Alison’s Coronavirus Course Translators: Tariqur Rehman

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July 1, 2020

Alison’s Coronavirus Course Translators: Bryar Ghafoor

To help the world combat the Covid-19 pandemic, Alison launched the course Coronavirus – What you need to know. In order to make sure that no one was excluded from accessing possibly life-saving information, Alison committed to translating the course into as many languages as possible. To achieve this ambitious goal, Alison reached out to its community of Learners, seeking volunteers willing to use their language skills to help translate the course and spread important information on coronavirus. Bryar Ghafoor translated the course into Kurdish and played his part in spreading free learning that has helped save lives.

Bryar, tell us a bit about yourself and your background.

I’m Bryar Ghafoor. I’m 21 year old and I’m from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. I’m studying at the College of Nursing in the University of Sulaymaniyah. Alongside being a nurse, I spend my time developing my knowledge in different areas of IT like programming and website and application development.

How did you learn that Alison was looking for translators for its coronavirus course?

I was actually searching for free online courses and I found Alison through Google. I took the Physical Examination course because it related to my profession and then when the coronavirus course came up, I joined and completed the course. I realised it needed volunteers for translating so I volunteered for the coronavirus course translation into Kurdish with a group in college.

Why did you offer to translate our coronavirus course?

One of the motivations behind my volunteering is my Islamic background. Allah motivates us to do good work in His cause and He will reward us. “But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] – He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers.” (Quran 34:39) What does good work look like? Must many people read what you have translated? The course may protect many people but “whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.” (Quran 5:32) Another motivation is protecting my family, friends and all human beings – it’s a big achievement.

Why is it important that everyone has access to important information on coronavirus?

This information is very important as it’s related to human lives. We always need new developments to make human life better. We are sharing information with the public to give them an idea about protection methods and how the virus is transferred from one person to another. This will decrease the virus infection rate and mortality rate. Basically it’s saving a lot of lives.

Tell us a little about your method when translating.

Our team of nine students from college decided to translate this course and we worked as a team to translate it into Kurdish.

Why is free learning so important and why is it important to translate it into many languages?

Not everyone can access paid courses. Especially for something like coronavirus, which is related to human lives, information should be public and free. Translating into many languages gives access to the many people who don’t speak English.

Have you been learning through Alison during the pandemic? How has the lockdown been for you?

I spent my time learning new skills and Alison has been a good source to start. The coronavirus course itself gave me more knowledge about this virus and also increased my translating skills.

What would you say to people who might be interested in translating for Alison?

If you think your translation will be useful then why not start now? Go ahead.

If you’d like to play your part in overcoming the coronavirus pandemic by helping Alison give people access to the information necessary to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, please get in touch.

Alison’s Coronavirus Course Translators: Ahmad Mohammad

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July 1, 2020

Alison’s Coronavirus Course Translators: Ahmad Mohammad

To help the world combat the Covid-19 pandemic, Alison launched the course Coronavirus – What you need to know. In order to make sure that no one was excluded from accessing possibly life-saving information, Alison committed to translating the course into as many languages as possible. To achieve this ambitious goal, Alison reached out to its community of Learners, seeking volunteers willing to use their language skills to help translate the course and spread important information on coronavirus. Ahmad Mohammad translated the course into Hausa and played his part in spreading free learning that has helped save lives.

Ahmad, tell us a bit about yourself and your background.

My name is Ahmad Mohammad. I live in Nigeria in a state called Borno State, where we currently have a crisis of Boko Haram. I came from a poor family and I used to hustle before I could pay my school fees to study. I finished secondary school and I have also gained a National Diploma. I am now doing my studies in university.

What was your experience of Alison before volunteering to translate? Had you studied with Alison before?

This is a time of crisis here in Borno State, Nigeria and as a result I have nothing to do. I searched online and found Alison. I took a diploma course online and graduated. So I started following Alison online. When I saw the call for translators, I wanted to engage because I’m interested in it and I have nothing to do for now.

Tell us a little about your method when translating.

For me it wasn’t difficult because, in primary school, I studied the Hausa language. I’ve also succeeded in many exams and competitions on the language so I didn’t face any difficulties when translating it. I also did English in school.

Why is free learning so important and why is it important to translate it into many languages?

Free learning is very important for times like now. There is no school for now because of this coronavirus and so we have nothing to do. We are sitting at home, no job, doing nothing. And so having our studies helps us. People here often don’t learn English in school and so they can’t read it. Hausa is the main language here in our country. Everybody knows the language so it will be simple for them to understand and know what the course is about.

Have you been learning through Alison during the pandemic? How has the lockdown been for you?

Yes I am so happy because I always rather being engaged in study than to sit, empty, doing nothing at home. I have learned many things on coronavirus and also other courses.

What would you say to people who might be interested in translating for Alison?

I have many people asking me about Alison. For example, last time, when you sent me my certificate, many people asked me how did I get the certificate? I told them about how I got it – how I found the website and engaged myself on it. I also told them that I even participated as a volunteer, and now many people have joined. This morning, I’ve told so many people that I have an interview with Alison and they have all asked me for the website. Many people have now engaged themselves online with diploma courses with Alison.

How has the lockdown been for you?

They’re now saying that the coronavirus rate has gotten lower but, due to this virus, we haven’t been going to school for months. We are just sitting at home with no work. We have many crises in our country and many of the governmental organisations are not helping us. I have a National Diploma but, right now, we have no jobs to engage ourselves, not even as volunteers. So I feel so happy to be a volunteer with Alison and to help needy people. It’s important everyone has access to the information and I shared the course through email. I’m happy that Alison chose me as a participant so I could gain some experience and also do something to help in this crisis.

If you’d like to play your part in overcoming the coronavirus pandemic by helping Alison give people access to the information necessary to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, please get in touch.

48 hours of hacking and inspiration with Pursuit

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July 1, 2020

48 hours of hacking and inspiration with Pursuit

At Codecademy, we believe that learning to code is about more than just picking up a new skill. It’s about transforming ourselves, our communities, and the world around us.

That’s why we were proud to sponsor a virtual class hackathon with Pursuit, a Queens-based organization that trains adults from under-represented backgrounds to become software engineers. In their words, “Pursuit creates transformation where it’s needed most.”

Pursuit believes that everyone should have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream regardless of gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic background. Pursuit Fellows are 70% Black or Latinx, 40% are immigrants, and the majority have been public assistance recipients. On average, they increase their average salaries from $18,000 to over $85,000. The hackathon participants started the program nine months ago with little to no coding knowledge. They give up their evenings and weekends in order to learn, while also holding down full-time jobs and raising families — in the middle of a global pandemic!

Codecademy contributed prize money and Pro subscriptions to the hackathon, but more importantly, we contributed our people. People from our engineering, product, curriculum, and business development teams volunteered the weekend working with Pursuit Fellows as technical mentors and judges.

We had the honor to work closely with incredibly smart, creative, and hard-working Fellows as they pushed themselves to learn new things and achieve more than they believed they could. After 48 hours of hacking, we celebrated with a virtual demo night, which you can watch here:

The Fellows showcased apps that addressed important real-world problems: staying informed about COVID-19, supporting reopening restaurants, surfacing online reviews about discriminatory businesses, or just finding new music to listen to while you’re stuck at home.

One of the team’s favorite moments from the hackathon happened when the judges left the Zoom room to deliberate. The Fellows unmuted themselves for a Q&A with the session hosts and remote viewers. They shared honest and moving stories about their hackathon experiences: their fears and frustrations, their struggles, the joys of seeing something finally work, and the pride they felt in how much they’d learned and achieved. Many tears of joy were shed.

Codecademy team members have been closely involved with Pursuit for a couple of years now, helping with everything from hackathons to capstone projects to whiteboard practice and workshops on technical skills. We’re excited to continue our partnership with Pursuit and we can’t wait to see the impact the Fellows have on the tech industry!

Interested in supporting Pursuit? Learn more about volunteering for Pursuit or make a donation here.

Top 25 online courses in Mexico – June 2020

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July 1, 2020

Top 25 online courses in Mexico – June 2020

The e-learning market is expected to see substantial growth over the coming years. In countries like Mexico, government agencies are investing in all kinds of educational platforms, including online education. As such, we’re already seeing that there’s an interest in this way of learning. With that in mind, we’ve outlined the 25 online courses with our learners in Mexico.

As part of the shift towards online learning, there is a significant demand for those who can teach English online. Whether you’re teaching in your home country or abroad, there are many opportunities available. This course helps you transition your existing teaching skills for use in the digital classroom. You’ll learn to understand the principles of online teaching, as well as how to plan classes for specific goals.

In Mexico, around 11% of the population speak English. It’s still an important language for the country, particularly in tourist hotspots. And, for those hoping to work abroad, having English language abilities for the workplace can be beneficial. This course focuses specifically on English skills for employability and workplace contexts. It takes you through topics such as applications, interviews, starting a job, and working with others.

One of our most consistently popular courses over the last few months has been this one about COVID-19. The virus has changed the lives of people around the world, and it’s important to understand the how and why of the pandemic. Learners who take this course will explore how the outbreak has impacted the word, how it spreads, how countries have responded, and what we can do going forward.

Fashion is a far-reaching concept that has many different sides to it. Culturally, it can be a creative, expressive, and cohesive part of our lives. Commercially, it presents a huge opportunity for businesses to thrive. This course examines these two elements in further details. Industry experts give their insight and opinions, and you’ll learn more about the workings of the industry.

There are around 15.5 million English speakers in Mexico. Although this represents a relatively small proportion of the population, it shows that there is a demand for those who can speak the language. It’s also one of the most widely-spoken languages in the world. This course explores some of the basics of English speaking and comprehension. You’ll learn how to introduce yourself and your circumstances, and gain the confidence to express yourself in a variety of situations.

If you’ve already developed your basic English language skills, this course represents the next step up. You’ll develop your knowledge of different areas, such as asking for directions, talking about routines, and preparing for university. You’ll develop your listening, speaking, and writing skills as you expand your vocabulary and grammar.

If you’re interested in improving your English language skills while learning about British culture, this is the perfect course for you. It examines a variety of aspects of life and culture in the UK while helping improve your language skills and knowledge at the same time. You’ll cover topics such as music, literature, and the British countryside, all while hearing from local native speakers.

Italian and Spanish are two languages that are closely related. It is, therefore, little surprise that Italian courses are popular in Mexico. This program from The Open University consists of six courses that will help learners develop a basic level of Italian. It also explores some of the cultural elements of the country. You’ll work on your basic speaking, listening, reading and writing in Italian.

William Shakespeare is one of the most famous and influential playwrights from history. He’s a British icon, and his plays are still taught, performed and enjoyed all over the world. With this course from the British Council, you’ll explore the English language through five of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. Actors and experts from around the world explain some of the key themes the writer addressed in his work.

Millions of learners from around the world take the IELTS English proficiency exam each year. It’s one of the most popular tests of its kind, with test centres in 140 countries. The exam itself is split into four sections and tests a variety of skills and knowledge. This course focuses on one specific section, the speaking test. It helps you prepare for the 15-minute long segment where you’ll have a conversation with an examiner.

The global fashion industry employs around 50 million people and is thought to be worth in excess of $2.4 trillion. However, it’s also one of the world’s most polluting industries. Plastic pollution, carbon emissions, and massive amounts of waste are just some of the problems caused by fashion. Yet there are those who are working towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious industry. The course explains some of the main issues and solutions surrounding sustainable fashion.

The IELTS test consists of four sections – reading, writing, speaking and listening. Each test requires a different set of skills and knowledge. You’ll also need to approach each one slightly differently. This program from the British Council explores each section in detail. It helps you understand how the tests are structured, as well as how you can develop strategies to perform to the best of your abilities.

There are an estimated 800,000 active podcasts available. It’s a medium that continues to grow in popularity, thanks to its format, accessibility, and low cost of entry. If you’ve always fancied telling your story, this course explores why podcasting could be the ideal format for you. You’ll get to develop your own podcast plan, create a script, and explore the available publishing options.

Over the last few months, many teachers have had to move their practice to an online setting. For educators of all kinds, this brings challenges and the need to adapt. One of the hardest aspects of teaching online is to make sure students continue to engage with learning materials. With this course, developed specifically for the coronavirus pandemic, you’ll learn how to adapt your teaching methods for the virtual classroom.

The 60-minute IELTS reading test consists of 40 questions covering a wide range of reading skills. Some require a detailed look, understanding key themes and arguments. Others require speed and gaining the main ideas. With this course, you’ll explore how to approach the different types of questions you might face on the IELTS reading test. You’ll also develop strategies to cope with any kind of text you might encounter.

During early childhood, children learn at a remarkable rate. Although it has its challenges, teaching a second language at this stage can be a valuable and worthwhile prospect. This course explores how children learn through play and how parents and teachers can help their children learn English. Experts on the subject guide you through some of the advice and resources that can help teaching English as a foreign language.

English is the most taught and studied language in the world, with around 1.5 billion learners. This course is aimed at English language teachers to help with your continuing professional development. It looks at some of the skills and knowledge you need to become a better teacher, including topics such as lesson planning, resource management, and self-development.

It can sometimes seem hard to make a difference in the world. Yet one of the most effective ways to do so is through policy change. They can transform lives, enhance societies, and change the world. This course explores some of the key concepts of policymaking and leadership. A range of experts give their opinions and advice on how you can make a difference.

The impact humans are having on the environment is becoming increasingly clear. As we develop an understanding of these effects, it’s clear that we must take steps to reduce the harm we are doing. This course explores ideas of sustainability and development, outlining some of the actions we can take for a sustainable future.

Our digital skills series of courses looks at a wide variety of topics. This one focuses on digital marketing, an in-demand skill set across a range of industries. You’ll explore how digital marketing can be used to help businesses grow and thrive. You’ll cover some of the key strategies used, as well as how to integrate these techniques in a practical setting.

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. However, the world is full of stresses, both at home and in the workplace. With this course from Coventry University, you’ll look at what poor mental health looks like and how stress can impact it. You’ll also look at some of the interventions used to combat stress and improve mental wellbeing.

If you’re hoping to enter the world of business, this is the ideal program for you. It helps you develop some of the key skills needed to succeed in the workplace. You’ll look at networking, communication, project management and relationship building. Each of the four courses can help you boost your employability and effectiveness at work.

In the IELTS academic writing test, you have 60 minutes to complete two tasks. In the first, you’ll be given a graphical set of data and have to describe and summarise its contents. In the second, you’ll need to write an essay responding to a given argument or point of view. Although it seems like a lot, with some preparation, you have a good chance of maximising your performance. This course from the British Council can help you develop strategies to do exactly that.

Organisations of all shapes and sizes are using data to inform their decisions. As such, there is a constant demand for skilled workers who can collect and analyse data. With this course from Bond University, you’ll learn the basics of how big data works. This includes how data is described, as well as some of the concepts needed to interpret data. It also focuses on how Microsoft Excel can be used in a business setting.

The relationship between what we eat and how we feel is a complex one. Our diets can impact our physical and mental health, and as such, can be used as a form of medicine. This course explores some of the origins of this concept, as well as how food impacts the gut, brain, our genome and more. It also details some of the controversies and complexities in the world of nutrition.

How to budget, save money, and still have fun

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July 1, 2020

How to budget, save money, and still have fun

Budgeting is one of those things that many of us want to do, but rarely find the time to sit down and actually do. Yet making space to manage your money can bring a host of benefits. So how do you go about setting a budget? And how do you then stick to it? We take a look at everything you need to know about how to budget.

Over the last few months, many of us have found our financial situations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, there’s never been a better time to sit down and draw up a financial plan for the future. We also look at some of the tools and tricks you can use when it comes to budgeting.

What is a budget?

A budget is essentially a spending plan. It takes into account all of your income and expenses and makes sure you don’t spend more than you earn. Budgets range in complexity, from a simple one-page sheet for personal spending to complex software programs for company-wide finances.

Budgets allow you to take into account your current financial situation, as well to forecast what your income and outgoings will be like in the future. They can be used by just about any individual or organisation that makes and spends money.

Why budget?

There are many reasons why you should know how to budget. First and foremost, it helps you get a hold of your finances. It teaches you what your financial situation is like, how much money you have, and allows you to set financial goals.

There are plenty of benefits that come from thinking more carefully about your money. These can be applied in both your personal and professional life:

It stops you from spending too much

There is a real problem with debt in the UK. Some estimates show that the average credit card debt per household was around £2,500 at the start of 2020. When it comes to other kinds of unsecured debt such as loans, car financing and overdrafts, some figures put this debt figure close to £14,500 per household.

Having a budget can help you from keeping your spending under control. You’ll better understand your household balance sheet and avoid taking on any unnecessary debt.

It helps you save

Saving money doesn’t always sound like a fun activity. Many of us want to enjoy life in the here and now without worrying about the cost. However, saving money can be hugely beneficial in the long run, and make life easier and more enjoyable further down the line.

A budget that includes money towards savings can help you buy your next big purchase when you can afford it. Often, this works out much cheaper than paying interest on a credit card or loan. It’s also incredibly satisfying seeing where your hard-earned money goes.

Similarly, a budget gives you the chance to build a nest egg for the future. Whether it’s for your retirement, your kids, or a future goal, a budget means some of what you earn is put aside for later. This also makes things far easier if you do run into unexpected costs, as you’ll have money saved to cover them.

It highlights bad habits

You might be wondering where your paycheck goes every month. By the time your bills and essentials are paid for, it can seem like the rest just evaporates. However, that’s rarely the case. In reality, it’s hard to keep track of every little purchase without a budget. You might tap your card to pay a few pounds here and there, but if you do it every day, it soon adds up.

Creating a budget gives you the opportunity to spot where your money is going. You can get a clear breakdown of what you spend, where you spend it, and how much you spend on different things. You a

It gives you transferable skills

Managing money is a skill that’s applicable in many different situations. Although you might start by managing your household budget, it doesn’t have to stop there. Balancing the books is a valuable business skill that can help you progress professionally.

By understanding how you spend your money, you’re better equipped to spot how organisations spend your money. If you’re looking to get into public financial management, understanding your own budget can be a good place to start.

It helps you reach life milestones

Your financial health is never as important as when you’re teaching important life milestones. If you’re trying to buy a house, it will be extremely difficult to get a mortgage if your account activity looks risky (even if you’ve managed to save a 20% deposit). You may also want to have money set aside before you get married or have children – thinking ahead means that you won’t worry as much about your spending when you should be focusing on your exciting new developments.

How to prepare for a budget

So, now that we know what a budget is and why they’re so useful, it’s time to figure out the details of how to budget. It might seem like a bit of a daunting task, especially if you’ve never really looked at your finances before. However, with a bit of know-how, you can soon be pulling the financial strings in your household.

Assess your income and expenses

The first thing you need to do is figure out what your financial situation is looking like. This means you need to gather things like your bank statements, payslips, bills, receipts, and any other financial records you have. It might take a bit of rooting around in your paperwork, but remember many online services now let you download past statements.

Try and aim for at least three months’ worth of records, but the more you have, the more detail you’ll be able to see. Your aim here is to get an average monthly spend so that you can see where your money is going from each paycheque (assuming you get paid monthly).

At this stage, you should also be looking at how much your income amounts to each month. So, as well as your salary, consider other sources of income. Do you get interest from savings and investments? Do you have a side-hustle or freelance gig? Do you expect to get a bonus or commission?

You should account for every form of income that regularly goes into your bank account. Add it up for each month and then divide it by the number of months you have records for. This is your average monthly income.

Calculate your essentials

When you’re thinking about your spending, the first place to start is with your essential or fixed costs. These are the regular costs that you have to pay each month regardless of everything else. Here are some examples:

Rent or mortgage payments
Utility and council tax bills
Loan repayments
Groceries
Car repayments, insurance, tax, and maintenance
Mobile contracts
Gym memberships
Pets
Childcare

Of course, you’ll need to consult your statements, bills and receipts to figure out how much you spend on each of these. As with your income, add together each months’ worth of expenditure and divide it by however many months you have records for.

Again, you’ll find that some services and apps will give you a breakdown of what you spend. Many banking apps now have features allowing you to tag your expenditure. Although this can make things easier, it’s not always entirely accurate, so make sure you double-check it against your own calculations.

Calculate your disposable income

Your disposable income is often where things become a little tricky. It refers to the money you have leftover once you’ve paid for all your essentials. However, without knowing how to budget, everything beyond your essential spending seems to be disposable.

When you’re looking at your financial records, make a note of everything you spend on non-essentials and start adding them up. This includes things like:

Alcohol and cigarettes
Nights out
Cinemas, theatres, museums
Games and hobbies
Books
Holidays
Clothes
Impulse buys

You might be surprised about some of the things that you regularly spend money on, but that’s ok. Understanding your spending is important, as it will mean you will know how to budget for these expenses in future.

Remember to also take into account any cash transactions you make. It’s tempting to put cash withdrawals into the ‘other’ category, but if you consistently spend it on the same things, you should account for that.

Calculate your savings

Along with your essential costs and disposable income costs, it’s worth taking into account how much you are currently saving each month. Consider things like ISAs, pensions, investments, rainy day funds, and even money you regularly put in your piggy bank.

You might not currently put much, or even any, of your money aside each month. That’s ok, as a budget means you can set realistic savings goals to build your wealth.

How to create a budget

So, now that you know where your money is going each month, it’s time to take control of your spending and draw up a budget. Your aim here is financial planning and budgeting. You want to balance your finances so that you’re not spending more than you earn each month.

You’ve got a variety of options when it comes to how to budget, so we’ll cover some of the most commonly used ones:

How to make a budget spreadsheet

One of the most common ways to budget is to use a spreadsheet to track everything. It’s reasonably easy to get started with this, although you might need to know some essential excel formulas to help you on your way.

With the more recent versions of Microsoft Excel, you’ll find that there are several premade budget templates. As well as things like household budget planners, there are one for events, expenses, and other financial aims.

A template is a good place to start as much of the hard work is done for you in terms of calculations. All you need to do is input the values and update the fields so they’re relevant to you. You can then determine how much you have to spend in certain areas each month and can update your sheet when you spend.

If you’re looking to learn more about how the program works, we’ve got a course on an introduction to Excel that can help you analyse your budget data.

Budget apps

There are all kinds of apps you can use to help with your budgeting these days. Some help you track your spending, while others help you reach your savings goals. You may also find that if you use a personal banking app, it has help on how to budget.

There are also third-party apps that can help you track your spending and reach your goals. Check out services like Yolt and Money Dashboard, both of which are free to use. You can connect your bank accounts and cards to these apps, and they’ll then automatically track your spending and make budget recommendations.

If you’re feeling brave, you could even build your own simple budgeting app with a tool like Python. If you’re new to programming, this course gives the perfect introduction and teaches some valuable skills.

Budget software

If you’re looking to dig deeper into the finance fundamentals, personal finance software might be a good choice. These programs usually give a more detailed and advanced look at things like managing your finances, creating various budgets, and reducing debt.

It’s worth noting that many budget software options charge either a purchase fee or subscription fee. As such, they might not be worth it at this stage. However, if you want a truly granular experience from your budget calculator, it could be worth it.

Budgeting tips and tricks

If you’re looking at how to budget and need some inspiration, here are a few techniques you can use to get you started and keep you on track:

Pot method

It can sometimes be hard to budget and save towards multiple goals at the same time. The pot method essentially means you create different savings pots for different purposes. You can then set up a direct debit to them each month. It doesn’t have to be a lot, but small amounts can soon add up.

With banking apps like Monzo or Starling, you can easily set up a variety of pots within your account. Some banking apps even allow you to send your virtual change from purchases into these pots.

Review regularly

It’s rare that your budget is going to be perfect at the first attempt. You might find that you end up with too little money at the end of the month or leftover cash without a purpose. It’s there for worthwhile reviewing your budget on a regular basis. You can then account for new regular expenses or remove any that are no longer relevant. You can also decide whether you can roll over unspent money at the end of the month or if you want to put that into savings.

How to keep on budget

Even after all the hard work that goes into creating a budget, it can sometimes be hard to actually see it through. Here are some tips to keep you on course:

Make your savings a bill. To help you put money aside, make your savings one of the first costs you pay each month, just like the rest of your bills.
Give yourself an allowance. When it comes to disposable income, set yourself a weekly amount that you can spend on luxuries. If you can, keep this on a separate or pre-paid card, so once you spend it, you can’t overspend.
Make your luxuries at home. Small daily expenses add up. So, instead of buying a fancy coffee every day, learn to grind and make your own each morning. Instead of getting a meal deal for lunch, plan your meals ahead and cook in batches.
Invest. If your savings accounts aren’t working hard enough for you, learn some of the fundamentals of investment to see what choices you have to make the most of your money. Doing so can help you better understand money.

How to eat healthily on a budget

One of the big extravagances that people often cut back on when they’re figuring out how to budget is food. It’s very easy to get carried away with your food expenditure. Regular takeaways, treats, and meals out can cost a fortune. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to eat healthily on a budget:

Plan your meals

Make a weekly plan for what you’re going to eat. This helps you know ahead of time what you’re going to have. You can also learn about how nutrition and wellbeing are linked, so you can plan some tasty, healthy meals.

Create a list

Once you know what you’re going to eat, you can create an accurate shopping list. Make sure to stick to the items on this list, it’ll help you eat well and stick to your budget.

Cook in batches

By cooking meal portions for multiple days, you’ll not only save money, but you’ll also save time. Think about meals like Bolognese, ratatouille, chilli, curry and more. Keep an eye out for some superfoods you can add in too.

Treat yourself

Of course, when you’re first learning how to budget, you’ll still want a cheat meal, and that’s fine. But it has to be an infrequent treat and something you factor into your budget, not a regular occurrence.

Look at the price per unit

When you’re shopping, look at how much items cost based on their weight. Although some items may look cheaper, it could be more economical to buy one that’s cheaper per 100g.

Shop in season

Local produce that’s in-season is often cheaper than something imported from far away (it’s also better for the environment). Keep an eye out for seasonal recipes and shop accordingly.

Buy frozen fruits and veggies

Fruit and veg are usually only in-season for a few months of the year locally. However, frozen products are often just as healthy and can be cheaper. You can also make them last longer.

Grow your own

Growing your own produce can be an incredibly rewarding project. As well as giving you some of the freshest food you’re likely to find, it can also help keep your spending down.

Pack your lunch

Spending £3-5 every weekday on lunch can soon get expensive. By batch cooking your lunch, you’ll soon see the savings.

How to still have fun on a budget

As with many things with life, budgeting is about finding the right balance. Although it is vital to save for the future, it’s equally important to enjoy life. Luckily, even with a household budget, you can still find fun things to do.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted your summer holiday, there’s still plenty you can do to keep entertained. Here are some ideas to get you started when you’re learning how to budget:

Local events

Although the coronavirus may have curtailed these, for the time being, local events are usually a great and cost-effective way of having fun. Whether it’s public celebrations, movie nights, or festivals, admission is usually low or free, plus it supports your local community.

Explore nature

The great outdoors can offer an endless source of free entertainment. You can walk, hike, visit the beach, cycle, and more. Although some places will charge for parking and sometimes admissions, the cost is usually very low.

Group events

Online communities will often run free and low-cost events. Check out sites like Meetup (once the pandemic is over) to find out what sorts of things are going on. It’s the perfect chance to try something new and meet interesting people.

Free admission

There are plenty of places that offer free admission days. Many museums, art galleries, and gardens will also give you entry for free. Check out the deals and days that are available.

Games night

Staying in and having fun is often far cheaper than venturing out. Why not host an online games night with your friends? The company is guaranteed to be good, and the drinks are always cheaper!

Save up

If there is something you want to do, such as a holiday or expensive trip, account for it when you’re looking at how to budget. You can put aside money each month until you can truly afford to go.

Category Finances, Business and Management

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