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Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I've saved thousands by bagging FREE days out with my two kids & on summer holidays – here's my best tips
Read on to see where kids can eat for free this summer CHEAP THRILLS I've saved thousands by bagging FREE days out with my two kids & on summer holidays – here's my best tips Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SAVVY mum-of-two has revealed how she saves thousands of pounds without ditching days out or summer holidays. Natalie Smith, from Dymchurch, Kent, insists that there are plenty of ways to plan fun activities for your family without breaking the bank. 3 Natalie Smith with husband Jason and kids Finn and Lola in France Credit: SWNS 3 The frugal mum shred how she keeps to a budget even when travelling abroad Credit: SWNS 3 The savvy mum had plenty of useful tips for days out in the UK too Credit: SWNS She says plenty of organisations offer free entry for kids at their locations and events, but simply don't advertise it - meaning you just have to know where to look. And when it comes to finding holidays on a budget, the savvy mum has a few tricks up her sleeve. When it comes to holidays, Natalie, a full-time blogger, claims that planning is key - particularly for things like checking whether hotels or resorts offer any activities or other perks included in the price. She also says you have to be flexible - potentially planning trips around the cheapest flight dates - or consider alternative options, such as driving to various countries in Europe. And, Natalie is certain her tips work - as she and her husband Jason have been using them for years to take their kids Finn, 14, and Lola, 12, on countless memorable trips. Natalie, 35, said: "We started living like this because we had such a small income when the kids were younger that we knew if we wanted to take them on holidays and trips, we'd have to change things. "Things are easier now, but it becomes a way of life so we're still budgeters. It's what suits our values. "We'd rather do lots of things than have lots of things - so we scrimp in some places to make sure we can travel and have amazing experiences." Weekend Fun Natalie says one of the ways she keeps costs down - while keeping the kids entertained - is to have 'no spend' weekends. This involves tracking down free events. She said: "My biggest tip is to get a Blue Peter badge. These get kids into over 200 attractions across the UK - including theme parks, zoos, museums, gardens etc. - all for free. I made a weeks worth of sandwiches for just 30p - my hack means I have my lunch sorted whenever I need it, people think it's revolting but it saves me money "Those badges are worth their weight in gold. "Another tip would be to use your Tesco Clubcard points. You don't have to just use them in the shop - you can also put them towards events and days out. Just check the app. "I'd also suggest making use of your surroundings. If you're in a city - or if you want to take a day trip to a city - a lot of stuff is free, like museums, parks, or lidos for the summer. "Take a picnic and that's still a no-spend day out. Where can kids eat for free this summer? THE summer holidays are here, but entertaining the kids need not cost a fortune. Here, we reveal where you can get free and cheap meals for your little ones during the 'endless' summer holidays. ASDA CAFE: Nip into an Asda cafe to feed the kids after the weekly shop. Under-16s get a hot or cold meal for £1 at any time of day. Little ones are covered, too. Kids under 18 months get a free Ella's baby food pouch with any purchase. BEEFEATER: This family-friendly pub chain makes mornings a breeze. Two kids under 16 eat for free with the purchase of an adult breakfast for £10.99. It's available from 6.30am to 10.30am midweek and 7am to 11am at weekends. BELLA ITALIA: Book a table and order an adult meal at the Italian eatery for kids aged two to 11 to get three courses and a drink for £1. Offer valid between 4pm and 6pm on Sundays to Wednesdays. On Thursdays, kids eat free all day when an adult meal is ordered from the a la carte menu. DUNELM: Make homeware shopping a fun day out. Dunelm's Pausa Cafes are offering free kids' meals for every £4 spent on their food or drink. Available all day, every day. BILL'S: Dine in at a Bill's restaurant to get up to two free kids' meals (normally £6.95 each) with an adult meal. Valid weekdays only until August 30. IKEA: Make it a food day at the Swedish home store. On every day except Fridays, enjoy a pit stop at their famous cafe from 11am to get a kids' pasta or mac and cheese dish for 95p. Other mini meals are available for £1.50. PIZZA EXPRESS: Kids up to age ten can get a free three-course Piccolo meal including dough balls, pizza or pasta and dessert with every adult meal purchased. The offer runs every day until August 11. TESCO: Pop to the supermarket cafe from Monday to Friday until August 30 for free kids' meals when an adult buys any item in the cafe. You must have a Clubcard to redeem the offer. THE RANGE: Kids under 16 get one free meal per adult main purchased at The Range cafes. Options include sandwiches, a cooked breakfast and fish and chips. All kids' meals come with a piece of fruit and a drink. "If you're in the countryside, use the beach, use the woods. Something like Geocaching - where you hunt for geocaches - can make a walk really fun without having to spend money. Jet, Set, Go "Train companies offer good deals too. National Rail does a Two For One, where you can get a London activity, like a River Thames boat cruise, included in the price of your ticket. "And on Southeastern Rail kids can travel for £1. "There are lots of these offers out there but companies don't actively advertise them so people aren't aware." Natalie also says that holidays don't have to be unattainable for people struggling with money - as there are plenty of ways to cut back on costs. She said: "One piece of simple advice I give people is to pick somewhere that offers a 'per party' price rather than a 'per person' price. Then it doesn't matter if you have lots of kids. "Also try to pick a destination that offers free things to do - included in your accommodation cost. "So, there are lots of places where you can do water sports for free - or which include passes to local theme parks etc. "We went to a resort in the Netherlands once which offered free access to attractions nearby - and had a safari park onsite. "So that gave us things to do without having to spend while we were out there. "So I'd say looking at those things and almost planning out your itinerary in advance can save you a fortune once you're out there." When it comes to travel, Natalie has some top tips for finding cheap flights - but also encourages families to consider driving if they're holidaying in Europe. She said: "When it comes to flights, Skyscanner is your best friend. If we have a specific destination in mind, then we'll be flexible with dates - and maybe plan the whole trip around which day the flight is cheapest. "If we don't mind where we go, we'll search for the cheapest flights to 'everywhere', and plan around that. "Otherwise though, we tend to drive as much as possible - because of how cheap ferries are. "We've driven to France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and more - and the driving becomes part of the fun. "Recently we did a trip driving around Germany, Austria, and Italy, and spent around four days in each spot we stopped at - camping at local camp sites. "We planned activities for each place and it meant every moment was great. "One day, we were walking up mountains in Austria and the next we were at the canals in Venice, Italy. "And I just think sometimes you can spend a whole day trying to get a flight - when you consider driving to the airport, going through security, waiting to board, getting the flight, then getting your hire car on the other side. "So it's something to consider." Saving Up Natalie says that she and her family also look for ways they can cut back on spending throughout the year - so they can put money aside for their holidays. This includes batch cooking to save on groceries, always taking flasks out to avoid buying coffee, and even having dad Jason learn to cut son Finn's hair so they don't have any barber fees. Natalie said: "We batch cook a lot and always meal prep so we know what we need and what we're using for the week. "I also take a flask everywhere so I don't buy coffee - and just switch small things like cycling instead of taking the bus for any journeys I can. "We've learnt to do what we can for ourselves. We clean our own windows and Jason used a YouTube video to learn how to cut our son's hair. "I just think it's all about making small changes. Obviously, money is extremely tight for a lot of people. We've been there so we know. "But I do think just trying to save where you can - it can make life more affordable. "If you don't buy a coffee or lunch out - then you could save £5 a day. £5 a day adds up to £1,825 a year. "That's a great budget for a family holiday."
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I've saved thousands by bagging FREE days out with my two kids & on summer holidays – here's my best tips
A SAVVY mum-of-two has revealed how she saves thousands of pounds without ditching days out or summer holidays. Natalie Smith, from Dymchurch, Kent, insists that there are plenty of ways to plan 3 Natalie Smith with husband Jason and kids Finn and Lola in France Credit: SWNS 3 The frugal mum shred how she keeps to a budget even when travelling abroad Credit: SWNS 3 The savvy mum had plenty of useful tips for days out in the UK too Credit: SWNS She says plenty of organisations offer And when it comes to finding holidays on a budget, the savvy mum has a few tricks up her sleeve. When it comes to holidays, Natalie, a full-time blogger, claims that planning is key - particularly for things like checking whether hotels or resorts offer any activities or other perks included in the price. She also says you have to be flexible - potentially planning trips around the cheapest flight dates - or consider alternative options, such as driving to various countries in Europe. READ MORE ON PARENTING And, Natalie is certain her tips work - as she and her husband Jason have been using them for years to take their kids Finn, 14, and Lola, 12, on countless memorable trips. Natalie, 35, said: "We started living like this because we had such a small income when the kids were younger that we knew if we wanted to take them on holidays and trips, we'd have to change things. "Things are easier now, but it becomes a way of life so we're still budgeters. It's what suits our values. "We'd rather do lots of things than have lots of things - so we scrimp in some places to make sure we can travel and have amazing experiences." Most read in Fabulous Weekend Fun Natalie says one of the ways she keeps costs down - while keeping the kids entertained - is to have 'no spend' weekends. This involves tracking down free events. She said: "My biggest tip is to get a Blue Peter badge. These get kids into over 200 attractions across the UK - including theme parks, zoos, museums, gardens etc. - all for free. I made a weeks worth of sandwiches for just 30p - my hack means I have my lunch sorted whenever I need it, people think it's revolting but it saves me money "Those badges are worth their weight in gold. "Another tip would be to use your Tesco Clubcard points. You don't have to just use them in the shop - you can also put them towards events and days out. Just check the app. "I'd also suggest making use of your surroundings. If you're in a city - or if you want to take a day trip to a city - a lot of stuff is free, like museums, parks, or lidos for the summer. "Take a picnic and that's still a no-spend day out. Where can kids eat for free this summer? THE summer holidays are here, but entertaining the kids need not cost a fortune. Here, we reveal where you can get free and cheap meals for your little ones during the 'endless' summer holidays. ASDA CAFE: Nip into an Asda cafe to feed the kids after the weekly shop. Under-16s get a hot or cold meal for £1 at any time of day. Little ones are covered, too. Kids under 18 months get a free Ella's baby food pouch with any purchase. BEEFEATER: This family-friendly pub chain makes mornings a breeze. Two kids under 16 eat for free with the purchase of an adult breakfast for £10.99. It's available from 6.30am to 10.30am midweek and 7am to 11am at weekends. BELLA ITALIA: Book a table and order an adult meal at the Italian eatery for kids aged two to 11 to get three courses and a drink for £1. Offer valid between 4pm and 6pm on Sundays to Wednesdays. On Thursdays, kids eat free all day when an adult meal is ordered from the a la carte menu. DUNELM: Make homeware shopping a fun day out. Dunelm's Pausa Cafes are offering free kids' meals for every £4 spent on their food or drink. Available all day, every day. BILL'S: Dine in at a Bill's restaurant to get up to two free kids' meals (normally £6.95 each) with an adult meal. Valid weekdays only until August 30. IKEA: Make it a food day at the Swedish home store. On every day except Fridays, enjoy a pit stop at their famous cafe from 11am to get a kids' pasta or mac and cheese dish for 95p. Other mini meals are available for £1.50. PIZZA EXPRESS: Kids up to age ten can get a free three-course Piccolo meal including dough balls, pizza or pasta and dessert with every adult meal purchased. The offer runs every day until August 11. TESCO: Pop to the supermarket cafe from Monday to Friday until August 30 for free kids' meals when an adult buys any item in the cafe. You must have a Clubcard to redeem the offer. THE RANGE: Kids under 16 get one free meal per adult main purchased at The Range cafes. Options include sandwiches, a cooked breakfast and fish and chips. All kids' meals come with a piece of fruit and a drink. "If you're in the countryside, use the beach, use the woods. Something like Geocaching - where you hunt for geocaches - can make a walk really fun without having to spend money. Jet, Set, Go "Train companies offer good deals too. National Rail does a Two For One, where you can get a London activity, like a River Thames boat cruise, included in the price of your ticket. "And on Southeastern Rail kids can travel for £1. "There are lots of these offers out there but companies don't actively advertise them so people aren't aware." Natalie also says that holidays don't have to be unattainable for people struggling with money - as there are plenty of ways to cut back on costs. She said: "One piece of simple advice I give people is to pick somewhere that offers a 'per party' price rather than a 'per person' price. Then it doesn't matter if you have lots of kids. "Also try to pick a destination that offers free things to do - included in your accommodation cost. "So, there are lots of places where you can do water sports for free - or which include passes to local theme parks etc. "We went to a resort in the Netherlands once which offered free access to attractions nearby - and had a safari park onsite. "So that gave us things to do without having to spend while we were out there. "So I'd say looking at those things and almost planning out your itinerary in advance can save you a fortune once you're out there." When it comes to travel, Natalie has some top tips for finding cheap flights - but also encourages families to consider driving if they're holidaying in Europe. She said: "When it comes to flights, Skyscanner is your best friend. If we have a specific destination in mind, then we'll be flexible with dates - and maybe plan the whole trip around which day the flight is cheapest. "If we don't mind where we go, we'll search for the cheapest flights to 'everywhere', and plan around that. "Otherwise though, we tend to drive as much as possible - because of how cheap ferries are. "We've driven to France , Italy , Germany , Switzerland , Austria, and more - and the driving becomes part of the fun. "Recently we did a trip driving around Germany , Austria, and Italy , and spent around four days in each spot we stopped at - camping at local camp sites. "We planned activities for each place and it meant every moment was great. "One day, we were walking up mountains in Austria and the next we were at the canals in Venice, Italy. "And I just think sometimes you can spend a whole day trying to get a flight - when you consider driving to the airport, going through security, waiting to board, getting the flight, then getting your hire car on the other side. "So it's something to consider." Saving Up Natalie says that she and her family also look for ways they can cut back on spending throughout the year - so they can put money aside for their holidays. This includes batch cooking to save on groceries, always taking flasks out to avoid buying coffee, and even having dad Jason learn to cut son Finn's hair so they don't have any barber fees. Natalie said: "We batch cook a lot and always meal prep so we know what we need and what we're using for the week. "I also take a flask everywhere so I don't buy coffee - and just switch small things like cycling instead of taking the bus for any journeys I can. "We've learnt to do what we can for ourselves. We clean our own windows and Jason used a YouTube video to learn how to cut our son's hair. "I just think it's all about making small changes. Obviously, money is extremely tight for a lot of people. We've been there so we know. "But I do think just trying to save where you can - it can make life more affordable. "If you don't buy a coffee or lunch out - then you could save £5 a day. £5 a day adds up to £1,825 a year. "That's a great budget for a family holiday."
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sarah Greene's love with dead husband's friend after message from 'beyond grave'
The Finish Line's Sarah Greene was left a widow in 2014 after her former radio DJ husband, Mike Smith, passed away – but she later found love with one of his oldest friends The Finish Line star Sarah Greene once opened up about her love life since the passing of her husband, Mike Smith. Former Blue Peter and Saturday Superstore presenter Sarah, 67, returned to our screens back in 2023 alongside Roman Kemp for the BBC One quiz show. She shared a deeply personal connection between her late husband, the iconic Radio 1 Breakfast Show and Top Of The Pops host who tragically died in 2014 following complications from heart surgery, and her current partner, ex-racing driver Robb Gravett. The TV star explained that Gravett, a close friend of the couple, came into her life through what she feels was Mike's celestial intervention. In an intimate confession on the My Time Capsule podcast back in 2022, Greene recalled loving memories of Smith, hinting at his influence from beyond: "I sort of know Mike is pulling so many strings in my life." She elaborated: "He has undoubtedly been responsible for me meeting my beloved who was one of his oldest friends, who waited a certain amount of time but did keep leaving messages on the answering machine. I thought he was just being kind". And continuing, she explained when the truth hit her, saying: "Then I got a message almost saying 'For God's sake, Greeno, Robb is trying to make contact with you because he actually wants to take you out, not because he's kind. So will you just get off your arse and go and answer the phone next time it rings!' "And lo and behold, a whole new conversation started. I'm sure, and Robb is very sure too, because it's a very strange situation." She detailed how she was worried about the relationship in the early days: "I remember being terribly worried and saying to the dear man who I'd known for all these years, 'Isn't it strange coming into the house and seeing all these pictures everywhere of Mike?'" "He said, 'No, no, it's not strange. It'd be strange if they weren't there. And remember, I love him too.'" Talking about working with Roman on The Finish Line, Sarah acknowledged her co-host's better ability to mask his emotions stating, "Roman has a much better poker face than I do. You can read my face from a mile off. But I have to remind myself I'm pretending to be Richard Osman on Pointless. That's the acting skill coming in." Back in 2017, Sarah presented This Morning alongside Phillip Schofield, covering for Holly Willoughby, in a throwback to their children's TV days together. She returned the same year to present alongside Rylan Clark.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Official gifts given to Royal Family disclosed including lavish Rolls-Royce
Buckingham Palace has revealed all the gifts given to members of the Royal Family over the years and while some of them are damn right extravagant, others may surprise you When you're a member of the Royal Family, you can expect a few fancy gifts from time to time, but some are rather surprising. Perhaps one of the most elaborate presents given to King Charles was a Rolls-Royce from the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Given to the King in May 2023, it's worth around $443,575 - or £329,545 and was a gift for his Coronation. The lavish car is said to be brought out for official purposes, including state occasions. But this isn't the only generous gift. During the month of his coronation, the monarch also received a feather crown, two beaded chest pieces and two carved staffs from Amazonian Indigenous leaders Uyunkar Domingo Peas Nampichkai and Atossa Soltani, reports Sky News. Former US president Joe Biden and then-first lady Jill Biden also gifted the King a leather folder containing printed letters between Queen Elizabeth II and former president Dwight D Eisenhower. In April that year, the King and Queen Camilla also received two gold Blue Peter badges from Blue Peter presenters during a visit to Liverpool ahead of the city hosting Eurovision. But that's not all - during an audience with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy in February, the King was presented with a framed mosaic, a scrolled document about St Sophia Cathedral and a signed Ukrainian ship's flag. Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth II was given a Cedar of Lebanon tree from Pope Francis in 2022 - the year of her Platinum Jubilee. The year before, during a visit to the Coronation Street set in Greater Manchester, she received a cobble from the original set in a presentation case. The avid Corrie fan was also presented with two gin glasses with a Manchester skyline silhouette design, a book entitled 60 Years Of Coronation Street and a bottle of Coronation Street gin. In 2020, Prince William and Kate, then the Duchess of Cambridge, were both gifted a toiletries set from the president of Ireland, Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins. This is according to official records, which cover official gifts to most members of the royal family from 2020 to 2023. But did you know the Royal Family give each other presents on Christmas Eve as opposed to Christmas Day in keeping with their German heritage? And the presents they give to each other speak volumes about their family dynamics and sense of humour. Over the years, quirky presents have included a toilet seat and homemade chutney, according to Hello magazine. When she first joined the Royal Family, Princess Kate gave the late Queen some homemade chutney, a recipe from her own grandmother. Princess Anne gave her brother Charles a leather toilet set. She also once gifted her father, Prince Phillip, a pepper mill with a light on the end, to enable him to season his food during barbecues when it was dark.
Sky News
2 days ago
- Business
- Sky News
Rolls-Royce, Blue Peter badges and a mosaic from Zelenskyy: Buckingham Palace reveals gifts given to Royal Family
Buckingham Palace has released records of official gifts given to the Royal Family - including a Rolls-Royce for King Charles. According to the records, which cover official gifts to most members of the Royal Family from 2020 to 2023, the monarch was given the luxury vehicle by the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II is not for personal use; instead, it's for official purposes including state occasions. Given to the King in May 2023, it retails for $443,575 - or around £329,545. Other gifts for the King during the month of his coronation include a feather crown, two beaded chest pieces and two carved staffs from Amazonian Indigenous leaders Uyunkar Domingo Peas Nampichkai and Atossa Soltani. Former US president Joe Biden and then-first lady Jill Biden also gifted Charles a leather folder containing printed letters between Queen Elizabeth II and former president Dwight D Eisenhower. In April that year, the King and Queen Camilla received two gold Blue Peter badges from Blue Peter presenters during a visit to Liverpool before the city hosted Eurovision. And during an audience with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy in February, the King was presented with a framed mosaic, a scrolled document about St Sophia Cathedral, and a signed Ukrainian ship's flag. Other royal gifts include Queen Elizabeth II receiving a Cedar of Lebanon tree from Pope Francis in 2022 - the year of her Platinum Jubilee. During a visit to the Coronation Street set in Greater Manchester in 2021, she received a cobble from the original set in a presentation case, two gin glasses with Manchester skyline silhouette design and a selection of themed gifts including a book entitled 60 Years Of Coronation Street and a bottle of Coronation Street gin. In 2020, Prince William and Catherine, then the Duchess of Cambridge, were both gifted a toiletries set from the president of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, and his wife Sabina Higgins. Official gifts to the Royal Family can be worn and used, but are not considered the royals' personal property. The royals also do not pay tax on them. They can eat any food they are given, and perishable official gifts with a value under £150 can be given to charity or staff. Gifts cannot be sold or exchanged and eventually become part of the Royal Collection, which is held in trust for successors and the nation.
