0:00:01 > 0:00:04DOM: Whether 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 > 0:00:12- DENISE:- So we've found simple advice for you to do just that,
0:00:12 > 0:00:14and taken it to towns and cities
0:00:14 > 0:00:16right across Britain.
0:00:16 > 0:00:21Whatever help you need with your finances, we are Right On The Money.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25Hello, and welcome to Right On The Money, the series that's
0:00:25 > 0:00:29going to help you save a packet in the easiest way possible.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32And today we'll be giving you tips and advice from Blackpool, a town
0:00:32 > 0:00:38famous for its Tower, Pleasure Beach and not one but three piers.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Three? That's just greedy.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43And here's what's coming up in today's programme.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48We'll give this party girl a complete money makeover.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50But can she stay on the straight and narrow,
0:00:50 > 0:00:53or will she keep squandering her cash?
0:00:53 > 0:00:55I really, really want to get on the property ladder,
0:00:55 > 0:00:58that's the main thing I want to focus on at the moment.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01I think it's so important. Especially the age that I'm at now.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04And how you could holiday for free -
0:01:04 > 0:01:07though you might have to break into a little bit of a sweat.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10It's a very small price to pay for a free holiday, and because of
0:01:10 > 0:01:13the environment you're in it just makes it all worthwhile.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22- This reminds me of my Strictly days. - Yeah...
0:01:22 > 0:01:26- You were in that as well, weren't you, Dom?- Yeah, 2007, loved it.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Hm - not for very long, if I remember.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Oh, that hurts, Denise! I was voted out the week before Blackpool,
0:01:32 > 0:01:34I feel like I was robbed of my moment.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Sorry, Dom.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Well, Blackpool's built on entertainment,
0:01:38 > 0:01:41and there's lots to see and do both day and night.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44You don't want to be telling that to the woman we're about to meet,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47because her hectic party lifestyle is playing havoc with her bank balance.
0:01:50 > 0:01:5428-year-old Melissa Jackson from Birmingham
0:01:54 > 0:01:57has very clear ideas of what she wants out of life.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01But so far, planning her financial future hasn't been her strong point.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07She juggles a full-time job in recruitment
0:02:07 > 0:02:11with volunteering as a DJ two hours a week on Newstyle Community Radio.
0:02:11 > 0:02:16And her social life is just as busy.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20In my spare time, I like to go out to nice places to eat
0:02:20 > 0:02:22or go for drinks or cocktails.
0:02:22 > 0:02:28I like to go out partying with the girls. Weekends away...
0:02:28 > 0:02:32Yes, this girl likes to party. As often as she can.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35That's what's at the root of her money troubles -
0:02:35 > 0:02:37but Melissa has a battle on her hands.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41I think in my head sometimes
0:02:41 > 0:02:45you've got the good Melissa and then you've got the bad Melissa.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48The bad Melissa's saying "You're young, you're free,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52"you're single... You work hard every single day.
0:02:52 > 0:02:53"Go wild at the weekend!"
0:02:53 > 0:02:57The good Melissa's saying, "You need to save this month,
0:02:57 > 0:02:59"you need to make sure you're in the black, not the red..."
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Sometimes you get phone calls from your girls -
0:03:01 > 0:03:04"What you doing tonight? Where do you want to go?"
0:03:04 > 0:03:05Bad Melissa's like, "Go ahead, why not?"
0:03:05 > 0:03:09And it's bad Melissa who's most definitely winning the fight.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14She has a hefty overdraft of £1,500, that she just can't clear.
0:03:14 > 0:03:19Time to call in personal finance expert Simon Read...
0:03:20 > 0:03:21Hi. Melissa?
0:03:21 > 0:03:22- Hi, Simon.- Hi...
0:03:22 > 0:03:25..to put Melissa back in the black,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28and set her up for a more secure future.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31So, Melissa, tell me about your financial situation.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35I really want to get on the property ladder, that's the main thing I want to focus on at the moment.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38I think it's so important, especially the age that I'm at now,
0:03:38 > 0:03:42to start building my foundations for my future children.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44But that's never going to happen
0:03:44 > 0:03:47if Melissa's bank account remains stuck in the red.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49And that's not her only problem.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53When she goes out for the night, Melissa sticks the drinks on her
0:03:53 > 0:03:57credit card, which has an £800 debt that she's struggling to repay.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01- Do you know how much interest you're paying on that? - No, and I don't really want to know.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05£800, £1,000, that's getting on for £200 interest. Every year.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08It's throwing money away, isn't it?
0:04:08 > 0:04:12But I'm very aware of it, I'm very aware of what I need to do...
0:04:12 > 0:04:17Well, let's see just how aware Melissa is of how much cash
0:04:17 > 0:04:19she's actually squandering.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21Simon investigates,
0:04:21 > 0:04:26by meeting her best friends and fellow partygoers.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29How many nights do you go out of a week?
0:04:29 > 0:04:32I would say...I'd probably go out once or twice a month.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34- Once or twice a month?- Yeah.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36GIRLS LAUGH
0:04:38 > 0:04:42Hang on a minute, Melissa! You're having a giraffe.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44I'm waiting for you girls to tell me the truth about this now,
0:04:44 > 0:04:48- I'm not sure Melissa is being totally honest.- Erm...
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- and then I'll go out on a Saturday night...- Yes.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- I may go out to a drink on a Friday night...- OK.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56Hang on. You said once or twice a month,
0:04:56 > 0:04:58where did all these extra nights come from?
0:04:58 > 0:05:00Depends kind of like what mood I'm in - like, sometimes I'm in
0:05:00 > 0:05:02a crazy mood so...
0:05:02 > 0:05:06- I'll go out every weekend, you know. - I like crazy Melissa.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11Crikey. That's a lot of partying.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14And how much does a night like this cost?
0:05:14 > 0:05:16I would say about 100 quid?
0:05:16 > 0:05:19- Would you say that?- Easy.
0:05:19 > 0:05:20- More.- More.- Yeah.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Wow. That really adds up.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27And even if Melissa went out like that just one night a week,
0:05:27 > 0:05:31she'd be burning through a whopping £5,200 a year.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35If she wants to clear her debt and start saving up for a house,
0:05:35 > 0:05:37something's got to give.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39But Simon is no party pooper.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42In fact, he's got a few moves that suggest
0:05:42 > 0:05:44he might enjoy the odd cocktail himself.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47So, backed up by Melissa's mate Andre,
0:05:47 > 0:05:51Simon wants to show our party girl how she can still have
0:05:51 > 0:05:55a good time without going through so much cash.
0:05:55 > 0:05:56So, welcome to my wonderful bar.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00We're going to have a few drinks in a minute, but first,
0:06:00 > 0:06:01Andre, thanks for coming.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05- Melissa here - is she as bad as she seems?- Oh, yes!
0:06:05 > 0:06:06SIMON LAUGHS
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- You're not supposed to tell anyone. - No, I know.
0:06:09 > 0:06:14OK, so let's actually have a look at how much you spend when you go out.
0:06:14 > 0:06:15OK.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19So, for instance, if you buy a glass of wine like this,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22that's going to cost you about £8.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24- OK?- OK.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26If you buy a glass of wine for £8,
0:06:26 > 0:06:29it means you're spending £24 on a bottle of wine.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Would you buy a bottle of wine for £24 at home?
0:06:32 > 0:06:35No! Oh, my gosh, a bottle of wine's, like, £5 from the store.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39OK. So when you drink at home, you'd buy a bottle for £5.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44- When you go out, you spend £24 on a bottle of wine.- That's really bad.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46- Can you see where I'm going with this?- Yeah.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Bars make big profits on wine.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53Typically, they try to get one glass to pay for the entire bottle.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Which means a 350% profit.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00But they have an even bigger margin on spirits, mixers and cocktails -
0:07:00 > 0:07:03about 456%.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Now, what about cocktails? I know you love cocktails.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09Absolutely love cocktails.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13Melissa likes to drink a mojito or two during a night out -
0:07:13 > 0:07:15at eight quid a pop.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19What if I told you to make one of these at home
0:07:19 > 0:07:21would cost you 89 pence?
0:07:21 > 0:07:22- Wow!- I don't believe you.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24Well, it's true, Melissa.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26So - if that after-work "happy hour"
0:07:26 > 0:07:29looks like turning into a full night out,
0:07:29 > 0:07:33it might make financial sense for Melissa and her mates
0:07:33 > 0:07:36to mix their own drinks at home.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39If you didn't have three drinks a week,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- do you know how much you would save a year?- How much?
0:07:42 > 0:07:43Have a guess.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- About 1,000?- £1,000?
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- Seriously?! - It's actually £1,200.- Wow.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50- I don't believe you.- £1,200.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Now, £1,200
0:07:52 > 0:07:55is a lot of money towards a deposit...
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- Yeah.- Towards something else. - Could buy a holiday with that.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- Again, it's back about making choices.- Yeah.
0:08:01 > 0:08:07So Melissa could save around £1,200 a year if she cuts out three
0:08:07 > 0:08:08bar-bought drinks a week.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13And as if a saving like that wasn't sobering enough,
0:08:13 > 0:08:14a morning-after trip to the park
0:08:14 > 0:08:16is about to reveal another way
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Melissa can get her finances in better shape.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Now, I know you go to the gym regularly -
0:08:22 > 0:08:23how much do you pay a month?
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- I probably pay about £25 a month? - £25 a month.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- That's not a lot, is it? - No, not really.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33But over a year, that works out at about £300.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35When the fact is, exercise can be free.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37- OK, OK...- So if we take a look round here,
0:08:37 > 0:08:40there are various different exercise things you can do,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43and on a beautiful day like today you get the fresh air as well...
0:08:43 > 0:08:47- Mm-hm.- And you can save £300 a year.
0:08:48 > 0:08:49That sounds good.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52I mean, I've never really been a fresh air,
0:08:52 > 0:08:54running type of person...
0:08:54 > 0:08:57It's not about the running - I'm talking about, there's bars...
0:08:57 > 0:09:02- Oh...- There's a whole circuit here, it's free to use...
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Exactly the same kind of workout that you'll get in a gym -
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- but you just don't have to pay for it.- That's pretty good.
0:09:07 > 0:09:12- Do you want to give it a try? - Let's go, let's have a go. OK.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15About 12% of the UK population use a gym.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19But there are plenty of cheaper alternatives for exercise.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Obviously, cycling and running -
0:09:22 > 0:09:24but a growing number of public parks
0:09:24 > 0:09:27have free to use equipment similar to this one.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31So it really is possible to shed the pounds, while saving the pennies.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35It seems that Melissa is really getting into the swing of things.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39And if she does ditch that gym membership, that's another 300 quid
0:09:39 > 0:09:41towards clearing her debt.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45With her finances already getting quite a workout,
0:09:45 > 0:09:47we'll find out later in the programme
0:09:47 > 0:09:51if Simon can succeed in reining in what Melissa spends.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55And he'll have some great advice how first-time buyers like her
0:09:55 > 0:09:58can get thousands of pounds' worth of help
0:09:58 > 0:10:00to achieve their property dream.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05And later on, Melissa will be chatting to us
0:10:05 > 0:10:07about how she's got on.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10Meanwhile, Andy Webb from the Money Advice Service is here.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Andy, when you're someone of Melissa's age,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15who wants to get on the property ladder but still wants to have fun,
0:10:15 > 0:10:17it's pretty hard, isn't it?
0:10:17 > 0:10:20It really is, and young people have other disadvantages. When you're 18,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23all of a sudden, there's a whole new world of credit that appears.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Letters arrive - "Have a credit card! Here's an overdraft!"
0:10:25 > 0:10:27It might feel you've got this free money to spend,
0:10:27 > 0:10:29but as we know, it's not free money,
0:10:29 > 0:10:32you've got to pay that back and it comes with fees, with charges,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34which, if you don't sort of sort out early on,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37the repercussions won't just be in the next few months.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39They can be years down the line, and that's obviously,
0:10:39 > 0:10:42you know, a real disadvantage when they are trying to buy a home.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45And, Simon, it's a shame Melissa doesn't live in Blackpool, isn't it?
0:10:45 > 0:10:50I mean, you run a social group. Tell us a little bit about that.
0:10:50 > 0:10:51OK, well, I run a group
0:10:51 > 0:10:55called the Seaside Party People, and we're an online group
0:10:55 > 0:10:57and we've got over 200 members.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02We do lots of things which are free, or, um, cost very little money.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05For example, we can do walks or cycles, picnics in the park,
0:11:05 > 0:11:09we have a lot of local bands that play venues.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11I tell you what, Andy, cos that's a good point.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Free events like that are now needed more than ever,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16because recent figures have shown that young people are spending
0:11:16 > 0:11:19about a quarter of their wages on rent alone!
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Yeah, it's so difficult. Rent, you can't really do much about it.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Rent is the rate that it is.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Look at those areas where you can make a difference.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28We know that energy bills -
0:11:28 > 0:11:31£300 is the saving you can make each year if you switch and fix.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Simon, question. Now, be honest.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36Would you rather spend your money on a bill
0:11:36 > 0:11:38or having a good time with your friends?
0:11:38 > 0:11:40Well, I'd rather have a good time,
0:11:40 > 0:11:42but I would always make sure my bills are paid, and you can
0:11:42 > 0:11:46still go out and socialise for free and still have a good time.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Thanks, both.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Now, Blackpool is a hugely popular destination and, get this,
0:11:51 > 0:11:55a stonking 17 million people visited here last year.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Now, Denise and I have been trying out the attractions
0:11:57 > 0:11:59and, let me tell you, they don't come cheap.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03And any sort of family holiday can be quite expensive.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07Well, you say that, Dom, but you can do it for free.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11We all fancy a holiday now and then,
0:12:11 > 0:12:15but with household budgets tight, nearly a third of Brits
0:12:15 > 0:12:19say that a getaway is no longer within their means.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22Still, being broke doesn't have to mean going without a break.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24All you need is a little know-how,
0:12:24 > 0:12:27as the Page family from Leeds is about to find out.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30It's the start of the school holidays
0:12:30 > 0:12:34and they're getting ready to recharge their batteries.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37What we want to get out of the holiday is getting away from the...
0:12:37 > 0:12:42the norm, the everyday 9-5, the hustle and bustle, just getting out
0:12:42 > 0:12:47in the fresh air and we're really looking forward to getting off.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Right, guys, let's get going.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53This year, Tracy, David and Caitlin are joining the 74% of Brits
0:12:53 > 0:12:56that holiday in the UK.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58But theirs isn't going to cost them a penny.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04They've chosen this luxury camp site in North Yorkshire,
0:13:04 > 0:13:08where a week would normally cost up to £500.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11But if you don't mind getting your hands dirty,
0:13:11 > 0:13:14you can stay here for nothing, as owner Carolyn explains.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19We offer a volunteer scheme, where you can come and work
0:13:19 > 0:13:24for 25 hours a week in exchange for a week's free accommodation.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26We've had our times in the past,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28where we've been really, really skint,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31so we wanted to find a way to make it accessible to everyone, really.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37The Pages have never done anything quite like this before
0:13:37 > 0:13:39and aren't sure what to expect.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42But there's a good reason why they were delighted to find
0:13:42 > 0:13:45this kind of opportunity only a couple of hours from home.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50I've been out of work four times last year?
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Yeah, he got made redundant four times,
0:13:52 > 0:13:55so you have to have a look at what you've got, if you want holidays,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58erm, making the most of what we've got on our doorstep.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03But tightening their belts means some hard graft,
0:14:03 > 0:14:07and the Pages get straight to it.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10You can be doing anything from changing beds,
0:14:10 > 0:14:13helping out the cleaning team, put bird boxes up,
0:14:13 > 0:14:17plant bluebells, all sorts, a wide range of activities, really.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22I've been cutting down the branches to get, um,
0:14:22 > 0:14:26the wood together for the firewood for the campfires.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29It is tiring, doing things that you're not used to doing,
0:14:29 > 0:14:30but it's enjoyable.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35It's nice to get stuck in, helping other people who are camping,
0:14:35 > 0:14:40and then getting to relax at the end of it and enjoy the rest of the day.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41It's good.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44But convincing 14-year-old Caitlin
0:14:44 > 0:14:48of the benefits of a working holiday might take some time.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Do I want to be working on my holiday? No.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55Because, if you looked up the definition of "holiday"
0:14:55 > 0:14:59in a dictionary, it wouldn't be "you're working".
0:14:59 > 0:15:03What I miss about most of my holidays abroad is
0:15:03 > 0:15:05just relaxing under the sun.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09It's obviously wetter. There's a lot more rain.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12But it's a change and it's something different to do.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15So I'm all up for it.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20This type of working holiday may not be everyone's idea of fun,
0:15:20 > 0:15:22but the promise of serious saving
0:15:22 > 0:15:27has proved hard to resist for old hands Julie and her son Daniel.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31I've been coming here for probably about five years,
0:15:31 > 0:15:33and volunteering for three and a half, maybe?
0:15:33 > 0:15:36And I usually come sort of four or five times a year.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40We started coming here as paid guests, got to know the people who
0:15:40 > 0:15:43work here and they suggested to us it would be a good way of
0:15:43 > 0:15:47being able to come more often, um, and then we had a go and loved it.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54We're going down to, um, one of the Woodcutters, to prepare it
0:15:54 > 0:15:58for the customers coming in, so the bed will need making
0:15:58 > 0:16:01and the floors need sweeping, things like that.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04I work for about 20 hours a week.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Would you lift the pillows for us, Dan?
0:16:06 > 0:16:08'So we do four days with five hours.'
0:16:10 > 0:16:12And the work isn't hard and the people here
0:16:12 > 0:16:15are always really nice, so we have a bit of a laugh.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18It's a very small price to pay for a free holiday and,
0:16:18 > 0:16:22because of the environment you're in, it just makes it all worthwhile.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25When you are doing work, you can just hear all the birds
0:16:25 > 0:16:28in the background and it just reminds you that you're not at home.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32You're in a forest.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36If you too want to make your time off more hands-on,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39a quick internet search will uncover all sorts of working breaks
0:16:39 > 0:16:41with accommodation thrown in.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45From working behind the scenes in a stately home...
0:16:46 > 0:16:49..to picking fruit and veg on an organic farm.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51But cutting the cost of your holiday
0:16:51 > 0:16:53doesn't just mean you have to work for it.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56There are plenty of other ways you can get away for less.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00House swapping is a safe and well-established way to travel.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03You can exchange your home for a place in the sun.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Or you could stay in a bothy, a remote mountain hut,
0:17:07 > 0:17:09without paying a penny.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13They can be found in Scotland, Wales and the North of England,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16but be prepared - they're very basic
0:17:16 > 0:17:19and you'll need all your camping kit, including lights.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23Back on the campsite and, as the first day
0:17:23 > 0:17:27of the Pages' break draws to a close, while it may be free,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30is their working holiday really worth the effort?
0:17:31 > 0:17:33It's been a different experience.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36It's obviously something I've never done on holiday before -
0:17:36 > 0:17:40going out and working - but I've definitely enjoyed it.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44I'm a little bit tired, because of all the lifting
0:17:44 > 0:17:48and moving stuff around, but it's not 100% physically exhausting.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50It's like a...a nice tired.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54It brings the family closer together, having good fun,
0:17:54 > 0:17:58having a laugh, getting dirty, and I'd recommend it to any family
0:17:58 > 0:18:00to come and do, especially families
0:18:00 > 0:18:04who are on a tight budget, er, with kids and that.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Come and do it, have a go.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08We're definitely doing it again.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Travel expert, Simon Calder, is with me at the top of the Tower
0:18:14 > 0:18:17and, firstly, Simon, what a fantastic view!
0:18:17 > 0:18:19It's just great to be here, isn't it?
0:18:19 > 0:18:22I've heard that the sun always shines in Blackpool.
0:18:22 > 0:18:23That's true, isn't it?
0:18:23 > 0:18:25And if you're looking to travel further afield,
0:18:25 > 0:18:27what deals are there for you?
0:18:27 > 0:18:31It's a really tricky summer, in terms of package holiday prices,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34going to the Mediterranean, so, instead of heading south, I would
0:18:34 > 0:18:39actually say go east, to the Baltic, the Polish Riviera in particular.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43It's really cheap to get to and, once you get there, you'll discover
0:18:43 > 0:18:46that the price of everything - from accommodation to ice cream -
0:18:46 > 0:18:48is about a third what you pay in Spain or Italy.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Well, I've actually been to Sopot, which isn't too far from there,
0:18:51 > 0:18:54- and it's an absolutely gorgeous beach!- It is and, I tell you what,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57another tip there - second half of August is really good,
0:18:57 > 0:19:01because the Germans like going to Poland and most of their schools
0:19:01 > 0:19:04go back in the middle of August, leaving the coast clear for us.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06Great, I'm taking lots of tips from that.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09And if you can't actually afford to go further afield,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12what can you do in terms of day trips domestically?
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Well, we have some of the greatest attractions in the world,
0:19:15 > 0:19:20really easy to reach. Britain has great events going on.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Everything from - of course here at Blackpool Tower -
0:19:23 > 0:19:26which you have to pay to get into, but it's pretty good value,
0:19:26 > 0:19:30to the great cities, Liverpool, Manchester, with so much
0:19:30 > 0:19:35going on that's free, in terms of museums, with events happening.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40London, of course, has probably the best collection of museums
0:19:40 > 0:19:44and other attractions in the world. With any paid attraction,
0:19:44 > 0:19:47well worth seeing what you can save online, of course, booking ahead.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Can you believe a fantastic fares war is going on between
0:19:50 > 0:19:54the budget airlines going from Stansted to Glasgow and Edinburgh?
0:19:54 > 0:19:57And that means you can fly down from Glasgow to London,
0:19:57 > 0:20:01family of four, I reckon for probably about
0:20:01 > 0:20:04the equivalent of £20 each, return!
0:20:04 > 0:20:06It's a fantastic time to be a traveller.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Super advice, as always, Simon. I'm going to go and speak
0:20:09 > 0:20:11- to some visitors at the Tower. - Happy holidays, Denise.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15- You look like you're having a nice day out, you two.- Yes, brilliant.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- The first time I've been up here. - And what do you think?
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- The view's stunning, isn't it? - Yeah.- Yeah, it's a lovely view.
0:20:20 > 0:20:21It's a bit scary, though.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24- Scary!- Yeah, just come to see the Blackpool Tower again.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Cos he's really scared of it, so be brought him again.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28- LAUGHTER - Well, that's nice, isn't it?
0:20:28 > 0:20:29Oh, yeah, very scary.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31- He still won't walk on it! - LAUGHTER
0:20:31 > 0:20:35Did you budget for this day or are you going to spend a lot or...?
0:20:35 > 0:20:38- We're going to spend.- Well, YOU look like you're going to spend!
0:20:38 > 0:20:40LAUGHTER Yeah, I'll spend my dad's money.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45- And what brings you to Blackpool? - Fish and chips.- Ha-ha, classic!
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- Yeah.- Fish and chips. They probably do the best.- Yes!
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Um, are you a person that tends to look for the deals
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- and the best ways of travelling? - Yeah, definitely.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Yeah, it's, er, it's just a cheap way to have a day out.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Do you ever look at vouchers
0:20:58 > 0:21:00and try to get the best deals for yourself and the family?
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Oh, yeah, I'm always online, checking out before I come,
0:21:03 > 0:21:05finding out what deals are on and what we can get
0:21:05 > 0:21:08the most value out of, but, yeah, I'm always a couponer.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11This one, we've used a voucher off the cereal box.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14We've brought three vouchers, we went yesterday to Asda
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- and we bought three cereal boxes just to come here.- That's brilliant!
0:21:17 > 0:21:21- And that...?- The vouchers are really good.- Yeah, half-price.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25- Today.- Yeah, adults, three adults... - Today, it would have cost us £95,
0:21:25 > 0:21:27but we've come here for £45 only.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- So more for you to spend, then? - Yes!- Yes.- More for me to spend!
0:21:30 > 0:21:32Well, it's great to see Blackpool just buzzing!
0:21:32 > 0:21:35Now, I believe Dom is down there with a woman
0:21:35 > 0:21:37who apparently knows what's coming up next.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41Thanks, Denise. Now, I'm with fortune-teller Sarah Petulengro,
0:21:41 > 0:21:44who's been working here in Blackpool for donkey's years!
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Sarah, predict what's coming up on our next item.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51Well, I predict there's going to be a lot of shocks and surprises...
0:21:51 > 0:21:55- Ooh, yeah? - ..when people discover...- Yeah?
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- ..the average age that they'll be able to pay off all their debts.- No?
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- Mm-hm. - And what average age would that be?
0:22:01 > 0:22:03Ooh, it looks like...
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- 69.- Get out of here!- Yeah.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Er...65?
0:22:12 > 0:22:1450?
0:22:14 > 0:22:18You'd like to say young, like, you'd like to say 45, wouldn't you?
0:22:18 > 0:22:21- But I'd...- People don't start till late, so I'm going to say...
0:22:21 > 0:22:25- 55. Debt-free.- I'm going to say... - If there's no mortgage and stuff.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27I'm going to say 50.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Probably mid 80s, I would say,
0:22:30 > 0:22:33or maybe mid 70s, if they're better with money.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36I think, for most who haven't retired with
0:22:36 > 0:22:39a good pension package already, many will not ever get out of debt.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Well, definitely mortgage is not going to be till probably...
0:22:42 > 0:22:46late 50s, 60s, I'd say, if anybody does become debt-free.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48Credit card debt can just go on for ever, really,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51unless you're determined to get rid of it, so, um...
0:22:51 > 0:22:53I'd say people in their 40s upwards.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56That's why you need to think about it now, isn't it?
0:22:56 > 0:22:58And do extra payments on your mortgage and things.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02A lot of people aren't earning a huge amount versus their daily costs
0:23:02 > 0:23:05and their housing costs, before any other items get in the way.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07- We're not in too much debt, though. - No, no, no, we're not.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- No, not at all.- Considering we've got three kids and stuff.- Yeah.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12What we do, a holiday every year and everything.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15I'm intending to be debt-free a bit earlier than that, but, um,
0:23:15 > 0:23:19we're just about saving for a house now, so we'll see how it goes.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24People travel from all over the place to come to Blackpool,
0:23:24 > 0:23:27but not quite as far, I don't think, as our next guests -
0:23:27 > 0:23:30husband-and-wife team Gilbert and Laura.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Let's just put this into perspective.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- This time yesterday, where were you? - We were in New York.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38- And, of course, New York is where you live.- Yeah.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41And you've very thankfully come over all this way to tell us about
0:23:41 > 0:23:45your little tips on how you can travel for free or virtually free?
0:23:45 > 0:23:49- I got that right, Gil?- Pretty close, yeah.- OK, tell us your advice.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52- Yeah, so we collect airline miles. - Mm-hm.- Lots of airline miles,
0:23:52 > 0:23:54every day, from a variety of different ways.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Like converting your supermarket shopping points, tweeting,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01doing surveys, er, paying your electric bill.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05You know... Things that everyone does on a daily basis.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07And lots of people would automatically think you've
0:24:07 > 0:24:11got to spend a lot of money, taking a long, long time,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14to accumulate enough miles to get a flight. Is that the case?
0:24:14 > 0:24:16It's absolutely not the case.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18You could get enough miles for a free flight today.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21- And it's not that hard. - To where - Canvey Island?
0:24:21 > 0:24:23- LAUGHTER - Pretty much anywhere in Europe
0:24:23 > 0:24:25is in reach, for as little as 9,000 miles.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28And you could get 9,000 miles for buying a laptop,
0:24:28 > 0:24:33maybe a new television, new stove, some expensive shoes.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36And how long ago did you two start doing this?
0:24:36 > 0:24:40So, we started about four years ago. We were travelling long-distance...
0:24:40 > 0:24:43- Yeah?- ..when we met and we flew one airline,
0:24:43 > 0:24:46because we were collecting miles with that airline, which then
0:24:46 > 0:24:49allowed us later on to fly some trips for free.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51- And you suddenly thought, "Hey, I like this!"- Yeah.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54All right, is it fair to say it's become an obsession now?
0:24:54 > 0:24:59- Definitely.- Pretty much.- This is something that any person can do.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01You haven't got to be a high-flying jet set executive?
0:25:01 > 0:25:04- Absolutely not. - You haven't got to spend a fortune.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07It's just what you're basically saying is, whenever possible,
0:25:07 > 0:25:11use your credit card, get these miles, rather than spending cash?
0:25:11 > 0:25:12So, if you went in to buy a latte
0:25:12 > 0:25:15in a coffee shop, a couple of quid, would you use your credit card?
0:25:15 > 0:25:18- Yeah.- Yeah, absolutely. - Put it on your credit card.- Always.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Then you pay it off, like you would your debit card
0:25:20 > 0:25:22- or using cash, whatever. - And if shopping online,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25- that's where it can really become an amazing trick.- Why's that?
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Because, every time you click through an airline site,
0:25:28 > 0:25:30- to the site you're going to anyway...- Yeah?
0:25:30 > 0:25:32..if you're going to buy some shoes or a laptop,
0:25:32 > 0:25:35or anything you might be wanting to buy, you'll get bonus miles
0:25:35 > 0:25:38on top of the miles you get, with or without the credit card,
0:25:38 > 0:25:40so, even if you don't want to get an airline card,
0:25:40 > 0:25:42you can collect tons of bonus miles on everything you buy.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45You both run a website, where you sort of give advice to people and
0:25:45 > 0:25:49- tell them hints and tips and the best way to get more air miles? - Yeah.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51- Do you have many followers from the UK?- We do.- We do, yeah.
0:25:51 > 0:25:56- Last year, we had over a million people from the UK.- Wow!- Yeah.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58OK, so it's very popular. Any good stories?
0:25:58 > 0:26:02Yeah, I mean, I want to say the best thing for us is hearing from people
0:26:02 > 0:26:05who've taken something that they thought was out of reach
0:26:05 > 0:26:08and turning it into, you know, a free flight,
0:26:08 > 0:26:11whether it's near, far, in the front of the plane, back of the plane,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14but you know, travel, getting to enjoy more out of it.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17We get some who... who e-mail and say,
0:26:17 > 0:26:21"Hey, I'm trying to take my wife, or my family, to this place,
0:26:21 > 0:26:23"or that place, what credit card do you recommend?"
0:26:23 > 0:26:27- Or "What airline do you recommend?" "Any good deals right now?"- Yeah.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30You've had some cool perks with your travelling, haven't you?
0:26:30 > 0:26:32- Tell us about them.- We have, yes.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35We got to visit the flight deck on the way over, which was pretty cool.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38- Yeah.- Meet the Captain, Laura got to sit in the Captain's chair.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40- That was good.- First time in the flight deck?- First time.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44- First time in the Captain's chair. - That was pretty cool! Anything else?
0:26:44 > 0:26:46Yeah! Yeah, well, we took a free private jet ride this year.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49- That was pretty cool. - Do you ever get to travel business
0:26:49 > 0:26:51- and first class on these air miles? - We do. We do.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54That's the thing that most people don't realise is that, if you
0:26:54 > 0:26:57save enough of them, you can take some pretty incredible experiences.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Did he use miles to pay for your honeymoon?
0:26:59 > 0:27:01- He did.- How did you feel about that?
0:27:01 > 0:27:05- I was very happy about it. - Seriously? So you high-fived? - Yes.- OK.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08- The wedding, going on honeymoon, it's all good. - Saving money, isn't it?
0:27:08 > 0:27:10Got to fly up front and didn't have to pay for it.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12I'll tell you, you're obviously doing it right.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15You're not paying interest, you're collecting all these air miles,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18you've got a successful website and you're travelling the world free of charge.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20- Good luck to both of you. - Thank you.- Thank you so much.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Now, one young lady who's living the lifestyle
0:27:22 > 0:27:25without the money to pay for it is Melissa, who we met earlier.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28But have we managed to teach her how to budget?
0:27:30 > 0:27:34Party girl Melissa dreams of getting on the property ladder
0:27:34 > 0:27:36but just can't stop spending her money.
0:27:36 > 0:27:42I like to go out partying with the girls. Weekends away.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46As a result, she's got a hefty overdraft and credit card debt
0:27:46 > 0:27:48that she just can't clear.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Do you know how much interest you're paying on that?
0:27:51 > 0:27:52No, and I don't really want to know.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Getting on for £200 interest every year.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56It's like throwing money away, isn't it?
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Personal finance expert Simon Read has already found ways
0:28:01 > 0:28:05Melissa can still have fun but save some cash.
0:28:05 > 0:28:10- If you have these at home they work out at 66 pence a shot.- Seriously?
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Simon literally popped up at this bar,
0:28:13 > 0:28:17so he's been giving me tips and advice on how I can save money,
0:28:17 > 0:28:21cos obviously you know I like to go out and eat and drink.
0:28:21 > 0:28:22Oh, girl, so do I!
0:28:22 > 0:28:25I know. I secretly want to go out tonight.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27I feel like we're out right now.
0:28:27 > 0:28:28Let's go!
0:28:30 > 0:28:34Simon's been delving deeper into Melissa's bank statements
0:28:34 > 0:28:38and he's found that another area where she blows her budget sky-high
0:28:38 > 0:28:39is on takeaway food.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43Time for him to deliver some more savings.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46But let's see if Melissa takes him seriously
0:28:46 > 0:28:48and that delivery guy's hat.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51I know you like your takeaways.
0:28:51 > 0:28:52I do, I do, I do.
0:28:52 > 0:28:57I've worked out that you spend around £1,500 a year on takeaways.
0:28:57 > 0:28:58- Wow.- And it's a lot of money
0:28:58 > 0:29:01that you could use for something else, isn't it?
0:29:01 > 0:29:04- Yeah, you're right. - You could be paying down your debts,
0:29:04 > 0:29:06you could be saving towards a mortgage.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10So we need to find a way we can cut back on the expensive takeaways
0:29:10 > 0:29:14but still have a good time with your friends and nice food.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17It's been estimated that the average Brit
0:29:17 > 0:29:21forks out £1,320 a year on takeaway food.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Sushi is the preferred choice for women,
0:29:23 > 0:29:27while fish and chips remains the favourite option for men.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30But with her ambitious plans to get out of debt and buy a house,
0:29:30 > 0:29:34it's luxuries like these that Melissa needs to cut back on.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38I've got an idea I want to put to you, I hope that you like it.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41It's called a dinner club.
0:29:41 > 0:29:42It's when a group of people gang together
0:29:42 > 0:29:45and they arrange to have a meal at each other's house,
0:29:45 > 0:29:47each one cooking a different dish.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50So you can have all the fun, all the great food,
0:29:50 > 0:29:51but at about a third of the cost.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54I reckon you could probably do that with all your friends
0:29:54 > 0:29:55for about £500 a year.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57That sounds like a really good idea.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59- Is something you'd like to try?- Of course.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01Obviously we can go to different friends' houses,
0:30:01 > 0:30:03- after everybody being at mine.- Exactly.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06'If Melissa sticks to the dinner-club idea
0:30:06 > 0:30:09'and ditches those expensive takeaways
0:30:09 > 0:30:14'she could bag an extra £1,000 a year towards her dream home.
0:30:14 > 0:30:15'The next day Simon is back.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18'This time he's in holiday mood
0:30:18 > 0:30:20'and determined to get Melissa to cut back
0:30:20 > 0:30:22'on her expensive city breaks.'
0:30:23 > 0:30:26How many holidays do you reckon you have a year?
0:30:26 > 0:30:28I'd probably go for one or two a year.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30Is it one, is it two, is it more?
0:30:30 > 0:30:33I probably do one or two holidays a year,
0:30:33 > 0:30:35but then I do a few weekends away.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37When you work hard, it's important for you
0:30:37 > 0:30:40to have that kind of getaway and break from everyday life.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42Of course holidays are really important,
0:30:42 > 0:30:46and escaping from your day-to-day life regularly is important too.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48But what's the problem with holidays?
0:30:48 > 0:30:50It's expensive.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52Despite her hefty overdraft,
0:30:52 > 0:30:56this globetrotter spends at least £2,000 a year
0:30:56 > 0:30:57on holidays with her mates.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Like most of her leisure spending,
0:31:00 > 0:31:04Melissa usually books last-minute and on impulse.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06I might need to maybe cut down on my holidays
0:31:06 > 0:31:08and maybe just do one holiday a year?
0:31:08 > 0:31:10No, you don't need to cut down.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12I reckon you can still get lots of breaks,
0:31:12 > 0:31:14just not spend so much money.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16- OK.- Do you know how?
0:31:16 > 0:31:18I don't know how, but I'm sure you're going to tell me, Simon.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21I'm going to tell you. You can house-sit or pet-sit...
0:31:21 > 0:31:23- Cool.- ..and you can do this all over the world.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27So you can go to nice locations, stay in a lovely home, often,
0:31:27 > 0:31:30and not have to pay for accommodation.
0:31:30 > 0:31:31The best thing would be,
0:31:31 > 0:31:34for these short-term, short weekends that you like to do,
0:31:34 > 0:31:35to try and do it in the UK,
0:31:35 > 0:31:37so you don't have to spend even on flights.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40You just have to go to a nice home and look after it for a few days.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44And I'm hoping that by looking at these kind of opportunities
0:31:44 > 0:31:46we can help save you a whole lot of money
0:31:46 > 0:31:48which you can put towards your first home.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52That sounds so exciting. I didn't know that that was possible, Simon.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Not only is it possible, but it's simple and quick to do,
0:31:55 > 0:31:57and you can sign up free
0:31:57 > 0:32:00with companies like HouseCarers and TrustedHousesitters
0:32:00 > 0:32:03which also has pet-sitting opportunities
0:32:03 > 0:32:05along with Animal Angels.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08You can actually get paid to house-sit as well.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12If Melissa cut back on two out of three of her typical weekends away
0:32:12 > 0:32:16and took up money-saving opportunities like these instead,
0:32:16 > 0:32:19she could save around £700 a year,
0:32:19 > 0:32:22which would take care of most of her credit-card debt.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25But now he's saved her some serious cash,
0:32:25 > 0:32:29Simon wants to help Melissa boost her income too.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33Outside her full-time job,
0:32:33 > 0:32:37she gives up two hours of her time every week to DJ on community radio.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40..I will be preparing you for Monday,
0:32:40 > 0:32:43cos I know Monday is a bit of a struggle, guys.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47We all know this, so we need to keep moving and pushing together...
0:32:47 > 0:32:50'But she has ambitions beyond that.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53'In the first instance, setting up some kind of online channel,
0:32:53 > 0:32:56'which Simon reckons could even earn her some cash.'
0:32:57 > 0:33:01- So you've just done your show - sounded great.- Thank you.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04I really enjoyed the motivational stuff at the end of it.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06- Now, I know you want to take that further.- Definitely.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09You were thinking about maybe motivational videos,
0:33:09 > 0:33:10that kind of stuff?
0:33:10 > 0:33:13Yes, cos I feel like it's really important
0:33:13 > 0:33:16for people to have a bit of a motivational quote for the day
0:33:16 > 0:33:18to keep them going, or some words of encouragement,
0:33:18 > 0:33:21because life can get hard sometimes.
0:33:21 > 0:33:22Tell me about it.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25You've got to spread the positivity and love all around.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27OK. I've asked someone to come along today
0:33:27 > 0:33:30who's done just that, who's set up a YouTube channel.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32- A completely different thing... - Wow!- ..from you,
0:33:32 > 0:33:35but I'm hoping he can give you some great tips
0:33:35 > 0:33:38about how to get your channel going, how to get followers,
0:33:38 > 0:33:39and then how to make money from it.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42Simon wasn't wrong when he said completely different.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44This is Lawrence,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47and he posts videos of his metalwork on the internet
0:33:47 > 0:33:50and earns a lot of money out of it,
0:33:50 > 0:33:52thousands of pounds in fact,
0:33:52 > 0:33:56all brought in by advertisers keen to take advantage of his popularity
0:33:56 > 0:33:58right around the world.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01So you put your videos on there
0:34:01 > 0:34:04and then you've got to link that into another service
0:34:04 > 0:34:06that advertises on your videos.
0:34:06 > 0:34:07So you get paid for every time
0:34:07 > 0:34:10someone clicks on that advert on your video
0:34:10 > 0:34:13or watches the whole of that advert on your video.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15But it's all about building up numbers
0:34:15 > 0:34:17and getting a lot of subscribers and a lot of views,
0:34:17 > 0:34:19because people will click adverts -
0:34:19 > 0:34:21I didn't think they would, but they do.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23I'd better get on to it then.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27The website will keep a 45% cut of any ad revenue brought in
0:34:27 > 0:34:29by one of their videos.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33But Lawrence's website has notched up half a million visits,
0:34:33 > 0:34:36so if Melissa's able to find a following
0:34:36 > 0:34:38for her motivational videos
0:34:38 > 0:34:41she too could start making herself some extra cash.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44Thank you so much for all of your help. I really appreciate it.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47- Not a problem. I hope it helps you. - Of course, you'll be seeing me soon.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49Don't worry. You'll be getting the first shout-out.
0:34:49 > 0:34:50I look forward to it.
0:34:50 > 0:34:55And if she does, alongside the savings Simon's suggested so far,
0:34:55 > 0:34:59she could be well on her way towards a deposit for her first house.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03In the meantime, Melissa could do with organising her money better
0:35:03 > 0:35:06and Simon's invited over her cousin Jessica
0:35:06 > 0:35:09to explain one option for doing just that.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12- Nice to meet you, Simon.- Nice to meet you, thanks for coming over.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15It's a collective saving scheme called Paadna,
0:35:15 > 0:35:19that's already popular among the UK's Afro-Caribbean community.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23I've been talking to Melissa about savings,
0:35:23 > 0:35:27and, Melissa, you mentioned to me this Paadna scheme that you do.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Can you tell us more about how it works?
0:35:29 > 0:35:33Sure. It's a community thing, really,
0:35:33 > 0:35:35that a lot of our community do,
0:35:35 > 0:35:38and there's a handful of people who participate
0:35:38 > 0:35:41and they just put in, say, £25 a week,
0:35:41 > 0:35:43so they've got their £100 a month.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46I understand it's all sorts of communities
0:35:46 > 0:35:48- that had these kind of schemes.- Yeah.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52'The Paadna scheme originally came over from the Caribbean in the 1950s
0:35:52 > 0:35:54'to promote savings amongst immigrants
0:35:54 > 0:35:58'who found it difficult to access mainstream banking.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02'Nowadays, it usually works by a group of friends or family
0:36:02 > 0:36:05'paying a fixed weekly amount into a central pot
0:36:05 > 0:36:07'and they will all take turns
0:36:07 > 0:36:10'in receiving the whole of each week's pot.'
0:36:10 > 0:36:13So it's like an interest-free loan, but what I like about this,
0:36:13 > 0:36:16- it's a community helping each other. - Each other, that's right.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18'A scheme like this works entirely on trust,
0:36:18 > 0:36:21'but for an impulse-spender like Melissa,
0:36:21 > 0:36:24'it could be just the thing she needs
0:36:24 > 0:36:26'to start focusing on saving some cash.'
0:36:26 > 0:36:28And I think it is quite good
0:36:28 > 0:36:30because it gives you that opportunity to save
0:36:30 > 0:36:33where I can't back out, I can't access the money,
0:36:33 > 0:36:35I can't transfer it to another bank account,
0:36:35 > 0:36:39so it helps me in terms of having that grounded...
0:36:39 > 0:36:40It's discipline, isn't it?
0:36:40 > 0:36:43..that discipline, in terms of saving.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45There's nothing like a bit of peer pressure
0:36:45 > 0:36:47to give you some motivation,
0:36:47 > 0:36:50and Simon hopes that Jessica's example will inspire Melissa
0:36:50 > 0:36:52to stay on a money-saving track.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56Once the Paadna has helped Melissa get into the habit of saving,
0:36:56 > 0:36:59she can reinvest her money into a regular financial product.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05There's a scheme called Help To Buy ISA, which the government set up
0:37:05 > 0:37:07a couple of years ago, which aims to encourage people like you
0:37:07 > 0:37:09who are saving up for their first deposit.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12And they give you cash on top of your savings,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15so you get a great interest rate of 4% a year at the moment.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17- Oh, wow.- And then, if you save for four years,
0:37:17 > 0:37:19you get a government bonus.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21And this isn't just a couple of pennies -
0:37:21 > 0:37:24if you save up to the maximum £12,000 over four years,
0:37:24 > 0:37:26they give you an extra £3,000.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30- £3,000?- And it's money for nothing, effectively.- For free?- For free.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32- Are you sure, Simon?- I'm sure!
0:37:32 > 0:37:35- Are you sure-sure?- I'm positive.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37By combining the traditional community saving
0:37:37 > 0:37:40with this government-sponsored scheme,
0:37:40 > 0:37:44Melissa should soon be able to stump up the money for her deposit.
0:37:44 > 0:37:45Yes!
0:37:45 > 0:37:47So, time for the sums.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49Let's see how much Melissa could save
0:37:49 > 0:37:52if she follows all of Simon's advice.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56Tightening the purse strings on those costly drinks,
0:37:56 > 0:37:58takeaways and holidays,
0:37:58 > 0:38:01plus cancelling the gym membership,
0:38:01 > 0:38:05would free up a total of £3,200,
0:38:05 > 0:38:08leaving Melissa enough to pay off her overdraft
0:38:08 > 0:38:12and have plenty left over to put towards that deposit.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14Top man, Simon.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17It's been lots of fun sorting out Melissa's financial affairs,
0:38:17 > 0:38:21but how has Melissa found the experience?
0:38:21 > 0:38:23This has been a really, really amazing experience,
0:38:23 > 0:38:25cos it's really given me the opportunity
0:38:25 > 0:38:31to see how much money I'm actually spending on a yearly basis,
0:38:31 > 0:38:34and really put me in a strong frame of mind
0:38:34 > 0:38:38in terms of having the opportunity to save for a flat.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41I really, really want to get on the property ladder,
0:38:41 > 0:38:43so it's so important for me to be strict
0:38:43 > 0:38:46and, you know, tighten that belt when needs be,
0:38:46 > 0:38:49and I'm so thankful that Simon has given me
0:38:49 > 0:38:51the opportunity to do that.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Well, Melissa is here with us now.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00Melissa, Melissa, have you been a good girl?
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Have you been taking that advice that Simon's been giving you?
0:39:03 > 0:39:05- Of course I've been a good girl.- Great.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07Are you sure?
0:39:07 > 0:39:09- Of course!- OK.- I wouldn't lie to you, would I?- All right.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11You say you've been taking on the advice,
0:39:11 > 0:39:14what have you been implementing? What else have you been doing?
0:39:14 > 0:39:16I made some mojitos last weekend,
0:39:16 > 0:39:19and I really, really enjoyed making it,
0:39:19 > 0:39:21and it did actually cost 89p.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23So you must be saving a fortune?
0:39:23 > 0:39:26I'm saving so much money, and I 'm really, really enjoying
0:39:26 > 0:39:28making cocktails for my friends as well.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31- And that's all going towards a deposit on the new house.- It is.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35- Hey, you're winning, aren't you?- Always winning.
0:39:35 > 0:39:36So, it's been a really positive experience?
0:39:36 > 0:39:38It's been an excellent experience,
0:39:38 > 0:39:40and I think it's come at the right time,
0:39:40 > 0:39:43where I really, really need to think about my financial situation
0:39:43 > 0:39:46and save more money and build those foundations.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48So I'm so thankful for Simon's support
0:39:48 > 0:39:50and being involved in the project.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53It's been great, thank you so much.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55If you'd like one of our experts to pop round
0:39:55 > 0:39:58and help you sort out your finances, drop us an e-mail at:
0:40:00 > 0:40:03And if you want some more useful tips,
0:40:03 > 0:40:04here's a good place to start...
0:40:06 > 0:40:10Our website has everything you need to sort out your spending.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13We've teamed up with a money advice service
0:40:13 > 0:40:16to bring you easy-to-use money-saving tools
0:40:16 > 0:40:20to plan your budget, calculate the cost of your car or credit cards,
0:40:20 > 0:40:23and give your money a complete health check.
0:40:23 > 0:40:24Download them at...
0:40:28 > 0:40:31..where you can also take our interactive spending test.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34And you'll find plenty more tips and advice
0:40:34 > 0:40:35to keep your finances on track.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42Andy Webb, our money-saving expert is back with us.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45Andy, I've got some questions for you from people we've met today.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48But before I go into those, what do you think of rollercoasters?
0:40:48 > 0:40:49Yeah, they're good fun.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53I'm glad you said that, cos this is one of the tallest ones in Europe -
0:40:53 > 0:40:55and I'm not a big fan, I've got to be honest.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57Let's get down to it before I think too much about it.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59Jennifer from Westbury says, "I'd like to open
0:40:59 > 0:41:01"a new savings account,
0:41:01 > 0:41:03"but how do I know which one is best for me?"
0:41:03 > 0:41:04I think anyone who wants savings,
0:41:04 > 0:41:06they want to get the best interest rates,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09and current accounts right now have up to 5%, which is a great deal.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11Unfortunately it's often for smaller amounts.
0:41:11 > 0:41:12If you've got a bit more cash
0:41:12 > 0:41:15and if you don't need to access it for a couple of years,
0:41:15 > 0:41:16look at a fixed-rate savings,
0:41:16 > 0:41:18cos you're going to get a little bit more -
0:41:18 > 0:41:21but if you do take the money earlier there might be penalties.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23And the thing about interest rates, they do go up and down.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25Like this rollercoaster!
0:41:25 > 0:41:28So in a year's time, have a look to see whether your rate's dropped
0:41:28 > 0:41:30cos, if it has, make sure you move your money.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32HOOTER BLASTS OK, very good tip.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35I just heard the buzzer, so I think we're about to go. Brace yourself.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37OK. Martin from Lytham says,
0:41:37 > 0:41:41"I've been refused a car loan because of bad credit rating.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43"Is there anything I can do to improve it?"
0:41:43 > 0:41:47Yeah, get your credit report and have a check at any errors.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50It may well be there's stuff you can get fixed quite easily.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Make sure you're registered to vote, because that helps.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55And also you can get a credit-building credit card,
0:41:55 > 0:41:57which helps give you a bit of credit history.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59Just make sure, if you use it, you pay it off in full every month.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01OK, Phillip from Blackpool says,
0:42:01 > 0:42:03"I need to buy a new home insurance policy.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06"Do you have any tips on what I should be looking out for?"
0:42:06 > 0:42:09So, this is where cheapest isn't always the best.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12Make sure, whatever you've got, you're covered for what you need,
0:42:12 > 0:42:14- so accidental damage or high-cost items.- Right.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16And, of course, the thing to think about here
0:42:16 > 0:42:17is don't undervalue your insurance,
0:42:17 > 0:42:20cos if you make a claim, you might not get your money back.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23- We're at the top now, so grit your teeth.- OK, ready.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25And your buttocks! Here we go.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28I don't like this.
0:42:28 > 0:42:29It'll be good, it'll be fun.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37THEY YELL
0:42:37 > 0:42:39How are you doing?
0:42:39 > 0:42:41HE LAUGHS
0:42:48 > 0:42:50Not much more, please!
0:42:54 > 0:42:55THEY YELL
0:42:58 > 0:42:59CAMERA CLICKS
0:43:02 > 0:43:04Thank goodness I wasn't up there!
0:43:04 > 0:43:06Well, that's it from us today.
0:43:06 > 0:43:08We hope you've got lots of useful tips
0:43:08 > 0:43:10while we've been here in Blackpool.
0:43:10 > 0:43:11Dom, how are you feeling?
0:43:14 > 0:43:15I tell you what, Denise,
0:43:15 > 0:43:17I've had better days in the office.
0:43:17 > 0:43:19I'd just like to say thanks to all our guests today.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22Thanks for watching and we'll see you next time.