What family wouldn’t benefit from making clever cuts to their budget and saving money without hurting their standard of living?

1. Watch what you are spending on food. Work out a budget and stick to it. Try the cheaper discount shops to buy basics like rice, pasta, tins etc.  You can always make a meal if you have the basics in your cupboard.
2. Double your recipe so you have leftovers.  This makes sense as it means you can buy bulk and you save time and money. Freeze leftovers, you can use these on days you might have opted for a takeaway.
3. Make packed lunches – much cheaper than buying the pre-packed cardboard ones from the shops. Much tastier too.
4. Have you thought about having a clothes swapping party? Ask your friends to bring clothes that they are tired of.  Also works if you all have children near the same age.
5. In the colder months instead of turning the heating up, try using warmer clothing, extra blankets and hot water bottles.  You can save hundreds over the winter.
6. If you usually see your hairdresser every 6 weeks, try going every 8 or 10 weeks. That’s saves you the cost of 2 to 3 cuts a year.
7. Did you know that most restaurants can charge up to double for dinner rather than lunch? If planning an outing with friends and family, try planning around a lunch.  You will soon notice the difference.
8. Instead of using your tumble dryer to dry clothes – hang them out to dry on your line. Tumble dryers are expensive to use.
9. Sell unwanted toys and gifts on Ebay.  A few pounds here and there can help with buying new items for the kids.
10. Visiting your coffee shop everyday for your favourite latte can soon mount up. Try cutting back or buy your own insulated cup and make your own at home.