How we saved up £600 to pay for Christmas with a 1p savings challenge

ONE savvy family has saved up £600 towards Christmas with a 1p savings challenge and they’ve even started saving for next year too.

Ricky and Naomi Willis, who live in Kingston upon Hull, and run the Skint Dad blog, have shared their tips on how to have a fun but frugal festive season.

3

The 43 and 38-year-olds have two kids to cater for over the festive period so costs can really add up.

Every year the couple set themselves a 1p spending challenge, which usually starts in November or December.

It starts with adding 1p into a saving account, then 2p the next day and then 3p. By the end of the year they’ll be putting in £3.65, adding up to £667.95 in total.

The couple said: “All the money we save goes into a Christmas spending pot, which we use to towards all sorts, from Christmas food and presents to fun things to do as a family during December.

“We’ve booked to see a festive play and a Father Christmas experience using what we’ve saved this year.”

That means the money-saving duo have already started on next year’s pot of cash.

Make a list, and check it twice

As Christmas gets closer, families start stocking up cupboards and freezers with Xmas grub.

But Naomi and Ricky are well ahead of that. They’ve even started stashing away stuff for next year too.

“Gifts and non-perishable foods, such as Boxing Day pickles, can be bought in advance,” they said.

“Also try buying things after Christmas with a long use by date when they’re on sale, then they can be ticked off the list when the festive season arrives next year.”

If you’re got the space, you can buy tinned items or easy to store gifts from the January sales and save them for next year.

“Making lists helps us stay organised and on track, so we don’t overspend and know exactly what’s already in the cupboard,” they added.

“You can set yourself a monthly budget and make sure you stick to it. This will help you keep track of costs throughout the year.”

We love a Christmas clear out

Naomi and Ricky also love to sell unused items to make extra cash before the festive hits.

Having a clear out before winter can be a good way to make some money towards the Christmas fund.

The couple said: “Instead of doing a clear out in spring, sort through any unwanted things now, when many Facebook Marketplace users are on the look-out for gifts.”

At this time of year there can offen be a good sellers’ market to attend, Naomi explained, and with concerns about the environment, people are increasingly interested in finding good bargains or second-hand gifts.

Supermarket sweep

The family like to keep an eye out for the various deals and offers at the local supermarket, as they say that’s where they find they pick up the best deals.

It means they can pick up a discount at the same time as carrying out the weekly food shop.

“This year we had the Tesco Toy Sale on our radar as we can usually get up to 50% off the price of toys for our youngest,” they said.

But they explained it’s important to bag the bargains as soon as you spot them.

Ricky and Naomi said: “In the months before Christmas, we look for deals on cashback apps to get discounted food and take advantage of things like Clubcard Price offers.

“For example, we made sure we picked up the Christmas chocolate tubs, Quality Street and Roses, when they were in the Tesco two for £7 deal and we’ve kept them in the cupboard ready for Christmas.”

That deal has now passed, so Ricky and Naomi were lucky to cash-in when they did.

You can still pick it, or similar low prices, up in some other stores, so it’s best to grab the deals before they shoot back up to full price just before the big day itself.

3

3

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk