How to have a cheap holiday in the UK this summer.

Although in Britain we may not have guaranteed sunshine throughout the summer months like most of our European counterparts, we do have an abundance of historic cities and beautiful landscapes. From weekend breaks staying in cityside B&Bs, to getting away from the hustle and bustle whilst exploring the countryside, there are plenty of ways to keep costs down and have a cheap holiday in the UK.

• Ditch the Hotel
• Alternatives to Camping
• Save Money on Travel
• Peak Times Mean Peak Prices
• Try Something Different
• Further Tips to Save You Money

Ditch the Hotel

The UK offers plenty in the way of free activities, from countryside walks and hikes in the highlands to relaxing weekends spent on beaches. The UK has 15 gorgeous national parks to explore, and over 7,000 miles of coastline to see, which make exploring the country’s landscapes a perfect holiday getaway.

To fully immerse yourself in the countryside, camping is the perfect way to keep things cheap and get a true authentic experience.

Camping

Spending a holiday under canvas is the simplest way to save a chunk of money on holiday, but it can also become part of the adventure and magic of the trip. It’s a perfect getaway whether you’re after a peaceful solo weekend, a group outing, a family adventure, or romantic couples trip.

Many campsites also allow dogs, so you can take your pooches with you – which is a great way to save on kennel costs, too!

Find out lots of camping hacks for a truly budget vacation here.

Pitch prices vary depending on location and time of year, but they can cost as little as £8-10 a night, per person. If you are camping during a busy season consider choosing a campsite slightly further away from the main tourist sites in the area for even better prices.

Wild Camping

In Scotland, you can legally wild camp. This means you don’t have to camp on a set site, but instead can pitch up in any suitable area. You can’t do this on private land without the owner’s permission – but with so many forests and national parks, you’re not short of places to wild camp. It’s a great way to get into the true Great Outdoors – and saves money on pitch fees, too! Be aware that in the summer months, there are some restrictions around places like Loch Lomond between 1st March and 31st September each year so make sure you check whether you need a permit.

Wild camping isn’t legal in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Some areas, such as the Lake District and Dartmoor, have a ‘blind eye’ policy if you follow the basic rules (arrive late, leave early, leave everything as you found it, and stay no more than one night in the same place). Countryfile has a useful list of wild camping places to try across the UK.

If you know another spot you’d like to wild camp, find out who the landowner is and ask their permission to camp there. Don’t just rock up and pitch up: ask in advance, and get to know the landowner so they can see you’re trustworthy and will leave everything as you found it.

Glamping

Glamping is another option. It’s still rather cheap but with a bit more luxury for those not quite at home under wet canvas. With glamping, you have better facilities like a private hot shower and fully functioning kitchen.

PitchUp is a great website dedicated to finding cheap camping and caravan parks, also showing users the nearest walking routes, bike hires, activities, and pubs! Campsites is another easy website to use to search for cheap camping sites for pitches, touring, and glamping. All in all, camping is hard to beat at keeping things cheap.

Alternatives to Camping

Finding alternative accommodation is one of the simplest ways to save on holiday. Hotels are notoriously expensive and really not worth the money when there are plenty of other options available. Even if you want a city-based break, you’ll find lots of options such as nearby caravan parks, in-city guesthouses, and other options that get you away from expensive hotels.

Caravan Parks

Like campsites, static caravan sites offer budget holiday accommodation for couples and families. This option costs a bit more, from around £20 a night depending on the number of people the caravan sleeps and what facilities it offers.

You can hire a caravan pitch for your own, or hire a caravan out for the week or weekend for around £40 a night (depending on size and location). Find out how to have a cheap caravan holiday here.

This might be a good time to invest in a caravan. See what we say about potentially buying a caravan here.

B&Bs and Guesthouses

Farm stays, B&Bs, and guesthouses are other alternatives on offer. Still cheaper than hotels, you have your own space and facilities and a bit more comfort then in a tent! It’s also a good way to explore new places without risking the questionable British weather. The options are also ideal if you want to explore cities rather than the countryside, too.

Try Air BnB, local Facebook groups, and FarmStay to find alternatives to camping – for both countryside AND city breaks.

House Swap

To save TONS of money, you could always house swap! Normally, this is done internationally – but you can do it in the UK, too. Obviously, this is subject to making sure your home is fully cleaned and safe for any visitors, as many people are asking for that. However, house swapping is a great way to save lots of cash and see new places. Read our full article about house swapping here.

Hire a Canal Boat

If you want to explore the beautiful Norfolk Broads or the 4,700 miles of canal networks in the UK, a boat is a brilliant way to have an explorer’s holiday without leaving our shores. Did you know the longest canal is the Grand Union Canal, which is 137 miles long and goes from London to Birmingham? It takes around 72 hours to navigate non-stop!

Walking Hostels

If you’re a big fan of the outdoors and the camaraderie that comes with hikers across the UK, plan a walking trip. You might want to do just a long weekend on the main peaks or scaling Snowdon, but you could take on a longer holiday with a coast-to-coast or 100-mile coastline trip. Walking hostels are a cheap way to spend the night under a solid roof to get a proper night’s rest, but they’re basic – so it’s a step up from camping. YHA hostels are some of the best to try.

Save Money on Travel

Avoid any unnecessary travel costs. For example, if you’re driving to your destination, fill up your car before setting off as the fuel at your local petrol station will be cheaper than at petrol stations along motorway routes. Supermarket petrol stations are definitely the cheapest around.

If you’ll be travelling for a long period of time, pack a picnic and snacks for the family as station and services cafes and shops tend to have extortionate mark ups on their products and you’ll end up paying a lot more than you should. Remember to take reusable water flasks like Sho flasks, to save on costs – many places will refill them for free and it’s better for the environment.

Research other travel options that may be cheaper. If you’re travelling without kids or have light baggage, public transport is a good alternative to consider. It may be just as convenient as driving but prove to be a cheaper option. It is also worth investing in a railcard if you’re eligible and plan to take either several rail trips or one big expensive one.

Omio is a useful site for planning a route by public transport and comparing cost versus time. If you are travelling by public transport, booking well in advance, travelling at off-peak times, and investing in a rail or coach card will all make your travel cheaper.

Peak Times Mean Peak Prices

Avoiding the school summer holidays and bank holiday weekends as much as you can will save you from buying into the price increases at these times of year. Although if you’re a family with children this is much harder to avoid.

Holiday prices often drop by between 10 and 15% from the last week of August and into the beginning of September so timing your holiday right could get you better deals.

Also consider taking your big family holiday during the Easter holidays next year instead. Generally the UK gets nice, sunny weather around this time and the prices will be cheaper as well. Next year, Easter 2025 falls almost right at the end of April (20th) which improves your chances of good weather.

Do your research before you travel and check out if there will be any big events going on whilst you hope to be there. Things like football matches, big concerts, or race days will unfortunately whack the prices up on accommodation in the area and you could end up paying a lot more.

Try Something Different

Cities like London, Oxford, and Bath are all very popular tourist destinations but more expensive than some other UK cities. Northern England and Scotland have some amazing places worthy of visiting that are great city breaks but without the large price tag. Liverpool was revealed to be the best value city break in the UK! While other great options include Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, and Aberdeen.

Further Tips to Save You Money

If you’re on a super-tight budget but really need to get away this summer, try these tips to save more cash.

1. Why not rent out your home whilst you’re on holiday? You can sign up for AirBnB easily to host your home and have some extra money coming in whilst you’re away.
2. First time camping? Borrow the camping gear from a friend or family if you can before you spend hundreds on stuff you may not use very often. If you have to buy though, make your purchases out of season for much better deals.
3. Make the most of deals and cashback. Websites like lastminute.com usually have some really good deals available so it’s worth signing up to see what you can get. Another idea is to use cashback sites like Quidco when booking your holiday as you can receive up to 13% back.
4. Make use of age-related discounts. You’ll need to keep your ID on you but being under 18, a student, or over 60, means you can benefit from discounted entry fees and travel passes.
5. Make your home a holiday destination with a little creativity. If you live in or near a city, explore it as if you’re a tourist – and you could benefit from a local resident discount, too! Or take day trips into your nearby countryside to get into nature. Remember that the National Trust and English Heritage both have plenty of free sites to visit.

The post How to Have a Cheap Holiday in the UK this Summer! appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

If you’re struggling to make ends meet, it’s only natural to turn to friends and family members for help by asking to borrow money. In fact, one TikTok user has gone viral as she revealed she now shares a bank account – with a friend.

But is it ever wise to lend or borrow money in this way? We explore the benefits and (very serious) pitfalls of unofficial lending, as well as provide some tips on how you can make sure both you and your friend or family member is protected if something goes wrong.

Read on to find out more, or click on the links below to go straight to that section.

• How much do people lend?
• The advantages of lending and borrowing among friends and family
• The cons – and the con artists
• What about shared bank accounts with friends?
• The legalities – and resources that can help
• Other assistance that is available

How Much Do People Lend?

Lending money to friends and family is more common than you might think. A third of people in the UK are currently owed money by friends and family, according to research by Starling Bank.

The amount being lent out by friends and family is not small change, either – 35% have lent more than £500 according to the survey of 2,000 UK adults.

Nearly one in four (23%) are owed more than £1,000, 10% have handed over £5,000 or more, and 6% have lent upwards of £10,000.

The Advantages 

Broaching the subject of gifting or loaning money to family may be embarrassing, but according to a recent survey of 3,000 people by Hodge Bank, many people actually get a kick out of helping their friends and family with money, with 58% of over-75s saying they liked to lend their loved ones money.

Of course, you don’t have to be a financial wizard to work out why people might want to borrow money from the ‘Bank of Grandma and Grandad’ (or the ‘Bank of Bob from Work’, for example).

Clearly, your friends and family are a lot more likely to give you some help towards bills than a bank ever is. Getting a loan is a bureaucratic nightmare, and unless a bank is confident that it will easily recoup its money, it’s not going to lend you a penny.

This preference for wealthier clients by the big banks is why those who are struggling often have to turn to ‘pay day’ loans, or even loan sharks.

Of course, if you aren’t considered a risk by the banks, they’ll happily give you a loan at a far more-reasonable rate than a rapacious pay day loan provider. But the terms are still unlikely to be anywhere near as generous as you’d get from friends and family.

Exorbitant rates

According to MoneyNerd, the average interest rate on a personal loan taken out in October 2022 with a two-year repayment was 10.16%, although many lenders charge much more, with rates as high as 36% or above.

The amount you are charged will depend on a number of factors, including your personal credit score, and your collateral (i.e. the amount of money/property the bank could theoretically seize if you fail to keep up with installments).

For help working out how much money you could realistically hope to borrow through official channels, see here.

The Cons – and the Con Artists

Needless to say, lending or borrowing money from friends and relatives isn’t without risks – for both parties.

Most ‘lenders’ are not particularly wealthy, according to Starling Bank, whose study found that a third of people who have lent money to friends and family are low-earners (i.e. on an annual salary of less than £20,000), while only 11% are higher earners, on £70,000 plus.

Embarrassment and anxiety

What’s more, two thirds of lenders told the bank that they felt either too “awkward and embarrassed” or too “anxious” to ask for money back that they’re rightfully owed, while a third of respondents (32%) said they had to ask two or more times for the money to repaid.

As Starling Bank’s chief banking officer, Helen Bieton, pointed out: “Talking about money with friends and family can be awkward, but letting debts rack up can take a toll on relationships and our own financial wellbeing.”

She added that “nearly one in five (17%) started to resent their debtors and 11% avoided making plans with them in the future”.

“When they weren’t paid back as swiftly as they would have liked, more than a quarter of people in the UK (27%) got annoyed, 8% got angry or had an argument with the person who owes them [money], and 3% ended up in a physical fight.”

Difficulties saying “no”

Of course, the easiest way to avoid such potential disputes is to just say no. However, this is easier said than done.

In July, a study from the short-term lending service Moneyboat revealed that the average Briton loses over £500 a year due to this inability to assert themselves with friends and family.

As Elizabeth Richie, a psychotherapeutic counsellor at St Andrews Healthcare, explained: “Expectations from friends and family can blur the lines when we want to say no! This may include fear of being judged, fear of being selfish.”

Richie, who helped Moneyboat with the study, said that it is crucial to set boundaries and be mindful of the fact that “we cannot control other people’s responses to us”.

“The ability or inability to say no often stems from our childhood. We will struggle to say no when we are constantly seeking approval, we will find it easier to say no when we have experienced healthy attachments in early life and have acquired a healthy identity from our early caregivers.

“Ultimately being able to say no at the right time reduces stress levels, and gives you time to prioritise what is important for you and to be more discerning about your own needs and self-care without feeling bad.”

Could your friend be a loan shark?

There are, however, far greater risks involved with casual borrowing than just hurt feelings, as Jackie Spencer, the senior policy manager at the Money and Pensions Service, explained: “Another thing to be cautious about is borrowing money from someone you know casually, such as a colleague or a friend.

“It might seem like a good solution, but you should consider how much you really know them, as they might be a loan shark who lends money illegally and the loan could cost you more than you think.

“They target people who need to borrow money and can’t access it from legal sources and may resort to intimidation and even violence if you can’t keep up with repayments.”

To help prevent this, she stressed that any informal loan should be put in writing, and recommended people read this guide on how to spot a potential loan shark.

Other issues to consider

While it can be tempting to ask friends or relatives to lend you money, you need to think about not only whether you can afford to repay the loan but what might happen if you can’t.

People thinking of borrowing from friends and family really ought to draw up a budget using a resource like this, just like someone would do before approaching a bank for a loan.

“This will help you see how much money you have left for repayments and if you can actually afford it,” said Spencer.

“You should also consider the risk that this could harm or even end the relationship if the money is not repaid. It’s stressful enough if you can’t afford to pay back what you owe, but it can be even worse when you’re leaving a loved one out of pocket.

“If you’re not sure whether you should borrow from a friend or family member, there are other credit options – even if you have a poor credit rating and if you’re struggling with debts, there is help available through our MoneyHelper service.”

What to do if you are approached for a loan you can’t afford

It can be hard to refuse when a friend, partner or family member asks for financial help, but you should consider whether you can cope with the impact of not having the loan repaid. Take the time to work out your own budget before lending to anyone.

If your money is currently in savings, you’ll need to bear in mind that removing a large chunk of this will affect the interest you make each month.

What About Shared Bank Accounts with Friends?

As the cost of living hits us all, more and more people are considering setting up shared bank accounts with friends. Much like in a couple, they pay in part of their salary each month and use it to pay bills if they live together, or to save towards a shared goal like a holiday. So, instead of lending each other money back and forth (we’ve all asked for an extra tenner here and there from our best mate), their spending comes from the shared account.

A new viral trend on TikTok, shared bank accounts are being touted as a way to find accountability in your spending, as someone else can see everything you spend.

While sharing a bank account for housemates to pay bills together might be useful, it comes with big pitfalls. The funds aren’t protected – so anyone named on the account can take the whole lot at any time. In the example of TikTokker Caitlin above, she and her friend don’t always pay in equal amounts either, as sometimes one earns more than the other. This is the highest level of trust, because anyone in this situation could run off with the money they haven’t earned!

More than that, if your friend has a terrible credit score, or they put your joint account into debt, your credit rating will be ruined, too.

Joint savings accounts can work better and some banks recognise this. Monzo has a shared saving account that helps friends save together into one pot for a specific event like a holiday or hen do. However, the funds are still there for anyone to spend and your credit rating is now linked to the people named on the account.

If you want an accountability buddy to help control your spending in tight times, you could always set a weekly date to meet with your friend and go through your bank statements together. This will make sure you know someone else is going to look at your spending, helping you to curb impulse and unnecessary expenditure, without risking your funds being withdrawn by someone else.

The Legalities – and Resources That Can Help

If you are able to help a friend or relative in need, it’s still wise to take some legal precautions to safeguard both you and your loved one in case of unforeseen circumstances.

As Spencer from the Money and Pensions Service pointed out, it’s a good idea to put your agreement in writing so both parties were aware of exactly how much will repaid and when. “It’s also important to keep records of when repayments are made, so you both know how much is still outstanding.

“Having an agreement in place can protect you in unforeseen circumstances as well, such as if the borrower died with the debt unpaid as you’d need proof to claim from their estate.”

Legal templates

You can find lots of free template agreements online that both parties can sign and keep.

LawDepot has a very easy-to-follow, one-page form that should leave both sides in no doubts as to what was lent, and to whom. You can download it here.

Things to consider in any agreement 

The team at Hodge Bank has some great advice on things to consider before lending to friends and family. For instance, they suggest you should include details such as “a time frame for when the sum is expected to be paid back by, any interest (if applicable) and any consequences for missed payments – you may choose to set a fixed penalty or an interest charge for example.”

The bank also tells would-be lenders to consider things like collateral, adding: “If your friend or family member has anything of worth, this can be a good way to ensure your money will be returned to you.

“If your money was in savings prior to the loan, it may be a good idea to charge at least as much interest as it’d earn in savings to make sure that you don’t lose out. This will also ensure that the loan is seen as a loan and not a gift.”

Tax implications

Another issue many people overlook is the tax implication. If there’s interest being added to the repayment amount, you really ought to inform HMRC and fill out a self-assessment form as, depending on your income, the interest on any repayments may be liable for tax. Obviously, if you’re not charging interest, you won’t need to tell HMRC and, instead, just need to keep a detail of the loan and repayment amounts, in case you’re challenged about where the money came from.

Of course, it’s worth pointing out that many relatives (especially older ones) loan out money on the understanding that they probably won’t need it to be repaid.

It’s worth pointing out, however, that if the lender dies within seven years of giving the money away, the recipient may have to pay inheritance tax on it. For more information about inheritance tax, read our guide on estate planning.

What to do if there’s a dispute 

When lending to family and friends, there’s always the chance that they might not pay you back. If this happens, the first step is to talk to them and find out why this is. It may be due to something simple like a change in personal circumstances or other reasons beyond their control.

If the issue is due to a lack of funds, you should try to come to an agreement to amend the payment schedule or increase the length of the loan-period. If your friend or family member is being difficult and there’s a signed agreement in place, you can always seek legal action, if necessary.

For sums below £5,000, you have the option of taking the issue to a small claims court. For larger amounts, you may need to seek legal advice on how best to proceed.

Other help out there

If you or your loved ones are struggling financially, you really should try to reduce any debts and do everything you can to consolidate your finances before complicating the situation with yet more IOUs.

Charities like Christians Against Poverty give free help and advice to people struggling to keep their head above water financially – irrespective of their religion.

Its advisers should be able to help you cut your budget and get lenders off your back.

They work very closely with local Council Tax and Business Rates’ enforcement departments to create more-manageable payment plans for people who’ve fallen behind and are racking up court fees and penalty notices.

They also help arrange Individual Voluntary Arrangements, Protected Trust Deeds and Debt Relief Orders to clear any money you owe private businesses.

The charity has helped more than 20,000 become debt-free since 2010 alone, so they know what they’re doing.

You could also try Citizens Advice or Turn2us, who can not only provide some advice on clearing debts and dealing with angry lenders, but could also point you in the direction of benefits or other assistance you may not know you are eligible for.

More information

If you are struggling during the current cost-of-living crisis, you may find the following articles of use:

• 9 quick ways to organise your finances
• Mental health and money: How to stop debt overwhelming you

MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of lending or borrowing money should conduct their own due diligence. 

The post Is it wise to lend or borrow money from friends and family? appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Planning for the summer holidays? Six weeks of keeping the little ones occupied can take a lot of preparation and even more money. There are loads of fun ways to keep the kids occupied on a budget during the school holidays, and this is made even easier thanks to Official London Theatre. 

This August, the company is bringing back Kids Week, where children can enjoy over 45 top London West End shows for free. On sale from 10am on 11th June, tickets are available for a huge range of shows for the whole family to enjoy.  

From exciting productions participating for the first time like Hamilton, Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, Guys & Dolls and MJ The Musical to established Kids Week favourites including Horrible Histories – Terrible Tudors, Disney’s The Lion King, RSC’s Matilda The Musical, Mrs Doubtfire, Shrek, Wicked and The Wizard Of Oz, there is something for all the family to enjoy. 

Alongside the performances, shows are offering a range of free activities for Kids Week ticketholders, so look out for ‘Kids Week Curtain Calls’ where all Kids Week bookers in attendance can stay for a post-show Q&A or demonstration after the show, as well as more show specific offerings from dance and musical theatre workshops to puppet demonstrations. 

This year, Mastercard cardholders can unlock special Kids Week exclusives, which include the chance to win tickets to English National Ballet’s Nutcracker this Christmas and a free digital activity pack, including a theatre themed wordsearch, spot the difference, guess the show from emojis and more. Mastercard cardholders will also have exclusive access to two Kids Week activity events with RSC’s Matilda The Musical and Shrek The Musical. Tickets to these exclusive events will only be available to purchase via priceless.com and will go on sale on 11 June.  

Kids Week bookers with access requirements can complete the Access Priority Request Form before general on sale. The form will be available on the Kids Week website from 4 June to 9 June. Eligible bookers who have completed the form will be contacted by the theatre box office on the morning of 11 June. 

List of shows participating in Kids Week 2024 

The 13 Storey Treehouse 
The 39 Steps 
Back To The Future – The Musical 
Beauty And The Beast  
Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour 
Brainiac Live 
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book 
The Choir of Man 
A Chorus Line 
Errol’s Garden 
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World – The Musical 
Fireman Sam – The Great Camping Adventure 
Frankie Goes To Bollywood 
Fuerza Bruta: Aven 
The Gruffalo 
Guys & Dolls 
Hadestown 
Hamilton 
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child 
Hello Dolly! 
Horrible Histories – Terrible Tudors 
An Inspector Calls 
Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! 
Kiss Me, Kate 
The Lion Inside 
Disney’s Lion King 
Mamma Mia! 
Marie Curie 
Mario The Maker Magician 
RSC’s Matilda The Musical 
Milkshake! Live On Holiday!  
Ministry of Science Live! Science Saved the World 
Les Misérables 
MJ The Musical 
The Mousetrap 
Mrs Doubtfire 
Next To Normal 
Peanut Butter & Blueberries 
The Phantom Of The Opera 
The Play That Goes Wrong 
Queenz: Live In London!  
Rough Magic 
Sam Wu Is Not Afraid of Ghosts 
Shrek The Musical 
Sister Act 
Six 
The Tiger Who Came to Tea 
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical 
Tweedy’s Massive Circus 
Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York) 
Why Am I So Single? 
Wicked 
Witness For The Prosecution 
The Wizard Of Oz 
Your Lie In April 
Zog And The Flying Doctors 

The post Free West End shows for kids this summer appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

However, the buy to let market looks very different not than it did 5 years ago! Mortgage rates have crept up which means that the profit margins for renting out a home are smaller.

So, it is still a good time to invest in buy to let? 

Here’s how to decide if you should invest in buy to let property in 2024.

• Do You Qualify for a Buy to Let Mortgage?
• High Mortgage Rates
• Can You Find Tenants?
• The Financial Risks of Becoming a Landlord
• Potential Returns on Your Buy to Let Investment
• More Property Tips

Do You Qualify for a Buy to Let Mortgage?

Before you start looking at investing in a property to rent out, make sure you’re eligible for the financing available.

If you have cash stashed away to buy a property outright, that’s great! The returns on renting it out versus keeping that money in the bank will be huge. Interest rates on savings are beyond shocking right now, so a cash investment in property could be a great way to invest.

However, if you only have enough saved for a deposit, make sure you qualify for a buy to let mortgage before you start looking for property. You’ll need to:

• Have at least a 25% deposit
• Already own a property (you can still have a mortgage on that one, too)
• Show that you don’t intend to live in the property yourself
• Earn more than £25,000 a year (for most mortgages)
• Know expected rental income (lenders typically need repayments to be no higher than two thirds of the monthly rental income)

Ticking all of those boxes mean you’re eligible for a buy to let mortgage!

High Mortgage Rates

Buy to Let mortgages come in different types, such as trackers and fixed periods. The deals available differ to those on residential mortgages, because being a landlord is a commercial venture.

However, the majority of these mortgages are interest-only. That means you’ll pay only the interest amount each month, and the full lump sum of the mortgage at the end of the term.

Just remember that you’ll need to put aside the rental income each month to save for the final repayment, though. Interest rates on savings are appalling, but you need to ensure you can pay back the mortgage at the end. You can, however, lock your cash away for longer periods – so take advantage of the (ever-so-slightly) higher interest rates on fixed term savings accounts.

The downside of high rates

It goes without saying that high mortgage rates aren’t great for landlords! High rates make it difficult for buy-to-let ventures to be profitable.

At the moment, the average mortgage rate is 5.89% and the average standard variable rate is a whopping 8.65%! It’s easy to see why landlords are having to up their prices.

Not only do high rates eat into your profits, they also make it more difficult to secure a mortgage in the first place. Now more than ever, it is important to make sure that you are in a financially comfortable position before considering buy to let.

Can You Find Tenants?

Buying a property to rent out relies on finding tenants! Make sure the area you’re buying in has a high chance of being filled. Property websites like Zoopla and Rightmove often have information like this on property listings. An even split of homeowners/rentals is your best bet: too many rentals means more competition for the market. Too many homeowners suggests it’s an area people prefer to buy in, rather than rent.

Look around at similar properties and their advertised rent. This gives you an idea of what you can charge for the property, and whether that would be a good return on your investment.

Check for amenities and local jobs, too. For example, areas near hospitals, large schools or universities, and near main transport hubs are more likely to fill quickly with tenants than rural properties.

The Financial Risks of Being a Landlord

If you can’t find tenants right away, or when your first ones move out, you’re responsible for paying the bills. That includes your mortgage payments, Council Tax, utilities bills, and any leasehold payments.

Can you afford do to this for several months?

You also need to consider what you would do if your tenants suddenly lost their income. Could you provide a rent holiday? It is usually easier to negotiate with existing tenants than to find new ones.

You’ll also need to register for a Self Assessment tax return and file each year. Even if you have a PAYE job, you must fill out the return and declare rental income to HMRC.

Another expensive that often goes overlooked is the cost of fixing damage or replacing broken furniture. As a landlord, you will be responsible for any costs that come with wear and etar. This might mean replacing a fridge fixing a roof or buying a new boiler! This can all be very expensive.

Potential Returns on Your Buy to Let Investment

It’s not all doom and gloom, though. A buy-to-let investment now could set you up for an early retirement, or a more secure financial future. You’re buying an asset that can deliver great returns.

What’s more, mortgage rates are rumored to go down in the near future which could make buy-to-let a lucrative venture once again. The price of housing in the UK is predicted to go up which means that homeowners are almost guaranteed to see returns in their investment.

The strongest position to be in is that of someone who can purchase a buy-to-let property outright with cash. We can all dream!

More property investment tips

There’s so much to consider when you become a landlord that you need to do your research before committing. Read these articles next to help you decide if it’s the right investment move for you.

• Everything You Need to Know as a Landlord During Coronavirus
• Renovate Your Home for Less with the Green Homes Grant
• The Big Buy to Let Hotspots in Britain
• Property Investment: Should You Be Buying to Let?
• Get a Buy to Let Mortgage Even If You’re 85!

*This is not financial or investment advice. Remember to do your own research and speak to a professional advisor before parting with any money.

The post Is Now a Good Time to Invest in Buy to Let? appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Summer is a great time for a good BBQ wherever you are, and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg of lamb to have a great party with good food…safely!

Here are our tips for great BBQs, good BBQ food and a safe and happy experienc

• Best BBQs for the garden or patio
• Best BBQs for picnics
• Have a BBQ indoors!
• Great Barbecue recipes
• Cooking tips from the BBQ experts

Best BBQs for the garden or patio

There are BBQs of every size and price available online and in the shops.

However, we have looked for well-priced, simple ones that anyone can use in their back garden or on the patio.

Smoker & Grill Barbecue

The Bar-be-quick smoker BBQ really is fantastic for any foody. With an RRP of £85 it is a reasonable, compact and flavourful all-rounder.

A Dual-level charcoal grill with heat indicator dial and front-hinged charcoal access door. This smoker BBQ offers huge flexibility as the unit cooks four ways -smokes/grills/steams & roasts. The two cooking grills and larger charcoal pan provide the facility to cater for larger numbers. Easily converts to a charcoal grill. This product is a great introduction to the popular American way of cooking.

Can also be converted to a small portable barbecue by taking away the top section. (Ideal for camping).

the tower health grill

One we are particularly impressed by is the Tower Health Grill from AO which is just £49.

It cooks up to ten portions at once, even though it’s pretty slimline, and the great part about it is that – given the state of our so-called ‘summers’ in Britain – if the weather isn’t kind you can use the top part on a kitchen work-top instead. That’s really handy!

Kettle grill from Wilko

You can’t say fairer than this: £15 for a basic kettle grill BBQ from Wilko.

It’s durable and has a handy shelf underneath for storage. It’s particularly handy for patios and small gardens as it fits into a small space.

Napoleon Kettle Grill

Another fabulous BBQ that looks good in the garden and is sturdy and long-lasting, is the Napoleon NK14 Chartcoal Grill, retailing at £79.99.

It’s good for a family BBQ as it has a large cooking area and a dual-section charcoal basket offering direct and indirect grilling.

The compact design is ideal for any size garden or patio and the lid really helps for that delicious BBQ, smokey flavour.

It has a 5-star review from users so give it a try.

BBQ Pizza Box

…and check this out – if you’re a pizza fanatic you will love the idea of the Charles Bentley BBQ Pizza Box.

What it does is cook pizzas on top of your BBQ. Like having your own outside mini-oven.

It costs £69 and enables you to cook pre-made or fresh pizzas as well as you could in your own oven (or possibly better).

Best BBQs for picnicss

It’s getting easier and easier to have your own bbq anywhere, anytime. You can get disposable ones (mostly a tray with a grill and some charcoal) from the supermarket. Or, go up a notch and get this complete bbq cooking system from Lakeland which also roasts, smokes and cooks, all for £133.50. It’s an amazing piece of kit that can smoke salmon, roast (and marinade) a joint and even cook pizza. Not just your bangers and burgers! It’s an investment item so worth getting if you like to cook and eat outdoors a lot.

Then of course there’s the good old favourite; the portable tray BBQ. These are totally brilliant, actually work and only cost a fiver. What’s not to like? You can get them in supermarkets and independent retailers The Bar-Be-Quick instant barbecue (standard size) retails for just £2 at ASDA. It’s a one-off BBQ and can only be used once but it’s a great addition to beach or country picnics where you would like something hot too!

The Napolean Portable Gas Grill is absolutely incredible. Retailing at £299 they are an investment but will work for both at home and on the road. Don’t be fooled by its size either – it proudly boasts fitting “20 hamburgers at once”. It is sturdy, compact and easy to use.

Have a bbq indoors!

Yes, that really is possible…and often preferable given our changeable weather.

Who knows if our summer will be an actual summer?  At least with an indoor barbecue you know your sausages won’t be soggy!

Try the, very reasonable ProCook Reversible Griddle is a great tool to have in your kitchen all year round. it’s only £29 and will last you for decades.

It can be used on gas cookers, AGA/solid top cookers and BBQs (but not electric hobs). It’s also oven safe.

I’ve tried it and it’s great for doing my favourite thing – char-grilled vegetables!

bbq tips from the experts

heston blumenthal’s advice for perfect bbq’d steak

Here are the celebrity chef’s tips for cooking a great steak on the bbq. There are more bbq tips from him on the Everdure site.

1.       Remove the steaks from the fridge and the packaging approximately 30 minutes prior to cooking. Allow to stand at room temperature.
2.       Salt the meat generously. Don’t add any pepper at this point as it will burn.
3.       Rub a little groundnut oil or grapeseed oil on the both sides of the steak.
4.       Cook the steak, flipping it every 15 seconds. A 2cm steak will take about 2 minutes to reach medium-rare.
5.       Towards the end of cooking, use a digital probe to monitor how close the meat is to readiness. Insert the probe from the side of the steak and ensure it reaches the centre of the thickest part of the flesh. Because of carryover cooking during resting time, the meat should be removed from the bbq, approximately 5 degrees before it reaches your desire temperature.
6.       Cut the steak into slices if you want, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Resting the meat is very important after the cooking process. The time will depend on the size of the meat. For a steak, rest the meat for approximately 5 minutes before serving. It should be rested on a cooling rack on top of a tray. During this time, the fibres will relax was the residual heat continues to cook the steak.

Meat can also be cooked at low temperatures. It some cases, it helps the meat hold on to its juices. It’s also particularly efficient at breaking down the connective tissue that makes meat tough and chewy. So the low-temperature approach lets you take all sorts of neglected and underestimated cuts like brisket, skirt, tongue and cheeks and turn them into something very tender and delicious.

tips from BBQ don and fire expert phil wood of CONTURA

Bringing the BBQ out of hibernation

“Before you even consider firing up the BBQ, give it a good wash with hot soapy water, removing any remnants of last year’s grilling. You should clean the grill after every use, but a deep clean is ideal when bringing it out for the first time after winter.

“As with all outdoor cooking, you are lighting a fire, and need to ensure it’s done safely. Ensure your BBQ is placed on a non-combustible surface, positioned on a patio, gravel or paving slabs is a safe bet, rather than grass or astro turf. You also need to make sure dropped embers aren’t going to cause a fire hazard; most BBQs have a base to catch soot and anything that drops. A drip tray is also handy to catch fat and prevent it from sticking and burning.

What’s cooking?

“When marinating meat, just remember one golden rule – sugar or sugary liquids like barbecue sauce have no place in a marinade. The heat from the grill will cause the sugars to burn, creating an unpleasant charred crust and burnt flavour.

“For vegetarian guests, consider switching out your meat kebabs for a recipe that includes the nation’s favourite squeaky cheese – halloumi. Add crunchy peppers, mushrooms, onions and sweet cherry tomatoes to the skewers for a real crowd-pleaser. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you can also toast flatbreads on the grill to serve with the kebabs.

Easy and cheap Barbecue Recipes

jerk baby back ribs

This rather delicious recipe is from Encona who produce hot sauces.

Ingredients

Instructions

Melt in the middle cheeseburger

(from kitchen retailers Andrew James)

Ingredients

• (For 5 Large Stuffed Burgers)
• For the burgers:
• 1kg lean beef mince
• 10 diced sundried tomatoes
• 1 slice of mozzarella per burger
• Salt and pepper

To serve:

• 5 Toasted bread buns
• Salad of your choice
• Condiments

Method

Pre-heat your grill or barbecue so it’s ready to go when you’re burger has been made.

Take a small amount of your beef mince and place it into your burger press (this smaller burger is going to help form a seal around your burger filling). Once pressed, set to one side.

Next, take a larger portion of mince, and place it into the press. This burger will be the base for your filling, so it needs to be quite thick!

Once you’ve pressed the mince, press the centre of the burger down so you create a dip in the centre of your mince.

Now, it’s time to get creative. We stuffed our burger with mozzarella and sundried tomatoes, but you could go with whatever you like! Jalapeños, feta, olives, onion and even cooked bacon make fantastic fillings!

After that, place your smaller burger on top and press the sides down and seal it so you don’t lose any of the filling, especially for when it goes on the BBQ.

Season both sides of your burger with salt and pepper, before popping them onto your pre-heated grill or BBQ.

If you like your burgers medium to well done, we suggest giving them up to 10 mins per side – remember, they’re pretty chunky burgers so need quite a while to cook through!

Serve them in a toasted bun with your favourite condiments and a bit of salad

…and for the veggies…

Homemade Vegan Pulled Jackfruit BBQ Sandwich with Coleslaw and Chips

BBQ don and fire expert Phil Wood, says “for vegetarian guests, consider switching out your meat kebabs for a recipe that includes the nation’s favourite squeaky cheese – halloumi. Add crunchy peppers, mushrooms, onions and sweet cherry tomatoes to the skewers for a real crowd-pleaser. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you can also toast flatbreads on the grill to serve with the kebabs.”

And we have these rather fab recipes too…

Grilled Marinated Peppers

Ingredients:

• 2 red, yellow, green and orange peppers

For the marinade:

• 2 cloves of garlic
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Salt and pepper
• Freshly chopped thyme, rosemary, oregano
• 100ml of olive oil

Preparation:

Cut the peppers in half, remove seeds and white release skins, wash and pat dry. Cut the peppers into wide strips and place in a dish.

For the marinade, crush the garlic and stir in a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the freshly chopped herbs and lemon juice. Stir in olive oil and mix the whole thing with the peppers. Leave to marinate for a few hours before heating on the grill. Add additional coatings of the marinade for extra flavour!

bbq’d asparagus with gremolata

Ingredients

• 2 bundles British asparagus, trimmed
• Zest of 1 unwaxed lemon
• Juice ½ lemon
• 2 tbsp flat leaf parsley very finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic crushed, plus 1 clove garlic whole
• Salt and pepper for seasoning
• 50g fresh breadcrumbs
• Rapeseed oil

Instructions

Coat the asparagus with a little oil, cook on the barbecue for 4-5 minutes turning until cooked through but still retaining some bite.

For the gremolata mix the lemon juice and zest with the flat leaf parsley and garlic and season with salt and pepper.

Heat some oil in a frying pan along with a clove of garlic. Add the breadcrumbs and cook until golden. Place breadcrumbs on some kitchen paper to remove excess oil, remove the garlic and season with salt and pepper.

Toss the asparagus through the gremolata and sprinkle over the bread crumbs before serving.

black bean burgers

Ingredients

• 1 tsp olive oils
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 1 jalepeno, diced
• 200 g kale, finely chopped
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 100 g cooked quinoa
• 100 g black beans, mashed
• 2 Tbsp sunflower seeds, ground
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Brown rice flour, as needed

Instructions

1. Over a medium heat, sauté the onion, garlic, jalapeno and red pepper in a drizzle of oil until softened. Add the kale and cook until softened.
2. Combine all the ingredients together to form a dough. Add brown rice flour as a binder if needed.
3. Shape the dough into 6 burgers and lightly dust with brown rice flour.
4. Cook on the BBQ until browned and crispy on both sides.

BBQ Asparagus with Gremolata

Ingredients

• 2 bundles British asparagus, trimmed
• Zest of 1 unwaxed lemon
• Juice ½ lemon
• 2 tbsp flat leaf parsley very finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic crushed, plus 1 clove garlic whole
• Salt and pepper for seasoning
• 50g fresh breadcrumbs
• Rapeseed oil

What to do

Coat the asparagus with a little oil, cook on the barbecue for 4-5 minutes turning until cooked through but still retaining some bite.

For the gremolata mix the lemon juice and zest with the flat leaf parsley and garlic and season with salt and pepper.

Heat some oil in a frying pan along with a clove of garlic. Add the breadcrumbs and cook until golden. Place breadcrumbs on some kitchen paper to remove excess oil, remove the garlic and season with salt and pepper.

Toss the asparagus through the gremolata and sprinkle over the bread crumbs before serving.

What About Dessert?

For pudding, Choco-banana splits are a nice and easy. Just slice a banana lengthways, top with chocolate and nuts before wrapping in foil and grilling on the BBQ.

You could also bake apples. Wrap up cooking apples in individual foils, having taken out the core and stuffed them with dried fruit and golden syrup.

Or how about cake (not on the BBQ though!)? We have some great cake recipes here so check them out.

Got any tips of your own…or recipes? Tell us about them in the comments below

The post Have the best BBQ on the cheap! appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

It’s coming up to half-term for UK schools, and with the weather being decent you may be looking for things to do that entertain, save money but not scrimp on fun. Aren’t you glad we’re here to suggest tons of things? 

DINE OUT FOR £1! 

The school holidays can be an exciting time for many. Children are excited at the prospect time away from the confines of school and families can spend some quality time together. Some may even have a nice holiday booked or finally have the time to visit family who live far away. 

But the school holidays are not all sunshine and rainbows. For many, school holidays induce a sense of anxiety. Financial worry clouds the minds of many, as many household costs increase during this period. 

Time off school means many parents are spending more time at home with their children. This leads to increased energy use due to more electronics being used, food being cooked and the use of radiators as the days get chillier. Similarly, more food is being eaten at home, with the break not only on education but the provision of free school meals. Many people rely on these meals to feed their children one full, hot meal per day. 

Check out our EATING FOR £1 FEATURE to see where you can take your kids this half term for cheap. 

THEATRE TREATS 

For older children, you could nab £10 theatre tickets for the National Theatre this half term with their 16-25 scheme. Your local theatres may also offer special discounts or there may even be free shows by your local theatre groups in half term, so take a look at your regional theatres to see if you could bag some cheap tickets.

Make sure you prepare for the summer, too, as Kids Week returns this summer. One free child ticket for a paying adult, and you can buy an additional two children’s tickets for half price, too. This is a summer offer that launches on 11th June 2024, with performances between 24th July and 6th September. We’re telling you now so you can put it in your diary to book ASAP as tickets will sell fast!

CINEMA for £2.49 

And there are also heaps of kid-friendly offerings from Vue, with both adult and child tickets from only £2.49 per ticket. Vue’s Mini Morning sessions give both adults and kids the chance to experience big screen entertainment for a very small price, and run every Saturday and Sunday morning from 10am, plus every day in the school holidays (with availability likely to change depending on when your child’s holidays occur).  

Picturehouse cinemas offer £3 kids tickets on Saturday mornings, while their family ticket for other showings saves a lot overall as adults pay a child’s fee, too! If you’re a frequent cinema goer, it’s also worth looking at investing in an annual membership. Picturehouse, for example, starts from £100 a year for an adult which includes ten ‘free’ tickets, access to £1-only screenings, and booking discounts plus more.

GO TO THE ZOO for only £3 

London Zoo offers £3 tickets for anyone currently receiving Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance.  

• The £3 tickets are available for the whole family and under 3’s go free.  
• Tickets can be purchased from the admissions kiosk on the day, from 11am, every day of the week.  
• Just bring proof of benefit letter (electronic or paper). 
• Check offer details at www.zsl.org/CAS

Here’s a list compiled by TripAdvisor on some of the best zoos and aquariums in the UK. 

 If you regularly go for days out to your local Sea Life, as well as want to participate in other adventures like LegoLand, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, Alton Towers and more, it could be worth investing in a Merlin pass, which gives you unlimited access to tons of places across the UK for a year.

VISIT MUSEUMS

Most local museums are free to enter, donation required, or have a small entry fee that can be minimised with a family ticket. They are a great way to entertain the kids in the May half term, and you’ll often find your local museum runs free activities during the school holidays to help further your child’s education and get them engaged in history.

Outdoor museums are also a great way to make the most of May sunshine while exhausting the kids as you go around!

If you’re in or near London, free museums can each take a whole day to explore, filling your May half term week! The British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria and Albert museum are all free, as are the Tate Modern and Tate Britain.

Don’t fret if you’re not in London either – there are literally hundreds of free museums in the UK. The CBeebies website has a brilliant free museum finding tool.

SWIM FOR FREE 

Check your local authority for their free swimming lessons opportunities, as well as the pools in your area. Wandsworth Council, for example, offers free swimming lessons for 5-7 year olds during half term and kids under 8 can always swim for free at their pools.

FREE HOLIDAY CLUBS 

Hundreds of thousands of children across England will continue to access free, nutritious food and engaging activities over the school holidays, as the government  confirmed last year that £200 million to fund the holiday activities and food programme throughout 2023 into 2024. 

These free holiday clubs run across England, supporting parents with childcare costs over the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays by providing free, nutritious meals and enriching activities, such as football, play sessions and cooking classes. New figures out today show that around 600,000 children benefited from the scheme over summer 2022 across over 8,000 clubs, events or organised activities in England. 

While the holiday clubs do not have to provide cover for the May half term, it is worth looking into your local authority and school options to find out if there are any free or subsidised holiday clubs or schemes.

ENGLISH HERITAGE 

250 of the 400 sites run by English Heritage are free to visit. From remote stone circles to ruined abbeys, and Norman castles to Roman temples, you can explore thousands of years of history for absolutely nothing. 

The Neolithic Woodhenge is just over three miles from Stonehenge. Built around 2300BC, we know that six concentric rings of timber pillars once stood here, but no one is quite sure why. The timber posts may have supported a building, or they may have been painted and carved like totem poles. Today the holes where the timber would have been are marked with concrete blocks, but you can still get a sense of the size and atmosphere of this mysterious place. 

Intriguing and important moments in English history from the Roman period right up to the Cold War have left their mark on Dover Castle. It’s a fascinating site to visit. 

The beautiful gardens and woodlands at Wrest Park showcase three centuries of garden design influenced by French, Dutch, Italian and English styles. There are activity packs and audio trails for families as well as a play area by the cafe. 

The remains of Titchfield Abbey are impressive. After the Suppression of the Monasteries it was converted into a grand country house but you can still see some of the medieval remains. Look out for the elaborate chimneys. 

Netley Abbey is the most complete surviving Cistercian abbey in southern England. John Constable once came to paint here, and it’s rumoured to have inspired Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. It’s been a popular place to visit since at least the 1840s, when some visitors complained that the abbey’s atmosphere was being spoilt by ‘the popping of ginger beer’! 

Bishop’s Waltham Palace was once the grand home of the wealthy Bishops of Winchester. A three storey tower still stands, as do the palace’s high walls and some of the windows of its great hall.

The post Cheap and Free Things To Do This May Half Term appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

With the May half term and Spring Bank Holiday coming round fast, it is more important than ever to think about how family finances will be impacted. Many businesses have great offers where kids can eat for £1 or less during the school holidays.

The school holidays can be an exciting time for many. Children are excited at the prospect of time away from the confines of school, and families can spend some quality time together. Some may even have a nice holiday booked or finally have the time to visit family who live far away.

But holidays are not all sunshine and rainbows. For many, it induces a sense of anxiety. Financial worry clouds the minds of many, as household costs increase during this period.

Time off school means many parents are spending more time at home with their children. This leads to increased energy use due to more electronics being used, food being cooked and let’s not forget the seemingly endless piles of laundry! Similarly, more food is being eaten at home, with the break not only on education, but the provision of free school meals. Many people rely on these meals to feed their children one full, hot meal per day.

It can all add up. But, luckily, there are many restaurants and cafes which offer low-cost and sometimes free meals for children during school breaks. Whether it be a low-cost or free breakfast, lunch or dinner, you are bound to find somewhere your little ones will enjoy.

• Beefeater and Brewers Fayre
• Purezza
• Dobbies
• Bella Italia
• Morrisons
• Hungry Horse
• Sizzling Pubs
• Angus Steakhouse
• IKEA
• The Real Greek
• TGI Fridays
• Gordon Ramsay Restaurants
• Dunelm
• Yo Sushi

Beefeater and Brewers Fayre

Two children up to the age of 16 can eat a free breakfast with every adult breakfast purchased. This offer is available at any Beefeater or Brewers’ Fayre branch and includes their delicious unlimited all-you-can-eat breakfast. So, whether your little ones fancy a full English or a more continental option, there is bound to be something they enjoy.

This means if you plus a friend or a partner purchase a breakfast, four children can get a free breakfast. There is currently no end date to this scheme as of yet, but it is currently available for all customers to enjoy.

You can also take advantage of the Half Term Special: a three-course kids meal for just £5.99.

Full T&Cs here.

Purezza

If you fancy a light lunch or a spot of dinner, why not visit vegan Italian favourite Purezza? Children under the age of 10 can get a delicious free mini pizza with a topping of their choice! These mouth-watering options include mushrooms, courgette and vegan sausage.

Only one child can get this offer per adult who is dining. Full T&Cs here.

Dobbies

Garden centres can provide a surprising amount of fun for kids. From the wonderful colours of blossoming flowers to water fountains, shrubs and the wildlife they bring, children can become immersed in the magical surroundings nature brings.

You can get one free kids meal or breakfast at Dobbies garden centres with the purchase of an adult traditional breakfast or main course lunch purchased. Children can choose from the children’s breakfast or lunch menu. There is a £1 supplement for kids’ Sunday roast meals. During half term, you can also get a free child’s hot meal or pick n mix lunch box with every adult meal purchased.

Offer available at all Dobbies restaurants with the exception of Andover, Lelant, Marple, Reading, York and Anchorwood.

Full T&Cs here.

Bella Italia

Family favourite Bella Italia lets kids eat FREE all day every Thursday with the purchase of an adult meal, and for just £1 during the hours of 4-6pm Sunday to Wednesday. This is available for children aged 2-11 years and is available between 4pm and 6pm.

Plus, this offer includes three delicious courses and a drink. For just £1 maximum! You can’t go wrong. Full T&Cs here.

Morrisons

Why not roll your weekly shop and a meal out into one with Morrisons? They have a great deal where one child can eat a free lunch or dinner when you spend £4.50 on one adult meal. Children up to the age of 16 can redeem this offer and get a delicious free meal from the kids menu, including a drink and a piece of fruit.

One free kids’ meal can be redeemed per adult but excludes menu specials.  You can’t use any other offers EXCEPT the Teatime Deal (one adult meal of a toastie or sandwich, hot or cold drink, and a piece of cake for £4.80). Full T&Cs here.

Hungry Horse

Hungry Horse restaurants have a whopping May half term deal: Feed a Family for £15! You’ll get two adult mains and two children’s full meals (main, dessert, and drink) for just £15. The offer runs from Friday 27th May to Friday 31st May 2024, and what’s even better is you can add two more kids’ meals for just £2.50 each.

Throughout the year, Hungry Horse also run a special offer where children can eat for just £1 every Monday. Up to two children can eat per full paying adult. Larger meals are just £1.50.

Choose from a range of mouth-watering delights, from beef  burgers to veggie nuggets. It’s also a good idea to ensure your nearest restaurant qualifies for this deal.

Full T&Cs here.

Sizzling Pubs

Sizzling Pubs is the parent company of many pubs across the UK. Your local may be a Sizzling Pub without you knowing it! You can find your nearest pub here.

During the May half term, kids can eat for just £1 from Monday to Friday after 12pm with the purchase of one adult meal. This excludes breakfast, other offers and the set menu. This offer also runs after 3pm Monday to Friday outside of school holidays.

Full T&Cs here.

Angus Steakhouse

Kids under the age of 8 can eat for free with the purchase of one adult main course every day of the May half term. If you are heading to the big smoke for any reason, it may well be worth keeping this deal in mind! Outside of school holidays, this offer is available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Ensure to request the offer in advance on your booking.

Read more here.

IKEA

If you are browsing for new furniture or want to spruce up your home, IKEA is often the first place people think of to visit. Now, the furniture giant are offering children’s meals from 95p. This offer is valid all day, everyday from 11am.

An item from the children’s menu is just 95p. However, for just £1.50 you can get a combo meal. This includes a hot meal, jelly, a drink and a piece of fruit. Plus, Ikea is a double-whammy during the school holidays, with many stores offering free crafting activities – this May half term, the theme is the ocean. Always double check your local store is participating first!

The Real Greek

Every Sunday, children can eat for free at The Real Greek restaurants, when £10 is spent by an adult. Whether your child is in the mood for a mouthwatering souvlaki wrap with halloumi or would rather a mezze selection, something is bound to tickle their fancy.

One free kids meal per adult (each adult must spend £10) can be redeemed and is available to all children under the age of 12. Full T&Cs here.

TGI Fridays

Kids eat free at TGI Fridays when you order an adult’s main meal, all day, every day. The offer is available for Stripes Rewards members – you’ll just need to join via their app, which is free to download through app stores. You’ll get a complimentary Little League or Major League kids’ meal. The menu includes classic burgers, fish fingers and vegan choices. There is also free Heinz baby food for the smallest guests at TGI Fridays. Find out more here.

OK Diners 

One child under 10 can eat free when an adult purchases a main meal. This offer is available every day at the diners in Derby, Cannock, Leominster, Northop and Oswestry. Read all about it here. 

Gordon Ramsay Restaurants 

At selected Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, kids can eat for free from the Ramsay kids menu when ordering a main. It’s only available for children under the age of eight and you will need to purchase an adult main for every free children’s meal. It’s available at Heddon Street Kitchen, all Bread Street Kitchen and Bars, Bread Street Café, Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill and York and Albany.

This offer is available all year around, except on select dates like Christmas and New Year’s Eve. It’s advised to book ahead to make sure this offer is available on the date you want to go.

Dunelm

Many of the furnishing retailer’s branches have an in-store eatery, the Pausa cafe. Kids can get a ‘mini main’, two snacks and a drink for free, as long as an accompanying adult spends £4 or more. The offer is available Monday to Friday after 3pm.

YO! Sushi

From 25th to 31st May 2024, you’ll get one free child’s bento box with any adult meal, up to three children (minimum spend £10 per child on the adult meal – so if you want two free bento boxes, the adult must spend £20). Applicable for children under the age of 12 and for dine-in only – some restaurants are excluded, so check the details before you go.

The post Where Can Kids Eat for £1 or Less for May Half Term? appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Fancy getting your hands of a free National Trust ticket?

Following on from a hugely successful autumn pass giveaway in 2023, the National Trust once again have FREE family passes available.

You can currently get free entry to National Trust sites across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For a limited time, you can nab a free ticket, which allows entry to a huge number of historical and interesting sites for you and the family. All you need to do is sign up via the Daily Mirror here and you’ll get your pass emailed to you.

The best part? The ticket allows for up to two adults and four children to enter a National Trust site for free. Yes, you read that correctly. You can get free entry for six people. Adults, of course, are those aged 18 years and over, and children count as those aged between five and 17 years old. Those under the age of five get free entry to National Trust properties anyway. 

Make sure you double check the website of the property you are going to in advance, as some of them require you to book prior to the date of your visit. If you do not book for certain properties, you may not be guaranteed entry. 

There are also some exclusions, and some National Trust venues are not included in the promotion. You can see all the exclusions here. Make sure to double-check the list prior to arriving to avoid having to pay for a ticket! 

You can get your free ticket now and use it anytime up to Friday 14th June 2024.

Tickets are limited, however. The offer will continue on until the number of allocated tickets have been claimed, or until 15th May 2-24, whichever is sooner. Get your ticket here. 

The tickets are valid Monday to Sunday, so you can enjoy your visit any day of the week, but not Bank Holiday weekends. The pass can also be used within any of the advertised opening hours for the property you want to visit. However, some sites may have parking charges, which you will still need to pay. The ticket covers entry to the site only. 

The tickets are not valid at external National Trust events where an additional entry fee is required, and the tickets are not valid in conjunction with any other offer. You can read the full T&Cs here. 

So, whether you fancy Castle Ward, a unique 18th-century mansion in Downpatrick, County Down or want to roam freely in an ancient royal hunting forest such as Hatfield Forest in Essex, there is bound to be something for everyone to enjoy. 

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Having been working for MoneyMagpie for 10 years now, the financial impact of this decision my partner and I have made has always weighed very heavy on my mind. Every parent knows having children is not cheap, so it’s vital that you get the best quality equipment for the best price possible.

And, indeed, what shocked me was the amount of things I needed to get in advance of having the child – you need a car seat installed, a pram ready to go, bottles ready to feed etc.

So, to help those like myself who are complete novices to the baby-raising game, I put a call out for products I could review to help give our readers a sense of how these things work and how these individual items compare.

I’m going to be adding to this article as I go because some of it only really becomes useful when the baby is born, but I’ve put together some thoughts below and will continue to expand with new items and new thoughts as my journey continues.

Inglesina Aptica XT

Since launching in the UK five years ago, leading Italian pram and travel system brand, Inglesina, has seen a rapid rise in popularity.  Inglesina is a family-run business that puts baby wellness at the forefront of what they do.

I got a chance to review the Inglesina upgraded Aptica XT model, which was released in early 2024, and it surpassed my expectations.

And don’t get me wrong, I had high expectations. Inglesina are one of the few brands who build the model in Italy itself, and the prams are made by hand, and checked by hand and machine.

I also knew the pre-existing model had already won numerous awards – including from Dadsnet, Made for Mums, Junior Design Awards and Project Baby -but the upgraded model improves on things further. Let’s go over the various elements to find out what makes the Aptica XT so special.

Wheels – The wheels are sturdy, puncture proof and built for all terrain. There is the option for different suspension depending on the type of walk you’re embarking on. Whether going for a town walk or a bumpy trek through woodland, the Aptica XT is built to handle it all. The wheels can also be removed to be cleaned – some silicone spray every six weeks should do the trick.

Carrycot and Welcome Pad – The Aptica XT also boasts a revolutionary and large carrycot, with a Welcome Pad mattress and an inclining base. The carrycot is lined with bamboo velvet and the base has plenty of ventilation to make sure your little one doesn’t overheat. The bamboo fibre helps prevent flat-head syndrome and is designed to ensure all pressure points are protected.

The ability to raise the Welcome Pad has been a lifesaver when my baby has had reflux. A small raise, with full supervision, makes sure my baby can sleep comfortably whilst also being upright enough to aid digestion.

Car seat – The car seat can be taken on and off the pram base with ease and comes with a full rotational base. You can recline the car seat so baby is laying flatter, which is preferable if they’ll be in the car seat for a while, and it’s easy to check it’s safely installed when inserting into the car.

Other benefits of the Aptica XT include a new, padded stroller seat offering a lighter, double breathable mesh layer to enable air circulation in the summer, and a padded Comfort Cover to protect against the cold in the winter. There’s also a stand you can put the carrycot on, so you can have that ready for when you’re bringing the pram in, take off the carrycot, pop it on the stand, and leave the pram in the hallway – all without waking little one up.

The pram is very easy to fold and unfold – which clearly marked buttons, and there’s even a little cup holder to attach to the frame.

At £1,695, it’s at the higher price end of the market, but if you’re looking to spend a fair chunk on a pram, then the Inglesina Aptica XT is well-worth considering. I’m over-the-moon with it.

Didofy stargazer bundle

This Stargazer Bundle is designed for effortless practicality and sustainable style, and is a premium multi-terrain travel system.

This 11-piece bundle offers incredible comfort, safety, ease and practicality for your family, all for the very reasonable price of £799.

We were lucky enough to get a sample to review, and it exceeded our expectations for a travel system in this price-range.

The key features include:

GravityFold – using innovative technology, the Stargazer can be folded and unfolded with one hand. Admittedly it takes a little getting used to before you’re able to do it one-handed (it took both hands and a bit of working out initially!), but once you get used to it, it couldn’t be simpler.

Sustainable – Now this we really love! The Stargazer’s fabrics are made exclusively from traceable, sustainable recycled PET bottles. 92 recycled PET bottles go into each stroller, and 73 per carrycot, whilst still giving the system that high quality, comfortable feel. What’s great is it still feels high-end – I think there can be the association that something recycled means compromising on the look or feel, but not at all. This feels high-end, the recycling element really just is a bonus.

All-Terrain – using the Didofy advanced four wheel suspension and All-Terrain tyres, the Stargazer is suitable for both rural and urban living.

Collapsible Carrycot – the quick and easy ‘two click’ foldable carrycot saves space at home and in the car boot. Suitable for overnight sleep, and featuring a rocking base to soothe and comfort little ones. This is a really nice touch because some travel systems don’t include this, particularly in this price range.

Pros

• Easy-to-use
• It looks really nice
• Being made recycled PET bottles is such a nice touch
• Wheels are a really decent size and feel very sturdy across a range-of terrains
• Drink holder is a nice touch
• Very reasonably priced
• Comes with everything you need (including a car seat)

Cons

• For those with tiny car boots (like mine), it can still be a struggle to squeeze into the car without taking off the wheels
• Car seat doesn’t have I-360 base

Leona² Luxe from Maxi Cosi

The Leona² Luxe is a special edition pushchair and is part of the Luxe collection with premium and stylish finishing and fabrics.

I’ve got to be honest, I’m not a confident parker and so the cars I own tend to be on the smaller side. Most of the time this isn’t an issue, but when it comes to fitting a pram into my boot…well, that can be a problem. A lot of prams take up quite a bit of space!

Thankfully, Maxi Cosi have me covered with this pushchair, which can be folded down and easily fit into a small little boot like mine. The compact size also makes it ideal for travel, and can be stored in a travel bag.

The ultra-compact Leona² Luxe is also designed for comfort with its bigger puncture-proof wheels, super-absorbent suspension, uber-comfy seating and an extended canopy.

Obviously there is a bit of a trade-off – a smaller pram with smaller wheels can’t quite compete with the bigger models when it comes to trickier terrain – but when it comes to generally getting about, it does the trick.

It also is easy-to fold, has a reversible seat with height adjustable backrest and can be used from birth to 4 years old.

For just £399.99 it’s not as expensive as some of its chunkier competitors. If you’re like me and don’t have a huge amount of space for an all-terrain pushchair, the Leona² Luxe is worth looking into.

Air purifier

With all the news around air pollution, it’s not surprised that more parents are considering an air purifier for their child’s room.

We were lucky enough to sample The Purification Pal from Solenco UK. One of the first thing we noticed was the low running costs (uses just 30-45w) and filters that last for 4,320 hours, making it a great solution for health conscious parents keen to give their baby the best start in life.

With a 4-stage purification system the Purification Pal captures up to 99.975% of particles/allergens, helping to protect little ones from respiratory illnesses and bugs and making sleep for parents that little bit easier!

We’ve seen loads of parent reviews saying they’ve noticed a real difference with their child’s chest conditions since purchasing a Solenco air purifier, so that’s a really encouraging sign it’s doing the job!

The air purifier has a timer, a soft night light (perfect for night feeding), four speed settings and low noise output (vital at night when you don’t want to wake the little one), so it’s a great companion for a nursery. It also has fun interchangeable and reusable animal face stickers which is a lovely way to personalise it, and lots of fun for perhaps an older sibling, or the baby when it is a little older!

And at £69.99 on Amazon, it’s not a massive outlay either.

EZVIZ BM1 Baby Monitor

The EZVIZ BM1 Baby Monitor is the latest innovation from EZVIZ.  The BM1 transforms advanced camera and AI technology into a visually pleasant, user-friendly and baby-safe helper that simplifies daily parenting tasks.  The camera sends immediate notifications when it detects crying.  It also has out-of-crib alerts and baby activity detection (powered by human shape algorithm).  The monitor also auto-plays soothing music and has clear night vision without a visible red light.  The camera has a view from anywhere and there is also a hear and talk function, enabling a parent to communicate with the baby from another part of the home. The BM1 is easy to set up, has an all-night battery and supports microSD cards. It is also compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

The EZVIZ BM1 comes in two colour versions, pink with bunny ears and blue with teddy bear ears.  It is made with baby-safe non-toxic silicone and no sharp edges and with 100% wire-free setup, the Baby Monitor 1 keeps curious hands or walking toddlers away from dangerous cords. The monitor can be clipped to a cot or crib with an adjustable bracket and can also be removed from the bracket and placed on a table near a play area or similar. It is also perfect for taking on a trip or for a stay-over with the grandparents.

For me personally, having that peace of mind to know if anything is wrong, I’ll be immediately notified, is so reassuring and makes sleeping that bit easier.

Available from Amazon for £99.99 and EZVIZ for £129.99, currently £99.99

Breast pump

The V2 wearable breast pump is a great option for achieving your breastfeeding goals. Weighing only 120g each, it is lightweight and portable. With a large suction -288（±5) mmHg, it offers better suction than one-piece breast pumps and better mobility than traditional two-sided pumps. Its close-fitting design provides maximum comfort and doesn’t require hand support, making it ideal for on-the-go mums.

The pump retails at £199.99, so it’s a relatively substantial purchase. If you’re still pregnant, it’s possible you might not need a pump, but for many mothers the help it offers is invaluable.

It’s early days for me yet, so we haven’t had a chance to trial out the pump, but I’ll be feeding back as soon as I have.

Sienna Twist

The Amana Sienna Twist boasts unbeatable safety, comfort, and adaptability. In fact, it’s so good, your child can use it from birth all the way to 12 years old (which is a great way to save money in the long-term.)

The soft bamboo newborn insert gives your baby the coziest welcome, ensuring comfort during the early months.

It’s key features include:

• A 360 swivel base – it makes accessing the seat super-easy, and doesn’t requite you to contort your body
• Side Protection System – which gives you peace of mind knowing there is extra protection for your child
• ISOFIX system for easy install – I’m not a natural when it comes to installing things like car seats, but the ISOFIX system makes things so much simpler.
• Made from sustainable material – which is always a great added bonus.

At £199.99, it’s a high-end product, without a hefty price tag.

Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.

The post Baby items – where to start and how to get the best price appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

We could all do with cutting our household expenditure, so we’ve come up with 51 easy ways you can save money in your home. By making these tiny changes in your everyday life, you will notice a big difference. It’s a huge list, but every little saving adds up – even if you choose just a few to start with.

1. Raid the Kitchen for Cleaning Alternatives

Forking out for ‘miracle’ cleaners that don’t work is a pain. But there’s no need – have a go with an old-style cleaner instead. White vinegar unblocks sinks, removes limescale and cleans your worktops, and it works a charm to clean windows, too. All you need to do is mix it with a bit of water and a few drops of essential oil to mask the smell. If you have pets, make sure the essential oil you choose is safe for them (for example, cats can’t process lavender while dogs can’t handle teatree).

Bicarbonate of soda works on descaling teacups and teapots, gets rid of smells in your fridge and is a great microwave cleaner. For cleaning, just make a paste with a small amount of water, or mix with water and leave to soak for descaling.

2. Cheap Lick of Paint

Save money when sprucing up your house by checking out the ‘oops’ paints at DIY stores. These are paints left over from when the mixer doesn’t quite get the colour right. Some shades are not so nice, but you may find exactly what you’re after for half the price. You may also get lucky and find a really nice shade that is on sale.

If you only need to touch up a few bits here and there, or have a craft project such as turning that bland wooden mirror into something colourful, check out the tester pots. They’re more expensive per litre compared to a large tin, but if you’re only using a small amount it will save you a lot of cash.

3. Do a Mortgage Check

Mortgages have been hot news for the last few years as interest rates have been doing some… interesting things.

It looks like we’re due an interest rate cut in the near future, and if that happens it could be a prime time to remortgage your home if you’re out of your fixed term. Shopping around can save you thousands of pounds, while it could also reduce your overall mortgage term if you’re able to pay more each month than you currently do.

4. Put a Lid On It!

Save energy by always boiling pans with the lid on – it’ll use less energy and heat faster. If you’re an avid cook and want to save more money in the kitchen, consider a pressure cooker, which makes dishes like slow-braised roasts in a fraction of the time.

When it comes to pre-heating the oven, let’s be honest: you don’t always need to if you’re cooking a midweek dinner that’s not served up for guests. If you do pre-heat, don’t leave it for more than ten minutes (ideally five) to save energy.

5. Revive Carpets with Steam Cleaning

If your carpets are looking tired, they can be spruced up with some elbow grease – so don’t race to replace them at a small fortune just yet. Hiring a steam cleaner from somewhere like HSS is easy and costs around £30 a day, depending on where you live. This will give your carpets a serious deep clean and revive the pile.

For very busy families or messy households (usually those with fluffy pets), it could be worth investing in a wet/dry carpet cleaner to keep on hand like the Bissell SpotWash. This can also revive your sofas, mattresses, and soft furnishings, as well as your car interior.

6. DIY It

In an previous version of this article, we suggested taking a local DIY course for around £100 to learn the basics of being handy around the home. But the truth is, you can learn most things you need for free on YouTube and social media these days!

Before you call an expert, do a little online research. That dripping tap can be fixed with a washer, the strange cubby hole can have some custom-built shelves by your fair hand, or your bathroom retiling could revamp an entire room. Whatever you need to do, take some time to look online and learn what you can – it could save you hundreds of pounds. Some things, like electrics, we always recommend using an expert for, of course. But if you want to try and fix that wobbly stair bannister before calling a carpenter, look to YouTube.

7. Make a Shopping List

Some of us like to collect things, others have a penchant for fashion. Some love shiny jewellery, yet more can’t walk past a craft shop without picking up ‘supplies’.

When you go into the town centre, or the grocery store, make a list and stick to it. Only buy what you need – and if you pick up what seems to be ‘a bargain’, think long and hard whether you want this unplanned purchase. Do you really need it? Do you already have something like it? Will you use it? These questions will help you curb your spending at a time when costs seem to be rising rocket-fast.

8. Make Your Savings Earn Maximum Interest

If you’ve held onto the same savings account for more than a year, it’s time to shop around. There are lots of different types, and it is often worth opening more than one if you have some spare cash to set aside.

Regular savers limit how much you can pay in each month – usually around £200 or £250 – but have a high interest rate. These are great for building an easy-access rainy day fund. They’re usually only available to people who hold a current account at the same bank – which means you can also often set up ’round up’ savings. This is when your bank rounds up everything you spend to the nearest pound (or £5 for some, if you choose). For example, if you purchase something at £4.50, this is rounded to £5 with the 50p moved into a savings account. It’s an easy way to save without realising it.

ISAs have limits (an annual pay in limit of £20,000) but they’re wonderfully tax-free – so you don’t pay any tax on the interest earned. There are several different types of ISA (Cash, Lifetime, Stocks and Shares, IFISA) and you can have more than one – but the £20,000 limit is across all of your ISAs each year, rather than for each account.

A fixed term savings account locks your money away for a period of time but has a much higher interest rate. So, if you can afford to lock up some of your savings for the future, consider one of these.

If saving feels impossible as you’re on a low income and Universal Credit, find out if you’re eligible for the Government’s Help to Save account – which could net you up to £1200 FREE over four years.

9. Re-use Old Clothes

Make old jeans into draught excluders by cutting the legs off, stuffing them (try newspaper, magazines, or old plastic bags) and then sewing up the ends. You could re-use baby trousers by turning them into shorts for slightly older kids, or use odd socks for puppet making or stuffing to make dog toys. Tights are great for making cress heads, storing onions and bulbs, packing together to make abrasive cleaner for your sink or wrapping around ordinary coat hangers to pad them out.

Learn how to make do and mend – a smart bit of embroidery or an iron-on patch can work wonders for covering the stain on your favourite top you can’t bear to get rid of!

10. Make a Budget

Take control of your spending by sticking to a budget. Make a list of everything you spend in a week and weed out all the little extras you don’t need. Total up the costs of things you really have to buy, and this is your budget. Make sure you can afford this budget and keep a little left over if possible.

If you don’t have enough money for this budget, then more things need to go. Do you really need to buy lunch at work? Can you live without that Spotify subscription? Make your budget realistic and then stick to it. This should leave you with a little extra every month. You can use this to pay off loans, or make more money by putting it into a savings account.

11. Refuse to Buy Until You Run Out

Go on, admit it: you’ve got half-empty shampoo bottles, a freezer drawer with forgotten leftovers, and at least three opened ketchup bottles in the fridge. We throw out so much food and household waste each year, when making sure we maximise our usage first could save you a significant chunk of cash.

Make a rule: items must have run out (or have one use left, for commonly-used items like washing up liquid or laundry tablets) before you replace them. Keep a list on the kitchen fridge or somewhere easy to see, and write down whenever you throw away an empty container.

This will help you control your spending and minimise overall household waste.

12. Claim Benefits You’re Entitled To

Alright, we’ve snuck this one in because it’s not so much a way to save money in your home as it is a way to ensure you’re getting all you’re entitled to, to boost your income. With recent changes to things like Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit, your household could be entitled to receiving some financial support – even if you previously weren’t.

Use an online benefits calculator such as EntitledTo or Turn2Us to find out if you could claim financial support.

13. Spend Time to Shop Around

Whether you’re renewing your car insurance, house insurance, or broadband, don’t let autorenew catch you out. Make a note in your calendar for EVERY contract renewal (yes, every one) and set a reminder for three days before (or thirty-two days, if your contract has a thirty-day notice period).

Take some time to compare prices online and shop around for deals. Even if you like the current service you’re receiving, getting a cheaper quote elsewhere gives you a bargaining chip to renegotiate with your supplier for a reduced price.

14. Batch Cook

Buying in bulk is a great way to save money – so if you see a BOGOF offer on a household staple like chicken, beef mince, or your favourite veggies, stock up.

Cooking several extra portions in advance and freezing them not only saves you money because you’re only cooking the meal once and you’ve saved on discounted food, it also stops you from reaching for Deliveroo on a night you just can’t be bothered to cook. Replacing one takeaway night each week with a prepped freezer meal could save you around £50 a week – or £2,600 a year.

15. Renegotiate Your Mobile Phone Plan

If you’re out of contract, it’s time to shop around. And now, many providers will let you renegotiate while you’re still in contract, too! Mobile phone providers are clamouring to keep your business, so make sure you contact them to see if you can nab a better deal. If you have a partner or children on the same network, you might also be able to benefit by bundling these together – even better if your broadband could do with upgrading, too.

16. Don’t Pay for Entertainment

Ditch your Sky contract and opt for streaming. Make the most of free trials with a rotating savvy trick: rotate through streamers like Netflix, Apple, and Amazon Prime each month so you’re only using one or two at a time, and set up the free trial. Make a note for when the trial ends!

When you next want to use the service, set up a free trial with a new email address. You sometimes need to use a new payment card, too – but if you’re rotating services each month, this means you could get a year of free entertainment before you’ve run out of payment cards to link to each new account!

If you’re an audiophile, check out Spotify’s family plans – it could save you a fortune, as could Apple Plus (which includes every Apple service for a single fee each month).

17. Make Your Home Energy Efficient

Losing heat and electricity is like throwing money away. According to the Energy Saving Trust, the average household loses around 50% of the heat generated from inside it. So, you’re paying for power you’re not even getting the benefit from. There are easy ways to fix this:

Block draughts

A whopping 20% of the heat lost is through draughts and poor ventilation. So, even small insulating measures like draught-excluders, or thicker curtains, can really make a difference.

Turn your heating down

It’s hard to do it when it’s chilly, but turning the thermostat down a few degrees can save loads of money. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a reduction of just one degree can reduce bills by as much as 10%. It’s clearly worth it. So grab a big woolly jumper and socks, and turn down that thermostat – even if it’s only by one degree.

Switch everything off

We spend £1 billion every year on powering our electrical appliances whilst they are on standby. It’s so easy just to turn them off at the mains and save money.

18. Save Your Hot Water!

The average bath uses about twice as much hot water as a five-minute shower. That means it takes twice as much energy to heat the water. We know five minutes isn’t much, but if you’re having a bath every day, then swapping some for a few five-minute showers will really reduce your energy bills. (Now add that up for a family of four or more and it’s easy to see how quickly you can save!). If you must have a bath, don’t let the water go down the plughole – reuse it for indoor plants or your garden to save water.

You can also save money in your home by only boiling enough water for what you need – 67% of us boil too much, so save energy and only heat as much water as you need.

19. Go for Own Brands

Own brands are the key to big household savings. You might be attached to your favourite names, but own brands are cheaper. They are also often really good quality. If you aren’t sure, just try them out. We’re not just talking food either – own brand cosmetics and medication are cheaper, too. A pack of Nurofen will set you back around £3, but the same ibuprofen costs as little as 16p when it’s own brand.

20. Sort Your Insurance

You should always be checking to see if you can get a better deal on your insurance. With road tax on the rise, reducing your car insurance costs are a must. Lots of companies are also offering 12 months home insurance for the price of nine, or 25% off when you buy online. Click here to compare home insurance premiums.

It’s also worth considering whether you even need some of your insurance policies – you might accidentally be doubling up. Some paid-for bank accounts offer insurance as a perk, for example, while your home insurance could cover your mobile phone when it’s out of the house. Check the small print and work out which insurance packages overlap, and which are the cheapest to keep.

21. Ditch the Tumble Dryer

Tumble dryers are one of the most power-hungry appliances in the home. They use twice as much power to dry your clothes as washing machines do to wash them. According to the Energy Saving Trust, only 35% of us have a tumble dryer. Those who don’t are already ahead in the energy saving race. Those who do can save easily by ditching the tumble dryer altogether. If you are really attached, try spin-drying your clothes before putting them in the tumble dryer. This way they won’t take as long to dry. You can also dry your clothes outside or on a heated airer, and then just finish them off in the tumble dryer.

If you can’t give up the dryer, make sure you keep your dryer’s lint screen clean and its outside exhaust free of obstructions. Clean the lint screen after each load of laundry and check the exhaust regularly. A lint screen in need of cleaning and a clogged exhaust can lengthen drying time and increase the amount of energy used.

22. Get Supermarket Savvy

Keeping your wits about you when shopping can save you money. Look at the price per unit (usually per grams or kgs) to compare prices. Buying in bulk often means you get more for your money. Buying own-brand food is also cheaper.

If you are reluctant, try it at least once. You’ll probably find own brands are equally as good. Trolley will do all the price comparison work for you. Go online and choose from Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s or Waitrose. Then select items from your list as normal. Once you’ve totalled everything up, the website will tell you what items you can swap to save money. It will also tell you how cheap you can get your shop at the other supermarkets. If one is cheaper, then consider switching and saving money.

There are also lots of membership cards and loyalty schemes that help you make the most of your shopping – from the Lidl Plus card that gives you 10% off a shop for every £250 cumulatively spent in store, to Tesco Clubcard and Morrisons’ More Card special offer prices for members. They are free to join and hold a card, but could save you a pretty penny every time you top up the pantry.

23. Plan Your Weekly Menu

Meal planning can help you make the most of ingredients, avoiding food waste and reducing your grocery bill each week. It also allows you to buy in bulk, which adds to your savings. For example, if you know you want chicken fajitas on Monday and a curry on Tuesday, a large pack of chicken will be cheaper per gram than buying smaller packs for each meal. You can freeze leftovers, too, which helps cut down on future shopping bills.

Before you go to the shops, check your cupboards, fridge, and freezer. It’s often easy to buy multiples of things you already have at home – common culprits are things like ketchup and other condiments, which you don’t use all the time and might think you haven’t got in stock. Looking at what you already have helps you meal plan as you can see what needs to be used up and you can get creative with your menu that way, too! Sites like SuperCook let you submit the ingredients you already have in the cupboard to find out what meals they’ll make – and if you’re off to the shops, add a few ingredients you want to buy and you’ve got a zero-waste approach to groceries!

24. Use Your Computer as a TV

Gone are the days we all sit around the single TV in the house for the evening. We’re surrounded by screens all the time – so if you want to watch something in your bedroom but only have a TV in the living room, don’t think about buying a new TV for the second room. Instead, use your laptop, tablet, or even phone to watch something.

Alternatively, you could buy a portable projector for around £70 – much cheaper than a television, and they come with an operating system that lets you download your favourite streaming apps like Netflix, Prime, and Disney Plus. They’re pocket-sized, often have built-in speakers and connect to external speakers with Bluetooth, and can give you a massive screen anywhere!

25. Buy Seasonal Fruit and Veg

It’s no longer trendy to eat peaches in the middle of winter. It’s bad for the environment to ship them here from hotter destinations. Plus it means they cost more. Try buying seasonally – root vegetables like carrots and swede are winter vegetables grown in the UK, while spring and summer bring you amazing greens like asparagus, lettuces, marrow, new potatoes, beetroot and raspberries. The National Trust has a great guide to seasonal eating in the UK.

26. Winter Woolies

Wearing your winter woollies indoors can save you money in your home. The human body gives off heat at about 390 BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour for a man and around 330 BTUs for a woman. Wearing closely-woven fabrics can help you retain an extra half degree in warmth, and a light long-sleeved sweater is another two degrees. Go for a big woolly jumper or hoody and you can gain up to 3.7 degrees more.

What this all means is that you can turn the thermostat down and save money. So don’t walk around your house in a T-shirt and shorts in the winter if you need to turn up the heat to do it. Layer up just a bit so you can turn the heat down.

27. Clear Out Your Junk

You could have hundreds of pounds’ worth of unused stuff lying around in your house. All you’ve got to do is gather up all the old junk that you don’t need and sell it off at a car boot sale. You might have a secret goldmine in the form of vintage vinyl or collectible toys, but even if you just want to get rid of last year’s wardrobe apps like Vinted help you sell them to make some money and make sure they get a new lease of life elsewhere.

28. Grow Your Own

With food prices seemingly on a constant rising trend, and reports of a risk of food shortages in the future, growing your own is one way to help improve your finances, eat nutritious seasonal food, and have some food security. However, we realise most people don’t have massive gardens or allotments to plant, or even tons of time to turn their fingers green.

The good news is there are lots of things you can do even with a windowsill in an apartment (you can grow an entire herb garden on one shelf!). For balcony space, ideal small-area growers are potatoes, tomatoes, leaves like lettuce and Swiss Chard, beetroots, and carrots. There are some ingenious space-saving planters available these days, which let you use vertical space for planting, so check out your local garden centre to get inspired!

Read our article on growing your own veg for more tips.

29. Thrift It

According to Oxfam, its 2019 Christmas sales were the best for eight years. Loads of clever clogs are already rooting around for bargains in charity shops, so get in on the game. The best places to shop are in affluent areas. You’ve got a better chance of getting good quality picks where people have enough money to throw them away. You can get clothes, toys, books and music from charity shops. It takes a bit of effort, but don’t be put off. Plus, buying from charity shops means your money is helping someone else. Get the real finds by making friends with the staff and persuading them to give you a call when any good stuff comes in.

Charity shops are also fantastic for starting a new hobby – you can often find an absolute steal on used equipment, which is great for trying out before you know whether you like something enough to splurge. For example, you are almost guaranteed to find a yarn corner in your local charity shop, complete with knitting needles and crochet hooks, for just a few pounds – ideal if you want to start knitting but don’t want to splash out just yet.

If you need new furniture, most areas will have a warehouse-style shop, either for a larger charity or your local hospice charity. There, you’ll find all kinds of furniture – which is all up to fire safety standards, too – at a fraction of the price.

30. Ditch Bottled Water

Some bottled water is more expensive per litre than petrol. If you could get free petrol, would you continue to spend so much on it? We didn’t think so!

Keep a jug in the fridge if you like cold water, and refill from the tap. It’s not only more cost effective, but it is much better for the environment – a win-win situation.

31. Use the Dregs

Don’t throw away a ketchup bottle with the dregs left in the bottom. Save money by draining it into the new bottle. This works for most condiments and it can be a bit of fun for the kids to get the bottles balancing. You can also re-use sunflower oil for deep frying. Just drain it into a jar using a funnel and a piece of kitchen towel for a filter. This will clear out everything that isn’t oil.

Other handy saving tips are to snap dishwasher tablets in half, water down beauty products, mix value products with more expensive stuff, turn stale bread into breadcrumbs and use scissors for cutting open old toothpaste tubes so you get everything out.

32. Do Your Sums on Supermarket Offers

Usually we tell you to be wary of supermarket offers. But there is a strategy to making them work for you.

First: only buy something that is already on your grocery list. The exception here is if you see a fantastic bargain on a household product you would usually buy, but haven’t put on your list as it hasn’t run out yet. Things like cat litter, kitchen roll, toilet paper, bleach and cleaning supplies, bin bags, and laundry detergent won’t go out of date but could save you a pretty penny if you snap them up on a bargain.

Check the labels on the shelf, too. Something might look like a good price, but look for the price per kilo, litre, or gram, and compare to other labels. A packet of something may seem like the cheapest option – but you might be better off getting the larger packet at a smaller cost per kilo if it is an ingredient you use a lot.

Definitely make the most of the newer supermarket loyalty schemes, too. They’re free to sign up to, but the new trend is to offer ‘loyalty only’ prices, which can be up to half price on some top label items. You’ll also get vouchers, bonus rewards, or even in-store credit on your spending, saving you money in the future.

33. Use Your Local Library

Libraries are the unsung heroes of our local communities. Sadly, many have closed in recent years – but the ones that are still around are a fantastic resource for saving money. If you can’t walk past a bookshop without ‘just going to browse’ and coming out with three books and £30 less in your pocket, try the library! You can also borrow eBooks, CDs, DVDs, and some even have board games you can borrow. Find your local library here.

34. Say No to Packaging

Items that are pre-packaged are often more expensive. This is because you have to pay, not just for the packaging but for the person who put it in the packet. Buying loose is cheaper and produces a lot less waste. You can also choose exactly how many items you want, rather than paying for items you don’t need.

35. Don’t Gamble

Gambling might make you think of casinos or betting shops, but it includes scratchcards and a weekly flutter on the lottery. You are more likely to be struck by lightning than you are to win the lottery. It’s better to put that weekly couple of pounds into a high-interest savings account and make it your Christmas shopping budget.

36. Drink Less Alcohol

With the average cost of a pint now over a fiver, that Friday night after-work drink (that usually turns into more than a few) is looking like a costly weekly expense. Have you added up how much you spend on alcohol each week lately? You might be surprised. A bottle of wine with a meal out can easily be £15 or more, while a spirit and mixer is over £8 in most establishments. If you go out to drink twice a week but stay moderate – let’s say you have two pints on a midweek date night and three pints on a Saturday afternoon at the pub – that’s at least £25 a week (or £100 a month) just on alcohol.

And that’s before you consider what you buy for home, too. If you regularly have wine or beer in the house to have a glass with dinner most nights, you’re easily adding £30 a week to your grocery shop (or £120 a month). Add that to your going-out alcohol budget and it’s easy to see how savings can be made.

We’re not saying go sober! (Unless you feel you need to, of course). But cutting back on a few drinks a week could save you at least £50 a month (that’s £600 a year).

37. Make Your Own Fun

There are loads of ways to entertain the kids and save money in your home. Recycle old paper by letting them draw and make collages on the other side. Make anything you can out of leftover packaging. Add a little glue and paint to some cut-up cereal boxes and they can create some great 3D pictures. Make your own ice lollies and sweet treats. It’s fun and a lot cheaper than buying them in the supermarket!

38. Don’t Spend More for the Garden

Almost everything you need for the garden can be made from household products and waste. Don’t buy new garden pots – re-use old colanders, teapots, or even old terracotta chimneys. Great compost can be made from vegetable leftovers. You can also make your own weedkillers from washing up liquid, water and vinegar.

Check out your local neighbourhood groups like NextDoor, FreeCycle, and Facebook community groups, too. Very often you’ll be able to nab free soil, rocks (great for drainage) or even old pallets to make garden furniture and troughs from.

39. Reduce Laundry Drying Time

Your washer probably has an ‘extra spin’ function. Use it! It is usually around ten minutes long, but it’ll significantly cut the time required to dry your clothes after. All it does is use the spinning action of the drum to draw water out of the clothes, so they come out much drier. Some fabrics even come out almost entirely dry!

You can also use a portable dehumidifier (around £30) to reduce moisture in the air and help clothes dry faster. Did you know it also doesn’t have to be a sunny day for your clothes to dry quickly outside? As long as it isn’t raining or below freezing, your clothes will benefit from being hung out to dry if you have outside space.

40. No Half Empty Runs

We know you’re not supposed to overfill them, but running washing machines and dishwashers half-empty defeats the purpose. Both dishwashers and washing machines use the same amount of water and heat, no matter how full they are. Get your money’s worth by filling them up as much as you can before they are overfull and won’t work properly. This will save money in your home, and it’s better for the planet.

41. Use Supermarket Schemes

You’ve got to get the most out of your shopping loyalty points, offered by the likes of Tesco (Clubcard) and Sainsbury’s (Nectar). But before you get the most out of them, you’ve got to get them. Sign up for the card your supermarket offers and start earning points to save money in your home ASAP. Even Lidl has a loyalty scheme these days – you’re missing out by not being signed up to them all! If you don’t want to give out your personal details, create a new email address just for things like this and check it periodically.

42. Buy in Bulk

Save money in your home by buying toilet paper, detergent and other household items in bulk from a wholesale supermarket, or from your regular supermarket when there is a special offer. Try specialist stores for cheaper prices.

Find out if you could benefit from a wholesale membership such as Costco. Remember: only buy the things you need and not the things that grab your attention as you walk around! It is easy to get distracted by the many bargains on offer, but it’s not really a bargain if you weren’t planning to buy it in the first place. If you don’t have a membership card, or only need it just for a big event (like in the run up to Christmas), ask around your family and friends to see if they’ll take you for a visit.

43. Keep Your Freezer Stocked

Freezers work far more efficiently when they are frost free and full up. Defrost your freezer, and while you’re at it, check what you’ve already got in stock!

Keep your drawers full even if you don’t have food in there, to make it run as efficiently as possible. Use ice cube trays to fill the spaces (and get creative – fill some with stock, pancake batter, or even slices of lemon to use in your cooking and drinks). Any ice-proof vessel will do to fill the space too, even old takeaway tubs or Ziplock bags filled with water. You can take them out to make space for food and reuse them again later.

44. Don’t Shell Out for New Furniture

Give old chests of drawers and wardrobes a new look instead of replacing them. All you need is a lick of paint and a new inexpensive handle.  They will really change the look of your furniture without changing the look of your bank account for the worse.

You can do this with most household furniture – and if you really need something, check out apps like FreeCycle to see if anyone is giving something away for free. You could even make a decent side hustle out of flipping furniture if you discover a hidden talent for upcycling old furniture!

45. Go Electronic

Direct Debits and electronic statements can save you money. Paper bills now incur extra charges from some services. Mobile phones are a prime example, with companies charging up to £3 more for a paper itemised bill. These bills are often available online free of charge. So if you really need one on paper, you can just print it off.

The same goes for Direct Debits. This is because the process of sending you a letter to request payment and then waiting for it costs them money. Payments can always be queried, even after they’ve been paid. So embrace the Direct Debit and save some cash.

46. Never Throw Fabric or Towels Away

Fabric and towels are some of the easiest things to recycle. Old curtains can be made into seat and cushion covers, table cloths, new clothes and even just tea towels and cleaning rags. All you need for new upholstery is a good staple gun and for the rest, a sewing machine or some time for hand sewing.

If your towels are going a bit grey, bring them back to life by dyeing them a new colour. Thinner towels are great for drying hair or taking to the swimming pool when you don’t have much room in your bag. You can also use them for stuffing draught excluders or making toys for your pets to play with. The possibilities to save money in your home are endless, and all free!

47. Check Your Council Tax Band

When the council tax system was put in place in the early 1990s, houses were put into bands from A-H according to their value. The valuations were done in 1991 and so are not necessarily accurate. Your house could have been worth more then than it is now, especially considering the drop in house prices. This could mean you are paying more than you should be. To check if you are paying too much, see what your neighbours are paying at GOV.UK.

48. Less Dust, More Heat

Make sure you bust the dust on your radiator surfaces. Dust and grime seriously impede the flow of heat in your house. So make sure there is no dirt on your radiators so you don’t spend more money than is necessary heating your home.

While you’re in cleaning mode, make sure you empty the filter on your tumble dryer! You should do this regularly anyway, as it can be a fire hazard, but cleaning the lint out will help your dryer run efficiently.

49. Get Rid of Ready Meals

Even if you think you can’t cook, there’s no excuses for ready meals if you’re trying to save money. They’ve got extra additives and preservatives in compared to a homecooked meal. Plus they are far more expensive than it would be to make the same dish yourself. Life doesn’t always give you time to cook, but if you can cook from scratch three times a week and make double, you’ll still be able to have the convenience of microwave meals the other days – just healthy, low sodium, homecooked dinners instead!

50. Keep Track of Your Finances

Always check your receipts, bank statements and bills. You never know who has got hold of your details, so you need to keep tabs on what is going out and coming in. This way if anything is amiss, you’ll be on it like a flash, saving time and money in your home. And of course, always read the small print!

You might be surprised to find old Direct Debits going out for things you don’t use anymore – magazine subscriptions, streaming services, even gym membership. Set up text alerts for your credit and debit cards, so that every time you make a purchase you get a text. It will help you spot possible places to save – and stop fraud in its tracks if you see a transaction you don’t recognise, too.

51. Use Your Oven Less

Ovens use a considerable amount of energy per year, especially if you’re using the oven to cook for a single person. Instead of heating up a full oven why not try using a microwave oven? They are smaller and take less time to cook than regular ovens. There are also other options available such as air fryers and slow cookers. Air fryers have become so popular in recent years, even Jamie Oliver has a cooking show dedicated to them!

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