EXCLUSIVE We built a bar in our garden - it saves us £6,000 a year on nights out
Before bringing their social lives in-house, the family would spend hundreds of pounds a month on going out and partying, with a calendar jam-packed with pricey dinners, drinks trips and jaunts to Leeds.
The couple would, for example, go to Skipton for dinner and drinks twice a month, setting them back around £180, and also travel to and from Leeds for social events twice a month, costing £250 each time for transport, food and drinks.
Claire told This is Money: 'We used to go out at least once every weekend, and could easily spend around £100 on drinks in our local pub in Skipton.
'If you're with a big group of people, a few rounds will set you back quite a bit.'
Mum-of-three Claire, 42, has been renovating the family's 1920s detached house in North Yorkshire for five years.
In a bid to tackle the ever-rising cost of going out, Claire and Matthew, parents to Liam, 23, Jake, 20, and Evie, 16, built their own bar called 'Prosecco Palace' in their garden at home.
Claire went viral on social media after posting about her DIY garden bar, which she built, painted and decorated herself for £370 after sourcing materials on Amazon.
Claire said: 'I can stock our whole bar for £150 and have all our family and friends round.
'I normally buy big bottles of gin and vodka, whichever brand is on offer, and then Passoa, lime juice, sugar syrup and Prosecco, so I can make Porn Star martinis.'
She added: 'I'll also buy other cocktail ingredients and Kahlua and Baileys so we can make Baby Guinness shots. But some of those supplies will last for ages. We usually only do a restock once or twice a month.
'For food, I normally just do nibbles - if we are hosting a barbecue I'll ask people to bring their own food and say we'll supply all the booze.'
She is also a member of the MoneySuperMarket SuperSaveClub, which offers cashback and rewards on certain purchases.
Since renovating their garden and home, the couple now only go out for special occasions around seven times a year.
Claire told This is Money: 'We have had so many good nights here and I prefer it to going out now. I think it's a nicer atmosphere and out home has become central to our socialising during the summer.'
Ready to party: The Appleton's garden is packed with seating and dining areas
She added: 'Some people find hosting stressful, but I think it's more stressful to go out and then wake up in the morning knowing you've spent more in a few hours than you do on the weekly shop.'
As well as creating a bar, Claire has made further updates to her home's garden space, buying £200 worth of rattan furniture from Aldi.
It is not just the garden the pair have rejuvenated on a budget.
In the kitchen, the couple used DC-Fix film to give a new look to the worktops, painted the cupboards and replaced the handles.
For the living room, the couple managed to put together a fireplace for £150, using a reject surround from B&Q and a small electric heater from B&M. They also used a Primark tanning mitt to apply polish when sprucing up the bannisters.
Claire said: 'Our home is now more welcoming to guests and we've proved that you don't need loads of money to create a warm and comfortable environment.'
Claire reckons she saves more than £6,000 a year by socialising at home rather than going out.
She also said being part of MoneySuperMarket's SuperSaveClub had helped her save money and earn rewards when buying things for her home.
MoneySuperMarket's latest research found that 75 per cent of Britons are hosting more at home rather than going out, with one in five throwing more parties than two years ago.
For many households, the cost of going out for a bite to eat or drink has become prohibitively expensive, with even basic meals often costing a small fortune.
Kara Gammell, MoneySuperMarket's personal finance expert, said: 'There has been a real shift among our customers towards hosting at home in recent months.
'Not only is it cheaper, but it creates a relaxed feel and allows people to give their night the personal touch, making it more special for their guests.'
How to find a new mortgage
Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible.
Buy-to-let landlords should also act as soon as they can.
Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C
> Mortgage rates calculator
> Find the right mortgage for you
What if I need to remortgage?
Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act.
Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it.
Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees.
Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone.
What if I am buying a home?
Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be.
Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power.
What about buy-to-let landlords
Buy-to-let landlords with interest-only mortgages will see a greater jump in monthly costs than homeowners on residential mortgages.
This makes remortgaging in plenty of time essential and our partner L&C can help with buy-to-let mortgages too.
How to compare mortgage costs
The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker.
This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice.
Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs.
If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you.
> Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C
Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
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