Tell us about your blog:
My blog Saving in London City helps people to enjoy life on a budget in the city. I share money saving tips and hacks, and personal experiences of my life in the capital.
Why do you write about money?
I moved to London around 3 years ago whilst living on a part time wage due to health issues (I suffer with crohn’s disease). I quickly realised how expensive life can be in the city, particularly on a reduced income!
I made it my mission to seek out the best money saving tips and hacks so I could continue with my long term money goals, such as saving for a house deposit, travelling and investing, whilst also enjoying everything London has to offer.
I want to share the knowledge I have picked up with those that may be living on a reduced wage, particularly those with a chronic illness or disability, as it can be really tough.
How did you start blogging?
I started my Instagram account in 2019, and found the money bloggers community shortly after. I was inspired to set up a blog to share more in depth, detailed information on saving money, and felt that blogging was the best platform.
What’s your most popular post and why?
A post about how to be a seat filler in London is popular, as it details how to get free and heavily discounted theatre, comedy and concert tickets.
I have seen some amazing shows and entertainment since signing up to be a seat filler; it’s one of my number one tips for anyone new to the city.
What’s your favourite post you’ve written, and why?
My favourite post is probably my guide to the best money making apps. These apps were my first venture into making additional income, and I’ve never looked back!
I recommend trying a couple of apps if you are new to making money online, as they are a great place to start for beginners.
What’s your top blogging tip?
My top blogging tip would be to make sure you have a genuine interest in your topic, and will enjoy spending time reading, writing and researching your chosen subject.
Blogging can be a time-consuming hobby, and you want to enjoy the time spent building your site. Picking an area of interest will make the process more enjoyable, and you’ll be more likely to stick with it long term, too.
Why are you part of UK Money Bloggers?
The UK Money Bloggers group are a fantastic community of people offering support for their readers with personal finance matters.
It’s been great to find a group of people that share similar interests and have a passion for helping people!
Who are your three favourite UK Money Bloggers?
One of the first bloggers I stumbled across many years ago was Katy Kicker – I loved her blog, which introduced me to the idea of making additional income online. I was inspired to start my own after reading Katy’s fantastic blog.
Laura at Thrifty Londoner shares relatable personal finance content, as well as London based hacks. Also, she was super helpful in answering some of my blogging questions when I was a blogging newbie, so thanks Laura!
Steph at Funding her Freedom discusses the side hustles she has tried, from being a VA to selling via Amazon. I have picked up so many tips from her blog; it’s one worth checking out if you are interested in achieving financial independence.
And now…some quickfire questions…
What’s your number one money tip?
My number one tip would be to have a fun fund. It seems common for people that are new to personal finance to start by being extremely strict, putting pressure on themselves to save every penny. The reality is that this can be overly restrictive… and just a bit miserable! Slower, consistent steps are better in my opinion, and you can be great with money whilst also treating yourself.
What is the best bargain you have ever bought?
I get a reduction on rent in my current flat which I came across whilst scouring the internet and noticing that my development offer a public sector discount! Over the past two years this has saved me a significant sum of money. My advice for NHS colleagues is to always check for an NHS discount!
What is a product / service you are happy to pay the extra for?
I am happy to pay for experiences where I can, such as travel, concerts, and trips.
I try to be more frugal with my day to day expenses but will pay extra for experiences and special days out, as creating memories with my loved ones is something that I truly value. In my opinion it’s money well spent!
Tell us something about yourself.
When I was a lot younger, I sent a message in a bottle off into the sea with my contact details, and someone found it in Egypt and responded! We wrote a few letters back and forth. It sounds like the start of a cheesy rom-com movie, but it did happen!
And finally…where can we find you on social media?
I’m on Instagram at www.instagram.com/savinginlondoncity and Twitter at www.twitter.com/savinginlondon