Handy tips

Here are some handy tips to help you make yours one to remember.

Street parties are a wonderful British tradition and after the high spirits of Catherine and William’s wedding festivities last spring, predictions are that up to three million people will take to the streets this June. If you’re thinking of dusting off the bunting with your neighbours, there are lots of resources out there to help you make it a success.

All together now

If you want to close your road for your party, the first thing you need to do is get in touch with your local council. Ideally, you’ll need to do this four to 12 weeks prior to the event. You might have to fill in an application form or two but if you’re not planning to have a paying bar, you won’t need to buy a license. Just get a few organisers together, send out the invites and off you pop! For official Government advice, visit direct.gov.uk or read “Your guide to holding a street party”.

There are ways around having to get permission if you’ve left it too late – a Street Meet can take place on a driveway, pavement or cul-de-sac without the need to close any roads. If space is at a premium, why not get together with your neighbours for a picnic in a local park? The Big Lunch is an initiative run by the Eden Project that takes place every year on the first Sunday of June, and this year it falls on the Jubilee bank holiday weekend, Sunday 3rd. The idea is really simple; go and have lunch with your neighbours as a simple act of community, friendship and fun!

Get in the spirit

Once you’ve sorted some tables, chairs, gazebos and the like, it’s time to decorate… and there’s nothing that says street party more than bunting. You can make your own very easily with scrap fabric, string and a stapler, and it’s a fun activity you can get all the family involved in. There are lots of other cheap and cheerful ways you can bring a bit of festive colour to your street; think about hanging flags or banners from windows, decorating trees, cars, fences and gates or wrapping lampposts in colourful ribbons. Don’t limit yourself to red, white and blue though… how about a British summer garden theme or a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party!

Get the party started

To keep your guests entertained you’ll need some simple but effective activities. How about creating a wish tree? It’s so easy to do; all the partygoers write their wishes on colourful pieces of cards and attach them to a tree, making a pretty and poignant momento of the day.

Face-painting is always popular with the kids, along with fun day-type games to wear them out - bin bags can be used for a sack race for example. Hosting a quiz is always a good way to get people mingling and fostering a community spirit. You could have a ‘best dressed house’ competition for those who have pulled out the stops on he decoration or a cake bake-off contest… the possibilities are endless.

Get inspired

There are lots of places you can look for help and inspiration. StreetsAlive offer some great tips for street party organisers across the UK as well as some fantastic ideas for activities. Whatever you choose to do, make sure you have a great time!

BE KIND TO YOUR CAR. Maintaining your car’s engine properly helps it run efficiently. Make sure that you have regular check ups on your car.

DON’T IDLE. Idling the car to warm it up wastes energy. Drive off immediately and smoothly - don’t rev up the engine during the first few kilometres to warm up the engine and all the other moving parts of a vehicle.

CHECK YOUR TYRE PRESSURE. The wrong tyre pressure not only affects the car’s overall driving performance, the tyres’ grip and their mileage, it can also increase rolling resistance and thus fuel consumption. Check the pressure of your tyres regularly, at least every 2 weeks, to make sure they are properly inflated.

ACCELERATE SLOWLY Accelerate slowly for optimum fuel economy. If you accelerate aggressively, you will waste fuel.

REMOVE ROOF RACKS WHEN NOT NEEDED. Roof racks cause extra wind resistance, which thus increases fuel consumption. It is recommended to remove roof racks if they are not being used.

WATCH YOUR SPEED Slowing down and maintain a constant speed. Unnecessary acceleration and braking increases fuel consumption significantly.

Discover somewhere new and save a bob or two

From the Cornish coastline to the windswept wilds of Shetland and everything else in between, there’s so much to discover in the UK. Travel by plane, train or automobile and you can be a world away in just a few hours.

Remember, travel doesn’t have to cost the earth. It’s a natural assumption that bus tickets are the cheapest way to go, but this isn’t always so. Booked in advance you can get some bargain train tickets to anywhere in the country. Leave it to the last minute and you could snap up a fantastic value flight to somewhere you might never have thought of going to.

Half term family holidays

At the beginning of every half term parents up and down the land take a deep breath and wonder about what they can do to keep the kids entertained. Well, we’ve found some fantastic places to go this Easter. From youth hostels to yurts, take the family away in the UK and enjoy some quality time without the stress of work or school. Click here

Glamp it up

If you fancy experiencing the great outdoors without pitching your own tent, go glamping. Glamorous camping gives you all the fresh air and fun you want without the need for your own ground sheet. You can go as glam as you like, some of these places have roll top baths and range ovens! It’s not for everyone but if you’re not one for roughing it but want to experience some country living, this could be for you. Find a site near you at www.glamping-uk.co.uk.

Take to the water

Why not hop aboard a barge or narrowboat and let the world float? Not only is it a great way to soak up the beautiful British countryside but boating holidays can often work out much cheaper than hiring a cottage. If you’re worried it might be a squeeze to bring the whole crew, don’t be, many companies offer boats for up to 12 people. You can even bring family pets with you. Best thing is, you have the ability to hop on and off where you choose allowing you to create your own made-to-measure break. Pick your canal and start planning your break here.

5 ways to save fuel:

1. Pump it up

Make sure your tyres are inflated correctly – it really does make a difference to fuel economy. Your tank of petrol will go further and you'll decrease your CO2 emissions.

2. Plan ahead

Whenever possible you should plan out your trip to avoid busy routes at the busiest time of day. The less time you spend queuing, the less fuel you waste.

3. Cruise along

Take your time when you drive, leave a little bit earlier and go a bit slower. Accelerating and decelerating smoothly also reduces fuel consumption.

4. Boot it out

Sounds obvious but emptying your boot and removing things like you roof rack while not in use will help your fuel consumption.

5. Run it down

Fuel economy-wise it’s much better to run your tank right down before you fill up as fuel evaporates when you remove the petrol cap.

5 ways to save money at home:

1. Shop online

Reduce the temptation of buying more than you need by doing your grocery shopping online. Sites like Pricerunner help you compare supermarket prices for the big items.

2. Do DIY

There are lots of day courses available to arm you with the necessary skills to complete all those little DIY projects around your home. It could save you a tidy sum in the long run.

3. Sell your clutter

If you’ve got things lying round the house that could be of use to others, why not sell them? A car-boot sale is a good way to earn a bit of extra cash and de-clutter your home. eBay also allows you to sell goods for a small commission.

4. Cut fuel bills

The domestic fuel market is a competitive one, so shop around. You can change supplier with a few clicks of the mouse, they’ll take care of the arrangements and you’ll pay less each month.

5. Get a water meter


Everyone uses different amounts of water but unless you have a meter you’ll pay a set rate based on the rateable value of your property. If you have a big home with few occupants or you’re out at work all day then it might be worth your while to have a water meter installed. You could halve your annual bill.

1. Start by scouting opinions

Before you do anything, get some advice from the experts. A quick look at the customer reviews on honestjohn.co.uk or whatcar.co.uk will give you a good idea of what to look out for. In particular What Car? offers a useful insight into how much you should expect to pay once you get to the showroom.

2. Never pay full price

Get it clear in your mind: paying full price is not an option. Start with whatcar.co.uk's target price then make it your mission to reduce it. Discounts of between 5% and 15% are perfectly realistic, in fact you may even achieve more if you're shopping during a car dealer's quieter months.

3. Try this savvy saving trick

There are big savings to be had opting for an end of the line model, rather than a completely new one. Any model that is about to be replaced by an upgraded version is likely to cost you significantly less. Look out for car dealer's courtesy cars too. They are often in excellent condition, come packed with features and have as little as 2000 miles on the clock – good as new.

4. Need finance? Consider ALL your options

Unless you have a sizeable bundle of cash knocking about, you'll need a loan to finance your new car. Your dealer will sometimes try to tempt you with a 0% interest offer, but be wary. You can often find much better deals outside of the showroom. Remember that this deal is a big commitment, so give yourself plenty of time to shop around.

5. Buying online? Bear this in mind…

If you know the exact model you want, you might want to consider buying online. You'll often enjoy big savings if you do it this way. A word of warning however: buying a car blind is not without its risks. You should question your online dealer just as thoroughly as you would in the showroom. Make sure you find out how long it will take to arrive, if there are costs involved in delivering it, and especially, can you return it if you change your mind.

6. Consider a car servicing package

Servicing packages are often available from manufacturers and dealers, and are well worth considering. Essentially you pay upfront for the next few years of services, often at a more favourable rate. It's a good way to keep your car ticking over and save yourself some cash in the long run.

7. Make sure you're properly insured

Once you've got your wheels, you'll want to make sure you're properly covered. Save yourself some time and money by giving us a call for a quote or get a quote online. We'll search the UK's leading Car Insurers to find you our cheapest Car Insurance quote in minutes.

Borrow before Buy

If you're thinking of repainting the hall ceiling or tackling the unruly privet in the front garden, don't run out to the local DIY store to get kitted out, see if your neighbours can help first. Big items such as hedge trimmers or ladders are expensive, so ask if you can borrow before you considering buying.

Just a Façade

If your kitchen cupboards are looking tired, remember you don't have to go all out and buy a brand new kitchen. You can freshen up your kitchen units easily with a brand new lick of paint. There are plenty of products on the market designed specifi cally for the job, they bond to melamine, wood, MDF, wood veneer and acrylic surfaces. Get tips on how to do it here. If paint simply won't do, consider changing the doors, rather than ripping all the units out and starting again. Same goes for fitted wardrobes too.

On the Tiles

You can inject a bit of life into the old, outdated ceramic tiles in your bathroom or kitchen simply by painting them. It can also save an absolute fortune when you compare it to getting a builder in and paying for new tiles. There is a knack to it though, so make sure you read up first. This article from helpwithdiy.com talks you through the process.

Greenfingers

The change of season starts us thinking about the garden, and all of us who have visted a garden centre know it can cost a small fortune. The key is to start small. If next door have got a prized azalea that you've always coveted, instead of paying through the nose, why not ask for a cutting? Seeds are also a very economical way of bringing some colour to your garden and can be picked up cheaply in pound stores on the high street.

When it comes to getting tooled up, avoid DIY stores and garden centres if you want to save some money. Instead, if you can't borrow, buy secondhand. Car boots are a treasure trove for old gardening equipment and many sellers also offer seedlings of plants and vegetables for much less than you'd pay in the stores.

Come up smelling of roses

To give your garden an extra boost of nutrition, why don't you make your own compost? Take your garden and kitchen waste, including tea bags, uncooked fruit and vegetable peelings, cardboard and paper towels and simply pop it all in a composting bin. www.homecomposting.org.uk has lots of useful tips and information on how to get started, including how to make your own low-cost composting bin.

Don't forget to check your home insurance policy before starting any big DIY jobs. If you have a history of DIY disasters, might be worth taking out accidental damage cover before you start, just in case of any minor mishaps!

Read on to see how you can make some money from your unwantables, swap them for something better, even get stuff for free!

SELL IT!

By the time Boxing comes around, roughly half a million people will have started putting their unloved pressies on eBay. And actually, it's quite a canny thing to do when you think about it. You can take that dud gift you don't know what to do with (digital photo frames, foot spas and smoothie makers spring to mind), and replace it with something you do – cold, hard cash.

You have to set up an eBay account first, but this is fairly simple to do. You must pay a small fee to list your item too, unless your starting price is 99p or under, though eBay runs fee-free weekends now and again and these are good opportunities to list several things at once.

If your sale is successful you'll pay 10% of the sale price in commission. It's a good idea to factor in your postage costs as well, to make sure you earn as much as possible from your sale.

If selling online is not your thing, you could try the more traditional method and hold a car boot sale. This could be the perfect solution if you've accumulated quite a pile of unwanted gifts over the years. As a general rule, you should expect to pay about £10 to set up a pitch at a car boot sale. Be prepared to get up early in the morning though! For more info, check out carbootjunction.com to find your nearest sale.

SWAP IT!

Another option might be to swap your gifts for something you actually want. So why not hold a gift-swapping party? Invite your mates over and ask them to bring anything they want to swap. It's a great way to get together in January when money is a bit tight and you never know, you could end up trading that jumper you can't stand with someone who absolutely loves it!

You can do the swap thing online too. Try freebeauty.tv for unwanted beauty gifts or giftcardconverter.co.uk for the giftcards you can't see yourself using. Alternatively, try Freecycle, a website that lets you trade stuff with people in your area. All you have to do is sign up, and post a message detailing what you're looking for and what you've got to offer. No money ever changes hands and there are no postage costs either, as everything offered must be picked up direct.

SWISH IT!

Swishing parties are for all those ladies out there who have wardrobes full of stuff they don't wear. They're a sort of impulse-buy amnesty, an opportunity to rid yourself of those "I'll never wear it, but don't have the heart to throw it out" garments, and swap them for ones you actually will. You might bring one sweater and take two pairs of shoes, or hang a party frock on the ‘Swishing Rail' and take a pair of skinny jeans and feather boa.

There are 5 simple rules to running a swishing party.

• You must bring at least one item of quality clothing
• You have half an hour before the swish opens
• No item can be claimed before the swish opens
• Once the swish is open, you can take what you want
• No scratching, spitting or fighting!

You can find out more at swishing.com

1. Bake-off the blues:

Britain's gone baking crazy following the success of ‘The Great British Bake Off' on telly. Rise to the challenge yourself and give it a go…it's a brilliant way to create irresistible treats like cupcakes and pastries for the family without watching your cash go up in smoke. Plus, you'll probably be able to find all the ingredients required lurking at the back of your kitchen cupboards.

2. Visit a museum:

Museums nowadays have become exciting, interactive experiences that are not only educational but also loads of fun. Even better, entrance is now free at many of them. So whether you want to learn more about history or your local area, find your nearest museums here.

3. It's great outdoors:

Even though the January's temperature is traditionally on the chilly side, it's still a great time of year to enjoy a bracing country walk and blow some of those Christmas cobwebs away. Plan your country walk with a little help from the Ramblers' Association here.

4. Learn something new:

Adult education centres offer a wide range of courses covering subjects from flower arranging to basic maths and software skills. Make the most of the long nights and expand your mind in January by checking out your nearest ones here.

5. Get fit!

Christmas over indulgence taken its toll on your waistline? Then look out for the tempting offers that many gyms provide at this time of year and restore your toned pre-Christmas physique. Or why not pick up some discounted fitness DVD's in the January sales and work out in the comfort of your own home in your spare time. Even better why not check out our tips for ten ways to get fit for free.

Dispel those draughts

Once you've warmed up your house, it's important to try keep the heat in – after all, the more often you have to turn the heating on, the bigger the bill. Make sure no chilly breezes sneak in by filling any gaps around doors with a draught excluder and windows with draught proofing strips..

Insulate and insulate again

Not only will insulating your home keep you warm and toasty, it could cut your energy bills too. Consider the following:

• Cavity wall insulation to avoid losing heat through your walls.
• Draught proofing so cold air doesn't creep in through doors or out through windows.
• Floor insulation – make sure gaps in the floorboards are filled.
• Loft insulation – heat rises so keep it in by lining your loft space.
• Water tank insulation – treat your tank to a winter coat.

The Energy Saving Trust estimate that loft insulation alone could reduce energy loss by 25% and help you save £175 per year on your heating bills*. Many councils and energy providers offer subsidised loft and cavity wall insulation, considering the savings that can be made it's well worth looking into.

Prevent burst pipes

If there's one thing guaranteed to put a dampener on things it's a burst pipe, and the damage it can cause can be extremely costly. To make sure you're prepared, it's worth inspecting and insulating your pipes and taps now, and looking out for any leaks that could get worse. Also, get familiar with where your stopcock is – so you can switch off the water should the worst happen.

Service your boiler

Get your boiler serviced by a professional to make sure everything is in good working order to avoid being left in the cold this winter. If there was a problem, emergency call out charges can be high and, because engineers are extremely busy this time of year, you may struggle to get help straight away.

Avoid domestic disasters

If your heating packs up or your electricity fails, you want to know that the problem will be taken care of as quickly and efficiently as possible – and that you won't have to pay through the nose for it. Swinton's Home Emergency Protection guarantees a qualified tradesman will be with you within 24 hours – for just £4.99 a month.

* £175 annual saving on your heating bill and a 25% reduction in heat loss - Source: Energy Savings Trust Nov 2011 (Estimated figures based on insulating a gas-heated, semi-detached home with three bedrooms).

DIY gifts

If your knitting isn't good enough to create a suite of Christmas jumpers for all the family, there are plenty of other options available to you – all you need some imagination and a bit of time. There are lots of advantages to investing in making your own pressies – you save a bit of cash on your Christmas bill and the lucky recipient gets a well-thought out, personal gift from you.

For the crafty types amongst you the possibilities are endless. As well as the obvious things like homemade Christmas cards and stockings, the web is full of crafty Christmas inspiration. If you're not that way inclined, don't worry, you just need to think outside the Christmas box. How about compiling and designing your very own Christmas CD, a bit like we did with mix tapes back in the day? Purchase the tracks that have set your friends' or family members' toes tapping this year and hand-draw your own CD cover.

Edible Christmas

Giving a food hamper can be a cost-effective way to cater for a whole family in one go. You don't have to go out and buy it all either, it's quite easy to make your own cookies, sweets, cakes, jams and chutneys with a little bit of careful preparation and plenty of help from the internet. Bottles of sloe gin or mulled wine are also good, cheap-to-make options and by adding the finishing touches with some personalised labels, your pressies will have an extra special feel.

Make your own decorations

There's no need to spend a fortune on baubles, making your own decorations is easy plus it's a great activity that the whole family can get involved in. Making your own Christmas wreath is one option, all you have to do is gather some bundles of twigs from your garden and weave them together to form a basic ring, use some garden string or raffia to bind the twigs. Then add sprigs of conifer, holly and any other decorations you choose. Salt dough decorations are not only extremely easy and fun to make, but they can be decorated to look really dazzling. Don't believe us? Just have a look at makeitandmendit.com.

A cracking idea

You can save a few quid by making your own crackers. Start saving up your empty loo rolls and invest in some crepe paper. The cracker ‘snaps' can be bought separately and the gifts don't have to cost a penny – for close family they could take the form of vouchers or coupons offered by different family members e.g. 10 free car washes, one foot massage, etc. A nice way to get everyone involved.

With rising utility bills, soaring food prices and increased transport costs many households are finding staying within a monthly budget and more difficult. However, there are ways to save money for the festive season if you know how... here are 5 tips to help.

1. Make do and mend:

When winter comes around, many of us rush out to buy ourselves this season's winter coat, boots and woolies. Ask yourself is it really a necessity? A trip to a local cobblers or dry cleaners can restore items to their former glory and save you a lot of money in the process. Knitting has made a resurgence in recent years, and there are plenty of local groups available where you can socialise and make your woolies for far less. Of course, homemade knits make great Christmas presents too.

2. Shop smart for Santa:

If you've got a lot of people to buy for starting early is key to budgeting efficiently for Christmas. Ideally from autumn, buy a present a week to reduce a massive outlay in December. Alternatively, if it's too late to budget properly this year, you've still got time to sell any unwanted items you've got at home, at car boot sales or on eBay… every penny counts after all. And while you're in the mood to get organised, why not set up a standing order putting £10 per week into a savings account to go towards 2013's Christmas expenses?

3. Enjoy your home comforts:

The days are shorter, the nights are longer and it's absolutely freezing outside. So make staying in the new going out. Instead of braving the elements heading into town for a few drinks, why not invite your friends and family round, cook up a hearty (and frugal) meal and enjoy an evening in front of this year's talent TV shows? You'll be surprised how much cash you could save without expensive bar prices and taxis home.

4. Plan your Christmas meals:

Trolleys piled high with enough grub to feed the five thousand are still familiar sights in the supermarkets, just before Christmas. But it's easy to avoid. Start by making a plan of the days when you'll be eating out and when you'll be visiting friends or relatives. You'll probably find you don't need to spend nearly as much as you'd think. And remember, turkey is a big bird, so make sure you have some good recipes in mind for the leftovers.

5. Make sure you're covered:

It might sound strange but paying out a little extra now can save you serious cash in the long-term. Having home emergency insurance could prevent you having to stump up hundreds of pounds if your central heating packs up or your pipes burst during the freezing winter months. Insurance policies like this often guarantee a tradesmen will be with you quickly, so you won't have to do any ringing round yourself.

Swinton is currently offering 3 months free Home Emergency Insurance. Find out more here.

And while that means cosying up besides the fire when you're inside, going outside is a different story altogether – especially if you're planning on driving. Cold, wet, wintry weather can be a bit of a shock to your car's system. But with a little preparation you can keep yourself safe, sound and secure on the roads when the cold front comes. Take a look at our tips below.

Top-up your antifreeze

Always check the antifreeze levels in your vehicle. You'll need to up the strength of your antifreeze in winter time too – a 50:50 ratio of water to antifreeze should do it.

Look into visibility

Bad weather almost certainly means poor visibility. So double-check that the bulbs in your car lights are working properly – especially the hazard lights – and make sure you know where your fog lights are. Check your wiper blades too by lifting them up off the windscreen. If they're torn at the end or have started to pit in the middle, get them changed. Always make sure you keep some windscreen washer fluid in your vehicle at all times.

Guard against grit

You may not be aware of this, but the grit that's used on icy roads can actually damage your car's paint. One way of avoiding this is to give your car a rinse after each drive. But to save yourself spending even more time out in the cold, consider giving it a really deep clean and a brand new coat of wax.

Check your oil

Checking your oil level is really important. If it drops too low it can do some pretty nasty damage to your engine. Locate the dipstick and then pull it out. You'll see two markings on the dipstick. The oil level should be closest to the one at the top. If it's not, simply remove the oil tank lid and top up with more oil.

Prepare for an emergency

It's a good idea to prepare for all eventualities, so consider putting together an emergency equipment kit – especially in your travelling long distances in winter. Include some jump leads, a torch and spare batteries, a first aid kit, blankets, food and water, a spade in case you need to dig yourself out, and finally, a mobile phone.

Take care of your tyres

In icy conditions you want to maximise the amount of traction, so check you've got plenty of tread – at least 3mm ideally - on your tyres and that there are no bald patches or bulges. If they're worn in any way, get them replaced. Consider specialists cold weather tyres which provide better grip and reduced breaking distances in bad weather. Also, make sure your tyres are pumped up to the correct pressure – you'll be able to find this info in your car's handbook – as this will lower the chances of you skidding. The same applies to your spare tyre. Make sure it has plenty of air in it, and brush up on the skills you need to fit it – like how to use your jack and lug wrench.

Drive with safety in mind

Stopping distances are ten times longer in ice and snow.* Pulling away is easier in second gear, though you need ease your foot off the clutch gently to prevent your wheels from spinning. Most importantly, ensure that your car is properly protected with adequate Breakdown Insurance so that should the worse happen you know you'll be covered.

However, there are some simple ways you can reduce your bills and save money. Read our handy tips to help ensure your home and budget is prepared for the chilly months ahead.

Block your draughts

An easy way to stop heat escaping from your house is by filling in any gaps around window and doorframes, or places where pipework passes through an external wall. It can be done easily with expanding foam fillers or draught excluder strips that you can get at your local DIY store. After dusk make sure you keep your curtains closed too to stop heat escaping.

How high is too high on the thermostat?

Did you know that your heating costs go up by 8% each time you increase the temperature by one degree? If possible, try to keep your thermostat at 19ºC. Pop a jumper on and block draughts to reduce the need to increase the temperature.

Get tips from energy experts

The Energy Saving Trust offer a free home energy check on their website plus there's loads of great suggestions on how you can be more efficient and save money on your fuel bills. Visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.

Don't overuse extractor fans

Are you guilty of leaving your bathroom or kitchen extractor fan on longer than necessary? Well don't! They are burning precious energy and costing you money.

Get insulating!

It sounds obvious but energy providers estimate that you can lose up to one third of the heat in your home through poor insulation, which could add up to 25% on to your fuel bill! Many local authorities and energy providers have subsidised home insulation schemes. Check with yours for details of schemes in your area.

Do you have electric heaters?

Electric heaters, particularly portable ones, are much more expensive than gas heaters to run. If you live in a property that doesn't have the option of gas heating, you should consider installing storage heaters and switching to an Economy 7 tariff.

It's economical to use Economy 7

It's called Economy 7 because you get cheaper electricity for 7 hours during the night. By using storage heaters you can store up heat during the night when it's cheaper, and release it during the day – a bit like peak and off-peak phone calls. If you can make Economy 7 fit your lifestyle it can be a great way to save money on your heating bills.

To ensure your home is prepared for winter; don't forget to insure it against burst pipes or boiler breakdowns. Our Home Emergency Insurance starts from just £4.99 per month.

You could start by selling stuff on the internet…

According to some recent research, us Brits are a bit like magpies: compulsive hoarders with over £50 billion worth of unwanted items hidden away in our lofts, sheds and spare rooms.

Just think, you could earn yourself some extra cash by selling your “forgotten-abouts” online. It's easy to do… here are our top tips to get you started.

eBay

• Start by selling low-value items, like clothes and shoes. That way you can collect lots of good feedback quickly and build buyer confidence. This is important whenselling more expensive items.
• Take as many pictures as you can and be sure to give an accurate, honest description of what you're offering.
• Pricing is important too. Research how much similar items are going so you have a good idea about price.

Amazon

• It's a great place to sell unwanted books and music. Most CDs and books will already be listed, so you probably won't need to add a photo – a short description and price will suffice.

Sell Direct

• If you have plenty of items to sell, it might be worthwhile setting up your own website. Websites cost very little to set up and could provide a nice supplementary income.

Cashing In

• Lots of us have old mobile phones sitting in drawers at home. You could trade them in for cash – try websites such as mazumamobile.com to see how much you'd get for yours.
• Sell your old CDs, DVDs and games and earn a few bob via sites such as musicmagpie.co.uk.

Swap

• There a quite a few sites like swapshop.co.uk where you can swap old goods for other things you like, from a garden gnome to a new car!

Car Boot

• If your attic is still full of stuff you can't shift online, try a good old fashioned car boot sale. There are hundreds of them taking place every weekend across the UK. Try carbootsales.org to find one near you.

So to make it easier for you, we've put together 10 great tips for activities that the whole family will enjoy – and best of all it will cost you under £50 for a family of four.

1. Ocean Drifters, National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth, Devon

The National Marine Aquarium has the largest collection of jellyfish in the UK plus every kind of marine life from sharks to seahorses and turtles.

Adult £11, child £6.50

national-aquarium.co.uk

2. Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport, Hampshire

You can get aboard a real submarine and play pirate at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum.

Adult £9, child £6

rnsubmus.co.uk

3. Monkey Forest, Trentham Gardens, Stoke on Trent

Monkey Forest is set in 60 acres of beautiful Staffordshire woodland, a unique opportunity to wander amongst 140 free-roaming barbary macaques.

Adult £7, child £5

trentham-monkey-forest.com

4.Punting, Cambridge

Pack a picnic, pile into a punt, gently make your way down the Cam and moor up for a well-deserved family picnic.

Punt hire costs £18 an hour from Scudamores

scudamores.com

5.The Muckleburgh Collection, Norfolk

Budding G.I. Joes will love this military museum with working tanks, Gama Goat personnel carriers to take you on a ride along the coast and an astonishing collection of military paraphernalia.

Adult £6, child £4

muckleburgh.co.uk

6.Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, Manchester

Perfect for a rainy day, there's a 3-D theatre that takes you on a journey on board a spacecraft flying over Mars. Lots of other exhibits to explore too.

Adult £2, child £1, theatre £1 per person per show

jodrellbank.manchester.ac.uk

7.White Scar Cave, Ingleton, North Yorkshire

Visit the longest show cave in Britain and make your way through this underground maze with stalactites and stalagmites.

Adult £7.95, child £4.95

whitescarcave.co.uk

8.Cairnie Fruit Farm and Maze, Cupar, Fife

Pick your own fruit or get lost in the maize maze. You can also race round the go-kart track, bounce on the trampolines, play in the giant sandpit and finish your day in the café for afternoon tea.

Adult £4.75, child £4.25

cairniefruitfarm.co.uk

9.Vikingar, Ayrshire

Five hundred years of Viking history come to life at this coastal resort in Largs, Ayrshire, with costumed storytellers and a film presentation following a Viking family through generations of battle and adventure. There is also a 25m swimming pool and smaller pool for learners.

Adult £4.50, child £3.50

kaleisure.com

10.Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park, Ceredigion

This coastal park is known for its bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises as well as its stunning cliffs and clear water. On the farm you'll also find seal pups, emus, Australian wallabies and Vietnamese piglets.

Adult £3.70, child £2.70

cardiganisland.com

In the time it takes for your toast to pop up do some squats or pelvic floor squeezes.

2. Keep a fitness diary and log your daily exercise and diet, that way you can keep track of your progress. It'll also serve as a reminder of how far you've come.

3. When you're away on your holidays, exercise on a sandy beach for the ultimate high-intensity work out.

4. If you have kids you have a great excuse to get active. Start by revisiting your school days and play games like stuck in the mud, bulldog or tag.

5. Get off the bus, train or tram a stop earlier and walk the remaining distance home.

6. Plan your meals out for the week ahead on Sunday night – that way you'll be less likely to be tempted by the takeaway menu.

7. Look online for fitness videos, you'll find plenty. Alternatively swap exercise DVD's with friends, that way you won't get bored.

8. Get scrubbing! Cleaning your house vigorously can burn up to 50,000 calories a year - that's 14lbs (1 stone) of fat.

9. Signing-up for charity sporting events such as runs and walks is a great way to keep motivated. You can persuade friends to join in, entry is usually free and you could raise a little bit of money for charity and get fitter in the process.

10. Try a bit of indoor mountaineering: avoid the lift, take the stairs instead.

Here are some hints and tips to help you start growing your own, whether you have the space for large vegetable beds or a small balcony.

Start small

May and June are the perfect time to start growing your own vegetables. The warmer weather means that the seeds you plant won't be affected by frost and should sprout and grow easier. If this is your first time growing your own, experiment with a few crops this year to ease you in, add more next year and build up your vegetable garden with your experience!

Which crops are easiest to grow?

Broad beans: They make absolutely delicious soup and are very easy to grow, they are also extremely cheap and can be bought in most garden centres in small packets.

Courgettes: A versatile vegetable but they need quite a bit of room. Also don't forget that if you don't harvest them they become marrows.

Herbs: It's really easy to start a herb garden either in your garden, on your balcony or windowsill, or in hanging baskets. You can buy plants or grow from seeds.

Leeks: They are easy to transplant from seedlings into your garden and taste excellent when young.

Potatoes: They're very easy to grow - all you have to do is to just remember to water them if it's dry.

Radishes: A perfect fast-growing starter crop and great in salads, these can be grown in planters on a balcony.

Runner and French beans: The flowers are pretty and the more you pick, the more beans you get.

Sweetcorn: you can buy small plants or sow seeds and don't forget to pick them when the tassels are brown.

Small gardens, balconies and pots

Pots: Don't worry if you don't have a garden; window sills, balconies, porches and roof terraces can yield great crops if you pick the right vegetables to grow. Rocket, chard, parsley, tomatoes, mint, thyme, basil and chives are all perfect.

Small gardens: You don't need to confine vegetables to a bed. For instance, lettuce can be grown along garden borders, runner beans will grow up trellises and tomatoes will grow well in hanging baskets.

Get help and inspiration from the Royal Horticultural Society

Don't forget you can keep all your plants, tools and garden furniture protected with Home Insurance through Swinton make sure you take advantage of our £30 Cashback deal to save yourself even more money!

From short breaks to days out, there's so much to do and many events are free. Here are a few ideas to help you enjoy the best of Britain, for less.

If you're after suggestions for family days out in the UK, this is one of the best sites dayoutwiththekids.co.uk. Simply choose the area you want to browse, whether you're after indoor or outdoor activities and the age of your kids. Hey presto, lots of fun ideas will appear before your eyes. Not just paid for attractions like theme parks, but free child-friendly museums and lots of 'kids go free' offer links.

Fancy a long weekend away? Looking to escape 'that infamous wedding'? Head here holidaylettings.co.uk to check out the last minute deals on holiday homes across the British Isles and Ireland. Better still, you get to book direct with the owners, which could save you £££s.

Live anywhere near Yorkshire or the Northwest? Check out Cannon Hall Farm cannonhallfarm.co.uk. There's a whole menagerie of events going on in April, including Easter activities and a Great Egg Hunt. It sounds like an eggs-cellent venue to visit if you have kids. They've got some very cute piglets too.

Wake up to the sound of birdsong… go swimming before breakfast in the clear water of a secluded lake… cook your bacon and eggs over an open fire while you plan your day… all from the peace and quiet of your own personal tipi. If you fancy getting away from it all and glamping, it's Cornish Tipi Holidays' 15 year anniversary cornishtipiholidays.co.uk – with the added attraction of their special early bird discounts. And there'll be no red, white and blue bunting in sight... Kate and Wills who?

Be a good sport

Finally, there's the Grand National at Aintree on 9th April and the London Marathon on the 17th. You could make a day of it by going along or watch them for free on the TV. Either way you can still enter into the spirit of these traditional British events.

Ready, set, go!

Don't forget that even when you are travelling in the UK, it's always a good idea to make sure your luggage, health and cost of your trip is protected with Annual Travel Insurance. And for just £11.25, you can also get single trip insurance through Swinton.

If you're packing the family into the car and heading off to explore our beautiful country, avoid any unplanned stops with Breakdown Cover, available now with 3 MONTHS FREE!