Getting the most cost effective TV package

A paid-for TV package provides an awful lot of entertainment, and it seems a bit of a shame to have to fall back on Freeview to save a few pounds a month. There are ways to save money on your TV service, but you have to take the lead. Here are our top paid-TV money-saving tips.

Do you need a TV licence?

If you wish to watch live TV in the UK you will need to buy a TV licence. This includes streaming services which you are using to watch live TV.

The theme park trip on a budget

Few days out cause as much excitement for kids as a stomach-churning day at one of the UK's theme parks. Adults, however, many find the day stomach-churning for another reason – a visit to parks like Lego Land, Alton Towers, Chessington and Thorpe Park can come at an eye-watering cost!

So here are a few ways to maximise your fun, at a minimal price.

Camping on a budget

Forget pricey glamping getaways. Here's our guide to family camping breaks on a budget…

Everyone wants to get away for a summer break, but steep airfares and hotel rates can mean a basic family holiday costs a fortune. Have you thought of a good old camping trip? It's an underappreciated, cheap alternative with twice the fun.

Guide to holiday spending money budget

For most of us a summer holiday is the biggest expense of the year, so any cost cutting that can be done without spoiling your fun in the sun is a must. Follow our handy tips for planning your holiday budget and some tricks on how to stick to it.

Work out what you can spend each day

The key to sticking to a budget is planning. Remember to factor in everything you may need, from drinks and meals out to souvenirs and any day trips you're planning on taking. Thomas Cook have a holiday budget calculator that you can use online to work out how much spending money you'll need to take to cover the whole family for however long you're jetting off for.

Festivals on a budget

The Great British Summer has finally arrived, which means one thing for the nation's music-lovers: festivals! World-class bands, sunning yourself with friends, camping in the great outdoors for a whole weekend – festivals are the best.

However, get too carried away with the party-spirit and you could be seriously out of pocket. Pricey tickets and expensive food stalls soon add up. Instead, pre-plan your budget and follow these cash-saving tips to keep your bank balance blooming this summer…

Holiday money management for singletons

Solo travel might be a choice or a circumstance – either way, here are some great ways for singletons to save on holidays, enjoy the sunshine and meet new people all at the same time.

Book in person

If you book a hotel online, it's typical for the booking engine to add a supplement for single occupancy. If you call the hotel, however, you can usually negotiate a price without a supplement – some hotels will even offer you a discount if only one person is staying in a double room.