June 18, 2014 - Written by: Beth Teverson

I Need a Dollar, Dollar…

So I’m real poor at the moment. Like, I thought I was poor last year…

I wasn’t.

A few months in London drained me of a good £4000. High rent, travel expenses and a kitchen I couldn’t cook in (so always had to buy food in) meant I was spending all the money I was earning – and then some. So I decided to move home and save some money – but down in the South West the wages are petty (if you can even find a job) and you have to have a car to have any kind of life – cue bank statement once again in that familiar shade of postbox red.

How can you win?

(Image via)

I’ve recently made a few changes in my life: I moved out closer to my friends and work, got rid of my car (sob sob – we got real close by the end) and got a new job. It’s been hard work but I know, though ultimately I had to pay a deposit and rent and invest in an expensive bike that I KNOW will get me from A to B, I will be saving money. And, in the past few weeks, here are some of the things you can also do to help you save the pennies:

Plan your meals weekly:

I know it’s boring – who doesn’t appreciate a spontaneous dominos as a treat? – but it will save you so much money by not wasting food. It is hard to get the judgement right, but once you do you wont feel so guilty when you really do need that pizza!

Exercise outside:

This especially applies in the summer: walking and running are free! As is swimming in the sea (if you’re lucky enough to live near it) and the fresh air is damn good for you. Investing in a good pair of trainers and walking (or running) to work gives your exercise purpose.

Don’t eat so much meat:

Okay so I’m not going to go all love to animals on you but… seriously… £3 for a chicken breast? Vegetables are so much cheaper and just cutting down on your meat intake could lower your weekly food shop by £10 or even more!

BYO as much as you can:

Ahhh making as much as you can of the pre-drinks may have seemed like a ‘teenage’ past time but alas – it seems twenty somethings are younger than ever. Another good tip is to drink a glass of soda water (totally free and slightly more interesting than tap water) between your alcoholic beverages; this not only helps your purse but your head in the morning as well!

Buying fruit and vegetables from markets:

Unfortunately, Plymouth is a dive and I don’t really have this option – but if you’re in London – pound a bowl is a fookin’ lifesaver . Especially when you can go half and half with your bowl. For example:

Market guy: Pound a bowl, pound a bowl!

Me: How many apples are in here?

Market guy: Ten.

Me: But I don’t want ten apples.

Market guy: It’s pound a bowl.

Me: Can I have five apples and some bananas…in said bowl?

Market guy: (hesitates) Yeah okay…

Just be assertive!

Go to smaller independent cinemas:

Now I’m no proclaimed hipster but I refuse to go to Vue because I’m not paying £20 for a seat in a movie theatre and some popcorn. Also the whole ‘VIP’ seat thing really gets my goat.

Indie cinemas are ALWAYS so much cheaper and often have real character. Yeah, they always smell a little musty and the seats can sometimes be a little uncomfortable but it’s part of the ‘experience’ right?

Packed lunches:

There’s a canteen at my work and the meals look bloody awesome. They’re £3.40 and a real decent size but think how much that adds up towards the end of the week.

Packed lunches really don’t have to be boring either – gone are the days of ham sandwiches and a penguin bar. You can find some real good recipes online and it’ll make the occasional lunch out real special.

Feeling tired can lead to the most expensive moments:

The oh-so-familiar, ‘let’s just take the easy way out which always involves spending money’. Whether it’s a take-away or a taxi, the feeling of ‘I can’t be bothered’ can cost a lot! Having a bit of extra sleep and not draining yourself can help so much – like the meal planning: being organised can save you cold hard cash.

I realise that most of these surround food – but hey it’s important right? And it’s a good place to start – I’m still learning!

Happy skrimping!

If you enjoyed this article, why not check out ‘Bye Bye Princess: The Law of Sacrifice‘?