Travel Food And Lifestyle archive

Travel Food And Lifestyle Archive

Published in December 2011

Rail fares to rise by average of 5.9%

by Simon Ward | Train companies reveal their season ticket and off-peak fare increases for 2012.

Clearer rules on holiday money charges

by Simon Ward | Banks to scrap fees for buying currency on debit cards and provide more information on currency charges.

The best Christmas booze bargains!

by Alison Hunt | With Christmas almost upon us and millions around the country preparing to eat, drink and be merry, here’s the lovemoney.com guide to getting your hands on some bargain booze for the festive season…

Ryanair hikes fees for bags and boarding cards

by Robert Powell | Budget carrier Ryanair is hiking the charges for many basic services including baggage check in and boarding pass printing.

Aldi and Lidl beat the big names in supermarket survey

by Simon Ward | Budget supermarkets get better scores than Sainsbury's, Asda, Tesco and Morrisons in annual Which? satisfaction poll.

The 2011 mince pie taste test!

by Robert Powell | The results of the 2011 lovemoney.com mince pie taste test are in. The premium pies came out on top for taste, but sit at the bottom for value for money...

The best Xmas food bargains

by lovemoney staff | Christmas is an expensive time of year, so if you’re looking to save money on your food bill, here’s where to pick up the best bargains...

Airline debit card surcharges soar by 1,000% in seven years

by Simon Ward | Which? research finds that airlines have profited to the tune of £40 million from introducing debit card fees.

Cut your Christmas travel costs!

by lovemoney staff | Want to cut your travel costs? Follow these top tips to cut the cost of travelling over the Christmas period, whether it's by plane, train and automobile!

Top tips for skiing holidays in 2011

by Robert Kirkwood | Follow these top tips for going on a skiing holiday in 2011!

Published in November 2011

Public sector strike: your rights

by Simon Ward | This week's public sector strike is going to have a huge impact on parents and people travelling to and from airports and ports. Here are your rights if you're affected.

Toast sandwich: The UK’s cheapest ever meal

by Robert Powell | The toast sandwich has been named the UK’s cheapest ever meal. Robert Powell counts his pennies and assesses the recipe...

Big changes to Airmiles flight deals

by John Fitzsimons | Airmiles is now Avios, and it's not just the name that's changed.

Thomas Cook turmoil: does it affect your holiday?

by Simon Ward | The travel giant has seen its shares plummet amid concerns about its financial situation. Here's what you need to know if you've already booked or are thinking of booking with Thomas Cook.

Make sure you can go on holiday next year

by lovemoney staff | Are you worried you won't be able to afford a holiday next year? Here are some tips to ensure you'll be able to get away.

Don't get ripped off by dodgy restaurants

by Henri May | We explain your legal rights if your meal is spoilt by the poor quality of the food.

10 sneaky ways to save a fortune at the supermarket

by Cliff D'Arcy | These 10 tips will sharpen your shopping skills and save you a fortune at the supermarket tills.

Published in October 2011

Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda declare new price war

by Emma Lunn | The battle between the supermarkets is heating up. Will it make your shopping cheaper?

Cheap October gardening tips

by Serena Cowdy | Are you a gardener on a tight budget? Here's a money saving guide for all green-fingered lovemoney.com readers.

How to get rich running a B&B

by Andrew Morgan | The B&B sector is a veritable £2bn cottage industry. Even in a recession there’s no shortage of people willing to give it a try – here’s how to do it.

Published in September 2011

Brand new way to avoid Ryanair fees

by Donna Ferguson | Ryanair is famous for charging huge card fees on its flights. Is there finally a way to avoid them?

The big travel currency rip-off

by Robert Powell | A consumer watchdog estimates that we spend £1bn a year buying foreign currency. Robert Powell takes a look at how to avoid these rip-off charges...

Government aims to scrap sell-by dates

by Robert Powell | New guidelines have come into force urging supermarkets to phase out sell-by dates on food labels. But will this really curb excessive household food waste? Robert Powell reports...

The end of free Airmiles flights

by Robert Powell | Robert Powell looks at the looming death of free Airmiles flights and finds out what you can do to avoid losing out...

Published in August 2011

Seven ways to slash your supermarket spend

by Rachel Wait | Fed up with paying through the nose just to keep your family fed? Then follow these seven easy tips....

Train tickets to rise by up to 13%

by Donna Ferguson | Can you cut the cost of your train fare even while fares are going up? Donna Ferguson investigates.

Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s fined for price-fixing

by Donna Ferguson | Which supermarket is the naughtiest? Following evidence Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury's have been price-fixing, Donna Ferguson decides to find out.

Airlines defy ruling to stop charging ‘unfair’ fees

by Donna Ferguson | If you’re about to book a flight for your summer holiday, beware.

How to have a luxury honeymoon for less

by Huma Qureshi | Fancy a five star honeymoon but without a five star budget?

The worst summer holiday rip-offs

by Serena Cowdy | We highlight quick and easy ways to avoid the rip-offs and slash the cost of your summer break.

The cheapest supermarket for bread, sugar, chocolates & cereals!

by Donna Ferguson | Food prices are rising dramatically. But which supermarkets are passing on the hikes the most?

What we can learn about tipping from David Cameron

by Szu Ping Chan | The Prime Minister has hit the news for failing to leave a tip while on holiday. We look at what you need to know about tipping abroad.

Published in July 2011

The new cheapest way to get foreign currency

by Neil Faulkner | The best value places to get your foreign cash are certainly not what you'd expect.

The world’s most expensive holidays

by John Fitzsimons | If money is no object, these are the best ways to get some rest and relaxation.

The seven biggest supermarket scams

by Rachel Wait | Find out how to fight back against supermarket scams and rising food prices so you can beat the grocery stores at their own game...

Over 50s grounded by travel insurance

by John Fitzsimons | It's the time of your life when you're most likely to want to travel, yet getting insurance has never been trickier.

The UK's most expensive hotel rooms

by Rosalind Kent | If you fancy enjoying some luxury in our fair isles, then these are the hotel rooms for you!

The Great British rip-off!

by Robert Powell | Is Britain still great when it comes to tourism? Robert Powell hits the streets to find out...

Children banned from first class flights

by Emma Lunn | One airline has chosen to ban children sitting in first class. But is this fair and will other airlines follow suit?

The world's most expensive hotel rooms

by Rosalind Kent | If you’re off on holiday soon, you’ll need a big budget if you’re hoping to stay in one of these hotels!

Published in June 2011

OFT wants to ban ‘unfair’ easyJet charges

by John Fitzsimons | The sneaky charges levied by airlines for paying with a debit or credit card are unfair and misleading, report finds.

Get the best foreign currency deal

by Emma Lunn | With the summer holidays approaching, follow these tips to get the maximum bang for your Sterling buck!

14 things you must do before your holiday

by Rachel Wait | Off on holiday soon? Make sure you're ready by checking out these top tips.

Don’t make this £335m holiday mistake

by Robert Powell | If you’re planning on using one of these cards abroad this summer, you better be prepared to pay a hefty fee...

Fight back against rising food prices

by Cliff D'Arcy | Food prices are rising at an astronomic rate, but these 13 tips will turn you into a smarter supermarket shopper!

Ryanair trumped by zero-fee airline

by Robert Powell | There’s a new kid on the budget airline block, and they don’t charge any debit card fees...

Ryanair ramps up baggage charges

by John Fitzsimons | If you want to take luggage onto your flight, it will now set you back an extra £5 each way.

The roads that damage your car the most

by Robert Powell | We reveal Britain’s worst potholed roads...

Go on holiday for £10!

by John Fitzsimons | One hotel chain is offering rooms for just £10 this summer.

The best value flight ever!

by Robert Powell | We reveal the best value destination to fly to and the best value time to do it at...

Published in May 2011

Rail fares may soar by 30%

by Robert Powell | A government review into train ticket prices could see some off-peak fares soar by 30% in order to subsidise price cuts to peak tickets...

Why Britain is one big rip-off

by Robert Powell | According to the new Lonely Planet guidebook, Britain is overpriced and has had its day as a tourist destination...

The big petrol pump rip-off!

by Robert Powell | Robert Powell gets your take on whether fuel is just one big rip-off...

The biggest ever airport rip-off

by Robert Powell | Robert Powell hits the streets to get your take on what the biggest airport rip-offs are...

EU could make cheap flights more expensive

by Neil Faulkner | Unending surcharges that double the advertised cost of a flight may be banned, but this may have unintended consequences.

Avoid these six holiday rip-offs!

by Szu Ping Chan | Going on holiday this summer? Don't be duped by these six terrible tricks!

Published in April 2011

The Royal waste of money: Your take

by Robert Powell | Is the Royal wedding a Royal waste of money? Robert Powell hit the streets to get your views

You’re overpaying at the petrol pump!

by Robert Powell | Fuel duty may have been cut, but you could still be overpaying for petrol. Robert Powell reveals why...

How to tie the knot on a budget

by Rachel Wait | Getting hitched this year and wondering how you’ll pay for it all? Then follow these simple tips….

The big fruit and veg rip-off

by Harvey Jones | It costs more to eat healthily. But can you afford not to?

Spain is the cheapest holiday destination for 2011

by Rachel Wait | If you’re off on holiday soon, check out the cheapest holiday destinations this year...

Lidl vs M&S: The Easter Egg taste test

by Rachel Wait | It’s time for our annual Easter egg taste test. Who will be the winner this year?

Watch out for these new airline charges

by Robert Powell | Several airlines are hiking flight charges this week, but there are ways of avoiding some of these rip-off fees...

Last minute family Easter holidays for under £200

by Rachel Wait | If you’re planning to get away this Easter, here are some last minute bargain breaks...

Seven ways to save money on your Bank Holiday break

by Rachel Wait | A number of Bank Holidays are just around the corner. So if you're hoping to jet off somewhere, here's how to save money...

The cheapest city breaks

by Robert Powell | If you’re planning a city break this spring, check out these cheap destinations...

The big Easter egg rip-off!

by Rachel Wait | Easter is just around the corner. But watch out for this massive rip-off!

We're a nation of restaurant runaways

by Harvey Jones | Would you leave a restaurant without paying? One in seven of us have…

Published in March 2011

The best websites for bargain holidays

by Rachel Wait | Looking for a cheap holiday? Make sure you check out these eight top websites...

Published in February 2011

The cheapest holiday destinations for 2011

by Rachel Wait | We reveal which are the cheapest (and most expensive) holiday destinations this year...

Lidl Valentine’s Day chocolates taste best!

by Rachel Wait | Do you need to spend a fortune on your Valentine’s Day chocolates? We put it to the test to find out whether a higher price means better quality.

Train companies ripping off motorists

by Robert Powell | Robert Powell looks at how to avoid being ripped off by overpriced car parks...

The truth about supermarket deals

by Rosalind Kent | Rosalind Kent takes a closer look at some of the offers we’re bombarded with at supermarkets to see if they're really all they're cracked up to be.

Property swap shop!

by Rachel Wait | If you're looking for cheap holiday accommodation, home swapping could be right up your street (but there’s no sign of Noel Edmonds)….