Recessionista (UK)

River Island cut their sale prices by another 50% and more bargain shoes!

2010-01-09T16:57:00.004Z

There isn't much left online, although my daughter managed to get loads for £52 yesterday, but if you can get instore, River Island have cut their sale prices by another 50%. Loads of things for £5 and hopefully the snow will mean that not many people are going out to snap up the bargains. To get a look at a selection of things bought by a fellow blogger, Tor at Fab Frocks, click here.

And now for some more shoe porn...

£29 reduced from £129! at John Lewis, click here to buy. It seems that new stock is added almost daily on the John Lewis website.

What a bargain at Kurt Geiger!

2010-01-07T17:06:00.003Z

Was £120 now £29

I did say with so many Sales on at the moment that I wasn't going to Blog about individual ones, but I have changed my mind now I have seen the Kurt Geiger sale. My daughter has just bought both these amazing shoes with massive reductions, both down to only £29 per pair plus an extra 10% off for today only by entering promotion code COSYTOES at checkout, so be quick, there is sure to be a pair to float your boat, or what about grabbing a pair of classic winter boots with a great reduction? She got free delivery as well, so a total of £52.20 for both pairs - amazing!

was £110 now £29

Wardrobe Staple - Sales Update

2010-01-05T11:25:00.003Z

The Fashion slot on "This Morning" just covered sale shopping, for investment dressing on pieces that will see you through to Spring.
They did a jeans, white shirt and Trench Coat combo outfit, classic pieces mentioned in my previous post, but I was amazed by the Trench which was from Reiss and in the classic stone colourway and was reduced from £245 to £75. I have checked the Reiss website and unfortunately it is not on there, you would need to buy it instore, but be quick as at that price, it is not going to hang around for long!

Meanwhile I did see a lovely pair of evening shoes on their site. I usually always recommend going for black or a metallic colour as bronze, gold or silver go with everything and these fab shoes are reduced from £139 to £42! With their black trim you could team with a black or gold clutch and gold jewellery.

www.reiss.co.uk

Its going to be a long old month

2010-01-05T10:29:00.002Z

I was very interested to see Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert on GMTV this morning, especially as his slot was going to be about getting through January for those that are monthly paid and were paid early before Xmas, meaning that they may have to make Decembers salary last for a very long six weeks.

I was then very dissapointed when he said "don't spend money you don't have" "don't go out, do your supermarket shop and come home and watch t.v. each evening". So not much there that we didn't already know about then! I don't know what I was expecting really, everything he says is common sense that most of us already know but often need to hear it from others and as much as we may be doing what he suggests, there are always unexpected expenses.

January Birthdays

This is a complete Bummer if you are broke, but on the upside, you can usually manage to buy something in the sales and save up to 50% or more on whatever you decide to buy. Do speak to the Birthday Girl/Boy as often we sit and panic and wonder what on earth we can buy when people have just received Christmas Gifts, but you would be surprised. This year my husband got no slippers or aftershave and I only got one pair of pyjamas but need more, so do pick a few brains to see if any specific items would be gratefully received.

Fuel Expenses

This cold snap will be causing all kinds of difficulties for people who have key meters to pay for their Gas and Electric, whereas people who pay their bills quarterly or by direct debit won't see the effects as instantly, although could still struggle to pay their next bill or have their Direct Debits increased because of this. No matter what method of payment you use, it still makes sense to try and use as little as possible and the best way to do this is as follows:-
1. If you are out at work all day do set your timer for heating. Half hour before you get up and then off when you leave and half an hour before you are due home and off again at bedtime.
2. If you have rooms that are not used i.e. spare bedrooms or dining rooms etc, either turn the radiators off or down very low and keep the doors shut.
3. Take showers instead of baths.
4. Tin Foil behind radiators does effectively, reflect heat back into the room.
5. Treat draughts with Draught excluder or if on a tight budget, put curtains up over doors and use old towels at the bottom, anything to keep the warmth in.
6. Do advise old folk to go to bed in socks and even a hat. Don't forget the hot water bottle either! Lots of old people are afraid to heat their homes, even those that can afford it.
7. Cut the cost of de-icer on your windscreen by laying an old towel or pieces of cardboard/newspaper, over the screen at night.

Any other ideas you may have to help us get through January, please leave a comment!

Creating a Capsule wardrobe on a Budget and utilising the Sales

2010-01-04T21:06:00.003Z

With all the Sales on at the moment, I haven't bothered to post on them individually but having a fellow blogger ask for advice on the pieces needed to help build a capsule wardrobe, I have decided to list the things I consider to be basic wardrobe staples and there is no better time to buy these pieces whether they be high end investment purchases or from the High Street, this is what the sales should really be used for!

Trench coat or Mac
LBD - little black dress.
Jeans - various styles, skinny for tucking in boots, bootcut, etc dark denim looks smarter and pale denim flared styles and white look nice for summer.
Cashmere - check out supermarkets for v or crew neck style jumpers.
White shirt
T-shirts an assortment of white, black and grey in both short and long sleeve.

Flat black boots
Black ballet pumps
Black or metallic coloured heels
Black leather gloves (I got mine in Tesco for £4 in sale about 2 years ago)
Neural scarf

Don't forget these items are only intended to form the basis of a capsule wardrobe and you can add a "pop" of colour with accessories or pretty tops etc.
A working wardrobe might include smart black trousers.
Leggings and Jeggings are also a safe bet, great for wearing with boots and warmer under dresses than tights.
Don't forget that Denim and Leather jackets are also items that are great investment pieces as can be worn year after year.

Ham Hash Cakes - more things to do with leftovers

2010-01-03T09:42:00.002Z

I am always on the look out for tasty and nutrious recipes using leftovers and I saw this one for Ham Hash cakes in a recent edition of my Mums Best magazine.

All it consists of is mash potato, sprouts (both of which can be leftovers) and ham (an ideal way to use cooked meats going out of date). You just dice the ham and mix all three ingredients together, shape into flat cakes and fry in olive oil until crisp, brown and piping hot.
Don't forget that although sprouts are in abundance at this time of year, you can replace them with any left over veg, carrots, cabbage etc will be just as tasty!

It is also a take on the Tuna Fish Cakes I make, from a Sainsburys recipe from their "feed your family for a fiver" selection of dishes which is just tuna, mash and spring onions.

One of my favourite dinners of the year is our Boxing Day meal of cold turkey, bread sauce, mash and pickles along with any sausages wrapped in bacon or sausagemeat and stuffing balls, that may be left over aswell. This year we turned all the leftover veg into a traditional bubble and squeak with a difference, by mashing roughly in a baking tray and topping with grated cheese before popping into a hot oven. It was really tasty and don't forget these kind of meals shouldn't be just for the festive season, as they save you money and cut down on waste at any time of year.

Seeing the New Year in with a Bang!

2010-01-02T11:28:00.003Z

Firstly Happy New Year to you all, although I am seriously worried that the way mine started will set a trend for things to come throughout 2010!
First up, I put a load of washing on, on NYE as I went to bed and when I got up on NYD, opened the machine to find the clothes still soaking wet. A couple of hours later when I had tried everything from draining, spinning to re-washing, it became apparent that the Drum is not moving. My daughter stepped in and took the washing to hers and bought it back later for me to dry. I went to iron it last night and on the first garment the Iron went bang and blew up!

I need to weigh up the pro's and con's of getting the washing machine repaired or to buy a new one but I can't do that until I have some sort of quote from the repair man. The shop is open but the repair man is not working today so can't do anything until Monday. The Bosch website tells me it is probably the Brushes that have gone and I have been told they can cost anything from £12 to £30 odd and then there is £30 labour charge and of course VAT will be back to 17.5% just to add insult to injury!

Meanwhile I have done my research into the cost of a new machine and would like to stay with Bosch as this one has lasted a family of six for the last five years, so can't be bad. Also our dishwasher from the same brand is 10 years old and we bought it from the previous house owners, so I feel it is better to stick with a brand you know. The only problem with this is that Bosch are not the cheapest range on the market and although I could get a machine by a brand called "hec" (as in, "who the heck are they?"), I would rather pay a little bit extra for a brand that I know is good quality.

My comparisons so far are:-

Comet, cheapest Bosch is £279.99 with a 5kg drum and 3% cashback on www.topcashback.co.uk

Boots, (yes who knew Boots sold white goods?) £323.00 with a 6kg drum and 3.5% cashback and 1292 Advantage card points which would buy me a new Juicy Tube when I next run out of Lipgloss!

John Lewis £299 but no cashback.

Stangely the cheapest machines on each site are all different model numbers!

Anyway I will have to wait and see what the cost of repair is on Monday before we make a decision but this is not the start to the New Year I had planned and shows how important it is to have an Emergency Fund, so maybe that will be my New Years resolution! On the other hand, I am beginning to wish I had never cut up the credit cards, as this is the sort of thing they do come in handy for, but being strong enough not to use them for other non-essential purchases is always the problem. I spoke to a friend who actually rents her machine from a local electrical appliance shop and it costs her £10 a month but with my husband only being on a work contract
until March as far as we know, I don't want to commit, long term to a direct debit for even as little as £10 per month!

What I did and thinking ahead

2009-12-29T11:58:00.005Z

A rather manic lead up to Christmas left precious little time for blogging. I was nowhere near as organised as I had hoped to be and look forward to making next year stressfree and well organised. I didn't get round to posting Christmas Cards or handing them out and in most cases, not even writing them. Honestly, it is a total cop out, isn't it? and really lazy not to bother, I am convinced my neighbours must think I don't like them!

Reuse

Recycle those gift bags. I have loads more of these but they are still full of presents. Once you have emptied out the contents, fold them flat. I shall be storing these upright in my wardrobe against the side, that way I won't forget I have them and they won't get dusty, all nice and ready to fill with my own childrens presents next year. Even in a discount store these are upwards of £1 each and I also use them to give my nieces and nephews their presents in, so much nicer than a large carrier bag!

I always buy next years Gift Wrap in the sales. I picked these up in Tesco on Monday. I was with my mother-in-law and when I asked if she wanted some, she replied with "I can't be bothered". I know so many people who moan they are hard up and yet also "can't be bothered". As I have always pointed out on this blog, saving money takes effort. These packs were £1.50 each. I usually get them from Boots and sometimes my local Co-op, so keep your eyes open and for Christmas cards aswell. If you can get packs containing plain metallic wrap, this can be used to wrap up birthday pressies throughout the year aswell. I still have some packs from Boots last year, that have plain turquoise and silver paper in, I use the blue for boys and the silver for girls gifts!

Sales Shopping

If you missed it, the Recessionista's guide to sales shopping back in the summer is here but the principles are the same.

A great way to keep in control of your Sales Shopping, is to write a list of what you want to buy, but on the back of an envelope. That way you can use the envelope to put your receipts in as you make your purchases, this will help you to keep a track on your spending aswell as to be able to locate your receipt, should you need to exchange or return something. Before you pay for your purchases, always ask for the returns policy as they can change with sales merchandise, sometimes shops will not refund, only exchange or credit note. Always make sure you try on what you are buying as in the Recession, you don't want to be left with credit notes that won't go very far on full priced merchandise when the Sales are over.
Maybe make a list of say, 5 items that you really need to build a staple wardrobe and then underneath write another 5 as back up, just incase you can't get all of your first choices. That way you won't end up buying things that you really don't need and wasting your allocated budget!

I always try to buy kids pyjamas on sale as they are so expensive. Above you can see 3 pairs which I ordered from John Lewis and have arrived this morning, they were all half price and came to £27 for the 3 pairs. They are all long sleeved and long legged and are in the size my son will be next winter, so will be stored away until required. I do like quality pj's for kids and often buy on sale from Boden, White Company, John Lewis and M&S as you can't fault the quality and you get a return on ebay for Boden and White Company.

I am awaiting an M&S order, 2 pairs of summer pyjamas for my son at $5 each and a pair for me at only £9 for long legged and long sleeved although mine aren't to put away but to wear now as I am desperate! I have also ordered my next years Christmas cards from their website aswell, another job done for next year.

I haven't ventured out to shop the Sales properly yet, but you can rest assured when I do, I shall be looking for wardrobe classics or pieces to inject a little bit of colour into my wardrobe. I am also on the look out for more leggings and jeggings as I can see these being around for a while yet as they are not only the most comfortable thing to wear but feel much better with long boots than the bulk you get even with skinny jeans.
I shall also be on the lookout for birthday gifts that I have coming up in the next few months, why pay full price when you can get items at a reduced price now?

What did you get in the sales or what are you planning to buy?

Food

I get a huge kick out of using up leftovers and especially at Xmas. Our Boxing Day meal of cold meat and mash also consisted of our "Bubble and Squeak" roughly mashed, put in a roasting dish with cheese grated on the top and it made a lovely change from making into patties and frying.

2009-12-29T11:58:00.000Z

Giving Credit where its due

2009-12-14T12:33:00.003Z

Now we all love a good shopping experience, whether that be instore or online but one of the things that has been getting to me lately, is the amount of time it can take for some parcels to reach you if you opt for free standard delivery. So you can imagine my amazement when an order I placed on Saturday, just arrived and delivery was free! It was from JD Sports. I had £50 to spend on Hubby from my Mum and he had chosen some Running Trainers in the sale for £49.99 and I asked him if there was anything he wanted from me, for his birthday and although he is not a lover of relaxed sport wear, I reminded him that they do stock Fred Perry a brand he likes and he chose a jacket aswell.
On the checkout page, there was an option to enter your mobile phone number to recieve delivery text updates! What a great idea, why can't all retailers do this? I got a text to say order had been despatched and then one this morning to say parcel was being delivered between 12 and 3pm and it is here! Right on time! I must add that I entered the JD sports site via my favoured cashback site so have also earnt 6% money back on the order!

Spend £50 at Space NK and get £10 off!

2009-12-13T12:28:00.002Z

Use code SPECIAL1 at checkout, offer ends midnight tomorrow night, Monday 14th December. Also receive complimentary gift wrap! www.spacenk.co.uk

An Unexpected Shopping Expedition

2009-12-10T19:15:00.003Z

I was planning to spend today, doing housework, catching up with the ironing etc when my Mother In Law requested the pleasure of my company to go to a shopping centre. I really didn't want to go but thought I could at least do my Sainsburys Shop instore rather than online this week and use my nectar points off the bill as I had forgotten to redeem them in Argos last week - Pah!

So I took £30 worth of points off of my food shop and as I walked past WH Smiths, I saw they were doing buy one get one free on Annuals and as my little Man loves Wrestling and Football, I picked up two annuals on these sports for a total of £3.99 so was well chuffed as it is just a little something extra to wrap up but I do feel that this is where you have to keep yourself in check, as you have to stop somewhere!

For anyone still looking for a party dress or xmas day outfit French Connection sale started today www.frenchconnection.com I do so love FC clothes!
www.monsoon.co.uk has 40% off their Fusion range too.
www.select.co.uk also has up to 50% off partywear - its time to sparkle!

25% off Monsoon Lingerie

2009-12-08T18:56:00.004Z

25% off Monsoon Lingerie instore and online, use code LIN25 now till 18th December.

Loving the Body Shop - get your money off vouchers here!

2009-12-08T16:27:00.003Z

Now can you tell me one lady who doesn't like to recieve a little bit of Body Shop in her Christmas Stocking? We all love the fact the products smell delicious and benefit local communities which includes sourcing natural ingredients from marginalised communities in over 20 countries around the world.

So if you still have some pressies to buy, then you can click on the link to enable you to access some money off vouchers as Body Shop are giving away all kinds of exciting offers - up to an amazing 30% off all purchases, with their exclusive Christmas vouchers which can be found here

Note: I had a sniff of their new perfume called "Love Etc" instore last week and it was really divine and the packaging so cute, a great stocking filler.

Half Price Perfume at Asos - today only!

2009-12-08T15:24:00.002Z

Posting this one for those not on Twitter. You had better be quick to take advantage of this great offer! click here.

A Super Salmon Xmas Supper

2009-12-08T11:47:00.005Z

As you know I am always on the look out for cheap, tasty and nutritious meals which are easy to prepare, as I hate cooking, so I was really impressed with this recipe on yesterdays "This Morning" with Phil Vickery. It is a great way to use up stale bread as he said stale is better and I have some Sainsburys Basics Salmon fillets in the freezer which I am trying to empty to make way for Christmas Fayre! As you know I mostly shop at Sainsburys so would use their Basic range cream cheese at 45p for 200g, the Basics Salmon fillets cost me £2.24 and a pot of fresh coriander is £1.19 again at Sainsburys.

Phil’s crunchy salmon bake
Published: Mon, 07 Dec, 2009,

Phil Vickery: Quick and tasty crunchy salmon bake with green beans and coriander.

Servings: 4-6 people
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes

Ingredients
500g salmon fillet, cut into 2cm pieces
200g cream cheese
2 tbsp milk
1 bunch fresh coriander, chopped roughly
100g fine beans, cut into 2cm lengths and blanched
salt
pepper
4 slices bread, crusts removed, cubed, very small
50-75mls olive oil
100g roughly grated parmesan cheese

Method
1. Heat the oven to 200°C gas 6.
2. Place the cubed fish into a large bowl.
3. Add the cream cheese, chopped coriander, and season really well with salt & pepper.
4. Spoon into a 20cm x 6cm deep baking dish.
5. Toss the bread cubes with the olive oil and a little pepper and the roughly grated cheese.
6. Bake in the pre heated oven for 35-40 minutes.
7. Serve with green salad

Copyright Phil Vickery
November 2009

You can also see a video of how to make it, here http://www.itv.com/lifestyle/thismorning/food/crunchysalmonbake/
What a great supper for Christmas Eve or Boxing Day!

More Xmas Present Shopping

2009-12-05T17:57:00.003Z

After a couple of eventful shopping trips this week, I was feeling relived that most of the presents are now bought and the few bits that are left can be bought locally or online, where I can earn some cash back!

I needed a few bits for the older folk in the family and was lucky enough to be given a 40% money off voucher for Peacocks from a friend who works in there and as I needed a few bits of shopping aswell as I have avoided a normal weekly shop this week (see last post) I popped into town earlier.

I went into Iceland as I needed more milk and potatoes and had noticed that a large bag of spuds was only £2. I also picked up some frozen sausagemeat at £1 per pack which I use to mix with stuffing and make into balls to accompany the Christmas Dinner and the other thing I needed was butter. Holy Moly, I couldn't believe that 2 packs of Willow Butter costs only £1! so perhaps I do now know why Mums go to Iceland!

My peacocks haul consisted of a Fleece jacket and some underwear for my Mum, a jumper for my father in law and although I had already bought a present for my mother in law, my husband said I should get her something personal aswell as her gift is for the home. I had noticed that she is still using a PVC handbag that belonged to her friend who died 2 years ago, so a new bag was an obvious choice. Imagine my surprise when after discount all these items only came to £19.80! So a big thanks to my friend P for the voucher!

Things are getting a bit tight...

2009-12-01T17:41:00.002Z

and I am not talking about my clothes, although they are too, but more about finances at the moment. I am sure I am not the only one feeling a little bit panicked by the fact today is December 1st and Christmas Day is only 3 weeks away this Friday! I feel as though I still have so much to do and so little money to do it with even though I save with a Christmas Club and have shopping vouchers from Park!
I have found it so difficult to cope with my husband getting paid weekly since he started his contract in July, we just feel as though we are constantly playing catch-up and never getting in front of ourselves. We have one week (1st of the month) when all our direct debits come out, so by the time we have done the food shop that weeks wages have gone. Then we have one week where my husband has to buy his monthly fair, so again another week where we have kissed away £220 before we have eaten! It honestly makes me wonder if it is worth working, I know that sounds awful but when you still feel that you have to watch every penny, it makes you wonder, as I honestly don't feel we are any better off than in the 16 months he was out of work!
I have two daughters learning to drive and saw a lovely little Ford KA yesterday when visiting a friend and it was only £800 and I thought, that is when you know there is a problem when you can't afford to buy it for them, after all £800 is nothing really these days is it? I am sure it will all work out in the end but I have made a consious decision not to do a Sainsburys online shop this week in an effort to save some money and instead will try and live out of the freezer which is quite full but mainly with cheap bread brought up the co-op! I will obviously need some shopping but mainly fresh stuff and sarni fillings along with cereal and some sweet bits for the kids. In an effort to do this I popped into Aldi today for the cereal and fruit and veg. Harvest Mom Coco Pops at only 99p a pack, a very large pack of Brussel Sprouts for 53p, Brocolli for 49p, Grapes for £1.49 a punnet, Bananas at 73p and Pears for 59p a bag and there were 7 fruits in it! Bakewell Tarts at 68p for 6 and a large Rich Tea Biscuit pack for 39p. As I have been buying food for Xmas each week I picked up a really large pack of Shortbread for only £1.79, so was very pleased with my purchases.
Tomorrow it is my intention to pop in to Icelands and pick up Milk and Bread as I don't know anywhere that is cheaper on these two items, a 4 pint carton is only £1 and Kingsmill Bread is always 2 loaves for £1.50. I shall also be popping in to Savers for loo roll as you always get 6 rolls of Kleenex for the same price as 4 in the Supermarkets.
Are you feeling the pinch right now?

Spend your nectar points at Argos?

2009-11-30T17:38:00.004Z

For anybody that has a nectar card and doesn't know how or where they want to spend their points, how about using them up, buying some Christmas Presents at Argos? Yes you heard me correctly, you can spend your points in 500 point lots, just tell the cashier how many you would like to use, each 500 points is equal to £2.50 off your purchase. I must admit I am thrilled with this as have a Laptop to buy when I go shopping on Thursday!

Some great savings for Xmas - a round up of the discounts available

2009-11-29T08:32:00.012Z

So many special offers going on at the moment, I thought it best to do a round-up of the best deals available.

1. You will know from the past I am a great lover of Orgins Skincare and they often have fantastic freebies with purchases. At the moment the deal is 3 freebies with 2 purchases plus free standard delivery and gift wrap. www.orgins.co.uk

2. www.nectar.com have loads of offers for card holders, double or triple points from retailers such as Argos, Amazon and Play.com to name but a few, don't forget you must enter the retailer via the nectar site. Argos are also offering a free £5 voucher if you spend over £50 and free delivery.

3. Looking for a fab outfit for Xmas day or that office party? Whistles has 25% off for Chiconomise readers enter code WCFF09 at checkout. www.whistles.co.uk

Asos has an offer for free Standard delivery at the moment www.asos.com

There are some great deals in their clearance section, I just bought these fab gold shoes for a skint student who loves to party for £10! There are also some great jewellery pieces for stocking fillers. My friend S is looking for a belt for a friend and I saw this great Fiorelli Disco Hip Belt was £25.00 NOW £9.50! click here to buy it!

You can also get £10 off a £75 spend using this code STEALLATER (courtesey of Chiconomise).

4. Looking for something special? Then Goldsmiths the Jeweller now has an outlet section GoldsmithsOutlet.co.uk where you can get top brands with 50% off such as Tag, Gucci, Armani, DKNY etc and they are also offering free delivery this week, thats a saving of £5.25! I am totally loving the Tag Watches, The Diamonds (of course) and these great Gucci cufflinks Was £ 205.00 Now £ 102.00! A great site to treat that special person in your life!

5. Looking for Sportswear or Trainers? JD sports is offering free delivery on orders over £50. Enter JD Sports via the www.topcashback.co.uk site to recieve 6% cash back on purchases! Thats £3 on a £50 pair of trainers for doing nothing!

6. I have a request for a bottle of Alien perfume by Thierry Mugler. If I buy online via topcashback, I can get 3% cashback with Boots plus 144 points on my advantage card but if I buy from Salonskincare I get 8% cash back for an item costing the same amount of money. It makes sense to buy the gift set at £36 so that you have a body lotion and shower gel aswell, it makes the gift look better and is a great way to "layer" your fragrance. Also if you spend over £50 on Thierry Mugler products with Salonskincare you get a free Angel Fragrance Gift set!

Watch that cash back mount up ready for next Christmas, Topcashback is also adding a Christmas Bonus of an extra percentage, so sign up to a cash back site now!

Free Jemma Kidd Lipgloss worth £10 with Bodyform

2009-11-22T10:59:00.004Z

On selected packs of Bodyform, you get a free Jemma Kidd lipgloss worth £10. There are two fab colours to collect so hurry whilst stocks last!

Spend £100 instore at Monsoon and get a free scarf worth £35!

2009-11-22T09:45:00.003Z

So if you have spotted the party dress or new coat you want in Monsoon, buy instore to receive a free scarf worth £35! If you don't want to keep the scarf yourself, it would make a great gift for an Aunt, Sister, Mum etc.. but remember this offer is valid instore only, not online.

Monsoon do have a selection of goods online which are on special offer. I saw a great padded jacket with £20 off, so that is worth a look. www.monsoon.co.uk

Great offers on make-up from Eyes, Lips, Face - the perfect stocking filler!

2009-11-21T08:12:00.003Z

If you are looking for some fantastic quality cheap make-up for stocking filler pressies, then I recommend you check out Eyes, Lips, Face or ELF for short! I recently read a review by Yummy Mummy who is as pleased with this make-up as she is with her usual buys from Mac and other High End brands, but not only that, with orders over £25 you get a free make-up Palette worth £15 and free delivery on orders over £30!

Recessionista Tips for a well planned & Frugal Xmas

2009-11-17T09:48:00.004Z

1. Set a realistic budget for each person you are buying a present for and stick to it.

2. Wrap Presents as you buy them. Far easier to wrap one or two, than to spend a whole evening wrapping presents just before Christmas. Make a list of what has been bought and for whom, so that you don't forget what you have bought.

3. Buy a few things each week i.e. biscuits, sweets, wine and nibbles. Buy fresh meat, Chipolatas, sausagemeat and party food a little at a time and freeze until needed. Pork was on offer in Tesco last week and chickens are half price in co-op for those who prefer not to have Turkey. If you go out and buy everything you need in one go, you will spend hundreds that you may not have and you will have to reach for the credit card at the checkout! The only things you should be buying at the last minute are cream (but you can get Long Life now), cheeses, salad stuff, dips, fruit and veg.

4. Check out mysupermarket.com to compare prices on Christmas Goodies.

5. Boots and Superdrug both have 3 for 2 offers on a range of gifts, great if you are buying smelly gift sets for either sex, make-up sets for teenage girls etc. If you are buying 3 gifts at £10 each, instead of costing £30, it will cost you £20! Woolworths is also back, but online only and has 3 for 2 on Toys, Jewellery and Gifts, 30% off of Bikes and half price kidswear.

6. If you need to raise some money to fund Xmas, set aside a day where you can have a sort out, photograph items and get them on ebay. You need to do this as soon as possible to allow for payment and the withdrawal of funds in time for Christmas.

7. Do you have Nectar points or American Express points you can use for buying gifts? Check out FruGals surprise purchases with her Amex points here.

What will you be doing to save money and do you have any tips for getting organised at Christmas? please share with us!

Online Christmas Shopping Part Two

2009-11-13T13:33:00.006Z

I have just started asking Family and Friends what they would like for Christmas as I really need to get started if I am going to have everything bought and wrapped by 1st December! Amongst the "I haven't really thought about it" and "I haven't got a clue" (honestly if they haven't got a clue, how the hell am I supposed to know?) I was happily greeted by a rather enthusiastic teenager who said "a pink leopard print hairdryer I have seen in the boots catalogue, some shoes for clubbing and a new mascara". Thrilled to get an answer, I wasted no time in ordering this young lady some of her goodies, online today! I wouldn't have wanted to go out shopping in this disgusting rain anyway, so an online shopping experience using all the tools I mentioned in a previous post, was the order of the day!

1. Boots currently have 1/2 price on selected electrical goods from the likes of Mark Hill, Lee Stafford, Remington etc so knowing this I didn't need to use a Shopbot to compare prices of the Hairdryer, it is reduced from £54.99.
2. Boots gives 3.5% cashback on all of the cashback sites I checked, so I logged into topcashback and proceeded to the Boots site via the cashback site.
3. I ordered the hairdryer and a dior mascara and both items totalled £47.49.
4. Before proceeding to checkout I added my Boots advantage card number and this transaction earned me 188 points.
5. I selected free standard delivery, as at this time of year there is no rush to receive this parcel and delivery is scheduled for next Thursday.

To sum up:
1. I have saved the hassle of going shopping and the expense of bus, train fare or petrol. My local Boots is very small and stock is limited, I know they wouldn't have had this item and I would have had to travel some distance to buy it.
2. I have earnt 188 advantage card points by buying these items at Boots which is the equivalent of £1.80 to spend instore.
3. I have earnt 3.5% cashback which equates to £1.67 to leave on the cashback site until I wish to withdraw it.

Recessionista Tips:
1. If you can't get free delivery on the items you wish to purchase online, you will need to weigh up if it is still worth buying online for the amount of cashback that particular retailer may offer.
2. Always check back to your cashback site approx 1 week later to ensure your cashback has been added to your account.

Check out the first Xmas pressies I bought here.

Free Crabtree & Evelyn Hand Cream

2009-11-10T12:54:00.002Z

Buy Decembers edition of Marie Claire to recieve a free Crabtree and Evelyn La Source Hand Therapy hand cream worth approx £6.25 (100ml tube on their website is £12.50). Magazine Costs £3.40 but you get pages and pages of party fashion if you need inspiration, as well as your freebie gift!

The Art of Online Shopping

2009-11-10T12:35:00.002Z

With so many people doing their Christmas shopping online this year, I was reminded whilst watching GMTV this morning, about a few things that I have mentioned on this blog in the past, but which are so easy to forget.

1. Firstly, compare prices on the items you wish to buy. You can do this by using a comparison site or Shopbot as they are called. Here is a link to a page on moneysavingexpert which lists various shopbots, but do remember to check more than one as they do not cover all retailers.

2. Secondly, once you have found the site which offers the item you wish to buy, use a cashbackwebsite. Cash Back websites are listed on this blog, scroll down the right hand panel. The most popular ones are Quidco and Cashbackking but again, check all of them and see which one offers a cashback deal for the retailer you are wishing to purchase your item from. Cashback can range from 1% to 10% and last year a friend of mine had earnt £98 in cashback for online purchases over the period of a year, which she withdraw for Christmas Shopping expenditure, so taking a little bit of time can really be worthwhile, you don't make or save money by not being bothered, it all takes time and effort. Always remember to check all the cashback sites as often a certain retailer many offer different percentages as cashback on different sites, whereas other retailers will offer the same percentage across all sites. Also remember you must enter the retailers site via the cashback site to get your cashback.
3. Voucher codes are a great way to save money even if you only get free delivery as this can save £3 - £5 alone, so check those sites out aswell, again there are voucher codes sites listed on this blog.
Happy Shopping

20% off at Reiss

2009-11-08T18:18:00.002Z

Grab Decembers edition of Elle magazine which contains a 20% off giftcard for Reiss which will come in really handy if you have seen something to wear to the Christmas Party or maybe something nice for your Man to open on Xmas Day!

Trade in old Monsoon clothes for New!

2009-11-04T18:11:00.002Z

I totally love the fact that you can take your old Marks and Spencer clothes in to any branch of Oxfam and recieve a £5 M&S voucher, so you can imagine how thrilled I was to find out that Monsoon are now offering £5 off any purchases over £30 when you take in any old Monsoon garments! Great for us Mums who buy their clothes in there but also the kids stuff too! get all the details here.

Don't forget that both of these offers will come in handy for Christmas. You can give your M&S voucher as a present or use it towards a purchase and your £5 off in Monsoon can go towards a wicked party dress or a Christmas Day outfit for the kiddies!

Gina Sample Sale at Chelsea Town Hall tomorrow!

2009-10-30T12:26:00.001Z

Saturday 31st October 2009 – 11am till 5pm

G I N A

Juicy Couture Vivienne Westwood

Roberto Cavalli Blossom Mother & Child Hanky Panky

Milan Shopping Babette Wasserman London

P.Santiago Nanette Lepore

Martine Martiella Matha Lucca D.L & Company

Sophia Kokolosaki Gold Hawk Buba Bags John Galliano

Chelsea Town Hall, Kings Road, Chelsea, London SW3 5EE

£2 entrance proceeds to Edirisa UK

www.edirisa.org.uk

My first Christmas Present Haul from River Island

2009-10-30T11:54:00.003Z

Firstly let me say that I am quite sad that I can't actually copy pictures from the River Island site to show you what I have bought, but will tell you about them anyway. It all started when my daughter reminded me that it is her boyfriends birthday next week and that she was hoping I would buy him something as his parents had bought her a birthday gift last month. She suggested that I have a look on the River Island website as they had a sale on and that he always likes to have new clothes. I was amazed at the bargains I found and we picked out a lovely cardigan for him reduced to only £12! I must admit I do love that cardigan look over a shirt, polo or crew neck T-shirt on boys/men. Then I thought, well hang on a minute, I will have to buy him a Christmas present aswell and then I have another daughters partner to buy for, a 22 year old nephew and a 20 year old niece so why not do the whole lot for the £3.95 standard delivery! I got mens t-shirts for £5, a lovely stripe v neck jumper for £10 and a cute top with a sequin panel for my niece for £10. All in all 6 items for a total of £62.95! So if you have any teenagers or young adults to buy for this festive season, do hop on to the site and have a peek at the sale section, far better to grab a bargain now than to leave it till the last minute when there are no sales on and you might pay £30-£40 for a mens cardigan! www.riverisland.co.uk

Half Price Toys at Sainsburys

2009-10-29T17:30:00.003Z

Time to get the kids presents in with half price on Toys at Sainsburys! Offer ends 4th November so don't waste time www.sainsburys.co.uk

Free Gift Set with orders over £30 at Ren

2009-10-29T17:19:00.002Z

I totally love Ren products, not only do I put them on my own Xmas list but they make the most gorgeous gifts, so you can imagine how thrilled I was to see that if you spend over £30 you get a completely free gift set! 2 Christmas Presents for the price of one! can't be bad! My particular fave and that of many beauty editors is the Ren Otto Rose Body Wash. Be quick because offer ends 1st November www.renskincare.com

Free £10 spend at Molton Brown with Red Magazine

2009-10-16T15:52:00.003+01:00

Molton Brown £10 free spend with £4 Red magazine.

Grab a copy of November’s Red magazine (£3.50 with Louise and Jamie Redknapp on the cover) and on page 205 you'll find a cut out voucher entitling you to £10 off a single transaction at luxury soap sellers Molton Brown.

If you buy a full price item in there for £10, you'll get it for free as the voucher requires no minimum spend.

This is valid in store only until Tues 3 Nov in U.K and Ireland. It's not valid in department stores, outlets or spas. Find your nearest Molten Brown here.

Molton Brown also do a make-up range aswell as body products and a mens range so you could use your voucher towards a Christmas Gift.

Postal Strike - things to do

2009-10-13T11:18:00.002+01:00

1. Ebay - Ebayers will be badly hit, if you are a seller ensure that you offer a proof of posting (a free receipt) or a special delivery option to buyers. Keep lines of communication open to ensure that you do not get reported if an item has not been received, if it is not your fault.
2. Paying Bills - If you usually pay your bills by writing out and then posting a cheque, pay over the phone by debit card or over the counter at your bank or a Post office to ensure you don't get late payment charges.
3. Xmas Cards and Presents - Post overseas Xmas cards now. Deliver local cards by hand and send National cards as early as possible.
4. Online Shopping and Catalogue returns - return as early as possible, don't wait until your 28 days etc are almost up. Obtain proof of return from the Post Office.
5. Online Shopping and Catalogue purchases - some companies do use Royal Mail but will hopefully use Couriers if and when necessary. For your own peace of mind, keep all order receipts and order numbers.
6. Posting anything of Monetary Value or something you need to track - use special delivery or courier.
7. Post any mail via the post office do not stick anything in an overflowing or nearly full post box, for your own security.
8. Check if you have any local courier companies who do not require you to have a business account.

Tis the Season to be Jolly

2009-09-28T19:09:00.008+01:00

I have been thinking about doing this post for the last few weeks and now I really must take the "Bull by the Horns" and talk about Christmas. The key to a successful Christmas is careful planning and spending and the more Frugal your Christmas needs to be, the more you will have to stick to these rules.

Xmas Cards & Wrapping Paper

I always buy these in the sale straight after Xmas. Boots is the best place for me, but last year I got my Christmas crackers from the local co-op, so I already have what I need, but if you don't, write down everybody you send cards to, family friends, colleagues etc
Do you send special cards to Mums and Dads and for overseas family?
Buy Cards, wrapping paper and tags from a supermarket or anywhere you have a loyalty card for i.e. Boots so that you get something back for your spend.
Buy 2nd class stamps, posting cards early means you won't need to pay out for 1st class postage making a saving of 9p per card sent.
Aim to write them out now and post on 1st December. Check postage dates for overseas and send within plenty of time.

Presents

Make a list of people you usually buy for and next to each name enter an amount you think is reasonable to spend on the person concerned i.e Mum £20, Friend £10 and stick to the budget! Once you have your total you will need to divide this over the amount of paydays you have left before Xmas i.e. a total present list of £150 would mean you having to find £50 each month for presents if you have no savings or Christmas Club money to take care of this. Certain items will become harder to get hold of, the closer you get to Christmas, remember the Wii Fit last year? well you couldn't get one for love nor money past mid November, so prioritise your list. You won't have any problems getting Grandad a jumper from M&S on Xmas Eve but may have trouble getting Little Johnny the lastest Game from Toys r us.

Once you have your list and know roughly the amount you wish to spend, don't be afraid to ask the person concerned if there is something specific they would like, within your budget. We are all grateful to recieve something we really want rather than the usual "old Tat", so to cheer yourself up, make a list of what you would like as well! My list usually consists of things like Ren Otto Rose Body Wash at £16, a reasonable price for a pressie but in my eyes a luxury, as I wouldn't spend that amount on a shower gel for myself! I always write next to the item, the place it can be bought, either a shop, online or both and then leave to my husband to sort out who is buying what.

Clothes

Need a party dress - how much would you like to spend? If on a tight budget check out asos.com click on women and then click on clearance and check out dresses or click on their outlet tab and click on dresses. I picked up a bargain party dress last week from the womens clearance section for £9! Buying now is one less pressure closer to the time. You may want something more casual for Xmas Day, jeans and a new blouse, a knitted dress? think about what you will be doing on the day, are you cooking? going out to eat? pick your outfit accordingly but if you are cooking, do invest in a cheap apron to save any fat splashes on your new clothes!

Food & Drink

Make another list!
First make a note of Dry goods i.e. tins of sweets, Xmas puddings,things that can be bought in advance then a separate list of fresh foods such as cheese, cream, dips etc.
Many supermarkets already have offers on tin sweets such as Roses or Quality Street, if they are on "buy one get free" or half price, then buy them now, I can guarantee that the special offers on these kinds of Xmas goodies will not be available come December, the same goes for Wines & Spirits. If you don't have provision for your food shopping then the best way to deal with this is to buy a few things each week on top of your usual weekly shop. Although it will make your shopping more expensive each week, it will be far easier than buying nothing and trying to scrape up £100 the week before Christmas!

I have been busy making notes and speaking to various friends and family so that I can show you some case studies for Christmas Budgeting. By doing this, I think we can all see how other people cope and what good advice we can take from other peoples situations. To finalise these case studies I will be offering Recessionista advice on how they can make any cut backs if necessary. I am also in the process of collating information on some good shopping websites so please keep checking back as I am hoping to get this all on the Blog this week if possible. If you have any great ideas of your own, please let me know!

British Gas Customers get a free Swimming Voucher

2009-09-19T10:09:00.002+01:00

If you are still a British Gas customer (and to be honest I doubt there are many who are!), then you are eligible to get a free swimming voucher for you and the family or a friend, just click here for details.

Free Tea or Coffee at Debenhams plus money off vouchers!

2009-09-17T10:23:00.001+01:00

Grab todays Sun (20p) for £7.64 worth of shopping coupons inc a free tea/coffee at Debenhams rests/cafes worth £1.90, valid 'til 30 Sept.

Free Clinique Lipstick at Selfridges London tomorrow only (17th Sept)

2009-09-16T21:24:00.003+01:00

For all you London based beauties, get down to Selfridges tomorrow, where you can collect a free Lipstick from Clinique! Spend some time at the counter to receive a Lipstick consultation to qualify for your freebie in a choice of 3 colours! Offer runs throughout the day until stock runs out, so get there early! A full size Clinique Lipstick retails at £14.

Korres Cosmetic Kit originally £52 now £6.99 - great xmas gift!

2009-09-16T21:13:00.004+01:00

Get this fantastic Korres Cosmetic Kit originally £29 (or £52 on Korres website) from halfprice perfumes for an amazing £6.99! here. This would make a great present, so start that Xmas Gift box now! Set contains Mascara, 2 eye pencils, lipgloss and eyshadow.

Freebies worth over £16 and reduced postage on Skincare at Origins

2009-09-12T15:37:00.002+01:00

As Origins is one of my favourite skincare brands, I am always excited at their special offers and use these as an opportunity to either stock up on my own skincare favourites or to stock pile gifts for others. Origins are offering a free cleanser, serum and scrub, worth up to £20 depending on which range you choose on any purchase over £25. They have also lowered the rate of their standard delivery by £1 from £4.95 to £3.95. www.origins.co.uk

Off to Uni? get your student union card to get great discounts from selected retailers

2009-09-05T11:55:00.004+01:00

To get discounts from a large range of retailers including Superdrug (10%), Amazon (5%), Warehouse (10%) and Miss Selfridge online (10%) apply for your student union card now at www.nus.org.uk. The card costs £10 so you will need a credit or debit card to hand, along with a picture that you can download from your computer or a webcam.

Free Digi-Box & £20 off Shopping at Tesco

2009-09-05T09:34:00.003+01:00

The Daily Mail are back again today with their £20 off shopping at Tesco and in addition to this, are offering readers a free Digi-Box. With the Digital Switchover about to take place, every Daily Mail reader should be collecting their 60 Tokens to grab this great freebie. Don't discard the offer if you have Sky, as you may have a television in another room that you won't be able to watch once the switch over takes place or an older relative or friend that doesn't have a clue what to do regarding Digital Television and would be grateful of your unwanted Box. You need to collect 60 tokens, so if you are not already a Daily Mail reader it would be false economy to buy the paper for the next two months as you may aswell just go out and buy a Box, worth buying it today though for the £20 off groceries. Happy Shopping!

£20 off a £50 spend at very.co.uk

2009-09-05T09:21:00.003+01:00

very.co.uk is the new name for Littlewoods Direct and they are currently offering £20 off a £50 spend on a fantastic range of Fashion including designs by Fearne Cotton and well known brands such as Yumi and Elise Ryan (see pic). Enter promo code ZQ427 at the basket page. With winter fast approaching there is no better time to take advantage of one of the best savings around and grab yourself a key piece for your winter wardrobe (chunky knit, jeans, coat, boots) or a bit of forward thinking could have you buying that Christmas Party dress now, before the financial strain of present buying and nights out take their toll!

Back to School

2009-08-31T18:55:00.002+01:00

I must admit I have always steered away from printed name labels to put in school uniform, because of the cost. School uniform shops can be quite costly so I normally just use a biro, although have to frequently check, after washing, that the writing hasn't faded. I have also in the past used the iron labels, I used to get these from Woolworths but have no idea where I would get them now and they weren't that effective anyway!
So you can imagine my joy when I picked up the Laptop and the first thing I saw was printed name labels on ebay for £1.20 for 72 labels with only 99p postage, next day despatch and you can choose from four different colours and four different fonts, check out the link here

5 Things to help Women boost their financial position in Retirement and other information regarding pensions, mortgages etc at any age"

2009-08-24T11:51:00.006+01:00

According to The Times, Money Central, here are five things women can do to boost their financial position in retirement, although I would have put "Secure a Fair Divorce" and "never give up your rights to half of your ex husbands pension, if he has one", at the top of the list!

1) Ensure entitlement to the full state pension

From April 6, 2010 both men and women will need to have 30 qualifying years to claim the full basic state pension. It makes sense to get as near as possible to the minimum figure, so as to be entitled to a full basic state pension, currently £95.25 per week for a single person.

2) Pay into a private pension

Even if you have no income a husband or civil partner can pay up to £2,880 into a pension for you each year. With basic rate tax relief, the contribution is worth £3,600.

3) Make the most of Individual Savings Accounts (Isas).

Contribute as much as you can to stocks and shares Isas. If you invested your full annual Isa allowance, soon to be boosted to £10,200, for the next 25 years, this would build up to a nest-egg of £511,157, assuming real growth of 5 per cent. You can cash Isas in at any time and also take an income from them. Your savings build up in a tax-privileged environment.

4) Secure a fair divorce

Ensure that any husband's pension is properly valued when splitting assets and consider splitting a pension rather than giving up all rights to it in exchange for the matrimonial home.

5) Make the most of tax breaks

Women who are higher-rate taxpayers should make the most of the higher rate tax relief that applies to pension contributions. This means that every £1,000 put into your pension costs you only £600.

Recessionista advice in addition to this: be careful if you have a private pension. I can only quote from experience of a relative of mine, who lives in a Council Property, is in receipt of a State Pension and a small NHS pension. When disabilty meant that the person concerned could no longer bath, they went through a lengthy process of trying to get the Council to put in, a walk in shower. Eventually the work was done, a couple of years back now, but they had to pay £1,000 of their own money towards it. It seems the more money you have, the less you are entitled to from the State, a real catch twenty two situation, as they still have to pay towards their Council Rent and still pay Council Tax, although they do get a reduction. So unless you have a big pension and real financial security set up for old age, I wouldn't bother trying to do anything on a small scale, as you will dip out when you reach retirement age. I also know another elderly person who at 76 years of age, still pays her own mortgage, because once, many years ago (37 in fact) she split up with her husband who had once remortgaged the property and Income Support does not pay anything towards a re-mortgage, they only pay interest on the original amount borrowed to purchase the property, so if you borrowed 20,000, 10 years ago to get a new kitchen and a conservatory for example, they would never pay the interest on that amount. Also, don't be fooled into thinking if you don't fit the above criteria, you won't get a full state pension, all that will happen is your money will get topped up with Income Support so that you will still get the same amount to live on.

Creamy Mushroom Pasta - Simple money saving supper that can use up leftovers

2009-08-22T09:09:00.001+01:00

Cook 200g of spagetti according to packet instructions. When pasta is cooked, drain well and set aside. Put the pan back on the heat and add 5 or 6 chopped button or any mushrooms. After a few minutes add 150g of diced ham, 150ml of cream, 2 tbsp of parmesan cheese and warm through. Return pasta to the pan, stir and season. Sprinkle with chopped chives or parsley if you have them or more parmesan if you don't. Serves 2. A quick, easy and delicious supper that can use up a few left over mushrooms and any ham you have nearing its use by date.

A womans right to shoes

2009-08-19T06:52:00.002+01:00

Lots of Fashionista's and Fashion Blogs I read, were going crazy for the Christian Louboutin sale at The Outnet yesterday and if you missed my shout out on Twitter, then you will be pleased to know that there are still some styles left in stock, but be quick they won't last much longer! As the Recessionista has mentioned before, if you only buy one pair of evening shoes, go for black or a metallic colour, like these fab silver ones, Original Price £415 Now £166 60% off! They will be a fab wardrobe staple and last you for years - investment dressing at its best!

Feeling Richer for being poorer

2009-08-17T18:51:00.001+01:00

Have a read of this article from the mail online

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-1206073/Why-Im-richer-poorer.html

5 Things to be grateful for this weekend

2009-08-16T20:00:00.002+01:00

Now I don't normally do posts like this, but I dropped by at a new blog I have found www.apieceofwood.co.uk and liked her post on 5 things to be grateful for this weekend and decided I would participate!

1. In light of yesterdays post regarding food shopping, I logged on last night to check my email and had a £10 voucher from Sainsburys off of my next online shopping spend over £50! So I am really grateful for that!

2. I am grateful for the Alex Curran wedges I have ordered off Amazon for £24 (although they haven't arrived yet). See post from earlier this week.

3. I too, am grateful for the weather, the lack of a holiday this year was getting me down, but if the sun is shining I don't feel quite so bad about it (still want one though).

4. I am grateful that August is a busy month for me workwise, as come September things will really die down.

5. I am grateful, as ever, for the health of my family and for my beautiful children.

Changing the way we do Food Shopping

2009-08-15T17:40:00.004+01:00

I had already made a decision about the weekly shop this morning before friend S rang and said she was going to Aldi today. I had been thinking back to when I was a child and my Mother used to go to the Butcher, the Baker and the Greengrocer for her shopping each week. As we are all aware, when the likes of Tesco and Sainsburys started to pitch up in every town the whole idea behind the concept of Super or Hypermarket shopping was being able to buy everything under one roof, to save time but sometimes at a premium. OK, all these stores have great special offers at any one time, but to make real savings if you are on a tight budget, you really need to reconsider how to Shop.
My first change in Supermarket shopping habits, when I started this Blog, was to shop online at Sainsburys rather than visit Tesco each week. The reason for the switch in loyalty was that Sainsburys are always synomous with good quality and what I was happy to eat in their basic range I wouldn't touch with a barge pole in the Tesco Value Department. Shopping online also means you are not tempted to buy things just because they are on special offer and end up throwing them away at a later date and with Sainsburys, another major factor was the tempting "feed your family for a fiver" recipes/adverts on T.V.. By switching Supermarkets and shopping online, I save at least £30 per week.
Another thing I began to do was to buy toiletries, washing powder, loo roll and medicine from Savers, something I have told you many times before.
So this morning my decision for this weeks shopping was that I wouldn't really need to do a Sainsburys shop this week as I have quite a lot in the freezer and the plan was to pop to Aldi for a few bits, but also to visit Iceland. I never go in Iceland, don't ask me why, but when I saw a 4 pint carton of milk advertised in the window for £1, decision was made to give them a visit.
So friend S picked me up and we hot footed it into town. First Stop Aldi. Lettuce, Toms and Cue at 29p each and a Savoy Cabbage for 49p. Their equivalent of Coco Pops for 99p, a pack of Gouda slices for £1.15 and a pack of 4 bagels for 89p along with a pack of marinated Smoked Salmon slices for £1.99. A few other bits and my total came to £12.28. These were all things that would be required this week and would have been a part of my normal weekly shop so I wasn't tempted by anything I didn't want or need.
Then on to Iceland. 4 pint cartons of milk for £1, I bought 2 to freeze. I picked up an Iceland Pizza then moved along the freezer and saw a Chicago Town stuffed crust, which was bigger for the same price, only £1.50. A pack of 18 ice lollies for £2. 6 chicken kievs for £2.50. 2 packs of Willow butter for £1 (now that has to be the deal of week). Buy 2 loaves of Kingsmill for £1.50, bargain, where can you get branded bread for that price? the cheapest is normally £1 when its on offer, if you are lucky! A few other bits and pieces and the total spent in Iceland was £15.
All I need to do now is pop into Savers and buy Loo Roll £1.89 for 6 rolls of Kleenex (it was £2 in Iceland!) and my Aerial liquigel washing powder and my total spent this week will be approx £32 for a family of 5.

So if you want to make real savings there is no doubt you need to shop around and you have to be a savvy shopper as some things in Aldi were cheaper in Iceland and vice versa, but with a little time and effort, it can be done. Next week I will be going to the cheaper shops first and then buy the remainder of what I need at the Supermarket, but you won't do better than the salad stuff in Aldi at 29p or the milk and butter at Iceland. If you sign up for the Iceland Bonus card and spend over £25 instore, they will deliver your shopping for free, storing it in their freezers until your scheduled delivery time. Having a bonus card also means you will recieve money offer coupons throughout the year and get entered in regular competitions to win free shopping - can't be bad can it? I might even spend £25 once a month and get it delivered, making life even easier!

40% off at Yo! Sushi

2009-08-12T16:18:00.000+01:00

Get 40% off on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until 26th August. You will need one voucher per person, per visit, and you can use it on up to 10 plates. Print off your vouchers here.

Alex Gerrards Wedge Sandals by Steve Madden for £24 and Designer wedges from Matches for £38!

2009-08-11T12:28:00.003+01:00

I was totally gobsmacked when I saw Alex Gerrards column in todays edition of New magazine, showing her wearing a pair of Steve Madden studded wedges and looking as great, as always, I had to buy it! Even more surprising was the fact that these funky shoes are currently on sale at Amazon for only £24 if you get them in black! I just couldn't resist such a bargain and you can get them here.
I didn't buy a thing all last winter and was no better off for it, just ended up feeling totally depressed about my drab and boring winter wardrobe, so if you are feeling down in the dumps a bit of £24 retail therapy didn't hurt anyone right? especially if you actually have an item owned and worn by a WAG!

PLEASE NOTE, BLACK AT £24 HAVE SOLD OUT AND APPEAR TO BE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE OTHER COLOURS ARE REDUCED BUT NOT BY AS MUCH, SO KEEP CHECKING BACK FOR FURTHER REDUCTIONS.

Looking for something more understated and still have a holiday to look forward to? even if you don't, these fab Castaner raffia wedges will serve as a great wardrobe staple for many summers to come, so are well worth the £38 investment (down from £108!). Wear them with white summer dresses, capri pants, flared jeans and a red vest for a nautical appeal, the list is endless as they are such a versatile sandal. Get them at Matches.com here.

Free Kids workshops at Covent Garden

2009-08-11T07:55:00.002+01:00

Planning a day out in London? then consider taking the little ones to the free Kids workshops at Covent Garden. There are also special offers on family meals at various restaurants all running now, until 23rd August. Get full details here.

Free Cookies and Teats at Millies Cookies

2009-08-10T17:10:00.003+01:00

Fancy a sweet treat when you are out shopping, or how about a delicious smoothie? Well at Millies cookies, you can print off vouchers and get lots of freebies, such as buy 6 cookies, get 6 free or get 2 free cookies when you buy an ice cream, just click here to print off your vouchers.

Cut off point

2009-08-09T11:27:00.004+01:00

I was quite surprised to see that some of the London free hand out papers are still covering Summer clothing on their Fashion pages, especially this article on Cut off Denim Shorts.

Cut offs hit most of the Fashion pages months ago, but are a wardrobe summer staple which don't really go in and out of fashion each year as you will always see girls slipping on a pair of denim shorts over their bikini's when you are on holiday or sporting them in this country with a vest top and gladiators on hot days. The thing that really got me about this article was the cost of the garments. The cheapest items being from Topshop or Asos at £25, Current Elliott at £155 and True Religion at an astonishing £199! £200 seems an awful lot of money for a pair of what is basically "jeans without legs"! Then I remembered 2 things. 1. The pair of True Religion jeans I have upstairs which have "gone" at the top of the legs and got me thinking that if I cut off the legs in the same way as in the pic i.e. from the holes in an upward slant going under the pockets, that these wonderful jeans which I loved so, will still be completely useable and thus saved from the Charity Bag and
2. How many times have I shared the asos.com outlet section with you guys, when I have told you about the premium denim brands such as True Religion, Superfine and Earnest Sewn, where the jeans can start as low as £35 and go up to approx £70 for what normally would be anywhere between £150 and £200. If you are looking for a cheaper option, I saw in New Look yesterday, rails of reduced jeans are starting at £7 and the great thing about doing your own version of cut - offs is they can be done from any style whether skinny, straight, bootcut or flared, plus you can cut them as high or as long as you like.

In the newspaper, the article shows Lynsey Lohan, Rihanna, Agy Deyn and VB all sporting the trend and they seem to have turn-ups on the cut offs with the pockets hanging down below at the front. So an easy look to achieve. In a Recession, fashion is often about making do, and there is no easier trend to achieve than this! The Times did an article a while back, saying that women over 40 could buy into this trend - Recessionista Advice - Yes if on holiday or the Beach - only in the Supermarket if you have the body of Demi Moore!
The summer may soon be over, but lots of you will still be going on holiday and this trend will be wearable year after year, so what are you waiting for - grab those sissors!

1,000 free text messages worth £100 with free orange sim card

2009-08-07T21:05:00.003+01:00

This card is well worth applying for, as have I have mentioned before, once you have an orange sim card you are entitled to all the other benefits this phone provider offers, such as 2 for 1 on cinema tickets etc. To apply for your free sim log on to www.orange.co.uk/litefreesim. You will need to top up £10 to recieve these free texts, an ideal sim card for teens or pay as you go customers. If your phone is not compatible with Orange, remember it is not illegal to get a phone unlocked, which costs between £5 and £10.

£20 off Shopping in Tesco with the Daily Mail

2009-08-07T21:00:00.003+01:00

Starting in tomorrows Daily Mail, there will be a collection of tokens to obtain money off your weekly grocery shop. For full details of the value of Tokens and what items they refer to, check here.

Kids to see Shows for free with one full paying adult

2009-08-04T11:49:00.003+01:00

A big thanks to Penny Golightly for pointing this one out, Children aged 5-16 years old can see an awesome selection of over 28 dazzling shows for free as long as they are accompanied by an adult paying full price between 14th and 28th August. For full details and book here.

A great way to sell DVD's, CD's and Games online

2009-08-02T17:47:00.003+01:00

Fed up with Ebay, I think most of us are, then there is a great site for you to use to sell DVD's, CD's and Games. These are often the items that don't fetch a great deal of money when sold on ebay but you still have to pay your listing fee, whereas with www.musicmagpie.co.uk you can type in the barcode on your item to get a value straight away, no sitting around checking to see if your item has received a bid - you know straight away what you will get for an item. Postage is free as you will be sent a freepost sticker and you are paid by cheque, so get decluttering and make some cash!

Free Sim card with £5 credit = free cinema tickets!

2009-07-30T09:01:00.002+01:00

Yes its true, Orange are giving away a free sim card which already has £5 credit preloaded! Once you have the sim card it entitles you to all the other benefits that Orange offer such as 2 for 1 cinema tickets on a Wednesday, along with other benefits you can see on the site. You don't have to switch to Orange, you may be a customer who has a contract with another provider but it is handy to have the orange sim card with £5 - even if you use it on holiday or give it to a teenager for emergencies. Don't forget your phone will need to be unlocked if you are on certain networks to use the card. Apply here.

M&S sale started today

2009-07-23T11:14:00.002+01:00

M&S is my favourite place for underwear and nightwear so I always get excited when the sale starts and if there is anything the children or I need now or in the very near future, this is when I buy.
When buying bra's I always buy 2 or 3 pairs of matching knickers, don't ask me why! So I have just been online and bought 2 bra's each with 2 pairs of matching knickers, 3 single pairs of knickers and a nightdress for £32.00. My only dissapointment was that I was unable to get any longsleeved and long legged pyjamas for my little boy for winter, but you can't win them all!
Bear in mind gift ideas, cardigans, jumpers, shirts, nightwear there are even beauty items in the sale, so get online and grab some bargains now and start that Xmas Gift box! www.marksandspencer.com

Hotel Rooms in Leeds for £10 per night

2009-07-21T21:24:00.003+01:00

Fancy a trip to Yorkshire? you can now get 1,000 hotel rooms in Leeds for just £10 per night. As you can imagine, the hotels included in the offer are usually much more expensive than this! Some of the hotels in the offer include “42 The Calls” where celebrities such as Snow Patrol and The Libertines have chosen to stay whilst performing in Leeds. This riverside corn mill has been converted into a refreshingly different designer hotel in Leeds, located on the edge of the River Aire and just minutes from the city centre. Harvey Nichols and the Victoria Quarter are close to the hotel and the train station is 5 minutes away. Leeds and Bradford Airport is 9 miles (14.5 km) away. 42 The Calls shares its site with Brasserie Forty 4, an informal, fashionable and buzzing venue with 2 AA Rosettes. The hotel offers exceptional service and modern English interiors. Enjoy handmade beds with Egyptian-cotton linen, carefully selected paintings and drawings, and friendly touches such as homemade cookies and fudge. Rooms also have an interactive plasma TV and internet access.
Also taking part in this offer is the 17th century “Weetwood Hall” a beautiful building owned by the University of Leeds.
Booking at these special rates is via www.loveleedsmore.co.uk To find out some of the attractions that Leeds has to offer check out www.yorkshire.com

Premium Rate Denim at less than High Street Prices

2009-07-21T16:12:00.003+01:00

My love of premium denim at New Look prices leads me to constantly search asos and yet again, its outlet section has come up trumps with 2 pairs of Superfine skinny jeans for only £35! you can buy them here. Beats all the sale tat that is now left online and instore - it may be 70% off but try getting your size!

Don't ever ring an 0845 or other premium rate number again

2009-07-19T15:44:00.003+01:00

I have just used the website http://www.saynoto0870.com/ for the first time and can confirm that this a fantastic way to save on either your home phone bill or if you need to make a premium rate call from your mobile. How the website works is that you type in the number i.e. beginning with 0845, 0844 etc etc, click on the search button and it will give you one or more alternative local rate numbers for that company. I just had to call Directgov, regarding a Student Finance Application, the number on the website begain with 0845 and after typing that number into the saynoto0870 website, I was given a number beginning with 0141 which means on my home phone package, the call was then free instead of premium rate.

New ways to earn points for your Nectar Card and fun ways to spend them!

2009-07-19T11:54:00.004+01:00

You can now earn Nectar points for shopping at Ebay! Don't forget you always need to enter the retailer via the Nectar website at www.nectar.com. I am honestly amazed that I will earn points for my ebay purchases!

With the new Harry Potter film out and lots of bored kids around during the summer holidays, you can use your points at any Vue Cinema along with 23 other fun days out, just click on the spend points tab on the website to see the full range of places to go or things to buy to use up your points.

S is for friend S and shopping savings (a lesson in how not to shop)

2009-07-18T07:23:00.007+01:00

My dear friend S is probably waiting for this post and will be filled with dread when she sees it! S has lived a rather charmed financial life for a few years now, but all that could soon be about to change and she really needs to get things in order now to help secure a brighter financial future for her and her daughter.

Yesterday on our way home from school, she needed to pop into the co-op because she was starving, so me being me, I said make yourself a sandwich when you get in. She said she fancied a croissant or something.
When we got in there, my little one decided he wanted a Duck wrap and a Dr Who magazine and there was no way I was going to pay for that as I had chicken, ham, cheese, bread and bagels in the house. I told him that if he wanted those things he could give me the money back out of his pocket money when we got home and his little Booty came to £4.80.
Meanwhile S is walking around filling up a basket with far more than a couple of croissants! She pointed out that she had bought some snacks, a couple of bags of chipsticks, a couple of bags of quavers and some other stuff. She had already told me that she rarely buys crisps but when she does she likes an assortment. I told her it would be far cheaper to buy multi-packs but still she bought them all loose at probably 40 something pence per bag! As we got to the checkout I saw a pack of 12 Nik Naks for £1.00 and pointed these out to her, so she bought those aswell but still kept the others in the basket. From what I could see, she had also bought a pre-packed sandwich, about 3 different items from the Bakery section, I saw a carton of fresh juice and a physcologies magazine. As she approached the checkout, she asked for my loyalty card, as she doesn't have one, so I picked a leaflet up for her, but she said she has loads of them at home. Her little basket of shopping came to £36 which to me was astonishing! This week I had spent £56 on my weekly shop with Sainsburys online and she had only spent £20 less and had about 10 items if she was lucky!

So the lessons to be learned here are:-

Magazines - If you do have a magazine that you like to buy on a regular basis, then please look at the different subscription deals available, just type the name of the magazine into Google and they will all come up. With S's favourite Pschologies magazine you pay for 6 issues for 6 months by direct debit with www.isubscribe.co.uk you make a massive 69% saving on the cover price of £3.30, so each isssue works out at only £1.00! Plus you recieve a free designer make-up and wash bag set by Allegra Hicks, which would be great for Holiday. Magazine subscriptions also make fantastic gifts and at these crazy prices you won't be going far wrong for a birthday or Christmas pressie. Always tell friends and relatives what you would like to recieve as a gift, as often people are stuck for ideas and would welcome a suggestion from you. My birthday is right near Christmas, but I add things to my list all year and then give the list to my husband about a month beforehand so he can sort out who is buying what. This year I have already written down a jewellery box and some body cream that is £22 which you can only get from Harrods and came highly recommended via another blog, along with some Lime, Basil and Mandarin Cologne by Jo Malone which is £29. Don't forget that with the Sales on, this is a great time to start buying in advance for Xmas to ease the strain nearer the time. Look out for Handbags, purses, cashmere, Nightwear etc

Bakery - If you love the fresh bakery goods available at Supermarkets (and who doesn't?), try to pop in of an evening when items are reduced, buy in bulk and freeze them.

Pre-packed Sandwiches - Avoid them like the Plague! If S had bread indoors and ham or cheese it would have been cheaper to buy one tomato and a lettuce, add some seasoning and mayonnaise and there you have it, a sandwich no different to the one you have bought, but at lots less than the £2.50+ you probably paid in the shop. Even pots of sandwich fillers (although I prefer to make my own) and packets of chicken tikka, work out cheaper than buying a pre-packed sarni and you have enough for the next day awell. The co-op also had a deal on Tuna, 3 tins of John West for only £1.99, mix that with mayo, add some leaves and some cucumber for a tasty lunch. Use the other tins for a pasta dish using ingredients from your storecupboard and you have lunch and dinner sorted for less than £2!

Crisps - Avoid buying loose packets at all costs - this is a completely crazy area to waste money! A loose pack of crisps somewhere in the region of 40p! but at co-op 12 nik naks for £1 - or Walkers crisps in any big supermarket, 24 bags for approx £3.50 - I'll leave you to do the Maths! and if you like Quavers and Chipsticks it will still work out cheaper in the long run to buy two multipacks, even if you don't eat them on a regular basis, products like these do have a long shelf life.

Loyalty Cards - You must have one for every shop you may possibly go in. I don't use Boots very often as Savers is cheaper, but I still have a card which has £11 on it! I will use some of this up when Boots are giving away a make-up voucher which is usually £5 off certain brands.

Local Shops - Do support them, but in the right way. Chains like Co-op and Costcutter do have great deals so keep an eye out for what you need. I mentioned the Tuna and the Nik-Naks above so will be buying them locally and won't then need to order those items on my Sainsburys shop as they are both something I use on a regualar basis.

So if you popped into your local co-op and spent £36 per week, just think what that adds up to over a month and then over a year. Its no good being the kind of person who won't withdraw cash from the ATM at the Post Office because it charges you £1.75 if you are then gonna waste cash in other crazy ways. So if you are popping into the co-op or any other local store for a croissant or two, then just pick up the two croissants and head straight for the checkout. We all deserve a treat sometime!

My friend M, is another culprit. I am always seeing her coming out of the co-op clutching a bottle of squash and a loaf of bread.... what can you do? Doing one large weekly shop and buying enough bread and milk for the week will save loads. As I have mentioned many times before, freeze your bread, it defrosts so quickly, it eliminates waste, especially in the summer months when bread can go mildew quickly. Most supermarkets do 2 loaves for £2 and that would probably be enough for her family of 3 for the week. Semi and Skimmed milk can also be frozen, buy the 6 pint carton, decant half and freeze (allow 24 hours to defrost, less on hot days). Buy squash in 2 litre bottles, works out much cheaper and buy supermarkets own brands, they are no different. Saving money does take time and effort but once you get in the swing of it, it gives you a real thrill to have saved a couple of quid! Turn it into a hobby, keep that spending diary, check those bills to see what you have saved by taking showers instead of baths or by switching lights off when they shouldn't be on anyway! Do you know that a phone charger uses the same amount of electricity if the phone isn't attached? How many of you take the phone off and leave the charger sitting there, switched on at the wall? You will find loads of ways of saving money by looking through the archives of this blog, so come on - start saving!

Avoid Costly mobile phone bills when travelling abroad

2009-07-13T20:31:00.003+01:00

Most of us avoid using our mobiles whilst abroad and if we do use them, we dread getting the bill upon our return. That is where sim4travel comes in. You can buy a sim card for £5.99 + £10.00 credit (total cost £15.99) to enable you to make and recieve calls whilst abroad. This is a great way to keep in touch and ideal for students maybe travelling abroad with friends for their first time. You can even recieve calls for free in over 27 countries including the EU. If you are running out of time to purchase online you can pick up a sim card in any phones4u outlet.

SIM4travel’s international SIM card won the award for the most innovative service in this years Industry awards. Their commitment to delivering cheaper overseas calls to their customers saw them beat off stiff competition from T-Mobile, Virgin mobile, Vodafone and BT Fusion.

There are three tariffs available, so just choose the one which suits you best and the sim4travel sim card can be used in over 120 countries. Some of the benefits include:-
Receive FREE calls in most major destinations
50% cheaper than the EU tariff
Calls in Europe only 25p/min
1 number every time you travel
Save money in 110+ countries
Top up direct from your phone

Don't leave home for your holiday without one!

If you buy one thing this week....

2009-07-10T13:33:00.003+01:00

and you are a size 16, make it this fab Velvet by Graham and Spencer dress, reduced to an amazing £45! you can get it here.

Spend £25 and get £5 off at HQHair

2009-07-10T13:19:00.002+01:00

I'm sure all you product junkies love HQhair.com with brands such as Dermalogica, Butter London and Frederic Fekkai, to name just a few! It really is beauty heaven, so I was thrilled to see that they are currently offering £5 off when you spend £25 or more by entering the code VOUCHER at checkout. Offer ends 31.07.09.

Fab free Dermologica skincare

2009-07-09T15:39:00.003+01:00

For lovers of great skincare, checkout HQhair.com where you can buy 2 Dermologica items and get a free Climate Control worth £24.65! Use the offer code CLIMATE before 12th July.

How to find the best designer sales bargains

2009-07-07T18:38:00.003+01:00

The insider’s luxury shopping destination, FashionConfidential.co.uk, launches new Bargain Hunter section to sit alongside the women’s section and recently launched Style Report.

Bargain Hunter, the go-to destination for all you need to know about sale shopping including the hottest sales buys from across the web, designer discounts, exclusive sample sale invitations and insider advice. Bargain Hunter takes the hassle out of designer discount shopping by putting all your need-to-know information and must-have products in one place which saves you loads of time going from website to website to bag a pair of Louboutins as the site has links that take you straight to the relevant website to make a purchase.

SHOPPING
This section features a main sale shop where users can shop an edited selection of the hottest sale pieces from over 30 online designer boutiques, including Net-A-Porter, Matches, Browns, Liberty, Feathers, Anya Hindmarch, my-wardrobe, Bernard and Europes finest; Maria Luisa (Paris), Biondini (Paris), Paleari (Milan), Societe Anonyme (Florence) and Paristexas (Copenhagen). Updated daily – users can shop by category, designer and price, making navigation quick and easy.

FEATURES
Sitting alongside the shop are regular shopping features including a weekly round-up of the ‘Top Ten Sale Steals’, ‘Designer Focus’s’ – kicking off with Christian Louboutin (with Marc Jacobs and Miu Miu to follow), seasonal trend features and ‘Editor’s Sale Picks’ updated each morning.

EVENTS
Bargain Hunter users are also invited to attend exclusive in-store events and sample sales which aren’t open to the public. Recent sales have included Chloé, Hermès, Jimmy Choo and Matthew Williamson.

INSIDER ADVICE
Informative listings include an insider’s guide to the best offers and discounts and a round up of the best online private sale sites. Plus you’ll find editorial features with advice on how to bag the best bargains and how to shop designer sales like a pro.

NEWSLETTER
A dedicated Bargain Hunter newsletter provides subscribers with access to exclusive information, sale previews and event invitations only available to members.

So if you are looking for a high end bargains under one roof, the link to the Bargain Hunter Section is here.

3 for 2 plus free delivery on schoolwear

2009-07-04T07:31:00.005+01:00

I know the kids haven't even broken up for the summer holidays yet, therefore it seems a little early to start talking about School uniform for the start of the September term but when it comes to saving money "It is the early bird that catches the worm" and that is the reason why I have just got 2 pairs of school trousers and a pack of 3 shirts for only an amazing £10.18! Marks and Spencer currently have a 3 for 2 offer on schoolwear plus a free delivery code! enter code school09 at checkout for the free delivery. Now there is one less thing to worry about at the end of August!

Recessionista Tip:
1. I only ever buy short sleeve school shirts as during the cold winter months children wear jumpers or sweatshirts and blazers (depending on their individual uniform) and are topped off with a heavy or padded winter coat, and as most schools are quite warm inside, by purchasing just one style of shirt or blouse you are eliminating the need to buy both short and long sleeves, thus saving money.
2. Buy uniform and School shoes, early in the summer holidays as sizes often run out near to the start of term.
3. If you childs school uniform is specialised and bought from a school uniform shop, remember there can be a long lead time on orders - so again - get in early.
4. New Starters? Cash Flow problems? Ask the school if they run a second hand uniform shop, I run this for our local school and sell items from £1 to £3.50 per garment. Lots of items come in "as good as new" and even if you want your child to have one brand new set, the second hand uniform shop items can serve as a second set or spares.
5. Buy shirts and blouses, grey trousers, skirts and pinafores from Department stores rather than uniform shops as they will be much cheaper from the big stores.
6. Shopping early means you miss the rush where Clarks and other shoe shops are overcrowded with screaming kids and uptight parents who can't get their kids favourite style in the required size!

Free Vest top with Elle Magazine!

2009-07-02T10:33:00.002+01:00

In this months UK Elle Magazine (August Edition) you get a free Paul & Joe Sister vest top! There is a choice of four colours, grey, white, cobalt blue and fuschia pink so you can match up with your existing wardrobe.

More Sales Shopping Advice

2009-06-29T12:40:00.005+01:00

There seems little point in updating you on what shops have gone onsale since my last "Sales" post, just to say that most shops are now on Summer Sale. If you are still unsure what to buy there is my "Hot Picks" post here and also this article from "The Times" gives its own version of what to buy. This previous post of mine covers my own version of what The Times is saying and it does differ from the professional fashion jurno point of view so is well worth a look so that you can pick your own list of wardrobe staples and best buys from both articles.

A great way to keep in control of your Sales Shopping, is to write a list of what you want to buy, but on the back of an envelope. That way you can use the envelope to put your receipts in as you make your purchases, this will help you to keep a track on your spending aswell as to be able to locate your receipt, should you need to exchange or return something. Before you pay for your purchases, always ask for the returns policy as they can change with sales merchandise, sometimes shops will not refund, only exchange or credit note. Always make sure you try on what you are buying as in the Recession, you don't want to be left with credit notes that won't go very far on full priced merchandise when the Sales are over.
Maybe make a list of say, 5 items that you really need to build a staple wardrobe and then underneath write another 5 as back up, just incase you can't get all of your first choices. That way you won't end up buying things that you really don't need and wasting your allocated budget!

Free Hair Cut & Blowdry or Facial at Saks Salons

2009-06-25T22:17:00.004+01:00

Instead of Keep telling you about the latest Sales (although we all love a bargain) nothing beats a freebie! Get a Free Saks haircut or taster facial worth £35 with a
Newspaper-based offer. Beauty treatments often fall by the wayside in a Recession so if you haven't been able to afford a decent haircut lately, then all you need to do is buy this Sundays paper!

Pick up a copy of News of the World this Sun 28 June (£1) and in its glossy Fabulous magazine you'll find a voucher entitling you to a free haircut or taster facial at posh beauty salon Saks before 26 July.

To book, check if your local salon is participating in the list below and then contact it directly (find the number online at Saks). You must quote the offer '5 Steps To Fabulous' when you call to book as it's only valid with certain stylists on certain days.

The haircut is a normal, full cut and blow dry worth on avg. £35. The facial lasts 30-45 minutes and is worth around £30. Make sure you take the coupon with you on the day to get your discount.

Participating Salons: West Bridgeford, Chester-le-street, Whitley Bay, Basildon DLC, Milton Keynes, Warrington, Barnard Castle, Hull, Belfast, Guildford, Heston, Sheffield, Solihull Cranmore, Cheshire Oaks, Derby DLC, Nottingham DLC, Newark, Halifax H&B, Bristol DLC, Epsom DLC, Maidstone, Nottingham City, Lincoln, Kingshill, Southend High Street, Wimbledon, Guisborough, Redcar, Leeds DL H&B, Sunderland, Brighton H&B, Glasgow, Harrogate, Cheadle, Scunthorpe, Scotch Corner H&B, Skipton, South Shields, St Albans, St Neots, Stevenage H&B, Stokesley, Welwyn Garden City, Wetherby, Workington, Berwick, Bishop Auckland, Cardiff, Darlington, Derby, Durham, Fulham, Hammersmith, Hexham, Ilkley, Kingston Upon Thames, Liverpool - Speke, Morpeth, Newcastle, Newcastle Gosforth H&B, Newcastle South Gosforth - hair Beauty, Northallerton, Norwich, Chester, Great Yarmouth, Bolton DLC, Leeds HS, Necastle Jesmond, Portsmouth, Wothing HS, Worthing David Lloyd Club, Yarm, York, Ripon, Bolton , Scarborough, Ashton, Oldham, Southend DL, Manchester Trafford

Tomorrow only 50% off Eve Lom Gift sets

2009-06-23T16:50:00.002+01:00

Yes its true! For tomorrow only, Eve Lom are offering 50% off selected gift sets, so if you are a fan of this cult brand or know someone who is and you want to give a great pressie, then click here, first thing in the morning - they won't last long!

Hot Sales Picks

2009-06-22T17:53:00.005+01:00

Lots of great sales starting everyday! A few of my favourites are:-
All Saints - with up to 30% off.
I really like this Solid Kansas Silk Dress which comes in Scarlet (pictured) coral, purple and washed black, Was £120.00 / Now £84.00

French Connection currently have up to 50% off and this dress is also a favourite of mine which I saw in their s/s campaign and is now half price at only £70!

Don't forget to check out Miss Selfridge, Oasis, Dorothy Perkins etc and the Harvey Nichols sale starts this Thursday for the serious and slightly better off Fashionista and Browns Fashion will also suit those with longer purse strings as will Matches!

Free Make-up Bag at Superdrug with News of the World

2009-06-21T14:16:00.003+01:00

If you haven't already bought a Sunday paper but are going to soon, check out Fabulous Magazine which comes with the News of the World, as there is a voucher inside to go instore at Superdrug and collect a free make-up bag! Ideal for holidays as I always take loads of make-up bags with all manner of things in them! Voucher valid till June 28.

Shopping the Sales in the Recession

2009-06-21T09:31:00.004+01:00

The onset of the summer sales, may be the first chance many of you have had to treat yourself and your wardrobe to an injection of this seasons essentials. Many Personal Finance Bloggers have stopped buying clothes completely since the Recession took hold, but now they, along with you, may be in desperate need of a shopping spree either because they have a holiday coming up, a wedding to attend, or are just so fed up with not buying, may want to inject a few wardrobe staples into their closet, so here is the Recessionista (UK) guide to what to buy in the sales.

1. A dress - go for a classic style, that is not too cocktail but would work for a wedding with heels, or holiday evenings. Strapless with a tulip style skirt are all the rage for youngsters at the moment but depending on age, may not be suitable. Avoid Black, keep that for winter, although a black background with a bold floral print looks good for all seasons.

2. Basic t-shirts - Neutral colours are best, white, black, navy, taupe, khaki and beige go with everything and can be layered in winter. Go for short sleeves and vests.

3. A tulip shape skirt - either floral to wear with plain vests (pick out the colours and get a couple of vest tops to create a different look) or cami or a block colour with a tie belt or bow on the front.

4. Bottoms - look for classic styles that will last years. The sales are a good time for buying Premium Denim, go for dark skinny or straight leg styles for evening, boyfriend cuts for daytime and white for summer if you dare. Linen trousers and cropped styles are a summer essential, so if you don't already have any, then now is the time. City shorts are a smart option for either the workplace or evenings out with a pretty blouse.

5. A pretty blouse or coloured tunic - An item like this will work for evenings out or can be dressed down with casual bottoms and flip flops.

6. Cardigan - often needed on cloudy days and for chilly holiday evenings. If you can only afford one, go for black as it will do for the winter season aswell. If not, go for a brightly coloured one, pick out a colour from the lovely blouse or tunic you bought at No.5 above! Not only will it go with the lovely top you bought it will sit nicely over those black and white vests you bought at No.2! If you can afford Cashmere in the sale, then get it! If not try M&S and Gap.

7. Sandals - Flats for day, Gladiator or similar styles work well, go for black, white or any metallic colour as these go with everything. Styles with Stones/Diamante on, make a great alternative for evening wear when you don't want to wear heels.

8. Heels - Again go for the same colours as mentioned for Sandals, as this eliminates the need for lots of pairs.

9. Clutch Bag - A clutch is essential for evenings out, weddings etc. Match to your chosen shoe colours

10. Flip Flops - Havianas usually go onsale at Office either online or instore or grab a pair of classic Birkenstocks. Again consider colour so that you only have to take one pair on holiday.

11. Tote Bag - A large bag for everyday can double up as a travel/beach bag for holidays again to eliminate the need for more than one go neutral, black, tan or beige. Canvas styles will of course, be cheaper. Zara do great tote bags.

12. Hat - Not essential if you are not going on holiday (although still worn by the stylish), essential if you are. Straw trilbys are big news this season. Jigsaw do a great one, Accessorize is cheaper.

13. Swimwear - Whether you want Pucci poolside or Primark, don't waste money buying loads, I never travel with more than 3. A good black one, from a High End brand will last you more than one holiday. White looks fab on a great figure with a tan but can go off-white really quickly if you are constantly in the pool.

14. Sunglasses - can't afford high end? M:UK available at House of Fraser are reasonably priced (even better in the sales) or try Karen Millen or Jigsaw. Go for either big and black (aka Jackie O) or aviator styles as both are timeless classics. If going for aviators, if you wear white gold jewellery and have silver sandals, go for silver coloured arms/rims to give a real polished look to any outfit (apply the same rules for yellow gold).

15. Watch - If you need a new one, the sales is the time to grab a great timepiece. Match bracelet watches to the colour of your other jewellery.

Golden Rules for sale shopping.

1. Do check sale start dates at your favourite stores.
2. Make a list of what you feel is missing from your wardrobe, what needs replacing or what you actually need for your holiday etc
3. Visit stores in advance of sale starting to check out stock and to see who has the pieces you need.
4. Bear in mind some shops will bring out past seasons stock to clear if they still have any. This is fine if there is a classic piece you need but never be afraid to ask for a further reduction if you know a garment was from the stores s/s 08 season.
5. Remember that most stores will have a better sale range instore than online. I have recently been in to 2 Whistles shops who have had some lovely pieces in the Sale, but when I checked online, nothing I have seen was on the website. So to get the best stuff you may have to leave the armchair. This will save you having to pay delivery charges, traipsing to the post office for returns that don't fit and waiting ages for the refund to your card. I only recently got a refund for an item I returned to House of Fraser 6 weeks before!
6. If you shop at local, small, Independent Boutiques, ask about Sale preview evenings. At shops like these you may be able to put stock on hold at close of business the day before the sale starts to ensure you get the pieces you want.
7. Maxi Dresses can be shortened when the style is no longer fashionable - so their is no need to avoid if you see a great dress in the sale but don't like long billowing dresses.

Never forget that the Sales are a great time for buying gifts and presents in advance to save money in the long term. Is it your Mums birthday next month, would she love that great jumper currently at 1/2 price? Would those Champagne Flutes currently on sale in the Department store do for your cousins wedding present in September? Think ahead and outside of the box to utilise the Sales to your full advantage - they are not just about Fashion (believe it or not!).

25% of Yumi Clothing as loved by Celebs!

2009-06-10T20:50:00.003+01:00

A massive 25% off at Yumi Direct until Sunday! A fab and funky brand often seen on celebs such as Fearne Cotton and as pictured, Alesha Dixon. You can find this brand in Topshop Oxford Circus but why go shopping when you can avoid the Tube strike and buy from home here. Enter promotion code "CELEB" at checkout.

Prom Princess on a budget

2009-06-08T16:10:00.007+01:00

Well Prom time is here again, with most taking place in late June, early July. It can be a really awful time for parents who have very little money but want to make their daughter feel like the "belle of the ball". Lots of parents spend a fortune on the dress, shoes, fake tan etc and hopefully a few handy hints from Recessionista(UK) will see you on your way to providing a wonderful evening for your daughter where she can look as good as her peers, but on a budget. Recessionista(UK) gives ideas on everything from getting the dress of your dreams at a fraction of the retail price to doing your nails, hair and lashes at home.

Dress: Usually the biggest spend and often there is the cost of alterations to contend with as well. Most Prom dresses are available from Bridal Shops and Boutiques that stock Ballgowns. Most stores will have a sale rail at this time of year where they might be trying to get rid of last years stock or are panicking, with the recession, that stock is not moving fast enough. To save hours trawling the High Street, set aside a few hours where you can ring around shops in your area to see if they have any dresses reduced in your required size. Once you have narrowed your search, you know exactly where you have to go and can set out with your daughter to make that special purchase. Most shops stocking these kind of garments will offer an alternations service, but this is not always cheap, so get a quote before committing or leaving your dress behind. Failing this, try local dressmakers, ask around for recommendations or try the local dry cleaners as lots of these also offer an alterations service.
If buying a new dress, for say, £300, never be afraid to ask "will you accept £275 as that is all I can afford". Haggling is all the trend these days and if you don't ask, you don't get. If the sales assistant won't budge, do ask to speak to the manager or owner as most shops selling these kind of garments are small independents who are struggling in the current economic climate. If you still get no joy but don't want to look a fool and lose the dress of your daughters dreams, leave a deposit and say you will have to come back to collect when you have been paid, your cheque in the bank clears etc or if you still have other shops to visit, just ask if they can hold without a deposit for a few hours whilst you try and find something within budget.
If money is really tight then check out Ebay. Either search by your preferred colour ie purple, yellow, mango prom dress or by designer i.e Mori Lee, Jora, Jovani, Alyce etc. You can get some beautiful dresses on Ebay at the moment with most costing between £75 and £100 for a used dress and from £100 upwards for brand new with tags. Never be afraid to ask questions before you bid and buy. If looking at a new dress they may be old stock from a bridal shop, so do ask if it is shop soiled, marked with make-up etc. If buying a used dress, ask if it has been cleaned, if not, is it dirty round the hem, is it marked inside with fake tan or make-up. Check dry cleaning costs locally, before buying a gown that is marked in any way. Remember that gowns with a lace up back can usually accommodate a size up or down, always ask the seller the dress size of the person who wore it and their height and what size heels they wore. Taking up a dress that is 9 layers of net and tulle can work out pretty costly but if you follow these guidelines there will be little room for error.

Shoes: Usual styles are strappy in gold, silver or bronze depending on any sequin or beading detail on the dress. Shoes in this style from shops like Faith and Dune will be somewhere in the region of £70. To cut this price in half try shops like Shoefayre, Barratts or New Look and even cheaper will be Matalan but if your budget is really tight, let good old ebay come to the rescue.

Tiara: For a good range of Tiara's check out your local bridal shop but these will be costly unless they have some on Sale. Brands such as Amanda Wyatt will cost a small fortune, as will Jon Richard which are available from Department Stores, but do check out ebay for these and other more specialised brands such as Halo. A cheaper option is to check out the High Street for diamante Alice Bands. Accessorize usually have a good range but Claires Asseccories will be cheaper. Has your daughter or any other teenager you know been a bridesmaid recently, if so can you borrow their tiara? Diamante pins or fascinators to match the colour of the dress, although not as popular, also work well.

Bag: Most girls will carry a Clutch to Prom and you can either choose a metallic colour to match the shoes or maybe a satin bag in a colour to match the dress. Check out Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge and New Look if buying new or good old ebay. Ebay will bring up thousands, so narrow your search by typing in blue clutch or gold bag depending on what you are after.

Hair: Never use a new hairdresser if you can afford for your daughter to have her hair done on the day. Lots of hairdressers don't do "up do's" but do have colleagues in the same salon, that do.
Expect to pay upwards of £20 for hair up at a salon or £10 upwards just to be curled, depending on where you live.

DIY Treatment
If you can't afford a trip to the salon, hair can be curled at home using either a specialist curling tong or ghd hair straightners. Lots of teenagers are really good with their own hair and a few curls can make all the difference. If nobody at home can put hair up, use some kirby grips and just pull back the sides and pin up. A little backcombing on the crown will give some height and will sit nicely behind a small tiara. If you intend to do hair at home, do have a practice session and don't forget to use a good firm hairspray to hold in place. Check out You Tube for videos of how to do hair and also lessons in make-up. Google has thousands of images of Prom Hairstyles if you are lacking in inspiration.

Fake Tan

Nothing beats a salon tanning application and if you can afford this (from £20 depending on area) Fake Bake and St Tropez are the most popular. Check with local salons to see if they have any Prom packages available, tan, lashes, nails etc can often work out cheaper if booked together. If there are no special offers at your preferred salon, ask for a discount when booking multiple treatments.
DIY Treatment
If attempting to Fake Tan your daughter at home, the cheapest option will be a product such as Johnsons Holiday Skin which you can start using now and build up gradually to an acceptable colour. Fake Bake and St Tropez are more expensive but give a professional result and you can checkout their websites for application tips and to buy online, if not available to purchase locally. Fake Bake have just introduced a new wash off tanning product called Faux Glo, which costs £10.99, I have one daughter who loves this, but if new to using Fake Tan products - do try in advance.

False Nails

Lots of teenagers like the Acrylic or Gel False nail look which starts at around £25 for a basic set of pink and white, french manicure. Crushed Ice and nail art looks will be more expensive but again check with your salon for discounts and packages.

DIY treatment
You can buy false nails in a vast array of finishes from Boots or Superdrug below £5 which can be applied at home. Always follow instructions carefully to get the best results but don't expect them to last as long as Salon acrylic nails.
An at home manicure treatment can also give a great result for those teenagers who prefer not to wear false nails. The short, square, darkly painted look is sported by many celebs (the girls from "The Hills" etc) and always looks stylish. Short nails can be difficult to paint but any mistakes can be cleaned up with an orange stick with a small amount of cotton wool wrapped around each tip then dipped in nail varnish remover. If you are looking for a colour to match your dress then check out the Barry M range available at Superdrug or online, for a vast array of colours including blues, yellow, orange, purples etc. Make sure you daughters nails are neat with no rough edges to snag on her dress. Do toenails to match, or if you have a french manicure on your fingernails, go for a colour to match your dress on your toes. Always allow at least an hour for nail polish to harden before showering, doing up dresses etc otherwise your efforts could be ruined.

False Lashes

If opting for a false lash application at a salon always ask for a patch test or for a few lashes to be applied at least a week in advance. I once had an application of individual eyelashes and about 2 days after the application, suffered with bloodshot eyes which is not a good look for a Prom Queen!, it is not worth taking any risks by getting this done without a test, well in advance. Cost upwards of £30.
DIY Treatment
You can buy individual flared lashes (3 joined together rather than individual) at Boots for approx £5 or strip lashes for a similar price. This months Sugar magazine has false lashes as a freebie so if you buy this your daughter will have something to read aswell!

Transportation

Lots of Teens will be travelling to their Prom in a Limousine which is becoming more and more popular. Limo hire usually costs hundreds, even if only travelling a fairly short distance. If this is your desired form of transport but not within your budget, speak to other parents to see if costs can be shared between other Prom Princesses. Most Limos carry upwards of 8 some holding as many as 14 depending on vehicle, so could carry just a group of girls or couples, if they intend to travel with their partners.

Getting Ready

Make it as special for your daughter as you can, buy a cheap bottle of Bucks Fizz or something similar with a low alcohol content from your local supermarket (approx £2) for the over 18's or for the Year 11's, make some alcohol free punch or cocktails. Make sure she is ready in time to take lots of photos and ensure her phone is fully charged and has credit, so she can contact you if necessary. Get the mobile phone number of her partner and best friends, just incase she is later home than expected and you are unable to get through to her mobile. If travelling by Limo, get the drivers mobile number when he picks your daughter up or if another parent is driving and collecting your daughter, make sure you have their number aswell.

Triple your mobile phone credit with Tesco Mobile

2009-06-07T07:34:00.004+01:00

Tesco has introduced a "triple your credit" scheme for its pay as you go customers. For example, Top up with £15 credit and receive £30 free, giving you a total of £45 credit!
You also get triple clubcard points with every top-up.
For more information and for details about how to switch from your existing Tesco tarriff, click here.

Fantastic Magazine Freebies with July Issues

2009-06-05T19:16:00.004+01:00

Just popped up to my local co-op to see if there was any crusty bread reduced but alas, I could only get a fab bunch of pink roses and lilys for 50p - what a bargain!
I also checked out this months magazines and there are a loads of freebies with magazines this month, on the new out, July issues.
Glamour - free benefit badgal lash mascara
instyle - free Elizabeth Hurley Beach bag
red - cowshed wash bag
sugar - false eyelashes

I also saw an eyeshadow and a book but can't now remember which mags they were on, but if you fancy a good read or are grabbing a magazine for the airport or your holiday then grab one with the free gift you need the most, i.e. a book to read or a bag for the beach etc

20% off a gorgeous range of underwear at Figleaves

2009-06-04T14:31:00.003+01:00

Get 20% off Passionata underwear at Figleaves. See the full, really pretty range here.

Free Shape and Paint from Butter London in town tonight

2009-06-04T10:20:00.002+01:00

Butter London is a fairly new nail brand but sits alongside Opi and Nails Inc, pricewise. They have a lovely range of summer colours to choose from and if you live or work in London, you can get a free shape and paint by the founder of Butter or one of her team tonight. Get full details here. I would suggest you get there early if possible, this is bound to be a popular event.

A fantastic range of summer fruits at Aldi for 49p each

2009-06-02T18:31:00.003+01:00

I have just seen the T.V. commercial for the latest fruit offers at Aldi. I often go to Aldi to buy their fruit and veg special offers as these items can really send your food shopping bill sky high and the kids always take fruit to school as well as what we eat at other times. This week they have Kiwi's, a pineapple, plums, peaches, cherries and a melon all at only 49p each - really amazing value!

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Keeping food fresh to cut down on waste in the summer months

2009-06-02T18:00:00.004+01:00

Bread - I have mentioned in previous posts about how I keep my bread in the freezer and just take out what I need the night before, to make pack-up for school the following morning. I personally don't think using bread in this way is a problem, as even if you forget the night before, so long as the slices are separated, it takes minimal time to defrost anyway and can always be defrosted in the microwave if you are really short of time. Another option if you don't want to do this, is to keep your bread in the fridge during the hot weather. Nobody wants to eat bread that has been sitting, sweating, in its plastic bag in the bread bin and it will go green really quickly if you continue to store it in this way during the summer.

Bananas - These don't last very well in the heat and go black quicker if placed in a fruit bowl alongside other fruits. A new tip I have learned is to keep your bananas wrapped in an old tea towel in the fridge, to keep them fresher for longer.

Food Containers - Food saver plastic boxes can be very expensive, so I have taken to using old Chinese Take Away containers for all manner of things I keep in the fridge (as well as using them to freeze leftovers). Packs of Ham or Cheese etc often go dry and end up with curling edges once you have opened them, but if once open, you store the packet in a sealed container all these pitfalls that may cause you to chuck food out, are avoided, meaning less waste of food and money.

London Clothes Swap event

2009-05-29T11:15:00.002+01:00

Tired of seeing the same clothes in your closet? Fancy some new outfits without breaking the bank? Bring along the clothes and accessories you love but no longer want to the London Frock Exchange and swap them with like-minded ladies for a lovely new wardrobe!

When: Tuesday 9 June 2009
Browsing begins at 5.30pm and swishing starts at 7.00pm
Where: Borough Bar, 10-19 London Bridge Street, SE1 9SG
Tickets: £10 (in aid of Alzheimer's Society) includes a glass of champagne on arrival

Tickets are selling fast and can be bought here.

Win £300 to spend on Kidswear

2009-05-29T11:11:00.002+01:00

Win £300 to spend on the Childrens range at Asos here.

30% off at Asos

2009-05-28T21:02:00.002+01:00

Asos has 30% off selected styles, check out whats on offer here.

Tan for a Tenner at Dove Spa's

2009-05-26T10:12:00.002+01:00

Get ready for summer with a great offer from Dove Spas. At Salons Nationwide, for a limited period, you can get a St Tropez spray tan for just a tenner! Check out their website for further details and remember girls, the only safe tan is a fake tan!

Half Term Free Stuff for Keeping the Kids entertained

2009-05-25T13:06:00.004+01:00

Open Topped Bus City Tours

City Sightseeing is offering a free ticket for each child up to age 15 travelling with an adult on tours of 15 cities around the country including Brighton, Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon and Cambridge. Check out www.city-sightseeing.com for details.

Free Supper for Kids

Under 12's can eat free from the kids menu before 7.30pm in the Bistro's at any of the 14 hotel Du Vin hotels around the country. Book ahead. For details visit www.hotelduvin.com.

Free London Travel

If you are going to the capital to check out some sights, don't forget that kids travel free on the buses (under 16) and underground (under 11). Find out more at www.tfl.gov.uk

HMS Belfast

Moored neared Tower Bridge in London, Kids can visit this attraction for free. For details www.hmsbelfast.lwm.org.uk

Travel Around Scotland on Scotrail for free

Up to 2 under 16's can travel on Scotrail all around Scotland, off peak, any day of the year with one full fare paying adult. www.scotrail.co.uk

25% off at Nails Inc

2009-05-23T15:44:00.003+01:00

In addition to the free Nails Inc nail polish on the June edition of Instyle, you can also get 25% off Nails inc online, by entering the discount code instyle25 at checkout. Grab yourself a great summer colour as sandal season is finally here!

New Discount Code website

2009-05-23T15:17:00.002+01:00

Allow me to introduce (for those of you who haven't yet come across it), a new discount code website called Discount Hypermarket. It is an easy to use website with categories such as Fashion, you then click on, say, womens fashion and it will give you a list of retailers in your chosen sector who currently have discount codes available. In addition to this, on the homepage it has a list of random codes for you to check out, you can find them here.

Nintendo Wii for £145

2009-05-21T14:22:00.003+01:00

This one is for my dear friend S, who is looking to buy one of these for her childs birthday in July: Nintendo Wii £145 (Usually £170) in-store at ASDA. Ends Sunday, go quick if you want one.

Nectar arrives at Homebase with Double Points weekend!

2009-05-19T16:14:00.005+01:00

Nectar, the UK’s leading loyalty programme, will arrive at Homebase on 18 May, the first time a DIY retailer has been included in the programme. The move means UK shoppers can now get the best of both worlds: the great value and service of Homebase and the vast choice and flexibility of Nectar to collect and spend points.

To celebrate the launch of Nectar in-store, Homebase customers will be able to earn double points on all store and online purchases during the launch, from Friday 22 to Sunday 31 May - the ideal time to make spring DIY, home and garden purchases. The offer coincides with 10% days on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 May for a discount double-whammy.

Nectar collectors will be able to earn points every time they shop at any of the more than 300 Homebase stores or at Homebase.co.uk, plus they will be able to spend Nectar points in store. Any customers wishing to become a member of Nectar can simply pick up a registration pack in store or visit nectar.com to register online.

Shoppers will earn 2 Nectar points for every pound spent, up to a maximum of 1,000 points per transaction. Points can be redeemed at Homebase or any of the other Nectar redemption partners including Argos and Vue Cinemas. At Homebase, Nectar collectors will be able to redeem with a minimum of 2,000 Nectar points which is equivalent to £10 off their purchases.

Paul Loft, Homebase’s Managing Director said, “We are delighted that Homebase has become the first DIY retailer to join Nectar. This is really exciting news for Homebase and for our customers. Nectar is the biggest coalition loyalty programme in the UK and we believe that it has enormous potential for us to provide better service and value for our customers”.

Jan-Pieter Lips, Managing Director of Nectar said: “We are thrilled that Homebase has joined Nectar as our exclusive DIY partner. We regularly speak with our collectors and DIY is the most requested sector to add to Nectar. The arrival of Homebase adds an important dimension to the Nectar programme making it even more relevant to our millions of Nectar collectors”.

Nectar replaces Homebase’s existing Spend & Save scheme offering more flexibility and a wide range of outlets for redemption. Spend & Save users will be given details of how to join Nectar if not already a member.

Save over £30 a month by walking the kids to school and help in the fight against childhood obesity

2009-05-19T10:56:00.004+01:00

New data shows that the average cost of the school run by car is up to £367 per primary school child per year*, which equates to over £30 a month, or £612 million for transporting all primary school children to school per year.

Research findings from the recent Change4Life ‘How are the Kids?’ survey* show that 45% of primary school children in London walk to school, whereas 23% are driven to school by car despite the fact that the average distance to primary schools remains at just over 1 mile an easily walk-able 20 minutes.

In the current economic climate, the £30 saved per month by a family walking to school instead of driving could go towards:
- Football training day for kids (£25)
- Children’s cookery workshop (£30)
- Family trip to the cinema for up to 4 people (up to £28)
- Monthly gym membership for mum or dad (£25.95 off peak)

National Walk to School Week (18th – 22nd May) coincides with the launch of Change4Life’s Walk4Life campaign, a whole month dedicated to encouraging families to walk more to help children reach their recommended daily 60 active minutes in the fight against childhood obesity.

Get a free manicure and pedicure at Charles Worthington Salons

2009-05-18T18:20:00.003+01:00

Get extra pampering when you book any service at Charles Worthington London salons.
Expert nails technicians will soak, buff and polish your hands and feet to smooth and silky perfection before applying a coat of the latest colour.
For a complimentary Manicure and Pedicure simply book any service at any London salon.
Offer subject to availability. This promotion cannot be used with any other discount or offer.
To find your closest Charles Worthington Salon go to cwlondon.com/salons
Expiry date: 30 June 2009

Marks and Spencer to launch 1p sale

2009-05-18T14:49:00.001+01:00

Marks and Spencer will be selling some products for just 1p each to kick off its 125th birthday celebrations.

Marks and Spencer said the Original Penny Bazaar sale at all its chain stores from Wednesday, 20 May, goes back to when it opened in 1884.

Customers can choose up to five products at a price of 1p each from a commemorative Marks and Spencer range including jewellery sets, scarves, cufflinks, ties, socks, leather passport holders and luggage tags.