Many families are watching the pennies these days, but that shouldn’t mean compromising on fun treats such as the occasional meal out. It’s possible to save money on restaurant bills if you know how to track down special dining discounts, read on to find out more.

Many of the big chain restaurants offer vouchers which can be redeemed against food and drink purchases. Check the advertising pages in your local newspapers, and find out whether your favourite restaurants and family diners have websites where you may be able to print off coupons to take on your next visit.

Also, go online to sign up to customer newsletters to receive discounts by email and ensure that you get the best offers delivered direct to your inbox. Some restaurant websites regularly send out 2-for-1 offers and vouchers for free starters and desserts.

At the restaurant, think about sharing a large starter or dessert, or skip these altogether. It’s easy to get tempted by huge platefuls of food and to forget what a normal sized portion looks like –but chances are you’ll end up leaving half of the food on your plate. Not only will your waistline thank you for sharing your food, but you’ll save a significant amount on your bill.

Many diners feel shy about asking for tap water rather than expensive drinks, but this can be another great way to save cash. If you really must have a soft drink with your meal, seek out restaurants which offer free refills or ‘bottomless’ glasses.

If you fancy some wine with your meal, don’t be tempted into ordering a full bottle when a single glass will do. The same rule applies to other alcoholic beverages such as beer – order a glass on draught and sip it slowly rather than purchasing expensive bottled lagers which go down all too quickly!

Learning to chew and savour your food is also a useful tip – taking time to enjoy each mouthful will make you feel fuller for longer. Also make sure you order one course at a time. Most restaurant food is extremely rich, so leaving longer gaps between courses will allow you to decide whether you actually want a dessert, or whether you can go without.

It can be difficult to tear the kids away from their games consoles, but whatever the weather and whatever their age, there are hundreds of fantastic days out for families in the UK – many of which are completely free of charge.

Many of the UK’s best attractions can be found on your doorstep. It is estimated that 20 million people live within an hour’s drive of a National Park – the Peak District is thought to be the second most-visited national park in the world. Fresh air, great walks and stunning scenery can be enjoyed by all the family and bringing along a tasty picnic can add to the sense of fun.

When the sun is shining, head for the beach – Britain has over 8,000 miles of beautiful coastline and young children are often at their happiest when building sandcastles and paddling in the sea. Search out Blue Flag beaches which have been judged to have the highest quality of water, safety, facilities, environmental education and overall management.

Online websites such as MoneySavingExpert.com feature a round-up of the latest free days out for families, including savings at theme parks, zoos, theatres and cinemas. Sign up to their free newsletter to make sure that you take advantage of the latest deals.

Look on your council website for other attractions near you – some museums, stately homes and parks offer free entry to local residents and some councils provide free leisure passes which give further discounts.

When only a day of thrills and spills will do, look out for 2-for-1 deals at theme parks such as Alton Towers and Drayton Manor Park or go online to book your tickets in advance. Families can also save significant amounts of money by taking their own food and drinks, as onsite catering outlets are usually busy and extremely pricey. Note that some theme parks won’t allow you to bring your own food, so make sure you fill the kids up with a hearty breakfast before you arrive.

For more ideas for cheap days out visit www.visitbritain.co.uk.

Taking the plunge to go it alone and become self-employed can be one of the most daunting things that you’ll ever do, yet it can have real financial rewards. Working from home and eliminating the need to commute can be extremely cost-effective, and there are many other benefits to take advantage of if you look around. Read on for some top tips on saving money and making the most of your career:

• Tip One – Get out there and start networking. Walking into a room full of strangers can be daunting, but it’s surprising how many connections can be made if you make the effort to socialise.  Many groups in major towns and cities host free business networking events where you can chat with like-minded individuals over a few drinks. Some are women-only and others are open to everyone. Check online for upcoming events in your area.
• Tip Two – Sign up for free business cards, pens, rubber stamps and more from online suppliers such as Vistaprint. You only pay for postage and processing and any upgrades such as ordering bigger quantities or the ability to upload your own company logo.
• Tip Three – Use social networking to spread the word about your business for free. Popular sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn allow you to promote yourself and to build a wide circle of industry contacts, all without leaving your desk!
• Tip Four – Cut the cost of expensive business calls by signing up with a low cost phone network such as 18866.co.uk which allows you to make international calls at extremely low rates. Alternatively encourage your suppliers and clients to contact you via free VOIP sites such as Skype.com. All you’ll need is a headset and microphone.
• Tip Five – Use free online PR tools to spread the word about your company. If you’re not used to writing press releases, use one of the templates to make the process easy. It’s also worth remembering that local journalists love to hear about small businesses making a name for themselves – if you have a great story, why not get in touch with your local newspaper or radio station to see if they can feature you?

Thousands of people join the gym each year in an effort to get fit and lose weight, but for many the good intentions are soon forgotten and the monthly direct debit membership fees become a real drain on finances. Read on to discover ways of keeping fit for less.

If you’re looking to improve your overall fitness, but don’t want to get tied into a contract, it’s worth knowing that many gyms now offer free trials, which allow you to sample what’s on offer before committing yourself. Most of the big gyms will give you a free one-day pass – all you need to do is visit their websites online and sign up. The Gym Website has all the latest deals from clubs such as Fitness First, LA Fitness and LivingWell.

Alternatively, if you know a friend or family member who regularly attends a local gym, ask if they have any free guest passes. Many health clubs give these to members in the hope that they will recommend others to join once they’ve tried the facilities for free.

Once you’ve decided to join a gym, try asking the staff at reception to see what deals they can give you. The lowest prices can often be negotiated during the summer months when most people have abandoned the New Year’s fitness resolutions that they made in January.

If you’re in the fortunate position of living somewhere with multiple gyms, don’t be afraid to haggle with the reception staff – you can save significant amounts of money if you’re prepared to be forceful and have the option to take your business elsewhere.

To save even more cash, check out the fitness facilities at your council leisure centre or local college/university campus. There may not be many frills such as juice bars and fancy changing rooms but you can usually pay per visit, meaning that you’re not tied in to a contract.

Many fitness activities, such as walking, running and cycling can be done completely free of charge in your own neighbourhood. Even a half-hour trip to the park with your neighbour’s dog can prove to be a real workout if you have the energy!  Or if you prefer to exercise with a friend, why not buy a fitness DVD or a copy of Wii Fit and have a giggle trying to keep up with all the moves?

Take advantage of a range of enhanced guest benefits to make your stay even more special. The Disney Dining Plan offers great value to families and the Disney Magical Express service takes the stress out of travelling with free round-trip airport transfers and baggage delivery for guests at selected hotels.

Many of the resort’s hotels have free monorail access to the Parks, which makes it easy to get back to your room or the pool after a busy day walking round the attractions. And of course, staying onsite guarantees that you’re in the heart of the action 24 hours a day!

Disney Value Resort Hotels

Disney Value Resort Hotels are big on fun and small on price, most suited to families and budget conscious visitors.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

Click here to browse Disney Value Resort Hotels and book online.

Disney Moderate Resort Hotels

Disney Moderate Resort Hotels are great for families and couples looking for a ‘middle of the road choice’. Moderate rooms offer more space as well as a wider range of dining and recreation options.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Reverside & French Quarter

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

Click here to browse Disney Moderate Resort Hotels and book online.

Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels

For those looking for something extra special, Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels offer the highest levels of quality, service and guest amenities. Services include supervised kids clubs and concierge services.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts

Disney’s Broadwalk Inn

Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Click here to browse Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels and book online.

Disney Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels

Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts are ideal for families and large groups. Villas include fully-equipped kitchen facilities and daily housekeeping, with swimming pools and other Park amenities close by.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Disney’s Beach Club Villas

Disney’s Broadwalk Villas

Click here to browse Disney Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels and book online.

Walt Disney Resort Area Hotels & Good Neighbour Hotels

The award-winning Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels are the ultimate in luxury. After a day in the Parks, unwind in the Mandara spa, dine in style at one of the 17 restaurants, and then enjoy a blissful night’s sleep in your Heavenly Bed®.

Walt Disney Travel Company also offers accommodation offsite at non-Disney hotels and villas.

Champion World Resort (Kissimee Area) from only £23 prpn, Comfort Inn (Lake Buena Vista Area) from only £33 prpn, Holiday Inn & Suites (International Drive Area) from only £42 prpn, Quality Suites (Lake Buena Vista Area) from only £50 prpn, Staybridge Suites (International Drive & Lake Buena Vista Area) from only £62 prpn, Embassy Suites (International Drive Area) from only £86 prpn.

Villa Properties

Holiday Villas (Kissimmee Area) from only £49 per 2-bed villa per night, Sheraton Vistana (Lake Buena Vista Area) from only £75 per 1 bed villa per night. Don’t miss out – book your tickets today!

Related Links

Special Offers at Disney
Activities at Disney World Resort in Florida
Booking Your Disney Holiday