For me, I decided that 2019 would be the year of ‘doing’. Not of putting stuff off or leaving everything until the last minute. I had a great big list of things I wanted to ‘get done’ this year. From being more organised and productive on the blog to cutting down on my bad and unhealthy habits. I have to admit it’s been a bit hit and miss. Especially when it comes to things like how to save for a rainy day. It’s a rollercoaster ride, some weeks I am on the ball, others I have dropped the ball and it has rolled far, far away from me!

One area I wanted to focus on mainly was my finances. I am terrible with money and everyone who knows me knows this. My aim for the year was to get on top of all my outgoings and pay off some outstanding debts and generally be better with my money. I am a work in progress.

The biggest concerns for me are Christmas and ‘Birthday Season’ in March and April. They can be quite expensive with a big family to buy for Christmas. And with seven birthdays, Mother’s Day and Easter threw into the mix too, it can be heavy hitting on the bank account. Especially with one of those birthdays being Olivia’s too. For me, it makes sense to see how to save money throughout the year to put away for when I need it the most.

So What is the Best Way to Prepare and Plan Ahead for Big Expenses?

Last year, and earlier this year, I was woefully underprepared.

I literally scrapped through by the skin of my teeth, barely. This Christmas and next Birthday Season, I want to be better prepared. Despite living on a low income, there are always ways to make changes and shave a few pounds from your outgoings to siphon away for when you need it the most. For me, it was a case of knowing how to save money from my income.

My 4 Tips on How to Save Money the Easy Way and Boost Your Income.

Reduce Spending.

Easier said than done I know! Before you look at how to save or make any cutbacks, it makes sense to first figure out where your money is going. Try jotting down what you spend on a daily basis and track it for a week or so. If you are able to make a note of every little thing you spend you can see where you can make some cutbacks.

Whether it is buying lunches at work or a daily coffee on your way in, pinpoint places you can implement changes to make the savings. Chances are, you can make your own coffee for on the way to work cheaper than you can buy it and a packed lunch for a lot less too. Compare the best ways to make changes to your spending habits that will work for you. Just because Sandra in the office brings her leftovers in from the night before, that doesn’t mean it will work for you. Especially if leftovers consist of whatever the kids didn’t eat for dinner!

If your downfall is eating out or takeaways, why not limit it to a certain day of the week or month?

Aim to reduce the amount you eat away from home once or twice a month. Pretty soon you will see the amount of money you can put away increase! Another great way to make savings on eating out is to look for the best offers, loyalty discounts and buy one get one free offers.

Change the way you shop

Is the way you do your shopping working the best it can for your finances and your family? Shopping smarter can help you save money on your shopping bill without even trying. Make a note of everything you have at home already and only buy what you need. Why not try meal planning? Create a shopping list that only consists of the ingredients you need to make your chosen meals. If this still doesn’t work and, like me, you are swayed by the offers in-store, try shopping online or change where you shop.

A lot of the time you can still get much of what you buy in cheaper supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl. Or shop locally! Especially if you still have a greengrocer and butchers shop local to you. This is a great way of only buying what you need to reduce waste too as well as supporting your local businesses.

Start a Side Hustle.

If you are struggling to make cutbacks on your spending habits, why not look at ways you can create an extra income stream from home. A simple way to earn some extra money is to look around your home for things you no longer need or want. Old clothes, shoes, DVD’s, games and baby items could potentially make you some extra money to put aside for when you need it the most. Sell via eBay, local selling sites such as Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace or even a car boot sale if you can. Depending on what you have to sell, this could be very lucrative for you. If you drive, you can become an Uber driver by using KJ PCO ready cars to get started earning money fast.

If selling isn’t your thing then have a look online at ways you can make money.

Cashback sites come in really handy and have some great deals for people who shop online frequently. A great way to make some cash to save up. If you enjoy reading blogs, then check out some great money bloggers for their top tips. From taking surveys and using apps that help you rack up some much-needed funds to help you budget for your big expenses to ways to help you pay off your debts.

Another great way to create an income stream is to start a blog or your own business. I supplement my income with my blog earnings with my earnings now exceeding my wages from my part-time job. Be warned, this isn’t something you can achieve overnight. You need to work long and hard before you see the benefits and any possible income from writing a blog. However, if you are able to put the effort in, there is no reason why you can’t turn your blog into a reliable income stream for you and your family. It is a great way to earn money, to help you start building your savings and enjoy some extra disposable income too.

Alternative Options.

Another option to look into if you are really struggling is to look at your income and expenditure. Have a look to see where you can save some money on your bills. If you have debts you are paying off it may be worth looking into consolidating payments into one monthly loan or repayment option. For big and unexpected bills, such as car or boiler repairs or building maintenance, short term loans are available from companies like Cash Lady. However please make sure you can afford the repayments before committing to any loans or other finance agreements.