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David vs Goliath: can Homebox take on the major comparison giants
On the face of it, major comparison sites provide consumers with all the information they need to quickly determine which company is offering the best value when it comes to utilities like energy and broadband. Here we look at whether these websites really do offer the best deal and if they are all they’re cracked up to be.
Big name providers, such as Confused.com and Compare the Market, only host half the available suppliers, meaning consumers are not being shown the best tariffs available. If we take energy as an example, the average comparison site hosts just 30 suppliers, when there are over 70 operating in the UK.
Comparison site giants give prominence in their search results to firms offering the biggest referral commission, pocketing vast sums of money and misleading consumers in the process …
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The Organised Mum Method (TOMM) – say goodbye to your messy home
I’ve read the book, joined the Facebook group and starting the routine, and have to say that The Organised Mum Method (TOMM) works!
Say goodbye to mess, clutter and weekends spent tidying and cleaning! Gemma Bray (a.k.a The Organised Mum) is a firm believer that there is more to life than housework, and over the last decade she has perfected The Organised Mum Method.
The Organised Mum Method is a structured, manageable and ultra-efficient cleaning routine that ensures all areas of the home are taken care of. It’s easy to follow, effective and ensures that everything gets done in just 30 minutes a day, Monday to Friday … and you get weekends off! Perfect for anyone looking for ways to fit cleaning around a busy lifestyle, the book life-changing tips, tricks, cleaning schedules, shopping …
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The mini mowing solution for small gardens
I love my cordless vacuum, so this lawnmower got me interested. Small, compact and easy to store, keep your garden looking swell in the sunshine no matter its size with the Mac Allister Compact Cordless Lithium-ion Lawnmower now at £98.
Whether it’s a trim or the full works, the new Mac Allister Compact Cordless Lithium-ion Lawnmower makes mowing quick and easy, helping you to cover your lawn in no time. Perfect for making sure the lawn looks great for those last minute barbecues. Keeping your garden looking its best doesn’t need to come at a high cost nor great effort thanks to B&Q. Lightweight and compact, the Mac Allister Compact Cordless Lithium-ion Lawnmower is perfect for smaller spaces and it’s single handle design makes storing a breeze, meaning you can have a luscious lawn with …
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Have you seen Aldi’s new interiors range?
With summer just around the corner and temperatures rising, how about introducing some coastal cool to your interiors with Aldi’s new Natural Coast Bedroom and Bathroom range, available online and in stores now.
The range features a selection of products including soft teddy bear rugs, climate control bedding and retro fans which are sure to keep the temperature down during the hot summer months. Aldi fans will be able to update homes without the hefty price tag, with an average saving of over £200 compared to leading homeware brands.
Sink into softness with Aldi’s Textured Cotton Rich Duvet Set. Available in four different designs and three sizes – Double (£15.99), King (£18.99) and Super King (£22.99), this stylish bedding will help to ensure a relaxing night’s sleep.
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Three cool windows and outdoor cleaning products
I have decided to do my own cleaning and that will save me a massive £2k per year! Here are three of my favourite items at the moment.
Window cleaning
I love the Minky glass and window cleaning cloth. For £2.99 in store or £3 online from Morrisons or other supermarkets, it is amazing. It has loads of extra microfibres so you don’t need chemicals. If you can’t get hold of it, for a sustainable window cleaner guaranteed to leave your windows sparkling, add 120ml of rubbing alcohol (70% concentration), 240ml of water, 120ml of white or cider vinegar and 1-2 drops of orange essential oil to a spray bottle. As well as being friendly to your home and the environment, the cleaner can be made in bulk, making it easier and quicker to get …
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M&S Customers save 20% off Gardeners World Live tickets
I love gardening so am chuffed to share this offer with you. To get 20% off tickets, simply quote MS1 when booking. You can use the offer on any-day tickets too – perfect if you want to take advantage of the discount but want flexibility. That’s what I did.
Remember to bring your Sparks Card on the day for exclusive access to the Sparks Members Lounge where you can relax and plan your day. And be sure to visit the brand new M&S stand with a great display of their outdoor plant ranges to view and buy, with some great Show offers.Even better, all tickets include free entry to the BBC Good Food Show. Ticket type Full price Quote MS1 Adult standard Thu/Fri/Sun £24 £19.20 Over 65s standard Thu/Fri/Sun £22 £17.60 Any-One-Day £25.50 £20.40… -
10 ways to cut the cost of your new kitchen
I have a kitchen that’s over 10 years old but it looks pretty good, and here are some tips to updating your existing kitchen if you are on a budget.
-Complete kitchens on eBay-
With lots of refurbs going on, pick up a kitchen from eBay. You’ll probably need to collect, but sometimes applicances are thrown in. And if you don’t like the colour, just get some kitchen cupboard paint and spruce up the doors…probably still cheaper than buying new!
-Just replace the doors-
Most kitchens cupboards are well made, but just dated. So head to places that sell cupboard doors online.
-Flooring-
I found that using flooring companies from less affluent areas saved me a lot of money. Depending on where you live, head to a less well off area of town, and …
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Summer baking bargains – Aldi Specialbuy
From fruity treats and fairy cakes to tempting tray bakes and crowd-pleasing three-tier cakes, Aldi is making baking easier than ever with its new Summer Baking range, available in stores and online on 27th August.
Budding bakers can create the perfect cake with a Classic Stand Mixer (£64.99), including a six-speed rotary control with a balloon whisk, beater and dough hook. With four colours to choose from, it should hopefully fit in with most of your colour scheems.
Aldi’s Sweet Treat Maker (£19.99) will take the stress out of whipping up homemade goodies. Choose from teacake maker, mini pancake maker or waffle maker. Featuring automatic temperature control, an auto-lock clip and cord-wrap for compact, upright storage, this great-value gadget (see pic below) will leave bakers tucking in to tasty treats in no time.
With a …
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Aldi’s new inflatable hot tub at £299 in store Sunday 9 April
Big tip here, get there when the shop opens if you want this hot tub and even ring them early to find out exactly when stock will arrive, sometimes it comes in a day or two earlier than advertised.
Aldi is cutting the cost of luxury outdoor relaxation this summer with the launch of its first ever inflatable hot tub. Taking on big brands, Aldi’s Spa Pool, available for just £299.99, will launch in stores on 9th April and aims to bring relaxation to the masses, without compromising on quality or performance.
A long-time spa staple and celebrity must-have, sales of hot tubs in the UK have soared in recent years with more than 100,000 Brits now owning one. Now, thanks to Aldi even more of us can pamper ourselves with a bargain …
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Want to permanently reduce your household bills? Invest in solar panels
We installed our solar panels back at the end of 2015, but even though the Feed In Tariff has reduced, having panels can save you money long term, so I asked solar lighting specialist, The Solar Centre, to discuss how harnessing solar power throughout your home could mean huge long-term savings.
Whilst there are many ways that you can save money on day-to-day bills, consumers are, understandably, always on the lookout for long-term ways to make substantial savings. One way of doing this, while also being more environmentally responsible, is through solar power.
How does it work?
Solar panels work by capturing energy from the sun using photovoltaic cells. The cells convert sunlight into electricity, which can be used for home appliances and lighting, thus substantially reducing household bills. Once you have paid the …