31 ways to make and save money in December; Stop paying for these 15 things you can get for free

Published: Tue, 12/02/14

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Hi ,

December can be either the most exciting month or the most dreaded month, depending on what your family and financial situations are.

It’s a strange month too, with frenetic activity for three weeks then pretty much nothing once Christmas arrives. It can mess you about if you’re not careful!

So take control. See how to make the most of December with our ways to make and save money every day this month. Also save a load of cash by getting things for free instead of paying for them (definitely the Moneymagpie way!).

If you don't fancy the same-old Christmas this year then find out how to have a non-Christmas Christmas, and why not use the festive period to make money selling cakes, jams and sweets, particularly as we've heard of a firm in Brazil that is actively looking for British-made foods.

We also have a great new blog from Razwana on how to create a business that's guaranteed to succeed...who doesn’t want to know about that?! 

And we’ve got luxury for less with an eye on Christmas too including the easiest rewards you'll ever earn and, back by popular demand, a half price Jamie Oliver 32 piece cutlery set.

Love,

Jasmine

p.s. I’m looking forward to helping out at the Hackney Christmas Party on Christmas Day and I wonder if you can give us a hand.

The party is for young people leaving care who have nowhere to be at the festive season. They need presents and extra helpers. So if you think you could offer something nice, or offer your good self, do get in touch with them. Thanks so much!

What you must do this week

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Tackling the money taboo

20 million people in the UK think talking about money is off-limits, yet nearly half the population says that money is one of their biggest worries. 

The result is people failing to plan for their financial future, and coping with money worries on their own. 

To tackle the money taboo, Legal & General has launched a campaign encouraging people to talk about money and plan for their future. Its 'Taboo Tent' has been touring the country, speaking with members of the public to get to the bottom of why talking about money is so difficult. 

The Taboo Tent uncovered the nation’s top taboos and challenged people to take their first step towards financial security by holding awkward financial conversations for the first time. You can watch the video here.
Visit their website to find tips on how to start an awkward financial conversation. If you visit Legal & General’s Facebook or Twitter pages and tell you them what you find hard to talk about, you can win an iPad! For more information, see their website.
 
Get £££s for your old phone

This Christmas you may be looking to upgrade your phone, so chances are you'll have no use for your old mobile.

However if you're thinking of throwing your mobile away or putting it in a dusty drawer and forgetting about it we say STOP! Use our mobile recycling tool instead and get some money for it.

 
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Feed your family for less eBook

Christmas can be a testing time on your wallet so you've got to make savings wherever you can.

This eBook, written by our own food blogger Sarah Lockett, shows you how you can enjoy delicious food for free, has over 60 fast and delicious recipes and shows you some clever supermarket tricks that can knock £££s off your weekly shopping bill.

 

Can I still keep my ISA if I move abroad?

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Click the image above to play video.

Jasmine's had several questions this week and here's her answer to the best one. Find other questions on Jasmine's YouTube channel.

This week she's been asked if you can keep your ISA if you move abroad.

If you have a financial question email info@moneymagpie.com with ASK JASMINE in the title.  
 

Win a year's free shopping at Tesco

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This week we're giving you the chance to win a year's free shopping at Tesco.

Back by popular demand, here's another chance to win an entire year's shopping at Tesco for free and cruise through the hard times of the credit crunch.

Enter here
 

How to make and save money in December 

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With sales, Christmas markets, free events for families, Christmas jobs and national ‘Roof over your Head’ Day, there are lots of ways to save money and make money this month. It doesn’t have to drain you of cash.

 

Stop paying for these 15 things you can get for free

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There’s so much you can get for free if you know where to look.

We’ve got info on how you can get free music, free entertainment, free furniture, free make-up and even free sweets. Don’t pay if you don’t have to!

 

How to have a non-Christmas Christmas

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Christmas? Bah! Humbug! Every year we do the same thing - Christmas songs, gifts and Christmas dinner.

Why not do something different? Be a Grinch and get away from it all this year, and even save money doing it!

 

Make money selling cakes, jams and sweets

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Earning by baking is straightforward and flexible. You can make money by selling your goods at car boot sales and markets.

If you're looking to take it further there is currently a Brazilian company looking for UK suppliers of jams, cakes and biscuits.

 

Luxury for less

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The easiest rewards you'll ever earn

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to make money then MySurvey is the perfect site for you.

Sign up for free, share your opinions and earn points which you can use to redeem rewards such as an Amazon Gift Voucher. Last year MySurvey awarded its members over £10 million! 

What are you waiting for? Join for free today and start earning for your opinions.

Join here
 
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Half price Digital Spoon Scale

Yes that's right, a Spoon Scale - you don't see that every day! 

It weighs exactly even the smallest level of ingredients.


Get 50% off

 
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Back by popular demand - 50% off Jamie Oliver 32-piece cutlery set

You've got another chance to get this 32-piece Jamie Oliver cutlery set now for just £34.99, reduced from £70.

The set is comprised of 8 forks, teaspoons, knives, teaspoons and tablespoons and is hardy enough to warrant a 15-year guarantee.

This offer has already been grabbed by hundreds of our readers so get yours while you can!

Buy yours here

 

Community

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How to start a business that's guaranteed to succeed

Razwana Wahid is a writer at YourWorkisYourLife.com – a web-based copy-writing business for service providers who want to turn dull, corporate text into personality-filled language that speaks to your customer’s needs, and sells.

This week she is writing about a subject we all want to know about - How to start a business that’s guaranteed to succeed.

Read Razwana's blog
 
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Find brilliant money-saving recipes courtesy of our food columnist Sarah Lockett.

This week 
Sarah has a great ‘superfood’ dressing to make your salads tastier and even healthier!

Read our food blog

 
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Powerless

Read Justin Urquhart Stewart's finance and investing blog for his sharp brain and his wicked sense of humour.

This week Justin asks Asks how we can increase the amount of power we generate in the UK. It’s dropping to worryingly low levels!

Read our finance and investing blog

 
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Read our travel blog, written by Ron Stern, editor-in-chief of JustSayGo.com.

This week our travel blogger has been to Boulder, Colorado for three days. 

Read our travel blog

 

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