We're loving... We're hating... We're buying...

Compiled by Ben Naylor

Loving... home gyms

After all the indulgence of the last few weeks, January is typically a time for abstinence and good intentions for the year ahead. Flyers for gym memberships will invariably be thrust into hands, and many people will succumb to the photo of the bronzed Adonis promising "rock-hard abs". Alas, many people will sign up for a year and only venture into the gym once or twice. When you consider an average gym membership costs £35 a month, or £470 a year, the home gym offers a less costly option. At www.yorkfitness.com they have multi-gyms from £49, rowing machines from £99 and treadmills from £250. Their use should far exceed a year, you don't have to go out to use them and you won't have to exercise next to anyone in a leotard.

Hating... shopping

Christmas 2008 was always going to be a trying time for the high street. Experian FootFall, a company that measures the number of shoppers entering each store, reported that Christmas Eve numbers were down 4.3 per cent on last year. January offers the opportunity for frugal shopping, but this year, which has seen a series of household names go into administration and sales plummet, retailers are making even more dramatic reductions. The White company, Laura Ashley, House of Fraser and John Lewis are all offering up to 50 per cent discounts on their homeware ranges with everything from household appliances to leather sofas included. This stylish chandelier from House of Fraser is down to £154 from £195.

Buying... digital photo frames

Digital cameras have all but relegated their celluloid ancestors to the brink of extinction but most people will admit that when it comes to actually printing out a digital image they are a little reticent. As a result, pictures are seldom viewed more than once before being confined to a computer's hard drive. An LCD digital frame is a good way to display prize snaps without worrying about having the right printer paper – or having to order prints from a photographic store. The 7in screen of the Sony DPFD70 LCD frame will display up to 500 high-resolution shots. It is available from John Lewis for £97, but there is a £50 discount if you buy a Nikon camera from www.nikoncompletepicture.com .