When this season begins, there’s a sense of new beginnings akin to New Year. I have rejoined the gym and started waking up early in the mornings, so something is definitely up! Here are my top tips for springing into spring…

Have a clear out of your old clothes  

I’m going to do a exchange with my parents of my winter wardrobe for my summer wear.  Inevitably, when I dust the mildew off those summer outfits, there will be ones that no longer suit/fit, so here are some options: have a clothes swap with friends (always fruitful and cost nothing), donate your clothes to charity, or sell them through a social enterprise market stall (you keep half and they keep half; everyone’s a winner).

Get outside  

Whether you have a garden or not, those sacred green spaces still exist. Jog, cycle, walk, or roller blade. Make the most of the weather while you can!

Tax return

If you’re self-employed or PAYE over that threshold, do your tax return. Do it early while you’re in a good mood, while you’ve not got the January blues, and while you can still remember the last tax year. The HMRC site is less likely to crash, as most people leave it ’til the last minute in January.

Don’t just restrict spring cleaning to housework

What needs fixing? What jobs can you do now that will mean you are free to enjoy the weather? I’ve just bought some new antivirus software for my laptop – that way it won’t break while i’m doing my tax return!

Bring in that spontaneity again

Remember that mad rush, from October to December, where everyone needs to be booked at least five weeks in advance? And that time, from January to March, where everyone stays in because they’re too cold and tired? Those days are gone for the next three months before wedding season, and summer holidays begin. Fancy making plans on the day for lunch in the park or an afternoon in that beer garden? Now you can!

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The cost at a first glance

From my online searches, I deduced that a ticket to the zoo itself would be about ¥1000 per person (that’s roughly £7), which was fair enough. That’s about the general admission cost of most museums that I’ve been to, and I just knew that this adorable experience (and the fox footage that I would take) would be totally worth it. However, it was getting there that was the real burner. The consensus that I got from the vast majority of people online was that we would have to take a taxi to and from the Fox Village, which would cost a whopping ¥4000-4500 (roughly £32), each way from Shiroishi Zao station which would add up to around about ¥9000 (about £64) for the round trip in taxi fares – a lot of money!

The solution

I found that some onsen (Japanese hot springs, or bath houses) offer special deals because of the popularity of the nearby fox village. So, we found an onsen – Yakushi No Yu; the only downside is that, unlike British hotels, onsen tend to charge per person, not per room. And so, for ¥9000 each, we got our round trip to the fox village, supper, our breakfast in the morning, a room for the night (all of which we would have needed anyway), and access to the baths. I may save this for a later blog – but Japanese onsens really are a unique experience!

Any alternatives?

Before you start thinking it (I know I did), walking to the Fox Village is definitely not an option. For starters, it’s eight miles from the nearest station, and it’s in the middle of a big, cold, snowy mountain – so no money saver there.

However, if you can drive in your home country, you might consider purchasing an international drivers’ licence. They’re cheap (only £5.50), and having one does mean that you’ll have a lot more freedom and flexibility once you get to Japan!

There’s no way to get around the fact that Japan isn’t a very cheap country to visit, but there are a number of ways to cut costs so that your purse strings don’t get too tight, allowing you to spend more money on the things that you want.

You can watch a short video that I made of getting to Fox Village, here.

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I’ve done speed dating once before and was intrigued by it as there were activities to make things less awkward. We parted with our £17 online, and there was very little to do in the way of admin – they just needed our email addresses, contact numbers, and date of birth. We rocked up at an underground bar and, mocktails in hand, were armed for (quiz) battle…

You’d probably enjoy the event if…

You like a relaxed pub atmosphere.

You take a friend (all the women came with friends, very few of the men did which resulted in some of them looking like rabbits in the headlights).

You’re good at banter (there was time for lots of chatting in between quiz rounds).

You’re on the fun edge of competitive (all kudos to the Swedish women on our team who knew all the answers in one round but not in English – they were very determined and in the end we managed some translation which led to points).

You’re a doctor (there was a labelling body parts round – this could have been raunchy but it was in Latin so it wasn’t, except for the gluteus maximus which are incidentally the only muscles I remember from PE lessons…).

You’re a woman (you get to keep your coat and bag with you and sit at the same table all night, where as the men have to move round a table each time).

You probably wouldn’t enjoy the event if…

You expect there to be even gender numbers (we were four men down and, speaking to the men, it seemed that some had been drafted in on the day and let in for free. They also said they had attended events in the past with 12 ‘spare’ men so it seems it can go both ways).

You are very shy – as you are put into teams of eight you need to be able to hold your own to get a word in (surprisingly myself and my friend (both actresses) had no issue with this).

You are expecting a real general knowledge quiz – it’s more pop songs, anagrams, and flowers. Though we did meet an amazing man who had been on Countdown several times – he was responsible for our team not completely failing the quiz.

You are in your 30s – the general demographic were early 20s.

You wanted a drink included in your £17 fee. The winning team got a shot each, but, alas, that was not our team and, even in Dry January, drinks from the bar were pretty expensive.

All in all, it was better than expecting to meet someone behind your sofa or getting repetitive swipe injury. Although, part of me wonders if we shouldn’t just go to pubs more often and try to win quizzes (that we don’t have to pay £17 to enter) and speak to strangers there. Out of the two of us, one of us met someone and one didn’t, so it’s always worth a try!

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2017…???

I don’t think I have ever looked forward to a new year as much as i look forward to 2017. Whilst, personally, I had a lot of highs (I got to go to six weddings!), 2016 has not been a kind year for the world.

It’s all too easy to feel powerless or unheard, to forget about all the good in the world, the brilliant things people are doing, and that we can be part of communities in real life as well as online (yes, really). So, here are some suggestions that won’t break the bank, for when the final verse of Auld Lang Syne has stopped playing on repeat inside your head…

Festive cheer at Crisis at Christmas 

Apparently, we are all just two pay cheques away from being homeless. As homelessness has been on the rise since 2010 and looks set to continue increasing, why not volunteer for the brilliant service put on by Crisis during the festive season? I’ve volunteered before as a performer (playing ‘Wise Gal’ in a pop rock nativity musical. Woop for gender equality!) and a friend of mine is volunteering as a chef this year, but there are many different volunteering roles. Or, if you don’t have a centre near you, why not sponsor one? It costs just £22.32 for one person to start the new year with hot meals, medical check-ups and treatments, and an introduction to the advice and training that Crisis offer throughout the year.

January health kick with good gym

If you’ve not yet been bombarded with flyers and emails about half price gym memberships, you soon will – ’tis the season for bellies that wobble like bowls full of jelly.  But, there are free alternative ways to get fit and support your local community at the same time. Good Gym is free to join, but most members opt to donate £9.95 a month which, to me, seems worth it for the motivation and coaching given. You choose between running as a group (led by a running coach), completing a task for the community (eg. planting daffodil bulbs), running alone to complete a task for someone elderly, or a regular run once a week where you spend 20 minutes in the middle of the run having a cuppa and a chat to an elderly person who becomes your ‘coach’ and motivates you to keep up the weekly exercise.

Meet the one (or have some fun) thanks to Good Deed Dating 

Good Deed Dating won the UK 2016 Dating Award for ‘Innovation within the Industry’. Not dissimilar to Good Gym, it holds events where singles register to volunteer for a good cause. It sounds less stressful than your average speed dating night or an online date where the pressure can be on to spend a whole evening with a stranger. You might be cooking in a kitchen that provides free meals, cheering people on at a charity run, or helping out at a fundraising event. It might lead to your next new year’s eve being spent with that special someone…

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Hair – Getting my hair done always makes me feel amazing! I would strongly recommend that if you meet someone who can do your hair well, make them your hairdressing life partner! I have a hairdresser who I always use, and she knows how I like my hair doing.

Even just a little trim can freshen up your look, but I decided to have some rose gold highlights done to add a bit of fun. My hairdresser used Crazy Colour in Pinkissimo on dark blonde highlights to get the rose gold tint. My cut and colour cost about £40 but prices vary from salon to salon. Style-wise, I got a pal who is great at vintage hair to teach me how to set curls in order to create a Marilyn Monroe inspired look on the day; I needed tongs which I picked from Debenhams for £12.99, and also kirby grips and hairspray for which I usually get from a pound store.

When you’re usually a bit of a slob, it costs a fair bit to go from scummy to scrummy!

Nails – This one’s a huge issue for me, as I am a biter! Just when I think I’m doing well, nerves get the better of me and every single nail is bitten down to the cuticle. Unfortunately, this makes my mitts look less than glam!

I used the website Treatwell to find a salon that did acrylic nails for £20 including polish (red with sparkles, if you must know!). If you have nice nails already, a gel-ish polish or a manicure is a little gentler on your nails, but mine were horrendous so it was falsies or nothing! I personally prefer it if the technician uses an emery board to buff my nails rather than the electric sander thing as the former causes less damage! There are nail bars in most town centres now and, with most, you can get walk-in appointments. If you’re a bit clumsy, like me, get them done as close to the wedding as possible to avoid breaks, chips, or the nails growing out before you party.

Eyebrows – When I was at school, I didn’t bother with shaping my brows until a well-meaning ‘friend’ pointed out that I could play a villain in a film because of my monobrow. Since then, I’ve been plucking crazy, as it were. Of course, the most coin-conscious person can shape their brows themselves with just a mirror, a pair of tweezers, and a steady hand! But, if you’re feeling flusher, you can visit a brow bar – Superdrug does threading (eyebrow plucking with string) for about £5. But, I really pushed the boat out and had my brows waxed at the Benefit brow bar. It cost me £12.50, and they did a great job shaping my brows into a perfect arch. They also do a brow tint for just a few pounds more, if you want to go a little darker.

When I was at school, I didn’t bother with shaping my brows until a well-meaning ‘friend’ pointed out that I could play a villain in a film because of my monobrow.

Makeup – I had most of the makeup I needed, but there were a couple of bits of kit I wanted to freshen up for the wedding. I’m a high street makeup kind of gal, so I always check out both Boots and Superdrug to see what the best deals are. Usually you can bag a buy one get one half price or a 3 for 2 offer at one or the other.

Boots are currently doing a buy one get one half price on Rimmel, and I absolutely swear by their Provocalips for a long lasting red lippy. I wore the shade ‘Kiss Me You Fool’ for the wedding, but love the darker ‘Play with Fire’ shade as well. I also picked up some new applicator sponges (£1.50 for two from Primark) and a bottle of Rimmel Match Perfection foundation in ‘Light Porcelain’ – because I’m so pale that I’m almost transparent!

If you’ve got a bit more cash to flash, it’s always fun to pop to your nearest department store and try some of the fantastic products by Benefit, Lancôme, bareMinerals, Mac or any of the other big ticket brands. La Prairie does a foundation for £149.99… for that price, I would want them to guarantee that putting it on would make me look like Jennifer Lawrence! No ifs, no buts, no coconuts!

Outfit – I was wearing a cherry print wiggle dress, red patent leather heels, a black wrap, seamed tights, and a new handbag. I had the dress already – picked up from the Collectif website in their summer sale for a cool £13.00. The wrap was a gift but, to be fair, you can get pashminas from eBay for only a couple of quid. If you’re splashing out on something new, nothing beats a sale purchase! I love seamed stockings/tights, both of which are available at Primark (£3.50 for stockings/£3.00 for tights), as they always look stylish – except when they get a ladder…so you’d better pick up two pairs! The heels were by Pin Up Couture, and retail at around £55, but I got them from eBay for £25 – thank God for people who buy shoes that they never wear! I knew it would be a long day, so I also bought a pair of roll up ballet flats, just in case the heels got too much! My cherry print handbag by Banned was picked up on Amazon for £29.99. To top it off and complete the look, I bought a rose hair fascinator for £3.50 from Amazon – I didn’t think about this one until the last minute, but if you have more time then check out the vast selection that the international sellers have to offer on eBay. Be aware though, these can take up to two months to arrive in the UK.

The heels retail at around £55, but I got them from eBay for £25. Thank God for people who buy shoes that they never wear!

To give you a bit of inspiration, I’ve created a Pinterest board, which includes links to the sites I used and the products I bought, as well as places that I went to for ideas. Whether you’re splashing out, squeezing every penny, or something in between, there’s nothing to stop you from looking a million dollars when attending a big event. Do your research, shop around, and for Pete’s sake, pass the prosecco!

P.S. If you want to know how it all turned out, here’s my partner and me showing off the end result on the big day:

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I want to preface my argument by saying that I believe whole-heartedly that anyone who can afford to give a donation (of whatever size) to cultural institutions should absolutely do so; the York Minster stopped being free to enter a number of years ago, as the average visitor was only giving about 20p (they now charge £10 for an annual ticket at the door), it would be a shame to have this extend to other places of cultural significance. However, the sad fact is that for many people with squeezed purses, most days out in ‘rip-off Britain’ are literally unaffordable, and free museums and monuments provide a fantastic opportunity to see something different, and learn something new.

In a world where everything seems to cost money, it’s a breath of fresh air to be given an experience with no obligation to pay.

Free entry to cultural exhibitions also encourages people who might have otherwise passed somewhere by to go in and take a look. I’ve lost count of the number of places that I have discovered because I was curious, and they were free to enter anyway ‘so why the hell not?’, and I’ve broadened my horizons as a result. In a world where everything seems to cost money, it’s a breath of fresh air to be given an experience with no obligation to pay, and although right now I can’t afford to give much to them, when I can give I do. Those with young children and families on the poverty line may also be grateful of this break, as exposure to the arts has always been seen as a more traditionally ‘middle-class’ thing to have – one might argue that it’s important for a more equal society to have open access to these things.

Free culture is everywhere in Britain and, I believe that, although we might often take it for granted, we are far better off because of it. I mentioned in an earlier blog a few of the great cost free days out in the city of Glasgow, and if you weren’t aware of the wide variety of free things that there are to do in your local area, now is the time to research them!

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1. Glasgow women’s library

Situated literally a couple of minutes walk from Bridgeton station (with a railcard, it’ll cost you just £1.15 for an open return from Glasgow Central station. The train takes about five minutes). This library is pretty small, but possesses a great collection of feminist literature, and regularly holds exhibitions and talks – I attended a panel discussion on women in comics a couple of months ago.

2. Pollok Park (and the Burrell collection)

As if this park wasn’t beautiful enough, it’s also home to Glasgow city council’s highland cows. Once a month they have a guided ‘cow washing’ demonstration for tourists, where you can learn lots of things about highland cows – like the fact that it’s the females that have the big horns, and males have short, straight ones. In addition to this, the park is also home to the stunning Burrell art collection.

3. The Necropolis

One of the largest graveyards in Europe, the necropolis (which literally means ‘City of the Dead’) has around 50,000 bodies buried there – and every one of them has their name recorded in Glasgow’s Mitchell library (another great place to visit!). The necropolis was originally built as a display of Victoria affluence and fine architecture, and boasts some famous graves, such as William Miller (who wrote Wee Willie Winkie), and Charles Rennie Mackintosh (the famous architect, who also designed Glasgow School of Art’s building). It may seem a little morbid, but the necropolis is also a great place to have a picnic on a sunny day, and its countless mausoleums are really something to behold.

4. St Mungo’s Museum of Religious Art
To some people, this may not sound like the most exciting place to visit at first – but don’t be too pessimistic! For such a small museum, St Mungo’s has a wide collection of different pieces representing different cultures and religions throughout the world. Exhibits explore the past, the present, life, death, and marriage in different societies. It’s situated right next to the necropolis, and is also free to enter.

These are just a few of the many great free things to do in Glasgow. Of course, if you can afford it, I would highly recommend donating to Glasgow museums, as it’s such an amazing thing to be able to freely access all this culture.

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But knowing what to do when you’re a twenty-something and strapped for cash, never really knowing if the sun will make an appearance on the days you actually have to spare, is something we all struggle with.

So, I have some fun-filled, money saving suggestions of things to do, even if it’s pouring!

1. National Trust Young Members Card

(When you click on the above link, choose ‘Individual’ to find the Young Members Card.)

Yes, now I know what you’re thinking. But the National Trust is not just for old people! I am a twenty-something myself, and my partner and I signed up as members a year or two ago and haven’t looked back.

It all started when we had planned to meet one set of parents at a National Trust property. It was going to cost us something in the region of £60 each to go into the property, gardens, etc., but to sign up for a year-long membership it would only cost £30 each! So with much deliberation and hesitation, we signed up to a manageable £6-a-month commitment.

Since signing up, we’ve used the memberships on holidays down in Cornwall and Devon, and in and around the area we live in (Nottinghamshire). We have thoroughly got our money back!

They even have a nifty little app that you can download which searches your current location and tells you what is near, and what is on in those places! Remarkable, I think…

So, suck up that pride, sign up, and you could enjoy numerous days of exploring gorgeous stately homes, ancient ruins and immaculately maintained gardens.

Oh, and their afternoon tea and scones are to die for…

2. Local Authority Parks

Parks are not just for dog walkers and children, they’re for everyone! A quick Google will enlighten you to an array of places on your doorstep that you didn’t even know you had access to!

A lot of these parks will not be as well maintained as the aforementioned National Trust properties, but they can provide a great source of fresh air, picturesque views, and that all important exercise that everyone keeps banging on about!

Most importantly, they’re free! This time of year a lot of the parks have events on, such as fundraisers, gigs, and family fun days.

So, why not pack a little picnic with your sweetheart and seize the day!

3. Taste cards, Gourmet cards, and everything else in between

No one likes to be strapped for cash and, making a generalisation, everyone loves being wined and dined. But who said it has to be expensive?

There are so many offers out there that people are unaware of, such as  Taste cards, Gourmet cards, to name two, that you can pick up as a 3-month trial, for as little as £1!

A cheeky Google, type in the postcode you want to go to and voila! There are numerous restaurants, gastropubs, bistros, and cafes all offering you fantastic 2-4-1 deals or 50% off!

So, what are you waiting for? Stop moping, and get out there and enjoy yourself come rain or shine!

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Well, it’s definitely not the way to improve your economic outlook – unless you are one of the few true cognoscenti. But here’s how it goes…

For a start, it’s all geared towards the benefit of the bookies, the racecourse and various others to keep themselves in the motor vehicle bracket to which they have become accustomed, with little suckers like me enjoying a day out against our better judgment and adding pathetic amounts to the fund with my paltry bets.

So, quite unable to tell the colleagues of the party to which I have been invited that I think betting is ridiculous and I’m bound to lose, I roll up my sleeves and take the plunge.

There’s even a steward who comes round in case you can’t be bothered to move – how can you NOT bet?!

I read through the names on the next race, become charmed by one that seems to have some meaning, albeit obscure, take a squint at the odds and get myself to the betting counter (there are many and they’re very conveniently placed round every corner).

There is even a steward who comes round in case you can’t move yourself. How can you NOT bet?! As we were something of a special party, we got to stroll round the paddock and look at some of the gorgeous beasts strutting their stuff.

Anyway, I got myself well and truly convinced that Green Howard in the 3.45 was bound to be a winner because we just spent a lovely day at Castle Howard in Yorkshire the day before.

Needless to say, Green Howard didn’t win and neither did I.

Castle Howard was where they filmed Brideshead Revisited, a long time ago now. Here is a picture of the Mausoleum there.

We have some truly spectacular estates in Yorkshire. It is well worth a visit.

Anyway, needless to say, Green Howard didn’t win and neither did I.

Happy days, definitely getting away from it all!

[Pic credit: Antonio Rivera]

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The Emirate welcomed 14.2 million overnight visitors to its glittering cityscape of iconic skyscrapers in 2015, but not all of them (surely?) had unlimited funds for splurging on gold bar vending machines, luxury yachts and high fashion. I’ve lived, part time, in this spectacular desert city for six years, avoiding gold-dusted cappuccinos and Swarovski-encrusted hotel foyers like a pro. Which is just as well, because bouncing a cheque (yes, we still use those here) or leaving a bill unpaid can land you a lengthy stint in a distinctly underwhelming shared cell.

 Getting around

With cheap fuel, taxis are inexpensive, metered (no need to agree a price), regulated and readily available in most tourist spots. Uber is very popular. A ride from the airport to a hotel on the popular Jumeirah coast is around £16.

The Dubai Metro runs two lines across the city. A one-day ticket across all zones is 14 dirhams (around £3). Access free wifi and see the sights from above while you’re on board.

Accommodation

Notorious for luxury resorts and swanky apartment living, Dubai is surprisingly rich in mid-range hotels such as Premier Inn, Easy Hotel and Ibis. A single bed in a dormitory is £20 at the Youth Hostel.

Airbnb is very active with over 300 private or shared rooms available in every price range from £9.

 Sightseeing

Steer clear of the shopping malls unless you need an air conditioned break from the scorching desert climate. Instead, head to Bur Dubai, the cultural heart of the city, where fishing and pearl diving put this trading hub on the map hundreds of years ago.

Discover several heritage sights dating back to the 1780s, or stroll alongside Dubai Creek, a natural inlet of water used for Dhow cargo boats and small wooden foot passenger ferries called Abras (just two dirhams, or 40p to cross to the other side).

Wander through narrow alleys admiring the traditional architecture, and barter for gifts in the ancient souk (saffron, pashminas and dates are good buys).

Go back in time at Dubai Museum (three dirhams or 60p entry), housed in the 18th century Al Fahidi fort.

Indulge in selfie heaven against a glittering backdrop of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, as it comes alive with a free fountain show every half hour from 6pm daily.

Learn about Emirati culture and explore Jumeirah Mosque (daily tours, 20 dirhams or £4 including Arabic coffee and dates). The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) runs these and other tours, including cultural breakfasts, guided walks (65 dirhams or £13) and Arabic classes.

Leave the trendy beach clubs to the jet set, and seek out one of several ‘open beaches’ that won’t cost you a dirham.

Bargain hunters can check out Group On and Time Out Dubai for deals. If you simply have to hit the shops, come in January during the Dubai Shopping Festival.

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