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…
If you’re temporarily moving for work, have inherited a property or have even saved enough money to invest in a second home, why not make the most of your situation and rent out the house or rooms? Here are some questions you should ask yourself before putting your property on
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
I’ve noticed something that almost all the allotments near me have in common. They’re all packed with upcycling projects. In fact, you’d probably find it hard to find anything new! Here are some of the interesting and amazing upcycles I’ve spotted at the allotment…
If you’ve accumulated a loyal following through your social accounts, blog or vlog, that’s wonderful news. You’ve got an instant audience for anything you get up to, so why not tap into that resource and try to earn some money? That cash can help you to continue making content for
Around the UK the summer holidays are starting and families have a long six weeks of fun stretching out ahead of them. So, what can you do with your kids to fill those days with entertaining, educational and fun activities? Here are some ideas…
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
Even though we’re at the height of summer and it’s time to harvest the results of all that spring planting, there are still some crops you can plant in July to make the most of your allotment plot. Here’s what I’ve been sowing and my shed plans…
If you want to find a little more money to cope with the cost-of-living crisis, why not look to your hobbies to find a way of earning more while still doing the things you enjoy? Here are three ideas to get you started…
…and I’m a cheapskate. Okay, that may not be entirely true – I like to spend money as much as the next person – but if you’re wondering why I write this thrifty little blog every day, it’s because I want to help you.
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…
With students returning to college, 6th form and university for the summer semester now seems the ideal time to share some studying tips for exam season. Here’s some advice for completing your coursework and timetabling your revision this summer…
The Jubilee may be over but there’s no need to bin the bunting just yet. In fact, royal-themed homewares are having a moment in the world of interiors right now. Here’s how to make regal style work for you all year round…
With energy prices already increasing and set to rise even higher this winter, now is the ideal time to start making plans to reduce your costs and budget for your bills. Here are some ideas on saving energy (and saving money) to get you started…
Wouldn’t it be great to make some extra cash on side? Even if you don’t think you’ve got the skills to launch a creative business, I’m here to show you otherwise. Here are three side hustles you can try out and maybe make a bit of money from your creativity…
For many schools around the UK, the half-term holiday begins on 28th May so I thought I would share some activities to keep youngsters entertained. Here are some ideas for imaginative play, indoor and outdoor fun and even some educational activities…
I’ve recently stocked up on some more natural skincare, cosmetics and haircare products – some are old favourites and others I’m trying out for the first time. Here’s what I’ve bought and what I think of these organic and cruelty-free options…
Support independent creatives and artists this spring by shopping for unique Mother’s Day gifts and cards. I’ve put together a list of makers that I’ve shopped with in the past so I hope you’ll find something fab for your mum here…
Now, I’m not talking wood-chip wallpaper here although, that said, embossed pattern anaglypta wallcoverings ARE making a comeback in period homes. Instead, I’m talking about bringing subtle, natural textures into your room with a variety of contemporary finishes, all of which can be achieved with wallpaper…
If you didn’t make any New Year’s resolutions (or if you did but stopped in January!) that doesn’t mean you can’t make a start on your goals for the year right now. Here’s why it’s better to begin your New Year’s resolutions in February anyway…
With half-term approaching (or already begun in some parts of the country) I thought I would share some activities and ideas for keeping little ones entertained during the school holidays…
After years of talking about it, months of planning and weeks of installation, my newly remodelled kitchen is complete! Of course, I tried to save money at every stage of the renovation process so here’s how I got the floor of my dreams for a fraction of the cost…
There’s nothing better than an old family photo to bring a sense of history to your home – but what if those ancient snaps are damaged or discoloured? Here are some ideas for repairing them and including those precious memories in your interiors…
Whether you want a cute way to celebrate Valentine’s Day or simply want to capture some memories with your significant other, a couple’s photoshoot is a fun activity to plan, and you can DIY it – here’s how…
Even though I’ve got a very small bathroom compared to many other homes, we’ve managed to make it a bit feel more spacious with some easy design tricks that give the impression of a bigger room – here’s how…
Today’s blog post tackles some of the more ‘traditional’ new year’s resolutions that many of us make – to be more healthy and to make time for self-care. Here’s how to make sure you keep up those great wellbeing goals all year round…
Take a tour around artist Katharina’s cosy and Christmassy German home to inspire your own festive decorating this December…
After a tough 20 months, you may want to cut the cost of Christmas 2021. That’s why I’ve provided are some thrifty tips for you – both my own and from the experts – to help you save money on gifts, decorations and entertainment…
If you’re anything like me, you’ll be staying at home more now that the evenings are darker and the days are chillier. So, rather than slumping in front of a boxset, why not do something to boost your career during the extra time you’re spending at home? Here are some
Whenever I enter a lottery, competition or raffle I start to wonder what it would be like if I won. I mean, you’ve got to be prepared, right?! So, today I’m sharing my thoughts on how my life would be different after that big win – I’ve surprised myself with
If you’re a small business owner like me, you’ll probably want to reach lots of customers and get some valuable word-of-mouth marketing. Here’s how to create engaging content that your audience will love to share…
As it’s the start of half-term, I thought I would pull together a few ideas of things you could do if you’re having an at-home break in the UK this autumn – especially on those rainy days…
As someone who ended up with quite a lot of student debt after graduating from university, I would have certainly done a few things differently – here’s my advice for organising your finances while you’re a student…
Although these three lifestyles offer very different ideas they also have one important thing in comment – and that’s helping you to cut costs. Here’s how to adopt a ‘less is more’ mentality and save money as a thrifty essentialist minimalist…
During August we’ve been enjoying the fruits of our labour with plenty of veg to harvest but we’ve also dealt with blight, non-ripening peppers & fruit trees desperate in need of pruning. Here’s how we got on & more info on the DIY greenhouse we built…
We’ve all been spending more time in the garden lately so, if your garden furniture that could do with sprucing up, here are some tips to restore your outdoor furniture so you don’t have to replace it, but rather extend the life of your garden items…
2021 marks the 10th Anniversary of the My Thrifty Life blog and I’m excited to tell you what celebrations I’m planning and how you can get involved..!
If, like me, you’re renovating your kitchen, my recent research might help you to decide which window treatments to choose and how to save money by going for the DIY option of wooden shutters…
It’s mid-way through the summer holidays and I thought now would be the ideal time to share some ideas for activities and games that parents and kids can play together, whatever the weather…
Incorporating antiques is great way to add personality to your home. However, most of us haven’t inherited family heirlooms so, if you want to buy a special vintage piece for your home, here are some tips for going antique shopping on a budget…
With heat waves predicted and a sunny summer ahead of us, heat can make life difficult if we’re not prepared for it. Here are some ways to get your home, your pets and yourselves ready for a long hot August…
Do you know how hard it is to plan a new kitchen? I can’t believe just how many things there are to consider. To help you if you’re planning a kitchen revamp (and to help myself, TBH) here’s a list of everything you’ll need for a top-to-toe makeover…
When you’re starting out as a freelancer or launching your own company it’s an incredibly exciting time and here are some business essentials you may want to consider when you become self-employed…
Epic home tour of a stunning 19th Century swing-beam agricultural barn, packed full of rustic features and vintage collections, which was rescued and renovated by April and Andy Hershberger…
We all know money is essential to pay bills, buy things we need & care for the people we love. However, we often fail to realise that our finances are closely related to mental wellbeing. So how does mental health affect our finances & vice versa..?
I finally feel like things are happening in our garden now. Looking back over the month of April, I’m actually surprised by how much we’ve got done, even though there’s not much in the way of veggies yet! Here’s the veg we planted & projects we built…
As the world starts ‘getting back to normal’ this month, I thought it would be the perfect time to reflect on the (weirdly!) fun times I’ve had at home thanks to the awesome activities that I’ve enjoyed online. Here are 6 of my favourite virtual events…
Decluttering & spring cleaning are some of my favourite activities. I love a good clear-out & really appreciate the extra space gained by letting go of lesser-used items. Here’s how to minimise your belongings (& prevent recluttering!) this spring…
If you’re a fan of reading like me, you’ve probably already been practicing bibliotherapy without realising it. And it’s not just about reading self-help books; the enjoyment you get from fiction is can also benefit your mental wellbeing. Here’s how…
Get the most out of your existing by furniture by turning a simple coffee table into a two-in-one piece of furniture that converts into a comfy footstool and back again. Here’s how to upholster a padded topper for ANY coffee table…
With Easter approaching on 4th April, how about treating your little ones to something more exciting (and healthy!) than chocolate? Here’s my guide to more sustainable Easter gifts that’ll keep kids entertained during the school holidays too…
What are your ‘lockdown lessons’? Do you have some fab food hacks or top kitchen tips? I was so chuffed when my own grow-your-own veggie patch project was highlighted by FoodSavvy earlier this week so here’s my lockdown allotment story…
I’m sure you already know how handy upcycling is to help you save money & keep items out of landfill – but did you know it’s really beneficial for your mental health too? Here’s how to use your craft skills to revamp furniture & feel happier…
If you’ve ever said “all my money is gone by the end of the month, so how on earth am I supposed to save?” it’s because the little things all add up. Here’s why the conveniences of modern life are stopping you from saving money & what you can do
If you’ve set some new years resolutions or are working toward an epic money goal, today’s post aims to help you achieve a happy medium with your plans that lets you be optimistic about the future while making the most of every day…
If there’s one thing I always need more of its storage, so I’ve come up with a simple DIY project to revamp old drawers to create sliding under-bed boxes on wheels. Here’s how to decoupage the inside & add upcycled handles to stow away toys, books & shoes:
Seeing as we’ve had nearly a year of mask-wearing, you’d think I would’ve already settled on a favourite face mask to suit my needs. But, as a glasses wearer, I’ve found it tough to fight the fog! Here’s what I’ve tried & some solutions for spectacles…
To make the most of the understairs cupboard I’ve transformed the door into a ‘doorganiser’ – a place to store essentials, create a weekly planner for the family & write shopping lists. Here’s how to make your own door organiser by upcycling DIY offcuts…
If you’re working remotely or have got kids studying at home, you might want to DIY a desk to make home-working easier. Or you can use it as a console table to tidy up the keys, cash & post that accumulate in your entryway. Grab an old drawer & let’s
When you’ve got a spare half-hour and fancy watching something festive why not re-watch some classic Christmas TV shows?! Here’s a handy list of all the seasonal episodes of your favourite TV series & sitcoms ready for you to enjoy this December…
Welcome to my festive pallet project! I’ve DIYed a friendly freestanding snowman to adorn your lawn and the best part is that he doubles-up as a family game. I’ve teamed up with DIY website ManoMano to show you how to make this dapper snowman for yourself.
Christmas can be busy at the best of times so I’ve come up with some ways that we can use modern technology to make December easier than ever. From gift shopping to entertainment, there are so many festive things you can enjoy without lifting a finger…
Beautifully layered neutrals, furniture with warmth & patina, and rooms dressed for the seasons. That’s what you’ll find inside Kim Jones’ Texas home & on her blog Salvaged Living. Here’s a tour of her characterful home to inspire your own seasonal decor..
The clocks have gone back, the days are darker & the weather is colder. But that doesn’t mean we have to feel chilly all winter long. I’ve got some tips for staying warm at home without incurring extra heating costs…
With the clocks going back at the weekend we’ve now got to deal with darker days and the impending winter. And when there’s not as much daylight it’s not particularly good for our mental and physical health. Here are some easy ways to take care of yourself…
In today’s post, I’m admitting to some rather messy habits I have but I want to share them for good reason – I think they actually save me both time and money every day. Do you do any of these hacks or have any similar time-saving tips? Let me know!
If you’re running a small business, it sometimes feels like social media and advertising takes up all your time – and even stops you doing the work you actually want to do! Here’s 3 ways you can grow your audience without giving up all your spare time…
Many of us love to decorate our homes for the seasons, and Halloween is a great excuse for a pre-Christmas celebration. I’ve pulled together some of my favourite Autumn and Halloween items to help you get spooky while supporting independent makers…
Autumn has almost become a 2nd Christmas in terms of decorating, with interior designers piling up pumpkins & draping leaf garlands over fireplaces. Here’s some fall decor tips from top interiors bloggers to inspire you…
Today I’m sharing some top tips from a Picquot Ware owner on how to clean and refurbish an original teapot, along with some photos of the original range and price list…
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