Thrifty Living - 30 Ways To Save £1

It's the great British £1 coin's 30th birthday and to commemorate Money Supermarket asked for '30 Ways to Save £1'.  As much as I love spending, I live for saving.   My bargain obsessed brain had a free work out thinking of this little lot to hopefully save you pounds!  

From beauty buying to keeping up with the trends, here's a range of thrifty tips and all the savvy techniques you'll ever need to save you loads of cash:

1.  Before buying anything online first look for discount codes.  They can save you huge amounts including 10% off, 20% off and even free delivery.

2.  Make sure you're the first to know about exclusive offers from your favourite shops and brands by subscribing to newsletters and following social media accounts.

3.  Sign up for loyalty cards - and remember to use them each time you shop - not only are they free, you quickly accumulate points worth real money to spend.

4.  Don't be store loyal.  Always price-check rival shops so you don't miss deals and pay the best price.  You'd be surprised by the difference in prices.

5.  Most shops have sale or clearance sections; make a point of checking these areas first to snap up a bargain.

6.  If you're looking to buy a specific item it's worth browsing online auction sites where savings on used, reconditioned or brand new items can be huge.

7.  When sending post don't assume the Post Office is the only and cheapest way.  Compare against couriers online and send with the best value.

8.  Keep up to date with current trends and celebrity stories by reading your favourite magazine's website and save pounds on buying the magazine!

9.  Shop with friends.  If a product you both want is on a multi-buy offer or buy 1 get 1 free, split the cost by paying together.

10.  Make up products have a quick turn around and last season's must have can be found in discount shops at slashed RRP prices.

11.  Keep an eye out for competitions and enter those that you really want.  If you win them, you save on the cost having to buy them!

12.  Going to see a movie?  The day and time you go to the cinema can cost you pounds or save you as much.  Look for discounted days and go earlier in the day for off peak tariffs.

13.  There's no need to purchase expensive eyebrow taming gels.  Instead, buy a low price clear mascara, they're cheap, conditioning and do the job.

14.  When going on holiday don't buy expensive mini bottles of shampoo and body wash.  Keep sample sachets and free trial size products aside to take with you instead.

15.  Like a designer garment but not the price tag?  Check out the high street for quality, catwalk inspired trends.

16.  A few drops of fragrant essential oil into a bottle of distilled water makes excellent - and cheap - laundry water.

17.  Pick wild fruit and forage natural edible plants and flowers to make gorgeous, free infusion drinks and puddings.

18.  Always write a list when shopping and stick to it, it keeps you focussed on what you really need which can (help) avoid temptation.

19.  If you still love your dress but hate the colour, dye it.  It's cheaper than buying another.

20.  Don't waste your money on costly gym membership, instead find something you enjoy doing that you can do in your own home or garden.

21.  Ditch the razor and invest in an epilator, it'll last you years and quickly pays for itself.

22.  When trying on bras, make sure it's firmest on the first hook; as it wears move along the hooks until the last one.  It'll last much longer.

23.  If you resist the launch of a new product and purchase it a few months later you can often save half the price.

24.  Buy products from an independent over a chain store, they are often the cheapest prices while some are happy to do deals and price match.

25.  When trying out products at the premium beauty counters ask about samples to try at home to be sure a product is right for you before buying.

26.  Before spending on pricey furniture check out free recycling websites to see if someone is getting rid of what you could make use of.

27. Keep wallpaper and paint samples - they come in handy for crafty projects such as card making.

28.  Provide your small animals with cheap and fun toys using empty toilet rolls, cardboard boxes and paper shopping bags.

29.  Keep an eye on magazine cover gifts; free tubes of hand cream and pots of nail polish save you buying new ones.

30.  Don't throw away your loose pennies - they soon turn into pounds!

I'd love to know if you live by any money saving mantras.  Know some good tips I've not mentioned?

Becky x

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Homewares - Budget Vintage Florals

The country floral patterns that at one time were reserved for the older generations have recently made us go all granny chic, thanks to the likes of designers such as Cath Kidston.  Vintage loving fashionistas have long been rocking the trend with the regeneration of bygone era floral fashion, with the shabby chic style extending from clothing to homewares.  One reason why retro florals are now so popular is because it taps into the romantic ideals of the 40s and 50s, incorporating the wartime fascination of the make do and mend rule, when everything was simple, attractive and less commercial.

I was never one for floral anything, whether socks or cushions, so it's surprised even myself how appealed, or rather obsessed, about the trend I've become.  I just love the pretty colours and delicate detailing and it's got to be realistic looking, which is how we'll see the trend developing this year; it's all about botanicals: fine art depictions of plants and flowers.  You heard it here first.  (Well, after Vogue.)

Something I always have been and always will be is cost conscious, or 'thrifty' as is the age old term.  Cath Kidston prints as beautiful as they are can be pretty pricey but to embrace these gorgeous florals doesn't have to cost the earth.  I've been buying some bargain bits and pieces here and there and I'm going to share them with you.  You see, everyone can afford the vintage inspired look!


This is my Rosali Duvet Set from Ikea.  This was an exciting find for me as it's been hugely popular and sells out quickly.  The print was allegedly designed by Cath Kidston for Ikea some time ago but as her name isn't on the packaging you're not paying the Cath Kidston price tag.  The set comes in white or blue and I adore the blue colourway so much.  This is a bargain at £24.99 king size!

This is my Minky ironing board which I bought about three years ago.  I thought it was pretty cute with it's pink feet and detailing, and the cover was cool too but I recently found a much nicer one which suits the board really well.  The floral ironing board cover is from B & M Stores which is a haven for good quality bargains.  The pattern reminds me of Cath Kidston's 'Provence Rose' and the colour is so fresh and vibrant.  It cost only £2.99.

This was another great purchase from B & M Stores.  I wanted a sturdy box to store my surplus make up products in, and because it was to be kept in the bedroom I wanted it to look pretty.  This box is perfect and does the job well.   The sky blue is a lovely contrast against the pink flowers.  A fantastic buy at £1.99.

Now, this is a really attractive oven mitt; the colours are vibrant and it's so pretty.  It's not great for your hands, though!  I think it's not that well made in respect of the padding and fabric used, I feel heat coming through the glove pretty quickly when I'm removing a hot tray out of the oven.  I dread to think how it passed safety tests.  :-/  It cost £1 from Pound World.  You could say you get what you pay for but because I love looking at it (and it's partner as I bought two), these will be staying in the kitchen.

This is the Ditsy Paper Tray from Matalan which I thought would be great for storage.  I decided to use it as my sock box and keep all my socks and tights in it.  It's so big and spacious you could use it as so many different things such as store magazines, toiletries or some logs by the fire.  For only £5, this doesn't set you back much.

This is still one of my favourites; a white and lilac button padded floral seat cushion which has tie backs so I can secure it to my bedroom chair.  It looks so shabby chic and a perfect match.  The fabric is cotton and washes well in the washing machine, which is great news if you spill foundation on your cushion like I did!  I only paid £1.99 for it from B & M Stores (you should by now have guessed they're a good shop to try out!).

If you missed my Christmas present post last month, here's a reminder in case you can still buy this.  It's actually an iPhone case for your mobile but I bought it with the intention to fit my iPod Touch in it, which it does perfectly.  I found it in Poundland of all places for, well, a £1!  There was a choice of pink or blue and naturally I went for the blue one because I think I have a thing for blue florals.  This is a really good buy as it looks and feels much more than just £1's worth. 

Do you like the vintage floral theme?  Seen any similar items for bargain prices?  Please share if you've spotted anything!

Becky x

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Large Cup Budget Buying Guide

If you're fortunate to be of ample bust, you'll know all too well the misfortune that accompanies such a blessing, and that's the sad fact that large cup bras aren't particularly cheap.  It's frustrating to walk into all the trendy high street clothes shops and see a beautiful array of affordable lingerie only to find they stop short of the larger cup sizes.  It's even more disheartening when you require a smaller back size because so few stores stock them.

If you're a familiar reader here you'll know how much of a bargainista I am.  I'm always looking for the best buys I can find to satisfy my bra needs.  If you're needing bras for your newly refitted boobs or just looking to freshen your lingerie draw with some modern pretties, there are ways and means to avoid going in the red.  Here are my 6 top tips for intelligent bra buying.


1.  eBay
Whether you like it or not, ebay is the auction site everyone talks about and there's reason for it.  It's one of the best places to go to for low prices and choice because everyone wants to sell off their wares quickly.  Pre-worn is the requisite for second hand trading but many people sell brand new bras that didn't fit them and weren't returned, and there are many businesses selling too, listing current and past seasons.  You can find plenty bras in every size imaginable, including illusive 28 backs.  Items are usually listed in an auction format where you bid against other interested buyers but often a 'buy it now' option is available for immediate purchase.

I recently bought this past season Freya Jolie bra in a 28H on eBay for less than £13!

2.  Bratabase
This site is all about achieving the best fit from bras using a community built database where users are encouraged to measure and add their bras - the well fitting and not so - onto the site to provide usable feedback helpful for others looking for fit advice for a particular bra.  With the option to list any of your uploaded bras for sale, your unwanted bras can find a new home thanks to the worldwide site membership (which is free).  I have successfully sold some of my own bras using the Bratabase system and each time has been a personable and pleasant experience.

3.  Discount Online Shops
We can all think of web stores who sell at recommended retail price but did you know there are online shops where you can easily pay up to half price less?  Shops such as Lingerie Heaven, Brastop and My Curves and Me are all excellent sources for marked down prices on bras both popular and newly released.  They aren't seconds, with all lingerie being the same top quality product you'd find in the next shop.  It's just great prices!

4.  Promotions
With so many shops and online stores closing down every day, retail is cut throat; every shop has to fight for its customers.  When I'm looking to buy I always look online to find any discount codes that may be on offer.  A percentage off your total order, a monetary discount and free delivery are all common deals at various times of the retail calendar.  If you sign up to website newsletters you'll be the first to know about offers such as free delivery, and often there'll be up to a 20% off incentive for your first purchase.  Social websites such as Twitter and Facebook and also good ways of staying in touch with businesses where you'll often be privy to exclusive competitions and offers.

5.  Sales
There are sales and then there are secret sales, both earn you the potential for huge savings but work differently.

General sales are offered by just about every shop, on the high street and online.  The big sales are at specific times of the year, such as the January sales, winter sales and summer sales, which are to make way for next season stock which actually hits the shelves before the current season is out.  Here you can pick up huge discounts particularly on 'fashion' lines, which are the colourways and styles season specific and not continually available throughout the year.

Secret sales are membership websites - Brand Alley is one of them - for which you sign up to, to gain access to tightly scheduled sales.  Sales are quick, often over within a matter of days, so you have to get in fast if you don't want to miss out.

6.  Cashback
Even if you decide to buy from a regular store online, you can still easily make a saving.  Although not hugely significant, websites which provide cashback for following their lead link can earn you the equivalent of a percentage off your order total which accumulates on your account to mean real money back in your hand.  For example, using Topcashback you can achieve over 5% of your order at Brastop.  Every little helps!


So, this is how I shop.  Do you have a particular shopping style?  Are you a bargain hunter as I am, or someone who likes to be in and out as quick as possible when you shop?

If there's any money saving tips for bra buying I've missed, I'd love to hear!

Becky x

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My Curves and Me & Cleo Meg

There's one rule I fastidiously live by and it's always be a bargain hunter.  I'm thankful for growing up in a household which meant our family had to watch the pennies because it taught me to be thrifty and wise with my cash.  I hate to pay the RRP on anything and always hunt high and low for the best price on the smallest of things.  This explains why it makes me so happy when I find out about a new bargain bra shop on the block!

When My Curves and Me got in touch to tell me about their launch I was so excited.  The brand new web store is a much needed addition to the small pool of large bust bra retailers we have to choose from.  We're often bombarded with sales offers but it's refreshing when a shop's ethos is already with the mind of low pricing.  Browsing through My Curves and Me using the simple navigations, it's quick to see both old and new collections of popular brands are available in many, often difficult to source, sizes.

I hadn't had a Cleo for quite a while so when the autumn winter style, Meg, appeared on the screen in a 28H I was tempted into ordering it.  Listed for £20.25 there was an already huge saving on the RRP of £27.  You can save so much more than this though, with the vibrant red Cleo Marcie selling for an amazing £15!

Meg is a really pretty bra but not overly girly so perfect for anyone who dislikes pink and frills.  The swallow print is on trend and contemporary, set against a navy blue base colour, highlighted with bursts of red.  It's a perfect look for a dark winter wardrobe and quite festive looking too.

The fabric is an all over fine mesh with fully adjustable straps that are the just the right width preventing the bra from being anything close to frumpy.  The back fastens with just a double hook and eye but the wings aren't particularly narrow so you still get ample enough support from the band.

Sadly the cups were very disproportionate to my figure and didn't fit me in the cups.  The under wire and centre gore were not a problem but there was so much bagginess to the tops of the cups.  I feel this style would suit a fuller up top bust better, so to fill the entire cups which are very rounded all over.  I was so disappointed Meg didn't fit because I was so hopeful and I love Cleo bras so much for their modern styles.  Thankfully I know Lucy is a good fit so all is not lost with this young at heart brand.

Over at My Curves and Me there's a free delivery promotion going on so now is probably a good time to get ahead with your Christmas lingerie list.  ;-)

Becky x

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