It might seem unbelievable to get free makeup, but the truth is that it is quite easy to get many great samples and some full sized ones too. Getting free makeup is as easy as visiting makeup company websites, visiting makeup counters in department stores, and clipping coupons in the Sunday paper. If you want to learn about some additional strategies for getting free makeup, keep reading. 1. Free Makeup from Department Stores Go to your local department store like John Lewis, Debenhams or House Of Fraser and head for your favorite makeup counter. It is important to check online as well ... read more
Three ways to raise money quickly
Even those of us that are the best budgeters in the world sometimes need to raise cash quickly. There could be a multitude of reasons - everything from a change in personal circumstances to an unexpected household bill. To be blunt, sometimes you just need to get your hands on some cash quickly, and the need to do so can be quite daunting. It can feel like quite an isolating experience too, especially if you don't feel you can talk to people about why you need the money. Here are my top three ways to get your hands on money quickly. 1. Sell, sell, sell Most of us have things sat ... read more
Making the most of your Amazon Prime Subscription
Let's talk about the last minute reality of being a busy mum can we? The way that we're pulled in about a million and one directions at once, and working out the logistics for your little darlings can sometimes feel like you're planning to take a whole army into battle for six months. We've got Little Miss C's birthday this week, so as well as all the usual things that keep me busy all week I've also been trying to also do all those extra things like arrange a party, sort part bags, buy presents and bake a cake. Finding time to do all of this can be a bit of a challenge, but thanks to ... read more
How to buy toys cheaply with The Amazing Mystery Box
As a parent I'm always looking at thrifty ways to live life and provide for my kids. The truth is that family life is expensive and there always seem to be things that need buying. One area where I try really hard to save money though is when it comes to gifts - both for my own kids and for others - and hence I'm always after ways to buy toys cheaply. I'm often trying to pick up things that I know my kids wants for birthday and Christmas in advance when I see them in a sale or promotion, and I also have a "present cupboard" where I pop things that I pick up over the year that can then be used ... read more
Thrifty Mrs C: How to save money when shopping online
Shopping. It's the downfall of many of us when we're trying to be thrifty, but it need not be. The truth is that it's very hard not to shop at all. Some people do manage to go through the challenge of a year where they don't buy anything new, but it is a real challenge for most people. Generally in life we all need new things. Whether they be necessities, gifts for others or just things that we want to treat ourselves with. It's also the case that there are plenty of other goods and services that we have to shell out for over a year, be it train tickets, utility bills or simply a food ... read more
How to Be an Energy Shopper
It can't have escaped your notice that the temperatures have plummeted over the last couple of weeks. In my mind it's reached the levels where putting the heating on is no longer an option, especially when you have children in the house. But, that decision isn't always straightforward if you're having to watch the pennies at home. These days you really do need to "Be an Energy Shopper" to make sure you're getting the best, most cost effective energy deals for you. The whole process can be a tad daunting though, which is why I was actually quite thrilled to be asked to take a look at Ofgem's ... read more
Christmas at Aldi from 17th November
I love an Aldi bargain! I am utterly useless however at realising what is coming into store when though so often it's only when my sister gets in touch and tells me that I need to get there the next morning that I realise when certain lines are coming in. That's not the case with their Christmas range though. This is due in store tomorrow (Thursday 17 November) and I was delighted to be sent some samples from the range to try out at home. Now - the honest bit about being a blogger. I'm sat here today on what has to be the sunniest day of November so far in St Albans. Trying to test out ... read more
When even the best budgeting doesn’t cover it
I am a firm believer in budgeting. Sitting down and working out exactly how much money you have and what you need to spend it on each month. I have a huge spreadsheet that I've been tracking all our monthly incomings and outgoings in for years now and it allows me to keep track of everything. To work out whether I need to find any extra money in a month or whether we can afford to save up for something. Yes, it takes time each month to do that and I do resent having to sit down and work my way through bank statements and make everything balance when I'd much rather be doing something else ... read more
Lidl Back to School Range
I know term hasn't quite finished yet (that's coming soon enough!) but if you're a parent trying to be organised then thoughts are already turning to school uniform for when our little darlings go back in September. Master C will be starting school pre-school come September and so this will be the first year that I will have two children requiring school uniform and hence I'm really starting to see how the cost increases when you need to kit out more than one child. As a bargain lover I'm always on the look out for cheap ways to buy what I need and for a good few years now supermarkets have ... read more
Thrifty Mrs C: 52 Week Saving Challenge
I'm back on the Radio Verulum Drivetime show this evening with my monthly thrifty slot, and one of the things I'm going to be talking about is thrifty new years resolutions. New years resolutions can scare some people, but actually they're a perfect opportunity to help kickstart yourself into a thriftier way of life. It may be that you want to start small and for you the right thrifty resolution might be to start meal planning, or to buy more things secondhand. Possibly to look on a price comparison site and see if you can get a better deal on your utilities bill. Or, if you're someone ... read more