Spring Into Action

The last day of February is always a bit of a milestone. Although we’re haven’t officially reached spring just yet, March is very much the month of anticipation, of looking to forward to all the good things that the coming months will bring, milder weather and chocolate being the main things. So let’s spring into action with a quick celebration of all things springtime, as well as a bit of advice on how to save money on all those treats…

The first date circled in your March calendar should be Mother’s Day, one of the few days in the year that us mums manage to wangle a lie in. So the most important day of the year then. Give your Mum a present she deserves, whether it’s a personalised photobook, an experience to remember or a beautiful bouquet. Or all of the above. Here’s a quick guide to our Top 10 Mother’s Day Gifts, if you’re still struggling for inspiration.

Planning a wedding is quite possibly one of the most stressful things you will ever have to do, whether you’re spending a fortune or not. But it doesn’t have to be that way! (who are we kidding? It will always be stressful whatever you do). But for those of you on a budget, planning an impending spring wedding might be that little bit more straightforward if you read our guide first. And cheaper, which is also just as important.

February half term has been and gone (or you might have a couple more days left), so it’s time to look forward to those Easter school holidays. Maybe day trips just won’t cut it with your kids this year and you need that family getaway sooner than expected. Well, there are plenty of options available and plenty of discounts too. Here’s our post on where to look for your perfect Easter holiday destination and how to save money on it once you’ve found it.

Pets are prizes in themselves, but they also require a huge amount of dedication and care. Perhaps the new season signifies the welcoming of a new pet into your home - if this is the case, it’s important that you don’t rush – read our guide on how to prepare for a new pet and make sure you plan properly.

Spring is a wondrous season and with plenty to look forward to so celebrate with us and treat yourself to something new!

February is looking fine

Only a few more weeks of winter left (sort of), but that’s no reason to get down. So let’s celebrate the onset of a new month because there’s still plenty to look forward to…

The most romantic celebration of the year is on the horizon – it’s so close, you can almost make out the pink cuddly heart in the distance and if you concentrate hard enough, you can visualise the dozen red roses hopefully heading your way. We’ve got plenty of ideas for Valentine’s Day presents, no matter who you’re buying for, him or her…

But we still need to appreciate that is still winter and winter requires suitable footwear, especially if you’re spending your days trudging through the muddy puddles that now appear to be a permanent feature. If you missed the start of the January sales, you are well within your rights to feels a bit smug because there’s still plenty of clearance stock available, much or it even more heavily discounted than before. If you fancy a pair of winter boots, we’ve put together a guide to get your hands on the perfect pair, whatever your budget.

Another thing that you can enjoy in winter is a winter weekend break. Imagine curling up in front of an open fire, taking a brisk walk through the countryside (with wellies, naturally), or enjoying all the cultural and culinary highlights of a new city. Hotels and travel companies love to entice you in with an offer or two at this time of year, so here’s a handy compilation of the best in winter weekend breaks for the next few weeks.

School holidays are on the horizon, be they half term or the Easter break, and now is the perfect time to start planning. How about taking that family camping trip once the weather warms up a bit? Or drawing up a list of suitable indoor activities for the inevitable wet week in February?

It maybe the shortest month of the year, but you can still pack plenty into February if you start right here with one of our voucher codes…

See January out in style with a voucher code

Well, we’re nearly there. Only a few more days to go until the longest month of the year is over. Ok, so technically it’s no longer than any other month containing thirty-one days, but it certainly feels like the longest. So how are we all going with those New Year’s resolutions? Struggling a bit? Just because January is nearly over, this doesn’t mean you have to jack it all in. See January out in style with a voucher code and it might give you that extra bit of inspiration…

If you’re finding it hard to muster the energy for these last few days, then take a look at our tips to help you drag yourself through the remainder of the month. You can either curl up under the blanket with a good book and pretend that January doesn’t exist, or show the month what you’re made of by taking up a new hobby, or booking that summer holiday. Whatever your method, there’s plenty of voucher codes available to help you save money while you do it.

Talking of summer holidays, you do know it’s never too early to start booking, right? We may be in the throes of winter but leaving it to the last minute is no longer the only budget option of available. Loads of travel providers are throwing special early bird offers and holiday discount vouchers at you if you get in before the mad rush starts so here are a few ideas to help your imagination wonder, and if you pick the right summer holiday deal, you might be following it.

Probably one of the most common New Year’s resolutions involves pledging to lose weight, but we all know diets can be contrary unreliable things. And when we say ‘diets’ we mean human nature. So how about setting yourself a more realistic target – just try and lead a healthier lifestyle in general rather than undertaking a rash diet of some sort, and you might find that the weight will soon come off, and more importantly, stay off. Here’s our guide on how to beat that lingering Christmas bulge in a more sensible way.

And now time for another dose of realism – this talk of summer holidays is all very well and good, but in the here and now, we’re all living through a permanent torrential downpour and we need advice on how to get through it. And this form of advice should be fashion-related, obviously. So here are a few tips on how to dress for a rainy day and save some money in the process.

So say goodbye to the longest month in style, and next week, we’ll be saying hello to the shortest!

More Christmas Savings and Sweet Deals

Yes, you’re going to have to put up with Christmas ramblings for a couple more weeks we’re afraid. Actually, what are we apologising for? Christmas is fantastic, and if you what to make it even better, here are a few tips and tricks to help you on your way…

Now, we all know the pressing Christmas issue isn’t the turkey, or the presents, or whether you remembered to send a card to your Aunty in New Zealand. You all know what we’re talking about when we bring up the incredibly important issue of the Novelty Christmas Jumper. They are very much the IN thing right now, and if you haven’t got yours yet, here are the best places to buy your reindeer-themed knitwear. And talking of Christmas-themed clothing, there’s that other small matter of the annual Christmas party and what you’re going to wear so you can dress to impress. In addition to the crucial party dress purchase, we’ve brought you some ideas about shoes and accessories too. You’re very welcome.

Now, this is a money saving blog, after all, so we feel obliged to talk about some ideas for budget gift buying. Perhaps you and the family have decided to set a price limit for your presents this year, or you’re just after a few stocking fillers to top up the gift haul. Whatever you’re budget present needs, here’s a helpful blog to give you a few ideas, and if you want to add the personal touch, then you’ll happy to know you can get pretty much anything personalised these days.

And Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without some in depth discussion about the importance of food and drink - there’s no place for calorie counting here thanks you very much. Now, if you want the PERFECT Christmas dinner, you need to get the details right – that means the best joint of meat, the crispiest roast potatoes and delicious sprouts. Yes, you read that correct. We said DELICIOUS sprouts. It is possible. So if you want top tips, look no further than our guide to brilliant festive scoffing. And what might you need to polish off your indulgence? A Christmas cocktails perhaps? Our guide to seasonal tipples is top notch.

Have you had enough of Christmas yet? We sincerely hope not…

Christmas is almost upon us

We’ve gone all Christmassy over at My Favourite Voucher Codes. It’s okay, we’re officially allowed to now it’s December. So expect all things Santa, baubles, turkey and wrapping paper for the next few weeks – and don’t say you haven’t been warned.

For starters, let’s talk unusual gifts. I think it’s safe to admit that some presents can get a bit samey, year in, year out. Yes, I’m looking at YOU, bubble bath and YOU novelty pair of socks. So what if you want to make an effort this year and give your gift buying a more unusual edge. Well fret not, because we’ve got a few ideas for your perusal. Firstly, if you want to buy a coffee table book for someone, but not exactly the same must-have title that everyone will be buying, then head on down to the Blurb Bookstore – they’ve got a whole heap of superb quality self-published photo books, recipe books, and picture books that many will be itching to get their hands on. If you want to venture beyond the world of books, then have a read of our guide to unusual gift buying and it might help you on the road to being original…

Grandparents sometimes get a bit of a raw deal when it comes to the annual Christmas present, so why not get them something extra special this year? Our helpful grandparent gift blog can help you choose the right gift experience, hobby-themed present or calendar with a difference.

And what’s that other thing you have remember to organise in December? Apart from the online shopping, the hiding of the presents, the wrapping of the presents etc etc. That’s right, it’s the Christmas dinner! Don’t be stuck with the last turkey in the shop and start you preparations right now with our guide to the perfect Christmas dinner. And did you know you can know get additional help in all things foodie with the aid of only your smartphone? The fantastic new mySuperlist app helps you organise shopping lists, check and compare prices and take advantage of exclusive deals. The perfect companion to your Christmas dinner preparations, we think you’ll agree.

Now, where did we put those leftover Christmas crackers from last year…?

How to keep the winter woes at bay

What do we mean by winter woes, you might be asking? Well, whether you’re one of those who loves or loathes the colder months, you can’t tell us that catching a cold isn’t even the slightest bit annoying. Or that having to drag your shopping back from the supermarket in freezing cold temperatures is even remotely tempting. As I write this, there is a storm imminent and I know I’d much rather be sitting here at the kitchen table rather than out there trying to battle my way through the strong winds. So what winter-themed advice can we offer?

First up, if you haven’t caught one already, here’s a few tips on how not to. Yes, we’re talking the sniffles. Winter colds are a right pain in the sinuses, but if you want to reduce your chances of catching the virus, it’s mainly a case of having a bit of common sense rather than spending a fortune. And what about all those warm and hearty winter food essentials that should be lining your shelves? It’s not about spending loads of dosh on posh nosh, but more about smarter shopping.

You may or may not have noticed that half term is upon us. If you have children that is. If you don’t please feel free to skip to the next paragraph, or you still might want to read our half term blog post so you know the places to avoid over the next week (mainly online toy shops).

And let’s talk about the other winter-related activity that you either love or loathe. Yes, the annual compiling of the Christmas shopping list. What in heaven’s name are you going to buy your mum/dad/partner/kids etc etc??? Well, we haven’t got all bases covered just yet, but here are few tips to get you started on your gift buying for daddy dearest.

And don’t forget, you’ve still got a chance to win £250 worth of vouchers for either Marks and Spencers, Cath Kidston or Mint Velvet when you download our excellent money saving app to you browser of choice. It will help with all that online Christmas shopping and will be especially welcomed by those who like to spend time as little as possible on this activity as well as those who like to spend as little money as possible.

Here comes autumn...

…and isn’t it great? We may have been blessed with some slightly higher than average temperatures for the last month, but I think it’s safe to say we’ll all be turning on the central heating in the next week or so. But whether you think this is a good thing or a bad thing, there’s still plenty to look forward to in the next couple of months…

If you’re one of those that does not enjoy the cold in the slightest, we predict what your next move might be… a spot of winter sun, perhaps? If you’re about to start searching for the best late deals, here’s our guide to the potential pitfalls and hidden gems that you need to keep your eyes peeled for.

But while those sunseekers are off seeking sun in foreign climbs, what can we look forward to at home? Everything! Not only do we have Halloween and Bonfire Night treats to scoff, but there’s also the general all-encompassing warm glow that autumn brings. Here’s our guide to all your autumnal advantages, including warm fires, extra reading and telly time and boxsets and baking galore.

If your kids are now happily ensconced in the new school term and you’re spying an opportunity to undertake a bit more healthy exercise, here are a few ways to include health and fitness into your daily routine that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to join a gym. Which is always good news.

While we like to sing the benefits of downloading our money saving app to your browser, there are now a few more fantastic reasons to get our icon onto your toolbar. Not only can it help you save on your online shopping more easily, but now you also have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win £250 worth of vouchers for Marks and Spencer’s, Cath Kidston or Mint Velvet. And just think what floral-themed goodness you could buy with those…