THE KITE FLYING this weekend indicates that Budget 2015 might not be quite as bad as we expected. But it won’t be easy.
We could all do with a few tweaks to our own personal budget to help us save a few quid. The best bit? It’s way, way easier than you might think.
Here are some of the best tips for tweaking your own Budget 2015:
Here are some tips from Quartz about how to get the whole thing together.
Learn how to pack a salad in a jar. Keep empty jam jars and wash them in a dishwasher to sterilise them. Voila, new kitsch containers for lunch or at home.
Shop around. Don’t get stuck in a supermarket rut, and learn where the cheapest places are to buy your favourite foods.
- Here are thoughts from Bring Joy on saving money on groceries. It’s aimed at an American audience but there’s plenty to take away for an Irish shopper.
- ValueIreland.com has sections on special supermarket offers and Twitter tips for grocery shopping,
Like Level Money, Budget Ease, or Toshl Finance. Find out where your money is going – knowledge is power.
The Kitchn / Vimeo
That way, you can learn how to make your food taste nicer, so you won’t dread bringing your lunch to work. And why eat out when you can eat well at home? The Kitchn has tips to take your cooking to the next level, but also started its own free online cooking school.
Here’s the National Consumer Agency’s guide to switching banks, if you’re tired of the fees at your current bank. It also has a whole heap of ways to compare financial products.
Or you can compare gas and electricity prices, mortgages and TV deals at Bonkers.ie. You might be surprised how much you’ll save.
This can help you be aware of upcoming maintenance work, or flag problems. At the very least, learn what each part of the car does, so that you aren’t clueless when you have to go visit a mechanic. (Obviously stay safe and don’t try anything complicated or dangerous, because that would be silly).
Compare prices around the country at Pumps.ie.
Pay a tiler? Nah, mate.
There’s a reason why people used plain ol’ distilled vinegar and newspaper on windows back in the day. Because it works. And it’s WAY cheaper than fancy-dan cleaning products, plus you’re not breathing in chemical fumes.
Here’s everything you need to know about cleaning your house with just a few products, thanks to Apartment Therapy.
A home gym, that is. YouTube is your friend here – tons of free videos for working out to, and lots that only take 10 minutes. So if you’re busy, or lazy, these will help you stay fit without spending a cent.
If you tend to splurge on an updo before going to a wedding or big event, you’re probably forking out €50 or more each time. Stop. With a few hair skills under your belt, you can do this for free and feel smug when telling people: ‘Yeah, I did it myself’.
In the same vein, you might think that you need to put your pretty face in the hands of a professional when going to an event or big night out. No need, thanks to these videos.
Tend to order pizza once a week? Buy expensive bars of chocolate? Save on the splurges and be a bit better to your body. It might cost a little on the first outlay but save the leftovers and stop spending in the local grocery store.
- Homemade chow mein
- Twix bars
You know what we’re going to say: join your local library. It’s free! And you can get more than books there. Unsure where your nearest library is? Find out here. If you’re not near a library, you can even borrow online from them.
What advice would you give people for their Personal Budget 2015? Share them in the comments below.
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