2011 had all the elements of a dramatic novel - there was a fairy tale romance; good triumphing over evil; revolutions, celebrations; the launch of game-changing products and technology. It was all rather exhausting. But with 2012 shaping up to be even more epic, it's time to dig in and...

How did I get here yet again? A year later and again, it's 10pm after a long day of work, looking at a pile of Christmas cards still to address and a list of gifts to buy that's really, really long.

I promise myself every year that I'll be...

Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Mega Monday, Manic Monday. Why is there a need to amp up the shopping pressure by putting a label on a day when you (and a few million others) panic and realise that Christmas is around the corner and you've barely given thought to what you'll...

Having lived in three countries and a half-dozen cities, I've been lucky enough to have the opportunity to discover different cultures and lifestyles. As well as opening my mind, this has opened my wallet to different and unique shopping opportunities.

It used to be a source of incredible excitement...

It's like clockwork at this time of year, the leaves turn, the air starts to chill - and with the first signs of red and green I start to breakout in a cold sweat.

Having just been made dizzy by how much was spent on our summer holidays and...