Money & Work / Tips & Advice
Get out and go for it! 11 fitness motivation ideas for winter
Maintaining an exercise regime in winter can be much more challenging than in summer. When the sun’s out, the days are warm and the nights long, it’s easier to find the motivation to go for a run or hit the gym. But in the cold, dark days of winter, exercise often...
Cold water swimming: Why an icy dip is good for your mental and physical health
Many people swear by the benefits of cold water swimming, and scientists think that they might be on to something. Claire’s legs ache with cold as she pushes forwards into the messy grey sea, grey sand stretching behind her, grey sky above. She braces herself against...
Could cold water hold a clue to a dementia cure?
Cold water swimming may protect the brain from degenerative diseases like dementia,researchers from Cambridge University have discovered. BBC News reports that in a world first, a "cold-shock" protein has been found in the blood of regular winter swimmers at London's...
Pandemic takes toll on UK retirement plans of over50s
Hundreds of thousands of people facing prospect of working longer or tapping pension savings early The Financial Times reports that after two decades running his own management consultancy in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, 59-year-old Len Wilson was looking forward to...
Booming property prices are good news for many over-50s
While the news that UK house prices have hit an all-time high doesn’t help those trying to get onto the property ladder it is good news for many over 50s. Over 50s Money reports that people over 50 are more likely to own their own home outright or have a small...
Eating well while working at home: Step away from the biscuits and never dine at your desk
Seal found that most home workers don’t take proper breaks, even though employed British workers are entitled to a minimum of 20 minutes. It has taken a decade of working at home, but my body and my brain finally accept that, like a dog or a child, I need a walk after...
Thrill of the chill: The best outdoor winter swimming spots in Britain
Dive into our essential guide to wild swimming with our pick of the best places to swim in the UK, water safety and tips on how to get started. Wild swimming is all the rage in the UK, but how do you get started? Here is our essential wild swimming guide, including...
This year’s top supermarket mince pies have been announced – and the winner may surprise you
Tasters have been casting their verdicts after sampling the different Christmas food offerings from 13 supermarkets. Silver Surfers reports that supermarkets at opposite ends of the price spectrum have had their products named best buys for the festive season in an...
Pumpkin farmers are reporting roaring sales as people fall in love with the versatile squash
This autumn in particular pumpkin-picking has emerged as a Covid-safe outdoor activity for families. It is no exaggeration to say that 2020 has been a catastrophic year for plenty of industries. However, Inews reports that one group of people celebrating this autumn...
You either love it, or hate it…Marmite: A potted history of the British-born spread
Panic spread across the UK as it emerged that the much-loved yeast extract Marmite was at risk of being removed from the nation's supermarket shelves. But what is the story behind this most British of brands? The product that has been loved and hated around the world...
The cream of the crops: Autumn sowing in the veggie patch
Spring and early summer are not the only times of the year when we should think about sowing our vegetables. Spring and early summer are not the only times of the year when we should think about sowing our vegetables. I do a lot of my sowing in late summer and autumn,...
Add zing to your spring! 10 bulbs to buy and plant now
It’s almost time to start planting bulbs for a spring display. Hannah Stephenson leafs through some new additions and old favourites. You may still be enjoying the summer, but if you want a gorgeous display of spring bulbs, you need to start planting them soon....