Wallet Watchers Nottingham
Wallet Watchers in Nottingham: How Brits Are Stretching Every Pound This Season
The Wallet Watchers team, fronted by Channel 4’s Married At First Sight star and proud Mancunian Hannah Norburn, hit the sunny streets of Nottingham this week, looking for real conversations about money, spending, and saving. As the cost of living continues to bite, we wanted to know: where’s your hard-earned cash going, and how are you making it go further?
It turns out, for most people, it’s all about kids, clothes, and Christmas – with a dash of creativity when it comes to saving.
The Big Spends: Kids Come First
One theme came through loud and clear: parents are feeling the pinch. Children’s clothes and nursery fees topped the list of expenses. As one parent explained, “Kids grow out of things so quickly – why not pass them on?” Many told us they donate outgrown items to charity, proving that when budgets tighten, generosity doesn’t have to.
The Cost-of-Living Reality Check
Nottingham locals didn’t shy away from talking about rising costs. Nights out have taken a hit, mince-meat is apparently up to £7 a pack, and shoppers are keeping a mental budget before hitting the tills.
Even students – often living on tight margins anyway – admitted they’re feeling the pressure. “People get excited when the student finance drops,” one person told us. “They spend it all at once and then… nothing left.” It’s a lesson many of us learn the hard way.
Christmas on a Budget
With Black Friday looming, shoppers are already strategising. Retail workers told us they’ve noticed people pulling back on spending over the past year, and 2025 looks to be no exception. Big-ticket gifts might be out, but savvy shopping is definitely in.
The Apps That Make Saving Fun
We loved hearing about the tech-savvy tricks people are using to save:
Plum: Connects to your bank account and automatically puts away money based on your spending habits. One Nottingham local told us they put aside £5 every time they don’t buy wine – and saved £70 in a month.
Too Good To Go: Offers restaurant and supermarket food nearing its sell-by date at massive discounts. Think £25 worth of food for a fiver – perfect for students and families alike.
The Takeaway
From Nottingham to the nation, one thing is clear: we’re all becoming more conscious spenders. Whether it’s budgeting for Christmas, cutting back on nights out, or turning to clever apps for help, people are finding ways to stretch their money further than ever before.
Wallet Watchers will be back next month with more real stories about money, spending, and saving in Britain today. In the meantime, maybe it’s time to download Plum or Too Good To Go and see how much you can save before Christmas comes!
