Competition | Win a Spa voucher
The voucher allows you to redeem against any packages at any of the venues listed on the Spabreaks.com website at the time of redemption.
The voucher will be valid for six months.
I don’t know how people can skip breakfast. I am hungry from the moment I wake up!
In fact, I think breakfast is
my favourite meal of the day.
I love pretty much all breakfast goodies (though a full fry-up can make me feel a little queasy unless followed by a hike) from fresh fruit, to cereals to toast with preserves and pastries. Yum!
Next week is Farmhouse Breakfast Week, which encourages everyone to enjoy a healthy breakfast every day and reap the rewards, such as:
So here’s a round-up of my favourite breakfast dishes from Dairy Diary. Enjoy!
I usually pride myself in my (mortgage aside) debt-free existence, but following a hefty garage bill, Christmas and family birthdays, I’m afraid to say that my bank account is the wrong hue at the moment, looking decidedly scarlett and not very noir at all!
SO! I am now on a determined mission to return it to a beautiful black as soon as possible.
As well as having a good stint
on Ebay selling our unused or
unloved items, I have consulted
the Dairy Diary saving money tips.
See for yourself, there are some great ideas here. By the middle of Feb, I hope to have mission accomplished.
Avoid buying new if you can get great quality second-hand
Visit www.uk.freecycle.org for free items local to you or search on Ebay (sort by nearest distance) for low cost articles you can collect.
Buy more plants!
It is often cheaper to buy three small plants than one large one. They will establish themselves quicker and cost less.
Contact your utility supplier if you are over 60
If one member in your household is over 60, check if there are any offers available from your utility company.
Direct debit
You can often save money on bills by opting to pay by direct debit. Most phone and utility companies offer this form of payment.
Energy saving
Only boil the water you need to make a drink or cook your vegetables and put a lid on pans. Rather than leave electrical goods on standby, switch off at the plug. Visitwww.energysavingtrust.org.uk or call 0300 123 1234 for more details on how to save energy.
Fabric remnants
Visit a local market or jumble sale for pieces of pretty fabric. Use these to cover cushions, produce a trendy patchwork throw, or wrap around a plain canvas for stylish artwork. An instant uplift for any room! Visit www.makeitandmendit.com/how-to-make-fabulous-cushions-from-old-clothes for more great ideas.
Get a water meter
You may be able to save money on your water bills by installing a water meter. Visitwww.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/cut-water-bills to find out if it is a suitable option for your household.
Have a day out
Check out local press or websites for free local events.
ISA
Make the most of your savings with a cash ISA (Individual Savings Account). Visitwww.money.co.uk/savings-accounts/tax-free-savings-accounts.htm to compare the best available.
Join a club
Garden enthusiasts, consider joining the Royal Horticultural Society www.rhs.org.ukAfter your initial membership fee you will enjoy free entry into gardens and reduced prices for shows. If you love parks and historical buildings, consider becoming a National Trust member www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Kick the habit
If you are a smoker, consider giving up. Apart from the obvious health benefits you will save lots of money too. Visit http://smokefree.nhs.uk for help and to find out how much you will save.
Lower your phone bill
Visit www.uswitch.com to find out about cheaper call costs. There may be some cheap companies not listed. Check out www.moneysavingexpert.com for up-to-date information.
Mobile phones
If your mobile phone account gives you free ‘cross network’ minutes, it is often cheaper to call another mobile phone from your mobile phone than from your landline, which can be very expensive. If you use your mobile phone infrequently, it may actually be cheaper to swap to a Pay as You Go account. Visit www.uswitch.comto compare.
New car
When thinking about buying a brand new car visit www.which.co.uk/cars/choosing-a-car/buying-a-car/hot-car-deals to find the very best of the current deals available.
Open a store card
If you plan on spending a significant amount in one shop, it is worth applying for a store card. Various shops offer 10 per cent off the total amount spent when you open an account with them. Cut it up straight away, though, to avoid further temptation and pay off the balance immediately!
Paint
Time for a change? Revamp tiles, kitchen cupboards or shabby furniture with a lick of paint. Much cheaper than new ones!
Qualify for points or cashback
If you pay your credit card balance in full at the end of each month, consider switching to a credit card that offers cashback or other benefits such as airmiles or vouchers. Visit www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/cashback-credit-cards
Review your life insurance
It’s worth shopping around for a better deal on your life insurance. Call 0800 316 3166 or visit www.lifesearch.co.uk
Switch your gas and electricity supplier
Visit www.energyhelpline.com or call 0800 074 0745 to find out which is the best deal for you. Simply give your address and energy usage (refer to an old bill) to discover which supplier is the cheapest.
Treat yourself to a weekend break
Shop around travel agents or visit websites such as www.lastminute.com for bargain breaks one or two weeks before you plan to depart.
Use loyalty cards
Ensure that you hand over loyalty cards every time you shop. Most stores, including Boots, Homebase and Tesco, offer points when you spend with them. Save up your points for a treat or to use in the run up to Christmas.
Visit the Citizens Advice Bureau
For information on what credits and benefits you may be entitled to visit your local Citizens Advice Bureau or go to www.adviceguide.org.uk
www
For money-saving advice, visit www.moneysavingexpert.com
X high street stores
Scour your local charity shop for new or nearly new clothes. Look out for your favourite brands – many shops sell clothes that are so new the labels are still intact.
Yahoo
Visit www.yahoo.co.uk to send an email to a long-distance friend. It’s cheaper than sending a letter. www.123greetings.com to send a greetings card.
Zero % interest
It’s best to pay off your balance every month, but if you do owe money on your credit card switch to a company who offer zero per cent interest.
If you’re entertaining over the festive break you will want to make the preparation as easy and hassle free as possible.
We have put together a super collection of our favourite Dairy Diary and Dairy Cookbooks festive recipes so that you can plan ahead to ensure that you enjoy the party too!
The Dairy Diary Festive Recipes collection is available FREE at
http://www.dairydiary.co.uk/festive-recipes
Festive Recipes has been formatted for mobile devices and PCs, so you can easily read the ingredients when shopping and follow the recipes in the kitchen or print from your computer.
Take a look now http://www.dairydiary.co.uk/festive-recipes
Treat yourself in the January sales
The winner will be chosen on Friday 21 December and to ensure that you can use it in the January sales we will despatch it the same day via Royal Mail Special Delivery.
The Debenhams Giftcard will be delivered on Saturday 22 December or Monday 24 December; we will advise the winner.
Simply answer the question, “How many copies of the Dairy Diary have been sold since it’s launch in 1982?”
Hint, the answer can be found on the Dairy Diary home page.
Good luck!
Roast turkey may well be our favourite choice for the Christmas Day main dish, but how can you ensure that this important meal starts with something special?
We have a selection of inspirational recipes
for Christmas and the New Year festivities
including these four impressive starters
that are easy to prepare but will add style
to any dinner menu.
Smoked salmon is a traditional starter but we have added a delicious twist with our Egg & Smoked Salmon Timbales. The Forestier Pâté recipe will please pâté lovers everywhere and yet requires just 20 minutes of your time. The Salmon Swirls look impressive, taste fabulous and are remarkably easy to prepare and if you are preparing a vegetarian starter then our seasonal Chestnut Soup can be prepared in advance, frozen and reheated on the day.
Just four inspirational recipes from Dairy Diary Favourite Festive Recipes – formatted for mobile devices as well as your PC so you can easily read the ingredients list when shopping and use the recipe on your phone or tablet in the kitchen – or you can print the recipe if you prefer.
In addition to these starters you will find an inspirational choice of recipes for the whole festive break including main courses, puddings, party food and drinks.
And it’s FREE, so why not check it out now?
Dairy Diary Chat 