Holiday scams are on the rise. Action Fraud reported a 20% increase in cases of online holiday fraud in 2016, up from 2015. Booking online can be a great way to find a bargain but it does expose us to less-than-savoury characters keen to diddle you out of your hard earned cash. These convincing fraudsters…
Leisure
Why didn’t The Red Turtle make it big at the box office?
Last month, I went to the cinema with my husband. It was the first time we’d gone out to see a movie in almost a year, due to financial constraints, and we always consider what we’re going to see very carefully. We chose The Red Turtle; it was my husband, actually, who suggested it. ‘Let’s…
How I save money on greetings cards
Did you know that Brits buy an average of 33 greetings cards a year? With prices ranging from £1.50 to a whopping £3.99 (using WHSmith as an example), it’s easy to see that you could be saving a lot of money by opting out. Here are some of the increasingly creative ways you can do just…
Fabulously budget travel tips: Vietnam
Your money goes a long way in Vietnam – making it a great choice for anyone wanting to experience its buzzing cities, tropical beaches, compelling history, and natural beauty without maxing out the credit card. Brits are among a handful of nationalities entitled to a free tourist visa on arrival for visits of up to…
My trip to Tokyo’s famous Ghibli museum!
In February, my new husband and I made a long anticipated trip to Japan for our honeymoon. There were so many things that I desperately wanted to see and do. We managed a number of them, but the trip would not have been complete had we not visited the Ghibli museum in Mitaka, Tokyo. If you…
Japan and the super Shinkansen railway
Having parents who divorced in my early childhood, I think it’s fair to say that I have experienced an on-again, off-again relationship with trains. From the days of getting on at York, off at Stevenage, on at King’s Cross, off at York, much of my travel experience as a youngster was viewed from out of…
Cut price Easter eggs: a cracking deal or a road to childhood obesity?
It’s almost that time of year again. Easter. There’s no getting away from it. It seems that as soon as the Santas retreated, and the sugary hearts fell off the supermarket shelves, the chocolate eggs sprung up sporting numerous ‘3 for £10’ offers, and ‘Just £1!’ deals. For the most part, I move through the…
My trip to Fox Village, Japan
From hedgehog cafes, to islands literally full of cats and rabbits that will chase you to be fed, there are many places in Japan that will make you squeal at just how darn cute they are! One of those places is Fox Village in Shiroishi, Miyagi prefecture. During my ten day (eight, actually, if you…
Let’s talk about new car tax
Buying a brand new car is possibly one of the most expensive purchases you’ll make. It requires a lot of leg work, planning, and research. Economy, aesthetics, performance, size… there’s lots to consider. I’ve had my car for four years, and my little Toyota Aygo was perfect for when I was a nervy new driver –…
Long haul flights: it’s the little things
Having recently been to Japan, I experienced my first long-haul flight in almost a decade. As you might expect, the flight was one of the lesser enjoyable aspects of an otherwise amazing trip. However, as this was the first time I’d ever made such a long trip (14 hours on a plane – hurrah!) without…