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LOW-COST RECIPES

How to do a pantry audit & my top 10 store-cupboard meals

You have more food in the house than you think. You just have to plan ahead, & the most important step is doing a cupboard inventory. Here’s how to turn those store-cupboard items in your pantry into healthy meals for your family…

Blogging

How (& why!) to start a blog, design a website or run an online shop

Whether you’ve dabbed with blogging in the past, or are completely new to it but would like to start sharing your ideas online, maybe now is the time to give it a go. If you’re planning to start a blog, website or even build an online shop, here’s some advice from someone (me!) who has been doing it for over a decade..!

Money Saving Tips

How to stay sustainable (and frugal) on your next holiday

While you might not be thinking about travelling anywhere at the moment, that doesn’t mean we can’t think about our future travels. In fact, it’s the perfect time to take stock of the way we travel & to give you something lovely to look forward to..!

Money Saving Tips

Three passive ways to discover discounts when shopping online

There are savings to be had by shopping online, but there are even bigger savings to be made when you know how to tap into special discounts and deals. Here are three easy ways to save money on products that you already want to buy – by simply letting the offers come to you..!

LOW-COST RECIPES

How I saved money & reduced food waste with the #FoodSavvy challenge

I’ve been doing the #FoodSavvy challenge throughout February and it’s been an eye-opener. Firstly because I couldn’t quite believe just how much food and plastic I had been wasting before the challenge and, secondly, because I was surprised at how easy it was to change my habits to create a more food savvy kitchen. Here’s what I discovered…

Money Saving Tips

10 Inspirational money-saving wedding blogs for brides on a budget

If you’re planning a wedding this year, you’ll no doubt be searching the internet for inspiration for your big day. I’ve been doing some thrifty wedding research & here are some inspirational wedding blogs to help you save money on your big day & give you plenty of ideas for personalising the event.

LOW-COST RECIPES

Why I’m taking on the #FoodSavvy challenge in February 2020

Did you know that in Norfolk and Suffolk alone 113,000 tonnes of food is wasted each year? It’s such a shame that we are wasting so much food – both financially & environmentally. The aim of the #FoodSavvy challenge is to reduce our food waste by 20% & decrease single-use plastics by 10% within a month. Can it be done? Here’s my plan…

Money Saving Tips

Shopping hacks – how to save money on big ticket items

When you need to invest in big ticket items, such as appliances, sofas, electronics & even cars, it can take a big chunk of money out of your monthly budget. Here are some helpful hacks to cut costs when you’re next shopping for those expensive items…

HOME DIY

6 Ways to automate your household chores & adulting tasks

There just aren’t enough hours in the day, are there? You’ve got work, cleaning, family, cooking, household chores and bills to pay so there’s never any time left over for you. That can’t be right, can it?! There must be a way to minimise the chores you have to do and free up some time for yourself. I’ve come up with some interesting solutions to get the time you spend ‘adulting’ back, so that you can use it for the more enjoyable moments in life…

Blogging

Happy new decade! – and some exciting changes to my thrifty life…

Happy new year! How was your Christmas and new year? What plans do you have for 2020? And the coming decade, for that matter?! If you’re anything like me, you’ll be raring to get started on your goals for the year and will be excited about what the year brings. So I thought I’d share what I’ve been up to, along with some plans for my life and blog…

Festive

How to make money resolutions (that are actually do-able)

When midnight comes on New Year’s Eve it feels like a new start & we’re fired with enthusiasm for the year to come. Often, our new year’s resolutions are financial so here are some tips from an expert for setting achievable money resolutions for 2020…

Money Saving Tips

Four ways to save money on your petcare budget

When looking for ways to be frugal, it’s a good idea to look through all the categories in your budget as there are always some places you can save money or some bills that could be a little lower. While it’s essential to get the optimum care and products for your pet, shopping around and being a little wiser to better deals means you can cut a substantial amount from your petcare budget. Here are 4 ways you can look to reduce your petcare outgoings…

Money Saving Tips

Interesting ways to save for a more secure financial future

Thrifty living is a great way to make your money go further but it’s only a part of the story. You need to ensure that the cash you save works as hard as possible for you. That means saving and investing that cash wisely – starting in January! Below is a brief overview of the various ways you could do this…

Anniversary parties

DIY low-cost festive table decorations for Christmas or New Year

If you’ve got guests visiting over the festive season, are planning a big New Year’s Eve party, or simply want to dress up your dining table for a special family Christmas today’s easy DIYs will help you create magical place settings for next to nothing..!

Festive

Guest post: How to DIY a Christmas gift hamper when you’re on a budget

If you have a quite few people to buy for this Christmas, the thrifty way to give your friends & family a treat is by creating a gift hamper. My friend Alina loves to make her own things so this year she decided to make her mum a DIY Christmas hamper full of homemade jam and other festive additions so I asked her to break down the steps she took to DIY the perfect hamper…

Money Saving Tips

Forget Black Friday – 5 ways to find deals on furniture all year round

With Black Friday approaching at the end of this week, and many sales already in progress, it can be tempting to succumb to those deals. You might end up spending more than you intended to (and just before Christmas too) when a deal sounds too good to miss but Black Friday isn’t the only way you can get a bargain on furniture…

Blogging

How to create motivational quote images to share on social media

If you’ve ever wondered how bloggers and Instagrammers create those beautiful quote images to post on their social accounts you’ve come to the right place. Today I’m sharing a step-by-step guide to DIY your own digital images with motivational mental health quotes ready to share on your story, grid, feed or board – here’s how…

Money Saving Tips

Pros & cons of leasing a family car when you’re on a budget

Without the worry of maintenance and reliability, car leasing can be a handy way to stick to a budget while still driving the latest vehicles. But what if you have a family? Is leasing a good option if you have kids? Here are some of the pros and cons:

Money Saving Tips

Easy maintenance tasks to help save money on car bills – even unexpected ones

Simple maintenance tasks that to ensure that your car keeps running smoothly. Not only will these fortnightly, monthly and yearly checks help to keep your vehicle in good condition, they’ll also allow you to solve any problems as soon as they arise – and before they become bigger, more costly issues. Here are some vehicle maintenance tips that might help you cut the cost of car ownership:

Festive

3 Scandi-style Christmas decor projects to DIY with second-hand finds

Do you enjoy making things? Do you love to save money? Do you want unique decorations that no-one else has? Then it’s time to make your own! I’m getting a head start on my Christmas preparations this month and have made three scandi-style decor projects that you can easily replicate at home. Or you could use these ideas as a starting point for your own designs – it might be the inspiration you need to get you started on crafting your own festive decor…

Money Saving Tips

When you get the urge to shop do these 5 things instead…

I sometimes just get the urge to shop. Even as a wannabe-minimalist and thrifty gal (whose job relies on it!) it is sometimes just too hard to resist the lure of the high street. If you’re trying to stash the cash (like me) but sometimes just get the urge to shop (also like me) here are 5 things you can do instead to satisfy that urge to shop while still saving money…

Money Saving Tips

5 Monthly financial commitments I don’t have (+3 I would never give up!)

Did you know that in 2017-18 the outgoings of households in the UK was greater than their income for the first time in nearly 30 years? I was reading a report by the Office of National Statistics and it got me thinking about those financial commitments many people have that we could perhaps lower (or scrap altogether) in order to make up that shortfall and live within our means.

Days Out

4 Unexpected reasons why travelling by train = a low-cost day out

On my recent short break I went on a couple of train journeys. Not only was it very enjoyable to sit back and take in the scenery rather than having to drive and navigate, it also turned out to be somewhat of a money-saving venture too. Here’s why travelling by train can save you money in some rather unexpected ways…

Money Saving Tips

How to start planning for your retirement… right now!

Have you ever wondered what you can do to improve your retirement income? It may feel far away for some of us and for others it might be fast approaching. Either way, you’ll want to feel secure in your retirement and make sure you have enough money to live on, so how can you add more to your retirement fund right now..?

Kitsch Kitchen

4 Simple steps to a greener and more environmentally-friendly kitchen

While more and more people every day are looking for new methods to go green at home, many start with their own kitchens. You may be surprised to learn that each kitchen is adding to the nation’s environmental damage every day and even the smallest of changes can make a significant difference. To give you a few ideas, here are four simple tips that can make your kitchen a greener and more environmentally friendly place…

HOME DIY

Why timeless furniture choices can save you money time & again

Timeless decor items will be different for every person, but once you find them it can give a sense of comfort and permanence to your house. Plus, I’m a firm believer in ‘buy well, buy once’ so it’s a good idea not to follow interiors trends with your bigger investment pieces, such as the sofa, storage, tables etc. You can, of course change up your style over the years using soft furnishings and paint colours, but having those classic pieces as the basis for your future designs will save you money throughout your lifetime. Here’s how to figure out your style before you invest…

Money Saving Tips

How to customise your summer t-shirts to wear all year round

So you’re coming to the end of the summer and it’s time to put those tees away for another year. Just a sec… why don’t you give your t-shirts a new lease of life by upcycling them for autumn? Here are four easy ways to revamp your summer wardrobe for the new season…

Money Saving Tips

How to save money for your life goals & back-up fund (the easy way)

If saving money was made easier, you would be much more likely to do it. So I’ve come up with some of the easiest possible ways to ensure that you save rather than spend and, if you follow these tips, your savings’ account should soon be full and you won’t have to worry about having money for those essentials that come up from time to time.

Money Saving Tips

15 Sides hustles to do when your side hustle becomes your job

So you’ve already got a successful side hustle. SO successful in fact, that it’s now your main hustle. You’ve given up your 9-to-5 job and are working on your business full time. Congratulations! But having an extra income stream on the side is always a good idea, so you might want to consider starting some of these on-the-side-of-your-side-hustle-slash-main-hustle projects as a back-up plan and bonus income…

Money Saving Tips

Money advice: What on earth is cryptocurrency and how do I use it?

Do you know what cryprocurrency is? Are you completely baffled by it, like me? If so, today’s blog post is for you because I’m sharing my research into cryptocurrency so that we can all get to know more about this new way of earning and spending money online…

DIY

8 Tricks you can do NOW to reduce your heating bill in the autumn

I know it seems crazy to be talking about heating when the weather is like this – but it won’t always quite as delightful as it is right now! That’s why I wanted to help you plan ahead for the autumn and get most of your heating maintenance out of the way during the summer months. That way, you won’t have any surprises when the cooler weather comes around. Here’s 8 tricks to help you to reduce your heating bills…

Days Out

3 Low-cost (or free!) places to take the kids during the summer holidays

The school summer holidays are nearly upon us so it won’t be long before those chants of ‘I’m booooored!’ become a regular occurrence. So, if you want to entertain your youngsters during the school holidays but don’t want to spend all your savings on costly days out, here are three places you can go where you’ll find low-cost (AND FREE!) activities for kids…

Money Saving Tips

5 Surprising ways I save money on my mobile phone bill each month

We love our smartphones; they keep us constantly connected to friends, let us snap gorgeous pictures of the family, and feature some really cool apps. But as much as I love my phone, I loathe how much they can cost each month – especially if you’ve got multiples devices in the household. With that in mind, I thought I’d share some of the techniques we’ve employed to keep our bills as low as possible whilst still enjoying all the features we love. Let’s jump in..!

Money Saving Tips

7 Spending lessons we can learn from the way we used to shop

If you’ve been getting into a pickle with your spending in recent years, it’s not your fault. The ways in which we’re encouraged to shop these days has changed SO much that it’s no surprise we’re struggling. Discount codes, saved baskets, flash sales, online-only, virtual products, and one-click ordering makes the shopping process fast, impulsive and, sometimes, mindless. Which is why I’ve looked back at the ways we used to shop pre-internet to discover some lessons that we can use today to take control of our shopping habits…

Money Saving Tips

The right way to shop online to find deals on products & services

Shopping online is quickly becoming the go-to for most people. The extra convenience, paired with great prices and special offers available, makes online shopping that much more fun. Of course, there are things you can do to make sure you are shopping online the right way so that you get the best deals available – here’s what you should consider…

Beauty

4 Everyday (inexpensive!) ways to stay healthy and look beautiful

As the saying goes, you’re only as old as you feel — but most of us want to look young, too! More than ever before, marketers are trying to cash in on this with the global anti-ageing industry topped out at over $42 billion USD in 2018, and is expected to reach over $55 billion within the next four years. Yikes! If you’re wondering about less spendy ways to keep your skin supple and youthful, here are several ways to ensure that your health and beauty goes more than skin deep…

Blogging

How to create your own business website or e-commerce store on a budget

Have you thought about starting up your own online business? Do you have a unique idea that will appeal to others? If so, what’s holding you back? One of the most common answers is the amount of money required to create a website from the ground up. But it doesn’t have to cost a small fortune to create an online presence if you build it yourself. Here’s how…

Blogging

Which broadband suppliers are the most ethical & eco-friendly?

The ethical shopping movement doesn’t stop at the places you buy your food and clothing; it can include your utilities and broadband service provider as well. If you’re interested in sustainable brands, here’s a list of some utilities suppliers who can help your bills become more ethical too…

DIY

How to automate your appliances & lighting with smart sockets

Making the move to smart home is getting easier, with connectivity being made available for more home fixtures. This not only makes everyday tasks easier, it can also help to save energy and cut costs on your bills. Today, I’m researching smart sockets – whaaat?

Side Hustle Business

How to start an online shop when you don’t have any stock

If you want to start a side-hustle business selling your designs and products but don’t have the premises for a physical shop, online retail could be the solution. All you need are plenty of creative and unique designs and, wait for it, no actual stock..!

Happiness

How to take care of yourself while chasing your 2019 goals

Sure, it can be tempting to rush into the new year and complete your 2019 goals as quickly as possible but if you’ve been going ‘all in’ so far, you might be close to burn-out by now. Here’s some inspiration for self care, wellbeing and making positive changes to your life…

LOW-COST RECIPES

The #FoodSavvy challenge – How I reduced my food waste in February

For the entire month of February, I took on environmental charity Hubbub’s #FoodSavvy challenge to try to reduce my food waste within 4 weeks. Did you know that in Norfolk and Suffolk alone up to 113,000 TONNES of food waste goes in the bin? Here’s how you can reduce your food waste too…

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