The financial crisis and everyone having to tighten their belts we all need to do something to save money. We can save on our personal finances, when we are driving , shopping and at home. There is advice for the young and for the really serious savers and finally some tips on how to save at Christmas.

 

5 Tips to save on personal finance.

 

1 There is no such thing as 0% interest. It just means that the cost of the interest has been added to the price of the item you want to purchase.

2 Try to pay your credit card off every month. This means you will not be paying interest. The bargain you bought will really be a bargain then.

3 Check on the comparison websites for a better current account that will pay you interest on your balance and give you a free overdraft if you need it.

4 Try to get into the habit of saving even if it is only a few pounds a week.

5 If you are in trouble with your debts get help immediately. They will not go away and the longer you leave it the worse things will get. Free help is available. Look on the internet. You do not have to pay.

 

5 Tips for saving money on petrol.

 

1 Drive slowly. The faster you drive the more fuel you use.

2 Get your car serviced regularly and check that your tyres are at the right pressure.

3 Only use your car if it is absolutely necessary. If you are only going a short distance, walk. I am addressing this to those of you who are fit enough to do this.

4 Empty the boot. The walking will help you to loose weight too and the less weight in the car the less fuel you use.

5 Move to Venezuela. Petrol is only 12 cents a gallon!!!

 

5 Ways To Save When You Go Shopping

 

1 Before you buy something wait a couple of days and you will probably realise you do not want it.

2 Do not be afraid to complain if something you have purchased is not satisfactory.

3 You can check the best prices out on the internet before you go out to buy something.

4 Make sure you keep any money saving coupons you find in magazines or on cartons.

5 Use charity shops. You will be surprise how good some of the things are. You can buy household goods in a lot of them as well as clothes and books.

 

5 Tips for saving money in the home.

 

1 Turn the thermostat on the central heating down by 1 degree.

2 Use low energy light bulbs.

3 Put insulation in your roof space and in the walls of your property.

4 Hang heavy curtains at your windows and over the door to the outside if you do not have a porch.

5 Only use the amount of water you need when you are boiling a kettle.

 

 

5 Tips For Serious Savers.

 

1 Go for supermarkets own brands. They are usually made by the same manufacturer who makes the branded items.

2 Buy imperishable goods in bulk. You can save a lot if you buy toilet paper this way.

3 Use a natural cleaner like bicarbonate of soda. It is cheap, good at cleaning and good for the environment.

4 Get a bicycle. It will keep you healthy as well as saving money.

5 Borrow things. If your friends have a book or CD you would like do not buy it, see if you can borrow it from them. You can reciprocate with something they want. It could become a good habit amongst you and your friends. My friends and I do it with books.

 

5 Tips For Young People.

 

1 Shop online. You can get great deals on CDs, books and electrical goods.

2 It is not just supermarkets that do loyalty cards. If your favourite shop does them you can save points every time you shop there and use them to get something else you want.

3 Cheap haircuts. Find out if there are any hair and beauty schools near you. Sometimes hair salons will advertise for people to let their students do their hair too. Do not worry about letting a student do your hair they are well supervised and it is a good way of getting the latest cut and sometimes it is free.

4 Sell some of your old stuff. You probably have quite a few things that you do not need anymore and as long as they are in good condition you can sell them on online auction sites.

5 Look out for cheap entrance fees for students. You can get into a lot of entertainment venues if you look out for their advertisements.

 

5 Tips for Saving At Christmas.

 

1Do not promise to give your children lots of presents you cannot afford. Let them know they cannot expect too much. Even Father Christmas is feeling the pinch.

2 Plan ahead. Get cards, wrapping paper and small presents in the January sales ready for next Christmas.

3 Get the children to make the decorations. This will keep them happy and save money.

4 Do not send cards to everyone you have ever met. Just send to the people who are close to you.

5 Stuff stockings with big things that do not cost too much. I was so skint one Christmas that I had to blow up a balloon to fill each of my children’s stockings. They played with them all day and were quite happy.

I hope you get some help from these tips. I found a lot of them very helpful myself especially the one about getting help immediately. Do not feel too depressed we will survive this crisis and come out the other side with a better idea on what is important to us.