All about…Skinny Spending
This week we chatted to Melissa from Skinny Spending to discover her blogging and money saving tips.
Tell us about your blog.
SkinnySpending gets its name from the fact that going on a diet and trying to cut your spending are very similar – and if you go full on cold turkey then sooner or later you are likely to suffer a Visa based relapse! I document my money saving and side hustling efforts through all areas of my life including parenting, beauty, fashion and groceries. I also run a second money saving blog, Discount Days Out.
Why do you write about money?
I took a large pay drop to leave a job that was making me miserable, then went part time after having a baby. This meant my income took a £25k drop in the space of 2 years just as we had extended our house and had a child to provide for, so my belt was suddenly very tight indeed! I thought a blog would be a good way to document my money saving tips and tricks.
How did you start blogging?
I have always loved writing but in recent years struggled to find a productive outlet for it. Blogging was an idea that I procrastinated around for a year or so until I made the decision to just get on with it – and I’m really glad I did!
What’s your most popular post and why?
Is it worth selling CDs on eBay? – This is so popular because it is the first result on Google for this question! (Whoop Whoop!) But, I think it is also popular because a lot of people write off their CD collection when they have a declutter and donate it to charity when they see that Music Magpie will only give them 10p a disc. However, my post explores the titles to look out for that regularly go for anywhere between £5 and £20 a sale.
What’s your favourite post you’ve written, and why?
How I’m saving for Christmas without even noticing – because the automated savings system I use just works so well, it has completely changed the way I am able to budget for this annual expense.
What’s your top blogging tip?
You will get out what you put in. If you just want to write for fun, then of course that is fine. But if you want to grow a successful and profitable business then it really is a never ending task and far harder work than a lot of people realise! I work part time and do not dream of leaving my job to be a full time blogger, so I like the balance of seeing hard work paying off alongside not having the pressure of relying on it for my income.
Why are you part of UK Money Bloggers?
It is an invaluable network of people and the group is so supportive. I have had so much help from more experienced bloggers and it is a great place to share ideas and get involved in collaborations.
Who are your three favourite UK Money Bloggers?
Emma Drew – I have learnt so much from Emma and she was the first money blogger I found!
Katy Kicker – I love Katy’s Instagram and website, her recipes in particular are amazing.
Ruth Makes Money – Ruth is such an inspiration and her website is a wealth of money making ideas.
And now…some quickfire questions.
What’s your number one money tip?
The one that has always worked for us is do 1 big monthly food shop then top up in the middle with around £20 of fresh fruit & veg. Even before my drastic wage cut this is the amount we spent. We spend just over £100 a month on food for 2 adults and a 4 year old, and I am staggered when I realise a lot of my friends are spending this a week!
What is the best bargain you have ever bought?
Not the biggest monetary bargain but I spotted a practically new Joules handbag for £1 at a jumble sale, I was watching the identical brand new bag on the Joules ebay store for £23. Very strange coincidence!
At the other end of the scale, we have saved goodness knows how much money on our house. We live in a farm property owned by family which means our cost of living and bills compared to usual rental or mortgage payments is very low.
What is a product / service you are happy to pay the extra for?
A decent mattress. When I first moved into my own rented house after uni, the bed was very cheap and after a bout of illness I had backache from lying on it for so long! It’s memory foam all the way these days!
Tell us something about yourself unrelated to your blog.
I am a primary teacher by trade but I now work as an educational consultant for a private company teaching the primary computing curriculum. This includes robotics, coding, website building and podcasting to children aged 4-11. I love my job and working 3 days a week is a great work life balance around my family.
And finally…where can we find you on social media?