Scrimp With Me

Hey guys, last time I did a post about saving money y’all seemed to really like it. So I thought I’d do another one sharing more of my pennypinching know-how. 

1. FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE

I effing ADORE getting things on the cheap- and it’s even better when you can get them for FREE. I highly recommend that you become a fan of Women Freebies on facebook. From one month of following the links given on just this one website I have managed to get---- drumroll please:

A big bar of galaxy chocolate

Lots of wrinkle cream samples

A tin of spam

A facemask

A small vial of Tabasco sauce

Which is not bad! Some of the samples through the post take a little while to arrive, but seeing as it’s not costing you anything, it’d be rude to moan about it.

2. Magazines

It’s always worth checking what free gifts are on offer! This month’s Cosmo has a free pair of Eyelure false eyelashes, which I know retail in Boots for around £5, and Cosmo is only £3.50!

So not only do you get a slightly sexist bible of weird sex tips and TRUE LIFE STORIES- you also get to look lash-tastic! Hot!

Frankly, who wouldn't want to look like they have moths clinging to their eyelashes?

3. Get Bank Savvy

Are you in possession of a child bank account you’ve almost forgotten about?

If yes… STOP

Now is the time to remember it. Chances are that the interest you’re getting on it is an absolute pittance. So move that money betch!

But remember: it’s highly likely that the account will be under one of your parents names, but they can be signed over to you, so check it out!

Shop around for the best deal, and be sure of what you want.

An instant access savings account means you can get at your money in an emergency, but a fixed-term saver might mean you get better rates.

But be practical, you don’t want to be caught out!

4. Collect Vouchers

See, Katie Holmes doesn't even need to use them but she still does, because coupons are just so CELEBRITY

With my last box of hair dye (Garnier Ultra Colour in Ice Blonde- yes I’m not a natural blonde. Now get over it you horrible judgmental people) I got a coupon for money off Garnier roll-on deoderant! That’s pretty cool!

My top tip for voucher usage is to write down when they expire in a diary- then you’ll be reminded to use them before they run out.

I know using vouchers is usually the preserve of housewives and old women, but in this economic climate I am glad of all the 30p savings I can make.

As some crazy old broad once said- ‘watch the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves’.

Aces!

Student Money Saving Tips

I'm a tight-fisted miser and proud, and why shouldn't I be? I have money and you all have none. Follow these five key principles and live the life of a king:

1. Get yourself on the mailing list for Martin’s Money Tips, he collates all the deals and vouchers available online and in newspapers/magazines. There are all sorts, from online shopping to restaurants and magazine freebies. He’ll even advise you as to how much you’d have to spend in order for it to be worth it: for example, if you had 10% off H&M online you’d have to spend at least £30 for it to be worth it if the delivery is £3.

2.     Student discounts: ask if you can get money off whenever you try and buy something. At McDonalds you can get a free cheeseburger/hamburger/McFlurry if you buy a meal and present a student card; by my reckoning you can probably feed two people for under a fiver if you buy a large meal, have the free burger and split the chips and drink. If you have an NUS card you can get even better discounts, the most useful ones (in my opinion) are those for Amazon and Superdrug.

3.      Don’t be afraid to complain: if you’re not happy with something- go and give them a piece of your mind! One time I found a bit of plastic in a pizza at Frankie and Benny’s and we got the whole meal for free, all five of us.  Sending letters of complaint is also a good method to get vouchers and free stuff.

4.    Shop/cook in groups: everyone knows that it’s cheaper to buy in bulk and it also enables you to take advantage of buy one get one free and 3 for 2 deals. Alternatively, buy lots and freeze what you’re not going to immediately use. Also don’t shop while you’re hungry- cause you’ll just buy a load of junk food you don’t actually need.

5.     Take advantage of 2^nd hand stuff: if you need something, try asking if anyone in your family/friends have an old one you can have, or check out charity shops. Your Nan probably has a spare toaster or drying-rack hanging about and you’ll get it for free unless she’s a total stinge.

Hope you find these useful and they help you all to be super prudent and thrifty. 

Dressing Mad Men

Series Four of Mad Men just ended and I don’t know how I’m going to cope without my Joan fix for however long it is until Series Five hits the US.

I

NEED

JOAN

Also Betty is totally buff too, and you can’t afford not to mention AskMen.com’s most influential man of 2009- Mr Donald Draper.

(N.B If you don’t watch Mad Men- watch it. And if you already do- *high five*)

Today’s feature is going to help you lot buck up your style ideas and show you how to dress like a prissy housewife/saucepot secretary/highflying ad man/goody-two-shoes-with-a-shady-past copy writer- and all on the high street!

BETTY:

Think-

Florals

Knee length full skirts

Pastel colours

Necessary Accessories-

Pearls

Neuroticism

Cigarettes

Real-Life Examples

http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/dresses/firecracker-belted-dress_205986704

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=1922092&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208523&parent_categoryId=203984&sort_field=Relevance&pageSize=200

(admittedly these are both kind of horrible but Bets is much more of a Spring/Summer rather than Autumn/Winter kind of gal.)

JOAN:

Think-

Skin tight

Cleavage but not too much cleavage

Jewel colours

Necessary Accessories-

Sleek up-do

Big stud earrings like dis-

http://www.accessorize.com/mega-80s-chain-stud-earrings/invt/78187903/?bklist=icat,4,shop,jewelleryshop,jewelleryshopearrings

Sassy coquettish attitude

Curves that could kill a man at forty paces

Real-Life Examples

http://www.missselfridge.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33055&storeId=12554&productId=2002096&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=222490&parent_categoryId=208100&sort_field=Relevance&pageSize=40

if it was a nicer colour like teal or something

http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&langId=-1&storeId=12552&catalogId=33053&parent_category_rn=&categoryId=208789&productId=2057979

(I WANT THIS)

DON:

Think-

Grey/navy single-breasted two button suit

White shirt

Skinny tie

And on special occasions you can whack out the loud check jacket

Necessary Accessories-

A double whiskey on the rocks

Some Luckies

A plethora of bits on the side ;)

Real-Life Examples

http://www.burton.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33052&storeId=12551&productId=1938169&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=209128&parent_categoryId=208978&sort_field=Relevance&pageSize=20&refinements=Colour{1}~[grey]&noOfRefinements=1

http://www.topman.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33056&storeId=12555&productId=2010946&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=207248&parent_categoryId=207298&sort_field=Relevance&pageSize=20&refinements=Colour{1}~[grey]&noOfRefinements=1

PEGGY:

Think-

Checks

Brown/sludgy colours
Bows

Cardigans

Sensible shoes

No makeup

Necessary Accessories-

Go-getter attitude

Dodgy fringe

Dodgy ponytail

Post-makeover: decent bob

Real-Life Examples

http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/dresses/apricot-tartan-dress_213521969

http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33053&storeId=12552&productId=2057847&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208789&parent_categoryId=226988&sort_field=Relevance&pageSize=200




Hope you enjoyed reading and I fully expect you all to take heed and become instant snappy dressers.