Money Saving Ideas

Here are a few money saving ideas that may be useful. Please, if you have any tips then contact BFP so that they can be added to the site.

1) Buy everything from the reduced section of the supermarket and freeze it - lots of things will keep if frozen, even if it does not say so on the box. Milk is one that people don't tend to think about buying when its on offer but this freezes like a dream and as long as you take it out well before you need it, it is great.

2) If you have time, wash your baby wipes in the machine. They will come out very clean. You can then rehydrate them in a container with water, baby bath and a tiny bit of baby oil (optional). Pop the lid on the container and have them next to your changing station - they will keep that bottom clean for anothey cycle!

3) If you need to give your house a makeover but are on a really tight budget then just buy a job lot of either magnolia or white paint and set to work. For a hundred quid, you will transform a fair few rooms in your house making them fresh and clean looking until you can afford to redecorate exactly how you like. Also, just attacking the paintwork with hot soapy water and a brisk rub will possibly offset the need to repaint for another year or so!

4) Get into the habit of showering rather than bathing except for that scorcher that you enjoy with a glass of red on a Friday night. Babies like showers too (OK, not directly under the power shower at 2 weeks old but gentle, warm water carefully directed with the shower head can be relaxing and fun)!

5) Do your shopping online for staple things once every couple of weeks. It avoids a stressed out dash round ASDA with a teething 9 month old at peak times and stops you impulse buying. You can also do it from the comfort of the sofa whilst 'someone' is having a nap and avoid getting your fingers dug into with plastic bags containing heavy items whilst balancing the bub on your left hip and opening the car door at the same time.

6) Try and save money. It doesn't matter if you are only saving £5 per week but put some aside for a rainy day. Make it an automatic thing (arrange an online transfer into a savings account). Even the skintest of us all can afford to put a couple of quid away. If you save a fiver per week for a year then that is the Xmas presents sorted (but please buy these through the year in the sales or else you will be fleeced like everyone else in Nov & Dec).

7) Try to get used to not looking where you think you should look in the supermarket i.e. at eye level. These marketer/promotors are far too cunning and put expensive stuff that women are likely to buy at girly eye height and the same goes for blokes stuff. Next time you are in a supermarket then prove it to yourself - the finest and pricier ranges are staring straight back at you whilst the less attractive brothers are either high or low.

8) Buy own brands. Lots of own brands are very good indeed except for some. Some own brand washing up liquid etc is false economy as you need three bottles to wash up one pan. Consider it, though. Own brand biscuits, fruit, kitchen roll, tinned tomatoes etc are fine. Watch out for things like eggs. They may be cheaper in some instances but beware of battery hens etc.

9) Use supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi. You may not be able to get everything you need there but its worth a trip every couple of weeks for tea, instant and fresh coffee, olive oil, tins, cereal etc. Often, these products are of very high quality. Many of the brands will be very expensive indeed in other countries. For example, Uncle Bens products are widely sold in Lidl in France and Germany and are much cheaper than they are here. Aldi has a great deli meats range with some nice things like Frikadellen and Bratwurst which make a change to omelette and salad!

10) Take your own lunch +/- a flask of coffee to work. A baguette, piece of fruit and drink at lunch time cost approximately £3, hence £15 per week and hundreds over the year. Its really easy to spend lots this way.

11) For items such as rice and pulses, have a look in your local shops. We have lots of little shops run by Asian families near us and they sell great spices and pulses etc at really competetive prices, not to mention interesting vegetables and deserts for us to try.

12) Visit www.approvedfood.co.uk. This company sells food that is near it's Best Before date but before it's Use By date. It mainly sells non-perishables in larger quantities, i.e multipacks of crisps, packs of 10 cereal bars etc. Five packs of Jammie Dodgers cost 99p versus £4.40 RRP. Ideal to do once a month for many essentials. Also ideal pre-party.

13) If you have the guts and time, there is always Freeganism?!?! Not everybody's cup of chai but interesting! Described as Urban Foraging (people's legs poking out of bins under the cover of darkness to only to emerge victorious with a cabbage and two steaks - good on 'em). Obviously, this is more of a philosophy than simple bin raiding. Find out more on www.freegan.org.uk.

14) Have a carboot sale with your friends. Clear out all of your junk, get together with some friends and pitch up your stall at what is invariably a very early hour on a freezing cold morning! You never know, you may only make £50 between you but its something different to do, the kids will enjoy running their own shop and it declutters your home. Any left overs can be dropped off outside a charity shop on your way home.