20 Budget-Friendly Activities

With the cost of living affecting so many of us, we have made a list of budget-friendly activities and ideas for you.

  1. Camping in the garden – set up a mini campsite or fort at home
  2. Fruit picking – this could be blackberry picking from a hedgerow near you, or strawberry picking from your local farm
  3. Enjoy a meal out with ‘kids eat free’ offers – many restaurants offer these, especially over the holidays
  4. Visit a museum – these are usually free with an optional donation
  5. Go on a bike ride, or long walk to get the legs moving
  6. Do some gardening together – plant some flowers or grow some vegetables
  7. Get crafty! – do some painting, sewing, or modelling with Play-Doh or paper mâché
  8. Do some baking, or make homemade pizzas
  9. Create a treasure hunt by leaving clues around the house, or the garden
  10. Play board games – dust them off and no bickering allowed!
  11. Visit a splash pad or a local park
  12. Make your own bottle rocket – grab a bottle, baking soda, and vinegar (step back!), and watch your rocket blast off!
  13. Get creative and write some stories together
  14. Make a picnic, grab a blanket and head to the park, or even stay in the garden
  15. Do a workout using YouTube – the kids love some of the energising Joe Wicks workouts
  16. Check out a virtual zoo or aquarium – you can find these on Google
  17. Create your own music video and watch it back
  18. Make bird feeders
  19. Practice mindfulness
  20. Take a trip to the seaside – bring a packed lunch and enjoy the sea air

Recent posts

Many households are still being affected by the high cost of living, with several people worrying about how they can make ends meet on a monthly-basis. Unfortunately, the cost of bills including, water, council tax, and energy are still rising. Here are some things you can do.

The Renters’ Rights Bill represents a significant milestone designed to enhance the rights and protections of tenants in the rental market. This comprehensive bill aims to foster a more balanced and fair rental sector, ensuring that tenants can enjoy greater security and equitable treatment. It is likely to become law in late 2025.

Owning a buy-to-let property in your sole name versus through a limited company each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Data from Rightmove shows that Sunbury-on-Thames in Surrey was the number one house price hotspot in 2024. The prices in this area climbed an impressive 12.5% - increasing from an average price of £527,005 in 2023 to £592,926 in 2024.

On the 31st October 2024 stamp duty for those purchasing additional properties increased by 2% from 3% to 5%.

From 1st April 2025 the threshold will be reducing from £250,000 to £125,000

Research from Metro shows that those who chose to move home didn’t actually move that far away. With a 430g pack of chicken costing on average almost double in London than the rest of the UK, it's no wonder some people are choosing a change of scenery to save a few pennies.

Following recent changes in the Buy to Let market, some investors may find this product less appealing. However, if done correctly, building a buy to let portfolio can be very profitable.

Helping you understand the upcoming changes in stamp duty (SDLT) from April 2025.