Monday 14-12-2020 - 15:20

It’s that time of year when the nights are getting longer, and the weather is going colder.  With winter comes some of the happiest times of the year …

… Whether you’re celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or Chinese New Year, there is plenty to celebrate.  And after the year we have all had, we deserve some time to relax and have fun.  

However, with this seasonal joy, things can get pretty pricey, and the Wellbeing Network is here to help!  Here are some ideas we wanted to share with you, to help you make the most of your money and make the most of the holiday season.

 

Leaving your flat for the holidays? Make sure you do the following first!

• Turn your heaters off – this might seem obvious, but your wallet will appreciate it

• Submit your gas, electricity and water meter readings to your provider. It’s always good to stay on top of these things.

• Also … clean up! That broccoli in the fridge? The damp in the shower? It’s going to turn into mould. Get rid of it before you leave, and you won’t have to pay for it when you get back

Travelling far and wide? 

• Book in advance for cheaper tickets.  If possible book well in advance - train operators tend to release cheaper tickets a month or two in advance of the train departing.  Even if you can’t book weeks/months in advance, book a ticket before travelling because it is usually cheaper.

• Look for super-off peak train tickets - they’re usually cheaper, and give you more flexibility as to when you travel (in case you want to spend that extra day at home)

• If you are taking multiple trains, consider ‘splitting your tickets’.  This is the big trick everyone should know. Instead of buying tickets for the whole journey, buying tickets for each part because it can slash the price, even though you're on exactly the same train.  (Check out TrainTickets.com if you need some help doing this.  However, they charge you 10% of the saving you make.)

• Travelling with a Railcard or Coachcard can get you discounts of up to 33% - totally worth it

• Flying home? The A1 and A2 buses are both quick convenient ways to get to Bristol Airport, taking you from City Centre/Temple Meads/Bus Station in under 30mins

  • Likewise, for our London-goers, the Heathrow/Gatwick/Stansted Express trains are pricey, BUT National Express and the Piccadilly Underground Line (for Heathrow) are not 

Shopping for presents? How to get the most out of Amazon.

Many of us use Amazon for lots of our shopping needs.  And to be fair, Amazon can make shopping an easier and sometimes cheaper experience.  However, and it’s a big however … companies like Amazon use behavioural data to help them find ways to encourage you to buy.  

To help you fight back, there are websites that can help you make informed decisions.  You could try https://uk.camelcamelcamel.com/.  This site shows you how the price of any products you are thinking about buying has changed over time, on Amazon.  Consequently, you can make more informed decisions on if you are getting a good deal.
 

Shopping for presents? Why not shop sustainably?

Anna, and the Women’s Network, have some great suggestions for you. We know Bristol will be in Tier 3, but these options are also available online!

• Mara Studios (@marastudiosuk – www.marastudio.co.uk) – jewellery handmade by a mum, and her young children

• SolidariTee (www.solidaritee.org.uk) – student-led charity fighting for refugees, selling ethically-made t-shirts and a few prints/bags. T-Shirts are affordable and really cute too, with fun prints. 

• IOTA (@iotabristol - www.iotabristol.com) – Situated on Gloucester Road, it not only offers a broad range of adorable and affordable items, such as jewellery, plant pots, recipe books, candles, cosmetics and clothes, but is also independently owned by the loveliest of women!

• Earrings by Hats (https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/earringsbyhats) is a small, student student-run business, offering hand-made designs Also, at £9-15 a pair, it is super affordable

• Naked Grapefruit (https://nakedgrapefruit.com/) is a brilliant platform that tries to normalise female self-pleasure, empowering women in their sexual experiences, and in this offering a range of sustainable products 

• Jamii (@ukjamii - https://lovejamii.com/) is a marketplace, for Black British brands, offering a wide range of affordable, sustainable products ranging from Christmas cards to haircare and wellness products

Becoming more financially savvy 

If you are looking for a good source for information on how to make the most of your money, and put yourself in the best possible financial situation, consider signing up for a weekly email from Martin Lewis/the Money Saving Expert website.  This email is packed with timely and ultimately helpful hints and tips that help people become more informed on all types of money matters.

This week there is advice on over 50 ways to save, including:

• Black Friday - bargains or bull?

• Black Friday - discounts already on

• How to find the cheapest energy providers, insurance policies, broadband, etc.

• Who offer the best bank accounts, credit cards, etc.

• Deliveroo discounts.

• Free 15-bottle wine case for switching to Virgin's 2% interest account.

 

Enjoy the holidays, and take some time off to focus on self-care. Mental health is mental wealth.

Much love,

Your Wellbeing Network Committee

Olivier Levy (Chair)

Stephy Claire (SU and Societies Liaison Officer)

Ben Podmore (Academic Liaison Officer)

Jaanavi Coneti (Residential Liaison Officer)

Melina Bendz (Events Officer)

Ellie Spenceley (Communications and Publicity Manager)

Tilly Woodroffe (Secretary)

+ Ben Hobbs, Chair of the Mature Students, Parents and Carers Network

+ Anna Vause, Chair of the Women’s Network