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THRIFTY LIVING

Creative ways to make learning at home more enjoyable for teens

Parents and educators often face the challenge of keeping teenagers engaged and motivated in their learning, especially when it comes to studying at home. Here are some ideas for engaging your teen in a little extra learning during the summer holidays…

Family

Successful side hustles: Top tips for coaching youth sports

Whether you want to earn a little extra money on the side or just want to get involved in the local community by volunteering, teaching sports for the youngsters – and even adults – in your area can be a great way to use your skills…

Family

3 Unique Father’s Day gift ideas that aren’t socks!

With Father’s Day approaching it can be difficult to know what gift to get your dad, especially if he’s already received multiple pairs of ‘best dad’ socks over the years! Here are some unique gift ideas that you might not have considered before and that will give your dad a real treat..!

THRIFTY LIVING

How to enjoy a frugal weekend at home (even on bank holidays)

When the weekend rolls around, it sometimes feels like there’s pressure to enjoy the time off with lots of activities and treats. However, you don’t need to splash the cash to have an exciting weekend at home – in fact, you can have loads of fun with just a few pounds. Here’s how…

MONEY MANAGEMENT

Five smart investment strategies for a fabulous future

Even though the current financial climate is uncertain, we should all still be looking ahead to the future and planning our next steps. Rather than putting our financial plans on hold, here are five ways that you can make your money work for you…

Family

3 Healthy activities that can be enjoyed by all the family

If your busy family life makes it difficult to stay healthy, why not consider doing some fun activities that all the family can take part in? They’ll benefit from the health improvements that extra movement can bring plus you’ll all get a boost to your mental wellbeing…

Family

Thoughtful gift ideas for a child’s first birthday

If you have been invited to the first birthday party of a loved one, chances are you’re wondering what to buy for the little one. Whether it’s a niece, nephew, friend’s child or your own toddler, you want a first birthday present to be something meaningful. Here are some ideas…

THRIFTY LIVING

Old cars vs new electric vehicles – the pros and cons

Right now there is a debate raging in the car community concerning the sustainability of the vehicles we drive. If you’re considering ditching your old classic in favour of a new electric vehicle, here are both sides of the argument for you to help you decide…

Allotment

Allotment update: I’ve weeded the plot!

After a wet and warm summer, the allotment plot was ridiculously overgrown with weeds. Here’s a rather satisfying before and after of the work we’ve done to get it back to being a usable plot, plus some updates on our current produce…

Family

How to personalise a lunch box and flask for back-to-school

I know the school holidays have only just started but why not encourage your family to customise their flasks or upcycle their lunchboxes over the summer break? It’s a fun crafting activity that’ll help them get ready for back-to-school…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

Side Hustle Business

Checklist of things to consider when setting up a small independent business

It can be an exciting time when you’re starting up a small, independent business however, there are certain things you’ll need to consider from the off, such as paperwork, finance and operating factors. Here’s a handy list of the things you should look at when you set up your own business…

DIY

5 Amazing upcycles by inspirational interior Instagrammers

If you’re tackling a home revamp this year, why not consider shopping secondhand for your furniture? It’s certainly a great way to save money and lets you put your own stamp on your interior by creating something completely unique to you. Take inspiration from these talented interior Instagrammers and their 5 amazing upcycles…

Autumn

Party hosting tips for an early autumn get-together

September is the ideal time for an early autumn gathering. It’s not too hot and not too cold – the ideal Goldilocks weather for an outdoor meet-up with your family and friends before the winter comes. Here are some ideas for hosting a cosy garden party this autumn…

Days Out

How to save money on family days out this summer

We all want to enjoy the summer holidays with our families but the costs involved can soon add up. Whether you’re taking day trips or enjoying a staycation, here are some simple ways to save money during the school holidays…

Art & Photography

Creative ways to actually use your photos rather than keeping them unseen on your device

So, you’ve been on a lovely day out with your family, you’ve celebrated a special occasion or you’ve enjoyed the trip of a lifetime – and you took plenty of photos while you were there. But what do you then do with those snaps? Leave them languishing unseen on your phone? Maybe now’s the time to do something creative with them instead…

Birthdays

How to DIY a customised gift hamper for any occasion

Whether you’re heading to a wedding, looking for the ideal birthday gift or simply want to show a friend how much you care, a gift hamper is always a winner. It’s a thrifty way to treat that special someone AND it can be customised to suit their interests. Here’s how to make one yourself…

Allotment

How to build an insect-proof mesh tunnel to prevent brassica massacre

If you’re growing cabbage, broccoli or spouts in your veggie patch, you’ll know how difficult it is to keep the cabbage white butterflies (and the very hungry caterpillars they produce) off your plants. Here’s how to DIY an insect-proof mesh tunnel to prevent brassica massacre…

HOME DIY

How to maintain your flooring to make it last longer

Flooring is an often overlooked part of our homes but it’s also one of the things that really makes a room look tired if it’s not kept in good condition. Here are some tips to maintain your floors and save money in the long term…

Allotment

Allotment love – Rebuilding an old greenhouse

I’m back with another allotment update and today it’s all about my new (old) greenhouse. It took quite some doing but we’ve been able to move the ivy-covered, cracked-glass frame to my veggie plot and have made some improvements…

DIY

How to DIY an outdoor mud kitchen from pallet wood

Playing in the garden and getting really messy is one of the joys of childhood. So why not help your children to enjoy playing with sand, mud and water outside by constructing this DIY ‘mud kitchen’ from old pallet wood…

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