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Guide to tipping while abroad
I am often confused by local tipping customs, so asked foreign currency provider, Travel Money Club to share its insight on this custom across some of the most popular tourist destinations for Brits.
Firstly, it is often unclear whether you should tip or not whilst abroad, it is an unspoken rule and part of local customs and etiquette so no one actually tells you what is acceptable in each country. Tipping too much or in a situation where it is not expected or necessary can also mean you end up spending more than anticipated on holiday.
It is always best to tip in cash rather than add to a card payment as that way you know the member of staff that served you will most likely receive it, and if paying by card, always opt …
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Free Navmii dash cam app can help with car insurance claims
It may have taken a while for them to hit the mainstream, but dash cams are now commonplace on UK roads – I have one! New data from retail analysts GfK suggests sales of dash cams have increased by an incredible 671% over the past two years. It is easy to understand why: they are cheap, easy to use and their benefits are immediately clear.
Attached to a vehicle’s dashboard or windscreen to record each journey, dash cams face outwards to replicate the exact view of the driver. Dash cam footage has been accepted and regularly used by the police and UK courts – but insurers are now starting to pay attention.
According to a study by uSwitch, more than a quarter of innocent drivers have been unable to prove they were not at fault …
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Young persons railcard valid for people up to 30 from 2018
Some awesome news from the budget. The government has said people up to 30 years-old will now be able to buy a £30 railcard for discounted train travel.
The move – set to be announced tomorrow – would be an extension of the current young person’s railcard for those aged 16 to 25.
The so called millennials’ card will be available from spring next year, and offer up to a third off non-peak fares.
That’s a bummer as the new railcard is unlikely to be much use for regular commuters, as railcard discounts are restricted at peak times, usually before 10am, but for regular travellers after this time and weekends, it will save quite a few pennies.
The card is part of a series of Budget measures aimed to attract younger voters after a resurgence …
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Monarch crisis – what compensation can travellers get?
The collapse of Monarch airlines has caused another holiday meltdown, leaving thousands of travellers stranded. Monarch has caused the CAA to step in and rescue over 100,000 people from abroad but has also left many half term and winter sun-seekers without a holiday.
But when does your travel insurance kick-in with a crisis like this, and are there ways to protect yourself from the continuing travel issues the UK is facing? Can you buy travel insurance to protect yourself?
I am not an expert here, so I asked Stephen Howard, director of Postcard Travel Insurance, to advice on what compensation consumers are entitled to and how to claim:
What if I bought a package holiday via Monarch?
Firstly, the package travel industry in the UK is regulated, protecting the traveller.
Anyone who booked a package …
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Top tips on how to be an economical and environmentally-friendly driver
I bought my car because it gives out low carbon emissions, but to my horror it’s a diesel and now they are not great in terms of air pollution, so I am very interested in eco-driving as it can save the environment and us all money – both in terms of fuel consumption and wear and tear to our cars. According to a study by Fiat (which included 5,700 drivers in five countries), eco-driving saves an average of 15% of fuel costs and greatly reduces maintenance expenses.
There could be enormous benefits to the environment too, as air pollution in the form of emissions could be reduced significantly. The European Climate Change Programme calculated a reduction potential of at least 50 million tons of CO2-emissions in Europe, which could save as much as 20 billion …
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How to make money from your car
So I am a big fan of the shared economy, where you can make money from renting out things you own, think JustPark or AirBNB.
Now can that be done with a car? I asked Richard Laughton CEO of easyCar Club to share some ideas on how to make money from your car.
Most of us own or need access to a car, but is your car working hard enough for you? A huge 96% percent of the time cars are sitting unused, providing great potential to make some extra cash when you’re not driving it. A car can be considered a ‘hidden asset’, capable of bringing in revenue in a number of ways. Here are five ways that could help you earn some extra cash.
Using your car for ads:
One easy way to …
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20% off Family & Friends Railcard this half term
National Rail has announced 20% off its Family & Friends one year Railcard from 3-20 February – perfect for fun trips this February half term.
The sale means that the Railcard, which saves a third off most adult rail fares and 60% off kids’ fares, will be available for just £24, for a year’s unlimited usage – helping family and friends enjoy fun-filled trips, without breaking the bank.
To take advantage of the sale visit: familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk/sale and use code: FEB17, but remember to wait till 3 Feb before trying!
For cash-strapped parents needing inspiration this half term, Family & Friends Railcard has compiled five exciting trips for families:
Get back to nature
There are plenty of opportunities for children to learn about nature this half term, and have fun getting up close with some …
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Kids go free or discounted to Sea Life centres
Fancy seeing a tropical fish but can’t afford an exotic holiday, well head to a Sea Life Centre. I’ve looked up how you can get discount tickets this holiday and have found the following:
- At Sea Life Brighton, the attraction is offering kids free entry to our aquarium when accompanied by an adult, until 19 August. Adult ticket prices start from £10.50 for the Basic Saver Package, reaching £14.50 for the Ultimate Package which includes a behind-the-scenes tour, guidebook and exclusive Sea Life pop badge.
- Sea Life Centres across the country are also offering 2 for 1 entry as part of the Days Out Guide. Details can be found at: https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/search-results?q=sea%20life&r=
- 2 for 1 tickets to Sea Life Centres and other Merlin attractions in the UK are also being offered with selected Cadbury products.
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Brexit holiday spending tips
While it’s still not fully clear how our money will be affected by Brexit, one area where we are likely to notice a difference in our pockets is around holiday spending this summer.
Since the referendum result, exchange rates have dropped against both the dollar and euro. What this means is that you’re now likely to get less dollars or euros than you would last year. At its highest point in the last year, you would have been able to exchange £100 for €143, whereas now you’ll get €119. Likewise with the dollar, at its highest point in the last year, you would have gotten $157 for £100, $26 more than £100 would get you today.
While your pounds may not go as far as they would have last year, there are some savvy ways …
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The Shard is 25% off till end of August
I love The Shard in London and although you can go up to the 30 somethingth floor for “free” in return for an extornionately priced drink, I do believe that it’s worth going all the way. If budget is stretched though, try the Sky Garden opposite for “free” too, though you have to book in advance.
The View from The Shard, the viewing platform at the top of Western Europe’s tallest building, is offering visitors 25% discount off its standard ticket price until the end of August.
And if you are a The BFG fan, The View from The Shard is also home to one of The BFG Dream Jars which can be found all over London and the country this summer. 50 jars have been designed by celebrities and placed in prominent locations to …
