0:00:02 > 0:00:06'When it comes to shopping, us Brits can blow a fortune...'
0:00:06 > 0:00:08That's what I want, a single solitaire.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10'..but how can we control our spending?'
0:00:10 > 0:00:13- 30,000 or something like that.- Oh...
0:00:13 > 0:00:16'I'm business journalist Steph McGovern.'
0:00:16 > 0:00:18- 7,000.- What?- What?
0:00:18 > 0:00:20'I want to help make our money go further.'
0:00:20 > 0:00:22We are bringing down your spending.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24'And I'm Alex Jones.'
0:00:24 > 0:00:25Sale!
0:00:25 > 0:00:29I know only too well the traps consumers fall into.
0:00:29 > 0:00:30How many times have you used that, then?
0:00:30 > 0:00:32I haven't.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34'We're challenging families...'
0:00:34 > 0:00:35No!
0:00:35 > 0:00:36No.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38'..to try money-saving alternatives.'
0:00:38 > 0:00:40No!
0:00:40 > 0:00:43'So we can all learn how to Shop Well For Less.'
0:00:43 > 0:00:44Oooh.
0:00:44 > 0:00:45We're talking hard cash.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47- Really?- That is amazing.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Our job here is done.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51ALL: Aw...
0:00:51 > 0:00:53STEPH LAUGHS
0:00:53 > 0:00:56'This week, a family whose reduced income...'
0:00:56 > 0:00:58How big is the impact, financially?
0:00:58 > 0:01:00'..hasn't reduced their spending.'
0:01:00 > 0:01:02- It is so pretty. - Do you get out in it very often?
0:01:02 > 0:01:05- Not really. - 'Can we get them buying budget...'
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Who is it? I mean, what is it? Who is it?
0:01:07 > 0:01:08'..and back in the black?'
0:01:08 > 0:01:11- Do I really have to do this? - Yes, you really have to do this.
0:01:11 > 0:01:12Get in!
0:01:17 > 0:01:19No, you have to stay close. Don't go too far ahead.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21We're on the banks of the Thames,
0:01:21 > 0:01:24with a Surrey family who want to learn to live within their means.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27Could we have a crepe with Nutella, please?
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Meet John and Flo.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32He's a very practical, hands-on daddy.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35- Is that nice? - Flo is the best wife in the world.
0:01:35 > 0:01:36Good girl.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40- Loving mother to our three wonderful children.- I am indeed.
0:01:40 > 0:01:41High five!
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Jacob is our eldest - he's six.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Tia is our middle child - she is five.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Ava is our youngest - she is four.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54The kids keep us on our toes. It's good.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58A year ago, part-time teacher Flo decided to take some time out
0:01:58 > 0:01:59to look after the children...
0:01:59 > 0:02:02- Wow. What's that?- Scorpion.
0:02:02 > 0:02:03No, it's a crab.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06..but less income hasn't meant a change in lifestyle.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08And I am quite a social bee.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10I really like going out, I do.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13You do just spend when...when you want.
0:02:13 > 0:02:14It's just life. Life is expensive.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16Living where we live is expensive.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Having three children is expensive.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Basically everything they see, they ask for it.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25"Mummy, can I have that? Mummy, I have that?"
0:02:25 > 0:02:29Mummy and Daddy buy us a new toy about once a week.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32I have been expecting you.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35To cover her spend, Flo relies on the plastic.
0:02:35 > 0:02:40A credit card is there for you to use, and you rack up a bill.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42She spends a lot of money on clothes.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45I think I'm of the generation where if you want something, you get it,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47and if you've got the money to pay for it, great -
0:02:47 > 0:02:49if you haven't, put it on credit.
0:02:49 > 0:02:50Look. It's so pretty.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53This includes a high-street storecard
0:02:53 > 0:02:55she's also using regularly.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58You can order at home up until midnight, I think,
0:02:58 > 0:02:59and it comes the next day.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02We can get your Next account locked.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04Well, no, we won't.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07But Flo's not the only big spender in this house -
0:03:07 > 0:03:12broadcast engineer John has some rather expensive hobbies.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17It's a Nissan 350Z, three-and-a-half litre V6, rather fast.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20The main garage is so full of petrolhead John's stuff,
0:03:20 > 0:03:22he can't fit a car into it.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Why have you got five steering wheels?
0:03:24 > 0:03:27They're off of old cars that I've had.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30This is your thing, and lots of husbands are down the pub.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32I know you're not having an affair -
0:03:32 > 0:03:34- you're just playing with your tools. - Yes.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37I don't begrudge you your hobby.
0:03:37 > 0:03:38Thank you.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40But John's hoarding is also costing.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42Can you get down to the back?
0:03:42 > 0:03:45There's definitely things in here that I know I have,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47but I can't find,
0:03:47 > 0:03:49so I end up purchasing more of them.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51You are a little bit of a shopaholic.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56It's time for John and Flo to take control
0:03:56 > 0:03:59and get their finances back on track.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03Everything we bring in gets spent each month, doesn't it?
0:04:03 > 0:04:05- Every penny.- And more.
0:04:05 > 0:04:06And more, yeah.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12'We've got to shock the Bances into action if they're to get back in
0:04:12 > 0:04:14'the black, so we're raiding their home
0:04:14 > 0:04:16to fill our pop-up shop with their possessions
0:04:16 > 0:04:20'and show them how much they've spent.'
0:04:20 > 0:04:22It's very tidy, isn't it?
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Someone likes their catalogue shopping.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Oh, yeah, we've got the classic folded pages.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29There's been quite a bit of shopping going on here, like.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Two laptops.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36- Oh, my goodness.- Three laptops, four, five, six devices...
0:04:36 > 0:04:38- Seven.- They're everywhere.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40You could do a lovely display.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42So there are five of them in this family?
0:04:42 > 0:04:45Five, but the children are obviously really small.
0:04:45 > 0:04:46Yeah, they're all under six.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50That sofa now, with those on, is probably worth about five grand.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55There's clearly a tech and catalogue obsession.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57'Next, it's the children's bedroom.'
0:04:57 > 0:05:00Oh, bunk beds!
0:05:00 > 0:05:02Aw, look at all the toys in here.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04It's hard for parents though, isn't it?
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Because they're under so much pressure to buy the latest toys,
0:05:07 > 0:05:09the latest games, and, I mean, all the books.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11And they're expensive, aren't they?
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- Ah, the master bedroom.- Mm-hmm.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16- Look at all this. - We knew it.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18We saw the catalogues -
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- now here's the evidence of the purchases.- I know.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Oh, look.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24- Oh, that's nice. - Oh, yeah, that is nice.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27Oh, boots, that's a fair whack of money there.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29That's out of that one bag.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- Uh-oh. - She hasn't even tried these on.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33I wonder how long they've been sitting there.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- Ooh.- What's that?
0:05:35 > 0:05:37That is a Next bill.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Ow. Is she paying the minimum payments, as well?
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Yeah, yeah, that isn't good, actually.
0:05:42 > 0:05:43Shall we put those all back in now?
0:05:43 > 0:05:45- Nah. - Because they don't know we're here.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47- See you.- Aw, see...
0:05:48 > 0:05:49Every time, isn't it?
0:05:49 > 0:05:50Hurry up!
0:05:53 > 0:05:57'But we're not just interested in what's inside the house.'
0:05:57 > 0:05:59Classic garage door.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01STEPH LAUGHS
0:06:01 > 0:06:03That is a lot of stuff, isn't it?
0:06:03 > 0:06:05I can see about ten bikes, at least.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07Is that a motorbike, as well?
0:06:07 > 0:06:09- What are these?- That's what I mean.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Do you think they've got a bit of a thing about old bits of cars?
0:06:12 > 0:06:14What's he doing with all of these?
0:06:14 > 0:06:17And all the helmets - I mean, this is a man with hobbies.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Tools worth a fortune, bikes worth a fortune,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21car parts worth a fortune...
0:06:21 > 0:06:23This man is a shopaholic.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25Come on, we'll take it all to the pop-up shop.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28I'll let you do this, because I did the clothes upstairs.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30You'll be all right, won't you? You'll be fine.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33How many screwdrivers do you actually need, though,
0:06:33 > 0:06:34do you reckon? Hang on!
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Oh, hang on. Wait!
0:06:37 > 0:06:38Al!
0:06:38 > 0:06:42The Bances' finances have recently been under extra strain,
0:06:42 > 0:06:45following Flo's decision to take a year out to care for
0:06:45 > 0:06:47their daughter Ava.
0:06:47 > 0:06:48Ava has Down's syndrome.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51When she was born, it was a big shock.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Now it's the best thing - she's lovely.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55# The wheels on the bus go round and round
0:06:55 > 0:06:56# Round and round... #
0:06:56 > 0:07:00She likes babies, and dollies, and picnics and that sort of stuff.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Definitely more of a girlie girl.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04But, despite her reduced income,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07neither Flo or John have altered their spending habits.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10I, sort of, feel that life costs what it costs.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Some things you just have to buy -
0:07:13 > 0:07:16that's just the sort of world that we live in.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18And I don't like to deny myself.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21If friends are going out for dinner, I'll go out for dinner -
0:07:21 > 0:07:24even if I know I'm going over my overdraft, I will.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27'And it's this attitude we need to change,
0:07:27 > 0:07:30'so we are building a shop with their belongings to show them
0:07:30 > 0:07:32'exactly where their cash has been going.'
0:07:34 > 0:07:37'Time to surprise our unsuspecting shopaholics.'
0:07:37 > 0:07:38Hello, world.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Do you want us to take that for you?
0:07:41 > 0:07:42Hi!
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- Hello!- Hello, sir.- Hello.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- Lovely to meet you, John. Hiya. - How are you?
0:07:47 > 0:07:48Are you surprised to see us?
0:07:48 > 0:07:50- Very surprised, yeah, yeah.- Yes.
0:07:50 > 0:07:51We're going help you save some cash.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54- Fantastic.- Fantastic. - He's going to like that!
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Well, we've got something to show you that's just up the road,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58- so, ready?- Yeah, yeah. - Fantastic, yeah, let's do it.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00- Excellent. Wow.- Let's do it.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05So, we've got a shop here we'd like you to go in... OK.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08..and see whether it's the type of shop you'd buy things in.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10- Do you want to go in?- OK. - We'll let you go in first.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Oh, fantastic!
0:08:15 > 0:08:16Wow.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19All our stuff. It's brilliant, yeah.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- Well, it's not actually all your stuff...- No, no.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23..because we couldn't find a shop big enough.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Yeah, lots of tools, but a man needs lots of tools, apparently.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- He does, yes.- Lots of books, but that's good.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Books are good. You can never say no to books.
0:08:31 > 0:08:32I don't think there's too many toys.
0:08:32 > 0:08:33Not for three children.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35- Three children, so, yeah... - Yeah, no...
0:08:35 > 0:08:37They do play with all of their stuff.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40I don't know if you play with all of your stuff.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42Some of those dresses do still have tags on.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45- Oh, yes.- But, any day now, I'm going to lose weight and fit into them.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48'Flo and John seem very relaxed about
0:08:48 > 0:08:49'the amount of stuff they have.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53'Will they feel the same once they know how much they're spending?'
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Now, one of the first things we noticed when we went into your house
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- were the catalogues.- Yes.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01- It's my little guilty pleasure, yeah.- Yeah.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03So, there's a fair whack of money on your storecards.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- Yeah.- And what you like at paying that card off?
0:09:06 > 0:09:11I'm very bad. I pay a little bit off, so, sort of, £100 each month,
0:09:11 > 0:09:12but then I spend another 100,
0:09:12 > 0:09:16so it tends to hover in the £800 zone.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19'But it's not just the storecard that's mounting up.'
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Do you know how much is on your credit card?
0:09:22 > 0:09:26Erm... I think it's in the 5,000 range.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29If you look at the interest that you're paying on your storecards,
0:09:29 > 0:09:31and your credit cards, and your overdraft fees,
0:09:31 > 0:09:35then it's actually costing you £1,400 a year.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- That's terrible. - Does that surprise you, that figure?
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Yeah. No, that is a total waste.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42'By only paying the minimum balance each month,
0:09:42 > 0:09:45'the accumulating interest means the items they buy
0:09:45 > 0:09:47'are much more expensive.'
0:09:47 > 0:09:49We worked out that, over the last 12 months,
0:09:49 > 0:09:53for every pound you're spending, you're actually spending two.
0:09:53 > 0:09:54OK, I didn't think it was that much.
0:09:54 > 0:09:55- Yeah.- No.- Yeah.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58So, those shoes that you paid 35 quid for,
0:09:58 > 0:10:00- those lovely boots that you've bought in two colours...- Yes.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03..at £35 a pair, they're actually 70 quid a pair...
0:10:03 > 0:10:05- Right, OK. - ..in the way that you're spending,
0:10:05 > 0:10:07so you spent 140 quid on them.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Right. I imagined it wouldn't be that big of a percent, no.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13You know, obviously you have to pay for credit, it's not free,
0:10:13 > 0:10:16but I thought it was a reasonable way of shopping,
0:10:16 > 0:10:18and everybody, sort of, shops on credit.
0:10:18 > 0:10:19Yeah.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21'John's not blameless, either -
0:10:21 > 0:10:25'I mean, who needs nine big-brand laptops and tablets?'
0:10:25 > 0:10:26When a new version comes out,
0:10:26 > 0:10:27he gets the new version,
0:10:27 > 0:10:31and the older version gets filtered down to me,
0:10:31 > 0:10:33then to the children in a sort of pecking order.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Oh, we'll have to go and hang outside their house
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- on one of those days. - Yeah, we will. Get a free laptop!
0:10:37 > 0:10:40Do you feel like it is excessive, looking at it?
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Looking at it like this, yes, I'd say it is excessive. Yeah.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49So, in total, we've worked out they're worth seven grand.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51Wow!
0:10:51 > 0:10:52- That's good to know.- Yeah.
0:10:52 > 0:10:53'And what about that car hobby?
0:10:53 > 0:10:56'Will John's spending on this give them the shock they need?'
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Where's the car?
0:11:00 > 0:11:03I rent another garage where I keep my other car.
0:11:03 > 0:11:04You've got two garages?
0:11:04 > 0:11:05Yes.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- Oh.- So the other garage has got a car in it
0:11:08 > 0:11:10and this garage is for...?
0:11:10 > 0:11:11- Family stuff.- Family stuff.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- Family stuff?- Well, it's got the kids' bikes in it.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15OK.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18'Over the years, John's hobby, including the cost of the cars,
0:11:18 > 0:11:24'insurance, garaging and additional parts has cost close to 20 grand.'
0:11:24 > 0:11:26That is a fair chunk of money.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28It's a fair chunk of money.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31'Finally, it's the kids' toys and books.'
0:11:31 > 0:11:34What's it like for you when it comes to getting the kids toys,
0:11:34 > 0:11:36and books and things? Are they quite demanding?
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Have you got a system of how you get them,
0:11:38 > 0:11:41or is it just, when you're out and about, you'll pick things up?
0:11:41 > 0:11:44We do fall into that trap that, if we are out and about, we do get them
0:11:44 > 0:11:47something to keep them happy or, you know, keep them quiet,
0:11:47 > 0:11:49so we do do that.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53I tend to try and stick to the supermarkets or the cheaper shops,
0:11:53 > 0:11:54pound shops and things.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- Birthdays we do do the big, extravagant...- Yeah.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00You know, like the ships and the planes and the remote controls.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04We've worked out that you spend around £1,000 a year on toys...
0:12:04 > 0:12:06- OK.- Yeah.- ..and about £400 on books.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08- OK.- So...
0:12:08 > 0:12:10'But I bet there are still some options out there which can save
0:12:10 > 0:12:13'John and Flo money, without making the kids feel like
0:12:13 > 0:12:14'they're missing out.'
0:12:14 > 0:12:19Looking at the areas we've taken you through today,
0:12:19 > 0:12:21what do you think that amounts to?
0:12:21 > 0:12:25- I think about 30,000 or something like that, yeah.- Yeah.
0:12:25 > 0:12:26Ah...
0:12:26 > 0:12:27Oh...
0:12:28 > 0:12:30You might want to raise that a little bit.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- 52,000.- Wow. Wow.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36'Wow indeed - perhaps those numbers have finally hit home.'
0:12:37 > 0:12:41It was slightly shocking to come in and find all our stuff laid out.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43It's not until you look at it,
0:12:43 > 0:12:44and see at all like that, that you think,
0:12:44 > 0:12:47"Wow, you know, we've spent a lot of money over the years."
0:12:47 > 0:12:49- And it all adds up.- Yeah.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52It's going to be exciting to see what...
0:12:52 > 0:12:53- Where we can make changes, yeah. - Yeah.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57Well, we're up for the challenge. We're going to do it.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59'We have got to come up with a plan.'
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- I think they were stunned to silence because, you know...- Maybe.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05..realising how much they've been spending on storecards
0:13:05 > 0:13:06and credit cards,
0:13:06 > 0:13:08they've had their heads buried in the sand, haven't they?
0:13:08 > 0:13:10And one of the areas they're spending quite a lot on,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13naturally, though, because they have got three children,
0:13:13 > 0:13:14are toys and books,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17but I think we could reduce spending in that area
0:13:17 > 0:13:18- by quite a lot, couldn't we?- Yeah.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20But I think we just need to get them in order, don't we?
0:13:20 > 0:13:23- Mm-hmm, yeah. - Right, come on, it's freezing.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26The sooner they start reining it in, the better,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28so we've de-branded their home,
0:13:28 > 0:13:32replacing many of their favourite products with cheaper alternatives -
0:13:32 > 0:13:35although some haven't been swapped.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Will the family recognise which items have been switched
0:13:38 > 0:13:40and which haven't?
0:13:40 > 0:13:41It begins.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45- I'm not happy about that. - SHE LAUGHS
0:13:47 > 0:13:49Who is it? I mean, what is it? Who is it?
0:13:49 > 0:13:53Well, it's a vacuum, Flo - just not your usual £300 one.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56I don't like it. I'm... I'm quite upset.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59A Dyson is like a Porsche, and you've given me a Skoda.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03That's just the start of it, Flo.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Oh, no, value toilet paper.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06Yeah, it does look thin.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08The feel of toilet paper is not a big deal -
0:14:08 > 0:14:14it's how long it lasts, cos our kids like to use huge amounts.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17But swapping big brand for own brand means you'll be saving
0:14:17 > 0:14:18with every wipe.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- Oh, they're horrid. - SHE SNIFFS
0:14:20 > 0:14:21Have a smell of that.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27Will Ava's new, unbranded night-time nappies be a better fit?
0:14:27 > 0:14:28The absorbency is fine -
0:14:28 > 0:14:32it's just the stretchiness and how easy they are to pull up and down.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34- But, you know, it's all doable. - Mm-hmm.
0:14:34 > 0:14:35If we want to save money -
0:14:35 > 0:14:38we have to buy cheap, or cheaper, or different -
0:14:38 > 0:14:39then we can do it.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41There's so many things. Where do we start?
0:14:41 > 0:14:45There is, however, a surprise waiting for them in their bedroom.
0:14:45 > 0:14:46- I love this.- Oh, my...- I love it.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- It's brilliant.- Yeah, it definitely should stay there.
0:14:49 > 0:14:50- How do you get into it?- You don't.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- You don't?- No.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55The cards are not the only thing now off-limits.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59Receiving loud and clear, "Step away from the Next catalogue."
0:14:59 > 0:15:00- Yes.- OK.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02- On it. - And don't use your credit card.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04Guilty as charged.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Well, this criminal spender is now on parole,
0:15:07 > 0:15:10but what will the children make of all these changes?
0:15:10 > 0:15:12What have they done to your room?
0:15:12 > 0:15:16I don't have... Why do I have a new cover?
0:15:16 > 0:15:17Oh, a new cover.
0:15:17 > 0:15:18Yeah.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22Tia still has a favourite film character duvet cover,
0:15:22 > 0:15:25but it's £17 cheaper than her usual one.
0:15:25 > 0:15:26Well, brush brush.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- What flavour is it?- Bubble gum.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Is it bubble gum? All clean?
0:15:31 > 0:15:32- Night-night.- Night-night?
0:15:32 > 0:15:34In a little while - you need pyjamas.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36With the children in bed,
0:15:36 > 0:15:38John has one other swap to get his head around.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40All my old laptops.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42What can this mean?
0:15:42 > 0:15:44I think they're going to try and de-Mac you.
0:15:44 > 0:15:45No...
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Your challenge, should you choose to accept it...
0:15:48 > 0:15:52"Dear John, we're curious if any of your retired laptops
0:15:52 > 0:15:55"have a value, and we would like you to investigate.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57"We've e-mailed you an info pack to get you started.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00- "Good luck, Alex and Steph."- Ooh.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03John and Flo had better get a good night's sleep.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11It's day one of the swaps,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14and John's cracking on with his laptop challenge -
0:16:14 > 0:16:17to downsize the family's nine computers,
0:16:17 > 0:16:21starting with a website for an instant online quote.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23The offer is a bit low, I feel.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Macs tend to sell for £300-£400 second-hand,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29so I'm sure I could do better.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32In true Shop Well For Less spirit,
0:16:32 > 0:16:36John's next stop is a high-street store that we think could give him
0:16:36 > 0:16:37a better quote.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39- The MacBook Air, this one here... - OK.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43..is worth £287 cash.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45- Oh, right. Great.- Yeah. - It's looking good.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48So, altogether you're looking at £629 cash.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Thank you very much. That's food for thought.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53£600 for four old laptops is a great start.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00And, at home, it's also good news on the nappy front.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Ava's pull-up hasn't leaked, so that's very good.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Flo usually uses the brand-leader pull-up nappies,
0:17:06 > 0:17:09but this week they've got a cheaper supermarket own brand.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11They fit brilliantly. They were stretchy.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13They held all night long.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15I can swap those - they're great.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19And so is the saving, because that nappy change would save Flo
0:17:19 > 0:17:22over £200 a year.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24And how have they found the budget toilet paper,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27at £1.37 cheaper per pack?
0:17:27 > 0:17:29It's horrid. It's awful. It's...
0:17:29 > 0:17:31It's grey, it's thin,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34and when you unroll it, the ply didn't stay together.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36It all comes undone.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Yeah, no. I mean, you have to have small pleasures in life.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41It's horrid - horrid, horrid, horrid.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45'But some of Flo's small pleasures are pushing this family further
0:17:45 > 0:17:48'into debt, something I'm keen to learn more about.'
0:17:49 > 0:17:53This year has been your most challenging year financially.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Why is that, then?
0:17:55 > 0:18:00I decided to take a year off from work to focus on my youngest, Ava.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- Is that a cup of tea? - Tea. I've got tea...- Cup of tea.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06The year before, when I was working, she had a lot of appointments,
0:18:06 > 0:18:08- she had a lot of different therapies...- Yeah.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10..and I felt I was really juggling everything
0:18:10 > 0:18:12and not doing anything very well.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15How big is the impact that that's had financially?
0:18:15 > 0:18:18I think that to kind of make up for that time away from
0:18:18 > 0:18:21the other two, we've bought them things to kind of show them that
0:18:21 > 0:18:23we are thinking about them and caring for them.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25If I was out, and I needed to get petrol in the car,
0:18:25 > 0:18:27and I didn't have money in my account,
0:18:27 > 0:18:28I'd just put on the credit card.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30- Right.- If we were going to a birthday party,
0:18:30 > 0:18:32I need to buy presents and I don't have any money,
0:18:32 > 0:18:34I'd put it on the credit card.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38I went over my overdraft limit every month, basically,
0:18:38 > 0:18:39and I was just getting charges,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42and I'm a real kind of "bury my head in the sand" kind of girl,
0:18:42 > 0:18:44so I just thought, "It's only for a year,
0:18:44 > 0:18:46"I'll worry about once I go back to work."
0:18:46 > 0:18:48And did you and John
0:18:48 > 0:18:52have honest, open, frank conversations about this?
0:18:52 > 0:18:54I admitted to him how much I owed,
0:18:54 > 0:18:56and I wasn't able to cover the payments,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58so he took over the payments.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00And how much was it, at that point?
0:19:00 > 0:19:03It was probably over £5,000 at that point.
0:19:03 > 0:19:04Going forward,
0:19:04 > 0:19:09do you think that you'll be able to spend in a very different way?
0:19:09 > 0:19:11I've got to sort out this credit-card debt,
0:19:11 > 0:19:12and I have to change my ways. I do.
0:19:12 > 0:19:13You can do it, Flo.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- I can, I can!- You can do it, but remember, you know,
0:19:16 > 0:19:17lots of people do take career breaks,
0:19:17 > 0:19:19- and you did what was best for your family...- Yeah.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20- ..which is admirable.- Yeah.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24Changing their ways is what they must do,
0:19:24 > 0:19:28starting with not buying items they've already got,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31so it's time for John to discover exactly what's in
0:19:31 > 0:19:34that overstuffed garage.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36We've even got him a willing assistant from
0:19:36 > 0:19:39a local handyman company to help with the clear-out.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41As you can see, it's bit of a mess at the moment,
0:19:41 > 0:19:45so I'd like to get a lot of the stuff out, organise it...
0:19:45 > 0:19:47It's hard to know where to start, isn't it?
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Hopefully we can show John that a couple of hours
0:19:50 > 0:19:51cleaning out his man cave...
0:19:51 > 0:19:54Might need more than three hours to do this garage.
0:19:54 > 0:19:55..will be worth it.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57Slowly, slowly.
0:19:57 > 0:19:58Good girl.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00While John's organising his garage,
0:20:00 > 0:20:03we've sent Flo and the children to one place many book-readers have
0:20:03 > 0:20:07simply forgotten about - the local library.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Little Bo Peep has lost her...?
0:20:09 > 0:20:10- Her sheep.- Good.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14John and Flo spend nearly £400 a year on new books,
0:20:14 > 0:20:19but using the library is free, plus there's other priceless benefits.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22It's sort of like a family outing, as well as getting books.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25You know, it's just been a lovely experience this morning.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27So, another successful swap.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Look how many books in there!
0:20:33 > 0:20:36COCKEREL CROWS
0:20:36 > 0:20:40Like the Bances, many families enjoy quality time together,
0:20:40 > 0:20:44so we're putting the ultimate family make-or-break tool to the test.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46We've got five different four-person tents.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52Pitching up on the field today are keen campers, Team A...
0:20:52 > 0:20:54I like to have a lot of room.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58Will our cheapest mid-range tent be adequate?
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Multi-generational Team B...
0:21:01 > 0:21:04We look for a tent that's easy to put up, and something that's
0:21:04 > 0:21:07going to keep us dry when we get the lovely British weather.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11An easy, mid-range, pop-up tent for them.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15Luxury lovers, Team C...
0:21:15 > 0:21:17We like windows - plastic windows.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Well, this inflatable, top-of-the-range tent
0:21:20 > 0:21:21ticks that box.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Next, it's confident Team D...
0:21:24 > 0:21:26Yeah, I think we'll find it quite easy to put up a tent.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31But will their expensive teepee-style tent be their undoing?
0:21:31 > 0:21:33And finally, big spenders Team E...
0:21:33 > 0:21:36I believe that you need to pay for the quality.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38So we've given them the cheapest tent of all.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Our teams will judge their tents on ease and speed of construction,
0:21:43 > 0:21:46comfort, and whether they can weather the weather.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- CHEERING - And they're off!
0:21:49 > 0:21:51It looks like we've got the biggest one out of the lot.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53There's 13 instructions on how to put the poles up -
0:21:53 > 0:21:54just the poles alone.
0:21:54 > 0:21:55Nathan, sort out the poles.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Come on, then. Bring it all out.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59It's big!
0:21:59 > 0:22:00Where's the pegs?
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Oh... The instructions are not very good.
0:22:05 > 0:22:06No, no, no, Josh.
0:22:06 > 0:22:07Are you sure this isn't too long?
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Maybe we should actually be roping it down...
0:22:09 > 0:22:11It feels quite flimsy.
0:22:11 > 0:22:12Oh... Pick it up.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- Where's all the poles? - That's good, that is(!)
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Oh, gosh. The instructions are not very good.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19It doesn't really give you any idea.
0:22:19 > 0:22:20- Put it up. - Oh, you've got to put it up.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- Oh...- Quickest tent I think I've ever had to put up.
0:22:23 > 0:22:24Our tent is up.
0:22:24 > 0:22:279 minutes and 47 seconds to put this up.
0:22:27 > 0:22:28Cracking.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Not bad for the most expensive tent,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33but the mid-range pop-up was quicker.
0:22:33 > 0:22:34It's 4 minutes and 12.
0:22:35 > 0:22:3813 minutes, 54 seconds.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40It's 11 minutes and 10.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42Is that quite quick? No, not really.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45The inflatable tunnel tent puffed in last on speed.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47OK, what time have we got now, then?
0:22:47 > 0:22:4817.12...
0:22:48 > 0:22:50- 17.12.- Not bad.- Not bad.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54But how do our tents fare with comfort and weatherproofing?
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Absolutely tons of room.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00I can't even touch the top and I'm over six foot tall.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02It just hasn't gone up well.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05There's water coming through up here somewhere.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Four people would have to be very familiar.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09SHE CHUCKLES
0:23:09 > 0:23:10All in all, I think it's nice.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14Each team has scored the tents on style,
0:23:14 > 0:23:16how easy it was to put up,
0:23:16 > 0:23:18space and waterproofing.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21All right, the winner is...
0:23:21 > 0:23:22SoulPad.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- CHEERING - Yeah! That's ours!
0:23:27 > 0:23:30It's got the luxury, and it's got enough space,
0:23:30 > 0:23:32and it would be an enjoyable holiday.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Very, very good quality on it,
0:23:34 > 0:23:38and quite a nice price, too, for 520.
0:23:39 > 0:23:40Our winner is the
0:23:40 > 0:23:41most expensive tent,
0:23:41 > 0:23:44and then they follow in price order.
0:23:44 > 0:23:45So, when it comes to tents,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47our campers think maybe it is worth
0:23:47 > 0:23:48paying a little bit more
0:23:48 > 0:23:49for your canopy.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54'Back in Surrey, John's sorted out all of the tools and car parts
0:23:54 > 0:23:57'that he's been collecting over the years in his main garage.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01'I'm hoping this clear-out will now help him focus on the costs involved
0:24:01 > 0:24:06'with keeping his expensive sports car in his rented second garage.'
0:24:06 > 0:24:08- Right, let's get this opened, then. - OK.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Ah! Look at that little beauty. Nice.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Do you get out in it very often?
0:24:15 > 0:24:17Not really. Not any more.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19- Why is that, then? - It's only got two seats.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21- You can't really take three kids out in it.- Yeah.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24- It's not the car for kids, is it? - Not really, no.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26But do you work on it very often?
0:24:26 > 0:24:28Do you come and spend a bit of time with it?
0:24:28 > 0:24:29I do like to do bits on it,
0:24:29 > 0:24:32but it's becoming increasingly hard to do that.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35I might take it out once a week, drive it to work or something.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37It's expensive to have, though,
0:24:37 > 0:24:39if you're only using it fairly infrequently.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42- Yes, it is a bit of an expensive luxury.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46'The rented garage is costing John £1,300 a year,
0:24:46 > 0:24:48'plus there's the car's hefty insurance,
0:24:48 > 0:24:51'but I have a few cash-saving options for him.'
0:24:51 > 0:24:53So, you're spending £500 a year on insurance.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Well, actually, we've found a deal where you would be paying
0:24:56 > 0:25:00- £220 a year, saving you 280 quid. - Fantastic.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03- That's a lot of money, isn't it? - Yeah, that's a lot, yeah.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Again, that's for the same conditions you've got,
0:25:05 > 0:25:07so it would still involve renting the garage.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09So, I've got another idea to put to you.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11- OK.- Get rid of the garage...
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- Yeah?- ..and we've found an insurance deal where you could park it on
0:25:14 > 0:25:18the road and you would pay £460 a year, so you'd save 40 quid,
0:25:18 > 0:25:21but, better than that, you'd save £1,300 from not having to
0:25:21 > 0:25:24- rent the garage any more. - Great deal.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26Can we ditch this garage?
0:25:26 > 0:25:28- Yeah. Yes.- Brilliant.
0:25:28 > 0:25:29Come on, you.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32Another positive result.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35Meanwhile, getting to grips with more swaps...
0:25:35 > 0:25:36Let's give it a go.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39..Flo is coping with the loss of one of her luxuries,
0:25:39 > 0:25:43as we've switched a £300 top-brand vacuum for a budget version.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47- VACUUM HUMS - You can hear the dirt going in.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51When I use my Dyson, it tends to suck this rug up.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55So I'm wondering if it's not as powerful, but, you know...
0:25:55 > 0:25:57it's definitely doing the job.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00There's good manoeuvrability. It's easy, yeah.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03It's... It's better than I expected.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07And so is the price - at £50, investing in this budget machine
0:26:07 > 0:26:11next time would save Flo £250.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13Oh, vacuum heaven!
0:26:13 > 0:26:17'With that in mind, Alex and I want to put Flo's big-brand loyalty
0:26:17 > 0:26:21'to the test on a selection of hand-held vacuums.'
0:26:21 > 0:26:24We imagine, with three children, that you've got a lot of use for
0:26:24 > 0:26:25one of these hand-held vacuums.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Yeah, they're brilliant, actually.
0:26:27 > 0:26:28- Yeah? Do you have one? - Yeah, I do. I do.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31- Yeah? Is it a pricey one? - It is. Yes, it is.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34- Hmm... You like your brands, you, don't you?- I do, I do.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Well, you're going to try and see if we can change your mind, though,
0:26:37 > 0:26:39to see whether, actually, the price, the brand,
0:26:39 > 0:26:42matters when it comes to using one of these.
0:26:42 > 0:26:43- OK.- Yeah.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47We're testing four different hand-held vacuums.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50First up is the cheapest model in the test,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53then a branded mid-range model,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56followed by another, which is slightly cheaper,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59and, finally, it's the most expensive.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03And to test them...we are going to vacuum up some cereal.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Steph and I have gone to great lengths to make sure
0:27:06 > 0:27:08- it's embedded in the carpet.- OK.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10OK, grab your weapon.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12- Ready.- And off we go.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16- VACUUM HUMS - Oh, nice.- Ah...
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Looks good.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Oh, look at that. It's like a runway.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23Right, that's good. Now, then, we're going to do the whole lot now.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25- OK.- Give it a bit of, you know...
0:27:25 > 0:27:27- Bit of welly.- Bit of welly.
0:27:27 > 0:27:28All right.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31'Sucking up first, our cheapest own-brand.'
0:27:31 > 0:27:33And there. That sounds pretty good.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35- Yeah.- It's all right. Yeah.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37- Are you happy with that? - Yeah, I'd say that's great, yeah.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39It feels good. I did had to put a bit of elbow grease in it.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43- Yeah.- I think it's hard to tell until you've seen the others, so...
0:27:43 > 0:27:45- OK, let's go for the red one.- OK.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48- VACUUM HUMS - Yes, yes, yes!- Oh!
0:27:49 > 0:27:50Round of applause.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52That is powerful.
0:27:52 > 0:27:53Oh...
0:27:53 > 0:27:55- That...- That was good.
0:27:55 > 0:27:56- It was taking it in from the sides...- Yeah?
0:27:56 > 0:27:58It wasn't just doing... Yeah.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00- That was nearly hypnotic, wasn't it?- I'm getting excited.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02So, preference so far?
0:28:02 > 0:28:04Well, that was impressive, the way it kind of
0:28:04 > 0:28:07- sucked in from the sides - that was good.- Yeah, agreed.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09Flo's frontrunner is a mid-range brand,
0:28:09 > 0:28:11but so is its next competitor.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13VACUUM HUMS
0:28:15 > 0:28:17I think that is, by far...
0:28:17 > 0:28:19- winner, winner, chicken dinner. - Yeah.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22- Winner, winner, chicken dinner. - So, so far, Flo...
0:28:22 > 0:28:24- Yeah, that one. - Five-star standout.
0:28:24 > 0:28:25Yeah.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Reserve judgment until you have seen all four.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29- OK.- So, we'll move on to the last one.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32'It's £100, but it does have a power boost setting.'
0:28:32 > 0:28:34- That's good, as well.- Oh! VACUUM HUMS
0:28:34 > 0:28:37- Oh.- It's the back, Flo.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39It had two speeds there, didn't it?
0:28:39 > 0:28:42- It did.- I mean, it keeps you on your toes, this one, doesn't it?
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- Yeah!- Because...when you think that the cereal's here,
0:28:45 > 0:28:47it suddenly moves over here.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49Yeah, it's because of where the exhaust is, isn't it?
0:28:49 > 0:28:52So, whereas they're all on the side, this is on the bottom,
0:28:52 > 0:28:54so, as soon as you are doing anything above,
0:28:54 > 0:28:55it blows it off that way.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58- Yeah.- So, if you were going to buy one of these,
0:28:58 > 0:29:00- not knowing the price at this point...- Yeah?
0:29:00 > 0:29:02- ..is this the one you'd buy? - I'd go for this one.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04So, your favourite is...
0:29:04 > 0:29:06- made by Vax...- OK.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09..and that would cost you 49.99.
0:29:09 > 0:29:10Oh, that's really good.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13'Flo's favourite was the cheaper of our mid-range models,
0:29:13 > 0:29:17'but, in fourth place, at double the price, our market leader.'
0:29:17 > 0:29:21That one would set you back 100 quid.
0:29:21 > 0:29:22That is really expensive, isn't it?
0:29:22 > 0:29:24- That's a big difference, isn't it? Yeah.- Yeah.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28'So, before splashing the cash, check out your options first.'
0:29:28 > 0:29:29- There we go, then.- Lovely.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31Time for a cup of tea.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35Everyone in the Bance family is getting involved with the swaps,
0:29:35 > 0:29:36including Jacob.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39"Dear Jacob, we know it's your birthday soon,
0:29:39 > 0:29:41"so we wanted to send you an early birthday gift..."
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Jacob loves Lego,
0:29:43 > 0:29:48but a new set every six weeks costs John and Flo £30 each time...
0:29:48 > 0:29:50- So, you pass me the bits and I'll build.- OK.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53..so we've given Jacob membership to a toy-rental service
0:29:53 > 0:29:56for £8.49 a month.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59Once you've finished with it, you put it all back in the box,
0:29:59 > 0:30:02then you send it back and they will send you another one of your choice.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04You look at it online.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08- Ohhh...- So you don't get to keep it, but each week, or each month,
0:30:08 > 0:30:10you get to make another one.
0:30:10 > 0:30:11- Does that sound good?- Yeah.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15'Across the year, the family could save over £190.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18'And he gets to build something new every month.'
0:30:18 > 0:30:21Oh, look. Black Panther pursuit plane.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25Yeah. But that top one I was looking at, that's definitely
0:30:25 > 0:30:28- going to be the next one. - Oh, the jet plane?- Yeah.- OK.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35Downstairs, we've swapped Flo's big brand cleaning products
0:30:35 > 0:30:37for supermarket own ones,
0:30:37 > 0:30:39hoping she'd be as pleased with the results.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44Smells nice. This shape of mop is what I like.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46It actually feels good, yeah.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50I'm very impressed. I think this is a good quality product.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52It is, just not branded.
0:30:52 > 0:30:57Simply swapping all her cleaning products would save Flo £17 a month.
0:30:57 > 0:30:58Yeah, that smells quite nice.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04Cleaning kitchens is big business, and we Brits spend
0:31:04 > 0:31:08almost £100 million on surface cleaners alone every year.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11Some of the most expensive are eco-friendly.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15So I've travelled to Malle in Belgium,
0:31:15 > 0:31:18the home of the world's first green factory,
0:31:18 > 0:31:21to find out if it's worth spending more to clean green.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24Now, many of us at some point will have probably worried about the
0:31:24 > 0:31:26chemicals in our cleaning products,
0:31:26 > 0:31:30but what actually is in them and do we need to worry about them?
0:31:30 > 0:31:34And should we be thinking about buying more sustainable products?
0:31:34 > 0:31:35Let's go and find out.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42I'm meeting the company's Queen of Clean, Clare Burke.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46So, Clare, I've been to many a factory in my time.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48What does sustainable actually mean?
0:31:48 > 0:31:51So, sustainable is all about the ingredients and the packaging,
0:31:51 > 0:31:54essentially, that we use and how it is produced.
0:31:54 > 0:31:55So if you look at what's around us...
0:31:55 > 0:31:57You look at the wood that we've used in the factory -
0:31:57 > 0:32:00it's all been used from local forests.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03We also make sure that we recycle everything in the factory, as well.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08Many regular cleaning products contain chemicals made from
0:32:08 > 0:32:11petroleum and strong antibacterial substances, like bleach.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16So what's so special about the products that are in this,
0:32:16 > 0:32:18compared to other cleaning stuff?
0:32:18 > 0:32:20All of our products
0:32:20 > 0:32:23are actually made from natural plant-based materials,
0:32:23 > 0:32:25so our ingredients actually all come from nature and
0:32:25 > 0:32:26are inspired by nature.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28But nature doesn't come cheap.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31The raw products are more costly than petrochemicals,
0:32:31 > 0:32:34and, as the eco-friendly market is relatively new,
0:32:34 > 0:32:38a lot of expensive research has been done to develop the products.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41It does smell gorgeous, but whenever I think of cleaning products,
0:32:41 > 0:32:45I think of chemicals and bleach and it's not clean unless it smells
0:32:45 > 0:32:49- like that, is it?- You don't actually have to sterilise your home and make
0:32:49 > 0:32:51it smell like bleach for it to actually be clean.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54Our products remove all the dirt and anything that you'd want to be gone
0:32:54 > 0:32:56from your surfaces.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58'But our kitchens can get very dirty,
0:32:58 > 0:33:04'and the lowly kitchen sink can contain 100,000 times more germs than the bathroom.'
0:33:04 > 0:33:07But your stuff isn't antibacterial, is it?
0:33:07 > 0:33:09And that would worry me, because I'd be thinking,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12"You're not getting rid of the bacteria, so how is it cleaning it properly?"
0:33:12 > 0:33:15Not all bacteria is bad bacteria and actually we believe you don't have
0:33:15 > 0:33:18to over sterilise to actually kill to clean everything.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21I think we should put it to the test, then. Shall we go to the lab?
0:33:22 > 0:33:25Lead formulator Peter from the factory's in-house lab
0:33:25 > 0:33:27is going to do just that.
0:33:27 > 0:33:28- Hi, Peter.- Hello, Steph.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31- So, Peter, this is clearly where you test everything.- Mm-hm.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34And I've seen earlier with Claire the ingredients that goes into your
0:33:34 > 0:33:36stuff, but what goes into other cleaning products?
0:33:36 > 0:33:38Why are they so different?
0:33:38 > 0:33:40The other products usually use petrochemicals,
0:33:40 > 0:33:44which are basically made out of crude oil.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47But how do they compare when you put them to the test with cleaning?
0:33:47 > 0:33:49- Can we have a look?- Yes, OK.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52So first we need to get dirty.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55'Three plastic strips are stained with an oily solution.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58'That's then dried to make it as hard as possible to get off.'
0:33:59 > 0:34:02So we've got your product here...
0:34:02 > 0:34:06- Yes.- Brand X, which is a leading competitor that we know has petrochemicals in.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08- And water.- Yes.
0:34:08 > 0:34:09And you can choose which one...
0:34:09 > 0:34:10Oh, I can choose.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Right, well of course, I'm going to make your product do the one that's
0:34:13 > 0:34:15the muckiest.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18'Once added to the sponges, it's time to get scrubbing.'
0:34:18 > 0:34:21And then we let machine do its work.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24None of the cleaning solutions will remove the oily stains completely,
0:34:24 > 0:34:27but I'm expecting a difference between them.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30And you can see that the water's not up to much,
0:34:30 > 0:34:31but it's got a little bit off.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35- It's got a little bit off, yeah, of course.- But the other two seem to have got more.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38But you haven't beaten the competitor there, have you?
0:34:38 > 0:34:40No. But that's not our goal.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42We just want to...
0:34:42 > 0:34:46show that green also can clean as good as the conventional brands.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50When you're comparing what these different types of products do,
0:34:50 > 0:34:52the ones with the chemicals in
0:34:52 > 0:34:54versus those which are more sustainable and
0:34:54 > 0:34:56have less of an impact on the environment,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59there isn't much difference in terms of their cleaning quality.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02The difference is about the price.
0:35:02 > 0:35:03And you've got to ask yourself...
0:35:03 > 0:35:06is helping the environment something I can afford?
0:35:06 > 0:35:08But if it's all about price for you
0:35:08 > 0:35:11then it might not be something you want to pay for.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15- In Surrey...- Yay!
0:35:15 > 0:35:17We're trying to teach the family to
0:35:17 > 0:35:20decide what's worth paying more for and what's not.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22They spend over £1,000 a year
0:35:22 > 0:35:25on games, toys and books for the children.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27Bought a lot more toys for Ava
0:35:27 > 0:35:29when she was younger to help her development, you know?
0:35:29 > 0:35:32Sort of different toys than we bought the others, so, yeah, we did
0:35:32 > 0:35:36spend a lot of money on Ava's toys. About, yeah, £20-£30 per toy.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38So, to reduce that amount,
0:35:38 > 0:35:40we've sent Flo and Ava to this local church
0:35:40 > 0:35:43where each week a toy exchange takes place.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46We could borrow the horsey.
0:35:46 > 0:35:47Shall we take the horsey home?
0:35:47 > 0:35:49Does it make a noise?
0:35:49 > 0:35:52'For just £10 a year, Ava can choose four toys to take home,
0:35:52 > 0:35:54'play with them to her heart's content
0:35:54 > 0:35:57'and then return them to exchange for four more.'
0:35:57 > 0:36:00This is a great toy library - it's a great idea.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02I've been to lots of stay and plays.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05You know, so you go and use other toys - that's great -
0:36:05 > 0:36:06but I've never been able to take them away.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08And it's a really great idea, yeah.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12'If Flo swapped half of Ava's new toys with the toy exchange ones,
0:36:12 > 0:36:15'she'd save around £150 a year.'
0:36:15 > 0:36:17- Lovely.- There you go. - Thank you very much.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21Flo and John, like many parents,
0:36:21 > 0:36:24feel the pressure to regularly buy things for their children.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27Professor Avi Shankar wants to tell us more.
0:36:27 > 0:36:28So how old do you think children are
0:36:28 > 0:36:32when they become influenced by advertising?
0:36:32 > 0:36:34They've got to be young, because advertisers are clever,
0:36:34 > 0:36:38- aren't they?- The evidence suggests that from about three, four, five,
0:36:38 > 0:36:41kids can start recognising the difference between the TV programme,
0:36:41 > 0:36:44the advert, they can start recognising a brand.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47We've got to remember that children aren't born consumers,
0:36:47 > 0:36:48they learn to be consumers.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52There are various tricks that marketers are doing to attract
0:36:52 > 0:36:57children to their products. Animals are often very commonly used.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00The other thing that's interesting is the use of colours,
0:37:00 > 0:37:01the use of very simple images.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04So this rabbit is a very simplified rabbit.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06So, have a go at naming them.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09- Do you know what they are? - I think Xbox is the top one.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11Yeah. Nesquik.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13- Yeah.- I don't know what that one is.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15I think that is some sort of...
0:37:15 > 0:37:17Is it something to do with music?
0:37:17 > 0:37:19That is the Pokemon brand.
0:37:19 > 0:37:20BOTH: Oh!
0:37:20 > 0:37:23- OK?- OK. That's Nickelodeon, isn't it, the channel?
0:37:23 > 0:37:25- Yeah.- That's...- Any ideas?
0:37:25 > 0:37:27Is that like a Minecraft one, or something like that?
0:37:27 > 0:37:29- And then Duplo the rabbit. - The building blocks, yeah.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31Well, all I can say is
0:37:31 > 0:37:33you're pretty in touch with the child within you both,
0:37:33 > 0:37:35- cos you did pretty well. - We're very childish, Avi.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38And I suspect if we showed these to a group of young kids,
0:37:38 > 0:37:41they'd be able to get every single one of these.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43- Yeah.- When they get a bit older,
0:37:43 > 0:37:46they can start recognising certain relationships,
0:37:46 > 0:37:49like, for example, the relationship between price and quality.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52They also start getting influenced by other people,
0:37:52 > 0:37:58so they start saying, "I want this, because my mate's got it."
0:37:59 > 0:38:03'To illustrate his point, Avi gives us both our very own school PE kit.'
0:38:03 > 0:38:07- I like your bag. It's got more of a leathery feel.- Off, off.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10- Mine's pleather. - Oh, mine's got a big brand on.
0:38:10 > 0:38:11Oh, maybe I like mine more now.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Oh, they're nice, aren't they?
0:38:17 > 0:38:18I'm that kid in the playground
0:38:18 > 0:38:20who's got everything with labels on, aren't I?
0:38:20 > 0:38:22I'm the one who forgot their sports kit
0:38:22 > 0:38:24and has had to borrow from the school.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28So, clearly, Steph's got the branded kit
0:38:28 > 0:38:29and I've got the non-branded kit.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31But if you pick the stuff up and have a look at it,
0:38:31 > 0:38:33can you tell any difference between the quality?
0:38:33 > 0:38:37I know, but that's the thing - there isn't much difference, is there?
0:38:37 > 0:38:41It's just about the ticks, the dots, the little stripes, the logos,
0:38:41 > 0:38:43- which is sad, isn't it?- Yeah. - That that's what it comes down to.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47It is. And, as an adult, you can see their functionality is the same,
0:38:47 > 0:38:50but, as a child, it's very hard when the 'in' thing
0:38:50 > 0:38:52is to have the tick on your T-shirt.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56So one of the things we can do is to try and point out to them
0:38:56 > 0:38:59that they shouldn't make friends with people just because
0:38:59 > 0:39:02they've got this brand or that brand and there's more important things.
0:39:02 > 0:39:06- So, when they're at school, they're not feeling that pressure from other kids?- Absolutely.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09They're thinking about other things that they should be valued for.
0:39:09 > 0:39:10- Yeah.- And if all else fails...
0:39:10 > 0:39:13home-school them. So they don't see any of it!
0:39:14 > 0:39:16'This is good advice for us all.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19'Don't bow to the big brand peer pressure
0:39:19 > 0:39:21'and check out cheaper alternatives.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26'And, in Surrey, the brand-loving Bances are doing just that.'
0:39:26 > 0:39:29There are certain brand products I do like. So, I've got dry skin...
0:39:29 > 0:39:31Dove products are lovely, so I do like that.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33'But we've swapped all her branded
0:39:33 > 0:39:37'toiletries with products that cost less, including her favourite soap.'
0:39:37 > 0:39:41The soap I used today in the shower, I really didn't like it.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43I did feel I was being punished.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45I felt it was like the war, you know. Ration.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48'But, Flo, you get four bars of this soap
0:39:48 > 0:39:50'for the price of your usual one.
0:39:50 > 0:39:55'So are our budget face wipes at 50p a pack also facing defeat?'
0:39:55 > 0:39:56They're really nice, yeah.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58They got off all the dirt and make up
0:39:58 > 0:40:00and they felt nice on my face.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04'It's a pretty good £2.49 saving, too.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08'And this body lotion at 99p is a quarter of the price of her usual top-end cream.'
0:40:08 > 0:40:14It's a really nice lotion, so I would definitely be happy to swap to this one.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19'Outside, John's hoping his driveway will scrub up a treat.'
0:40:19 > 0:40:21- Ta-da!- Right.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24'More proud homeowners than ever are ditching soggy sponges for these
0:40:24 > 0:40:28'heavy-duty cleaners. And I've brought five along with me for John to test.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34'The first one is the most expensive at almost £140.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39'Our next pressure washer is under half the price,
0:40:39 > 0:40:42'followed by not one, but two mid-range models.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48'And finally, the cheapest, at just under £40.'
0:40:48 > 0:40:53What I've done - brought five patio slabs, covered in autumnal muck.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55- Yeah.- And we're just going to put them to the test.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59- All right, fantastic.- OK, shall we start with this one?- Yeah.- Oh!
0:40:59 > 0:41:01I didn't expect that.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04First up, our most expensive model with its different jet settings.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08Well, I mean, it's magic, isn't it?
0:41:08 > 0:41:11Yeah, look, it looks lovely and clean now.
0:41:11 > 0:41:12That is quite impressive, isn't it?
0:41:12 > 0:41:16- Yes, yeah.- Let's give the second one a go, then.
0:41:16 > 0:41:17Oh...
0:41:17 > 0:41:21At just under half the price, our next washer has the same pressure,
0:41:21 > 0:41:23but will it be as good?
0:41:24 > 0:41:25That looks like a bit of an effort.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28Yes, it's certainly more of an effort than the first one.
0:41:28 > 0:41:29Eh...
0:41:29 > 0:41:33- Yeah.- I couldn't be doing with it. I mean, imagine doing a whole patio.
0:41:33 > 0:41:38Yes! Next up, with higher pressure, our first mid-range washer.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40Love the colour of this one.
0:41:40 > 0:41:41Yes, yes. Nice and bright.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45Do we think that stripe is as clean as the first one?
0:41:45 > 0:41:46No. No.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49I don't think so. Unsure at the moment. Definitely between one and three.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53OK, let's move on to this lovely green one.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Have a go. Oh...
0:41:55 > 0:41:58And with the same pressure, another mid-range machine,
0:41:58 > 0:42:00compact and slightly cheaper.
0:42:00 > 0:42:01Now that is a good stripe.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05- Yes.- How do we feel about this green one, compared to the others?
0:42:05 > 0:42:06Oh, it could be in the lead now.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09Finally, it's our cheapest and smallest model.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12That to me, it's like a toy one, isn't it?
0:42:12 > 0:42:15- Yeah, it looks a little bit feeble compared...- A little bit feeble.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17But you never know. Size isn't everything.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20- No, no.- That's what they say, isn't it? Let's have a look.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22It might be a £40 bargain,
0:42:22 > 0:42:25but does our cheapest model sacrifice power for price,
0:42:25 > 0:42:28with only 60 bars of pressure?
0:42:28 > 0:42:31Well, I mean, do good things come in small packages?
0:42:31 > 0:42:34It did work all right. But it was a little bit more effort than the
0:42:34 > 0:42:36others. I would say it's your budget option.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38After a quick spray,
0:42:38 > 0:42:41John's second favourite was the most expensive model.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44But which washer really raised his pressure?
0:42:44 > 0:42:45Most favourite would be the green one.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49Good price, good size, worked very well.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52This gadget man's favourite is a mid-range washer.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55So for John, price doesn't always reflect performance.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58- It's just win-win, John. - It is, yes.- Win-win.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01What isn't a win-win, however,
0:43:01 > 0:43:04is the five grand of debt on Flo's store and credit cards,
0:43:04 > 0:43:07which we've locked away in the bedroom.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11Cleverly managing this debt could get them out of the red much quicker.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16The store card that you have has a rate of 22.9%...
0:43:16 > 0:43:19- OK.- ..on it, APR, so the annual percentage rate,
0:43:19 > 0:43:21so that's the interest that's going
0:43:21 > 0:43:24- to the company who are giving you the credit.- Yeah.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26So if you've got a grand on a store card,
0:43:26 > 0:43:28roughly that works out...
0:43:28 > 0:43:32Let's say it's 22% of £220 interest you're paying...
0:43:32 > 0:43:36- Yeah.- So there's the grand you've spent and then 220 quid on top of that.
0:43:36 > 0:43:40- Yeah, yeah.- So that is just wasted money, isn't it?
0:43:40 > 0:43:43- It is.- And you guys have got money you're putting into savings,
0:43:43 > 0:43:46- haven't you?- John has.- So if you look at the other end...
0:43:46 > 0:43:49Yeah, so, John, I'm pleased to hear that you're a bit more savvy with
0:43:49 > 0:43:52- your money.- Yeah.- But actually, the way you're doing it now,
0:43:52 > 0:43:54you're cancelling it out,
0:43:54 > 0:43:57you're cancelling anything you'd get from that savings out and more.
0:43:59 > 0:44:03Thinking of their savings and debt separately is a big mistake.
0:44:03 > 0:44:08To keep things simple, if John has £1,000 in savings at 2.5% interest,
0:44:08 > 0:44:11he's earning £25 a year.
0:44:12 > 0:44:19Meanwhile, £1,000 of Flo's debt with 22% APR will cost her 220 a year.
0:44:20 > 0:44:23Look at that big difference between the two.
0:44:23 > 0:44:25It's 220 quid versus...
0:44:25 > 0:44:28Sounds like you're saying he should give me the £1,000
0:44:28 > 0:44:30instead of saving it.
0:44:30 > 0:44:34Yes, but only if he knows you're then not going to spend another grand...
0:44:34 > 0:44:37- On another credit card! - Exactly, that's why I don't do it.
0:44:37 > 0:44:42Yeah. 'If John did, it would save the couple £195 straight away.'
0:44:42 > 0:44:45I'm sure you've seen these advertised.
0:44:45 > 0:44:49'But a solution to their almost £5,000 credit card debt might be
0:44:49 > 0:44:52'another credit card with 0% balance transfer.'
0:44:53 > 0:44:57The upshot is you're then not paying any interest on the actual
0:44:57 > 0:44:59outstanding balance.
0:44:59 > 0:45:01So if you're paying off £100 a month for four years,
0:45:01 > 0:45:03how much better off do you think you'd be?
0:45:03 > 0:45:06Don't know, you're asking me difficult maths.
0:45:06 > 0:45:07£1,000?
0:45:07 > 0:45:09- I've no idea.- Not bad.
0:45:10 > 0:45:12£1,200 better off.
0:45:12 > 0:45:14- OK.- 'It is a good option,
0:45:14 > 0:45:19'but only if you pay off the amount before the 0% offer expires.'
0:45:19 > 0:45:23So having seen those options, how do you feel?
0:45:24 > 0:45:30The best option seems to be John pays off the credit card and we're back at zero.
0:45:30 > 0:45:34But could you be disciplined enough not to then spend on the
0:45:34 > 0:45:39- credit card?- Um, no, in that it'd have to go. If it's there, I probably would use it.
0:45:39 > 0:45:41So if we're going for that option,
0:45:41 > 0:45:43we'd have to cut it up, get rid of it.
0:45:43 > 0:45:46So would you do that with your store cards, as well?
0:45:46 > 0:45:50- Um...- Because John is making the sacrifice that he's going to use the
0:45:50 > 0:45:54savings to help you pay this off, but you have got to...
0:45:54 > 0:45:58- Yeah.- ..make the sacrifice with your store card.- Yeah.- So...
0:46:03 > 0:46:05Oh, God. Do I really have to do this?
0:46:05 > 0:46:08- Yes, you really have to do this. - OK.- Come on.
0:46:08 > 0:46:10All right. But it's a big...it's a big sacrifice that I'm making.
0:46:10 > 0:46:13I can see the pain in your face. I know this is a major thing for you.
0:46:13 > 0:46:17- Yeah.- Look at John's face. He's like, "Get in!"
0:46:17 > 0:46:19'That's got to hurt, but to ease the pain,
0:46:19 > 0:46:24'John could use the money from the sale of his laptops to pay off the debt on the store card.'
0:46:25 > 0:46:27If John pays off the Next card,
0:46:27 > 0:46:30then the agreement has to be that I don't use it any more,
0:46:30 > 0:46:32so that's fine.
0:46:35 > 0:46:37'With her store card now snipped,
0:46:37 > 0:46:42'catalogue shopper Flo will need more budget-friendly fashion for her once-a-week night out.'
0:46:42 > 0:46:44Very nice. So I'm assuming...
0:46:44 > 0:46:46Are they from a charity shop?
0:46:46 > 0:46:51'Indeed they are. If she swapped one of the two £35 dresses she buys
0:46:51 > 0:46:56'every month with a £15 charity dress, she'd save £240 a year.
0:46:56 > 0:46:59'We've even got her leather boots to complete her outfit.'
0:46:59 > 0:47:02They look really nice, but, yeah, I can see they're not new,
0:47:02 > 0:47:04so I'm a little bit...uh.
0:47:04 > 0:47:08But looking at them like that, you wouldn't know.
0:47:08 > 0:47:10But that's a little bit out of my comfort zone,
0:47:10 > 0:47:12the whole second-hand shoes thing.
0:47:12 > 0:47:16'Well, perhaps a £30 saving will make them more comfortable to wear.'
0:47:16 > 0:47:19Like this one. Good colour, nice fit.
0:47:19 > 0:47:21That's really nice. The boots are great.
0:47:21 > 0:47:23Love the boots.
0:47:23 > 0:47:26'Flo loves a night out with friends and family.
0:47:26 > 0:47:29'But it's costing her almost £2,000 a year.
0:47:29 > 0:47:32'Tonight, we're sending Flo, her mum and sisters...
0:47:33 > 0:47:36'..to something completely free - a tango class.'
0:47:36 > 0:47:40You have to make sure there's no weight on that leg.
0:47:40 > 0:47:43I'm really excited that it's really different, unusual,
0:47:43 > 0:47:47so I don't know what it'll be like but I'm really excited, yeah.
0:47:48 > 0:47:52There are plenty of free classes up and down the country.
0:47:52 > 0:47:55All you've got to do is go online and search your area.
0:47:57 > 0:47:59One... Two...
0:47:59 > 0:48:03You know, we love going and having a dance generally.
0:48:03 > 0:48:05So, yeah, this would definitely be an alternative
0:48:05 > 0:48:07to going out for dinner.
0:48:07 > 0:48:09So a good night doesn't have to cost loads.
0:48:09 > 0:48:12And that includes buying a new outfit.
0:48:12 > 0:48:15You look beautiful, very glamorous.
0:48:15 > 0:48:18You've told me about the joys of charity shops, haven't you?
0:48:18 > 0:48:22- Exactly.- You said...- And, you know, you can get fabulous-looking stuff,
0:48:22 > 0:48:26just like those boots and this gorgeous outfit,
0:48:26 > 0:48:27for a bargain price.
0:48:27 > 0:48:29'Couldn't have said it better myself!'
0:48:29 > 0:48:31Very good.
0:48:31 > 0:48:32Don't want any fancy twirls.
0:48:32 > 0:48:34I'm sorry, I like the spinning!
0:48:36 > 0:48:40The week of swaps is over and Alex and I have returned to Surrey
0:48:40 > 0:48:43to find out how the Bance family have got on.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45We have asked a lot of them through all of this.
0:48:45 > 0:48:48I think we have to. They are really going to have to change the way that
0:48:48 > 0:48:52they view money and how they deal with their finances.
0:48:52 > 0:48:53Oh, I'm excited for them!
0:48:53 > 0:48:57The proof will be in the reveal pudding, won't it?
0:48:57 > 0:49:02Yeah. We're about to discover just how willing the Bances are to change
0:49:02 > 0:49:04their bad spending habits for good.
0:49:04 > 0:49:07- Hello.- Hello! How are you? - Very well.
0:49:09 > 0:49:12So we did a fair bit of swapping in your house.
0:49:12 > 0:49:13How did it go?
0:49:13 > 0:49:17- Yeah, went fine.- Yeah, some of it was harder than others,
0:49:17 > 0:49:19but generally it was all right.
0:49:19 > 0:49:22- It was bearable.- OK, well, let's have a look at the swaps
0:49:22 > 0:49:26individually, then, and see whether they were a winner or not.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29- OK.- OK. So we're going to start with the vacuum cleaner.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32- OK! Yeah.- You certainly reacted to that.
0:49:32 > 0:49:33I did, yes.
0:49:34 > 0:49:40Swapping Flo's £300 top-brand vacuum with a budget option sent her into a spin.
0:49:40 > 0:49:42Er... Who is it? I mean, what is it?
0:49:42 > 0:49:44Who is it? I don't like it already.
0:49:44 > 0:49:46I'm quite upset.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50Can you actually get distressed over a vacuum cleaner?
0:49:50 > 0:49:54Well, I didn't realise you could, but, yes, you can!
0:49:54 > 0:49:57- I love that.- Wow.- Who knew? - Did it work?- Yeah.
0:49:57 > 0:49:59- Were you happy with its performance? - I was really surprised, actually.
0:49:59 > 0:50:01Yeah, it works absolutely fine.
0:50:01 > 0:50:03And, yeah, it did the job.
0:50:03 > 0:50:06- Da-da-da!- 'If Flo bought this vacuum next time,
0:50:06 > 0:50:09'she'd save herself a whopping £250.'
0:50:09 > 0:50:11- Wow.- Wow.
0:50:11 > 0:50:12That is a massive price difference.
0:50:12 > 0:50:14Yeah, it is. It was really good.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17If you're going to save that much money, yeah, it's definitely worth it.
0:50:17 > 0:50:19- Yeah.- 'Next up, the children.'
0:50:19 > 0:50:22We had a look at your spending and it turns out that you do spend about
0:50:22 > 0:50:26£20 a week on your children in terms of new toys, new books,
0:50:26 > 0:50:27- or new games.- Yeah.
0:50:27 > 0:50:31This includes regularly buying Jacob new sets of Lego,
0:50:31 > 0:50:35so we signed him up to an online club where he can borrow one set a month.
0:50:35 > 0:50:39So the subscription costs £8.49 a month.
0:50:39 > 0:50:41- Wow.- OK.
0:50:41 > 0:50:42That's brilliant.
0:50:42 > 0:50:46So how much do you reckon you're saving, then?
0:50:46 > 0:50:47- A lot.- A lot.
0:50:47 > 0:50:49- Shall I tell you?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51It's £21.51 a month.
0:50:51 > 0:50:52Yeah. That's brilliant.
0:50:52 > 0:50:57So Jacob gets to play with more Lego over the year and saves them £190.
0:50:57 > 0:50:59- So, swap?- Definitely. - Definitely, yeah.
0:50:59 > 0:51:02- Yay!- That's a big bit of Lego, isn't it?
0:51:02 > 0:51:04Brilliant.
0:51:04 > 0:51:07'We didn't want to totally deny Ava of any new toys,
0:51:07 > 0:51:11'but perhaps they could save a little by using their local toy exchange.'
0:51:11 > 0:51:13Did she like it? Was it a great day out?
0:51:13 > 0:51:16Yeah, she did. Because it was sort of a stay and play anyway,
0:51:16 > 0:51:19she had fun, it was all new toys that she hadn't seen or played with.
0:51:19 > 0:51:23She really enjoyed it and at the end we were able to take them away.
0:51:23 > 0:51:27So if you bought half and borrowed the rest,
0:51:27 > 0:51:30you'd save £12.50 a month.
0:51:30 > 0:51:33- Yeah, yeah.- Which is pretty good, isn't it?- Yeah, no, that's great.
0:51:33 > 0:51:36'Over a year, that's a saving of £150.
0:51:36 > 0:51:39'But a family visit to the library saves even more.'
0:51:39 > 0:51:42- Thank you very much. - We asked you to try out a library.
0:51:42 > 0:51:44Tell us why you reacted like that.
0:51:44 > 0:51:45Because it's so obvious, isn't it?
0:51:45 > 0:51:48I'm embarrassed. I know the library's there.
0:51:48 > 0:51:52- It is so obvious.- Yeah. - So obvious, but they are so underused, aren't they?
0:51:52 > 0:51:53Yeah, they are. They are.
0:51:53 > 0:51:56So the saving would be...
0:51:56 > 0:51:58£25.94 a month.
0:51:58 > 0:52:01- That's quite a lot of money, isn't it?- It is.- On books.- Yeah.
0:52:01 > 0:52:03- Yeah.- It's all adding up. - Exactly. It's all adding up.
0:52:03 > 0:52:05Visiting the library,
0:52:05 > 0:52:10plus the other toy swaps would save John and Flo over £600 a year.
0:52:10 > 0:52:12But what about the family's biggest toy?
0:52:12 > 0:52:16John's sports car, housed in that second garage.
0:52:16 > 0:52:17What have you decided about all of that?
0:52:17 > 0:52:19I will probably sell the car.
0:52:19 > 0:52:22- Probably? - All right, I will sell the car.
0:52:22 > 0:52:24- You will sell the car?- Yes.
0:52:24 > 0:52:27Wow. So if you got rid of the car, you wouldn't need the garage and you
0:52:27 > 0:52:29certainly wouldn't need the insurance.
0:52:29 > 0:52:31That's £1,800 there in your pocket.
0:52:31 > 0:52:35- Fantastic.- And whatever you get for the car as well and it's valuing at
0:52:35 > 0:52:37about £3,000, isn't it?
0:52:37 > 0:52:41- Yeah, yeah.- So that would be really helpful for you guys.
0:52:41 > 0:52:45This would be an enormous saving of around 4,800.
0:52:45 > 0:52:48We're not saying that you're not allowed to ever enjoy your hobbies.
0:52:48 > 0:52:50But as you say, you've only had it six months
0:52:50 > 0:52:51and you're already bored of it.
0:52:51 > 0:52:53- Yeah.- Yeah.- What does that tell you?
0:52:53 > 0:52:55- You don't need it!- No...
0:52:55 > 0:52:59And there are plenty more savings available if the family simply
0:52:59 > 0:53:03switch some of their branded products, including the face wipes.
0:53:03 > 0:53:06They're really nice. Yeah, they got off all the dirt and make-up.
0:53:06 > 0:53:09And the cost per packet for these is 50 pence.
0:53:09 > 0:53:13- Wow.- Which is a saving of £2.49.
0:53:13 > 0:53:15I'm really surprised. They were really good.
0:53:15 > 0:53:1750p? What is 50p nowadays?
0:53:17 > 0:53:21- Nothing.- And that's an annual saving of 30 quid.
0:53:21 > 0:53:25But there was one swap which definitely didn't go down well.
0:53:25 > 0:53:28- Oh, no. Value toilet paper. - You know, look at the colour of it.
0:53:28 > 0:53:30It's horrid. Horrid, horrid, horrid.
0:53:30 > 0:53:32There would be a saving of £1.37.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35- OK. No.- No?
0:53:35 > 0:53:36I love their reaction!
0:53:36 > 0:53:39It's literally, "£1.37? It would have to be £1,000..."
0:53:39 > 0:53:43- Yeah!- The point is you'd get three extra rolls,
0:53:43 > 0:53:46so all of that column there is free.
0:53:46 > 0:53:48Yeah, but they're thinner anyway...
0:53:48 > 0:53:51- No, no...- Not even £40 a year would change your mind?
0:53:51 > 0:53:53- No.- No.- No.
0:53:54 > 0:53:59Thankfully, they didn't turn their noses up at Ava's supermarket own night-time nappy swap.
0:53:59 > 0:54:03These were brilliant. They were really roomy, stretchy, everything you want.
0:54:03 > 0:54:06They lasted all night. They were amazing.
0:54:06 > 0:54:08- So is it a swap? - Definitely.- Yeah.
0:54:08 > 0:54:13OK. That swap, John, will mean a saving of £230 annually.
0:54:13 > 0:54:15Fantastic.
0:54:15 > 0:54:19But would catalogue-loving Flo be as comfortable as Ava with the
0:54:19 > 0:54:21second-hand clothes we gave her to try?
0:54:21 > 0:54:25So, if you do a high street dress and a charity dress every month,
0:54:25 > 0:54:27the saving you're looking at is £20 a month.
0:54:27 > 0:54:29Yeah. It makes sense.
0:54:29 > 0:54:32You know, we do have fantastic charity shops in this area.
0:54:32 > 0:54:34You could find some really good stuff.
0:54:34 > 0:54:36Yeah, yeah.
0:54:36 > 0:54:38So how was Flo's fancy footwear?
0:54:38 > 0:54:40So you walked a day in someone else's shoes...
0:54:40 > 0:54:42Yes!
0:54:42 > 0:54:45- How did it feel? - They were really nice.
0:54:45 > 0:54:48They looked really good on. They were really comfortable, there's
0:54:48 > 0:54:50- just a slight kind of ick factor, but...- Yeah.
0:54:50 > 0:54:52Did you get over it, though?
0:54:52 > 0:54:54I think I did, yeah. I had a really good night, so...
0:54:54 > 0:54:57Two people have had a really good night in these now!
0:54:57 > 0:55:00So you normally spend about 50 quid on a pair of boots.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03These ones from a charity shop were 20 quid.
0:55:03 > 0:55:06- Yeah.- And that would be a 30 quid saving.
0:55:06 > 0:55:09- So would they be a swap? - It's something to consider.
0:55:10 > 0:55:14Also worth considering was the night out swap, for free tango.
0:55:15 > 0:55:18It was really good fun, yeah. We had a lot of fun. Took my mum,
0:55:18 > 0:55:21my two sisters and we just had a really lovely time.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23And it was...free!
0:55:23 > 0:55:25- Amazing.- Completely free.
0:55:25 > 0:55:29- Amazing.- That would save you 35 quid a week.
0:55:29 > 0:55:31- Yeah.- It's £1,800 a year.
0:55:31 > 0:55:33- And you're not really sacrificing anything, are you?- No.
0:55:33 > 0:55:35- Cos you're going to do something else fun.- Yeah.
0:55:35 > 0:55:37- Wahay! Is that a swap? - Yeah, that's a swap.- Good.
0:55:37 > 0:55:40- Good.- 'The majority of swaps have been a success,
0:55:40 > 0:55:42'but if they continue with our advice,
0:55:42 > 0:55:46'will the Bances be able to pay off that five grand credit card debt and
0:55:46 > 0:55:48'start saving?'
0:55:48 > 0:55:51Would you like to hear from us a total of what you could
0:55:51 > 0:55:54save in the future going forward?
0:55:54 > 0:55:55- Yeah. We're ready.- Go on, then.
0:55:55 > 0:55:59That would be a saving of £8,500.
0:55:59 > 0:56:01- Oh.- Mm...- That's amazing.
0:56:01 > 0:56:05And that actually is not huge changes in terms of your day-to-day life, is it?
0:56:05 > 0:56:07- No.- No.- It's just approaching things differently.
0:56:07 > 0:56:11- Yeah.- Quite amazing, because they are small changes and they're really
0:56:11 > 0:56:14- not too painful.- And you can talk about money more with each other.
0:56:14 > 0:56:18Yeah. It's forced us to look at the finances and talk about the problem
0:56:18 > 0:56:21that we've got and how we're going to solve it.
0:56:21 > 0:56:23Yeah. Find a sensible solution to it.
0:56:23 > 0:56:25- Yeah.- Come on!- Group hug, group hug.
0:56:26 > 0:56:29- This isn't awkward at all. - Come on, John.
0:56:30 > 0:56:33Well, I feel a great sense of achievement from them there.
0:56:33 > 0:56:36Like so many families, they had their heads buried in the sand.
0:56:36 > 0:56:38They just wouldn't talk about money.
0:56:38 > 0:56:41- And now look at them!- It's opened up a conversation about money that they
0:56:41 > 0:56:43- couldn't have.- It's doable.
0:56:43 > 0:56:46You know, it's not big and scary changes, so...
0:56:47 > 0:56:48- ..let's do it.- Mm.
0:56:48 > 0:56:51- We can't do miracles, can we? But they're on the right track.- Yeah.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53- I like the sound of the tango as well.- Do you?- How do you tango?
0:56:53 > 0:56:56- Maybe we should try that. Oh, God, here we go...- What is it?
0:56:56 > 0:56:57What happens?
0:56:57 > 0:56:59No, no, no, it's not like this...
0:56:59 > 0:57:03I mean, it's just not this. This is not it, at all.
0:57:03 > 0:57:04You're doing really well.
0:57:04 > 0:57:07Next time, a family with expensive tastes.
0:57:07 > 0:57:09This must've cost an absolute bomb.
0:57:09 > 0:57:11Slowing down their spending...
0:57:11 > 0:57:12- 7,000.- What?!
0:57:12 > 0:57:15Got a really bad addiction. I totally admit it.
0:57:15 > 0:57:16..won't be easy.
0:57:16 > 0:57:18- OK, this is not working. - This is rubbish.