Latest news with #Olio
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Six ways parents can keep costs low during expensive summer holidays through vouchers, clubs and freebies
Find out how you can get free food, activities and vouchers SUMMER SAVING Six ways parents can keep costs low during expensive summer holidays through vouchers, clubs and freebies Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUMMER holidays can be a financial nightmare for parents already stretched by the cost of living crisis. Across the UK, families could be spending up to £1,000 more per week once school is out. 2 Many cafes and restaurants run "kids eat free" offers during the holidays, helping to cut the cost of days out Credit: Getty And if they decide to go abroad, the average cost of a family holiday now tops £3,600. But help is out there – and there are ways to ease the burden, especially if you're on Universal Credit or a low income. Kids eat free deals In England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, families can make the most of free offers, local council schemes, and low-cost childcare this summer. Many cafes and restaurants run "kids eat free" offers during the holidays, helping to cut the cost of days out. Supermarket chains like Tesco give kids a free meal as long as you buy something from the adult menu. Asda has meals for children at just £1, and you don't need to buy anything else. Restaurant chains like Pizza Express, TGI Fridays, Franco Manca and Bill's also usually have summer deals. These offers are available to all families, not just those on benefits. Free holiday clubs Parents on low incomes can also get support from their local council through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. I've saved £15k on trips to Ibiza, Mallorca & Turkey with term time holidays - I'll never stop, fines are a tax on the working class This gives children the chance to join in with sports, music or creative clubs, and includes a nutritious meal every day for free. The support available depends on your council, but generally families with children who receive free school meals are eligible. In some areas, kids can get a place in a holiday club for the equivalent of four hours a day. Check with your local authority to see what's on offer and how to sign up. Vouchers for bills and groceries Another option for help is the Household Support Fund (HSF), which is also run by local councils. This government scheme gives struggling households access to food or energy vouchers, or direct payments. Councils across England have received a share of £742million in funding, which will run until March 2026. Many councils offer vouchers for supermarkets or energy bills, while others send money directly to residents. You usually qualify if you're on a low income, claiming benefits, or classed as vulnerable. Again, contact your council to find out what help is available. There are also handy apps that can help reduce food costs. Apps to save on food Olio is a popular option that lets households and businesses give away food they don't need. Items are offered for free, but it's often first come, first served, so you have to be quick. Another useful app is Too Good To Go. It offers surprise bags of leftover food from restaurants and shops at a discounted price. You won't know what's in the bag until you collect it, but it can be a good way to save on snacks and meals. Free or cheap days out Families on Universal Credit and other benefits can also get access to top attractions for a fraction of the usual cost. ZSL London Zoo offers £3 tickets for those on Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Jobseeker's Allowance – a huge saving on peak tickets which usually start at £33. How to survive six weeks of school summer holidays IF you are struggling with the six week summer holidays, you've come to the right place... BATTLING BOREDOM: Despite hours of activities and playdates, if your kids are already complaining there's nothing to do, parenting expert Liat Hughes Joshi says: 'Don't feel you have to organise every second of the holidays. Kids benefit from boredom and learn to make their own fun. 'Boredom can trigger creative and imaginative play but you need to encourage kids to get used to not being told how to spend their time. 'Ride out the pleas of boredom. Counter it with comments such as, 'What do you think you could do?' and maybe have a list of 'I'm bored' activity ideas on the fridge.' SCREEN OVERLOAD: It's tempting during the holidays to rely on a digital babysitter but don't let them gawp their whole summer away in front of a screen. Liat says: 'It's unfair to expect older kids to power down but it's important to set some ground rules. 'Set family tech rules together. If you're often distracted by your phone, follow the rules too. Maybe tell the kids they aren't allowed any screen time until they've done set chores, some exercise, or a board game. 'Are there times when you'd like to ban screens completely? Perhaps during dinner or when they have friends over to visit. 'Tech is a battleground for parents, but you have to set boundaries. Stand firm and be prepared to be unpopular.' TOO MUCH TOGETHERNESS: You love your kids, but being with them 24/7 can be exhausting. Do not feel guilty if you need a bit of downtime. Liat says: 'If you're juggling work and household tasks as well as occupying the kids, it's normal to start feeling overwhelmed or jaded and in need of some peace. 'If you can't afford or don't want to send your kids to all-day camps, look for free kids' workshops so you can get on with jobs or have a break for a couple of hours. 'Seeking a spell of quiet every now and then doesn't make you a bad parent — in fact it will probably make you more positive and enthusiastic when you are with the kids.' SCHEDULING CONFLICT: Schedules can go out the window during holidays, but late nights and early mornings can mean tired and unhappy children. Dr Tamara Bugembe, paediatrician and founder of says: 'Children get grumpy, test boundaries and become challenging when routines are broken. 'Sticking to some kind of routine during the holidays is a good idea. 'We release hormones at different times of the day and when regular meal times and bed times are broken, it causes dips and peaks in mood. 'Holidays are about having fun but an early night once or twice a week will make everyone happier.' EXCESS ENERGY: Make sure kids get out in the fresh air to tire them out — and make them healthier and happier. Dr Bugembe says: 'Sunshine also tops up vital vitamin D levels which helps improve bone strength and energy levels in children. Our levels run low in winter so let the kids stock up in warmer weather. 'Letting them run around in shorts and a T-shirt is the best way to top up. Make sure they're wearing sun cream, get outside and have fun. 'Encourage them to try healthy habits such as cycling and walking. They'll hopefully get hooked and want to carry them on when the weather gets colder.' Other spots such as York Castle Museum offer free entry, while you can visit Kew Gardens or one of the Historic Royal Palaces for just £1. There are even more free or discounted activities, including cinema tickets for as little as £2.50, free sports sessions and library reading challenges that offer free prizes. Childcare is another big cost for parents over summer, but there are ways to ease the pressure. Tax-Free Childcare allows working parents to save 20 per cent on childcare costs. If you've got two children in clubs for five weeks, that could be worth around £300. This support is available for children under 12, or under 17 if they have a disability. You can get up to £500 every three months – a total of £2,000 a year – per child to help with costs like nurseries and summer clubs. However, if you're on Universal Credit or receive tax credits, you must not apply for Tax-Free Childcare as it can affect your benefits. Instead, you can claim help through Universal Credit, which may cover up to 85 per cent of your childcare costs. Summer doesn't have to break the bank. From free meals and clubs to discounted trips and help with childcare, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the holidays without spending a fortune.
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I was chuffed to feed myself for a day for FREE with an overlooked app – trolls call me ‘sad' & ask if I ‘reuse condoms'
Scroll down to find out how to save money on food costs EXTREME CHEAPSKATE I was chuffed to feed myself for a day for FREE with an overlooked app – trolls call me 'sad' & ask if I 'reuse condoms' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN EXTREME cheapskate has revealed how she fed herself for an entire day without forking out a single penny, thanks to an underrated food app. The thrifty content creator behind the page Diary of a Cheapskate set herself a no-spend food challenge and says she was 'chuffed' with the result, but it seems not everyone was impressed. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The influencer tucked in on completely-free meals all day Credit: TikTok @DiaryOfACheapskate 3 She was seen picking fruit for a free snack Credit: TikTok @DiaryOfACheapskate Mortgage-free at just 32, the savvy TikToker regularly shares frugal living tips and money-saving tricks with her growing audience online. From reusing items to bagging freebies, she's not shy about her cost-cutting habits. In a recent video, she documented a full day of free eating, covering breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, all sourced using the Olio app, a platform where neighbours and shops give away unwanted food. She told followers: 'This was such a fun challenge. I love getting creative with what I've got rather than spending cash. It means I end up eating some odd combos, but I don't care, it's part of the fun.' Her freebie-filled day started with a Belgian waffle, chopped apples and yoghurt, all collected that morning via Olio, just past their best-before dates but still perfectly fine, she said. Skipping a morning snack, she moved onto lunch with two chocolate croissants and a browning banana, again all free. By the afternoon, she tucked into more yoghurt with chopped banana before whipping up a dinner of roasted sweet potato and cauliflower, plus some new potatoes gifted by a colleague. She claimed her tea was "a bit weird" but "it worked". To finish off the day, she snacked on fresh raspberries picked straight from her mum's garden and stuck to tap water for drinks – all completely cost-free. But while some fans praised her creativity and thanked her for introducing them to the Olio app, others weren't so kind. I'm a super-saver who pockets £600 a MONTH with easy cost-cutting hacks… it's amazing what people will give you for free One troll cruelly commented: 'Do you reuse condoms too?'. Another slammed her for taking food that could have gone to someone 'more in need.' A third accused her of wasting time and money on travel just to pick up food she could've bought 'cheaply from Lidl.' Still, her loyal followers rushed to defend her, with one writing: 'Just picked up my first haul thanks to your video, can't believe the food people give away. Ignore the haters, your tips are brilliant!' Despite the backlash, the TikToker stood her ground, insisting that her extreme budgeting isn't about greed but about being resourceful, conscious, and proud of not wasting food or money. And judging by her clean plate and satisfied smile, it looks as if the hate doesn't seem to bother her. She's not the only cheapskate taking dire measures to save her pennies. A mum has shared her extreme money-saving tips, and her water hack really turned heads. Becky Giles, who's all about being frugal, revealed that she loves it when it snows because it gives her free water for her family to wash in She also bragged about how her money-saving methods helped her renovate her bathroom for just £49. Since becoming a stay-at-home mum, Becky has found creative ways to save money as she works to renovate her family's 100 year old house. She now prides herself in being 'the most frugal mum in America.' Talking in a TLC documentary, she revealed that she fills up buckets 'with snow to melt and use for water' as 'water from the sink actually costs money.' Elsewhere, a self-proclaimed frugal freak, who previously confessed to re-using bin bags and claimed to only own one plate, has now shared more of his savvy money saving methods. Bradley, 32, who steals loo rolls and re-uses snotty tissues, claimed that some of his tricks might be controversial. Despite earning over £16,000 in just one month alone, the content creator, who has enough money to live lavishly, instead opts for an incredibly frugal lifestyle. But like this frugal food hunter, not everyone was impressed with Bradley's tricks. How to save money on your food shop Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save hundreds of pounds a year: Odd boxes - plenty of retailers offer slightly misshapen fruit and veg or surplus food at a discounted price. Lidl sells five kilos of fruit and veg for just £1.50 through its Waste Not scheme while Aldi shoppers can get Too Good to Go bags which contain £10 worth of all kinds of products for £3.30. Sainsbury's also sells £2 "Taste Me, Don't Waste Me" fruit and veg boxes to help shoppers reduced food waste and save cash. Food waste apps - food waste apps work by helping shops, cafes, restaurants and other businesses shift stock that is due to go out of date and passing it on to members of the public. Some of the most notable ones include Too Good to Go and Olio. Too Good to Go's app is free to sign up to and is used by millions of people across the UK, letting users buy food at a discount. Olio works similarly, except users can collect both food and other household items for free from neighbours and businesses. Yellow sticker bargains - yellow sticker bargains, sometimes orange and red in certain supermarkets, are a great way of getting food on the cheap. But what time to head out to get the best deals varies depending on the retailer. You can see the best times for each supermarket here. Super cheap bargains - sign up to bargain hunter Facebook groups like Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK where shoppers regularly post hauls they've found on the cheap, including food finds. "Downshift" - you will almost always save money going for a supermarket's own-brand economy lines rather than premium brands. The move to lower-tier ranges, also known as "downshifting" and hailed by consumer expert Martin Lewis, could save you hundreds of pounds a year on your food shop.
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I was chuffed to feed myself for a day for FREE with an overlooked app – trolls call me ‘sad' & ask if I ‘reuse condoms'
AN EXTREME cheapskate has revealed how she fed herself for an entire day without forking out a single penny, thanks to an underrated food app. The thrifty content creator behind the page Advertisement 3 The influencer tucked in on completely-free meals all day Credit: TikTok @DiaryOfACheapskate 3 She was seen picking fruit for a free snack Credit: TikTok @DiaryOfACheapskate Mortgage-free at just 32, the savvy TikToker regularly shares frugal living tips and money-saving tricks with her growing audience online. From reusing items to bagging freebies, she's not shy about her cost-cutting habits. In a recent video, she documented a full day of free eating, covering breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, all sourced using the She told followers: 'This was such a fun challenge. I love getting creative with what I've got rather than spending cash. It means I end up eating some odd combos, but I don't care, it's part of the fun.' Advertisement Frugal tips Her freebie-filled day started with a Belgian waffle, chopped apples and yoghurt, all collected that morning via Olio, just past their best-before dates but still perfectly fine, she said. Skipping a morning snack, she moved onto lunch with two chocolate croissants and a browning banana, again all free. By the afternoon, she tucked into more yoghurt with chopped banana before whipping up a dinner of roasted sweet potato and cauliflower, plus some new potatoes gifted by a colleague. She claimed her tea was "a bit weird" but "it worked". Advertisement Most read in Fabulous To finish off the day, she snacked on fresh raspberries picked straight from her mum's garden and stuck to tap water for drinks – all completely cost-free. But while some fans praised her creativity and thanked her for introducing them to the I'm a super-saver who pockets £600 a MONTH with easy cost-cutting hacks… it's amazing what people will give you for free One troll cruelly commented: 'Do you reuse condoms too?'. Another slammed her for taking food that could have gone to someone 'more in need.' Advertisement A third accused her of wasting time and money on travel just to pick up food she could've bought 'cheaply from Lidl.' Still, her loyal followers rushed to defend her, with one writing: 'Just picked up my first haul thanks to your video, can't believe the food people give away. Ignore the haters, your tips are brilliant!' Despite the backlash, the TikToker stood her ground, insisting that her extreme budgeting isn't about greed but about being resourceful, conscious, and proud of not wasting food or money. And judging by her clean plate and satisfied smile, it looks as if the hate doesn't seem to bother her. Advertisement She's not the only cheapskate taking dire measures to save her pennies. A mum has shared her extreme money-saving tips, and Becky Giles, who's all about being frugal, revealed that she loves it when it snows because it gives her free water for her family to wash in She also bragged about how her money-saving methods helped her renovate her bathroom for just £49. Advertisement Since becoming a stay-at-home mum, Becky has found creative ways to save money as she works to renovate her family's 100 year old house. She now prides herself in being 'the most frugal mum in America.' Talking in a Elsewhere, a self-proclaimed , who previously confessed to re-using bin bags and claimed to only own one plate, . Advertisement Bradley, 32, who steals loo rolls and re-uses snotty tissues, claimed that some of his tricks might be controversial. Despite earning over £16,000 in just one month alone, the content creator, who has enough money to live lavishly, instead opts for an incredibly frugal lifestyle. But like this frugal food hunter, How to save money on your food shop Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save hundreds of pounds a year: Odd boxes - plenty of retailers offer slightly misshapen fruit and veg or surplus food at a discounted price. Lidl sells five kilos of fruit and veg for just £1.50 through its Waste Not scheme while Aldi shoppers can get Too Good to Go bags which contain £10 worth of all kinds of products for £3.30. Sainsbury's also sells £2 "Taste Me, Don't Waste Me" fruit and veg boxes to help shoppers reduced food waste and save cash. Food waste apps - food waste apps work by helping shops, cafes, restaurants and other businesses shift stock that is due to go out of date and passing it on to members of the public. Some of the most notable ones include Too Good to Go and Olio. Too Good to Go's app is free to sign up to and is used by millions of people across the UK, letting users buy food at a discount. Olio works similarly, except users can collect both food and other household items for free from neighbours and businesses. Yellow sticker bargains - yellow sticker bargains, sometimes orange and red in certain supermarkets, are a great way of getting food on the cheap. But what time to head out to get the best deals varies depending on the retailer. You can see the best times for each supermarket here. Super cheap bargains - sign up to bargain hunter Facebook groups like Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK where shoppers regularly post hauls they've found on the cheap, including food finds. "Downshift" - you will almost always save money going for a supermarket's own-brand economy lines rather than premium brands. The move to lower-tier ranges, also known as "downshifting" and hailed by consumer expert Martin Lewis, could save you hundreds of pounds a year on your food shop. 3 She uses the underrated app Olio to bag free food Advertisement
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I was chuffed to feed myself for a day for FREE with an overlooked app – trolls call me ‘sad' & ask if I ‘reuse condoms'
AN EXTREME cheapskate has revealed how she fed herself for an entire day without forking out a single penny, thanks to an underrated food app. The thrifty content creator behind the page Diary of a Cheapskate set herself a no-spend food challenge and says she was 'chuffed' with the result, but it seems not everyone was impressed. 3 Mortgage-free at just 32, the savvy TikToker regularly shares frugal living tips and money-saving tricks with her growing audience online. From reusing items to bagging freebies, she's not shy about her cost-cutting habits. In a recent video, she documented a full day of free eating, covering breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, all sourced using the Olio app, a platform where neighbours and shops give away unwanted food. She told followers: 'This was such a fun challenge. I love getting creative with what I've got rather than spending cash. It means I end up eating some odd combos, but I don't care, it's part of the fun.' Her freebie -filled day started with a Belgian waffle, chopped apples and yoghurt, all collected that morning via Olio, just past their best-before dates but still perfectly fine, she said. Skipping a morning snack, she moved onto lunch with two chocolate croissants and a browning banana, again all free. By the afternoon, she tucked into more yoghurt with chopped banana before whipping up a dinner of roasted sweet potato and cauliflower, plus some new potatoes gifted by a colleague. She claimed her tea was "a bit weird" but "it worked". To finish off the day, she snacked on fresh raspberries picked straight from her mum's garden and stuck to tap water for drinks – all completely cost-free. But while some fans praised her creativity and thanked her for introducing them to the Olio app, others weren't so kind. I'm a super-saver who pockets £600 a MONTH with easy cost-cutting hacks… it's amazing what people will give you for free One troll cruelly commented: 'Do you reuse condoms too?'. Another slammed her for taking food that could have gone to someone 'more in need.' A third accused her of wasting time and money on travel just to pick up food she could've bought 'cheaply from Lidl.' Still, her loyal followers rushed to defend her, with one writing: 'Just picked up my first haul thanks to your video, can't believe the food people give away. Ignore the haters, your tips are brilliant!' Despite the backlash, the TikToker stood her ground, insisting that her extreme budgeting isn't about greed but about being resourceful, conscious, and proud of not wasting food or money. And judging by her clean plate and satisfied smile, it looks as if the hate doesn't seem to bother her. She's not the only cheapskate taking dire measures to save her pennies. A mum has shared her extreme money-saving tips, and her water hack really turned heads. Becky Giles, who's all about being frugal, revealed that she loves it when it snows because it gives her free water for her family to wash in She also bragged about how her money-saving methods helped her renovate her bathroom for just £49. Since becoming a stay-at-home mum, Becky has found creative ways to save money as she works to renovate her family's 100 year old house. She now prides herself in being 'the most frugal mum in America.' Talking in a TLC documentary, she revealed that she fills up buckets 'with snow to melt and use for water' as 'water from the sink actually costs money.' Elsewhere, a self-proclaimed frugal freak, who previously confessed to re-using bin bags and claimed to only own one plate, has now shared more of his savvy money saving methods. Bradley, 32, who steals loo rolls and re-uses snotty tissues, claimed that some of his tricks might be controversial. Despite earning over £16,000 in just one month alone, the content creator, who has enough money to live lavishly, instead opts for an incredibly frugal lifestyle. But like this frugal food hunter, not everyone was impressed with Bradley's tricks. How to save money on your food shop Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save hundreds of pounds a year: Odd boxes - plenty of retailers offer slightly misshapen fruit and veg or surplus food at a discounted price. Lidl sells five kilos of fruit and veg for just £1.50 through its Waste Not scheme while Aldi shoppers can get Too Good to Go bags which contain £10 worth of all kinds of products for £3.30. Sainsbury's also sells £2 "Taste Me, Don't Waste Me" fruit and veg boxes to help shoppers reduced food waste and save cash. Food waste apps - food waste apps work by helping shops, cafes, restaurants and other businesses shift stock that is due to go out of date and passing it on to members of the public. Some of the most notable ones include Too Good to Go and Olio. Too Good to Go's app is free to sign up to and is used by millions of people across the UK, letting users buy food at a discount. Olio works similarly, except users can collect both food and other household items for free from neighbours and businesses. Yellow sticker bargains - yellow sticker bargains, sometimes orange and red in certain supermarkets, are a great way of getting food on the cheap. But what time to head out to get the best deals varies depending on the retailer. You can see the best times for each supermarket here. Super cheap bargains - sign up to bargain hunter Facebook groups like Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK where shoppers regularly post hauls they've found on the cheap, including food finds. "Downshift" - you will almost always save money going for a supermarket's own-brand economy lines rather than premium brands. The move to lower-tier ranges, also known as "downshifting" and hailed by consumer expert Martin Lewis, could save you hundreds of pounds a year on your food shop. 3
Scottish Sun
07-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
I'm a super-saver who pockets £600 a MONTH with easy cost-cutting hacks… it's amazing what people will give you for free
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SUPER scrimper manages to save herself £600 a month with her savvy lifestyle. To maintain her tight budget, she grows 85% of the food she eats, and even furnished her entire home for free. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Sharon Shaw, 58, sells the eggs from her chickens to put towards other essentials Credit: SWNS 4 She grows food in her allotment to cut down on outgoing costs Credit: SWNS 4 Sharon uses an old-fashioned floor cleaner to cut down on electricity bills Credit: SWNS 4 Her bills come to just over £300 a month Credit: SWNS Sharon Shaw, 58 is proud to have cut her expenses to just over £300 a month. It's part of a lifestyle that means not spending money on anything that isn't essential. This included furnishing her home in Chorley, Lancashire, for free using Facebook Marketplace. She even bagged herself a TV, sofa and king-sized bed worth £400. She bought her four-bedroom home for just £21,500 in 1987, and paid off the mortgage in 2015. The currently-unemployed mum-of-four has managed to cut her expenses to just £300 a month. This includes £118 for gas, electric and water bills, while she spends just £40 on food she hasn't grown or got for free on the Olio app, as she otherwise shops in the reduced section. She said: "I don't buy anything - everything is mostly free in my home. "I use sites like Facebook Marketplace and food apps like Olio, which have changed my life. It's amazing, and you'd be surprised what you can get for free. To cut down on food costs, she grows most of her own produce in an allotment, doesn't buy takeaways, and gets any remaining essentials from the reduced section. Free data roaming abroad and HUGE council tax bill reductions The allotment includes potatoes, plums, pears and apples, leaving her with "plenty of food". She also has 10 hens which she collects eggs from, some of which she sells to put towards sugar and tea. She said: "I make money from selling my eggs, and use the change to get small essentials like sugar and tea or my partner will drop sugar and tea bags round mine. She added: "All the furniture in my home is free from Facebook Marketplace - including my bed, bedside table, and mirror." Her savvy habits developed after she grew up in a family without much money. Sharon adopted her mum Jean's mantra: "if you don't have it, make it", passing the Brownies group leader's message to her own children. However, she said Philip, 37, Daniel, 33, Alex, 27, and Anna, 23, aren't a fan of her frugal lifestyle. Sharon said: "They can't really understand it and they think I'm silly. "I've tried to get them into my lifestyle, but they aren't. "For Christmas and birthdays, I make all the cards and some of their presents. "They do roll their eyes when they see that something has been made. I don't feel guilty at all, it is still a present." Her inspiration also comes from The Good Life, a 1980s comedy in which the couple Tom and Barbara Good are self-sufficient. She said that her partner Terry, 73, also struggles to adapt to the lifestyle. "He thinks I'm mad. He can still see the logic in why I have to do what I do, but most of the time, he thinks it's a load of rubbish," she said. Terry does help out with decorating the house, saving her even more money. However, she's still looking for someone to re-tile her bathroom, which she's hoping to do for as cheap as possible. She said: "If I need anything, I'll look online to see if anyone will give it to me for free. "My house is furnished entirely from being resourceful - all the furniture in my rooms is either from free sites, given to me, or handmade." Household bills are a somewhat unavoidable expense, although Sharon has found ways to cut down on these. To save money on electricity she has swapped out her hoover for an old-fashioned Ewbank carpet sweeper; while she cuts down on heating costs by using blankets. After Sharon's dad Frank, 85, passed away in April of this year she inherited three of his classic cars - a Citroen C1, Citroen ZX and Citroen CV2 - all worth £21,000 which she has kept for their sentimental value. She also has a bike for shorter journeys. Overall, she said her motto is "if you don't ask, you don't get", saying she has "no shame about asking for freebies". Ultimately, "It's all about being resourceful. People waste so much money that it amazes me." In addition to second-hand furniture, she gets most of her clothes from her daughter or for free on Facebook Marketplace. She just wants to educate others on saving money as she is "proud" of her ways.
