With this in mind, we investigate how much the average household spends every year on motoring.

The Dad
Car insurance: £430
Petrol: £1,555
Road tax: £215

Let’s assume that our average dad drives an average family hatchback; a five year old 1.8 litre Ford Mondeo. A 1.8 litre Mondeo will consume about 36 miles per gallon (mpg), which for the average driver will equate into an annual fuel cost of about £1,555 with petrol prices at their current rate.

Under new road tax regulations, the Mondeo will also be classified into insurance group I which equates into an additional annual expense of £215.

Car insurance premiums are based on statistics, and statistically male motorists are more likely to be involved in accidents and make claims. This often results in male motorists paying more for cover than their female equivalents, with the average 40 year old male motorist paying £430 per year for cover according to data retrieved from MoneySupermarket last year.

The Mum
Car insurance: £410
Petrol: £1,515
Road tax: £215

It tends to be the case that the mother of the family is content with a slightly smaller vehicle than her husband, so on this occasion let’s assume it will be a Vauxhall Astra. A fairly recent 1.6 litre Astra consume on average about 37 mpg, which is not too dissimilar a figure from the slightly heftier Mondeo. The Astra is also likely to be a similar tax band.

As was stated earlier, female motorists will normally be charged less for insurance cover on account of them being statistically less likely to make a claim. However, this is all set to change in December this year, with the ECJ (European Court of Justice) ruling that it will be illegal for insurers to discriminate on the grounds of gender from this date onwards. It has been estimated that this will result in female prices jumping by 30% and male prices dropped by just 10%.

The Son
Car insurance: £7,230
Petrol: £1,150
Road tax: £120

The Vauxhall Corsa has proven to be a very popular choice with younger motorists due to its low running and purchase costs. It is also likely to attract cheaper premiums than slightly larger alternatives, such as the Astra, which attract more expensive car insurance premiums on account of their larger engines.

This is of primary concern for young and inexperienced male motorists, who are the statistically the most likely group to be involved in incidents. Figures retrieved from MoneySupermarket last year show just how badly affected the group is by these statistics, with this newly qualified 18 year old driver standing to pay almost nineteen times more than his father.

However, this figure would be even higher if the younger motorist hadn’t opted for a small vehicle like the Corsa. The Corsa is also consumes less fuel and attracts cheaper road tax charges than its larger alternatives.

The Daughter
Car insurance: £2,560
Petrol: £1,230
Road tax: £170

A 19 year old female driver may prefer a vehicle which is a bit more feminine such as a Ford Ka. Powered by a slightly larger 1.3 litre engine than the Corsa, it will also consume slightly more fuel and attract higher road tax.

However, the difference between male and female insurance prices is most significant when it comes to teenage motorists. This is why the average 19 year old female motorist will stand to pay about £2,560 per year for car insurance cover; almost £5,000 less than her slightly younger brother.

The total cost to a family
The combined total cost for the average family of owning 4 cars would therefore work out at a remarkable £16,800 every single year, with the 18 year old son being responsible for over half of this combined total. This is proof if any were needed of the impact of car insurance premiums on household expenditures:

• Dad: £2,200
• Mum: £2,140
• Son: £8,500
• Daughter: £3,960

With the ECJ ruling set to come into effect December this year, this average family’s annual motorist costs would shoot up by another £125. Although this will go some way to addressing the imbalance in pricing between male and female motorists and hence ensure greater equality and less discrimination; it will do so at the expense of the average family’s wallet.

Even if a family holiday really is unaffordable this year, it is still possible to have family fun days out without spending too much money. There are many such opportunities, but one that you might not have considered is a visit to a bowling alley.

If you haven’t been to a bowling alley for some years, you might be a little surprised at how they have developed in recent times. Modern bowling alleys are very different from how they used to be in the 1980s; nowadays they are bang up to date entertainment centres with fun activities suitable for all ages.
Even if you have never bowled before, it really is not that difficult to start. There is always somebody willing to show the total novice how to bowl and it is amazing at how quickly people of all ages, from the young to the really quite old, pick it up. Before you know it, you will bowl your first strike and what could be more satisfying than that? After just a few games you will feel confident in your abilities and probably you will be trying out a few of the more sophisticated bowling techniques.

Laser Quaser is another fun activity that you will find at several locations. This is a great adventure where you will be armed with a laser gun and, wearing body armour, your mission will be to shoot members of the opposing team whilst stalking the enemy and hiding out in a futuristic landscape.

For the smallest members of your party often there are areas where even the under threes can have loads of fun in a totally safe environment, whilst the older kids can spend time playing pool or trying out their skills at the numerous arcade games.

A great way to save some money whist enjoying your day at the bowling alley is to use some tenpin vouchers. Tenpin runs 38 bowling alleys across the UK and it is the largest bowling alleys chain in the nation. Tenpin vouchers can save you up to 60% of the price not only of bowling but also of other fun activities such as Quasar; there are even discounts on fizzy drinks.

Durability – Wood is one of the strongest materials in nature. One type of wood flooring called solid wood flooring can exceed 100 years of use and can often be seen in period homes as it stands the test of time well. Durability is also achieved by the option to sand and recoat the wood thereby exposing new wood and rejuvenating the finish. Both types of wood flooring (solid and engineered) can be sanded, though solid wood as it is made from complete wood can be sanded more times over its lifetime of service.

Healthier Option – Many people nowadays are diagnosed with dust related allergies. Wooden flooring does not collect dust in the same manner, as other solution will, such as carpets. Family members who suffer from these types of common allergies can rest assured that their allergy won’t be aggravated due to dust particles on the floor.

Easier With Pets – A large number of UK families will own a pet. Wooden floors as opposed to other floors are easier for pet owners as hairs and muddy tracks are quickly cleaned without leaving unwanted smells. Pet friendly flooring often decided when considering wood flooring or carpets.

Maintenance – The level and time it requires for care makes wood very popular in busy households. Wood flooring require basic care in the form of cleaning using moist mop and fixing the coating when it is damaged simply by ‘topping’ it again. It is important to avoid the build up of polish or wax as it can make the floor slippery therefore use as little as needed.

Whether one’s saving for retirement, living on a fixed income, looking for cash to buy Stannah stair lifts, or just looking for new ways to be smart about how to spend the money during old age, the world has opened numerous ways to help old people to easily trim their entertainment budget and actually increase their fun value.

• Visit an art gallery by attending art gallery openings- activities which include wine, hors d’oeuvres, and a chance to meet artists and gallery owners. Many communities also host monthly “art walks,” which allow you to join other art lovers to take a tour of number of local galleries.

• Literary readings: If you’re an avid reader, you can go for literary readings organised at the bookstore near you. Keep a check on local newspapers, public library, and bookstores to look for such activities that will give you a chance to meet the authors and sample their new work.

• Lunch-time concerts: During nice weather, many communities offer free lunchtime concerts in pleasant locations where there is a high concentration of office workers and a lot of pedestrian traffic. For these free activities, pack a picnic or a brown bag lunch, grab a friend, and tap your feet to some good music while you enjoy the sunshine and the energy of the city.

• Joining a book club or discussion group – Whether you organize your own club with a small group of friends or join one after discovering an established group through local library or bookstore, it will offer an interactive platform to exercise brain to exchange ideas and gain new insights in a variety of issues.

Similarly, every one of us establishes routine and patterns get into the ruts while spending majority of our lives living on edge and discarding a major view of our community. While when you reach old age you may need to invest in accessories such as chair lifts to help with mobility, getting older offers an excellent opportunity to make a conscious effort to step off the usual path and experience something new. Last but not the least; keep in mind this phrase by Wilford A. Peterson:

“Stay young by continuing to grow. You do not grow old; you become old by not growing.”

When you want to buy things like temporary car insurance, surf boards for the kids or even a new suit, it is easy: we simply head online. Well, you can buy gold online too these days.

If you’re thinking about buying gold, the first thing you need to understand is what’s known as the ‘premium over spot’. The spot price is many times also known as the cash price is the price that you’ll see quoted on the TV or in the financial section of a newspaper.

The premium over spot is the profit for the gold dealers that range from 0.1% up to around 10% depending on how or from where you buy gold and in what terms of quantities. Most of the buyers always look to buy the physical metal via one ounce coins (the most common weight) and the premium of these in the 5%-10% range over spot gold.

The stock market offers two ways to buy gold–

• Directly, via Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), or

• Indirectly, via Mining shares

Both are tricky and you need to really know what you’re doing as well as being an excellent researcher. So, if you’re comfortable operating in the stock market then investigate both but as a vigilant buyer one should stick to the physical metal.

Perils of dealing in Gold mining shares

Logically, one would always think that as the price of gold rise so does gold mining shares and vice-versa. The twist to this tale is that the stock market is not always logical, as can be seen by the performance of mining shares over the last 5 years –

• Gold has risen by over 100%

• But the majority of mining shares has hardly risen in fact, some of them have fallen.

This of course has infuriated the investors who were holding mining shares as gains have ranged from pathetic to miserly.

The decision was taken after customer research** conducted on behalf of Cineworld showed that over three quarters (77%) of all cinemagoers had said that the removal of booking fees would encourage them to book online, and that more than 4 in 5 customers (86%) stated that discounted tickets would encourage them to pre-book. The move follows the highly successful trial in Cineworld’s Scottish cinemas last year.

Justin Skinner, VP, Marketing at Cineworld said, “This is a game-changer for the leisure and entertainment industry. Cineworld is delighted to be taking the lead in our industry by removing booking fees and lowering prices online.”

Following the announcement today by Cineworld that they will be removing all booking fees for online bookings, Which? executive director, Richard Lloyd, says:

“This is good news. Which? has long been campaigning for companies to put an end to hidden and disproportionate surcharges so we’re pleased that Cineworld is leading the way and hope that other companies follow their lead.

“The Government’s decision to ban excessive fees was a victory for consumers but this is just a drop in the ocean. 50,000 people supported our campaign to see these “rip-off” charges stamped out so Government must stick to its commitment and ensure the ban happens by December 2012.”

mycineworld is a free online service that currently allows customers to buy Cineworld’s cinema tickets 10% cheaper. It also gives customers the added convenience of faster ticket collection in the foyer and keeps them up-to-date with the latest film information and great offers. mycineworld is available on Cineworld’s iPhone and Android Apps, via mobile internet and on the cineworld.com website.

For more information and to sign up to mycineworld visit: www.cineworld.com

-Ends-

*EDI/Rentrak UK & Ireland Box Office 2011

** Research was conducted on behalf of Cineworld in October 2010 and 2011, sampling over two thousand cinemagoers.

About Cineworld Group

Cineworld Group was founded in 1995 by Steve Wiener, the current Chief Executive, and is now the leading cinema group in the UK & Ireland by box office and admissions. The Group operates 79 cinemas of which 73 are multiplex sites with five screens or more. In 2007 Cineworld successfully floated on the London Stock Exchange. In 2011 Cineworld cemented its position as the UK industry leader after it was confirmed as the UK and Ireland’s number one cinema chain by Box Office. In December 2011 Cineworld opened its first IMAX screen at Cineworld Edinburgh with cutting edge audio technology.

For press enquiries, please contact:

Joe Dawes

020 7413 3122

Joe.Dawes@hkstrategies.com

The Government has come up with a number of different solutions to help reduce its deficit and one such suggestion is to work on reducing the budget over time rather than trying to drastically make cuts in
one or two years. Back in 2010 the Government announced that from the 2013/14 tax year child benefit would no longer be available to all regardless of their wealth, income and general financial status. This
will mean that from the sixth of April 2013 people in the higher-rate and additional-rate tax bracket will no longer find themselves qualifying for Child Benefit. With the current rates of Child Benefit
being frozen until April 2014 this will mean that those who do qualify will be feeling the pinch even more.

The current rates for Child Benefit is £20.30 per week for the first child which equates to £1055.60 per year and £13.40 per week for each additional child which equates to £696.80 per year.

With a little ingenuity it is possible to find ways to avoid losing out on Child Benefit and here are two of the top legal suggestions:

Build up your pension – By paying an extra sum in to your pension you could benefit from the 40% tax relief on such contributions as well as ensuring that your take home pay is below the £42,475 average
threshold that sees the higher-rate tax bracket kick in. This will allow you to build up your nest egg for retirement whilst ensuring that you still qualify for Child Benefit. Should you decide to take
this route then ensure that you are contributing enough to lower you below the current higher-rate threshold by the time the 2013/14 tax year begins and beyond.

Cash in your money for childcare vouchers – If you decide to cash in some of your wages for tax-free childcare vouchers then you can reduce your taxable income by almost £3,000 per year. The Government has
brought in new changes but this is only eligible for those who joined the childcare vouchers scheme from April sixth 2011. Any new joiners will have an allowance of £28 per week if a higher-rate taxpayer or
£22 per week if an additional-rate taxpayer. This could be another way to lower your pay below the tax threshold while also benefiting yourself.

Just remember that whatever you do needs to be kept legal or you may find yourself having bigger problems to worry about than losing Child Benefit.

London Zoo – Located in Regents Park the London Zoo is a wonderful day out for any age. With numerous exhibits and animals to be seen you will be able to see some rare animals as well as learn lots along the way. There are exhibits such as ‘Into Africa’ and the ‘Rainforest Experience’ on offer here too so you can see what some of the animals natural environments are really like. With various snacks and treats on offer as well as a very well stocked gift shop this is the perfect place to pick up some souvenirs.

Sea Life London Aquarium – Here you can find some of the most amazing marine creatures. You will learn lots along the way and this is an educational yet fun experience for the whole family. Conveniently located near Liverpool Street this can make a fantastic activity either on your way in to London for the weekend or on your way home. If you are visiting the Sea Life Aquarium in London then be sure to check out the London Eye too which is located just a moment or two away by foot.

London Eye – The ‘Eye’ is a wonderful experience for the whole family. You will ride in one of the pods and be able to see for miles across the City of London. This is probably not for children that are scared of heights but even adults can overcome their fears on this.

The Cartoon Museum – With over 200 different British cartoons on display here you are sure to find plenty of amazing things to show your children as well as get the opportunity to relive some of yours. The exhibitions change regularly too so that there is always something new if you want to revisit. With a Young Artists Gallery you will be able to pick up some tips on how to draw cartoons and anyone can have a go too.

Buckingham Palace – A visit to the official residence of the queen can make for a wonderful day out for the whole family. There is even an audio trail available for families as well as quiz activities while
exploring the gardens. Many children will be fascinated when they get to see some of the rooms in the Queens home.

West End Shows – With children in tow theatre breaks on London can be a fun filled experience for the whole family and there are so many shows on offer. Current offerings include The Lion King, Shrek The Musical, The Wizard of Oz, Matilda The Musical and many more. You will find many West End theatres offering tickets on the door for that day, alternatively you can book theatre breaks London online or visit Leicester Square where you will find a ticket booth that offers numerous deals for shows throughout London. This booth is open from 10am – 7pm Monday – Saturday and from 11am – 4pm on Sunday.

London is always going to be a place that will provide an amazing backdrop for fun with your whole family. There is a seemingly endless of things to see and do in London as well as a plethora of wonderful places to stay with your family.

Exercise
Many people decide to take up running in the New Year detox plan, but there are many things you can do as a family to kick-start a nice healthy family routine. Those lazy Sunday afternoons instead of watching the television, which you have probably seen before – how about going for a walk in the park, take your pets with you, and even though it’s cold wrap yourself up warm in coats, gloves and scarves and take in some fresh air. Or if you can go for a bike ride, that will warm you up quickly and give you a nice trip out and some good exercise.

5 a Day
With children getting them to have their five a day can be tricky, but fear not there are ways to get it in them without them realising; same with the rest of the family, especially now a can of Heinz tomato soup is now one of your 5 a Day – which is good on these cold January mornings. Try putting a portion of sultanas in your children’s cereal, which is a good way to get one into their early morning snacks. Small portions of fruit in pack-ups are also a good way to get another two into the days meals, for adults buying a salad instead of a sandwich can help bring in some of your recommended daily allowance. Remember fruit juices can also be counted in your five a day, so when they are on offer in supermarkets to get your fill!

Diet
Even simply replacing fizzy drinks with fruit juices or water can make a huge difference to your body, even with children around it is not too hard to get children to drink water – if you try different flavoured squashes, after all children love Ribena. As for food, there are many ideas you can try for a healthier diet, especially if your children love a pizza, get a plain cheese one and top it with lots of veggies – a sneaky way to get them into their diet. For the adults in the family try steaming vegetables to go with roasted meats, or even a healthy stir fry in good healthy oil.

Simple Options
There are other options you can do that are quick and easy, replacing your coffee and buy green tea which is a quick and easy way of making your daily routine healthier. We go for our morning coffee because we want the caffeine kick, but buying green tea from a tea shop will give you extra anti-oxidants, and because it is less acidic it is less likely to cause stomach upset, so not only will it make you feel better it will make your insides happier too. If you are reliant in the morning to get going on your coffee, try having a good breakfast to kick-start your day. Learn more about the benefits of drinking green tea by visiting the Twinings tea website.

In your hotel room or accommodation if you walk around your hotel room you will notice some of the dangers that children may face but if you bring yourself down to the level of a child you may be more aware of
some of the harmful things that children may see at their eye level and be attracted towards. There are a number of things that little hands can be attracted to and the first thing that you should think about is sharp or damaged corners on items. A child could easily hurt themselves on a sharp corner on a coffee table or on the top of a cupboard door handle so protect these areas using tape. If you are caught short without supplies then you could even use a sock or something of a similar size to run around a sharp corner. Pillows or
bed linen in general can be another way to help ensure that should your children fall that their fall will be cushioned, particularly important on very hard surfaces.

Plug sockets, power cables, cords of blinds and light socket cords are all potential hazards and there are a number of ways to protect these. You can use plug socket protectors for plugs and these can be packed
in your suitcase. They are light, small and will not send your baggage weight soaring which is always a bonus. Cords, light socket cords and numerous other wires can always be looped around themselves or hung
over the back of door frames to stop them from becoming a hazard.

Ensuring that balcony and room doors are locked is another way to avoid your children getting in to mishap on holiday and you can simply agree with other adults and older children in the house of a designated place for such keys to be placed just in case of emergency so that everyone knows where to find them.

By simply walking around your accommodation you will be able to look out for sharp corners, plugs that are left on, damaged or loose items that could become a choking hazard and various other hazards. Temporary accommodation can be full of hazards that you have not thought about or realised before but a simple walk, or even a crawl around at a small childs eye level, could help you see so many things that you never noticed before and ensure that your children are kept safe while on holiday.