Family puts money aside regardless of income

WHEN hairdresser Nicole Crisp moved out of home at 16 to do her apprenticeship, she realised the importance of saving, and soon worked out how to budget.

DISCIPLINE: Nicole Crisp luckily had savings when her husband broke his ankle. Picture: Kirsten Cunningham

WHEN hairdresser Nicole Crisp moved out of home at 16 to do her apprenticeship, she realised the importance of saving, and soon worked out how to budget.

"I was making $160 as an apprentice and my rent was $100," she said.

"I refused to get a credit card, so I learnt how to make it work."

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The habit stuck, and so, at Christmas last year when her husband badly broke his ankle, it was the family's ability to save that prevented an inconvenience turning into a disaster.

"I was a stay-at-home mum, with three kids under five and Brent badly broke his ankle playing football," she said.

"Suddenly we had no income at all."

"He couldn't look after the kids, and I couldn't work, so we had no choice but to budget what we had in the bank."

She said they didn't just lose their savings, they also lost three months salary.

When Mr Crisp went back as a scaffolder, he worked hard to rebuild their savings account.

"We budget for everything, but being 100% strict isn't fun," she said.

"We always spend within our means, and make sure we put money aside no matter what income we're making."

SAVE AT THE SUPERMARKET

• Only buy what's on your list
• Stick to your budget
• Only use cash
• Buy in bulk
• Eat before you go to the supermarket
• Use all the food in your pantry before you buy more