WITH the festive season nearly over, many of us will be starting to think about the new year.
And for some, that’s setting some new year’s resolutions.
Some will try to eat healthier, while others might want to learn a new skill.
But for most of us, we’ll all be vowing to cut our costs and give our savings accounts a much-needed boost.
Luckily keen bargain-hunter Beth has shared six easy ways we can all save money in January – and that includes ignoring the diet industry.
Beth, known online as @budgetingmum, regularly shares money-saving ideas with her 56,000 followers.
Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, the savvy mum of two admitted that like the rest of us, she’s been sucked into the sales and expensive gym deals.
“Even though I’m Budgeting Mum, I’ve still made mistakes in the past.
“I’ve been sucked into things, so my tips are really based on previous experience and what’s not worked and what I plan to do differently.”
So here are her do’s and don’ts for the month ahead…
“There’s going to be a massive push by the diet industry to join the gym, join Weight Watchers, go to Slimming World.
“Obviously if people want to spend money on that, that’s fine.
“But if they can’t afford to, there are other free ways that you can access advice about diet. There is loads online.
“And apps like the Couch to 5K. You can exercise for free without having to feel the pressure of going and taking out a big gym membership that’s going to be a financial strain on you.”
“Have a good clear out as you’re putting all the new stuff away.
“Whatever you get that replaces something you’ve got, then sell those things.”
“Everyone’s mad on Vinted at the moment, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, all of these different places depending on what you’re selling.
“Plus it’s a good way to make some money in January.”
“Isn’t it bizarre that we spend all of this money in December that we don’t normally spend, and then the January sales are shoved down our neck, making us spend even more money that we probably haven’t got?
“If you need something, then you’re getting a good deal.
“But if you’re just buying it because it’s in the sale, you’re just spending money that you didn’t need to.
“So it’s just about really prioritising.”
Beth also doesn’t recommend using the sales to get ahead on next year’s Christmas shopping.
“I don’t personally buy presents just because I don’t know what I want for Christmas next year, let alone what I want to buy for someone else.
“You end up with these little bits that you brought, and by the time December comes around, you don’t know who they’re going to or whether they’re still going to be into that.
“I think some things are good to get. Like as a mum, if they’ve got Christmas activity packs, colouring books, things like that are all reduced quite heavily in the January sales.
“They are generic, [and] they’re still going to be relevant.
“So those things are good to get and put away with the Christmas decorations.”
“Though I won’t buy presents in the January sales, I do think it’s really important to start putting that money away in January.
“Start setting yourself a savings challenge for the new year.
“If you saved £50 a month, that would be £600 by December.
“So if you know you spend £500 on Christmas for your food and your presents, divide that by the months that are going to lead you there and you’ll be able to save in little amounts rather than having a big expense.”
But what’s the best way to save? We asked Beth about her views on different methods, like cash stuffing.
“I have tried this cash-stuffing binder trend and to be honest, it didn’t work for me. I just think we live in a really digital age.
“If you had a single thing that you were saving for, like Christmas, it might work better because you don’t need to constantly access that money.
“But I think it’s just really easy that you set, on payday, a direct debit that does straight into another account.
“Then it’s sat in your Christmas account.”
“Make sure that you return any unwanted gifts or things that people buy you that aren’t the right size or not the right style.
“The amount of times people buy something and it’s the wrong size or you don’t really like it.
“So make sure you’re actually getting your value for money.”
“I actually cannot believe how many people don’t budget their money.
“Ever since my husband and I moved out, we’ve always made our budget just before we get paid, rather than waiting until after and having a week of splurging first.
“So I think as a New Year’s resolution, taking control of your money is a great way to go into the new year.
“So set some time aside in January to have a look at your outgoings. Make yourself a budget.
“Whether you’re going to make a spreadsheet, whether you’re better at managing your money cashwise, just really take control of your money.
“Ask yourself: am I in debt? How can I get out of this debt? How much am I paying on bills? Can I cut anything down?
“Have a look at what’s coming in, what’s going out.
“You’d be surprised how many £5 direct debits that come out here and there that you don’t use and that you just haven’t taken any notice of.”
But Beth also encouraged people to budget for fun things, otherwise, you’ll end up splurging on them anyway.
She added: “You don’t want to feel like, ‘oh I go to work full-time, and then I’ve got this really strict budget and I can’t have a life’.
“We need to budget for the things that we want and that we enjoy.
“So whatever that is for you – if you enjoy having a night out, then budget for that.
“You won’t feel so restricted if you have that money available to spend.
“It’s important to budget realistically, with a plan of things that you want, as well as things you need.”
