This year has been tough, with many people having job insecurity and a reduced income. However, there are some things you can do though to save money, so let's have a look at what they are and hopefully you will be able to reduce your outgoings and make your life a little easier.

Food

1. Check out the reduced aisle, usually late in the day for the best reductions. Ask a member of staff when this is for some insider information. 

2. Look for special offers in the supermarket but only buy if you would use them anyway. It can save time if you check the supermarkets' website in advance of special offers. 

3. Try supermarkets own items, rather than branded goods. Some are very good, for example, Morrisons own fresh orange juice is excellent, Tescos bran flakes are very good too. My husband used to be a big brand person but not any more!

4. Shop online with supermarkets. This will help you plan your meals for the week and take advantage of special offers you can see online. It will also stop you buying when you smell the fresh bread being piped through the shop.

5. Sign up to supermarket loyalty cards for vouchers and special offers. Tesco Clubcard is very good, you get points for spend and these convert to vouchers.  Vouchers can be used for food or for things like railcards, theme park tickets and more. 

6. Always make a meal plan for the week ahead if possible and try not to go off this. This can help you avoid waste as you only buy what you need and plan the most cost-effective meals.  

7. Bulk cook for the week ahead. This can save money by meal planning.

8. Invest in a slow cooker. Ok, this is actually spending money but slow cookers use the amount of heat of a lightbulb and make cheaper cuts of meat tender.

9. Grown your own fruit and veg. You can even grow potatoes in a bucket and herbs on a window shelf if you haven't got a garden or allotment.

10. Check out your local market for cheap fruit and veg. Some may reduce prices at the end of the day too.

Household

12. Buy or make an old fashioned draught excluded for doors. Something simple like that can keep your home cosy and keep out the cold.

13, Check out the best broadband deals in your area by using a comparison site. You could also get better download speeds, so its a win-win situation. 

14. Shop around for your utilities.  Always a great way to save money and its usually easy to swap. 

15. Single household? A water meter may save you money. My mum saves loads by using a water meter.  Be sure then to take showers rather than baths, and fix any leaky taps.

16. Make sure you are in the right council tax band. It only takes you 10 minutes to check with your local council. 

17. Cancel direct debits and standing orders you don't need. You may be surprised by how many you don't need. 

18. Look at the costs of remortgaging. This can save you money if you are on a variable rate. A mortgage advisor can help.

19. Check if you are entitled to any energy grants. These grants will help you save money on energy bills and you become more eco-friendly too.

20. Pay off your debts first before you save as this will almost always save you money on any charges.

Kids

21. If you have a baby, the local National Childbirth Trust has nearly new sales, as well as trying other places to buy second hand like Facebook groups, Gumtree, and eBay.

22.  Don't think you have to buy everything new. Some things are fine second hand, check out the usual sites for these. If you have friends that have kids maybe they have baby items they no longer need. Things will need to be thoroughly cleaned, old fabric toys can be hand-washed, plastic toys should be wiped over with antibacterial cleaner. Car Seats and mattresses should be bought new though due to safety. 

23. Two ways to save on nappies are use reusable or supermarket own brands. With reusable you have the initial outlay, then you have to buy liners and of course you have to clean the nappies. 

24. Join clubs for discounts like Boots Baby cCub, Asda and Baby Toddler club, Tescos Baby club, and Bounty. 

25. Make your own baby food and freeze in portions. It's not that hard and saves on jars of baby food.

26. Have a kids birthday? Limit the amount you spend, check out second-hand electronics, Amazon used or open box items, shops like Cash Converters, charity shops, car boot sales, local Facebook groups.

27. Supermarkets have some well-priced clothes these days and are great for school uniform. If you can buy a school badge and sew it on this can save money. 

28. Check out if the school sells old school uniform or will give you school uniforms that haven't been collected at the end of the year. If not put out a request in local groups, you will be surprised how generous people can be.

29. Shop in sales where you can for clothes, especially things that are expensive like shoes and trainers, and if you can, it's worth buy clothes up the next size for future use.

30. Pool together a group of friends or family members that can help with babysitting at no or little cost. Always a good idea to give a gift to say thanks if its a one off.

Luxuries 

32. Do your own pedicure or manicure. Although this will be a small investment at first in nail polish, files and other equipment, it can save on average £20-£30 a time. 

33. If you want a hair cut ask your local barbers, they may do it for you at a cheaper price than at a hairdressers as many are unisex these days.  Alternatively,  get a friend to do it.

34. Check out Groupon for spa breaks, manicures, pedicures, massages and the like.

35. Ban or cut down on takeaway coffees. Instead buy a flask and make drinks to take with you when you are out and about and at work, or get a reusable coffee cup and make a drink to take with you. This can save you an average of £3 a time.

36. Buy your flowers from the supermarket rather than a florist. I've found they often last longer. Remove the label and add a posh bow to make them look more upmarket.

37. Buy expensive items like designer bags and luggage in outlet stores. I have a great Coach bag I bought in an outlet in the US at a third of the price. Macarthur Glen is a local outlet close to me that I get many bargains. 

38. Going on a cruise or to an exclusive party or event? Buy diamond substitutes like CZ or moissanite at a fraction of the price of diamonds, and no one will really know. 

39. Rent a dress. You can rent designer clothes for special occasions and then return it for a much smaller cost than owning the item outright. Great for weddings or a special event.

40. Make your own canapes for entertaining. There are a number of great recipes blogs out there or go old fashioned and buy a recipe book. 

Birthdays

41. Make a cake. If you are not sure how YouTube has some great how-to videos, or crack open a recipe book and go old school.

42. Have a party at home instead of paying for an organised event. This can save a fortune. 

43. Put a budget on the present. It's the thought that counts. 

44. Make a present. From homemade fudge to simple jewellery, to knitting a jumper, a homemade present is always thought of well. 

45. Make your own pinata. This is a decorated figure of an animal containing toys and sweets that is suspended from a height. You then blindfold some kids and they have fun hitting it with a stick until it breaks apart.

46. Combine birthdays with others. This can help cut costs if you have to hire a venue.

47. Get decorations from the local pound store. It's cheaper to buy usually than make yourself these days.

48. Organise cheap or free birthday activities yourself.  It's not hard to draw a donkey for pin the tail on the donkey, play charades, organise a scavenger hunt or write some famous names on paper for Guess Who.

49. Give a voucher for a skill-based gift. Maybe you can offer an afternoon babysitting, an hour walking the dog or something else.

50. Design and create your own birthday invitations. 

Christmas

51. Agree to buy presents just for kids.

52. Put an amount limit on presents, perhaps £10 each to stop you over spending and getting carried away. It will limit expectations and stop people over spending on you too.

53. Buy a chicken instead of a turkey which will less at Christmas,  or take advantage of meat on special offer. Beef can be cheap at this time of the year. 

54. Make a present. You will get the satisfaction of making a gift that a lot of thought has gone into and it could save you money too. Homemade fudge, homemade chutney and homemade Christmas cake are just some ideas. 

55. This one takes a little planning but buying in the January sales for next year can save a load of money.

56. Compare postage delivery services to save money if you have to post gifts at Christmas (and year-round too). Parcel 2 Go is one such site for postage comparison. 

57. Make your own beer or wine for Christmas. There are kits available and if you like the result it can save you in the long run too.

58. Print out free Christmas colouring pages to get the kids in the mood. Many are found online.

59. Make your own Christmas decorations with the kids. This will keep them busy, save on bought decorations and you have a souvenir for years to come.

60. Buy your Christmas food frozen. This will often save you money on buying the ingredients fresh if you on a limited budget and you won't have any waste.

Vacation

61. If you can, go out of high season. This can save you a fortune. Avoid school holidays like the height of the summer, Easter, Spring Break in the US and local holidays to your destination. 

62. Sign up to your favourite hotels' emails or loyalty schemes to keep ahead of special offers and sales. 

63. Shop around for hotels. I use a comparison site like Trivago, check on Expedia and Booking.com then go to the hotels' own site to compare the best prices.

64. Use flight comparison sites like Kayak.com or Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights. Then I recommend booking with the airlines direct as if you book through a third party you may have problems in they go bust. 

65. Take hand luggage on airlines to save money on luggage cost. Many airlines will allow you to take a carry on bag for free which is great for a short break but double-check the terms and conditions first.

66. Look for free or low-cost activities when on holiday. This is especially good for families. Check out the beach, nature reserves and the local parks. Many museums are free in the UK, and often museums have free kids activities to make learning accessible.

67. Save on train tickets by buying in advance, travelling off-peak if you can, and buying a railcard. Alternatively, will the bus be cheaper? Compare prices and weigh up the pros and cons of saving money versus the time it takes to get to your destination. Travelling by a low cost bus service like Megabus can save a fortune too. 

68. Going self-catering can save you money on eating out if you don't mind cooking. If you don't mind more basic accommodation check out hostels.

69. Consider hiring a car abroad vs taxis vs taking the underground or walking. If you are hiring a car for a day it can often be cheaper than a transfer. If you want to take a taxi consider the Uber or Bolt app, if they are available to save money at your destination. If you are thinking of hiring a car using a comparison site like rentagile.com can save you pounds on car hire by finding the best deals. On the underground, a weeks ticket may work out cheaper than daily tickets so compare the costs. Of course, walking is the cheapest of all. 

70. Book your parking in advance. If your accommodation doesn't provide free parking, if you book your parking in advance it could save you money. First, check with the hotel or accommodation provider then check out sites like Just Park in the UK.  Holiday Extras is great for airport parking and will compare different parking options, as well as offering you a discount if you sign up to their emails. 

Eating out

71. Check out restaurant deals and vouchers. For example on Tuesday, Dominos do special offers like buy one pizza get one free. It's always a good idea to sign up to your favourite restaurant's email lists for special offers.  In the US they do many restaurant offers and coupons.

72. Eat out at early times, lunch is almost always cheaper than dinner, pre-theatre meals usually before 7 can be an excellent price.

73. Check if any restaurants in your area allow you to bring your own alcohol. Sometimes they will charge a small corkage charge but it could still save you money. 

74. If you can't finish your meal ask to take the leftovers. Everyone does it in the US, and this can be a free lunch for you the next day.  Just be sure to store and reheat properly, and never reheat rice as it can give you food poisoning. 

75. Don't order alcohol with your meal. Instead have a drink at home before you come out, or a drink at home when you return, or just have soft drinks.

76. Tap water is almost always safe in Europe. Drink tap water unless you are in a destination where it is not advised. 

77. Use loyalty cards for money off and freebies. Greggs, Costa Coffee, and KFC are some such cards.

78. Some places allow you to eat for free on your birthday or give you free starters or desserts. Again, sign up to their emails lists for offers and discounts on your birthday. 

79. Become a mystery diner. Sites such as mysterydiner.net allow you to eat out for free in exchange for feedback. 

80. Learn to recreate your favourite restaurant meals so you can save money at home. There are some great fakeaways recipes online.

Miscellaneous

81. Use cashback sites like Top Cashback and Quidco. I've saved over £1500 with Quidco over the years. 

89. Carshare. If you need to travel to work or even a shopping trip can you car share? This saves money on petrol and parking and it also better for the environment. Of course, offer a contribution towards costs. 

90. Take up comping. Entering competitions can be a great way of winning things you want and need as well as winning presents for other people. Start now for winning presents for next Christmas thus saving you money! This is especially good if you have the time to put it. I used to do this myself and I've won hotel stays, hampers and electronics in the past.

91. Hunt out cheap fuel. Many supermarkets are the cheapest for petrol and diesel and you can also earn supermarket loyalty points which can add up to money off. I particularly like Tescos myself.

92. If you are a health care worker, check if you can sign up for the Blue Light Card which will give you discounts worldwide. If you are a member of a union but don't work in the health service you may have something similar too.

93. Skip the movie theatre food and drink. Have food before you go or buy some to take in with you from a local supermarket. Most places will let you bring in snacks and drinks, just don't flaunt it.

94. Avoid extended warranties. Most of the time they are overpriced. If worried put that amount in a savings account to cover any potential breakdowns.

95. If you like a drink on vacation, check out the Happy Hours. Drinks are usually much cheaper and you may get some great appetisers on special offer too.

96. Check out local ethnic supermarkets. These are great for specialist food at excellent prices. For example, a Chinese supermarket often has the best prices on rice if you are buying in bulk. 

97. Swap with your friends. This can work for DVDs, Blu-Rays, games and even clothes.

98. Check out the local library. This is especially good if you have kids. You can borrow books for free and some have films to hire for a nominal fee. 

99. Check out the baby aisle in the supermarket for cheap wipes, cleansing cream and shampoo. Especially good if you have sensitive skin at a fraction of the price of specialist products.

100. Use your phone as a Sat Nav. This is a great idea as most smartphones have Google maps these days and it saves you buying one or renting one for road trips abroad. You can also download the directions to use offline using free internet service saving mobile data and roaming.

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So this is 100 ways to save money in 2021.  Are there any ideas here you'd have never thought of? Let me know if I've missed something off this list!

Bamboo is a useful material that has many benefits. Hailed as a wonder material it's naturally produced, sustainable and has a number of great properties. There aren't many materials that are as sustainable and eco-friendly as bamboo. So let's have a look at the benefits of bamboo and it's use in modern society. This is an ad.

What is bamboo?

Bamboo is an evergreen perennial flowering plant,  found in Asia, Australia, North and South America and Sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world, taking only a year to grow to size again and being naturally prolific and resilient it's an incredibly useful plant.

Sustainability

Uses

The bamboo shoot is eaten in Asian cuisine and is the main food of the panda bear. In the UK we eat it mainly as an ingredient in stir fry. They are low in fat, low in calories and contain lots of fibre and potassium.

Its wood is used in Asian architecture, furniture and landscaping.  It is naturally bendy so is used for items which need some flexibility like fishing rods. When it goes through the manufacturing process it can become really hard and this is then used for flooring. Bamboo is also used for many uses in the kitchen such as chopping boards, chopsticks and bamboo matting for sushi. 

Another use for bamboo, and perhaps a surprising one is for clothing.

Bamboo clothing has become popular in recent years. 

One of the big effects of the global pandemic is that large weddings worldwide have been postponed. With government restrictions in place for the foreseeable future, it will be a long time before people can enjoy enormous weddings and parties with all their family and friends.

If you have a large family or lots of friends, it can be difficult to choose a few people to invite to your big day. Particularly if you already sent out invites for your original wedding. Most people won't make the cut, so you’ll have to let them down gently. Find out how many people you are allowed and keep it limited to immediate family or your closest friends. If you still can’t decide, you don’t have to invite anyone if you don’t want to. Make your big day as romantic as possible by keeping it to just you and your partner.

Scrap the wedding dress

A wedding dress is an enormous expense, especially considering you’ll only wear it once and very few people will actually see it in the flesh. Consider saving a bit of money by scraping the traditional wedding outfit and arranging your own dress code. Some nice clothing like a smart dress or an upmarket suit will more than suffice and will take the impact off your bank balance. Try Balenciaga clothing for some elegant, high-quality outfits.

Pick an appropriate venue

With a limited guest list, there is no need to hire out a huge church or an extravagant country house. Pick a location that is the right size for your particular marriage. A small venue can make the proceedings feel more intimate and cosy and will save you a lot of money too. Small churches, country pubs, registry offices, or even an outdoor setting can be perfect venues for a micro wedding.

Remember what your wedding is about

If you are the kind of person who has dreamed of a fairytale wedding since you were a child, you may be disappointed that you can’t have the big day you wanted. But the marriage process is not about vast guest lists and extravagant venues; it’s about you and your partner professing your love and agreeing to spend the rest of your life together. Don’t forget it, and you can always have a big celebration when things are back to normality.

Giving your significant other an engagement ring is a practice that has been existing since time immemorial. The ring is a symbol of commitment to a bride, but do you know where this tradition came from? Are you aware of why people place an engagement ring on the fourth finger? This tradition began in ancient Rome, whereby the Romans believed that the vein in this specific finger led to the heart, and so, this practice has stuck with all the generations. Use these tips to buy the right engagement ring.

Some people like shopping for engagement rings together. This action eliminates the surprise element. If you want to surprise your better half, you can request help from a friend or sibling. This other person can disguisedly obtain information from your partner without making them suspect any intentions.

If you want to maintain total secrecy, then you better pay attention to your partner's jewellery. Note down their preferences, such as do they love silver or gold? You can then use this information whilst you search for the best engagement rings for sale in Denver or take the information to jewellers near you to help you in your quest.

Vikings - the warriors, raiders, and navigators of the Norse world still hold the interest of historians as scholars today. Who they were as a people is still being studied, from their way of life to their weapons of war, what tools they used for exploration, what boats they sailed, and how they shared a rich culture across the lands of old Scandinavia.

Throughout all the Viking tribes and the spread of their practices and rituals, combat strategy and commodities, they shared one thing in common: they all had jewellery.

What Role Did Jewellery Play in Viking History?

The Vikings loved their jewellery, and it was through this love that they adorned almost everything with it. The craftsmen who were commissioned to create these pieces were handsomely paid and well respected. They would carve and bevel runes, engrave complex winding lines, and etch several different symbols on their jewellery. 

After the Viking received their jewellery, they would go out of their way to decorate their clothes, longboats, weapons, and even houses. If any piece of jewellery was too large to be worn, these were broken down into smaller pieces and used as a form of payment or currency but personal jewellery was the most prevalent request among them.

When it came to personal jewellery, the Vikings used these in some of the ways below.

As Rewards

Throughout the frozen plains of Scandanavia, jewellery spoke a special language among every Viking. Often Viking jewellery, usually brooches and rings, were rewarded by rulers to loyal subjects or villagers who did good deeds for them. The act of being generous was the mark of a great ruler. Wealthier Vikings would have their jewellery made from gold and silver, while poorer Vikings had their jewellery created from bronze or the bones of animals they had eaten from a hunt.

Symbols Of Status And Protection

Wearing jewellery also showed the Vikings’ courage, as well as honour tribal customs, lineage, political alignment, and ancient lore. Some seafarers would have amulets of protection around their necks. Others preferred symbols representing the power of particular creatures such as wolves, dragons, and various mythical beasts and beings. If a Viking had long hair or a long beard, they would have it braided with jewellery as it symbolised protection and status.

As Gifts

Such as jewellery is today, it was no different in ancient times. Vikings often gave jewellery as a gift among friends, significant others, or brothers-in-arms. Both men and women in those times wore various kinds of Norse and Viking jewellery, but most often, men would wear a design of Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, around their necks as a symbol of might.

Staple Characteristics Of Viking Jewellery

With so many forms of symbolism and representation, below are the three staple characteristics of Viking jewellery and the meaning behind them.

1. They Were Very Ornate

Viking jewellery was very ornate. Several pieces come with intricate designs, emblems, motifs, and patterns with mystical meaning. For instance, when engraving on jewellery, every tuft of fur on a wolf’s head was etched out as though it were soft to the touch, or even the simple shape of Thor’s hammer would be lined with metal strips that coiled into one another. Depending on the craftsman, they would even write Viking runes on the jewellery piece.

Surprisingly enough, when the Viking age had ended, descendants of Vikings who married into different tribes (e.g., Celts, Gaels, etc.)  also adapted ornate designs from their new tribe into their jewellery, creating a hybrid form of Viking jewellery.

2. They Had Many Different Symbols

Vikings have always had incredible tales of old that were passed down from generation to generation. Through this tradition of storytelling, they kept their traditions alive.

Each item in a Viking’s jewellery piece holds meaning so when you’re planning to buy anyone a Viking accessory as a gift, consider some of the following symbols below:

Mjolnir, the Hammer of Thor: Wearing the shape of Thor’s hammer on your person symbolises protection and consecration. Mjolnir was said to be the source of Thor’s almighty strength and when thrown, it would return to him at his will. Choosing to have this detail on your Viking jewellery is said to ward off evil spirits. Hence, this was popular amongst men who fought battles in the days of the Vikings.

Ravens: Ravens, in real life, are mysterious and ominous creatures often associated with fear, death, or misfortune. To the people of the old Norse world, ravens are the eyes and ears of the god Odin and are far from being ominous or portents of impending death. On the contrary, they are considered among the holiest of birds. Odin owned two ravens named Huginn and Muninn, both of whom scout the world for any events of interest. Huginn means ‘idea’ and Muninn means ‘memory.’ Whether a warrior worthy of entering Valhalla has been spotted or Loki was seen up to his misdeeds once again, Huginn and Muninn would tell Odin everything. With that said, ravens in Viking jewellery symbolise divine presence and wisdom.

Web of Wyrd: This is a symbol of intersecting lines forming shapes like triangles and rhombi. It represents a Viking’s understanding of fate as an unyielding force. It is with this symbol that Vikings exude their renowned courage and tenacity.

Wolves: The wolf is a double-edged sword in Viking lore. This canine represents the beast Fenrir, a great wolf that is said to swallow the sun during the end of the world or Ragnarök. While this meaning is grim by itself, Fenrir was also loyal to his father, Loki, and showed great strength as he was able to free himself from the bindings of the Aesir or the Norse pantheon. Therefore, giving someone a piece of Viking jewellery with a wolf on it is like telling them they’re strong, independent, and undyingly loyal.

Yggdrasil, the World Tree: One of the most iconic pieces of Nordic lore, the Yggdrasil or the World Tree, is a titanic tree that has been said to touch the sky and has roots that connect the Nine Realms together. This tree-shaped symbol is a profound icon of connection, and that each person has spiritual bonds between their fellow human being beyond comprehension. Giving someone a pendant or accessory with Yggdrasil on it tells them that you’re connected to them.

There are many more symbols and icons from Nordic lore, and these are the few that stand out. If you aren’t entirely sure of what the icon represents, you may ask the jeweller.

Having enough light in your home can really make all the difference – it can transform your home making it feel much livelier and won’t send you off to sleep constantly. Not all of us are blessed with huge windows which allow loads of natural light to flood in, so often we need to compromise and find ways to adjust the lighting through our own methods. If you feel as though your house is looking a bit dark and dreary, take a look through these tips to help you make your house feel rejuvenated and bright again. 

Fairy lights are another way of adding light to your room, which can be used in addition to your main light source. Fairy lights are amazing for adding mood and atmosphere, particularly in the winter months as they can give your rooms a very cosy feel. They are great for evening use – you may want full light whilst you are doing household chores, but when you’re settling down to watch a bit of television or read a book, fairy lights can add a soft lighting effect.

Fairy lights can be bought relatively cheaply at most homeware stores, so it is definitely worth keeping an eye out for them.

Keep Your Colour Scheme Fresh and Light

The colours in your house can have drastic effects on the light levels, believe it or not. Having a dark colour scheme will create more shadows and will often make your rooms feel much smaller. To create the illusion of bigger and lighter rooms, try to stick to white or cream for your walls and keep your furniture relatively light too. Adding mirrors as decoration to your house also works well, as mirrors reflect light and add a sense of space.

There are so many ways you can make your home feel lighter, even if it's a tiny space. By putting a little bit of effort into buying nice lights, this will make all the difference and will really make you want to spend time in all rooms of your house rather than shying away from them.

Certainly, throughout the course of 2020, we spent far more time at home than we normally would have done and with that came more than a passing interest in what our homes looked like. This created a boost in so many different aspects of DIY and interior design as many people became a lot more houseproud! One aspect of interiors that can sometimes be overlooked is the interior doors but the doors can have can a huge impact on the overall look and feel of your space.