10 Easy Tips To Become a Savvy Saver

The following blog was written by our Intern from Liverpool John Moores University, Cerys Evans.

Whether you are saving for that summer holiday or if you just want some pocket money each month, the best way to get your finances in check is by making sure you're putting some money aside to save. We've rounded up the best 10 tips to use to become a savvy saver. 

1. Track your spending

Keeping track of your spending will help you stay within your budget. Set a budget for how much you can spend and then track it. Whether you want to keep track of your spending in a notebook or on your phone, make sure that you’re consistent and stick to your budget. There are now a lot of apps that will help you track your spends with the most popular being Monzo!

2. Find things to do for free

There are plenty of activities that you can do for free! Look at tourist centered sites to find out about museums, exhibitions, events and festivals happening in your local area. One of our favourites is Visit Liverpool and Day out With The Kids where they’ll gather all the information in one place, simple!

3. Leave debit/credit cards at home

This may seem a little strange… but leaving your debit/credit card at home and only taking the money you absolutely need is a simple way of making sure you don’t overspend! Tempted as you will be to purchase an item, you will have no choice but to walk away 

4. Avoid temptation - don’t go shopping if you don't need to

If you don’t go to the shops, you can’t be lured by nice things.

5. Decrease the amount of eating and drinking out

Try to leave eating out for a special occasion and start making your own food at home. It can save you a lot of money, but it can also be a chance to learn a new skill! Not convinced? Here’s some quick math for you…

£2.50 (one coffee a day in the week) x 5 coffees a week = £12.50

£12.50 x 4 weeks = £50

£50 x 12 months = £600 a year.

Making a coffee at home is a fraction of the price of that!!

6. Look on discount sites

If you do decide that you will go out for food or drinks, then you can take advantage of discount sites such as Groupon that will offer some great deals on food prices. There is always a discount code for stores when you buy anything online and a lot of the time you will be able to at least find 10% off which will make a big difference long term!

7. Cheaper supermarkets 

Make sure to always go for the supermarkets that offer you the best value for your money. It can be easy to opt for the supermarket that is closer and more convenient but by making sensible swap and choosing none-branded items you could save a good amount of money. A great way of finding out where best to shop is by using a supermarket price comparison tool, we've found a great one you can use here 

8. Plan your food shop

You know what they say: never go food shopping on an empty stomach. Work out prior to the supermarket trip what you need to buy and try to stick to just buying those items, but if there’s something that you use weekly you could stock up when prices are reduced. 

9. Switch energy suppliers

It's said by switching energy supplier each household could save up to £400 a year! It's an easy way to save money and it takes a couple of minutes to do. 

10. Sell your unused items online

Just because you're not using it anymore doesn't mean that somebody else won't! a great way to earn some extra money to put away is by selling your unused clothes, CD's, Books etc online! There is truly money to be made by items you probably haven't thought about in years. Some of the most popular sites to sell on include eBay, Music Magpie and Depop!

About us:

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. 

This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.
Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:
Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

Access employability sessions within the programme
Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity
Progress into training and education opportunities
Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a program jointly funded by The Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative

How to Find Volunteer Placements that Work

Volunteering can provide you with skills and knowledge you didn’t even know you wanted to learn. Maybe you did and that’s why you sought volunteering, but the benefits of a placement can be underestimated.

So, you are looking for a new career maybe? Boost your CV? Network?  All of this is possible within volunteering, whilst opportunities may show themselves that you didn’t even know were lurking.

First thing. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Knowing what you want from your volunteer placement is a good start. Do you want it to be within your field, or a complete new experience? Are you wanting to give back to the community or something that will build upon your skill set? Whatever your reasons for applying, know this within yourself and be honest in the process of looking for potential employers. This way you have a foundation of where you want to go.

Do your research. Knowing the companies, you are wanting to apply for and what is out there. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer that can be found on advertising sites such as: Do-it.org, reachvolunteering.org.uk, or other sites that can be found within a simple google search. Whilst some may advertise there may be others who do not, but if you have a place in mind, offer your services! Do not be afraid to approach, send the email or even better show up and ask to speak to someone who may be able to help. There are employers who would be thrilled to have a non-paid worker show up and help so don’t feel discouraged in putting yourself out there!

Don’t be afraid to interview the interviewer- before taking on any role (whether volunteer or otherwise) remember you need to establish whether this is suitable for you as well as for your employer. Taking on a commitment to a new role must both meet your needs as well that of the employers, and it is important to clarify this in the early stage. Have in mind questions you wish to ask to know what to expect from the employer:

“What positions do volunteers normally take?” 

“is there a chance to learn other roles?”

 “What do you expect from your volunteers”

 “What’s the working environment and culture of the company like?”

In return the employer may ask questions to you that you need to be prepared for such as:

“What do you expect from us” 

“Tell me about your work history and how does it relate to volunteering here?” 

“How long is the length of commitment we can expect from you” 

“How many hours a week can you commit”

 “What do you want to achieve within the time that you spend here with us”

These questions, even though they may seem overwhelming, are really telling to see whether they and you are both suitable for working with each other. The one element to have in this process is confidence. Regardless of whether this placement is suitable for you or not, the right one will show whether now or on the next attempt, don’t give up if its something you want. 

When the right one comes along you will have added skills, knowledge and potential pathways that you wouldn’t have found accessible in a more easy, productive way. Good foundations are worth investing in!

Remember to check out reachvolunteering.org.uk and do-it.org, Your next volunteering opportunity is just a click away!

If volunteering is something you would like to explore, talk to your Better Off Finance Key Worker about local routeways to volunteering and how the programme can help.

Better Off Finance is jointly funded by European Social Fund and National Lottery to support those out of work in the Liverpool City Region to improve their financial position and employment opportunities.