Savvy woman saves £400 a month with 8 gamechanging tricks after being'powerless'

30 November 2023 , 11:45

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Savvy woman saves £400 a month with 8 gamechanging tricks after being'powerless'

A woman who was left feeling "powerless and overwhelmed" as she watched her bills rack up every month has turned her financial fortune around as she now saves herself around $500 (£400) each month with just a few helpful tricks.

Hillary Qualtieri found herself constantly worrying each month as expenses came out for herself, her partner, Xander Cabral 32, and their three cats and dog. 46-year-old Hillary retired from her hairdressing job early to "care for [her] physical and mental health".

But, the stress of money troubles began to take its toll. When one bill came in at $700 (£552), Hillary2, from Arnold, California, decided it was time to take action.

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Hillary shares her tricks on how to save money on social media (Jam Press Vid/Hillary Qualtieri)

Hillary was dismayed at the cost of her monthly bills (Jam Press/Hillary Qualtieri)

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"The stress of the bills has been awful," she said. "[When I saw the $700 bill] I felt powerless and overwhelmed. While I have been able to pay the bills in full, I'm living off a set amount of money that is dwindling at an alarming rate.

"This is not sustainable. The cost of food and bills has inflated to an extreme degree. I often feel like crying when I'm walking out of the grocery store because I just had to spend so much money on a basic cost of living. I fear I may have to return to work when I am definitely not in a position to do so, health-wise."

Hillary makes all her own coffee at home, but ensures she only uses electricity at certain times (Jam Press/Hillary Qualtieri)

Hillary said she now saves around $500 (£400) each month (Jam Press/Hillary Qualtieri)

Determined to take matters into her own hands and do what she could to cut costs, Hillary reviewed her spending and worked out where she could save money. She ultimately came up with eight tips that she claims now save her hundreds every month, they are:

• Make all your coffee at home
• Price compare supermarket brands and avoid buying name brands
• Clothes shop at thrift stores, charity shops, and discount outlets
• Buy in bulk where possible
• Ditch pricey meats
• Always eat the leftovers
• Share streaming services
• Cut the lights

Hillary has a wood storage at her home to help cut heating costs (Jam Press/Hillary Qualtieri)

By switching to a wood burner, Hillary is able to save on heating her home (Jam Press/Hillary Qualtieri)

Hillary explained: "I always buy cheaper store brands instead of name brands when grocery shopping. If I need new clothes, I'll try to find what I need in a thrift store or somewhere cheaper.

"I've eliminated fun and frivolous purchases of clothes. I only buy what I need, not what I want. I buy in bulk from Costco."

When it comes to meals and cooking, Hillary said she now skips the red meat and makes leftover dinners. She said: "I've completely stopped buying steak and cook meals mostly with chicken or ground beef. It is definitely more affordable. We eat all our leftovers."

Hillary is sure to avoid using electricity as much as possible during the most expensive hours (Jam Press Vid/Hillary Qualtieri)

Hillary's bills after implementing her money saving measures (Jam Press/Hillary Qualtieri)

And in today's world, you can't forget about technology either. Hillary recommends if you have a friend or family member who uses the same streaming services, share accounts for cheaper rates - though watch out, as Netflix has recently cut down on password sharing across multiple households.

"I share streaming services with my sisters," said Hillary. "I don't go out for any kind of entertainment."

Another tip of Hillary is to look at how much you're using your lighting. Light usage can make bills skyrocket depending on what you're using and how long for.

The couple use a wood burner to heat their home (Jam Press/Hillary Qualtieri)

Hillary's dog (Jam Press/Hillary Qualtieri)

"The house goes mostly dark between 4pm and 9pm, peak pricing hours," explained Hillary. "All the lightbulbs have been switched to LED, we only have a light on in the room we are in."

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While some may look at Hillary's lifestyle changes and imagine it to be a dull and miserable existence, she said that while she and her partner don't spend money on frivolous things, they have plenty of fun at home. She explained: "For the most part, we enjoy being cooped up together. We have fun and enjoy each other's company.

Despite missing trips to restaurants Hillary says she enjoys spending time at home with her partner and pets (Jam Press/Hillary Qualtieri)

"Doing everything at home can feel a little dull and repetitive from time to time, but it hasn't strained our relationship. We both have hobbies we enjoy doing at home. There is a part of me that misses going to movies and restaurants and living a more normal existence, but the hermit in me is content to be at home."

Fiona Leishman