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Tag Archive: #springclean

  1. Spring Clean Your Finances.

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    Spring Clean Your Finances.

    If January is the best time for people to pay off debts and reassess their finances, springtime is arguably the best time to put plans in place to try and start saving and making more

    In this blog, we’re taking a look at some different ways people can both save and make money in order to help them improve their finances.

    Saving money.

    Your food shop.

    With food among the largest expenditures in most households, now is the perfect time to explore how you could spend less at the supermarket.

    The simplest way to do so is to start shopping at Lidl or Aldi – the two cheapest supermarkets in the UK. A basket of everyday items in Lidl costs, on average, £5.97 less than at Morrisons; if you did that same shop every week, that’s an annual saving of £310.44

    It’s also worth remembering that all supermarkets reduce the prices on products that are about to reach their sell-by-dates, so try to shop after 6pm and keep your eyes out for items with yellow stickers – they may be reduced by as much as 80%. Monday and Saturday evenings are the best days to find a bargain.

    Your mobile phone.

    96% of the UK’s population owns a mobile phone but how many people are overpaying for theirs? 

    To make sure you’re not one of them – and save a significant amount every month – it’s worth exploring the possibility of switching from a contract to a SIM-only deal, which are often cheaper in the long run compared to contract agreements because you’re not paying back the cost of a new smartphone.

    Buying a handset outright – or using one you already own – and opting for SIM-only allows you to choose any provider and pick the minutes, texts and data you need, making it easier to only pay for what you use and reducing your monthly outgoings. Shop the best current SIM-only deals here.

    Making money.

    If you’ve got some spare time on your hands, you could make more money with some of these easy tips!

    Sell parking spaces.

    If your driveway often has no car parked on it, why not rent it out? Websites like justpark.com allow you to do just that, making it a quick and easy way to make extra money without having to lift a finger.

    Get paid to do simple tasks for people in your area.

    From planting flowers to lifting furniture upstairs or cleaning kitchens, websites like airtasker and taskrabbit connect people who need simple tasks completing with people who are happy to help them, enabling you to make extra money, fast. 

    After registering, you simply reply to people who want tasks doing with an offer (e.g. you might offer to walk someone’s dog for £10) and if they accept your offer, the job – and money – is yours. Working as much or as little as you want, whenever you want, has never been simpler!

    Have a clear out.

    For a quick cash injection, it’s never been easier to sell unwanted items online through websites like eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace. Go through your house, loft, garden and garage and if you find anything you no longer want, need or use, sell it.

    Leeds Credit Union – here if you need us.

    If you’ve done everything you can to save and make some extra money but are still struggling to make ends meet, you could borrow as much as £25,000 with one of our affordable loans. To find out more, click here.

  2. Springtime Home Improvements.

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    Springtime Home Improvements.

    With the days growing longer and winter fast becoming a distant memory, many people in the UK are finding themselves inspired to breathe new life into their homes as part of ambitious spring cleaning and DIY projects.

    But what are some of the UK’s most popular home improvements to undertake at this time of year? Let’s take a look…

    Garden revitalisation.

    Now our green spaces are bursting into bloom again, homeowners may well be tempted to show their outdoor areas a little TLC.

    From simple tasks like weeding and pruning to more ambitious projects such as installing new flower beds, laying decking or creating a cosy seating area, giving your garden a shot in the arm is a quick and relatively inexpensive way of enhancing the beauty and functionality of your home at this time of year.

    Painting and decorating.

    A fresh coat of paint brightens up any room and spring is the ideal season for interior painting projects, as the warmer temperatures and increased ventilation from open doors and windows make it easier for paint to dry quickly and evenly!

    Whether you’re opting for a subtle hue to create a calming atmosphere or a bold splash of colour to make a statement, a newly painted room is one of the most fool-proof ways to completely transform the look and feel of your home.

    Decluttering.

    For many of us, spring cleaning simply means ‘having a really good tidy up’ but there’s much more to it than that – it’s an excellent opportunity to declutter and organise your living space, creating a more serene and harmonious environment.

    Take the time to sort through your belongings, donating or disposing of items you no longer need, and organising the rest in a way that maximises space and minimises clutter. From wardrobes and cupboards to garages and attics, there’s no shortage of areas to tackle during a thorough spring cleaning session.

    Upgrading the kitchen.

    The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, making it a popular focus for springtime home improvement projects. Whether you’re planning a full-scale renovation or simply updating fixtures and appliances, there are plenty of ways to breathe new life into your kitchen. Consider replacing outdated countertops, installing new cabinetry or upgrading to energy-efficient appliances to enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of this vital space.

    Outdoor maintenance.

    As the weather warms up, it’s important to ensure that your home’s exterior is in top condition. From cleaning gutters and washing windows to repairing fences and repainting doors, outdoor maintenance tasks can help protect your property from the elements while enhancing its overall appeal. 

    Don’t forget to inspect your roof for any signs of damage and schedule any necessary repairs to prevent leaks and other issues down the line too!

    DIY with LCU!

    Whether your spring home improvement project requires just a few tins of paint and some new storage options or a whole new kitchen, our range of affordable loans is here to help you make your dream home a reality!

    Find out how we can help here.