0:00:02 > 0:00:04Whether you're a spender or a saver,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07we could all do with knowing how to make the most of our cash.
0:00:08 > 0:00:13So we found simple advice for you to do just that, and taking it
0:00:13 > 0:00:15to people right across the UK.
0:00:15 > 0:00:20Whatever help you need with your finances, we are right on the money.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25Hello and welcome to Right On The Money,
0:00:25 > 0:00:27the show that aims to boost your coffers
0:00:27 > 0:00:30by making simple changes to how you spend.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33And today's programme is full of lots of top tips and
0:00:33 > 0:00:35expert advice. Here's what's coming up.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41We help one woman whose spending on family treats is plunging her into
0:00:41 > 0:00:45the red, but will our expert be able to stop her stockpiling?
0:00:45 > 0:00:48How many ketchups have you had here? Is it just the one open?
0:00:48 > 0:00:50There's another one there at the back.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52This has got to stop. This has got to change.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55And if you fancy seeing your name in lights,
0:00:55 > 0:00:58we have some creative ways for you to make some cash.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00It's been a really, really good day on set.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04I've been used in lots of scenes and I've been a really busy nurse.
0:01:04 > 0:01:05Thank you. Cut.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Now, keeping track of what you spend can be pretty hard,
0:01:11 > 0:01:13especially when you're juggling lots of different demands.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15Our experts love a challenge,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19but tracking down where one woman's money goes looks like a particularly tricky
0:01:19 > 0:01:21- MIDLANDS PRONUNCIATION: - task.
0:01:21 > 0:01:22SOUTHERN PRONUNCIATION: Task.
0:01:22 > 0:01:23- MIDLANDS PRONUNCIATION:- Task!
0:01:26 > 0:01:2851-year-old Yvonne
0:01:28 > 0:01:31lives in Liverpool with her 28-year-old son, Adam.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36My job is I'm an occupational therapist.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41I work with people who have physical or mental disabilities,
0:01:41 > 0:01:43or dual diagnosis.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45It's very rewarding, yeah.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47It makes you feel good when you help someone.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Lovely. But the thing that makes Yvonne feel bad is her bank balance,
0:01:53 > 0:01:58which is definitely in need of some TLC to return it to rude health.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Well, my spending habits...
0:02:02 > 0:02:04I don't know where to start.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06I'm not really that good with money.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08It goes in one hand and out...
0:02:08 > 0:02:09out of the other.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Well, I got paid on Tuesday and I'm already in the red.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17It's... I'm living off my overdraft again until next payday.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Son, Adam, thinks he knows the reason for that.
0:02:22 > 0:02:23I think she's too generous for her own good.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26She obviously likes spending money and treating people,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29but she doesn't really focus on herself.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31Not only has she got a job helping others,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34but Yvonne is also heavily involved in bringing up her
0:02:34 > 0:02:36nieces and nephews, too.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38Well, for taking the kids out...
0:02:38 > 0:02:42Which most weekends I'll take the kids out, my brother's kids,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45and we'll just have a little day out and treat them.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47You need cash for that, don't you?
0:02:48 > 0:02:50It's no wonder she's feeling the pinch.
0:02:53 > 0:02:58I think if I carried on spending the way I am,
0:02:58 > 0:03:00I'm not going to be able to pay my mortgage off.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02I'm not going to be able to
0:03:02 > 0:03:03have a holiday and, you know, I need to.
0:03:03 > 0:03:04I need...
0:03:04 > 0:03:06I need a little smack on the wrists.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11No need for that yet, Yvonne,
0:03:11 > 0:03:15because personal finance expert Simon Read has got your super-sized
0:03:15 > 0:03:17spending habits in his sights,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20and he's on his way to set you on the right track.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24So, Yvonne, it's lovely to meet you.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26Thank you for inviting us into your house.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29And, you know, I've been looking at your finances...
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- Yeah.- And I hope you don't mind me saying this, but, frankly,
0:03:32 > 0:03:34they're a bit of a mess.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Ooh. It seems Mr Nice Guy's been left at home today.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40So, what does Yvonne think of that?
0:03:40 > 0:03:41I totally agree.
0:03:41 > 0:03:42HE LAUGHS
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Phew. That's a relief.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48I've been working all night to prepare a visual guide to help
0:03:48 > 0:03:51show you what happens to all your money.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53OK?
0:03:53 > 0:03:55In front of you we have this pie chart.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00That's impressive, Simon - well worth that late shift, I'd say.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03So, what does his super hi-tech calculator tell us?
0:04:03 > 0:04:05What do you think this one is?
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Erm... Food.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10It is food. What about this one here, the blue one?
0:04:10 > 0:04:12What do you think that accounts for?
0:04:12 > 0:04:13Electricity.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15TUBA PLAYS
0:04:15 > 0:04:18In fact, it's all Yvonne's household bills and mortgage,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21but there is a mystery hidden in Yvonne's paperwork
0:04:21 > 0:04:24that even a financial super-sleuth
0:04:24 > 0:04:27like Simon hasn't been able to solve.
0:04:27 > 0:04:28TUBA PLAYS A LOW NOTE
0:04:28 > 0:04:31In this segment, it adds up
0:04:31 > 0:04:33to a total of around £1,200.
0:04:33 > 0:04:34Do you know what that might be?
0:04:36 > 0:04:38No, but I'm... Go on, tell me.
0:04:39 > 0:04:40I've got no idea.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42We can't account for this money.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44We know how much money comes into your account.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47We know how much you put in your tax account, how much you spend on food,
0:04:47 > 0:04:49how much you spend on bills...
0:04:49 > 0:04:51What do you spend this money on?
0:04:51 > 0:04:53All this cash that you take out, what do you spend it on?
0:04:53 > 0:04:54SHE SIGHS
0:04:54 > 0:04:57Now that you're asking me, I can't really think what I spend on,
0:04:57 > 0:04:59what it goes on...
0:04:59 > 0:05:01But that's not good enough for our Simon.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03His quest to crack the case continues
0:05:03 > 0:05:06as he decides to refresh Yvonne's memory
0:05:06 > 0:05:10by showing her the cash withdrawals on her monthly bank statements.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Confronted with the evidence in black and white,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16it's case closed in the mystery of the missing £1,200...
0:05:16 > 0:05:19..or is it? TUBA PLAYS A LOW NOTE
0:05:19 > 0:05:21I couldn't tell you right now.
0:05:21 > 0:05:22- You couldn't tell me?- No.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25And this one here - there's another £100.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27I'm not sure, to be honest.
0:05:27 > 0:05:28So, we've got to battle this.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30We've got to come up with a solution,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33so you don't overspend and you don't go into the red.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35What you're going to have to do
0:05:35 > 0:05:38is to write down every time you spend
0:05:38 > 0:05:40money, and the way to do it is in here.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42- It's a spending diary.- Right.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Well, I want you to take it away.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45Every time you go to the shops,
0:05:45 > 0:05:47every time you go and spend any money,
0:05:47 > 0:05:49you've got to write it down in here...
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- Mm-hm.- OK? And when will you start doing this?
0:05:52 > 0:05:55I'll start in the morning, or tomorrow, anyway.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57All right, start tomorrow, and when I come back and see you,
0:05:57 > 0:05:59we'll go through it, we'll turn it up,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02and hopefully we'll have a better clue
0:06:02 > 0:06:04of exactly where that 1,200 a month goes.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09Hmm... Yvonne's case is trickier than we thought, but
0:06:09 > 0:06:13until the spending diary has been sent back for analysis,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Simon's easing Yvonne into taking back control of her finances
0:06:16 > 0:06:19by showing her how to make some quick-hit savings,
0:06:19 > 0:06:23starting with her soon-to-expire energy deal.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25I've had a look at the deal you've got at the moment,
0:06:25 > 0:06:26and it's really quite a good deal.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28You've switched really well about a year ago,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31but if you don't switch at the end of the deal,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34your yearly charge for gas and electricity will climb to just over
0:06:34 > 0:06:36£1,000.
0:06:36 > 0:06:37£1,038.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Now... Now, that's quite a lot of money,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41and that's more than you need to pay, isn't it?
0:06:41 > 0:06:43We've had a look for you,
0:06:43 > 0:06:46and I reckon we could get you a plan at around
0:06:46 > 0:06:47£850.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51That will mean a saving of £187 a year,
0:06:51 > 0:06:54just by switching, just by remembering
0:06:54 > 0:06:55to switch when the deal ends.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57187's better...
0:06:57 > 0:06:58better in my pocket.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00- Yeah, exactly. - SHE LAUGHS
0:07:00 > 0:07:02So we'll make sure you switch when the deal ends.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06A good start - £187 clawed back.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Nice one, Simon.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10The advice is to review all your bills regularly.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14And with energy, many of the cheapest deals are only fixed for
0:07:14 > 0:07:17the first year or so. So, if it looks like your tariff
0:07:17 > 0:07:20is going to go up, that's the time to switch again.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24A top tip from me - put a reminder in your phone or calendar.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26And while Simon's on a savings roll,
0:07:26 > 0:07:30he's spotted a new broadband deal that will save Yvonne £60 a year.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- How does that sound?- It sounds good, yeah.
0:07:34 > 0:07:35That's a good deal.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40Now, one area that desperately needs looking at is the mortgage.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44Yvonne earns a decent wage as an occupational therapist,
0:07:44 > 0:07:48but has opted for a deal where she only pays £100 a month.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49That's the good news.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53The bad news is that she won't pay it off until she's 68.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56That's in the year 2034.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Crikey! I think we can do better than that, Yvonne.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03Simon's brought her to meet mortgage expert Steve Robinson to spell out
0:08:03 > 0:08:07how a different mortgage could be far better for her financial future.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10We can reduce that mortgage from
0:08:10 > 0:08:13the 17 years that it is now to five years.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Wow. Sounds great. How does that work, then?
0:08:16 > 0:08:21Basically, what we can do is we can make it still affordable,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25but cut this term down, and looking at what we've got available,
0:08:25 > 0:08:27we can get your mortgage down to five years,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30and keep you at just under 265 a month.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36If Yvonne ups her monthly payments to £265,
0:08:36 > 0:08:38she'll pay back the mortgage earlier,
0:08:38 > 0:08:40which will save 12 years of interest
0:08:40 > 0:08:42payments, or five grand.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46What would it mean to pay off your mortgage after five years?
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- Relief. - THEY LAUGH
0:08:48 > 0:08:50That'd be great, wouldn't it? That'd be great. To be so clear of that
0:08:50 > 0:08:52debt in five years. So, what's...
0:08:52 > 0:08:54What would that mean, though? That's going to cost a lot more, isn't it?
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Erm... Well, no, not really.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00I mean, if you work it out over the term that you're currently paying,
0:09:00 > 0:09:02we're actually going to save you around about £5,000 doing that.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04£5,000?!
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Simon's now clear on what his new mission is.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13If he can save Yvonne an extra £165 a month,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16she can increase her mortgage payments and will actually own her
0:09:16 > 0:09:21home outright 12 years ahead of schedule, saving herself thousands,
0:09:21 > 0:09:23and buying peace of mind when she's older.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27- You should have done this years ago. - I know, I know.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29And how easy is it going to be to switch?
0:09:29 > 0:09:34Oh, it's very easy. Literally just a case of seeing a mortgage broker,
0:09:34 > 0:09:36do a meeting with them and they'll ask you for paperwork.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Once they've got that, it's off and running.
0:09:39 > 0:09:40It's going to be waved through, really, isn't it?
0:09:40 > 0:09:43That's really good. That's unbelievable, that is, isn't it?
0:09:43 > 0:09:44That's brilliant.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46Within five years.
0:09:46 > 0:09:47I think we should thank Steve for coming up with such a
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- great idea. Thanks, Steve. - Yeah.- No problem.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51WHISTLING MUSIC PLAYS
0:09:51 > 0:09:54So, Simon is back on the case trying
0:09:54 > 0:09:56to claw back £165 a month.
0:09:56 > 0:09:57And guess what?
0:09:57 > 0:10:01Super generous Yvonne lavishes almost exactly that amount
0:10:01 > 0:10:04every month treating her family and friends.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07So, he's arranged to meet one of them - best pal, Lee -
0:10:07 > 0:10:11to try to explore the extent of Yvonne's giving nature.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13How generous is she?
0:10:13 > 0:10:16With the family, I've seen her, with family occasions,
0:10:16 > 0:10:18and she's extremely generous with family.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20And I think Yvonne's,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23because she's the only girl amongst a lot of brothers,
0:10:23 > 0:10:24she's taken on the mother role,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27supporting them as much as she physically can.
0:10:27 > 0:10:28- It's lovely, hearing this.- Yeah.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31It shows how much of a warm and
0:10:31 > 0:10:34generous person you are, but,
0:10:34 > 0:10:35and there has to be a "but" in this,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38you should be looking after yourself first.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Family-minded Yvonne regularly helps out looking after her brother's
0:10:44 > 0:10:47children. And making sure they don't miss out doesn't come cheap.
0:10:49 > 0:10:50Where's my biscuit?
0:10:51 > 0:10:54To be honest with you, it's like second nature.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56It's just become second nature.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- I tend to do it all the time.- Yeah.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00And it's just normal, it's become normality to me.
0:11:00 > 0:11:01It's become normality?
0:11:01 > 0:11:05- Yeah, it has.- And it's why you're in the red every month.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Yes.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09And because Yvonne's regularly in the red,
0:11:09 > 0:11:13her bank is hitting her with £400 a year overdraft charges.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16So, Lee, I have a question for you.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18- Mm-hm.- How do you value Yvonne as a friend?
0:11:20 > 0:11:21She's wonderful.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23She's just a genuine, warm friend
0:11:23 > 0:11:25and doesn't need to buy gifts!
0:11:25 > 0:11:26THEY LAUGH
0:11:26 > 0:11:29I think that's the key thing.
0:11:29 > 0:11:30Well, I accept I've got an issue.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32I didn't realise I had an issue until now.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33THEY LAUGH
0:11:33 > 0:11:35It does come down to choices.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- You choose...- I choose, I freely choose.- ..you can spend your money
0:11:37 > 0:11:40how you like, but when you're putting yourself into the red every
0:11:40 > 0:11:43month and being charged a pretty penny for doing so,
0:11:43 > 0:11:46this is not very sensible spending at all.
0:11:46 > 0:11:47No, it's not.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52Wise words, Simon, and ones which everyone could learn from.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56He reckons that if Yvonne halves the amount that she spends on family,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59that would save her £1,500 a year.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01That still gives her enough money
0:12:01 > 0:12:02to indulge in treats.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04It's great that Yvonne is so loyal
0:12:04 > 0:12:06to her nearest and dearest,
0:12:06 > 0:12:09but now Simon wants to know why she's being so generous towards
0:12:09 > 0:12:11another long-term relationship.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Listen, how long have you been with your current bank?
0:12:14 > 0:12:18I've been with my current bank since I was a teenager.
0:12:18 > 0:12:19So, it's at least ten years.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21THEY GIGGLE
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- Over 30.- Over 30 years?- Yeah.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- Why have you stayed?- And it's the same bank in the...
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Well, I always go to the same bank.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31I think you need to switch to another bank,
0:12:31 > 0:12:35another bank where the charges are lower and there are better deals.
0:12:35 > 0:12:36If you're going to go into the red,
0:12:36 > 0:12:38there are better deals that you can get doing it.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41Now, what I think we should do is find a bank which gives
0:12:41 > 0:12:45you a free overdraft. So, I've got one deal here, for instance.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50Here's a current account where you can get 12 months' free overdraft.
0:12:50 > 0:12:51Yeah, good, yeah.
0:12:51 > 0:12:52That's erm.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54That's good.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56If Yvonne chooses to switch banks,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59she'll save £400 a year in fees.
0:12:59 > 0:13:00If you're being clobbered
0:13:00 > 0:13:01with bank charges, why don't
0:13:01 > 0:13:03you look around for another provider?
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Switching is actually easier than you think.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Join us again to if see Simon can save enough money
0:13:09 > 0:13:11to pay off Yvonne's mortgage earlier
0:13:11 > 0:13:16and solve the mystery of that missing £1,200.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21I've worked out that you spend, every year,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23£720 on the lottery.
0:13:23 > 0:13:24Oh, my God.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34And we'll be catching up with Yvonne later on, but first,
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Sarah Pennells is here, along with psychologist Catriona Morrison.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38Nice to see you, ladies.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40Sarah, I'm going to come to you about Yvonne.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44She really didn't have a clue about her spending, did she?
0:13:44 > 0:13:48That's right, and her experience isn't that uncommon.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50There's some figures from the money advice service that show that
0:13:50 > 0:13:53around 40% of people don't have a budget.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57And I think, as well, partly because a lot of us pay bills by direct
0:13:57 > 0:13:59debit, the money just goes out of your bank account without you really
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- noticing.- And large chunks of money we're talking about, as well,
0:14:02 > 0:14:03not 50 quid here and there, was it?
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Exactly, and we saw Simon trying to
0:14:05 > 0:14:08uncover what was happening to £1,200 a month.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10I mean, that's a lot of mystery money.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13I mean, I do it, I go to the bank
0:14:13 > 0:14:14and don't actually use my plastic.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18I'll draw out maybe £100 and, literally, in a day and a half,
0:14:18 > 0:14:20I have no clue what I've spent it on.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23So, I think it's easily done and people do it all the time.
0:14:23 > 0:14:24In the words of Tom Jones,
0:14:24 > 0:14:27it's not unusual for me to go in a coffee shop every day
0:14:27 > 0:14:29and, they know me, and I like them
0:14:29 > 0:14:31and they'll say, "Hello Dominic, how's your day been?"
0:14:31 > 0:14:34And I like that, and it's my treat.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37I agree with you, and when we've talked about spending,
0:14:37 > 0:14:39there is a huge element of a social transaction.
0:14:39 > 0:14:44So, it makes you feel good to have that relationship with your barista.
0:14:44 > 0:14:45Yvonne is such a lovely person.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48She likes to treat her family and friends.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52It must be hard for someone like that to curb their spending.
0:14:52 > 0:14:53I guess so, but...
0:14:53 > 0:14:57And we do want to treat the people we love, and she is treating her
0:14:57 > 0:15:01nieces and nephews, but the thing is with children, they value time.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04That's what children's memories are made of.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07What you remember from childhood is the experiences you have,
0:15:07 > 0:15:11it is not the monetary, the materialistic things that you get.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Ladies, fascinating stuff, thanks.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18Now, as you know, this programme is not just about saving you money but
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- making it, too.- And if you fancy
0:15:20 > 0:15:23something a bit more unusual and you're not shy of showcasing
0:15:23 > 0:15:25yourself, well, this could be for you.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32Marissa, Maria and John all make a tidy sum every month by using their
0:15:32 > 0:15:36most important and valuable assets...
0:15:36 > 0:15:37themselves.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41Mum of two Maria Pike regularly gets dressed up as a nurse,
0:15:41 > 0:15:43but she has no medical training.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45She's a TV extra.
0:15:47 > 0:15:48DOCTORS THEME PLAYS
0:15:49 > 0:15:52We've arrived at BBC Doctors, where I'm going to be filming for the day.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54We're going to go to hair and make-up,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57and then I'll go through to wardrobe and get my kit on.
0:15:57 > 0:15:58- Morning, boys.- Morning, Maria.
0:15:58 > 0:15:59Hello, Maria, are you OK?
0:15:59 > 0:16:00I'm OK, thank you.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02- All right, love.- There you go.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Morning.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Good morning, darling. Yeah, pop your things down.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Maria has been a supporting artist -
0:16:09 > 0:16:11that's a posh name for an extra -
0:16:11 > 0:16:12for 17 years.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17I always tend to get those nursy roles.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Maybe I just look the caring kind?
0:16:19 > 0:16:21So, that's hair and make-up done,
0:16:21 > 0:16:23we're now going to head into the wardrobe department.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27- Hiya.- Hello.- I've just come for a uniform, please.
0:16:27 > 0:16:28Thank you.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33The costume department is a treasure trove of weird and wonderful items.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37But, for Maria, one neatly pressed nurse's
0:16:37 > 0:16:38uniform is just the ticket.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43We've left base, obviously, hair and make-up, wardrobe department,
0:16:43 > 0:16:47and then we're just go to have a walk round to where it all happens.
0:16:47 > 0:16:48It's just a great job to be in.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52It's very exciting. It's just the variation of the job.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53Yeah, all set.
0:16:53 > 0:16:54All set to go, know what I'm doing.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57On this occasion, I've got to listen for a line, and then move.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00I need to make sure I don't bump into people or anything like that.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02Yeah, ready to go.
0:17:02 > 0:17:03Take three, cam A/B.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07Stand by. And...action.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09So, it's goodbye Maria and
0:17:09 > 0:17:12hello practise nurse Tasha Verma.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14End board. Thank you, cut.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19Maria found work after signing up with an agency.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21If you fancy appearing as an extra,
0:17:21 > 0:17:23there's lots of reputable ones out there.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Pressing. Action.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27They usually take a percentage of your free,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30but make sure you do your research first.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32The advice is you should never
0:17:32 > 0:17:34part with your cash upfront just to sign up.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38So, how much can you earn as an extra?
0:17:39 > 0:17:41One man who knows the industry backwards
0:17:41 > 0:17:43is former Emmerdale actor Chris Villiers.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46He juggles being in front of the camera with running his
0:17:46 > 0:17:48casting agency.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Down south, in the London area,
0:17:50 > 0:17:52the average wage is about £130-140 a day.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56Outside London, you may only get £80-100 per day,
0:17:56 > 0:18:00but there's always a chance of getting a TV commercial where
0:18:00 > 0:18:02you're suddenly offered £3,000 for one day's filming.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04So, you never know what the day's going to bring.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07Chris knows what he's talking about.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09His extras have worked alongside
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Hollywood A-listers such as Tom Cruise,
0:18:12 > 0:18:14Russell Crowe and Brad Pitt.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18Chris has got a couple of tips on how to make it in the business, too.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20What makes a good extra
0:18:20 > 0:18:21is a loud alarm clock.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23BELL RINGS
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Don't be late if you want to be hired again.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29And, on set, mind your Ps and Qs.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Most extras spend most of the time in a holding area waiting
0:18:32 > 0:18:35or standing, waiting, for someone to say, "Action".
0:18:35 > 0:18:37It may be that you've got Tom Hiddleston next to you or it's
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Tom Cruise and your favourite film is Mission: Impossible,
0:18:40 > 0:18:42but you're not supposed to go and talk to them,
0:18:42 > 0:18:44you're not supposed to go and ask for selfies with them.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47There is a whole etiquette involved on being on set.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52So, if you fancy dabbling in the world of showbiz and have the time
0:18:52 > 0:18:56and patience to do it, being an extra could be just for you.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59For Maria, it's become a way of life.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02Well, I've finished for the day now, but it's been a really,
0:19:02 > 0:19:03really good day on set.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06I've been used in lots of scenes and I've been a really busy nurse.
0:19:08 > 0:19:13Now it's time to reveal an even more daring way of generating some extra
0:19:13 > 0:19:15cash. For the past ten years,
0:19:15 > 0:19:19writer Marissa Burgess has been supplementing her income with a spot
0:19:19 > 0:19:20of life modelling.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24So, the first poses will all be
0:19:24 > 0:19:28standing poses and will last for about one minute.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31I am actually quite self-conscious, believe it or not.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35So, the idea of being sat in a room full of people where they are all
0:19:35 > 0:19:36looking at you, was like, "Ugh!
0:19:36 > 0:19:38"No, that would be horrible."
0:19:39 > 0:19:43But it doesn't feel like they're actually looking at me.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46It's quite a calming sort of atmosphere.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52Three, two, one, if you could change pose, please.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55In fact the naked truth of the matter is,
0:19:55 > 0:19:59it's often not the model who finds it totally embarrassing.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02When you start a college class, particularly for teenagers,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05you will always get some students that will basically be just hiding,
0:20:05 > 0:20:07behind their easels, just absolutely mortified.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10But that's not to say Marissa doesn't
0:20:10 > 0:20:12go red in the most unexpected places.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18I've met people in the supermarket before now and they've sort of
0:20:18 > 0:20:22announced, in front of lots of people, "Oh,
0:20:22 > 0:20:23"I didn't recognise you with your clothes on!"
0:20:23 > 0:20:24I get that one a lot.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28So, a good sense of humour helps.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32But apart from that, anyone of any shape and size can do it.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Marissa began by approaching her local art group.
0:20:35 > 0:20:40And her advice is to sit in on a class to check you're comfortable
0:20:40 > 0:20:41before you take the plunge.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44And what will you get in return for your trouble?
0:20:44 > 0:20:45The money...
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Well, it's certainly better than minimum wage.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50You certainly should be getting at least £10 an hour.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58Now, if you find baring all too much,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01here's another handy way to boost your piggy bank,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04and one which John McKenzie discovered four years ago when
0:21:04 > 0:21:07he gave up his job as a housing officer.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11It literally was a case of just a complete change in career, you know,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14from working behind a desk,
0:21:14 > 0:21:17it was a real turnaround.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19You're constantly working
0:21:19 > 0:21:22with different clients, with different settings,
0:21:22 > 0:21:23doing different products.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25It's just a whole different world.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29Hmm. Any more clues?
0:21:29 > 0:21:31If, for example, you watch the television,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34you will see close-ups of hands
0:21:34 > 0:21:39and you can't always assume that those hands are actually
0:21:39 > 0:21:42the hands of the person that's being featured.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45It's quite possible those hands could even be mine.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50A-ha! So, John is a hand model.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52That's nailed it.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Hand models are used by advertisers who want to feature
0:21:55 > 0:21:57an attractive or distinctive hand in close-up.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01John's mitts have featured in campaigns for coffee,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04male grooming and cancer awareness.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06And then of course, if you tell someone,
0:22:06 > 0:22:08oh, that's you, they go, "Oh, yeah?
0:22:08 > 0:22:09"How can you prove that?"
0:22:09 > 0:22:12It's like, well, I know that it's me. I know that's my hands.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15And because that's how he earns his money,
0:22:15 > 0:22:18John has to look after his hands, moisturising them daily,
0:22:18 > 0:22:20but he isn't too precious about them.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27Sometimes I do worry that, you know, if I damage my hands,
0:22:27 > 0:22:29that I won't be able to work.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32So I'm aware of it.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36But at the same time, I'm not over the top.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38So, what sort of money can your hands pocket?
0:22:38 > 0:22:43You can earn anything up to £1,000 in a day.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45But those kind of jobs are not every day.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47They might not even be every month.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50For anyone that was interested in doing hand modelling,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52initially you'll be asked to send in,
0:22:53 > 0:22:57like, selfies of your hands and they'll invite you in to have a look
0:22:57 > 0:22:59at the hands, in the flesh, so to speak.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03But, again, do your homework and don't hand over cash
0:23:03 > 0:23:05upfront to an agency.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11It just shows you, there's jobs out there for everyone and everything.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Indeed. And as Marissa, Maria and John have shown,
0:23:16 > 0:23:18with a little initiative and courage,
0:23:18 > 0:23:22there are plenty of opportunities to make some extra cash from an asset
0:23:22 > 0:23:24you'll never leave home without.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Hmm. I'm not so sure I'd be up for a bit of life modelling.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32What do you think, ladies?
0:23:32 > 0:23:34- Definitely not, Dom.- Not today.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Charming! If you want to save some money in a more conventional way,
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Sarah Pennells is the woman who can help.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43She's here along with Sandra Ellison who managed to save money as part of
0:23:43 > 0:23:44a community.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48Sarah, we are told time and time again to switch our energy supplier,
0:23:48 > 0:23:50go out there and get a better deal.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52But a lot of us don't bother.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Why is that?
0:23:54 > 0:23:55I think there's a perception that it's going to be a lot of
0:23:55 > 0:23:57hassle and also that you will not
0:23:57 > 0:24:00necessarily save a huge amount of money,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03but it is really worth switching your energy supplier,
0:24:03 > 0:24:05especially if you've never switched before,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08or if you're on the standard tariff, which most people are.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Now, Sandra, you were quite guilty of
0:24:10 > 0:24:13- just sticking with your same energy provider, weren't you?- Yes, I was.
0:24:13 > 0:24:14Then you got into a thing called collective switching.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17I haven't got a clue. Tell me what that is, Sarah.
0:24:17 > 0:24:18It's something that's quite new.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20And what happens is, typically,
0:24:20 > 0:24:24either a local council, or it could be a charity, will set up collective
0:24:24 > 0:24:25switching in a certain area.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28And they'll ask people to get in touch and register their interest
0:24:28 > 0:24:30if they want to be considered.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34There, they'll put out or use the bulk-buying power and ask
0:24:34 > 0:24:36energy companies to bid for this contract.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39- Give their best rate, so to speak. - Absolutely. And the idea is that,
0:24:39 > 0:24:41because the energy company knows they're going to get a certain
0:24:41 > 0:24:44number of customers, they'll give a really good price.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48It's collective bargaining, but it's also a lot less hassle.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51- And you obviously ended up doing this, Sandra.- I did, yeah.
0:24:51 > 0:24:52Well, I've never switched before.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54I've always been a loyal customer.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56So I thought, well, give it a go.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00So I rang them up. All I had to do was give my details,
0:25:00 > 0:25:02- how much I was paying monthly... - Yeah.
0:25:02 > 0:25:03And then they said they'd contact me back
0:25:03 > 0:25:06between 6-12 weeks to let me know how we got on.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08What I'm interested is how much you've actually saved.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10So let's talk turkey. How much were you paying,
0:25:10 > 0:25:13how much are you paying and how much better off are you?
0:25:13 > 0:25:18Well, I've saved, yearly, on the gas and electric, I've saved £436.
0:25:18 > 0:25:19Gordon Bennett, it's quite a lot, isn't it?
0:25:19 > 0:25:21- Amazing.- Yeah.- I bet you're happy with that.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23- Oh, I was made up.- Now, there's another shocking fact here.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25And you can explain this, Sarah.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28A lot of people build up credit, don't they, on their bills,
0:25:28 > 0:25:29but they don't reclaim it.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31You do have a right to ask for that money back.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34You can just ring them up, say you've got a metre reading,
0:25:34 > 0:25:36and they have to refund that money pretty quickly.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38If you ask for it.
0:25:38 > 0:25:39If you ask for it.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42At the moment, there is, like, 11 million households,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45£1.3 billion of customers' money
0:25:45 > 0:25:48sitting in the energy suppliers' bank accounts,
0:25:48 > 0:25:50earning them a bit of interest.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Now, have you ever checked if you're in credit?
0:25:52 > 0:25:53- Nope.- Do you know if you are now?
0:25:53 > 0:25:55No.
0:25:55 > 0:25:56HE EXHALES
0:25:56 > 0:25:58- What would you say?- What are you going to do when you get home?
0:25:58 > 0:26:01- Read them bills.- Perfect.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03- We're going to check?- Don't just throw them in the drawer.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06- Eh?! In the what?- In the Draw-wer. - Draw-wer?- Drawer.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08- Draw-wer?- Drawer.- In the drawr?
0:26:08 > 0:26:09- Draw.- Oh, OK.- Draw.- See?
0:26:09 > 0:26:12I'm learning how to talk like a Northerner, now!
0:26:13 > 0:26:17I don't think you'll be mistaken for a native, Dom!
0:26:17 > 0:26:20I, however, want to find out from some real Northerners here in
0:26:20 > 0:26:24Stockport market how good they are at switching suppliers.
0:26:24 > 0:26:25Can I just ask you,
0:26:25 > 0:26:28how long have you been with your energy supplier for your gas and
0:26:28 > 0:26:29electric?
0:26:29 > 0:26:32I would say about ten years, so now 11 years.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35Ten years? Have you ever thought about switching?
0:26:35 > 0:26:36I have, yes.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38I only thought about it. But...
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Yeah, I didn't used to do it.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42You know, you're getting a rubdown for many years.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46But over the last couple of years I have actually changed twice.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Very useful and surprising how much you can save.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52What do you say to anyone sitting on their,
0:26:52 > 0:26:54say, a regular tariff, the standard tariff?
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Make the time. A lot of people can't be bothered doing it and they think
0:26:57 > 0:26:59it's difficult, but it's not.
0:26:59 > 0:27:00Do you quite happy switching?
0:27:00 > 0:27:02Oh, yeah, yeah. I do it online.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08Yeah, so, I browse and then a lot because the ones in the past,
0:27:08 > 0:27:09we've just been ripped off on them,
0:27:09 > 0:27:14so I do gas and electric and then check to see what's available.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Good on you. Can I just ask you,
0:27:16 > 0:27:18how long have you been with your energy suppliers, so,
0:27:18 > 0:27:20your gas and electric?
0:27:20 > 0:27:22- How long have I been with them? - Yeah.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25A couple of years. I could do with a switching again, actually.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27Yes, I signed up to the alert and
0:27:28 > 0:27:31I keep looking and seeing what the cheapest price is.
0:27:31 > 0:27:32And how will you set your reminder?
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Do you keep a letter or do you put a little note in the diary?
0:27:35 > 0:27:38On my... In my diary, yeah.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41Well, it seems the people of Stockport are pretty savvy
0:27:41 > 0:27:42when it comes to switching.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44I think I could learn a thing or two.
0:27:47 > 0:27:48Earlier on, we met Yvonne,
0:27:48 > 0:27:50whose overgenerous nature
0:27:50 > 0:27:52was causing her to go into the red every month.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Let's see if our money man, Simon Read,
0:27:54 > 0:27:56has managed to save her some cash.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03We've already seen how occupational therapist Yvonne's approach to money
0:28:03 > 0:28:06management was in need of a bit of love and attention.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10Got no control over money.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12I live off my overdraft half of the time, which is not good,
0:28:12 > 0:28:14and I've got a good income.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Yvonne's attitude to spending is so slapdash that, every month,
0:28:18 > 0:28:22she goes through £1,200 without even knowing where it's gone.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27I am an intelligent woman in other ways.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30I'm kind of a little bit daft when it comes to my money.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32I think my mum would probably benefit highly of
0:28:32 > 0:28:36some basic plans of how to manage your finances more efficiently.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40More on that missing £1,200 later.
0:28:40 > 0:28:45But first personal finance expert Simon Read is back to go through the
0:28:45 > 0:28:49spending diary he asked Yvonne to keep over the past week.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51And here's the first headline.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55She's spending over £230 a week on groceries, eating out,
0:28:55 > 0:28:57takeaways and lunches on the road.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00That's a staggering £1,000 a month!
0:29:00 > 0:29:01I'm going to add this up quickly.
0:29:01 > 0:29:06It's 15, 20, £35 you've spent on Subway in the past week alone.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08Really? You know what?
0:29:08 > 0:29:11I'll be honest with you. I have got to get a grip with it.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13It's just convenience when I'm out on the motorways,
0:29:13 > 0:29:15or I'm out and about and I just pop in.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17Come one o'clock, my stomach's grumbling,
0:29:17 > 0:29:20I just stop and I know I should make a sandwich, but it's just
0:29:20 > 0:29:22convenience.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26Simon reckons that if Yvonne gets to grips with her grocery spending,
0:29:26 > 0:29:28then maybe she wouldn't spend so much on takeaways
0:29:28 > 0:29:30and lunches on the road.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32Tell me about your shopping list.
0:29:32 > 0:29:33I haven't got one.
0:29:33 > 0:29:34THEY CHUCKLE
0:29:35 > 0:29:39Time for Yvonne's cupboards to give up their dark secrets.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41What have you got here?
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Um, well, kinds of I don't really know, really.
0:29:43 > 0:29:44HE LAUGHS
0:29:47 > 0:29:49So, you don't plan your shopping.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51You just pick up stuff when you go out and then
0:29:51 > 0:29:53you just shove it in the cupboard?
0:29:53 > 0:29:55- Kind of, yeah.- And I hope you don't mind me saying this.
0:29:55 > 0:29:56It's an absolute mess.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59- Yeah, it is a bit.- How many ketchups do you have here?
0:29:59 > 0:30:00Is it just the one open?
0:30:00 > 0:30:02Or are there more hidden away in the back?
0:30:02 > 0:30:04There's another one there, look.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06THEY LAUGH
0:30:06 > 0:30:09- So, OK.- There's another one there, at the back!
0:30:09 > 0:30:12Crikey, you're not running a burger van in your spare time,
0:30:12 > 0:30:14are you, Yvonne?!
0:30:14 > 0:30:16This has got to stop. This has got to change.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18Right.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20I think it's time to take control of this.
0:30:20 > 0:30:21I'm going to take you somewhere
0:30:21 > 0:30:23where we are going to start, for real.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25Let's close the cupboard and go.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26OK.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31Simon takes Yvonne to her local supermarket
0:30:31 > 0:30:32to ram home the message of how
0:30:32 > 0:30:36a little planning could save her a lot of pounds.
0:30:36 > 0:30:37Um, so,
0:30:37 > 0:30:40Chicken curry. Chicken, chicken pieces.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42- Yeah.- What else do you need for a curry?
0:30:42 > 0:30:44Tins of tomatoes.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48- Tomatoes.- Spices, rice, naan bread, chicken,
0:30:48 > 0:30:52and, oh, some bit of salad. Let's put a bit of salad in it.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54- If we've get all this...- Yeah.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56..we'll have enough for a meal for four, I would say.
0:30:58 > 0:30:59Charming! What about me?
0:30:59 > 0:31:02That Ruby Murray sounds tasty.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05For the first time, Yvonne is going into the supermarket
0:31:05 > 0:31:07armed with a list and a plan.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11Not only will she get a tasty curry cheaper than a takeaway,
0:31:11 > 0:31:13but she won't be tempted to buy things that
0:31:13 > 0:31:15fester in her kitchen cupboards.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Diced chicken breast, here.
0:31:17 > 0:31:18How much is that?
0:31:18 > 0:31:22It's £2.29.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26With Yvonne's food spend a whopping £1,000 a month,
0:31:26 > 0:31:28let's see how much a bit of planning could save her.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32OK, so we've spent £6.66.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35We've got, I reckon, four meals, leftover rice, leftover onions,
0:31:35 > 0:31:37leftover tomatoes for another meal.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40If you start eating and buying sensibly like this,
0:31:40 > 0:31:41we can halve that.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43It'll be a little bit more money in my purse.
0:31:43 > 0:31:44Definitely, Yvonne.
0:31:44 > 0:31:45Simon reckons that,
0:31:45 > 0:31:49if Yvonne gets more organised at the supermarket and reins in those
0:31:49 > 0:31:51takeaways and lunches on the road,
0:31:51 > 0:31:53she could halve her spending and
0:31:53 > 0:31:56save at least £500 a month.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59If every time you're thinking of spending money, just ask yourself,
0:31:59 > 0:32:01what would Simon say?
0:32:01 > 0:32:03Simon would say, "Keep your purse shut!"
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Yep, she's got your number, Simon.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11Back home, he's like a dog with a bone on that spending diary.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14And he's found another tasty morsel.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17So there's money here for somebody's birthday.
0:32:17 > 0:32:18James. Who's James?
0:32:18 > 0:32:19James is my nephew.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21So you bought him a birthday present.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23I did. I bought him a birthday present and I
0:32:23 > 0:32:25also gave him some money, as well.
0:32:25 > 0:32:26You gave him some money as well?
0:32:26 > 0:32:28- Yeah.- We need to talk more about this, you know.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30It's a...
0:32:31 > 0:32:32Too right! Earlier on,
0:32:32 > 0:32:37help Yvonne admitted spending £200 a month on family and gifts.
0:32:37 > 0:32:42Simon's calculated that she's also forking out another 400 smackers on
0:32:42 > 0:32:44outings with her nieces and nephews.
0:32:44 > 0:32:50It's becoming much clearer where that unaccounted £1,200 is going.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52YELLING AND LAUGHING
0:32:52 > 0:32:55Now, Simon's no killjoy and Yvonne looks forward to her fun days out as
0:32:55 > 0:32:58much as her nieces and nephews.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00So Simon doesn't want to stop them altogether,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03but he's a man with a cash-saving plan.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07Now, there's a way I think you can keep control of your budget
0:33:07 > 0:33:09and it involves this.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11It's a jar, a jamjar.
0:33:11 > 0:33:12Mm-hmm.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Jamjar? I'm all ears, Simon.
0:33:15 > 0:33:16So, if you made it £150
0:33:18 > 0:33:21that you could spend every month on your nephews and nieces,
0:33:21 > 0:33:25take £150 out of your bank account and put it in here.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27And then when you're taking them out,
0:33:27 > 0:33:29you go to the jar and see how much money you've got.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31If you haven't got the money, you can't afford to take them out.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34This is a way you've got to start thinking.
0:33:34 > 0:33:35Do you think you can do that?
0:33:35 > 0:33:38- I can, yeah, because that's a good visual cue, for me.- It's a...
0:33:38 > 0:33:39I need visual cues.
0:33:41 > 0:33:42Top tip.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46If Yvonne keeps to the £150 limit by using Simon's hi-tech
0:33:46 > 0:33:48jamjar method,
0:33:48 > 0:33:51she could conserve £3,000 a year.
0:33:51 > 0:33:52Sweet!
0:33:52 > 0:33:56And there's one more secret hidden in the pages of that spending diary.
0:33:56 > 0:34:01So, I've worked out that you spend, every year,
0:34:03 > 0:34:05£720 on the lottery.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07Oh, my God.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09Tell me about all the big prizes you won.
0:34:09 > 0:34:14I've only ever won £10 here and there, or £2.60.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17Yvonne regularly tries her luck on lottery and scratchcards.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20As well as phoning up to enter TV competitions
0:34:20 > 0:34:23she spots while watching her favourite programmes.
0:34:23 > 0:34:24Which all costs.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26And Yvonne is not alone.
0:34:26 > 0:34:31The average UK household spends £135 a year on gambling.
0:34:32 > 0:34:37Did you know the odds of winning the lottery are one in 14 million?
0:34:37 > 0:34:40So, to be honest, Yvonne, the odds are stacked against you.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45But, worry not, because Simon has summoned an expert
0:34:45 > 0:34:47in the art of winning.
0:34:47 > 0:34:48Di Coke from Brighton
0:34:48 > 0:34:51runs a successful blog and enters free competitions
0:34:51 > 0:34:53on a daily basis.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56In fact, she's so successful,
0:34:56 > 0:34:58that she's given up her job as a graphic designer
0:34:58 > 0:35:00to devote her time to entering them.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04When it comes to winning, this Coke really is the real thing.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08How much money have you made from competitions?
0:35:08 > 0:35:11I've won over £300,000 worth of prizes.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14Including a car and over 50 holidays.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17A lot of cash and voucher prizes as well.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19- It sounds like a lot, doesn't it? - It's incredible!
0:35:19 > 0:35:22- Just from entering competitions? - Yep, that's it.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24Well, really, I've been doing this for years,
0:35:24 > 0:35:27and I know how to spot the kind of competitions that have got the best
0:35:27 > 0:35:28chance of winning.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33And Di's got a great tip about how what you put in your supermarket
0:35:33 > 0:35:35trolley could end up earning you money.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Of course, that's if you need those goods in the first place.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42These are the kind of things that you might see in the supermarket and
0:35:42 > 0:35:44you just don't really notice that they've got competitions on,
0:35:44 > 0:35:46or perhaps you buy a different brand,
0:35:46 > 0:35:47but if you see that word "win",
0:35:47 > 0:35:49it's worth having a look at something different.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51I will always be looking, when I'm shopping,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54- looking for the word "win".- What do you have to do to enter this one?
0:35:54 > 0:35:56This one, you just need to take a selfie
0:35:56 > 0:35:59with the crisp packet, like this.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01- HE LAUGHS - So, have you entered this?
0:36:01 > 0:36:05Yes, I've been entering this one and, last week, I won headphones,
0:36:05 > 0:36:07- a PlayStation and a football in the same competition.- Oh, my goodness!
0:36:07 > 0:36:09- No way!- Yes.- Wow.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11This is a great one.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14I think I know what's going to happen now.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16There we go, brilliant, OK.
0:36:16 > 0:36:17Look, look, Simon!
0:36:17 > 0:36:18LAUGHING
0:36:20 > 0:36:23I've just had fun doing this!
0:36:23 > 0:36:26That's a good one. You've got it in just the right place.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29- How does it feel?- It hasn't cost me anything.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31It's cost you nothing. That was a bit of fun.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35- It was.- And, fingers crossed, you'll get a lovely prize.
0:36:35 > 0:36:36Hope so, yeah.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41If Yvonne concentrated on entering free competitions,
0:36:41 > 0:36:43rather than one she had to pay for,
0:36:43 > 0:36:47she could save £924 a year,
0:36:47 > 0:36:48and you never know,
0:36:48 > 0:36:50she could, still, actually win something, too.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53Simon's time in Liverpool is nearly up.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55With his savings and his advice,
0:36:55 > 0:36:59Yvonne should be able to stay out of the red and have better control of
0:36:59 > 0:37:01her finances. So, before he goes,
0:37:01 > 0:37:06he has a word with Yvonne's son, Adam, to make sure she stays on the
0:37:06 > 0:37:07straight and narrow.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09We were talking about Yvonne's money
0:37:09 > 0:37:12and how she's struggling with some money.
0:37:12 > 0:37:13When your mum starts spending money,
0:37:13 > 0:37:15just keep an eye on her.
0:37:15 > 0:37:16Yeah, that's worth a try, isn't it?
0:37:16 > 0:37:18It's definitely worth a try. And you're up for this, aren't you?
0:37:18 > 0:37:20Yeah. Definitely, yeah, of course.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23So, I think with someone helping you, someone in your
0:37:23 > 0:37:24court all the time,
0:37:24 > 0:37:26it's not... Policing you is the wrong word,
0:37:26 > 0:37:28- but just keeping a friendly eye on you.- I need policing.
0:37:28 > 0:37:29He needs to police me.
0:37:29 > 0:37:30THEY LAUGH
0:37:30 > 0:37:33And hopefully, then, we'll get you mortgage-free,
0:37:33 > 0:37:35you'll have more money for the things you want,
0:37:35 > 0:37:37and you will all be happier.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40Wise words, Simon.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44He's managed to solve the mystery of the missing £1,200,
0:37:44 > 0:37:47and shown Yvonne how she can be mortgage free
0:37:47 > 0:37:4912 years ahead of schedule.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51So, let's tot up those savings.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54Cutting back on those lotteries and competitions.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Switching broadband and energy suppliers.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Economising on gifts and days out.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02Switching banks and losing those overdraft charges.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05Adding in the £3,600 she will save
0:38:05 > 0:38:07by planning her food shopping,
0:38:07 > 0:38:09and reducing takeaways and eating out,
0:38:09 > 0:38:12plus, saving five grand on her mortgage
0:38:12 > 0:38:15should put Yvonne's finances back on track.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18The £14,671 saved in total
0:38:20 > 0:38:23won't just be enough to clear her overdraft,
0:38:23 > 0:38:26but there will be plenty left for a few treats.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29Um, I've had a wake-up call.
0:38:29 > 0:38:34The fact that I can now save thousands of pounds,
0:38:34 > 0:38:38that will impact massively on my lifestyle.
0:38:38 > 0:38:43I'm going to start now drawing the reins in, and take control.
0:38:43 > 0:38:44Smile!
0:38:49 > 0:38:52And Yvonne's here, along with money-saving superwoman,
0:38:52 > 0:38:53Sarah Pennells.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56- I bet you like that title, do you? - Love it.
0:38:56 > 0:38:57Yvonne, let me ask you.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59You've been wasting a lot of money for a long, long time,
0:38:59 > 0:39:02- haven't you, really? - Oh, tell me about it, yeah.
0:39:02 > 0:39:03A bit of a wake-up call?
0:39:03 > 0:39:05More than a wake-up call.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07A financial slap in the face.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09But things are a bit better now.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11Don't live on my overdraft any more.
0:39:11 > 0:39:12- Hey!- A bit of a party.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14Because that was going to be my next question.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16I was thinking, please tell me you're not still tapping into that
0:39:16 > 0:39:18overdraft.
0:39:18 > 0:39:19I'm careful what I spend.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22And I go shopping now with my shopping list.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25I think, very much in Yvonne's case, what you were doing,
0:39:25 > 0:39:27you were so busy spending money on other people,
0:39:27 > 0:39:29and generosity is a nice thing if you can afford to do it,
0:39:29 > 0:39:32but you weren't really planning for your future at all, were you?
0:39:32 > 0:39:33No. It's silly, really.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36When I reflect on my misbehaviour,
0:39:36 > 0:39:38you know when you've done something all your life
0:39:38 > 0:39:40and you've been the person you are, all your life,
0:39:40 > 0:39:43to kind of rein in on not being... Be generous,
0:39:43 > 0:39:45but not be as generous as much,
0:39:45 > 0:39:48and I've been used to years of just doing what I'm doing
0:39:48 > 0:39:51and I'm changing my behaviour with small steps.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53Small steps, slowly,
0:39:53 > 0:39:56to change into a brighter future for me and Adam,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59or for things that I want to do with my life.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02But the bigger picture is the retirement, isn't it?
0:40:02 > 0:40:05And making sure that you have a comfortable one.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08What advice would you give our lovely Yvonne?
0:40:08 > 0:40:10Well, I think you are really on the right track now,
0:40:10 > 0:40:12but it is about balance.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15And there's no point in having a money plan that means
0:40:15 > 0:40:17you can't live at all for today,
0:40:17 > 0:40:19you can't do anything that you want.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22So, you have to be able to have some money to spend on doing the things
0:40:22 > 0:40:24that are important to you.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26But, and it's a big "but", you know,
0:40:26 > 0:40:28you mustn't go into your overdraft
0:40:28 > 0:40:30and it's really important you focus on
0:40:30 > 0:40:33those longer-term goals, paying off your mortgage as quickly as you can
0:40:33 > 0:40:36and knowing that you'll have a nice life when you stop working,
0:40:36 > 0:40:38because nobody wants to work forever.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41It's a good point. There's probably an awful lot of people right now who
0:40:41 > 0:40:42are relating to your story and thinking,
0:40:42 > 0:40:44"Actually, I'm just as bad".
0:40:44 > 0:40:46So, now you've been through the experience,
0:40:46 > 0:40:47what would you say to them?
0:40:47 > 0:40:51What I would say is, get a grip of your finances.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55Get a grip of your finances because we're here today and gone tomorrow,
0:40:55 > 0:40:58and while we're here, we want to just enjoy life a bit better.
0:40:58 > 0:40:59And this positive attitude,
0:40:59 > 0:41:01do you think you can sustain it? You can keep it going?
0:41:01 > 0:41:04Definitely. Without a shadow of a doubt.
0:41:04 > 0:41:05That's on the cards.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07Thanks, Yvonne, thanks, Sarah.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10If you'd like Sarah or any of our money experts
0:41:10 > 0:41:12to give you a financial makeover, e-mail us at...
0:41:17 > 0:41:19We can't promise to feature everyone who gets in touch, but,
0:41:19 > 0:41:23in the meantime, here's where you can find some easy budgeting tips.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29Our website has everything you need to sort out your spending.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32We've teamed up with the money advice service to bring you easy
0:41:32 > 0:41:35money-saving tools to plan your budget,
0:41:35 > 0:41:38calculate the cost of your car or credit cards,
0:41:38 > 0:41:41and give your money a complete health check.
0:41:41 > 0:41:42Download them at...
0:41:50 > 0:41:53And Sarah Pennells is still here to answer some of your questions.
0:41:54 > 0:41:55A question from Tommy,
0:41:55 > 0:41:57who says he's got too much credit card debt
0:41:57 > 0:41:58and wants to know the quickest
0:41:58 > 0:42:00and the best way to pay it off.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03So, what he should do is get his credit cards
0:42:03 > 0:42:04and put them in the order,
0:42:04 > 0:42:07so he has the most expensive first and the least expensive,
0:42:07 > 0:42:09the lowest interest rate, last.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11And then he should pay them off in that order.
0:42:11 > 0:42:16So pay the maximum he can afford to the most expensive credit card.
0:42:16 > 0:42:17Once he's cleared it,
0:42:17 > 0:42:20cut up that card and close the account
0:42:20 > 0:42:21and then use that money he was
0:42:21 > 0:42:23paying on that card,
0:42:23 > 0:42:26put it towards the next most expensive credit card.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29It's actually the most effective way of clearing your credit card debt.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32Ian says, I got turned down for a car loan.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35Why would my credit score be bad and how can I fix it?
0:42:35 > 0:42:38Just because Ian got turned down for a car loan,
0:42:38 > 0:42:41doesn't necessarily mean his credit rating is bad.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45He just may not have fitted the criteria of that particular lender.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48So, I'd recommend he gets a hold of a copy of his credit report.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51It could be that perhaps he missed a payment a number of months ago.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Something like a mobile phone payment.
0:42:54 > 0:42:55If that's the case,
0:42:55 > 0:43:00then he can put an explanation of up to 200 words on what happened,
0:43:00 > 0:43:02why he missed that payment.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05The other reason is maybe that he's just never borrowed money so far.
0:43:05 > 0:43:09Because lenders take the view that they want to see that you've had
0:43:09 > 0:43:12money you've already borrowed and you can manage to pay it back,
0:43:12 > 0:43:14and then they see you as being a better credit risk.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18Indy wants to know, should I get my kids to earn their pocket money...
0:43:18 > 0:43:21I know I do. ..by doing household chores?
0:43:21 > 0:43:24This one really divides parents, I think.
0:43:24 > 0:43:28My view is, I think it's a good idea to incentivise your children into
0:43:28 > 0:43:32doing some things for money, but not everything.
0:43:32 > 0:43:35I don't think it's really healthy for children to think that they will
0:43:35 > 0:43:38always get paid for doing things like tidying their own room,
0:43:38 > 0:43:40the kind of things that I think they should be doing anyway.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44But if there are extra chores that you want them to do, it's great,
0:43:44 > 0:43:47because then they can see that money they've earned building up and then,
0:43:47 > 0:43:49once they've got enough, buy something they like.
0:43:49 > 0:43:51Sarah, brilliant advice as always.
0:43:51 > 0:43:54So, thank you to you. And thank you to all our guests today.
0:43:54 > 0:43:55And to you at home, too.
0:43:55 > 0:43:57Until next time, toodle-pip.
0:43:57 > 0:43:58Bye-bye.