Weekend away part 2

We took our own lunch on the way out, a sandwich from boots and crisps and pop from The Pound Shop.

Got to our destination and it was half an hour walk from the car park.  £6 to park and once in its too late to change your mind!  Then it was an hour to queue!  Got a two for one voucher but only applied to the castle and grounds.  So that is what we paid for £20.80.  For dungeons and Merlins Tower it's £30.60.  Even that doesn't include archery, painting a shield, face painting etc.   Most families had vouchers imagine the cost if not!  We did see a reenactment, the launching of a trebuchet and birds of prey.  The castle itself was fab!  We got value for money.  We went off site to eat and had a cooked lunch instead of our pack up which we had for tea given how far away the car was.  We were going to have dinner out anyway. There was a building with wax work scenes off the past but on our way out there was another shop selling souvenirs and photos of children taken on site and parents desperately scrambling for them so more money.  I was open mouthed at the further charges for learning how to be a knight at another £8.

I guess that the average family without a voucher  is looking at a good £150 plus for such a day out!  Food was about £6, they sold everything but usual day out prices!

What I am saying is just be careful when you have a "day out" make sure you don't get sucked in.  Check parking charges, see if you can take a pack up or eat off site. Take your own photos and get an icecream on them way home.  Failing that go to the park or the beach!  I did have a great weekend away but we are Wiley!!

Weekend away on the cheap part 1.

We are currently in Coventry. We came up to go to Warwick Castle.

We searched on Trivago for a value for money hotel, i.e breakfast included, free wifi and free parking. £80 for two nights, my previous record for two nights is £100 including breakfast, free parking and limited wifi. When we choose our bargain break we choose basic and value for money.  In the past we have stayed at posh places but everything is extra and we were left disappointed!  We have less expectations when we spend less knowing we only have to stay somewhere for a night or so.  No need to stay in a high end hotel with high end prices.

I admit petrol cost a bit £65 however the break was paid for by underspending on our Spanish break last month, which was planned and saved for.

We took a salad from the supermarket, could have made sandwhiches but we wanted something as a treat, bought a few sweets and took crisps from home and had bought water from Aldi.  All cheaper than the motorway!   Also took some breakfast bars from snacking on over the weekend.

Luckily the hotel had everything we needed including soap and shower gel but I took a few samples I had in my sample box at home!

Ill give you some tips about getting value for money when you are out and about by giving examples from our day out!

M and S tops 1 pound!

http://www.marksandspencer.com/M-S-Woman-Pure-Cotton/dp/B002F6IKHC?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_10&nodeId=2976728031&sr=1-10&qid=1374780866&source=affwindow&extid=af_a_Communities_47868&comgp=47868&awc=1402_1374782489_1091e69bc945de21ca9b8ab05082da1a&affwin&extid=af_a_Communities%20%26%20UGC_47868

Copy and paste.  Free delivery I have ordered 4 for next year!!

Hot Weather!

Do you know it has been the hottest weather in 7 years.

Fancy an icecream or a ice-lolly when out and about.  Look for your nearest supermarket you can usually get a pack of 10 for around the same price as one in an icecream shop or kiosk!

Here is Bournemouth Beach near where I live:

Our first strawberry.

PPI

I was initially turned down by my credit card company.  However, I wrote a letter before action pointing out that the basis on which they made their decision was incorrect.  I returned from holiday to find they have now upheld my complaint and will send a cheque out to me shortly.

So to those of you thinking of claiming PPI do it yourself just google PPI questionnaire. Some banks etc haven their own.  Also if they initially turn you down and you disagree with their decision then write back asking them to rethink giving your reasons why.  I am getting a small amount returned to me but it is mine.  They usually take the tax off at source, as they are in my case but they don't always.

Has anyone else had an experience of claiming PPI good or bad?

Saved up every penny for this!! Hot weather at last!!