Seasonal Savings Tips

• Winter

  Use the long, dark nights to take stock of your income and expenditure. Make sure you either record the exact amount you spend on things, or round-up to the nearest pound. The Government’s Money and Pensions Service website, MoneyHelper has a great free budget planner tool to help you record and analyse your income and expenditure. Now you’ve got an accurate picture of how much money you have coming in, and where you’re spending it, look for ways to help you save money.

• Spring

  If you’re a fan of a spring clean, then why not use the opportunity to make some money from your clutter? The saying goes ‘One person’s junk is another person’s treasure’, and sites like eBay, Vinted, Shpock and Music Magpie make it’s easy to cash in on this trend. Watch out for seller fees, and make sure you factor in postage costs to maximise your profit.

• Summer

  Make the most of the summer weather by using it to help you save money! Ditch the expensive indoor exercise classes for some fresh-air fitness. Running, hill walking and wild swimming can help you burn the calories but won’t burn through your cash. Or how about using the free outdoor fitness equipment available in many Glasgow parks?

• Autumn

  The season of ‘mists and mellow fruitfulness’, autumn is the perfect time to slow down and introduce some mindful spending techniques. Schedule a no-spend weekend, once a month. Get the family involved to figure out fun ways to enjoy the weekend without spending any money. It might be inventing and cooking new meals only using the food you’ve already got in the house, planning trips to free attractions that are close to home or organising a film night to re-watch everybody’s old favourite movies.