Willerby Skye Holiday Home Review At Holiday Resort Unity Brean Sands

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside, so when Willerby contacted me recently to review one of their luxurious holiday homes in Brean Sands, Somerset I was pleased to oblige! It's at this time of year I really feel I need a break away, and the thought of relaxing in a holiday home was just what I needed. This is an advert for Willerby Holiday Homes, however, all words and opinions are my own.


Who are Willerby?

Willerby are a company that for the last 70 years have been manufacturing holiday homes and lodges in Yorkshire. In fact, they are the largest manufacturer of holiday homes in the UK. Their goal is to create a real 'home from home' with an emphasis on quality whilst being supremely affordable.

Their lodges and holiday homes are available to buy as well as rent in many of the UK's best-loved and well known holiday parks. So I was interested to see if these holiday homes lived up to expectation.

Check-In Holiday Resort Unity Brean Sands


Last week, we drove the ninety miles to Brean Sands from our home in South Wales. Brean Sands is on the Somerset coast in England, nine miles away from Weston-Super-Mare and close to the seaside town of Burnham-on-Sea. 


When we got to the Holiday Resort Unity, check-in was straight forward and simple and in less than five minutes we had our information pack and the key to our holiday home.

The Willerby Skye Holiday Home




The Skye holiday home by Willerby is a spacious holiday home that can sleep 6 to 8.  With a lounge dining area next to a full kitchen including a gas oven/grill, three bedrooms, a shower room with thermostatically controlled shower, WC and sink and a toilet and sink ensuite to the master bedroom, it's a great space to stay on a relaxing break.  It has heating throughout as well which is perfect for the British weather.

Now it's been a while since I stayed in a holiday home like this. I've stayed in holiday parks with lodges but not this style of accommodation. I must admit I had some trepidation.  I needn't have worried.


The Willerby holiday home is modern, spacious and chic. The sort of place you'd love to own or stay at with friends or family. As you come into the holiday home you enter the lounge/kitchen area. On the left is the seating area with plush sofas and a dining table, and on the right is the kitchen.











I was surprised at the quality of the kitchen. The kitchen contained a full gas oven and hob with extractor fan, a full-size fridge/freezer, and an integrated microwave. Optional extras if you are buying the Skye holiday home include a dishwasher or washer/dryer. You wouldn't think this kitchen was in a holiday home, it's the sort of well thought out and compact kitchen you would find in a new flat, small home or maisonette.

The open plan kitchen area made it feel spacious and it's always nice to be able to speak to the person cooking dinner in this style of kitchen/lounge/diner. This area has vinyl flooring to make it practical to clean.


The lounge area had a large L shaped seating area big enough to sit 6-8 on comfy cushioned sofas.  Also in this area was a small dining table and coffee table as well as a couple of stools. The carpet was plush underfoot and super clean and added a homely feel.


A wall-mounted TV, storage unit, mirror and decorative fireplace completed this area. A radiator made this area warm and cosy. Considering how windy it was outside then the heat was very welcome. There are radiators throughout the property and the PVCu windows and doors keep the holiday home warm.


There were two twin bedrooms which are compact but perfectly fine, with two single beds,  and over the bed storage, as well as a double bedroom.  As you can see there are plenty of plugs, some with USB sockets for phones and tablets.  They've tried to make the use of space here by having the over the bed storage, which I feel is a great idea, to use every bit of space. I had an issue with my photos of the bedrooms so this photo above and the one below is a stock image.

The double bedroom had a double bed, over the bed storage again, lamps and small drawers.

Also in the double bedroom was a small table in the corner of the room, a small wall-mounted TV, a mirror and a wardrobe containing an ironing board, an airer and hangers for clothes.

The double bedroom had a toilet and sink ensuite - very handy to have especially when you are visiting with family and friends, and a wall-mounted mirror too.

The main bathroom was just off the lounge and contained an enclosed shower unit with thermostatically controlled shower, sink and toilet, and was very clean and modern. A mirror was a very useful addition to the main bathroom.
So we unpacked, settled in and had some tea and cake. Well after a long drive... sorry short drive, you just have to don't you? 

 The Holiday Resort Unity


 The Holiday Resort Unity is a four-star resort on the Somerset coast, just 200 meters from the beach. The resort incorporates the facilities of Holiday Resort Unity, Brean Leisure Park and Golden Sands Holiday Park. Facilities on-site include Brean Splash Waterpark and Brean Golf Club.  The holiday park has facilities for touring tents and motorhomes as well as holiday homes like the Willerby Skye.  

On-site there is a variety of restaurants including the Bay of India Indian restaurant, Treasure Chinese and Sea Salt fish and chips. Entertainment is provided at RJ's with singers and comedians popular, we saw an 80's weekend schedules soon as well as live game shows and bingo.


If you have kids with you (or you are a kid at heart like Mr W) then there is an arcade with games including 10 pin bowling.



Brean Splash Water Park has lots of fun areas with slides for the kids as well as a pool suitable for adults to relax. We found the facilities to be great and I swimming a few lengths of the pool is such great exercise, it really makes you forget all the stresses and strains of life.

Talking of relaxing, we enjoyed walking around the area and just soaking up the atmosphere. It's a great place if you have a dog as they have a number of dog walks on-site as well as in the local area. Just check if your accommodation is suitable for dogs first though.  There is golf as well as a fishing lake in pretty surroundings, perfect in the summer.

It's also great to see the holiday park's commitment to wildlife, and they encourage bird and animal life within the area.


We were given a 'What's On' guide when we checked in and there were lots to do over the week, including a magic show, face painting and X Box fun for the kids, an Abba tribute band, bingo, quizzes, and discos for the adults. As you can see there is a whole host of activities if you want to take part.

 The local area

A major benefit of staying here is the beautiful beaches all within a short walk. If you are a hiker, have a dog, or just love strolling along the beaches then the Holiday Resort Unity is in the ideal location. Dogs are allowed all year round on Berrow and Brean beach. 

Brean Down is a National Trust visitor area and well worth exploring too. There is a very scenic 3-mile coastal walk here, which is renowned for its wildlife and was recommended to us - maybe next time! As we all know, the benefits of walking are many including improved mood, boosted energy, and reduced stress. Staying here would be a perfect base for a walking holiday.




Other nearby attractions include Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole Caves, and  Weston Super Mare with it's Grand Pier.

That night we were happy to watch TV in our Skye holiday home and succumb to some delicious fish and chips from the Sea Salt chippy. Even though we brought food with us, you have to treat yourself now and again don't you? The chips were an enormous portion and the fish really tasty in light crispy batter.  

 Sad to leave


We enjoyed our brief stay in the Willerby Skye holiday home at Holiday Resort Unity. A seven-night stay in the Willerby Skye which sleeps 8, starts from £359. If you are looking to buy a Willerby Skye holiday home it retails from £30,048. When you consider the standard of accommodation it's worth considering if you have the cash, for a comfortable home from home in a holiday location. The area has some lovely walks and Holiday Resort Unity is perfectly located for those on the Somerset coast.

Holiday park accommodation has come a long way in the last twenty years Willerby is leading the way in stylish, chic accommodation.  We will be back. Recommended.

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Family-Friendly Shows In London You Must See

The theatre is always a fun place to visit, whether you are visiting with your partner, family or friends. But what family-friendly shows are there in London that you can all enjoy together? Using sites like best-tickets.co.uk, you can get some great deals and check out some fab shows without breaking the bank - something that is super important if you want to take the whole family out to the theatre! This is an ad.

Here are my top picks for shows that the whole family will enjoy. Having seen a few of them myself in the past, I cannot stress highly enough how much brilliant they are.

The Lion King


A stunning stage performance based on the hit 1994 film of the same name, this show has been in the West End on and off since 1999 and it is clear to see why it remains popular to this day. Featuring hit songs from the Disney films that the kids will just love to sing along to, everyone will enjoy this show.

Kids and parents alike adore The Lion King story so why wouldn’t you want to see it live on stage?

Horrible Histories

There have been the books, there’s been a TV show and there’s even been a film - now there’s a musical too! If you want your child to learn about history whilst being entertained at the same time, then you will want to check out this show for yourself. The songs and the humour remain entertaining for the whole family.

Whether you’re learning about the Romans, the Vikings or one of the World Wars, you are bound to be entertained.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child


Known as one of the shows you absolutely must see in London, this is great for families whether you are a Harry Potter fan or not. It is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. This stage production has won many awards for its run in the West End and plenty of awards across the pond thanks to the Broadway version too! 

The show is amazing and the set design fantastic, but due to some scary scenes suitable for children of 10 years and older.

Mary Poppins

It returned to the West End in 2019 and is of course based on the ever-popular 1964 Disney film. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of the film or not but if you are, you’re bound to find yourself singing along to those memorable tunes, such as A Spoonful Of Sugar and Super‐cali‐fragil‐istic‐expi‐ali‐docious! 

This show couldn’t be more family-friendly if it tried.

The Nutcracker


Showing at the London Coliseum, The Nutcracker is a beautiful show. A ballet which the whole family can enjoy, it helps get children interested in classical music and is completely family-friendly. 

With Tchaikovsky’s recognisable score and over 100 dancers and musicians bringing the story to life, it is a truly enchanting show and well worth a watch.

There is so much to see and do in London and if you have never been to a family-family theatre show I highly recommend it. For more inspiration check out this London theatre bucket list. Do you enjoy going to the theatre? What shows have you been enjoying lately? Is there anything a little more obscure that you reckon I should check out?

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Recharging Your Batteries With A Weekend In The Lake District

The Lake District is one of the most tranquil and relaxing settings in the UK - it’s home to rolling hills, glimmering waters, and some of the most beautiful towns you could ever wish to come across. This is an advertorial.

This makes the area one of the most popular locations when it comes to weekend breaks and self-improvement trips, which are incredibly popular at this time of year. We all want to get away from the stress of work, don't we? Giving ourselves a hard-earned break can be the boost that we need to get back on track, so here’s my guide to revitalising Lake District trips.

Walking 


One of the best things you can do for the health of your mind, body, and soul is to get active and venture out into nature, something that you’ll love doing in the lakes. The district is rife with walking opportunities for people of all experience and fitness levels, so whether you’re a novice who’s just looking to escape into the fresh air for a while or a fitness fanatic who’s looking to be extra adventurous on your trip, there’s something to suit everyone.

My advice is that you take a stroll around the waters for the best Lake District walking experiences - you get so see the district from one of the most aesthetically-pleasing viewpoints and it’s one of the easiest walking trails you can find as you simply follow the boundary of the water until you return to where you started.

Attractions 


For those who are a lover of the finer things in life, the Lakes Distillery is a great spot - you’ll find some of the most exquisite spirits in the country straight from their source! During your tour there will be ample opportunity to try out some of these spirits, so you can get a real taste for the quality that small-batch brewing can offer. If you’re a fan of what you try, pick up a bottle from the on-site shop before heading home.

Boat tours are another popular activity to take part in when in the Lake District and are one of the best ways to really get to know the ins and outs of the area and its history. Whilst on these boat cruises across the lakes, you’ll have a guide who’ll be able to give you lots of information about the waters, the surrounding areas, and the history of the district.  Check out Asha's review of Windermere Lake Cruises here.

If you are a fan of the author Beatrix Potter, you can visit the World Of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-On-Windermere, the Beatrix Potter Gallery and see the 'Miss Potter' filming locations.

Accommodation 


Next up is perhaps the most important part of any trip to any location: the accommodation. Lake District Hotels offer a selection of gorgeous locations throughout the lakes to offer an option to suit every type of traveller, from budget B&Bs to luxury hotels with spas for people looking for something more lavish and extravagant. I stayed in a hotel with a view a couple of years ago in the Lake District with a pool and spa and it was lovely.

Finding the right accommodation can be a tricky task, but one that’s definitely worth it in the end; you need to find the right location, the right amenities, the right surroundings, and the right price. Once you’ve found that perfect place, however, you are sorted.

With these tips in mind, I hope you’ve now got all the tools you need to plan a revitalising trip to the Lake District that helps you to recharge your batteries. The Lake District is a beautiful area of the UK, If you have never been, it's worth visiting for sure.

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Preparing Your Home For Overnight Guests

Having guests stay the night is fun but can also be quite stressful. There’s a lot to do before they arrive, and you want to make sure your home is in prime condition. Let's read on to find out how to prepare your home for overnight guests. This is an advertorial.

There are a few preparation tips you should take into consideration once you extend an invitation to friends to stay. Not only get your space ready but also think about how you’re going to entertain everybody and how you’ll spend your days. Once that is organised you can relax and enjoy having your company over once your guests arrive.

Perform a deep clean

Firstly make sure everything is spick and span for overnight guests by performing a deep clean of your space. It’s your opportunity to clean out and declutter closets and wash down your appliances and floors. Focus on the hard to reach areas you usually skip over during your weekly cleaning routine. Take a good look over the entire house so that there are no spots left unturned. You should also look around and fix and repair anything that’s damaged to make your home look more beautiful and so you can prevent any accidents from occurring. You don't want your guests spotting a cobweb or peeling wallpaper or falling over a broken step.

Get their bathroom ready

Sort out the bathroom before your guests arrive. Take time to clean it up and put out fresh towels and flowers. If they have an ensuite room that may not be in use all the time, test the sink and bathtub drains to make sure they’re in proper working order. If you see the water flowing slowly or hear strange noises, then visit this drain unblocking company and consider hiring the experts to come over to take a look and fix the problem. 

Organise the guest bedroom

Another task you’ll need to do to prepare for your company is to organise the guest bedroom. You want it to be inviting and comfortable so that they feel welcome in your home. Be sure to clean it thoroughly and put new bed linens and warm blankets on the bed. Clear the shelves and drawers in the room so they have a place to store their belongings, especially if they’ll be staying for some time. You can buy a kettle cheaply so why not make up a tea making tray so they can have tea in bed when they wake up. It's a little touch that can be very welcome.

Clean up the yard

Remember to also attend to the exterior of your home when preparing for guests. It’s a wise idea to clean up the yard and garden and make the outside look presentable. Cut the grass and weed the plants so your porch and garden look more inviting. Head to the backyard and make sure you’re ready for guests to sit out on your patio and enjoy a glass of wine or if weather permits a barbeque together.

Stock up on food & drinks

Make your guests feel more comfortable by stocking up on food and drink, especially some of their favourites. Make sure they know where the tea, coffee and biscuits are and tell them to help themselves especially when you are not around. 

Entertainment

If they are thinking of exploring the area, get some local tourist brochures in for some of the attractions. It's worth thinking of what you will do with them in the evening, are you going out for a meal or staying in? Are you going to watch a film or play a game together? Think in advance of age-appropriate things to so and the day and evening will go with a swing. 

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Time To Give Some Love To Your Home's Neglected Spaces

There are few things in life more satisfying than being able to take a house and really turn it into a home. After all, being able to improve and design your home not only gives you the chance to make your living space the most pleasant and comfortable place possible but also allows you to express yourself. Let's find out more. This is an advertorial.


People who really take the time to improve their homes and make them personal often end up feeling far more closely connected to them and enjoy living there for far longer than those who don't really make the effort. Of course, even for those who really love being able to make the most of their home, there are still a few places where they might not be paying the same level of attention. With that in mind, here are some potentially neglected parts of your home that you might want to give a little more love.

The basement

For a lot of people, their basement is, at best, a place to store random junk and, at worst, a place they don't use for anything. This is a real shame because a basement can have a great deal of potential. Far from being the dark, cold, damp place that a lot of us think of, it's surprisingly simple to turn your basement into a room that you actually want to use. Whether you make it into a game room or an office for working from home, it's one of the best parts of your home if you're looking for space where you can get some private and quiet time.

The attic

Similar to the basement, a lot of people treat their attic as little more than a glorified dumping ground. However, things like loft conversions are a lot easier than you might think and they can easily turn your attic into a usable space. Attic rooms make fantastic spare bedrooms which is perfect if you have people to stay a lot or you're thinking of growing your family. Not only that but it's a great way to significantly increase the value of your home if the time ever comes that you do want to sell it.

The staircase

Your staircase is likely to be the most used part of your home that you never think about. After all, stairs are generally just thought of as purely functional things. But the truth is that they can often make a big difference in how a home feels. Bespoke staircases can bring a huge amount of life, charm, and class to any home. It might not be the kind of thing you notice consciously but the way your staircases look is a great way to help your home make a fantastic immediate impression the moment you step through the front door.

The exteriors

Far too often the care and love we give to our homes begins and ends with the interiors. This means that a lot of people end up ignoring the outside of their home and their garden.  There are plenty of reasons for this but one of the most common is that people simply don't want to deal with the hard work involved. However, if you dedicate some time to your garden every month and keep on top of the gardening, pulling up weeds, cutting back bushes and the like then your garden will look great in no time.

The bathroom

Most people think about their bathroom in purely functional terms. As long as it does the jobs that it's meant for, that's good enough for them. However, if you're not paying attention to the way that your bathroom looks, it could end up becoming quite an unpleasant space. The most obvious example of this is lighting. A dark bathroom is never going to feel as clean and fresh as a brightly lit one. So pay attention to the lighting, for example, add some spotlights, and paint the bathroom a light colour, light blue or white can make it look fresh. These are simple changes but they can make a huge difference.

 Your environment often impacts you on a subconscious level. Spending time, decorating or sprucing up those neglected areas of your home can really make a difference in how you feel about it as a whole, making your home a more pleasant place to be.

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The Best Valentine’s Day Underwear Styles


Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to plan a date night with your other half, whether it’s getting dressed up and going out or perhaps even staying in. The month of February is often dominated by Valentine’s Day, putting romance on everyone’s mind. This is an advertorial.

Whether it’s the 14th of February or not, feeling good is probably at the top of your priority list for date night. This can start with something as simple as your underwear, as it creates the very foundation of your outfit and even the whole mood for the night! Whether you want to impress an office romance or your long term partner there are underwear styles out there fo you.

Feeling confident and sexy in front of your date can be a huge deal, and wearing underwear that you love and that fits properly can enhance your figure. What’s more, the chance to buy yourself some new underwear feels like a great bit of self-indulgence that everyone deserves. With that in mind, how do you choose the best Valentine’s Day or date night underwear?

Choosing the right colour


The colour of your underwear is very much down to personal preference, but consider your skin tone and what colours may compliment it perfectly. Your skin tone or hair colour can determine the colours that will suit you the most, but if there’s a colour you really love regardless of that, go for it anyway!

If you have a warm or olive complexion with dark hair, go-to colours could include orange, red, golden yellow and deep green. Cooler skin tones will often suit colours like royal blue, emerald and deep purple.

Of course, if you’re setting a romantic mood, red and black are classic choices and can be incredibly flattering no matter what your skin tone is!

Picking the right fabric 


Touch is one of the most important senses when it comes to romance, so when picking your date night underwear, the fabric could make all the difference. Think of fabrics that are a little more luxurious or glamorous than your everyday cotton.

There are certain fabrics that are synonymous with a sense of luxury; silk or satin, in particular, can offer a smooth and gentle feel with its shimmery appearance. Similarly, lace often works well in romantic styles due to its partly sheer design, with a delicate style that works beautifully in any number of colours.

If you’re looking for something a little more contemporary, sheer or mesh inserts have become hugely popular in underwear. This maintains a sophisticated look with just a little peek of what’s underneath!

The best date night styles 

The best underwear for you often depends on what you feel most comfortable in; after all, you will naturally appear more confident if you’re comfortable in your outfit! So, whether you prefer full coverage or very little, there is the right underwear style out there for you.

High cut Brazilian briefs have become a huge trend in the underwear industry because they are the perfect balance of cheeky and modest. With a high cut leg, they naturally elongate your legs and accentuate your curves for that extra confidence boost. With the style being a Brazilian brief, it still offers good coverage on the front and back, perfect for those who don’t want to reveal everything at once.

A more playful style for Valentine’s Day is the French knicker. French knickers may appear to offer the most coverage out of all underwear styles, but this doesn’t take away from their intrigue. They are most similar to shorts, but they offer a very flattering silhouette that hints at your cheeky, playful side. French knickers are usually designed in a silky fabric and can lend themselves to a number of different prints.

The classic choice for any kind of date night is the thong. This is because the thong is perfect for wearing under form-fitting outfits and removing any visible lines; helpful at a time when you are most likely to be wearing a bodycon dress. The thong has very little coverage, making it the ultimate style to show off your assets!

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How To Clean Jewellery / Jewelry At Home

Jewellery can instantly accentuate any outfit, no matter if it is your daily wear, office outfit, or party piece, however, your look can diminish if your jewellery has that dull worn look. This is an advertorial.

While your jewellery becoming dirty overtime is only expected, it does not mean you have to keep wearing it as it is or buy brand new pieces of jewellery. You can easily make your old jewellery sparkle again by using a jewelry steam cleaner or using the easily available ingredients in your kitchen.

As a matter of fact, there are many useful DIY tips that you can use for jewellery cleaning in order to get that shine back. Without further ado, here are a few ways to clean and polish your favourite jewellery pieces using everyday items available at home. 

Please note, especially valuable and antique items should be cleaned by a specialist jeweller and opals, pearls and other porous stones should not be cleaned at home with a steam cleaner. If any of the stones are loose do not attempt to clean your jewellery at home.

Soap & water mixture


The blend of soap and water is one of the simplest and successful approaches to clean gold, platinum, pearl and opal jewels. You can use a delicate toothbrush with soft bristle fibres or soft fabric to scrub off any intense stains on the gold. However, it is best not to scrub when dealing with jewellery containing pearls and opals. Rather, simply expel them from the fluid mixture and lay them to dry. Once dry, you can then keep them in a cotton sack. Keeping your jewellery in a cotton sack will help prolong its sparkle for months to come. 

Use baking soda

Baking soda is one of the most powerful agents to clean silver jewellery. To remove the developed stains from your silver and gold jewellery, all you have to do is mix 1/4th cup of baking soda with 2 tbsp. water. Then, mix these two ingredients well to make a thick gooey paste and apply it over your jewellery using a soft fabric or a cotton wipe. Let the paste rest for a bit and then tenderly rub, wash, and buff dry.

To clean gold ornaments, place your jewellery in a clean bowl, sprinkle a pinch of baking soda, followed by a touch of vinegar over it, and wash clean. Again, it is best not to use this trick with jewellery and ornaments containing pearls or gemstones as it could result in paste depositing over them, making them look even duller than before. 

Chemistry of baking soda and aluminium foil

For silver, take a bowl and cover it with a layer of aluminium foil. Add a tablespoon of baking powder along with 2 tablespoons of water to form a mixture. Dipping your silver jewellery and/or ornaments in this mixture will do an incredible job to dispose of the stains.

You do not need to scrub the jewellery when using this method; simply let your jewellery soak in the mixture for a few minutes to see the magic. Then use a soft fabric or cotton wipe to clean the paste off the jewellery and then wash with clean water.

In case you feel confused about which side of aluminium foil to use for best results, read this insightful article here, you may be surprised.

Try toothpaste

Do you know how toothpaste removes stains from your teeth? It can likewise remove stains and dirt build-up from your silver jewellery. Simply apply a touch of any white toothpaste (gel-based toothpaste does not do the trick) to your tarnished jewellery and rub the paste gently using a cotton wipe or your finger. Once you have covered the entire surface, wash it well with warm water and buff to sparkle with a delicate material like cotton wipes. 

Clean it with beer

If you thought beer is only good to get your weekend party happening, you ought to try it to sparkle up your old jewellery as well. Beer is especially a decent alternative for cleaning gold jewellery. However, it probably won't work excessively well on your silver adornments. All you need to do is dip your jewellery in your beer glass and let it sit for a while. 

Use ketchup

Just like beer, ketchup is another common kitchen ingredient that you can use to clean your jewellery. It can be used to clean silver jewellery as well as copper and brass. To clean your jewellery with ketchup, simply dab and rub ketchup on your ornaments’ surface, let it sit for a while, clean with water and watch it shine. 

Get your own jewellery steam cleaner



Contrary to popular belief, it is very economical to buy your own jewellery steam cleaner to use at home. Steam cleaners utilize high weight steam to evacuate dirt, grime, oil, soil and other dust particles from your jewellery’s smallest corners and remove tarnishes. The best thing about steam cleaning is that it takes only water and less than 10 seconds to precisely clean your jewellery. You do not need to buy anything else or use any other ingredient. Just keep in mind to not use very high pressure as that can damage your jewellery.

Important things to keep in mind

While cleaning your jewellery makes it look almost brand new,  it is advisable to not clean your jewellery every day. Using a jewellery steam cleaner every day can damage the gems and stones due to repeated pressure and cause unnecessary wear and tear.

You can also take some precautionary methods to prolong the life of your jewellery. For instance, remove your jewellery when taking a bath, cleaning the house or applying beauty products. And secondly, don’t let your jewellery (especially silver) sit in the jewellery box for long; wearing it regularly actually slows down the process of tarnishing.

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Becoming A Master Of Cutting Your Household Bills

When it comes to how we manage our money, finding the opportunity for savings here and there is always important. However, most of the time, we focus on savings on the things we buy in stores or online. What about the expenses that we have to deal with on a more recurring basis? The truth is that by looking at our bills and by learning how to cut them as best as possible, we are making longer-term savings that are much more likely to affect our financial health. Here are a few tips on just how to do that. * This is an advertorial.

Always be open to switching

When it comes to your household bills, one of the most effective ways to save money is to shop around, compare the deals with price comparison websites, and to choose whoever offers the best deal. The truth is that you are rarely going to get the best offer by simply sticking with your current provider. Loyalty often does not pay, as many of the best offers are specifically aimed at new customers, since they’re trying to attract them and are willing to take a small loss of profits to make sure that they win them over. Pay attention to when your contract with a current provider is over, and don’t feel any shame about immediately looking for whoever offers a better deal.

Get a better deal on your credit

Have you been using the same credit card for the past five years or more? If you’ve been responsible, paying off all your bills and managing your credit balance well, then your credit rating should have improved over time. You could be getting a better deal on your credit card and not even know it. As with many bills, you should always look to switch providers when a contract ends. For instance, you can look at switching to smart payment cards like Curve that can offer better terms on your credit, as well as the ability to manage more cards at once with one service provider. Better interest rates, more flexible repayments, and more could all be waiting for you if you haven’t looked at switching credit cards lately.

Look for referral programs 

When it comes to your usual bills, you might find that there isn’t too much difference between the providers of big utilities such as oil, electricity and the like. There might be a price difference here and there, but often they’re not too willing to offer significant deals. However, when it comes to mobile and sim card providers, that’s not the case at all. For instance, Smarty has a one month free sim campaign for those who refer a friend. Referral programs are often the most reliable ways to make big savings, so if your contract is up, consider comparing them from provider to provider.

Cut services that you don’t need



Nowadays, our bills aren’t just our necessary utilities, such as gas, electricity, internet, and mobile. They also account for the subscription services that we pick up. This might include online TV and movie streaming services, online gaming networks, and various apps we have installed on our phone over the months. However, it can be easy to forget these subscription services over time. Have a “money day” each month where you go over your bank balance and try to identify where you’re spending your money. If you see subscription services that you haven’t used over the past month, then it’s time to cut them. No point paying for what you’re not using. While you are at it, consider looking into the cost of public transport as opposed to owning a car. Selling your car when you need the money may be an option if public transport is easy and cheap for you.

Be more efficient with your utilities

Saving money when it comes to your utilities isn’t just about finding the best deal. It’s also about being mindful of how you use those utilities. This is especially true of how we use energy in the home. There are a lot of tips on how to save energy in the home. For instance, you can replace halogen lightbulbs with more efficient LED bulbs. You can look at old appliances such as refrigerators, heaters, and washing machines and invest in energy-saving technology. You can also be better about habits such as leaving appliances plugged in when you’re not using them, which results in your bills going up for practically no reason. Become a more efficient household and you will become a more cost-effective one, too.

Make sure that you’re not getting overcharged on Council Tax

Everyone has to pay annual fees charged by the local council for local services such as picking up rubbish, taking care of local libraries, and so on. This is your Council Tax. This is usually paid for ten months a year, but there are a lot of people who have found that they have been put in the wrong Council Tax band. In fact, up to 400,000 homes are estimated to be in the wrong Council Tax band. You can get in touch with your local council through the Gov.uk website to check whether you’re being overcharged. It’s not a guarantee, but there’s no point in not checking.



Pay your bills on time

It might sound like an exceeding simple tip, but it’s an essential one to follow. If you tend to be late with your bills, then that’s going to result in you paying so much more in late fees. If you have trouble paying, then it’s time to consider budgeting and cutting what you don’t need for your usual expenses. Otherwise, use financial tracking apps that can remind you when bills are due, so that you’re late by pure accident. You can also have your regular bills come out monthly by Direct Debit so you don’t have to actively pay them, but it’s important to track what’s going out if you rely on automatic payments.

Instead of focusing just on saving money with your purchases here and there, start to think about your long-standing financial agreements and what you can do to cut them down instead. Hopefully, the tips here help with that.

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The Importance Of Sustainable Energy

We all know that sustainable energy is important for the future of the planet but why exactly is it important and why should we consider sustainable energy for our home needs? Let's find out. This is an advertorial.

What is sustainable energy?

Traditional energy sources such as coal, oil and gas have been shown to emit harmful 'greenhouse gases' that contribute to global warming. These fossil fuels are also limited in quantity and are not infinite. We will run out of these fossil fuels one day.

Sustainable energy is renewable energy that does not emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. It is renewable as it harnesses the power of the planet, meaning we will not run out of these natural sources of energy in the future.

Types of sustainable energy

There are a number of sustainable energy sources that work in harmony with the planet. These include wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower. Let's have a look at some of these.

Wind


Wind energy is a sustainable form of energy that harnesses the power of the wind. As with solar power, this natural resource is free which makes it cost-effective. Wind companies, however, need to invest in the windmills and in the energy centres, updating all necessary power industry equipment, for example, in order to process the resource.

 A disadvantage of wind energy is that it is weather-dependent so will not work in areas that aren't windy. There is a low-level noise associated with wind farms which may affect you if you live close.

 Solar

In the simplest terms, solar power converts sunlight to energy. This is done by the use of solar panels, either on the roof of a building or as a stand-alone unit in a field, sometimes with the use of mirrors directing and focusing the light and heat. 

In areas without abundant sunlight, solar power is less reliable at night or on cloudy days; however, solar battery storage and solar panels are pollution and noise-free, as well as an excellent investment to save some money and contribute to a more green and sustainable planet.

 Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is a form of energy that comes from beneath the earth. A Geothermal power plant taps into the steam and hot water reservoirs which in turn powers a generator to make the electricity. Geothermal energy is always available unlike wind and solar energy. A disadvantage is the smell of the gasses emitted.

 Hydropower

Hydropower plants use the forces of water flowing to produce energy. It's one of the oldest sources of energy, used for years in milling and pumping. Today Hydropower systems, with parts made by domestic fastener manufacturers such as Dyson Corp, convert this potential energy into kinetic energy in a turbine, which drives a generator to produce electricity.   

Hydropower is controversial as dams can have an environmental impact, due to interventions in damming of the water, however tidal and wave energy projects can be more sustainable and less damaging to the environment. Hydropower can also be expensive to put into place.

Conclusion

 Building an energy plant for sustainable energy isn't a simple thing to do but it is essential for the future of our planet. For new sustainable energy businesses, it's incredibly important to think of the environmental impact that this business will create too, you need to consider the environment so a company like Douglas Healey that specialises in environmental law and natural resources will be your first port of call after you establish a site for the plant. 

We are running out of fossil fuels so we need to utilise sustainable energy resources. As a consumer, we should be considering a renewable energy supplier for our energy needs to protect our planet and once you've picked a renewable energy supplier it's important to make your home energy efficient. When you consider both of these points you are helping to save the planet for future generations.

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