In a time when we’re all doing our best to pinch the pennies and try to enjoy life, any and all money-saving tips are an absolute godsend.
Better still, we don’t begrudge anyone who wants to get away for a few days at the minute; it’s a stressful time to live in this country and sometimes even a short city break can help hit the rest button.
So, when we stumbled across Manc TikTok couple, Ryan and Jade of ‘Live the Dash’ – who have garnered a huge audience through their short but informative travel videos – we thought it only right to share them with you lot as well.
For anyone unaware, these Manchester locals spend their free time travelling around the world on a budget, showing how you don’t have to break the bank to squeeze in a little trip. Led by nothing other than wanderlust, the pair often just throw a dart at a map and visit wherever it lands.
As you can see, the real value of their videos (pardon the pun) comes when they set themselves a limit on spending and show off how to enjoy a city on nothing more than, say, £100.
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Covering everything from flights and accommodation to food and activities, this canny couple regularly end their travels with money left over. We can’t remember the last time we didn’t overspend on holiday.
One of our favourites, and undoubtedly one of their most popular videos to date, is when they planned an entire holiday which cost them less than a train ticket from Manchester Piccadilly to London would cost.
It’s this kind of content that has seen the Mancunian influencers amass countless views, over 10.7m likes and more than 331,000 followers.
Not only do the duo have a very amusing obsession wtih trying McDonald’s from around the world (you know you all do exactly the same the second you step foot abroad), but they also have numerous travel hacks to make going on your jollies that little bit easier.
As well as sharing a really useful flight tracker trick that we really should have known about a long time ago, they even explained how you can save some serious money when parking at the airport.
We’re genuinely annoyed we didn’t find this account sooner, especially when they regularly highlight so many parts of our lovely city and the North West in general.
Be sure to check out our new favourite Manc TikTok couple the next time you find yourself scrolling for hours on end.
Oh, and make sure to follow The Manc’s TikTok page too — it’s great, even if we do say so ourselves.
Train ticket prices slashed by more than 50% as huge rail sale returns across UK
Emily Sergeant
The Great British Rail Sale is returning in the new year, and train ticket prices will be slashed by up to 50% or more.
Millions of discounted train tickets for half term activities, weekend getaways, and even commuting will be up for grabs next week, as the week-long rail sale – which is set to run from 6 to 12 January 2026 – will give passengers the chance to save well over 50% on many advance and off-peak tickets.
The reduced fares can be used to travel on thousands of popular routes between 13 January and 25 March 2026.
Nearly all train operators are taking part, with routes spanning the entire country.
For example, those who may be planning a quick getaway abroad over the next couple of months will be able to save quite a few pennies, as journeys from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport will cost just £1.20, down from £2.90.
You can get up to 50% off train tickets next week / Credit: Northern | Transpennine Express
This is the fourth year of the Great British Rail Sale, with last year’s sale selling more than one million tickets and saving passengers around £8 per journey, as well as generating £9 million in ticket sale revenue for the industry.
“The Rail Sale is back,” commented Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander. “And that means further discounts for passengers as we freeze rail fares for the first time in three decades to help ease the cost of living.
“We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so whether you’re planning a half term getaway, or visiting friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions.”
This year’s sale comes as the Government aims to ‘ease the cost of living’ for hard-working people by freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years.
If you weren’t aware, the Government is also in the process of bringing in major reform to Britain’s rail services by establishing Great British Railways (GBR) – which is the new, nationalised organisation to run the railway uniting together 17 different organisations under a single directing mind.
Adventurous Mancs needed to take part in next series of BBC’s Race Across the World
Emily Sergeant
Are you a fan of travelling? Got a bit of a competitive streak in your nature? Well, this might just be your calling then.
The BBC is, once again, casting for the next series of Race Across the World.
The BAFTA-winning hit show draws in thousands of viewers each week, and now producers are on the look-out for ‘intrepid duos’ of all ages who reckon they’re ready to take a step into the unknown, and embark on an epic race across land and sea for the next seried – and that includes Greater Manchester residents.
With applications for the next series of the massively-popular show now open, nomadic Mancs are being encouraged to take part.
On a limited budget and away from the luxuries of modern technology and conveniences, those lucky applicants selected to take part in the next series will get the chance to experience life in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations.
Adventurous Mancs are needed to take part in the next series of Race Across the World / Credit: BBC
Navigating their way across thousands of miles, they’ll travel through spectacular scenery and dynamic cities, visit ancient wonders, learn local customs, and take part in time-honoured traditions.
But, as producers are keen to point out, ‘the physical journey is only half of the story’. That’s because, as the contestants take on the challenge of travelling across the world, the greatest thing they’ll discover along the way could actually be about themselves and one another.
Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Studio Lambert wrote: “We are now accepting applications for the next series of Race Across the World. This experience is open to all, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or total novice.
“We want to hear what undertaking a trip like this would mean to you, and with a cash prize at stake, what lengths you would go to to win.”
Fancy it then? Applications for the next series of Race Across the World are now open for anyone over 18 years of age, with a deadline date of 29 March 2026, and you can find out more information and apply via the BBC website.
Danny Jones -
23rd November 2022 
