Money Matters

LOTHIAN REFLEXOLOGY - Reflexology for Stress, General Health, Fertility and Pregnancy. Also available: Indian Head Massage and Facial Rejuvination Massage.
Book by calling Doris on 07724 197627 or email doriswylie@btinternet.com.

It's been a tough few years for finances and if you've splurged a bit more than you intended during this sunny summer, it may be time to tighten belts and start saving for Chr*!!*!*! (I don't want to say the word until at least the beginning of November).

Here are a few tips to help you save without feeling that you're depriving yourself too much.

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1. CUT DOWN ON YOUR LITTLE LUXURIES
   A daily latte can cost you over £700 a year!  Are you happy to spend that or would you prefer to spend the money elsewhere?  Lots of little savings can add up to a substantial amount if you work out your annual costs.  Look at your daily and weekly spend and see if there are any savings you can make.  You could buy your morning juice from the supermarket rather than the trendy juice bar, or take a snack/lunch to work rather than using the canteen/local sandwich shop, and buy your bottled water in bulk and carry it with you rather than buying it at 3 or 4 times as much from a shop.  If you choose not to make these type of savings that's OK, but at least you've made the decision and are in control.
   
   
2. DEFER EXPENSES
   Money not spent is money saved.  If you put off buying that £1000 sofa and instead put the money in the bank, or paid off your credit card/mortgage, or invested it, within a year you could be £30 - £50 richer.
   
   
3. SIGN UP TO A MONEY SAVING NEWSLETTER
   There are lots of e-zines online that keep you up to date with the latest financial information on mortgage and savings rates, utility prices, bargains and special offers.  Use them to keep up-to-date with the best rates, etc.  (Just make sure the offers don’t tempt you into spending more). 
   
   
4. SHOP AROUND
   Shop around for the best price for: gas and electricity; phone and broadband; car and house insurance; savings, credit card and loan rates; and any big purchase you want to make.  A couple of hours on the computer could save you £'00s and even £'000 of pounds over the year.  Never just renew without first having looked around for the best price.
   
   
5. SAVE UP FOR PURCHASES
   Save to buy stuff.  If you’ve taken time and done without to save up, you’ll be much more careful about your purchases.  Even the most carefree spender will think twice before spending savings that have taken time and effort to accumulate.  And, by the time you've saved up enough to buy outright, you may decide that you don't actually need it anyway.
   
   
6. CREATE A MONEY MAGNET
   Empty all your change into a jar or container every night and leave it – you’ll be amazed at how much you can accumulate in a relatively short time.  Also, when you get paid, make sure you take 10% of all you've earned and put it aside for savings and live off what's left.
   
   
7. INVEST IN YOURSELF
   Beware the false economy of putting yourself last.  Invest in yourself - your training and well-being.  Ensure you have adequate physical, mental and emotional support to allow you to be your best, whether that's a great coach, complementary practitioner, yoga teacher, or mentor.  When you're being the best you can be, you will be rewarded - both in how you feel about yourself and in how you are financially rewarded.

If you want to relax, Indian Head Massage is wonderful.  If you want to feel refreshed and revitalised, Reflexology might work wonders for you.  To book a treatment call Doris on 07724 197627.