• Home
  • News
  • World
  • Politics
  • Money
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • More
    • Tech
    • Web Stories
    • Spotlight
    • Press Release
What's On

Wimbledon tickets are available now as competition enters second week

5 July 2025

Wild moment plane passenger ‘grabs her breasts’ as she furiously demands seat upgrade

5 July 2025

‘I found a genius travel storage hack to protect and organise your sunglasses on holiday’

5 July 2025

Cam Norrie left stunned over ‘dating Emma Raducanu’ question right after Wimbledon win

5 July 2025

UK’s ‘best beach’ with crystal clear water and white sands compared to Majorca and Ibiza

5 July 2025

Black Sabbath LIVE: Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell with Jack Black cameo and Diogo Jota tribute

5 July 2025

BBC doctor says you should send a text message this week

5 July 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Trending
  • Wimbledon tickets are available now as competition enters second week
  • Wild moment plane passenger ‘grabs her breasts’ as she furiously demands seat upgrade
  • ‘I found a genius travel storage hack to protect and organise your sunglasses on holiday’
  • Cam Norrie left stunned over ‘dating Emma Raducanu’ question right after Wimbledon win
  • UK’s ‘best beach’ with crystal clear water and white sands compared to Majorca and Ibiza
  • Black Sabbath LIVE: Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell with Jack Black cameo and Diogo Jota tribute
  • BBC doctor says you should send a text message this week
  • Major hunt for fare dodgers who beat off-duty policewoman who confronted them
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
England TimesEngland Times
Demo
  • Home
  • News
  • World
  • Politics
  • Money
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • More
    • Tech
    • Web Stories
    • Spotlight
    • Press Release
England TimesEngland Times
Home » ‘We’ve saved more than £6,000 a year by partying at home instead of going out’
News

‘We’ve saved more than £6,000 a year by partying at home instead of going out’

By staff5 July 2025No Comments4 Mins Read

Claire Appleton and husband Matthew decided to make a big change in response to the soaring cost of going out, and now they claim to be saving more than £6,000 a year


Matthew. and Claire Appleton used to spend £850 a month on going out

Matthew. and Claire Appleton used to spend £850 a month on going out

A mum of three says she is saving more than £6,000 a year by cutting back on nights out in favour of entertaining friends and family at home.

Claire Appleton, 42, estimates she and husband Matthew would typically spend £850 a month on eating out, going down the pub and partying. As well as nipping to their local in Skipton, North Yorkshire, for dinner and drinks twice a month, they would travel to Leeds for evenings.

That was before the Covid pandemic-triggered lockdowns placed heavy restrictions on socialising. Instead, Claire took the plunge and built, painted and decorated a DIY garden bar herself for £370, using materials she bought online. When restrictions lifted, they invited friends and family over for get-togethers.

After moving home, they took the bar with them. The time and money needed to renovate their new pad also curtailed their going out. It coincided with what Claire says was a noticeable rise in the cost of going for a meal. Her revamped garden space has become a focal point, with the couple hosting loved ones twice a month for cocktail parties and other gathering, using her “Prosecco Palace” and the revamped interior.

Claire Appleton has transformed the garden of her home into the perfect place for a party, complete with a 'Prosecco Palace'
Claire Appleton has transformed the garden of her home into the perfect place for a party, complete with a ‘Prosecco Palace’

Claire estimates she and grounds works manager Matthew, 41 – parents to Liam, 23, Jake, 20, and Evie, 16 – save at least £550 a month as a result. She says they still go out, but only for special occasions – around seven times a year. Claire said: “We used to go out at least once every weekend. If you’re with a big group of people, a few rounds will set you back quite a bit. hen if we went to our local Italian restaurant, that would be at least another £50.

“I also used to go to Leeds for nights out – which would set me back up to £250 for one night. But I can stock our whole bar for £150 and have all of our family and friends round instead.”

She went on: “We have had so many good nights here and I actually prefer them – I think it’s a nicer atmosphere. Our home has become the centre of our socialising during the summer.

“Some people find hosting stressful, but I think it’s more stressful to wake up in the morning knowing you’ve spent more in a few hours than you do on the weekly shop.”

Claire Appleton: "Our home has become the centre of our socialising during the summer"
Claire Appleton: “Our home has become the centre of our socialising during the summer”

Research from price comparison website MoneySuperMarket suggests they are not alone. A survey found rising costs are changing people’s socialising habits. Three quarters of those asked said they were entertaining at home instead, with one in five throwing more parties than they did two years ago.

But the trend is deeply worrying for pubs, restaurants and other hospitality businesses that rely on such trade to survive. Many are struggling to keep their heads above water because of a jump in costs, from business rates and energy bills to April’s hike in employers’ national insurance and the national minimum wage. Industry chiefs warn that if people don’t support such business, they will disappear.

Claire, now an interior designer, said: “We will still go out but it is not as frequent. We still want to support local establishments but nowadays we are not going out every weekend. Life just isn’t as affordable as it was,” she adds.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email

Related News

Wimbledon tickets are available now as competition enters second week

5 July 2025

Major hunt for fare dodgers who beat off-duty policewoman who confronted them

5 July 2025

Brits urged to use hot water bottles on Tuesday as temperatures set to soar

5 July 2025

Trans killer says ‘human rights breached’ over leaked recording of ‘joke’

5 July 2025

Dad’s miracle escape from death after car ploughs into tree during 100mph race

5 July 2025

Woman thought she hit the Postcode Lottery jackpot until she opened her prize

5 July 2025
Latest News

Wild moment plane passenger ‘grabs her breasts’ as she furiously demands seat upgrade

5 July 2025

‘I found a genius travel storage hack to protect and organise your sunglasses on holiday’

5 July 2025

Cam Norrie left stunned over ‘dating Emma Raducanu’ question right after Wimbledon win

5 July 2025

UK’s ‘best beach’ with crystal clear water and white sands compared to Majorca and Ibiza

5 July 2025
Stay In Touch
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo
Don't Miss
Entertainment

Black Sabbath LIVE: Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell with Jack Black cameo and Diogo Jota tribute

By staff5 July 20250

Ozzy Osbourne is preparing to head on stage as the Prince of Darkness for one…

BBC doctor says you should send a text message this week

5 July 2025

Major hunt for fare dodgers who beat off-duty policewoman who confronted them

5 July 2025

Horror moment ‘pet’ lion leaps over garden wall to maul mum and two kids

5 July 2025
England Times
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
© 2025 England Times. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Go to mobile version