Be smart with your money and get the most from your degree

Posted by admin on May 5, 2012 in Personal Finance | 0 comments

Saving money as student has never been easy – the penniless student is not just a stereotype – but with tuition fees as they are it is harder than ever to maintain that financial balance between studying and living.

A degree still represents a good investment in your future, with a strong undergraduate degree likely to result in a lifetime of higher earnings than those who do not go to university – £12,000 per year in fact, according to official data. But in the short-term, it is useful to take on board some ideas about how you can make your income stretch further.

There is plenty of free advice out there, and while you should start with a realistic budget and stick to it as best you can, the really money savings come from knowing where to get the things you need cheaper. For example, many insurers will offer a student service that protects your personal possessions as part of your parents’ existing policy. Choose a specialist student banking account and always shop around for deals on utilities, phone contracts and internet packages.

As for the daily necessities, club together with friends to shop collectively, it will allow you take advantage of the big discounts that are available from buying in bulk. The same principle can be made when it comes to buying books; speak to course colleagues, divide up the reading list and pool your resources. When you live on such a tight budget, a few small savings can make a big difference!

How tiles can refresh your bathroom on the cheap

Posted by admin on Apr 16, 2012 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

If you’re thinking about giving you bathroom a fresh look, but a full-on refit is a bit out of your price range, then there are ways that you can give the room a lift on a budget.

When it comes to bathrooms, the expensive items are the fittings, such as baths, showers, sinks and toilet units. But tiles are relatively cheap, especially if you shop online. Re-tiling can be daunting but it’s not as much work as it seems, and can be a great way to freshen up the room.

If you’re just replacing the tiles, however, you need to make sure that the new style fits in with your existing fittings. In this respect you can’t go wrong with white, and these examples give that classic, fresh look with a twist. They use patterned designs by William De Morgan, one of the most original designers of the Arts and Crafts Movement, and have been developed with input from the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Once you’ve added those new tiles, you can spruce up your bathroom further with the addition of a few ornaments to match your new tiles, or maybe even this eye-catching bath toy for splashing around in the tub.

Choose wide-leg trousers for a versatile look on a budget

Posted by admin on Apr 16, 2012 in Fashion | 0 comments

If you’re looking to refresh your wardrobe this summer but are having to be a bit more frugal than normal, selecting versatile items is a great way to keep costs down. A good pair of black trousers should be a staple of any wardrobe, because the right pair can be your most reliable item of clothing.

Take this pair of David Emanuel chiffon trousers. Light and stylish, they are perfect for a night out in the summer, while also being smart enough for work. What’s more, Company Magazine has identified the wide leg as one of its big trends for this spring.

The wide leg is also ideal for plus-size ladies who want to flatter those curves, but there a few tips that should be followed if you want to make the look work. Firstly, choose the right style. Taller ladies can afford to go extra-wide, whereas pear-shaped figures should be complemented by a pair that flare below the knee.

Dark colours will help to flatter the figure, so look for chocolate browns and indigos as well as black. Using heels is a good way to avoid overwhelming the frame, and remember to choose a belt that defines the waistline. With these simple pointers, you’ll have the basis for a number of versatile looks.

How to save money on eyecare

Posted by admin on Mar 24, 2012 in Health | 0 comments

Looking after your eyes is always important and becomes more so as you get older. However, this doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of money on your treatments – with wise planning, you can get great eyecare without it hurting your finances. First of all, don’t assume that big-name chains are the cheapest or best way to go – by shopping around, and particularly comparing prices online, you can almost always find a cheaper deal than the one you’ve already got. This applies to opticians’ appointments, glasses and contact lenses: there are always savings to be found!

If you wear contact lenses, try to go for monthlies rather than dailies unless you specifically need to wear them. Cleaning your contacts might be a chore, but it’s much less expensive than buying disposables. Alternatively, if you wear glasses, you can save cash by keeping your old frames when you get a new prescription lenses.

It’s also a good idea to consider whether laser eye surgery could add up to big savings over your lifetime. Providers like Ultralase will help you to work out how much you are currently paying for glasses and contacts, and offer a payment plan to help you spread the cost of the procedure.

Popular caravan site to extend its seasons

Posted by admin on Mar 20, 2012 in Travel | 0 comments

Demand for pitching space by keen caravanners in the UK has led to a major development in one of the most popular sites in the UK, according to recent reports. That’s because it was revealed that customers with companies such as www.simplecaravaninsurance.co.uk are heading to Southwold Camping and Caravan Park in ever-greater numbers as they look to save money and enjoy the great British outdoors.

The council-run site sits on one of the most picturesque locations in Suffolk and overlooks Southwold Denes Beach, just a stone’s throw away from the historic Southwold Harbour. By undertaking the measure to extend its operations by a further two months, the council could stand to earn an extra £46,800 per year.

While it’s currently open for seven months a year, Waveney District Council is hoping to expand this arrangement to nine months in 2013. If the application is successful, the council could stand to take an extra £181,900 over the next five years.

The application would require the park to fulfil a £15,000 investment that would add 20 further electrical hook-ups, boosting pitch fees among touring caravan enthusiasts. Another £3,700 would be spent on boosting the organisation’s website should the move get the go-ahead.