Real Family Life

1. Investigate your benefits and claim all you're entitled to:

It is so simple to neglect the selection of advantages obtainable to you personally that you may be eligible for as time constraints at home can seem more likely to increase as you settle into your new part like a mum or operating your loved ones unit. A great web site to verify out is known as EntitledTo, this may offer you a kind to fill in to see what you'll be able to claim.
Other useful sites on the market contain Childcare Voucher Schemes, Healthy Commence Vouchers which provide you with £3 per youngster every week to redeem in opposition to fresh milk, fruit & vegetables and the £190 Money4Mum2be government grant obtainable for you to spend on whatever you like.

2. Design your own individual cleaning up products and solutions completely from your kitchen pantry:


White wine vinegar Dissolves: filth, soap scum, Hard water deposits


Cleans everything from flooring's to counter tops, delicate enough for hard floors and also the fragrance disappears when dried up so your residence won't smell like a salad.


Cleaning solution: Mix in a sprayer bottle


* 1 cup white vinegar

* 1 cup water


Undiluted white vinegar


* Great for hard water and scum

* Scrubbing the inside of the toilet bowl


Baking Soda


* Mildly abrasive and a natural deodorizer

* Great for grimy bathtubs - sprinkle some on a damp sponge

* Great for removing food deposits from the sink



Furniture Polish Recipe: Mix in a sprayer bottle


* 1 cup olive oil

* 1/2 cup lemon juice



Lemon cuts through grime and the oil will give the wood a nice shine.


3. Budget & plan your weekly shop, love your leftovers and exercise portion control


Use a weekly planner or make your own to keep on top of your shopping list and meals

BOGOF doesn't necessarily mean it will save you money - only buy these items if you know you will use them - remember - A bargain is only a bargain if you actually need it!

A web site called LoveFoodHateWaste is a perfect resource for finding some fantastic leftover recipes and a portion calculator

Organize your kitchen cupboards with storage jars so you'll be able to see what you're working out of

Buy seasonal & loose fruit & vegetables - make sure you don't buy too much unless your family are fruit fanatics as they will decay and have to be thrown out



4. The working mums packed lunch


There is a new craze in town and it's know as Al' Desko - yep you got it, eating a packed lunch at your desk. Goodbye soggy ham, cheese & tomato sandwiches and 'hello' hummus and roasted vegetable tortilla!
Plan your packed lunches around your leftover evening meals and store cupboard staples.


5. Make cash from old mobile handsets


Trading in your old unused handsets can make you some extra cash on the side whilst de-cluttering your electronics pile.


Check out the following companies:


Fonebank

Mazuma Mobile

Envirofone


These will give you cash for your old mobiles.



6. Join a toy library to cut the cost of new toys


Why spend a fortune on brand new toys when you'll be able to join a toy library, meet other parents at the group and have a much needed coffee break whilst your little one plays.



Search on google for your local toy library it really is a great way to make friends and you'll be able to borrow toys for as little as £0.50p for 2 - 4 weeks.



7. Book worm? Swap your books - don't buy


If you are not a library member and have a full bookcase at home then why not swap your unwanted books online for ones you haven't read.



They are free to join:


ReadItSwapIt

BookHopper

Title Trader

Swapitshop



8. Cancel memberships and subscriptions you don't use


Are you going to the gym every week, do you watch all the sky channels, are you really using all your minutes on your mobile tariff? Go through your direct debits and monthly outgoings and ditch anything you might be not getting maximum usage from.



You could freeze memberships if you might be reluctant to cancel completely and look at bundling your mobile, home phone & internet into one cheaper package.



9. Give up the unhealthy habits and swap for an occasional treat


Any naughty habits you need an excuse to get rid of? Smoker? Junk food / takeaways / ready meals? Perhaps it's the bottle of wine in the evening with a meal. The credit crunch is giving people motivation to sort out their finances, use this challenging time to get your health & finances in order. Giving up smoking will save you money each week that you simply could afford you a small treat for yourself or for your kids, like a fortnightly cinema trip (don't forget to take your own sweets and drinks) or how about a relaxing massage for you once month.



10. One mummy's trash is another mummy's treasure


Do you have a big clear out and throw things away that might be useful for someone else? Then why not sell it online or get a pitch at a car boot sale and sell any unwanted items. Think of all the things you could put that spare cash towards.