Lifestyle Blogger
If you’re starting out or thinking about a career pivot or just wanting a wage‑earning route into finance without university debt, Simply Academy’s latest insights could be right on the money. Their article “How to Find Your Finance Fit” breaks down how apprenticeships, especially in finance, can offer a powerful and practical alternative to a pricey uni degree. Read it here!
In collaboration with Archimedia Accounts
At Archimedia Accounts, we specialise in helping people and businesses make the most of their money, legally and safely, so they can enjoy life without financial stress.
When it comes to money, many of us feel stuck between two extremes – either you’re saving every penny and missing out on life, or you’re enjoying yourself but feeling guilty about not saving enough.
In the age of social media in 2023, platforms like TikTok have become influential channels for sharing and discussing popular trends and preferences. TikTok has shed light on various aspects of life, including relationships and dating. Recently, TikTok users have started sharing their thoughts on what they find attractive about men when they are behind the wheel. From subtle gestures to confident manoeuvres, these behaviours have garnered attention and sparked conversations. In this article, we will delve into some of the most commonly mentioned attractive traits according to TikTok.
Tuesday
Savings done to his morning from payday. Paying almost the last little bit into my Lifetime ISA for the year, some Christmas savings for this year and some easy-access savings that I pop away sporadically.
I’m in the office today and as we’re not in often we don’t have loads of milk and supplies in our kitchen anymore and it’s nice to support the cafe that we have as it’s an independently owned business. Pop down and grab a coffee at work for £2.
There’s also a meal deal, PoundBakery and ‘To Go’ area at front with a Costa Express, perfect for jumping off the ring road for some purse-friendly snacks on a road trip. Or, if you’re shopping around the retail park at Boots, B&Q and the other essential places there’s fresh and frozen food aisles, the classic snack sections from Poundland and beer, wine and spirits.
The Pep&Co fashion section is great for families on a budget and had a tonne of stuff for the whole family. There’s styled mannequins in store so that you can get lots of outfit inspiration – this is a first for a Poundland or Pep&Co store. They had some very cute, easy to wear trend led piece like shackets and big collared tops.
Photo: Professional Images/@ProfImages
As well as fashion there’s Pep&Co home which is packed full of cute storage solutions, real and faux plants, loads of great kids toys, arts and crafts, car cleaning stuff, home cleaning products perfect for Hinch Hauls and don’t worry, there’s trolleys and wheely baskets, perfect if you get carried away like me! There’s also loads of extended ranges like greetings cards and wrapping paper – it’s literally a one stop shop for when you need a gift for anyone in your life, it’s actually the perfect Secret Santa shopping location.
Photo: Professional Images/@ProfImages
Seasonal gifting and decoration is also a Poundland speciality, there were lots of Mother’s Day gifts, chocolates and goodies, Easter eggs and treats and lots of Easter and spring time home decor items. Poundland will be perfect for Halloween, BBQ season and definitely Christmas! Finally, another fab thing about this opening is that it’s provided 75 new jobs in the South Notts area. Let me know if you pop down. Check out my Reels on Instagram for more…
https://www.instagram.com/p/CaKkgT6sgrX/
January isn’t everyone’s favourite month. The first ‘normal’ month following Christmas isn’t ever going to be a winner is it? We can put up with the cold in December cos, festive. But, January? No thanks. Getting through January and wishing our way into spring is all about forgetting it’s the first month of the year, not thinking about fad diets, just chilling out and giving ourselves a little self care.
Here are four of my current self care favourites alongside the classics of eating well, drinking water, yoga and a hot bath.
1. Aromatherapy & Essential Oils
Good smells are so underrated. I love when my house smells great, I love to use products in my skincare routine and throughout the day that smell great and essential oils are perfect for this.Tisserand is an essential oil-led wellbeing company based in West Sussex. Who’s aim is to help improve health, wellbeing and lifestyle naturally with quality ingredients and affordable prices.
They’ve recently launched their new Nature Spa Bath and Body collection in a range of blends, each containing our pure organic essential oils which includes Mandarin & May Chang Uplifting Hand and Body Soap* and Mandarin & May Chang Uplifting Hand Cream*.
Step into Nature’s Spa and embrace uplifting aromas as you deeply nourish hands and nails. An easily absorbed, essential oil-rich cream with moisturising Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E-rich Sunflower Seed Oil to help condition the skin and nails, leaving hands feeling refreshed and smooth.
This post has been written and provided by An Post Insurance.
AD – Gifted Products
From the Smokehouse to Your House….
One of the county’s biggest foodie success stories, Hickory’s Smokehouse, has ramped up its national Hickory’s At Home range for the festive season to include a whole host of Southern inspired gifting ideas.
From full on seasonal BBQ feasts, already to heat and eat at home to a fabulously festive range of gifting ideas which are perfect for foodie friends, BBQ fanatics and cocktail connoisseurs!
Knowing your budget is the first place to start when it comes to trying to save any money. You need to know how much money you *can* save first. Simply jot down all your incomings and then take away all of your definite bills and you’ve got your disposable income that you can save, spend and invest.
I’ve got a really handy budgeting spreadsheet that I use and I’ve created a template of, with all the formulas in ready for you for you to create your own copy of and input your budget. I use the zero-budget method which means allocating every penny of your income to something. Whether that’s creating little pots for occasions that you know you need to spend on that month such as ‘TV License’ or ‘Mum’s birthday’ or even, suitable for this month, ‘Halloween costumes’. This way, you never end up wondering “where’s all my money gone?”.
By planning out your budget for the next two months and not wasting anything, I’m sure you can pop an extra £50, £100 or even more away into a pot for Christmas treats, last minute gifts or entertaining.
Check out some of my money diaries if you’re feeling nosey about my spending!
If you’ve got a spare half an hour after you’ve completed your budget above, look into what bills and outgoings you could potentially bring down. Could you shave £10 a week from your groceries bill, negotiate a different contract for your phone bill or cancel a TV subscription you’re not really using at the moment? You might even be able to save money with cheap broadband deals but it’s probably not a great time to try and switch your energy supplier so get the hot water bottles out!
November is a great time to start making a list of things you’ll need to buy for Christmas and picking things up as you see them, to spread the cost, or shopping around for the best deals. Make a list for presents, extra bits like any decorations, jumpers or cards and a separate list for your food and drinks.
Then, you’re in the perfect place to start shopping about. Try eBay, charity shops and Depop for second hand Christmas jumpers for the whole family (I’ve got a second hand haul coming up for you very soon, actually!), scour the reduced sections for party food you can pop in the freezer for that Boxing Day spread and make sure you’ve got your gift list handy when the Black Friday deals roll around. This way you know you’re buying things that you need and you can try and get them for less, too. I’m always on the look out for yellow-sticker sausage rolls on the lead up to Christmas – stock up the freezer for less and your December 25th food bill will thank you.
There’s a few reminders for little money saving hacks and tricks that we can all forget about from time to time (myself included!). Hope they help! Let me know your favourite money saving tips in the comments.
1. Cosy in the City
I’m sure this one’s already on everyone’s list of activities to do as travel restrictions are opening up. Visiting new cities, exploring their museums, art galleries, having tasty coffees and artisan sandwiches – I’ve just explained one of my favourite weekend activities whilst seeking out new cities. Check out our recent adventures in Shoreditch and my most recent London food diary. I love to create Reels of these adventures on my Instagram.
On my list to visit are definitely Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow and anywhere in Cornwall – there’s lots on my to-see list in terms of city breaks. Other cosy cities that I really love that we have visited are places like Krakow and Berlin (seriously good for brunch).
2. Sporting Goods
Heading to a sports game can be such a fun and different thing to do as a couple. Something such as the Autumn Internationals could be an amazing day out. Exciting sport, a few drinks, heading out for some dinner after the match – what could be better? We’ve recently been to rugby union matches and I can often attend ice hockey matches with my current job which make really fun and different nights out.
Lots of sports venues now have great indoor spaces, bars and dining plus half-time drinks and a place to warm up in between the action.
3. Get skilled
A really fun date for either an early date or when you’ve been with your partner for a while in the depths of autumn could be to learn a new skill together. How about pie-making, beer-tasting or even pumpkin picking with some flower arranging? Learning something creative and fun such as wreath making can set you in good stead for the festive season.
There are three ideas to make your autumn weekends even more fun and packed with memory-making activities.
