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

Sarah Controls Her Finances Thanks To Better Off Finance

Sometimes it’s the simple changes that can make the biggest difference, especially when it comes to our finances. Getting the ball rolling when starting to budget can be difficult but in the long term can have a huge impact on how you spend. Our key workers at Better Off Finance are experts in knowing what changes can be made to start the journey to a positive debt free future. 

Struggling with her budget and looking to get a better understand of her money and the ways she could save, Sarah approached citizens advice Wirral where she found out all about how the Better Off Finance programme could improve her financial savviness.

Sitting down with Sarah, she looked at the simple changes that can be made like looking at gas/electric comparisons, looking at contents insurance to make sure household personal possessions are fully covered for repairing or replacing and we looked at opening a credit union account.

Sarah is now in control of her debt: “I am more positive, happy and confident knowing my finances are under control and being managed better with the amount I can afford to pay”

Alongside receiving financial advice she has been able to meet new people and also get some great tips on how to save for the future. “I think people should really think about coming onto the programme, I like how talking about finances isn’t made scary or serious and the group can have a good laugh whilst doing it”

Since attending the programme, she will now be going on to volunteer at Wirral point in Birkenhead as a receptionist.

“The Key Worker who ran the programme was brilliant at delivering the contents and information, extremely friendly and was easy to approach”

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 National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative

Danielle Can See a Clear Future Thanks to Better Off Finance

Worrying about debts piling up and having just had her benefits sanctioned, Danielle was told about the Better Off Finance Programme in Halton Citizens Advice and decided it was time she took control of her finances and gave it a go.

Recently, we spoke about how debt can have detrimental effect on a person’s mental health and how it can make a person’s behaviour to change dramatically during the period of poor health. Feeling vulnerable due to mental health, Danielle felt she was unable to engage with the working programmes she had been sent on by the Job Centre leaving her to live on just £277 per month and was struggling to make ends meet.  

Being able to sit down one to one and engage with a Better Off Finance key worker meant that Danielle was able to figure out ways to increase her income and take the appropriate actions that saw her sanctions removed which has left her with a much better outlook on life:

“My mental health and relationship with my 12-year-old son has improved since going through the programme due to having more money coming into the family”

Completing the programme full of confidence, she now engages with work programmes to help her into employment and recently completed an employability course with Riverside.

“I really liked the one to one support and being able to have direct contact with my key worker, Gill. It’s really helped my confidence and I was so glad to get help with my sanction”

Struggling with poor mental health for many years, Danielle found it hard to manage her finances and is now able to breathe easier with an increased income and has more knowledge about her universal credit claims online.

“I have so much more confidence than before! I would definitely recommend it as I can now see a future for me and my son. I really want to get into work, and now I can start to think about it as I’m starting to manage my debts.”

Thanks to Danielle for sharing her story, we're excited about what your future holds. 

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

My Turn is Back with New Dates Available

Early in the year we introduced you to our new course ‘My Turn’. The 2-day personal development journey that is helping residents in the Liverpool City Region say hello to their confidence and help them knock down those barriers to change and now were happy to announce that we’re back!

We’ve just released new dates in various locations around the Liverpool City Region, we have a location that will be available for you!

📍 Citizens Advice Wirral - 3rd & 19th December 2018

    237-243 Liscard Rd, Wallasey CH44 5TH

📍 Citizens Advice St Helens - 14th & 18th December 2018
    Millennium Centre, Corporation St, Saint Helens WA10 1HJ

📍 Citizens Advice Wavertree - 30th November & 5th December 2018
    242 Picton Rd, Liverpool L15 4LP

📍 Citizens Advice Garston - 20th & 27th November 2018
    2 Speke Rd, Garston, Liverpool L19 2PA

📍 Citizens Advice Sefton - 4th & 5th December 2018
    297 Knowsley Rd, Bootle L20 5DF

📍 Citizens Advice Halton - 15th & 22nd November 2018
    Grosvenor House, Halton Lea, Runcorn WA7 2HF

📍 Citizens Advice Knowsley - 5th & 12th December 2018
    Kirkby Job Centre Plus, St. Chads House, L32 8RW

If you’re new to ‘My Turn’ let me tell you what it’s all about. Across 2 sessions, the course will have you looking at various factors in your life that will give you the best boost for the future. You will receive support to:

✅ Build your confidence

✅ Overcome your barriers

✅ Build Your Skills and Qualities

✅ Drive your assertiveness

Each session will focus on the different steps to take for a positive future:

Day 1 – Think, Believe and Achieve will look at strategies that you can use to help you become more confident and assertive

Day 2 – Positive Next Steps will help you to identify barriers hindering your goals and give you the tools to help with future employment searches.

We recently went behind the scenes with our trainer Victoria, to get an insiders peek on the sessions, you can take a look here!

And that’s not all! By attending the programme, you could get access to a specialist key worker who can help with taking your goals even further. Key workers are specialists in financial capability, helping people understand more about their finances and personal needs.

You will also get the opportunity attend accredited training through our Money Mentor programme. The programme offers guidance and training to go out and help others with financial advice and support.

Dates are available in various locations around the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, Wirral, Halton, St Helens). This programme is open to men and women who are currently out of work. 

To book onto the programme or for more information call us on 0151 706 8111 or email us hello@thewo.org.uk

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.

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 

New Dates Added for Money Mentors Accredited Training!

Are you interested in learning more about managing money / debt, and then helping others to understand more?

You can access accredited training and become a community based Money Mentor. This is an excellent opportunity from the Better Off Finance Programme to access learning on Supporting Universal Credit Claimants.

This two day program is being run at 54 St James Street in the Baltic Triangle in Liverpool.

Supporting Universal Credit Claimants

27th November & 4th December 2018

10 – 3pm

These courses are level 2 accredited and lunch will be provided.

These courses are part of the wider Better Off Finance Programme and attendees must be willing to complete registration to the programme in order to access the training.  Full details of sign up process can be supplied at time of enquiry.

To be eligible for the training and for the programme, participants must live in the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, Knowsley, St Helens or Halton) and not in paid employment.

Expenses may be available on request.

What is Better off Finance?

From understanding benefit entitlement to receiving support around managing debts, Better Off Finance is an innovative partnership between The Women’s Organisation, Citizens Advice, and RAISE. The project support residents of Liverpool City Region to improve their financial competency and offer pathways to sustainable employment.  Jointly funded by National Lottery and European Social Fund.

To find out more click here to download the course outline booklet or contact the team: on 0151 706 8111 and hello@thewo.org.uk

Marie Boosts Her Self-Esteem Leaving Her Financially Better Off

The Better off Finance Programme came into Marie’s life, just when she needed it- not only improving her budget but, heightening her confidence to match. 

Struggling with the prospect of several years out of work, Marie's self esteem was interfering with getting back into employment. After previously leaving education with less qualifications than hoped, the only barrier stopping her from retaking these subjects- was herself.

Taking the first positive step, she enrolled on the Better Off Finance Programme after advice to attend from the Citizens Advice. Being able to access this kind of support, she began to enjoy the prospect of starting more courses and reaped the benefits out of each session. Marie completed My Turn And WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning) courses, beaming with knowledge and future prospects.

It was fear and confidence that she soon realised was holding her back from taking the necessary first steps towards moving into employment. The prospect of new people and new surroundings would overwhelm Marie, preventing the ambition to feel comfortable in new employment. However, attending programmes was the spring board to meet like minded individuals, potentially struggling with the same fears and troubles.

These programmes became a confidence enhancer, making find her voice and her feet in group settings and new people. In her own words being a woman who didn’t know how to discuss her opinions, embarked in new conversations feeling content and safe to do so.

'Managing me' run by the Next Chapter course, opened Marie’s awareness into herself, and the platform to then set goals and strategies to help manage anxiety. Taking volunteering on twice a week at a food bank and charity shop, she gained tremendous confidence in feeling safe around others, and her skill set continued to grow. 

Taking the small successful steps to slowly gain the confidence and esteem to now be enrolled in study and gain the qualifications that Maria aspires to have. In the mean time accessing support to write a CV and confidently looking for employment.

"Having someone supporting and encouraging me left me feeling like I was able to do things for myself."

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

Better Off Finance Inspires Catharine to Pursue Business Dream

Feeling overwhelmed with the complexity of the benefits system, Catharine used to avoid looking into her finances alone. Now, with support from Better Off Finance Catharine has become financially savvy and confident to start her own business. It seems that for Catharine, the only way is up! 

Having left her teaching job due to illness in 2011, Catharine was unemployed for 7 years and receiving job seekers allowance, feeling unable to progress with her business dream. Joining the Better Off Finance programme gave Catharine the time, space and advice to assess her monthly outgoings and work out where she could become more money-smart.

Better Off Finance programme supports people to improve their financial capability and prepare and progress into sustainable employment, or access training opportunities. Feeling anxious whenever she tried to look in to her finances alone, Better Off Finance ensured Catharine was utilising the support she was eligible for.

With her key worker’s support, Catharine managed to save £100 a month; “I really feel like he has given me tools for life to maximise my income and minimise my outgoings, I always tended to bury my head when it came to this stuff – now I have the confidence to find and negotiate better deals for monthly necessities”.

Regaining control of her personal finances, Catharine felt empowered to begin thinking about employment opportunities and the next step forward. Often the scariest thing about pursing a business-dream is the reality of becoming a business-owner. Catharine knew her passion but didn’t believe she had the enterprise skills or experience to turn that passion into a business – and that’s where Enterprise Hub came in.

Head over to The Women's Organisation blog to hear more of Catharine's story.

If you’d like to find out more about Better Off Finance or Enterprise Hub, contact us on 0151 706 8111 and speak to a member of our Engagement Team.