Category: Lifestyle

1. FEARNE by Fearne Cotton Collection for Boots Miniclub | Review

   Posted on 8:00am Friday 23rd Feb 2018

   Fearne Cotton launched a range of clothing for Boots Miniclub last year and how could it fail not to be the epitome of cool? We were therefore excited to hear that the second instalment features Fearne’s first baby collection for newborns, and continues to offer gorgeous garments all the way up to 6 years. 

    

   Featuring cool and vibrant prints and colours, Fearne’s range is about standing out and having fun – while being able to move easily and feel comfortable. Filled with confident and colourful pieces, the range captures the essence of the British spring and summer vibe. From pastel pinks to trendy charcoal greys, the gorgeous colour palettes are brought to life in stylish shapes and animal prints across the collection of chic and compatible clothing including reversible bomber jackets, sweaters, dresses and easy pull-ups. 

    

   The Mini Club Cat dress is a particular favourite of our little fashionista as it is so wearable (and washable) so it gets a thumbs up from both mum and daughter. It has an all over cat print and has functional front pockets, for when the little one wants to stash away her collections of LOL Surprise Dolls or stones .... whatever takes her fancy on that particular day. At £12.00 it is also really affordable too! 

   

   The Mini Club Fearne Frill Sweatshirt  is 95% cotton but has a super soft feel to it that my daughter loves. Trying to strike a balance between comfort and fashion isn't always easy but the FEARNE by Fearne Cotton range manages to make cool clothes feel comfortable!

   

   The FEARNE by Fearne Cotton range has everything for rock chick girls and super cool boys. It provides a style that combines adorable with on trend styling but at afforable prices.

   My only criticism of the range is that it only goes up to Age 6 ..... what am I going to do when she gets too big for MiniClub at Boots?

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2. What Are The Best Savings Boosting Products On The Market?

   Posted on 10:00pm Tuesday 20th Feb 2018

   Most people experience challenges when it comes to keeping some cash for use in the future. Especially as parents, it is crucial for you to focus on your long-term goals. The goal could be to save money for home renovation, purchase a car, buy a home, or start a business. To succeed in saving the target amount, you have to start monitoring your spending habits and reduce expenses. Here are some of the best saving boosting products on the market.

   

    

   Open an Individual Savings Account (ISA)

   Opening an ISA at your preferred financial institution is one of the best products that will boost savings. At the end of every week or month, you deposit a certain amount of money in the ISA account. It will help you grow savings efficiently without paying taxes, as you are limited to £20,000 each year. Once you lock your cash in the deposit account for a fixed period, you earn an interest income which adds money to your account.

   Automate Savings (Use an App)

   To boost your savings further, it is crucial to automate savings into your ISA. You can you use automated programs to transfer a certain amount of money to your account. You can set the app to deposit at payday or several times during the month.

   No Credit Card

   To increase your savings, limit access to cash in the account. Put the funds in your savings account, which is not linked to a credit card.

   Lifetime ISA

   A lifetime ISA can help you increase your savings. You can use the cash to purchase your first home or use it after retirement. Once you save £4,000 per year, you get 25% bonus in your account from the government. The maximum amount is £1,000 and age limit is 50. Additionally, lifetime ISAs can have cash or stocks or combination of the two.

   Help to Buy ISA

   In case you are saving to purchase a first home, you should consider keeping cash in a help to buy ISA. The account attracts a government boost of 25% of the amount of savings. The maximum bonus is £3,000. It is available for first time home buyers.

   Stocks and Shares ISA

   The account allows you to invest your money in a flexible and tax-efficient manner. It offers higher returns than a cash savings account. The gains are tax-free, and you can invest up to £20,000. The stocks and shares ISA allows you to invest in the best portfolio. You can spend on shares, cash, bonds, or commodities, but remember, your capital is always at risk.

   Pay Debts

   Paying old debts such as education loans, will not only improve your credit score, but also boost your ability to save. Once you have repaid all old debts, you can focus on increasing your savings. Subscriptions To increase your savings, you need to reconsider whether you need various subscriptions services. You can reduce payments to magazines, premium channels subscriptions among others to lower monthly bills and boost savings. Do you really use that gym membership (be honest)? Can you reduce your phone bill?

   Coffee and Other Unnecessary Spending

   If you love coffee, you can cut daily visits to café and start making coffee at home. Importantly, reduce shopping on items not in the budget.

   

    

   Consult a Financial Advisor

   Set aside some cash to purchase a book on savings tips or consult an advisor. The guide will motivate you to continue savings and we love stuff that motivates you!

    

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3. Financial planning : Advice for a first time landlord

   Posted on 5:00pm Thursday 15th Feb 2018

   We have had lots of discussions with friends recently about planning for the future and so many of our friends don't have the "pension pot" that their parents did but are choosing property over pensions. The theory is that property is an investment and unless something really terrible happens, you are never going to actually lose money on it. (fingers crossed).

   

   Lots of people now have "blended" families with two people coming together after divorce and are faced with the dilemma of having two houses. Again, so many of our friends have chosen to live in one house and rent out the other. Sounds simple doesn't it? What I didn't realise was all the red tape involved in this from changing your mortgage to the different insurances you need. You need a crash course in the etiquettes and rules of renting not to mention a guide for first time landlords on property insurance.

   

   There are lots of things to consider but equally you avoid all the costs and headaches associated with selling a home too. Ultimately, if you rent your old house out rather than sell it, you could end up over time with a valuable asset that generates a regular income ..... which maybe better than the ever reducing pension pots that our forecast for our generation!

   What do you think?

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4. 7 Budget Friendly Travel Tips You Should Be Aware of

   Posted on 8:00pm Thursday 8th Feb 2018

   The weather has been grotty for the past few weeks so we are already thinking about holidays for the summer. Travelling around the world can be an exciting experience. Not only do you get to take a much-needed break from your typical weekly routine, but you also get to explore new cultures and experiences too. Of course, as wonderful as an adventure can be, it also comes with a few common concerns too.

   One of the biggest worries that people have about travel, is that it will be too expensive for them to maintain their budget and have a wonderful experience at the same time. The good news is that these budget-friendly travel tips could help to keep your spending on track without asking you to compromise on fun.

   1.     Travel at the Right Times

   The first thing you need to do when you want to travel for less is make sure that you get your timing right. The price of your flights will vary according to the day, month, and even time you choose to travel. With online apps, you can compare prices across months and days to determine when the cheapest days to fly are in your area. Usually, it's cheaper to travel on a Tuesday than it is on a Friday for instance.

   2.     Choose a Different Airport

   If you don't mind driving a little further to start your trip, then you might get a better deal from an airport that's further from your front door. Different airlines offer different routes and offers for their customers, which could mean that it works out a lot cheaper to begin your adventure with someone who you don't usually fly with. This could also be a great way to avoid delays and cancellations if you know your nearby airport is prone to problems.

   

   3.     Avoid Baggage Fees

   If you're concerned about charges caused by excess baggage, try weighing your suitcases before you leave home. If your hand-luggage or your suitcase is slightly heavier than it should be, consider wearing some of the extra items you need instead of putting them in your case. For instance, make sure that you always wear your heaviest pair of shoes, jacket, jeans, cardigan, and anything else you're taking with you. You can always shed your layers when you're on the plane.

   4.     Look Beyond the Hotel

   In recent years, the way we travel has changed significantly. You don't necessarily have to over-spend on an expensive hotel to get the most out of your journey. Instead, sites like Airbnb allow you to stay at someone else's home instead, which can be a much cheaper option if you want to get around on a budget. There's always the option to consider hostels and sharing solutions too if you don't mind sleeping in a room with people you don't know. Eat Like the Locals

   5.     Fly Indirect

   Most travellers prefer to fly direct when they can, but if money is more important to you than time right now, it might be a good idea to consider a stop-over. There are plenty of flexible flights that allow you to save money by mixing and matching flights from one leg of your journey to another. Just make sure that you leave a cushion of time between your flights so that you don't end up missing your transport if you're hit by a delay.

   6.     Bring Your Own Snacks onto the Plane

   We all know how terrible airline food can be. While most travel experts are working on improving the meals that they offer their customers in the air, you still might find yourself craving a few snacks on the way to your destination. Unfortunately, the price of your favourite foods on an airplane can be overwhelming, and it doesn't save you much money to buy them from duty-free before you board either. As long as you're not bringing liquid foods like soup or yogurt, you should be able to bring your own snacks with you.

   7.     Eat Like the Locals

   Saving money on your travel expenses isn't just about making sure that you get the cheapest plane tickets. If you want to keep track of your budget, then it might be worth changing the way you eat abroad too. For instance, make sure that you check out local favourites for meals instead of relying on the biggest tourist destinations and fancy restaurants that might be close to your hotel. Eating like a local could be a great way to keep your expenses to a minimum, and make sure that you get the full experience of the place you're visiting too. 

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