Part Time Income...Listen Carefully!

The reason why I have not been around for a while is one of my mates has come up with this package AutoProfitPackage. I know he has been making a bit of money on the side for about a year now (regularly £400-£600 per month) and he has put together a set of video tutorials to explain how.

Now Lee asked me to trial them to see how I got on....well I have to admit it was really good. It was far better than a number of ebooks I have read that offered the earth but delivered nothing. What Lee has done is put easy to follow steps in a video tutorial to make it easy to follow and it is. I am not one to read loads and this certainly fitted with my learning style. Video tutorials to help you earn extra income...brilliant!

I have been following the steps Lee outlined in his tutorials for 2 weeks and I have earned £150 so far but expect to be upto at least £300 by the end of the month and to be perfectly honest if I can just maintain that, that will do very nicely. That is the family holiday paid for every year!

Why am I telling you about this only two weeks in? Well Lee has a special offer on at the moment and seeing as I know this is working for me and expect it to keep doing I wanted to make sure that you lot could benefit from this offer.

So click here now!

Change your attitude to your Mortgage and save!

Change your attitude to your mortgage

The most expensive item you are ever likely to buy is your home. If you're not in the privileged position to pay cash, make sure the loan you use to finance it is the best available.

For example, if you are paying your lender's full standard variable rate (SVR) you are probably paying hundreds of pounds a year more than you need to. There are thousands of deals to choose from and while it is vital to check the small print for hidden catches, this is a relatively easy way to save a lot of money.

Remember: loyalty to your bank benefits your bank, not you. Even better, if you can afford to make overpayments on your mortgage, you'll clear your debt several years early and make massive savings. For example, if you borrow £100,000 at 6% over 25 years, you'll pay it back at £643 a month. The total charge for credit will be £93,000. But if you can overpay by £100 a month you'll clear the loan in less than 19 years, giving you 6 years of mortgage-free living and saving a staggering £25,000 in interest. Saving: £1,000s

Some useful Links: This is Money mortgage finder; mortgage calculators; mortgage guides

Happy Saving!

Been on Holiday and got some good ideas!

50 ways to save on your holidays from This is Money!

SCHOOLS are clamping down on parents who take their children on holiday during term time. At many, to get permission for even one extra day off at either end of a holiday requires a degree of form filling and letter writing that wouldn't be out of place in a Soviet police station. Even then, the final decision rests on the whim of the chairman of governors.While the difference a day makes to a child's education is unquantifiable, it can add thousands of pounds to the price of a family holiday. But with this option of saving money virtually outlawed, how do you stick within the rules without breaking the bank?

Here are This is Money's 50 ways to save money on your holiday.

1. Book early
It may seem obvious but the holiday industry is like any other business affected by the basic economics of supply and demand. The best time to book, according to travel agent Trailfinders, is 11 months before you're due to travel. The flights have just been released and there's plenty of cheaper seats available. Link: Trailfinders.co.uk

2. Book late
The rules of supply and demand also apply in last few days before the departure date. If there are unsold seats and hotel rooms, you can bag a bargain with a few clicks of the mouse, or a phone call or two. Link: Late deals from The Co-op

3. Buy a package
The internet has been a godsend for people who wish to bypass the travel agent and arrange their own trips. But here's a little-known tip: if you are booking a flight and a car, or flight and accommodation, by packaging the two deals together, an agent can often offer a much better deal than if you were to book separately, even online. Call it creative accounting if you will, but it can save hundreds of pounds on a long-haul trip. Link: This is Travel

4. Travel on the ferry at unsociable times
After years of outrageously high fares, the cross-Channel ferry operators have woken up to the fact that people aren't prepared to pay up to £600 to cross a stretch of water so short you can see the other side from our shores - especially as you can fly to Spain for a few quid. As a result, fares have plunged and if you can travel at night, it's even cheaper. Link: P&O Ferries

5. Stay at home
A change is good as a rest so why not move into the spare room or swap rooms with your kids for a week or two. It's free and can be great fun – especially if you can agree to swap roles so the children do all the cooking.

6. Share the cost
A holiday home that sleeps 12 people isn't usually six times more expensive than one that sleeps two. So if you can bear to share with friends or family you could save a packet. Link: Interhome.co.uk

7. House swap
You may think you live in a horrid, torrid suburban time warp - but to an American visitor your home could well the quaint historic corner of Britain that they've been yearning for. Likewise, their 'small' tumble-down hovel will probably feel like a mansion. Give it at try. Link: www.homelink.org.uk

8. Check out the special 'anti-truancy' deals
As part of the Government's Every Lesson Counts campaign to cut down on truancy, major holiday companies have developed special deals such as free child places and money off for adults. Ask your school for details or contact the travel firms - but bear in mind that many of these offers may still be cheaper elsewhere. Link: Every Lesson Counts

9. Surf for a deal
It's one of the things the internet does best. Compare flights, create your own holidays and book online - or use it for research then phone around the High Street chains and haggle. Link: Travelzoo.co.uk

10. Check back later
Travel agents and internet users can reserve flights and holidays for several days without purchasing them. So if at first you find a deal is unavailable at the price you want to pay, you have a choice: pay the higher price or wait a few days to see if the places become available again. Link: Expedia.co.uk

11. Sign up for special offers by email.
Any airline or travel agent worth its reputation has a service that allows you to hear about the deals first. Choose a few of your favourites and sign up. You could access big savings for a few minutes' effort.

12. Go camping
The rise of the no-frills airlines has spawned a craze in ultra-low-cost holidays. You can buy a camping kit for a family of four including tent, mats and sleeping bags for sometimes less than £100. You book your flights to somewhere preferably with insignificant annual rainfall and then pay a few pounds a night to sleep under the stars. And remember: campsites abroad are often much better equipped than those in Britain. Link: Millets.co.uk

13. Save up for the holiday you really want
You don't have to slum it. If you plan ahead and save your money like people did in the 'olden' days, you can have the holiday you want, where you want and when you want - even in the school holidays. Link: 50 ways to save money

14. Take your bike
If you can't travel in the small hours, taking your family by car to the Continent in the summer can cost a small fortune. So long as you tell the ferry company in advance, most will allow you to take your bikes for free. This is especially viable if you're visiting Holland or the Belgian coast, which are famously rather flat. Link: Sustrans – cycling movement

15. Go youth hostelling
Did you know that in spite of the name, youth hostels are not the preserve of the young - and many have family rooms? Link: YHA

16. Interail
Again, not just for gap-year students. There are many European and country-specific rail schemes to enjoy. If you're really savvy you can travel on the overnight trains with your own cabin to avoid booking a hotel. Link: RailEurope

17. Think about cheap hotel chains
In Britain, there's Travelodge and Holiday Inn Express among others. In France there are tons of them dotted all over the country with rooms for three people from less than £20 a night. They're close enough to all the major tourist areas to make it a real viable option for the cost-conscious francophile. Link: Louvre Hotels

18. Do your own research online
You don't have to pay a fortune or spend years trawling the globe for the hidden gems. Just log on one or more of the travel websites and read the views of previous guests. Remember: cheap doesn't have to mean nasty. Link: Trip Advisor

19. Haggle for your hotel by email
One tip we like is to find accommodation recommended in guide books and on the travel websites - then email them directly to check for availability. Wait a few weeks and check again. If it's still available you're in a strong position to haggle for a deal. Email is particularly useful for people who hate haggling face to face or by phone.

20. Collect newspaper tokens
Many newspapers have a travel club or offer travel discounts that involve collecting tokens. Some of them offer a fantastic opportunity to save money on your holiday. Others don't, so always read the small print.

21. Check the latest exchange rates
Fluctuations in the value of the pound can mean the difference between being able to afford a holiday in the US and not. At current rates, America is around 20% cheaper than a couple of years ago. Also, think about visiting countries with currencies aligned to the dollar such as those in Latin America and the Caribbean. Link: Latest tourist rates

22. Visit cheap countries
Sounds obvious but take Greece - once a cheap option for a family holiday. Rampant inflation on the back of its entry to the euro and its new-found upmarket view of itself as Olympic host and European football champions, it has become relatively expensive. Italy on the other hand is still delightfully reasonable. Link: Report: Make your pound travel further

23. Don't use the Gatwick Express
If you're travelling from central London to Gatwick airport or vice versa you have a choice or rail operators. The non-stop Gatwick Express, which charges around £24 one way for an adult, and the two-stop Southern service, which takes FIVE minutes longer but costs a mere £9. Note: For the Heathrow and Stansted Express services it's less clear cut as the alternatives, though cheaper, can be overcrowded and therefore less reliable.

24. Book your cab in advance
Getting to and from the airport can end up being a significant additional expenditure. In the UK minicabs are a sensible option but you must book in advance. If you don't, and you want a taxi, the only option are the official on-site ranks, which can cost a fortune.

25. Book your airport parking in advance
Turn up on the day and you'll very likely feel sick at the price you'll have to pay just to park your car for a week or two. So do your research, check your insurance or AA membership for special tie-in offers, check hotels that offer one-night, pre-flight stays that include long-term parking, look for off-site parking offers, or, best of all, get someone to run you there and back.



26. Cut your speed on motorways
According to the AA, driving at 80mph on the motorways instead of 70mph costs an extra 4p a mile - or an extra litre of petrol every 20 miles. This may not sound much but it will add an extra £80 to a 2,000-mile tour of Europe. For lawbreakers driving at 90 or 100mph the costs are significantly higher – and you run the risk of heavy fines. Link: The AA

27. Find a low-cost insurance policy online
Your travel agent - online or High Street - will try to flog you insurance. Just say no. Go online or talk to a broker and you'll find single-trip European policies for less than £10 per person. If you're going away more than once in the year, consider an annual policy. Just make sure you understand what you need and read the small print. Tip: single-trip policies cover you for cancellation as soon as you take out the policy even if your travel dates are months ahead. This is not the case for annual policies, which start from the day you take out the policy, not the date of your first trip.



28. Shop around for your European breakdown cover
We've all heard of the AA and RAC but it's only insurance and any number of companies offer the same type of policies for significantly less money. Link: This is Money insurance finder

29. The packed lunch trick
If you're flying no-frills, you can pay several pounds for an in-flight sandwich and drink or you can take your own. With some of these low-cost deals, the cost of your food can be more expensive than the cost of your flights. There's a principle at stake here more than just a free lunch.

30. Take the coach
According to a This is Money survey, petrol will have to reach £10 a litre before we start leaving our cars at home in any great numbers. Until then public transport is always going to find it hard to compete. But coaches are pretty luxurious these days and at the time of writing, megabus.com is offering intercity fares throughout the UK from 50p, with £1 fares available during the Christmas holidays. Link: Megabus.com

31. How to locate cheap train tickets
Since the railways were privatised, unearthing cheap train tickets can seem impossible. But it's really quite simple. There are basically three types of ticket. The 'cheapo', available if you book
28 days or more in advance; the just-about-affordable if booked 14 days or more in advance; and the forget-it, which is what you'll pay in the last week before you travel. Best is to check individual websites for details. Tip: For peak periods at Christmas and Easter the 'cheapo' tickets go on sale about eight or nine weeks before the respective festive period and by 'cheapo' we mean around £25 return to cross most of the country rising to three or four times the price if you leave it to the last minute.

32. Don't fly on Fridays or Saturdays
Useless advice if you want to get away for a week at half-term but during the summer or Easter if you can fly on weekdays you can save a lot of money. BA.com has a useful fare search tool that allows you to select the cheapest day to fly. Link: BA.com

33. It's your (holiday) money
Remember commission-free doesn't mean profit free. Shop around before exchanging currency. Link: This is Money's exchange bureau

34. Control your holiday spending without doing a thing
Did you know that most credit card providers charge up to 2.75% commission every time you use the card abroad? A similar sting applies if you use your debit card abroad. One exception is Nationwide, which charges no such commission. Link: This is Money's credit card finder 35-50. Email us your tips There are hundreds more tips for families to cut the cost of their holidays. Send us yours and, if they're appropriate we'll add them to the list.

Some tips from Readers and friends...

35. Beware the mobile phone sting Do you know how much it will cost you to make and receive mobile phone calls abroad? Check your contract - at up to £1.49 a minute you may want to leave the phone at home. Marie-Claude, London Link: Report: Do you know the true cost of taking your phone abroad?

36. Don't use the Heathrow Express The return rail fare for a family of five from London Paddington to Heathrow airport is more than £130. Using the Underground and the little-known One Day Family Travel card will set you back around £20. Lesley, London area Link: Transport for London

37. Two for one London If you are travelling to London and the South East by train there are some genuine offers for reduced entry to attractions such as Madame Tussauds and the aquarium on the 2for1 website. Peter, Whitley Bay Link: www.2for1entry.co.uk

38. Do you really need a hire car? British public transport maybe unreliable, dirty, out-dated and expensive but it's not the case everywhere. In Tenerife, says Lesley, the buses are cheap, punctual, air-conditioned and clean - there's no need to hire a car or queue for a taxi.

39. Check your passport at least a month before you go If you leave this to the last minute and you have lost your passport, you won't be going away at all. If it has expired you will need to pay way over the odds for a rush application. Don't get caught out. David.

40. Beware the passport photo 'scam' The rules on passport photos are now so strict that if you use a photo booth it may take three or four attempts, around £14, before you get two pictures that obey all the rules on size, reflection, smile and head size. So forget the booths and go to a photographer who specialises in passport photos. You can refuse to pay if the pictures are no good. David.

41. The foreign school holiday trickWhen travelling abroad, check out the timings of the school holidays in the country you are visiting. In France, the school summer holidays end before they do in the UK. If you can wait a few weeks longer than normal before going away you will find that rates in holiday accommodation drop dramatically since you are no longer in their peak period. You will need to book direct with the French operator and make sure you have the school uniform laid out ready for school the morning after you return. Frances Ives

42. Beat the fly-drive systemWhen taking a fly-drive holiday in Florida many of the package deals include a 'compact' car. When collecting your car from the hire desk the staff may try to convince you to pay for an upgrade using techniques such as explaining how uncomfortable a family of five will be in a compact car, which is a little bigger than a Ford Escort. However, you may find you get the upgrade without parting with any money. Americans tend not to hire compacts so the hire companies don't have many in stock. Reject any requests for additional costs, take the keys and go to the car lot, where hopefully you will find a much larger car, which hasn't cost you a cent more. I Boyle

43. Don't let Disney take the Mickey The mousesavers website maybe for American people but it is definitely worth a read if you want to do Disney for less. LenaLink: Mousesavers

44. Track down local restuarants In Venice, in general, the closer a restaurant is to St Mark's Square the more touristy and expensive it is. Remember, wherever you go local people eat out too. Avoid the tourist traps and you'll be better fed and richer. MikeLink: Square Meal

45. Check in to the library For free guide books pop in to your local library. You can ask for an extended borrowing period if you are worried about not getting the books back on time, or renew them online. Pauline

46. Make friends in hot placesCultivate friendships with people who live in places you would like to visit. There are many websites for international friendship. You could have a free place to stay, free touring information, practice a new language and maybe even have a new partner. B Wilkins

47. Young children don't need expensive holidaysKids are happy anywhere on the beach in summer. There's no need to fly to the Caribbean - they won't appreciate the palm trees. Same with expensive day outs - of course they like the zoo but at a young age they enjoy farms and pet shops. J Gourlay

Can you suggest 3 more to make the 50?!?!??

Be efficient and save!

It would be hard to have missed the recent report in the news from the Local Government Association (LGA) that has branded Britain the dustbin of Europe.

According to its figures, we dump around 27m tonnes of household waste into landfill each year, 7m tonnes more than any other EU country, and the equivalent of almost half a tonne for every home in the country. In contrast, Germany (with a population 25% bigger than the UK) disposes of 10m tonnes of waste in this way, each year.

As a result, the LGA has launched a War on Waste campaign, with the aim of highlighting the fact that there needs to be a radical overhaul of the way rubbish is thrown away in the UK.
Of course, we can all do our bit by reducing waste, re-using where possible and recycling what we can as well as trying to be energy efficient. However, did you realise that by doing so, you could save yourself a few quid, too? Here are five tips to try:

1. Nappies
Figures from recycle.co.uk reveal that we throw away a whopping 3 billion disposable nappies in the UK each year, 90% of which end up in landfill. However, according to the Women's Environmental network, you can kit out a baby in washable nappies for as little as £50, and save, on average, £500 on the cost of keeping a baby in nappies -- this takes into account initial costs, washing and detergent. Check out their cost comparison figures here.

On top of that, many local councils promote the use of washable nappies by offering subsidies worth up to £50 towards the cost.

Once you've bought the nappies and wraps, they can be used for any subsequent children very cheaply. And if you don't fancy the extra washing, there are a number of companies offering nappy laundering services. If you're interested in switching but concerned your origami skills aren't up to much, don't worry -- modern washable nappies are shaped and very easy to use (I should know as we use them on our daughter!). Find out more from the Real Nappy Campaign, and The Nappy Lady websites.

2. Travel
Although many of us complain that our cars cost us a fortune, very few of us take the trouble to lift/car share. According to motor insurer Zurich, two thirds (68%) of parents admitted never sharing school run lifts with other parents, with just one in twenty (5%) doing so on a regular basis. And more than half of commuters (59%) admitted driving otherwise empty cars to work each day, with just five per cent regularly lift sharing.
However, lift sharing can potentially save hundreds of pounds each year. Sharing your driving requirements on the commute or school run can significantly cut petrol costs, reduce wear and tear on your car, and, by helping to keep your mileage down you can save money on your motor insurance, too.

What's more, if you pay to park at your workplace you'll be saving money here, too. Plus car sharing reduces congestion and is more environmentally friendly. If you don't know anyone locally to share with, check out sites as liftshare.com to get in touch with other drivers and passengers.

Car Rental
If, like a large number of UK households, you have two cars, could you give one up? Try adding up all of the costs involved in owning that second car: insurance, tax, MOT, garage bills etc. Now, if you work this out as a weekly/monthly cost, are you getting your money's worth -- especially when you consider depreciation?

Could even the occasional taxi trip cover your needs much more cheaply? Occasional car rental can be a good alternative and comes with the flexibility of being able to use a larger vehicle, should the need arise.

Alternatively, why not consider using a car club? These schemes allow you to rent vehicles on an hourly basis and can save a fortune when compared to the price of owning a car.
If your travel needs are regular trips to shops or to see friends, why not consider sharing journeys with friends and neighbours or using public transport? And if you can get to where you want to go by walking or cycling you'll be getting exercise, too -- so you could save even more money by cancelling that gym membership!

3. Energy Saving
An easy way to save money is to reduce your energy usage. Some top tips from Friends of the Earth include:

- Turn down your thermostat by 1ºC to save up to £30/year
- Turn down the thermostat on your hot water tank to 60ºC to save up to £10/year.
- Switching off appliances rather than leaving them on standby can save up to £11/year.
- Unplug equipment when fully charged or it will continue to draw electricity.
- Put a lid on saucepans so that the contents heat more quickly, and you use less energy.
- Washing at 30ºC rather than normal temperature means you use around 40% less electricity.
- Only boil as much water as you need. According to Scottish Power, overfilling kettles wastes enough energy in a week to light a house for a day, or run a TV set for 26 hours.

Energy Saving Lightbulbs.

And don't forget to use energy saving light bulbs, where possible. They cost a bit more but, according to the Energy Saving Trust, changing just one bulb can reduce your lighting costs by up to £9/year (£100 over the lifetime of the bulb) and they last up to 12 times longer, too. In fact, Scottish Power reckons that, if every household in the UK fitted just one of these light bulbs, enough electricity would be saved to power lighting in three million homes for a year!

What's more, they now come in all shapes and sizes so you're bound to find one that suits your needs. Check out mkneen's post on the Money Saving Tips board to find out how much he's calculated he'll save in a year from swapping the bulbs in his home.

4. Books
Instead of buying that book you have your eye on, why not re-discover the library and borrow it, instead? Not only will you save the money, you'll reduce your storage requirements at home, too. And while you're at it, check out the DVDs and computer games stocked, too -- you can usually borrow these for a nominal fee, saving a fortune on buying them new; fantastic if you'd only watch the film or play the game once, anyway.

If getting to the library is more trouble than it's worth, check out sites such as ReadItSwapIt -- it allows you to swap the books you've already read for others; all you pay is the postage.
And if your children have books they no longer read, drop them off at your local Early Learning Centre before the end of January - the books will be given to local children that need them, and you'll be given a 20% off voucher to be used against toy and game purchases in February.

5. Miscellaneous
And there is a wealth of other ways to re-use and recycle objects around the home that can make you money, too:

Mobile Phones
Old working mobile phones can be sold to companies to be used elsewhere. Envirofone, for example, will offer a cash value (depending on the make and model of your phone) or alternatively you can opt for slightly more in the form of Argos credit -- plus it will make a donation to charity. My old Motorola V600 is worth £8.46, for example, or £9.72 in Argos credit, but some newer phones can be worth up to £100.
Once you've agreed a deal you will be sent a postage paid jiffy bag to send the phone and charger to them in. Other companies offering a similar service include Mopay and Mobile2Cash.

Green Clubcard points
If you shop regularly at Tesco, you'll earn one green Clubcard point for every bag you re-use.

Compost
If you regularly buy bags of compost from garden centres, you can save a fortune by making your own.
Compost bins can often be purchased from your local council at a highly subsidised price, or even for free (my council offers a £30 compost bin for £5, for example). Simply fill it with those vegetable peelings, grass cuttings, leaves and tea bags and before you know it you'll have ready made compost - find out more at the GardenOrganic site. At around £2.50 for a bag at the garden centre, you could save a fair amount of cash!

So there you have it, a number of ways to be greener that can save you money, too. If you have any other ways to save and be green add them to the comments!!

Want to change career but don't know how.....

Fancy getting a career doing what you always wanted but never knew how then click onto How To Become Whatever You Want To Be an excellent site that may improve your earning potential and provide some great tips. Good luck with your new career!

Click away How To Become Whatever You Want To Be

A different type of holiday and Save!

This could save you a bundle! Me and my wife do this every year for a week. We miss out one foreign holiday a year and go somewhere in the UK for a week, in a few weeks we go to Wales to stay in quaint little cottage. But how do you save I hear you ask?!?!??!

.....well first of all you can get a really nice cottage for between £200-£300 all in....so less than for one of us to go away. Secondly you can get discounts. Thirdly if you have a dog you can take them with you saving you loads on making sure they are well looked after back home!

Going away in a large group? Well book a cottage instead! Me and my mates have done this loads of time, instead of staying in a Travel lodge hire a house to sleep 12 from Cottages4You and not only will you get a cosy base camp (even with added luxuries such a swimming pool) but it will also work out cheaper than a below par hotel room each!

So take a look today and save! Cottages4You

Free Phone Calls, World Wide local rate, another phone line in the house for free!

Free your conversations. Skype-to-Skype calls are always free - but that’s just the start. Talk, listen, watch, read, write to anyone, anywhere in the world without worrying about cost, distance or time.

Skype has designed lots of clever features to make it even easier to call your friends and family, to meet new people and to manage your calls. Most features in Skype can be used for free, a few you have to pay for, but they’re still pretty cheap.

What are you waiting for take a look today. A new phone line in your house for free, get all your friends and family signed up (and teenager sons and daughters friends signed up) and happy days free phone calls a plenty!

Save money on your wedding!

I got married a almost 4 years ago and I have to admit it was the best day of my life and we didn't break the bank.....here are a few tips:

Share and share alike
Okay, so the only people you want to share your special day with are the ones on your guest list, but have you thought of asking your ceremony venue if any other couples are tying the knot on the same day as you? If there are, you may be able to agree on a colour scheme and split the cost of flowers and decorations.

Play hard to get
You may have fallen in love with a venue/photographer/make-up artist, but don’t go with the first one that you see. Shop around and compare prices and services to make sure that you get the best deals. Ask other couples who they went with and ask photographers and the food supplier if you can see samples of their work before setting anything in stone.

Using friends’ skills
Come on, you must know someone who bakes a great cake, is a natural with a make-up brush or is a handy seamstress. Now’s the time to call in favours, and ask your nearest and dearest to share their amazing talents and help you save money. Chances are they’ll be delighted to help with your day, maybe in lieu of a wedding present?

Get crafty
Have you ever received a handmade wedding invitation and thought, ‘I could make those’? You’ll save a lot of money if you do. Stationery isn’t the only thing you can make yourself: you could assemble your own favours, fill paper cones with homemade dried-flower petals for gorgeous confetti, or teach yourself calligraphy and design a beautiful table plan. Visit a few arty stores like Hobbycraft http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ for lots of crafty accessories and materials.

Hire amateurs
It’s not as crazy as it sounds – many wannabe photographers, videographers, caterers and hair stylists are desperate to break into the wedding industry, but struggle to get bookings without experience. As a result, some talented people offer their services for free or at cost price in order to build up their portfolios. Contact your local college to see if any students are looking for work. We got a great young photographer who did all types of extras that he just put into the package for free he was just happy to get a chance to build up a portfolio!

Eat on your feet
Opting for a buffet reception could keep your budget under control.
Catering costs tend to be lower, and you won’t fork out for as many waiting staff. You can still have separate courses and a formal seating plan, and as an added bonus, you’re more likely to please your guests by offering a selection of dishes. To save even more, why not serve your wedding cake for dessert, instead of a separate pud? Your guests’ waistlines will thank you… and so will your bank manager. We didn't go for this option but been to a few weddings since and it did work really well and especially on a hot summers day it made everything so more relaxed and less fussy....so give it a careful think!

Skip the evening reception…
Evening receptions are often seen as a way to keep costs down, but by the time you’ve paid for venue, buffet and entertainment, costs can mount up. Do your sums carefully – if you’re only inviting an extra 20 people in the evening, it may be cheaper to invite them all to the ceremony and wedding breakfast, and skip the evening do altogether. Which, of course, leaves the whole night free for you to spend with your new husband

.… Or just do it cheaply!
You needn’t spend a fortune on your evening do. Most venues will provide a room free of charge if you’ve held the main festivities there, or decamp to the village hall or the function room of the local pub. Don’t overdo the buffet – afternoon guests will have already dined like kings, and evening guests eat before going out, so catering for 60-70% of the final number is usually sufficient. And don’t book an expensive band if money is tight – a cheesy DJ is great entertainment and much cheaper.

Suits you
Encourage the men in your bridal party to get organised and pay for a group visit to the suit hire shop. Most menswear suppliers run ‘groom goes free’ deals if you order three or four wedding suits at the same time. That could add up to a tidy saving of £100 or more.

Share the cost
In the States, it’s customary for adult bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses. The jury’s still out on whether it’s acceptable over here, but more British brides are taking the lead from our transatlantic neighbours. Only you know whether your bridesmaids will go for it, but if you choose dresses that flatter their figures and can be worn again they may be prepared to chip in. Likewise, don’t spend a fortune kitting ushers out in hired morning dress – they’ll look just as smart in their own suits with matching ties.

Go channel hopping
Daunted by your venue’s wine list? Then it may be worth nipping to France to stock up on bargain booze. You’ll need to check the venue’s corkage policy first, but with champagne from just 13.49 euros a bottle (around £9.30) at Tesco Vin Plus in Calais, and return ferry travel from around £50, you could be quids in. Visit www.tesco.com/vinplus for a price list, and http://www.ferrysavers.com/ for cheap channel crossings. Or alternatively have a look at a company like Virgin Wines:



Brass in pocket
You’re not expected to pick up the tab for your guests’ drinks all night – it’s fine to have a pay bar for the evening reception. Just make sure you spread the word beforehand, either by word of mouth or by putting a note in the wedding invitations, to make sure your guests visit the cash machine en route.

Designer dreams
A designer dress on a shoestring budget? It’s more possible than you might think. Many wedding stores have designer days where they sell off last year’s designs to make way for the new ones coming in, and you may be able to pick up a bargain there. You could also pay a visit to Debenhams for a fantastic selection of off-the-peg wedding dresses by famous designers like Jasper Conran and Gharani Strok.

Be a fair lady
A wedding fair lady, that is. With hundreds of suppliers under one roof, they’ll all be touting for your business, which can mean big savings on everything from your dress to favours, especially if you book on the day (although you shouldn’t be pressured into a decision). Just don’t forget your cheque book!

Second time around
The very nature of weddings means that all those beautiful things – the dress, the veil, the bridesmaids’ gowns – only get used once. You could buy all or part of your outfit second hand. Or, if you don’t fancy wearing someone else’s dress and you aren’t the sentimental type, you could always sell your wedding dress after the big day and recoup some of the cost.

Shop around for bargains
Wedding products and services vary hugely in price, and paying over the odds won’t necessarily guarantee a better deal. Before shelling out for anything, phone around other companies and see how their prices compare, and what deals they can offer you. It’s a really good idea to talk to other local brides-to-be and newlyweds to see what they paid for their services and if they have any hints or tips for you. Even if you save £50, it’ll be worth it.

Hit the high street
Not all of your wedding purchases have to come from exclusive bridal boutiques. The high street is a great place to start looking for some real bargains – try BHS for inexpensive yet stunning tiaras, shoes, bags and veils, and Monsoon for cute bridesmaids’ dresses and gorgeous accessories. You can even get your wedding cake from Marks & Spencer – their plain white fruit cakes can be easily jazzed up with a sprig of fresh flowers for a fraction of the cost of a custom-made cake.

Go seasonal
You may dream of filling your venue with lily of the valley and dining on asparagus and fresh strawberries, but if they’re not in season, you’re going to have to pay over the odds to get them on your wedding day. Using seasonal produce and flowers can reduce your final bill, so do your research first and check it out. Your catering manager should be able to talk you through good menu choices. Find out about flower availability at www.flowers.org.uk/flowers/facts/by-month.htm

Don’t buy ‘wedding branded’
Stick the word ‘wedding’ in front of anything and you’re guaranteed to add a few pound signs to the price tag. Instead of buying ‘bridal shoes’, buy some sparkly summer sandals that’ll look just as good. And you can save a small fortune by choosing evening dresses from a department store.
But a normal posh cake for a special party and don't mention a wedding and see the drop in price!

Hope this is helpful pass this site onto your friends of you think it is!

Got a blog, personal or business website...make some extra cash today!

Got a blog or website then make some extra cash. Become a member of clixGalore by pressing on the above link for free and take your pick of thousands of advertisers who will pay for you to put banners or other advertisement links on your site.

It just involves cutting and pasting. You can earn from people simply clicking on the link on your site and you can even make a percentage of the sale that is a direct result of someone clicking the link on your site. Take a look by clicking on the above link, it is free so give it a go....it may not make you rich but could buy a couple of pints every week!

Tell me how you get on.

Save on Software!

Strapped for cash, can't afford to pay for Microsoft Office applications then an increasingly credible rival to MS Office, OpenOffice.org includes powerful applications for making text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, diagrams, and databases, as well as HTML and XML documents. Not only does it let you edit basic documents, such as letters and faxes, it also handles complex and multipart documents with bibliographies, reference tables, and indexes.

The interface is similar to that of MS Office users, and even advanced Office users will find almost everything they're used to: templates, collaborative features (versions, recording changes), macros, and even a programming language. OpenOffice.org lets you open and save documents in formats as diverse as MS Office, PDF, HTML, and XML. However, it normally saves files in the open-standard Oasis OpenDocument XML format, for maximum compatibility with other applications. No doubt about it, OpenOffice.org is a compelling option for anyone in search of an alternative office suite.

Click here to Download Open Office today.

Save money on home phone calls and get free broadband internet!!!

Talk Talk is the home phone company from The Carphone Warehouse. Customers who sign-up to Talk Talk can phone other Talk Talk customers across the UK (including Northern Ireland) for FREE! Plus they are offering FREE broadband Up to 8Mb broadband at no extra charge when you sign up to Talk3 International.. As you could imagine people are rushing to make the most of this fantastic offer.

So sign up today with TalkTalk - the homephone company from The Carphone Warehouse

Shape the future and earn cash!!!

Nielsen//NetRatings is a global leader in Internet media and market research. Our company, NetRatings, Inc., (Nasdaq: NTRT), part of the Nielsen family, provides the industry's global standard for Internet and digital media measurement and analysis, offering technology-driven Internet information solutions for media, advertising, ecommerce and financial companies. Nielsen family members have been influential in determining the popularity of television programs for over 50 years. This is an opportunity to participate in Nielsen's panel for the Internet. Today, we are asking a select group of people to join the Nielsen//NetRatings Internet Panel and help us chart the course of the world wide web of tomorrow. It's free, it's easy to signup and everyone over the age of 18 years can participate. Panel members are asked to fill out a short profile and download our meter software to recieve surveys that will most interest them. Membership is free and all personal information will remain confidential.

So Join the Nielsen//NetRatings Research Panel and start winning prizes today.

Thinking about a last minute weekend away but can't afford it! Think again with with Laterooms you can they, have fantastic offers and the later you leave it the cheaper the room is likely to be. What is more you pay per room and not per person. Take a look at Laterooms now to see what all the fuss is about.

Just before I leave you Laterooms also have rooms going cheap all over the world not just the UK. So what are you waiting for take a look at Laterooms today. I use to do use Laterooms for company business as it allowed me to go large at night and I could justify it with the boss because my accommodation was much cheaper than booking it conventionally.

Compare prices before you buy and save money!

PriceRunner, a leading European price comparison website, provides the most comprehensive service in the UK market, listing over 2.6 million prices from over 4,000 retailers.
It's position is unique as they are the only independent comparison service, which ensures their customers always get the best price as they list the cheapest price first, regardless of retailers paying to be on PriceRunner or not. Some of their retailers include, Dixons, Comet, Dell, Pixmania, Digital direct and Misco. So especially for electrical and household appliances check them out today.

So log onto www.pricerunner.co.uk

Happy Saving!

Earn and Save Money with eBay!

First things first if you are not a member of ebay why not? It is free to join and gives you loads of opportunities to save money on things that you may buy down t he shop. I have save hundreds buying certain items from eBay. For example a whole set of ink cartridges can be bought for the price of just one in Tesco's! So if you are not registered do it now Register on eBay.co.uk!

If you are a little worried there is more advice than you can shake a stick at about How to shop on eBay.

No only can you save money buying things you can also make money selling things! eBay has millions of customers so if you have a load of things you simply do not want anymore but are too good to throw away eBay is the place for you! How do I Sell? Simply Register on eBay.co.uk! and follow the advice. Simply Click here to find out more about selling on eBay.

I have friends who earn some serious pocket money which pays for their family holiday every year and I also know some people who actually sell on ebay as a living! Happy buying and selling!

Earn extra cash filling out surveys!

Survey Annex is the largest database of survey companies, reward programs and focus groups where users get unlimited access to over 700 companies that will pay cash, incentives and rewards for their opinions.

So if Would you like to like to earn extra cash from home just by filling out surveys? Click here and Survey Annex will show you how.

Save £100's in about 15 minutes

uSwitch.com can save you £100's by just spending 15 minutes or so on the internet.

Think about it 15 minutes work for a few hundred pounds. Not quite as much as David Beckham gets paid for 15 minutes work but certainly not to be sniffed at.

Simply click onto uSwitch.com and follow the on screen instructions it could save you lots of money. I would recommend that you check you gas and electricity suppliers at least every 12 months to ensure you are getting the best deal!

Now the wholesale prices are reducing there are going to be lots of good deals as the suppliers are forced to lower their prices to us. So make sure you regularly check you situation on uSwitch.com over the next few months to make sure you benefit from the best deal for you!

So invest a little of your time at home or even at work checking out how much you could be saving with uSwitch.com.


Best of luck and let me know how much you save with uSwitch.com. Remember to log in every few days for regular advice and guidance from Fred!

Time to Save and Earn some extra cash!

Hello everyone!

I hope you are sitting comfortably as you have just found the blog that will consistently give you some sound advice on how to save money and some fab ideas on how to earn some extra cash to!

So sit back and look the blog up every few days to see if there are any ideas that will lead to you having more cash in your pockets.

Please give me feedback and let everyone know how much you manage to save or earn with each different post.