5 Overlooked Car Expenses That Can Ruin Your Budget

Cars can be a huge drain on expenses, as anyone who has been driving for a while can tell you. It's often a shock to first time drivers though. There are certain expenses we take for granted, such as Road Tax, MOT and Insurance but what about other expenses, some hidden expenses, some not so, that can ruin your budget?

1. Servicing

Having a full-service history will help with the resale value of a car if you sell it, so it's a good idea for your car to have a service on a regular basis. Obviously, it's a great idea for safety as well.

How to keep costs down

If your car is a new car it will need to have a service with a franchised approved garage but if it's an older car, and you have the knowledge you can do some servicing yourself to keep the costs down. Keep all the receipts for parts and make a record of it in a book with the date and sign it. A good idea to save money here is to buy second-hand parts from a breakers like KAP Motors. They stock a huge variety of spare parts for all makes and models of cars like Peugeot, Nissan, Renault, and Suzuki

2. Petrol

Petrol or diesel is one area which can be costly in the UK due to the duty we pay to the government of approximately two thirds in taxes. It can be one area which is difficult to reduce - if we travel a lot to work for example. There are some things, however, which you can do to keep costs down.

How to keep costs down

Consider the fuel consumption of any car you buy - generally, the bigger the engine the more fuel you will consume although modern cars will be more fuel-efficient. The way you drive can help keep petrol costs down. Drive carefully, and accelerate gently, and not too fast. Use a site like Petrol Prices to help you compare the price of fuel nationally, and often supermarkets petrol stations are the most competitive on price. Another option is to consider is using a fuel card to help save money and reduce stress.

3. Tyres



It's important to care for your car tyres as any issues with your tyres can affect the safety of you and your passengers. Driving with defective tyres can cost you up to a £2500 fine and three penalty points on your license too. On a regular basis, you should check your car's tyres, for any obvious signs of wear and damage and replace them when needed. It's also important to check the tread and that it is within safety guidelines.

How to keep costs down

I would recommend taking your car to your local reputable garage to get tyres and get them fitted but you can fit the tyres yourself. Your car handbook will have the type of tyres you need but you can also read it from the tyre wall. YouTube is a wealth of information on how to do something like this. Your car should come with a spare wheel, a jack and a wheel wrench. The spare wheel is often only suitable as an emergency wheel for a get you home repair though so be sure to get a new tyre as soon as you can.

4. Breakdown Cover



Breakdown cover is important especially if you do not have the knowledge on how to do your own car repairs. Cover ranges from simply having an engineer look at your car at the side of the road, to having the car picked up anywhere in the UK or Europe. You can also have cover to cover the cost of a courtesy car to complete your journey.

How to keep costs down

Generally the cheaper the cover the less is covered, so think of how many miles you do every year and what your needs are. Do you really need the most comprehensive cover? The AA and RAC are two well-known breakdown cover companies that are reputable but can be costly as you are paying for the brand and reputation. It is worth shopping around for the best breakdown cover to keep costs down, and even if you are going to renew with the same company, ask them if they can give you a better price. As they say, loyalty pays.

5. Depreciation

Not so much an expense as such but something that you need to take into consideration when you buy a car is depreciation. When you own a car, over time the value gets less, with wear and tear and age and this is what we mean by depreciation. Brand new cars lose value sooner than an older car and it's often said a new car will lose 50 to 60 % of its value in the first three years of ownership.

How to keep costs down

Buy an older car with low running costs. Once you drive a car from a showroom the value of your car depreciates rapidly, so why not buy one that is two or three years old, and still under warranty? Another way to maintain the value of your car is to ensure it gets all the servicing stamps in its logbook. 

So here are 5 overlooked car expenses that can ruin your budget. Do you have any tips on how to keep car costs down?

*Collaborative post
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Win a Tesalate High-Tech Beach Towel Worth £45 Ends 16/09

Tesalate do beach towels, but not just any old beach towels, high-tech amazingly designed beach towels, with great patterns and smart design.



So what's so special about these towels?

Firstly they are made from a material that makes them sand free. Yes, you heard me correctly, sand free! The AbsorbLite™ microfiber material ensures sand slips off easily, one shake and you are done. No sand getting in your car or in your beach bag, sticking around and scratching everything. 
It's also super light and thin, so you have no bulky towels in your bag, it folds up small to get in its carry bag that's provided.



Does it work as a towel and absorb water?  I was susceptible as its super thin, so I thought it could never do its job, but yes it does, in fact, it will retain up to a litre of water making it very absorbent.  

 Drying time is quicker than a normal towel too. They say it dries in half the time of a traditional towel.

I also really like the bright colourful towel designs, my favourite is the Paradise Found towel with a flower and flamingo pattern. All towels are a proper beach towel size too, measuring 160cm x 78cm / 63 x 31 inches, so if you are not a skinny minny and have ample curves like me, it will cover you without a problem.

If you are a beach lover and spend a lot of time on the beach when on holiday, or maybe you enjoy surfing or windsurfing like my husband, then this is the must-have beach accessory (and yes they make designs that men will like too). Although they are based in the beach-loving country of Australia, they offer free shipping worldwide so you haven't got to worry about pesky delivery charges as well.  Can these towels be more perfect?


On my blog today you can win a Tesalate beach towel of your choice from their range, worth £45. Entry is easy via the Gleam app below. Why don't you bookmark the page and come back for a daily entry? Whilst you are here check out my other competitions too. Good luck!
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What is Microchanneling And How Can It Help Your Skin?

Today on my blog I am talking to Dr Weber who is a plastic surgeon with expertise in non-surgical treatments. 

Hi Dr Weber, so can you tell me about microchanneling?

Microchanneling is an effective and innovative way to activate cellular regeneration. When microchanneling techniques are used, skin is lifted and tightened, and a multitude of skin problems are minimized. These problems include photo-ageing, fine lines, poor texture, dull skin, body scars, stretch marks, acne scars, and any other flaws in the otherwise smooth skin. 

What's the basic science behind microchanneling?

Microchanneling is a way of introducing controlled wounds to the skin in the form of tiny channels. These wounds trigger a natural release of growth factors, along with new elastin and collagen.

This is an ideal solution to skin problems because, despite the way "controlled wounds" sound, this method causes significantly less damage to your epidermis than other treatment methods such as lasers and dermal rolling. Ablative treatments are more likely to damage your skin. When you use microchanneling, the growth of the new skin cells will be protected, which allows a faster healing time and a greater rate of success for long-lasting results that meet the patient's goal.

Skin is pretreated with a serum that is filled with multiple growth factors. Then the microchanneling device will create hundreds of channels in your epidermis, which increases the overall absorption of the pre-treated growth factors by 300%. To be clear, your skin will absorb three times as much growth factor if you use a microchanneling technique as opposed to using the growth factor by itself.

Skin is then fed by the growth factors. This allows your skin to revitalize itself. The results tend to be more permanent and longer lasting than those found in face lift surgeries and dermal fillers.

How Does Microchanneling Work?


When you have a microchanneling procedure done, you'll be pretreated with some form of growth serum. Then the needle comes into play. A sterilized needle-face will contain tiny micro-needles and attach to the microchannel. Your skincare professional will base the depth of the treatment on your unique skin factors and goals.

After the pretreatment is complete, the microchannel will either be tapped or stamped across all areas of your face. This creates hundreds of tiny channels with the needles. The serum becomes absorbed into your skin through these new channels. When your skincare professional stamps the microchannel across your face rather than dragging it, they'll avoid causing any injury to your epidermis except for those tiny wounds inflicted by the needles.

Even without the use of numbing creams, the procedure tends to be painless or nearly painless. You might experience a slight tingling or stinging as the channels are being created, but you won't bleed. You also won't have any downtime like you would for a more comprehensive facelift or filler surgery. Instead, you can go out on the town or return to work immediately after the treatment takes place.

How Is Microchanneling Different From Lasers?

Resurfacing lasers can be a very effective tool for the treatment of ageing skin. But with that said, a laser uses focused light to create heat. This heat vaporizes skin and destroys certain pigment colours.

This makes lasers great for the targeting of dark spots, but it can make treating patients with dark skin complicated. Microchanneling, on the other hand, uses mechanical means to break up pigments. Collagen is also remodelled without the use of light or heat. The removal of heat from the process makes the treatment safer, more consistent, and far more comfortable.

When a patient undergoes a microchanneling procedure, they'll generally have a pink glow after the procedure. There will not be any visible wounds or bleeding. The pink glow will lessen within a day or sometimes even less time. The majority of patients return to work on the same day.

How Is Microchanneling Different From Dermal Needling Rollers?


Dermal rollers and micro-needling are part of the previous generation of skincare and the treatment of ageing skin. Dermal rollers have multiple drawbacks, one of which is that they have a fixed depth for the penetration of their needle. The face requires needles to penetrate at different depths depending on the area that is being treated. Different skin tissue has different thicknesses.

The biggest drawback of micro-needling devices, on the other hand, is that they cannot be stamped on the face because of their smaller pin surface. This means that they need to be dragged across the skin instead of being tapped or stamped. Micro-tears are created due to the dragging motions. It's an additional layer of damage that isn't necessary for the increase of your elastin and collagen production. These damages also increase recovery time to four to seven days.

Differences in Needles Between Microchanneling Devices And Last Generation's Devices

These are the advantages that the needles of a microchanneling device have: 
  • Hundreds of needles can penetrate the skin at once, which means that the device can be stamped instead of dragged.
  • The needles do not have a fixed depth of penetration, so they can effectively treat multiple skin thicknesses.
  • The procedure carries no risk of bleeding and has no downtime for the majority of patients. 

  • These are huge advantages compared to the procedures that preceded this technique.

How do I Schedule A Microchanneling Consultation?

When you prepare to get a microchanneling consultation, you'll want to talk to an experienced skincare professional or plastic surgeon. Weber Facial Plastic Surgery is a practice with a team of experienced professionals who know how to utilize the best microchanneling techniques. 

 Would you have a non-surgical procedure like this?

Dr Weber is a plastic surgeon licensed in Denver, Colorado. He became well known for his facial aesthetic aptitude while still studying at Boston University. He also completed a five year residency at Oregon Health & Science University. He specializes in a variety of non-surgical treatments including micropen procedures in Denver, CO.

*PR collaboration
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Great Gifts For Your Groomsmen

So much work goes into planning your big day and you have so many difficult decisions to make in the lead up to the wedding day. Your guest list can throw up enough problems to make you wonder why you didn’t just run away to Gretna Green for a quick and easy wedding.




Another tricky decision is what to buy for your wedding party, including your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Jewellery like earrings, bracelets and other jewellery accessories are always a nice idea for bridesmaids.

Groomsmen can be a bit more difficult to buy for, so I have rounded up a list of ideas for you.

Engraved whiskey decanter

Give your groomsmen a stylish decanter for their whiskey and make it that extra bit special with a personalised message, or simply the date engraved onto the side.

Cufflinks

If your friends are the kind of people who like to look good in a sharp suit, then some cufflinks could make a really good gift idea. You can choose a personal design or something simple with their initials or the date engraved. Matching cufflinks from Kigu for all your groomsmen to wear on your big day will ensure you up the style stakes.

Groomsman gift set

A gift set can be worked around your budget, as you can either purchase a ready-made one with a selection of great items or you could even create your own, choosing some personalised gifts that are meaningful to your groomsmen and celebrate your friendship. For unique, personalized options, consider checking out sites like Facegift.co.uk, where you can find customizable gifts that add a special touch. You can add funny mementoes as well as some more serious gifts.

An experience day

If you are a group of friends who like to go and do active things like paintballing or zip wire rides, then you could surprise your groomsmen with an experience or a day out somewhere fun. A day driving a Ferrari or jumping out of a plane would certainly be a different kind of groomsman gift. Whitewater rafting, rock climbing or some other kind of outdoor adventure activity are some more experience-type days you could buy.

Tickets for sports events

If you are a group of golfers, you could book a round at a top golf club, or maybe get some tickets for a cricket/football/rugby match etc. Or how about a day out at the races? Sometimes a day, when you can just spend some time together having fun, is more meaningful than an actual gift.
Grooming kit

A stylish grooming kit makes for a great groomsmen gift, with face wash, shower gel, aftershave and any other nice toiletries to make sure that they wake up smelling fresh the day after a night of partying at your wedding. Beard grooming kits are also quite popular with those who take pride in their facial follicles. Throw a toothbrush and toothpaste in there just in case they have forgotten to pack theirs!

Engraved tiepin

Another fashion accessory that you could think about is an engraved tiepin, maybe as an addition to some cufflinks. Tiepins always come in handy – especially if you are serving soup as part of your wedding meal!

Watch

If your budget allows then you could present your best man or all your groomsmen with a nice watch to mark the occasion. Matching watches for the group will make the gift something you can all treasure forever and you can even get a personal message engraved on the back of each one, or simply the date of the big day.

*PR collaboration
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Disneyland Paris On A Budget

Paris is an amazing city and whether you go to Paris with kids or without, Disneyland Paris is a popular destination choice on your Paris break. Heck, you can even go to Disneyland Paris without kids like we did in January, or Walt Disney World with adults.

 Disneyland Paris is great fun but it can be expensive. When you add the cost of hotels, flights, food and park tickets together it's not very budget-friendly. However here are some tried and tested ways of saving money when visiting Disneyland Paris on a budget. 



How to get there

 The easiest and quickest way is to fly into Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris. Easyjet is one budget airline that provides Paris flights. Don't forget you will have to add on suitcases and airport transfers which can quickly add up. If you are visiting for a couple of days, see if you can manage with carry-on luggage to keep costs down. There aren't any super cheap ways to get to Disneyland Paris from the airport that I know of. If you travel outside of rush hour, the TGV train is quicker and cheaper than the Disney bus at 17 Euros 50 each. If you have a large family, you may want to look at a shared transfer. Always book your transfer and train online in advance for the cheapest rates. 

Other options include Eurostar from London as a foot passenger. At certain times of the year, they have some great deals on. You can also get a direct train to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station which is directly in front of the parks. Another option is to drive yourself from Calais to France and then over to your accommodation. Factor in petrol and tolls which are approximately €22. You do have the convenience of taking your car directly to your door and if you are not a fan of flying this is a popular choice.

Where to stay

It's A Small World

For a budget traveller, I would say avoid Disney hotels. None of these hotels are particularly cheap. If you have set your heart on a Disney hotel then the cheapest one is usually the Sante Fe. Instead of staying in a Disneyland Paris hotel consider accommodation in the Marne-la-Vallée area as any hotel in this area is perfect for the parks. There are some apartments in this area if you have a number of kids.

If you are looking at holidays to Paris and want to combine Disneyland with a trip exploring Paris and the surrounding area then a stay in a holiday park can be a cost-effective option. Some sites like those by Eurocamp have a high standard of mobile homes, with fridges, washing machines, DVD players and more, and are a fraction of the price of a hotel stay. You also have your own indoor and outdoor space which is great for large families.

When to go
Pirates Of The Caribbean 

 If you are on a tight budget, avoid school holidays if you can; Easter and Christmas including when the French children are on holiday. The cheapest time to go is often between Christmas and Spring but November is often cheap and you will get the Christmas decorations going up straight after Halloween. Midweek is quieter than the weekend too.

Park Tickets
Sleeping Beauty Castle

To get the cheapest tickets I would avoid buying at the gate. With the gate price of €79 for a day ticket, you can see it makes sense to compare prices online beforehand. Check out places like AttractionTix and Attraction Tickets Direct. 

 If you are visiting for more than a couple of days, check out the annual passes as it may be cheaper to buy these. They offer a wealth of discounts and perks and you can even buy a pass just for 150 days that you can use in low season. 

 Once in the park use the Disneyland Paris app to make the best use of your time and check wait times and also the Lineberty app to meet characters. Both of these are free.

 Souvenirs

To save money buy your souvenirs before you go. Ok, this may only work with younger kids but why not give it a try? Shops such as Poundland and Primark in the UK have a selection of Disney merchandise at bargain prices. You can buy dressing up outfits, Mickey ears, autograph books, light up toys and more, and this will always be cheaper than buying in the parks. 

 Pressed pennies are a cheap souvenir, seek out the pressed penny machines for a lovely keepsake that won't break the bank.  Check the park map for the free character meet and greets too and if you take an autograph book they will sign it as well.

 Currency

Tower Of Terror

 The currency in France is the Euro, so if you are not from a country that uses the Euro, you will have to get currency beforehand. Never get it at the airport, the exchange rate will be terrible. Instead, use a comparison site like Travel Money Max to get the best rates.

 Also, ensure you get a credit card with no currency conversion charge like the Halifax Clarity Card, otherwise you may be charged a fee on top when you use it abroad. Most debit cards with charge a foreign transaction fee so don't use your debit card unless you absolutely have to. 

Food
Earl Of Sandwich 

Food in the parks is overpriced and can be disappointing especially the table service meals.  Check out TripAdvisor for reviews. One place that has decent reviews is the Cowboy Cookout Barbecue and the prices are reasonable.  

I would suggest you either take a picnic into the parks or go to the Disney Village for food to keep costs down. Near the Val d’Europe RER station, there is an Auchan Supermarket, so why not buy some baguettes, ham and cheese and do like the French do and take a picnic in? In the Disney Village, there are a few decent options for a quick service meal like Earl of Sandwich and if you are on a tiny budget you can always try Mcdonalds.  Vapianos was also recommended to me by my friend Juliette. It's worth using Google to find discount coupons too as we managed to find coupons for Earl Of Sandwich in the past. 
pin for later

There are water fountains around the park so be sure to take a water bottle and fill it up to save on the price of Evian bottled water. For a quick snack why not take some snacks from Poundland into the parks with you, you will be grateful for a Kit-Kat when you see the price of the cupcakes?

So here is a guide to doing Disneyland Paris on a budget. Have you been to Disneyland Paris? Do you have any tips?

*PR collaboration 
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The Must-Do Summer Attractions In Queens, NYC

Last year we went to New York and had the best time exploring this exciting city. It was my first time in 'The Big Apple'  and of course, I had to do all the tourist things such as the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge and the 9/11 Memorial Museum which was sobering but a must see. 

 While we were there, we took a trip over to the borough of Queens, which quickly became one of my favourite areas of New York. Well connected to the city, it offers a break from the craziness of Times Square and downtown New York City.  We are planning to go back to New York next Summer to explore Queens more, so this is my guide to the must-do summer attractions in the borough of Queens New York. 

Wander Around in the Flushing Meadows–Corona Park

Photo by Ajay Suresh, CC 2.0 License

You could honestly spend two days in this park as it's huge and has so many attractions! Want to know how the Big Apple built such a reputation worldwide? Come to this part of town. The Unisphere shape, a massive steel replica of the Earth, of Flushing Meadows–Corona Park used to be home to international fairs and still is one of the largest global structures in the world.

If arts and culture are of your thing, get lost in the Queens Museum or the New York Hall of Science. Get tickets in advance, if you want to see a show at the Queens Theatre, featured in the movie Men In Black.

Go to the Museum of Modern Art in the evening


The Midtown Museum of Modern Art has a beloved extension named MoMA PS1, which turns into a dance floor during the summer on weekends. Have you ever partied in a museum? Coming to Queens is your opportunity to cross that off your bucket list. Meet the coolest people in town and dance the night away in artistic surroundings.

Visit the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre is the world's largest public tennis facilities. Every year, it hosts one of the four biggest tennis tournaments: the U.S. Open. The complex is so big that in addition to the tennis courts, you will also find a food village, a museum of the U.S. Open and a sculpture garden.  Soaking up the atmosphere and passion here is a great way to enjoy tennis and every year players and fans gather to enjoy the end of the Summer and their favourite sport.

Check Out the Welling Court Mural Project


Now, here’s a must-see place for artists, especially photographers. Located in Astoria, I was told that it’s the best “aerosol art” alternative in Queens. Here, street artists come from all the corners of the world to share their artwork. A word of advice: start your artistic journey at the intersection of 30th Avenue and Welling Court, you don't really need a map as art is everywhere but if you search online you can find one. With over 130 works of art, it's a great place for art lovers everywhere to soak up the atmosphere. Who knows, you may spot an up-and-coming version of Banksy?

Take an Evening Walk at the Gantry Plaza State Park
Photo by Alan Strakey, CC 2.0 License
Take a walk along the riverfront for one of the most iconic views of New York. From there, you can enjoy the most beautiful landscape the city has to offer: the sunset between the Manhattan skyscrapers, the United Nation, the Chrysler and the Empire State Buildings. It's a lovely walk with your partner or friends, and then stop off in one of the neighbourhood bars for a drink watching the sun go down.

So this is my must-do attractions in Queens New York. Have you been to New York? 
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