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Welcome to our Mini Money Tips

Dozens of ways for everyone over 50 to save money everyday.

Find recipes for leftovers

The SuperCook app and website is a great place to find recipes for ingredients you've already got. You just type in what's in your cupboard and it gives you hundreds of recipes to try.

Dishwasher tablets

If you're not washing heavily soiled pans, cut dishwasher tablets in half – they work just as well.

Sink cleaner

Use toothpaste to clean your sink and taps. It gives an unbeatable shine.

Find recipes for leftovers
Read Tip
Food
Dishwasher tablets
Read Tip
Cleaning
Sink cleaner
Read Tip
Cleaning
Find recipes for leftovers

The SuperCook app and website is a great place to find recipes for ingredients you've already got. You just type in what's in your cupboard and it gives you hundreds of recipes to try.

Dishwasher tablets

If you're not washing heavily soiled pans, cut dishwasher tablets in half – they work just as well.

Sink cleaner

Use toothpaste to clean your sink and taps. It gives an unbeatable shine.

Newly Added

Unplug it!
Read Tip
Household
Visit the library
Read Tip
Subscriptions and tech
Lighten the load
Read Tip
Travel
Unplug it!

You might have heard about 'Vampire devices' – electronics which slowly use a small amount of electricity even when they're turned off or in stand-by mode.

Try to get into the habit of unplugging (or turning off at the plug socket) any devices when you're not using them, and you could save a significant amount on your energy bill over a year.

If you've got multiple devices like a TV, DVD player and Sky box, you could plug them all into an extension cable so that you only need to turn off a single plug when you're finished using them.

Mini money tips – Stand by

“We’ve all got more electrical devices now, haven’t we? Things plugged in here, there and well everywhere. But all these things are slowly costing you money. Bit by bit, it all adds up.”

“An average television, for instance, left plugged in on standby could cost you this much every single year.”

A TV shows ‘Around £12 per year per TV2’ on the screen. Screentext reads ‘Source: The Sun’.

“So, save some money and if you can, unplug it.”

Several plugs are flicked off using the switch at the wall socket.

“In fact, any appliance which doesn’t need to be switched on, unplug it and save yourself some cash.”

Visit the library

Make the most of your local libraries! They offer books, internet access, scanning and printing, free online magazine access, eBooks and audiobooks.

Lighten the load

Take anything out of your car that doesn't need to be there. The lighter your car, the less fuel it'll use.

Unplug it!
Read Tip
Household
Visit the library
Read Tip
Subscriptions and tech
Lighten the load
Read Tip
Travel
Unplug it!

You might have heard about 'Vampire devices' – electronics which slowly use a small amount of electricity even when they're turned off or in stand-by mode.

Try to get into the habit of unplugging (or turning off at the plug socket) any devices when you're not using them, and you could save a significant amount on your energy bill over a year.

If you've got multiple devices like a TV, DVD player and Sky box, you could plug them all into an extension cable so that you only need to turn off a single plug when you're finished using them.

Mini money tips – Stand by

“We’ve all got more electrical devices now, haven’t we? Things plugged in here, there and well everywhere. But all these things are slowly costing you money. Bit by bit, it all adds up.”

“An average television, for instance, left plugged in on standby could cost you this much every single year.”

A TV shows ‘Around £12 per year per TV2’ on the screen. Screentext reads ‘Source: The Sun’.

“So, save some money and if you can, unplug it.”

Several plugs are flicked off using the switch at the wall socket.

“In fact, any appliance which doesn’t need to be switched on, unplug it and save yourself some cash.”

Visit the library

Make the most of your local libraries! They offer books, internet access, scanning and printing, free online magazine access, eBooks and audiobooks.

Lighten the load

Take anything out of your car that doesn't need to be there. The lighter your car, the less fuel it'll use.

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New tips coming soon! Join us on Facebook to stay up to date.

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Food

Scan as you shop
Read Tip
Food
Revive stale bread
Read Tip
Food
Find recipes for leftovers
Read Tip
Food
Slow bananas ripening
Read Tip
Food
Scan as you shop

Use 'scan as you shop' at the supermarket to keep an eye on the spend as you're going, so there are no surprises at the checkout.

Revive stale bread

Bring stale bread back to life by splashing with a little water and putting in a 200°C oven for a few minutes.

Find recipes for leftovers

The SuperCook app and website is a great place to find recipes for ingredients you've already got. You just type in what's in your cupboard and it gives you hundreds of recipes to try.

Slow bananas ripening

Hate overripe bananas? Simply cover the stems of your banana bunch with cling film to slow their ripening.

Mini money tips – Fresh food for longer

“Food waste can be very pricey, so here are some easy ways to keep your food staying fresher for longer, so there’s less waste.

A bag of spinach is opened and sheet of kitchen roll put inside. The bag is then sealed with a bag clip.

“You can keep leafy greens fresh by putting a sheet of kitchen roll in the bag, and then sealing the bag shut with a clip. Perfect!”

A small piece of cling film is wrapped around the stems of a bunch of bananas.

“Bananas keep fresher for longer if you cover the stems with a little bit of cling film.”

A bunch of celery stalks and a broccoli head are wrapped in tin foil.

“And vegetables like celery and broccoli can be wrapped in some tin foil to keep them fresh.”

“Mmm, that’s made me hungry. Time for lunch?”

Fresher greens

Wrap celery and broccoli in foil (not cling film) to keep it fresher for longer in the fridge.

Mini money tips – Fresh food for longer

“Food waste can be very pricey, so here are some easy ways to keep your food staying fresher for longer, so there’s less waste.

A bag of spinach is opened and sheet of kitchen roll put inside. The bag is then sealed with a bag clip.

“You can keep leafy greens fresh by putting a sheet of kitchen roll in the bag, and then sealing the bag shut with a clip. Perfect!”

A small piece of cling film is wrapped around the stems of a bunch of bananas.

“Bananas keep fresher for longer if you cover the stems with a little bit of cling film.”

A bunch of celery stalks and a broccoli head are wrapped in tin foil.

“And vegetables like celery and broccoli can be wrapped in some tin foil to keep them fresh.”

“Mmm, that’s made me hungry. Time for lunch?”

Compare price by weight

When comparing prices at the supermarket, don't just check the item price. Look closer at the label on the shelf and you'll often see the cost per 100g, which lets you compare value even when the pack sizes are different.

For example, say you are comparing two jars of mayonnaise:

Mayo A – 400g – £2.50
Mayo B – 500g – £3.00

At first glance Mayo A might seem better value, but looking at the shelf label will show you the price per 100g:

Mayo A – 62.5p per 100g
Mayo B – 60p per 100g

With this information you are comparing like for like, and can clearly see Mayo B is better value gram for gram. 

Onions last 8 months in tights

Believe it or not, hanging onions in a pair of (clean) old tights in a cool, dry place is one of the best ways to prolong their life.

Doing this could make your onions last up to 8 months longer!

Meals out with Clubcard points

If you're planning a meal out and you're a Tesco Clubcard holder, it could be worth checking whether the restaurant is a Tesco Clubcard Rewards partner.

If it is, you could redeem your Clubcard points toward restaurant vouchers for up to 2x what they would be worth in store. For example, if you have collected £10 worth of Clubcard points, you could redeem £20 of vouchers to spend at Pizza Express.

The partners change over time so it's worth checking back every now and again, as you could also save on days out, entertainment subscriptions, and even breakdown cover.

Discounted leftovers from cafes

TooGoodToGo is an app where local cafes, bakeries, shops and restaurants sell food that's expiring soon, for massively reduced prices.

Often you can find veg boxes that can be whizzed into soups and frozen for future meals.

You might see a lot of items called "Magic bags". This means the shop has put together a mystery bag full of soon to expire items, and what you get is a surprise until you collect it. 

Free unwanted groceries

The Olio app lists food about to expire from local shops, restaurants and neighbours that's being given away for free. 

You can even find household items listed by neighbours, and list your own unwanted items that might help someone else out. 

Note: Olio is free to use but does prompt you to choose a "subscription" when you register – you can close this using the X in the top right corner and continue to use the app with no fee. 

Clean fridge for fresher food

Did you know that the cleaner your fridge is, the fresher food stays? Give your fridge a regular wipe down so bacteria doesn't build up and make food go off faster.

Keep bananas away from fruit

Keep bananas away from the rest of your fruit – they can cause other fruit to ripen extra quickly.

No more mouldy cheese

Cheese needs to breathe! Wrapping it up in cling film or sandwich bags can trap moisture which can grow unwanted mould on your block. 

Instead, wrap it in baking parchment to prolong the life of your cheese.

Good breakfast saves on snacks

Skipping breakfast could feel like a money saver, but it can make you more likely to reach for (and spend on) snacks as the day goes on.

Try starting the day with a hearty, low-cost breakfast like porridge and fruit to keep yourself full and energised for longer, avoiding impulsive snack purchases. 

Easily regrow lettuce

Once you've finished a romaine lettuce don't throw away the end stump – pop it in a glass of water on a windowsill for fresh sprigs to grow. It won't grow back to full size, but should be enough for a sandwich or two within a couple of weeks. 

Gardener's Path has a full guide on how to do this, and which types of lettuce work best. 

Cold water without running the tap

Do you find yourself running the tap for a while until the water is cold enough for a glass of water? Save some pennies on your water bill by keeping a jug in the fridge instead, so there's always cold water on hand. 

Longer life for lemons

Lemons and limes can quickly dry up when left in the fruit bowl, but you can keep them fresh for weeks by putting them in a large jar, filling it with water and popping it in the fridge. 

Time your food shop right

Head to the supermarket after 8pm, or just before closing time to catch the 'yellow sticker' deals. You might need to visit your supermarket a few times to figure out when they start discounting items that are due to expire that day.

Even if you don't plan to eat them straight away – many refrigerated products can be frozen and used later. 

How to pack the fridge

Knowing how best to pack your fridge can make it run efficiently (saving on electicity costs) and make the food inside last longer. 

Air circulation is important for maintaining the right temperature in your fridge, so try to avoid packing it too full or pressing items up against the back wall. 

Good Housekeeping has a helpful guide on the best way to pack the fridge to maximise shelf life and minimise risk of cross contamination.

Stop biscuits going soft

Stop your biccies from going soft by putting a layer of dry rice in the bottom of your biscuit tin. The rice will absorb any moisture that gets in before the biscuits do, keeping them fresher for longer. 

Store root veg in soil

Bulk-buying root vegetables such as carrots and potatoes can save money in the long run – but only if you can stop them going soft. Storing them in soil, sand or newspaper can extend root veg's shelf life by months.

For carrots, swedes, beetroot and turnips, a cardboard box filled with moist soil or sand should do the trick. Ensure the vegetables are not touching one another, and avoid cutting off any stems or leaves. Store the box in a cool place such as a basement or hallway. 

For potatoes - a cardboard box filled with newspaper and sprayed with water every now and then should keep them from softening and sprouting too quickly. 

Save crystalised honey

If your honey has crystallised, pop it in some hot water or in the oven when it's cooling down after cooking. Watch it return to gooey liquid form!

Keep strawberries fresh

Transfer strawberries into an airtight glass jar or tupperware and pop them in the fridge – they'll last much longer than in the plastic punnets they come in. 

Scan as you shop
Read Tip
Food
Revive stale bread
Read Tip
Food
Find recipes for leftovers
Read Tip
Food
Slow bananas ripening
Read Tip
Food
Fresher greens
Read Tip
Food
Compare price by weight
Read Tip
Food
Onions last 8 months in tights
Read Tip
Food
Meals out with Clubcard points
Read Tip
Food
Discounted leftovers from cafes
Read Tip
Food
Free unwanted groceries
Read Tip
Food
Clean fridge for fresher food
Read Tip
Food
Keep bananas away from fruit
Read Tip
Food
No more mouldy cheese
Read Tip
Food
Good breakfast saves on snacks
Read Tip
Food
Easily regrow lettuce
Read Tip
Food
Cold water without running the tap
Read Tip
Food
Longer life for lemons
Read Tip
Food
Time your food shop right
Read Tip
Food
How to pack the fridge
Read Tip
Food
Stop biscuits going soft
Read Tip
Food
Store root veg in soil
Read Tip
Food
Save crystalised honey
Read Tip
Food
Keep strawberries fresh
Read Tip
Food
Scan as you shop

Use 'scan as you shop' at the supermarket to keep an eye on the spend as you're going, so there are no surprises at the checkout.

Revive stale bread

Bring stale bread back to life by splashing with a little water and putting in a 200°C oven for a few minutes.

Find recipes for leftovers

The SuperCook app and website is a great place to find recipes for ingredients you've already got. You just type in what's in your cupboard and it gives you hundreds of recipes to try.

Slow bananas ripening

Hate overripe bananas? Simply cover the stems of your banana bunch with cling film to slow their ripening.

Mini money tips – Fresh food for longer

“Food waste can be very pricey, so here are some easy ways to keep your food staying fresher for longer, so there’s less waste.

A bag of spinach is opened and sheet of kitchen roll put inside. The bag is then sealed with a bag clip.

“You can keep leafy greens fresh by putting a sheet of kitchen roll in the bag, and then sealing the bag shut with a clip. Perfect!”

A small piece of cling film is wrapped around the stems of a bunch of bananas.

“Bananas keep fresher for longer if you cover the stems with a little bit of cling film.”

A bunch of celery stalks and a broccoli head are wrapped in tin foil.

“And vegetables like celery and broccoli can be wrapped in some tin foil to keep them fresh.”

“Mmm, that’s made me hungry. Time for lunch?”

Fresher greens

Wrap celery and broccoli in foil (not cling film) to keep it fresher for longer in the fridge.

Mini money tips – Fresh food for longer

“Food waste can be very pricey, so here are some easy ways to keep your food staying fresher for longer, so there’s less waste.

A bag of spinach is opened and sheet of kitchen roll put inside. The bag is then sealed with a bag clip.

“You can keep leafy greens fresh by putting a sheet of kitchen roll in the bag, and then sealing the bag shut with a clip. Perfect!”

A small piece of cling film is wrapped around the stems of a bunch of bananas.

“Bananas keep fresher for longer if you cover the stems with a little bit of cling film.”

A bunch of celery stalks and a broccoli head are wrapped in tin foil.

“And vegetables like celery and broccoli can be wrapped in some tin foil to keep them fresh.”

“Mmm, that’s made me hungry. Time for lunch?”

Compare price by weight

When comparing prices at the supermarket, don't just check the item price. Look closer at the label on the shelf and you'll often see the cost per 100g, which lets you compare value even when the pack sizes are different.

For example, say you are comparing two jars of mayonnaise:

Mayo A – 400g – £2.50
Mayo B – 500g – £3.00

At first glance Mayo A might seem better value, but looking at the shelf label will show you the price per 100g:

Mayo A – 62.5p per 100g
Mayo B – 60p per 100g

With this information you are comparing like for like, and can clearly see Mayo B is better value gram for gram. 

Onions last 8 months in tights

Believe it or not, hanging onions in a pair of (clean) old tights in a cool, dry place is one of the best ways to prolong their life.

Doing this could make your onions last up to 8 months longer!

Meals out with Clubcard points

If you're planning a meal out and you're a Tesco Clubcard holder, it could be worth checking whether the restaurant is a Tesco Clubcard Rewards partner.

If it is, you could redeem your Clubcard points toward restaurant vouchers for up to 2x what they would be worth in store. For example, if you have collected £10 worth of Clubcard points, you could redeem £20 of vouchers to spend at Pizza Express.

The partners change over time so it's worth checking back every now and again, as you could also save on days out, entertainment subscriptions, and even breakdown cover.

Discounted leftovers from cafes

TooGoodToGo is an app where local cafes, bakeries, shops and restaurants sell food that's expiring soon, for massively reduced prices.

Often you can find veg boxes that can be whizzed into soups and frozen for future meals.

You might see a lot of items called "Magic bags". This means the shop has put together a mystery bag full of soon to expire items, and what you get is a surprise until you collect it. 

Free unwanted groceries

The Olio app lists food about to expire from local shops, restaurants and neighbours that's being given away for free. 

You can even find household items listed by neighbours, and list your own unwanted items that might help someone else out. 

Note: Olio is free to use but does prompt you to choose a "subscription" when you register – you can close this using the X in the top right corner and continue to use the app with no fee. 

Clean fridge for fresher food

Did you know that the cleaner your fridge is, the fresher food stays? Give your fridge a regular wipe down so bacteria doesn't build up and make food go off faster.

Keep bananas away from fruit

Keep bananas away from the rest of your fruit – they can cause other fruit to ripen extra quickly.

No more mouldy cheese

Cheese needs to breathe! Wrapping it up in cling film or sandwich bags can trap moisture which can grow unwanted mould on your block. 

Instead, wrap it in baking parchment to prolong the life of your cheese.

Good breakfast saves on snacks

Skipping breakfast could feel like a money saver, but it can make you more likely to reach for (and spend on) snacks as the day goes on.

Try starting the day with a hearty, low-cost breakfast like porridge and fruit to keep yourself full and energised for longer, avoiding impulsive snack purchases. 

Easily regrow lettuce

Once you've finished a romaine lettuce don't throw away the end stump – pop it in a glass of water on a windowsill for fresh sprigs to grow. It won't grow back to full size, but should be enough for a sandwich or two within a couple of weeks. 

Gardener's Path has a full guide on how to do this, and which types of lettuce work best. 

Cold water without running the tap

Do you find yourself running the tap for a while until the water is cold enough for a glass of water? Save some pennies on your water bill by keeping a jug in the fridge instead, so there's always cold water on hand. 

Longer life for lemons

Lemons and limes can quickly dry up when left in the fruit bowl, but you can keep them fresh for weeks by putting them in a large jar, filling it with water and popping it in the fridge. 

Time your food shop right

Head to the supermarket after 8pm, or just before closing time to catch the 'yellow sticker' deals. You might need to visit your supermarket a few times to figure out when they start discounting items that are due to expire that day.

Even if you don't plan to eat them straight away – many refrigerated products can be frozen and used later. 

How to pack the fridge

Knowing how best to pack your fridge can make it run efficiently (saving on electicity costs) and make the food inside last longer. 

Air circulation is important for maintaining the right temperature in your fridge, so try to avoid packing it too full or pressing items up against the back wall. 

Good Housekeeping has a helpful guide on the best way to pack the fridge to maximise shelf life and minimise risk of cross contamination.

Stop biscuits going soft

Stop your biccies from going soft by putting a layer of dry rice in the bottom of your biscuit tin. The rice will absorb any moisture that gets in before the biscuits do, keeping them fresher for longer. 

Store root veg in soil

Bulk-buying root vegetables such as carrots and potatoes can save money in the long run – but only if you can stop them going soft. Storing them in soil, sand or newspaper can extend root veg's shelf life by months.

For carrots, swedes, beetroot and turnips, a cardboard box filled with moist soil or sand should do the trick. Ensure the vegetables are not touching one another, and avoid cutting off any stems or leaves. Store the box in a cool place such as a basement or hallway. 

For potatoes - a cardboard box filled with newspaper and sprayed with water every now and then should keep them from softening and sprouting too quickly. 

Save crystalised honey

If your honey has crystallised, pop it in some hot water or in the oven when it's cooling down after cooking. Watch it return to gooey liquid form!

Keep strawberries fresh

Transfer strawberries into an airtight glass jar or tupperware and pop them in the fridge – they'll last much longer than in the plastic punnets they come in. 

Household

Free household items
Read Tip
Household
Save on tradespeople
Read Tip
Household
Unplug it!
Read Tip
Household
Avoid overfilling the kettle
Read Tip
Household
Free household items

The Olio app lists unwanted food and household items that neighbours can arrange to collect from one another for free. Simply download the app, register, and browse what's available near you.

You can even borrow items such as tools that you only need for a short time, or list 'wanted' items in the hope someone will have what you are looking for. 

Note: Olio is free to use but does prompt you to choose a "subscription" when you register – you can close this using the X in the top right corner and continue to use the app with no fee. 

Save on tradespeople

If you're thinking of booking any kind of service or maintenance at home – like a window cleaner, handyman or gardener – check with your neighbours to see if they need any jobs done too.

If so, you might be able to negotiate a group discount on the services needed.

Unplug it!

You might have heard about 'Vampire devices' – electronics which slowly use a small amount of electricity even when they're turned off or in stand-by mode.

Try to get into the habit of unplugging (or turning off at the plug socket) any devices when you're not using them, and you could save a significant amount on your energy bill over a year.

If you've got multiple devices like a TV, DVD player and Sky box, you could plug them all into an extension cable so that you only need to turn off a single plug when you're finished using them.

Mini money tips – Stand by

“We’ve all got more electrical devices now, haven’t we? Things plugged in here, there and well everywhere. But all these things are slowly costing you money. Bit by bit, it all adds up.”

“An average television, for instance, left plugged in on standby could cost you this much every single year.”

A TV shows ‘Around £12 per year per TV2’ on the screen. Screentext reads ‘Source: The Sun’.

“So, save some money and if you can, unplug it.”

Several plugs are flicked off using the switch at the wall socket.

“In fact, any appliance which doesn’t need to be switched on, unplug it and save yourself some cash.”

Avoid overfilling the kettle

Your kettle uses more energy the more water it's trying to boil. So, only fill your kettle with the amount of water you need.

For two cups of tea, for example, you only need about 500ml of water. You can easily measure this out by filling your mugs with cold water and using them to fill the kettle.

Mini Money tips – Save on your cuppa

“We don’t think twice about boiling the kettle, but it could be costing you more than it needs to.”

“Okay, maths time. Let’s assume that you make three cups of tea for two people every day. So that’s six cups of tea in total.”

On-screen graphics next to Carol Vorderman show ‘3 cups for 2 people every day’. And then ‘6 cups total’.

“And let’s assume that electricity is priced at this per kilowatt hour.”

The on-screen graphics show ‘28p per kWh (price as of June 2022)’.

“Right, a full two litre kettle will cost this much to boil.“

The on-screen graphics show ‘6p per boil (based on average 2 litre kettle power rating of 3 kilowatts per hour)’.

“So, if you boil a full kettle three times a day, it will cost you this much per day for your cups of tea. Which adds up to a pretty hefty amount every single year.”

The on-screen graphics show ‘18p per day. £65.70 per year’.

“But, you only need about half a litre of boiled water to make the two cups of tea.”

The on-screen graphics show ‘2 cups = 500ml’.

“So, if you only boil about half a litre in the kettle every time, instead of the full two-litres, then it will only cost you think amount per boil.“

The on-screen graphics show ‘0.015p per boil’.

“Do that three times a day and it costs you this much per day. Which adds up to this every year.”

The on-screen graphics show ‘0.045p per day. £16.43 per year.’

“Now, compare that to boiling a full kettle every time, and over the year that’s a saving of this amount.”

The on-screen graphics show ‘£49.27 saving per year.’

“Which is, quite frankly, incredible.”

“And, if you could switch off your kettle just as it boils rather than waiting for it to switch itself off after quite a few seconds, you could save even more money.”

“Cheers to that!”

Reusable wrap

Want to spend less on plastic wrap and tin foil?

Invest in reusable alternatives, like beeswax wraps, glass Tupperware or silicone food covers. They could save you money in the long term – and they're better for the environment too!

Make time for a clear out

It's good to get into the habit of regularly sorting through and clearing out clothes, furniture and anything else you have laying around.

If you've not used it for a while, it could be time to sell it.

Sites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Vinted, Depop and Gumtree are all handy places to sell items on to someone who'll treasure them.

Take a look at our guide to selling things online for advice on how to get started.

Quick fix for glasses

Glasses a bit loose?

Try dabbing the joints with clear nail polish to tighten them up until you can get to a screwdriver.

Revive old nail varnish

Got some old nail varnish which has separated or dried up? Adding a drop of nail varnish remover could bring what's left back to life – saving you from spending money on a new bottle.

Save money on key covers

If you've got a lot of keys, key covers can be handy for helping you to quickly identify which is which. But they can be expensive for what they are.

Instead, why not use nail varnish to label your keys? It's a quick and easy alternative to buying key covers, and gives you more flexibility on how you'd like to colour-code or decorate your keys.

If you've got keys that don't belong to you, you can always use nail varnish remover to return the key to it's original colour before you need to give them back. 

Mini money tips – Key fobs

Carol Vorderman holds up a bunch of keys.

“We’ve all got lots of these, small bunches of keys.”

“Right, the problem is they all look similar don’t they? So… Is that for the back gate, the shed or the back door? I don’t know! Well, here’s a tip – you don’t need to go off buying key fobs, all you need is a little bit of nail varnish.”

Close up of keys being painted with different coloured nail varnish.

“Okay, lets choose red, white and blue for these keys.”

“Paint the big round bit at the end of the key with the colour of your choice. Leave it to dry – and now you know which one is which, problem solved! That’s better.”

DIY dog and cat toys

Dog and cat toys can be expensive and don't always last long. Instead of spending on new toys, why not try your hand at making your own from old clothes?

Even if you don't consider yourself to be crafty – these DIY toys made from old T shirts, towels or jeans are straightforward to make, and your pet will love them!

Watch our video for instructions to make yours:

Mini money tips – DIY dog toys

“Here’s a fun way to keep your furry friends entertained without spending a fortune on dog toys.”

The presenter cuts a leg off a pair of jeans.

“Cut off the end of a leg or sleeve on an old pair of jeans or shirt.”

The presenter rolls up one end of the jeans leg and keeps rolling to the end of the leg.

“Roll into a doughnut shape, like this. Cut off a long denim strip from the same jeans or shirt. Wrap the strip around the doughnut to secure its shape, and tie the ends together with a knot.”

“How do you like that my friends?”

“Or, try this! Cut some wide strips from an old shirt like this.”

The presenter cuts a thick segment off the bottom of two different coloured t-shirts. He cuts one side to create a flat strip rather than a loop, and places them in a cross shape on the table – with one on top of the other.

“Then lay them in a cross shape, place a tennis ball in the middle of the cross, and wrap it up in the t-shirt strips.”

The presenter lifts the tennis ball through the fabric and twists the ball around to secure it, with the long strips of fabric hanging down.

“Put another thin strip around to hold the ball in place.”

The presenter uses a thin strip of t-shirt to wrap and tie around the tennis ball.

“Then tease out the tails, and cut these into thinner strips. Plait these together like this.”

The presenter cuts each strip of fabric lengthways several times so multiple fabric ribbons, about one inch in width are hanging from the tennis ball. Taking three thin strips at a time, the presenter plaits them together.

“Then you’ve got a dog toy octopus! What do you think of that little fella?”

Liquid hand soap

Liquid hand soap running low? Top up with water to keep it going for longer.

Bugs away!

Keep the insects away by placing a plate of vinegar in the room – or fill a spray bottle with half vinegar, half water and spray the bugs away!

Repair cafes

Have you heard about repair cafes? Take your broken items along to one, and you can work with experts to fix them – for free! You'll be learning valuable repair skills at the same time too.

Free household items
Read Tip
Household
Save on tradespeople
Read Tip
Household
Unplug it!
Read Tip
Household
Avoid overfilling the kettle
Read Tip
Household
Reusable wrap
Read Tip
Household
Make time for a clear out
Read Tip
Household
Quick fix for glasses
Read Tip
Household
Revive old nail varnish
Read Tip
Household
Save money on key covers
Read Tip
Household
DIY dog and cat toys
Read Tip
Household
Liquid hand soap
Read Tip
Household
Bugs away!
Read Tip
Household
Repair cafes
Read Tip
Household
Free household items

The Olio app lists unwanted food and household items that neighbours can arrange to collect from one another for free. Simply download the app, register, and browse what's available near you.

You can even borrow items such as tools that you only need for a short time, or list 'wanted' items in the hope someone will have what you are looking for. 

Note: Olio is free to use but does prompt you to choose a "subscription" when you register – you can close this using the X in the top right corner and continue to use the app with no fee. 

Save on tradespeople

If you're thinking of booking any kind of service or maintenance at home – like a window cleaner, handyman or gardener – check with your neighbours to see if they need any jobs done too.

If so, you might be able to negotiate a group discount on the services needed.

Unplug it!

You might have heard about 'Vampire devices' – electronics which slowly use a small amount of electricity even when they're turned off or in stand-by mode.

Try to get into the habit of unplugging (or turning off at the plug socket) any devices when you're not using them, and you could save a significant amount on your energy bill over a year.

If you've got multiple devices like a TV, DVD player and Sky box, you could plug them all into an extension cable so that you only need to turn off a single plug when you're finished using them.

Mini money tips – Stand by

“We’ve all got more electrical devices now, haven’t we? Things plugged in here, there and well everywhere. But all these things are slowly costing you money. Bit by bit, it all adds up.”

“An average television, for instance, left plugged in on standby could cost you this much every single year.”

A TV shows ‘Around £12 per year per TV2’ on the screen. Screentext reads ‘Source: The Sun’.

“So, save some money and if you can, unplug it.”

Several plugs are flicked off using the switch at the wall socket.

“In fact, any appliance which doesn’t need to be switched on, unplug it and save yourself some cash.”

Avoid overfilling the kettle

Your kettle uses more energy the more water it's trying to boil. So, only fill your kettle with the amount of water you need.

For two cups of tea, for example, you only need about 500ml of water. You can easily measure this out by filling your mugs with cold water and using them to fill the kettle.

Mini Money tips – Save on your cuppa

“We don’t think twice about boiling the kettle, but it could be costing you more than it needs to.”

“Okay, maths time. Let’s assume that you make three cups of tea for two people every day. So that’s six cups of tea in total.”

On-screen graphics next to Carol Vorderman show ‘3 cups for 2 people every day’. And then ‘6 cups total’.

“And let’s assume that electricity is priced at this per kilowatt hour.”

The on-screen graphics show ‘28p per kWh (price as of June 2022)’.

“Right, a full two litre kettle will cost this much to boil.“

The on-screen graphics show ‘6p per boil (based on average 2 litre kettle power rating of 3 kilowatts per hour)’.

“So, if you boil a full kettle three times a day, it will cost you this much per day for your cups of tea. Which adds up to a pretty hefty amount every single year.”

The on-screen graphics show ‘18p per day. £65.70 per year’.

“But, you only need about half a litre of boiled water to make the two cups of tea.”

The on-screen graphics show ‘2 cups = 500ml’.

“So, if you only boil about half a litre in the kettle every time, instead of the full two-litres, then it will only cost you think amount per boil.“

The on-screen graphics show ‘0.015p per boil’.

“Do that three times a day and it costs you this much per day. Which adds up to this every year.”

The on-screen graphics show ‘0.045p per day. £16.43 per year.’

“Now, compare that to boiling a full kettle every time, and over the year that’s a saving of this amount.”

The on-screen graphics show ‘£49.27 saving per year.’

“Which is, quite frankly, incredible.”

“And, if you could switch off your kettle just as it boils rather than waiting for it to switch itself off after quite a few seconds, you could save even more money.”

“Cheers to that!”

Reusable wrap

Want to spend less on plastic wrap and tin foil?

Invest in reusable alternatives, like beeswax wraps, glass Tupperware or silicone food covers. They could save you money in the long term – and they're better for the environment too!

Make time for a clear out

It's good to get into the habit of regularly sorting through and clearing out clothes, furniture and anything else you have laying around.

If you've not used it for a while, it could be time to sell it.

Sites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Vinted, Depop and Gumtree are all handy places to sell items on to someone who'll treasure them.

Take a look at our guide to selling things online for advice on how to get started.

Quick fix for glasses

Glasses a bit loose?

Try dabbing the joints with clear nail polish to tighten them up until you can get to a screwdriver.

Revive old nail varnish

Got some old nail varnish which has separated or dried up? Adding a drop of nail varnish remover could bring what's left back to life – saving you from spending money on a new bottle.

Save money on key covers

If you've got a lot of keys, key covers can be handy for helping you to quickly identify which is which. But they can be expensive for what they are.

Instead, why not use nail varnish to label your keys? It's a quick and easy alternative to buying key covers, and gives you more flexibility on how you'd like to colour-code or decorate your keys.

If you've got keys that don't belong to you, you can always use nail varnish remover to return the key to it's original colour before you need to give them back. 

Mini money tips – Key fobs

Carol Vorderman holds up a bunch of keys.

“We’ve all got lots of these, small bunches of keys.”

“Right, the problem is they all look similar don’t they? So… Is that for the back gate, the shed or the back door? I don’t know! Well, here’s a tip – you don’t need to go off buying key fobs, all you need is a little bit of nail varnish.”

Close up of keys being painted with different coloured nail varnish.

“Okay, lets choose red, white and blue for these keys.”

“Paint the big round bit at the end of the key with the colour of your choice. Leave it to dry – and now you know which one is which, problem solved! That’s better.”

DIY dog and cat toys

Dog and cat toys can be expensive and don't always last long. Instead of spending on new toys, why not try your hand at making your own from old clothes?

Even if you don't consider yourself to be crafty – these DIY toys made from old T shirts, towels or jeans are straightforward to make, and your pet will love them!

Watch our video for instructions to make yours:

Mini money tips – DIY dog toys

“Here’s a fun way to keep your furry friends entertained without spending a fortune on dog toys.”

The presenter cuts a leg off a pair of jeans.

“Cut off the end of a leg or sleeve on an old pair of jeans or shirt.”

The presenter rolls up one end of the jeans leg and keeps rolling to the end of the leg.

“Roll into a doughnut shape, like this. Cut off a long denim strip from the same jeans or shirt. Wrap the strip around the doughnut to secure its shape, and tie the ends together with a knot.”

“How do you like that my friends?”

“Or, try this! Cut some wide strips from an old shirt like this.”

The presenter cuts a thick segment off the bottom of two different coloured t-shirts. He cuts one side to create a flat strip rather than a loop, and places them in a cross shape on the table – with one on top of the other.

“Then lay them in a cross shape, place a tennis ball in the middle of the cross, and wrap it up in the t-shirt strips.”

The presenter lifts the tennis ball through the fabric and twists the ball around to secure it, with the long strips of fabric hanging down.

“Put another thin strip around to hold the ball in place.”

The presenter uses a thin strip of t-shirt to wrap and tie around the tennis ball.

“Then tease out the tails, and cut these into thinner strips. Plait these together like this.”

The presenter cuts each strip of fabric lengthways several times so multiple fabric ribbons, about one inch in width are hanging from the tennis ball. Taking three thin strips at a time, the presenter plaits them together.

“Then you’ve got a dog toy octopus! What do you think of that little fella?”

Liquid hand soap

Liquid hand soap running low? Top up with water to keep it going for longer.

Bugs away!

Keep the insects away by placing a plate of vinegar in the room – or fill a spray bottle with half vinegar, half water and spray the bugs away!

Repair cafes

Have you heard about repair cafes? Take your broken items along to one, and you can work with experts to fix them – for free! You'll be learning valuable repair skills at the same time too.

Clothes

Freeze jeans
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Clothes
Trousers to shorts
Read Tip
Clothes
Broken zipper
Read Tip
Clothes
Debobble
Read Tip
Clothes
Freeze jeans

Don’t put your jeans in the washing machine! Put them in the freezer instead – it removes odours and bacteria without fading the denim.

Trousers to shorts

Old pair of trousers worn out? Turn them into summer shorts with just a pair of scissors. Simply cut them to your desired length and enjoy a whole new item of clothing, for free!

Broken zipper

Zipper broken? Use an elastic band or hair tie to keep your fly zipped up. Just loop the band through the end of your zip, and loop the other end around your button. Voila!

Debobble

No need to spend money on a debobbler. Use a razor to get rid of those annoying bobbly bits on your clothes.

Smelly shoes

Smelly shoes? Sprinkle baking soda on the inside and outside of your shoes to get rid of unwelcome odours.

Deter clothes moths

Moths ruining your clothes? Keep them away and make your clothes last longer with home-made lavender pockets. Watch our how-to video for full instructions.

Those darn socks!

Darning is a simple way to make your socks last longer – and it's cheaper than buying a new pair. Check out this handy three-minute guide.

Bleach stains

Bleach stain on black clothes? Colour in the stain with a marker pen – people will be none the wiser!

Ironing collars

Use hair straighteners as a quick collar iron – just be careful not to burn your neck!

Trouser hem

Need to turn up your trouser hem in a hurry? Use a glue gun.

Stretching shoes

Need to stretch out your shoes? Put on some thick socks, put your shoes on, and blow-dry your feet.

Laddered tights

Dab clear nail varnish around the ends of a ladder in your tights to stop it growing.

Leather shoe polish

Use moisturiser to polish your leather shoes – it works a treat!

Lipstick stain

Lipstick stain on your clothes? Spritz with hairspray before putting in the wash, and the stain will be long gone.

Selling clothes

Want to sell clothes to make money? Take great pictures to make them look their best.

First, give your garments a wash and iron, making sure there are no stains, bobbles or hairs. Take photos on your phone next to a bright window, making sure the camera is focused properly. It helps to put it in front of a white or grey backdrop to make it stand out (a bedsheet works great!). And take photos of the labels, the back of the garment and any flaws.

Pick your best pics and you're ready to sell!

Read more of our tips on how to sell items online.

Freeze jeans
Read Tip
Clothes
Trousers to shorts
Read Tip
Clothes
Broken zipper
Read Tip
Clothes
Debobble
Read Tip
Clothes
Smelly shoes
Read Tip
Clothes
Deter clothes moths
Read Tip
Clothes
Those darn socks!
Read Tip
Clothes
Bleach stains
Read Tip
Clothes
Ironing collars
Read Tip
Clothes
Trouser hem
Read Tip
Clothes
Stretching shoes
Read Tip
Clothes
Laddered tights
Read Tip
Clothes
Leather shoe polish
Read Tip
Clothes
Lipstick stain
Read Tip
Clothes
Selling clothes
Read Tip
Clothes
Freeze jeans

Don’t put your jeans in the washing machine! Put them in the freezer instead – it removes odours and bacteria without fading the denim.

Trousers to shorts

Old pair of trousers worn out? Turn them into summer shorts with just a pair of scissors. Simply cut them to your desired length and enjoy a whole new item of clothing, for free!

Broken zipper

Zipper broken? Use an elastic band or hair tie to keep your fly zipped up. Just loop the band through the end of your zip, and loop the other end around your button. Voila!

Debobble

No need to spend money on a debobbler. Use a razor to get rid of those annoying bobbly bits on your clothes.

Smelly shoes

Smelly shoes? Sprinkle baking soda on the inside and outside of your shoes to get rid of unwelcome odours.

Deter clothes moths

Moths ruining your clothes? Keep them away and make your clothes last longer with home-made lavender pockets. Watch our how-to video for full instructions.

Those darn socks!

Darning is a simple way to make your socks last longer – and it's cheaper than buying a new pair. Check out this handy three-minute guide.

Bleach stains

Bleach stain on black clothes? Colour in the stain with a marker pen – people will be none the wiser!

Ironing collars

Use hair straighteners as a quick collar iron – just be careful not to burn your neck!

Trouser hem

Need to turn up your trouser hem in a hurry? Use a glue gun.

Stretching shoes

Need to stretch out your shoes? Put on some thick socks, put your shoes on, and blow-dry your feet.

Laddered tights

Dab clear nail varnish around the ends of a ladder in your tights to stop it growing.

Leather shoe polish

Use moisturiser to polish your leather shoes – it works a treat!

Lipstick stain

Lipstick stain on your clothes? Spritz with hairspray before putting in the wash, and the stain will be long gone.

Selling clothes

Want to sell clothes to make money? Take great pictures to make them look their best.

First, give your garments a wash and iron, making sure there are no stains, bobbles or hairs. Take photos on your phone next to a bright window, making sure the camera is focused properly. It helps to put it in front of a white or grey backdrop to make it stand out (a bedsheet works great!). And take photos of the labels, the back of the garment and any flaws.

Pick your best pics and you're ready to sell!

Read more of our tips on how to sell items online.

Cleaning

DIY cleaning products
Read Tip
Cleaning
Limescale remover
Read Tip
Cleaning
Sink cleaner
Read Tip
Cleaning
Stained leather
Read Tip
Cleaning
DIY cleaning products

Make your own cleaning products using water, distilled vinegar and bicarb. It’s eco-friendly and affordable.

Top tip: spray your windows with vinegar and wipe down with scrunched up newspaper for extra shine!

Mini money tips – DIY cleaning products

A variety of commercial cleaning products are shown on screen.

“You can easily spend a lot of money on cleaning products for the house.”

Carol Vorderman appears on screen, wearing an apron and marigold gloves. She is holding a bottle of white household vinegar and a pot of bicarbonate of soda.

“But, you can make your own handy household cleaner with just vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.”

A close up of the ingredients on the table. The vinegar is next to a plastic spray bottle, and the bicarbonate of soda has been put into a shallow plastic bowl with a teaspoon in. Two half-lemons are also on the table.

“Pour the vinegar into a spray bottle, and have the bicarbonate of soda in something that’s easy to sprinkle, like this. By the way, if you’re not crazy about the vinegar smell, just squirt in some lemon juice and that should do the trick.”

“The key is, don’t mix the vinegar and the bicarbonate of soda ahead of time, as it’s the chemincal reaction between them that does the actual cleaning. So, this is what you do.”

A close up of a showerhead covered in limescale. A hand sprays the showerhead with the vinegar spray bottle before sprinkling the bicarbonate of soda on top with a spoon.

“First, spray the vinegar on the surface you want to clean, like a shower head, then dust it with the bicarb, let it foam up and the reaction happen, and then wipe it off after a few minutes.”

The showerhead is wiped to reveal a shiny, clean surface.

“Perfect result!”

“And a bonus tip for mirrors, try just spraying the vinegar on its own and then wipe off with newspaper to give an extra shine. I promise you, it really works!”

Limescale remover

Remove limescale from your kettle. It’s blocking the heat properties, which means it uses more energy to boil. You can descale it with a bit of vinegar or lemon.

Sink cleaner

Use toothpaste to clean your sink and taps. It gives an unbeatable shine.

Stained leather

Stained leather? Mix cold water and white vinegar, dab onto the mark and rub gently. That stain should be gone in a jiffy!

Oil stains

Got an oil stain on your clothes or tablecloth? Leave baby powder on it overnight to remove the stain.

Lemon-fresh

Love the smell of lemon? Put lemon juice and water in a clean spray bottle for quick spritzes to freshen up your home.

DIY grill cleaner

Keep your grill and oven looking tip top with just bicarb and vinegar. Here's how...

Mini money tips – Clean grills for less

A dirty grill pan is shown on screen.

“Time for some cooking. Oven or grill-cleaning products can be pricey, but they don’t have to be.”

“To clean your grill, if it’s looking a little bit mucky like mine is, try mixing some vinegar and bicarbonate of soda into a thin paste. Then, brush the mixture over the grill pan, and leave it for 24 hours. And go and do something much more interesting.”

Vinegar and bicarbonate of soda are mixed together in a small bowl with a toothbrush, and then brushed all over the grill-pan to cover it in a thin foam.

“Wash the paste off, give it a rinse, and it’s looking good!”

The paste is wiped off the grill pan with a cloth, revealing a shiny, clean pan.

“Right, time to get the breakfast on. More tea, vicar?”

Red wine stains

Use white wine to remove red wine stains (you heard it right – it really works!)

Wash at 30

Unless your clothes are heavily stained or need disinfecting, always set the washing machine to 30 degrees. And don't forget to hang items to dry whenever possible!

Dishwasher tablets

If you're not washing heavily soiled pans, cut dishwasher tablets in half – they work just as well.

Mattress freshen-up

Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over your mattress to freshen it up. Leave it there for a few hours, and then simply hoover up.

Clean windows with old newspaper

A spritz of white vinegar and a wipe with scrunched up newspapers does wonders on windows, mirrors and glass panels. 

DIY cleaning products
Read Tip
Cleaning
Limescale remover
Read Tip
Cleaning
Sink cleaner
Read Tip
Cleaning
Stained leather
Read Tip
Cleaning
Oil stains
Read Tip
Cleaning
Lemon-fresh
Read Tip
Cleaning
DIY grill cleaner
Read Tip
Cleaning
Red wine stains
Read Tip
Cleaning
Wash at 30
Read Tip
Cleaning
Dishwasher tablets
Read Tip
Cleaning
Mattress freshen-up
Read Tip
Cleaning
Clean windows with old newspaper
Read Tip
Cleaning
DIY cleaning products

Make your own cleaning products using water, distilled vinegar and bicarb. It’s eco-friendly and affordable.

Top tip: spray your windows with vinegar and wipe down with scrunched up newspaper for extra shine!

Mini money tips – DIY cleaning products

A variety of commercial cleaning products are shown on screen.

“You can easily spend a lot of money on cleaning products for the house.”

Carol Vorderman appears on screen, wearing an apron and marigold gloves. She is holding a bottle of white household vinegar and a pot of bicarbonate of soda.

“But, you can make your own handy household cleaner with just vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.”

A close up of the ingredients on the table. The vinegar is next to a plastic spray bottle, and the bicarbonate of soda has been put into a shallow plastic bowl with a teaspoon in. Two half-lemons are also on the table.

“Pour the vinegar into a spray bottle, and have the bicarbonate of soda in something that’s easy to sprinkle, like this. By the way, if you’re not crazy about the vinegar smell, just squirt in some lemon juice and that should do the trick.”

“The key is, don’t mix the vinegar and the bicarbonate of soda ahead of time, as it’s the chemincal reaction between them that does the actual cleaning. So, this is what you do.”

A close up of a showerhead covered in limescale. A hand sprays the showerhead with the vinegar spray bottle before sprinkling the bicarbonate of soda on top with a spoon.

“First, spray the vinegar on the surface you want to clean, like a shower head, then dust it with the bicarb, let it foam up and the reaction happen, and then wipe it off after a few minutes.”

The showerhead is wiped to reveal a shiny, clean surface.

“Perfect result!”

“And a bonus tip for mirrors, try just spraying the vinegar on its own and then wipe off with newspaper to give an extra shine. I promise you, it really works!”

Limescale remover

Remove limescale from your kettle. It’s blocking the heat properties, which means it uses more energy to boil. You can descale it with a bit of vinegar or lemon.

Sink cleaner

Use toothpaste to clean your sink and taps. It gives an unbeatable shine.

Stained leather

Stained leather? Mix cold water and white vinegar, dab onto the mark and rub gently. That stain should be gone in a jiffy!

Oil stains

Got an oil stain on your clothes or tablecloth? Leave baby powder on it overnight to remove the stain.

Lemon-fresh

Love the smell of lemon? Put lemon juice and water in a clean spray bottle for quick spritzes to freshen up your home.

DIY grill cleaner

Keep your grill and oven looking tip top with just bicarb and vinegar. Here's how...

Mini money tips – Clean grills for less

A dirty grill pan is shown on screen.

“Time for some cooking. Oven or grill-cleaning products can be pricey, but they don’t have to be.”

“To clean your grill, if it’s looking a little bit mucky like mine is, try mixing some vinegar and bicarbonate of soda into a thin paste. Then, brush the mixture over the grill pan, and leave it for 24 hours. And go and do something much more interesting.”

Vinegar and bicarbonate of soda are mixed together in a small bowl with a toothbrush, and then brushed all over the grill-pan to cover it in a thin foam.

“Wash the paste off, give it a rinse, and it’s looking good!”

The paste is wiped off the grill pan with a cloth, revealing a shiny, clean pan.

“Right, time to get the breakfast on. More tea, vicar?”

Red wine stains

Use white wine to remove red wine stains (you heard it right – it really works!)

Wash at 30

Unless your clothes are heavily stained or need disinfecting, always set the washing machine to 30 degrees. And don't forget to hang items to dry whenever possible!

Dishwasher tablets

If you're not washing heavily soiled pans, cut dishwasher tablets in half – they work just as well.

Mattress freshen-up

Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over your mattress to freshen it up. Leave it there for a few hours, and then simply hoover up.

Clean windows with old newspaper

A spritz of white vinegar and a wipe with scrunched up newspapers does wonders on windows, mirrors and glass panels. 

Subscriptions and tech

Switch providers
Read Tip
Subscriptions and tech
Phone not charging?
Read Tip
Subscriptions and tech
Visit the library
Read Tip
Subscriptions and tech
Cash in your current account
Read Tip
Subscriptions and tech
Switch providers

Get in the habit of comparing and switching your providers for bills and insurance.

Sometimes when you ask to cancel a service, your current provider will offer you a better deal – so you save money without actually having to switch.

Phone not charging?

Don’t pay for your phone's charging port to be cleaned – just watch
this quick video on how to do it yourself.

Mini money tips – Phone charge fix

An iPhone is on a table, plugged into its charger, but not charging.

“If your phone isn’t charging, then it might be that some fluff or dirt has got stuck in the charging port down here.”

Carol Vorderman holds up the phone and points to the charging port at the bottom.

“Right, here’s the fun bit. Get a cocktail stick and gently (and I mean gently, so you don’t cause any damage!) wiggle it inside the charger socket.

A cocktail stick is gently inserted into the charging port and wiggled about a little. It is pulled out along with a piece of black fluff that was stuck inside the port.

“And now you should find your phone is fluff-free and it charges properly.”

“Best of all, you fixed it for nothing!”

Visit the library

Make the most of your local libraries! They offer books, internet access, scanning and printing, free online magazine access, eBooks and audiobooks.

Cash in your current account

Look out for opportunities to switch your current account provider when there are rewards on offer.

It's usually easy to carry over any direct debits automatically, and if there's a good reward for switching (such as cash) it could be worth it.

Switch subscriptions

Cancelling subscriptions or switching providers is an easy way to save a bit of money.

You might get re-joining offers, discounts and extra features. And you never know, you might be offered a cheaper deal before you cancel!

Switch to SIM-only

If your contract's up on your mobile, you could be overpaying. Switch to SIM-only if you're happy with your handset, or compare deals to find a better offer with a newer phone.

Switch providers
Read Tip
Subscriptions and tech
Phone not charging?
Read Tip
Subscriptions and tech
Visit the library
Read Tip
Subscriptions and tech
Cash in your current account
Read Tip
Subscriptions and tech
Switch subscriptions
Read Tip
Subscriptions and tech
Switch to SIM-only
Read Tip
Subscriptions and tech
Switch providers

Get in the habit of comparing and switching your providers for bills and insurance.

Sometimes when you ask to cancel a service, your current provider will offer you a better deal – so you save money without actually having to switch.

Phone not charging?

Don’t pay for your phone's charging port to be cleaned – just watch
this quick video on how to do it yourself.

Mini money tips – Phone charge fix

An iPhone is on a table, plugged into its charger, but not charging.

“If your phone isn’t charging, then it might be that some fluff or dirt has got stuck in the charging port down here.”

Carol Vorderman holds up the phone and points to the charging port at the bottom.

“Right, here’s the fun bit. Get a cocktail stick and gently (and I mean gently, so you don’t cause any damage!) wiggle it inside the charger socket.

A cocktail stick is gently inserted into the charging port and wiggled about a little. It is pulled out along with a piece of black fluff that was stuck inside the port.

“And now you should find your phone is fluff-free and it charges properly.”

“Best of all, you fixed it for nothing!”

Visit the library

Make the most of your local libraries! They offer books, internet access, scanning and printing, free online magazine access, eBooks and audiobooks.

Cash in your current account

Look out for opportunities to switch your current account provider when there are rewards on offer.

It's usually easy to carry over any direct debits automatically, and if there's a good reward for switching (such as cash) it could be worth it.

Switch subscriptions

Cancelling subscriptions or switching providers is an easy way to save a bit of money.

You might get re-joining offers, discounts and extra features. And you never know, you might be offered a cheaper deal before you cancel!

Switch to SIM-only

If your contract's up on your mobile, you could be overpaying. Switch to SIM-only if you're happy with your handset, or compare deals to find a better offer with a newer phone.

Travel

Lighten the load
Read Tip
Travel
Check fuel prices
Read Tip
Travel
Hide valuables at the beach
Read Tip
Travel
Check tyre pressure
Read Tip
Travel
Lighten the load

Take anything out of your car that doesn't need to be there. The lighter your car, the less fuel it'll use.

Check fuel prices

Use Petrolprices.com to check for the lowest petrol prices near you before you fill up.

Hide valuables at the beach

Keep your valuables safe at the beach by hiding them in a (clean!) nappy.

Check tyre pressure

Did you know tyre pressure can impact fuel efficiency?

If we’re talking numbers, tyre pressure that’s 40% below the recommended level can increase your fuel usage by 8%!

Check your tyre pressure regularly and top up at ‘free air’ fuel stations.

Drive economically

You can make the fuel in your car last longer by accelerating gradually, and by lowering windows instead of using the air conditioning.

Days out with Clubcard points

If you're planning a day out to a theme park, zoo or cinema and you're a Tesco Clubcard holder, it could be worth checking whether your destination is a Tesco Clubcard Rewards partner.

If it is, you could redeem your Clubcard points toward ticket entry for 2x what they would be worth in store. For example, if you have collected £10 worth of Clubcard points, you could redeem £20 towards Thorpe Park entry tickets. 

The partners change over time so it's worth checking back every now and again, as you could also save on meals out, entertainment subscriptions, and even breakdown cover.

Lighten the load
Read Tip
Travel
Check fuel prices
Read Tip
Travel
Hide valuables at the beach
Read Tip
Travel
Check tyre pressure
Read Tip
Travel
Drive economically
Read Tip
Travel
Days out with Clubcard points
Read Tip
Travel
Lighten the load

Take anything out of your car that doesn't need to be there. The lighter your car, the less fuel it'll use.

Check fuel prices

Use Petrolprices.com to check for the lowest petrol prices near you before you fill up.

Hide valuables at the beach

Keep your valuables safe at the beach by hiding them in a (clean!) nappy.

Check tyre pressure

Did you know tyre pressure can impact fuel efficiency?

If we’re talking numbers, tyre pressure that’s 40% below the recommended level can increase your fuel usage by 8%!

Check your tyre pressure regularly and top up at ‘free air’ fuel stations.

Drive economically

You can make the fuel in your car last longer by accelerating gradually, and by lowering windows instead of using the air conditioning.

Days out with Clubcard points

If you're planning a day out to a theme park, zoo or cinema and you're a Tesco Clubcard holder, it could be worth checking whether your destination is a Tesco Clubcard Rewards partner.

If it is, you could redeem your Clubcard points toward ticket entry for 2x what they would be worth in store. For example, if you have collected £10 worth of Clubcard points, you could redeem £20 towards Thorpe Park entry tickets. 

The partners change over time so it's worth checking back every now and again, as you could also save on meals out, entertainment subscriptions, and even breakdown cover.

Health

Free medicine for minor ailments
Read Tip
Health
Free stop smoking support
Read Tip
Health
Drink more water
Read Tip
Health
Less is more with shampoo
Read Tip
Health
Free medicine for minor ailments

Make use of the minor ailment scheme to get free medicine such as paracetamol from pharmacies if you are over 60, without needing a prescription.

The NHS Minor Ailment Scheme is available across Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland but only in selected pharmacies across England. Ask your local pharmacy whether they offer the scheme and they'll check if you're eligible.

Free stop smoking support

Smoking can be an expensive habit, and you might be surprised by how much you could save by quitting. 

Luckily, you can ask your pharmacy or GP for free stop smoking support to help you kick the habit and manage cravings. 

Drink more water

Staying hydrated can prevent a range of minor ailments from headaches to UTIs – so increasing your water intake could save you money on medication and trips to the pharmacy. 

Less is more with shampoo

Could you be washing your hair too much? Overwashing can not only dry out your scalp but actually cause your hair to get greasy more quickly. But if you reduce your hair washes to once or twice a week (unless it's dirty or full of product) you could save some money on shampoo.

Your hair might take a little while to adjust, especially if you've been washing it daily, but eventually it will start to release oils more slowly and take longer to get that greasy look. 

Free medicine for minor ailments
Read Tip
Health
Free stop smoking support
Read Tip
Health
Drink more water
Read Tip
Health
Less is more with shampoo
Read Tip
Health
Free medicine for minor ailments

Make use of the minor ailment scheme to get free medicine such as paracetamol from pharmacies if you are over 60, without needing a prescription.

The NHS Minor Ailment Scheme is available across Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland but only in selected pharmacies across England. Ask your local pharmacy whether they offer the scheme and they'll check if you're eligible.

Free stop smoking support

Smoking can be an expensive habit, and you might be surprised by how much you could save by quitting. 

Luckily, you can ask your pharmacy or GP for free stop smoking support to help you kick the habit and manage cravings. 

Drink more water

Staying hydrated can prevent a range of minor ailments from headaches to UTIs – so increasing your water intake could save you money on medication and trips to the pharmacy. 

Less is more with shampoo

Could you be washing your hair too much? Overwashing can not only dry out your scalp but actually cause your hair to get greasy more quickly. But if you reduce your hair washes to once or twice a week (unless it's dirty or full of product) you could save some money on shampoo.

Your hair might take a little while to adjust, especially if you've been washing it daily, but eventually it will start to release oils more slowly and take longer to get that greasy look. 

Garden

Save tomato seeds
Read Tip
Garden
Toilet tube plant pots
Read Tip
Garden
Free plant labels
Read Tip
Garden
Save pennies on plants
Read Tip
Garden
Save tomato seeds

From March to April, save tomato seeds from your salad. Sow them in a little compost. Before you know it, you’ll have your very own tomatoes!

Toilet tube plant pots

Turn toilet roll tubes into eco-friendly plant pots. They're perfect for protecting seedlings and keeping them hydrated... Watch our video to find out how.

Mini money tips – Biodegradable toilet roll planters

The presenter picks up a pile of cardboard toilet roll tubes and puts them to one side.

“Well, we all end up with plenty of these. Did you know you can use them as mini plant pots for seedlings?”

The presenter picks up one of the cardboard tubes and uses scissors to cut it in half, creating two short tubes.

“Cut them in half, flatten the tubes, then put some cuts here and here:”

The presenter flattens the tube and makes a 1cm cut into the bottom. They re-open the tube and flatten it again with the new cuts positioned at the fold. They cut another 1cm into the bottom. Now when the tube is opened again, it has four cuts along the bottom which can be folded in to create a tiny plant pot.

“Fold the tabs to make a base, then sit the rolls in a larger plant pot or food carton.”

They place several of the cardboard tubes into a larger plant pot and fill it will soil. Seedlings are then planted in the cardboard tubes.

“The cardboard keeps the moisture in, and will decompose when you plant the seedlings. Now you’re really on a roll!”

Free plant labels

Need plant labels but don't want to buy lots of plastic ones? Use old plastic bottles to make your own – it's cheap, quick and easy.

Save pennies on plants

Want to quickly spruce up the garden on a budget? Buy plants from the reduced section at the garden centre. They might need a little TLC, but they'll spring back in no time!

Caffeinate your plants!

Feed your plants with used coffee grounds and tea leaves. They make an affordable alternative to shop-bought fertilisers.

Both coffee and tea are high in copper, magnesium, nitrogen and potassium. And while worms love this addition to the soil, it’s a great slug repellent – they hate the caffeine!

Just keep in mind it works best for acidic-loving plants like blueberries, roses and ferns.

Free fertiliser

Use cooled, leftover cooking water to fertilise your plants. It’s extra nutritious!

Fruit rind plant pots

Use lemon and lime rinds as eco-friendly seedling pots. Empty the rind, poke a hole in the bottom, fill with soil, sow the seeds and water. When the seedlings are ready, you can plant the whole thing straight into your flower bed!

Quick watering can

Don't have a watering can? Poke holes in the lid of an old plastic milk bottle – it does the job perfectly.

Keep grass clippings

Don't throw away your grass clippings! Leave them on your lawn or use as a mulch in your plant beds to save on shop-bought fertiliser.

Super cinnamon

Put cinnamon on your seedlings the spice helps stop disease, thanks to its anti-fungal properties.

Water while you're away

Need your plants watered while you're away for the weekend?

Roll up paper towels tightly, put the ends in a glass of water, and lay the rest across the soil of your plants.

They'll have a steady source of water while you're gone.

Do a seed swap

Want more plants to brighten up your garden? Do a seed and plant swap with your neighbours.

Save tomato seeds
Read Tip
Garden
Toilet tube plant pots
Read Tip
Garden
Free plant labels
Read Tip
Garden
Save pennies on plants
Read Tip
Garden
Caffeinate your plants!
Read Tip
Garden
Free fertiliser
Read Tip
Garden
Fruit rind plant pots
Read Tip
Garden
Quick watering can
Read Tip
Garden
Keep grass clippings
Read Tip
Garden
Super cinnamon
Read Tip
Garden
Water while you're away
Read Tip
Garden
Do a seed swap
Read Tip
Garden
Save tomato seeds

From March to April, save tomato seeds from your salad. Sow them in a little compost. Before you know it, you’ll have your very own tomatoes!

Toilet tube plant pots

Turn toilet roll tubes into eco-friendly plant pots. They're perfect for protecting seedlings and keeping them hydrated... Watch our video to find out how.

Mini money tips – Biodegradable toilet roll planters

The presenter picks up a pile of cardboard toilet roll tubes and puts them to one side.

“Well, we all end up with plenty of these. Did you know you can use them as mini plant pots for seedlings?”

The presenter picks up one of the cardboard tubes and uses scissors to cut it in half, creating two short tubes.

“Cut them in half, flatten the tubes, then put some cuts here and here:”

The presenter flattens the tube and makes a 1cm cut into the bottom. They re-open the tube and flatten it again with the new cuts positioned at the fold. They cut another 1cm into the bottom. Now when the tube is opened again, it has four cuts along the bottom which can be folded in to create a tiny plant pot.

“Fold the tabs to make a base, then sit the rolls in a larger plant pot or food carton.”

They place several of the cardboard tubes into a larger plant pot and fill it will soil. Seedlings are then planted in the cardboard tubes.

“The cardboard keeps the moisture in, and will decompose when you plant the seedlings. Now you’re really on a roll!”

Free plant labels

Need plant labels but don't want to buy lots of plastic ones? Use old plastic bottles to make your own – it's cheap, quick and easy.

Save pennies on plants

Want to quickly spruce up the garden on a budget? Buy plants from the reduced section at the garden centre. They might need a little TLC, but they'll spring back in no time!

Caffeinate your plants!

Feed your plants with used coffee grounds and tea leaves. They make an affordable alternative to shop-bought fertilisers.

Both coffee and tea are high in copper, magnesium, nitrogen and potassium. And while worms love this addition to the soil, it’s a great slug repellent – they hate the caffeine!

Just keep in mind it works best for acidic-loving plants like blueberries, roses and ferns.

Free fertiliser

Use cooled, leftover cooking water to fertilise your plants. It’s extra nutritious!

Fruit rind plant pots

Use lemon and lime rinds as eco-friendly seedling pots. Empty the rind, poke a hole in the bottom, fill with soil, sow the seeds and water. When the seedlings are ready, you can plant the whole thing straight into your flower bed!

Quick watering can

Don't have a watering can? Poke holes in the lid of an old plastic milk bottle – it does the job perfectly.

Keep grass clippings

Don't throw away your grass clippings! Leave them on your lawn or use as a mulch in your plant beds to save on shop-bought fertiliser.

Super cinnamon

Put cinnamon on your seedlings the spice helps stop disease, thanks to its anti-fungal properties.

Water while you're away

Need your plants watered while you're away for the weekend?

Roll up paper towels tightly, put the ends in a glass of water, and lay the rest across the soil of your plants.

They'll have a steady source of water while you're gone.

Do a seed swap

Want more plants to brighten up your garden? Do a seed and plant swap with your neighbours.

Christmas and birthdays

DIY gift hamper
Read Tip
Christmas and birthdays
Cookie gift jar
Read Tip
Christmas and birthdays
Retro wrapping paper
Read Tip
Christmas and birthdays
Sentimental gifts
Read Tip
Christmas and birthdays
DIY gift hamper

Why not make a pamper box for a loved one this Christmas? It’s much cheaper than a pre-made hamper, and it's much more personal.

Wrap an old shoebox in Christmas paper and fill it with colourful tissue. Fill the box with chocolates, toiletries and other treats.

Watch the video opposite for a step-by-step guide.

Mini money tips – DIY Christmas hampers

“Stuck for a gift idea? Make your own pamper box. You can wrap a shoe box in fancy paper. Then fill it with some shredded paper and treats such as a bottle of wine and some chocolates. Much cheaper than pre-assembled gift hampers, and you can make them much more personal to show people you care.”

The finished DIY gift hampers are shown – one with a bottle of wine and small box of wrapped chocolate and hazelnut confectionary, and the other with some bubble bath and a wash cloth.

Cookie gift jar

Save nice jars for cookie gift kits this Christmas, and you can use them for the perfect homemade presents...

Simply mix 220g flour, 1/2tsp salt and 1/2tsp baking powder. Then set aside 150g brown sugar, 50g granulated sugar, and 150g of chocolate chips (or chocolate sweets like M&Ms).

Use a spoon to fill the jars with alternate layers of each ingredient.

Write a gift tag note with these instructions on: To bake, all you need is an egg, 145g butter and some vanilla extract. Beat everything together and press into cookie shapes. Bake in a preheated 180°C oven for 10 minutes. 

Attach the tag to the jar, and you have a tasty homemade gift!

Retro wrapping paper

Old comic books make fun, cheap wrapping paper for gifts. Watch the video opposite to see how you can make the most of your old magazines. Just make sure they're not valuable comic books first!

Mini money tips – DIY wrapping paper

“Got some old comics in the loft? Ever thought of tearing out the pages and using them to wrap presents?”

The presenter pulls out the middle pages from the centre of a comic book and wraps a small toy car with them.

“Perfect! Cheaper than wrapping paper, it’s recycled, and let’s face it – that was a lot more fun!”

Sentimental gifts

Sometimes the best gifts aren’t things that can be bought. Why not gift a beloved family recipe, treasured photograph or piece of jewellery that will bring joy for years to come?

Homemade handwarmers

Watch this step-by-step video on how to make toasty homemade handwarmers. They're the perfect present for the festive season, and cost pennies to make!

Mini money tips – Hand warmers

“Handwarmers make great gifts that are perfect for winter. First, cut four, three-inch square pieces of fabric, pin them together with the outer surfaces facing inwards, and then sew three full sides of the hand warmer, being sure to leave an opening on the fourth side.”

“Turn the piece back the right way so that the good sides are facing out. Fill with rice and a little bit of lavender for a nice, scented smell. Sew the fourth side closed.”

“Your loved one can just place their new hand warmers into the microwave for 20-30 seconds… And then pop them into their pockets for warm, toasty hands.”

Easy coconut ice

Coconut ice is cheap and simple to make – plus it's the perfect gift.

Line a 20cm baking tin with parchment paper, then mix a 14oz tin of condensed milk with 325g icing sugar, and 350g desiccated coconut. (You can add a little pink food colouring if you like.)

Press into the baking tin and leave overnight, then simply chop the coconut ice into small squares.

Cover the squares up in parchment and wrapping paper for an extra-tasty present.

Upcycle Christmas cards

Watch this quick video on how to recycle last year's Christmas cards into new cards and gift tags. It's simple, fun and adds a lovely personal touch.

Mini money tips – Christmas cards

An overhead view of various used Christmas cards on a table.

“Create inexpensive and recycled Christmas cards using last year’s cards. I hope you’ve saved them!”

“Carefully cut the front of the card off, then cut some card that’s double the size of the front.”

A used card is cut along the fold with scissors. The half with writing on is put to the side. Some coloured card is picked up and folded in half.

“Fold this in half and stick the old cover to the front of the new card.”

The front of the old card is then stuck to the new piece of card with a glue stick.

“Save money on gift tags by making your own from the leftover cards.”

A present is shown with a large gift tag reading “Noel” which has been cut from one of the used cards.

DIY Christmas decorations

Watch this quick video on how to make Christmas tree decorations using felt, glue, and items you have lying around the house.

They make the perfect pressie, and are a festive way to freshen up your decorations!

Mini money tips – Christmas decorations

“Create some great new Christmas decorations this year with a few inexpensive things you’ve got around the house. Cut some bold Christmas shapes from pieces of red and green felt. I’ve done a tree, a Santa, snowman, and a Christmas bauble, but you can make whatever you like.”

“You can stick on bits of decorative ribbon or leftover wrapping. Try using an old brass button or old earring to give a bit of sparkle.”

“Attach a bit of ribbon and now deck the halls with your own homemade bit of Christmas magic.”

Easy hand made cards

Create stunning (and expensive-looking!) greetings cards with pressed flowers. Watch our video for how-to instructions. 

Mini money tips – Pressed flower greeting cards

“You can make amazing greeting cards with pressed flowers in no time. All you need is some lovely flowers and… a microwave. Yes, that’s right, a microwave.”

“Pick the flowers you like and place them between two pieces of paper towel. Put them in the microwave with something heavy (but microwave safe) on top. Like this casserole dish. Microwave for a few minutes.”

“If the flowers are not quite dried out, microwave them some more. You can experiment with timings because different microwaves will give different results. Then you’ve got beautiful dried flowers in no time at all. You can arrange them to make decorative pictures, gifts or greeting cards.”

The presenter arranges their dried flowers onto a piece of yellow card.

“Perfect.”

DIY gift hamper
Read Tip
Christmas and birthdays
Cookie gift jar
Read Tip
Christmas and birthdays
Retro wrapping paper
Read Tip
Christmas and birthdays
Sentimental gifts
Read Tip
Christmas and birthdays
Homemade handwarmers
Read Tip
Christmas and birthdays
Easy coconut ice
Read Tip
Christmas and birthdays
Upcycle Christmas cards
Read Tip
Christmas and birthdays
DIY Christmas decorations
Read Tip
Christmas and birthdays
Easy hand made cards
Read Tip
Christmas and birthdays
DIY gift hamper

Why not make a pamper box for a loved one this Christmas? It’s much cheaper than a pre-made hamper, and it's much more personal.

Wrap an old shoebox in Christmas paper and fill it with colourful tissue. Fill the box with chocolates, toiletries and other treats.

Watch the video opposite for a step-by-step guide.

Mini money tips – DIY Christmas hampers

“Stuck for a gift idea? Make your own pamper box. You can wrap a shoe box in fancy paper. Then fill it with some shredded paper and treats such as a bottle of wine and some chocolates. Much cheaper than pre-assembled gift hampers, and you can make them much more personal to show people you care.”

The finished DIY gift hampers are shown – one with a bottle of wine and small box of wrapped chocolate and hazelnut confectionary, and the other with some bubble bath and a wash cloth.

Cookie gift jar

Save nice jars for cookie gift kits this Christmas, and you can use them for the perfect homemade presents...

Simply mix 220g flour, 1/2tsp salt and 1/2tsp baking powder. Then set aside 150g brown sugar, 50g granulated sugar, and 150g of chocolate chips (or chocolate sweets like M&Ms).

Use a spoon to fill the jars with alternate layers of each ingredient.

Write a gift tag note with these instructions on: To bake, all you need is an egg, 145g butter and some vanilla extract. Beat everything together and press into cookie shapes. Bake in a preheated 180°C oven for 10 minutes. 

Attach the tag to the jar, and you have a tasty homemade gift!

Retro wrapping paper

Old comic books make fun, cheap wrapping paper for gifts. Watch the video opposite to see how you can make the most of your old magazines. Just make sure they're not valuable comic books first!

Mini money tips – DIY wrapping paper

“Got some old comics in the loft? Ever thought of tearing out the pages and using them to wrap presents?”

The presenter pulls out the middle pages from the centre of a comic book and wraps a small toy car with them.

“Perfect! Cheaper than wrapping paper, it’s recycled, and let’s face it – that was a lot more fun!”

Sentimental gifts

Sometimes the best gifts aren’t things that can be bought. Why not gift a beloved family recipe, treasured photograph or piece of jewellery that will bring joy for years to come?

Homemade handwarmers

Watch this step-by-step video on how to make toasty homemade handwarmers. They're the perfect present for the festive season, and cost pennies to make!

Mini money tips – Hand warmers

“Handwarmers make great gifts that are perfect for winter. First, cut four, three-inch square pieces of fabric, pin them together with the outer surfaces facing inwards, and then sew three full sides of the hand warmer, being sure to leave an opening on the fourth side.”

“Turn the piece back the right way so that the good sides are facing out. Fill with rice and a little bit of lavender for a nice, scented smell. Sew the fourth side closed.”

“Your loved one can just place their new hand warmers into the microwave for 20-30 seconds… And then pop them into their pockets for warm, toasty hands.”

Easy coconut ice

Coconut ice is cheap and simple to make – plus it's the perfect gift.

Line a 20cm baking tin with parchment paper, then mix a 14oz tin of condensed milk with 325g icing sugar, and 350g desiccated coconut. (You can add a little pink food colouring if you like.)

Press into the baking tin and leave overnight, then simply chop the coconut ice into small squares.

Cover the squares up in parchment and wrapping paper for an extra-tasty present.

Upcycle Christmas cards

Watch this quick video on how to recycle last year's Christmas cards into new cards and gift tags. It's simple, fun and adds a lovely personal touch.

Mini money tips – Christmas cards

An overhead view of various used Christmas cards on a table.

“Create inexpensive and recycled Christmas cards using last year’s cards. I hope you’ve saved them!”

“Carefully cut the front of the card off, then cut some card that’s double the size of the front.”

A used card is cut along the fold with scissors. The half with writing on is put to the side. Some coloured card is picked up and folded in half.

“Fold this in half and stick the old cover to the front of the new card.”

The front of the old card is then stuck to the new piece of card with a glue stick.

“Save money on gift tags by making your own from the leftover cards.”

A present is shown with a large gift tag reading “Noel” which has been cut from one of the used cards.

DIY Christmas decorations

Watch this quick video on how to make Christmas tree decorations using felt, glue, and items you have lying around the house.

They make the perfect pressie, and are a festive way to freshen up your decorations!

Mini money tips – Christmas decorations

“Create some great new Christmas decorations this year with a few inexpensive things you’ve got around the house. Cut some bold Christmas shapes from pieces of red and green felt. I’ve done a tree, a Santa, snowman, and a Christmas bauble, but you can make whatever you like.”

“You can stick on bits of decorative ribbon or leftover wrapping. Try using an old brass button or old earring to give a bit of sparkle.”

“Attach a bit of ribbon and now deck the halls with your own homemade bit of Christmas magic.”

Easy hand made cards

Create stunning (and expensive-looking!) greetings cards with pressed flowers. Watch our video for how-to instructions. 

Mini money tips – Pressed flower greeting cards

“You can make amazing greeting cards with pressed flowers in no time. All you need is some lovely flowers and… a microwave. Yes, that’s right, a microwave.”

“Pick the flowers you like and place them between two pieces of paper towel. Put them in the microwave with something heavy (but microwave safe) on top. Like this casserole dish. Microwave for a few minutes.”

“If the flowers are not quite dried out, microwave them some more. You can experiment with timings because different microwaves will give different results. Then you’ve got beautiful dried flowers in no time at all. You can arrange them to make decorative pictures, gifts or greeting cards.”

The presenter arranges their dried flowers onto a piece of yellow card.

“Perfect.”

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