JasmineBirtles

Plus, mums in the UK wasting money each month on false economy 

As the temperature drops, the cost of living can often rise. This is particularly the case for parents, who have to cater for more mouths and dress more bodies!

Personal finance expert and founder of MoneyMagpie.com Jasmine Birtles has come up with a series of tips for mums and dads that will help them cut costs this winter. They include tips about heating, clothes, food, socialising and holidays.

The advice comes as a recent survey carried out by Clarks Kids asked mums from all over the country about their spending habits and found that many aren’t making the best choices to get the value for money they truly deserve.

The survey of over 1000 mums looked in particular at the purchasing of kids shoes and found that mums are spending on average at least £10 more on school shoes than they are on Everyday shoes such as boots and trainers because they understand that school shoes are properly fitted, comfy and good for their child’s foot health.

With the survey showing that kids spend 55.5% of their week wearing school shoes and 44.5% wearing Everyday shoes, it is clear just how important Everyday shoes really are too. If mums invested properly in a stylish, well-fitted, quality pair of Everyday shoes for their kids they would have to replace them less often and would get far greater value for money in the long run.

 


" target="_blank">Click here to see the YouTube video of tips 

Campaigns & Issues

National Award Scheme Launched

national awards_schemeThe Elderly Accommodation Council (EAC) National Housing awards for Older People 2013 are now in full swing 

This year will be the fourth year that the awards have been held, and they aim to put residents in older peoples housing right at the centre of the assessment and award process.

Read More

News

The WISH campaign

WISH CampaignOn Saturday, 18 May, Robert Davidson, age 70, and Anne Ludlow, age 62, will be setting out on their much-beloved e-bikes to ride from Totnes, Devon, to London. They estimate the total distance will be 250 miles, as they must take circuitous routes to sneak up on Bath from the rear - there they can pick up a Sustrans cycle trail the rest of the way to London.

They are undertaking this challenge on behalf of all people everywhere who are older than they used to be, in the firm belief that an increase in your age should not mean a decrease in your rights - above all, your right to freedom, fulfilment, and fun.

Read More

Competitions & Fun

Win a Table Top Grille and Side Fire Box!

BBQThe warmer weather is finally here and for us Brits, any hint of sun means one thing – rolling out the BBQ.

We’ve been cooking meat over flames for more than a million years and the origin of the word “barbecue” is thought to come from the Spanish word “barbacoa” which means a wooden frame used to cook meat.

Nowadays, we cook far more than meat with popular dishes including vegetable kebabs, fish and even melted chocolate chips stuffed inside bananas in their skins.

Read More

Reader Offers

Win a prize at home or away in this month's prize draw with Silver Travel Advisor!

Silver Travel_Advisor_LogoEnter now and you could win a prize at home or away! How about a 7 night break for 2, with flights included, in beautiful Slovenia? Or a trip to London’s glitzy theatreland, staying in a 4* hotel?  Both fabulous treats which must be won!

Silver Travel Advisor is a friendly website packed with advice, tips, information and honest reviews written by and for silver travellers (aged over 50). A team of advisors are on hand to answer queries (for free), and you can share your own experiences too.

Read More

Health & Wellbeing

Too many older people falling due to poor eye sight

Jane AshcroftNew research by the College of Optometrists reveals lack of awareness of the link between falls and poor vision

The majority of people are unaware of the link between poor eyesight and falls in older people, according to new research by the College of Optometrists, released in the run up to this year’s Falls Awareness Week. 

Nearly half of those surveyed said they had an older friend, parent or relative who had fallen, yet less than a third (32%) knew that poor vision was a major cause of falls. 

Read More

Property & Finance

2nd National Personal Budget Survey results released

Think Local_Act_Personal_logo2nd National Personal Budget Survey shows how councils can get the best results and improve lives for people who need care and support

A survey of more than 3,300 people who use personal budgets (PBs) in social care and their carers has found positive results when people have taken up PBs.

Read More

Leisure and Lifestyle

Robert Tanitch reviews Tanzi Libre at Southwark Playhouse, London SE1.

Tanzi LibreThe redevelopment of London Bridge Station has forced Southwark Playhouse to vacate the arches under the station and relocate in a former warehouse in Newington Causeway.

This will be the theatre’s new home until the station is completed in 2018 when they will then be able to return.

The first season in the new building opens with Ellie Jones’s production of Claire Luckham’s trite and crude feminist tract, which was a big success in 1980 and hasn’t had a major revival in London in 30 years.

Read More

Travel

Returning to Blighty

Jane BuckleA French friend called me this morning and as I spoke to him I looked out of the window and saw grey skies and raindrops hanging off the washing line. I very nearly shed tears that matched them. Why? Because it is now seven years since I left my beloved Languedoc Roussillon in the South West of France after living there for six blissful years and am now residing in West Yorkshire.

I miss the many friends I made there –contrary to popular opinion that the French despise the Brits I found this untrue. Except when England beat them at Rugby! Of course in many towns, and especially Paris, the people are sometimes just plain right rude to anyone who can’t speak fluent French. But go to the many villages and you will find them charming and very helpful as you struggle to find the right words!

Read More

Mature Times is going from strength to strength!