Lifestyle

Today is December 1^st, and I don’t know about you, but that means that my tree is already up, presents are already bought, and wine is already mulled. I am KEEN for Christmas, and this year is no exception.

But despite the general feeling of joyfulness around this time of year, Christmas can also be stressful. The cost of gifts, socialising, travel and hosting can all add up to a big bundle of stress which can often take away from the Christmas cheer.

My best advice is to plan, plan, and plan some more. Give yourself a break and stop being so hard on yourself. So you don’t make it to every Christmas invitation you are given, you don’t have 3 varieties of pudding on offer on Christmas Day, or you mutually agree with your sibling that you won’t buy gifts this year. All that really matters is being happy- it’s cheesy but true. And in order to be happy, you have to be kind to yourself.

So whilst you’re busy doing everything for everyone else this year, why not enter a giveaway for the chance to treat YOURSELF instead this Christmas? There are 8 delightful M&S hampers up for grabs, all courtesy of the UK Money Bloggers. Our last UKMB Summer giveaway was a fantastic success!

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This Christmas, I am trying to really think about where I am putting my money when I buy gifts for people. Whilst I will still buy things from the high street, I am also making presents, giving vintage gifts, and shopping ethically from independent stores.

We are now more aware than ever about the impact our actions have on the environment, and Christmas brings with it a major surge in the amount of plastic and general household waste we produce- so it’s a great time to make a few changes.

If you’re also thinking about giving some more ethical gifts this Christmas, this guide has you covered from vegan gifts, to plastic-free gifts, to sustainably sourced gifts.

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Christmas is a time for giving- we all know this. But we often tend to give to our friends and family and don’t necessarily give a thought about those who might need our help the most. Before now, I honestly hadn’t considered donating to my local food bank at Christmas- but this year, that will change as I am taking part in the #FoodBankAdvent campaign with many other UK Money Bloggers, you can find out more about the history behind #FoodBankAdvent here.

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As you can probably guess, the whole reason I write this blog is to help other people manage their finances and achieve their goals- but did you know that you are 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you regularly write them down? You could also use motivational quotes to inspire you to to reach your goals.

It all comes down to accountability and visualisation.

At the end of the day, if you aren’t 100% sure on what your goals are, and the steps that you need to take to achieve them, then how are you ever going to get there?

I’ve created three completely FREE productivity and goal planning printables that you can use to help you to achieve your goals- whether that’s saving for your first home, or growing your business.

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We all can find ourselves spending more money in the height of summer- whether that’s due to suddenly finding ourselves with nothing weather appropriate to wear, having drinks in the sunshine, or even entertaining children during the school holidays.

I know that I’m guilty of throwing my budget out of the window in the summer and saying yes to every invitation for drinks or dinner that comes my way, splashing out on wedding gifts and trips out of the city. Not only that, but I tend to want to buy myself treats all the time- some SPF moisturiser here, a new pair of sandals there- it takes some restraint not to give into the summertime ‘treat yourself’ mentality.

So, if you’re anything like me, instead of heading out and buying yourself some treats- why not enter a giveaway to win some?! Enter the competition below to win a gorgeous M&S hamper, all courtesy of the UK Money Bloggers….

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If you’re living in London or visiting London, I’ll bet there’s one thing on your bucket list for your time here- and it’s to see some good old London West End shows. People flock from all over the world to experience London theatre, and with good reason, but all that demand means that the cost of a popular show can reach the heady heights of over £200! I’m a firm believer that the arts should be for everyone, and luckily, there are a few ways to get round the hefty ticket prices. I’m going to let you in on some secrets to getting cheap West End tickets to the BEST shows, so that you can experience the magic without breaking into a sweat at the ticket price.

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We all know that exercise is good for us, but do we always find the time and money to do it? No. Personally, I don’t enjoy the gym– I get SO bored and have been making excuses for pretty much my entire adult life about why I don’t go to the gym.

Exercise classes like yoga and spinning always appealed to me- but the price didn’t. In London most exercise classes will set you back by around £15 (or more!) which is money that I have never quite been able to part with. The thought of spending £60 a month for just 4 classes has never made sense to me– I have always been able to find things which I would rather spend my money on… like takeaways.

BUT after finally realising that 26 might finally be the age to transition from sloth to spinner, I spent some time looking into how I could find cheap exercise classes in London. Like most fantastic bargains, cheap exercise classes in London are not easy to come by, but I have created this list to help make your search that little bit easier.

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House sharing with strangers can be hard to get used to at the best of times, especially if you’ve previously been used to having your own space. This is tricky because in London, and many other cities in the UK, living in your own place is out of reach for a lot of people due to the high cost. The challenge of living with others is escalated if you are living in a house share in London as a couple.

Many house shares in London don’t have a lounge, so sometimes this means that you and your partner are living in one room for the majority of your time spent at home. Sharing a very small space with another person definitely comes with its difficulties, but that said, I personally believe that a house share in London is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy budget, and even save some money whilst living in the capital.

Sometimes, the monetary benefits of house sharing as a couple outweigh the negatives, if you want to find out some top survival tips to get through a house share in London, read on…

Have regular date nights

Having regular date nights can be tough if you are trying to save money, but even going for a drink at your local is a change of scenery from being perched on the edge of your bed attempting to eat tacos without making a mess. If you’re living in London, check out my Free Things to do in London guides for some date night inspiration.

 

 

Cook together

When you are house sharing, you may spend a lot of time cooped up in your bedroom. But if you have a small shared space in the kitchen- why not try doing some cooking? Cooking together can be fun, and it means that you feel like you are both making a contribution to household chores. It’s a great way to catch up on each other’s days, and it means that you are actually spending some time in another area of the house.

Mini breaks

 

Again, mini-breaks are not always possible if you are trying to save money, but taking regular weekend breaks away from London to get away from the hustle and bustle can be a way to rejuvenate yourself and come back to the city with a fresh perspective.

One way to do mini breaks on a lower budget is taking the time to visit family and friends who are based elsewhere in the country. It’s so important to take time away so that you can come back to the city refreshed and well rested.

 

Pinpoint shared financial goals

Whether the reason you are in a house share in London is out of necessity, or you are doing it to save money, make sure you sit down together and discuss what your financial goals are. If you are saving for a deposit on a house, for holidays, or simply to have more disposable income, sharing your financial goals will make the hard days worth it when you see your savings add up.

Give each other space

House sharing as a couple means that personal breathing space can be hard to come by, so it’s important to do what you can to make this happen. Whether it’s going to the gym after work, going to a friend’s house for dinner, or simply going for a bath while they watch their favourite TV programme (which you hate and refuse to watch), most of us need a little “me” time.

You might also enjoy reading how to find your perfect flatshare in London, how to make a flatshare feel more like home and London on a budget: how to tackle FOMO.