It’s been a mighty quick week but I guess the old adage ‘time flies when you’re having fun’ is at play here. In all honesty, time flies when you’re busy with work but in its own way, that is certainly fun! Well, less chatter from me, it’s that time of the week when we allow you to take a peek into the student world through ‘Student Money Saver’ glasses.

Exams, Exams, Exams

We’ve just finished with the month of January and for most students this meant enduring those ‘mid-term exams’.  Exam season is always a stressful period and a great portion of time is often wasted worrying as opposed to optimising those hours to get in worthy study [and relaxation] time.

Being able to identify with the student masses, we provided our readers with a wealth of advice ranging from our tailored studying techniques to recommended ‘brain foods’.

Food, glorious food

Now that we’ve mentioned food, it is only fitting to inform you all of our new ‘recipes’ section. Devised by our student writers, we have introduced a section of mouth-watering meals made with value supermarket products. The aim here is to remind our peers that having access to limited funds does not necessarily mean relinquishing their dietary needs. This has been a big hit thus far and we can only assume that everyone is desperately missing some home cooking.

Location, Location

January was also a month notoriously known for students searching for accommodation. This is never a simple process and requires many a consideration, including the negotiation of a decent monthly rent as well as the choice of housemates. As always, we’ve provided advice that covers all these areas so whether any given individual chooses to live at either rented accommodations or remain in student housing, they are well informed and aware of their options.

Well that’s the end of our update for now, but next week promises more news. For now, we bid you adieu!

Happy Saving!

Immy sidles up to my mum who attempts to give her a hug. ‘Go away I don’t want you,’ is the – rather un-Immy like – reply.

I’d like to say right now that my daughter is usually the essence of politeness. She’s good at saying please and thank you.  She always asks rather than just takes and is remarkably well behaved while out in public.

I mouthed ‘sorry’ at my mum. Who looked at me sympathetically, and rather worryingly with her ‘knowing’ look – one she doesn’t use except in very serious situations.

‘I think,’ she said pausing for dramatic effect (my mother helps run our local drama club)

She continued… ”that the E.A.S.Y days are O.V.E.R’

Her comments didn’t come as much of a surprise. Only a day earlier a mummy acquaintance of mine was telling me how her 3 and a half year old has become ‘a little madam’.

‘We were out yesterday, just the two of us, and she ran ahead of me. I slipped up running after her, only for her to turn round and say ‘mummy you hurt me’.’

It’s inevitable, not the bad behaviour, but the inevitable falling out of wonder with mummy and daddy. Immy had to find her feet at some point, and she’s realised that to some extent she is a seperate person from her parents, with things that she can do without her parents.

‘I’m not a baby mummy,’ ‘that’s for babies mummy’ ‘mummy don’t laugh at me’. These are just a few of her latest sayings. Of course she wasn’t going to be an angel forever but she’s going to require a bit more guidance from me, while she finds her feet.

I just hope I’m up to the task. The wonderful journey of parenthood reaches another milestone and another challenge.

If you haven’t been to yours lately, go and see what’s on offer.

But help is at hand – you may be able to get your home insulated for free due to a government-backed scheme. We show the best free insulation opportunities below.

• How much can I save?
• Where can I find free insulation deals?

How much can I save?

You could save up to £175 a year by insulating your loft and £135 with cavity wall insulation.

If you’re not sure what type of insulation is right for your home, you can find out more on the Energy Saving Trust’s website.

But don’t forget: by far the biggest way to save on your energy bills is to ensure you’re on the cheapest energy tariff.

You could save up to £389 on your gas and electricity bills if you compare and switch now.

Luckily it’s really easy to see how much you could save – simply enter your postcode in our simple energy comparison tool and find out whether you can switch (and save) in two ticks.

See how much you could save – try it here.

Where can I find free insulation deals?

We list the best free insulation deals below. As with any deal, make sure you read the small print. In some cases, you may need to pay some of the cost of insulating your home if your house is especially large or an unusual shape.

EDF – FREE LOFT AND CAVITY WALL INSULATION

EDF is offering free loft and cavity wall insulation.

Deal open to: Everyone

Exclusions: You will not be eligible for free insulation if you already have pre-existing cavity wall insulation, loft insulation that’s more than 60mm thick, or if they are unable to insulate at least two thirds of the total loft surface or wall cavities.

Deadline: Apply before 31 March 2012.

Find out more/apply here: EDF free insulation offer. 

EON – FREE LOFT AND CAVITY WALL INSULATION, PLUS A £100 CHEQUE TOWARDS ENERGY BILLS

Eon are also offering free loft and cavity wall insulation, as well as a £100 cheque to towards energy bills to some households.

Deal open to: People on incomes of less than £16,190 and in receipt of Child Tax Credit or who are claiming Pension Credit.

Exclusions: Homes that have more than 160mm of loft insulation already in place. Flats, maisonettes and housing association or council tenants are also not eligible.

Deadline: No set deadline but deal may be withdrawn at any time

Find out more/apply here: Eon free insualation offer

BRITISH GAS – FREE LOFT AND CAVITY WALL INSULATION FOR CUSTOMERS

British Gas are offering free loft and cavity wall insulation to their customers.

Deal open to: British Gas customers only, unless you are on qualifying benefits or are aged 70 or over.

Exclusions: Homes with 60mm thick (or more)  loft insualtion already in place.

Deadline: Must apply before 31 July 2012 (though offer may be withdrawn at any time).

Find out more/apply here: British Gas free insulation offer.

NPOWER – CHEAP LOFT INSULATION DEAL

Npower are offering discounted rolls of loft insulator (just £3 a roll, and includes free home delivery). They also have a nifty calculator to help you work out how much you will need for your loft.

Deal open to: Anyone.

Exclusions: Purchases are limited to 100m2 coverage, to cover a depth of 270mm per household.

Deadline: Offer may be withdrawn at any time.

Find out more/apply here:  Npower free insulation offer.

Useful links

• Save up to £389 on your gas and electricity – check that you’re on the cheapest energy tariff now.
• Easy ways to cut your heating bills
• Energy Saving Trust

The bill was VERY reasonable so get booking before word gets round. It’s a good neighbourhood place, and if I lived in the neighbourhood, I’d be there every week. As it was, it took me an hour and a quarter to get there by car from north London. My fault for living in self-satisfied Hampstead, I suppose.

le Troquet, 430 Kings Road, London, SW10 0LJ | Tel: 020 7351 5939  

Several friends of mine and family members have had children in their 40s, and one even at 45.  None of my close friends had any problems getting pregnant in their 40s.

In fact I’ve been told that 40something mums are more likely to give  birth to twins; but is this more as a result of assisted conception being a more likely reason for a 40something woman to get pregnant? I’m sure someone will tell me otherwise.

Anyway of the four close friends who gave birth in their 40s – none did so via IVF. But this doesn’t mean it’s easy to get pregnant in your 40s. Out of 10 women I know who had children after the age 35, five of them needed IVF to get pregnant.

Anyway as I finally got my head around the fact that we would like Immy to have a sibling, I decided to take medical advice first. And it made for tough listening. Both a GP and senior nurse warned me that getting pregnant at my age came with risks, my chances of developing diabetes was higher as well as other complications like pre eclampsia and of course babies born to ‘older’ mothers are more likely to be born with neural tube defects (you can go and look that one up).

I thought about this and then  I read about Debbie Hughes. The woman who gave birth naturally at the age of 53.

Debbie already had three children, the oldest of which was in their 20s, tragically one of her children had died a few years back. Debbie is otherwise healthy and has grandchildren. She had not planned the pregnancy in fact she was on the pill when she conceived.

So I thought, well I’m in my early 40sv and healthy, and I could still outclass most 20somethings when it comes to a circuit class…

That was on Wednesday. On Thursday morning  it was reported Amanda Holden had nearly died giving birth to daughter Hollie, Amanda is only six months younger than me and has a history of difficult pregnancies. And by the way – I worked up to 38 weeks pregnant with Imogen but if I had been her, I probably would have taken it easy from 6 months; but then she has probably the money to employ a private midwife .

I don’t believe in regrets but there are times I wonder if I should have had children a bit younger then it probably wouldn’t seem such a big deal now.

But my mid30s were when I felt healthiest and when I was at my fighting best, physically and emotionally. In the five or so years before I got pregnant I probably went to bed most nights at 9.30pm and didn’t really party hard (I’d a freelance career to build up).

Having a baby is emotionally and physically exhausting, whatever age you are. I remember my 28 year-old sister looking completely knackered after she had her first baby.

The only thing of course is that when you are in your 60s, your child might not even have left school. When I’m 60, Imogen will be 23. That doesn’t really seem that old

But there are lots of older mother role models out there and having children appears to have kept them young.

The GP didn’t tell me anything I didn’t know except they did tell me they were worried women were putting off childbirth till later – encouraged by women in the public eye who had made it seem ‘easy’ to get pregnant  in their late 30s/40s. They (GP) told me  “Most of these women had assisted conceptions and of course private medical health support on call  throughout their pregnancy” something even the average well-paid career woman probably wouldn’t have access to.

Anyway the number of women giving birth after the age 40 has trebled in the last decade – and while I’m not going to be actively seeking any help to do so – it would be nice to think I may join them, maybe. This time round though I may need industrial strength eye concealer.

That’s roughly the price of a Ferrari 599
It’s even more expensive than the price of an average house in Britain. That’s just over £160,000. You could buy a house and a couple of garages with the money it costs to raise just one child.

It is a shame to have to think of the cost of having another mouth to feed. Recent prosperity and seemingly endless promises of help for parents from the Welfare State has made us think we could have several children and just charge it to the State. Things have turned around very quickly now though. While benefits are being frozen or cut, the cost of living has rocketed so it’s difficult even for many childless people to cope, let alone families.

According to the LV survey, spending on education, including school uniforms, after school clubs and university tuition fees, has seen the biggest rise from last year, with a 5.1% increase, and is also the biggest financial pressure for parents, at a cost of £71,780.

Childcare and babysitting costs amount to £62,099, making up the second biggest total bill for parents, a 2.7% rise on last year. Total food costs have shot up by 4% in a year, amounting to £18,667, while parents also shell out more than £4,000 in pocket money.

What can parents do?

There are a few things but it’s not going to be easy for a while:

• Share, share, share and get as much as you can for free – get together with other families and see what you can share to cut costs. Share babysitting, share cars, share food, swap houses for holidays, share power tools. Swap tasks – maybe one of you is good at DIY so you can mend your neighbour’s wall and in return they can drive you to work for a month. United we stand, divided (and paying for things individually) we fall.
• Learn to say no to yourself and to your child. Manage expectations. We have had years where we have been encouraged to spend on anything. Now it seems we can spend on nothing. It is possible to get things for free but some things have to be sacrificed or put off until the savings are big enough to pay for them. Explain this to children and let them know that it’s hard at the moment.
• Get the family together and work out how you can make extra cash as a team. Do car boot sales together. Work out ways of selling things online to make money. Look at our make money section for ideas and find out how you can do it together.
• Pay yourself first where possible. When the salary comes in at the beginning of the month, put money in a savings account first to build up your cash cushion before you pay the shops, restaurants and others. You need that cash cushion more than ever so work to build that up.

It is a tough time but it’s much easier to get through it with help from family, friends and neighbours. This, I think, is the only way we are going to get out of this situation.

I was talking about this on 5Live last night and all the callers were people on middle-paying jobs (£26,000-36,000 or so) who were not managing more than paying absolute basics, particularly if they had children.

I have said for a while that the personal tax allowance should be raised to £10,000. At the moment it’s £7,475 for adults of working age (it goes up once you’re 65) but that’s not good enough. I think that if we raised it to £10,000 that would encourage people on little or no income to make extra cash on the side where possible. I have talked to a few people – particularly women bringing up kids on their own – who would like to try to get some money in but they are stopped by benefits and tax. I don’t like the benefits culture but some people can’t cope without them – even with them they’re barely making ends meet and I’d like them to have the chance to make money legally.

It’s a tough one – we need taxation to keep the NHS going and education going and all our infrastructure, particularly as we are an ageing population and many more need care every year. It’s hard to make it fair and workable. Nick Clegg’s idea of taxing the rich more sounds reasonable although we have to be careful there. Many of the rich are keeping employment going in this country. If they’re over-taxed they will leave like they did in the 70′s when Labour brought in super-tax. It was bad for the economy and that’s the last thing we need right now.

Aston Midshires Insurance, based in Enderby in Leicestershire,  has now removed its website and stopped answering its phones.

The FSA has put a warning on its siteto anyone who has used their ‘service’ saying that “insurance policies sold by Aston Midshires may claim the underwriter is European Wood AB, a company authorised by the Swedish financial regulator, Finansinspektionen.

A firm authorised in another European Economic Area (EEA) state can offer certain products or services in other EEA countries, such as the UK, if it has a ‘passport’ to do so. You can find out more about EEA firms and how they appear on our Register.

However, customers should be aware that European Wood AB is in liquidation and policies underwritten by them may no longer provide insurance cover as expected.”

You can check to see if your car is actually insured by checking this page on Directgov.

It’s a nasty scam – as are all scams – aimed specifically at young people who are having a big problem getting well-priced car insurance. I hope they have the book thrown at them.

I know that many of our readers on this blog will be parents, so I will be writing to keep you up to date with the goings on in the student world. Hopefully this will give you an insight into the student perspective and help you maximize your child’s time at university. This does not in any way exclude students from taking a read, which is why, every week, I will give you a breakdown of student related news and then a snippet of our top tips and deals.

To give you a background of the website, the vision of Student Money Saver began when I was a student faced with daunting financial decisions and bills galore. When presented with my first rent payment, I realised that I must not be alone in this feeling and that surely other students were stumbling around aimlessly wondering if they should set up direct debits or standing orders. It was that rare ‘eureka’ moment that we often hear about and after putting some plans in motion and assembling a great team of like-minded folk, Student Money Saver was born.

If you’ve already perused our site, you’ll know we do this via a number of ways, including top discounts & offers, as well as super interesting articles with some money-saving tips and ideas.  In addition to this, we go above and beyond to keep students up to date with the general goings on in Studentdom. So this means that if something occurs in the world that we think will affect the life of a student – we write about it!

Well, that’s enough history for one day; look out for future blogs detailing the weekly update of the student world and our top weekly deals!

Happy saving!