** Saving on the little things, to make the big things happen! **
- Budgeting - Homemaking - Travel -
Hey, I'm Lara, a content creator from the South of England. I have 2 sons both born on the same day, 2 years apart! I have a huge passion for travel, saving money, inspiring others to live their best life on a budget as well as beauty and fashion whilst caring for our planet. I have been blogging for 12 years and making videos of our lives over the past 10 years.
To contact me and for all business enquiries please email lara@adventuresofamum.com
I'm also a full time blogger over at larajoannajarvis.com
Thank you to everyone who watches my videos, I would love for you to subscribe here - ru-vid.com/show-UCjGOcksFdxr0jqbHlucSdOw
We have an 11 year old, and we moved house 3 weeks ago and he has friends from school in the estate, so unless his friends are here, we don't see him ! Before we moved he was pretty much always around us unless a planned playdate. We also have a 3 year old though so we still have one that's world revolves around us 😅
I think need a dedicated video on Financial audit topic, would be super helpful because financial planning by one partner and other spending with out alignment, results will not be as per plan. 😮
I have 3 bank accounts. 1 current, 1 for bills and 1 for savings. Also have a cash tin with envelopes in to budget for all outgoings not on direct debit. I pay my credit card debt in full each month and only buy things I need. I drive a small car that's economical to run.
What we need to do is write down our expenses to see where our money goes and then adjust. I love buying second-hand. I have had the Uber app for over a year and I think I've only used it once. I have healthy legs and can bike or walk if not public transport. Never had a dryer and never understood why people use it when the sun and the wind will do it for free without damaging the clothes and it being bad for the environment. Buy a concentrated detergent and use even less than recommended. Unless you do the kind of work that gets your clothes really dirty, chances are that half of the recommended amount will be enough. Same with the dishwasher. Remember to buy eco-friendly products, think about the environment. Make your own cleaning products. I have a spray bottle, put 2/3 water in it, 1/3 white vinegar, and several drops of tea tree oil. My lungs don't suffer, the environment won't be polluted and everything is clean. Go on Ecosia and type the name of the book you wanna read and add "audiobook free". There are several websites that offer very good sound quality audiobooks for free. It is not as comfortable as when you buy them but hey, it's free. Check out Librivox, they are read by volunteers so sometimes the quality might not be the best but again, free. I really need to start checking out the library to see if I can find good stuff in English or Spanish, since I still refuse to read in German :D I take showers at work, mostly when I gotta do my hair because that is when I shower the longest. So either before or after work, there I go. If the hospital won't pay me enough they will pay for my showers. When it comes to streaming services, I cancelled Netflix and I am using a friends Disney+. If not, on YT you can find a lot of stuff for free. I need to go on another low-spend challenge. Avoid temptation by not going to shops unless necessary and by unsubscribing from shops that might tempt you with sales. The prices of things have gone up so much. I refuse to pay 4-5 € for hot water with some leaves in it. I leave the house with my 500 ml thermos and go for a walk with a friend. In the summer I just enjoy drinking on the balcony. The only things I wash at 60 degrees Celsius are towels, bedsheets and cleaning cloths. Haven't bought a phone for 10 years since my ex would give me the ones "left-over" at work. This year I thought I could just get the iPhone 15 and splurge but I am gonna wait until mine dies and then might as well just get a 13 mini. If refurbished it will cost even less. Once in a while I do get a professional pedicure from a student and it costs 15 € instead of 30. The only thing that annoyed me in this video (and I imagine you don't mean it in a bad way, it is automatic) is when you referred to a dog as an "it", or the website "borrow a dog". It makes it sound like we are talking about things and not living beings. Thanks for the video!!! <3
Hello, and thank you for the video. Have you got an email I can contact you on regards to this? I would like to give it a go. I only have an old laptop though, and I am not the most intelligent. I am really struggling with living costs. In England, UK, and even making £100 a week would me out majorly. The money will go towards food, etc. I would even like to do some admin/promotion for your channel. I am just a genuine guy struggling with the cost of living. peace
Felt the same Lara, my boys 13 and 15, i felt i lost my 15 year old from age 12 to 14 ish , but as they say they come back, he now loves to come food shopping with us every week ! ❤ now going through with my 13 year old boy but not such a shock as knew what was coming. And yes my husband and I relationship has changed more on us after a good 12 years in all about our boys need, want, entertsinment xxxx
All you say makes sense. Something to remember is that it is not always how much time we spend with them ( of course that is always lovely to do)but real quality time,where they know they have your full attention and company and you meet them in their world so to speak. Also a great tip that many a mum has agreed with me is that although picking them up,car rides can seem an effort at times it is often a time they are happy to chat,something about looking forward in the car and not face to face. You may well have heard all of this,but the fact you are aware of this will really help you. When my son was a teenager taking cheese toast or a snack when he was hopefully studying😀 was always a special thing.
Hi Lara, hope the property call went well, that sounds an exciting venture! It's a difficult time at the moment with the new Renter's Rights bill coming out & many landlords selling up but you'll get all the right professional advice ❤ xx
Hi Lara lovely to see you looking so well . 😊 Good luck with the property development . I unexpectedly became a land lord after I inherited a house in my 50s .Its hard work initially but rewarding my top tip is to use a rental company or pay a findrrs fee to find a good tenant as they will vet them for things like finances and references and deposits . You will be great as you have been a renter and can see both sides of the coin 👛😊xx
If you do go into project development, please please please, be a good landlord, look after the property, don't skimp on fixing things and remember tenants are people. Good luck on your journey 🎉
Shame you'd think I would be anything other than a lovely landlord but I assure you I would be :) I know how hard it is for renters - it's all about mutual respect x
I’m at a similar stage of life to you and totally resonate with this video. I turn 40 in January, started taking HRT 8 months ago as I have premature ovarian insufficiency syndrome. My eldest has just gone to year 9 and youngest started secondary school last week. Like you my Husband and I are enjoying being able to spend more quality time together and being a couple again but equally I’m missing having small children around. Good luck with the house stuff, sounds very exciting and would definitely be interested in any content about how you decide to get started in property management. You’ve worked hard and made sacrifices, people should be pleased to see others succeed xx
Aw thank you so much, that's so lovely! Yes, I'd like to think so too but I know te internet can be mean also 😬 It's so bittersweet with the children, isn't it! I hope you're finding the HRT ok xx
Great video, thank you! I think you have done pretty well with your health this year from what we have seen! It is exciting to have a new potential project on your mind - as you say, it's important to get advice and learn. I know that sharon-startingafresh@50 on here has some property that she rents and has had issues from time to time - it may be worth reaching out to her as she seems to be happy to share the good and the bad usually. Life changes as the years go by and we can't control that but we can control how we react to it and flourish! x
Do you need a printer to sell on Vinted? I write my own labels for Ebay and it works ok..Im a part time reseller on Ebay and my sales have plummeted so looking for another selling platform.
Hi Lara, loving the collagen recommendation, thanks! I'm interested in how to gently get into investments and would love you insight and recommendations there x
Keep doing what your doing your an inspiration there’s so much good things that you have shared that I never knew about money tips especially and I’m sure your new adventure will be a big success x
Hi Lara I have to say I know you don’t feel great but you look amazing! Your hair has never looked better too! Thank you for your honesty I love watching your videos as you’re always so real! Keep going you’re amazing! X
Hi Lara, really enjoyed this video. It is like having a friend round for a catch up and life update. Your hair and skin are definitely looking healthy and glowing. I am always a bit sceptical about supplements but happy to give the collagen a try as my skin has been horrible since perimenopause kicked in. Do you have a video going into details about the supplements that you use and how you use them? Thanks very much.
Hi Lara, I'm a mum of 4 kids. youngest is 3 eldest 9 and I feel you! My baby boy started school and he's there all day. My eldest is growing so quickly and as you say has her own life. I feel like I'm half grieving , but I am excited for this new chapter. Me and my husband are the best we've been in a long time as we have had more time together! xx
