Kids grow up so fast! One minute you are cradling a newborn in your arms and the next you have a hormone-laden teen rampaging around your house and eating all your food. Just when you think you have their room perfectly set up, they grow and their needs change. You have to start all over again and this can cost you a fortune on new furniture and paint! Becoming a parent is overwhelming enough without stressing about paint and curtains.

The solution is to set up your kid’s room in a way that will last them. It can evolve with them as they go through the various stages of childhood. Then you can turn it into a spare room when they leave home!

Set a budget and stick to it

Start by trawling the web and the high street for bargains. You do not have to buy everything brand new. You can literally cut your budget in half by looking for used items of furniture. Many items have barely been used and are in perfect condition.

It is easy to organise getting the items to your own home. You will be surprised at what you can fit into a family car with back seats folded down. For really large items you can use https://www.shiply.com/ to get a quote and compare services. You don’t have to spend hours on the phone and you simply have to fill in one simple form.

Buying ‘out of season’ is a top tip. Look out for fluffy blankets in the early summer and light throws in the autumn. All you have to do is store them safely until you need them.

There are plenty of places to pick up used furniture at a mere fraction of their cost new. Try sites such as http://www.ebay.co.uk/ or Gumtree where you can select sellers who live near you.

It is a mistake to limit yourself to an online search. Why not take a peek on your high street and try to spot some bargains in charity shops. The British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/shop/our-local-shops/furniture-and-electrical-shops has dedicated stores where they only sell furniture and electrical items.

Recycling is a very cost-effective method. You can adapt chests of drawers and bureaus by giving them a new coat of varnish. If you want to be very artistic, try out a stencil. The kids will love helping you!

Choose a design that can be adapted

It is easy to be tempted by cute, miniature baby furniture. Who wouldn’t? However, this is going to last you for a couple of years at the most and so it is not a great investment. Swap it for some larger items that will grow with your kid.

If you choose the right changing station you can easily convert it into shelves or a desk for homework when your child starts school. A bed can be somewhere to sleep plus storage so that toys and books can be packed away.

Be careful with colour schemes. Choose neutral floor coverings and ceiling paint because they are hard and expensive to change.

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With two daughters who regularly pull at my heart strings, they are never far from my thoughts so when I heard about Kaya Jewellery, designed for mothers and daughters I knew I wanted to learn more. 

Tanya from Kaya decided that she wanted to develop a brand that was affodable for both mums and their children. Jewellery that wasn't made of plastic or wood, but jewellery made from genuine materials like precious stones, crystals and freshwater pearls. With matching mum jewellery, you can celebrate all special occasions in your daughters life together with her.

Mum and daughter "twinning" is a big thing at the moment and Kaya have some gorgeous mother and daughter sets but when we were invited to take a look around the site, I fell in love with this silver ring with two birthstones in it. 

As a mum (and jewellery lover), I have found that the sets available from Kaya are not only affordable but brilliant gifts too. Which is why I am delighted to be able to share with you, the chance to win £40 to spend at Kaya Jewellery. All you need to do is enter below.

Good luck!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions

The Prize: £40 to spend at Kaya Jewellery
The winners will be chosen at random by the random winner generator on Rafflecopter and notified within 7 working days by email
By entering this competition, you understand that your details may be retained for future mailings. You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time.
There is no monetary equivalent.
Little Lilypad Co take no /responsibility for loss or damage in the despatch of prizes
If the prize is unclaimed within 7 days we reserve the right to redraw the winner.
End Date 31/07/2017 at 12am

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When thinking about accommodation for your trip, starting the research can be the most difficult step. If you are at a loss and need some advice, then follow our dos and don’ts guide to help you choose the right hotel for your family trip.

 

Do:

Establish a budget

The first, and perhaps most important, thing to do when searching for the right hotel is to set yourself a budget. It is important to set a budget when you are on holiday but also when booking your hotel, so you know exactly what you are looking for. This will take some research, so you don’t set your expectations too high and to ensure you are paying the right price for the area.

Think about location

Next, be sure to consider exactly where you want to go on holiday but also what you want to be located in your chosen destination. A hotel out of the centre and away from attractions will be cheaper, but if you have smaller children the commute every day might not be worth it for you.

Consider everyone’s needs

When considering a hotel, make sure to take into account the whole family’s needs. Do you want to be near nightlife or do you want a quieter area with a good kids club? Be sure the hotel is family friendly, to ensure you feel comfortable and can meet other families. Choose a hotel that offers the right atmosphere for the whole family.

Think about room type

Are you looking for a hotel that can it offer a child’s camp bed? Or if within your budget, do you want a hotel that offers adjoining rooms?

Consider the food options

Make sure you decide if you want half board or full board. Full board can be easier with smaller children and means you don’t have to worry about finding a restaurant. However, half board allows you to explore the area and embrace local culture.

Book well in advance

Once you’ve considered all these options, make sure to book as early as you can to make sure there are still lots of places for you to choose from. Prices will increase nearer the time, and many hotels will be booked up.

Don’t:

Be disheartened

Make sure you are aware how much research you need to do to find the perfect hotel and don’t be discouraged if you can’t find the right one straight away. Using a site like Toprooms allows you to compare a range of different staycation locations, helping you find the best hotel at the best price.

Think expensive is best

The most expensive hotels don’t always offer you the most for your money. Look at exactly what each hotel is offering you and avoid being drawn in.

Most importantly, don’t stress! It won’t be long before you have found the perfect hotel if you follow our dos and don’ts guide and before you know it you will be jetting off to enjoy quality family time together.

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I have a daughter in reception at school, which utlimately means a seemingly endless round of parties. Every. Single. Weekend. 

There is a running joke amongst our friends that I go to every event I am invited to because I love to socialise and I have the feeling that I have passed this onto my daughters too. As a result there is never any question as to whether or not they will be going to the superhero / swimming / farm / soft play *delete as applicable* party each weekend. On a personal level, I love that they are socialising with their friends and not watching other children playing on Youtube but weekly birthday parties can get expensive, so here are my top tips on not letting it get out of control.

1. Be organised. Yes I know this is an age old piece of advice but it is true. There is nothing more stressful (and usually expensive) than trying to find the "right" present the day before a birthday party.

2. Don't spend money on expensive character based wrapping paper. Get a gift bag from the poundshop (they usually have the more popular characters on anyway) and cover with tissue paper. Kids do not care how much the wrapping paper cost. AND THEY RIP IT UP ANYWAY!! Cheap paper is definitely the way to go as it is easier to rip up!

3. Buy in the sales. I do this ALOT! When there are sales on, I tend to stock up on age appropriate gifts or buy presents that would normally be more than my budget but it means that the recipiant gets a more expensive gift and I have stayed within the budget. Only this week I have ordered some gorgeous baby gifts in the Joules sale because I am quite sure that the new born babies are not going to care whether the design was last seasons and mum gets great quality bibs and clothes.

4. Use delivery passes or click and collect. Being able to shop online means that you can check which stores have the best prices but sometimes the delivery charges can offset the savings. It is worth checking which stores have delivery pass options if it is somewhere you shop often or seeing if there is a free click and collect option. 

5. Sign up to newsletters for your favourite stores. I know that this is the equivalent of junk mail circa 1995 but many outlets send out discount codes, free delivery passes or first notifications of the sale to their subscribers. Well worth it when you are buying for half the class!

Do you have any other top tips?

 

As always on a Friday I’m linking up with Cass, Emma and Becky  in this week’s ‘Five Fabulously Frugal things I’ve done this week linky

 

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