Keeping your furniture safe from cats

Cats aren't the most expensive creatures in the world to keep - they're much more independent than dogs, and are usually happy enough doing their own thing! All the same, they will need some essential equipment like food bowls and a litter box, and it's worth getting a little extra to protect your property from them! Here are some suggestions:

Lap mat - a lap mat like this one helps to stop hair and dirt from messing up your sofa when your cat's snoozing on your lap. It also provides a much-needed shield from their claws!

Scratching post - cats need to keep their claws sharp, and if they don't have a scratching post to do it, they'll like as not take it out on your furniture. There are some great novelty alternatives out there to make it more fun!

Double-sided tape - this is a strange tip, but it does work! Cats dislike stickiness, so if you put double-sided tape on the areas of the furniture it likes to scratch, it will soon learn not to.

Clip their claws - in extreme cases, you might need to trim your cat's nails, although it's best to do this from kittenhood to get them used to the idea. This handy guide shows you how.

Build your own swimming pool? It can be done!

A personal swimming pool is often considered the last word in luxury: something only the rich can aspire to have. In fact, provided you have the space, constructing a swimming pool doesn't have to cost the Earth - it can even add quite a bit of value to your property! Just make sure you do enough preparation. Here's what you'll need to find out before you get started - check here for a more complete guide.

Access - remember you'll need heavy machinery and digging equipment to build a pool: will you be able to get them in and out of the site?

Ground conditions - will you be digging out clay or chalk, and how will you dispose of it?

Materials - you'll need to find suppliers for swimming pool tiles, pumps, filters, vinyl liners and all the other bits and pieces you'll need.

Heating and plumbing - how are you planning to heat the pool? Will you need a separate generator? You may need to get a professional in to do the plumbing.

Planning permission - do you need permission from your local council to build the pool? It's not always required, but it's certainly best to check first.

Love your dog just as much – but spend less

We're always looking for ways to make our money go further, and the amount you spend on looking after your pets should be no different. Actually, it's easier than ever with pets - unlike kids, they won't get upset if you replace their regular toys with recycled household items! Here's a few of the ways you can make great playthings for your dog for next to no money - click here for more examples.

An old tennis ball

Simple, cheap and absolutely no work needed. Tennis balls are great because they're soft enough to chew and easy to throw. They might get a bit slobbery from time to time, so put them through the wash every so often.

Kitchen towel braids

Just cut two slits along the length of an old kitchen towel and then braid it, the same way you would with hair. It makes a great chewy toy for your dog.

Treats in a sock

Put a few dog treats in a couple of old socks, one balled up inside the other. Tie up the end and let your dog go wild! They love a challenge, especially when there's something to eat at the end of it!

Finally, wherever else you cut back, it's important not to make it your dog's health. They need the right food and cover to pay for vet's bills if you want them to be fit and healthy for years to come.

Low-cost ways to avoid stretch marks

Stretch marks are often seen as an unavoidable consequence of getting older, getting bigger and (for ladies) getting pregnant! However, there are several ways to prevent these unsightly marks, known as striae, and best of all they're all cheap or free!

 1.       Eat healthily

Yes, one of the best ways to avoid stretch marks is avoid getting bigger in the firm place - easier said than done, perhaps, but the payoff will be well worth it! Start by consulting this guide on healthy eating. Zinc-rich foods also help the skin stay supple.

2.       Rub bio oil into the marks

Bio oil is a great treatment for dehydrated skin, scars and wrinkles - and it works well on stretch marks too. Just rub it into your skin regularly to avoid marks or use it on existing ones to improve their appearance.

3.       Stay hydrated

Dehydration is a major cause of stretch marks, particularly if you're pregnant or gaining muscle mass by working out. Drink water regularly to keep your skin resilient.

4.       Use exfoliants

Bath salts, baking soda, even oatmeal - these are all great exfoliating substances to use on your skin a couple of times a week, keeping it healthy.

5.       Regular massage

Massage doesn't just feel good - it can also help to elasticate the skin, making stretch marks less likely.

Plus-size figure? Dress your shape, not your size

If you've got a plus-size figure, you're probably already familiar with the problem of how to dress in a way that flatters your shape. Many high-street retailers fail to stock items that match your size, making it hard to find a good range of clothes at an affordable price - which is why it's usually best to go to specialist stores that offer a wider selection.

So what to wear? Summer's on its way, but that doesn't mean you have to drown yourself in oversized tunics and smocks if you have a larger frame. Try to think about dressing for your shape, rather than your size - the key is in the fit! The lovely Christina Hendricks is well-known for her impeccable sense of style, and even though she is blessed with curves in all the right places, ladies of all shapes can take a few tips from the Mad Men star.

If you've got broad hips and bottom, choose something that features details up top - wide lapels and patterns are your friend here, while narrower shapes should be used on the bottom half. And don't be afraid to ask for help - there are some great articles out there you can look to for advice.

March Budget ‘should promote skills investment’

Tax incentives should be introduced to boost employer investment in skills, according to the Chartered Management Institute's (CMI) response to last month's Budget announcement, in a move that would certainly drive down costs for businesses. Although the CMI welcomed the corporation tax cut and investment in infrastructure that were announced in the March Budget, its acting chief executive Christopher Kinsella said without a similar focus on skills, "we are not seeing the full picture when it comes to growth".

Some enterprises are able to fill skills gaps in their workforces by employing temporary managers sourced from agencies, but research by the CMI has demonstrated that best-practice management development is also a vital part of running a business, and has been linked to a 23 per cent variance in organisational performance.

"We also know that poor management is the number one cause of business failure among start-ups," said Mr Kinsella. "The proposed enterprise loans for young people are to be welcomed at a time when so many young people are facing unemployment, but unless those loans are linked to help for those young people to develop the skills they need to manage their businesses, the government will not get good value for money."

Three winter essentials to buy in summer

A great frugal tip is to buy clothing out of season, as they tend to be cheaper. You may not need that fur coat now, but you will when winter rolls around! We've compiled a short list of the best items to buy out of season to save those pennies.

 1. Slippers

Slippers are definitely a cold weather essential, and there are a variety of styles and options available, varying from the classic mule to the increasingly popular "snuggle boots"  at http://www.bankfashion.co.uk/women/brand/ruby-and-ed/. Look out for warm slippers in the spring sales as they often crop up with some great discounts.

 2. Snow boots

Snow boots often appear long after the snow has melted in mid-season sales. Pick yourself up a pair while they are on offer as they can be extremely expensive full price. There's nothing wrong with them either - stores will just want to get rid of this year's styles and stock in time for selling next years at full price!

 3. Coats

Bulky winter coats tend not to sell out while they are at full price, especially during a mild winter. Check the sales to make sure you're not missing out on a bargain, as next year may not be as mild!

Stock up on these key items while they're cheap, you'll thank yourself when the winter rolls back around!

Getting the best deal on external hard drives

Whether you play a lot of games or just store a lot of music, pictures and videos on your hard drive, sooner or later you'll probably need an external hard drive for storage. These low-cost devices effectively act as an archive for all those things you don't always need immediate access to, but still want to keep around - and your PC will run faster if you keep its built-in hard drive clear!

There are plenty of affordable external hard drive available from stores like Misco, and the good news is that buying high-volume drives (1TB and above) isn't much more expensive than going for a smaller one. It's best to get the highest volume you can afford, as a single 1TB drive is cheaper than two 500GB ones and much more convenient.

Desktop hard drives are a bit bigger (both physically and in terms of storage space) and usually require their own power supply, while portable pen drives just plug right into the USB  socket and can be carried around in your pocket. Some of the best brands include Western Digital, Seagate and Buffalo - it's best to choose a high-quality brand to protect your data.

Heading to uni? Save money with a motorcycle

When you're moving away from home for the first time, you'll usually want your own transport. Many students try to pass their driving tests before they head off to uni - but have you thought about whether it'd be cheaper and more convenient to ride a motorbike instead? Along with rent, food and tuition fees, travel is one of the biggest costs students can face, so it's worth weighing up the pros and cons.

The cost of insurance cover, which can be obtained from companies like MCE Insurance, is also considerably lower than it is for a car. If you're studying in a built-up area like London, there's the added benefit of being able to beat the traffic on wider roads, which can be very handy if you need to get to lectures on time!

Money is likely to be tight while you're studying, and the last thing you want is to fritter away your student loan on petrol bills. Research by the Institute of Advanced Motorists suggests that young drivers pay more than £12,000 for their first year on the road - and according to riding campaign Get On, this cost comes down by a hefty £10,000 if you're travelling on two wheels.

Tools you’ll need for tiling

Undoubtedly one of the cheapest ways to get a tiling job done is to do it yourself, and while you may have to spend a bit of cash on the tools to begin with, this will easily add up to a big saving over the years if you use them often enough. You'll also learn a valuable new skill - you never know when you'll need to touch up a damaged wall!

The tools you will need, which are available from outlets like Tile Depot, include adhesive, tile cutters, a grout spreader and plastic grout spacers. Tile adhesive usually comes in tubs, and the bigger you buy, the more you'll save - it lasts a long time after opening so it's worth buying bigger than you need for future jobs.

Tile cutters are essential and you should get the best quality you can: with proper care it'll last you for years. Grout spreaders are cheap pieces of kit and perfect for the job they do, and the same goes for grout spacers - you'll need these to judge the spacing of your tiles. While you're getting your kit, don't forget your own safety, such as a dust mask and eye protectors.