Credit Crunch Ideas

At home - Days out - Projects

At Home

1. Do out your loft

No, stop, don't panic, this is more fun than it looks! The aim is to get some tidying and sorting done but the principal focus is to find interesting boxes and bags that contain miscellany, old toys, books, videos, etc. Every member of your family will doubtless find something that they'd long since forgotten about and which they're glad to see again.

2. Buy a Jigsaw

Another suggestion that sounds instantly boring. Which is why you've got to spice it up a bit. For starters, find a puzzle image that's got some appeal. One based on a family favourite TV series, one with plenty of 'meat'. Avoid classically difficult puzzles with masses of sky and greenery.

Secondly, add some incentive. Emphasise that the whole family can pitch in to help and that it'll be done faster if everybody does so. The prize is up to you, but it might be a later bedtime for the kids, more TV, a home-baked chocolate cake, etc.

The main cost to you is the jigsaw, but I'd recommend scouting round charity shops - these often have several for only a pound or two.

3. Keep an eye on Freecycle

The famous country-wide network brings together people who have stuff to give away for free, with the people who might want to give it a good home.

Here's the main web site, sign up to your local digest and you'll be amazed at what you can pick up for absolutely nothing. In similar vein, and referencing idea 1 above, you'll have stuff to give away yourself, sorted out from your loft, perhaps.

4. Wash and valet the car

In addition to being a favourite for 'the kids earning a pound or two', you'll find that this not only gets you a gleaming car, inside and out, making you feel happy to be in your vehicle again rather than embarrassed, it's also a lot of fun, especially if done in nice weather, when as much water can be safely splashed on each other as on the car!

5. Do some baking

No, no, not the boring sort. Get the whole family involved and make their favourite cakes and tarts. Total cost will only be a few pounds worth of ingredients and you'll be pigging out on the delicious results for days.