0:00:02 > 0:00:04Whether you're a spender or a saver,
0:00:04 > 0:00:08we could all do with knowing how to make the most of our cash.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12So we've found simple advice for you to do just that,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15and taken it to towns and cities right across Britain.
0:00:17 > 0:00:22Whatever help you need with your finances, we are Right On The Money.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Hello and welcome to Right On The Money,
0:00:24 > 0:00:28the show that's all about saving you some serious cash.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30And we're in the beautiful city of York,
0:00:30 > 0:00:32which was once the trading hub of the Viking world.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35And it's that history that attracts many people here today,
0:00:35 > 0:00:37all spending their money,
0:00:37 > 0:00:39and bringing the well-needed coffers to the city.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41So, let's do the same for you. Here's what's coming up.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47We try to restore the peace in this family of big spenders
0:00:47 > 0:00:51as they battle to get their finances back on track.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Come in the supermarket, help me.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55If you think we don't need it, as you say,
0:00:55 > 0:00:58tell me rather than sitting in the car with the kids.
0:00:58 > 0:00:59That's no good.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03Plus, we visit a warehouse bursting with cut-price bargains,
0:01:03 > 0:01:06but is it too good to be true?
0:01:06 > 0:01:08It's a bit of a gamble to buy one
0:01:08 > 0:01:10if you go and get it home and it doesn't work,
0:01:10 > 0:01:14so I'd like to just check that it does work before we actually buy it.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Now, as well as being full of museums and historic streets,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22York is jam-packed full of lovely shops.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25But it's the discount end of the market that's proved the downfall
0:01:25 > 0:01:28for one busy mum with a pound-shop addiction
0:01:28 > 0:01:30that's driving her family mad,
0:01:30 > 0:01:32so let's see if we can help.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39Charlotte and Sergio have been together for ten years now,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42but Charlotte has still only mastered the basics
0:01:42 > 0:01:45in partner Sergio's native Italian.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47Buongiorno, Sergio. Come stai?
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Oh, brava. Well done, Charlotte.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Grazie.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53When it comes to the English language, however,
0:01:53 > 0:01:56she has got plenty to say about her husband.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58He is so impatient.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01He won't queue anywhere. He won't wait anywhere,
0:02:01 > 0:02:02He gets fed up at the table
0:02:02 > 0:02:05and, by the time we haven't even finished eating,
0:02:05 > 0:02:06he's off because he's had enough.
0:02:06 > 0:02:07Loads of things.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Chef Sergio is a man of fewer words.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12She's a bit bossy -
0:02:12 > 0:02:15a bit grumpy sometimes.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19These two first met in a restaurant.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22Charlotte was a waitress and Sergio was the chef,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25but it wasn't exactly champagne and roses.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28With Sergio, it definitely wasn't love at first sight
0:02:28 > 0:02:30because he was a chef, and being Italian,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33he can be quite feisty as a chef in the kitchen,
0:02:33 > 0:02:35and as a waitress, at first, I was like,
0:02:35 > 0:02:38"Oh, no, I don't like him. I don't like him at all."
0:02:38 > 0:02:41" 'Please don't do that!', cried Ram."
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Well, clearly, she changed her mind,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46because Charlotte and Sergio now have two little nippers -
0:02:46 > 0:02:48twins Ollie and Ben.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51But, while on most fronts they've found the recipe for
0:02:51 > 0:02:54a happy home life, there's one big problem -
0:02:54 > 0:02:56the family is brassic.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59"So that's what the tigers did."
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Oh, I would describe my level of wealth as quite poor.
0:03:02 > 0:03:03I only work part-time.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06Sergio has a full-time job, but obviously we've got two children
0:03:06 > 0:03:09and a house and we haven't got a lot of money spare
0:03:09 > 0:03:10at the end of the week.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Sergio reckons one reason why the family are struggling to
0:03:13 > 0:03:17make ends meet is because Charlotte buys more than they need.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19You're a brave man, Sergio!
0:03:19 > 0:03:24Cereal, cereal, cereal, cereal, more cereal,
0:03:24 > 0:03:25and more cereal there.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight -
0:03:28 > 0:03:30eight boxes of cereal.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32I mean, that is a waste of money, isn't it?
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Shopping - I like shopping.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Baked beans, sausage and baked beans,
0:03:37 > 0:03:39and baked beans everywhere.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Charlotte particularly loves visiting pound shops.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45She spends more than £700 per year in them,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48finding it especially hard to resist the tins
0:03:48 > 0:03:50and cleaning products.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52What is that?
0:03:52 > 0:03:53Bleach.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57Crystal-Clean Ocean, whatever it is... Oh, bleach.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Up to now, Sergio has felt he's fighting a losing battle.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Oh, no.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04Oh, I don't believe it.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07It's bleach.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11So let's see if we can turn things around
0:04:11 > 0:04:14by sending over personal finance expert Simon Read.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18- Hello.- Hi.- You must be Charlotte.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20- Yes.- I'm Simon.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22Hi.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25So you have had some money worries - tell me about them.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29Well, I only work part-time, so we don't earn a great deal of money,
0:04:29 > 0:04:33and I do spend quite a lot on unnecessary things.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Charlotte's a classic impulse shopper -
0:04:35 > 0:04:39like many of us, picking up things she thinks are useful
0:04:39 > 0:04:41but she doesn't need at all.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44So, to find out how big a part that plays in why they're skint
0:04:44 > 0:04:48at the end of each month, Simon has a plan.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51He's brought Charlotte to one of her local pound shops
0:04:51 > 0:04:54to see what happens when she's let loose in the aisles.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56- In my pocket, I've got £20.- OK.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58- Now, I want you to take that inside the store.- Yeah.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- Spend it.- Easily, yeah.- I'm sure this is going to be easy for you.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03I'm sure it is going to be, I tell you.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05- Spend it on the things you'd normally buy...- OK.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07..then come back and we'll look at what you've spent your money on.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- Are you up for that? - I really am. Yeah.- All right.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14And she's off - Charlotte's like a kid in a candy store.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Two for £1. I'm going to get those.
0:05:17 > 0:05:18Well, actually, I need some more cereal.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Maybe I'll get this one - it's quite nice.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Do I get another one?
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Yes. Magic.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Simon's not just leaving her to it -
0:05:28 > 0:05:31he's gone all Secret Squirrel on us.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34Oh, I might buy this book for them to read, actually.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36She's just round here,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39I'm not sure what she's buying but she's fairly highly engrossed.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43That seems nice, so I'm going to get some of that.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Red alert! She's just reached the cleaning products.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48Oh, this is my favourite aisle.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Oh, I spend so much money down here.
0:05:51 > 0:05:52It's ridiculous.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56I don't really need anything but I should probably buy something.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58I'll actually get some bleach.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03Mamma mia! I can't see Sergio being best pleased when she gets home.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05Great, thank you so much.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07So, Charlotte, here you are with all your shopping.
0:06:07 > 0:06:08How did you get on?
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Really well, yeah.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Are you...? Did you buy...? Did you stick to...?
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- No, I bought cleaning products! - You bought cleaning products.
0:06:15 > 0:06:16I did, and I've got some bleach at home,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19but I don't like the smell of it, so I've gone and bought another one.
0:06:19 > 0:06:20Now, the funny thing is,
0:06:20 > 0:06:25Charlotte knows that the pound shop is like a trap for her.
0:06:25 > 0:06:26I feel that everything is a bargain
0:06:26 > 0:06:29and it's really tempting for the consumer and I just love it.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31I go in, and I see some cleaning stuff that
0:06:31 > 0:06:34I've probably already got at home, but this is a new one.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36I've got to have it because it's a pound.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Back home, let's see of how much of what Charlotte's bought
0:06:39 > 0:06:41she actually needs.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43- What else is down there? This is fun, isn't it?- It is good.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45It's a curry sauce.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Yeah, she doesn't eat curry. She doesn't like it, either.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51You don't actually like curry?
0:06:51 > 0:06:53- Not overly. It's not something... - How about Chinese? Then...
0:06:53 > 0:06:56I thought, "Oh, gosh, that's an easy way of making a nice curry,"
0:06:56 > 0:06:58but, yeah, I would rather have Chinese. Yeah.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00This is worse than I thought.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Charlotte doesn't even like what she's buying
0:07:02 > 0:07:05and, by watching back the film of her shopping trip,
0:07:05 > 0:07:10Simon discovered she needed just two out of the 20 items she bought!
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Oh, actually, I need some more cereal.
0:07:12 > 0:07:13Maybe I'll get this one - it's quite nice.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15You bought some cereal, there.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- Yeah, I've got loads of cereal up there.- And you've already got loads.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20According to recent research,
0:07:20 > 0:07:2518% of UK shoppers regularly buy items they hadn't intended to.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30Weirdly, it's bananas that are the most common impulse buy.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33I mean, it just was, fundamentally, when you're shopping,
0:07:33 > 0:07:35you need to be shopping for the things you need,
0:07:35 > 0:07:39so I think we need to fundamentally change the way you shop.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43To be honest, it's partly your fault because you need to come in with me,
0:07:43 > 0:07:44If you know I'm like this,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46there's no point sitting in the car moaning at me.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48You need to do shopping with me.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50But, as I said, she's likely to end up in Poundland.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- If I follow, I say, "Why are you buying that? Take it out."- Yeah.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- And so you start to argue. - But we wouldn't have to end up there
0:07:56 > 0:07:59if you helped me with the shopping. Come in the supermarket. Help me.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01If you think we don't need it, as you say,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04tell me rather than sitting in the car with the kids.
0:08:04 > 0:08:05That's no good.
0:08:05 > 0:08:06Nobody does shopping like that.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09Would it be better if Sergio did the shopping?
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- Ideal.- Oh, absolutely.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Hmm, sounds like a good plan to me.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17So, number one, the two of you together work on the shopping list.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21- Definitely.- You take things off - more cleaning products.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- You know, "I don't know that we need them." Check, check.- Sure.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28Two, I think Sergio should take control of the food shopping.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Yeah, definitely, he should. Yeah, definitely.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- Are you happy to do that? - Yeah, yeah, easily, yeah.
0:08:33 > 0:08:34- Easily, I think it can be done. - Yeah, OK.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37I have to keep more eyes on her.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40If Charlotte and Sergio start working as a team on their shopping,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43without buying the things they don't need,
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Simon thinks they can easily save
0:08:45 > 0:08:47more than £700 a year.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51But Simon's work has only just started.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53Now, it might sound strange,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56but one of the biggest expenses with this chef's family
0:08:56 > 0:09:02is the £4,680 a year they spend on convenience food.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Charlotte's not so keen on cooking as her husband,
0:09:05 > 0:09:09but, with Sergio's job often keeping him out working late,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12she relies on convenience food.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14That's an expensive habit,
0:09:14 > 0:09:16but Simon has a surprise in store.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- Can you see where we are?- Yeah. - It's the Abinger Cookery School.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23We're going to introduce you to one of the country's top chefs,
0:09:23 > 0:09:25who's going to show you how to make a meal from fresh ingredients
0:09:25 > 0:09:28which will work out cheaper, be better for all the family,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31and this is going to be brilliant fun, I hope.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34How exciting. But who will the top chef be?
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay or...?
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Oh!
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Here's the chef!
0:09:41 > 0:09:42Hi, Daddy!
0:09:42 > 0:09:45It's not a celebrity chef. It's Daddy!
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Hi.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49- CHILD:- What are you going to cook?
0:09:49 > 0:09:53Yes, it's hubby Sergio who's going to teach Charlotte how to turn these
0:09:53 > 0:09:56ingredients into a delicious meal of pasta with prawns,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59chorizo and broad beans in a white wine sauce.
0:09:59 > 0:10:00Mmm.
0:10:00 > 0:10:05If he succeeds, that's goodbye to the ready meals Charlotte loves
0:10:05 > 0:10:07and hello, big savings,
0:10:07 > 0:10:11and in no time at all, they're cooking up a storm.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14- Hey, do you know what you haven't said once yet?- OK.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16What? "Mamma mia"?
0:10:16 > 0:10:17Naturally.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19Mamma mia!
0:10:19 > 0:10:23We Brits are apparently becoming a lot lazier in the kitchen,
0:10:23 > 0:10:25me included.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27We're now spending only half as much time cooking
0:10:27 > 0:10:29as we did in 1980.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31You have to use a bigger knife.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33Watch out for your finger.
0:10:33 > 0:10:39And UK families fork out a mouthwatering £1.6 billion a year
0:10:39 > 0:10:40on ready meals.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- How many do you want? All of them? - Yeah, all of it, please.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46But how will Charlotte find this "cooking from scratch" malarkey?
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- How are your stress levels? - I'm quite stressed,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50but I'll get there. I'll be all right.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53SERGIO SPEAKS ITALIAN
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Would you trust my cooking now?
0:10:56 > 0:10:58So far, so good. Looks all right, yeah.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00This looks fantastic.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- Can we give it a taste? - Yeah, you can have a taste.
0:11:03 > 0:11:04It's nice.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07That's delicious, and you've got enough for three main meals,
0:11:07 > 0:11:09and that works out at about half the price...
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- It's gorgeous. - ..of the ready meals you buy.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Does it make you think again about buying ready meals?
0:11:13 > 0:11:16It's better for you. Yeah, it does, because it wasn't that hard to do
0:11:16 > 0:11:19and I think I was just being a little bit lazy, really.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Charlotte could halve the price of her food shopping
0:11:22 > 0:11:24if she ditches those posh ready meals,
0:11:24 > 0:11:28saving her around £2,340 a year.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32But cooking's not the only thing she needs to learn
0:11:32 > 0:11:35if she wants to give the family finances a jump-start.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37If she knew how to drive,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40it could be a short cut to earning more cash.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43I mean, I've been offered jobs in schools which are full-time
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- but I can't do them, cos... - You can't drive.
0:11:45 > 0:11:46..I don't get there and back in time.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49- What's stopping you from learning to drive?- The money.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51I just don't have enough money. Lessons are expensive.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54- Lessons are very expensive, but do you know what?- Yeah.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57I'm hoping that, by the time we've helped you sort out your finances,
0:11:57 > 0:11:58you'll be able to free up enough money
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- to be able to afford to get driving lessons.- That'd be amazing.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03Well, later in the programme,
0:12:03 > 0:12:07we'll see what happened when Simon did get Charlotte behind the wheel
0:12:07 > 0:12:11and she tried to beat the Stig's lap record on the Top Gear track.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13And we're doing about 7mph.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Yeah, don't hold your breath.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20Simon's with us now,
0:12:20 > 0:12:24along with Ashleigh, who writes a blog called Ashleigh Money Saver.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Now, we're going to come to you in a second, Ashleigh,
0:12:26 > 0:12:30and find out how you became so super-savvy, but first, Simon.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Charlotte and Sergio - I think they're like a lot other families,
0:12:33 > 0:12:35who just seem to be caught in this financial rut,
0:12:35 > 0:12:37where they're spending as much as they earn,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40and by the end of the month, they've got nothing left.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Well, it's fairly typical of a lot of people.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44They spend what they earn without thinking about it.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47The secret is to plan carefully, budget carefully,
0:12:47 > 0:12:49write everything down, and get on top of your money
0:12:49 > 0:12:50so it doesn't get on top of you.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52Now, Ashleigh, this must sound very familiar to you,
0:12:52 > 0:12:55because your blog is full of the sort of hints and tips
0:12:55 > 0:12:57about how you can save money around the house.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Tell us about that.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02I first started the blog back in 2013, when I was made redundant,
0:13:02 > 0:13:06and I had to save money, and I've managed to save £400 a month
0:13:06 > 0:13:08just by following these simple tips.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10So, come on, then, give us some of your tips.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Some of the tips are really simple, and anybody can get involved
0:13:13 > 0:13:16and do them and save money, such as turning down your thermostat.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21That can save you £65 a year if you turn it down one degree,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23or, if you swap your usual cooker
0:13:23 > 0:13:25and make all of your food in a slow cooker,
0:13:25 > 0:13:27that can save you around about £90 a year,
0:13:27 > 0:13:31and obviously closing any doors to keep the heat in, too.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33But turning off radiators in rooms that aren't being used,
0:13:33 > 0:13:35so you're not unnecessarily heating up a room
0:13:35 > 0:13:37that you're not going to be using.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40So turning off your devices at night can save you money?
0:13:40 > 0:13:43That's right, yeah. Don't leave your phone on charge overnight,
0:13:43 > 0:13:46because that's going to use electricity when you don't need to.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48But hang on, you've got to charge your phone?
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Well, you can charge your phone,
0:13:50 > 0:13:52but charge it for an hour or two before you go to bed
0:13:52 > 0:13:55and then turn off the plug, turn off your Wi-Fi and your TV.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58And that can make a big difference to some people's lives.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00It could make a massive difference.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05To my life, I was able to pay off my debt by making these small changes,
0:14:05 > 0:14:06and now I've got no debt left,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09I'm able to book a family holiday for the first time.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Brilliant advice. Thanks, Ashleigh, and as ever, Simon.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Yeah, when I need something new, like a washing machine or TV,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18I'll go online and I'll shop around for the best deals.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20But there's another way to get big-brand goods
0:14:20 > 0:14:24at a fraction of their cost, if you're prepared to take a punt.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30If you've ever wondered what happens when you return unwanted items to
0:14:30 > 0:14:34a major store, then this warehouse in Staffordshire holds the answer.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38It's a bargain hunter's paradise -
0:14:38 > 0:14:41an Aladdin's cave of high street brands at knock-down prices.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45The man in charge is site manager Stephen Anderson.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50We work with probably nine out of the ten
0:14:50 > 0:14:52biggest high-street retailers.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56It's returns, end-of-line, ex-display,
0:14:56 > 0:14:58and sometimes liquidation stock.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Some stock will be absolutely perfect,
0:15:00 > 0:15:02sealed up and never been touched.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04Other stock might have a scratch or a dint,
0:15:04 > 0:15:07or you might have a sofa with a leg missing,
0:15:07 > 0:15:08so they need somewhere for that stock to go
0:15:08 > 0:15:12and we're part of that solution.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Customers are told that all goods are a mixture of returns,
0:15:15 > 0:15:19liquidated stock and ex-display.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21They don't know the history of each individual item,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24but that doesn't matter to these punters.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- Well, last week, I bought two chairs, didn't we?- Yeah.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31We came and fetched them, and I was really pleased with the chairs,
0:15:31 > 0:15:35because they're still on John Lewis's website at £85 each
0:15:35 > 0:15:37and I got them for £28.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39This site is one of 18 across the country
0:15:39 > 0:15:42owned by auction company John Pye.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46What started out 50 years ago with one man and his horse and cart
0:15:46 > 0:15:49is now an international business.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53Yeah, so this is one of the 15 artic lorry loads that we've had in,
0:15:53 > 0:15:55or we're going to have in today.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57One of our colleagues is unloading.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00This looks like sofas and mattresses.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06Despite being an auction house, you won't see an auctioneer in sight.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09That's because all you can do on the day is browse,
0:16:09 > 0:16:12then bids are made entirely online.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15However, bargains can come at a cost,
0:16:15 > 0:16:18because the law classes these goods as second-hand,
0:16:18 > 0:16:21as solicitor Richard Nicholas explains.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25Second-hand goods, particularly at a public auction,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28where they've had the opportunity to inspect those goods beforehand,
0:16:28 > 0:16:31whether or not they've actually taken that opportunity,
0:16:31 > 0:16:34those consumers lose some of their rights
0:16:34 > 0:16:35under the Consumer Rights Act.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38So, the goods must still be as described,
0:16:38 > 0:16:40but they wouldn't be able to complain, for instance,
0:16:40 > 0:16:42that those goods are not fit for purpose
0:16:42 > 0:16:44or not of satisfactory quality.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Everything here is sold as seen.
0:16:49 > 0:16:50We are an auctioneers.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52We're not a shop,
0:16:52 > 0:16:55and if you're in any doubt about the suitability of any lot,
0:16:55 > 0:16:57then don't bid.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01But it seems plenty of people are willing to take the risk.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Among those ready to take a chance are mother and daughter
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Diana and Rebecca,
0:17:06 > 0:17:09who've got their eye on a top-of-the-range fridge-freezer.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12It's a bit a gamble to buy one
0:17:12 > 0:17:14if you go and get it home and it doesn't work,
0:17:14 > 0:17:16so I'd like to just check that it does work
0:17:16 > 0:17:18before we actually buy it.
0:17:18 > 0:17:19- Yeah, that's brilliant.- OK.
0:17:19 > 0:17:24I think it's worth the risk to pay far less,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27as long as you set an amount that you're prepared to risk.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31Mum-to-be Kelly is a regular visitor,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34and is here to save on her baby essentials.
0:17:34 > 0:17:35If you don't come and look,
0:17:35 > 0:17:39you can't guarantee what state the product's going to be in.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41You can see the product, and you can see the condition it's in
0:17:41 > 0:17:43before purchasing when you do it this way.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45There could be slight faults with them,
0:17:45 > 0:17:47but they do come at a cheaper price.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52But before deciding whether to make their online bid,
0:17:52 > 0:17:54our buyers check out the price they'd normally pay
0:17:54 > 0:17:56on the high street.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58This is the fridge that I'm looking to buy.
0:17:58 > 0:17:59£1,200.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01That is unbelievable.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04So, if I make my maximum bid £400...
0:18:04 > 0:18:06If you get that fridge for that price,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- that'll be amazing.- Yeah, when really, it should be £1,200.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15I'm going for the milk-prep machines, sterilisers,
0:18:15 > 0:18:20a cot, and maybe a swinging chair or a bouncing chair.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23It is worth checking when you enter into an auction -
0:18:23 > 0:18:25typically you'll get terms and conditions,
0:18:25 > 0:18:29or some set of rules that the auction runs by.
0:18:29 > 0:18:34By law, you should receive information about delivery charges,
0:18:34 > 0:18:38any extra tax that's payable, but it's worth just making sure
0:18:38 > 0:18:40you've read through the terms and conditions,
0:18:40 > 0:18:43cos that may be where those additional charges are.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49With 185,000 customers registered to bid on this auction site,
0:18:49 > 0:18:51competition is fierce,
0:18:51 > 0:18:53so let's see who bagged a bargain.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55OK, so I've just bid and won on
0:18:55 > 0:18:58a Mamas & Papas music and lights swing.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01I've bid and won on a cot,
0:19:01 > 0:19:05and I've managed to get four milk-prep machines
0:19:05 > 0:19:08that I've bid and won on, so...
0:19:08 > 0:19:09winning.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14And Rebecca's snapped up her fancy fridge-freezer
0:19:14 > 0:19:16for a third of the named price,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19but she's starting to panic.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20I'm really nervous.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23One, because I've made the decision to buy it.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25Two, if it doesn't work,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28my husband will probably go mad and think it's a waste of money.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31It's up to the winning bidder to organise delivery,
0:19:31 > 0:19:34and Rebecca's fridge-freezer is only a bargain
0:19:34 > 0:19:37if it makes it to her kitchen in one piece.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40Easy does it, Mark!
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Oh, it's a tight squeeze.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Now, the moment of truth.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53- That's a good start.- Yay! - The lights are on.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Well, the lights are on and you can see the temperature.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58The lights are on in the inside.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00Woohoo!
0:20:00 > 0:20:02Rebecca won the American fridge-freezer
0:20:02 > 0:20:05with a winning bid of £310.
0:20:05 > 0:20:11They had to pay fees on top, so in total, the cost was £446.40.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16That's a hefty £753.60 off the high-street price.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20I would 100% say it's definitely worth the risk
0:20:20 > 0:20:23of taking a chance on buying something at an auction,
0:20:23 > 0:20:27but I did get it tested at the auction site.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30I got it checked that the electricity got to it and did work.
0:20:32 > 0:20:33But over at Kelly's house,
0:20:33 > 0:20:37her mum has spotted a problem with the blender.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40The lid's broken, so I guess that's just been dropped.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43BLENDER BUZZES
0:20:43 > 0:20:46The lid's broken on that, but that blender,
0:20:46 > 0:20:47well, it cost me about £7,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50whereas in the shop you're going to spend at least £30 on it,
0:20:50 > 0:20:55so a replacement lid isn't going to cost that much.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59Other than that, everything works, and we've saved hundreds of pounds.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04For Kelly, one damaged item is worth the gamble,
0:21:04 > 0:21:08and for his part, site manager Stephen Anderson insists that
0:21:08 > 0:21:11the chance of a bargain outweighs the risks.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14The risks are definitely worth taking.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16Everything is as you can see it,
0:21:16 > 0:21:18so, as long as you come to the viewing,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21everyone will go away happy with the products
0:21:21 > 0:21:23that they potentially might win.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27Well, the people we saw there would all like to say
0:21:27 > 0:21:28they got a good deal,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31but it really is about weighing up the pros and cons.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35Next is something we'd all like to save money on - a night out.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37And I'm not just talking about the food and drink
0:21:37 > 0:21:38because, unless you look like me,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41you've got the cost of hair and beauty treatments to think about.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45But there is a way of saving money and getting top service.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47Meet Duncan, Kath and Liz,
0:21:47 > 0:21:50who are all huge fans of cut-price fine dining and beauty treatments
0:21:50 > 0:21:52at colleges around the country.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Liz, you're a huge fan of beauty treatments and massages -
0:21:55 > 0:21:57the sort of things which, when added up,
0:21:57 > 0:21:59would be a big drain on your bank balance,
0:21:59 > 0:22:01but you've found a way to do it a lot cheaper, haven't you?
0:22:01 > 0:22:02I certainly have, yes.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04- I go down to the local college... - Yeah.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06..where the students need somebody to practise on,
0:22:06 > 0:22:08and you're, sort of, their guinea pig,
0:22:08 > 0:22:11and I go and have a full-body massage or a back massage,
0:22:11 > 0:22:13or have my nails done,
0:22:13 > 0:22:17and it's a fraction of the price you would pay in a beauty salon.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19Well, give me an idea of that fraction.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22I would pay £15 for a full-body massage,
0:22:22 > 0:22:24which lasts about an hour and a half.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27What about the fact you've actually got someone who's not necessarily
0:22:27 > 0:22:29trained at this point? They're a student, aren't they?
0:22:29 > 0:22:32You know, they might not be too good at what they're doing.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Well, I've never had a bad experience.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37There are some better than others and some are extremely good,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40but I've always come out feeling it was very good value for money.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42I'm going to come to you, Kath and Duncan,
0:22:42 > 0:22:47because you've sampled the fare of an up-and-coming Jamie Oliver,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49haven't you? At a fraction of the price.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Well, the last time we went, we had prelunch drinks,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55we had a three-course meal, two bottles of wine,
0:22:55 > 0:22:57and it was £22 per person.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59- And coffee.- And coffee.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02- Oh, don't forget the coffee, Duncan. - No, exactly. Exactly. Yeah.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04There must be some downside to it
0:23:04 > 0:23:06compared to some very big, nice, flashy restaurant.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10Surely, you're eating in a college, aren't you? What about the ambience?
0:23:10 > 0:23:13I think they've achieved a good atmosphere.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15People dress quite smartly,
0:23:15 > 0:23:18and for the evening events, people do dress up,
0:23:18 > 0:23:22and we had one evening event where we had venison
0:23:22 > 0:23:25presented by the local aristocracy, from their estate,
0:23:25 > 0:23:27and the gentlemen were in dinner suits,
0:23:27 > 0:23:30and the ladies, of course, equally smartly dressed.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32So, and they...
0:23:32 > 0:23:36Although the staff are being trained, they are very good.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Well, thanks a lot for sharing your experience with us.
0:23:39 > 0:23:40And if you'd like to enjoy the same service
0:23:40 > 0:23:42at your local catering or beauty college,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44just contact them and see what's on offer.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48Back to Denise now, who's also having a taste of the high life.
0:23:48 > 0:23:49She's at the races.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51There's a reason for that, Dom.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55A recent survey suggested people could knock around £80 off
0:23:55 > 0:23:58their home insurance bill if they had haggled.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Now, my friend Mr Littlewood is a master at haggling
0:24:01 > 0:24:04and can knock down the price of about anything.
0:24:04 > 0:24:05Me? I'm not so good,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08but later, I'm going to find out how to get better.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11First, how good are you at haggling?
0:24:15 > 0:24:17- On holiday I do.- Yeah. - I like haggling, yeah.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21You go into, like, markets or even shops, where you can't really...
0:24:21 > 0:24:24- I don't feel you can do it, like, in city centres or normal shops.- No.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it in, like, Leeds city centre
0:24:28 > 0:24:30in just a normal clothes shop,
0:24:30 > 0:24:32but abroad, I'd feel more comfortable.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35I've got a bit of a habit, whenever I see something,
0:24:35 > 0:24:37I always try figure out what it costs at cost price.
0:24:37 > 0:24:38And then I'm like,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40"Well, I know you didn't get it for this,
0:24:40 > 0:24:42"so, come on, give me a bit of a discount."
0:24:42 > 0:24:45When I bought... Your house? Yeah, you haggle, of course you do.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47That's the whole idea, so... when it's appropriate.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49Sometimes we do haggle. Like, we just bought a suit,
0:24:49 > 0:24:52- and now we haggled £5 off.- We got a discount of £5 for a suit...
0:24:52 > 0:24:53- All right.- Better than nothing.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56I can't be bothered with the effort of haggling.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58If it's a good price, then it's...
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Maybe I could get it a few pounds cheaper, or...
0:25:00 > 0:25:03but I'd rather just pay the price.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05I mean, we bought, like, 30 suits, as well, so...
0:25:05 > 0:25:08We bought it in bulk, so we thought we'd get a discount.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10I don't think the British are very good at haggling,
0:25:10 > 0:25:11I think we're a bit too polite.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17Trust me, there are some great deals to have out there
0:25:17 > 0:25:20if you're just prepared to have a little bit of a haggle.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23Now, I'm an old pro, but Denise here is not so good, are you?
0:25:23 > 0:25:25No, I'm not.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28We've been joined by retail analyst Tarlok Teji, and between us,
0:25:28 > 0:25:30we're going to get Denise up to speed.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32And you are a bag of nerves, aren't you?
0:25:32 > 0:25:33No, I'm not looking forward to it,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35but I'll do my best, if you can imagine.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Now, Tarlok, what would your top three tips be?
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Well, the first one is,
0:25:40 > 0:25:41because most people are shy,
0:25:41 > 0:25:44- if you don't ask, you don't get... - Yup.
0:25:44 > 0:25:45..so you must ask.
0:25:45 > 0:25:50The other one is, understand what it is you can haggle over,
0:25:50 > 0:25:52where you can haggle and when you can haggle.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55Those are very simple steps and you're on your way.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Denise, what I would say is, don't be scared of this.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00Think of it as a bit of a game, a bit of fun,
0:26:00 > 0:26:02but the important thing I will always say to anybody is,
0:26:02 > 0:26:04build rapport, and Tarlok would agree with this.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07They're just as nervous of you as you are of them,
0:26:07 > 0:26:08so have a bit of fun.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10You know, make it enjoyable.
0:26:10 > 0:26:11If you get a bit off, great.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13If you don't, then move onto the next shop.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17- OK.- Now, I'm going to sub you 40 quid to go and do some shopping.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19Thank you very much. OK.
0:26:19 > 0:26:20I don't like handing money over.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24- Go on, off you go. Have some fun. - Come on, Tarlok.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27I can tell you, she told me she never, ever haggles.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29She really is going to feel awkward about this.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33Well, while I'm here, I might as well do some shopping myself.
0:26:36 > 0:26:37When asking for a discount,
0:26:37 > 0:26:39always make sure you're speaking to the person
0:26:39 > 0:26:41who's in a position to actually give it.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44There's no point speaking to a teenage Saturday shop assistant -
0:26:44 > 0:26:47they're only going to tell you to go speak to the manager.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51Excuse me.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Who's the person that'll be able to give me the best deal in here?
0:26:54 > 0:26:56You need to speak to our manager, Jen.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58I've even got the name.
0:26:58 > 0:26:59- Jen, nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01Dominic from the telly.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02Hello.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06- Can we have a deal? - I can see what we can do for you.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Hey, you see, I'm already on to a winner.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12Hello there. This is a lovely little bag.
0:27:12 > 0:27:13Yeah, it's beautiful, isn't it?
0:27:13 > 0:27:16I've looked at these earrings as well - these are nice.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Goes with my jacket, actually.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20It does, yeah. Do you want me to have a look at those?
0:27:20 > 0:27:22- Can you look at the price? - That'll be 35.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24Do you think you could do a little deal for me?
0:27:24 > 0:27:26The lowest I could go with it is 30.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30- Hmm... - That would be what I would do.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33I was hoping, you know, maybe 27.
0:27:33 > 0:27:34- Yeah.- What about 29?
0:27:34 > 0:27:36DENISE SIGHS
0:27:36 > 0:27:38Mm, I'll have a little think about it.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40- OK?- OK, no worries, thank you. - Thanks.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44OK, well, the first and most important thing is, you've asked,
0:27:44 > 0:27:45so that's a big hurdle.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48- You automatically get a bronze medal for that.- Thank you.
0:27:48 > 0:27:49- I guess, still keep pushing.- Just...
0:27:49 > 0:27:52You can probably knock another pound or two off.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54But I'm starting to feel uncomfortable now.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56I think she'll be fine. Yeah?
0:27:56 > 0:27:58- She was smiling, that's the thing. - All right.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Good work, Tarlok. Come on, Denise, let's see a bit of haggling.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04- Hi, again.- Hi, again.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Well, as I said, I really love this handbag.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08- OK.- I know you've come in with £29.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12- That's right.- But if you could do this for me for £27,
0:28:12 > 0:28:17I will happily go off into the day as a happy woman.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20What about 28? I'll meet you in the middle. How does that sound?
0:28:20 > 0:28:22That sounds very nice, thank you very much.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24- Thank you.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:28:24 > 0:28:25Go, girl. Result.
0:28:25 > 0:28:26I'll get you some change.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28So, how did you feel about that?
0:28:28 > 0:28:30I feel good that I've managed to get the discount,
0:28:30 > 0:28:31but I'm a little bit nervous.
0:28:31 > 0:28:32It was very good what you did,
0:28:32 > 0:28:37but you may not realise that you got 20% then,
0:28:37 > 0:28:39so you've not only asked and got your bronze medal,
0:28:39 > 0:28:41you've gone straight to gold.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45Not surprised for an Olympian, but not everybody can do that.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47You've got a big smile on your face.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49- That's a good sign. - It is a good sign.
0:28:49 > 0:28:50I actually quite enjoyed myself.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52I got into the old haggling.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54That's how it's... A lot of people don't realise,
0:28:54 > 0:28:56once you start the ball rolling,
0:28:56 > 0:28:58it's quite an enjoyable experience, isn't it?
0:28:58 > 0:29:01And I've got a real buzz. I got a real buzz from it.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04And I got change, which you'll be impressed with.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07In future, will you always try and get a bit of money off?
0:29:07 > 0:29:10I think there's deals to be had. You can just go for it.
0:29:10 > 0:29:11And also, the stallholders,
0:29:11 > 0:29:13I bet they quite enjoy the experience.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16Well, at the end of the day, they are here to sell.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18Yeah, exactly. They've had a good day. You've had a good day.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21- Yeah, very happy.- Everyone's happy by the sounds of it.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23- Thanks very much, Tarlok. - Dom, you're welcome.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Now, earlier on, we met the fantastic Charlotte and Sergio,
0:29:26 > 0:29:29who were at loggerheads over Charlotte's pound-shop addiction.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33Let's see if we've managed to get the family finances back on track.
0:29:35 > 0:29:40Italian chef Sergio and his wife, Charlotte, have a big problem -
0:29:40 > 0:29:44they get through their cash much quicker than they'd like.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46Oh, I spend so much more down here.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49Charlotte is a self-confessed shopaholic,
0:29:49 > 0:29:53and goes through every single penny of Sergio's wages each month
0:29:53 > 0:29:58by buying expensive ready meals and raiding pound shops.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02Baked beans, baked beans, baked beans everywhere.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04It just worries me that when I get older,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07I'm not going to have a lot of money saved.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09To help the couple free up more cash,
0:30:09 > 0:30:13we sent in personal finance expert Simon Read.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16He was determined to teach Charlotte how to resist
0:30:16 > 0:30:18all those impulse buys.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21So I think we need to fundamentally change the way you shop.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27Now Simon's back to give this family's finances another boost,
0:30:27 > 0:30:31this time by helping them to not just spend less money,
0:30:31 > 0:30:33but make more.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36Charlotte works one day a week on a make-up counter,
0:30:36 > 0:30:39but dreams of starting her own business one day.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41So far, she's been held back,
0:30:41 > 0:30:45as she doesn't drive and has to look after the children,
0:30:45 > 0:30:48but Simon has arranged for a surprise visit.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51We've got a mystery guest coming.
0:30:51 > 0:30:52Oh, fantastic.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56And that mystery guest is - ding-dong - Avon lady Nicky.
0:30:56 > 0:30:57Oh, perhaps knock-knock.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59- Hello.- Hello, Charlotte. - Hi, who are you?
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Hi, my name's Nicky. I'm from Avon.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03I've come to have a little chat with you today.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Oh, lovely, come in.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07Thank you.
0:31:07 > 0:31:08Nicky's a busy mum, too,
0:31:08 > 0:31:12but that hasn't stopped her from becoming a top sales rep.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14Simon hopes that hearing this story
0:31:14 > 0:31:17can inspire Charlotte to do something similar in the future.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Obviously, I guess, you work from home.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23Do you find that a little bit easier with small children?
0:31:23 > 0:31:25It's been fantastic.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27I can work around the children.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30I'm free to go to parents' evenings,
0:31:30 > 0:31:32afternoons at the school, and things like that.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35I run it around my family,
0:31:35 > 0:31:39so you don't have to worry about being there nine till five,
0:31:39 > 0:31:41you know, you run it your way.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43I mean, obviously, with my knowledge of make-up,
0:31:43 > 0:31:46because I have had quite a few years' experience,
0:31:46 > 0:31:51do you think I'm more likely to be able to sustain good income from it?
0:31:51 > 0:31:53Definitely. Absolutely.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56I won't lie to you and say you're going to earn hundreds and hundreds
0:31:56 > 0:32:00and hundreds in your first... first few months,
0:32:00 > 0:32:02but it builds up.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05Last year, I was actually top of our area for sales,
0:32:05 > 0:32:07so it's doable, definitely.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13This kind of work could help Charlotte top-up the family income
0:32:13 > 0:32:16by around £4,000 a year,
0:32:16 > 0:32:19but does Nicky think Charlotte's got what it takes?
0:32:19 > 0:32:23Simon gets in a sneaky chat while Charlotte is out of the room.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26Tell me, honestly, what do you think of her?
0:32:26 > 0:32:27- Fantastic.- Really?
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Definitely. She's got the personality.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32She's got the knowledge.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34I think she'd be fantastic.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36But without a driving licence,
0:32:36 > 0:32:40Charlotte is stuck at home and her ambitions won't get far,
0:32:40 > 0:32:44so getting her mobile is Simon's next big challenge.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47So, we're off to the next location,
0:32:47 > 0:32:50and it's a surprise for you.
0:32:50 > 0:32:51We're going to ask you to do something
0:32:51 > 0:32:54which I hope you enjoy and find interesting.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56We don't want you to know what it is until we get there...
0:32:56 > 0:32:58- OK, cool. Yeah. - ..so I'm going to ask you to put on,
0:32:58 > 0:33:01if you don't mind, this rather flamboyant blindfold.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03- If you can... - Yeah. Oh, gosh, really? OK.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06- ..just cover up your eyes for us... - Yeah, yeah, I can do that.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09..and then we'll guide you up the path, into the car,
0:33:09 > 0:33:11and we'll be heading off.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13After just ten minutes,
0:33:13 > 0:33:17Charlotte and Simon arrive at the secret location.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19- Here we are, and this is the moment we've been waiting for.- Wahey!
0:33:19 > 0:33:22- You can take off your blindfold. - Can I?- Yeah.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24An airfield, in the middle of nowhere.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28- Wow! It's Dunsfold Aerodrome. - It's Dunsfold...
0:33:28 > 0:33:31- It's the Top Gear track. - It is the Top Gear track.- It is.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33And do you know what people like to do here?
0:33:33 > 0:33:34- They like to drive. - They like to drive.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37- We are going to put you behind the wheel.- I can't drive!
0:33:37 > 0:33:39I'm useless.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41- We'll...- OK.- Well, we'll see. - How exciting.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43- We'll see.- That's really exciting.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46Simon wants to give Charlotte the ultimate incentive
0:33:46 > 0:33:49to boost her income by getting her behind the wheel.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53Some say he gave the Stig his first driving lesson -
0:33:53 > 0:33:56let's see if driving instructor Paul can work his magic
0:33:56 > 0:33:59on our Charlotte, too.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01At the moment, you're just going to drive
0:34:01 > 0:34:03- what you feel comfortable doing. - Yeah.- OK.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09Charlotte's just about to start the engine.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11- ENGINE STARTS - There it goes.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14Handbrake off. You'll find that you start moving.
0:34:14 > 0:34:15And they're off.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19Look at that - smooth.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22Well, that was much better than I thought it would be, to be honest.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24Now what do I do? Do I have to steer?
0:34:24 > 0:34:26Yeah, a bit of steering would be good.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29Look at the concentration on her face -
0:34:29 > 0:34:30and the speed.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32And we're doing about 7mph.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34RECORD SCRATCHES Ah, OK.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37But remember, this is her first lesson.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39According to the DVLA,
0:34:39 > 0:34:43passing your driving test takes, on average, 45 hours of lessons,
0:34:43 > 0:34:46and that's likely to cost over £1,000.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51We're now up to about 15mph. Excellent.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54But there are ways of cutting the costs down.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57Shop around for the best deal when looking for an instructor,
0:34:57 > 0:35:00and practice driving with friends or family members
0:35:00 > 0:35:04so you can boost your confidence without forking out any money.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11- Paul.- Yeah? - What's your verdict? How did she do?
0:35:11 > 0:35:15Really, really good. Yeah. She's quite the natural, I think.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18Paul thinks Charlotte would only need about 20 lessons,
0:35:18 > 0:35:21which would typically cost about £500.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25So we know you can save money in other parts of your life -
0:35:25 > 0:35:28at least £500 by not going to the pound shops any more.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30Yes, true. I'd love to be able to drive, anyway.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32So you think you might pick this up again?
0:35:32 > 0:35:33I think I probably will.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35I'll save a bit of money and then I will, definitely.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37Good work, Simon.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Thanks to the savings he's found so far,
0:35:39 > 0:35:42Charlotte's driving dream could be a reality,
0:35:42 > 0:35:46putting her on the road to starting up her own business.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49That night, with the kids' bedtime story done,
0:35:49 > 0:35:54Sergio decides to treat Charlotte to her favourite guilty pleasure.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56There you go, Charlotte. Look at this cake.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59Alpine strawberry - they're beautiful. Look at that.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03Wow. Charlotte treats herself to the occasional slice of strawberry cake
0:36:03 > 0:36:05at the local cafe.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07Embracing the spirit of money-saving,
0:36:07 > 0:36:11Sergio wants to knock that on the head, but he's no killjoy.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14He's got a way she can have her cake and eat it.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16So, this cake, you can make easily -
0:36:16 > 0:36:18- 14 slices.- Yeah.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Say, in the shop, you pay, what, £3 a slice?
0:36:20 > 0:36:22Yeah, OK, yeah, about that.
0:36:22 > 0:36:27But it only cost Sergio £7 to buy a very similar whole cake
0:36:27 > 0:36:28in a supermarket.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31By buying one slice at a time in a cafe,
0:36:31 > 0:36:34you get charged six times more.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37That is what? £35 saving.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39Yes, all right. Gosh.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43When you say it like that, it makes me never want to eat cake again.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45Look, no-one's saying you can't eat cake,
0:36:45 > 0:36:47but you can do it more cheaply.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50Buy a whole one and freeze the individual slices
0:36:50 > 0:36:52until you need them.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54Sergio's well chuffed with the idea.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56What do you think, Charlotte?
0:36:56 > 0:36:58Well, I think he thinks he's turning into Simon, yeah.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00- You're joking. - He's, like, becoming an economist.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04- I'm no economist.- He's whingeing about what I spend and what I buy
0:37:04 > 0:37:07- and, yeah, I think he is. - That is £35 on £7.
0:37:07 > 0:37:08Are we still going on?
0:37:08 > 0:37:12Yeah, he definitely is turning into Simon, definitely,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15cos he is still going on about a cake.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17Now, don't knock it, Charlotte.
0:37:17 > 0:37:18If you cut back on the cake,
0:37:18 > 0:37:21it will save you over £300 a year.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23Lose the coffee you typically
0:37:23 > 0:37:24buy with it as well,
0:37:24 > 0:37:26and you're talking more than
0:37:26 > 0:37:28£850 worth of savings,
0:37:28 > 0:37:33and that could easily cover the cost of the driving lessons you need.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37I have to say, Charlotte, that is yummy - the alpine strawberry.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41Can I just say? You've said alpine strawberry loads and loads of times.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43They're actually raspberries.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Yeah, they look like alpine strawberries.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48- I apologise.- No, cos they're not alpine strawberries whatsoever,
0:37:48 > 0:37:50they're raspberries. You bought it cos you thought
0:37:50 > 0:37:53it was alpine strawberries and it would've been worth £7.
0:37:53 > 0:37:54Now you know it's raspberries,
0:37:54 > 0:37:57you might want to think about what you're telling me about cake.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59Oops! Nice try, Sergio.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01But don't worry, you can stand down now,
0:38:01 > 0:38:03because Simon's back for one last visit,
0:38:03 > 0:38:08and he wants to tackle the family's biggest money riddle.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10These guys would like to get a new house
0:38:10 > 0:38:12and move out of their current one,
0:38:12 > 0:38:15which was left to Charlotte and her sister by their mother.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17I'd like my own home,
0:38:17 > 0:38:21and I'd like something that I could perhaps call mine and Sergio's.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24Charlotte wants to sell up and move to a bigger house,
0:38:24 > 0:38:25but there's a problem.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28I've looked into a couple of mortgages
0:38:28 > 0:38:30but I don't think that's going to be possible.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Why do you think you can't get a mortgage?
0:38:32 > 0:38:35I've asked a few people and the most they're willing to lend is
0:38:35 > 0:38:38just not even enough. Well, it's not going to get me anything.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40- To get you a home?- It's not even going to get me a bedsit.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42Right, so you feel... You feel trapped.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45- I do.- Really? - I am. I'm completely trapped.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47To see what options might help,
0:38:47 > 0:38:50Simon has called in top property advisor Henry Pryor.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52Fingers crossed.
0:38:52 > 0:38:53Henry, this is Charlotte.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55- Hi, Henry. Nice to meet you. - Nice to see you.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57When it comes to your earnings,
0:38:57 > 0:39:00may I be impolite and ask, what do you earn roughly a year?
0:39:00 > 0:39:04Yeah, I mean, between us, we probably only earn about 25,000,
0:39:04 > 0:39:06so it is not really going to...
0:39:06 > 0:39:09OK, so let's assume you've got £100,000 worth of equity,
0:39:09 > 0:39:12and roughly £60,000 worth of borrowings.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16That would get you another house that you could buy.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18If you've got that kind of budget,
0:39:18 > 0:39:19you shouldn't have to move a million miles
0:39:19 > 0:39:22in order to find something that you can afford.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24But you wouldn't get anywhere for that money, would you, 160,000?
0:39:24 > 0:39:26I think you'd be pleasantly surprised.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30The average deposit in this country is roughly £40,000,
0:39:30 > 0:39:32that people save from taxed income.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36You have got a thumping great deposit of nearly £100,000.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40But Charlotte and Sergio haven't enough money to renovate the house
0:39:40 > 0:39:42before they put it on the market.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45Will this scupper their dreams of moving on?
0:39:45 > 0:39:48All you need to do is make sure the house looks presentable
0:39:48 > 0:39:50because, invariably, if you rip out the kitchen
0:39:50 > 0:39:51and put in a new bathroom,
0:39:51 > 0:39:54the chance of it being someone else's taste is remote...
0:39:54 > 0:39:58- Yeah, of course.- ..so don't go to the expense and the trouble
0:39:58 > 0:40:00of doing major works to your house.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02That's great news.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05Not only does Henry think that Charlotte and Sergio can get
0:40:05 > 0:40:09a decent house by putting down a big deposit,
0:40:09 > 0:40:11but they don't even have to renovate their current one
0:40:11 > 0:40:13before they sell it.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15Molto bene, Simon.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17Your work here is done.
0:40:17 > 0:40:18Time for the figures.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20Tightening the purse strings on the shopping,
0:40:20 > 0:40:23the ready meals and the weekly treats,
0:40:23 > 0:40:25plus adding on the likely revenue
0:40:25 > 0:40:27from Charlotte potentially selling make-up,
0:40:27 > 0:40:31should put this family's finances back on track.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35CASH REGISTER CHIMES The £7,898 saved won't just cover
0:40:35 > 0:40:37the cost of Charlotte's driving lessons -
0:40:37 > 0:40:41there'll be plenty left at the end of each month.
0:40:41 > 0:40:42Well, I've learnt a lot.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46I've learnt that I really, really need to save money
0:40:46 > 0:40:48and think more about what I can cook
0:40:48 > 0:40:50and how I can save money by doing so.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54She is more attentive about what she buys, you know,
0:40:54 > 0:40:56what she needs.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00Cos he's not nagging at me for once, which is lovely.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03"Don't spend too much money. You're buying rubbish."
0:41:03 > 0:41:05So, yeah, it's lovely. Yeah.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12Good stuff, Charlotte and Sergio.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14Well, Simon, it's been a few weeks since you helped them.
0:41:14 > 0:41:15How are they getting on?
0:41:15 > 0:41:18I've spoken to them recently and they're doing really well,
0:41:18 > 0:41:20and they're working hard to keep to their spending habits.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22In fact, they sent us this little message.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26Hi, Denise. Hi, Dom. How are you?
0:41:26 > 0:41:29It's been really, really good being on Right On The Money,
0:41:29 > 0:41:33and obviously I haven't been into value shops hardly at all,
0:41:33 > 0:41:34apart from once.
0:41:34 > 0:41:39I have started to save a little bit of money in my tins for a rainy day.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42We are obviously looking around for a house.
0:41:42 > 0:41:43It's still in the early stages.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46It's been a really, really good experience. Thank you very much.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49A rainy day? It's been raining for five months.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51We should have a lot of money, then.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Now, Simon, what advice would you give to families
0:41:55 > 0:41:59who are on a tight budget to try save some cash?
0:41:59 > 0:42:01The key thing is to budget carefully.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03They know how much income they've got coming in.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05They should know how much money they will need to spend
0:42:05 > 0:42:07on their essentials and bills.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09They should be totting it all up and writing it down
0:42:09 > 0:42:11to make sure they don't overspend.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13They should then only start buying the treats
0:42:13 > 0:42:14when they've paid off everything else.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16It's not easy, though, is it?
0:42:16 > 0:42:17They've got to be really disciplined.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19They've got to be very disciplined.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22When you are short of money, you can get by, but only if you are,
0:42:22 > 0:42:26as you say, very disciplined, budget carefully, writing everything down,
0:42:26 > 0:42:28and planning your spending properly.
0:42:28 > 0:42:29Thanks, Simon.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32Well, if you'd be interested in having one of our experts come round
0:42:32 > 0:42:34to sort out your finances,
0:42:34 > 0:42:36then e-mail us at...
0:42:38 > 0:42:41And if it's some quick and easy money-saving tips you are after,
0:42:41 > 0:42:44here's where you can get a few golden nuggets of advice.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49Our website has everything you need to sort out your spending.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52We've teamed up with the Money Advice Service to bring you
0:42:52 > 0:42:56easy-to-use money-saving tools to plan your budget,
0:42:56 > 0:42:59calculate the cost of your car or credit cards,
0:42:59 > 0:43:02and give your money a complete health check.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04Download them at...
0:43:07 > 0:43:10..where you can also take our interactive spending test,
0:43:10 > 0:43:12and you'll find plenty more tips and advice
0:43:12 > 0:43:14to keep your finances on track.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22Now, Simon's still with us to answer some questions from
0:43:22 > 0:43:24the people we've met in York today.
0:43:24 > 0:43:25Yeah, we've got one from Tracy,
0:43:25 > 0:43:28who says she needs to rely on payday loans.
0:43:28 > 0:43:30Is there a better alternative?
0:43:30 > 0:43:31That's really worrying,
0:43:31 > 0:43:34because payday lending is one of the most expensive ways to borrow,
0:43:34 > 0:43:39and if she's doing that every month, she's on a cycle of disaster,
0:43:39 > 0:43:43frankly, and what she needs to do is firstly try to not overspend,
0:43:43 > 0:43:45so she doesn't have to borrow money.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47If she is struggling towards the end of the month,
0:43:47 > 0:43:49then maybe an overdraft could be a lot cheaper,
0:43:49 > 0:43:51or she could contact a credit union.
0:43:51 > 0:43:53They have lots of good deals to help people,
0:43:53 > 0:43:55and they can help people get their finances back on track, too.
0:43:55 > 0:43:59Now, Helen says, "My current mortgage deal is about to run out.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02"How can I now get the best deal?"
0:44:02 > 0:44:03It's a good question.
0:44:03 > 0:44:05There are thousands of mortgage deals out there,
0:44:05 > 0:44:08so it's pretty impossible for one person to know the right answer,
0:44:08 > 0:44:10so that's why I would go to an expert.
0:44:10 > 0:44:12You can do it yourself. You can go on the internet,
0:44:12 > 0:44:16and find comparison sites that will tell you the best deals,
0:44:16 > 0:44:18but you need to talk to your own lender first,
0:44:18 > 0:44:19and see what they've got to offer,
0:44:19 > 0:44:21but I would certainly go to an expert.
0:44:21 > 0:44:22Thank you, Simon,
0:44:22 > 0:44:24and thanks to everybody else we've spoken to today.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27Not forgetting the good people of York - you've been brilliant.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30That's it for now, so until next time, keep saving.
0:44:30 > 0:44:32- Bye-bye.- Cheerio.