New Years Resolutions: Learn Something New

This is the ninth post in this series of ten posts that I am doing to cover the most common New Year Resolutions, this post will give you links to various websites to help expand your knowledge. Our school moto was 'learning is for life' and it is so true. You never stop learning but as time goes on I think practical, useful knowledge, becomes more necessary to learn. So why not try the links below and see where learning takes you.

Memrise - Completely free website and app that teach you foreign languages as well as a plethora of other subjects. It's all set up in a game style environment so learning feels less taxing. I'm using it to learn French.
10 Basic Things To Cook (The Guardian) - These 10 recipes will help you to get a handle on cooking so at least you can feed yourself.
MonkeySee - Probably one of the most complete guides to do just about anything. From science to beauty and fashion, it really is worth having a look.
TED lectures - Expand your knowledge on a variety of subjects with lectures given by the top minds of their field. I like to listen to these when I'm doing housework or if I'm researching a topic for a project.

Youtube EDU - Youtube is so much more than cat videos and a guy ramming eggs into an Xbox. It is a hub of educational resources which is not just limited to TED.
ehow.com - Combines DIY and craft with practical knowledge.
St. John's Ambulance - Learn to deal with basic medical ailments with understandable advice.
Channel 4 Food - This has instructional videos to teach you how to cook pretty much anything and will really take you from basic cooking right through to dinner party style.
Learn Something New Everyday - Available as a free app and presents facts with stunning and hilarious pictures.

hackaday - This is a great one if you like messing around with technical deelybobs and circuit boards.
iTunes U - Online academic courses for just about everything
Scitable - Online science Library.
Show Me Do - Learn computer programming and even basic computing skills. Prefect if you are thinking about retraining into another job.
British Sign Language - Sign language is amazing, it allows you to communicate with people who'd not usually be able to talk.

DIY Network - Home improvement ideas and how-tos, shows you how to plumb in a toilet which is no mean feat.
BBC Languages - It's the BBC so you'll probably be used to the teaching style, all our lessons pretty much used the BBC programmes and a large yellow text book
Khan Academy - Learn mathematics, science and economics. Very easy to follow information which is helpful!
First Aid - The Red Cross provide a number of different videos which could potentially help you to save a life. Personally I don't know why they don't teach first aid in school. Being able to save lives is preeeeeety important, even Sherlock needs it. "Just be yourself. But if you can be John Watson, be him instead", so why become one step closer to being Dr. John Watson.

I am obsessed with Sherlock, how am I going to cope :(

Let me know what you'd like to learn in the comments below or on twitter or facebook. To see all posts in this series click here

New Years Resolution: Be more Productive

This is the seventh post in this series of ten posts that I am doing to cover the most common New Year Resolutions, this post will give you some tips for being more productive and organised.

Keep a to do list
I like to use the Trello app and website to categorise tasks that I need to do. The app allows you to prioritise certain tasks and allows you to have several lists at once making it much easier to break down large tasks into smaller more manageable chunks.

Use a calender
Putting a time limit on tasks will allow you to prioritise and just being aware of deadlines will keep the tasks in your mind so you will be more likely to remember them.

Schedule time for tasks
Make sure you over estimate the time a task will take so you can ensure that you have enough time to do everything.

Don't attempt to multi-task
It just doesn't work, only work on one thing at once.

Have a schedule
If you have a plan for you day then it will make things easier. Plan to complete tasks in the most convenient time slots. If you like to exercise on an empty stomach make sure you plan exercise for the morning.

Drink and eat well
You aren't going to be performing at your best if you don't drink enough water or eat enough healthy food. You need to keep yourself well so you don't run out of energy.

Use your commute
If you take the train or bus you could use your commuting time to order your groceries, check your emails, read through some notes, complete some course work or check your diary for what you will be doing for the day.

Take a break
If you start flagging, there is a reason why. You need to take a small break but if you really are pressed for time just change to a different task.

Get enough sleep
You can't possibly be productive if you are tired. Get enough sleep, take a nap if you have to.

Wake up early enough
You need to get up early enough to do something, don't wake up at 3pm and expect to make it to the bank.

Prioritise
Remember there are more important things in life. If something comes up it's okay to veer off track as long as you work hard to make up for your lost time.

Check your emails in the morning
It means you can address immediate things and schedule anything that needs doing early on in your day.

Delegate tasks
If there is any tasks that you can give to other people then do so. Even if it just means ordering your food shopping online or getting your boyfriend to put the washing in the washer.

Don't wait on others
If there is something that requires someone else to take action then make sure you alert them to their role early on. That way you can move on to something else productive and get the first task over and done with early.

Work around others
I hate going shopping or to the gym when it is packed so work around busy times. Doing this will save you time on these kinds of tasks.

Let me know your suggestions for maximising your productivity in the comments below or on twitter or facebook. To see all posts in this series click here

New Years Resolutions: Spend More Time With the Family

This is the seventh post in this series of ten posts that I am doing to cover the most common New Year Resolutions, this post will give you suggestions for spending more time with your family time. It can be very hard to get to spend time with your family but there are solutions around it.

Manage your time better

People often get caught up in everyday stuff that they can't seem to make time for their family. I like to use the Trello app and website which was kindly recommended to me by a friend. I'd also recommend getting a diary and a calender so you know what you have to do each day. It just helps take the guess work out of everyday life and allows you to manage your time better. Once you've actually cleared some time from your schedule you'll want to do something fun together. 

Crafts

Doing crafts with the kids can be an amazing way to bond. Over Christmas my nephew cam to stay and we made some lovely decorations and it kept him occupied for a couple of hours. Pinterest has loads of crafts you can do with the younger members of your family.

Shopping

This is definitely one for the girls. We can bond over shopping any time, even if we don't buy anything. Many a day I have spent scouring charity shops for a bargain with my sisters. 

Films

Everyone likes films, most teenagers don't want to spend that much time with their family so this can be a sneaky way to get them to spend time with you. The BBC has loads of free films so you don't even have to spend money to have quality time. For cheap cinema deals click here.

Dinner

Click here for dining out deals. 

Sports

If you've decided to start working out as part of your New Year resolutions it might be good to get your family involved that way you are multi tasking and balancing your time better. You could also take your family out to a sports event if you are that way inclined. 

Cooking

Cooking and baking with your family can be therapeutic. Getting kids involved will make them feel like they have achieved something and if you are dealing with older teens, even if they don't want to bake with you, they can enjoy the benefits. Here are just some ideas for simple and cheap things you can bake with your family. 

Online and on the Phone

I rarely get chance to spend quality time with my family because I live away so I've started to make use of what I have available. You don't have to be with someone physically to be in contact. E-mail, facebook, phoning, face time even tweeting can just let someone know you appreciate them and want to spend more time with them. Just do it. You can fit in a quick text every once in a while. 

Let me know your suggestions for maximising family time in the comments below or on twitter or facebook. To see all posts in this series click here

New Years Resolutions: Stress Management

This is the sixth post in this series of ten posts that I am doing to cover the most common New Year Resolutions, this post will give you some handy hints for managing stress.

How stressed are you?
Stress is an extremely serious health issue and can affect you physically as well as mentally. If you are showing physical symptoms of stress such as weight loss, hair loss and high blood pressure (often characterised by nose bleeds) please go and see your doctor as you need need help. If you are mildly stressed then there are things you can do to help yourself. 

• Relaxation tapes
  You can find relaxation music on youtube or you can buy CDs. I like to listen to relaxation music as I'm going to sleep to calm myself down but it is nice to just take a few minutes out of a particularly stressful day to gather myself again.
  
  
• Sleep better
  This is easier said than done but there are a few techniques you can employ to get a better nights sleep.
  - Avoid caffeine before bed - milk is a good substitute
  - Avoid eating too much before bed - a small carb laden snack is the best thing to have
  - Don't exercise before bed
  - Listen to relaxation music
  - If you can't sleep, get out of bed until you feel tired then try again
  - Resist napping during the day
  - Wake up at a normal time even if you have had minimal sleep - this helps you into a normal pattern

• 'You time'
  Just taking some time out of your day to do something you enjoy makes your day feel way less shitty. Have a bath, paint your nails or cook something nice to take your mind off what ever it may be that is stressing you out.
• Get organisedMaking a list of all the things you need to do will help order your thoughts and avoid that brain fuzz you get when you are stressed. I like to use the Trello app and website which were kindly recommended to me by a friend. I'd also recommend getting a diary and a calender so you know what you have to do each day. It just helps take the guess work out of everyday life and allows you to manage your time better.

• Exercise
  Exercise is a natural antidepressant and stress reliever because it releases endorphins. Exercise may also help weight related sleep disorders like sleep apnoea.
• Eliminate stressful situationsThis is the most difficult to enforce but it is also the most effective. For some people it is obvious which situations they find most stressful. We may be triggered by particular people and situations and you have to amend this. People will be understanding if you let them know that you are stressed and if they aren't then you must avoid them. Approach situations from a different angle if you feel that you can not avoid them entirely. Think about how you would react to a situation if you were a different person.

Avoid duct taping people's mouths shut though

• Relaxing breathing
  Controlling your breath is brilliant for coping when you are in the middle of a stressful situation. Counting your breathing and holding your breath for a couple of seconds slows down your heart rate which makes you feel calmer. For more on relaxing breathing click here.
• Accept things you can't change
  There are certain situations that you can't change and it is good to let them go, if you carry on feeling annoyed and stressed it won't change anything but you will still feel bad.

Let me know your suggestions for managing stress in the comments below or on twitter or
facebook. To see all posts in this series click here

New Years Resolutions: Get a New Job

Today is the most popular day of the year to look for a new job and it is also the half way point for my series of ten posts that I am doing to cover the most common New Year Resolutions, this post will give you some handy hints for getting a new job. I'm going to cover the basics from where to look to what to wear in an interview. 

Look everywhere!
The first basic step is looking for available jobs, you aren't going to get a job if you don't look! The local paper, shop windows, university job shop, national newspapers, online resources, friends, family and other social networks might lead to to your next potential job. Keep a list of vacancies you want to apply for and then go through the list when you have a spare moment, I often do this when I get emails through.

Here are some websites to get you started on your job hunt:
www.peopleperhour.com
www.jobs.thetimes.co.uk
www.wexo.co.uk
targetjobs.co.uk
www.graduate-jobs.com
www.milkround.com

"I see a new job on the horizon"
(I really need to stop using these stock image and making shitty jokes)

LinkedIn

Use professional business sites like LinkedIn to build an online network and CV. This can be helpful for finding jobs and getting your name noticed. It also shows initiative if you decide to contact a company through these kinds of sites.

Retraining
ICT skills are so important to have these days. If you are feeling out of touch there are course that you can take online or at your local library.
Most academic courses do cost money to take, but the Open University do degree courses which are much cheaper than other university courses.
If you still want to earn while you retain why not take and apprenticeship?

Ah shit, I just can't help myself with these pictures

Volunteer work
Volunteer work is amazing because everyone involved can feel the benefits. There are loads of volunteer jobs out there that can give your CV a much needed boost. If you are currently unemployed, becoming involved in a volunteer position will pay off later as it will help to fill the gap in your employment history. To find volunteer jobs in your area click here.

Be your own boss
If you are sick to death of being under someone else all the time (that's what she said) then consider starting your own business. We've all dabbled in a bit of eBay selling now and again and for some people this has been the start of their self employment story. I'm sure you've had dreams about turning a hobby into a job or come up with a genius invention to solve an everyday problem, so why not turn that into a money spinner. Here are 10 job ideas to get you thinking, I'd also add baker and fashion reseller to this list.

CV
So after you've found a job that you want to apply for you need to actually apply for the damn thing. Most companies ask for a CV as this is the quickest way to tell if you have the right qualifications for the job. Here are some tips:

• Make sure it is up to date - everything from your address and phone number to the actual content needs to be recent
• List your job history from present to past as this is the most relevant 
• Tailor your CV to the job you are applying for - if you are applying for a bar job there is no point in telling them how awesome you are at writing poetry
• Make the most of the skills you do have - be creative and play up transferable skills. So you've never actually used a till before, but you are up to date with technology and a quick learner
• Spell check - no really, check out these terrible CVs
• Make sure it is no longer than one double sided sheet - aint no body got time for a novel
• Use a readable font - only use black text
• Rehearse it - make sure know it off by heart because if you get to the interview stage they will ask you about it, so don't lie either. It's morally wrong. 
• Show case the three most important subjects: maths, english and ICT
• Emphasise what you achieved in your previous roles - did you lower spending by 25%? Did you teach a kid to read? Small victories are victories non the less

Pro Tip: print some general CVs out and carry them around with you so if you see a vacancy you can pop a CV straight in rather than waiting because the job might already be gone by the time you go back.

Use this extremely simple CV builder to create a work of art.

Cover letters

Along with the CV, cover letters are the bread and butter of job applications. Whilst helping my friend sift through some job applications he was sent, we came across some extremely poor attempts at covering letters. As time goes on you will get better at writing cover letters, but that doesn't mean you should be terrible to begin with.

A cover letter is like a readers manual for your CV. It is supposed to give some extra detail to the things you have mentioned but you need to avoid repeating yourself in both documents. Use the cover letter to explain why you are the best person for the job, why you weren't employed for a while, why you left your last job (go careful with this one though), why you want to work for this company in particular, show you know something about who you are working for and what the role entails. If you still aren't sure what to write use this cover letter makeover guide to give you some ideas.
Pro tip: if you are going to use a template for your cover letter, please for the love of god delete any evidence that you used one!

Practice interviews
Interviews can be really scary but if you are prepared and confident then it makes it easier. Just remember to stay relaxed and rehearse some things they might ask you this guide has the 20 most common interview questions and answers to help put your mind at ease. Again, this is another opportunity to show the interviewer you know something about the job and the company.

Appearance
So, it has finally come, your CV managed to wow the judges and now you are along for interview but you aren't sure what to wear. Long gone are the days of wearing a full black suit to a job interview, it is seen as unoriginal and boring by interviewers. Your best bet is to dress smartly but with some personality. You need to make yourself memorable to interviewers, whether that be wearing an interesting necklace or a unique patterned shirt. If you look the part then people will assume you are the best person for the job.

Let me know your suggestions for getting a new job in the comments below or on twitter or facebook. To see all posts in this series click here

New Years Resolutions: Saving Money

This is the fourth post of ten that I am doing to cover the most common New Year Resolutions, this post will give you some handy tips for saving money throughout the year, we will be looking at different aspects of life where money can be saved. I hope you enjoy!

What do you spend your money on?

Before you even try to save money it is good to identify where you spend the most. To do this it might be useful to look through your bank statements from the last couple of months and use highlighters to signify different types of spending e.g. leisure, clothes shopping, eating out. You will start to notice a pattern emerging in your spending, perhaps it is that you end up buying coffee a couple of times a week or that you frequently spend £30+ on nights out. 

Budgeting

This is quite easy providing that you know your outgoings and your earnings. If you don't know exact amounts then make sensible estimates. The Money Advice Service provide a really in depth budget planner for those of you who really want to scrutinise your spending but if you are new to this budgeting malarkey you can use this simplified version. Hopefully this will give you some idea as to where your biggest spends are, some things will be unavoidable whereas other areas will be easier to restrain. If you are spending less than you earn then this is good news but it is still worth saving money to spend on something nice like a holiday. If you are spending more than you earn however, then this is a warning sign to reign in your spending now! Read below for my hints on money saving.  

Don't worry, you'll probably be better at budgeting than this bellend

Cutting unnecessary spending

Eating out/Fast food/Buying lunch

Eating out can be a lovely experience but is often very costly. I love going to restaurants (because I love food and I'm too lazy to cook) but I find ways around spending money.

• I like to use money off vouchers in restaurants, it might seem cheap but why pay more for exactly the same food? A simple google search will come up with loads of vouchers. I also use apps like o2 moments to see what offers different places have on
• It also helps to limit how many times yo eat out, make it once a month and it will feel much more special
• Restaurants may also have a menu which is cheaper if you eat earlier on in the evening, so be sure to check the menu before you go. 
• It might also be fun to have a come dine with me style dinner party if you want fancy food but don't want to pay through the nose for it
• Dine in for £10 deals - Tesco and M&S both have these now, they are perfect for a cheap date or if you fancy something nice
• You can get excellent supermarket substitutes to fast food. Instead of ordering pizza I now buy Chicago Town Takeaway pizzas because they are delicious and the equivalent from Domino's would cost a whopping £13 which is just daylight robbery. You can now get chinese and indian ranges too. I also like to make my own wedges because they cost sod all. Pro tip: to make wedges in half the time, cook in the microwave on a paper towel for 2 minutes each side then cover in a little oil and spices then grill until golden
• Making your own lunch is totally worth the money you save especially when you are just buying salad or sandwiches, just make sure you have a strong container like this one to store everything in. Here are 25 lunch recipes to inspire you
• I also now make my own coffee too saving me at least £1.50 a cup!

Oh my God, it is delicious!

Drinking

I love going to the pub but it can be a massive drain on my budget so now I drink in the place where my friend works to get cheap drinks... just kidding, I drank there before but I do appreciate the staff discount ;)

In all seriousness though there are ways to save money whist still getting delightfully sloshed. 

• Pres - predrinking is the pinnacle of the student money saving. Having a couple of drinks at home before you go out will prevent you from buying overpriced drinks in da club, either that or you will make a complete tit out of yourself as you fall over in the queue.
• Drinking in moderation - don't drink every night it is bad for your health and your wallet! Reduce drinking to a couple of times a week and save going wild for special occasions.
• Alcohol free drinks - between drinks order an alcohol free one as these are typically much cheaper.
• Cocktail party at home - cocktails are fancy but often cost £4+, you can make cheaper versions at home. So get the girls round and enjoy yourselves. Here are some delicious money saving recipes.
• Don't buy rounds - everyone fucks off after you've bought them a drink  

Cinema

Watch shit at home or see what your local university has to offer. Universities often have their own cinema nights which can be accessed by non-students as well. Although you have to wait a little while to watch the latest films (about 6 weeks) they typically cost about £1.50 a ticket and you can take your own food in! 

Gym

You can see my money saving exercise tips here. 

Clothes shopping

Clothes are frigging expensive but you can save money while still indulging slightly.

• Only buy things you need
• Limit the number of shopping trips you take
• Shop in charity shops
• Set yourself a monthly budget that you can afford
• Have a clothes swapping party

Cosmetics

Don't fall into the trap of more expensive meaning better quality, it is a farce. If you only buy branded high end cosmetics why not try something cheaper? Temptalia offer a list of beauty dupes which are extremely accurate and will save you money. MUA and ELF are to basement brands which offer great make up which is sub £5 typically. I highly recommend MUAs nail polishes and ELFs eyeliners and blushers. I also recommend using Fragrance Direct to get cheap beauty products and perfume. Here are my top 10 beauty products under £10.

Saving on the essentials

Transport

• Walk more
• Consider cycling - not for everyone but quicker than walking
• Use public transport where you can - it can often be cheaper
• Carpool to work - you can either do this with strangers or friends to help save you all money
• Buy a railcard or coachcard - making public transport even cheaper
• Save money on your MOT
• Save money on fuel
• Reduce your car insurance quote

Utilities

• Ring your supplier and ask for a reduction, the worst they can say is no!
• Shop around for your best deal - don't always assume you are on the cheapest rate, you might be offered a deal if you tell them you are leaving
• Consider cancelling your TV subscription - unless you need it for something specific, i.e. sports channels, you can get most channels using a subscription-free box
• Insulate your home - get insulation in your loft to stop heat escaping, use one of those draft excluder sausages that your nan has for the front door and consider getting thicker curtains
• Economy7 - If you are already on an Economy7 tariff, start using your appliances at night
• Do you actually need a TV licence? - Pro Tip: f you move house/no longer need a TV licence you can claim back for what you haven't used 

Food

• Plan your meals - this ensures you only buy what you are going to eat, I like to use this one
• Stock up on non-perishables when they are on offer
• Shift down challenge - try dropping down a brand, you'll be amazed that you don't actually taste the difference between Finest and Value
• Shop at Aldi - Aldi is typically 40% cheaper than normal supermarkets
• Shop the market - if you have time, go to your local market for the best deals on fruit, veg and meat
• approvedfood.co.uk - heavily discounted, 'almost' out of date food but we've been sent stuff that has months left on the expiry 
• Make your own lunch - as mentioned before
• Use less meat - substitute with much cheaper legumes and beans
• Use my recipes!
• Use your leftovers - lovefoodhatewaste.com has some amazing recipes for using your leftovers
• Use coupons - supersavvyme have coupons for all sorts of products but you can find food coupons online as well
• Buy discounted food - if it's about to go out of date, lob it in the freezer. You'll be surprised by what you can actually freeze  
• Buy frozen or tinned veg - it is just as nutritious 
• Buy seasonal produce

Making money

eBay

Wait till they have a 'free listing weekend' where all auctions starting at £1 or more do not incur a charge. Normally you can list things under 99p for free.

52 Week Challenge 

This is based on the idea of incremental savings, below is the chart that you could follow. If you think that you wouldn't be able to save this amount you could alternate weeks so in week 1 you save £52 but in week 2 save £1. Another alternative could be to save £1 a day which would make it easier to set up a direct debit of £7 a week into another bank account. 

Let me know your suggestions for saving money in the comments below or on twitter or facebook. To see all posts in this series click here