Tips

10 Ways to Save Money

- cupsofcharlotte Leave a comment

January is a month where people look to save money because of overspending at Christmas. It is always a good time to look at the finances meaning you have more money for luxuries. For us we like to save money in order to be able to treat ourselves to luxuries. For example, this year we want to go on a couple of weekends away and create amazing memories.

Check Phone Contracts

For me this something which I have done recently my phone contract was coming to the end. Brand loyalty is something which has gone now there is no such thing. I had a phone contract for a fair amount of years with Vodafone. When it came to upgrading I shopped around a little bit. I found a newer version of Iphone with more data for cheaper than I was paying. I changed the contract and saved about £50 a year. Due to now bee with Sky, it means my data rolls over as well. So I effectively have a piggy bank which stores my data I have not used. When it becomes so full I can reduce my contract to one with fewer data and use that. This is allowed will in my contract I can increase the data amount back again when I need. This would be great if I need to save even more money. I know this is something Joe is looking at doing when his contract comes to an end.

Trade in Old Devices

This may sound like a really simple one but it can be so effective. When you get a new device which is an upgrade why not trade in your old version. I know I am terrible when I get a new phone I do not want the old one. I recently found 2 of my old mobile phones and have traded them in with CEX and a Webuymobiles. This is money which I would have never had so can go straight into the savings. I know this time of year is when a lot of people get new devices. So why not make some space and some pennies from you old ones.

Unsubscribe From Company Emails

They will only send you the latest offers which will tempt you on to the site. Which more times than not will end up in you spending money. Usually, this is on things which you do not want or need. I have done this to a number of companies over the festive period. I must say I do not miss receiving as many emails. Also I have gained the time I would have spent browising their site and this has made me more productive.

Don’t take your bank card shopping

This is one which I really need to start doing because I can spend money on impluse purchase. If you only have cash on you it does mean that you can not go over the budget. This would be handy in stores like home bargains and Aldi where it is easy to spend money because their so cheap. I have seen people take the money out of their account split it into different wallets depending what the money is for. Then at the end of the month, anything left over is savings. Going out without my bank card and no cash is something I have done a lot if I am only going somewhere like the gym and should not need money.

Sell unwanted items

Selling unwanted items has never been more simple since the introduction of Facebook Marketplace. All you have to do is take a quick snap and upload it with a quick description and the amount you want for the item. I must admit this is something we use a lot and have sold a wide array of items from baby items to TV’s to kitchen worktops. People out there will want you things and even come and collect it from you house there is no hassle of having to post the item out. If you do not want to use that of course, there is always eBay which is somewhere which I use a lot to sell some of Jess’ old clothing. There have been months where I have made £100+ from selling unwanted things.

Use eBay to purchase items

You can find some great bargains on eBay too be honest people do sell brand new items. The can be unwanted items or for some reason they have ended up with multiple of the item. Or a range of different reasons Converse are something which I usually pick up from eBay for around 50% off they may be worn a couple of times only. I also purchase a range of different things for Jess on there including fancy dress for events such as World Book Day and Halloween. So many bargains can be found on eBay and it is one way of stopping things been thrown away into landfill.

Meal Plan

Meal planning is something which I have started doing more and more. I am seeing the benefits of it because it does not mean that we are walking around the supermarkets just picking up what we fancy. Instead I know what I need and also it makes me more aware of what I have in my fridge and freezer. Sometimes I will purchase meat when it is reduced in the supermarkets freeze it and then use it in a meal in the coming weeks. I have noticed we have less food waste since we have been doing this as well which is always a bonus. If you want to see some of the meals which we have been consuming check out my meal plans.

Use Cashback Sites

This is something which I spoke about in my post about how to save money online. I know this is something which a lot of people do either using Quidco or Topcashback. Last year I managed to get £100 back this is handy when you are feeling the pinch of January after Christmas. Already I have money in my account this year because it can take a while to get it that ‘s the only downside. This is money back on purchases which you would have made anyway which is always a bonus. I have had cashback on a wide range of things including holidays and presents.

Check renewal prices

This is something which I always do I have dates in my phone of when things are due. Sometimes I know it is a pain but it can save you some money like last year I saved £20 on our breakdown cover as a result of one phone call. We had our letter through which stated that it was going to rise by £20. When I looked on the same companies site I could get it for the same price I had the year before. One phone call later and I had it back at that price the reason they said it has gone up is because they had a high volume of call out that year. Even though I had not had a call out it just goes to show that checking the renewal prices can pay.

Do you need that subscription?

Recently I cancelled my Amazon Prime membership the reason is because we do not need to in the same house. We can share which means that we are saving £79 a year which is a huge bonus. I have got rid of box sets which I had for free for a few months because it was not getting used at all this meant we would be saving £5 a month. I feel like we may be the only ones who do not have Netflix but I would rather spend my money on something I am going to use than something which is going to be effectively wasted. Instead, I have sky sports which I use a lot more than I would Netflix.

What money saving tips do you have?

Charlotte xxx

Reverse Advent Calendar

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Creating new traditions is something which I love to do. Even more when it comes to Christmas now I have a family of my own. It is a time which we spend a lot of time thinking about what we are going to be buying and receiving  as gifts. These are elements which have become a critical part of the Christmas. Something which I want to do is install in Jess that Christmas we need to be charitable.  We are lucky to have what we do there are people who are dreading Christmas because money and time are already hard. These people can be found in your local neighbourhood as well.

People have to use food banks regular and of course this does not stop at Christmas. If anything more people turn to the food bank because money is so tight. This year something which we have been doing throughout the month of November is the reverse advent calendar. I know the reverse advent calendar is something which some fellow bloggers Ross and Katy .

What is a reverse advent calendar?

If you are unsure what the reverse advent calendar is it is very simple with a twist on the traditional advent calendar which we have all become used to. Instead of opening a door and getting something out like a chocolate  you put an item into the box. Over the period of the month the box gets full and then you take it to your local food bank at the end of the month.

The reverse advent calendar is something which the whole family can get involved in. We have managed to get Jess involved by allowing her to pick some items up when we have been shopping. It does not have to cost a lot the majority of the items I have done have been from Aldi. I would say in total the whole box has cost us under £10. This is amazing because advent calendars can cost a lot more than that normally. You could even look in your cupboards and I bet there is items which you do not want. As long as they are still in date and have long enough left you could donate them to the food bank.

How do you donate?

I am fully aware that tomorrow is December but there is still plenty of time to do this before Christmas. If you put maybe two items a couple of days you will be able to be finished before the 24th. This does mean that you are going to have time to pop this to the food bank. I know that it is so easy to take your food donation because I have seen in most of the major supermarkets a cage which you can leave your donations. This means that you are not limited to the times which you can go and donate.

You can find where your local food bank is using this site usually there is a couple near you which you could donate the reverse advent calendar to.I know my local one has a list of what they need really which is helpful when you are looking at doing the reverse advent calendar. There was items such as deodorants which I would not have thought about donating so this helped me so much. Another item which is good to donate is sanitary products because this is something which women may go without if money is that tight.

Of course, because it is Christmas it does mean that you can add treats. You could do this normally if you are not planning on this donation been a one off. I have added advent calendars because I know treats and luxuries are something which you are going to not purchase. I have seen people adding other things like Crackers, Christmas Puddings and luxuries which we are all going to purchase this festive season.

Is a reverse advent calendar something which you are going to do this festive season?

 

Charlotte xxx

Top Tips for Fancy Dress As A Student

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Doing fancy dress is not something which we do a lot as adults but when we do we want to make sure that everything is perfect.  As a student, I have managed to have a fair few great times which have included fancy dress as socials most Wednesdays have a theme if you are part of a sports club. This is not forgetting freshers along with when friends have fancy dress parties. At the moment is hen and stag do season because everyone is getting married.  Today I am going to share with you some of my top tips for making sure your fancy dress is in top form as an adult.

Make sure you know your theme

There is nothing worse than getting the theme wrong and standing out like a sore thumb. Make sure you read the theme completely to avoid this for example if your theme is 1950’s research that era making sure your outfit is suitable rather than going something you think is from that era. Only to find out that your fancy dress is actually 1920’s or something this could be very embarrassing.

 Work on make-up/face paint

Using makeup or face paint can help you transform into the character who you want to be without having to splash the cash on fancy dress. This also does mean that you may avoid having an uncomfortable costume an example of this is if you want to go as the Hulk face paint could make a huge difference to how good your fancy dress looks.

Reuse/ Repurpose

A great idea if you are a student is to get things which you are going to be able to reuse for a number of different fancy dress outfits. For example, this old lady fancy dress wig could be used for any fancy dress which includes a grandma so I know we had a night where we went out as Grandma’s it could also double up for Halloween and I am sure plenty more occasions. There multiple other ones which work like this, for example, green spray painted torso  Hulk can be repurposed as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Shell; reuse that Where’s Wally top for a Pirate or Sailor theme, and those red shorts you had for 118 118 can be repurposed as part of a lifeguard outfit. The possibilities to recycle your outfits really are endless.

Charity Shops

These are a great place to visit as you can get things for dirt cheap. Grandad socials are hard because you don’t usually have things which older people would dress in however, charity shops can be loaded with them.  The same can be said for Hawaiian shirts you can still save money and look amazing.

Share

Just because you live with someone does not mean that they will be attending the same socials as you. Neither does it mean that those on your course will be in the same social which means that you will have different themes to them. Something which we did when I was at uni was to share fancy dress and accessories which meant that we were saving money all the time. If we could borrow us would I think I saved loads on swords, handcuffs and other accessories doing this.

What are your memories of fancy dress at uni or as an adult?

 

Charlotte xxx

 

 

 

Preparing for University

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Now you have got the grades which has meant that you are able to go to university you think that the works starts. There are so many small jobs which you can do before freshers week which will make your life a lot easier and when you are miles away from home this can be a massive bonus. Today I am going to share with you some tips which I would recommend doing to make you so easy.

Start learning to wash your own clothes

I actually brought 6 weeks of washing home when I was in my first year however, since then I have actually had to do my own. I would recommend learning how to wash your own clothes because then it means that you can wear what you actually want. Instead of wearing what is clean and there is always your parents to help you out if you get stuck before you got to university.

Learn how to save money

Everyone states that as a student you are going to be super poor but if you learn how to save money this is going to help. You will be able to get a NUS card which helps you save money on the high street and at restaurants if you want to be spendy. While at university, there is a lot of apps which you can use which have discounts codes on. I am going to do a post on this very soon.You can even put money on gift cards for supermarkets which means that you do not spend your food money on a crazy night when you do not have the funds at university.

Learn to cook

This is one which is going to help you massively because of course you do not want to have to spend a lot of money on takeaways and ready meals. I think that been able to cook for your family before you go helps massively because it gets you used to cooking and allows you to ask for help before you leave and live on your own. It also may allow you to be able to get recipe’s from your family which will help the more meals you can cook the less likely you are to get bored of eating the same food. It will also let you get used to batch cooking which helps because we all want not to have to cook when you have a late lecture.

Update your CV

Money is going to be something which you need to have, now if you can update your CV to make sure that it has everything that it needs to have on it.  Things such as your new address, those a levels which you have just completed. I got a job at McDonald’s when I was at university and it was so handy having some more money. I would recommend starting to look for part time jobs now because they are advertising soon and most people do not think of looking until fresher’s week.

Join Facebook groups

You can meet people who you might be able to make friends with on Facebook who you can meet up with when you get to university. For example I know there was a page for the halls which I lived in my first year and I met some of the people who I was going to be living with in this group. There is also usually a group for your university course and this is going to be with people you are going to see so much. It does matter if your friends are on your course or not because there is a lot of time to socialise.

Get a railcard

As a student you are more likely to be between the ages of 16-25 which means that you can get a young persons railcard. You never know when you are going to feel homesick and actually want to come home to see people or explore new places. If you get one of the railcards it does mean that you do actually get 1/3 off travel which we all need because train fairs can be so expensive, they actualy only cost you £30 a year. With Santander you can get a 4 year one with a student bank account.

Sort your stuff out

You do not realise till you are about to move out how much stuff you have actually got in. There will be some things which you may not longer want but that someone else will be willing to pay good money for. I recommend actually sorting things out early and trying to sell what you can on eBay or similar ways. This will give you money to buy things which you might actually want in order to move or it gives you more money for when you are at university.

If you have been to university what would you recommend people do before starting their fresher’s year.

 

Charlotte xx


			

	
	

	




			
				


	

		
Perfect Garden for the Non-Gardener
		
				

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As you know we have to purchase our first home this summer and a decent size garden is a must for family picnics, playtime and afternoons in the sun. However, as a busy mum finding time to maintain a garden is another story. With this in mind, I’ve been looking into the perfect garden for non-gardeners and here’s what I’ve come up with:


1.   Artificial Grass


I love the thought of having a perfect lawn all year round, minus the grueling cutting regime. Artificial grass would be the perfect solution for a stress-free, child-friendly garden. With little to no maintenance required, a brush down every now and then is enough to keep it looking fabulous – I’m sure I could squeeze that in the diary. The quick drying and synthetic materials means you no longer have our little ones grass-stained clothing or muddy footprints to contend with either – Perfect!


Save money on fitting costs by giving it a go yourself. 


There are loads of DIY fitting guides available across the internet, meaning you save £££s by cutting out the middleman. The only costs to consider is the actual grass which is perfect for those on a tighter budget. If you are considering artificial grass for a family garden like me, you may want to go for a more dense range to cushion those inevitable trips and falls. Don’t worry this can be done on a budget too, just compare the pile weights.


2.   Artificial Plants 


Artificial plants look amazing for next to no effort. Hang them up, pop them in place or wrap them around the trellis and your good to go. Growing in popularity there becoming more easily accessible too. Local supermarkets are now stocking a decent range. Check out this artificial hanging basket from Sainsbury’s. Just pop it up and forget about it – My kind of gardening! You do not even have to water it which is always a bonus.




 


 


3.   Decking / Paving


Sectioning off the garden creates more manageable chunks to contend with. If you have a bigger garden then decking or paving is perfect for cutting down the amount of natural grass or planters to trowel through. With next to no maintenance required, all that’s left for you to do is grab the garden furniture and enjoy an afternoon in the sun.


There we have it my top 3 recommendations for non-gardeners. If you’re not a fan of gardening either, then do let us know if you have any additional suggestions to cut down those garden chores!


Charlotte


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2 Year Old Summer Essentials
		
				

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Unless you have been living under a rock for the past 6 weeks at least you will know the UK is experiencing a heatwave. This is fun because it does mean that we can go on days out without having to worry about whether it is going to rain or not. However when you have a toddler it means that you have to take extra steps to make sure that they do not become too unhappy or unwell in the heat. Today I am going to share with you the things which we have been using this summer to make sure that Jess has the best time possible.




Canvas Shoes


The first thing which we have been using so much is the Jojo Maman Bebe canvas shoes. These remind me of the Clark’s doodles however, they are a fraction of the price coming in at the £15 mark which is about £5-10 cheaper than doodles. We have been using them for nursery because they are so comfortable for her to wear. They are lightweight which means that her feet are not sweating as much which is a bonus in the heatwave. These canvas shoes do actually dry really quickly if she gets them wet which is good because playing with the water is something which Jess really enjoys same with playing with sand this can easily be banged out of the shoes. They are so easy because Jess can even put them on herself which is a bonus because she wants to be such a big girl now.




 


Sun Cream


Sun cream is something which is essential because we never want our little humans to burn or damage their precious skin. In the summer applying sun cream is one of the tasks which I dread I think this is because of the fact sun cream is sticky. Applying it to a toddler can be like having to wrestle a crocodile to get it on however, with the Nivea sun cream which comes in a roll on is so simple. Jess loves to stand there and let me draw pictures on her with the sun cream which allows you protect her skin all summer long. Then we rub in the pictures so that it does not end up all over her clothes. I would recommend trying this we usually have one which lasts us all summer long. You can pick this up from the supermarkets for around £4.  Another bonus is the fact it is factor 50 which means your child is protected from the harmful sun rays.




Summer Hats


These are something which we could not do without I think Jess owns like 5 summer hats. 3 of the are actually paw patrol which is because she sees them wants them sometimes we allow them. This does mean that she is not very far from a hat which is always a bonus because you never know when the sun is going to come out. Jess is a good girl when it comes to putting hats on this may be due to the fact nursery tell her she needs one on when the sun is out.


We have picked up the majority of the hats from the supermarket and they rarely cost us more than a few pounds. I would recommend having more than one in case you do actually lose the hat or something happens to it. Keep your eyes peeled as soon stores will be reducing them ready for the autumn ranges this is when I tend to pick up new ones and store them till next summer. I only do this if I think Jess will need some new ones next summer.


 


Sun Glasses


These are something which Jess could not be without she frequently put them on when she is in the car. I think Jess loves wearing the sunglasses in the summer because it is what me and her daddy do and she wants to be a grown up like us. I know that she is not going to hurt her eyes when she looks at the sun which is a bonus because nobody wants to hurt themselves. We actually picked them up from Morrisons which is place which we like to look in for Jess. These were about the £3 mark which is a bargain I have seen them for like £9 in other stores they might be reduced soon again as the weather changes.




Back Pack


In the summer months there is more trips out and days spent in the park which means you need to carry more stuff. This means that you need a good bag which is going to be able to take all of the weight meaning you have your hands free. This is a skiphop bag is actually the one which Jess has used for nursery for a couple of years now. We find that having a bag allows us to have hands free and still be able to take drinks, nappies and a spare change of clothes in case of any accidents. This bag is great because we can change the length of the straps so that I can carry it as well as Jess. I would recommend getting a good bag because it will last you for a number of summers as well as been able to use it for the rest of the year.


What are you essentials for a two year old in the summer?


Charlotte xxx

			

	
	

	




			
				


	

		
Tips For First Trip to Cinema
		
				

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Going to the cinema is something which Joe and I love to do. We regularly go when there is a new marvel film out but trips to the cinema are less frequent since having Jess of course. This weekend saw Jess attend the cinema for the first time she actually went to see the new Thomas the Tank film, so today I thought I would share with you some tips to make sure that a cinema trip with a toddler goes as smoothly as possible.


1. Be Prepared


Cinema snacks can be expensive and your toddler will want everything. A tip which I would recommend no matter the age of your child is to take snacks and a drink. This is something which you allowed to do an can save you a small fortune. We did purchase Jess some popcorn and an ice blast because it was her first trip but we took some other drinks and sweets so she did not become hungry.


2. Start with a kids club showing


Many cinemas do kids club showings which occur at the weekend around 10am. This means that it is not nap time for toddlers like Jess meaning that they are not too tired and are going to fall asleep in the screening. Another bonus is that kids club usually are a little bit cheaper with some only been £1 for children which is a hell of a lot cheaper than a normal child’s ticket to the cinema.


3. Sit somewhere accessible


You will want to sit somewhere accessible this means should your child need the toilet during the film you can just pop out. It also means if your child wants to sit on the stairs they can this is something Jess did because I think she got a little bit restless during the film because she had been sat there for 2 hours, even though it was only a hour and half film.


4. Check if the cinema have booster seats


There is nothing worse than paying for your child to go the cinema and then them not been able to see. This could be due to the fact there is a tall person in front of them by your child having a booster seat this will allow them to see over the person or chair in front. If the cinema does not have the booster seats like the one we attended why not take a cushion or a pillow for them to sit on so they are raised up.


5. Don’t be afraid to leave


We all know that small children do not have an amazing span do not be afraid to leave. If your child is making too much noise and you feel like it is impacting other peoples cinema experience. If your child is really not enjoying the film what is the point of staying and forcing them to watch something which they are not enjoying it may make them think negatively of the cinema and they may not want to return. You never know that if your child is ready to go the cinema so do not be afraid if you do have to leave.


6. Pick the right film


Just because it is a children’s film does not mean that it is right for your childs. Of course, you know them best but some films can be too old for certain children for example I would not want to take Jess to a film which is over an hour and half. The reason behind this is I do not think that she has the attention span. I would not want to take her to a film which I think could be too sad for her for example something like the Lion King or Paddington.I know cinemas from time to time show films like Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol and Thomas these are good to give your a toddler good first experience. If you have taken them before and they did not enjoy it this could be a viewing to take them to next.


What are you tips for taking a toddler to the cinema?


Charlotte xx

			

	
	

	




			
				


	

		
Tips For Dealing With Cradle Cap
		
				

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Younger Jess


 


Cradle cap is something which we all think of when having newborns and those who are usually under a year old. However, this is something which Jess still even at two and a half still can struggle with. For those of you who are reading this post who may not be parents and do not know what cradle cap is it is. Cradle cap is a very common condition, which affects the scalp of recently born babies, causing a patchy, greasy, scaly and crusty skin rash. Do not worry about it is rare that it is causing the baby any discomfort at all.


Seen as this is something which we have been battling this long I thought I would share with you my tips for dealing with cradle cap. I will admit it was harder when Jess was just born due to the fact she had this an not much hair which made the cradle cap visible to me at least however, you cannot see it as much now unless you are looking for it. This is due to her hair growing however, now must babies are actually born with hair. Anyway that is enough rambling on to the actual tips.


Wash their hair in mild baby shampoo


Cradle cap is not caused because of poor hygiene according to the doctors but one thing which we have found to be super helpful is making sure that we do not over wash Jess’s hair. As when you wash your hair you strip it of the oils. We found that if we wash it 3-4 days apart the oils were not striped as much. Also we did found that more larger chunks was coming out when we rubbed in the shampoo or brushed her slightly damp hair.


Don’t pick at it


I know there is a a high level of temptation to do so however, this can make it very sore for your child.  As well as increase the risk of an infection which is something that of course you want to avoid. If your child has it when they are a little bit older you do need to make sure that they do not pick at as well. This is is not something which we have luckily struggled with Jess.


Coconut Oil


Another tip which we have found is to melt a little amount of coconut oil and then massage this on to the affected area.. We applied this for 15 minutes which allowed it to help break down it meaning that it is going to be able to easier to remove. What we did to remove this in the bath/shower. In the case of Jess this allowed chunks to come out and coconut oil is not expensive and something most parents have to hand anyway.


Avoid spraying close to the child


If you do like to put perfume on your chest and your child likes to lay on this area you might want to avoid doing this. This can be the same for air fresheners which you might want to spray to make the room smell better. This may actually get into the child and be harmful which could cause the cradle cap worse which is something of course we all want to avoid.


Massage their head when it is damp


If you give your baby a massage while there hair is still damp gently using your fingers this can cause chunks of the cradle cap to come away from their hair. Only do this when it is damp as then you are not forcing it to come away instead you are just assisting the cradle cap to come away faster that it normally would. This is something which Jess manages to allow me to do for a couple of moments this is the only time I ever really get to give her a head massage.


Have you struggled with cradle cap if so what are your tips for dealing with it?


Charlotte xx

			

	
	

	




			
				


	

		
Keeping The Cost Of Days Out Down
		
				

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Going on days out are something which we love to do as a family, however, they can come with a huge cost.  We try to make sure that we have as many days out as we can because this is where we feel like the memories are created for Jess.  Since the turn of the year, we have had visits to the circus, zoo trips, farms visits and of course trips to soft play. There have been other days out which I may have not fully remembered.


I have a few tips which we do in order to reduce the cost of the days out. Today I am going to share with you some of them in order to save the pennies for your family this summer. Instead of watching the pounds you can actually enjoy and watch the memories being created.


Check if they do student/military discount


I know that this is not going to be something which applies to everyone. However, with me being a student and a Joe in the forces, it can see us been able to get to get some money off. I know for example when we got to the cinema we can get money off and places like Twycross Zoo did do student discount which was handy as having money off it always a bonus. If you have teenagers who are at college don’t forget the majority of them get student prices which can always help.


Check the attractions facebook page


We have managed to save some money by me checking the attractions Facebook page before we actually visited.  I found that some of the attractions do money off or mum goes free on Mother’s day and I think that some of them are actually doing it for Father’s day.  I know for sure Pink Pig Farm did it.  Places such as the local soft play place which we enjoy taking Jess to have an offer on which I saw on their site which is 10 sessions over the summer holidays for £40. Some places are cheaper as well to visit during the term time which if like us you are not dictated by school holidays is a great way to be able to save some pennies.


Use sites like Groupon


Going out for meals after a long day out because you can get amazing deals on a number of restaurants. Alongside this, you can also find amazing deals on attractions and things to do for example trampoline parks, nerf gun session and paintballing all things which you could do with your children or friends this summer. Just browsing groupon made me realise how much  fun things there is in my area and also areas which we are looking at visiting in the future.


For example we have a trip in August to Manchester and I have been looking at things to do without breaking the bank in either Manchester or Liverpool. There are things like bus tours which you may want to do if you are visiting a different city in order to be able to see everything which you may not have been able to if you was walking.  For example the bus tour in Liverpool has a massive 55% off which is a huge saving of around £15 per person.


Take your own food if possible


Food at places can be very expensive for what you get due to the fact that they have the monopoly on you when at the attraction. For example we found that at the zoo two coffee’s was around the £6 mark however, we decided to save money on this trip. We decided to do this due to the weather been nice which meant that we could eat outside if we wanted to and have a wider selection of food than the fast food usually on offer at attractions. Make sure that you check if you can take your own food and drink because some places I know you can not consume products which you have not purchased on the premises.


Do your research


There are many days out which can be free or cost very littl, for example,e I know the majority of the museums in Hull are free, along with the National Railway Museum in York. It is worth checking the area which you live or are looking to do a day out in and see what you can do for free. Sometimes some of the best days out we have had have been in parks or places which have not cost the earth to actually visit. Another element to check is to see if your ticket means that you can have access back to the attraction for the next year for free at the moment we have annual passes for Eureka which was included in the price of our original ticket. I know this is something which The Deep also do and I am sure a number of other attractions.


 


Do you have any tips to save money on days out?


 


Charlotte xx


This post is in collaboration with Groupon


 

			

	
	

	




			
				


	

		
Tips of choosing a reliable car dealer
		
				

			 - cupsofcharlotte						Leave a comment
					

		
			


		

		


Purchasing a new car is always an exciting experience. Whether it’s a brand new car which has done less than a 100 miles on the clock or a car which has done a lot more and is second hand. It doesn’t matter both are exciting, however, how many people think a lot about the dealer they are visiting. Most people think about the type of car and if that would suit them.


Today I am going to be sharing with you my tips for choosing a reliable car dealer and getting the car which you want. Changing our car is not something that we are currently looking to do as many of you know we are in the process of buying our first house. We do have some experience in purchasing cars, however.


Check how much the car is to run.


Yes, you may be able to afford the car of your dreams or one which you like however can you afford it. On top of having to pay for the car, there is also the running costs. If you are looking at a larger car it may emit a lot of co2 I know our car is about £300 road tax due to having high emissions. But a car like the VW golf can be as low as £30 a year. Petrol cars are also cheaper to run which is always worth remembering if you are on a budget. Just make sure that you can afford to run the car before you get it as there is no point having a car but been unable to run it. If you are a young driver like us it is worth checking how much your insurance is going to be as well because this is a large expense when you first start driving.


Don’t use the first dealership you visit.


Check more than one dealership for the car you want and ask the best price that they can do for you. You can always go back and ask them to beat it some will do this if they need the sales to hit targets. I know a number of my friends have done this and have actually saved a lot of money it just goes to show even though you are purchasing the same car the price can differ. After all, we do know that all the pennies matter even if it is not a lot of money it is better in your own pocket.


Don’t purchase the first time you visit


You always get those pushy salesmen who want you to purchase a car there and then due to the fact that they get commission and have goals to hit.  Just say oh I will have a think about it and come back or ring you soon it has been proven that psychologically if they have to chase you, rather than you being super keen, is more likely to lead to a better deal. Also, it does give you breathing time to make sure that the deal which they are offering you is the best that you can get along with been the correct one for you


Ask about the previous history


A credible car dealer will share full car history with you that will entail any accidents or repairs done on the car. If it is only something small like scratches on the car it will not affect how your car is going to drive and you might be able to get some money off because of a few small scratches it is worth asking. You do not want to purchase a car which has been in an accident because this could mean that it has had damage and could end up costing you a lot of money in the long term. If you are looking for a car dealer in Brighton? Visit KAP’s Brighton Branch and find a car that fits your requirements.


Check the actual car you want.


Check the mileage on the car on average a car does around 10,000 miles does the age of the car match up to this. If it hasn’t done enough it might mean that the clock has been reset at some stage which is giving you a false reading.  You can also check the last service for the mileage to see if this is in line with the figure. Don’t feel like these are not things which you can do.  Check if there have been any repairs which have been done poorly for such gaps between the body panels after crash damage. Look inside the car make sure that it does not look like it is ready to go on the scrap heap if your gut it telling you something is wrong with it trust your gut.


What tips would you give someone looking to purchase an car?


 


Charlotte xx