MORE TIPS AND THINGS . . . . . .

Christmas is over and as is usual at this time of the year we are left with an expanded waistline and a diminished bank balance. (Wouldn't it be great if, just for once, the situation was reversed and we could greet the New Year with a diminished waistline and an expanded bank balance?).

However, before we get down to juggling figures in an attempt to improve the financial situation, why not try the following simple maths test? IMPORTANT: THIS MUST BE DONE IN YOUR HEAD ONLY. DO NOT USE PAPER, PENCIL OR A CALCULATOR.

READY? Try it ........

Take 1000 and add 40 to it. Now add another 1000. Now add 30. Add another 1000. Now add 20. Now add another 1000. Now add 10. What is the total? Simple isn't it?

Did you get 5000? Sorry, WRONG. Quickly try again. Still 5000? Oh dear! You do need financial help. (Use your calculator for the correct answer - and for those without a calculator, the answer is at the end of this article)

Don't worry, it's only fun! Nothing to do with age - most adults get it wrong - particularly the 'Smart-Alecs'. This was sent to me by a clever friend. I don't need to mention names, as she knows who she is. I will pass on a couple more of her 'Dementia Tests' (as she calls them) in future articles. (Needless, to say, I got 5000 as well).

£££££££££££££

Now to get back to the serious business of saving money, here are a few ideas.

1.Do you feel that you deserve a reward after all the hard work over the Festive Season? Why not take advantage of the National Express current offer. THE OVER 60's CAN GO ANYWHERE FOR £4.50 OR £9 RETURN IF YOU TRAVEL BEFORE 31 MARCH. JUST BOOK 3 DAYS IN ADVANCE. Last year, when I took advantage of a similar offer, I met a lady who had made the most of it and had travelled from the South of England to Scotland in order to visit a friend and was in the process of doing likewise in the West Country. So why not choose a place or person you fancy visiting and then sit back and enjoy the scenery? Visit www.nationalexpress.com for route and times.

2.If you feel that you deserve a hair-do, massage, manicure, foot massage, etc., have you thought of trying your local college? The student may take a little longer to complete the procedure, but it will cost a fraction of the 'high street' charge. Also, it is worth bearing in mind that in a few months' time that same student will be joining the professional market and charging a 'high street' price.

3.When you feel in need of a new outfit, before you visit the usual fashion chain stores, why not peruse the charity shops en route? You'll possibly pick up something that is unique to you for the price equal to that of a coffee and sandwich. Also many Charity Shops now have a 'designer rail' where well-made outfits can be purchased at a fraction of the original price. This time of the year is a particularly good time to visit Charity Shops, as often the unwanted gifts make an appearance.

4.Have you visited your local Library lately? If not, you'll be surprised how they have changed. Libraries are not just about books. They provide DVDs, videos, CDs, language tapes, etc. So instead of buying DVDs and CDs why not borrow them from the Library? Also why not borrow an audio book or foreign language course and enjoy and learn whilst carrying out mundane household tasks. By the way, the internet service is free at Libraries.

5.I have just taken out RAC Membership for a year and it has not cost me a penny, and last year I purchased an item of furniture from MFI and that also didn't cost me a penny. How, you may ask??? .... Easy, just exchange the money vouchers issued by Tesco in respect of their Club Card points. www.tesco.com/clubcard As mentioned in a previous article - use their Visa card instead of cheques or cash (for any purchases anywhere, not just at Tesco's) and it's amazing how quickly the points accrue. HOWEVER, I MUST EMPHASISE, ONCE AGAIN, THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE COMPLETE VISA BALANCE IS CLEARED EACH MONTH, AND TO THIS END IT IS ADVISABLE TO SET UP THE DIRECT DEBIT METHOD WITH YOUR BANK YOU WILL CERTAINLY NOT SAVE MONEY IF YOU PAY ONLY THE MINIMUM BALANCE REQUESTED ON YOUR MONTHLY STATEMENT. THAT IS THE WAY THAT THE YOUNG GET INTO DEBT, AND WE KNOW BETTER DON'T WE? When we use a Visa card we must remember to use it for things we would NORMALLY BUY and treat it as though we were using cash. And talking of Tesco's or any other major supermarket for that matter . . .

6.Have you thought about ordering your groceries on the internet and enjoying the luxury of having them delivered to your door at a time convenient to you? If there is a charge for delivery, it will probably be outweighed by the amount of money we have saved through not 'impulse buying'. Isn't it amazing how we go into the supermarket in order to get a few essentials and stagger out with a trolley overflowing with bargains?? It is worth remembering when we are strolling around the supermarket that every aisle and every item has been strategically placed to increase sales.

7.Do you enjoy reading monthly magazines but think of them as an expensive indulgence? (Or perhaps the only chance you get of perusing the 'glossies' is in the doctor's waiting room, where your eye invariably zooms in on a tempting advert only to discover that the offer closed a couple of years previously). Well, one of the most unusual and welcomed gifts I received was a year's subscription to a favourite magazine - so much better than say a box of chocolates, which in this household disappears in a flash - and where I must admit I am the main culprit. Every month throughout the year that good feeling is regenerated as your favourite magazine plops through the letterbox. You feel like a kid with a favourite box of candy as you feverishly rip of the wrapping and devour the contents. I pass on my magazine to a friend and she and her friends do likewise. In that way we all get to enjoy about six magazines. So why not do the same? In fact, why not take time to also enjoy the monthly newsletter from www.Mabels.com Just click to join the mailing list.

8.Are you still waiting for the lottery to come your way? Well, thinking of the 'odds' and not wanting to be too pessimistic, you'll probably have to wait for a long time! (Still, someone, somewhere, is going to be struck by lightening and someone is going to hit the jackpot - that's life, or otherwise - fortunately or unfortunately?) Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting next to a multi-millionaire. (The pleasure was in hoping that some of the wealth would rub off on me). During conversation, someone mentioned the lottery. My wealthy acquaintance also thought that the chance of winning was so remote that he chose to invest instead in premium bonds. Not only was there a better chance of winning, but because he had invested the maximum amount possible, his annual interest worked out at between 4%-5% TAX FREE and, of course, his original investment was intact. Now, not many of us can afford to invest the maximum amount allowed, but many of us, like myself, have had premium bonds since they were introduced in the l950's and not won a thing. In other words, along with many others, my interest had been NIL. In fact, taking into account the original investment plus inflation, the result was NIL, NIL. However, on someone's suggestion that the computer seemed to favour recent numbers (which cannot be explained logically as it is a random selection), I withdrew all the bonds and re-invested them, and Hey, Presto! I won £50! Unfortunately, I have not won since that great day, so I think the interest gained is still NIL, NIL However, if you have premium bonds it might be worth considering withdrawing and re-investing, bearing in mind that you will miss out on draws until the process of reinvesting is completed. If you have never subscribed to premium bonds, why not give it a go? I suggest that for every pound you contribute to the lottery, you contribute a similar amount to premium bonds. If you now buy lottery tickets twice a week, at the end of the year you will have £100 for premium bonds. You will not only have 100 chances of winning but you have still retained the £100 - - GOOD LUCK!

By the way, the answer to the maths test is 4100. If you got this answer and you did it in you head WELL DONE!

. . . MORE TIPS AND TESTS COMING UP IN THE NEXT "JO'S JOTTINGS" . . . . .







About the author:

Visit Mabels...Maintaining Bygone Times, containing numerous articles thoughtfully researched mainly for the older person. You may access these articles by visiting http://www.mabels.org.uk/ - You will learn about the best money saving tips, latest news & advice to improve your health, fitness, finances & retirement as well as information on nostalgic topics,leisure & lifestyle,mobility & helpful organisations to make the most out of life.