Angela Mollard: How I learnt to manage my money and still live well

Being a tight-arse is dispiriting and robs everyone of joy, but with the cost of everything on the rise, Angela Mollard has some tips to save your money without losing your sanity.

I could never go out with Johnny Depp. And not for the reasons you’re thinking.

No, I couldn’t go on a date with the movie/courtroom star because when he dines in a restaurant he doesn’t check the bill.

Depp reportedly ran up an $87,000 bill for curry — which is a lot for vindaloo and naan – when he recently shouted friends dinner at Varanasi restaurant in England. According to the boss Mo Hussain, he “never even looked at the bill”.

Clearly incidentals don’t matter when you’ve dodged a hefty defamation payout but for the rest of us facing a cost-of-living crisis, checking the bill is personal finance 101.

Anyway, apologies for hooking you with a shameless Depp-sized lure but now you’re here, I’m going to save you some money, as my great talent aside from some pre-teen trophy-winning baton twirling is financial prudence.

Johnny Depp (third from left), seen here with musician Jeff Beck (far left), spent more than $62,000 for a night out on the town with his pals. Picture: Varanasi Birmingham

I was formerly known as McMollard by my husband who, noting my resistance to spending on seat selection, meals and entertainment on a flight, wondered aloud whether I might forego the plane’s wings if it made it any cheaper. (Apologies to any Scots, I worship at the altar of your frugality).

I’m not advocating meanness — towards yourself or anyone else. Being a tight-arse is dispiriting and robs everyone of joy.

But as someone who had to seriously batten down the hatches after my marriage ended, managing money well is not only empowering but a peculiar kind of creative pursuit.

Let’s start with food which, unless you’re mates with Mr Depp, is doubtless costing you more than him.

Before losing your mind over $12 iceberg lettuces here’s a tip: DON’T BUY THEM. But for being a useful vehicle for San choy bow, they’re tasteless and lacking in nutrition compared to other greens.

Instead buy a 300g mixed bag of kale and spinach for $4.50. Chuck a handful in an omelette and it’ll do you for breakfasts all week.

Syed Hyder holds an iceberg lettuce, whose price has soared by as much as 300 per cent in recent months. Picture: William West

Tinned tomatoes, legumes, oats and imperfect in-season fruit and vegetables are your friends during periods of belt-tightening, and you will, indeed, be tightening your belt due to the health benefits which come from eating the above.

Asian greens, broccoli, pumpkin and carrots are affordable and can be luxed up with a splash of sesame oil or miso paste.

Fish is expensive but I made a bouillabaisse at the weekend which I padded out with fennel.

But more than anything, don’t throw out food. It’s a crime on your wallet and the environment when you over-order or bin food that’s consumed energy, fuel and labour to make it to your plate.

When it comes to eating out, there is no shame in telling friends you can’t afford it, or opting for a BYO restaurant. In my experience, they’re often relieved.

Tristan Harris at Harris Farm Markets. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Also, make use of happy hours. It’s good to eat early anyway.

What I won’t skimp on is a daily cafe coffee — large rather than regular since it’s only an extra 50 cents and the happiness I get from sitting in my sunny local is worth the cost.

I figure 20 years without a clothes dryer (I caved this year due to rain) has offset my caffeine fix.

As for personal grooming, we’re being held hostage by an industry which trades on our insecurity.

Save $50 on haircuts by forgoing the blow dry –—most times you only sleep on it.

You don’t need several bottles of perfume or $200 creams. Cetaphil and $20 SPF50 such as La Roche Posay are excellent, as are affordable skincare from The Ordinary and make-up from MCo Beauty.

Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser.

MCo Beauty is affordable.

For a night in with friends, grab a bottle of wine from Aldi and dye each other’s brows and lashes.

Fashion is fun but when did you last wear something out?

Most of us own clothes we wear intermittently, but with so many now working from home, you can save by wearing the same outfits more often.

Treat your wardrobe like a treasure trove.

This week I had a dress cut down to a skirt and it looks great with a sky-blue jumper.

Two tips: buy underwear and tights from Marks & Spencer, because they’re excellent quality and keep their shape, and jeans from Zara. No one needs to spend $400 on designer denim. Mend enthusiastically.

Do you really need the latest fashions? Picture: Ed Jones

As for bills, barter. This week I saved $50 a month on my phone plan, $100 on annual car insurance, and $55 on subscriptions.

Use a fuel app for the cheapest locally.

I don’t speak car, so when a mechanic told me I needed new brake pads and discs I sought a second opinion, crowdsourcing friends for referrals.

Anthony said his grandfather had raised him on the mantra that it was better to go to bed with a good conscience rather than a sackful of money. He’s a keeper and so, apparently, were my existing brake pads.

Briefly, Napisan will revive white bed linen, a plant grown from a cutting will charm you more than one you buy, and books are designed to be swapped.

Finally, if you fear penny pinching will dampen your spirits, remember Barbara, played by Felicity Kendal, in The Good Life? What a joy she was compared to the rich but miserable Margo Leadbetter.

MOVIE

Top Gun: Maverick is sensational. Better than the original.

WISDOM

I’m not one for self-help platitudes but I heard the following this week: “Expect the least, think the best, be the kindest.”

PHOTOGRAPHER

I find English gardens calming and photographer Eva Nemeth (eva_nemeth on Instagram) capture the most beautiful scenes and floral compositions. Just gorgeous.