1. Check your benefits and claim all you are entitled to:
It is so easy to overlook the range of benefits available to you that you may be eligible for as time constraints at home can seem likely to increase as you settle into your new role as a mum or running your family unit. A good website to check out is called EntitledTo, this will give you a form to fill in to see what you can claim.
Other helpful sites out there include Childcare Voucher Schemes, Healthy Start Vouchers which give you £3 per child each week to redeem against fresh milk, fruit & vegetables and the £190 Money4Mum2be government grant available for you to spend on whatever you like.
2. Make your own cleaning products straight from the pantry
White vinegar Dissolves: dirt , soap scum, Hard water deposits
Cleans everything from floors to countertops, gentle enough for hard floors and the smell disappears when dry so your home won't smell like a salad.
Cleaning solution: Mix in a sprayer bottle
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
Undiluted white vinegar
Great for hard water and scum
Scrubbing the inside of the toilet bowl
Baking Soda
Mildly abrasive and a natural deodorizer.
Great for grimy bathtubs - sprinkle some on a damp sponge
Great for removing food deposits from the sink
Furniture Polish Recipe: Mix in a sprayer bottle
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
Lemon cuts through grime and the oil will give the wood a nice shine.
3. Budget & plan your weekly shop, love your leftovers and exercise portion control
Use a weekly planner or make your own to keep on top of your shopping list and meals
BOGOF doesn't't necessarily mean it will save you money - only buy these items if you know you will use them - remember - A bargain is only a bargain if you actually need it!
A website called LoveFoodHateWaste is a perfect resource for finding some fantastic leftover recipes and a portion calculator
Organise your kitchen cupboards with storage jars so you can see what you are running out of
Buy seasonal & loose fruit & vegetables - make sure you don't buy too much unless your family are fruit fanatics as they will decay and have to be thrown out
4. The working mums packed lunch
There is a new craze in town and it's know as Al' Desko - yep you got it, eating a packed lunch at your desk. Goodbye soggy ham, cheese & tomato sandwiches and 'hello' hummus and roasted vegetable tortilla!
Plan your packed lunches around your leftover evening meals and store cupboard staples..
5. Make cash from old mobile handsets
Trading in your old unused handsets can make you some extra cash on the side whilst de-cluttering your electronics pile.
Check out the following companies:
Fonebank
Mazuma Mobile
Envirofone
There is also a charity called Stepping Stones Nigeria that helps abandoned children. You can send your old phones as an alternative way to donate.
6. Join a toy library to cut the cost of new toys
Why spend a fortune on brand new toys when you can join a toy library, meet other parents at the group and have a much needed coffee break whilst your little one plays.
Search on Google for your local toy library it really is a great way to make friends and you can borrow toys for as little as £0.50p for 2 - 4 weeks.
7. Book worm? Swap your books - don't buy
If you are not a library member and have a full bookcase at home then why not swap your unwanted books online for ones you haven't read.
They are free to join:
ReadItSwapIt
BookHopper
Title Trader
Swapitshop
8. Cancel memberships and subscriptions you don't use
Are you going to the gym each week, do you watch all the sky channels, are you really using all your minutes on your mobile tariff? Go through your direct debits and monthly outgoings and ditch anything you are not getting maximum usage from.
You could freeze memberships if you are reluctant to cancel completely and look at bundling your mobile, home phone & internet into one cheaper package.
9. Give up the unhealthy habits and swap for an occasional treat
Any naughty habits you need an excuse to get rid of? Smoker? Junk food / takeaways / ready meals? Perhaps it's the bottle of wine in the evening with a meal. The credit crunch is giving people motivation to sort out their finances, use this challenging time to get your health & finances in order. Giving up smoking will save you money each week that you could afford you a small treat for yourself or for your kids, like a fortnightly cinema trip (don't forget to take your own sweets and drinks) or how about a relaxing massage for you once month.
10. One mummy's trash is another mummy's treasure
Do you have a big clear out and throw things away that might be useful for someone else? Then why not sell it online or get a pitch at a car boot sale and sell any unwanted items. Think of all the things you could put that spare cash towards.
Gemma Johnson, winner of Mum-Entrepreneur of the year 2009 sponsored by the Womens Business Mastermind Network and co-founder of BaBeeCard the Prepaid Mastercard that helps mums-to-be and mums save money on their everyday living essentials such as groceries, petrol & baby items has put together a list of her top ten money saving tips during pregnancy and whilst supporting your growing family.
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