How to Stop Spending Money and Start Saving
No matter where you are in your money saving journey as a family, there are some really good FREE tools that can help you along the way, plus save you loads of time on writing lists or searching for the best deals.
The trick is knowing the right tools to use at the right stage of your saving journey so you don’t end up with a stack of apps you don’t use that could start costing you money or full back into bad money habits.
My commitment to you is that everything on this list I have personally used or use currently myself. It something then doesn’t work for me, then I’ll say here or delete it, depending on the issue.
Many of these links are affiliate links, which means I may get a very small commission if you purchase something or sign up. These are shown with a *. There’s no pressure to use any of these services and none of these websites have asked or paid me a fee to be mentioned. These are just the sites I use and some have given me an extra discount just for being a reader of Savings 4 Savvy Mums.
If there’s anything you think is missing from this page, please email me at [email protected] with your suggestions. I’d love to hear them!
I offer a range of free resources myself these include:
Saving Money
Bulb* – Switch to Bulb & get £40 cash back
Plum* – It’s completely free and it lets you input your salary and outgoings, plus links to all your accounts including savings and investments.
Switch Craft*: They automatically switch you when there’s a better deal
Go Henry*: A pre-paid pocket money card and app for kids
Quidco* – You get money off whenever you shop online through their sites which can really come in handy. It doesn’t cost you a penny to use them. If you make a purchase through their site you receive the money. It’s that simple!
Muscle Foods* – Cheap but healthy cuts of meat for the whole family. Loads of bundle deals available and it comes straight to your door already packed, ready to be refrigerated and frozen.
Amazon Prime* – Use as a free trial and order whatever you need. Remember to cancel once the trial ends. Great for Christmas and other bulk buying.
Compare The Market* – Compare your bills and make sure that you are getting the best deal.
Approved Foods* – Offering cheap and past sell by date foods.
Making Money
Extra income:
Profit Accumulator* – A matched betting tool that gives you the best odds and lays out clearly your lay bet. It’s free to use in till you make £45. This gives you enough time to work out if matched betting is really for you.
The Free Postcode Lottery* – Signing up to free daily draws means that if you lucky you could win money without doing anything! It does takes up to an hour to register for them all but only takes about 2 minutes to check if you’ve won daily. We normally check on our phones while the kettle is boiling.
Surveys:
A handy little earner that you can do on your phone while out or in front of the TV when the kids have finally settled. You won’t necessarily make bundles of cash, but for just 20 minutes or so work, you could make a few pounds.
These are the one’s we’ve used before but there are plenty floating about that payout in either vouchers or cold hard cash:
Starting a business:
Virtual Assistant Toolkit – The ultimate spreadsheet pack for your virtual assistant business. This is for mums who have never been a Virtual Assistant before but who would like to start working from home.
Learn how to make money from home – A monthly membership program where you are at the heart of what I do. You are mentored and advised throughout your online business journey.
Turn Your Dreams into Reality Course* – Is a walkthrough on how to start a blog and make money. Emma Drew’s Turn Your Dreams into Reality Course is a great resource for all bloggers who want to make their blog their full time job.
Smash Affiliate Marketing Course* – Is another great course from Emma Drew that walks you through how to make a passive income from affiliate marketing.
Smarter Queue* – An easy to use scheduling system that connects to all your social media feeds. You schedule once and it will publish whenever you need it. A real time saver.
TSO Host* – This is your www. name that people will search for. Try and think of a name that matches your business or that you think your customers will be searching for.
Web hosting with TSO Host* – These are the people that will host your website on their server. You want a company you can trust. We’ve used many over the years but TSO Host are a good place to start when you need your online store hosting*. You get 10% with TSO Host by using our code S4SM10%OFF.
Mailerlite* – We use Mailerlite as they have great customer service and easy to build email templates*. (Remember to check the ISO website for GDPR guidelines.)
People Per Hour* – A content mill website where you can advertise your services and get replies back. They do take a big chuck of your commission so watch how much you charge.
Fiverr* – Another great place to advertise. It is a race to the bottom but is fab if you’re new to the freelance world and want to get a portfolio together.
Managing Money
Plum* – Can help you build up your savings while showing you exactly where your money is going. You can link all your accounts to it. It’s very transparent! It’s free to use and perfect if you prefer all your knowledge in one place.
Yolt* – This app predicts future spending so you have a “smart balance”. You can see all your accounts in one app, including any investments or savings you have.
Cleo* – Cleo uses a chatbot in Facebook so is perfect if you’re in their a lot. It’s easy to use and gives you instant access.
Chip* – Held in a Barclay’s e-wallet, Chip is great if you want to save easily and have access to your money quickly.
Cheap Eats
Tastecard* – Money off restaurant card that the whole family can use. Gives you 50% off at many well known chains. Is currently £1 for 90 days if you buy before the end of January 2018.
KidsPass* – Money off everywhere including the cinema, big chain restaurants and days out. Currently £1 for 30 days!
Gourmet Society * – 25% off your total bill with drinks! Currently £1 for the first 90 days.
Cheap Reads
The Savvy Shoppers Cookbook by Amy Sheppard
Packed with easy, cheap and nutritious meal ideas perfect for the whole family.
Fast and Fresh One Pound Meals by Migual Barclay
This is how to cook delicious food for less. All cost just £1 per person and are easy to do.
Eat Well For Less by Jo Scaratt-Jones
This has over 80 delicious recipes, an easy to follow meal-planning guide, advice on freezing and storing food, a family budget planner and lots of ideas to get kids cooking.
The Best Cheap Outlets the Web has to Offer
Loads of discounted lingerie, gifts, and accessories.
Reduced fridges, washing machines, TVs, pretty much anything electrical.
Refurbished and new toys and electricals. Like the high street shop but with more money off.
Up to half price off kids and adult clothing.
Loads of designer clothing brands at a discounted price.
All new appliances. Cookers, washing machines etc
New and used laptops, games consoles and phones.
Loads of UK clothing brands at low prices.
New and refurbished hoovers, fans and heaters.
Up to 20% off on toys, like flying drones and lava lamps.
Up to 50% off women’s clothes and 30% off homeware.
Loads of furniture bargains.
Designer clothes and electrical items at low prices.
Up to 69% off of bedding, car seats and prams.
Up to 50% off on furniture and 20% homeware.
Discount clothing and toys, shipped throughout the UK.
Shoes! Loads of designers like Converse, Vans, and Adidas.
Up to half price off kids toys, like Barbies, Lightsabers and games.
Up to 80% off sports clothing.
Branded women’s and men’s clothing up to 75% off.
Branded items including homeware, toys, and electricals.
Up to 50% the top kids toys.
Clothing labels for women and kids at a low price. Shipped throughout the UK.