Savvy spring savings

 

photo by kenteegardin via PhotoRee

Spring has arrived! As well as the hope of some decent weather, this also means new council tax bills and the beginning of the new financial year. While it is wise to keep an eye on your outgoings throughout the year, a spring clean of your finances is a great way to check that you are paying no more than you need to and getting your budget in order.

Every April I used to do “The Ring Around”; spending hours on the phone ringing my bill providers and making sure that I was getting the right deals and discounts. In recent years I have become lazy (or savvy!) and have done my comparisons online.

The fact that energy prices are higher than ever and don’t seem to be dropping anytime soon is a surprise to no-one. Unless you all know something I don’t, we have no influence over the world energy market and wholesale prices. The only way therefore to keep any control over what we pay out for our gas and electricity is to check our tariffs and switch plans or providers as appropriate to make savings.

It is not always necessary to change your energy company, it could be as easy as changing which plan you are on and that change can save you money! I don’t like paying out if I don’t need to, I’m sure you don’t either so make sure that you are being savvy with your outgoings, be it your gas and electricity, your broadband and phone or personal finances.

I can always find ways to spend (or save of course) money that I keep out of the bill company’s pockets, and by taking an extra few minutes out of my day to make sure I’m not paying too much, I can have the cash to do it!

 *This is a sponsored post but regardless is sound advice and true to what myself and my family believe.

Dear So and So: elephant p0rn, odd boots, cakes and more

Dear Self.
You remembered the cakes for the bake sale, the animal board game homework, 50p for Sports Relief, money for the Easter lunch next week, packed lunches, drinks, bags etc AND got to school on time.
It is a damn shame you didn’t realise you were wearing odd boots until you were half way home.
Her who actually finds this quite amusing.

Dear people who make underhand sarcastic comments.
Stop.
You are making a fool of yourself.
I am so much better at them than you, so much so that you haven’t realised I’m doing it.
Have you?
Love her who knows you are having to think back very carefully on recent conversations.

Dear School.
Today: Bake sale (to give cakes in and attend after school), Easter egg tombola (donate an egg and attend and spend), 50p for Sports Relief and sportswear, Easter lunch money, Phonics lesson (for parents!) at 2.30pm, homemade animal board-game to hand in….
Seriously?
I can’t remember which boot goes with which, this list is asking for trouble on one day.

Dear little sister
Thank you for bringing round the gorgeous buns for Kieran’s class bake sale.
I have of course passed them off as my own to the school though did tell some Mums they were yours.
Well I meant to say but I might have forgotten.
I can’t remember.
Anyway – thanks for the buns you may or may not have made for my son’s bake sale.
Love your ever grateful big sister x

Dear illnesses.
PISS OFF!
Kieran has had severe catarrh for week resulting in sudden onset high temps, headaches and neck pain, I have severe tonsillitis resulting in not being able to eat and feeling shocking, Roy has a nasty bug resulting in him only drinking for 36hrs and looking shocking.
Taylor isn’t ill *touch wood* but all this has resulted in him being mightily annoyed at how miserable the rest of us are.
Time to move on,
Thanks.

Dear Kieran.
Stepping away from my slightly bad mood self, Daddy and I are SO proud of you.
Your parent’s evening report was really good and we are thrilled with the little man you are becoming.
We love you (and so does Taylor).
Love Mummy x

Dear Readers,
It amazes me that you keep coming back. As always if there is something you’d love to see on C&C (and the answer to the person who previously emailed asking for elephant p0rn is a resounding no!) drop me an email via the contact box.
Have a good weekend all!
Nicki x

Dear So and So...