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Bedroom

6 Soft furnishing sewing projects & how to find fabrics on a budget

Making your own soft furnishings is one of the easiest DIY projects to tackle for your home. Here’s a round-up of simple sewing projects (and some no-sew ones too!) that’ll help you update your decor. Plus, I’ve shared some thrifty ways to get hold of suitable fabrics too…

Special Occasions

6 Affordable & handmade gifts for friends and loved ones in 2023

When it comes to showing our appreciation for the special people in our lives, gifts play a significant role – and I’m not talking about gifts that are over-the-top and impossible to afford, but thoughtful gifts that come from a space of love and empathy. Here are 6 affordable present ideas…

Money Saving Tips

3 Ways to save money on (almost!) everything you buy

If you’ve got things to buy – whether it’s a gift, back-to-school clothing or even your weekly food shop – there’ll probably be a way that you can save money on your purchases. Here are three ideas to help you cut the cost of your shopping…

Money Saving Tips

The Insider’s guide to shopping auctions and estate sales

Auctions and estate sales offer opportunities for thrifty folk to get great deals on all sorts of amazing items. If you’ve always been interested in this scene, but never had the courage to actually get involved, here’s an introduction to all you need to know to start your thrifting journey…

Weddings

7 Top money-saving tips for your wedding catering

When a wedding is on the horizon and you’re sticking to a budget there are countless things to think about, so take the catering off your list with these handy tips to help you cut the cost of feeding your guests…

Garden

3 Ideas for creating a zero-maintenance garden

If you love the idea of enjoying some time outdoors this summer but just can’t face all the chores that come with maintaining a garden, here are three ideas that’ll help you create a space with zero ongoing effort…

Days Out

Ideas for saving money on meals during family days out

If you’re enjoying more days out during the summer, an extra expense is often the food and drinks you’ll need to buy while you’re out and about. Here are some ideas for saving money on meals when you’re eating out – or even if you’re staying in with a takeaway…

Bedroom

5 Clever storage solutions for new homeowners

As a new homeowner, finding innovative ways to store your belongings is essential for maintaining a clutter-free and organised living space. Here are my ultimate space-saving storage ideas…

Valentine's Day

How to source your dream engagement ring on a thrifty budget

While the prospect of getting engaged can set happy butterflies bumbling around your stomach, the feeling often gets tempered by the thought of having to pay for all that this entails. Here’s how to save money on your engagement…

THRIFTY LIVING

Home tour of the most glorious gold & animal print-packed interior

The interior of your home is the ideal place to combine all your favourite things while expressing your personality at the same time. Follow Sally’s example and surround yourself with playful pieces, animal prints and glinting gold details to create a home that feels completely unique to you.

DIY

What can plywood be used for? 5 Possible applications

Have you ever wondered what plywood is used for? From furniture to construction, this versatile material can be used in various ways to give high-quality results. Whether you’re looking for new DIY project ideas or are just curious about its many applications, here are five possible uses for ply…

Cruelty-free Life

Natural and vegan beauty brands from around the world

I’ve often written about my favourite natural beauty products but, as I live in England, most of these UK-based brands and I want to spread the message about vegan beauty companies from around the world so that everyone can get on board the cruelty-free train…

Easter

Easter gifts for kids (that aren’t made of chocolate)

If your children have already been given enough chocolate for Easter, maybe they would prefer a few non-sweet treats? These Easter-inspired gifts are ideal for keeping kids entertained during the school holidays and can teach them a little something too..

Spring

4 Ways to adjust to daylight saving time with ease

As the clocks spring forward this weekend, I thought it would be the perfect time to figure out how to minimise the effects of the time change on our brains and to make sure we can still get a great night’s sleep throughout BST…

MONEY MANAGEMENT

Should we be worrying about the effect of rising interest rates on borrowing?

The Bank of England’s base interest rate has been changing rapidly over the last year, with more fluctuations likely in the coming months. But how much will the prime rate affect your personal borrowing? Do you need to worry about it now when the rates might change again in the future? Here are some things to consider…

Allotment

Allotment update: The plot thickens

Well, actually, the plot expands. We’ve taken on a larger allotment so that we can grow even more of our own fruit and veg this year. Here are our plans for the bigger veggie patch…

travel

The ultimate guide to honeymooning in Greece

At this time of year, it seems like weddings are everywhere. It’s the start of the season when brides and grooms start to plan the details of their wedding and honeymoon. So, if you’re getting married this year, I hope that this guide to visiting Greece will help you decide on your travel destination.

Bedroom

How to DIY that holiday home look in your own bedroom

It’s so lovely to escape for a short break every once in a while, but just what is it that makes a holiday home feel so relaxing? And how can you DIY that look and feel in your own house? Here are some tips to achieve that getaway vibe on a budget…

Home buying

How to downsize your home to save money on bills

Downsizing might not be an option for all of us to save money on our bills but, if you’re living in a property that’s bigger than you need, you may want to investigate the option of moving house and cutting your costs at the same time. Here are some things to consider…

Money Saving Tips

4 Simple ways to live a more frugal lifestyle this year

Many of us are feeling the pinch this year, with outgoings increasing and sometimes not quite enough money coming in. So, how do you make savings without giving up the things you need? Here are a few ideas to dramatically cut your costs and still enjoy your home and lifestyle…

DIY furniture makeovers

DIY project: Chair repair

Whether you’ve got an old heirloom or a tatty seat that needs refinishing, repairing a chair is a project you can tackle yourself. It’s always handy to have extra seating so here’s a step-by-step guide to repair and revamp any old chair…

Side Hustle Business

Tips to launch & grow your small business this year

Whether you’re just starting out in business, have been running your side hustle for a while or just have a spark of an idea, it’s never too early to begin thinking about ways that you can build your independent business to achieve your goals.

Allotment

Allotment update: Frosty days on the plot

Now that it’s winter and the ground is frozen over, what CAN still be done on the allotment? I’ve shared a rather frosty update to let you know how my veggie patch is getting on…

Festive

Merry Christmas everyone

I’m taking a break for Christmas so I wanted to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a brilliant new year!

Family

How to encourage your family to play games this Christmas

It would be nice to enjoy a bit of family time over Christmas but, these days, it’s more likely that each member of the family will be glued to their own phones or devices rather than spending time together. Here are a few suggestions to get your family to spend some quality time together this Christmas…

HOME DIY

How to heat your home well this winter with these energy-saving tips

You may think that going without heating for as long as you can is a money-saving solution to the cost-of-living crisis. However, the impact of a cold home on your health and on the property itself means you really should heat your home whenever you can. But that doesn’t mean spending a small fortune on energy. Here are some ideas to help you cut costs AND stay warm this winter…

Garden

The best houseplants to buy on a budget

Houseplants are great for health, productivity and positivity. They brighten a room, release oxygen into the air, remove toxins from the atmosphere and add character to your home or office. But they do tend to cost money. Here are some ways to still grow house plants, without the hefty price tag…

Living Spaces

10 Things to consider before installing a cosy fireplace

There’s nothing more festive than a real log fire burning in the grate of a fireplace. However, many homes have had their fireplaces removed over the years and no longer have that cosy Christmassy feel. So, if you fancy reinstating your fireplace this winter, here are some facts to consider…

Family

Christmas gift guide for kids – educational gifts and games

If you’re looking for special gifts for the children in your life, this gift guide has some of the most adorable, fun and educational gifts available this year. So, if you want to want to teach kids about recycling, magnetic forces, bees or being creative, here are some ideas to inspire your shopping.

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