The Things We're Most Likely to Buy Out of Impulse (& How to Stop Doing it)

Shopping as a Mum can be tough. You’re in charge of the entire household and with so much to keep track of it’s easy to end up spending money on things you don’t need. If this sounds like you don’t stress, recent research from CoreData and Choosi found Aussies admitting they’ve made large purchasing decisions they regret. With so many of us looking to get back on top of our spending habits it’s time to say no to impulse buying. Check out these great tips if you’re looking to claim control of your shopping habits.

Take control of your shopping habits to avoid digging deep into the money bank

When a deal looks too good to pass up

Ever noticed how often you find yourself picking up an item you didn’t know you wanted just because it’s on sale? You’re not alone. Almost half of all Aussies surveyed (41%) admitted to buying with their heart rather than their head in the latest Choosi survey.  Sometimes that discount price or last minute deal is just too hot to ignore. Or so it seems. Retail specials like ‘two for one’ or ‘50% off’ can look good at first but if you find yourself coming home with outdated items or a strong feeling of buyer’s remorse then it’s time to act.

Solution – Don’t go shopping without a set plan. Wandering around the supermarket without a goal in mind is a great way to get caught up in sales so only go to a store with a specific goal in mind. Try the 30-day rule too. If something catches your eye, then write it on a list and stick it on the fridge. Once 30 days has passed you can buy the item if you still want it. You’ll find a lot of those sale items that looked so good at the time aren’t what you wanted after all.

When you’re at the Grocery Store

There’s nothing wrong with a little treat now and then, when you’re a busy Mum you deserve to feel good so go ahead and spoil yourself. But if you find yourself shopping on an empty stomach and coming home with things you don’t need, there are ways to curb your spending.

Solution – Create a list before you go to the supermarket. Match it to your budget so you know where your money is going. Avoid shopping during meal times and always eat before you go so your head can overrule your stomach. It sounds simple but try leaving the kids at home too. It’s tough to stick to your list with a little voice nagging you for treats. Compare prices before you load up your cart and stay strong at the register to avoid any last minute impulse buys.

When you’re with the Kids

This is one of those impulse buys that slips under the radar because bringing your kids a smile feels so good. Large and expensive toys may seem like a great idea at the time but as kids mature and age they can soon become outdated. Buying for the little ones also happens on a small scale which makes it difficult to reign in. With the latest smartphone games offering upgrades and unlocks for a very small fee you can sink some serious cash into them on behalf of the little ones.

Solution – Start by considering the longevity of a potential toy. Even a great price won’t make up for your little ones moving on and wanting something else down the line. Try using the experience as a teaching tool. Giving your kids an allowance and showing them the value of choosing something with help the both of you to make better buying decisions over time.

When you’re on holidays

Taking a break from the daily grind is something we all look forward to, but if your family holidays are leaving you needlessly out of pocket, you will come home from the vacation stressed about your finances. Using a credit card on holidays seems convenient but if you’re incurring extra fees or not on top of your budget you’ll come home to a major headache.

Solution – Planning a budget before you go will let you stay on top of your holiday finances. Try taking cash with you and avoid using plastic to pay as you go. If you do need to bring the credit card, consider adding a credit limit to avoid overspending. If you’re a part of the 50% of Australians who overspend on holidays, consider designated ‘discount days’ on your getaway. Use these to look for cheap or no cost activities, because the best things in life are free!

Spending less on needless purchases and saving more money for the things you and your family deserve won’t happen overnight. But by planning your purchases in advance and by spending within your means you’ll soon make impulse buying a thing of the past.

Busy mums: how to free up an extra 10 hours a week

If there's one thing that I could have more of, it would be time.

Juggling family responsibilities with the upcoming launch of my home business and other commitments means life can get chaotic quite quickly and ‘me time’ is essentially unheard of. I'm a strong believer that having too much on my plate can do more harm than good for my health and well-being. Recently, I discovered that the secret to achieving some balance back in my life is outsourcing.

Getting some help is about prioritising what need to be done, so that I can spend my time doing what I love. A great way to start is to think about what can be delegated to others, such as cleaning or life admin. These can take up quite a chunk of my weekend, which could be better spent with friends and family. If you're a busy bee like me, you can rejoice – here are 10 hours’ worth of household tasks to consider outsourcing next time you’re pressed on time.

Garden Maintenance - A beautiful garden sets the scene for a serene home life, but keeping on top of those pesky weeds and overhanging branches can take longer than you think. If you’d rather spend your Sunday’s enjoying your garden (instead of working in it), outsource the time-consuming upkeep tasks like lawn mowing, hedge trimming and weeding. Be specific with your requests too, so if you’re growing your own veggies, make planting and mulching a priority. Average time saved – 2 hours.

Outsourcing gardening jobs means I simply get to enjoy the garden and my homegrown vegetables

Pet Care - Outsourcing some extra love for your furry friends doesn’t mean you care any less, it shows you care even more! Give your family’s best friend the attention they deserve by arranging for a dog walker or dog groomer if your schedule is jam packed. You get the extra time you need and they get pampered, win-win! You can also arrange for someone to pick up bulk pet food or even routine visits to the vet - no animal and no task is too small for a little extra affection. Average time saved – 1 hour

Heavy Duty Cleaning - Let’s face it – no one actually enjoys cleaning. Appliances like the fridge, oven or microwave and areas like the bathroom can build up considerable grime and need regular deep cleans for hygiene and safety. Schedule in a weekly cleaning schedule for different appliances, and seek out a helping hand for the heavy duty tasks, so that you’re not stuck in the kitchen for hours to no end. Average time saved – 2 hours
Home Repairs - Fixing something with your own two hands is working hard, but outsourcing home repairs to trusted professionals is working smart. A busy home will need repairs from time to time so instead of waiting around all day for a repairman to arrive, use a skilled member of your community instead. Tasks as small as TV mounting and light bulb changing, or as large as fixing a broken washing machine can be arranged and completed easily, without being a time-suck to your schedule. So the next time a wayward soccer ball cracks a window you’ll know exactly where to turn. Average time saved – 2-3 hours

Spring Cleaning - Don’t wait for spring to get your household cleaning underway. Staying on top of the little things is a time saver now and a cost saver later. Outsource the time-consuming and tedious tasks like washing the curtains and scrubbing off mould. Average time saved – 2 hours

Tech Support - Having a piece of technology die on you at home can be a huge drain on time as you chase up experts to help bring it back to life. Avoid the stress of a broken laptop, a poorly working router and Wi-Fi problems by outsourcing your tech needs. This means no long waits on the end of a phone for help and more time doing what you love. Consider getting help to bring your memories to life with digital scanning too. Converting piles of family photos can be a huge task, so let someone else do it! Average time saved – 1-2 hours

Life Admin - You know all those pesky, menial tasks that eventually build up into a crazy to-do list? There’s a name for it – life admin. Whether it’s collecting your dry cleaning, paying bills or organising appointments, these jobs can pile up. Delegate your life admin to a ‘personal assistant’ for the day and let them tackle it for you once and for all – you’ll be surprised by how much time you can save. Average time saved – 1-2 hours

Being a mum is a full time job in itself, I find that using these outsourcing ideas gives me the flexibility to enjoy a weekend with Stu and Alexander or catch up with friends. If you’re ready to start delegating like I have, look into online marketplace platforms and apps like Airtasker, which allows you to outsource with the click of a button.

5 tips for starting a home business

So here's an update on my nanny referral agency set up: the website is ready to go live at a click of a button, I have my business cards printed, nannies to hire and I just got a lawyer review my business contract. In other words I'll be ready to start operation in the next few weeks! I've come such a long way and it has been a steep learning curve. Today, I'd like to share some tips for starting a home business.

1. Research your target market - After having identified who my potential clients are, I've talked to so many local mums and dads and other carers about my business idea to garner feedback, suggestions and to better understand them in terms of their values, their concerns and what they want from their nanny.

2. Research your competitors - Initially, I'd wished and hoped that there wouldn't be any other nanny agencies to compete with mine and then one day it occurred to me that having competition is actually a good sign in that there is an actual market/demand for the service. By sussing out my competitors, I've been able to work out what my business's point of difference is; what makes it unique.

3. Insurance cover - Ultimately my team of nannies as well as myself will be liable for the safety and care of all the children they are contracted to care for, so it is crucial that I provide appropriate public liability insurance for all my nannies just in case one of them is found to have caused injury or property damage due to negligence.

4. Get a good lawyer - Not only do I need a lawyer to review my business and employee contracts, I will also need one in case (touch wood) I need to make a claim against the public liability insurance policy I've taken out on behalf of all my nannies . Firths the compensation lawyers is one law firm that specialises in such claims.

5. Set up a business account - One of the first things I did was to set up a business banking account so that there was a clear distinction between personal and business finances. I also set up a separate mobile phone on a business plan and was able to enjoy some perks offered only to businesses such as phone upgrade and free calls.

This list is by no means exhaustive and I plan to share more tips as I go along! So free feel to share any business tips of your own too.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Firths The Compensation Lawyers. I was compensated for this post but all opinions are my own.

Tips for decluttering your home

As I have mentioned in an earlier post, Stu and I spent the large part of the Christmas holiday break just cleaning and decluttering our home. And oh boy, it felt good to actually have excess space. Mentally, it felt incredibly good to start the year afresh as if we'd thrown away our negative emotions together with all that physical junk. Today I'd like to share some of my tips for decluttering your home. Read on if you're interested...

1. Start small - at first I found idea of cleaning out the whole house extremely daunting and kept putting it off. Then one day, after having trouble finding a key, I decided to clean out the one drawer I had a feeling it was in. I found the key shortly and that achievement alone motivated me to keep going. I couldn't stop cleaning afterwards.

2. Teach kids to clean up their mess - Alexander has been trained at an early age to clean up his toys after play before he is allowed to move on to the next toy or activity. I hope that this gets him in the habit of putting things away now, than procrastinate.

3. Categorize your belongings - Stu and I went through every single item in our house (and yes that includes the wardrobe) and categorize them into "keep", "donate" and "toss'. Everything in the "toss" pile gets binned straightaway, while the "donate" items are dropped off at our local charity. The cupboards and drawers get a good clean before we put the items we want to keep back in an organised fashion which brings me to my next point...

4. Storage containers - For our linen cupboard and bathroom cupboard, we used clear containers which we labeled to make it easier for us to find items stored in them. We use straw baskets for toys, magazines, books and craft materials. On the back deck, we have a storage chest which doubles as a craft table for Alexander as well as storage for blankets, cushions and cleaning materials. Drawer dividers are great for organizing stationery, cutlery and other items in drawers.

5. Consider self storage solutions - when we turned our study into Alexander's nursery, we had to use a self storage facility for some of the items that were previously in that room, such as some furniture and filing cabinets full of documents and business records that we had to keep for a certain number of years but no longer had room in the house for. Fort Knox is one such self storage facility that can help you keep clutter away in a secure location.

Do you have any decluttering tips of your own to share?

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Fort Knox. I was compensated for this post, however all opinions are my own.

Kitchen cleaning tips

When it comes to cleaning the kitchen, I'm definitely more of a "clean as you go" kind of person. It literally only takes minutes each day to wipe down stains and surfaces, and the best part is, I get to enjoy a clean kitchen with sparkling appliances, which makes cooking and baking an absolute joy. Read on for my tips if you're interested...

Sink - A quick wipe down of the sink after every use keeps the water stains off. It literally only takes two seconds to do and more importantly it motivates me to keep the rest of the kitchen clean and uncluttered.

Dishwasher - Almost all my dirty dishes go in the dishwasher, as I find that to be more water and energy efficient than washing by hand. I use an all-in-one dishwashing detergent with a rinse aid so my dishes come out clean, dry and without any spotting.

Stovetop, microwave and oven - I find the best way to clean these appliances is to wipe it out with a damp cloth as soon as I notice food stains., rather than having to scrub stains off when they have hardened and caked. When using the microwave, I find it handy to use a microwave-safe lid over the bowl of food to prevent food from splattering.

Shelves and surfaces - Kitchen shelves and surfaces require much more than just a general dusting as it actually a magnet for grease, grime and other residue from cooking so I like to give exposed surfaces a quick daily wipe down so the dirt doesn't accumulate.

Dish cloth, sponge and brush - Bacteria will grow on anything warm and moist so all three are considered perfect breeding ground (lovely - not!), I wash my dish cloths together with the rest of my washing and air dry them in the sun. As for the sponge and brush, I simply place them in the dishwasher with the rest of my dishes everyday when I run it.

Do you have any kitchen cleaning tips of your own to share too?

Also, check out my bathroom cleaning tips and DIY multipurpose spray.

Tips for road tripping with a toddler

I've mentioned more than once before and I'll say it again: traveling with a toddler is hard work. So why do Stu and I keep going away? Clearly, our sense of wanderlust and Alex's joy at discovering new sights and experieneces seems to make all the effort worthwhile.

Personally, I much prefer road trips to flights, as there are always stops to be made and sights to be seen along the way, while with flying, we're pretty much 'trapped' up in the air for hours on end. Land Rover has asked that I share a few of my road tripping tips with you today, so here goes...

Research best route - By best, I don't always mean shortest. Are there any rest areas, parks or places of interest along the way to break up the journey? Which route is best for the time you're travelling?

Roadside assistance - Picture this scenario: it's dark, and you're in the middle of the countryside, miles away from the nearest town. Everyone in the car is exhausted, and your restless toddler starts crying and screaming and then...the car breaks down. I honestly can think of few things worse, so for me, roadside assistance is a must so I'm never stuck in the middle of nowhere with no help in sight.

Plan your trip around toddler's sleep - Alexander naps for two solid hours everyday around midday, so Stu and I always make sure to leave approximately 30 minutes before his usual nap time. The steady motion of the car on the highway always lulls him into sleep quickly and we get to drive in peace for two hours.

Allocate plenty of time - If the trip usually takes one hour, make sure to give yourself two hours to get to your destination. Because DELAYS happen. I remember clearly the time we were driving to the airport in Tasmania to catch a plane home and Alex had a dummy spit and we had to stop to pacify him. And then he had a major poo explosion that had to be cleaned up, resulting in us arriving at the airport late. If our flight flight hadn't been delayed, we would've missed our flight for sure.

Entertainment - Play kid music, read a book, provide fun finger foods and/or new exciting toys to keep your toddler amused and entertained. Better yet, have an adult sit next to the child at the back to keep the child company.