Pocockins

Saving Money On Your Weekly Shop ❤

Hi All!

I thought would share my top tips on saving money on your weekly food shopping bill, I’m always looking for new ways to spend less. I shop around when buying to make sure that I have found the cheapest price, I look for vouchers, discount codes or items that are in the sale.

I love finding a good bargain! like the feeling when you manage to get to the fridge in a shop and see all the yellow label food! I often stock up then and freeze food if I’m not going to eat the food that day. I compare my utility bills, cards, and shop around often will search several sites before making a purchase. I heard a saying before that really makes sense now I’m older ‘ look after the pennies and the pounds look after themselves’.

  • Bulk cook meals.
  • Look for yellow label food.
  • half price items and offers.
  • Stock up on offers.
  • Bulk buy at food suppliers like Costco.
  • Supermarket own brand.
  • Online offers.
  • Buy frozen fresh food like Fruit and Vegetables as they will last longer.
  • Use leftovers and freeze the food.
  •  Don’t shop on an empty stomach.
  • Try cheaper supermarkets like Aldi or Lidl.
  • Keep an eye on what you’re buying.
  • Only buy what you need.
  • Convenience stores/ petrol station can often cost more than the supermarket.
  • Beware of BOGOF can often end up buying offers you don’t need.
  • Write a shopping list.
  • Buy wonky vegetables you can often save a lot of money and they are still fine to use.
  • Shop online for deals like Dishwasher tablets you can save a fortune as they can be expensive.

I thought I would share with you my last top tip for saving money! A website that I often browse for freebies, there are so many great freebies items that I use anyway. You do receive a sample/trial size but if its an item you use anyway then you have still saved, also its a good opportunity to try something new and for free! Some of the current freebies on the website are mouthwash, Murad Serum, Easter Eggs and many more!

*How do you save money? do you look for yellow labels or look for offers?

Lots Of Love,

My Oreo Cookie Quest Challenge ❤

Hi All!

I was asked to take part in a fun challenge with Oreo Cookie, How can you say no I love Oreos! The challenge was all about creating, capturing and sharing joyful family moments with Oreo Cookies in celebration of the great Oreo Cookie quest, also a fun way to win great prizes, look out for the hashtag #OreoCookieQuest to see more.

I had already planned to make Shopkins cakes with Dylan this weekend, so we got creative with the cakes! can you spot where the Oreo Cookies are hiding?

We both had so much fun in this challenge, I love weekends where we have activities planned the Oreo Cookies also tasted great in the cakes! As you can see by the photos Dylan had a great time doing this challenge with me.

Oreo is celebrating the great Cookies Quest anyone can pick up a promotion pack, and have the chance to win amazing prizes, including a once in a lifetime trip to California and the Googleplex! Oreo Cookies are a tasty treat to have they do recommend a serving size of 2 Oreos, but as this was for both of us we did include extra.

The Oreos Cookies can be bought from most food stores, I know Tesco currently have them in stock for £1.08 154g pack, let me know if you decide to take part in the quest or if you pick up a pack of Oreo Cookies!

Also, a top tip try Oreos in a milkshake they taste amazing! this is my favourite milkshake to have we have a great local Oatcake and Milkshake shop.

*’This post is an entry for BritMums #OreoCookieQuest, Sponsored by Oreo’

Lots Of Love,

Winter Saviours For Dry Skin ❤

Hi All!

Cetraben Daily Cleansing Cream is an emollient that can be used by children an adult as part of a bath or shower skincare routine. The 2 in 1 product aims to be a cleansing soap substitute and daily moisturiser that can be used in the bath or shower.

The cleansing cream is priced at £7.99 for 200ml, Cetraben  Daily Cleansing Cream is now available in the medicated skincare section of pharmacies or drug stores. The cream is fragrance-free, light formulation, leave on moisturiser for dry and sensitive skin also eczema prone skin.

When used for washing Cetraben Daily Cleansing Cream provides gently cleansing avoiding the irritation associated with the use of harsh soaps. Cetraben Daily Cleansing Cream is gentle enough to also use as a leave on moisturiser. The cleanser is also free from Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Lanolin and Parabens. This cream is suitable for all ages and skin types.

The Cetraben Cream is a thick cream which quickly absorbs into your skin, the cream is perfect for people with problematic skin, including dry skin and eczema. The formula includes properties that replenish lost oils in the skin and creates a barrier on the skin to protect.

The cream has protective and moisturising features for the relief of dry skin, red skin and inflamed skin. Cetraben cream is also suitable for all ages and skin types, the pump dispenser makes this cream very easy to apply.

Some of the ingredients in this cream are paraffin,paraffinum liquidum, cetomarcrogol emulsifying wax, sodium citrate, water. Apply to dry areas this cream can be applied as frequently as needed, Cetraben recommends application at least 2 times daily. The Cetraben cream retails at £4.99 for 50g can be bought online and from  retail stores and also pharmacies

The Cetraben Lotion is also part of the range of products, this cream helps to retain moisture in the upper skin layers by reducing evaporation from the surface, but this process is interrupted in individuals suffering from a skin condition. Used on regular skin the skin becomes softer and feels healthier, it also reduces and itchiness if you do suffer from skin conditions.

The lotion is fragrance-free, the lotion dries into the skin quickly. The ingredients found in this lotion are Paraffin, Paraffinum liquidum, Glycerin, Cetomacrogol Emulsifying wax, water, citric acid. The lotion can be applied as often as required, simply apply to skin until the cream has been absorbed. The Cetraben lotion retails at £4.99 for 50g can be used with other Cetraben products.

*What do you think of the Cetraben skincare? What skincare do you use for dry skin?

Lots Of Love,

Mothers Day Gift Guide ❤

Hi All!

Are you sending flowers for Mother’s Day? the below beautiful flowers are the perfect gift for mother’s day.

The Turner Bouquet is inspired by the masterpieces housed at the National Gallery, each bouquet is arranged by the floral designers exclusively for The National Gallery.

The Bouquet is reminiscent if the stunning sunset in Turner’s Fighting Temeraire, this bouquet includes miss piggy roses with orange fading to dusky pink outer petals, contrasted with the subtle blue Eryngium and deep purple Trachelium. The white Bouvardia softens this bouquet like the mists and the ghostly Temeraire in the painting.

The picture is from the artist Joseph Mallord William Turner, 1775-1851, The Fighting Temeraire 1839 this picture is at The National Gallery in London. You can include this lovely print with the bouquet for an extra £7.99, the Turner Bouquet is £40.

The bouquet comes in the Prestige Flowers Luxury collection black bag, this bouquet can be available for the UK next day delivery if you order before 9 pm. There are more extras you can include with this bouquet Mother’s day Bonbons,3D Mum Pop Up Card, Mum Balloon, cuddly teddy bear, vase. Every Bouquet from Prestige Flowers comes with a card that you can add a personal message.

If you are looking to buy a clothing gift, I would recommend River Island, they currently have so many lovely dresses. I would love a clothing gift for mothers day I think this gift would make a change as you wouldn’t be expecting a loved one to choose clothes for you. The same with Valentine’s day I think it’s great when a partner takes the time to pick underwear that you would like.

The next option I have for Mother’s day if you don’t fancy sending flowers or trying to choose clothing! is personalised wine. I don’t think you can go wrong with buying wine as a gift and what makes this wine even more special is the fact you can personalise this wine, You can choose the label you would like I picked the floral heart for my mum there are other labels you can choose flower design,floral heart,pewter lable.

There is a box for you to add your personal message to the bottle, which makes this present very special you could even keep the bottle as a keepsake after you have finished enjoying the wine! There is a big selection of wine to choose from so you will defiantly find a loved ones favourite wine in the selection they have.

Red Wines: Chilean Merlot, Italian Merlot, Australian Shiraz, South African Pinotage and Italian Cabernet, or Italian Barolo or French Margaux for a little extra cost. White Whines: Italian Pinot Grigio, Italian Chardonnay, Chilean Chardonnay, Chilean Sauvignon Blanc and South African Chenin Blanc. Rose Wine: White Zinfandel Rose.

The personalised wine retails at £19.99 for a 75c bottle from GiftsOnline4U, you can also add a champagne bottle bag or box. The wine is easy to order the website has simple instructions to follow on choosing the label, wine, message and any extras you wish to add. If your loved one isn’t a wine drinker they also offer plenty of different personalised presents i.e necklaces, watches, pens, mugs and many more! Th

*What do you think of the Turner Bouquet inspired by The National Gallery? Would you order this customised wine? What do you think of the dress from River Island?*

Lots Of Love,

 

Building A Credit Score ❤

Hi All!

We have all been there when the washing machine has packed in halfway through the month, or your car is due a MOT and you haven’t budgeted for this monthly cost. Credit cards have quickly become the norm just like overdrafts most people are actually surprised if you don’t have one!

There are so many deals and cards out there its very difficult to know which one to get and if they are a good deal or not. Overdrafts are a tricky one as you never end up out of them it just all adds up to one figure that you have in your bank account, it can be easy to fall into the trap of always being in your overdraft and using that as income every month.

The same can be said for credit cards so many people rely on them and just say oh stick it on the credit card, this isn’t the best attitude to have, if you can’t afford it you shouldn’t really buy it unless of course, you do need it. I think credit cards are great for improving your credit score if used correctly and are very handy for emergencies, I wouldn’t start getting into the habit of relying on them as an income.

Payday loans are a good option for securing cash fast if like I said something in your household breaks and you quickly need the item replacing before payday arrives. Payday loans are quick and a very easy way to lend money, you can easily select the amount you wish to loan, once you have done this the website will calculate how long you can have the loan for and what the repayment amounts will be, they will also be able to tell you the interest amount you will pay back.

This is the interest they add on to the figure you are borrowing so try and find a low-interest rate but obviously, the rate all depends on how good your credit scoring is. When getting loans, credit cards, finance on a car or anything else valuable, or a mortgage the APR really does depend on how well your credit rating is, obviously having no credit at all isn’t going to give you a good score and having too much is also bad for your credit rating.

I would recommend having a credit card but just using it for like the weekly shop and then pay it back when you get paid, this will be good credit for your score. Make sure you don’t use the maximum on your credit card this will be bad for your credit rating, use 15% of the balance, make sure you keep up with the payments and never miss one or pay more than the minimum amount suggested.

Having a phone on contract is also good for your credit as long as you don’t miss the payments, as this is a loan as such and will be on your file will show as good credit as you pay it every month. Also, a good fact to know is that your student loan does not go on your credit file this is kept completely separate.

I use Experian to keep on track of my credit score you can use this website for free or you can pay the £14.99 a month and be able to see more on your file and how to approve the score. I also use Clear Score to check my credit score, this one can be slightly easier as this is an app you can download on your phone, this website is also free to use.

*Do you have a credit card? How did you get a better credit rating?

Lots Of Love,