halogen light bulb - save money on energy bills

Thrifty Home

The Mythbuster’s Guide to Saving Money on Energy Bills

Once you get past the beginner-level energy-saving stuff, a whole new world of thrifty nerdery opens up. Here are some secrets to copping a load of money off your utilities bills. Get the lowdown >>

Miss Thrifty0 September 5, 2018

wellspring stockport

Thrifty Homebody

Rockstar Finance gave me $100 to spread some love at Christmas. This is how I spent it.

Last month, J. Money announced the site was looking for 20 bloggers to take $100 each and turn it into some some joy and happiness. So I emailed to ask if the Rockstar Finance Community Fund could cross the pond. Get the lowdown >>

Miss Thrifty2 December 30, 2017

reverse advent calendar

Thrifty Food

How to make a reverse advent calendar

Answers to all your questions about reverse advent calendars: what are they and how much should you spend? Here is my reverse advent calendar for this year, with a show-and-tell of everything I have packed. I spent £17 – but did you know you can make a reverse advent calendar for as little as £5? In terms of the difference it will make, that’s an amazing ROI. Get the lowdown >>

Miss Thrifty8 November 3, 2017

old one pound coin

Personal Finance

What can you do with an old pound coin? Here are 5 great ideas.

Old pound coins might not be legal tender anymore, but you can still spend them. Don’t believe me? Read on to discover the banks, charities, supermarkets and coin dealers who will take your old round pounds. Get the lowdown >>

Miss Thrifty4 October 22, 2017

guest bedroom makeover

Thrifty Home

Decorating a 1950s bedroom on a budget

This guest bedroom was so unwelcoming. Take a look at my mid-century makeover: from bargain G-Plan right down to the wallpaper and bedspread. All on a budget! Get the lowdown >>

Miss Thrifty9 October 21, 2017

how to save a mortgage deposit

Personal Finance

Zero to house-buying hero: how to save a mortgage deposit

This time 10 years ago, we were buying a house: our first home, in North Yorkshire. The floors were bare boards, the walls were covered in yellow vinyl wallpaper, and the gas and electricity were on pre-pay meters (on a frozen … Get the lowdown >>

Miss Thrifty38 February 13, 2017

sales tips & ideas

Deals & Bargains

I’ll tell you how to clean up at the January Sales

I love to fling myself into a sale and emerge with an AMAZING bargain. BBC Watchdog recently filmed me sharing some of my favourite & sneakiest sales shopping tips, and I have set them all out here. Get the lowdown >>

Miss Thrifty28 January 23, 2017

hot-air-fryer

Thrifty Food

Is the Lidl Hot Air Fryer Worth £59.99?

There are 8 things to like about Lidl’s cut-price hot air fryer, and I list them all here. You can cook meat from frozen, in minutes. It is pretty hard to burn anything. And the price point (swoon)! This model was sent to me for review, and I have been putting it through its paces. Get the lowdown >>

Miss Thrifty3 December 18, 2016

Personal Finance

Retirement Planning: Your New Year’s Resolution for 2017?

When it comes to saving for your retirement, are you a Savings Snail, a Money Mole or a Wise Owl? Skipton Building Society asked me to team up with them to help raise awareness of the dire state of the nation’s retirement savings – and I have a challenge for you! Get the lowdown >>

Miss Thrifty6 December 8, 2016

christmas-wrapping-brown-paper

Thrifty Christmas

Thrifty Christmas: How To Make Brown Parcel Paper POP

This is how I wrap my presents every year, for a number of reasons. Brown parcel wrap looks so pretty. It’s also sturdy, neat – and very cheap. Here is the quick & easy lowdown on how brown paper roll can make your Christmas gifts look like they belong on Pinterest. Get the lowdown >>

Miss Thrifty1 December 7, 2016

retirement lifestyle planner

Personal Finance

Pension Planning: Like Ripping Off A Plaster The Size Of Your Entire Body? (Ad Feature)

I dare you: are you brave enough to do what I did and see a snapshot of what your retirement will look like? Are you going to be old and bold, or old and cold? Get the lowdown >>

Miss Thrifty2 October 28, 2016

pension planning

Personal Finance

How Late Is Too Late To Plan For Retirement? (Ad Feature)

Job-hopping in my 20s, self-employed in my 30s… is it too late to salvage a decent pension plan? This is my personal finance weakspot so, when Aviva got in touch to ask me to test and write about their new Shape My Future tool, it seemed like the perfect time to face my bowler-hatted demons. (Glurk.) Get the lowdown >>

Miss Thrifty2 October 21, 2016

student-money-saving

Personal Finance

The Student Money-Saving Tips I Wish I’d Known

If you follow me on Facebook, you will know that I recently wrote a post for Matalan’s blog, with some of my top money-saving tips for students. My number one piece of advice? Don’t bother keeping up with the Student Joneses. Get the lowdown >>

Miss Thrifty3 September 23, 2016

Thrifty Food

Thrifty Recipe of the Week: £1.44 Chocolate Orange Cake

Yes, you read that right: this delicious chocolate orange cake costs just £1.44 to make. It is one of my thrifty adaptations of a Nigella recipe. The secret? A 27p jar of value marmalade. Get the lowdown >>

Miss Thrifty16 July 1, 2016

vintage engagement rings

Thrifty Wedding

Engagement rings: the 10 best ways to save money

Diamond engagement rings are popular, but expensive. Here are some of the best ways to save money on this big purchase, from buying vintage to buying “light.” Get the lowdown >>

Miss Thrifty11 June 21, 2016

Thrifty Food

Thrifty Recipe of the Week: Broad Bean Pesto

A jar of broad bean pesto costs less than £1 to make and there are so many things you can do with it in all its garlicky, lemony loveliness: stir into pasta as a sauce, or spread it on toast. Get the lowdown >>

Miss Thrifty2 June 5, 2016