All news by author: Mel Hunter

IF the thought of making your own ice cream and lollies leaves you cold, it’s time to think again.Forget hours of stirring and chilling to create a

SOLAR lighting is good for the planet and your pocket.You can charge it up during the day and it automatically turns on at night.Plus sun-powered lamp

EARLY birds can swoop in to save on school uniform from this week - but you'll need to act fast.With special offers on kit starting at supermarkets an

PICKING up a stylish pair of sunglasses doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket.By making the most of cut-price deals or refurbing your old pairs

NO one wants to come back from a holiday to find their plants wilting.But there are simple steps you can take to ensure that they stay hydrated while

YOUR freezer isn’t just for fish fingers and packets of peas.Make some space for things such as cheese and herbs, to cut food waste and save money.G

LOVE Island is back on our screens and the cast are ­looking tan-tastic.Want to bronze without breaking the bank?Use these budget tanning tricks for

BARGAIN hunting at car boot sale can unearth some real savings - and we can reveal the items worth buying and the ones to avoid.I spent £50 at a car

TODAY marks the start of National Volunteers Week, where everyone is encouraged to donate time to their local community.To celebrate, here are some wa

AS the weather warms up, homes become a haven for pesky fruit flies and ants.But you can make the mini-critters buzz off with simple, low-cost deterre

MAKE your summer sow good with a homegrown harvest of mini lettuces and greens.Using a windowsill, balcony or patio, you can grow enough to keep sorte

THROW a bit of fun around this half-term by creating some home-made wildflower seed bombs.The low-cost activity will help your children enjoy the grea

YOU don’t have to spend sew much to get crafty with a needle and thread.As The Great British Sewing Bee returns to BBC One tonight, get in on the ac

IT’S time to get blooming busy, everyone.The RHS Chelsea Flower Show opens tomorrow, so be inspired and get your own garden growing with these budge

AS the bees arrive for summer, there’s a buzz about the powers of honey.Not just good for spreading on toast, the sticky stuff has a host of other u

RETIRED maintenance manager Stephen Spirrell was struggling to make ends meet and couldn't sleep properly due to his money worries.But when he found o

THERE’S a little-known way to save hundreds of pounds on the high street and online.From high-end designer bargains to hidden online outlets, huntin

IF you are lucky enough to have outside space, now is the time to spruce it up for summer.But you don’t have to splash much cash to create a haven o

THE best things in life are free – and a drink on the house is no exception.If you know where to look there are plenty of ways to bag a cuppa withou

ONE of the best parts of your friend being a bride-to-be is celebrating the upcoming nuptials with a hen-do.Planning a bash that is affordable but mem

JUST one pack of frozen peas can be the passport to a host of cheap and tasty meals.Buy a big bag as it’s likely to cost less per kilo, and use it i

RISING pet costs are heaping harrowing pressure on thousands of owners.One in four is concerned that they can no longer afford to care for their dog o

HARD-PRESSED families are missing out on billions of pounds of support.While more than seven million households are struggling to make ends meet, excl

FEELING crafty?Then why not raise a glass to creating your own drinks coasters?DIY place mats use simple materials and will add a personal touch to yo

TV hit The Repair Shop is on BBC One on Wednesday – and while we can’t all mend treasures like its host Jay Blades and the experts, some fixes are