Given the coalition government are doing very well in fleecing people far left, right and centre UK families need to find a little extra cash from somewhere. With a little bit of inventiveness, good research and an eye for opportunities, it is possible to make a little extra money in your spare time, but to give you some ideas we have compiled our top ten.

Car boot sales

Car boots sales kill two pigeons with one baseball bat – or something like that. Not only do you make money from selling old junk – sorry assets – you don´t use anymore, you also get your spring cleaning done. Clean house, clean mind and all that. And a tidy up can lead to other opportunities…

Rent your spare room

Clearing the “assets” out of your spare room or attic will make it habitable again – in which case you could rent it out to a lodger. An extra few hundred pound a month will go a long way to paying the bills and still having a little left over for treats.

Sell Your Story to the Press

Women´s magazines, newspapers television news stations pay good money for true-life stories. If you have got a gripping story full of emotion and drama, get in touch with the press people and they will be able to get you a good deal with media outlets.

Become a retail spy

You´re going to love this one! In order to improve the shopping experience their clients provide consumers, companies such marketforce.com pay people to visit a store and answer a series of questions on their experience. All expenses are paid, you are reimbursed for anything you pay and you get £20 for sending in feedback.

Be a Film extra

To be honest, not the easiest way to get a gig, but being a film or TV extra can earn you £150 a day and feel the buzz of being on a film set. You might even get the opportunity to meet some favourite actors – or at least wave to them from a distance.

Medical experiments

Again not for everyone, but for anybody with an interest in the advancements of science volunteering for clinical trials is a great way to make money. You can earn at least £60 a day for trained experts in the fields of psychology, sleep studies and food tasters to conduct tests on you – and some projects run for weeks.

Take a paid survey

If you prefer the comfort of your home than being probed, taking a paid survey is probably a better option. The pay is poor, but they only take around 10 minutes to complete so you could earn about £10 an hour. Register with sites such as Yougov.com, Panelbase.net and Toluna.com.

If you are feeling the pinch of inflation and the rise in tax and utility bills, sacrificing a bit of your spare time to make a little extra cash for yourself may present opportunities you never knew existed.

We’re a society so fascinated by technology that it’s become an integral aspect of our day to day lives. When we’re not checking Facebook or Twitter, we’re typing away on laptops and computers, watching DVDs or playing video games. We’re dependent on technology in many ways, but technology is often dependent on electricity, so what is there to do when a power cut puts our computers, consoles and televisions out of action? Believe it or not, back in the days before technology was so ubiquitous people often had to make their own entertainment, so let’s take a leaf out of their book and look at Stadium Power’s top 5 things to do during a power cut, after you’ve finally found your torches and lit a few candles of course.

Card Games

You may have played Spider Solitaire on the sly at work a few times, or maybe dabbled in a bit of online poker, but you can still but packs of cards in shops and remain a firm favourite with many. If the power goes out and you find yourself stuck for something to do, then why not unearth a pack and get playing? There’s a huge variety of games for varying amounts of people, from Solitaire to Whist or Gin Rummy, and can be a great way to pass the time until the lights come back on.

Board Games

Board Games have been slowly going out of fashion since the rise of the internet, but most of us still have a few old favourites gathering dust in the back of the cupboard, waiting to be cracked out once a year for Christmas. If the power goes out and you have sufficient light from your torches and candles, then maybe you should consider unpacking that novelty edition of Monopoly a little earlier this year. They’re a great way to spend some quality time with loved ones and you can make it last as long as you’d like.

Reading

This can be tricky depending on how well-lit the place is after the power cut, but reading is easily one of the best things to do if you’re looking to pass the time well. Reading by candlelight certainly has a romantic quality to it, and it gives you the chance to get caught up on the books that you’ve been meaning to read but haven’t had the time for. After all, what better way to free up some spare time than a power cut?

Telling Ghost Stories

Sometimes, you don’t need anything other than a group of friends in order to while away the hours. If you’re with people during a power cut and the atmosphere is suitably spooky, telling a few of your best ghost stories could turn a potentially disastrous night with a great one. People love to be scared, and it gives you the chance to exercise your imagination and have fun with the stories you tell.

Blind Man’s Bluff/Hide and Seek

This is definitely one to appease everyone’s inner child, but who said that was a bad thing? A game like Blind Man’s Bluff or Hide and Seek is perfect for a power cut, as you need to be in the dark to play, and you’d be surprised how much fun it can be replay the games that you loved when you were young. Party games like these are another great group activity if you find yourself caught short when the lights go out.

Often, we hear people express their regrets for not having to learn the piano while they were young. While learning piano at a young age can have several advantages, it does not mean that you cannot learn the skill when you get older. Whether you’re 30 or 60, you can still learn to play the piano and become really good at it.

Learning piano as an adult has its own benefits. While many believe that younger kids have an advantage, so does being an adult. It can be an extremely rewarding experience for you and your piano teacher.

Advantages of Learning Piano as an Adult

Adults learn piano of their own volition. The decision to take lessons rests entirely on you, not on your parents or somebody else. If you decide to learn piano, then it is your own will and you won’t have to be forced to attend lessons. Therefore, the lessons will never see tantrums and kicking and screaming children as you will have the maturity.

Developed logical and critical skills. Understanding complex concepts and technical details of music and piano playing can pose a great challenge to children, but adults are more able to learn them as they have already developed logical and critical skills needed.

Adults have longer attention spans than children. Learning to certain piano lessons can take many hours before you can master them. You have the advantage of being able to concentrate far longer to learn and practice skills. Kids can only sit and listen to their instructors undistracted for a few minutes; but adults can fully concentrate on their lessons.

Reading music fluently is another advantage if you learn piano now. You will not be intimidated by the letters and numbers you see on the music sheet and you are able to grasp the concept of reading musical notes and other aspects of piano playing. It will not be a problem whether you can read the alphabet or count beats.

As an adult, your body has fully grown- meaning, your hands and fingers have developed fully to be able to move freely along the keyboard. Unlike other instruments, which are available in different sizes, piano keyboards are only in one size and with a set number of keys. You will also be able to control your muscles and flex your fingers more comfortably than a child with much smaller hands.

Whatever your age, you can start learning to play the piano now. You will have a more enjoyable learning experience as you move through different lessons when you are more mature to handle the lessons. So you see, it’s never too late to learn piano!

Check out NYC piano lessons and get to work!

Men and women are equally difficult to buy for, despite what people might say. You can buy them a razor, a new phone, or new shoes any day of the year. Why would you want to do that? Here are the top gifts to buy your partner this V-Day!

Jewellery

Something sparkly is one of the most popular options every year. Chances are, gentlemen, that your wife already has many necklaces, earrings or bracelets. Why not go for something a little bit different, such as stacking rings for Valentine’s Day? There are many different rings to choose from in different metals, different coloured enamels, and different coloured gemstones. Browse pre-selected stack or build your own. You can also add to the stack with a new ring each year if you like, making the present on-going and changing, just like your relationship. If you aren’t married or engaged, now is the perfect time! Buy a beautiful sparkler that will last a lifetime.

Lingerie

Fancy something a little naughty? Nab some lingerie for your partner (or yourself for your partner’s viewing pleasure) and shake things up a little in the bedroom. Light some candles, get some champagne and have a little bit of bedtime fun…

Chocolate

Always a favourite, go for something a little different this year. Dipping chocolate with a choice of yummy fruit, sweets and treats is fabulous for sharing and can be a lot of fun, particularly if you play a game with it and blindfold the other person so they don’t know what it is you are feeding them! If you hadn’t noticed, the weather isn’t great either, so while you cuddle up on the couch, grab a luxurious mug of drinking chocolate with marshmallows, cream and caramel syrup on top to warm you through.

Flowers

One of my fondest memories is the day I received flowers at work from an unknown admirer. They appeared on the counter, delivered by a little man who was giving nothing away about the sender and when I eventually found out who sent them, I was in love. Red roses are the ultimate Valentine’s bunch, but anything pink, red, or just her favourite colour is guaranteed to earn you brownie points.

Something Home-made

Look online at some of the home-made craft options and make something. Whether money is tight, or this is something you would prefer to do, this kind of present is often one that requires the most thought and imagination and will always hold a place in her heart. Make your own card, photo frame, or scrapbook of your time together to present to her this year. What about cooking a meal from scratch? The possibilities are endless.

Remember: it’s not the quantity, it’s the quality that truly matters. If cash isn’t in abundance, a single red rose and her favorite home-cooked meal with a candle and some wine will do the job. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Sarah is a blogger that specialises in fashion copy writing and has worked with many fashion brands.

Skagen Men’s 861XLSMXM Quartz Analog Watch

Bold, practical and incredibly simple yet elegant, the Skagen Men’s 861XLSMXM is exactly what a man needs in a watch. It’s robust, high quality design ensures that it can ensure even the toughest elements and it’s simple black and grey design make it the ideal accessory for work or play.

Dial

The watch face is incredibly simplistic and features two silver arms on a strong black background, giving you a clear and concise view of the time. For anyone who likes a classic and simplistic approach this is an incredible simple design which does exactly what it says on the box.

Perhaps one small drawback of this type of design is the lack of numbers on the face of the watch, and although we are all familiar with a clock face, a hurried glance or misinterpretation can easily lead to an inference of the wrong time and therefore potential consequences down the line.

Some people do however prefer a watch face without numbers and find it relatively easy to tell the time anyway – in this case the elegance of this design could be perfect for you.

Case

Comprising a strong two tone stainless steel case, this design has been created for strength and durability. To promote this element of durability the entire watch comes with a lifetime guarantee to be replaced or fixed if any potential problems arise.

The casing is quite large which gives the watch an incredibly masculine feel which is strong and stable at all times. This blends in beautifully with the black and grey steel which reinforces this idea, making it a watch that you can depend on. The watch is also water resistant to 30m.

Movement

The movement is a high quality two hand Japanese Quartz movement which will help to ensure that you are never late again! The movement features a winding capability which allows you to easily set and reset the time as you need.

Band

The watch band continues on from the dial and case and encompasses black and grey stainless steel to give a sense of continuity throughout the watch. The band blends in nicely with the watch face and shows no distinction between the two – allowing it to flow and to comfortably fit around your wrist.

The watch allows for free adjustment so you can easily extend or reduce the size of it to fit your wrist.

Conclusion

If you are a looking for a simple, high quality and yet sturdy watch then this design could be exactly what you are looking for. It isn’t heavily overpriced and its sturdy make up will ensure that you are able to take it into most situations without the worry of it becoming damaged or broken.

Featuring very simple colouring and a reliable stainless steel material, you can be assured that this Skagen watch will do exactly what it says on the box.

It’s not always easy to choose the perfect gift for a man, and that’s particularly true if you want to find something he’ll use all year long. Whether you’re shopping for the holidays, Valentine’s Day, his birthday, a special anniversary or any other occasion, keep that special guy thinking of you with a gift he’ll enjoy year-round.

Games and sports: If you’re shopping for a man who likes board games, this is a terrific gift idea that he’s sure to enjoy over and over again. Choose from a nice chess set, cribbage board or whichever game he likes the most. If he’s a gamer, a video game is another great option. If your budget will allow it and your guy enjoys sports, consider buying him a season pass on a public golf course or a multiday ski pass so he can indulge in his favorite sport throughout the season.

Jewelry: Women aren’t the only ones who enjoy wearing a nice piece of jewelry. In fact, men’s jewelry is becoming increasingly popular among men of all ages. Whether it’s pendants, necklaces or bracelets for men, guys’ jewelry is definitely one of the most popular accessories in contemporary fashion. If you’re looking for something that your guy is sure to wear throughout the year, consider selecting a piece made from a combination of leather and metal, such as a two-toned braided leather bracelet with stainless steel accents. The combination of leather and metal is a classic look that is appropriate for virtually any occasion and is just one of the many choices you’ll find in bracelets for men.

Magazine subscription: Here’s a gift idea that really does keep giving time after time as the year goes by. Shopping couldn’t be easier – simply choose a magazine your guy enjoys and buy him a subscription for a year. If you’re not sure what he likes to read, base your selection on his favorite hobby. Whether it’s sports, cars, motorcycles, hunting or fishing, you’ll find plenty of periodicals about each topic, many of which would make a great year-long gift.

A gift each month: If you can think of a consumable that your guy really enjoys, chances are there’s a club out there that will send him a sample of it each month. One of the earliest iterations of this novel gift idea was one that sent the lucky recipient a different variety of beer each month. Since then, other versions have popped up that feature just about any consumable you can think of: wine, steak, desserts and many more. This is, literally, a year-long gift that is sure to bring a smile to the face of the man in your life.

Daily planning calendar: If your guy is like most people, a daily planner is something he just can’t do without. Whether he uses it for business, his personal life or both, this thoughtful gift will bring you to his mind each and every day. If you’re buying it around the holidays or at the start of the year, it shouldn’t be any problem finding a planner to suit his individual needs. However, you can take advantage of this great gift idea any time during the year. Just look for one that’s dated by the month and not the year so he can use it during the course of any year and start using it on the first day of any month.

Finding the perfect gift for the special man in your life is very important for obvious reasons. After all, he means the world to you, and you want to give him something he’ll treasure. However, finding the perfect year-long gift is even better because it will be a constant reminder of you and the feelings you share together. Choose from daily planners, bracelets for men, magazine subscriptions or any of the other great gift ideas listed here, and your guy will keep thinking of you all year long.

Cindy White writes about bracelets for men and other jewelry for JustMensRings.com.

The easiest way to dress up for post-work Christmas drinks is to wear something during the day that you can adapt into something glamorous for an evening out. The sort of ladies fashion that will make this easy for you to do includes simple dresses or trouser suits. To make a work dress more suitable for an after-work party, brighten it up with the addition of accessories, such as a glitzy handbag, scarf or brooch. You can also use jewellery or a glittery band or decorative clip in your hair to add a touch of sparkle and colour to your outfit. If you are wearing a trouser suit, swap your top for something flashier and add jewellery for glamour. Whatever you are wearing, add a pair of glam party shoes to complete your look.

Christmas Day

If you are hosting Christmas dinner then you will want to make sure what you are wearing is practical as well as stylish. Likewise, if you are visiting someone else’s house on Christmas Day you will want to make sure that you are dressed in something that will see you through the whole day. It’s often a good idea to wear trousers with a smart top or maybe even a sweater with a Christmas motif on it. This can be fun as well as looking good. If you are going for something more casual then perhaps teaming jeans with a smart top would work well. When visiting someone else’s house, do not forget to take a coat and practical shoes in case you decide to head out for a post-lunch walk.

New Year’s Eve

Whether you are going to a formal black-tie dinner , a more informal party at someone’s house, or simply to the pub, there is no other occasion quite like New Year’s Eve to dress up to the max! Try opting for a colour rather than black, but if you are going to go for black, ensure to glam the outfit up a bit, either with peplums or sequins to make it stand out. Wrap dresses in patterned fabric or blocks of colour are widely available and teamed with an eye-catching belt and a pair of killer heels, you can make the perfect party outfit.

So whatever you are up to over the festive season and whatever your age or circumstances, you will be able to find something to wear that makes a great impression.

Vickie Day is interested in women’s fashion and style and writes articles on fashion for both men and women. She is writing on behalf of Golden Spider Web.

Asian fashion is not about one location or one particular geographic region of the world. Instead, it is the conglomeration of several different countries that have a great sense of style that has similarities but are not uniform in their approach. For that reason, those looking for the latest in Asian fashion trends, Asian pants, Asian dresses, and more should know exactly where the top designs and trends are coming from.  There are several different regions that offer their own flare and the following explains more.

China

One great resource for finding the Asian fashion trends that you want is in the magazines, styles, and designers coming from China. China has a great sense of extreme style that can be a great resource for those that are looking for a unique take on the Asian trends that they want. Brightly colored options are the best choice in this selection. They are the fun and flare that comes from Chinese design and that the country is known for. For those that are looking to set a trend, the Asian trends coming from China is the way to go. They have much to offer and much to enjoy in their style and in their grace. For that reason, individuals should consider this as an option when making their choices in where to look for the greatest style.

Korea

Another great location where there are many new trends in Asian fashion developing is in Korea. Korea is home to several great fashion trends and design houses that are becoming increasingly important in the fashion lives of many stylists and design experts. From Asian dresses of a simplistic nature to great gowns, Korea is a chance to see and enjoy the latest in trends and trending markets throughout Asia. There are several great designers that are emerging and the trends suggest that this is going to be a location where there is much to look for and much to enjoy in the Asian style market.

Where To Go

For the latest in all things Asian fashion, there are several great resources available. Individuals looking to make their style mark should look to fashion magazines and online venues for the latest and greatest in information. Among the top blog and webs spots for Korean fashion especially is coco-fashion.com. The latest in trends are found here and so, too, the latest purchasing power spots. Consider this as an option for you and you will not be disappointed in the styles and current trends that you find here.

A huge fan of fashion Kate B. is our guest blogger on this occasion. She specializes in asian fashion trends.

Ladies, it’s time to get you up to speed and ahead of the game (fashion wise) so you can find out what the top designers have in store for you over the coming winter and spring seasons.

The colder months of the year warrant a particular style of fashion and many fashion houses such as Marc Jacobs, House of Holland and Vera Wang have drew inspiration from oxblood, khaki, midi dresses and PU leather for the base items in their collections. Touching upon the gothic noir and grunge look of the late 90′s many celebrities such as Rihanna, Rita Ora and Pink have been seen sporting the above trends in different ways.

An oxblood midi-dress and PU leather panel leggings have become popular must-have items in any woman’s wardrobe, and many high street stores have ranges suitable for all ages. As the midi dress is such a versatile piece to work with it can be dressed  up with plain black heels, a blazer and statement jewellery in gold or silver or it can be dressed down with a pair of Converse and a chunky knit cardie for the coal winter days ahead. The same applies with PU leather panel leggings which can be dressed up with a bracelet, blazer and statement heels for a chic yet fun night out look; or dressed down with a jersey vest and sneakers for casual Sundays in the park or even worn for work with a high collared white shirt and a fitted blazer which will work well with flats or heels.

The khaki revival has begun. The best way to wear khaki this season is in statement pieces such as dresses and shirts, even the odd khaki coat can be seen out and about. Khaki works well with nudes, beiges, blacks and leather, so add a pair of PU leather panel leggings for that hot army chic look this winter.

Moving onto spring, obviously floral pieces will be back in the limelight again however we can confirm that the Paisley pattern has been resurrected and is more chic than ever. Pastels, neons, greens and palette cleansing whites are all going to be bang on trend, so stay ahead of the pack with these fashion tips. Look out for sheer materials and 60′s prints as they make a comeback into your wardrobe, think sheer panel skirts, the peace print and high shoulders. Gucci, Rag and Bone, Chloe and a certain Michael Korrs have been sporting these looks as centre pieces for their spring/summer 2013 collections but Shhhh… you didn’t hear it from us.

Jennie Heggie wrote this article about spring and winter fashion on behalf of www.nelly.com.

When the top designers launch their catwalk shows, most of the emphasis is firmly on the clothing and the make-up. Unless it is truly remarkable, not much attention is paid to the jewellery that the models are wearing, and many designers choose not to use jewellery at all in case it detracts from the clothes in any way. Jewellery also goes through a cycle and things come and go out of fashion. So what are the big jewellery trends for 2013?

Oversized

Forget the delicate little stud earrings or the single strand necklace. For 2013 the big trend in the world of jewellery is big and bold. Think huge ring which cover half of your hand, bracelets which are several inches thick or earrings which Pat from Eastenders would be proud of. Silver and gold is equally popular, but stick to one colour of metal only when you are putting together your bold look. There is also no point in going oversized with your necklace and then wearing tiny earrings or bracelet; it’s all or nothing with this trend. Martine Wester earrings fit into this trend perfectly as they are large and ornate without being so heavy as to be uncomfortable.

Tribal

One of the main trends in jewellery takes its inspiration from traditional tribal art. Buy into this look by using feathers, leather straps on necklaces and bracelets, faux ivory and beading to get the tribal look. This sort of jewellery is intricate and striking and makes the best impact when worn with plain black or neutral coloured clothing. Intricate jewellery worn over a heavily patterned or embellished outfit will just look clashing and “busy”.

Florals

Florals were big news in the clothing departments last summer, with the emphasis being on large all-over patterns rather than smaller ditsy prints. This look has also transferred into the jewellery sector and flower shaped brooches and beads are all over the shops right now. This look is very feminine and soft, and easier to wear for women who may lack the confidence to go all out with the tribal or oversized look. That pair of intricate Martine Wester earrings would work well with this look too.

Indian Influence

The Indian economy is growing at an exponential rate and all things Indian are set to be fashionable in the next few years. The two main types of jewellery seen on the catwalks are kundan, a type of jewellery which uses intricately patterned gold foil and precious or semi-precious stones in a repeating design. A similar item is the polki, which can be used as a necklace or worn in the hair. Indian women are increasingly adopting a Western style of dress but sticking to their traditional jewellery, and it is this look which Western women are trying to replicate. Shop online for the best bargains in Indian necklaces, bangles or earrings, or visit shops in areas with a large Indian or Bangladeshi population to get a far better choice and advice on how to wear your new items.

Guest blogger M. Peers often writes about jewellery topics and shops for Martine Wester earrings online at The Alphabet Gift Shop.