roasting your skin, a refreshing shower really helps to cool you down. When showering at home, try and make sure you reduce the temperature as this will save you money on your heating bill.

So, here are my five top energy saving tips aimed at saving you money this summer by reducing your energy consumption. Remember, saving money on your gas and electricity bills doesn?t have to be difficult. Simply use these five easy energy saving tips to reduce your expenditure, protect the environment and ensure you and your family are cool during the summer.

I can’t bring myself to mention the ‘c’ phrase, which relates to money and the economy. We’re all suffering, even the rich folks are losing equity, shame. We have to find ways to cut the proverbial cloth, and if you don’t fancy partaking in Britain’s favourite thrifty pastime, a clothes swapping party is a fair alternative.

We held our own ‘swap party’ a couple of weeks ago. A few family members, a couple (read half dozen) bottles of cheap plonk, and some knock down party food from the other dirty word (Tesco) plus a few binliners of, ahem, quality garments (open to interpretation) and you’re good to go.

There are a few different styles you can adopt.

The Catwalk Stylee

Clothes are presented and guests try on outfits, the rest of the group can provide feedback and whoever suits the clothes best get to keep them.

The Boot Sale Stylee

Clothes are thrown onto tables in no particular fashion, distribution is a free-for-all, biting and kicking is discouraged.

The Auction Stylee

The owner presents each item in turn, describing its merits. Guests are invited to ‘bid’ on items, this can be done with vouchers or simply presenting a good enough reason why they are deserving of the item.

Ours was a huge success, I bagged a pile of, actually, very good quality clothes for the winter and saved myself perhaps a couple of hundred pounds. A few drinks, a bit of girly chat, all in all a very pleasant eveining of thrifty entertainment.

A while back I wrote an article about keeping costs low as a new mum, it’s time to update that article with ideas suitable for toddlers and the parents of.

Food

Milk

We moved from powder milk to full fat milk as soon as Erin was 12 months (recommended earliest age). Not only is the carton milk cheaper it’s also ready made – our mornings became that little bit smoother as a result.

Breakfast

I buy weetabix in bulk packets, for non weetabix days we have granary toast. These options are inexpensive and healthy.

Lunch

I usually provide a ‘picky plate’. My time working at a nursery taught me that this was one of the most effective ways to get children to eat a variety of well balanced food. I usually serve a bread product ie a sandwich, bread & jam or pitta. A meat product, usually mini sausages, ham or chicken bites. Fruit & vegetables, whatever I have, which is usually baby tomatoes, cucumber sticks, carrot sticks, strawberries and grapes.

Snacks

Fruit, biscuit, or occasionally a few crisps.

Dinner

A mini version of whatever we are having.

The point I’m making is that by keeping it simple and within what you already purchase it’s cheap and efficient to feed your toddler healthy food.

Toys

Most of the toys in our home have been christmas or birthday gifts. When I do buy something it’s usually a toy I know will last a long time and be used in different ways ie the kitchen we recently splurged on.

I know that over time the kitchen will be a cafe, a laundrette, a fast food outlet and probably much more than even I can think of. You can’t go wrong with kitchens, tool benches, cleaning sets and doll related stuff, they are perfect for the 1-5 year olds.

Clothes

Buy staples items like vests, pyjamas and socks cheaply from supermarkets or low cost shops. Accept hand-me-downs as ‘playing clothes’. This leaves nearly your whole clothing budget to spend on the main clothing items.

I buy seasonally, usually one season ahead, this way Erin doesn’t become desperate for things and I can take my time and find the nicest clothes and sometimes some good deals too. Although we never seem to have enough socks??

Entertainment

Mix paid entertainment with free stuff. Our freebie entertainment includes the library, museums, the park, feeding the ducks, and the petting farm. Our paid days out are usually swimming and soft play. Save the most expensive days out for special occasions ie the zoo.

Please jump in with your own ideas, just click on the comments button below if your new to this blog thing.

1. Accept Hand-Me-Downs

Don’t be too proud to accept second hand goods, the money you save can be used to buy other baby products. Alternatively put the savings into a trust fund, your baby will be pleased you did when they turn eighteen.

2. Don’t Go On A Spending Spree

As tempting as it may be, it’s not a good idea. You are likely to receive many gifts after your baby is born, wait, and then buy extras when you can see exactly what you need. There are only so many babygros and towels your baby needs.

3. Bargain Hunt

Search for bargains on Ebay, Freecycle and Babywear Exchange.

4. Baby Basics

Buy your baby basics (vests, babygros etc..) from supermarkets. If you’re in the UK, Tesco, Asda and Sainburys do a great job of these. Any suggestions for baby basics in the US?

5. One Pram Only

Buy one pram that adjusts for different ages.

6. Baby Food

Make your own. The cost of making your own is a fraction of what it costs to buy a jar.

7. Milk

If you’re bottle-feeding use powder milk rather than ready-made. If you can breastfeed, do so (but only if you want to!)

8. Cheap Days Out

Don’t waste money on lavish days out that your baby won’t remember. Instead utilise museums and galleries with free entrance, save the big trips until your baby is at least a toddler and can take it in.

9. Call To Arms For Knitters

Ask knitters to knit blankets and jumpers, you could offer to provide the wool.

10. Sterilizer

Buy a cheap microwave sterilizer rather than the fancy gadgets on the market, they do the same job and can’t break down.

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It’s The Little Things That Count

As the title says it’s the little things that count, and the little things that you and your guests will remember. The hand-made but very beautiful table centre pieces, the table toy for someone’s child…..

Here are some suggestions;

My wedding as I mentioned was in Wales so we had someone make Scottish Tablet to go with the coffee instead of mints.

A special speech of thank-you’s.

A slide-show (keep it short!)

A special song played for someone

Giving the bouquet to the eldest guest is a nice gesture especially if they have been married a long time – it may bring you good luck.

And Finally

It matters not how grand the wedding, but the quality of the marriage after it.

The Complete Dream Wedding Series

Part 1 – Utilise Friends and Family

Part 2 – Contributors

Part 3 – Location, Location, Location

Part 4 – Clothing

Part 5 – Food

Part 6 – Wedding Stationery

Part 7 – Wedding Favours & Decorations

Part 8 – Gifts and Rings

Part 9 – It’s the Little Things that Count

Gifts and Rings

Aaaah so you thought you were the only one to get gifts….. nope! It’s tradition to give the attendants a gift to say thank you for their contribution to the day. So that’s the bridesmaids, flowergirl,and pageboy. I also think it’s nice to give something to the best men and anyone who has contributed to the wedding.

These gifts don’t need to be expensive though. I suggest personalised gifts, they are special but not too expensive.

Here are some suggestions;

Engraved tankards (good for best men, and usually under ?20)

A personalised book for children.. you know…the ones that include their name.

An engraved bangle

An engraved cigar case

On eBay you can buy wine, whisky and champagne with personalised labels, in fact I did male table presents of miniature whisky bottles with personalised labels – they seemed to go down really well (down the throat, most of them!)

Rings

They are one of the only things that will last after the big day, so spend some money and buy ones that you not only love but that are good quality and will last ‘a lifetime’. I spent 10% of my overall spend on the rings. No regrets here. And if it all goes wrong….at least you’ll have something solid to throw at them!! (JOKING)

Wedding Favours & Decorations

Once again, the best advice I can give you is make them yourself.

Buy sugared almonds by the bucket load, a length of voile type material in your wedding colours…get all the ladies around and have a favour making party. Keep it simple.

Substitute some flowers for balloons or another type of decoration, flowers are very expensive. Consider using some fake flowers.

Make your own table decorations, vases, glass pebbles, candles, confetti…again, keep it simple, the simple designs tend to have the most impact.

You will get lots of ideas from wedding fairs and magazines.

Remember a small ‘table toy’ is a welcome distraction for young children!

Wedding Stationery

Invitations (ceremony and evening), order of service, menu cards, place cards, thank-you cards. It all adds up.

I have one thing to say… Make Your Own! This is the single biggest way to save money on stationery.

Go to craft and wedding fairs where you will meet with suppliers, watch presentations, and most importantly get lots of ideas. These days there are plenty of craft shops with a variety of products and materials for all levels of competence.

If you’re a dab hand, buy some embossing equipment, fancy paper and create away.

If you’r not too hot, buy embellishments to stick directly onto cards. Pick up a cheap calligraphy set to write your cards and envelopes seal for that extra touch. This is one area to get the family involved, if there is someone who is particularly creative farm the work out to them (for a bottle of wine or two!).

If you really cannot stand the idea of ‘doing it yourself’ there are plenty of people providing this service on eBay for reasonable prices. Be sure to ask for a sample first, and order in plenty of time so if you aren’t happy there is plenty of time to sort it out.