0:00:02 > 0:00:06When 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 > 0:00:10But how can we control our spending?
0:00:10 > 0:00:1430,000 or something like that?
0:00:14 > 0:00:16I'm business journalist Steph McGovern.
0:00:16 > 0:00:177,000.
0:00:17 > 0:00:18- SHE GASPS - What?!
0:00:18 > 0:00:21I want to help make our money go further.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23We are bringing down your spending.
0:00:23 > 0:00:24And 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 > 0:00:32- How many times have you used that, then?- I haven't.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34We're challenging families...
0:00:34 > 0:00:35THEY EXCLAIM
0:00:35 > 0:00:36No!
0:00:36 > 0:00:38..to try money-saving alternatives.
0:00:38 > 0:00:39SHE YELLS
0:00:39 > 0:00:43So we can all learn how to shop well for less.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45- Ooh!- We're talking hard cash.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- Really?- That is amazing.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49Our job here is done.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50- ALL:- Aw!
0:00:50 > 0:00:54This week, a home filled with designer goods...
0:00:54 > 0:00:56This must have cost an absolute bomb.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00..owned by a family whose spending is out of control.
0:01:00 > 0:01:017,000.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03- SHE GASPS - Oh, my God.- What?!
0:01:03 > 0:01:04But slowing down their buys...
0:01:04 > 0:01:07I've got a really bad addiction - I'll totally admit it.
0:01:07 > 0:01:08..could be one colossal challenge.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12- I don't care. This is not working. - This is rubbish.- Ah!
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Sai, you're doing really well.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21We're in north London with Nisha, Sachin and their sons...
0:01:21 > 0:01:22Go slow!
0:01:22 > 0:01:25..five-year-old Sai and two-year-old Druv.
0:01:25 > 0:01:26What's wrong? Are you tired?
0:01:26 > 0:01:29The couple met ten years ago in a bar.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31I remember walking past and she just caught my eyes,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- and I just couldn't keep my eyes off her, and then...- Oh, God.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Yeah, saw him. Just wanted to have a little dance, and thought,
0:01:36 > 0:01:40"That'll be the end of that," and now I'm married to him!
0:01:40 > 0:01:43If I was summing up the marriage, it's like being married to your best mate, really.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45- SHE CHUCKLES - Don't laugh! It's not funny.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50Nisha works at a bank, and Sachin has his own graphic design business.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54And this is a man who practices what he preaches.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56It's all about design.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58I'm a designer - it has to be about design.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00Everything I buy, I buy it
0:02:00 > 0:02:04because there's been some thought put into the design process.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08A lot of what they're buying is to complete their brand-new kitchen.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11I love entertaining. I love cooking and I love having friends around.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13I like doing the whole three courses.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16- How are you doing?- So glad you're back in this area.- Smells good!
0:02:16 > 0:02:20I want people to feel like they've come to my house but they've gone to a restaurant.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23And creating a home restaurant doesn't come cheap.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25We've got the different cutlery.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28We'll have a different glass for a different drink.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31A different dish for a different starter or main,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33cos again it comes down to me loving design stuff.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37Sachin applies his love of design to all his purchases,
0:02:37 > 0:02:39from bicycles to belts.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42He'll spend on one pair of jeans what I might spend on,
0:02:42 > 0:02:44like, five tops.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48Every single blue jean is different, so if I see a pair of jeans I like,
0:02:48 > 0:02:49I'll buy them.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53And it's not just jeans.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56I think I've spent thousands of pounds on shoes and trainers.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59These two love a bit of retail therapy,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02but each has their own shopping style.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06I think I'm the frequent spender but you're the big spender.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- Big spender, yeah. - Like, big purchases.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10- Are these the same price? - They're all the same price.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13- All £6.95.- Could we get a box, please?- Yeah, of course.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17- I probably shop every lunchtime. - I didn't even know that.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22But the couple need to curb their enthusiasm for expensive goods,
0:03:22 > 0:03:26because their house renovation went £30,000 over budget.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30We've used up all of our savings on the whole build.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32And they still have a lot more to do in the house.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34We'd ideally like to get new carpets.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38There's lots more things on that list that, you know, now we've reached the budget...
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Painting the staircase, painting the walls,
0:03:41 > 0:03:42painting the door frames.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44We kind of want to save some money,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47so we can build that pot up again to just get these bits finished.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Well, we will do our best.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55And the first step is for Steph and I to pay a sneaky visit to their home.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59We need them to face up to how much they have been spending,
0:03:59 > 0:04:01so we're setting up a very special shop.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05- Whoa!- Wow!
0:04:05 > 0:04:07That is a very nice kitchen.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11- It's absolutely gorgeous.- This must have cost an absolute bomb.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14- Oh, look.- They've got all the little gadgets as well.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17- Smoothie machine. - Everything's top end.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19Shall we have a look in the drawers?
0:04:19 > 0:04:21- Some nice pans and pots.- Yeah, look. Even...
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Even their pans are pretty expensive.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- Oh, look at that.- Whoa!
0:04:27 > 0:04:28THEY GASP
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- More.- My God.- Glasses for every occasion. Open those.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33Now, that is impressive.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35It's a lot of glasses.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Look at these, as well. They're really design conscious, aren't they?
0:04:38 > 0:04:40They must have people round all the time. You would, wouldn't you?
0:04:40 > 0:04:44You can imagine here loads of people sat round, all drinking champagne.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48- But I think what this kitchen tells us is that these people are big spenders.- Yeah.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Even the hall's hiding evidence of excessive spending.
0:04:51 > 0:04:56Oh, look. Is this going to be like a shoe mountain?
0:04:56 > 0:04:57Expensive shoes, as well.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Ah! Look at this - it's more shoes.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Really posh ones, as well.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06When a shoe's got its own bag, Steph, you know you're in trouble.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Shall we have a look at their bedroom?
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Yeah. Come on. Look at how many jeans he's got.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14- No way!- Four shelves of jeans.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16It's all top-brand stuff.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21Whoa! There's a lot of perfume and aftershave going on here.
0:05:21 > 0:05:22It's like a department store.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25They've both got all the top-brand stuff, haven't they?
0:05:25 > 0:05:27I mean, do you need that many?
0:05:27 > 0:05:30This couple buy high-end and in serious quantities.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33THEY EXCLAIM
0:05:33 > 0:05:37- Oh, they're all her saris. - Beautiful.- Oh, that is so pretty.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40It's like a little princess dress.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43Like, the craftsmanship that's gone into these...
0:05:43 > 0:05:46A lot of them look very handmade, don't they?
0:05:46 > 0:05:47- Yeah.- They're going to be pricey.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51It seems like this family believe that you have to pay more
0:05:51 > 0:05:54for good design, which isn't always the case.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57Time to set up shop.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01We need to show them the reality of their overspending,
0:06:01 > 0:06:03so let's spring into action.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05Hi. Jump up, come on!
0:06:05 > 0:06:07Hi! How are you?
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- Sachin, nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you, as well.- I'm Steph.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12- How are you?- You surprised us. - Sorry!
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- No more surprises now, but we do want to help you.- OK.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17- So if you're up for it... - Yes.- Yeah, yeah, definitely.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Come with us, then.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Now to show them a very special shop.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27- Oh, my God.- Oh!
0:06:27 > 0:06:30- Oh, my God, it's all my stuff! - It's all our stuff!
0:06:30 > 0:06:32So much nice stuff.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Yeah. How much stuff do I have?!
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- We have this many gadgets?- Yeah.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40I can't believe you've done this. I do think...
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- I've got a lot of stuff. - We've got a lot of stuff.- We have got a lot of stuff, haven't we?
0:06:43 > 0:06:45A lot, or too much?
0:06:45 > 0:06:46They're about to find out.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48So, let's start with glasses.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52- Yes.- You do like them all to match and to look beautiful.- Yes.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54How many glasses do you think you have?
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- I'd say, maybe...- 20? 30?
0:06:56 > 0:06:58I was going to say 50.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00No, that's too many. We don't have that many.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03- Have you looked in your cupboards? - 40?- I think we've got more.
0:07:03 > 0:07:04You have got more.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06You've got 122.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- Oh, my God.- We've got 122?!- Yes!
0:07:09 > 0:07:11How much have we spent?
0:07:11 > 0:07:15It adds up to £1,000.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- Wow!- Really?
0:07:17 > 0:07:18- Yeah.- Wow!
0:07:18 > 0:07:20'And that's just the start.'
0:07:21 > 0:07:23So, pots and pans, then...
0:07:23 > 0:07:25- Yeah.- ..to create all your masterpieces.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27How much do you think you've spent?
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Probably about £400, £500.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Higher. Higher.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33£1,000.
0:07:33 > 0:07:34Wow!
0:07:34 > 0:07:36'And as for cutlery...'
0:07:36 > 0:07:39So, total for cutlery and knives is...
0:07:39 > 0:07:40- Any guesses?- £500?
0:07:40 > 0:07:43300. No, it's not that much.
0:07:43 > 0:07:44£600.
0:07:44 > 0:07:45Oh, that's close.
0:07:47 > 0:07:48I love your justification.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- Just cos you guessed it, meaning that...- Yeah.- That's good!
0:07:51 > 0:07:56So, what's the damage when it comes to the total cost of their kitchenware?
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Three. 4,000, then?
0:07:58 > 0:08:00- What do you reckon?- I think just under five.- Ah.
0:08:01 > 0:08:027,000.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- SHE GASPS - Oh, my God!- What?!
0:08:05 > 0:08:10Sachin's devotion to well-designed products doesn't end there.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12He's also a cycling fanatic.
0:08:12 > 0:08:13Not a cheap hobby,
0:08:13 > 0:08:17especially when you buy your little boys costly bikes, too.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22£500 on two bikes for two boys who are five and two.
0:08:24 > 0:08:25- That's mad.- It's a skill.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- We're teaching them a lifelong skill. Yeah, so...- Yeah.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29It's now become a nice family thing.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32We'll maybe go to a nice place and cycle round lakes and...
0:08:32 > 0:08:34I'm sure Bradley Wiggins, though,
0:08:34 > 0:08:37didn't have a bike worth 250 quid when he was two.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39See, this is how you've got to think about it...
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- Yeah.- Hall, stairs, landing, or bike?- Yes!
0:08:43 > 0:08:48For Nisha, her big collection of Indian clothes means big spending.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50She has over 60 outfits.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52So, to what did you wear this?
0:08:52 > 0:08:53I've worn this to a wedding before.
0:08:53 > 0:08:58- And how much did you pay for it? - Probably about 200, 250, I think.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00- Do you ever wear them more than once?- I try not to.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02That's why I've got so many.
0:09:02 > 0:09:08The grand total of Nisha's Indian clothes alone is a whopping £3,200.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11My God! I didn't even know that.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14And when it comes to Sachin's wardrobe,
0:09:14 > 0:09:18overflowing with designer delights, will he have a clue about the cost?
0:09:19 > 0:09:22The most expensive pair of jeans...
0:09:22 > 0:09:24Would be...
0:09:24 > 0:09:26I love the way you can see straightaway which ones they were.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29..these ones here. These are my party jeans.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31- Blingy.- We've tiled our bathroom similar to that.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35That's... When I did see them, I thought, "Oh, lovely."
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- How much?- I think I paid 300 for these.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40And these are my most expensive I've ever spent, £300.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43Jeans are important. I like good-quality, fitting jeans.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46And he'll say, "I'm not a normal size, I am 6'3", you know,
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- "they don't make jeans for me on the high street."- Right.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51- "It's only designer brands make them."- I see.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54And is it the same problem with belts?
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Shall we tell you how much your belts are worth?
0:09:58 > 0:10:00These are just to hold the expensive jeans up.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04- £1,000.- For just his belts?- Yep.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07Oh, God. That's a lot of money for belts.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09'And that's not all.'
0:10:09 > 0:10:11What about your trainers, then?
0:10:11 > 0:10:12Trainers and shoes.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15I've got a really bad addiction - I'll totally admit it.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Well, the first step is often admitting you've got a problem.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22- Yeah. Yes, yes.- Now, this isn't even, probably,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25- a tenth of your shoe collection that we have here.- I agree.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Your shoe collection is huge.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- Yeah.- Yeah. - If we look at shoes, belts,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33this immense jean collection...
0:10:33 > 0:10:35how much do you think the whole kerboosh is worth?
0:10:35 > 0:10:38I think we're definitely going to about seven grand.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40No. It's not that much.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42See, if only Nisha was right.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45If only it wasn't that much, but the truth is...
0:10:45 > 0:10:48- it's more.- My God.- Yeah.
0:10:48 > 0:10:49It's eight grand.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52That's a lot.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56It is, and money that could have been used for their build.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58That's been a big project for you, hasn't it?
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- Yes, it has.- Yes. We've used all our savings for it.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- And then we just had to borrow against the house, really.- Yeah.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- There's bits of the house that still haven't been finished.- Yeah.
0:11:06 > 0:11:07Where's the money going come from?
0:11:07 > 0:11:12- Good question.- Work, work, work. - Work, work, work.- Work harder and save a lot more money, really.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14Yeah, but it's not just about working hard -
0:11:14 > 0:11:17there's ways you can save money in your day-to-day life.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- You need to pull back in other areas, which we'll help with. - Exactly.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- Are you up for it?- Yeah, definitely. - Yes, definitely.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- Yay!- Good, good.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29I just think that we have too much stuff, so that's been realised.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32We just like stuff and because we like it so much,
0:11:32 > 0:11:34- we were doing a lot of repetitive buying.- Buying, yep.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37And maybe we don't need to keep on adding, adding.
0:11:37 > 0:11:38We need to kind of tone it down a little bit now.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42Start saving some money so we can start getting painting done in the house.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Good, because this family need to change their ways
0:11:45 > 0:11:47if they want to finish their home.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52Well, I think it's going to be quite tough to convince Sachin and Nisha
0:11:52 > 0:11:55to buy anything that's not high-end.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58I know. They've fallen into that trap of thinking they have to spend
0:11:58 > 0:12:00loads of money to get high quality, haven't they?
0:12:00 > 0:12:02It's all about looks for them, though, isn't it?
0:12:02 > 0:12:05I think they're going to be quite tough nuts to crack.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07I know, but they need cracking,
0:12:07 > 0:12:09because look how much they've overspent on the kitchen,
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- and they need to get the rest of the house done.- Yeah.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14It's lovely, though. But we do need to rein them in.
0:12:14 > 0:12:15- Yeah. We do.- Yeah.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19So, while the Parmars were away,
0:12:19 > 0:12:23we nipped in to give their home a bit of a new look,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26with the aim of changing their shopping habits.
0:12:26 > 0:12:27"Please wear me."
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Oh, my God. One pair of trainers and one of your loafers.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34In our experiment, we've replaced their usual branded goods
0:12:34 > 0:12:36with mostly cheaper substitutes.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Candles. I think they look very similar.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42And to really put their product loyalty to the test...
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- Toothpaste!- And the toothpaste!- No!
0:12:45 > 0:12:48..some items haven't actually been swapped at all.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Oh, my God, shampoo and conditioner.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55But it's all debranded, so they've no idea what they're using.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57- It smells nice.- Mm.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59We've swapped their fancy furniture...
0:13:01 > 0:13:02That's a really nice table.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- And the chairs are really nice too. - Yeah.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08..in favour of cheaper replacements.
0:13:08 > 0:13:09Oh, my God!
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Look at the stools.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13And their £1,000 crockery collection
0:13:13 > 0:13:16has been significantly scaled down.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Look, look, look! My cups have gone.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21If this pair want to build up their savings pot,
0:13:21 > 0:13:24they are going to have to cut down on branded goods.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Oh, they've taken away the pizza oven.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- Yeah, obviously, that's why that's there.- Oh, no!
0:13:29 > 0:13:33Upstairs, Sachin's stash of designer denim has been ditched.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- That's it. One pair of jeans. - One pair of jeans.
0:13:36 > 0:13:37And they're high street!
0:13:37 > 0:13:39I think I'm going to cry a little bit.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44As for Nisha, her collection of costly cosmetics has vanished.
0:13:44 > 0:13:45Oh, my God.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47I really hope I like this make-up.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Let's see if she can get the same effect for a fraction of the price.
0:13:53 > 0:13:54I'm quite nervous, but...
0:13:54 > 0:13:56I'm feeling your nerves.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58I'm, er... I'm going to embrace it.
0:14:00 > 0:14:01I wouldn't say I'm scared.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03I'm excited...
0:14:03 > 0:14:05and looking forward to it.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Yeah, I think it's going to be a really fun few days.
0:14:08 > 0:14:09A good experiment.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13It's the first day of the swaps
0:14:13 > 0:14:17and this brand-buying, design-loving couple need to make breakfast -
0:14:17 > 0:14:20using the toaster that we've put in.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22You know what? It looks really nice, doesn't it?
0:14:22 > 0:14:24I do like it. It's very nice.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28- Looking quite similar to that... - Yeah, you're right.- ..expensive one I was looking at. Pop-up.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31Now, they were on the verge of spending £110
0:14:31 > 0:14:34on a high-end toaster with the copper styling they like.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36Do you guys want some toast?
0:14:38 > 0:14:39The toast is in completely.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42Let's see if it toasts evenly.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47At 25 quid from a budget chain store, if they like this toaster,
0:14:47 > 0:14:50well, that's £85 saved straight off.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55- Do you know what? It's done the job. I think it's all right.- Main thing it toasts is the bread, right?
0:14:55 > 0:14:57- I think they've done a good swap here.- Yeah.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59I think this is something we can actually...
0:14:59 > 0:15:01This is definitely a keeper.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03It's shown me that...
0:15:03 > 0:15:06We don't have to spend crazy money for a toaster.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08So, a big tick for the toaster.
0:15:08 > 0:15:09But what about the furniture?
0:15:10 > 0:15:13Yeah, you can smell it. You can still smell the sanding on it, so this is...
0:15:13 > 0:15:17- This is literally just come out of a woodwork, woodwork shop.- Yeah.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21We've done away with the couple's £900 table and bench
0:15:21 > 0:15:23and switched it with a new one.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25It looks really well made.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28It is, yeah. It's impressive how they've got it to look exactly...
0:15:28 > 0:15:32- Exactly the same.- ..like ours, as in, like, the legs, the iron legs.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34The attention to detail has been really good.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36That's because it's bespoke.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38It's a bit difficult to say, isn't it?
0:15:38 > 0:15:41But I'm a bit stumped if it's going to cost more or less than ours.
0:15:41 > 0:15:42It's a lot less.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45£339, to be precise.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Our design-loving duo think that you have to pay more
0:15:49 > 0:15:50to get high-end style.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54So we've devised a blind test to see how far their taste is dictated
0:15:54 > 0:15:56by a price tag.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Da-da!
0:15:58 > 0:15:59Oh...
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- Copper.- I've actually been looking for some copper vases.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06- Yeah.- So, when you two go and shop,
0:16:06 > 0:16:10are you swayed by where the product is sold?
0:16:10 > 0:16:12I think I am. Definitely.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15And what do you look for in a product, then?
0:16:15 > 0:16:19Say you were going to buy something like this, like a decorative vase...
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- Yeah. I think the design, I'd have thought.- Yeah, design, yes.
0:16:22 > 0:16:23- Definitely.- If it matches our house.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26And right now, yeah, we're a bit obsessed with copper.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31They have no idea where these vases are from or how much they cost.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33Tell me which ones you prefer, then, from the outset.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35OK. My favourite one is that one.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- This one?- Yeah, yeah.- Oh, my God. I was going to say the same thing.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40- That's my favourite.- I'd say that one, as well.- Yeah.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42- And I'd probably go for... - I really like the...
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- The end one is beautiful. - Yeah, that one.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48They've chosen their two top designs.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52But how will the couple rate the vases when it comes to price?
0:16:52 > 0:16:54So, most expensive - which are we going for?
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- OK, so number one, number two... - Number one, OK.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- We're going number one, OK? - And that's next.- Yeah.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Number two, second most expensive?
0:17:02 > 0:17:03- That's middle.- OK.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- Third, fourth, fifth.- Yeah.- Done.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Having ranked the vases from most to least expensive,
0:17:09 > 0:17:12will their favourite model prove to be the priciest?
0:17:12 > 0:17:15So, we start here, then, with the one you thought
0:17:15 > 0:17:18was the least expensive.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20This one is, in fact, from Zara Home.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- Oh, OK.- Priced at 22.99.- OK.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27The one they thought was the next cheapest is our most expensive,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30from a top designer at £90.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- Wow!- See, you two would've been drawn to a Tom Dixon little box
0:17:33 > 0:17:35- with a copper vase in it. - Probably, yeah.
0:17:35 > 0:17:40In third place is a Danish-designed vase which is, in fact, £75.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- You liked it, didn't you? - I did, I did really like it.
0:17:43 > 0:17:44Would you pay £75 for it?
0:17:44 > 0:17:48- No. No.- Yeah, we would look at it and think, "Well, that's a lot of money to spend on a vase."
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- And then we'd go home and I'd dream about it and go, "I have to have it - I'll go and get it."- No!
0:17:52 > 0:17:56The vase they think was the second most expensive
0:17:56 > 0:17:58was £30 from Habitat.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Which leaves their favourite vase
0:18:00 > 0:18:03as the one they presume is the priciest.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05£10 from Tesco.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07Brilliant.
0:18:07 > 0:18:08I'm getting that.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Yeah? Yeah. I really like it. I just can't believe it's from Tesco's.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- Yeah.- We all agreed that this was the nicest.
0:18:14 > 0:18:15- BOTH:- Yes.
0:18:15 > 0:18:16And this is, in fact, the cheapest,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19so I think sometimes it's all about the way something's packaged up,
0:18:19 > 0:18:21and that one would look beautiful in this house.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- It will, yes, lovely.- For £10, you can have it.- Thank you.- Good.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28I think that we do have expensive taste,
0:18:28 > 0:18:30so that was a real eye opener
0:18:30 > 0:18:33that we picked something that was so cheap.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36It's really changed my perception of where I buy things.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Now I might be a bit more encouraged to go and look
0:18:38 > 0:18:40in the home departments of just a supermarket.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44Result! They're starting to see that shopping around could help them
0:18:44 > 0:18:46finish the house faster.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50But will Nisha and Sachin stay so positive when it comes to using
0:18:50 > 0:18:52our swapped kitchenware?
0:18:52 > 0:18:54They spend a lot of time and money
0:18:54 > 0:18:57trying to recreate a restaurant experience at home.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59We've only been given these.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03So making a meal with our mystery items may not be a picnic.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07Knives do look nice, they do look like they're going to do a good job.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11We've switched their £290 set of knives for ones that cost 70.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14They're doing the job - they're cutting it.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16They've got a nice weight to it.
0:19:16 > 0:19:17So, yeah, they're good.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19That's what we like to hear.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21I think...it's OK, you know?
0:19:21 > 0:19:22I don't mind the pan. It's quite nice.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- I like it.- Yeah, I think...
0:19:24 > 0:19:26It's a nice design, you know?
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Did Sachin just say "nice design"?
0:19:28 > 0:19:30Ah, we're doing well here.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Plus, that pan is part of a set that cost £65 less
0:19:33 > 0:19:37than the German-designed ones that they own.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40It's time to get this pizza stone out.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42On tonight's menu - pizza.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Now, the family usually use a £110 Pizza Maker.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49But we've given them a pizza stone, costing £20, instead.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51A bit clunky, isn't it?
0:19:51 > 0:19:54Fingers crossed, it will deliver the goods to their guests -
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Nisha's sister and her friend.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59They've given us this pizza stone.
0:19:59 > 0:20:00Stones are meant to be really good.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02Yeah, yeah. So we're testing that out.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04OK, this is the first one coming off.
0:20:05 > 0:20:06It's a bit stuck on the bottom.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Maybe you need to cook it for longer.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10This does not look like the pizza I cook.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- We're going to have to be controversial...- Yeah, I don't care.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15- I don't care. This is not working. - This is rubbish!
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Uh-oh. A vote of no confidence in the pizza stone.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- Let's do some proper pizzas now. - Yeah.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Well, we can't win them all.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25But what do they think of the crockery?
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Wait, are these plates different?
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- That's done.- Yeah, they're not my plates.- For everyday plates, they're all right.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- But they're not special, are they? - No.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- ALEX:- We've swapped their fancy £6 plates for bone-china ones
0:20:36 > 0:20:40from a homeware store that cost less than half the price.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42And how does the cutlery compare?
0:20:42 > 0:20:46I like the forks and knives, cos they're... Cos they're...
0:20:46 > 0:20:48The ones we have, they're quite thin and slender.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52Great. Our cutlery set could save them £85.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55And what do they think of our glasses?
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- I like the glass. It's nice. - I think they're totally glass.
0:20:58 > 0:20:59They're not crystal.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03Nisha, I thought you knew your glasses. These ARE crystal.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06I mean, in terms of quality, they don't feel...
0:21:06 > 0:21:07They don't feel cheaper.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- If these are cheaper, it will make me think...- That's a good thing.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13They could be, like, you know, a pack of four for ten quid -
0:21:13 > 0:21:15I'll go for it. Cos they do look nice.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17- ALEX:- That's exactly what they are.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22I think it'll be so nice to realise if it's just something just off the shelf, you know, and we liked them,
0:21:22 > 0:21:26maybe we don't have to always go top-end all the time.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29I think we might be getting somewhere.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32Like Nisha and Sachin,
0:21:32 > 0:21:36many of us are drawn to familiar brands because of their packaging.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39And Professor Avi Shankar wants to tell us how companies try to get
0:21:39 > 0:21:42their products to catch our eye.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46OK, I'm going to lift this up - just tell me the first thing you see.
0:21:46 > 0:21:47- Ready?- Yeah.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- Flash.- Dettol.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- OK, why did you go for Dettol, Alex? - Cos of the yellow.- Yellow, yeah.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57- My favourite colour.- I picked that.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00I picked Flash, just cos it was right in the middle and it's
0:22:00 > 0:22:03such a well-known brand. So it was, like, in my face - Flash!
0:22:03 > 0:22:06So what's interesting here is that, essentially,
0:22:06 > 0:22:10they all look pretty similar, don't they? But the packaging detail
0:22:10 > 0:22:12for the branded products is slightly different
0:22:12 > 0:22:14to the less-branded products.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16So, for example, with this one,
0:22:16 > 0:22:19we've got the predominance of the brand here.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23And what it does comes a bit lower down.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Whereas with the own-label product here,
0:22:25 > 0:22:30what it does comes first and then lower down, "by Sainsbury's."
0:22:30 > 0:22:32That's funny, because actually,
0:22:32 > 0:22:34you don't really look at what it does when you see the brand.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Cos, in a funny way, the brand is just telling you,
0:22:37 > 0:22:39"We clean really well."
0:22:39 > 0:22:41The other thing I think that you'll agree
0:22:41 > 0:22:43is the striking nature of some of the colours here.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47Avi wants to show us how colours can subconsciously play
0:22:47 > 0:22:49a role in our purchasing behaviour.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51So what does blue mean to you?
0:22:51 > 0:22:52Cold, it would mean to me.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56- Cold.- Cold.- Something that's cold... - Fresh?- Fresh, yeah.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58Some of the other colours we've got here - we've got green.
0:22:58 > 0:22:59- Nature.- Nature.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- Forest.- Yeah, it could mean, like, sustainable.
0:23:03 > 0:23:08Well, green is used in this particular brand here to signify
0:23:08 > 0:23:09environmentally friendly.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14So, white - white symbolises cleanliness, freshness.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- Purity.- Purity. So we'd see that on baby products, for example.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19- Mm.- Well, here we've got yellow... - Yeah. Sunny.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21- Sunny, fresh.- Yeah.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24OK? I suspect it's got lemon in.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28And it does. But what's interesting is that the own-label products
0:23:28 > 0:23:32have got less colour in them than the branded products,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35but it doesn't necessarily mean what's inside it is any different.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39I mean, this one actually says on it, "Kills 99% of bacteria."
0:23:39 > 0:23:41- Mm-hm.- Cos a lot of them will have the same ingredients in.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44- Quite possibly. Quite possibly. - Yeah, so look past the packaging.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49So what we're saying is pick it, pause, then purchase.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51- Oh!- See, do you like that? - Yeah.- Do you like it?
0:23:51 > 0:23:53- That's very good, very good. - You can have that, Avi.- OK, OK.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55- You could get a job in marketing. - Thanks.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57When your looks fade.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01So, Avi's lesson is, stay strong.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05Don't get sidetracked by seductive packaging.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08And that's something Sachin in north London is learning the hard way,
0:24:08 > 0:24:11as he tries to figure out what fragrance we've given him.
0:24:13 > 0:24:14This has got me duped.
0:24:14 > 0:24:19Sachin owns 15 aftershaves, worth over £700.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22I think this is actually one of my aftershaves.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25Really? You reckon it's one of your premium perfumes,
0:24:25 > 0:24:27costing in the region of 80 quid, then?
0:24:27 > 0:24:29Definitely. I'm sure of it.
0:24:29 > 0:24:30I like it - it's my smell.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Sorry, Sachin. It's not. It's from a high-street department store
0:24:33 > 0:24:36and it cost less than £20.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39Sachin loves his designer denim...
0:24:39 > 0:24:40I just love jeans.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43I actually... I actually wear jeans every day.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46..and currently owns 26 pairs.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49I've got the smart pair, the casual wear,
0:24:49 > 0:24:51the kind of party wear, as well.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54And today, Sachin, you have the Shop Well For Less pair.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58This is it. Let's have a look at these.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00See, I wouldn't go for a pair of jeans like this.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03I'm going to embrace these jeans and try them on and wear them,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06but I'm not really happy about these, to be totally honest.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09And these high-street jeans cost £28 -
0:25:09 > 0:25:14which, if he did buy next time, would save him £72.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17OK. Bit weird, because they're stretchy but, again,
0:25:17 > 0:25:19the time will tell.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23And holding up his high-street denim is a £20 high-street belt -
0:25:23 > 0:25:26in place of his usual 75 quid one.
0:25:26 > 0:25:27Quite a boring belt.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30It wouldn't be something I would go and buy, personally.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33OK, the belt's a no-go.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37But how about the finishing touch for this fashionista - footwear?
0:25:37 > 0:25:38Yeah. I actually like these.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42They're nice. Only problem is,
0:25:42 > 0:25:44I'm not wearing the right colour socks with them.
0:25:44 > 0:25:45Oh, Sachin.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48Yeah, these are comfortable, so if I went to...
0:25:48 > 0:25:52If I went to a shop and tried these on, I'd buy them.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56I hope they're not, like, £300 or something.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01They're not. They're £16, compared to his designer pair that cost 84.
0:26:01 > 0:26:02In fact, if Sachin swapped
0:26:02 > 0:26:04his entire branded outfit,
0:26:04 > 0:26:06which cost £259,
0:26:06 > 0:26:09for this high-street version at £64,
0:26:09 > 0:26:11he would stand to save nearly £200.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16The couple spend big, but they do work hard.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19So I've come over to find out where Sachin's drive comes from.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23I think my work ethic came from my dad, really.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26He's... He came over to this country in the '70s
0:26:26 > 0:26:29and worked from the age of 16 in a bakery.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32I kind of strive to be just like him.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34- That's lovely, though.- Yeah.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37And the whole work ethic has come from my mum, as well.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39She's always told us, "Listen, if you want to buy that,
0:26:39 > 0:26:42- "get a job as soon as you're legally able to work."- Yeah.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44"I'm not giving any pocket money - you have to go out and get what you want."
0:26:44 > 0:26:49Can you remember your first memory of being brand-aware?
0:26:49 > 0:26:55When I was 12 or 13, I got a pair of Reebok trainers.
0:26:55 > 0:26:56When I put those pair of trainers on,
0:26:56 > 0:26:58I felt like I was walking on air.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01I thought, "This is why you pay money for this kind of thing."
0:27:01 > 0:27:03And when he was growing up,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06his parents were keen for him to choose a more secure career.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09It's then down to kind of me being stubborn,
0:27:09 > 0:27:13and I said, "I want to do graphic design. I don't care if I get a 12-grand job,"
0:27:13 > 0:27:15which I did, when I first left university and got a job.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18My dad was a bit more chilled out, cos he just wanted me to kind of
0:27:18 > 0:27:21work and just do what I wanted to do. Er, whereas with my mother,
0:27:21 > 0:27:24it was a lot more of a battle and it comes down to,
0:27:24 > 0:27:26"Oh, there's no graphic design jobs."
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Because my mum worked in the Jobcentre, she saw lots of people
0:27:29 > 0:27:33coming out of university as graphic designers, so she said, "There's no job in it", but I said,
0:27:33 > 0:27:35"Listen, I'm going to prove you wrong. Watch."
0:27:35 > 0:27:38So, because you chose your own path,
0:27:38 > 0:27:41do you feel that pressure to be successful,
0:27:41 > 0:27:43to show your parents that you're providing?
0:27:43 > 0:27:47Cos I think it doesn't matter how old you are - you still want to make them proud, don't you?
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Yeah, of course. Yeah, I've always wanted to make my parents proud, because...
0:27:50 > 0:27:52- Sorry, I'm getting emotional. - HE CLEARS THROAT
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Because I think it comes down to me proving them wrong, to say that,
0:27:57 > 0:27:59"Listen, I've... Able to...
0:27:59 > 0:28:02"I'm able to provide for my family, buy my own house."
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Eventually I set up my own business and everything started falling into place.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08And I met Nisha along the way, got two beautiful kids,
0:28:08 > 0:28:11moved out of my parents' house, so it just...
0:28:11 > 0:28:15And it's nice to think... Sometimes my dad has told me...
0:28:16 > 0:28:17It's all right.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21Sometimes my dad has told me that he's proud of me, and my mum as well.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24- So that means a lot.- Yeah, I'm sure.
0:28:24 > 0:28:25Well, you... I mean, you've pulled it off.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27And you've done the house renovations,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30which, like everybody, has cost you more than you thought.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32Yes. Doing the build was the biggest thing,
0:28:32 > 0:28:34because there was going to be a lot of money put into it.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37So we have to kind of now build that pot back up again.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39- You build the pot back up. - Yes, definitely.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42- And then you choose carefully what you do with that pot.- Yes, 100%.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45I need to be a bit more careful with what I spend.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49- Yeah.- Because now it's not just me or Nisha, it's...
0:28:49 > 0:28:51There's basically four of us.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53I just think, for you guys, it's the day-to-day stuff.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56- Yeah.- It's kind of cutting down a bit on the clothes,
0:28:56 > 0:28:58on the interior design elements
0:28:58 > 0:29:01- and just looking at cheaper alternatives.- Yeah, I totally...
0:29:01 > 0:29:03- And then you've nailed it.- Yeah.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06Like many people, Sachin believes that well-designed products
0:29:06 > 0:29:09perform better, so it's worth splurging on them.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14So we're going to look at a product where performance is key -
0:29:14 > 0:29:15a travel mug.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19And to put them through their paces are the tree team
0:29:19 > 0:29:20at the Westonbirt Arboretum.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22Hey!
0:29:22 > 0:29:24I like my Bovril or coffee.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27Our vehicles can be a little bit rough sometimes,
0:29:27 > 0:29:29so it'd be very important that it doesn't dribble
0:29:29 > 0:29:31all down your uniform and down your face.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35They'll be trying out five travel mugs...
0:29:35 > 0:29:37The lightweight KeepCup at £10.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40Vacuum-insulated Cheeki mug,
0:29:40 > 0:29:42retailing at around £20.
0:29:43 > 0:29:44Our deluxe option -
0:29:44 > 0:29:46Camelbak Forge, £30.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50Ikea's Eftersokt, the cheapest,
0:29:50 > 0:29:53at 6.95.
0:29:53 > 0:29:54And at 17.99,
0:29:54 > 0:29:57the Frank Green Smart Cup.
0:29:57 > 0:29:58- Right.- Here we go.
0:29:58 > 0:29:59The heat is on.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02Yeah, I like the look of this one.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04Hmm.
0:30:04 > 0:30:05That is piping hot,
0:30:05 > 0:30:07but it does kind of go all over the place.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13I like my coffee hot.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17I really like this one. I like the style of it.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21It's piping hot and I'm really happy with that.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27This one seems colourful and good for kids.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29This one - nice and robust. I'm quite surprised by this.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31I can actually feel it losing some of the heat already.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34But which cup will be spill-proof out in the field?
0:30:37 > 0:30:38Andy, here we go.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Little bit of a dribble.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46Yeah, but not too bad, considering you're going at speed.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48Let's have another drink!
0:30:51 > 0:30:54- Any spills?- Not a single drop.- No?
0:30:56 > 0:30:59I'm so surprised that you didn't actually get wet then.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02I'm not too sure if that's the cup or the size of my mouth.
0:31:04 > 0:31:05Here goes.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10You seem to be getting a bit of a spillage there.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18- Having a spill?- Little bit of a spill, yeah.
0:31:22 > 0:31:27After a bumpy ride, which of our cups have won our tree team over?
0:31:27 > 0:31:29Well, not at all surprised.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31The best one.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33- Yes!- Woohoo!
0:31:33 > 0:31:35So, the team's top travel mug
0:31:35 > 0:31:37was the most expensive.
0:31:37 > 0:31:38But our cheapest option
0:31:38 > 0:31:41was joint second.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44I think I'd go for this one - 6.95 as against 30.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46Performed really well for the money.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49Just goes to show, it's always worth shopping around,
0:31:49 > 0:31:51as something cheaper could do the job just as well.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56That's advice that label-loving Nisha in north London
0:31:56 > 0:31:58is doing her best to take on board,
0:31:58 > 0:32:01as she tests out some substitute scented candles.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05I do love my Yankee Candles. And they look very similar.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Let's give them a smell.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13That's quite nice. It's vanilla-ish.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16Vanilla cake or something like that.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20Nisha's usual branded candles cost around £20 each.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24I just really like different rooms smelling nice.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27You know, on first looks, they look very much like my ones.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Well, these candles ARE made by the same company,
0:32:31 > 0:32:35but for a supermarket and sold at half the price.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Yeah, but the real truth is once you light them.
0:32:38 > 0:32:39Now you have to wait.
0:32:40 > 0:32:41And if Nisha likes them,
0:32:41 > 0:32:45she could save £65 a year to help finish off the house.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47But are they lighting Nisha's fire?
0:32:47 > 0:32:50They are good. I wouldn't say they're excellent.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54You do get a scent, but it's just not as strong and as punchy
0:32:54 > 0:32:56as my normal candle brand. So...
0:32:56 > 0:33:00But if it's, like, cheap as chips, it's definitely an alternative.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03Nisha's brand blinkers are coming off,
0:33:03 > 0:33:06but there's still a way to go to get this family thinking less about
0:33:06 > 0:33:09spending and more about finishing their house,
0:33:09 > 0:33:11so I'm heading over for a financial pow-wow.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14- Come in.- I just wanted to have a bit of a chat with you about how you
0:33:14 > 0:33:17spend your money and what you spend it on.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20And I know one of the big things for you has been this kitchen,
0:33:20 > 0:33:23- which is absolutely gorgeous. - Thank you.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25But it's been a big expense for you, hasn't it?
0:33:25 > 0:33:28- It has, yes.- So, tell us a bit about how you've paid for it.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31- Ah, well, we spent seven years saving for it, probably.- Yeah.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34Bit of savings, little bit on the house, so...
0:33:34 > 0:33:37- Yeah.- Yeah, but mainly most of our savings have been used on it.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40And you started with a budget, didn't you?
0:33:40 > 0:33:42- Yes.- But you went over it.- We did.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44As you do. I think everybody goes over budget.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47Can you tell me how much by in terms of a percentage?
0:33:47 > 0:33:49- Probably about...- 80%?
0:33:49 > 0:33:50About 80%!
0:33:50 > 0:33:53So there's going over budget and then there's, like,
0:33:53 > 0:33:55"Hello, budget! Where are you?"
0:33:55 > 0:33:58- Yeah, a bit of that. - And why do you think that was?
0:33:58 > 0:34:00There was a few unexpected things that happened.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02Yeah. And I think it is our taste, as well.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05We tried to really go with the cheap stuff and we just couldn't.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08- Yeah.- Then we just said, "OK, we're doing this once - let's just do it."
0:34:08 > 0:34:10So there's still loads you need to do.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13- Yeah.- And how are you looking at funding that?
0:34:13 > 0:34:16I think we just need to start building up that savings pot again.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18Do you know, roughly, at all,
0:34:18 > 0:34:21what percentage of your income you're saving?
0:34:21 > 0:34:22I think we save about...
0:34:22 > 0:34:25- Is it about 20%?- 20%, yeah.- 20%.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28So if we now look at the 80% that's left...
0:34:28 > 0:34:30- Yes.- ..what do you spend that on?
0:34:30 > 0:34:33Major thing would be the mortgage and then it would be, you know,
0:34:33 > 0:34:35the overspend of what we've gone on here.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38- Obviously, the food and... Food and drink...- The usual things.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42- Yeah, yeah, it's just...- So, if you are looking at that 80%...
0:34:42 > 0:34:46- Mm-hm.- ..could you split it into your wants and your needs?
0:34:46 > 0:34:48So, if we look at this kitchen...
0:34:48 > 0:34:50- Yeah.- This was a need.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52You need a kitchen, don't you?
0:34:52 > 0:34:55- Yeah.- And you need things like a sink and a cooker,
0:34:55 > 0:34:57cos that's fair dos - it's a need.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00- Yeah.- So let's have a look at some of the specifics in the kitchen.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03Let's take your rather fab plug.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06OK, so you would class a plug in your kitchen
0:35:06 > 0:35:09- as a need or a want? - As a need.- Yeah. It's a need.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11Yeah. You need to have plugs in your kitchen. So, this plug...
0:35:13 > 0:35:15Is ugly.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17Oh, can plugs be ugly?
0:35:17 > 0:35:20- Yes!- How can they be? I mean, there's not that much difference -
0:35:20 > 0:35:22it's just got a USB thing that this one hasn't.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25- Erm...- There's no switches.- It's just sleeker. There's no switches.
0:35:25 > 0:35:26Oh, you don't like a switch?
0:35:26 > 0:35:30No, you don't need a switch these days - just plug it in, ready to go.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32Right! You two are going to take some work, aren't you?
0:35:32 > 0:35:34We're going to look at these, right?
0:35:34 > 0:35:36- OK.- This one...- Yeah?
0:35:36 > 0:35:37..is also a need - it's a plug.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39- Yeah.- So, then, this one becomes what?
0:35:39 > 0:35:41- Want.- Want.- A want.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43So let's look at something else.
0:35:43 > 0:35:44Light switch.
0:35:44 > 0:35:45- Oh, yeah.- Again...
0:35:45 > 0:35:49- OK!- You proper love all this - no pressing buttons - don't you?
0:35:49 > 0:35:51We do. The touch screen, yeah.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56So you'd start this off as a need, and then I show you a cheaper one...
0:35:56 > 0:35:58- Yeah.- ..and you realise...?
0:35:58 > 0:36:00- OK, it's a want.- Yeah. - That's a want.
0:36:01 > 0:36:02The toilet flush...
0:36:04 > 0:36:05..which took... I mean, to be honest,
0:36:05 > 0:36:07when I sat on your loo when we first arrived,
0:36:07 > 0:36:09I struggled with which one to press.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14Again, you need a toilet flush.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17But let's face it - there are cheaper options out there.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19And, you know, this is a classic.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22- Press it.- OK.- And so that, again, goes into your...?
0:36:22 > 0:36:25- Want.- Want.- Just think,
0:36:25 > 0:36:29do you really want to spend that much on a toilet flush?
0:36:29 > 0:36:31And just to give you that comparison...
0:36:31 > 0:36:35- Yeah?- ..of what you spent compared to what we've given you,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38there's a £450 difference there.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41- Yeah.- OK.- Which is quite a lot of money, isn't it?
0:36:41 > 0:36:43And that's just on switches, man!
0:36:43 > 0:36:44Switches!
0:36:46 > 0:36:49- Start switching!- Start switching.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52It's literally just a case of, if you want to try and save money...
0:36:52 > 0:36:54- Yeah.- ..when you're out shopping,
0:36:54 > 0:36:57is this something we really need or is this something we want?
0:36:57 > 0:37:01How much do you really care about what the toilet flush looks like?
0:37:01 > 0:37:04It's just being more sensible. I can see where you're going with this.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07- So, yeah.- Good. So if you look at it as your 100%...
0:37:07 > 0:37:11- Yeah.- ..if it's 50% on what you need,
0:37:11 > 0:37:1330% on what you want,
0:37:13 > 0:37:17so the lifestyle choices, and 20% saving,
0:37:17 > 0:37:19- then that is a really manageable way to live.- It is, it is, yeah.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21And is a good way to save money.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24- Definitely.- Definitely, yeah. - Can you do that?- Yes. - Yeah, we can do that.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29The thing I love about them is they're so stylish and they get
0:37:29 > 0:37:32loads of pleasure out of that, with all of their crazy switches and
0:37:32 > 0:37:35everything. But it's about getting that compromise between being able
0:37:35 > 0:37:37to get the house how they want it to look
0:37:37 > 0:37:38and actually finishing the house.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41They need to finish it in order for it to be their forever home
0:37:41 > 0:37:44and this will help them to save money to do that.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47And, as the couple are starting to see, there are savings to be made
0:37:47 > 0:37:51everywhere, including their toiletries.
0:37:51 > 0:37:52Well, let's try this bad boy out.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55I use whatever toothpaste is available, really.
0:37:55 > 0:38:01And I've got a 3-D deluxe whitening toothpaste.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03- Didn't know about that. - SHE CHUCKLES
0:38:03 > 0:38:05Like, I'm learning about this now.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08- Yeah, because you use too much of it.- Look how big my mouth is!
0:38:09 > 0:38:14Nisha's secret sparkly toothpaste is priced at a fairly fresh £4.50.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17But we've given them a cheaper brand, costing only a pound.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22- It's very minty.- Minty.- It's nice - my mouth feels really fresh.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24- I think taste and texture is important and both were fine.- Yeah.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28Great news. If they use this, the couple could squeeze
0:38:28 > 0:38:32an extra £90 a year into their savings account.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35And what about every man's bathroom essential?
0:38:35 > 0:38:39The eye gel. It looks very similar to what I use at the moment.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41Which costs £24.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46It does feel nice - I can feel it, nice and cooling on my eyes.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49If this is going to save me money, then I am sold.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51Well, it will indeed. It's from a high-street chemist
0:38:51 > 0:38:54and would save you almost £17 a pop.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58But Nisha's mystery make-up might be more of a challenge.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Don't know, I just have a feeling I'm not going to like it.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Just by looking at it, it's just not as pretty as all my stuff!
0:39:04 > 0:39:05But do they do the job?
0:39:07 > 0:39:08Doesn't smell like my one.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12It's blending quite well.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14It's not bad. If it's going to save me a lot of money...
0:39:16 > 0:39:18..then this one is OK.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22With our swap foundation, you'd be almost £10 better off.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25It is good. It's providing good coverage.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27And what about the lippy?
0:39:28 > 0:39:30Oh, that smells really cheap.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35Nisha's usual high-end lipstick sets her back £15.50.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38This lipstick would save her a tenner.
0:39:38 > 0:39:39It's actually not bad.
0:39:41 > 0:39:42It's a little bit more...
0:39:44 > 0:39:45..glossy than I would go for.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51And the colour's nice. This is a very nice everyday colour, actually.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53Oh, gosh. I don't want to like it!
0:39:53 > 0:39:55I want to say I hate it.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58But it's... I like it - it's quite nice.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Happy days.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02Yeah, I think stripping away the packaging
0:40:02 > 0:40:04has made me think differently about things.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06I think I am attracted by the packaging
0:40:06 > 0:40:08and how things feel and how they look.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11Fantastic. Looks like Nisha's turned a corner.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16But to really put the couple to the test, I've got a challenge for them.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20- This is something that you're sort of hankering after, isn't it, one of these?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22To go with their shiny new kitchen,
0:40:22 > 0:40:25the Parmars want a shiny new stand mixer.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28But, true to form, they want a top-of-the-range £500 one.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30- Yeah.- He's always wanted one.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32He watches TV and goes, "Oh, we really need one of them."
0:40:32 > 0:40:33I've seen your type before!
0:40:35 > 0:40:37I want them to try these three machines
0:40:37 > 0:40:39without knowing their make or cost
0:40:39 > 0:40:42to find out if they really do need to splash as much cash
0:40:42 > 0:40:44as they think they need to.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46What's your initial impression?
0:40:46 > 0:40:47That's huge.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49That looks cheap. That's nice.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52I really like the look of this one. This is my favourite.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55Nisha and Sachin clearly like the look of the third machine.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58But will performance change their minds?
0:40:58 > 0:41:01So, we're going to give them a go and just see how they fare.
0:41:01 > 0:41:06First up, a VonShef stand mixer, our cheapest machine at £85.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13- No, I don't think that's very good. - Oh, that's taking quite a long time.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15When I do it with my hand whisk...
0:41:15 > 0:41:17- It doesn't take this long.- ..within that time, it would be done.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20- What about noise?- Very noisy. - We don't like the size of this,
0:41:20 > 0:41:22- either, do we? It's just too big. - Yeah.
0:41:22 > 0:41:23They're not keen.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26OK, shall we move on to this one, then? So, Nisha do you want a go this time?
0:41:26 > 0:41:30Yeah. Oh. God, it's not smooth, as I thought it would be.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32At a penny under £250,
0:41:32 > 0:41:36will the Bodum Bistro whip up their excitement?
0:41:36 > 0:41:37OK. Does feel clunky, though...
0:41:37 > 0:41:40- Yeah.- ..when you lift it up.- Can I have a try of how it opens?
0:41:41 > 0:41:44- Oh, yeah.- So, are we not convinced?
0:41:44 > 0:41:46- No.- But I know you two.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49In your minds, you've already discounted this pair here.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52- No, but... We are attracted... - Yes, yes.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56It all comes down to their favourite-looking machine.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58Have a proper look at this first.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02Oh, it's a lovely mechanism, that is.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04- Just open and close it, look. - Oh, that...- Look at that.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07Well, proof is in the pudding, as they say.
0:42:07 > 0:42:08Here we go.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Oh, man, look at that.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14- MIXER WHIRS - Nicer sound, as well.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19- Now, the best bit...- Oh.- ..of the conversation is you're going,
0:42:19 > 0:42:21- "It's even a nicer sound".- Yes.- No.
0:42:23 > 0:42:24- Look at that.- Oh, my God.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27This is just built really well.
0:42:27 > 0:42:28The way it opens, the way it feels.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31- But do you think that this one comes with a big price?- Definitely.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34There's no contest for Nisha and Sachin.
0:42:34 > 0:42:35Number three is their winner.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39And they're certain it's the brand they love.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43So you two are pretty convinced that you know which make this one is.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45- Yeah.- Yeah. That's the KitchenAid.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47- Definitely.- Yeah, definitely, 100%.
0:42:47 > 0:42:48- About £400 to £500?- Yeah, yeah.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51And you'd be happy to spend that, having tried it?
0:42:51 > 0:42:53- BOTH: Yes. - So, the moment of truth.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55This is, in fact...
0:42:56 > 0:42:58- The KitchenAid.- ..an Aldi.
0:42:58 > 0:42:59- Really?!- No way!
0:42:59 > 0:43:04- It was!- You're joking. - 149.99, this baby.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07The Aldi Ambiano is a bargain for this pair,
0:43:07 > 0:43:10and it comes with a three-year guarantee.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13- Oh, my goodness. I'm definitely getting that.- Good. Good result.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16I'm still surprised that it's an Aldi one.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18That just has completely proven us wrong.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20Yes. Definitely a winner for us.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23I think I've learned a little bit of a life lesson for the future.
0:43:23 > 0:43:25I think if I need to get something now,
0:43:25 > 0:43:29I don't think I'll jump in and go, "Right, I'm just getting the best of the best."
0:43:29 > 0:43:32- We're definitely getting that. That's saved us a lot of money, hasn't it?- Yeah.
0:43:32 > 0:43:36Job done. They're on board with our budget buys.
0:43:36 > 0:43:38And to save even more money,
0:43:38 > 0:43:41we want to help Nisha make the most of what she already owns,
0:43:41 > 0:43:44like her barely worn Indian outfits.
0:43:44 > 0:43:45So we're sending in a sewing pro
0:43:45 > 0:43:48to help her give them a new lease of life.
0:43:52 > 0:43:54- Hi, Nisha.- Come in, come in.
0:43:54 > 0:43:59Rumana Lasker is a dab hand at recycling old clothes.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02So, what would you make out of something like this, for example?
0:44:02 > 0:44:04So, you could do interior design cushion covers,
0:44:04 > 0:44:06but I would really love to have a blazer out of this.
0:44:06 > 0:44:10- Oh...- Just a really slimline, sleek blazer on top of some nice trousers.
0:44:10 > 0:44:12You've got some gorgeous outfits.
0:44:12 > 0:44:13Thank you very much.
0:44:13 > 0:44:15I buy an outfit for a particular occasion, or a wedding,
0:44:15 > 0:44:19and I wear it for that particular event and I don't wear it again, which is really bad.
0:44:19 > 0:44:22I think it goes out of fashion and then I want something else.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25I'm exactly the same. I've got boxes full of Asian outfits in my bedroom.
0:44:25 > 0:44:28But I started kind of wanting to re-use them a bit more,
0:44:28 > 0:44:31so I refashioned a few. So I'm wearing one here.
0:44:31 > 0:44:32This is a kimono I made.
0:44:32 > 0:44:34- Oh, it's amazing. - It's quite trendy.- Oh, I love that.
0:44:34 > 0:44:37I added a trim, you see, just to update it a little bit.
0:44:37 > 0:44:39That's totally my style.
0:44:39 > 0:44:43So, if you're feeling a little bit more adventurous, this is a dress I made out of a sari.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46- So you can see, I kind of kept the sari pleats in the back.- Yeah.
0:44:46 > 0:44:47That is really clever.
0:44:47 > 0:44:50And I see you've got a sari picked out for us over here.
0:44:50 > 0:44:52- Yeah.- How many times have you worn it?
0:44:52 > 0:44:54Oh, gosh. I don't think I've ever worn it.
0:44:54 > 0:44:57- I think I've just gone off it.- But actually, look at the embroidery.
0:44:57 > 0:44:58- True.- It's so beautiful.
0:44:58 > 0:45:00- Yeah.- Just really gorgeous.
0:45:00 > 0:45:02And look at how much fabric there is, as well.
0:45:02 > 0:45:05- There is lots of it, yes.- Do you feel like maybe giving it a go
0:45:05 > 0:45:07- and doing some sewing? - Yeah, let's do that.- Yeah?
0:45:07 > 0:45:09To get Nisha started,
0:45:09 > 0:45:12Rumana's keeping it simple, with a table runner.
0:45:12 > 0:45:14So, do you do a lot of sewing?
0:45:14 > 0:45:17Oh, I used to, but, yeah, not any more.
0:45:17 > 0:45:19Yeah, I'd love to get back into it again.
0:45:19 > 0:45:22- Does your mum sew?- Yeah, well, my whole family background is tailors.
0:45:22 > 0:45:24- Everyone's a tailor.- Oh, really? - Yeah, so it's in my blood.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27It's thought that around 30% of clothes we own
0:45:27 > 0:45:31haven't been worn in the last year, so upcycling is something
0:45:31 > 0:45:34we could all do. And if you aren't nifty with a needle,
0:45:34 > 0:45:36look for a tutorial online
0:45:36 > 0:45:38or find a local seamstress.
0:45:38 > 0:45:40- OK, ready for the chop?- Do it.
0:45:40 > 0:45:42- Are you sure?- Yeah.
0:45:42 > 0:45:44Once the sari's cut to the length needed,
0:45:44 > 0:45:48Rumana removes the embroidered edge so they can reattach it
0:45:48 > 0:45:50to the table runner.
0:45:50 > 0:45:53So, we're just pinning the border to the main bit of the table runner.
0:45:53 > 0:45:56- Yeah.- And then we're just going to do a nice straight stitch,
0:45:56 > 0:45:58- all the way down.- OK.
0:45:58 > 0:46:02Nisha's given control of the sewing machine to sew up both sides.
0:46:02 > 0:46:04And shortly after...
0:46:05 > 0:46:06Getting faster.
0:46:06 > 0:46:10..what was an old, unwanted sari is now a new home accessory.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14Oh, wow. I think we're done.
0:46:14 > 0:46:16Yeah, brilliant. Let's take it out and have a look.
0:46:16 > 0:46:19- How do you feel?- Oh, that's really good.
0:46:19 > 0:46:21- It's so simple.- It's so easy to do
0:46:21 > 0:46:23and it doesn't have to be a sari that you do it with.
0:46:23 > 0:46:25- Yeah.- It could be anything - it could be, you know,
0:46:25 > 0:46:28an old dress, it could be curtains, a quilt cover you love.
0:46:28 > 0:46:33Just moving things around and thinking about it differently can create something completely new.
0:46:33 > 0:46:37This is really going to inspire me to use some of the clothes that are
0:46:37 > 0:46:38just sitting there doing nothing.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41And definitely it's going to save me money that way.
0:46:41 > 0:46:43Do you know what? I really love how it just shimmers in the light.
0:46:43 > 0:46:45Yeah, it's really nice.
0:46:45 > 0:46:47See, Nisha? A little bit of fashion frugality
0:46:47 > 0:46:51could mean a lot more money in your bank account.
0:46:51 > 0:46:52Come on, Druv.
0:46:53 > 0:46:57But when it comes to cycling, can we steer Sachin in the right direction?
0:46:57 > 0:47:00The bikes I have for the boys are very top-end.
0:47:00 > 0:47:02I bought them because I absolutely loved the look and feel
0:47:02 > 0:47:04and they're really good quality.
0:47:04 > 0:47:10Five-year-old Sai's usual bike cost his dad almost £350.
0:47:10 > 0:47:13Plus, Sachin wheeled out 175 quid
0:47:13 > 0:47:16on a balance bike for two-year-old Druv.
0:47:16 > 0:47:17Do you want to have a look?
0:47:19 > 0:47:20Wow!
0:47:21 > 0:47:25Today, Druv's on board a balance bike that cost 50 quid.
0:47:25 > 0:47:28- Yay! - Keep going now!
0:47:30 > 0:47:31Go on, Sai. Show us how you cycle.
0:47:31 > 0:47:33And Sai's test riding a cycle that's
0:47:33 > 0:47:37almost £150 cheaper than his usual one.
0:47:37 > 0:47:39I like it.
0:47:39 > 0:47:40Well, there we go.
0:47:40 > 0:47:42I think you can't put a price on happiness.
0:47:42 > 0:47:45Whether they're riding a £10 bike or a £100 bike,
0:47:45 > 0:47:47to them it's irrelevant.
0:47:47 > 0:47:49With Sachin en route to serious savings,
0:47:49 > 0:47:53it's time for Alex and I to pay the family one final visit,
0:47:53 > 0:47:56to find out if these slaves to design
0:47:56 > 0:47:59are ready to spend less and save more.
0:47:59 > 0:48:01I'm a tiny bit nervous about this one.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04I know, cos we have challenged them quite a bit, haven't we, trying to
0:48:04 > 0:48:08get them to make that compromise when it comes to high-end products?
0:48:08 > 0:48:11Do you really think they're going to take our advice on board, though?
0:48:11 > 0:48:14They have to if they want to finish renovating the house!
0:48:15 > 0:48:19This is the most exciting part. I'm really looking forward to finding out what we've been using.
0:48:20 > 0:48:23I'm excited and nervous. But most importantly, I'm looking forward
0:48:23 > 0:48:25to seeing how much money I can actually save.
0:48:25 > 0:48:28- Cos that's the most important thing. - Yeah.
0:48:28 > 0:48:30- Hi!- Hello!
0:48:30 > 0:48:32- Can we come in?- Come in, come in.
0:48:34 > 0:48:38So, we're back. And you're smiling, so that's a good sign.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41What it been like, then, with all the swaps and things?
0:48:41 > 0:48:42How have you found it all?
0:48:42 > 0:48:45Certain things were brilliant, certain things were not good.
0:48:45 > 0:48:47- OK, shall we have a look at some of them?- Yeah, yeah, yeah.- Yes.
0:48:47 > 0:48:51This family are so focused on design that meeting their standards
0:48:51 > 0:48:55with our swaps proved a big challenge.
0:48:55 > 0:48:58What did you think of the toaster we gave you?
0:48:58 > 0:49:00- Yeah, we loved it.- Loved it. - Loved it.- Loved it.
0:49:00 > 0:49:02And it looked really nice, too.
0:49:02 > 0:49:05Yeah. And you're really bothered about that, aren't you?
0:49:05 > 0:49:07Yeah, it has to look good.
0:49:07 > 0:49:10Did it work all right? You know, did your toast come out as well as you hoped?
0:49:10 > 0:49:12- It did, it did. - Well, it toasted the bread.
0:49:12 > 0:49:15- Yay!- Yay! So, it's perfect. - It was really good.- It ticked every single box for me.
0:49:15 > 0:49:18- This is it.- Yeah. It's a very nice toaster.
0:49:18 > 0:49:20- So, would you buy this?- Yes.- Yes.
0:49:20 > 0:49:22We want it. We want to buy this one, definitely.
0:49:22 > 0:49:24- Let's have a look, then.- OK.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27- That is the price difference.- Wow!
0:49:27 > 0:49:28Of the one I was looking at?
0:49:28 > 0:49:30- Yeah.- Yeah.- Oh, my goodness.
0:49:30 > 0:49:34- That's brilliant.- That is amazing. - That'll save us a packet.
0:49:34 > 0:49:38£84 saved. Nearly £85 cheaper than my £100 one.
0:49:38 > 0:49:40- To swap.- Wow! Look how much...
0:49:40 > 0:49:43Er, no, sunshine. That's not happening.
0:49:44 > 0:49:47What did you think of the knives we gave you?
0:49:47 > 0:49:49- They were good knives.- I liked the knives.- Yeah, they were nice.
0:49:49 > 0:49:52- Did the job? Fitted with the kitchen?- Yeah, totally. Yeah.
0:49:52 > 0:49:54Do you think they were cheaper, more expensive
0:49:54 > 0:49:57- or the same as what you had? - They were cheaper.- Cheaper. - Definitely cheaper.
0:49:57 > 0:50:00- What makes you say that?- Cos we spent a lot on our knives.
0:50:00 > 0:50:03- So they have to be. - That's a surprise, isn't it?
0:50:03 > 0:50:04Let's have a look at them.
0:50:05 > 0:50:09- Ah.- And the saving...
0:50:10 > 0:50:14- Wow!- Oh, my God. That's shocking.
0:50:14 > 0:50:15Yeah, it is. That is shocking.
0:50:15 > 0:50:20- Does that say £220.01?- Yeah.- 200...
0:50:20 > 0:50:22This knife block costs £68.99.
0:50:22 > 0:50:24- Is it a swap?- Yeah.- Yes.- Brilliant.
0:50:24 > 0:50:26If they'd bought these knives instead,
0:50:26 > 0:50:29they could've kept £200 in their pocket.
0:50:29 > 0:50:33Next, we substituted their pricey department-store table and bench
0:50:33 > 0:50:35with something very similar.
0:50:35 > 0:50:37- It was, in fact, a bespoke table. - Yeah.
0:50:37 > 0:50:41And you can choose your finish, you can choose the grain.
0:50:41 > 0:50:45- Oh, wow.- So you could have gone to this particular carpenter,
0:50:45 > 0:50:48who's online, and chosen exactly what you wanted.
0:50:48 > 0:50:51With a bespoke table, you'd often think that it's more expensive,
0:50:51 > 0:50:54- wouldn't you?- Yeah.- Yes.- Definitely. We thought it would cost more.
0:50:54 > 0:50:56Yeah? Well, I've shrunk your table.
0:50:56 > 0:51:02I haven't. It was, in fact, for the table and the bench, £339...
0:51:02 > 0:51:06- That's amazing.- ..cheaper.- That's amazing. We just didn't know that existed.- No, we didn't know.
0:51:06 > 0:51:08So, next time they're furniture shopping,
0:51:08 > 0:51:11they'll be aware of cheaper alternatives.
0:51:11 > 0:51:15But the couple weren't quite so sold on some of our other homeware swaps...
0:51:15 > 0:51:17- No, didn't like them at all.- No? - Not our style.
0:51:17 > 0:51:19Including the crockery.
0:51:19 > 0:51:21I think we're always going to struggle with you two as far as
0:51:21 > 0:51:24- kitchenware's concerned, cos that's your thing, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:51:24 > 0:51:26And of course, the pizza stone.
0:51:26 > 0:51:27No, thanks.
0:51:27 > 0:51:31One of the biggest things that shocked us in your house
0:51:31 > 0:51:34was the number of glasses you have.
0:51:34 > 0:51:36What did you think of the ones we swapped?
0:51:36 > 0:51:38Liked the wine... White-wine glasses.
0:51:38 > 0:51:41- White-wine glasses.- Champagne flutes, I quite liked.
0:51:41 > 0:51:44- The red glasses, no.- Didn't like the red glasses.- Wasn't my style,
0:51:44 > 0:51:45but overall they were very good quality.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48- So...- OK.- ..these are the glasses.
0:51:48 > 0:51:51- Mm-hm.- But let me just look at this glass for a minute.- Yes.
0:51:51 > 0:51:53Can we just compare it to the one that you actually have and see
0:51:53 > 0:51:56- how different it ISN'T?- Yeah.
0:51:56 > 0:51:58I mean...
0:51:58 > 0:52:01there's not a staggering amount of difference there, is there?
0:52:03 > 0:52:06So, they're a supermarket own brand.
0:52:06 > 0:52:08And they'd save £21.70.
0:52:08 > 0:52:11So, we've got the champagne flutes.
0:52:11 > 0:52:13That's a saving of £60.
0:52:13 > 0:52:15Wow!
0:52:15 > 0:52:17And for the 16 glasses we swapped...
0:52:17 > 0:52:23In total, you would save £123.40, just on glasses.
0:52:23 > 0:52:25- Yeah.- Would you swap?- Yes.
0:52:25 > 0:52:27- Yes.- I would swap. Definitely.- Would you?
0:52:27 > 0:52:30- Brilliant.- Yeah, yeah, I would. - But not before the others smash.
0:52:30 > 0:52:33Is it making you think differently about how you guys buy, though?
0:52:33 > 0:52:37- You would never have thought of going to a supermarket for your glasses, would you?- No, no.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40But they are crystal glasses, as well.
0:52:40 > 0:52:42- Amazing.- Yeah.- They are the quality that you want from them.
0:52:42 > 0:52:45Definitely. No, that's really good to know.
0:52:45 > 0:52:46- Swap?- Definitely.- Yes.
0:52:46 > 0:52:47- Brilliant.- Good.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50So, we did pretty well overall with the homeware -
0:52:50 > 0:52:51but when it came to clothes,
0:52:51 > 0:52:56snappy dresser Sachin wasn't wowed by our cut-price jeans.
0:52:56 > 0:52:58Put them on and they were just... They just felt really weird.
0:52:58 > 0:53:01They were like... Are these jeans or tights?
0:53:01 > 0:53:03- No, it's not a swap. - You win some, you lose some.
0:53:03 > 0:53:07However, Sachin did want our wallet and loved our loafers.
0:53:07 > 0:53:09They are a lot cheaper than yours.
0:53:09 > 0:53:10- SHE GASPS - Wow!
0:53:10 > 0:53:13So he could hang on to an extra £140
0:53:13 > 0:53:16if he stays brand-free in the future.
0:53:16 > 0:53:19Your little face! It's lit up there at the money you could save,
0:53:19 > 0:53:20cos you really like them.
0:53:20 > 0:53:25And Sachin wasn't too sniffy about our alternative aftershave, either.
0:53:25 > 0:53:27I think this is actually one of my aftershaves.
0:53:27 > 0:53:29All right. Let's find out.
0:53:29 > 0:53:32So, the one we gave you was, in fact, this.
0:53:32 > 0:53:34The difference in price is...
0:53:34 > 0:53:37- SHE GASPS - ..£68.65.
0:53:37 > 0:53:38- Oh, we love that.- Yeah.
0:53:38 > 0:53:41- That's brilliant.- I'm getting you that for Christmas.
0:53:41 > 0:53:43That is a substantial saving on one bottle of aftershave.
0:53:43 > 0:53:45Yeah, it is. Yes, it is.
0:53:45 > 0:53:48- OK, so it's a swap.- Yes.- Definitely, yeah, that is a swap.- Brilliant.
0:53:48 > 0:53:50Make-up.
0:53:50 > 0:53:52I think I've used the same brand of make-up for so many years,
0:53:52 > 0:53:55so I was quite nervous of trying something completely different.
0:53:55 > 0:54:00We changed all of Nisha's costly cosmetics for cheaper brands.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03- Were you impressed by what we gave you?- I was impressed.
0:54:03 > 0:54:07Nisha was won over by more than 80% of our beauty buys,
0:54:07 > 0:54:11which would save her almost £350 a year.
0:54:11 > 0:54:15- I didn't know how much this stuff cost - that's just crazy.- You don't need to know - it's not important.
0:54:15 > 0:54:19Now does it make you think, "Oh, there might be other brands out there that I'll like, as well"?
0:54:19 > 0:54:20Yeah, yeah, definitely.
0:54:20 > 0:54:24And there are serious savings at stake with the children's bikes, too.
0:54:24 > 0:54:26You spent quite a lot on the boys' bikes, as well.
0:54:26 > 0:54:28- Yes, I did.- £500.
0:54:28 > 0:54:29So we swapped the boys' bikes.
0:54:29 > 0:54:33- Yes.- What did Sai think about his little bike?
0:54:33 > 0:54:35He loved it. He's five years old - he doesn't know the difference.
0:54:35 > 0:54:38So it just made me realise, you know, I could've given him anything.
0:54:38 > 0:54:43- Yeah!- It doesn't really make any difference. And the smile on his face was brilliant.
0:54:43 > 0:54:45So the bike really was more about what you wanted?
0:54:45 > 0:54:49Yes, that's right. I think I was a bit selfish and I really liked it.
0:54:49 > 0:54:52It was kind of more for me, because I've got really nice bikes,
0:54:52 > 0:54:54so I want my boys to have really nice bikes, as well.
0:54:54 > 0:54:57OK. So, would you swap with that in mind?
0:54:57 > 0:55:03- Yes.- This is not the exact bike, obviously, that we gave Sai.
0:55:03 > 0:55:06OK? But the saving would be...
0:55:06 > 0:55:10- £144.- Wow, that's... Yeah. - My goodness.- It's loads, isn't it?
0:55:10 > 0:55:11It is a lot, yeah. That's a lot, yeah.
0:55:11 > 0:55:14- So that's a no-brainer, right?- Yes, it is.- Complete no-brainer.- Yes.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17Druv's bike was £125 cheaper.
0:55:17 > 0:55:21- Between those bikes, you could've saved nearly £300.- Yes.
0:55:21 > 0:55:25Having now gone through all the swaps, how do you feel?
0:55:25 > 0:55:28Has it opened your eyes to a different way of spending?
0:55:28 > 0:55:30- Yeah, definitely.- Yes, it has.
0:55:30 > 0:55:34We'll look in different places, not automatically go to the branded shop
0:55:34 > 0:55:36that we feel comfortable going in.
0:55:36 > 0:55:38Consider supermarkets, high-street places.
0:55:38 > 0:55:40- Be a lot more savvy.- Mm.
0:55:40 > 0:55:44It has proven quite tricky to change your perspective.
0:55:44 > 0:55:48- Definitely.- But do you understand now that sometimes you just
0:55:48 > 0:55:52- don't need to spend as much on every item?- Totally.- Yeah.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55It's just about getting that compromise so that you can get
0:55:55 > 0:55:58the house renovated, get it done and get it to the design standard
0:55:58 > 0:56:00- that you want it to be.- Yeah.
0:56:00 > 0:56:02This is a real move forward for the couple.
0:56:02 > 0:56:06Shopping around in future for their clothes, toiletries and homeware
0:56:06 > 0:56:09could mean big savings over the course of a year.
0:56:09 > 0:56:12So, taking on board the swaps that we've shown you
0:56:12 > 0:56:15- and everything we've talked about... - Mm-hm.
0:56:15 > 0:56:18..it would be a saving of...
0:56:18 > 0:56:21£2,870.
0:56:21 > 0:56:24- Ooh!- We haven't even gone as cheap as we could've.
0:56:24 > 0:56:26We could've saved you more, but we know...
0:56:26 > 0:56:30We knew this was going to be hard, so we thought, "We're not going to go too low - we'll go mid."
0:56:30 > 0:56:31- That's good, though. - Yeah, that is good.
0:56:31 > 0:56:34That is loads of money without changing your lifestyle very much.
0:56:34 > 0:56:37- I think that's very good, yeah. - We're not talking about major changes here -
0:56:37 > 0:56:40- this is just little things.- Yeah. - So, have you enjoyed the process?
0:56:40 > 0:56:43- It's been brilliant. - It's been brilliant. It's been such a fun thing to do.
0:56:43 > 0:56:44And you're richer because of it.
0:56:44 > 0:56:46- Yeah, exactly!- Win-win.- Yeah.
0:56:46 > 0:56:48All we need to do now is work out a date
0:56:48 > 0:56:51- that we can come round and have some supper.- Oh, yes.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53- Yes.- And he'll cook you a curry. Yeah!
0:56:56 > 0:56:59- Well, that went well, didn't it? - Well, it did. You know what?
0:56:59 > 0:57:01I thought it would be really hard to convince them.
0:57:01 > 0:57:04I know, but actually they were more up for it than I thought they'd be.
0:57:04 > 0:57:06Yeah. I mean, I don't know why you doubted us, really.
0:57:06 > 0:57:08- I didn't - you did!- It was you!
0:57:08 > 0:57:10You were the one worried. ALEX CHUCKLES
0:57:10 > 0:57:12Next time...
0:57:12 > 0:57:14Whoa! Look at all the paint.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17..a click-click shopper out of control.
0:57:17 > 0:57:20- Three to four deliveries a day!- No.
0:57:20 > 0:57:23But can we uninstall their spending habits?
0:57:23 > 0:57:25Give us your mobile phone!