I’m a thrifty mum who gets PAID to buy food, it’s so easy and you make money without thinking about it
A CASH-SAVVY mum has revealed how you can kickstart your financial journey in 2024 to save as much as possible – and how you can get FREE money.
What if you could get paid to do your weekly grocery shopping? Or save on your takeaways this upcoming weekend? Or even get free spring rolls and a birthday treat without spending a single penny?
These are just some of the ways one thrifty mum, Amy Grayland, uses to slash her family budget throughout the year – and now the supersaver has revealed what you can do to spend as little possible in 2024.
The money-smart mum, from Wolverhampton, started sharing her tips and tricks on Instagram a few years ago and her advice has since amassed her over 13k followers – and even cleanfluencer Mrs Hinch has reposted one of her videos.
Her page, _moneysavingamy, has blown up massively and the thrifty parent has also won a weekly column spot with Express and Star.
Offering a helping hand to fellow families across the nation – and the world – Amy chatted exclusively to Fabulous and revealed five handy tips to up your finance game this year.
Free cash
What’s better than free money? According to Amy, who’s always on the lookout for freebies, there are several cash-back apps that can boost your income by spending.
”The apps I use the most are Jam Doughnut, Airtime Rewards and Top Cashback,” she said.
”Jam Doughnut is best for fast cash back, Airtime Rewards is great for passive cash back that you don’t have to keep thinking about, and Top Cashback is great for larger amounts of cash back.”
According to the thrifty mum, these apps are all ”very user friendly, simple and quick to use” – and ”they’re also all free to download and use” noted Amy.
”On Top Cashback just ensure you switch to the classic account when you sign up, so it’s free.”
Since downloading the apps, Amy has received money back on a number of things, including bits of her weekly grocery shop, as well as car insurance, holiday insurance and even on tickets for events and trains for travel.
”These amounts can be small (some can be big!) but it soon all adds up.”
Value small amounts
It’s easy to look at something and think ”That’s just £1” – however, according to Amy, shoppers can often lose a lot of money without even realising.
The cash-savvy parent now knows the value of even smaller amounts – and advises others to not ”dismiss” them either.
She added: ”Two years ago I began trying to make and/or save £1.40 a day, to save up £500.
”I was surprised how easy this was – I mostly did this by selling our unwanted clothing on Vinted and by doing online surveys on apps such as Attapoll and Qmee.
”£1.40 would be an easy anoint to dismiss, but once I saw it turn into £10, and then £100 and eventually £500, I really realised how valuable the small amounts are.”
A cheap cinema date
A couple of tickets, a few snacks a some drinks – and suddenly your quick visit to the cinema costs a fortune.
But according to the savvy mum, there are ways to slash the expenses as long as you know how.
”As an O2 priority customer you can get two VUE cinema tickets for £9, and did you know that you can access O2 priority if you’re an O2 customer and if you’re a Virgin Media customer?
”That’s a handy little tip that many people don’t know! There’s lots of other ways to save on the cinema too, such as using a Kids Pass, or a Taste Card, both of which offer free or very cheap trials.
”Three Mobile also offers discounted tickets. Kids Pass also offers discounts on a wide range of days out.”
Do you start your day with Kellogg’s? Then best check out their packaging properly, as selected packets have free adult tickets to many attractions across the country, including the Sea Life centre, Amy advised.
Hundreds worth of freebies
Meanwhile, when doing your shopping, the money-smart Amy said you can save by using Shopmium and Checkout Smart ”for free or discounted food, drink, toiletries and pet food”.
”Over the past couple of years I have had hundreds of pounds worth of freebies off these apps.
”You shop as you usually would and then scan the items and the receipt into the app when you’re home.
”These apps often have free bottles of pop, porridge pots and chocolate bars, just to make a few items.”
To slash the bill even more, Amy also urged to make the most out pf supermarket loyalty apps and programmes, such as Tesco Clubcard and Nectar at Sainsbury’s.
Mystery shopping
If you’re looking to earn some extra income, the parent advised to consider getting a side hustle; some of her favourites are mystery shopping and market research.
”Market research can be particularly well paid and fun to do. Mystery shopping is a great one to fit around daily life, and you can pick and choose the jobs.”
Amy explained that there are a wide range of jobs – from going bowling or having meals for free, to even being paid to buy, try and review food.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for an easy side hustle to do from home, it’s worth checking out online surveys, as they’re ”a great way to earn a little bit of extra cash”.
Although, as Amy noted, you won’t make your fortune, ”it all adds up and you can it from the comfort of your sofa”.