If you are finding it tough to cover the basics, and stick to your budget with the Christmas period coming up, then you need a few tricks up your sleeve.
Living costs are still (unfortunately) increasing, which means that if we want a fun but still affordable festive season, we must continue to be savvy with money. This time of the year is typically more expensive, so finding ways to make what we do spend, go further and still being able to relax and enjoy the season is key.
THE COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANISATION THAT CAN HELP YOU with that budget
Gaining awareness fast, Manchester Unity is New Zealand’s largest friendly society; a collective of members who support each other. It’s been around for over 180 years, and the families that have joined are eligible for significant discounts on gifts, useful everyday items, holiday homes and other extras!
Maybe, you’ve saved up for a family tent these holidays? Imagine getting to the counter to find out you can save $200 on it?! That’s $200 you can spend elsewhere. This is a reality for members of Manchester Unity.
We’ve been trialing Manchester Unity to see how their $8 (per month) membership can help us. We wanted to see how relevant the membership discount offers are for families, and how quickly those discounts can pay off the membership fee and allow us to really start saving.
HERE’S WHAT WE LEARNT FROM THE TRIAL:
In short: we recouped the membership fee quickly and were then able to move forward with making savings on our expenses.
We downloaded the Manchester Unity App which shows all of the discounts at popular retailers like Bunnings, JB HiFi, Repco, Vivo (including eGift cards, beauty products, sports & outdoor gear and arts & crafts). The list goes on…
The discounts on offer gave us as much as up to 50% off (and you can get $9 movie tickets!). This would be amazing for Christmas shopping, and keeping the kids entertained over the holiday break.
Members also have access to fantastic family holidays with cheap holiday homes (think a two-bedroom house in Queenstown for $460 a week!), online games, education grants and much more.
That family holiday fund is looking a lot more useful now!
IS IT A TRICKY PROCESS TO SIGN UP?
This is the amazing part, it’s so simple it feels a bit too good to be true. When we first signed up for our trial, we couldn’t believe how many immediate benefits there were for such a tiny outlay. There is a small standdown period for the holiday homes (yes, I’m afraid you can’t join, book, then unjoin), and in only one year you can apply for the education grants. Other than that, you are up and running straight away, and before you know it, you’ll be holidaying in Queenstown. Amazing!
HERE’S HOW OTHER PARENTS WHO WERE KEEN TO SAVE MONEY HAVE MANAGED TO REDUCE THEIR OUTGOINGS
“We needed a new kettle. The sticker price was $150 but it was on sale for $75. Using our Manchester Unity discount card, we got it even cheaper at just $55!” ~ Brooke, Wellington
“We saved over $200 on a rental car at Thrifty Rentals in Dunedin by using the discount code. Thank you, Manchester Unity. So grateful for that!” ~ Susan, Wellington
“For our bathroom renovation we purchased a shower tray from Bunnings, used my discount App and instead of paying $652 I paid only $394.50, saving $257.50!” ~ Anon
“We love skiing, but our teenagers keep growing out of their gear, which is so expensive. We managed to kit out our two 17-year-olds with two great quality ski jackets and one pair of ski pants for $324.85, saving an amazing $415.98. It was incredible.” ~ Maria, Auckland
Want to try it out? You can trial a Manchester Unity Membership FREE for 30 days, and find out how it can help ease your family’s increasing cost of living (not to mention a lovely holiday in Queenstown).
THANKS TO OUR FRIENDS AT MANCHESTER UNITY FOR WORKING WITH TOTS TO TEENS ON THIS TRIAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MANCHESTER UNITY, PLEASE CONTACT RENEE – RENEEC@MANCHESTERUNITY.ORG.NZ
