Budget accommodation in the UK

How to find budget accommodation in the UK

The UK has a wealth of different budget accommodation options.  Using the internet and a small amount of effort, it's not that hard to find a good deal to suit any budget.

Starting with campsites, these will certainly be the cheapest of all accommodation options.  A good place to start looking for a campsite is www.ukcampsite.co.uk. Here, you will find details of thousands of different campsites all over the UK.  And what's especially handy is that the listings are accompanied by, according the website, over 35,000 independent reviews.  The weather in the UK is notoriously unpredictable, so even if you don't fancy risking it under canvas, www.ukcampsite.co.uk also has listings for many mobile home and caravan holiday parks.

 

The next option in increasing cost is the youth hostel.  The UK's Youth Hostel Association (YHA) has a very user-friendly website, www.yha.org.uk, where you can find and book a bed in any of their hostels anywhere in the UK.  The prices vary depending on the location of the hostel and the standard of the facilities provided.  You don't have to be a member of the YHA to stay in a youth hostel, but there is a small surcharge if you are not signed up.  If you're planning on staying in a hostel for more than a few nights then it can be worth paying the joining fee.

 

The UK also has a large number of independent hostels, whose prices are usually fairly comparable to those of the YHA.  Many, if not most, of these independent hostels can be found on www.hosteluk.com, where you can find descriptions and reviews of the hostels, as well as book a bed.

 

Moving up in terms of cost, the next option is the UK's ubiquitous bed and breakfast, or B&B for short.  Most B&Bs are small and friendly places, serving up delicious home-cooked breakfasts.  Often it's possible to stay in a B&B with hotel standard accommodation for a fraction of the price of an equivalent hotel room.  An excellent independent guide to B&Bs, as well as other guest houses and inns, is www.sawdays.co.uk. If you decide to stay in one of the B&Bs on this website, then you can rest assured that you will have an exceptional stay.

 

Finally, turning to hotels, by far the best way to find a good deal is to use www.hotels.co.uk, which offers hotel rooms at hugely discounted rates.  You can search for a room in a given town or city and then sort by the hotel's star rating.  Many of the prices available on this website are up to 50% less than the hotel's standard rate.  Before booking your room though, I would recommend looking up the hotel at www.tripadvisor.co.uk. This website provides hundreds of reviews allowing you to check out what the hotel is really like before you make your booking.

 

So from campsites to luxury hotels, it's possible to find good value accommodation in the UK to suit practically any budget.  If you use the websites mentioned above before you set off on your trip, you will be able to find a good deal on some great accommodation.

Conflict in Georgia pushes up price of oil

The price of oil is on the rise again thanks to the present conflict in Georgia.

Although Georgia is not a producer of oil, important oil and gas pipelines run through this country prompting fears that supply may be compromised.

However, despite these new increases in the price of oil, it is still some way off from its July high.

For more information, see this BBC News story.

How to watch the Olympic Games for free and more...

As today is the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, it got me thinking about how to get tickets for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Tickets won't actually go on sale until 2011, so it's a bit early really, but best to be prepared.

Whilst researching tickets for the 2012 Olympics, I actually found out that it's possible to see some of the events for free (and I don't mean by watching them on the TV, I mean live).

The following events will take place on the streets of London and are completely free for spectators to watch:
- road cycling
- triathlon
- marathon.

Also, if you buy a ticket for an event, then the ticket will include free public transport throughout London on the day of that event.  Let's just hope the DLR, buses, trains and tubes are up to it!

For more information on tickets to the 2012 Olympics click here: www.london2012.com/plans/ticketing/

Oil prices are falling

Good news at last for drivers

Oil prices are falling and have just hit a three month low at $118 per barrel. 

The decline in prices is thought to be due to a number reasons including increasing supply (mainly from Saudi Arabia) and growing stockpiles.

For more details of this story see the BBC News report here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7542766.stm

How to save money in restaurants

How to eat out for less

Everyone enjoys eating out once in a while, be it for a special occasion, meeting up with friends and family, or just to have a night off from the cooking. However, if you're not careful, the cost of dining in restaurants can soon add up.

Here are some clever tips on how you can reduce your restaurant bills and be able to dine out more often and in better restaurants.

1. When to eat

The time of day when you eat out can have a big impact on the size of your bill. If you want to eat out a peak times, then you must expect to pay peak prices. However, if you can be a bit more flexible about when you eat, then you could save as much as 50% off the price of your meal.

For example, many restaurants offer lunchtime menus that are a fraction of the price of the equivalent evening dishes. If you fancy eating out at a really posh restaurant but can't stomach the prices then have a look at their lunchtime menu, you may well be pleasantly surprised.

Another way to get a good cheap meal is to go for a pre-theatre menu. Many restaurants close to theatres offer special deals for diners eating early in the evening and, even if you're not going on to a show afterwards, this can be another excellent way to save some money.

2. Where to eat

This section should really be called where not to eat because the tip here is to avoid tourist areas. In any large city like London or Paris there are always areas that are hugely popular with tourists and it is these areas that will always have the most overpriced food and the least inspiring menus. Most of the restaurants will probably have pushy waiters standing outside trying to lure you in with enticing deals and tempting dishes. However, the food rarely lives up to their promises and you will probably leave disappointed.

To find the best value restaurants and the ones with the best food, head to the areas that are frequented by locals. Usually, locals will not put up with overpriced menus with sub-standard food. They will go to places that they have been to before, or have been recommended by a friend, and know offer good value for money. If you eat like a local then you can't go too far wrong.

3. How to book

By booking your table through the right channels, you can save a fortune at the best restaurants in town, with many offering special reduced-price set menus or even 50% off the total food bill to those in the know. The "right channels" are restaurant booking websites such as www.toptable.co.uk, where you can search for the best deals in town and book your table.

What's more, if you later write a quick review of your dining experience for the website, you can collect points which can quickly add up to a free meal for two. Now that can't be bad.

4. What to order

My final tip for saving money in restaurants is to be clever about what you order.

It's usually far cheaper and much better value to go for a set menu or one with a limited number of choices per course, than to order a la carte. Going for a set menu has the added advantage of speeding up the decision making process too.

Also, try to avoid ordering bottled water. Not only is it extremely un-environmentally friendly, but it can also be hugely overpriced. With being green becoming trendier by the day, asking for tap water is no longer as socially taboo as it perhaps used to be.

When it comes to wine, then at any decent restaurant you do generally get what you pay for. However, look out for the possibility of ordering house wine by the carafe, as this can be a great way to order exactly the amount of wine that your table needs, and at a nice price.

So there you have it, my top tips for getting better deals and saving money in restaurants. Try some of them the next time you eat out, and I hope that you will see just how much further your money can go.

Bon appetit!

How to save money on gas

In July 2008, British Gas announced that they are putting up their gas prices by a whopping 35%, with immediate effect. British Gas is the largest supplier of domestic energy in the UK and this is the biggest ever single increase in UK gas prices. Consumers are both angered and concerned by this huge increase.

However, it's not just British Gas that are increasing their prices. EDF had already increased their gas prices by 22% and it is expected that all other gas suppliers will soon put up their prices too.

Such dramatic increases will have a significant effect on all UK consumers. However, there are many things that individuals can do to counteract these price hikes and save money on their gas bills.

In the average UK home, 84% of all energy consumed is used for central heating and hot water. The energy used for cooking is usually only about 3% of the total energy consumption. Therefore, tackling the amount of energy used for central heating and hot water is one of the most effective ways to reduce gas consumption and, ultimately, gas bills.

Here are some tips on how to reduce your gas consumption and save money.

1. Insulate

There's no point using all that gas to heat your home if the warm air is just lost due to bad insulation. A well insulated home can knock around 20% off your bill and it doesn't cost much to improve your insulation. The most important area to concentrate on is the loft as most heat is lost through the roof. Laying down loft insulation is quick, easy and cheap. Double glazed windows also help to keep in the heat, as does a simple thick curtain. And don't forget to insulate your hot water tank too.

2. Turn down your thermostat

Turning don your thermostat by just 1 degree C can reduce your heating bills by 10%. You don't need to have your home heated to the extent that you can go around in just a T-shirt. Layer up with an extra jumper and watch the size of you gas bills fall.

3. Turn down the temperature of your hot water

Many homes have the temperature of the hot water turned up much higher than they actually need. If your hot water boiler is set to higher than 60 degrees C then this is too hot. Turning it down to 60 degrees C will definitely save you money.

4. Replace your old boiler with a new energy efficient model

Old boilers can be really inefficient and use far more gas than is necessary. Replacing your old boiler with a new model can save huge amounts of money in the long term. What's more, many gas companies offer discounts to replace your old boiler with a new one so look around and see what is available. Alternatively, just having your boiler serviced could save you money as the engineer will make sure that it is working at its most efficient.

5. Only have your radiators on in rooms that need them

If you only use your spare room once in a while then you don't need to have the radiator on in there all the time. Turn it off when you're not using the room and you will save money. Also, installing radiators with their own individual thermostats can help to save money, as you can set some to a cooler temperature than others.

6. Use your central heating less

Set your central heating timer for 15 minutes less and the start and end of each cycle and you will save many days' worth of gas over the winter. What's more, you'll hardly notice the difference.

7. Wash your clothes at 30 degrees C

Detergents have improved greatly over recent years and they will clean your clothes just as well at 30 degrees C as at 40. What's more, you'll be using 40% less energy if you wash at 30 than for hot washes, saving your loads of money on your gas bill.

8. Make use of dual fuel and direct debit discounts

Most energy suppliers offer so-called 'dual fuel' and 'direct debit' discounts if you get both your gas and electricity from the same supplier and pay by direct debit. If you are not already making use of such schemes then you should sign up to one now.

9. Long term tips

Consider using renewable ways to obtain your energy, such as intalling solar panels on your roof to heat your hot water. These panels are extremely efficient and there are many different grants available for these types of green energy projects. What's more, as it's green you don't need planning permission. Have a look around and see how you could make your home safe from future energy price rises by using green energy.

These are just a few of the ways you can save money on your gas bill. For more inspirational ideas and further information on all of the tips mentioned above check out www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.

How to travel and see the world more cheaply

How to travel all over the world on a small budget

First, if you can, try to avoid travelling during high-season. This can save you money on both air fares and accommodation. Also, destinations will be less busy during low-season. However, some attractions may be closed or have reduced opening hours, so make sure you check in advance.

Working as you travel is another great way to save money. Fruit picking in late summer is the traditional option for travellers, but there are lots of other ways to earn a bit of cash. Other travellers can be a great source of information about this, so do ask around for ideas. Also, if you are considering fruit picking and are travelling in the southern hemisphere, do remember that late summer is in March.

If you're low cash but still want to travel, then volunteering is a great way to achieve this as most volunteer projects will provide free board and lodging. All you have to do is get yourself there. However, taking part in a volunteer project is not just about getting to stay somewhere for free. They are a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded people from all over the world, as well as many locals from the place where you are working. There are numerous organisations offering volunteer holidays for students, adults on a career break and even families. As always, the internet is the best place to find out more.

If you've always fancied walking the Inca Trail or cycling across the Pyrenees but never been able to afford to do it, then why not get sponsored for doing it and take part in an organised event for charity? Every year there are thousands of such events taking place all over the world. Raising the sponsorship money beforehand can be a bit of a challenge, but it is also great fun and you will get to meet lots of new people. What's more, you'll know that it won't be just you who benefits from your trip as all the money you raise will be going to a good cause.

How to save money on transportation costs

Cheaper transportation

The amount of money you spend on train, bus and plane tickets as you travel around can quickly add up. Booking tickets in advance (especially on trains and planes) can save huge amounts of money and fares can be as much as half as much as they would be if you purchased the tickets on the day of travel. By buying your tickets in advance, you also save yourself the stress of having to queue for tickets on the day and known exactly how much it will cost.

If you're moving round a lot, then consider whether getting a pass could save you money. For example, if you're travelling around Europe for more than a couple of weeks then getting an Interrail pass can be a lot cheaper than buying separate tickets for each leg of your trip.

Travelling off-peak (i.e. not during the rush hour) is also usually cheaper. If you have the time, take a slightly slower form of transport than you would usually consider. Taking the train or a coach can be just as interesting a part of your travelling experience as actually being in your destination once you get there. Trains, coaches and buses also give you a great insight into the local customs and a chance to meet and talk to local people, unlike travel by aeroplane, which is pretty much the same all over the world, and cuts you off from the places you are travelling through.  A fantastic website for advice on travelling by train all over the world is www.seat61.com.

Travelling overnight can be a good idea too. Not only will it save you money, as you don't have to pay for a night's accommodation, but you won't lose a day out of your trip to travelling.