With details of Budget 2026 just a few days away, Emma is giving her best tips to try scrape together a few extra pennies...

QUITE often I think that surveys are fairly pointless – confirming what we already know.

Take for example one done recently by the  Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) which found that  84% of people in Ireland are worried about the cost-of-living crisis. No shade on the IHREC but I could have told them that – for nothing.  So with Budget Day looming next Tuesday (October 6th), and with no real windfalls expected for Joe and Josie Bloggs, I thought I’d come up with some budgeting tips of my own. Here goes:

It used to be the wine top-ups that were my downfall, but now it’s the grocery top ups. To be fair, I usually manage to do an economical enough weekly shop … joking! My husband does it.
I cannot be trusted to stick to the list and am a sucker for anything with ‘gourmet’ written on it – specifically if it’s humous or pesto. And then you need crackers (the gourmet ones) to go with them, and some nice cheese. And I know I should make my own, but they never taste as nice (I tried and failed and wasted all spendy tahini in the process so it was a total false economy).

Besides, if you can’t have little nibbly bits on a Wednesday night what’s it all for? Then there’s the fancy crisps which were once just for Christmas, until COVID happened and they’re now weekly staples like bread and milk. Same for the sourdough. So all things combined, that’s why my other half does the ‘big shop’ so it doesn’t turn into a second mortgage.

But without fail we’ll always need a mid-week top up (or two) and I find lately that even if I’ve just three random items in the basket like bread, milk and tinfoil/loo roll/sneaky tub of humous it’s never less than €27. Mind blowing.

And if you do that more than once, you’ve nearly spent the equivalent of another ‘big shop.’ Say that in the voice of Eddie Hobbs and you’ll feel really ashamed of yourself. So tip number one is to avoid the top-ups at all costs (because they will be exorbitant).

Staying with groceries because for most households it’s the biggest weekly spend. I know we’re supposed to shop around to get the best value but honestly, who has the time, or the parking skills (just me or are parking spots getting tighter?).

So shop your pantry instead. Remember that day time BBC show ‘Ready, Steady Cook,’ where competing chefs were given five random surprise ingredients and told to make a meal? We should try to that ourselves. A quick look in my own pantry reveals chickpeas (been in the press since 2019 and are still in date which is a bit alarming), butter beans, black beans, and also baked beans. I’m not sure what I’d get from that concoction … bad gas? Point is to use up what you have. Put some grated cheese over it, if it looks really bad. Don’t risk giving any left overs to the dogs though –  the vet bills will kill you if the beans haven’t already.

Staying on that theme, shop your wardrobe too. Personally I find this cost-saving exercise so depressing, mainly because half of my wardrobe doesn’t fit me. But also, because I want my clothes to make me look like a slightly aloof but very wealthy gallery owner, whereas in reality my wardrobe makes me look more like a stereotypical Sweaty Betty mam. Gah! Why is life so unfair?

Also, be smart with your subscriptions. I thought I was –  mainly because I get my husband to sign up for things. Then the other day I got an email telling me that a subscription for something that I had no recollection of, had been renewed. My bad. Keep an eye on those bank statements even if it’s bad for your heart rate. No point avoiding harsh
realities.

What you should try to avoid doing though is leaving the house. It will cost you dearly, besides there’s loads to be getting on with at home (like more bean-based meal planning). But if you have to leave the house, do it alone, and definitely not with anyone under 10 who has no idea about the value of money whatsoever. This age group also has the ability to wear you down, with their constant whinging, and will always make you cave to whatever their outlandish request is, from an ice cream before dinner to an over-priced lip gloss. Never enter a shop with them. Ever. Not that I’m beyond an odd impulse shop or two myself. So repeat after me: Stop buying s*** you don’t need. The truth hurts, but you’re not always worth it (that tough love doesn’t extend to fancy candles, blow drys or take-out coffee… they’re in the ‘you’re worth it’ category).

In the meantime, try to sell stuff you no longer need. This, I’ve learned, is way harder than it looks, but it’s worth a shot. I remember years ago my mum and I did a major clean out of both our houses, and assembled a collection of various bits and bobs, bric a brac etc and invited someone who was into car boot selling to come and view it. I had it all nicely merchandised, and we had it planned that we’d have a lovely weekend away from our earnings. I think we got around €20 in the end, and that was out of sympathy. Remember when I tried to sell bikes on DoneDeal, and I didn’t get so much as a sniff? Seems my tat isn’t anyone’s treasure.

Finally, I want to stress that none of my tips are about being mean or tight – the worst trait imaginable in my mind  – it’s more about being smart. I’m actually late to the party when it comes to learning the value of money. I always just assumed I’d be automatically wealthy but never had a plan to make it happen – besides my SSIA which went south on some ill thought out property investment. Jesus wept. My dad used to despair at my antics. He was especially aghast when I bought a fabulous new car which came with eye watering monthly repayments. At the time I couldn’t figure out why he wasn’t being more supportive, and encouraging of my life choices. Now I get it. There are so many other examples that are too embarrassing to share. His advice was to spend less or earn more and I think it’s a good thing to keep in mind … or tattoo on your wrist. So my parting tips: never be without your bags for life, your keep cup, a few emergency ham sandwiches, water, and strong resolve not to be parted with your money. Well maybe just for a lovely coffee and something sweet, and your copy of The Southern Star every week obviously. Flip it like, we can’t take it with us. Budget 2026 do your worst – just don’t tax the chickpeas!