Saving Dosh | Keeping Your Wallet Fat

Just because we are sticking to a budget doesn’t mean that we have to without some of the finer things in life. We just need to find a way to do things cheaper. For example, I recently was without a car due to my previous one just coming to the end of it’s long and trustworthy life. My first port of call was an online car dealership where you are able to deal directly with the sellers of second hand cars. You can set you price from the beginning and even choose a model. Leaving plenty of room for haggling and banter over emails. I managed to walk away with an audi tt , a car that before all of this recession malark and me watching my money, I would have never been able to afford.
It just goes to show what a little imagination and lateral thinking can do.Image: shanghighist

Broke after Christmas? Struggling to meet the demands of the new year? So was I.
I was at the bottom of the barrel and could genuinely see no light at the end of the tunnel that was January 2011. I was struggling to pay rent, bills, travel. Everything. Until I discovered Wonga that is. Wonga is a loan site designed by the people for the people. It works on the best ways to lend money on your terms, making it easier to pay back and uses a very very understanding interest rate.
I took out a loan of one thousand pounds just to tied me over and pay off a few Christmas debts but subsequently I am now fine. The company makes it so easy for you to pay it back that I really can’t see how it could be any easierImage: tomodo

This summer the ‘staycation’ was one of the most popular holiday choices. Families and couples opted to stay in the UK rather than going abroad. Rise in holiday prices, travel companies going bust and the ash cloud all fuelled this trend.
My ideal holiday is sitting on a beach with the sun shinning and the prospect of a good night out that evening. Staying in the UK would just not be the same for me.
Although I don’t like flying, the whole anticipation of getting on a plane and packing your suitcase makes a holiday. To be ready to go away and then leave your front door just to get in your car for an eight hour journey to the other side of the country is just not the same!
Some of my friends think differently. A few have ventured with their partners to Wales or Cornwall for a little cottage holiday and had a brilliant time, and another friend went away with a group of friends to a farmhouse in Devon and also had a good time.
I suppose at the end of the day wherever you go it depends on the company and the weather. Maybe a cottage holiday next year should be an option? Cheap, no worries and peaceful…..
Image by Anguskirk

Former GMTV sofa girl Kate Garraway is launching her own website called goodypass.com aimed to give the ‘little’ people celebrity bargains.
Of course, I signed up straight away, with membership being limited, I didn’t want to miss out on a good deal. The website claims it will be able to save us a 1/3 on restaurant meals, half price beauty treatments and 75% off on other top quality products and services!
Now I am a member it is just a waiting game to see what offers I can get. Somehow I can’t imagine the offers being like the goody-bags seen at the Oscars or the freebies from designers that celebrity’s on the red carpet get, but here’s to hoping!

I have discovered an interesting website called www.lovefoodhatewaste.com. This site gives tips on how to store food, shop without ‘over-shopping’, and recipes to use up leftover food.
An interesting tip I have found which I did not know is to wrap lettuce, carrots, courgettes etc in kitchen paper then put them in plastic bags in the salad compartment of the fridge. This apparently keeps them fresh for longer as the paper stops condensation from softening the veg and stops mould. Genius!
Another great tip involves pesto. This is good for any student who eats a lot of pasta! Measure portions out which you would put into the pasta, place in a tightly closed container and freeze. Then use ready measured portions as you need then and just put them in the pan still frozen. Simple!
IMage by gabster_ro