7 simple changes that will deep clean your finances and help you save money

SPRING cleaning your finances gives your money a chance to grow and can be a big boost if you’re struggling with the higher cost of living.

Gemma Vogel, known as Money Mom says on Instagram that making small changes to your spending can leave you with money to squirrel away.

Gemma Bird, known on Instagram as Money MumCredit: The Sun

Gemma with children Brody and BronteCredit: supplied

The mother of two is just 41 years old and mortgage and debt free. Gemma lives in Essex with her husband Adam, 49, and their children Brody, 11, and Bronte, five, and shares her money-saving advice online.

In her first book, Money Mum Official: Save Yourself Happy, she reveals her best money tips.

Gemma says: “I’ve always been a saver. As a little girl, I would save pennies in an empty coffee pot and love seeing the amount increase. By the time I was 23, I had three jobs. I was very disciplined and saved up to 80 percent of my salary every month.

“I’ve never minded missing out on things if I couldn’t afford them, and would only do things if I had the money.

BE A SMART SHOPPER

I bought my beloved Gucci handbag at a designer outlet shopping village for a third of the retail priceCredit: Gucci

I ALWAYS make sure I get the best deal before I buy anything; I never buy impulsively.

I save searches for all my favorite brands on eBay so I can buy used pieces.

I bought my beloved Gucci handbag at a designer outlet shopping village for a third of the retail price.

I’m also a fan of fashion rental programs that are available now — like By Rotation or Hurr — and especially if there’s a wedding or special occasion coming up.

CHECK SUBSCRIPTIONS

Look at all your subscriptions (like that gym membership) and add up how much you spend on them each monthCredit: Getty

Do you know how many subscriptions will be debited from your account?

Not just things like a gym membership or your TV package, but all the apps you pay for monthly.

Unless the service is essential, a subscription is the definition of money for old rope.

View all your subscriptions and add up how much you spend on them each month. Cancel some now.

You can always re-subscribe if you find yourself missing them, but I suspect you won’t.

HAVE A DAY ‘EARN MONEY’

Choose a day of the week and list five unwanted items you want to sell — Choose a day of the week and list five unwanted items to sellCredit: Alamy

It can be difficult to find the time and motivation to sell your unwanted stuff, that’s why I created my Earn Money Day.

All you have to do is pick a day of the week and list five items you want to sell. It could be eBay, Gumtree or Facebook – there are loads of apps these days for specific things like vintage clothing.

Start by doing it one day a month and then increase it to one day a week.

THE FOOD STORE

Plan your meals and write a shopping list for what you needCredit: Getty

ONLY by thinking a little smarter about your weekly supermarket shop can you save a useful amount on your expenses.

Try these simple things next one time and see how much you can save. . .

Plan your meals and write a shopping list for what you need. Please adhere to this and do not purchase anything that is not on the list.

Keep in mind that meat and fish are expensive these days, so try to plan vegetarian meals as well.

Try to shop at the end of the day when stores have items on sale.

Look at the price per 100 grams, not the item price, to better compare costs.

Buy your fruits and vegetables loose. Pre-packaged ones can sometimes cost you twice as much.

NO SPENDING DAYS

If you do something with the kids, it should be free, like going to the park or drawing at homeCredit: Getty

THIS is simple: just don’t spend money for a day. Give yourself an easy start by doing it once a week.

If you’re hanging out with friends, go to each other’s houses instead of meeting in the city where you spend money.

If you do something with the kids, it should be free, like going to the park or drawing at home.

Have your own coffee instead of going to a cafe. Even shopping is no longer possible. Instead, get creative with what you already have in the closet.

It’s amazing to see how resourceful you can be when you need to.

To take my No Spend Day to the next level, you can add up all the money you saved by not spending and then put it into your savings account.

SAVE MONEY EVERY DAY

Move odd amounts of cash from your checking account to your savings every day - £208, then move £8 to savings — Move odd amounts of cash from your checking account to your savings every day – £208, then move £8 to savingsCredit: Getty

LOOK at your bank balance daily and move it, whatever the last bit of the figure, into your savings.

So if there is €208 in your checking account, transfer €8. If there is $54 the next day, move another $4.

You can save $30 or $40 a week without missing out.

There are also bank accounts and apps that allow you to save automatically. For example, the Plum app analyzes your expenses and what you can afford to put aside before transferring money to your savings every four or five days.

TRACK YOUR SPENDING

Set up a spending tracker to see where your money is going and where you can saveCredit: Getty

A SPENDING tracker is easy to set up and only needs to be done once. Once it’s up and running, you’ll want to use it more and more.

1. Write down all your expected monthly expenses in one column: mortgage, bills, grocery, pension, everything.

2. In another column, write down what you get that month – wages, whatever tax credits, refunds you might expect, birthday money, a bonus and so on.

3. First add up your expenses and then your income. Subtract your expenses from your income and see what you’re left with.

4. This figure is what you should keep in mind when you’re about to buy a new top or an overpriced hot dog at the movie theater. It’s not about how much the item costs, it’s about whether or not you can afford it.