10 Fun Everyday Switches That Will Save You Money

Are your family funds extra tight at the end of every month?  The truth is, most of us could benefit from tightening up those purse strings... and small switches like cutting down on shopping and switching your health insurance could make a big difference to your life.  Happily, it doesn't have to be all doom and gloom; there's no reason you can't save some cash and have some fun at the same time! Here are 10 fun tips that are guaranteed to help you get a firm grip on your finances. 1. Bring birthdays back home: Taking a gaggle of children to a movie or activity centre is a costly modern alternative to celebrating at home, but who doesn't enjoy an old fashioned game of pin the tail on the donkey, or pass the parcel? Whip up some Rice Crispy treats, queen cakes and cocktail sausages and invite the whole class. 2. Plan a dessert date: Instead of meeting friends or family for dinner, eat at home, then arrange to meet somewhere fancy for dessert. From gelato shops to waffle stands, the options are endless... 3. Try meat-free Mondays: Whipping up a tasty chickpea stew or a tray of roasted veg with feta cheese once or twice a week is good for your health and your purse. 4. Cancel your gym membership: Instead, plan three weekly exercise sessions with a friend, the kids or your other half. From bike rides and jogging around the neighbourhood to running or doing living room aerobics from a YouTube tutorial, it's super easy to burn calories for free. 5. Trade your debit card for the envelope system: Begin the month by putting all the money you need into envelopes marked 'bills', 'groceries', 'treats' etc. When the envelope is empty, there is no more spending on that category. This will help you make smart choices early on. 6. Skip pricey weekend trips: To activity centres and cinemas for a treasure hunt; camping in the garden; a neighbourhood game of rounders; baking a cake or a sofa movie night. 7. Switch up your thinking: Here's a trick: Pick your smallest debt and aim to pay that off first. Once that's out of the way, start on the next one. It feels good to get back in control. 8. Shop around: Check out the latest apps available to help you find discounts on your favourite brands. Shopping around can save you a lot of money in the long run. 9. Switch your caffeine hit: Stop buying takeaway coffees and teas and invest in a cute thermos or travel cup. Brewing your own can save you up to €30 per week. 10. Stop wasting food: The average Irish family loses around €700 on food waste every year -that's about 80kg per person. Imagine the money you'd save if you never had to throw anything away because of packaging problems, for instance. This genius tutorial shows us how to seal a plastic food storage bag tightly using just a plastic bottle top. Now is the right time to switch your family to Vhi Healthcare, with all kids, all half price on all our One Plans. So switch today at www.vhi.ie/special-offers.