Sue created the calendar without spending any money (Picture: Sue Mary)
Advent calendars come in all shapes and sizes these days.
But if you want a more sustainable option, a calendar you can fill yourself, year after year, is a great option.
One mum took it a step further and recycled materials she had lying around the house to create an incredible reusable calendar for her three kids.
Mum-of-three Sue designed a calendar made from firewood, string and some clothes pegs.
Her husband put the leftover wood together in a tree shape and she added the finishing touches.
She then attached little envelopes she already had, filled each one with chocolate coins and added a number to the front.
She attached battery-powered lights to make it even more festive.
Each envelope is filled with three gold coins (Picture: Sue Mary)
She said: ‘All made from stuff in the house/shed already (including the light string – has rechargeable batteries in). Full of foil-wrapped coins for our 3 children.
‘Three fewer plastic advent calendars! Credit to my husband for making what I described out of our firewood pile.’
Sue used leftover wood but if you don’t have any lying around, you could try recycling an old pallet, that you can get through Facebook. Although Sue kept her tree plain, you could add some colour if you have any leftover paint lying around.
String and clothes pegs can be picked up from a pound store.
Sue said she had the tiny envelopes leftover from when she used to use them to put her kid’s dinner money in but now the school uses a cashless system so she didn’t need them anymore.
Aleksandr the Meerkat, watch your back: there’s a new anthropomorphised corporate mascot in town, and he’s coming to snatch the hearts of the British public. And, indeed, your wig!
Aldi’s mascot Kevin the Carrot has become a festive stalwart since his debut in 2016, with this year’s Peaky Blinders-inspired advert being declared the most successful Christmas ad of the season. John Lewis, your baby dragon took one hell of a beating!
Now, for the third year running, you can purchase a furry toy of Kevin the Carrot’s likeness, along with his wife Katie and three children – just in time for Christmas.
But you better get in fast: in 2018, the toys were in such high demand that they sold out and ended up on Ebay for as much as £1000 – despite the fact they only retailed at £2.99. Buying yourself a cuddly carrot could be a sound financial investment.
After all, who among us couldn’t do with a cheeky extra grand at this time of year?
But, in an effort to stop unscrupulous toy barons buying up all the stock to resell them on Ebay, Aldi have limited purchases to two items per customer, so it might not work as a get-rich-quick scheme.
An absurdly large Kevin the Carrot toy standing next to a young girl (Picture: Aldi)
As well as normal-size toys, which are on sale for £3.99, you can buy an absurdly giant one for £19.99, which stands at one metre tall, and one of Kevin’s arch-nemesis, the evil Pascal the Parsnip.
But it’s worth saying that this guy Pascal is seriously twisted: in the 2018 Aldi advert, he actually plans to murder and eat both Kevin and his little carrot children.
Given that Pascal is a vegetable himself, this is barely a notch away from cannibalism. It’s monstrous, and completely unforgivable, behaviour.
Do you really want to bring such bad vibes into your home during the season of goodwill?
Pascal the Parsnip, as you can tell from the scowl on his face, he’s not a nice bloke (Picture: Aldi)
Villainous parsnips aside, if you’ve been reading up to this point and thinking, ‘yes, yes, all of this sounds great — but I’m Scottish, so what about me?’ then you’re in luck — because there’s also a Kevin the Carrot who wears a kilt.
This special edition raises money for Kiltwalk, a Scottish charity which supports a wide range of causes, and comes in either size. As for the question of whether or not Kevin is a ‘true Scotsman’, we can only speculate.
The toys can be purchased in stores from Thursday 28 November from 8am, but you can also preorder them online on Aldi’s website from 24 November.
Fancy a luxury break? It doesn’t get much more luxurious than a whole Champagne bar to yourself.
This converted 15th-century watermill has its own Champagne bar and hot tub.
And with 16 rooms, it is the perfect place to stay for a big group trip.
The property was transformed by Sandy Potter, 53, who started property development after her divorce to support her daughters.
The holiday let is in the Peak District countryside and there are an amazing seven bedrooms.
The Grade II listed property features in the Domesday Book and was used to mill corn and wheat until about 1960.
Sandy and her second husband David Potter, 47, have restored its 300-year-old water wheel, and it retains its ancient stonework and oak beams.
The outside of the property (Picture: Cottages.com/BNPS)
One of the seven bedrooms (Picture: Cottages.com/BNPS)
A bathroom (Picture: Cottages.com/BNPS)
More modern touches include a luxurious Champagne bar and a hot tub.
They bought the property for £650,000 in February and have spent £100,000 renovating it, with the work taking two months.
Sandy said: ‘We feel so lucky to custodians of such a special house with amazing history.
‘When we bought it the water wheel was rotting away and trying to find an engineer to fix it was quite a challenge.
It dates back to the 15th century (Picture: Cottages.com/BNPS)
Another smaller bedroom (Picture: Cottages.com/BNPS)
Sandy doing the decorating (Picture: Cottages.com/BNPS)
‘All the bits had to be hand made so it was a costly process but it is now once again the biggest working wheel in the Peak District.
‘We’ve tried to make the property a mixture of the new and old, adding the Champagne bar and contemporary furniture to go with the traditional features. We’re very proud of it.’
Sandy started her business after she divorced her husband 20 years ago, creating a bed and breakfast. At the time, daughter Sophie was seven and her second little girl Maria just four years old.
The hallway (Picture: Cottages.com/BNPS)
The garden (Picture: Cottages.com/BNPS)
The living area (Picture: Cottages.com/BNPS)
Sandy has since renovated a string of properties into successful holiday lets in the county, with this one her most ambitious project yet.
She said: ‘After my divorce, suddenly I had no pension fund or future security, in fact, I had no means whatsoever.
‘Pensions and support with care costs were issues constantly on my mind.
They kept a lot of the original features (Picture: Cottages.com/BNPS)
There’s space for 16 people (Picture: Cottages.com/BNPS)
The kitchen (Picture: Cottages.com/BNPS)
‘My primary reason for setting up a holiday let was to not only provide an income for the short term but to future-proof my pension and care costs so that my daughters didn’t have to worry about this either.
‘Holiday-lets were the best solution for me and eventually, it became clear that they would provide more income than from a buy-to-let.
‘Having this ‘nest egg’ that would ‘keep on giving’ alleviate my concerns about the future for my family.
Say cheese! (Picture: Cottages.com/BNPS)
The Champagne bar (Picture: Cottages.com/BNPS)
‘When I’m ready to retire, my children will be hands-on and run the properties and take over the business, so there is a job for them, and an income for me too.’
Sarah Derbyshire, business development manager at Cottages.com, said: “Not only has Sandy transformed this historic property into an inspiring retreat but it’s clear her attention to detail is paying dividends in her overall success.
“The passion and dedication from Sandy and her family make it a truly beautiful place to stay and I have no doubt she will continue to thrive.”
The Water Mill is available as a holiday-let on Cottages.com from £1,586 for a four-night break.
These TikTok ‘Christmas Bomb’ videos are the newest festive craze (Picture: @Nut.Samm)
Picture a Venn diagram. In one circle, there are those home renovation shows that cause you to visibly weep. In the other, there are Buddy the elf levels of Christmas energy. Oh, and what’s that sitting tight in the overlap? Why, you sweet spring lamb, its TikTok’s freshest – and most festive – viral challenge.
Over the past week, people have been posting their ‘Christmas explosion’ home makeovers on TikTok. The videos begin with a Christmas bauble being flung into a simple room. Then everything begins to tremble.
Viewers are left momentarily shooketh, until the door is opened to reveal that the room is now a festive re-imagining of its former self.
Beauty blogger Nabela Noor has created a particularly dreamy Christmas explosion video, even though her pristine living room didn’t require a makeover of any kind.
We’re also fans of Insta-famous Corgi duo Doby and Blue’s version of the challenge.
The science of the humble bauble performing the cleaning and decorating is mind-bending. What a magnificent product! A soon-to-be top seller, no doubt about it! However, one underground theory is that the room makeover is actually a trick created in the editing suite.
Not too sure what’s more impressive in this one, that the pupperinos are so obedient or the revelation that people decorate not just their living rooms for Christmas, but their bedrooms too!
She said: ‘Plain heart wreath from home bargains £6 and £5 of things to stick on from Poundland. All stuck down with a glue gun ( also from Poundland) Total cost £11.’
The glue gun cost £2 with refills costing £2, but it can be used for other projects.
She shared pictures of the plain topiary grass heart she bought from the budget store and then showed what it looked like after she added all the decorations, including baubles, stars, dried oranges, pine cones and a gold ribbon at the bottom.
It looks fantastic (Picture: Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK)
The post received 7,800 likes and over 522 comments with some people even suggesting Laura should make more and sell them.
One said: ‘You should make more of these and sell them you’d make a packet. I would definitely buy one of these from you.’
Another added: ‘OMG That’s gorgeous!! Well done. Are you selling them? I’d be interested.’
‘That’s gorgeous. Much nicer than any I’ve seen in the shops,’ someone else said.
After reading all the comments, Laura updated the post and said thanks.
She added that she wasn’t sure about selling them but she was planning to make more for friends and family.
It’s cold. It’s wet. It’s dark. It’s miserable. It’s rancid. The best way we can possibly describe an English winter.
Whilst the weather continues to be the topic of conversation for all in the land, perhaps the best way to brighten up these dark times is to add some much-needed calories into the mix.
With Christmas day a mere month away, now is the best time to unleash the podge (or add to it) and down a hot chocolates or two.
Yeah mulled wine and spiced ciders are nice, but let’s face it, the drink for winter is a steaming, deliciously creamy and lusciously thick mug of cocoa.
Here’s some of London’s best to get you in the mood for the festive season.
Fortnum & Mason at Somerset House
You’ll leave this place instantly thinking ‘this is the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had.’ Made with Colombian chocolate, this rich and exceedingly creamy cup of absolute calorific joy is ICCO classified (only 6 to 8% of the world’s chocolate holds this distinction) and is served in four flavours at the Fortnum’s lodge pop-up at Somerset House: milk, dark, ruby or boozy.
Add in a Champagne and chocolate fondue and you’ve got yourself one hell of a good, though sickly, night.
Cereal Killer Cafe
Luckily this was not made by an actual serial killer. We think so, anyway. Cereal Killer’s hot chocolates have no shame; they are excess personified. Hot chocolate fills the glass, which is then topped with cream, chocolate sauce and cereal, because obviously.
You’ll also be delighted to know this hot mess comes with a straw. Thank the chocolate gods for that.
The thickest hot chocolate in London is intense. The family recipe can be traced all the way back to Rome where the original shop opened over 80 years ago, and before you ask, the recipe is indeed top secret.
Hearty, gluttonous and just plain wow to behold, mugs are lathered in copious amounts of chocolate and are often served with a side of double chocolate cake. Advice: you’re gonna need an extra spoon for this demanding bad boy.
Konditor
Let’s face it, we all love this place because of just how amazing the Curly Wurly cake is. Sponge aside, the hot chocolate is also worth shouting about. Though the stuff is packed in a load of plastic, don’t let it fool you because the milky goodness is made fresh everyday.
Inside the bottle? Double cream, full-fat milk, vanilla pods and two types of Callebaut chocolate.
Rococo
In a word this Belgravia institution is truly fabulous. To have in or take out, the hot chocolate here is fierce with organic cocoa beans sustainably and ethically sourced all the way from the Caribbean.
Gloopy and creamy, we’ll warn you now that you’ll probably end up buying a second mug. The sea salt chocolate slabs are pretty darn good, too.
Alain Ducasse is one of those celebrity chefs who has his fingers firmly lodged in many, many pies. With restaurants in some of the world’s most prestigious hotels, you do indeed get what you pay for when it comes to anything associated with Mr D.
The same rule applies to his industrial-chic gaff in King’s Cross Coal Drops Yard. Though it’s known for its extortionately priced exclusive single-origin coffees, an often overlooked menu staple is the uber intense Ducasse hot chocolate, served in some rather beautiful bespoke glassware.
Made with a selection of dark varieties and milk from the shores of Normandy, one sip will make you understand why people travel far and wide to get their chops on the Ducasse cups.
At a fiver, it’s expensive but totally worth it.
The Berkeley Hotel
A five-star hotel is bound to have a five-star hot chocolate, right? Duh, of course. At this flashy Knighstbridge hotel, liquid Scottish chocolate ganache is mixed with a lush combination of organic milk for an extremely indulgent hot chocolate experience.
Layered with lashings of whipped cream and marshmallows, the chocolaty beast also comes with a signature chocolate donning the Berkeley logo (one for the Instagram). Oh, and if you visit the hotel’s winter rooftop cinema, hot chocolate is bottomless. Enjoy.
Chin Chin
A paper cup crowned by a giant blow-torched, handmade marshmallow topping a luxuriously decadent mix of gloopy hot chocolate mix. Quite possibly the greatest headliner in the history of hot chocolate.
Whilst mallows are nothing new, this one brings a whole new meaning to the art of cocoa. Charred and sticky, you’re basically drinking a giant liquid s’more, minus the fire and all the hard work in between. Vegan options are available too.
Award winning chocolates, truffles and brownies are on the menu at this Wardour Street gaff. The recipient of countless awards, Paul has been ranked amongst the world’s greatest chocolatiers and is regarded an alchemist for his innovative and creative flavour combinations.
With stores all across town, go for the Aztec, a fantastical combo of dark cocoa and red hot chilli. Lush AF.
Dark Sugars
If you haven’t been to this Brick Lane name, you’re seriously missing out. Mountains of chocolate aside, the steaming cups of hot chocolate is reason enough to go alone. Decorated with generous shavings of dark milk or white chocolate, ask to top yours with a cheeky truffle. You will thank us later.
All yours for 50k…(Picture: The Plum Guide/Netflix)
Posh vacation rental company the Plum Guide is offering travellers and Londoners looking for a staycation the ultimate royal experience complete with corgis and a personal butler – and it will only set you back £50k.
With literally the entire world glued to their phones and laptops avidly watching Olivia Colman assume the role of Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, Plum Guide has launched a super OTT royal rental that will literally have you living like a member of the Royal family.
Where will you stay, you ask? At the Earl of Fitzroy, a palatial Grade I-listed Georgian townhouse in London’s Fitzrovia which was featured in season two of the hit royal drama.
Regal digs: The exterior of The Earl of Fitzroy was used in season 2 of The Crown. (Picture Credit: The Plum Guide)
With room for up to 16, the house features a fully stocked library, Robert Adam fireplaces, an indoor pool, sauna and slick gym, and should you have a Bentley or two, large double garage.
In addition to the fab digs, the £50,000 mega treat also includes a personal butler, a royal etiquette workshop coached by William Hanson, horse and carriage transportation, afternoon tea (in the company of some corgis) a royal banquet-style dinner, the use of regal jewels and you’ll even get a hamper stocked with some of the Queen’s alleged favourite brands.
Corgi chic: The experience comes with a personal butler. (Picture: The Plum Guide)
If that’s not enough, the bank account busting staycation also includes a private tour of Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms, usually only open to the public during the Summer State Rooms opening.
If you want to book it, you’ll have to be fast as its all dished out on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll also have to stay for a minimum of 1 week.
And if you ever saw him, you would even say he glows… (Picture: Asda/Facebook)
Although we’re not quite there yet, it’s getting to the time of year when you can start putting up Christmas decorations without making your neighbours hate you.
Filling up your house with light is certainly one way of making the dark nights of winter less gloomy, but decorations are often expensive.
The good news is that Asda is selling a reindeer disco ball that only costs £5, and it’s already been getting rave reviews.
The description on the website says: ‘This sparkly reindeer head Christmas light from George Home is the perfect way to illuminate your home this Christmas. Sporting gold-effect glitter antlers and a big red nose, what’s not to love?’
It needs two AA batteries so stock up ahead of the festive season.
On Facebook group Extreme Couponing and Bargains group, one delighted woman wrote, ‘Bigger then I expected… It’s really cute and it stands out, my two-year-old loves looking at it.
‘It’s perfect if you have kids as it looks like a glittery disco light… Great price for something so lovely.’
She wasn’t the only one to be happy with her purchase.
Another user wrote: ‘So happy I bought this, it’s actually better than I was expecting and has the added bonus of being an absolute bargain.’
If you’re on the hunt for bargain Christmas decorations, Aldi are also selling a range of toys based on their ‘Kevin the Carrot’ adverts, beginning at £3.99. Or you could, uh, place a Tesco delivery van on your roof.
How bad can debt get? (Picture: Phébe Lou Morson for Metro.co.uk)
Being in debt can be seriously scary. Whether it’s credit cards, overdrafts, car parking tickets or loans, owing money and not being able to pay it is stressful and anxiety-inducing.
But how bad can being in debt actually get?
You may have heard some horror stories about people going to prison for being unable to pay off their debt – but we’re here to tell you that this is for the most part a big fat myth.
According to Debt Support Trust, a debt help charity, you cannot go to prison simply for being in debt. Being in debt is not a crime. The only way you could end up doing some jail time that would have anything to do with debt is if you act fraudulently, or if you don’t adhere to a court order.
There are other enforcement methods that will usually be employed before imprisonment, such as attachment of earnings, which is when money is taken directly from your wages.
As mentioned, you could face jail time for acting fraudulently, which would include deliberately claiming for benefits that you are not legally entitled to, or if you took out credit with no intention of paying it back.
If you have legally obtained credit cards, loans, utility bills, store cards and other types of debt you do not need to worry – if they were applied for honestly, it is a civil matter and you cannot go to prison, even if you refuse to pay back the money you owe.
How could you end up facing prison as a result of debt?
The only way you could go to jail as a result of debt is if you deliberately disobey certain court orders.
For example, if a bailiff has been unsuccessful in seizing goods and creditors then use other means to enforce collection, such as an attachment of earnings order.
The charity states that if you have a court order against you and you are asked to pay back a certain amount then you must adhere to this, or you could be jailed on the grounds of breaking the agreement from the court.
If you deliberately and persistently refuse to cooperate with the county courts in these matters, you can be arrested and sent to prison for up to 14 days.
You cannot go to prison for being in debt (Picture: Ella Byworth)
But it’s important to remember that no prison sentence will ever be because of non-payment of debt, but for the offence of failing to follow a court’s order in regard to the debts.
The prison sentence will not be for non-payment of the debt, but will be for the offence of failing to follow the court’s order in regard to the debts.
And, as mentioned, most companies will try to settle things privately with you before facing any court action – by initiating things such as payment plans, or by negotiating a settlement before taking court action – which is what generally happens with council tax debt.
What are the debt solutions to avoid prison?
As mentioned, you won’t be jailed for being in debt – but there are ways you can prevent it leading to court action.
It’s always best to seek help and deal with your debt before it becomes a court issue.
It is important to keep in touch with the companies you owe money to, in order to be able to update them on your situation, to ask them what can be done in terms of smaller payment plans and settlements.
You could also speak to Debt Support Service, who may be able to help you with a debt management plan, which is an informal arrangement between yourself and your creditors, which allows you to pay back your debts at a rate you can afford.
What’s most important to remember is that although being in debt is scary, it can be sorted out, and it’s important you do seek help, don’t suffer alone and remain proactive.
Debt Month
This article is part of a month-long focus in November all about debt.
Scary word, we know, but we're hoping if we tackle this head on we'll be able to reduce the shame around money struggles and help everyone improve their understanding of their finances.
For most people, the idea of debt usually has negative connotations.
Contrary to popular belief, being in debt can also be a positive thing, and could help you secure everything from a mortgage to a higher overdraft limit.
That being said, We’re not suggesting that you rack up thousands in debt by signing up to a monthly payment scheme to pay off your clothes purchases, or get a credit card to fund that holiday trip with your mates.
But good, manageable debt does exist: here’s how it works.
Why should you build up good debt?
‘In order for people to build up a solid credit history and gain a good credit score, some form of debt is required,’ Chloe Rowlands from TIC Finance, a company that specialises in property funding solutions and stopping house repossession, tells us.
‘Debt in general tends to be perceived as a negative, but it can in fact be positive. “Good debt” can in fact help you work towards a more financially stable and secure future.’
However, it’s not the debt itself that is the important aspect – it’s how well you manage to pay it back.
Essentially, what you’re looking to do is to build up your borrowing history and showcase that you’re a responsible debtor who is able to pay back the money they owe in a set time-frame and without any problems.
Doing this boosts your credit score, which lenders look at when you apply for loans to buy something substantial.
Chloe explains that the key difference between good and bad debt is that good debt increases in value over time or boost your overall net worth.
‘Good debt allows you to manage your finances more effectively, covers unforeseen financial emergencies and can teach you how to budget and manage your money effectively,’ Chloe says.
‘A mortgage is a great example of a good debt to have, as it’s likely the property can increase in value, meaning if you were to sell it in future you would gain more than what you have invested.
‘There are many different kinds of debt and ways to look at it, just be aware it isn’t always a negative thing.’
What is good debt?
Getting on the property ladder is getting increasingly difficult, but it’s not the only way to accrue good debt. Student loans or sensible business loans also fall into this category, and often improve your financial image.
Rebekah Gerry, financial well-being lead at Neyber, an employee benefit service, tells us that it’s possible to trick the system into believing that you’ve got good debt with the help of credit cards.
‘Many people are also able to ‘game’ the system – by taking on short-term debt via credit cards in order to get cash-back or rewards, and paying it off in full before any interest accrues,’ she says.
‘This is something that requires discipline as it can easily spiral out of control because of the high interest rates that kick in if the debt is not repaid in full.
‘Short-term loans, perhaps for a safer family-friendly car, home renovations and so forth, aren’t necessarily bad debt either, if they allow people to afford things that they need now but could take years to save up for – but obviously people need to be able to afford the monthly repayments.’
Examples of good debt
As a general rule, in order to accrue good debt, purchases made with borrowed money need to increase in value over time – and the debt must be manageable.
Property
Short-term loans for cars
Student loans
Business loans
Keep in mind that it doesn’t matter if you’ve bought good debt, like a house or a car, if you’re constantly behind with repayments.
On the flipside, bad debt includes payday loans or not being on top of your overdraft limit.
Sure, you pay back that £1,000 you owe every month when your paycheck comes in, but if you’re always in the ‘red’, you’re not only paying fees but it’s also an unattractive trait to lenders.
‘Payday loans are what you might call “negative” debt, as using one suggests you are struggling to make ends meet,’ says Becky O’Connor, personal finance specialist for Royal London.
‘They also come with extremely high interest, which makes the chances of you needing to use debt again the following month even greater. Because of the likely reason for use and the high interest, with these, you are more likely to enter a debt spiral than other forms of more manageable debt.
‘Being constantly at or near your credit limit is considered a debt use “negative”. It suggests you aren’t really on top of repayments.
‘Lenders like you to be borrowing less than 50% of whatever credit limit you have.’
Examples of debt to avoid
‘Rolling debt’ with no end in sight – i.e. when you only pay the minimum amount on a credit card.
‘Background debt’ that you have no idea of the real cost of – i.e. a fixed-rate mortgage that’s reverted to the bank’s Standard Variable Rate, and which you could easily switch to avoid paying much more interest than you need to.
‘Stop-gap debt’ – i.e borrowing money to make a repayment on another debt.
‘Regular, high-cost debt’ – i.e going over your overdraft limit, when you could just negotiate a new limit, move some money around or get a credit card. Regularly using any expensive form of borrowing is a terrible idea generally – like regularly using high-cost short term credit (payday loans).
‘Irresponsible debt’ – i.e borrowing to gamble, or buying something you don’t really need.
Source: Chris Lilly from finder.com, a personal finance comparison site.
Why are we so scared of getting ourselves in debt?
For some people, being in debt can cause a lot of stress.
According to research by N26, an online bank, 9.5million Brits suffer mental health issues because of money concerns.However, this is more often caused by unmanageable or unplanned debt, as opposed to good debt that we feel comfortable with.
‘The fear of debt can develop from multiple sources,’ said Dr Joe Gladstone, asistant professor of consumer behaviour at the UCL School of Management.
‘Research in economics and psychology shows that most people are loss-averse; they are more concerned with avoiding losses (which debt payments could reasonably be considered) than acquiring gains.
‘Similarly, most people are risk-averse; they dislike uncertain outcomes and debts are perceived as risky. But there are also idiosyncratic influences on a persons aversion to debt, including childhood experiences and how anxious a person is in general.
‘Not everyone will worry about debt to the same extent.’
Unfortunately, due to the nature of good debt, it can be difficult for some people to build up a positive borrowing history.
‘It seems inherently wrong that you have to take on debt simply to be able to qualify for additional debt at a later date,’ says Freddy Kelly, the founder of Credit Kudos, an alternative credit scoring platform that helps people with thin or non-existent credit files access affordable credit.
‘This also creates problems for people who aren’t able to build up this historical information – perhaps because they’ve lived abroad or simply don’t want to risk getting a credit card.
‘These people can find themselves locked out of accessing credit they could afford, simply because of how the traditional credit bureaus assess someone’s creditworthiness.’
If you’re able to get good debt, it could help you in the future, but it’s more important that you stay on top of your finances in general.
For those who are already in bad debt, there are ways to improve your credit score so that, eventually, you can swap it over to good debt.
Debt Month
This article is part of a month-long focus in November all about debt.
Scary word, we know, but we're hoping if we tackle this head on we'll be able to reduce the shame around money struggles and help everyone improve their understanding of their finances.
I started buying slightly more expensive makeup, or a new outfit for a night out, confident that I could pay it back (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
I always thought I was OK at managing my money before credit was available to me. I spent what I earned, and that was that.
Then soon after I turned 18 I received a call from my bank. The guy wanted me to come in for a financial health check.
We met and he told me it would be for the best if I took out a credit card ‘for safety reasons – as you should never shop online using a debit card’.
I dutifully signed all the forms and when my card arrived in the post I felt flush with all of the ‘money’ suddenly available to me. I had no real idea what an APR was – but I now had the means to treat myself.
I started buying slightly more expensive makeup, or a new outfit for a night out, confident that I could pay it back over a few months and not overdo it.
But during that time I was in a pretty dark place. My relationship was unstable, I was suffering from severe anxiety and depression and my self-worth was at an all-time low. Buying things was my go-to pick me up, which quickly spiralled into a full-blown shopping addiction.
I’d pop into town several times a week and spend between £50 and £100 on clothes, make-up and anything that made me feel pampered. It wasn’t unusual for me to drive to the Trafford Centre and drop £200 just because I needed cheering up.
Soon my card was maxed out, as was my overdraft. The same guy from the bank called again. This time he told me that I needed a consolidation loan to pay off my credit card and my overdraft, and he’d even throw in an extra £500 ‘because it’s nearly Christmas, so you’ll want to be able to buy good presents’.
I had a wardrobe full of clothes and a make-up collection to rival James Charles, but it wasn’t worth the stress I felt.
I fully trusted that this man had my best financial interests at heart and was completely naive to the possibility that this wasn’t the advice I needed.
This cycle continued. I jumped into an even worse relationship and by the time I was 23 I had amassed around £13,000 of debt and was on my second consolidation loan.
I had a wardrobe full of clothes and a make-up collection to rival James Charles, but it wasn’t worth the stress I felt.
Although I’d never once missed a payment, I’d also never made more than the minimum payments either. I knew that missing payments had consequences and I knew I had to do something before things got out of control.
I googled whether or not I could declare myself bankrupt and spent every spare minute researching interest rates and finance until I actually understood the situation.
I was able to shop around for the best interest-free credit cards and shift most of my debt to those while concentrating on paying off the rest as quickly as I could.
The addiction I’d once had to shopping suddenly transformed into an addiction to seeing my debt go down. I sold everything I could on eBay, started mystery shopping around my full-time job and set myself a challenge to have as many no-spend days in a row as I could.
I’ve experienced a few setbacks, such as losing my job in the same week everybody in my block of flats got evicted so that they could develop it.
I signed on to Universal Credit, but the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) wouldn’t give me a penny before my rent was due – only an emergency loan, which of course charged interest. I used a 0 per cent credit card instead, which meant I got nothing as I ‘had access to money’. Luckily I wasn’t out of work for long.
In five years, I’ve paid off around £10,000 and am due to be completely debt-free in 11 months time. Since 2014, I haven’t paid a penny in interest and I have considered every purchase carefully.
One of my biggest financial milestones was building up an emergency fund so that I never have to fall back on credit again. I did this through selling things, switching bank accounts and using apps that offer different types of cashback for minimal effort.
The one good thing to come out of all of this is that I am now the friend who knows about money. I can advise my pals on how to avoid making the same mistakes I did, how to properly manage their debt and what on earth compound interest is.
I can’t wait to be completely debt-free, and hopefully in another five years I’ll have loads of money in the bank instead.
Debt Month
This article is part of a month-long focus in November all about debt.
Scary word, we know, but we're hoping if we tackle this head on we'll be able to reduce the shame around money struggles and help everyone improve their understanding of their finances.
The countdown to Christmas has officially begun and it’s time to start thinking about presents – whether they’re for friends and loved ones, or even just for you!
Fortunately, Black Friday has made festive splurges that little bit more affordable, and there are some truly amazing deals to be had this year.
If it’s tech and home appliance deals you’re after, AO has a few awesome bargains on the cards this Black Friday.
Here are just a few of the offers available:
Bargain spotting
Beautiful decorations, a house full of guests and bundles of presents – Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
It’s also a busy period of trying to squeeze in some end-of-year catch-ups with your nearest and dearest. But if you find you simply cannot find the time for everyone in your contact list, that’s where something like the Lenovo Smart Display with Google Assistant (normally £159) comes in handy.
This smart speaker has an interactive touchscreen and built-in camera, which is perfect for video-chatting with friends and family – so much more personal than a normal phone call.
Also, thanks to its Google Assistant feature, you can get the answers to any pressing questions you have – such as where on earth to buy the obscure toys on your children’s Christmas lists.
Not only that, but you can stream music from it and even sync it to other smart devices in your home, giving you full control with just the touch of a finger.
This Black Friday, the Lenovo Smart Display, which was £159, is now £79 at AO – a saving of £80.
Welcome offers
In the run-up to Christmas, you’re undoubtedly expecting a lot of deliveries – but, let’s face it, who has the time to sit around waiting for every single parcel?
That’s where the Ring Doorbell comes in (normally £189 for the Chime Pro Bundle).
No matter where you are, you can see who’s ringing your doorbell at home with the help of Ring and your smartphone.
You’ll get a notification when someone’s at your door, and you can choose to speak to them through your phone using the Ring app, so you can ask deliverymen to leave your parcel in a specific place – or even to hold on for five minutes until you get home.
Plus, thanks to the Chime Pro in this bundle, you’ll have a secondary chime in your home so you can ensure you’ll never miss a guest.
It’s also useful for any questionable visitors to your property. If someone unexpected is hanging around, you can call them out on it and ask them to leave.
This Black Friday, you can get the Ring Chime Pro Bundle for just £129 (was £189), saving £60.
Buzzing deals
Mmm… there’s nothing quite like a good cup of coffee. And when you can make it yourself, it’s even better.
There are loads of easy-to-use machines on the market that promise strong, delicious cuppas – one of which is the Nespresso by Krups Essenza Mini set (normally £109).
This Nespresso pod-compatible machine bundle comes with a milk frother, so you can enjoy barista-quality coffee with ease at home. Also, thanks to its nifty 25-second heating time, you’ll never have to wait long to enjoy a great cup of coffee.
This Nespresso coffee machine was £109 but is now £99 at AO this Black Friday.
Designed in partnership with Heston Blumenthal, this machine is compatible with both whole and ground beans, so you have the option of creating the perfect coffee before work or taking your time with it on a lazy Sunday morning.
It also has an auto-dose system which helps prepare the ideal espresso shot, meaning all you need to do is push a button and wait for your coffee to be prepared for you.
The Sage The Barista Express Espresso Coffee machine was £599, but is now £425 at AO this Black Friday – saving £174.
Thanks to its four different attachments and variable speeds, you’ll find making fresh bread and cakes as easy as pie. Plus, every component is dishwasher-safe, so you can clean up in a flash.
This Black Friday, you can get the Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer (normally £449) for just £279 – saving £170.
Don't miss out this Black Friday!
Visit ao.com to explore all the amazing deals on offer this Black Friday.
Lexi-Mae and mum Danyella with Super Bunny, and with the store colleagues who helped (Picture: Asda)
Lexi-Mae and her great-grandad Derek Woolnough had a very close bond.
So when he passed away, the six-year-old gave him her Super Bunny toy so he wouldn’t be alone.
She’d first given him the teddy when he went into hospital a few years earlier and it became a tradition that he would always take Super Bunny if he was ill.
When her mum Danyella Senior told her that grandad was going to heaven, Lexi-Mae said that Super Bunny had to go with him.
But she asked if she could get another one so they could talk to eachother.
Unfortunately, the toy, which was from Asda, had been bought years earlier and was now discontinued.
Desperate Danyella put out a plea on Facebook to find another one but she had no luck.
But the team at Asda’s head office picked up her plea and they got in touch with the manufacturer to find another bunny.
Lexi-Mae and her new Super Bunny toy (Picture: Asda)
Luckily, they still had a few left and they shipped it over to Danyella’s local Harlow store, where community champion Rachel Forth and store manager Steve Chamberlain gave it to Lexi-Mae.
Teacher Danyella said: ‘I really can’t thank Asda enough for doing all this. It’s absolutely fantastic. Lexi-Mae was so close to her great-grandad.
‘When she received it she smiled and said “It’s Super Bunny, just like grandad’s”. She hasn’t put it down yet. She’s even taken it to school.
‘My grandad was my idol. I was so close to him and so was Lexi-Mae. We saw him at least two or three times a week. She loved him.
‘I was speechless, totally gobsmacked when I got the message that you had found us one. It’s made a really difficult time a little easier.’
Harlow store’s manager Steve said: ‘Lexi-Mae looked really happy to have her little toy and her mum was extremely grateful for all the support we had given her.
‘It was the right thing to do. We were just happy to have helped.’
All the profits from the sale of the collection will be donated to the City of Joy (Picture: City of Joy)
A beautiful collection of fabrics has been launched across the world to highlight the plight of women surviving violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The clothes have been showcased by the women they were made for – the women of the City of Joy, survivors of the catastrophic, ongoing conflict in the DRC.
The DRC is said to be one of the worst places in the world to be a woman. City of Joy is a leadership community for women who live there; survivors of brutal rape and mutilation by soldiers and civilians.
The collection aims to shine a light on the issue of sexual violence against women (Picture: City of Joy)
Located in Bukavu in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, it provides a place for them to overcome pain and stigma to emerge as confident leaders, teaching the message that power can come from pain.
During a visit to the City of Joy, Gabriela Sanchez, designer for specialist fabric maker Vlisco, was asked by the women there if she would design prints for them that would honour the work of Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Denis Mukwege, the surgeon who, with his team of doctors, has helped to heal them.
Awed by the strength of the women she met there, she created the City of Joy Collection, which tells the story of the women who have made the journey from suffering to a place of love and hope.
The fabrics are marked by the words ‘Love’, ‘Respect’ and ‘Strength’.
The collection is made up of five printed super-wax fabric patterns in bold, bright patterns, with 100 different, vivid colours, created using the old techniques of wax printing.
The fabrics are marked by the words ‘Love’, ‘Respect’ and ‘Strength’ (Picture: City of Joy)
Five female African designers have been working with 15 graduates of the City of Joy to create empowering, personalised garments using the new fabrics.
The collection will be showcased to a global audience by the women of the City of Joy at a gala event in Kinshasa on 25 November. The event aims to put an international spotlight on the issue of sexual violence against women.
‘The first thought that came to mind when I met the women of the City of Joy was; “Is there anyone stronger than you?”‘ says Gabriela Sanchez, the Vlisco designer behind the collection.
‘The collection aims to capture their journey from the darkest of places to a place of hope and love. It also portrays the great strength that comes from sisterhood.
‘The designs suggest the beauty of the vagina and the respect it deserves, and they depict the forests and rivers and wildlife of the Eastern Congo – a place of fear but also joy.’
Since opening, 1,294 women have graduated from the City of Joy (Picture: City of Joy)
The five fabrics each represent a different story inspired by the City of Joy:
Sisterhood: The knotting of the flowers represents inner turmoil. Further up the pattern the colours are brighter, illustrating the journey from pain to power. The intertwined flowers show the bond shared by the women of the City of Joy.
The Orchid: The base of the fabric represents the waves of turmoil experienced by the women. Moving upwards, the striking orchid in full bloom showcases the beauty of the vagina.
Bouquet: This fabric depicts the vagina in a beautiful but stark way. The fabric behind the florals represents the dark past but the flowers bring to life the splendour, inner beauty and strength of the women of the City of Joy.
The Congo River: The jungle represents the Congo’s bountiful, lush and green landscape. The abundance of life is depicted, and hope is shown through the opening in the clouds.
The Congo: The lion sitting on his perch represents Dr Mukwege, providing strength and hope to his beautiful country and the people in it.
The City of Joy provides a space for women to heal from trauma (Picture: City of Joy)
All the profits from the sale of the collection will be donated by Vlisco to the City of Joy.
City of Joy is run by Congolese staff and was founded by writer Eve Ensler, Christine Schuler Deschryver and Dr Denis Mukwege.
It opened in 2011, providing a place for women to heal themselves from their past trauma through therapy and life skills programming, while giving them essential support needed to help them move forward in life.
Since opening, 1,294 women have graduated from the City of Joy.
Serena, Mike, Hailie and newborn Callie (Picture: PA Real Life/Collect)
As she walked back from nursery with her daughter Hailie, Serena Nicholls felt a few twinges.
Pregnant with her second child, it was her due date but she thought it was just more Braxton Hicks contractions.
But just over an hour later, she gave birth to her second little girl, delivering her herself on the bedroom floor.
Her kids’ dad, recruitment worker Mike Rolls, 26, and his sister Kerrylee were on hand to help as they realised the baby was coming fast, but it was Serena who delivered the baby as they talked to the paramedics.
Serena, from Newbury, Berkshire, said: ‘Mike was on the phone to paramedics, and Kerrylee was there too, getting towels and helping me lie down on my bedroom floor.
‘While Mike was talking to the emergency operator, who was telling him what to do, I reached down and realised I could feel Callie’s head.
‘I then got this rush of adrenaline and a huge urge to push and thought, ‘This is it.’ With one push, her head was out and with another, her body, then I reached down, picked her up and scooped her into my arms.
‘When I look back now and think that I delivered my own baby, I feel so proud of myself. It was such an empowering moment, and best of all, Hailie was able to meet her sister just seconds after she was born.
‘She’d been in the other room, but came in as soon as she heard a cry. It was such a heartwarming moment.’
Serena with Hailie seconds after she was born (Picture: PA Real Life/Collect)
It wasn’t even her first dramatic arrival – Hailie was also born at home before the paramedics had time to get there.
On the evening of February 13, 2016, she started feeling pains and suspected they were the beginning of labour, so went to Reading’s Royal Berkshire Hospital, just to be on the safe side.
On examining her, midwives found her to be 1cm dilated, meaning it was too early for her labour to be considered established – which, according to the NHS, happens after women reach 3cm dilated.
Advised to go home and try to rest, Serena said: ‘I was in a little pain, but it wasn’t unbearable, and I kept thinking, “Surely it will get worse, and that’s when I’ll know it’s time to go back to hospital.”
‘It was my first baby, so I had no idea what to expect. Little did I know, I was actually right in the middle of labour and would be giving birth very soon.’
In the early hours of the next morning – February 14 – she was struck by a sudden urge to push and her waters broke as she got up to go to the toilet.
Her mum Madalyn, 54, was on hand to help but panic set in when they realised Hailie was breech, meaning she had not moved into a head-down position, but was feet first instead.
Serena recalled: ‘Mum phoned 999 and the operator was trying to keep her calm, telling her what to do.
‘I was crouched over on the floor in the bathroom, and could feel her feet coming out of me first.
‘Mum then got onto the floor with me and, with the help of her partner at the time, delivered Hailie.
‘She was born at 2:32am – just 20 minutes after my waters had broken. The paramedics arrived about 10 minutes after her delivery and came running up the stairs with gas and air.
‘Then they saw me sitting there with a baby in my arms and said, “Guess you won’t need this.”‘
When she fell pregnant with Callie in late 2018, Serena was sure that, once again, she wanted a home birth.
In the days leading up to Callie’s due date – April 8, which is also Mike’s birthday – Serena had been feeling the odd twinge.
As the sensation was not especially painful, she assumed it was Braxton Hicks contractions, which are also known as false labour pains and occur when the womb contracts and relaxes.
Callie and Hailie (Picture: PA Real Life/Collect)
But as the day progressed, the contraction-like feelings grew painful, so Serena had an at-home visit from her midwife where, at 2cm dilated, she was not found to be in established labour.
‘My midwife said to me as she was leaving, “Try not to have a baby tonight,” as she wouldn’t be on call,” she laughed.
‘As it was Mike’s birthday too, he had his family round that afternoon, and at about 5:30pm, I headed out to get Hailie from nursery.
‘On the walk, I had to keep stopping as the pains were getting worse. I said to myself, ‘As soon as I get in, I’m going to time them to see how close together they are.’
‘When I did, they were just two minutes apart, which meant I was almost ready to push.’
She ran a bath and called the hospital, who told her a midwife would be there in 30 minutes.
She continued: ‘I knew then that 30 minutes wasn’t soon enough. I grabbed a towel and went through to the lounge to get Mike and his sister.
‘They were amazing, helping me through to the bedroom and getting towels for me to lie down on. Mike was straight on the phone to the paramedics too, who I could hear telling him what to do.’
At 6:53pm that evening, Callie was born, with Serena delivering her and pulling her straight up into her arms.
Moments later, hearing the newborn’s cry, Hailie came through to meet her sister.
‘She had been in another room so she didn’t see me in distress or pain – she just saw her sister,’ recalled Serena.
“It was an amazing moment. She said, “It’s a baby”. It was so sweet.’
Just like with Hailie, the paramedics arrived minutes after the birth, checking Callie and Serena over at home.
Thankfully, they were perfectly healthy and the family are now looking forward to their first Christmas as a four.
Amazon has kicked off Black Friday early – but we’re not complaining as there’s never been a better time to shop a beauty advent calendar ahead of the festive countdown as there’s now up to 40% off.
Ahead, we bring you five of the very best discounted beauty advent calendars that are available to buy on Amazon right now.
Save 45% on the NIVEA Festive Beauty Advent Calendar 2019 – currently Amazon’s second best-selling advent calendar.
Exclusive to Amazon, the NIVEA Festive Beauty Advent Calendar 2019 (RRP £40) is filled with 24 travel-sized skincare-focused gifts to last you all winter long. Its what beauty lover’s dreams are made of – particularly if you’re on a budget.
The Dove 12 Days of Christmas Gift Set is an absolute steal and now under a tenner.
The best-selling bath set from Dove includes 12 products in mini and full size including beauty accessories such as a white jersey headband, blue tweezers, candle, eye mask and a nail file.
How about a festive bath every single day in the run up to Christmas? The Bomb Cosmetics beauty advent calendar is filled to the brim with fragrant and colourful bath bombs and is currently 11% off.
Each bath bomb is deliciously scented and formulated with skin-loving essential oils and natural ingredients.
Kick start your Christmas with the Cath Kidston 2019 Christmas Beauty Advent Calendar, and save an impressive 40 per cent off original RRP (usually £40).
The book-shaped design features a Christmas-inspired print in the British artist’s signature style and is packed with 24 vegan-friendly and cruelty-free pampering bath and body treats all for under £25.
Count down to Christmas in style with the Morris & Co. Beauty 2019 Advent Calendar now with 43% off.
Housed in a book design with a sophisticated peacock print on the front from the Morris & Co. forest pattern, you’ll find 24 delightfully scented vegan-friendly bath and body gifts inside.
Love a soundtrack to your day? Amazon is giving music lovers the chance to stream four months of their Amazon Music Unlimited service for under one pound. You'll be able to skip as many tracks as you like and you won't be interrupted by adverts. You don't need to be a Prime member to take advantage of this amazing deal, but it's only available for new subscribers.
Calling all Kindle users! You can get a 3-month free trial on Amazon's Kindle Unlimited reading offer. That means you can explore over 1 million titles, thousands of audiobooks and selected magazine subscriptions for free.
Chelsea would end up buying new lights every year (Picture: Jam Press)
It’s almost time to get your home looking festive. Which means dragging the dusty old box of decorations out of the attic.
And it wouldn’t be Christmas if you didn’t spend the first three hours of decorating untangling your Christmas lights, until you’re almost driven mad.
Luckily, one woman has devised a super useful, time-saving hack which will mean you’ll never have to lose your mind unravelling those pesky cables again.
It couldn’t be simpler.
Chelsea young uses an empty cardboard toilet roll to prevent her Christmas tree lights from tangling up every year.
So simple! (Picture: Jam Press)
The 21-year-old says she loves setting up her Christmas tree, but hates untangling jumbled up fairy lights so much that she would often buy new ones because of it.
But, Chelsea, who’s a mum-of-two, made the connection that her headphones never get tangled because she had always wrapped them around her mobile – so she thought to try to do the same with her Christmas lights.
Last year, she found an empty cardboard toilet roll and wrapped her lights around it before putting the whole thing safely away in storage.
This year, she unpacked her old Christmas lights to found they were good as new, and she was able to easily unroll them around the tree – tangle-free.
‘I got fed up with spending time untangling lights when I just want to get the tree decorated stress free so it’s enjoyable,’ says Chelsea.
‘Sometimes you accept defeat and go buy more and the cost will mount up in time.
‘I saved myself at least an hour or two untangling them’ (Picture: Jam Press)
‘I used to wrap my headphones around my phone and they’d never tangle so I thought I’d give the empty kitchen roll a go and if it works then great and if not try something else the following year.
‘I saved myself at least an hour or two untangling them.
‘Trying to do that alongside two small children who have me running back and forth keeping them entertained whilst I get it done can be time consuming.’
Chelsea shared another tip for making the decorating process as stress-free as possible.
She suggested wrapping your Christmas tree with cling film with the fairy lights still attached, and simply unwrapping it the following year – saving time and effort of having to reassemble the decorations.
Chelsea added: ‘Saves the fuss and time of trying to wrap and unwrap them round the tree each year.’
The outfit was criticised for resembling threads worn by Holocaust victims (Picture: Loewe)
A Spanish luxury fashion brand has recently come under fire for releasing an outfit that according to critics resembled concentration camp uniforms.
Loewe, who launched the product as part of its new William De Morgan capsule collection on 14 November, has now decided to pull the look from the range.
The outfit, which featured vertical stripes in black and white, was likened to threads worn by victims of the Holocaust by fashion industry watchdog, Diet Prada, on its Instagram page.
‘Unable to see anything but concentration camp uniforms in this $1,840 ensemble from @loewe’s William de Morgan capsule, a collection meant to “capture a freedom of imagination”,’ Diet Prada captioned the post.
‘But with the particular stripe proportions and layout, uniform-style garments, and prominent chest patches, there’s not actually much left to the imagination when the resulting look is so uncannily disturbing.’
The watchdog also went on to say that Loewe has ‘week-old’ complaints on a post from British Vogue, where the outfit is featured.
Prior to being removed from the brand’s website, the item was described as ‘Stripe Workwear Jacket White/Black’, according to the New York Post.
Loewe has now issued a statement via its Instagram Stories, with a public apology to ‘anyone who might feel we were insensitive’.
‘It was brought to our attention that one of our looks featured in a magazine and part of our Arts and Crafts ceramicist William De Morgan could be misconstrued as referring to one of the most odious moments in the history of mankind,’ the statement read.
‘It was absolutely never our intention and we apologise to anyone who might feel we were insensitive to sacred memories.
‘The products featured have been removed from our commercial offering.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted Loewe and this article will be updated once a reply is received.
It’s like magic (Picture: Laura Siârn Outhart/Facebook)
We love a nifty hack, especially when it can be done at a bargain.
A trick on how to remove rust has resurfaced in the Facebook group Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK, and people are loving the throwback hack.
Laura Siârn Outhart from Malton, North Yorkshire, shared a post with details on how a 29p pack of paracetamol was the secret to not having to buy a new iron, when hers became rusty.
She rubbed the paracetamol on the dirty surface of the iron, and like magic, the rust disappeared.
Laura included before and after photos of the transformation, and captioned the post: ‘A 29p pack of Paracetamols saved me buying a new iron. I am a nightmare for ironing things I shouldn’t and recently ruined my iron.
‘I read somewhere that a Paracetamol rubbed onto the iron will make it almost like new again.’
This particular hack has been around for years, but it’s a beloved favourite that keeps coming back time and time again (because it works).
If you’re considering doing it yourself, here’s how to do it:
Plug the rusty iron in and put it on maximum heat.
Once it’s hot, grab a paracetamol tablet with tweezers (not your hands, as you could burn your fingers) and rub it onto the rusty area.
Depending on the level of the stain, you might need to repeat the process with a second tablet.
Once you’re done, whipe it clean with a cloth (while the iron is still hot, but once again, be careful with the fingers).
Turn the iron off and marvel at the good as new surface.
Laura’s iron stain was quite stubborn, meaning she had to use two tablets.
‘This took two paracetamols and it worked better when the iron was hot and not just warm,’ she added.
‘I was amazed how well it worked and how much money it saved me.
‘To anyone asking, I didn’t wet the tablet before hand and if you use tweezers and are very careful then you won’t get burnt.
‘I am not saying do this, but it worked for me and saved me buying a new iron. I tried other alternatives but this one worked in seconds and the other ways either didn’t work or it took too long and I would give up.’
The post has since gone viral, racking up close to 6,000 likes and 1,700 comments.
Some of the people in the Facebook group also tried the trick for themselves and thanked Laura for sharing it.
‘I’ve just seen this post and tried it and it works nice shiny iron again thank you,’ wrote one person.
‘Thanks! This is a great life hack that I’ll be using in the near future,’ said someone else.
One person said Laura’s hack had come just in time, as she had been planning to buy a new iron the day before seeing the post.
‘So glad you posted this I was off out to buy a new one tomorrow but will try this first,’ they wrote.
But if you prefer a real tree over an artificial one, buying it too early might mean there aren’t any needles left by Christmas Day.
Most trees will last four to six weeks if cared for properly so with one month to go until the big day today, the next week should be fine.
Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which happens to be 1 December this year and most people like to wait until then to decorate.
It all depends on how long you want to leave it up for. Traditionally, Christmas trees stay up until the 12th night, which falls on 6 January, so if you want to stick to that, you should wait until this weekend or later to make sure it’s still standing by then.
If you prefer to take yours down after New Year’s Day, buying one now or later this week, should be fine.
Choosing the perfect Christmas tree
If you pick a healthy tree, it’s more likely to last through all the festivities. There are some ways to tell how well a tree is doing:
Head to the shadiest part of the farm to avoid one that has been sitting in the sunlight.
Look for one with lots of green, rather than brown needles.
If you touch the branches, the needles should feel pliable and shouldn’t fall off the branches.
If you lift the tree and drop the trunk to the ground, very few green needles should fall off.
The type of tree might make a difference too. Non-drop trees such as the Nordmann Fir are likely to hold their look and shape for longer.
How to make your Christmas tree last
But there are some important things you need to do to make sure your tree stays healthy right through the festive period.
Sam Lyle, one of the people behind Christmas tree specialists Pines and Needles, said: ‘Thirty years ago most Britons bought their tree a couple of weeks before Christmas but now many people are putting them up in November, which means it’s more important than ever to keep your tree looking bushy and bright.
‘The first thing you should do when you take your tree home is cut three inches off the bottom of the trunk – it will help the tree soak up water more efficiently.
‘Secondly, your tree should drink as much as you do this Christmas! Houses are generally extra-warm over Christmas so feed your tree with two or three pints of water each day.
‘Naturally, keep your tree away from radiators and wood-burners and the same goes for draughts….trees don’t like extremes.’
