Page 54 - News

Woman paying with a contactless card at a supermarket checkout counter with groceries in a reusable bag.

UK Contactless Payments: Banks Gain New Powers Over £100 Limits

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

From this week, banks have new authority over tap-and-go payments, prompting fresh debate about convenience, fraud and who determines the...

Person watering a potted plant on a wooden table with gardening tools and corks nearby outdoors.

How to Reuse Wine Corks in the Garden and Home Decoration

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

Wine corks nearly always end up in the bin, yet cork has unusual qualities for anyone who enjoys gardening, plant...

Family of four eating salad and drinking orange juice at a wooden dining table in a bright kitchen.

Phones at the Dinner Table: Rude Upbringing or Modern Reality?

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

A father flicks through emails, a teenager laughs at a TikTok, and a seven-year-old hammers away at a game where...

Middle-aged couple signing documents at a table with a passport, keys, and ID card nearby.

Brexit, Wills and Inheritance for UK Expats in the EU

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

On a sunny Thursday in Málaga, Helen spotted a letter on the kitchen table, partly hidden beneath a bowl of...

Person tending to bright pink flowers on a balcony with city buildings in the background.

The Most Floriferous Climber to Grow in a Balcony Pot: Dipladenia

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

The most floriferous climber to grow in a balcony pot is dipladenia, also known as mandevilla. It produces trumpet-shaped blooms,...

Man at outdoor café calculates finances with piggy bank, notes, and laptop showing a savings chart.

Why “Save More” and a Side Hustle Fail Millennials

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

Two savings pots, three credit cards, one “high-yield” account recommended in a TikTok tip, and a vintage-jacket side hustle that...

Person securing Wi-Fi connection on laptop and smartphone in a workspace with colleagues in the background.

How a VPN Keeps You Safe on Public WiFi

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

You have finally found an empty table, put down your bag and done what most of us do automatically: joined...

Elderly couple planning house chores schedule at a table with their golden retriever and open suitcase nearby.

How Pensioners Use Home and Pet Sitting with DomSitting to Travel More

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

Across Europe, increasing numbers of pensioners are using “home and pet sitting” platforms to transform limited retirement incomes into several...

Female scientist in white coat analysing soil in crop field with digital soil map on a tablet nearby

AI Makes Biochar Phosphorus Predictions More Precise

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

Biochar – charred plant matter incorporated into agricultural soil – is increasingly being used as an affordable means of improving...

Person using a laptop at a wooden table with documents, scissors, a cup of hot drink, and stacked books nearby.

How to Audit Your Subscriptions and Stop Wasting Money

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

The email arrives at 6:07 a.m., right as your alarm starts ringing. “Your payment has been processed.” You squint at...

Person arranging a colourful bouquet of tulips in a glass vase on a wooden table in a cosy living room.

How to Keep Tulips and Floral Arrangements Beautiful at Home

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

The arrival of warmer days brings a vibrant sense of renewal to the home, inspiring spaces filled with freshness. Introducing...

Young man working on laptop with financial charts by a rainy window in a cosy kitchen workspace.

How REITs Can Hedge Your Route to a UK Home

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

The kettle switched itself off just as the rain began again, drumming on the window as though it had something...

Young man tending to a snake plant on a wooden table in a sunlit living room.

How to care for Saint George's sword at home

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

Growing plants indoors calls for consistent attention to the details of daily care. The well-known Saint George's sword stands out...

Person holding a smartphone displaying a home screen with apps, next to a notebook and steaming cup of coffee on a wooden des

What Your Home Screen Says About Your App Layout

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

Without even checking, you know precisely where to tap to launch your favourite app. Your fingers know the route before...

Two women sitting at a table discussing equity release documents with house keys and floor plans present.

Equity Release in the UK: Turning Home Wealth into Breathing Space

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

Her gas direct debit has risen yet again, but her pension has not. In the winter sunshine, her semi-detached home...

Man blowing large soap bubbles in a sunny garden patio with wooden furniture and potted plants.

How to Stop Birds Defecating in the Garden

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

Preventing birds from defecating in the garden means changing what attracts them to the area rather than targeting the animals....

Two young women in white shirts sitting at a table with coffee cups, a smartphone, and a notebook in a cafe.

Why Putting Your Phone Screen-Down Builds Trust

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

Your friend is halfway through telling you something important, their eyes slightly glassy and their fingers clenched around a cup....

Person holding a brown wallet with cash and cards at a wooden counter with coffee and a croissant.

How a Tidy Wallet Can Curb Spending

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

He is looking at something far smaller: a bulging, folded wallet that will hardly shut. Receipts spill out like confetti,...

Young woman gardening on a balcony with various potted plants, a watering can, and gardening gloves.

Mexican Inspiration for a Small Garden in Urban Homes

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

A green space in an urban home is an excellent way to refresh the surroundings. Bringing inspiration from Mexico into...

Three people having a serious discussion around a table with documents, a calendar, and a passport.

New Inheritance Rules Arriving in January: What Families Need to Know

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

Emma looked at it on a dull Tuesday morning, her coffee cooling beside her as her pulse quickened. Her father...

Young man in a bright kitchen writing notes in a notebook while looking at his smartphone.

Why You Keep Checking Your Phone for a Tiny Dopamine Hit

Harriet M. Ashford • September 30, 2026

Heads lowered, thumbs tapping, eyes darting down every few seconds as though a hidden doorway could appear on the lock...