Brit nearly looses £900 on ticket sales website – sends out warning

Mark McVitie was on the ticket selling site, Viagogo, when he was nearly slapped with a fine after the website glitched.

Now, he wants others to be careful on the website.

He had previously bought two tickets in June worth a total of £440 to a UFC show taking place in October.

Unable to attend, Mark sold the tickets ahead of the event, but they did not upload to the website.

Luckily he managed to dodge the fine, after The Sun helped him investigate what had happened.

Click here to read on.

Tesco reveals advert to bring joy to people during cost of living crisis

Like many other supermarkets, Tesco has released its Christmas advert for the year.

According to The Independent, the campaign aims to show customers how they can “celebrate in style” despite the cost of living crisis.

Tesco’s advert, named “The Christmas Party”, comes following the supermarket’s research that revealed 87 percent of people feel Christmas brings them joy.

The ad revolves around a political party formed by Tesco called The Christmas Party, and they are seen canvassing doors by bringing people food and more.

YouTube mum shares top money saving tips

Liza Prideaux shared how to update a home while on a budget, proving splashing the cash isn’t always necessary when decorating a property.

The shrewd shopper revamped her utility room for just under £500.

She said: “The makeover in the kitchen cost £1367 it took about two weeks to do.

“We replaced the worktops, painted the kitchen units, spray painted the handles, changed the sink and tap and had new vinyl flooring laid on top of the existing tiles for a budget friendly transformation,” Liza told DevonLive.

Beware of Universal Credit ‘nil awards’

According to gov.uk, you will not be eligible for the Cost of Living Payment if your earnings reduced your Universal Credit to £0 for the qualifying assessment period. This is sometimes called a ‘nil award’. 

Energy Support Scheme payment may not be paid to Northern Irish households this year

Northern Irish residents may not receive a £100 heating oil payment this year, claims a regulator.

Kevin Shiels, the Northern Ireland Utility Regulator’s Director of Retail and Consumer Protection, told the BBC the timing and delivery of the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme is still unclear.

Homes in Northern Ireland are expected to be provided with the payment automatically to assist with energy costs this winter.

But Mr Shiels said there is a chance it may not arrive until January.

How Universal Credit could affect your Cost Of Living Payment

According to gov.uk:“You will not get a (cost of living) payment if you get New Style Employment and Support Allowance, contributory Employment and Support Allowance, or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance, unless you get Universal Credit.”

How cost of living payment affects those on benefits and tax credits

According to gov.uk, you may receive a payment of £650 paid in two lump sums of £326 and £324 if you get payments of any of the following:

• Universal Credit
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

Tesco reveals advert to bring joy to people during cost of living crisis

Like many other supermarkets, Tesco has released its Christmas advert for the year.

According to The Independent, the campaign aims to show customers how they can “celebrate in style” despite the cost of living crisis.

Tesco’s advert, named “The Christmas Party”, comes following the supermarket’s research that revealed 87 percent of people feel Christmas brings them joy.

The ad revolves around a political party formed by Tesco called The Christmas Party, and they are seen canvassing doors by bringing people food and more.

YouTube mum shares top money saving tips

Liza Prideaux shared how to update a home while on a budget, proving splashing the cash isn’t always necessary when decorating a property.

The shrewd shopper revamped her utility room for just under £500.

She said: “The makeover in the kitchen cost £1367 it took about two weeks to do.

“We replaced the worktops, painted the kitchen units, spray painted the handles, changed the sink and tap and had new vinyl flooring laid on top of the existing tiles for a budget friendly transformation,” Liza told DevonLive.

Six payments YOU could get before Christmas

Bills have soared this year, but as we approach Christmas there are six payments on the way that could net you up to £1,399.

Here they are:

• Energy bills rebate payments begin – worth £400
• Cost of living payment – worth £324
• Pensioner cost of living payment – worth £300
• Warm Home Discount – worth £150
• Household support fund – up to £150
• Cold weather payment – worth up to £75

Find out the details of each payment here.

Cheapest Christmas trees to get your hands on this holiday season

Here are a few of the cheapest Christmas trees on the market right now.

• B&Q – 4ft Woodland Full looking green with PVC tips: Price: £11 – buy now
• Dunelm – 6ft Essentials Christmas Tree: Price: £22 – buy now
• Argos – Home 6ft Lapland Christmas Tree Black: Price: £25 – buy now
• Amazon – Classic Artificial Realistic Natural Branches Pine Christmas Tree Xmas Green 7ft: Price: £36.99 – buy now
• Wayfair – Artificial Spruce Christmas Tree: Price: £42.99 – buy now

Check out our full guide for more details on these amazing deals.

Descale your appliances to save on bills this winter

Limescale can make your appliances painfully inefficient, running up the cost of your bills to startling levels.

So, descaling your appliances is crucial during this expensive winter.

For a DIY approach, half-fill your kettle with water and 20ml of white wine vinegar. Leave it to sit for 15 minutes before boiling the kettle.

Tip it out, rinse and boil again with fresh water. Tip that away once more before using as normal.

Will inflation keep rising?

This year has seen inflation hit new heights, with it currently sitting at over 10%.

But can we expect it to fall anytime soon?

According to the Bank of England, we can expect inflation to fall rapidly as we enter 2023, and by 2025 it could be just 0.2%.

Cheap Christmas stocking gifts for under £5

Here are some great, and affordable, Christmas stocking gifts for the kids this December.

This is just a few great ideas, check out the full article to see 20 more affordable Christmas gifts.

How much will save after today’s National Insurance scrap?

Today, the government has scrapped the rate of National Insurance contributions, but how much will save?

Here is a handy guide to see how you could save:

• Workers on £20,000 will save £93 a year
• Workers on £30,000 will save £218 a year
• Workers on £40,000 will save £343 a year
• Workers on £50,000 will save £468 a year
• Workers on £60,000 will save £593 a year
• Workers on £80,000 will save £843 a year
• Workers on £100,000 will save £1,093 a year

Misery for beer drinkers as Weatherspoons ups prices

It’s a dark day for beer drinkers, as British pub chain Weatherspoons announces a slew of price hikes at its London branches.

The price of a guest ale is shooting up by a whopping 29% – taking the cost of a pint from £3.39 to £4.39, according to The Daily Star.

The move has seen the beer prices in 15 central London pubs shifted upwards for now.

How to claim next week’s £324 payment?

Millions of Brits are set to receive the second instalment of the Government’s cost of living payment.

But how do you claim it?

Luckily, the cash will be sent automatically, so you won’t need to do anything if you claim the following benefits:

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit

Full list of bank branches set to close this month (2/2)

Around 57 banks are set to close nationwide within the next three weeks.

The closures come as major high street banks opt to transition more of their banking services to online.

Nationwide closures

• Birmingham – November 10
• Blaby – November 24
• Bournemouth – November 3
• Oadby – November 23
• Reading – November 3
• Shirley – November 10

Lloyds Bank closures

• Axminster – November 2
• Banstead – November 24
• Barton-on-Humber – November 2
• Belper – November 3
• Billericay – November 10
• Birmingham – November 9
• Birmingham – November 17
• Bourne – November 21
• Heald Green – November 22
• Immingham – November 15
• London (EC4) – November 1
• London (EC3) – November 15
• London (W2) – November 21
• London (W11) – November 22
• New Romney – November 7
• Purley – November 23
• Reading – November 3
• Rothbury – November 17
• Sheffield – November 3
• Sheffield – November 9
• Tonbridge – November 29
• Williton – November 24

For the full list of every bank set to close this month, click here.

Full list of bank branches set to close this month (1/2)

Around 57 banks are set to close nationwide within the next three weeks.

The closures come as major high street banks opt to transition more of their banking services to online.

Barclays closures

• Ascot – November 3
• Barry – November 2
• Birmingham – November 3
• Gorleston-on-Sea – November 11
• Hinckley – November 3
• Llangefni – November 18
• London (SE3) – November 10
• London (EC1) – November 16
• Lytham St Annes – November 3
• Tamworth – November 23
• Tenby – November 16
• Thetford – November 2
• Wallsend – November 16

Halifax closures

• Doncaster – November 1
• Dorchester – November 22
• Dorking – November 22
• Hitchin – November 10
• London (WC1) – November 16
• Mitcham – November 22
• Newry – November 8
• Rawtenstall – November 24
• Retford – November 28
• Ripon – November 14
• Stowmarket – November 7
• Stroud – November 30
• Tiverton – November 29
• Warminster – November 2
• Whitchurch – November 17

For the full list of every bank set to close this month, click here.

How much will you get from the Winter Fuel Payment?

The Winter Fuel Payment is being paid to millions of Brits this month and can pocket you up to £300.

On top of this, pensioners who get the payment will also be paid a “pensioner cost of living payment”, again worth up to £300.

But how much will you get? Remember, these numbers include the pensioner cost of living payment.

• You qualify and live alone – £500 to £600
• You qualify alongside someone you live with who is under 80 and also qualifies – £250 to £350
• You qualify and live with someone over 80 who also qualifies – £250 to £300
• If either you or your partner also receive benefits – £500 to £600 (this amount is the same if someone you live with who isn’t your partner receives certain benefits)
• If you qualify but live in a care home and don’t get benefits – £250 to £300

Claim National Insurance credits to boost your pension

If you’re a parent who gets child benefit for a child under 12, you’ll automatically get national insurance credits towards your state pension. 

But if you’re a grandparent looking after a child so the parent can go back to work, the parent can sign a form to pass the NI credits to you. 

Find out more at gov.uk/national-insurance-credits.

Free debt advice

If you’re in debt there are plenty of services you can take advantage of and they offer free advice on how to manage debt.

Most of them can offer you free guidance and help in person, over the telephone or online.

Fab air fryer for just £45

Customers have praised this ultimate steal from Home Bargains.

The Swan Carlton 4 Litre Air Fryer in rose gold for £44.99, and has become a shopper favourite.

On the Home Bargain Facebook page, one fan wrote: “I have this one and I absolutely love it.”

DWP cold weather payment returns

The scheme offers Brits a lifeline as temperatures dip.

When temperatures drop to below zero, those eligible are paid £25 a day for a seven day stretch.

The scheme launches on the 1 November to 31 March.

Brit nearly looses £900 on ticket sales website – sends out warning

Mark McVitie was on the ticket selling site, Viagogo, when he was nearly slapped with a fine after the website glitched.

Now, he wants others to be careful on the website.

He had previously bought two tickets in June worth a total of £440 to a UFC show taking place in October.

Unable to attend, Mark sold the tickets ahead of the event, but they did not upload to the website.

Luckily he managed to dodge the fine, after The Sun helped him investigate what had happened.

Click here to read on.