Styling Curvy

stylish, sassy and a little bit bad-assy

BIG AND SMALL CHANGES

By 94 Comments

There’s been some big (and small) changes going on in my world this year, I figured it was about time to update you all on where I’m at and where I’m going. Are you ready? Right, let’s go!

The Barefoot way is actually ok.

We are saving money! Holy shit, I know right. Now this might not be a big deal for some but for the huz and I it’s HUGE. We have been following the programme set out in the book ‘The barefoot Investor’ and we have not only changed over all our accounts, saved over $1800 per year by switching insurance companies but we are also paying ourselves each week and saving money (close to $5K). Oh, and we have paid  for a trip to Bali…and it’s only March! Yes, I’m grinning 🙂

I have always had a block with money, I make it and spend it…well not any more. The huz earns decent money and I do ok too so you would think we should be on top of bills and grown up stuff like that, but I’m actually pretty shit at it. When I read the Barefoot investor book it just made sense so in January we just started and haven’t looked back.

We have had to pull back on some things, think twice about other things and prioritize the important stuff, but we’re seeing real results so it’s totally worth it.

Meet Betty

I have never had a new bike, well I did once but my Father won it in a raffle and it was kinda daggy. Last year I couldn’t stop thinking about buying a bike but the huz kept reminding me we had an assortment (of boys bikes) to choose from in the shed, spoil sport. I didn’t want to ride the daggy bikes in the shed so while the huz was interstate for work I purchased a new bike. YES, a bike I chose myself and love and one I’m actually riding. See, more changes.

Meet Betty, she’s blue, has gears and is a joy to pedal around. If you have any tips for hat hair I’m all ears.

styling curvy bike

This body of mine is moving.

A few weeks ago I had a health scare that saw me spend 4 days and 4 nights in hospital, can I just say that spending time in hospital has always been a special kind of torture for me. It wasn’t pleasant, there was pain, uncertainty, panic and some AHH-HA moments.

styling curvy hospital

The good news is I’m home and I’m making changes. Real changes. The day I returned from hospital I started researching and looking into personal trainers. The very next week I started one on one sessions with a personal trainer. Yes, twice a week I pull on my active wear and get all ‘sweaty Betty’ for an hour. I’m also making some pretty big changes with my nutrition and other lifestyle choices. I’ll save that for another post.

styling curvy getting fit

Getting a trainer means having some ‘actual’ support from a professional, it’s also a commitment to my overall health. I’m aiming to get stronger, fitter and to lose some weight.

Oh yes ‘Styling Curvy’ is aiming to lose weight but don’t write me that I’m turning my back on being curvy (some of you already have), I’m not turning my back on anyone, I’m prioritising my health. Oh, and I’m pretty sure all women are curvy, boobs, bums and hips kinda make us that way.

Of course a trainer isn’t cheap (sooo totally worth every cent though), so I’ve had to make some cutbacks in other areas to balance the budget. Uh huh, more changes.

Beauty school dropout

It’s no secret I’m a fan of a regular massage and a facial, I am also a fan of good skin care. Replace good with expensive and that’s closer to the truth, but what I’ve discovered is you can actually have good skin care (that works) that is also budget friendly. The budget plus the trainer means I had to make choices, which meant giving up facials and cutting back on massages. YES, NO FACIALS! More bloody changes.

Instead I’m using some pretty awesome and readily available products from Sukin and Swisse and a home Microdermabrasion kit from Homedics. The skincare products are working and the Homemedics Radiance Microdermabrasion kit is simple and quick to use. I don’t feel like I’m missing out.

The Homedics Microdermabrasion kit is perfect for hands, neck and face, has 4 level settings for comfort, replaceable filters, is safe and surprisingly gentle and I get results. Winning!

styling curvy facial

Giveaway for you

Speaking of winning the lovely folk at Homedics have one Radiance Microdermabrasion kit to give away to a Styling Curvy reader. All you need to do is comment below…what is your best saving tip? Pretty simple 🙂

Entries open Sunday 12th March and close Friday 17th March. Giveaway open to Australian residents aged 18+. Prize valued at $249.95 and not able to be exchanged for cash or other product. By entering you agree to be contacted via email and for Styling Curvy to publish your name here on the blog and to pass on your details for prize delivery.

homedics microdermabrasion

There you have it, an update of what’s going down. I know I’ve been quiet on the blog of late but after my health scare I realised I needed to pull back. It’s not forever, just until I get a good grasp on the health and wellness changes, I know you guys will be cool with that.

I can’t wait to read your money saving tips, let me know your best one.

Til next time,

Jen x

The Homedics Radiance Microdermabrasion kit was sent to me for editorial consideration in line with my disclosure policy.

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

  2. My best saving tip is meal prep for lunches and dinners for work. Being a shift worker it’s essential. Not only cost effective but healthier too.

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  3. I just asked my daughter’s what my best money saving tip is and one said don’t have kids, ha ha ha, how true, but really they are a great investment x

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  4. Ok, this is a bit weird but works for me. I love online shopping. I have found it is often just the thrill of the chase, rather than the actual buying.
    So I put merrily things in the shopping cart. Then I will go in later and delete most of them. Allowing myself time gives me some perspective and no impulse buys
    Another bonus I have found by accident, sometimes the company will send you an email giving you free shipping on your cart. Winning!!

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    • I do this too…..and I watch lots of eBay stuff I want but don’t bid. I used. To be super shopper but no more after getting re mortgaged to renovate after being mortgage free for 10 years

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    • I do a lot of what other ladies suggest too…..and I watch lots of eBay stuff I want but don’t bid. I used. To be super shopper but no more after getting re mortgaged to renovate after being mortgage free for 10 years.

      I rarely buy lunch, coffee, tea or water- I bring my own Twinnings teabags that I buy on special and my own milk and treat my inner circle to biscuits I buy on special……a pack of Tim Tams for $1.90 last week versus nearly $10 for a medium latte and a. Muffin?

      Pay extra every payday on my mortgage, contribute $200 per fortnight in pre taxed wages to superannuation bringing my tax burden down….I already have 250k saved in super – started when Keating introduced universal Superannuation.

      Buy clothes. Only when they are on sale….

      Eat out less and make more of my own meals.

      Save all my gold coins and may start with $5 bills after reading this suggestion made by others.

      I sell belongings I don’t need and stuff I buy at op shops often for a nice profit. This reduces my visits to the ATM!

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  5. Congrats on your changes. I’ve also under gone a huge last 6 months of changes. For health reasons more than how I looked I had gastric sleeve surgery. It’s been huge (no pun intended) the food, exercise and lifestyle changes I’ve been through have been incredible. Yes the gym membership, personal trainer and extra vitamins all come at a cost. My money saving idea has been to organize my food for work, no more buying it last minute. Plan it, shop for it and then enjoy knowing you food week is sorted. No more last minute high priced junk or quick cafe food. This is paying off health wise too!!

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  6. If a beauty priduct I use regularly is on special I buy several and stock up my cupboard. Winning!

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  7. I subscribe to the Barefoot Investor. There is a great fun way of saving cash called The Betty challenge. Where you save every $5.00 note you come access or have in your wallet at the end of the day. Whip that note into a jar or money box and count the cash at the end of the year. KA-CHING!!!

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  8. Well done for making the changes you need to make for a healthier you, both physically and financially!

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  9. Definitely keeping on top of your accounts and plans for things like insurance, utilities and services. For the cost of a phone call and the effort to make it, you can honestly save loads. If you don’t ask, you don’t get is true when it comes to discounts!

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  10. I normally save my gold coins but last year i saved every $5 note i received, i put them in a money tin then after 12mths i had over $2,500 saved just in $5 notes it was great i got to buy my new out door lounge for our pool.

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  11. My best tip is to make my coffee at home in the morning! Saves me $25 a week (damn you soy being extra $!).

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  13. Any $5 bills I get I put away . Not I my purse. When I really want a special treat I change the notes at the bank and go shopping. If there’s nothing in particular that I want I just keep putting them away.

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  14. I never break a $5.00 note. Anytime I am given one it goes straight into the money tin. This pays for my holiday spending money every year. I get a money tin for the reject shop. Most years I get around $5,000.

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  15. Solar panels! With the sky rocketing cost of electricity, solar panels have literally saved us thousands.

    Oh, and walking to the shop. Save fuel by walking there, but also don’t buy all those spur of the moment purchases as they are too heavy to carry home!

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  16. Having a budget paying bills weekly especially when you don’t have a huge amount of money coming in like us this definitely helps us Thankyou❌

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  17. For me, it was something you had written about new years resolutions. If you write them down you are more likely to follow them. Mine are not earth shattering but i decided I needed to stop buying my lunch every day. So since I returned to work I have taken my lunch three out of four days. In the first 2 weeks I saved $80, which then got spent on bills but it meant it didn’t go on the credit card. I have managed to maintain it to now. My other saver is a Christmas club account. Pays for christmas and then some.

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  18. I diarise all upcoming big payments from our account, as a reminder to not spend all the money on nonsense I don’t really need, and I do regular checks to see whether we could be paying less for insurance, power, mortgage, etc. I also save a stack on gym fees by investing in a cross trainer and a few different weights and some good fitness training apps, and now I work out at home for free watching TV and movies in my “in-home gym”!

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  19. My best money saving tip is to open a Christmas Club account (I bank with a building society that has them). I work out how much I will need to cover Christmas gifts/food plus a bit extra) and then I set up a direct debit to come out of my account the same day our wages hit our bank account. Any money left over in the Christmas Club account stays in there and starts my savings for the next year.

    I also have set amounts of money redirected to other accounts i.e. a bill account, savings account. If the money isn’t sitting in your key card account, then you can’t spend it.

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  20. The only time I have been able to save is to have automatic transfer on pay day to a separate bank account that I have to go in and sign in order to get money out. I even went a step further and made my mother a co-signiture on the account just to make it that much harder for me to withdraw from. I don’t even notice the account now, it’s like it’s not there but in emergencies I know it is!

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  24. I have never been able to save bit like you Jen get it spend it. This year I have one invested in the barefoot investor haven’t started yet ?I am also putting in a tin my $2 $1 and $5 notes that I get and the tin you have to open with a can opener. Once it’s in there I don’t think about it because I can’t get to it. I will open it in December. Little baby steps .i also work in finance and can talk too there’s about their savings just don’t take my own advice?.

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  25. Best thing I ever did to save money is get rid of the credit card now I can only spend the money I have not the money I don’t have and always behind the eight ball.

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  26. Don’t do your grocery shopping On an empty stomach, eat breakfast or lunch beforehand, then you won’t be inclined to buy unnecessary items

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  27. I buy extra of regularly used items when they’re on special. Also meal planning and bulk meal prep are not only money savers but time savers too.

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  28. I like to menu plan and shop only once a fortnight. I only top up on milk and bread during that time. We live rural so this saves us heaps!!

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  29. One of my favourite ways to save money is to cook extra at dinner and take the leftovers for lunch the next day. That means you not only save money but you get a healthy homemade lunch as well. ❤️

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  30. My best tip –
    Grab an empty 600ml bottle
    (I keep mine in my pantry so I see the progress daily)
    Put your $2 change in it
    It quickly adds up to $600!!! And you never notice the change that would otherwise be sitting in the bottom of your bag or in the car centre console.
    $2 quickly becomes $600 !

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  31. My saving is walking home from work 3 days per week and walking to work two days per week and only buying lunch 1 per week.. Been doing this for 4 weeks now and I think I am saving about $25 per week….as they say in the classics….baby steps.

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  32. Very simple, but buy things on special. Would love a kit, so I can freshen up my tired, black circled eye look..

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  33. My best tip –
    Grab an empty 600ml bottle
    (I keep mine in my pantry so I see the progress daily)
    Put your $2 change in it
    It quickly adds up to $600!!! And you never notice the change that would otherwise be sitting in the bottom of your bag or in the car centre console.
    $2 quickly becomes $600 !

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  34. To avoid the pain of bills, I work out roughly what I pay in a year on all the regular stuff such as rates, electricity, insurance and rego. I divide that number by 26 and have that amount automatically go to a bills account fortnightly. All my bills are set-up as a direct debit from that account. What is left over goes to my everyday account and is mine to spend on everything else! No stress when I get a bill because the money is there – and definitely no cards linked to that account!

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  35. Sweeper accounts. I have 2 of them. The money comes out of my main account on payday and “sweeps”
    Into my other accounts. I have them hidden from my accounts list. That way I don’t miss the money. I budget based upon what goes in the main account. By doing this I was able to buy my first property and now in the process of building a second.

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  36. If you try and cut out a coffee every day and put that money into a jar it will add up quickly and use it to pay off a bill or to buy a treat such as a new bag. Also buy a metal or glass water bottle and keep it in the fridge at work and refill rather than buying plastic water bottles.

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  37. Good on you Jenni , Ps, I’m glad I am not the only one ,who does the odd purchase ,when hubby is not around !?

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  38. I only buy what I can afford to pay off my credit card each month, I never use the credit nor pay interest. I make tea and coffee at work rather than buying cappuccinos, but sometimes I splurge for a treat. I try to buy all my fashion on sale rarely paying full price. I do my own mani & pedi. But do get a Reflexology foot massage every now and then.

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  39. I love the comments about saving money and to make the kids move out!!!! I don’t think my daughter will ever leave! Loves her Daddy too much and she is 22. My best money saving tip is to not buy coffee each day and to drink tea and water instead!

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  40. I buy all my basics at Aldi including toothpaste, shampoo, makeup, flour, toilet paper, ice cream. I save so much. Only visit the big chains for things I really need that Aldi doesn’t stock. Also changed all my cleaning products over to Norwex, no more chemicals to purchase and more importantly, no more chemicals in the house..

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  41. We have every bill debited every fortnight from the pay , so basically there is not much left but im never behind on any bills so i have no bill stress any more, and we live on the money i make weekly on my casual 20 hr a week job it is hard, but not having bill stress has changed my life

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  42. Congrats enjoy on your changes ? You have inspired me to take a good look at my life and make some changes too. My big saving is no longer buying take away coffee on a daily (sometimes more than once daily) basis but to find somewhere that makes truely great coffee and use it as a treat to spoil myself once a week or fortnight. Plus I also sit and enjoy it rather than grabbing and running.

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  43. My best money saving tip is to sell stuff you no longer use. You get to declutter and put some mojo money aside. In 3 weeks I’ve made $300 by selling my kids old clothes and toys. I priced to sell and had the most success using a local buy sell swap closed Facebook page. And I’ve gained a room back in our garage. Winning!

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  44. My best saving tips. Recently I’ve joined Cashrewards.com and all the things I’ve loved buying from the likes of Adrift or Uberkate etc have actually been tracked and I’ve been making money off spending money crazy right? The best of both worlds. I also have a Flybuy’s card I shop regularly at Coles, Kmart and Target and Coles generally send me offers like spend $80 a week on groceries for 4 weeks and get $50 therefore I take up these offers which are better then there competitors. Another app I’m loving is 7/11 it searches fuel prices in your area you can lock in a price for a week and therefore when fuel prices rise and fall it’s no biggy. Generally I’ve been saving 20-30 cents a litre on fuel this way and when I’m doing 500kms a week it’s a fair saving. I generally wait for sales on all my cosmetics and stock up at Priceline on 40% off days twice a year. I buy majority of my clothes on sale and even when I buy something online from the likes of Boohoo or ASOS I can usually find another additional discount code from the likes of Finder.com reducing the item further. I love costume jewellery and Colette usually have 40% off regularly or 3 for $10 deals which enables me to change up a outfit for very little. My last tip is the Red Cross Op Shop’s they have new products regularly and recently have had beautiful jewellery and toiletries. When you buy 10 items they give you 10% back through a rewards card. I consider myself to be a fashionista but I love the thrill of chasing a bargain and what can be better then that my friends often wonder how I can afford to look like I do when I go out but it’s easy when your literally saving money through reduced spending.

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  45. Monday to Friday at work I don’t buy coffees or lunch and I stopped buying magazines. I put the savings into having a date night with my hubby or a girls night every fortnight

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  46. Best saving tip… plan a menu for the week or fortnight and write a shopping list. Ordering online and having your groceries home delivered also saves $$
    It’s so easy to get sidetracked in the supermarket.

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  47. Saving tips. Work out what your yearly costs are for everything like gas water,phone,electric,internet…etc. Divide the cost by 52, and bpay/direct debit everything weekly. Or if you get paid fortnightly,divide by 26. Or monthly, by 12. No big bills or nasty surprises. Pay your rego quarterly on Ezyreg too.
    Also, make bigger spag bol,roasts etc & freeze leftovers for lunches.
    Saved us a fortune?

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  48. Like you I renegotiated my insurance policies, manage to get my credit card company to wipe 8% off my interest rate. A combined saving of over $2500. I also take my lunch to work and not buy or take away coffee.

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  49. My best saving money tip is:
    Put Two dollar coins into a 600ml coke bottle and once it’s full, you will have $1000 to spend on what you wish!
    We don’t tend to miss $2 coins so much and it’s such a buzz to see the bottle filling up! Winning!!!!!!!!

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  50. Even when I am saving money, usually for a holiday, I still deserve to be pempered & to go out for a treat. For my pampering I always use the voucher deals such as scoopon & groupon. I have had some great pampering packages for a fraction of the price. Though I always make sure I search a review on the place prior to buying to make sure it is not dodgy.
    Also buy them for meals as well, have enjoyed some great meals with my hubby & family at a great price. Even took mum for high tea at a beautiful Melbourne hotel and it cost less than the price of 1 high tea.

    We love to travel & who doesnt love to stay at a 5 star hotel! I use 5 star secret hotels for the price of a 3 star hotel. With a little detective work, you can even narrow it down to the hotel, I am becoming quite the expert. We have recently stayed at Westin Memphis, Intercontinental Boston, Le Meridien Munich all at prices cheaper than a Holiday Inn! My girlfriends now get me to do their hotel bookings when they travel overseas, I should start charging commission!

    Just because you are tightening the purse strings, doesnt necesarily mean you cant have treats!

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  52. I have my $5 jar. Every time I have a $5 note in my wallet. I put it in my glass jar. I started mid January and I already have $90. Next January I will cash in my jar and most likely like most mum’s at that time of the year, spend it on back to school stuff and uniforms. Anything left over I will use to treat myself at my beauty therapist.

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  53. Thank you great read as always!!
    My tip is very simple but it really works for me & that is to do a quick meal plan for the coming few days & write a grocery list before I go to the supermarket & stick to it! ?

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  54. Set-up a direct debit to a savings account in a different bank than you normally use and automatically transfer a certain amount each pay day into that account. God I love watching it grow. I call it my ‘permanent ravel account’!

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  55. I have a spreadsheet for my fortnightly meal plan, which comprises of a 14 day calendar listing whats for dinner every night, a shopping list split into week 1 and 2 and a list of all the vegetarian meals that we like to eat including the ingredients. We decide as a family whats on the menu for the fortnight and tick the boxes for the ingredients on the shopping list. I buy food once a week only, thereby eliminating any impulse spending. And it works. Also it cuts down the inevitable questions “whats for dinner” when I answer “look at the menu”!!

    I save money by taking dinner leftovers for lunch the next day – thereby eliminating impulse spending in the CBD. Every bit helps.

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  56. If you earn $100 per week, you spend only $99. That way you’ll ALWAYS be debt free. It’s also called “living within your means”.

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  57. $5 notes! That’s it. Put every $5 note in a tin, did it to go away on a cruise and was amazed how quickly it mounted up ( I even robbed it a couple of times). The other one is if I am thinking of buying anything clothing wise if I don’t LOVE IT the I LEAVE IT.

    Has worked wonders for me and so simple.

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  58. I’ve had to really watch the $ this year after having a baby and not working for 12 months – it’s been tough but I done feel like I have ‘gone without’

    I only buy clothes if they are on sale! And once you start buying clothes you realise that clothes are always on sale! You just need to keep your eyes peeled. When I shop online I add everything I’d like to my cart. I check bk each day and once a sake hits – I purchase!

    I buy meat and pantry food in bulk and go to the Torrens island markets for fruit n veg on Sunday’s. It costs 1/2 of what you pay at the supermarkets and lasts 3x longer!

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  60. My best money saving tip would be to plan all meals, write your shopping list in advance and shop via a click and collect service, this way there is no temptation to buy those unnecessary non essential items, it really does make a massive difference and you can see how much your spending as you go, meaning you can set a limit for your shopping bill and watch your totals and make adjustments if needed ??

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  61. I’ve found that not going to the supermarket more than twice weekly has saved us heaps. Calling in just for milk or bread turns into half a trolley. Our food bill is less and I don’t keep putting more food in freezer and not using it.

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  62. My best saving tip, apart from the Barefoot Investor’s tips are 1. to give up carbs! Keeping our eating basic has helped us save so much money, & 2. Going a year without new clothes (only opshopping) is another great way to save.

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  63. I actually use hair oil as my face moisturiser, hand moisturiser and on my hair as well .at $ 12 Argan oil of morocco oil for hair is the best product I’ve ever used – I swear I look younger and my skin is smooth as silk ( not bad for a 53 year old!)

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  64. Hello Jen, my fantastic money saving tip is simply “Spend to Save”. By spending a small amount whether it be into your super, paying more of your mortgage, you are saving $, buying a pretty dress on sale saving $,, spend the time to research on products and services saves $,.

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  65. Follow the Barefoot Investor. I’ve saved on insurances and superannuation fees by rolling them together. Simple things I should have done before. I’m saving all my $5 notes for my daughters 21st party later in the year. Plan and budget meals for the week including work meals.

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  66. Popping any spare change in a jar. It slowly adds up over the year and last year I had enough to buy the families Christmas gifts!

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  67. Sounds ridiculous and simple I know, but my biggest saving tip is “track your spendings”. I’d never done it in my life until one of my friends (who works in finance and was horrified to learn how bad my finances were) rather kindly forced me to do it and I was utterly shocked by how much I was spending on really silly things. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t buying them unconsciously or anything and I understood logically that it all added up, but it wasn’t until being confronted with it that I was like “oh… sheeeeeet.”
    Fast forward about a year and I’m now debt free (cleared off $7k on credit cards) and saving for my first home. Was the wake up call I needed!
    (Also, taking care of yourself is not turning your back on anything except possible negative consequences. You go! I love seeing your fitness posts on Insta – always motivates me to get off my own butt)

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  68. I try to make my Latte at home for trips to shops. We also grow most of our own fruit and vegetables …. that saves lots $$.

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  69. To save money on items we need to buy or replace, I let my fingers do the walking. I research the model or item we are looking for then hunt down the best price online. If it’s not local and we need it asap, most stores pricematch and we’ve saved anything from 100’s to over 1000 dollars on appliances and other household goods this way. We’ve even managed to find the freezer we wanted to buy, on gumtree only a year old and less than half price of what it was still selling for at The Good Guys.

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  70. This year we bought a coffee machine (on sale). I’ve already saved so much on just making my own coffees at home in the morning and I bought a keep cup so when I do go out I’m not using a takeaway container!

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  71. I love your Betty .I bought my own Betty (not named as yet) , next week I start a SheRides programme locally with other local women. It goes for 8 weeks . Look it up.

    My tip minimalism . Most of us have so much stuff , we can do with less (including those extra curvy bits lol)

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  72. I am a kerbside krawler, people are always throwing out great things. I have furnished my whole house with second hand pre loved treasure. On Saturday I picked up two fantastic MCM chairs, free! All it took was a little loss of face, throwing it in my car!. A few weeks ago I rescued a beautiful old sewing machine from a skip – free!!
    We are way too disposable, I feel good about saving a little landfill when I do this.

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  73. Enter competitions hoping to win products so I don’t have to buy them, hasn’t paid off yet but I’m still trying.?

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  74. Budget every week and stick to it.
    Also I live by ‘Need vs Want’ -grade 5 this was taught to me and I’ve lived by this motto ever since.

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  75. I work part time these days and earn half of what I normally would but I manage to save two ways. Setting weekly living allowance & putting in a transaction acct, the rest of around 60% goes to a online saving acct that I only look at occasionally.
    It has worked for a decade now because I routinely forget I have the acct and never access it so the money grows more than expected.

    I also empty my wallet of coins every day and store it up. We use this money for holidays, Xmas presents and if I want something special I have to get it from the coins (literally, I sit on the floor & count the coins into bags & head to the bank).

    What I found was that once I get into the habit of it I just didn’t think about the money anymore & for me that aided my ability to save.

    Since I started I saved a deposit for a house and the past few years we’ve been able to go on regular holidays. Not to mention buying the odd special item.

    Simplicity is the key.

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  76. We plan our dinner menu for the week, and then order our groceries online and have delivered. I’ve found we save quite a bit because we no longer shelf shop. I also purchase multiple when our regulat items are on special. Not only save money, but also time.

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  77. Your blog was spot on . You go girl and thank you for sharing your tips always helpful. Have a great week. ?

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  78. good on you jen!
    sounds like you’ve got things licked!
    I also have the cut back ideal!
    the want mentality is the thing to get on top of!
    “if you don’t love, it don’t buy it” sy nikki
    i’ll go a step further and say but do I really need it! mx
    btw your skin always looks amazing to me!
    much love m:)X

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  79. Hi ladies…
    For me I have always stuggled with money too.
    So…
    I direct debit bills, I am always pleasantly surprised to see that we are in credit for most bills and if I don’t see it in the bank, I don’t miss it.
    From my uni days, i allocate a separate envelope for all of my essentials, groceries, fuel, kids school, and we always have a play money envelope. My mother always said you HAVE to budget in some fun and don’t feel guilty about it.
    Lastly, i do what i can when i can. I don’t have a full time job so I play gigs whenever I can, i teach printmkaing and as I am a curvy lady, i get my clothes off for other artists to draw them x
    That money is a bonus that either gets my kids a term of soccer training or goes towards our ‘safety net’
    Huge love to all and goodnlucknin your koney journeys ladies x leash

    Reply

  80. TIP…..When it’s time to buy clothes and money is tight then head off to the Salvos store at Fulham( once your loving stylist has donated her clothes!!). It’s a win win situation….gorgeous clothes for you and money saved !

    Reply

  81. I used to buy 2 drive through coffee a day. Now I make them at home before I leave with our pod machine and I’m used to the taste and love it. Saves $10 a day. Loving all the other suggestions above x

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  82. I started the $5 challenge . where you put all your $5 notes away and save them up. Amazing how they seem to add up really quickly and i don’t even miss them. lets face it . it’s only one less cup of coffee out. At the end of the year I’ll add them up and treat me and hubby to something nice.

    Reply

  83. Track everything you spend for a few weeks , you will be surprised & can more easily see where to save money. I have used Asic’s MoneySmart Track My Spend free app or just record it in a notebook as you spend.
    Also a site like Cashrewards is great – % back for your spend in a variety of online businesses.

    Reply

  84. My tip is meal plan for the week and only go to the shop once.
    Also try to never pay full price for anything especially clothing. If it’s not on sale this week it will be next week!

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  85. Get money direct debited straight out of your pay. Into another account………this way you don’t even miss it. Doesn’t matter how small you start, you’re better off with your savings than you were a week, two weeks or a month ago.

    Reply

  86. We spent three months recording every single expense in a spreadsheet. After that amount of time it was easy to see where we could save money but it also made you think about spending pre-spend because you knew it had to be recorded in the spreadsheet!!

    Reply

  87. I’m loving the new skin products that I have been shown. I’m loving Swisse Kakadu Brightening Serum, it smells so good ?
    I have had Microdermabrasion facials in the past & absolutely love them. It’s like a vacuum for your face! I would love to try this one.
    Thanks for your great work Jen! Xx

    Reply

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