Handy tips

Add some art and light for less

Hanging an extra mirror in your living area makes the room feel lighter and bigger instantly. Something as simple as moving picture frames around your walls can give your room a new look. If you’re feeling creative, why not create some art of your own? Canvas prints are fun to make and something you can be proud of.

There are lots of lovely little ideas for improving or changing your living space. Lighting makes a huge difference to the mood of a room, so why not think about lighting a room differently with a well-placed lamp or changing a lampshade? Plants, too, are wonderful for adding some colour and life to a room.

A change is as good as a rest

Getting your paintbrush out and brightening up the rooms in your house makes a huge difference. It looks and smells cleaner and makes your home feel like new. If you’re doing it yourself, prepare your surfaces well for the best finish. Clean walls with sugar soap to remove any underlying grease and use filler on any holes and cracks. Make sure you let the filler dry over night before sanding down for a smooth finish. Then, protect your glossed surfaces with masking tape before you start, and you’re good to go!

Get creative in the kitchen

Having a brand new kitchen installed costs thousands, but you don’t need to spend that much to make it look and feel fresh. Look into choosing new doors for your existing cupboards, this is a much cheaper option but the results can be excellent. The same goes for your worktops. Replacing them with a smart granite top improves a kitchen instantly. If granite is out of your budget, there are some really impressive replicas available these days. For an even cheaper fix, buy some tile paint and give any tired tiles a lift.

Garden greatness

The garden is one of the easiest places to spruce up without costing a penny. Neat lawns, trimmed hedges and weed-free flowerbeds all make your property look smarter and all it costs is a bit of elbow grease. If you have some budget for gardening, invest in some classic pots and fill them with flowers. Seeds are great value and available from garden centres or even most supermarkets, if you’re happy to grow your own. If you have a patio area that’s past its best, give it a good blast with a power washer and it’ll look like new.

Great value insurance for your home

Making sure you’ve got a good Home Insurance policy in place for your home is crucial, and this is where we come in. Swinton can get you a fantastic quote. We even give you £50 Cashback when you take out a combined building and contents policy. Call one of our friendly team now to find out more on 0800 072 3768 or pop into your local branch.

How to get your garden ready for summer

With spring in the air and (fingers crossed!) lots of sunny days ahead, now's the time to get your garden ready for summer. So start work on creating a brilliant garden today with these handy tips.

Order summer-flowering bulbs

If you want your pineapple lilies or dahlias to blossom beautifully this summer, it's important to plant your summer-flowering bulbs in spring. The time to get your summer bulbs in the ground is when the soil has dried out and warmed up – about 60°F (15.5°C) or more. And to give your summer bulbs every chance to grow, add compost or manure to the soil. If you want to give your bulbs a head start, pot them up a month or two before it’s time for them to grow outdoors.

Clean up your flower beds and borders

To make a well kept garden, it's essential you have clean and sharp lines between the lawn and the plant or flower areas. This is possible with an edger tool or half-mooned spade, as both can be used to dig shallow channels along the edge of the garden. Keeping them straight needn't be difficult, just attach some pegs to a long piece of string and hammer them into the ground as a guide.

Remove those garden pests

Weeds are every gardeners worst enemy. They get everywhere, and to get rid of them you'll need small handled tools like trowels to get to them. However, trowels won't do much good against bigger weeds with deeper roots. For that job you're better off with a hoe which can dig up the weed or cultivate your soil before a weed even gets the chance to grow. Want another option? Consider weed killer. But be warned, this stuff should only be used where there's dense weed growth as it can affect the growth of your plants.

Install a water butt

Great for helping you save on your water bills and beat any hosepipe bans, a water butt will ensure your plants get water whenever they need it. Butts can be easily attached to your house, shed, garage – basically anything that has a gutter and a downpipe. Get one installed and you can expect to store up to 24,000 litres a year of rainwater.

Clean your gardening tools

Your gardening tools are there to craft your garden and tackle the elements, and that's dirty business.

And before you begin...

Check all your green-fingered essentials are covered. At Swinton, your garden shed and tools are protected under your home insurance policy. To ensure you never have to dig deep into your pockets and face the cost of replacing them, get a Home Insurance quote today. To learn more, talk to a member of our friendly team on 0800 072 9018.

Start to budget

One way to get on top of your money matters is to start budgeting. In simple terms this means keeping a record of all the money you’ve got coming in, and how much you pay out. You could do this using an online budget planner, a spreadsheet on your computer, or just a good old fashioned pen and paper. Either way it will give you a good idea of how much money you can afford to spend each month.

Keep a spending diary

Struggle to keep up with where your money goes each month? Why not consider keeping a spending diary? Spend a month making a note every time you buy or pay for something. It’s a useful way of finding out exactly what you spend your hard earned money on. And more importantly, it will hopefully show you areas where you could make savings too.

Set a savings goal

If you find it difficult to save money, you might want to try setting yourself a goal to help get yourself motivated. Rather than thinking in terms of money you can’t spend each month, focus on what you’ll be able to do with the money you’re putting aside each month. It doesn’t even have to be a lot either. You’ll be surprised how quickly your savings can add up.

Bring down your bills

Bills are a fact of life, you can’t avoid them. But you can change how much they cost you. Shopping around for a better deal on your water, gas and electricity, home phone, broadband and mobile phone can save you a fair amount of money in the long run. Using price comparison websites such as USwitch is a quick and easy way of finding out how much you can save.

Make your money go further

You may not have much control over how much cash you’ve got coming in each month, but you can control how much goes out. When you do your weekly shopping list ask yourself, are their any things you could cut out? Or try price-matching your regular shop on price comparison sites like mySupermarket. It lets you see when the things you buy regularly are on offer and compare the prices you normally pay to make sure you always get the best deal.

Save cash in a couple of clicks

Old-fashioned couponing is popular again… only this time it’s not paper tickets you cut out of magazines, but emails. Lots of companies have started offering online discounts, meaning you can get great savings on anything from shopping to eating out. Generally all you have to do to take advantage is sign-up with your email address. Try MyVoucherCodes, Money Saving Expert and Vouchercloud to get an idea of how much you could save.

Drive down your travel costs

If you own a car there are many ways you can cut down on your costs. You can save money on fuel by finding the cheapest petrol prices near you via petrolprices.com. Or share your journey to work with your colleagues to spread the cost between you. You can find people to car share with on liftshare.com.

You could also cut down the cost of your car insurance too. Remember, we search the UK’s leading car insurers to bring you our best deal.

Love your car this winter

Take care of the wipers
Salt from the icy roads, freezing rain, snow... your windscreen has to withstand a lot in the winter. It means your windscreen wipers have to work hard to keep the glass clear. So give them the once over every now and then, and if they’ve worn down replace them with new ones. Top up your windscreen-cleaner fluid tank too, adding a little antifreeze if it’s really cold.

Look after your battery
If you neglect your battery the simple truth is you won’t be going very far in your car. To avoid the frustration of a car that won’t start, perform some regular, simple battery maintenance. Clean the terminal ends, then test its ability to hold a charge. Get it serviced if needs be, or if it’s over four years old replace it completely.

Respect the way your tyres feel
Here’s a bit of science for you: air contracts with the cold and that includes the air inside your tyres. So double-check your tyre pressure during winter, as you could well find that it’s dropped. Get hold of a tyre pressure gauge and ensure you’re at the appropriate pressure at all times. Bearing in mind the amount of snow the country seems to be experiencing these days, you may well want to consider investing in snow tyres too – especially if your car journeys are essential.

Get hot on your antifreeze Antifreeze is the clever liquid that goes inside your radiator. It’s absolutely essential to your car’s winter makeup – it’s what keeps your engine ticking over when the temperature drops. Ideally it should be mixed in a 50:50 ratio of antifreeze to water, especially in severely cold weather. But above all else keep it topped up, if you’re not sure how, visit your local garage for advice.

Love your home this winter

Stop the chills from multiplying
There are few things more uncomfortable than icy cold drafts worming their way into your home. So do your best to block them out. One way of doing this is to check the caulking around windows and doors. If it looks worn out replace it, it’s fairly cheap and not very difficult to do. You could also consider sealing up windows with clear plastic film – again, this is fairly inexpensive and simple to do.

Keep pipes from popping
You really don’t want to come home on a cold winter’s evening to discover that your pipes have burst. So make sure they’re properly lagged. Your local DIY store will be able to point you in the right direction for pipe-lagging, and, when at home simply use a pair of scissors to cut it down to the size you need. If you’re going away overnight at all, it’s a good idea to leave the heating on low – just enough to keep warm water circulating through the system.

Don’t let the rain dampen things
If your home is not properly weather-proofed, you can expect to see more of the rain than you would like. The first line of defence of course is your roof. Take a look at it from the outside first, to see if you can spot any loose tiles. Then go up into the attic and check for signs of water coming through the roof – it could well be that your siding needs replacing.

Make sure heat can’t escape
Did you know that a quarter of the heat in your home is lost through the roof? You can stop that happening by insulating your loft, attic or flat roof. If your loft is easy to access and has no damp or condensation problems, insulating it should be easy enough to do yourself. Simply add rolls of insulation wool between the joists (the horizontal beams on the floor of the lofts), then cross-lay another layer to cover the joists. Keep adding insulation until you reach the required depth. If you come across any difficulties, just hire a qualified professional to help you out.

'Winterise' your car
Before setting off on any road trip in winter, take these simple steps to minimise the risk of you breaking down and having to wait for a recovery vehicle in sub-zero temperatures:

• Engine coolant - add the recommended amount of antifreeze to the engine coolant, it protects your vehicle from freezing and corrosion.

• Life in your battery? - According to some recovery services, flat batteries account for nearly 1 in 3 call outs. They don't last forever and having your lights, heaters and wipers on put high demands on the battery. If you think yours might be on the blink, invest in a new one now. Replacing it at a garage is a lot more convenient then waiting for a recovery vehicle to help you do it at the roadside.

• Take your time - Give yourself plenty of extra time to get to your destination. If the weather is really bad, there will probably be delays, so make sure you stock up on supplies for the trip. Also check the Highways Agency website or use smartphone app for the latest traffic news.

• Keep your distance - Sleet, ice, slush and snow, all tricky to drive in. To make sure you give yourself ample time to stop, double your usual braking distance. It's also worth remembering that ice tends to form more rapidly on bridges and overpasses, so take extra care.

• Clean machine - Cleaning off the salt and gravel used for de-icing roads will prevent your paintwork corroding. While you're at it, it might be worth giving your headlights and windscreen a clean too - seeing and being seen is one of the most important things in bad weather.

• Check your tyres - Grip is king. Check your tyre tread and pressure are at the recommended amounts as per your handbook. When it comes to tread, 3mm is quoted as the minimum for safe winter driving. Importantly, don't drop tyre pressure to get more grip, it doesn't work. Goodyear have a helpful Maintaining a Tyre section on their website with plenty of handy advice.

• Kit yourself out - It's rare people get stuck on the motorway overnight in this country, but it does happen occasionally. It doesn't take long to grab a few essentials to make sure you and your family will be comfortable if you do get stuck on the roads. Think about taking warm blankets, jump cables, snacks and drinks, a flashlight, in-car phone charger, extra clothes, ice scraper and de-icer. If you have one, consider popping a shovel in the boot, just in case you need to dig yourself out.

• Goodyear have an excellent winter tyre range which has been developed specifically with your safety in mind. The tyres have been designed to keep you safer in ice and snow and will perform at temperatures 7 degrees or below. The latest Goodyear winter tyres are the UltraGrip 8 Performance and they offer confident handling in the snow, excellent performance on ice, high aquaplaning resistance, fuel efficient design and optimised mileage. They also offer better responsiveness and braking distance which is essential in cold weather conditions. For more information on Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance tyres click here.

If the blues are getting the better of you, we've got 9 great tips to beat them, from day-dreaming of sunny climes to taking up a new hobby.

1. Get moving - One of the added bonuses of doing exercise, aside from working off the festive excesses, is a big hit of serotonin, the feel-good hormone. During winter we tend to sleep more, eat more and move less which can leave us feeling sluggish and depressed. You don't have to don lycra and hire a personal trainer either - even gentle exercise can make a surprising difference to how you feel. How about a taking a wintery walk in the country? Get your wellies and woollies on, breathe in the crisp, cool air and then reward yourself with a pub lunch by an open fire. Bliss!

2. Think tropical - How about getting out those holiday brochures and picking out a tropical far-flung destination? It's a sure-fire way to perk yourself up! While we're in the bleak mid-winter here in the northern hemisphere, the southern hemisphere is enjoying the best of the summer sunshine. If you can afford it, treat yourself to a trip away. If your budget can't quite stretch that far, you can also start browsing holiday destinations for later in the year and imagine yourself basking in the sunshine. Having something to look forward to will give you a positive focus.

3. Play host - Not many people go out in January, so why not invite friends round for a visit? It'll be a cheap and cheerful night for all. If everyone either brings a course or some liquid refreshment, you can all enjoy a slap up meal together at a fraction of the cost of going out to a restaurant.

If you wanted to make a fun night of it, you could always theme it. You could host a retro games night with games like Twister, Hungry Hippos and Operation. Or go traditional and play cards, Monopoly or charades? If you and your guests are capable of entertaining yourselves, you could try a Mad Hatter's Dinner Party theme where every guest arrives with a novelty hat.

4. Embrace the season - Instead of going into hibernation, why not explore the best the season has to offer? You could try your hand at a winter sport like ice skating, snowboarding or even sledding if we're lucky enough to get some snow! Make the most of these opportunities while they last—after all, winter's only here a few months per year. Seeing the chilly months in a positive light, with all the fun it has to offer, will help keep your spirits high.

5. Take up a new hobby - If you've always fancied trying out a new hobby but have never got round to doing it, January is a great time to set the wheels in motion. As well as increasing your skills, joining a book group, learning a new language or singing in a choir could provide a great opportunity to make friends and meet new people with the same interests. If you're not looking to expand your social circle you could take up sewing, keep a journal or learn a musical instrument. The options are endless!

6. Add a splash of colour - You'll be surprised how much adding a splash of colour to your life can uplift your mood. We naturally lean towards more muted colours in the darker, chillier months, especially when it comes to clothes. Why not buck the trend, leave the greys and blacks in the drawer and opt for something light, bright and breezy?

If reaching for the hot pink knitwear is a little too extreme for you, a vase of hot pink fresh cut flowers might provide an adequate substitute. There's nothing quite like a bouquet of flowers to raise a smile. Alternatively, think about adding some colour to your environment by giving your home a lick of paint or investing in some bright and beautiful soft furnishings.

7. Eat expensive chocolate - People who suffer with the winter blues often crave a natural amino acid called tryptophan that can be found in some foods, including chocolate. Trytophan helps your body produce more of the feel-good hormone, serotonin, and dark, cocoa-rich chocolate is packed with it. Leave those sugary, milk chocolate bars alone and opt for the most expensive type of chocolate with the highest cocoa content. Guilt-free indulgence. Now that's just what the doctor ordered.

8. Get some natural light - Sitting in your office or at home, even if extremely well lit, won't help to boost the amount of light you are getting each day. Most artificial light is many times weaker than the natural light required for our health and wellbeing. Doctors believe that we should be exposed to around 2,500 lux (the measurement of light intensity) each morning for at least half an hour to allow our natural body clocks to work correctly. The average light in a well-lit kitchen or office is only 500 lux. A clear winter morning, however, has an intensity of 4,000 lux.

9. Get your finances in order - For the start of 2013 put together a budget that you can review and keep going back to. By doing this you'll be able to plan your money and reduce debts if you need to, or you could set savings goals to help you save up for that dream holiday.

By setting a budget you will also become more mindful of impulse purchasing and by doing all this you could be well on the way to establishing a good credit history.

Christmas can be an expensive time. All that eating, drinking and merry-making can leave you with a painful financial hangover in the New Year. When it comes to buying gifts for your nearest and dearest this Christmas, by following a few easy tips you can help to keep your costs down without having to scrimp on quality.

Make a list
Before you head out to the high street or start trawling the web for inspiration, spend ten minutes brainstorming a Christmas gift list. Taking an organised approach will prevent panic purchases and will give you more time to shop around for the best price. You can often save quite a bit of money shopping online but remember that lead times on delivery are often much longer than stated on websites, especially in adverse weather conditions. And if you leave it too late you may risk having no presents to give at all.

Set a budget and stick to it
We all know how easy it is to get carried away when Christmas shopping. Browsing through a department store or wandering around Christmas markets, you can easily pick several little presents up for various people that amount to much more than you were planning to spend. The key is being disciplined. Set a budget and shop for each person in turn. Wherever possible, take the money in cash, that way you can keep track of what you’ve spent and are less likely to be tempted to go over budget.

Emailable gifts
Although it may seem a bit of a cop-out, having a gift that you can email is a practical and quick solution, and great for those who are pushed for time. From fashion to audio books, iTunes to air travel, the options are endless these days, and many of the vouchers last for a year or more after their purchase date.

Group discount sites
There are some good deals to be had on group discount sites. With reduced rates for hotel breaks, leisure pursuits and pampering you could snap up an extra special gift at a fraction of the usual price. Sites like Groupon are a good place to start. Beware that group offers usually have inflexible terms and conditions such as the timeframe in which you can redeem your voucher, so make sure you check before you buy.

Check it out
Getting your car serviced regularly and checking things like your oil and tyre pressure is a good way to reduce the risk of you breaking down. The most common reason for a breakdown is a flat battery, so it's worth checking yours, especially in the winter months, and having some jump leads with you.

Flashing lights? Funny noises?
If warning lights pop up on your dashboard, don't ignore them. The same goes for unusual noises or strange vibrations - find a safe place to stop and check. If you don't know what they mean look them up in your handbook or ring your breakdown provider.

Don't panic
If you do have to stop, only use the hard shoulder in an emergency. Wherever possible, pull into a lay-by or less busy road away from moving traffic. Stop as far as you can to the left with your wheels turned this way, leaving your sidelights and hazards on. Use your warning triangle if it's safe to do so, but not on a motorway hard shoulder.

Exit passenger side
Get out the car on the passenger side, leaving the door unlocked in case you need to get back in. Leave any pets in the car with the window open slightly. If you break down on the fast lane of a motorway or on a high-speed dual carriageway, you'll have to make the call on what's the safest course of action. The recommended option is to get away from your vehicle and as far as possible away from moving traffic.

Not safe? Call the police
If there is nowhere safe for you and your passengers to wait outside your car, and if there is a strong chance your vehicle could be struck, call the police straight away. If you have to stay in your car, keep your seatbelt on.

Got a flat?
Flat tyres can be a pain but can be solved quickly and easily when you know how. Here are some tips to help you stay safe when you're changing a tyre:

Safety first
• Don't try to change a wheel on the hard shoulder of a motorway
• Only change tyres on a hard surface, not soft or uneven ground
• Get any passengers to leave the car and move to a safe place
• Remember to only use the jack at the designated lifting points on your car

A quick guide to what to do
1. Make sure the engine is off and your hazards are on
2. Put the handbrake on and put the vehicle into first gear or 'P' if an automatic
3. Chock the road wheel diagonally opposite the one you're replacing
4. Remove the spare from the boot/carrier
5. Remove the wheel trim
6. Place the jack in the recommended lifting point next to the wheel you're changing. Once the jack head is engaged, extend it until it starts to lift the car a little bit
7. Slacken off the wheel nuts/bolts then use the jack to lift the wheel just clear of the ground
8. Remove the slackened wheel nuts/bolts, removing the top bolt last, and carefully lift the wheel away from the hub
9. Secure the new wheel by tightening the top bolt/nut first, then tighten all the remaining nuts by hand, in stages in a diagonal sequence
10. Carefully lower the wheel to the ground then fully tighten up the wheel nuts as before

Swinton provide comprehensive Breakdown Cover
with the first three months FREE.

The average response time is 40 minutes.

Here at Swinton we've put our heads together to come up with some clever ways to keep your motor running for less.

Avoid keeping the engine running
If you're going to be stationary for more than a minute or two, kill the engine. Idling simply wastes fuel.

Drive less, cycle more
According to www.direct.gov.uk, almost a quarter of all car journeys are two miles or under. That's a distance you could cycle in less than 15 minutes – saving you money and keeping you fit at the same time.

Pump up your tyres
It's such a simple thing to do, but can make a big difference. Under-inflated tyres create extra resistance, which means your engine has to work to get you where you want to go. So not only does pumping up your tyres reduce the chance of you wearing them out early, it could cut your fuel costs too.

Service regularly
Well-maintained cars run more efficiently, so getting yours serviced regularly makes sense. You should think of it as an investment rather than an expense, as keeping everything ticking over in good condition is likely to save you money in the long run.

Drive more efficiently
Did you know you can actually drive just as quick but use as much as 30% less fuel? The trick is to accelerate gently but get into a higher gear quickly, then position yourself on the road so you can slow down gradually without using the brakes as much.

Pay less for petrol
A quick visit to petrolprices.com will show you where the cheapest petrol prices are to be found in your area. Just type in your postcode for instant, up-to-date advice on where to fill up for less.

Have a bit of a tidy-up
Has your car boot got a bit overcrowded? It pays to clear it out now and again. After all, the heavier your car is, the more petrol it uses up as you drive. Think lighter and pay less.

Share the driving
Live near any of your colleagues? Why not consider car sharing? It's a great way to get to know each other on the way to work, whilst saving yourself some petrol money too.

Compare insurance quotes
You might not know this, but here at Swinton, we compare Car Insurance quotes from many of the UK's top insurers to help you save money. We always give you our lowest possible quote too, so you know you'll always get our best price.

Top tips to prevent burglary

It's not something that any of us want to think about, but according to the Office of National Statistics over a quarter of a million homes in Britain were burgled in 2011. By taking just a few simple steps you could stay one step ahead of the thieves and ensure your home is safe. Here are our top tips.

1. Use the deterrents available

It sounds obvious, but keeping your windows and doors locked and getting into the habit of checking them before you leave the house is a really good idea. A large percentage of burglaries are unforced, meaning the thieves have just walked straight in a back door or climbed through an open window. Making sure you don't leave any handy tools hanging round your back garden that'll make it easier to break in, ladders are an absolute gift.

House alarms are a great deterrent - when they're on. Many of us have them but leave them off in the night, which sort of defeats the purpose. Ok, one of the kids accidentally setting the alarm off on their way to get a midnight snack might be annoying, but not half as annoying as having your prized possessions stolen or hearing someone downstairs in your home in the wee hours.

Motion sensors are easy to install and a good deterrent, after all no burglar wants to be exposed while up to no good. The higher up you install them, the wider the area they will illuminate - just make sure they're not a nuisance for your neighbours.

2. Don't tempt them

Keep your keys away from the front door. With one bent piece of wire a skilled thief could get hold of your car and front door keys via your letterbox. Why make it so easy?

After using your laptop or tablet, put it away instead of leaving it on full view from your window. Thieves are often looking for items that are both valuable and portable, and these fit the bill perfectly. And it's worth taking photos of these high value items, just in case anything does happen to them as it could make the claims process smoother with your insurance company and help the police identify what might be yours if the thief is caught.

3. Away from home?

As well as informing your neighbours you're heading off on a break and making sure you've put the house alarm on, resist the temptation to brag about your holiday to your taxi driver or on social media. You just never know whose ears might prick up.

To create the illusion that someone is at home, draw your curtains and use timer switches. There are switches available that have up to six on/off settings which means you could have the lamp, the radio and the television on at different intervals to foil anyone who may be poking around.

Of course it goes without saying that having a comprehensive home insurance policy is really good back up. Why not see what Swinton can do for you?

1. Skip to it

Little girls (and I'm sure some little boys too) will remember happily skipping around the garden or playground for hours on end as a child. Try it again as an adult and you'll be surprised at how quickly your pulse starts racing. It's a fantastic way to build stamina, after all, that's why boxers do it. You can up the speed and number of repetitions over time as your fitness increases, and combine it with stretching sequences to give yourself a breather.

Best of all, a skipping rope is inexpensive and you can do it in your back garden, local park or even indoors if you have enough room.

Skip tip: Listening to your favourite music and skipping to its rhythm is a great way of motivating yourself to do more.

10 mins at moderate skipping = 98 calories

2. Get on your Bike

Jumping on a bike, either a stationary one at the gym or a mobile one, is a great way of burning calories. If you're at the gym, start off with a manual program at an easy level and try to gradually increase your resistance throughout a 10-15 minute session. If heading outdoors on two wheels, try and find a local route with some slight inclines just to get your legs working... the longest muscle in your body is in your thigh and the strongest is in your bottom, so getting these working by powering up a hill will ensure you break a sweat.

Once you feel comfortable in the saddle, why not push yourself a bit further and starting biking to work a couple of days a week? It'll save you cash on fuel and with the government endorsed Bike2Work scheme you could save up to 42% off bikes and equipment.

10 mins of moderate effort = 76 calories

3. Run to the hills

Now not everybody enjoys running, but you can't deny that's there's nothing cheaper and easier than popping on your trainers and heading out for a lap or two of the local park. Of course, you don't have to follow Usuain Bolt's lead and sprint the whole way like your life depends on it, a gentle jog with intermittent walking is sufficient for starters, then you can build up your stamina and speed gradually as your fitness increases.

If you prefer not to be seen puffing and panting by your neighbours walking the dog, a running machine at the gym might be a better option. Again you can start slowly and use a programme that gently increases your pace.

Running tip: If you do have a furry friend, taking them running with you can help you keep up the pace.

10 mins of moderate running at 5mph (12 minute mile) = 87 calories

4. Make a splash

Swimming is great way to get yourself into shape. Even a gentle swim can burn over 200 Kcal in half an hour and a fast front crawl can burn as many calories as an 8mph run. Although donning your swimmers might seem daunting, the benefits far outweigh the embarrassment.

According to swimming.org, studies indicate swimming also improves psychological wellbeing. Female swimmers in particular have been shown to experience significantly less tension, depression and anger after exercising than before. It's particularly good for pregnant women and those with disabilities, injuries or illnesses like arthritis because when swimming up to 90% of the body's weight in supported in water. And remember, if you don't fancy doing lap after lap of breaststroke, there are loads of other pool based activities to choose from aqua aerobics to water polo.

As part of their sponsorship of the British Swimming Teams, British Gas is offering free swims at your local pool with additional offers available for their customers. Offer ends August 30th 2012.

10 mins breast stroke = 108 calories

1. Before you set off...

Ask a friend or neighbour to keep an eye on things while you're away. To make it look like the house is occupied, you can ask them to complete a quick checklist, including:
• Close the curtains when it gets dark
• Pick up the mail
• Keep the garden tidy
• Park their car on your driveway

2. Don't advertise the fact that you're away

It sounds obvious, but don't tell strangers or people you've only just met that you're going away. Beware of doing the same thing on social media sites too. You don't want to advertise your absence. Once you're away, try these little tips to make it look like you're not.
• Set up some timer switches to turn your lights on and off - particularly in rooms at the front of your house that people can see into
• Remember to put milk and newspaper deliveries on hold
• Consider mowing the lawn before you go - an unkempt lawn can make it seem as if no one lives there

3. Secure anything valuable

Again, it sounds obvious, but don't leave anything valuable on display. It's better to be safe than sorry.
• Think about leaving important documents or jewellery with a family member or have them put in a bank safety deposit box
• If you own a bicycle, particularly an expensive one, move it into the house rather than keeping it in the garage
• Make sure that you shut and lock all doors and windows - and set the alarm if you have one
• Don't be tempted to leave a spare key under a flowerpot or anywhere near your house
• Keep tools and ladders locked away - so you don't unwittingly help a burglar break in

4. Unplug your electricals

Unplug your telly, computer, games console, oven and any other appliances you won't be using. As well as saving energy, you'll also protect them from power surges and the starting of electrical fires.

5. On the way to the airport...

If you are taking a taxi, make sure to travel with a company you trust. And it's a good idea not to reveal to full travel plans with the driver. Plus, when you get to the check-in desk, don't be tempted to put your full name and address on your luggage tags. Just your house number and postcode will suffice.

6. Check your home and contents insurance

...to find out what's covered and to make sure you're fully protected while you're away.

Backpacking in Thailand, all-inclusive in Mexico or a city break in Rome... wherever your travels take you this summer, we've got some great tips on how you can make the most of your break without breaking the bank.

Budget

If you aren't lucky enough to own your own Tahitian island, you might need to holiday on a budget. Problem is, when you're away on holiday, the weather's great and you're relaxed and happy, a budget is very easy to blow. Knowing how to convert currencies back into Sterling is essential to keep track of your spending. For a helping hand, download currencyapp which keeps you up to date with exchange rates in over 100 currencies.

A travel money card is a really good idea if you are working to a strict budget. They are prepaid cards designed especially for use overseas. You top up the card with cash before you travel and use it in the same way as you would a credit card over here. There are no charges for foreign transactions or for withdrawing cash abroad and you can reload it online, via your phone or by SMS, anywhere in the world. The Caxton FX global card is completely free for all transactions except withdrawing cash in the UK, and can be used in any establishment where Mastercard or Visa is accepted.

Currency

Getting a good deal on your currency is important - and like most things, it's worthwhile shopping around for it. Usually the best deals are on an 'order online and collect at branch' basis, with slightly less favourable rates if you want the currency delivered to you. travelmoneymax.com is a website created by MoneySavingExpert's Martin Lewis to help you find the best rates by comparing all online currency bureaux. Whatever you do, don't leave it till the airport.

Excursions

Many people book their holiday excursions through their hotel because they're considered to be trusted sources. However, if you're willing to shop around, you could save yourself a tidy sum. Often with local tour operators you can haggle the price down and find yourself part of a smaller tour - far more enjoyable than being crammed on to a hotel tour bus with 30 others.

If you can, buddy up with other people wanting to head to the same attractions as the bigger the group, the more muscle you have to flex when driving the costs down.

Essentials

Many people think that holiday essentials such as sun cream are cheaper to buy abroad but for the majority of destinations, this is not the case. There are often many offers on both branded and own branded sun creams in supermarkets and health and beauty superstores. You should be able to get great offers such as 'buy one get one free' or 'half price', so make sure you buy it before you go!

Communication

If you need to get in touch with the folks back home, phoning from your mobile can be ridiculously expensive - some networks charge up to £5 for a 10-minute call in the EU, or £25 outside the EU. If the person you're calling is on Skype, you can call them for free. Alternatively you can credit your Skype account before you go and enjoy super low call charges - from 0.7p per minute.

Another app is Pinger, which is a free global text messaging service that is also available for the iPhone and Android. International sim cards from companies such as Go Sim or SIM4travel charge you nothing to receive calls and less to make them than your UK network.

Here are some handy tips to help you make yours one to remember.

Street parties are a wonderful British tradition and after the high spirits of Catherine and William's wedding festivities last spring, predictions are that up to three million people will take to the streets this June. If you're thinking of dusting off the bunting with your neighbours, there are lots of resources out there to help you make it a success.

All together now

If you want to close your road for your party, the first thing you need to do is get in touch with your local council. Ideally, you'll need to do this four to 12 weeks prior to the event. You might have to fill in an application form or two but if you're not planning to have a paying bar, you won't need to buy a license. Just get a few organisers together, send out the invites and off you pop! For official Government advice, visit direct.gov.uk or read "Your guide to holding a street party".

There are ways around having to get permission if you've left it too late – a Street Meet can take place on a driveway, pavement or cul-de-sac without the need to close any roads. If space is at a premium, why not get together with your neighbours for a picnic in a local park? The Big Lunch is an initiative run by the Eden Project that takes place every year on the first Sunday of June, and this year it falls on the Jubilee bank holiday weekend, Sunday 3rd. The idea is really simple; go and have lunch with your neighbours as a simple act of community, friendship and fun!

Get in the spirit

Once you've sorted some tables, chairs, gazebos and the like, it's time to decorate… and there's nothing that says street party more than bunting. You can make your own very easily with scrap fabric, string and a stapler, and it's a fun activity you can get all the family involved in. There are lots of other cheap and cheerful ways you can bring a bit of festive colour to your street; think about hanging flags or banners from windows, decorating trees, cars, fences and gates or wrapping lampposts in colourful ribbons. Don't limit yourself to red, white and blue though… how about a British summer garden theme or a Mad Hatter's Tea Party!

Get the party started

To keep your guests entertained you'll need some simple but effective activities. How about creating a wish tree? It's so easy to do; all the partygoers write their wishes on colourful pieces of cards and attach them to a tree, making a pretty and poignant momento of the day.

Face-painting is always popular with the kids, along with fun day-type games to wear them out - bin bags can be used for a sack race for example. Hosting a quiz is always a good way to get people mingling and fostering a community spirit. You could have a 'best dressed house' competition for those who have pulled out the stops on he decoration or a cake bake-off contest… the possibilities are endless.

Get inspired

There are lots of places you can look for help and inspiration. StreetsAlive offer some great tips for street party organisers across the UK as well as some fantastic ideas for activities. Whatever you choose to do, make sure you have a great time!

BE KIND TO YOUR CAR. Maintaining your car's engine properly helps it run efficiently. Make sure that you have regular check ups on your car.

DON'T IDLE. Idling the car to warm it up wastes energy. Drive off immediately and smoothly - don't rev up the engine during the first few kilometres to warm up the engine and all the other moving parts of a vehicle.

CHECK YOUR TYRE PRESSURE. The wrong tyre pressure not only affects the car's overall driving performance, the tyres' grip and their mileage, it can also increase rolling resistance and thus fuel consumption. Check the pressure of your tyres regularly, at least every 2 weeks, to make sure they are properly inflated.

ACCELERATE SLOWLY Accelerate slowly for optimum fuel economy. If you accelerate aggressively, you will waste fuel.

REMOVE ROOF RACKS WHEN NOT NEEDED. Roof racks cause extra wind resistance, which thus increases fuel consumption. It is recommended to remove roof racks if they are not being used.

WATCH YOUR SPEED Slowing down and maintain a constant speed. Unnecessary acceleration and braking increases fuel consumption significantly.

Discover somewhere new and save a bob or two

From the Cornish coastline to the windswept wilds of Shetland and everything else in between, there's so much to discover in the UK. Travel by plane, train or automobile and you can be a world away in just a few hours.

Remember, travel doesn't have to cost the earth. It's a natural assumption that bus tickets are the cheapest way to go, but this isn't always so. Booked in advance you can get some bargain train tickets to anywhere in the country. Leave it to the last minute and you could snap up a fantastic value flight to somewhere you might never have thought of going to.

Half term family holidays

At the beginning of every half term parents up and down the land take a deep breath and wonder about what they can do to keep the kids entertained. Well, we've found some fantastic places to go this Easter. From youth hostels to yurts, take the family away in the UK and enjoy some quality time without the stress of work or school. Click here

Glamp it up

If you fancy experiencing the great outdoors without pitching your own tent, go glamping. Glamorous camping gives you all the fresh air and fun you want without the need for your own ground sheet. You can go as glam as you like, some of these places have roll top baths and range ovens! It's not for everyone but if you're not one for roughing it but want to experience some country living, this could be for you. Find a site near you at www.glamping-uk.co.uk.

Take to the water

Why not hop aboard a barge or narrowboat and let the world float? Not only is it a great way to soak up the beautiful British countryside but boating holidays can often work out much cheaper than hiring a cottage. If you're worried it might be a squeeze to bring the whole crew, don't be, many companies offer boats for up to 12 people. You can even bring family pets with you. Best thing is, you have the ability to hop on and off where you choose allowing you to create your own made-to-measure break. Pick your canal and start planning your break here.

5 ways to save fuel:

1. Pump it up

Make sure your tyres are inflated correctly – it really does make a difference to fuel economy. Your tank of petrol will go further and you'll decrease your CO2 emissions.

2. Plan ahead

Whenever possible you should plan out your trip to avoid busy routes at the busiest time of day. The less time you spend queuing, the less fuel you waste.

3. Cruise along

Take your time when you drive, leave a little bit earlier and go a bit slower. Accelerating and decelerating smoothly also reduces fuel consumption.

4. Boot it out

Sounds obvious but emptying your boot and removing things like you roof rack while not in use will help your fuel consumption.

5. Run it down

Fuel economy-wise it's much better to run your tank right down before you fill up as fuel evaporates when you remove the petrol cap.

5 ways to save money at home:

1. Shop online

Reduce the temptation of buying more than you need by doing your grocery shopping online. Sites like Pricerunner help you compare supermarket prices for the big items.

2. Do DIY

There are lots of day courses available to arm you with the necessary skills to complete all those little DIY projects around your home. It could save you a tidy sum in the long run.

3. Sell your clutter

If you've got things lying round the house that could be of use to others, why not sell them? A car-boot sale is a good way to earn a bit of extra cash and de-clutter your home. eBay also allows you to sell goods for a small commission.

4. Cut fuel bills

The domestic fuel market is a competitive one, so shop around. You can change supplier with a few clicks of the mouse, they'll take care of the arrangements and you'll pay less each month.

5. Get a water meter

Everyone uses different amounts of water but unless you have a meter you'll pay a set rate based on the rateable value of your property. If you have a big home with few occupants or you're out at work all day then it might be worth your while to have a water meter installed. You could halve your annual bill.

1. Start by scouting opinions

Before you do anything, get some advice from the experts. A quick look at the customer reviews on honestjohn.co.uk or whatcar.co.uk will give you a good idea of what to look out for. In particular What Car? offers a useful insight into how much you should expect to pay once you get to the showroom.

2. Never pay full price

Get it clear in your mind: paying full price is not an option. Start with whatcar.co.uk's target price then make it your mission to reduce it. Discounts of between 5% and 15% are perfectly realistic, in fact you may even achieve more if you're shopping during a car dealer's quieter months.

3. Try this savvy saving trick

There are big savings to be had opting for an end of the line model, rather than a completely new one. Any model that is about to be replaced by an upgraded version is likely to cost you significantly less. Look out for car dealer's courtesy cars too. They are often in excellent condition, come packed with features and have as little as 2000 miles on the clock – good as new.

4. Need finance? Consider ALL your options

Unless you have a sizeable bundle of cash knocking about, you'll need a loan to finance your new car. Your dealer will sometimes try to tempt you with a 0% interest offer, but be wary. You can often find much better deals outside of the showroom. Remember that this deal is a big commitment, so give yourself plenty of time to shop around.

5. Buying online? Bear this in mind…

If you know the exact model you want, you might want to consider buying online. You'll often enjoy big savings if you do it this way. A word of warning however: buying a car blind is not without its risks. You should question your online dealer just as thoroughly as you would in the showroom. Make sure you find out how long it will take to arrive, if there are costs involved in delivering it, and especially, can you return it if you change your mind.

6. Consider a car servicing package

Servicing packages are often available from manufacturers and dealers, and are well worth considering. Essentially you pay upfront for the next few years of services, often at a more favourable rate. It's a good way to keep your car ticking over and save yourself some cash in the long run.

7. Make sure you're properly insured

Once you've got your wheels, you'll want to make sure you're properly covered. Save yourself some time and money by giving us a call for a quote or get a quote online. We'll search the UK's leading Car Insurers to find you our cheapest Car Insurance quote in minutes.

Borrow before Buy

If you're thinking of repainting the hall ceiling or tackling the unruly privet in the front garden, don't run out to the local DIY store to get kitted out, see if your neighbours can help first. Big items such as hedge trimmers or ladders are expensive, so ask if you can borrow before you considering buying.

Just a Façade

If your kitchen cupboards are looking tired, remember you don't have to go all out and buy a brand new kitchen. You can freshen up your kitchen units easily with a brand new lick of paint. There are plenty of products on the market designed specifi cally for the job, they bond to melamine, wood, MDF, wood veneer and acrylic surfaces. Get tips on how to do it here. If paint simply won't do, consider changing the doors, rather than ripping all the units out and starting again. Same goes for fitted wardrobes too.

On the Tiles

You can inject a bit of life into the old, outdated ceramic tiles in your bathroom or kitchen simply by painting them. It can also save an absolute fortune when you compare it to getting a builder in and paying for new tiles. There is a knack to it though, so make sure you read up first. This article from helpwithdiy.com talks you through the process.

Greenfingers

The change of season starts us thinking about the garden, and all of us who have visted a garden centre know it can cost a small fortune. The key is to start small. If next door have got a prized azalea that you've always coveted, instead of paying through the nose, why not ask for a cutting? Seeds are also a very economical way of bringing some colour to your garden and can be picked up cheaply in pound stores on the high street.

When it comes to getting tooled up, avoid DIY stores and garden centres if you want to save some money. Instead, if you can't borrow, buy secondhand. Car boots are a treasure trove for old gardening equipment and many sellers also offer seedlings of plants and vegetables for much less than you'd pay in the stores.

Come up smelling of roses

To give your garden an extra boost of nutrition, why don't you make your own compost? Take your garden and kitchen waste, including tea bags, uncooked fruit and vegetable peelings, cardboard and paper towels and simply pop it all in a composting bin. www.homecomposting.org.uk has lots of useful tips and information on how to get started, including how to make your own low-cost composting bin.

Don't forget to check your home insurance policy before starting any big DIY jobs. If you have a history of DIY disasters, might be worth taking out accidental damage cover before you start, just in case of any minor mishaps!

Read on to see how you can make some money from your unwantables, swap them for something better, even get stuff for free!

SELL IT!

By the time Boxing comes around, roughly half a million people will have started putting their unloved pressies on eBay. And actually, it's quite a canny thing to do when you think about it. You can take that dud gift you don't know what to do with (digital photo frames, foot spas and smoothie makers spring to mind), and replace it with something you do – cold, hard cash.

You have to set up an eBay account first, but this is fairly simple to do. You must pay a small fee to list your item too, unless your starting price is 99p or under, though eBay runs fee-free weekends now and again and these are good opportunities to list several things at once.

If your sale is successful you'll pay 10% of the sale price in commission. It's a good idea to factor in your postage costs as well, to make sure you earn as much as possible from your sale.

If selling online is not your thing, you could try the more traditional method and hold a car boot sale. This could be the perfect solution if you've accumulated quite a pile of unwanted gifts over the years. As a general rule, you should expect to pay about £10 to set up a pitch at a car boot sale. Be prepared to get up early in the morning though! For more info, check out carbootjunction.com to find your nearest sale.

SWAP IT!

Another option might be to swap your gifts for something you actually want. So why not hold a gift-swapping party? Invite your mates over and ask them to bring anything they want to swap. It's a great way to get together in January when money is a bit tight and you never know, you could end up trading that jumper you can't stand with someone who absolutely loves it!

You can do the swap thing online too. Try freebeauty.tv for unwanted beauty gifts or giftcardconverter.co.uk for the giftcards you can't see yourself using. Alternatively, try Freecycle, a website that lets you trade stuff with people in your area. All you have to do is sign up, and post a message detailing what you're looking for and what you've got to offer. No money ever changes hands and there are no postage costs either, as everything offered must be picked up direct.

SWISH IT!

Swishing parties are for all those ladies out there who have wardrobes full of stuff they don't wear. They're a sort of impulse-buy amnesty, an opportunity to rid yourself of those "I'll never wear it, but don't have the heart to throw it out" garments, and swap them for ones you actually will. You might bring one sweater and take two pairs of shoes, or hang a party frock on the 'Swishing Rail' and take a pair of skinny jeans and feather boa.

There are 5 simple rules to running a swishing party.

• You must bring at least one item of quality clothing
• You have half an hour before the swish opens
• No item can be claimed before the swish opens
• Once the swish is open, you can take what you want
• No scratching, spitting or fighting!

You can find out more at swishing.com

1. Bake-off the blues:

Britain's gone baking crazy following the success of 'The Great British Bake Off' on telly. Rise to the challenge yourself and give it a go…it's a brilliant way to create irresistible treats like cupcakes and pastries for the family without watching your cash go up in smoke. Plus, you'll probably be able to find all the ingredients required lurking at the back of your kitchen cupboards.

2. Visit a museum:

Museums nowadays have become exciting, interactive experiences that are not only educational but also loads of fun. Even better, entrance is now free at many of them. So whether you want to learn more about history or your local area, find your nearest museums here.

3. It's great outdoors:

Even though the January's temperature is traditionally on the chilly side, it's still a great time of year to enjoy a bracing country walk and blow some of those Christmas cobwebs away. Plan your country walk with a little help from the Ramblers' Association here.

4. Learn something new:

Adult education centres offer a wide range of courses covering subjects from flower arranging to basic maths and software skills. Make the most of the long nights and expand your mind in January by checking out your nearest ones here.

5. Get fit!

Christmas over indulgence taken its toll on your waistline? Then look out for the tempting offers that many gyms provide at this time of year and restore your toned pre-Christmas physique. Or why not pick up some discounted fitness DVD's in the January sales and work out in the comfort of your own home in your spare time. Even better why not check out our tips for ten ways to get fit for free.

Dispel those draughts

Once you've warmed up your house, it's important to try keep the heat in – after all, the more often you have to turn the heating on, the bigger the bill. Make sure no chilly breezes sneak in by filling any gaps around doors with a draught excluder and windows with draught proofing strips..

Insulate and insulate again

Not only will insulating your home keep you warm and toasty, it could cut your energy bills too. Consider the following:

• Cavity wall insulation to avoid losing heat through your walls.
• Draught proofing so cold air doesn't creep in through doors or out through windows.
• Floor insulation – make sure gaps in the floorboards are filled.
• Loft insulation – heat rises so keep it in by lining your loft space.
• Water tank insulation – treat your tank to a winter coat.

The Energy Saving Trust estimate that loft insulation alone could reduce energy loss by 25% and help you save £175 per year on your heating bills*. Many councils and energy providers offer subsidised loft and cavity wall insulation, considering the savings that can be made it's well worth looking into.

Prevent burst pipes

If there's one thing guaranteed to put a dampener on things it's a burst pipe, and the damage it can cause can be extremely costly. To make sure you're prepared, it's worth inspecting and insulating your pipes and taps now, and looking out for any leaks that could get worse. Also, get familiar with where your stopcock is – so you can switch off the water should the worst happen.

Service your boiler

Get your boiler serviced by a professional to make sure everything is in good working order to avoid being left in the cold this winter. If there was a problem, emergency call out charges can be high and, because engineers are extremely busy this time of year, you may struggle to get help straight away.

Avoid domestic disasters

If your heating packs up or your electricity fails, you want to know that the problem will be taken care of as quickly and efficiently as possible – and that you won't have to pay through the nose for it. Swinton's Home Emergency Protection guarantees a qualified tradesman will be with you within 24 hours – for just £4.99 a month.

* £175 annual saving on your heating bill and a 25% reduction in heat loss - Source: Energy Savings Trust Nov 2011 (Estimated figures based on insulating a gas-heated, semi-detached home with three bedrooms).

DIY gifts

If your knitting isn't good enough to create a suite of Christmas jumpers for all the family, there are plenty of other options available to you – all you need some imagination and a bit of time. There are lots of advantages to investing in making your own pressies – you save a bit of cash on your Christmas bill and the lucky recipient gets a well-thought out, personal gift from you.

For the crafty types amongst you the possibilities are endless. As well as the obvious things like homemade Christmas cards and stockings, the web is full of crafty Christmas inspiration. If you're not that way inclined, don't worry, you just need to think outside the Christmas box. How about compiling and designing your very own Christmas CD, a bit like we did with mix tapes back in the day? Purchase the tracks that have set your friends' or family members' toes tapping this year and hand-draw your own CD cover.

Edible Christmas

Giving a food hamper can be a cost-effective way to cater for a whole family in one go. You don't have to go out and buy it all either, it's quite easy to make your own cookies, sweets, cakes, jams and chutneys with a little bit of careful preparation and plenty of help from the internet. Bottles of sloe gin or mulled wine are also good, cheap-to-make options and by adding the finishing touches with some personalised labels, your pressies will have an extra special feel.

Make your own decorations

There's no need to spend a fortune on baubles, making your own decorations is easy plus it's a great activity that the whole family can get involved in. Making your own Christmas wreath is one option, all you have to do is gather some bundles of twigs from your garden and weave them together to form a basic ring, use some garden string or raffia to bind the twigs. Then add sprigs of conifer, holly and any other decorations you choose. Salt dough decorations are not only extremely easy and fun to make, but they can be decorated to look really dazzling. Don't believe us? Just have a look at makeitandmendit.com.

A cracking idea

You can save a few quid by making your own crackers. Start saving up your empty loo rolls and invest in some crepe paper. The cracker 'snaps' can be bought separately and the gifts don't have to cost a penny – for close family they could take the form of vouchers or coupons offered by different family members e.g. 10 free car washes, one foot massage, etc. A nice way to get everyone involved.

With rising utility bills, soaring food prices and increased transport costs many households are finding staying within a monthly budget and more difficult. However, there are ways to save money for the festive season if you know how... here are 5 tips to help.

1. Make do and mend:

When winter comes around, many of us rush out to buy ourselves this season's winter coat, boots and woolies. Ask yourself is it really a necessity? A trip to a local cobblers or dry cleaners can restore items to their former glory and save you a lot of money in the process. Knitting has made a resurgence in recent years, and there are plenty of local groups available where you can socialise and make your woolies for far less. Of course, homemade knits make great Christmas presents too.

2. Shop smart for Santa:

If you've got a lot of people to buy for starting early is key to budgeting efficiently for Christmas. Ideally from autumn, buy a present a week to reduce a massive outlay in December. Alternatively, if it's too late to budget properly this year, you've still got time to sell any unwanted items you've got at home, at car boot sales or on eBay… every penny counts after all. And while you're in the mood to get organised, why not set up a standing order putting £10 per week into a savings account to go towards 2013's Christmas expenses?

3. Enjoy your home comforts:

The days are shorter, the nights are longer and it's absolutely freezing outside. So make staying in the new going out. Instead of braving the elements heading into town for a few drinks, why not invite your friends and family round, cook up a hearty (and frugal) meal and enjoy an evening in front of this year's talent TV shows? You'll be surprised how much cash you could save without expensive bar prices and taxis home.

4. Plan your Christmas meals:

Trolleys piled high with enough grub to feed the five thousand are still familiar sights in the supermarkets, just before Christmas. But it's easy to avoid. Start by making a plan of the days when you'll be eating out and when you'll be visiting friends or relatives. You'll probably find you don't need to spend nearly as much as you'd think. And remember, turkey is a big bird, so make sure you have some good recipes in mind for the leftovers.

5. Make sure you're covered:

It might sound strange but paying out a little extra now can save you serious cash in the long-term. Having home emergency insurance could prevent you having to stump up hundreds of pounds if your central heating packs up or your pipes burst during the freezing winter months. Insurance policies like this often guarantee a tradesmen will be with you quickly, so you won't have to do any ringing round yourself.

Swinton is currently offering 3 months free Home Emergency Insurance. Find out more here.

And while that means cosying up besides the fire when you're inside, going outside is a different story altogether – especially if you're planning on driving. Cold, wet, wintry weather can be a bit of a shock to your car's system. But with a little preparation you can keep yourself safe, sound and secure on the roads when the cold front comes. Take a look at our tips below.

Top-up your antifreeze

Always check the antifreeze levels in your vehicle. You'll need to up the strength of your antifreeze in winter time too – a 50:50 ratio of water to antifreeze should do it.

Look into visibility

Bad weather almost certainly means poor visibility. So double-check that the bulbs in your car lights are working properly – especially the hazard lights – and make sure you know where your fog lights are. Check your wiper blades too by lifting them up off the windscreen. If they're torn at the end or have started to pit in the middle, get them changed. Always make sure you keep some windscreen washer fluid in your vehicle at all times.

Guard against grit

You may not be aware of this, but the grit that's used on icy roads can actually damage your car's paint. One way of avoiding this is to give your car a rinse after each drive. But to save yourself spending even more time out in the cold, consider giving it a really deep clean and a brand new coat of wax.

Check your oil

Checking your oil level is really important. If it drops too low it can do some pretty nasty damage to your engine. Locate the dipstick and then pull it out. You'll see two markings on the dipstick. The oil level should be closest to the one at the top. If it's not, simply remove the oil tank lid and top up with more oil.

Prepare for an emergency

It's a good idea to prepare for all eventualities, so consider putting together an emergency equipment kit – especially in your travelling long distances in winter. Include some jump leads, a torch and spare batteries, a first aid kit, blankets, food and water, a spade in case you need to dig yourself out, and finally, a mobile phone.

Take care of your tyres

In icy conditions you want to maximise the amount of traction, so check you've got plenty of tread – at least 3mm ideally - on your tyres and that there are no bald patches or bulges. If they're worn in any way, get them replaced. Consider specialists cold weather tyres which provide better grip and reduced breaking distances in bad weather. Also, make sure your tyres are pumped up to the correct pressure – you'll be able to find this info in your car's handbook – as this will lower the chances of you skidding. The same applies to your spare tyre. Make sure it has plenty of air in it, and brush up on the skills you need to fit it – like how to use your jack and lug wrench.

Drive with safety in mind

Stopping distances are ten times longer in ice and snow.* Pulling away is easier in second gear, though you need ease your foot off the clutch gently to prevent your wheels from spinning. Most importantly, ensure that your car is properly protected with adequate Breakdown Cover so that should the worse happen you know you'll be covered.

However, there are some simple ways you can reduce your bills and save money. Read our handy tips to help ensure your home and budget is prepared for the chilly months ahead.

Block your draughts

An easy way to stop heat escaping from your house is by filling in any gaps around window and doorframes, or places where pipework passes through an external wall. It can be done easily with expanding foam fillers or draught excluder strips that you can get at your local DIY store. After dusk make sure you keep your curtains closed too to stop heat escaping.

How high is too high on the thermostat?

Did you know that your heating costs go up by 8% each time you increase the temperature by one degree? If possible, try to keep your thermostat at 19ºC. Pop a jumper on and block draughts to reduce the need to increase the temperature.

Get tips from energy experts

The Energy Saving Trust offer a free home energy check on their website plus there's loads of great suggestions on how you can be more efficient and save money on your fuel bills. Visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.

Don't overuse extractor fans

Are you guilty of leaving your bathroom or kitchen extractor fan on longer than necessary? Well don't! They are burning precious energy and costing you money.

Get insulating!

It sounds obvious but energy providers estimate that you can lose up to one third of the heat in your home through poor insulation, which could add up to 25% on to your fuel bill! Many local authorities and energy providers have subsidised home insulation schemes. Check with yours for details of schemes in your area.

Do you have electric heaters?

Electric heaters, particularly portable ones, are much more expensive than gas heaters to run. If you live in a property that doesn't have the option of gas heating, you should consider installing storage heaters and switching to an Economy 7 tariff.

It's economical to use Economy 7

It's called Economy 7 because you get cheaper electricity for 7 hours during the night. By using storage heaters you can store up heat during the night when it's cheaper, and release it during the day – a bit like peak and off-peak phone calls. If you can make Economy 7 fit your lifestyle it can be a great way to save money on your heating bills.

To ensure your home is prepared for winter; don't forget to insure it against burst pipes or boiler breakdowns. Our Home Emergency Insurance starts from just £4.99 per month.

You could start by selling stuff on the internet…

According to some recent research, us Brits are a bit like magpies: compulsive hoarders with over £50 billion worth of unwanted items hidden away in our lofts, sheds and spare rooms.

Just think, you could earn yourself some extra cash by selling your "forgotten-abouts" online. It's easy to do… here are our top tips to get you started.

eBay

• Start by selling low-value items, like clothes and shoes. That way you can collect lots of good feedback quickly and build buyer confidence. This is important whenselling more expensive items.
• Take as many pictures as you can and be sure to give an accurate, honest description of what you're offering.
• Pricing is important too. Research how much similar items are going so you have a good idea about price.

Amazon

• It's a great place to sell unwanted books and music. Most CDs and books will already be listed, so you probably won't need to add a photo – a short description and price will suffice.

Sell Direct

• If you have plenty of items to sell, it might be worthwhile setting up your own website. Websites cost very little to set up and could provide a nice supplementary income.

Cashing In

• Lots of us have old mobile phones sitting in drawers at home. You could trade them in for cash – try websites such as mazumamobile.com to see how much you'd get for yours.
• Sell your old CDs, DVDs and games and earn a few bob via sites such as musicmagpie.co.uk.

Swap

• There a quite a few sites like swapshop.co.uk where you can swap old goods for other things you like, from a garden gnome to a new car!

Car Boot

• If your attic is still full of stuff you can't shift online, try a good old fashioned car boot sale. There are hundreds of them taking place every weekend across the UK. Try carbootsales.org to find one near you.

So to make it easier for you, we've put together 10 great tips for activities that the whole family will enjoy – and best of all it will cost you under £50 for a family of four.

1. Ocean Drifters, National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth, Devon

The National Marine Aquarium has the largest collection of jellyfish in the UK plus every kind of marine life from sharks to seahorses and turtles.

Adult £11, child £6.50

national-aquarium.co.uk

2. Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport, Hampshire

You can get aboard a real submarine and play pirate at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum.

Adult £9, child £6

rnsubmus.co.uk

3. Monkey Forest, Trentham Gardens, Stoke on Trent

Monkey Forest is set in 60 acres of beautiful Staffordshire woodland, a unique opportunity to wander amongst 140 free-roaming barbary macaques.

Adult £7, child £5

trentham-monkey-forest.com

4.Punting, Cambridge

Pack a picnic, pile into a punt, gently make your way down the Cam and moor up for a well-deserved family picnic.

Punt hire costs £18 an hour from Scudamores

scudamores.com

5.The Muckleburgh Collection, Norfolk

Budding G.I. Joes will love this military museum with working tanks, Gama Goat personnel carriers to take you on a ride along the coast and an astonishing collection of military paraphernalia.

Adult £6, child £4

muckleburgh.co.uk

6.Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, Manchester

Perfect for a rainy day, there's a 3-D theatre that takes you on a journey on board a spacecraft flying over Mars. Lots of other exhibits to explore too.

Adult £2, child £1, theatre £1 per person per show

jodrellbank.manchester.ac.uk

7.White Scar Cave, Ingleton, North Yorkshire

Visit the longest show cave in Britain and make your way through this underground maze with stalactites and stalagmites.

Adult £7.95, child £4.95

whitescarcave.co.uk

8.Cairnie Fruit Farm and Maze, Cupar, Fife

Pick your own fruit or get lost in the maize maze. You can also race round the go-kart track, bounce on the trampolines, play in the giant sandpit and finish your day in the café for afternoon tea.

Adult £4.75, child £4.25

cairniefruitfarm.co.uk

9.Vikingar, Ayrshire

Five hundred years of Viking history come to life at this coastal resort in Largs, Ayrshire, with costumed storytellers and a film presentation following a Viking family through generations of battle and adventure. There is also a 25m swimming pool and smaller pool for learners.

Adult £4.50, child £3.50

kaleisure.com

10.Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park, Ceredigion

This coastal park is known for its bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises as well as its stunning cliffs and clear water. On the farm you'll also find seal pups, emus, Australian wallabies and Vietnamese piglets.

Adult £3.70, child £2.70

cardiganisland.com

In the time it takes for your toast to pop up do some squats or pelvic floor squeezes.

2. Keep a fitness diary and log your daily exercise and diet, that way you can keep track of your progress. It'll also serve as a reminder of how far you've come.

3. When you're away on your holidays, exercise on a sandy beach for the ultimate high-intensity work out.

4. If you have kids you have a great excuse to get active. Start by revisiting your school days and play games like stuck in the mud, bulldog or tag.

5. Get off the bus, train or tram a stop earlier and walk the remaining distance home.

6. Plan your meals out for the week ahead on Sunday night – that way you'll be less likely to be tempted by the takeaway menu.

7. Look online for fitness videos, you'll find plenty. Alternatively swap exercise DVD's with friends, that way you won't get bored.

8. Get scrubbing! Cleaning your house vigorously can burn up to 50,000 calories a year - that's 14lbs (1 stone) of fat.

9. Signing-up for charity sporting events such as runs and walks is a great way to keep motivated. You can persuade friends to join in, entry is usually free and you could raise a little bit of money for charity and get fitter in the process.

10. Try a bit of indoor mountaineering: avoid the lift, take the stairs instead.

Here are some hints and tips to help you start growing your own, whether you have the space for large vegetable beds or a small balcony.

Start small

May and June are the perfect time to start growing your own vegetables. The warmer weather means that the seeds you plant won't be affected by frost and should sprout and grow easier. If this is your first time growing your own, experiment with a few crops this year to ease you in, add more next year and build up your vegetable garden with your experience!

Which crops are easiest to grow?

Broad beans: They make absolutely delicious soup and are very easy to grow, they are also extremely cheap and can be bought in most garden centres in small packets.

Courgettes: A versatile vegetable but they need quite a bit of room. Also don't forget that if you don't harvest them they become marrows.

Herbs: It's really easy to start a herb garden either in your garden, on your balcony or windowsill, or in hanging baskets. You can buy plants or grow from seeds.

Leeks: They are easy to transplant from seedlings into your garden and taste excellent when young.

Potatoes: They're very easy to grow - all you have to do is to just remember to water them if it's dry.

Radishes: A perfect fast-growing starter crop and great in salads, these can be grown in planters on a balcony.

Runner and French beans: The flowers are pretty and the more you pick, the more beans you get.

Sweetcorn: you can buy small plants or sow seeds and don't forget to pick them when the tassels are brown.

Small gardens, balconies and pots

Pots: Don't worry if you don't have a garden; window sills, balconies, porches and roof terraces can yield great crops if you pick the right vegetables to grow. Rocket, chard, parsley, tomatoes, mint, thyme, basil and chives are all perfect.

Small gardens: You don't need to confine vegetables to a bed. For instance, lettuce can be grown along garden borders, runner beans will grow up trellises and tomatoes will grow well in hanging baskets.

Get help and inspiration from the Royal Horticultural Society

Don't forget you can keep all your plants, tools and garden furniture protected with Home Insurance through Swinton make sure you take advantage of our £30 Cashback deal to save yourself even more money!

From short breaks to days out, there's so much to do and many events are free. Here are a few ideas to help you enjoy the best of Britain, for less.

If you're after suggestions for family days out in the UK, this is one of the best sites dayoutwiththekids.co.uk. Simply choose the area you want to browse, whether you're after indoor or outdoor activities and the age of your kids. Hey presto, lots of fun ideas will appear before your eyes. Not just paid for attractions like theme parks, but free child-friendly museums and lots of 'kids go free' offer links.

Fancy a long weekend away? Looking to escape 'that infamous wedding'? Head here holidaylettings.co.uk to check out the last minute deals on holiday homes across the British Isles and Ireland. Better still, you get to book direct with the owners, which could save you £££s.

Live anywhere near Yorkshire or the Northwest? Check out Cannon Hall Farm cannonhallfarm.co.uk. There's a whole menagerie of events going on in April, including Easter activities and a Great Egg Hunt. It sounds like an eggs-cellent venue to visit if you have kids. They've got some very cute piglets too.

Wake up to the sound of birdsong… go swimming before breakfast in the clear water of a secluded lake… cook your bacon and eggs over an open fire while you plan your day… all from the peace and quiet of your own personal tipi. If you fancy getting away from it all and glamping, it's Cornish Tipi Holidays' 15 year anniversary cornishtipiholidays.co.uk – with the added attraction of their special early bird discounts. And there'll be no red, white and blue bunting in sight... Kate and Wills who?

Be a good sport

Finally, there's the Grand National at Aintree on 9th April and the London Marathon on the 17th. You could make a day of it by going along or watch them for free on the TV. Either way you can still enter into the spirit of these traditional British events.

Ready, set, go!

Don't forget that even when you are travelling in the UK, it's always a good idea to make sure your luggage, health and cost of your trip is protected with Annual Travel Insurance. And for just £11.25, you can also get single trip insurance through Swinton.

If you're packing the family into the car and heading off to explore our beautiful country, avoid any unplanned stops with Breakdown Cover, available now with 3 MONTHS FREE!