The cost of living crisis means it’s a challenging time right now.
Indeed, latest ONS statistics reveal three out of four UK adults (77 per cent) are currently worried about rising prices.
But social media sensation Gemma Bird is on a mission to help reduce that stress.
Known for her no-nonsense, easy-to-follow financial advice, her Instagram account @moneymumofficial has soared in popularity since its launch in 2020, and now has 287,000 followers.
“Money worries are on most people’s minds,” says 41-year-old mum-of-two Gemma, who lives in Billericay, Essex. “We were used to what we were paying out – gas, electricity, car – but these have all changed, going up rapidly, and wages aren’t going up to match.
“There’s uncertainty. But there are also lots of ways to reduce your cost of living – and some of them may just surprise you.”
Days out
Bring it to you Have a cinema day at home rather than going to the movies. Buy some supermarket popcorn, lay cushions and blankets out on the floor, and choose a film to watch.
On a balmy summer evening, you could even go alfresco with a bedsheet and cheap projector.
Take a backpack This will allow you to bring supplies with you, rather than fork out for drinks and snacks at vast expense.
Buy a multipack of cans of pop at the supermarket. Take bottles of water and a little squeezy squash with you on day trips. Ask for iced tap water in your bottles and stick a bit of squash in there.
Plan ahead Often we spend money when we’re spontaneous. So write down a plan for the week – what free things can you find to do? Loads of museums are free to enter, even the ones with an entrance fee often have free bits to explore.
Look on your local council website too.
Travel research The most direct route might be the more expensive option. Could you drive or get the bus to a station slightly further away, and cut the cost of your ticket? If driving, download the My Parking Space app to find a cheapest parking space nearby.
Home sweet home
Bank statement savvy Go through your statements – is there anything you can cut back on? Look at your TV package. If you’ve not got kids, take off the kids’ channels. If you’re paying for a gym you never go to, swap it for free tutorials online.
Anything counts – even getting rid of a subscription worth £2.99 a month adds up.
Leave the car at home Every journey in the car means money spent on petrol. So which trips can you ditch? Perhaps you could walk for the school run, or to the shops.
It will save you money, get you moving and give the planet a little boost too.
Thermos flask It costs money to boil the kettle, so each time you do, don’t waste the hot water. Simply fill up a thermos flask and pop the lid on. You’ll have boiling water ready to go for hours, with no need to heat it up again.
Turn it down If you’re washing at 40 degrees, drop down to 30. Reduce your spin cycle too and hang clothes outside to dry for free.
When using the heating, turn off radiators in the rooms you don’t use and turn down the thermostat one degree. You’ll barely notice the difference, but it will save money.
Style savvy
Use every drop If you’ve got beauty products such as body cream or hairspray in your cupboard and you’re buying more - why? Use every last drop of what you already have before you spend any more.
Ace the base You can really save on blushers and bronzers if you get your foundation right.
A good base won’t need to be reapplied and it’s easy to top up a bit of blush anywhere you are. My blusher cost £1 from Poundland.
Deals and discounts There are loads of deals and offers to be had when shopping, and these constantly change.
Download the Honey app on to your computer, which will automatically check for them and apply them to your basket at the checkout.
Sell the old to replace with new There are loads of places to sell your unwanted and unused clothes, including eBay, Vinted and Depop.
Not only will selling your stuff declutter your house, but it will help take money off your new purchases too.
Money Mum Official: Save Yourself Happy by Gemma Bird (£12.99, Hamlyn) is out now. For more of Gemma’s tips, see @moneymumofficial on Instagram
