0:00:00 > 0:00:01with Dominic Littlewood and Denise Lewis.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Whether you're a spender or a saver,
0:00:06 > 0:00:10we could all do with knowing how to make the most of our cash.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13So we've found simple advice for you to do just that,
0:00:13 > 0:00:16and taken it to people right across the UK.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21Whatever help you need with your finances, we are Right On The Money.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Morning, and welcome to Right On The Money,
0:00:26 > 0:00:28the series that will bolster your bank balance
0:00:28 > 0:00:30without having to put in too much effort.
0:00:30 > 0:00:31Sounds good to me, Dom.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34And today's show is full to the brim with unmissable tips
0:00:34 > 0:00:36and expert advice.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37So let's see what's coming up.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43With the cost of elderly care rising, we go all-out to help
0:00:43 > 0:00:46this woman save money to look after her husband.
0:00:46 > 0:00:52When the money runs out, I do not know what we'll be doing after that.
0:00:52 > 0:00:57And is big always best when it comes to supermarket shopping?
0:00:57 > 0:01:00We challenge one family to shop savvy.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02So, that's obviously quite a shocking amount for you.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04You weren't expecting it to be that high?
0:01:04 > 0:01:06I wasn't at all. That is atrocious.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13Now, finding time to sort out those household bills can be a bit of a
0:01:13 > 0:01:14headache at the best of times -
0:01:14 > 0:01:18especially when so many of us are juggling busy lives.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20But for one lovely Welsh pensioner,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23keeping on top of those expenses has become nigh-on impossible.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25So let's see what we can do to help.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Would you like your coffee and a cake now?
0:01:29 > 0:01:3581-year-old Brenda lives in Cardiff with hubby of 57 years Huw.
0:01:35 > 0:01:36There we are.
0:01:37 > 0:01:38Thank you.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42We first met in the autumn of 1957.
0:01:43 > 0:01:48We married on December the 19th in St Mary's Church in Whitchurch...
0:01:49 > 0:01:51..1959.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54Oh, and he was cleaning the car there.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58They would say we've built a lovely home together.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00But two years ago, everything changed
0:02:00 > 0:02:04when Huw was diagnosed with vascular dementia,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07a condition that affects his thought processes and mobility.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10He's a shadow of the person,
0:02:10 > 0:02:11in the two years.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13I try to stimulate him an awful lot.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18I'll sit down and we will do the crossword.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20Crossword time.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23A young goat, three letters.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25The answer's "kid".
0:02:25 > 0:02:26That's right.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29And Brenda is determined they should keep living together
0:02:29 > 0:02:31in the family home.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34I am Huw's full-time carer.
0:02:34 > 0:02:35Is that better?
0:02:35 > 0:02:38As hard as it is with Huw at home,
0:02:38 > 0:02:43I would not, while he still recognises me,
0:02:43 > 0:02:45put him in a care home because,
0:02:45 > 0:02:49there, he would not get the stimulation that he gets
0:02:49 > 0:02:50within our home.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54But caring for Huw has had a big impact on the family finances.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59Brenda is paying for private carers to help her cope with looking after
0:02:59 > 0:03:03him and, in one year, half of Huw's savings have gone.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09I find it very difficult to come to terms with
0:03:09 > 0:03:11the way money is going out.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14And when the money runs out,
0:03:14 > 0:03:18I do not know what we will be doing after that.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24Well, try not to worry, Brenda, because you're about to get
0:03:24 > 0:03:27a visit from money-saving expert Sarah Pennells.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31She's here to try and help Brenda work out how to stay afloat
0:03:31 > 0:03:34whilst maintaining that all-important extra care
0:03:34 > 0:03:36that Huw needs.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41Brenda, just tell me a bit about what's changed about Huw.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44What is still there is his sense of humour.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49I went out one day, and I told him that I was going with Gloria.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52And he looked up to the carer,
0:03:52 > 0:03:54and said, "Have you got ten hours to spare?"
0:03:56 > 0:04:01What are you paying for? How much are you spending on this care?
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Just under ?3,000 a month.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07That's a huge amount of money, isn't it?
0:04:07 > 0:04:12Huw is among the estimated 850,000 people in the UK
0:04:12 > 0:04:13living with dementia.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17Of those, two-thirds are paying some of their own care.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20In Huw's case, because he has a retirement nest egg,
0:04:20 > 0:04:22he has to meet most of his care costs.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Brenda, we're going to try and make sure we get you some really good
0:04:26 > 0:04:30advice so you know where you stand, and you can plan for the future.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33That would be a load off my mind.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35We'll do our best.
0:04:35 > 0:04:36Thank you.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Before tackling whether Brenda is entitled to any extra help
0:04:40 > 0:04:42in paying those care costs,
0:04:42 > 0:04:46Sarah is determined to save her money on her household bills,
0:04:46 > 0:04:48and something has caught her eye straight away.
0:04:51 > 0:04:56One of the things you're paying for is ?76 a month for storage.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58What are you storing?
0:04:58 > 0:05:04Because Huw has to have a bedroom downstairs, I have a settee,
0:05:04 > 0:05:07chair and a coffee table.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11I always thought that I would put it back in the room when...
0:05:13 > 0:05:17..Huw no longer needed the room.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19But it is stupid thing to do.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24I've heard about losing a quid down the back of the sofa, but a grand?
0:05:24 > 0:05:28That's a lot of cash, Brenda. Sarah reckons she'd be better off
0:05:28 > 0:05:30getting rid of the furniture altogether.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33It's ?1,000 a year that could be in your pocket.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35We could try and sell it, try and get some money for it,
0:05:35 > 0:05:39and the you could have that money in your pocket and not in the storage.
0:05:39 > 0:05:40So, shall we do it now?
0:05:40 > 0:05:43No time like the present! Shall we go and take you down there?
0:05:43 > 0:05:44Yes, yes, let's.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Here's your coat.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50We'll get you some money, honestly, mark my words.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54Storing our belongings is something of a national obsession.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58Nearly half a million of us like to keep something in a lock-up.
0:05:58 > 0:05:59And, after taking a few pictures,
0:05:59 > 0:06:04Brenda's unwanted furniture goes straight online, so it's no longer
0:06:04 > 0:06:07gathering dust but helping to pay towards Huw's care.
0:06:09 > 0:06:10What if they don't sell?
0:06:10 > 0:06:13What would you do then?
0:06:13 > 0:06:14Give them to charity.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17I was hoping you were going to say that, because somebody else will get
0:06:17 > 0:06:19some use out of them, who needs them, and you don't have to pay
0:06:19 > 0:06:22that storage fee, which...
0:06:22 > 0:06:24You'll be ?1,000 better off after a year, Brenda.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26Just think of the ?1,000!
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Even if Brenda gives the furniture to charity,
0:06:30 > 0:06:33that's an annual saving of at least
0:06:33 > 0:06:34?912 on storage costs.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39And it seems Sarah has caught the selling bug.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44When hubby Huw was first diagnosed, Brenda bought three wheelchairs from
0:06:44 > 0:06:48a private supplier for a total of just over four-and-a-half grand -
0:06:48 > 0:06:49but they're no longer suitable.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55There are a couple of specialist websites where you can sell
0:06:55 > 0:07:01second-hand items, sort of mobility aids, chairs, wheelchairs.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03So, we can just try and get some of that money back,
0:07:03 > 0:07:06because it looks like it's in very, very good condition.
0:07:06 > 0:07:07Oh, it is in very good condition.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Brenda has managed to sell one of the three wheelchairs back to the
0:07:12 > 0:07:13company she bought it from.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17However, three months on, she's still waiting for the money -
0:07:17 > 0:07:20but, not for long, because Sarah's determined to bolster
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Brenda's bank balance.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25They've got the chair? They picked it up.
0:07:25 > 0:07:26And you've not been paid?
0:07:26 > 0:07:28No. OK.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Would you like me to try and find out why you've not been paid,
0:07:30 > 0:07:32and see if I can get that money for you?
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Well, I should have made the phone call myself, shouldn't I? But...
0:07:35 > 0:07:37You've had a lot of on your plate, Brenda,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39but I'd be happy to do it, so, erm,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42I think we'll try and see what has happened to your ?500. Yes, yes.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49Oh, hello, I wonder whether you can help me.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53I'm just here with somebody who's a customer of yours. I'm just, er...
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Don't worry, Brenda, when it comes to sniffing out cash,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59our Sarah is like a truffle dog.
0:07:59 > 0:08:00So, what's the verdict?
0:08:00 > 0:08:02Lovely, thank you very much.
0:08:02 > 0:08:03Cheers, then. Bye-bye!
0:08:04 > 0:08:08She's apologised for the not-very-good customer service,
0:08:08 > 0:08:12and says they'll try and get the money into the bank account tomorrow.
0:08:12 > 0:08:13Thank you.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Bingo! That's an instant ?500 in the pot.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Plus, if the other wheelchairs sell, that could increase by another
0:08:22 > 0:08:261,300, and maybe there's a lesson to be learned when it comes to
0:08:26 > 0:08:30buying medical equipment - don't fork out on big, expensive things,
0:08:30 > 0:08:32until you're sure you need them.
0:08:33 > 0:08:39The local authority might put you in touch with places where you can
0:08:39 > 0:08:43sometimes borrow equipment and see whether or not it works.
0:08:43 > 0:08:48Just always check and see whether you need it before you buy it first,
0:08:48 > 0:08:50because these things are expensive.
0:08:50 > 0:08:51Yes.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53With Sarah on a savings roll,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56it's time to turn her attention to another set of wheels,
0:08:56 > 0:09:00and the amount Brenda is paying on transport for Huw.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03We are relying on taxis.
0:09:03 > 0:09:08There's only one taxi firm that we can use.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Erm, and they're very, very helpful.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15But, it does cost.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Every month, the couple make six trips to the park and shops,
0:09:20 > 0:09:22which soon adds up.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25So, do you reckon between ?80 and ?100 a month?
0:09:25 > 0:09:26Yes, it could be.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29So, if we could get that cost down for you,
0:09:29 > 0:09:31you'd be able to take Huw out more?
0:09:31 > 0:09:32Yes.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Let's see what we can do. Definitely.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39Sarah has invited round driver Peter from Cardiff Council's Ring Ride
0:09:39 > 0:09:43scheme, which offers subsidised journeys for people in need.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46It's a great service from around the Cardiff area.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51We pick people up from door to door, we take them shopping, hairdressers,
0:09:51 > 0:09:53and their doctor's appointments.
0:09:53 > 0:09:54How much do you charge?
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Because Brenda's been saying that the taxis that she uses
0:09:56 > 0:09:58at the moment, obviously, can be quite expensive.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Oh, yeah.
0:10:00 > 0:10:01It's 80p for the first mile.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05Yes. Goes up to ?1.20, ?1.40 and so forth.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09I paid about ?5 from Morrisons back here.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11To here? That would be 80p for you, Brenda.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16That's good, isn't it? That's a big save, isn't it? I had no idea.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Sounds like you're a bit of a well-kept secret amongst some
0:10:18 > 0:10:20people who could really benefit.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Yes. So many people around Cardiff don't know about the service.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25No, I'd no idea at all.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Well, that's what we're here for, Brenda.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30So, would you like to take Huw out now, just to see if we can
0:10:30 > 0:10:32get him outside for a little trip?
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Yes. Are you happy to help, Peter? I can do that, yes.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Great stuff.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40Many councils and charities offer Ring Ride schemes.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Find out if there's one in your area by doing a simple online search,
0:10:43 > 0:10:45or by calling your local authority.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Brenda, from what you've seen so far,
0:10:50 > 0:10:51what do you think of this service?
0:10:51 > 0:10:52Oh, it's superb.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57Peter's said that this journey you make to the supermarket
0:10:57 > 0:11:01would cost you about ?1.40 using this service.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03It costs me about ?30.
0:11:03 > 0:11:04Goodness.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Wow.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08?14 there, ?15 back.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Please give me the telephone number!
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Right, well, you'll be on that phone.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15You'll be on speed dial, won't you?
0:11:15 > 0:11:16I will, I will.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19If Brenda parks the taxi rides,
0:11:19 > 0:11:21that would be another ?1,200 a year saved.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24OK, now.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26By hitching a ride on Peter's bus,
0:11:26 > 0:11:30Brenda and Huw can get out more and still save money.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33So, next time, you'll actually have to go out and get coffee and a
0:11:33 > 0:11:35sausage roll, won't you? A hot dog?
0:11:35 > 0:11:36Did you enjoy that?
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Until now, Brenda has shouldered most of the responsibility for
0:11:39 > 0:11:41caring for Huw.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44The couple have two sons and a daughter, but Brenda has rarely
0:11:44 > 0:11:47confided in them about her money worries.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52So Sarah has arranged to meet son Jeremy to see how much he really
0:11:52 > 0:11:54knows about his parents' situation.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58Brenda, earlier, you were saying that you wanted to have a chat with
0:11:58 > 0:12:02your children about money and the choices you've got and next steps.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07Tell me what you would like to talk about, in particular, with Jeremy.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11I think this programme has highlighted to me
0:12:11 > 0:12:14that I've had my head in the sand,
0:12:14 > 0:12:18and I've just paid out money,
0:12:18 > 0:12:20and not involved them at all.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24And I think it is time, now,
0:12:24 > 0:12:29to spread the responsibility.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33Like many of her generation, Brenda prides herself on being independent,
0:12:33 > 0:12:37and, so far, she's not confided in her children about how much
0:12:37 > 0:12:39their dad's care actually costs.
0:12:39 > 0:12:40Mum has been very stubborn.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46Is that fair, Brenda, are you stubborn?
0:12:46 > 0:12:47Yes.
0:12:47 > 0:12:53I think you are really typical of a lot of people in your situation,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56where you want to keep your independence and you actually don't
0:12:56 > 0:12:58want to be a burden on your own children.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00No, no.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04But, actually, I mean, Jeremy said he wants to get involved,
0:13:04 > 0:13:07and I think you're recognising that you need that help.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11At the end of the day, they're 80 years of age and we don't want them
0:13:11 > 0:13:13to feel stressed.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15And she knows we're always there to support her on it.
0:13:15 > 0:13:16She's always known that.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21Jeremy, we've been having quite a close look at how much
0:13:21 > 0:13:23your father's care is costing and,
0:13:23 > 0:13:25would you feel comfortable telling Jeremy?
0:13:25 > 0:13:27Oh, yes, yes.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29?2,500 a month.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31I haven't ever told you that, have I?
0:13:31 > 0:13:33No, no. We've never known.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Once you add in the day care, as well,
0:13:36 > 0:13:41it's getting closer to ?3,000 a month.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43I wasn't aware of the amounts.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47And, obviously, it's a huge
0:13:47 > 0:13:50eye-opener from my point of view.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54It's often hard to tell close family just how difficult things are,
0:13:54 > 0:13:56but, by talking to Jeremy today,
0:13:56 > 0:14:00Brenda has taken the first steps to sharing the burden.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Join us again, as Sarah delves deeper into how Brenda can fund
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Huw's care costs.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09And there's also plenty of food for thought about making sweet savings
0:14:09 > 0:14:11on her favourite foodie treats.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Oh, look at those cakes!
0:14:14 > 0:14:15What did I tell you?
0:14:18 > 0:14:21And we look forward to seeing Brenda little bit later on
0:14:21 > 0:14:24when she'll be chatting to us about the whole experience.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Now, Sarah Pennells is back with us, along with Aimee Moore
0:14:27 > 0:14:30who's a money-savvy carer.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34Sarah, we saw you save Brenda a tidy sum on her household bills earlier,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37and we're always told to switch and shop around,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40but for someone like Brenda, it's not really that easy, is it?
0:14:40 > 0:14:43I think she felt rather overwhelmed by the task and actually how to get
0:14:43 > 0:14:47started, because she's spending so much time caring for Huw
0:14:47 > 0:14:50that I think she found it hard to sit down and set aside some time.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53That's really typical of so many of us, but what can be done
0:14:53 > 0:14:54to help the process?
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Well, I'd suggest, first of all, splitting it down into stages.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00So, make sure that you gather together your paperwork or your
0:15:00 > 0:15:02online statements, so you know exactly what you're paying
0:15:02 > 0:15:05for your insurance, your broadband, your gas, electricity and so on.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09And then, look around at a couple of different price-comparison sites
0:15:09 > 0:15:11to see what's on offer.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Aimee, you're a mum of three children with special needs.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18Tell us what you did that enabled you to care for them full-time.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Well, for me to be able to give up my job,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24I needed to bring in an income that covered the amount that I would
0:15:24 > 0:15:26be losing by giving up the job.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31So I started using coupons and cashback apps for your smartphone,
0:15:31 > 0:15:34and that's the general gist of it, that's the basics.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36And how much have you managed to save?
0:15:36 > 0:15:39In four years, just under ?50,000.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41?50,000? Yeah. Wow!
0:15:41 > 0:15:43That's incredible. It is, it's a lot of money.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46And it's enabled me to be a full-time carer to my children.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Aimee, can I ask you to give me some examples of some of the things
0:15:49 > 0:15:52which you've saved and you'd recommend to people?
0:15:52 > 0:15:54What are the real winners out there?
0:15:54 > 0:15:55There's all sorts, really.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57I mean, obviously, I've got three young boys,
0:15:57 > 0:16:00so we use a lot of toiletries, nappies, wipes and stuff like that.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02There's always coupons out there for it.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Don't go into a store and pay full price.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07Wait until it's on a buy-one-get-one-free offer,
0:16:07 > 0:16:08and collect your coupons ready,
0:16:08 > 0:16:12because the baby events are always run every three to four months.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Your friends and family must love you.
0:16:14 > 0:16:15They do, yeah.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19For someone like me, who's useless at this sort of thing,
0:16:19 > 0:16:20where would I find all these coupons?
0:16:20 > 0:16:23I put all the links to the coupons and all the apps
0:16:23 > 0:16:27on my Facebook page, so it's easy for people that don't have time,
0:16:27 > 0:16:28like Brenda, who's very busy.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32She doesn't have the time to look for them, so they're all there.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Sarah, all this sounds too good to be true. What do you make of it?
0:16:35 > 0:16:37I think it's great the way that Aimee's showing that you can make
0:16:37 > 0:16:40those savings - and they may seem small initially,
0:16:40 > 0:16:41but they do really add up.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Thanks, Sarah. Thanks, Aimee.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Now I, for one, love to shop, but doing a big shop in a busy
0:16:47 > 0:16:50supermarket is something I don't look forward to.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54Why? Well, it starts with fighting for the car park spaces,
0:16:54 > 0:16:56the kids throwing things in the basket all the time...
0:16:56 > 0:16:58It's quite stressful, I tell you, Dom.
0:16:58 > 0:16:59Well, let me tell you, Denise,
0:16:59 > 0:17:03that the way we do our grocery shopping is changing.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06That's according to a survey which says that, while we're still doing
0:17:06 > 0:17:10the weekly shop, half our trips for groceries are for smaller purchases
0:17:10 > 0:17:11of less than six items.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14Ah, but the question is, what saves us more money?
0:17:14 > 0:17:15Sticking to the big shop,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18or making daily trips down to our local store
0:17:18 > 0:17:20to buy the bits and pieces you do need?
0:17:20 > 0:17:23I can feel a Right On The Money challenge coming on.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27The Woodwards, like many busy families,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30tend to do all their food shopping in one weekly hit -
0:17:30 > 0:17:32with the odd top-up in between.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35I'm Rebecca. I'm Darren.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39And we're married, and we've been together for 13 years,
0:17:39 > 0:17:41and married eight years. Eight years.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44We have a daughter, who's six years old, Francesca.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47I tend to do a lot of the food shopping.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51The reason being, if Darren goes, it costs twice as much.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54So, what do they reckon it all adds up to?
0:17:54 > 0:17:55?50, ?60. About 80.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Well, that's nice and clear, then!
0:17:57 > 0:18:01We usually do a weekly shop and then at the weekend, top up.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05I do try, in my head, to make a plan.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08However, I don't always think that plan always goes...
0:18:09 > 0:18:11To plan... ..to plan, no.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Step forward, financial expert Michelle McGagh.
0:18:15 > 0:18:20She's just spent a year where her weekly shop was a mere ?31 -
0:18:20 > 0:18:22and that's for two people.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25And the way to do this, she says, is through planning,
0:18:25 > 0:18:27planning and more planning.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29If you don't know what you've got in your cupboards,
0:18:29 > 0:18:31then how do you know what you need to buy in the supermarket?
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Put together a really, really accurate shopping list.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36The list is really, really important.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38If you've just got it in your head,
0:18:38 > 0:18:40chances are that you'll forget something or you'll end up
0:18:40 > 0:18:43buying things that you don't really need, but if it is not on the list,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45you don't buy it.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47That's a great tip and there is more to come.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Thank you. Oh, I need my purse.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53But first, we've set Rebecca and Darren a Right On The Money
0:18:53 > 0:18:54food-shopping challenge.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00Week one, they'll do their usual weekly big shop at the supermarket.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06Week two, they'll shop every day at a local convenience store.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10They'll keep every receipt and at the end of the challenge,
0:19:10 > 0:19:14Michelle will crunch the numbers and calculate which way of shopping is
0:19:14 > 0:19:16easier on the family purse strings.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22So, it's week one and the Woodwards are back from the big shop...
0:19:22 > 0:19:23Have you got everything?
0:19:23 > 0:19:25..with a bootload of booty.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29But our family seem a little underwhelmed by their haul.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33It doesn't look a lot, I don't think.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35No, it certainly doesn't look a lot, to be honest.
0:19:35 > 0:19:36It does look a lot.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38I'm glad someone's happy.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40And the cost?
0:19:40 > 0:19:43I think it was ?100 almost exactly.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Maybe just a pound over but ?100.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48That's probably what we spend.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51I don't think we realise we spend it, to be quite honest,
0:19:51 > 0:19:54because we're just so used to going and doing the shopping,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57we're not really checking what we are spending, to be honest. Yeah.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02Back at HQ, Michelle is watching the drama unfold.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Because we're doing fajitas tonight, and we want it to be quick,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08we've bought the packet lettuce.
0:20:10 > 0:20:11Rookie error.
0:20:11 > 0:20:17Everyone knows pre-prepared veg is a total waste of money.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20It doesn't take that long just to chop up some lettuce.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Well, I'm glad we're not filming in my kitchen, Michelle.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25And you might want to look away now,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28as Darren makes a schoolboy error with his frozen veg.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31As you can see, we've already got some veg in.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34I'll be honest, I didn't know we had a full bag of veg.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Essentially they're going rogue on their shopping.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38They don't know what they need, they're impulse buying,
0:20:38 > 0:20:41they're buying things that they think that they need or things that
0:20:41 > 0:20:43just catch their eye.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45That's where you are really going to waste a lot of money.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Rebecca and Darren are keeping a video diary of their meals and
0:20:49 > 0:20:52shopping as week one progresses.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56Despite starting out with the best intentions, Rebecca's meal plan goes
0:20:56 > 0:21:00out of the window as their busy lifestyles get in the way.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03We are making a curry.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05So, I did have to go out and buy some lamb,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08cos everyone wanted lamb rogan josh.
0:21:08 > 0:21:13I did nip and buy a few more bits from a supermarket today,
0:21:13 > 0:21:17because we needed it to be quick for tea tonight,
0:21:17 > 0:21:22so we bought fresh stuff instead of defrosting the stuff out of the
0:21:22 > 0:21:23freezer because it was quicker.
0:21:25 > 0:21:26At the end of week one,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29it's time to pack up all their receipts and send them to Michelle.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33Next, week two,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36and the challenge is to only buy what they need for their meals
0:21:36 > 0:21:38that day - and it's over to Darren.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43I have not made a list today, because I spoke to my wife regarding
0:21:43 > 0:21:46what I'm going to need, so I've got a rough idea of what I'm going to
0:21:46 > 0:21:47need for making tea, anyway.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52With cottage pie on the menu, Darren's after mince and carrots.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56I've been to the shops and I've looked in the freezer
0:21:56 > 0:21:59and we've actually got mince already in the freezer.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Oh, my word. You've got to be kidding me.
0:22:01 > 0:22:02Sorry.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06As I've gone in the cupboard,
0:22:06 > 0:22:08you can see
0:22:08 > 0:22:10we've actually got four carrots.
0:22:12 > 0:22:13Oh, dear.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18But, as the week goes on, Darren gets into his stride
0:22:18 > 0:22:19with the daily shop.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23Oh, so this is what we're having for tea tonight.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26I don't know if they've saved any money, but this family certainly
0:22:26 > 0:22:29knows how to rustle up some tasty dinners.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32It's time to pack up those receipts and send them to Michelle.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35She'll work out whether the daily shop or the weekly shop
0:22:35 > 0:22:38put the biggest strain on the family's wallet.
0:22:38 > 0:22:39It's climbing.
0:22:40 > 0:22:45So, the first week, the big shop,
0:22:45 > 0:22:49plus three, four, five,
0:22:49 > 0:22:52six, seven top-up shops.
0:22:52 > 0:22:53Oh, my goodness.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55The grand total...
0:22:55 > 0:22:56Oh, no.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59..was ?168.99.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03So that's obviously quite a shocking amount for you.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05You weren't expecting it to be that high. No, I wasn't at all.
0:23:05 > 0:23:06That is atrocious.
0:23:06 > 0:23:12So, the daily shop, the total was ?133.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13I had a feeling, that...
0:23:14 > 0:23:18So, it turned out that the daily shop was ?35 less than the weekly
0:23:18 > 0:23:22big shop - that's a saving of 20% on their food bills.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25But that's not the end of the story, because savvy Michelle believes that
0:23:25 > 0:23:27everyone, including the Woodwards,
0:23:27 > 0:23:32could slash their grocery bill even more with a bit of forward planning.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35And she's got a tried-and-tested recipe for success -
0:23:35 > 0:23:37his and her shopping boards.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39These are going to be for your shopping lists.
0:23:39 > 0:23:44Right. Start looking at your cupboards and seeing what you've got
0:23:44 > 0:23:45and what you haven't got.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48If you're running low on your cereal, you can pop it on the list.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Yeah. If you see that you are running low on bananas or whatever
0:23:51 > 0:23:52it is, you can pop it on your list.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Before you go to the supermarket,
0:23:54 > 0:23:56all you need to do is take a picture of these boards.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00Yeah. Making a list and planning meals, I think, would help us.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03And Michelle's on a roll.
0:24:03 > 0:24:04It is batch cooking next,
0:24:04 > 0:24:07making bumper portions of their favourite meals
0:24:07 > 0:24:09to stick in the freezer. Oh, lovely, Tupperware!
0:24:09 > 0:24:11A stack.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14That way, they'll be able to heat them up quickly midweek
0:24:14 > 0:24:16and avoid those pricey top-up shops.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20I found the experiment quite eye-opening, actually. Yeah.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24I think it's really highlighted our habits and perhaps bad habits
0:24:24 > 0:24:26that we've fallen into. Yeah.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30And how much money we're actually wasting.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Yeah, because we were both quite shocked at how much we spent.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36So, should they be shopping weekly or daily?
0:24:36 > 0:24:39When it comes to the big weekly shop versus the daily shop,
0:24:39 > 0:24:43if they planned better and they did one big weekly shop,
0:24:43 > 0:24:46I reckon they could get that bill down by half and it would be much
0:24:46 > 0:24:47cheaper than the daily shop.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55And Darren and Rebecca are here, alongside David Taylor,
0:24:55 > 0:24:58who writes a blog about how to be more savvy with your money.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Now, Darren and Rebecca, how did you find the whole experience?
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Erm, quite enlightening.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Surprising, as well.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08I was mortified, really,
0:25:08 > 0:25:12about how much I actually spent on food and the ways I shopped.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15And the ways that we threw money away.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19It was very, very educational towards us regarding where the money
0:25:19 > 0:25:22was going and how much was being thrown away, you know.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25I have to say, watching the video, the film,
0:25:25 > 0:25:28I did chuckle, because it's something that we all do.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Everybody does. Yeah, yeah. All families do it.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33I hold my hand up, I am probably the world's worst, you know,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35when it comes to food shopping.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39But is it going to affect the way you shop in future?
0:25:39 > 0:25:41Yeah, I think so, yeah.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43It's been a difficult ride for us, because we both work full-time.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47We've struggled a little bit, but it has made us aware of where we can
0:25:47 > 0:25:48spend the money in the right way.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51We've not thrown anything away in the last five, six weeks.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54That's brilliant, wow. That's the brilliant thing for us.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56If things are lurking in the fridge that are looking like they're going
0:25:56 > 0:25:59to go off - meat especially, which is expensive -
0:25:59 > 0:26:02just trying to make something and stick it in the freezer.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Talk to me, Darren, in particular, because, when I watched you,
0:26:05 > 0:26:09you reminded me so much of my husband.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13You send him out for a shop, five items, and he comes back with bags.
0:26:13 > 0:26:14Yes, I did, yes.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17So the part that made me chuckle, because I know we've all done it...
0:26:18 > 0:26:20..the pre-packaged lettuce.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22Yeah. You know?
0:26:22 > 0:26:23I hope that's a thing of the past.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26It is, yeah. I mean, you're not that busy you can't chop up a lettuce.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29No. I know, that was a bit bad. Certainly not, no.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32I think I used it because sometimes I make sandwiches for work,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34so just to be able to grab some lettuce...
0:26:34 > 0:26:36But, yeah, I have been better on that front.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40It's so costly, but, David, it's becoming more and more frequent.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44It does, and I think we are being led into more convenient shopping
0:26:44 > 0:26:45in the UK.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49We're working longer hours, people have got families.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53I do understand it, but nine times out of ten, you're paying double
0:26:53 > 0:26:56for, you know, chopped onions. It's one onion in that bag,
0:26:56 > 0:26:58something that will cost you ten, 13p,
0:26:58 > 0:27:01you're going to spend between 50p and ?1 for.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04It is going to take a little bit more of your time, but you're better
0:27:04 > 0:27:07off investing in a little tool that slices it, or a blender.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09You'll make your money back over the course of the year
0:27:09 > 0:27:11doing it yourself like that.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14One of my absolute bugbears, and I am embarrassed to even admit this,
0:27:14 > 0:27:16is wasting food.
0:27:16 > 0:27:17Well, there's a few apps out there.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20So, it goes along the lines of you basically put the ingredients in,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24what you've got in your fridge - they might look like total random
0:27:24 > 0:27:27ingredients to you, you might not know a recipe for that -
0:27:27 > 0:27:30but you pop them into the app, it will kick you a recipe back.
0:27:30 > 0:27:31That's absolutely remarkable.
0:27:31 > 0:27:36If you just search "onion, pepper, tomato," something will kick back,
0:27:36 > 0:27:39recipe-wise, instantly anyway. You don't need an application, really.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41That's really good. I'll definitely look into that.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43Yeah, I think I will, as well. Yeah.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45And there's a lesson learned for all of us.
0:27:45 > 0:27:46Thank you, everyone.
0:27:46 > 0:27:47Thank you. Thank you.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51While Denise downloads her app,
0:27:51 > 0:27:55I'm going to take a stroll around Stockport Market to find out what
0:27:55 > 0:27:59people think about one of my favourite pastimes - haggling.
0:27:59 > 0:28:00Afternoon.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Do you ever haggle in the shops?
0:28:03 > 0:28:05No. Only when I'm abroad.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07A lot of people are like that.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09They don't mind doing it in the markets in Istanbul or somewhere...
0:28:09 > 0:28:10That's right.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12..but they feel embarrassed back home.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14Yes, but are you allowed to do it back home? Of course!
0:28:14 > 0:28:16Where's it say "no haggling"?
0:28:16 > 0:28:19See? Now look what you've started already. Yeah.
0:28:19 > 0:28:20People don't mind being a bit cheeky.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Oh, right. Well, I shall be trying that one.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24Mr Butcher Man, can I have a quick chat?
0:28:25 > 0:28:28It's about your customers here in Stockport.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30Are they savvy? Yes.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32They're just watching all the time.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35You know, if something goes up, they know straight away.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38Oh, right. Literally pennies? Yeah, yeah.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40Are there certain cuts of meat that people ask for
0:28:40 > 0:28:41to try to get a good deal?
0:28:41 > 0:28:44No. People are expecting, you know, like, shin beef, that kind of thing,
0:28:44 > 0:28:46they expect it to be cheaper, where it's not any more.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48All the chefs are making it.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50It's the in thing, should we say.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53Oh, the chefs are killing it for you? Yeah, yeah.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56I mean, just things like ox cheeks used to be, like, a giveaway.
0:28:56 > 0:28:57Very expensive now.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59What about haggling? Would you ever haggle?
0:29:00 > 0:29:02Not in England, no.
0:29:02 > 0:29:03Why not?
0:29:03 > 0:29:05Because we're not hagglers, are we?
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Ah, Wally's Finest Fruit And Veg.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16How you doing? How long have you had this stall, Wally?
0:29:16 > 0:29:18I've been on the market 57 years.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20They've always wanted bargains.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22No matter what, they've always wanted bargains.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24And you can't get better values than here.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26Right, what's a bargain? What are you flogging here?
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Everything's cheap, haven't you noticed?
0:29:29 > 0:29:32Two for a pound, strawberries. Two strawberries for a pound? Yeah.
0:29:32 > 0:29:33Two strawberries for a pound?!
0:29:33 > 0:29:35You have to suck them - they last then. Ha-ha!
0:29:36 > 0:29:38I'm getting out of here.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40I've had enough of you two.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45Now, earlier on, we met Brenda,
0:29:45 > 0:29:48who was finding it tough to keep on top of the family finances
0:29:48 > 0:29:52after becoming her husband Huw's full-time carer.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Let's see if we've managed to help her tackle those bills.
0:29:57 > 0:30:0181-year-old Brenda from Cardiff and husband Huw have been married
0:30:01 > 0:30:04for 57 years, but their life changed dramatically
0:30:04 > 0:30:07when Huw was diagnosed with dementia two years ago.
0:30:08 > 0:30:09Yep...
0:30:09 > 0:30:15While Huw is fully aware of myself and the children,
0:30:15 > 0:30:18he will never go into a care home.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22Because the couple are having to pay most of Huw's care costs themselves,
0:30:22 > 0:30:24their savings are dwindling rapidly.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28It's a problem that affects around 560,000 people in the UK
0:30:28 > 0:30:30with dementia - and their loved ones.
0:30:32 > 0:30:40I don't know, when our money runs out, exactly what happens then.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43You have no idea what the future holds.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46Money expert Sarah Pennells has already been busy,
0:30:46 > 0:30:50saving Brenda thousands of pounds on storage, medical equipment
0:30:50 > 0:30:52and transport costs.
0:30:54 > 0:30:59This journey will cost you about ?1.40 using this service.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Costs me about ?30.
0:31:01 > 0:31:02Goodness!
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Now she's back for another visit and, today,
0:31:05 > 0:31:08she will tackle the household bills.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11Brenda and Huw's gas and electricity meters are ticking over
0:31:11 > 0:31:13faster than they once did.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16You are going to use more energy...
0:31:16 > 0:31:19We're going to use a lot more energy, because we have people
0:31:19 > 0:31:23sitting with Huw overnight and, although you turn it down,
0:31:23 > 0:31:25you don't turn it off. Yeah.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29What we need to do is make sure you're getting the best value,
0:31:29 > 0:31:31bearing in mind your bills are going to be higher, so...
0:31:31 > 0:31:34As Sarah inspects the latest energy bill, there's the first bit
0:31:34 > 0:31:36of good news for Brenda.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42Right, OK, Brenda, the first thing I've noticed is
0:31:42 > 0:31:45you're about ?150 in credit. Yeah.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48So, we'll get that money back for you anyway.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52I've also found you a cheaper deal on your gas and electricity.
0:31:52 > 0:31:58So, when you switch, you'd save about ?335 a year.
0:31:58 > 0:31:59Every penny counts, doesn't it?
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Well, you will be quite a lot better off, anyway. Yes, yes.
0:32:02 > 0:32:07335 smackers in the Bank of Brenda with just a few clicks?
0:32:07 > 0:32:11Switching energy suppliers is not complicated.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14All you need is your recent meter readings and to shop around
0:32:14 > 0:32:15on comparison sites.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19And it seems like Brenda's been paying over the odds
0:32:19 > 0:32:20on the home insurance, too.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25Now, Brenda, I've noticed that you have your buildings insurance with
0:32:25 > 0:32:30one company and your contents insurance with another one.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33I think a lot of people did that in the old days, because you used to
0:32:33 > 0:32:35have to have your insurance with the mortgage lender,
0:32:35 > 0:32:38but those rules were abolished quite some time ago.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41It is more expensive if you have two policies.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45So, at the moment, you're paying over ?400 a year
0:32:45 > 0:32:52and I can get you a policy for about ?122 a year.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57It's well worth doing. Right, that's good news.
0:32:57 > 0:32:58Saving some more money.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00Glad you're happy, Brenda.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02With savings like this, we're all happy.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05Another ?290 in the bag.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07Good job, Sarah.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09But she's just getting started.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13Even though Brenda only has to cater for herself and Huw,
0:33:13 > 0:33:17she regularly spends up to ?500 a month on groceries.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19Brenda's best friend, Gloria, thinks she knows why.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25I mean, she does like a bargain, but she does shop in nice shops.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28Do you think that she could maybe get a bit more for her money,
0:33:28 > 0:33:30make her pounds go a bit further?
0:33:30 > 0:33:31Well, she could...
0:33:32 > 0:33:33..but will she?
0:33:35 > 0:33:36So, come in, Brenda...
0:33:36 > 0:33:37That's a good question, Gloria.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39Let's put it to the test.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42Oh, look at those cakes!
0:33:42 > 0:33:43What did I tell you?
0:33:45 > 0:33:48Sarah's lined up two versions of Brenda's favourite treats -
0:33:48 > 0:33:52her usual premium brand and one from a low-cost supermarket.
0:33:52 > 0:33:53Come on, then. Right!
0:33:57 > 0:33:59I like that one, yeah.
0:33:59 > 0:34:00It's good, isn't it?
0:34:00 > 0:34:02Definitely! Hope you come again!
0:34:03 > 0:34:06By opting for cheaper brands, Brenda could save a packet.
0:34:08 > 0:34:09They're both gorgeous.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13Time to find out if her regular buys are worth the extra expense.
0:34:13 > 0:34:14I prefer the paler one.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18Well, I have to say, Brenda, you've got very expensive tastes.
0:34:18 > 0:34:19Ho!
0:34:22 > 0:34:26OK, we're not going to convince Brenda to swap all the time,
0:34:26 > 0:34:29but even if she replaces the odd French Fancy every now and again,
0:34:29 > 0:34:32she would save a bit of extra pocket money.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36I do waste on food.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38But we've shown you a way that you can cut back
0:34:38 > 0:34:40and still have a treat. Yeah.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43So, ?60 a month, you reckon?
0:34:43 > 0:34:46We could halve that cost for you
0:34:46 > 0:34:48and you could buy exactly the same thing.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51Yes, and buying more economically.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54That's a possible ?360
0:34:54 > 0:34:55saved a year
0:34:55 > 0:34:57just by shopping around.
0:34:57 > 0:34:58Sweet!
0:34:58 > 0:35:02And there's another tasty savings morsel from Sarah.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05She's discovered that Brenda can save even more
0:35:05 > 0:35:09on her TV and broadband package by switching to another provider.
0:35:09 > 0:35:14So, I think there is quite a competitive market out there. Yes.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17It's worth doing, isn't it? Oh, yes, that is definitely worth doing.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21That's another ?240 a year in the pot.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23We really are on a roll.
0:35:23 > 0:35:28And Sarah is nothing if not dogged when it comes to saving cash.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30So, Brenda, tell me about your dog, Henry,
0:35:30 > 0:35:32because you've had him for quite some time, haven't you?
0:35:32 > 0:35:36Yes, he's eight years old now, and a very lively dog.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39Because looking after Huw is a full-time job,
0:35:39 > 0:35:43Brenda can't walk her pet pooch as often as she would like.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46But, to make sure Henry gets to stretch his little legs,
0:35:46 > 0:35:48she regularly pays for a dog-walker
0:35:48 > 0:35:52and also gets some help from a local charity.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56How much are you paying for the private person?
0:35:56 > 0:35:59How much are you paying them, per week, to walk Henry?
0:35:59 > 0:36:01?9.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04OK. So, at the moment, you're paying ?36 a month.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08That's ?432 a year spent on walkies?
0:36:08 > 0:36:10Hello, Teigen, come in, come in.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14But Sarah's found out that Brenda doesn't need to pay anything.
0:36:14 > 0:36:15And right on cue,
0:36:15 > 0:36:18charity worker Teigen has popped round to see Henry.
0:36:18 > 0:36:23So, Brenda, the charity have said that they will now cover
0:36:23 > 0:36:26all the walks for Henry that he needs in the week.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29Oh, that would be marvellous.
0:36:29 > 0:36:30That really would be.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32HENRY YAPS
0:36:32 > 0:36:34I think Henry's pleased!
0:36:34 > 0:36:37He's speaking, isn't he? Oh!
0:36:37 > 0:36:40So, it gets the thumbs-up from Henry, thumbs-up from you,
0:36:40 > 0:36:43and that's ?36 a month saved.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46Lovely, thank you very much.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52Thanks to Sarah's sterling work and the help of Teigan's charity,
0:36:52 > 0:36:54Brenda has saved another ?432.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59So far, Sarah has helped Brenda save bags of cash,
0:36:59 > 0:37:03but, before she goes, she wants to tackle the biggest issue of all -
0:37:03 > 0:37:05the cost of Huw's care.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09She's invited along Janet Davies, an expert in care planning,
0:37:09 > 0:37:13to discover if Brenda and Huw are entitled to any extra funding.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19Janet, I think lots of people are in a similar situation to Brenda,
0:37:19 > 0:37:22and the whole thing just seems incredibly confusing.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27You're right. It's confusing for people who are looking
0:37:27 > 0:37:28on the outside.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31For people like Brenda, who are facing it head-on,
0:37:31 > 0:37:32it's incredibly confusing.
0:37:32 > 0:37:37Why is it that some people pay and some people don't seem to pay
0:37:37 > 0:37:38for their care?
0:37:38 > 0:37:41In Wales, the line drawn in the sand is if you have more than
0:37:41 > 0:37:46?24,000 in capital, you are classed as a self-funder.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48Or, if you have less than 24,000,
0:37:48 > 0:37:53the local authority will look to contribute towards your care.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56As Huw and Brenda's savings take them just over that limit,
0:37:56 > 0:37:59they're classed as self-funders.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02But as they are nearing that ?24,000 threshold,
0:38:02 > 0:38:05the next thing for Brenda to do is apply for subsidised care
0:38:05 > 0:38:09with the local council and undergo a means test.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14It's wise to have the conversation with the local authority now
0:38:14 > 0:38:17and it's good that we've got the process started.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22It's difficult, because you are going to have to disclose financial
0:38:22 > 0:38:24information to the local authorities.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28And I know it's not necessarily an easy thing for a couple that have
0:38:28 > 0:38:31been independent all their lives that have to do,
0:38:31 > 0:38:33but it is something that you're going to have to do.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38There are different threshold rules in England, Scotland
0:38:38 > 0:38:39and Northern Ireland.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42If you're in a similar situation to Brenda and Huw's,
0:38:42 > 0:38:45contact your local council, or organisations like the
0:38:45 > 0:38:48Alzheimer's Society or the NHS.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50With Sarah's time in Cardiff over,
0:38:50 > 0:38:53let's see if she's managed to work her money makeover magic.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Brenda saved...
0:39:13 > 0:39:17That's a grand total of ?3,769 -
0:39:17 > 0:39:19a welcome boost to Brenda and Huw's coffers.
0:39:21 > 0:39:26I feel more positive now, because I know that there is help out there.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31And that is so important...
0:39:32 > 0:39:35..because I just did not know where to go...
0:39:36 > 0:39:43..or what to do, and this programme has come along at the right time.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46Thank you very much.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52And all the way from Cardiff,
0:39:52 > 0:39:55Brenda's here with best friend Gloria and Sarah Pennells.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57And I've got to say,
0:39:57 > 0:39:59you look like you got a lot out of this experience, Brenda.
0:39:59 > 0:40:04Yes, I have. I reduced many bills, thanks to Sarah.
0:40:05 > 0:40:11I also had the furniture which I put into storage,
0:40:11 > 0:40:13which was costing me a lot of money -
0:40:13 > 0:40:15they've sorted that out, as well, for me.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18It has been a big help for me.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22Which is great. Now, Gloria, how long have you two been friends?
0:40:22 > 0:40:23About 40 years.
0:40:23 > 0:40:2540 years! We worked together.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29Yeah. And have you seen a big difference in her attitude
0:40:29 > 0:40:31over this experience? Yeah.
0:40:31 > 0:40:32She's much happier now,
0:40:32 > 0:40:36because she knows what she's doing with her money and it's helping her,
0:40:36 > 0:40:39because she's not spending half as much as she used to.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41She haggles!
0:40:41 > 0:40:43Good for you! We like a haggler on this programme.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45Yes, yes.
0:40:45 > 0:40:51I have learnt to haggle, and I have been successful with, erm,
0:40:51 > 0:40:52the television package.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58Because I rang up and cancelled all my television package.
0:40:58 > 0:41:03And they phoned me back and asked me who I was going with
0:41:03 > 0:41:05and they underpriced
0:41:05 > 0:41:08that company by ?3.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11So, you didn't even need to haggle? They phoned you up...
0:41:11 > 0:41:12They contacted me, yes.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14..and dropped the price down? Right.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18Very good. Brenda, one of the things you have done is actually talked to
0:41:18 > 0:41:23your children about just how expensive it is to look after Huw.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26Has that helped lessen the burden o you think?
0:41:26 > 0:41:31Yes, because they were very upset that I kept it very close.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34I'm an independent person.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38And I thought I could handle everything.
0:41:38 > 0:41:45So, what I am concerned about is when we run out of savings,
0:41:45 > 0:41:47because that is a big, big worry to me.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49Sarah, what's the answer there?
0:41:49 > 0:41:53So, the state will step in and it will provide funding.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56So, you can get what's called a financial assessment once your
0:41:56 > 0:41:59savings get below a certain level.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01It is worth checking with your own local authority, though,
0:42:01 > 0:42:05because some of them do have a policy where they will pay toward
0:42:05 > 0:42:08someone's care if they need that care in their own home -
0:42:08 > 0:42:09so just check.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13Can I ask you, Brenda, what would be your tips to other people?
0:42:13 > 0:42:19You have to ask questions before you take anybody out of hospital.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22You have to ask questions.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24Where is the help?
0:42:24 > 0:42:26And your advice, Sarah, would be?
0:42:26 > 0:42:29Well, there are groups that you can contact, like Alzheimer's Society,
0:42:29 > 0:42:32Age UK, and also carers' organisations, often organised
0:42:32 > 0:42:34by your local council.
0:42:34 > 0:42:35You just have to look for it.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38Brenda, Gloria, it's been lovely meeting you.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41Now, if you'd like Sarah or any of our experts to help you save money,
0:42:41 > 0:42:43get in touch by e-mailing us...
0:42:46 > 0:42:48And if you want more money-saving tips,
0:42:48 > 0:42:51our website is a good place to start - here's why.
0:42:53 > 0:42:57Our website has everything you need to sort out your spending.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01We've teamed up with the Money Advice Service to bring you
0:43:01 > 0:43:04easy-to-use money-saving tools to plan your budget,
0:43:04 > 0:43:07calculate the cost of your car or credit card,
0:43:07 > 0:43:10and give your money a complete health check.
0:43:10 > 0:43:11Download them at...
0:43:19 > 0:43:22And Sarah's here to answer questions from some of the people
0:43:22 > 0:43:23we've met today.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27We've got Michelle, she's the mother of two young children,
0:43:27 > 0:43:30and she wants to know, how does she save on the family food bill?
0:43:30 > 0:43:32I'd say plan your meals.
0:43:32 > 0:43:35You don't have to plan every single meal, but I'd plan the main meal
0:43:35 > 0:43:38for weekdays, because that's when time is tight.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41Secondly, sounds obvious, but eat what you buy.
0:43:41 > 0:43:43You've got some tired old vegetables, turn them into soup
0:43:43 > 0:43:45and freeze them or have them for lunch.
0:43:45 > 0:43:48And then, lastly, use special offers and coupons.
0:43:48 > 0:43:49You really can make some savings.
0:43:49 > 0:43:54Sarah says, "What's the best way to start kids off with a bank account?"
0:43:54 > 0:43:56If you want to have a current account, then normally,
0:43:56 > 0:44:00your child has to be at least 16, and with some banks, it's 18.
0:44:00 > 0:44:03The other option, if your child's a bit older, maybe a teenager,
0:44:03 > 0:44:06and you want to teach them about managing their own money,
0:44:06 > 0:44:09there are some apps that are aimed at teenagers and they come with a
0:44:09 > 0:44:12prepaid card that you, as a parent, can load up,
0:44:12 > 0:44:15and then you can actually track your child's spending.
0:44:15 > 0:44:16Ooh, Big Brother!
0:44:16 > 0:44:18And the beauty of that sort of card is that they can't go overdrawn.
0:44:18 > 0:44:21That's right. They can never spend more money than has been loaded up
0:44:21 > 0:44:23on the card in the first place. Like it!
0:44:23 > 0:44:26Sarah, thank you for all your advice, and thank you to all our guests.
0:44:26 > 0:44:28And, in fact, thank you to you at home for watching.
0:44:28 > 0:44:31I hope you picked up loads of tips to help boost those coffers.
0:44:31 > 0:44:33So, until next time, cheerio.
0:44:33 > 0:44:34Bye-bye.
0:45:05 > 0:45:06'From the heights of the Scottish Highlands
0:45:06 > 0:45:10'to the shores of East Anglia, I've travelled across Britain...'
0:45:10 > 0:45:12We got a fish!
0:45:12 > 0:45:14'..to learn about the food I cook for my family...'
0:45:14 > 0:45:17Tell me, what is so good about these potatoes?
0:45:17 > 0:45:21'..and to show you the most simple and exciting everyday recipes...'