JON CLIFT - Your Money Use less – save more An A–Z guide to making your money go further

First published in 2009 by
Green Books
Foxhole, Dartington
Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EB
www.greenbooks.co.uk

Jon Clift and Amanda Cuthbert 2009
All rights reserved

Design
Stephen Prior

DISCLAIMER: The advice in this book is believed to be correct at the time of printing, but the authors and publishers accept no liability for actions inspired by this book.

Print edition: ISBN 978 1 900322 53 9
PDF edition: ISBN 978 0 85784 033 2
ePub edition: ISBN 978 0 85784 034 9

Cutting down on your spending can be good news. It can give you a great opportunity to meet new people: by getting together to swap books, clothes, toys, baby gear or to buy food, you can make new friends, and helping each other feels good!

Meals from fresh ingredients made at home are often cheaper than ready-made meals, and need not take long to make; they are also tastier and more nutritious. Unlock your creative juices!

Travelling on foot or by bike, even for part of your journey, has the bonus of keeping you fit, saving on gym fees and of course saving you money you will feel better too.

It is almost always cheaper to do things that benefit the environment: for example, a bottle of vinegar and some bicarbonate of soda can be used in place of many cleaning products and cost a fraction of the price. Reduce, reuse, recycle saves cash in almost every area of life.

The less you buy, the more cash you have in your pocket and the fewer goods there are going to landfill and polluting the planet and theres a lot of free stuff to be had, if you can take time to find it.

So use this book to have fun, be more self-sufficient and get together with others to share costs. Whether its buying in bulk, watching a DVD with friends or organising a clothes swap party, youll save money.

A charity for older people that can help with free money advice. The Age UK adviser can check to see if you are claiming all your benefits, help you fill in your claim form, and might even be able to come and visit you if you have problems leaving your home.
www.ageuk.org.uk0800 169 6565 to find your local branch.

Drinks, especially if you are socialising, can be a large part of your budget. If you are out for a night on the town, you can control your budget by having a kitty where everybody puts the same amount into a pot to fund the evenings drinks. Dont forget to look for happy hour deals, and if you are buying alcohol for drinking at home, look for deals in local shops.

Have fun brewing your own beer and/or making your own wine, either using kits or using cheap or even free fruit such as windfall apples. Its great fun and very satisfying especially if other people like it!

Babies and young children change size so quickly that to buy new clothes and equipment all the time can be very expensive.

You may find a bargain in your local charity shop, or be able to swap childrens clothing and equipment with other parents. Its a great way to get out and meet others, and to save loads of money. You can either organise a clothes swap session yourself maybe by mentioning it to other parents at pre-school or by contacting your local NCT (National Childbirth Trust). The NCT organises nearly-new sales where you can both sell your unwanted clothing as well as buy baby stuff such as prams, pushchairs, highchairs, etc.
www.nct.org.uk0300 3300 770 to see where your nearest nearly-new sale is being held.

Be aware when buying second-hand goods that older electrical products, such at sterilisers, may no longer be working properly and that bottles, teats and similar products may be made of plastic made before January 2007 these may contain substances that are now banned.

If you are about to have a baby and are considering whether or not to breastfeed, then dont forget that breast milk is totally free and requires no extra equipment. It really is the original, instant, ready-made meal and contains all the nutrients your baby needs for the first six months.

When you want to move your child on to solid food, dont be tempted by all the adverts for ready-made baby food. Although useful occasionally and extremely convenient, this can prove to be very expensive. You can make wonderful solid food for your baby costing almost nothing at all, but do talk to your health visitor or doctor about what type of food is suitable for babies at different ages; it is not advisable to give solid food before six months. Part or all of your own meal can often be mashed up with a fork and used to feed your baby. This is a great way to get your baby used to the tastes and textures of your family food.
www.nhs.uk/Planners/birthtofive/Pages/Healthydietweaninghub.aspx

A really simple way of making plenty of tasty instant baby food is to freeze small portions in ice-cube trays. Put the frozen food cubes into a freezer bag, label them, and put them into your freezer. But do remember to heat them through thoroughly and leave to cool before giving the food to your baby. There are a few common-sense rules you will need to follow to keep your baby safe and healthy; talk to your health visitor or look online.

Baby-sitting circles are the perfect way to have a night out and make friends with other parents in your area. Members of the group baby-sit for each other for free, with somebody keeping a tally of who sat and when. This normally works on a simple points system, with extra points given to those who baby-sit after midnight. All it needs is someone to start a circle how about you? Get one started by letting other parents know; doctors surgeries are a great place to advertise, and ask your health visitor to spread the word. Most baby-sitting circles change the organiser every couple of months to spread the workload.

If you think you are about to become bankrupt, or are considering making yourself bankrupt, get advice as soon as possible.

For free, confidential and impartial advice go to the Citizens Advice Bureau, or consult an independent organisation such as the Bankruptcy Advisory Service, who offer impartial advice for a small fee.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk0844 848 9600

www.bankruptcyadvisoryservice.co.uk