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Kids Eat Free at Côte Brasseries this Easter

This Easter holidays from 4 to 21 April, families dining at Côte can treat their children (aged 12 and under) to a delicious, high-quality meal for free when spending a minimum of £20.

Which Supermarkets have the Most Affordable Clothes for your Children?

The team at Wethrift have analysed the average cost of children's clothing items at the UK's biggest supermarkets – Asda, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco – to determine which are the most affordable.

Save on Easter Childcare Costs

Working families can save on Easter Childcare Costs by Signing up for Tax-Free Childcare.

Time to Renew Your Tax Credits

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will issue 1.5 million annual tax credits renewal packs for the 2023 to 2024 tax year to customers between 2 May and 15 June 2023. Once customers receive their annual renewal pack they will have until 31 July 2023 to check the information is correct and notify HMRC of any changes to their circumstances which may affect their claim.

Teaching Your Child About Money by Helen Bierton

No matter what the age of your child, introducing the topic of finance in daily conversations can help them gain confidence when it comes to money. Helen Bierton, Starling Bank’s Chief Banking Officer and family finance expert offers her tips on how to approach the subject with your child

Help with Getting out of Debt

Layla Johnson, Regional Manager at Creditfix, shares practical steps parents can take when debts are beginning to build up.

Cost-efficient Cooking

With energy prices set to rise at the beginning of October, Hometree check out the cheapest ways to cook.

Wear Warm and Reduce Your Energy Bills

The Wear Warm campaign was launched today after research undertaken by Utilita Energy – the only energy company created to help households use less energy – revealed that almost half of the nation’s homes are heated to 24 degrees centigrade for half the year – the same temperature as Barbados.

How to make your child's school shoes last past the first term

Searching for ways to keep your child's school shoes looking smart for longer? In this article, Rachel Clinkard from family footwear retailer Charles Clinkard, shares her top tips for helping your offspring to keep their shoes in top condition.

How Much Life Insurance Do Parents Need?

Ben Bendall discusses life insurance for parents.

Parents Need to Update Child Benefit for 16 Year Olds

Deadline looms – you must confirm whether your teenagers are staying in full-time education or training beyond 16 by 31 August, 2021.

Beware! Inflated Pension Charges Could Jeopardise Your Retirement

As with most products or services, your pension scheme comes with charges. These charges are not standard across all pensions, and they will range from incredibly low to scandalously high, writes Emily Roberts.

Benefits of Using A Personal Storage System for Household Goods

If you are moving into a new house or need additional space to store household items to declutter your home, investing in a self-storage unit provides a range of benefits. Using storage units is often overlooked, however, the convenience, affordable cost and high security –is most certainly worth considering, writes Emily Roberts.

Which? Scam Alert

If you've ever been caught by a scam – and let's face it, it can happen to the best of us – then it's a good idea to sign up for the Which? Scam Alert Service, writes Anne Coates.

How parents can regain control of their finances in 2021

The past year has placed a huge amount of pressure on many families’ finances. COVID-19 has triggered a recession, economic volatility and widespread unemployment. John Ellmore, UK director of NerdWallet advises on how you can regain control of family finances.

Preparing for a Growing Family: 3 Tips that will Help You Plan Better

Becoming a parent for the first or even the second time is special, but it often creates more problems for couples than they anticipate. There are several concerns that go beyond the initial joy of having a child, and good parents know all about them only too well. That being said, good parents also prepare themselves well in advance, and her Emily Roberts discusses three aspects that will help with those preparations.

Eat Out to Help Out

Eat Out to Help Out – the Government is subsidising 50 per cent off meals on Mondays to Wednesdays in August up to £10pp. Over 53,000 outlets, including McD's, Subway, independents and some more upmarket venues are taking part. Check what's available near you and anywhere you're taking a staycation.

How To Grow Your Savings To Prepare For Whatever The Future Holds

Lots of people are worrying about the security of their savings, especially given the circumstances we find ourselves in in 2020. The good news is that savers today have more options than ever before for not only keeping their savings safe but growing them into something even bigger. Here is some advice for savers looking to get serious.

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Latest Articles, News & Reviews

Photo _Creator Instant Camera from Canal Toys

Christine Mayle says she always looks forward to reviewing Canal Toys and this Photo_Creator Instant Camera was no exception when asked to try it out with her seven year old grandson.

BABY born Push Along Berta from Zapf Creations

BABY born Push Along Berta from Zapf Creations is perfect for toddlers who love their baby dolls, writes Anne Coates.

Look Out! Hungry Animals (2) by Paul Delaney

Following on from Look out! Hungry Lion and Look out! Hungry Snake comes the next two books in the Look Out! Hungry Animals series by Paul Delaney: Look Out! Hungry Spider and Look out! Hungry Shark. Review by Anne Coates.

Hot Cross Bun Pudding Recipe

Parker's Tavern, in the Cambridge Arms has just released its Easter Menu, which includes Easter Afternoon Tea available until 20 April as well as Good Friday and Easter Sunday specials. Chef Lee Clarke's shares his recipe for Hot Cross Bun Pudding.

NETVUE Upgraded Baby Monitor

NETVUE Upgraded Baby Monitor offers peace of mind for parents and carers, writes Anne Coates.

Kids Eat Free at Côte Brasseries this Easter

This Easter holidays from 4 to 21 April, families dining at Côte can treat their children (aged 12 and under) to a delicious, high-quality meal for free when spending a minimum of £20.

Happy Mother's Day from The Crayons

Published by HarperCollins Children's Books, Happy Mother's Day from The Crayons, created by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers is a funny and beautiful celebration of mothers in all their shapes, sizes and and variations. Reviewed by Anne Coates

Li'l Davinci EZ Store & Display Art Cabinet

The Li'l Davinci EZ Store & Display Art Cabinet made by dynamicFRAMES® is a picture frame with attitude – it stores up to 50 A4 Pictures and is a boon for parents, grandparents and all recipients of children's art.

b.box sippy cup

b.box sippy cup is perfect for older babies and toddlers who like to hold their cups – without spills! Anne Coates reviews.

The Detective Dog on Tour

The award-winning children’s book The Detective Dog, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Sara Oglivie, first published by Macmillan Children’s Books in 2016 is now brought to life by Tiny and Tall Productions and is currently on tour in theatres around the UK.

How Long Is That Dog? by John Bond

Award-winning author and illustrator, John Bond has produced a fabulous tale to delight youngsters from three plus: How Long Is That Dog? Review by Anne Coates.

We are like Birds by Laila Ekboir

We are like Birds by Laila Ekboir is a stunning new picture book about family, friendship, identity and resilience reviewed by Anne Coates.

Ring of Truth – YA Novel

Adult thriller writer, Joanne Sefton has turned her creative hand to writing for young adults with Ring of Truth, a compelling novel about truth and lies, reviewed by Anne Coates.

Murray and Bun! Murray the Pirate by Adam Stower

Published by HarperCollins Children's Books, Murray the Pirate is the third book in the Murray and Bun series, written and illustrated by Adam Stower. Reviewed by Anne Coates

Inkbound Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo

Inkbound Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo by Phillippa Leathley is the first in a brand new series that will captivate readers who love magic in their books, writes Anne Coates.

Get Dressed, Belly Button! by Lucie Brunelière

Get Dressed, Belly Button! written and illustrated by Lucie Brunelière and translated by Linda Burgess is a perfectly designed board book for babies and toddler, encouraging naming of clothes and discussion, writes Anne Coates.

Scarlet: Defender of the Universe by James Davis

Illustrated by Dotty Sutton, Scarlet: Defender of the Universe is the exciting, action packed middle grade debut by James Davis. Review by Anne Coates.

Hoover Cordless Vacuum Cleaner – HF2

A great way to start the new year is with a super clean home but if, like me housework is not one of your favourite occupations, it's great to find a machine which makes vacuuming a pleasure which isn't time-consuming. Anne Coates puts the Hoover Cordless Vacuum Cleaner with Anti Hair Wrap & ULTRA COMPACT X3™, Red - HF2 through its paces.

Sammy and the Stolen Paintings by Charlie P. Brooks

Illustrated by Steve May Sammy and the Stolen Paintings by Charlie P. Brooks is another warm and super funny family comedy told from the perspective of Sammy the sniffer dog – perfect for younger readers aged seven and up, writes Anne Coates.

So Sensory Light-Up Unicorn World from Canal Toys

So Sensory Light-Up Unicorn World from Canal Toys was a great hit with Lesley Lodge and her granddaughter.

Deep Freeze Self Care

The Deep Freeze products range is available in a variety of easy to use and discrete formats, all useful for soothing minor aches in muscles and joints. Working just like ice, all Deep Freeze products are non-medicinal, providing targeted, scientifically proven cooling and soothing relief, whilst being fast acting and providing an instant cooling sensation.

Gabby’s Dough House Playset from Canal Toys

In my opinion children can never get too much of Canal Toys Gabby’s Dollhouse and Gabby’s Dough House Playset is proving no exception, writes Christine Mayle.

Monopoly: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

Monopoly: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas – a welcome addition to our collection of family board games, writes Anne Coates.