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The clocks are about to go back, it's dark by teatime and the rain hasn't stopped all week. So what did I do? I sat scrolling through my holiday photos with a cup of tea, and found this one. Blue sky, clear turquoise sea, soft white sand. I could almost feel the sun on my face! To be honest, it got me thinking. If I want another day like that next year, now is the time to start saving. A little bit put away each month goes a long way, and it means no panic and no holiday on t

Halloween is just over two weeks away and the shops are already full of pumpkins, costumes and sweets. Every year it seems to cost a bit more, and to be honest it's easy to get carried away. One minute you're popping in for a bag of sweets and the next you've got a light up skeleton in your trolley! So here are the little things I do to keep Halloween fun without spending a fortune. Set a budget first Before I buy a single thing, I decide how much I'm happy to spend. Sweets,

The clocks are going back and the nights are drawing in. Here are the simple little habits that help me keep my smile on through the dark evenings.

There are just 11 weeks until Christmas. Here's my simple plan to spread the cost, cut the stress and actually enjoy December this year.

World Mental Health Day is on Friday 10 October. Here are the small, everyday things that help me look after my mind, and might help you too.

Two whole days without spending a single penny. Here's how I did it, and why it turned out to be one of the nicest weekends I've had in ages.

Simple, low cost ways to make autumn feel softer: walks with Jasper, checking the bills, soup season and a little bit of self care.

For a long time I thought self care meant something you had to buy. A candle, a bath bomb, one of those face masks that makes you look like you're in a horror film. I'd see it online and think, that's nice, but it's not really for me, and then do nothing instead. The actual stuff that helps me has turned out to be a lot smaller and a lot less photogenic than that. It doesn't have to cost anything Some of the things that actually reset me are free. Ten minutes with a cup of te

I used to write goals the way you write a wish list to nobody in particular. Lose weight. Save money. Read more. Big vague words floating on a page, no plan attached, no date, nothing to actually do on a Tuesday. No wonder they never went anywhere. What changed it for me wasn't more willpower. It was breaking things down until they were almost embarrassingly small. Pick one thing, not everything I used to try and overhaul my whole life in January like everyone does. New fitne

There's a drawer in my kitchen that used to be where bills went to die. Envelopes half opened, a few not opened at all, one final reminder sitting on top of a bill I definitely already paid but couldn't prove because I'd lost the confirmation email. I knew roughly what I owed and roughly when it was due. Roughly isn't a plan, it's a guess with anxiety attached. I got there in the end, not through some big dramatic overhaul, just by sitting down one evening with a cup of tea a

Jasper had one job this morning. Walk from the front door to the end of the road. It took him twenty five minutes. Not because anything was wrong. Because there was a leaf. Then a smell only he could detect on a lamppost we've passed four hundred times. Then a very important decision about which side of the path to walk on, reconsidered twice. I stood there in my coat, half checking my phone, half just watching him work through it all like it mattered enormously. To him, it c

I checked my bank app on a Monday morning last month and just sat there staring at it. Not panicking. Just tired. Tired of feeling like money was something that happened to me instead of something I was in charge of. So I did what I always do when life feels a bit much. I took Jasper out for a walk and thought it through properly. By the time we got back I had a plan. Nothing clever. Just small, boring, doable changes. And they actually worked. So here they are, in case they

If you've got a cocker spaniel, you already know about The Ears. Long, silky, and constantly hanging in things they shouldn't food bowls, muddy puddles, Jasper's own drool. It took me longer than I'd like to admit to realise those ears needed actual care, not just the occasional wipe. Cocker spaniels are one of the breeds most prone to ear infections, and it's mostly down to how their ears are built. They're long, floppy, and they trap moisture and warmth which is basically

When I tell people Jasper's a working cocker spaniel, I usually get a slightly confused look. Aren't all cocker spaniels the same dog? Not quite and the difference matters more than people expect, especially if you're choosing a puppy. Cocker spaniels split into two types years ago: working and show. They're still technically the same breed, but breeders have selected for very different things in each line, and it shows in both temperament and body. Build and looks Show cocke

I've been sitting on this for a while, not really knowing how to bring it up. So I'll just say it: I wrote a book. It's called Once We Were Forever. It's a collection of poems about a relationship that didn't make it, and everything that comes after the ending — the parts nobody really warns you about. Someone asked me once, "Do you regret it?" I didn't have an answer then. I think this book is my answer now. There's a lot of regret in these pages. Not the loud kind. The quie

Simple, proven strategies to turn your blog posts into a real sales tool — plus how I can help you write yours.

This post explains how investing in this fund can help you reach millionaire status over time, with practical insights and examples to guide your decisions.

Over time, I realised that understanding and addressing dog behaviour is not just about training; it’s about building a connection based on trust and empathy. If you’re on a similar journey, I’m here to share what I’ve learned, hoping it will make your experience smoother and more joyful.

Opening your heart to rescue animals is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. I’ve found that supporting these animals not only changes their lives but also enriches mine in ways I never expected. Whether you have a lot of time or just a little, there are many ways you can make a difference. Let me share some practical and heartfelt ways you can help rescue animals thrive and find the loving homes they deserve.

Dogs have earned the title of man's best friend for good reason. As a dog owner myself, I’ve seen first hand how these loyal companions bring joy, comfort, and meaning to everyday life. If you’ve ever wondered why dogs hold such a special place in our hearts, this post will share ten clear reasons why dogs truly are the ultimate best friends.