Family Staycation's

Before Leo was even a twinkle in my eye, Luke and I were always looking toward the next holiday we were going to book up. We lived for the next faraway adventure that we could jet off too and experience the different cultures and activities.

Our very first break together was to Disneyland, a place I had always longed to go and explore and a destination that I knew Luke would resist but soon enjoy. Our second break together was to the sunny skies of Egypt where we spent two weeks in the sun on one very busy two week break.

We had plans for everyday, different activities that we wanted to cram in, the Pyramids in Cairo, scuba diving in the red sea, quad biking in the desert and let’s not forget the paragliding trip on the back of a boat!

Our holidays have had to adapt somewhat for the little man who is now in our lives, and no longer do we have holidays booked up with daily activities to keep us busy, because Leo keeps us busy all on his own. Our holidays now have to be tailored to our family needs and we need a break that is suitable for a toddler.

Our time in Egypt was amazing and one day in the not so distant future we wish to take Leo along with us, but we are holding out for him to be a little bit older before then and exploring places a little closer to home. 

We have taken Leo to France and many different parts of England. He is one well-travelled little boy and has been able to play along the sea front dipping his toes in and out of the sea before running away and getting sandy little feet. This was his favourite game whilst in Bournemouth a few years ago.

We aren't alone in venturing on staycations instead of holidaying abroad. Each year more and more British holiday makers are looking to stay closer to home for one reason or another. It means that we are discovering parts of England that we never knew existed and attractions that we have never considered visiting before.

If you are considering a holiday in 2015 but are looking to stay within the UK, there really are some beautiful areas you can visit without jumping on a plane. You could source some inspiration from the Park Resorts Staycation Guide that has some beautiful destinations on offer.

It has been lovely venturing around within the UK, and back in the Summer we spent the week at Lands End in Cornwall and had such a super time. With the beach a short walk away and good weather for the majority of that week, we really were spoiled. 

We rented a house and it really was a home from home, and to say that the scenery of Cornwall is beautiful, really is an understatement. With sandy beaches and clear waters, when the sun shone it felt like you were abroad, but with traditional English Fish and Chips right on the doorstep it really was my idea of heaven,

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7 things that are Cheaper to Buy Online than in Stores

Buying things online is an option that really appeals to modern day life as it’s quick, easy and is becoming more and more secure. If you still not very convinced on the idea, or would just simply like to learn a bit more about it, we’ve come up with a list of 7 things that are cheaper (and sometimes easier) to buy online.

1. Music

Music is notoriously cheaper to buy online nowadays, with online stores like iTunes selling songs for as little as 70p, whereas a physical single in a high street store would cost you around £3.99. You can also even stream music videos for free on some applications, such as YouTube, and download playlists to listen to on your computer or phone with programs like Spotify.

2. Books

Likewise, buying books online is usually much cheaper and you can get much better deals on them. Some sites like Amazon even allow you to pre-order books that are coming out which is great as you won’t have to queue up for them on the day they come out.

3. Designer clothing

Buying clothes online can be a little touch and go, but it can be definitely worth the risk when it comes to buying designer clothes online (as long as they have a good refunds system). They’ll be significantly cheaper online and a lot of online clothes retailers (even the high end ones) offer things like discounts for new sign-ups and money off your first order, too.

4. Televisions

It’s thought that TVs online can cost 10-20% less than in the stores. Look for television suppliers that offer a good guarantee system, helpful customer service, good delivery times, real customer reviews and of course, competitive pricing to get the best deal for your money.

5. Small electrical gadgets

As well as bigger items like TVs, smaller electrical gadgets (such as cameras, coffee makers etc) are also significantly cheaper online. Look out for cheap shipping costs so that you don’t end up spending just as much on it due to shipping, however. 

6. Holidays

Booking a holiday online can feel a little stressful, but if you use a reputable site that makes things a lot simpler, it’s actually surprisingly easy. Sites like lowcostholidays.com for example guide you through each part of the holiday booking process to ensure nothing is forgotten and that you get the absolute best deal for your money. It’s a good idea though to look around before booking to ensure you’re getting the best price for what you’re after.

7. Food and drink

Food and drink can be much cheaper online, but a true main advantage of opting for online shopping when it comes to the weekly groceries is that it avoids the temptation of window shopping in the store, and therefore picking up things you don’t really need. You won’t be able to browse like you would in a store so you will no doubt save a lot of cash. 

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Keeping your head above water

My little family are in for a very busy summer, what with the two holidays we are booked to go on and everything else that we want to squeeze into those warm sunny day's while we have them. We are going to have to be looking into creative ways to save money and of course fund our days out and about.

We still have to find the money for all 3 of us to fly to Cyprus, and of course then there is the spending money that we will be needing while we are away for food and necessities, not to forget everything that we really want to do while we are there. Rumour has it that there may even be a possibility to swim with Dolphins, which is a life long dream of mine!

Now I have got this far in my life without having to rely on credit and have never actually had a credit card. This has worked pretty well for me so far, but I am now thinking that it may be a really helpful means to help us fund certain elements that we need to purchase over the next couple of months.

Using interest free credit cards will instantly start helping me to build up my credit rating further, and could benefit me at a later stage of my life like when I am in a position to take on a mortgage. So even if I am not a regular splurger, in the long run simply having it may help me out. 

It is not something that I would be wreck-less with and spending on willy nilly, but I do like the security net that it would provide should we really need it. Sometimes having the car tax creep up on me can be a bit of a burden, and just having the finance to pay it straight off and then pay off quickly would be really beneficial. 

Luke and I are currently saving hard for everything that we want and need to be doing, but needs must and we have to fit it all into our living budget. Even if we put a reasonable limit on the card of say £500 it really would just keep our heads that little further above water than without it.

I am seriously considering just taking out a credit card with a sensible limit for scenarios just like this, sometimes you just need that little bit extra to get you through the month.

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