6 days agoSouth TvComments Off on Five Halloween decor errors could get you burgled, according to a property expert & why giant inflatables are a BAD move
A PROPERTY expert has revealed the decorations which can pose a security risk for your house this Halloween.
Five decor mistakes can make it easier for someone to steal from your home.
GettyA property expert revealed the Halloween decor mistakes that may be attracting burglars to your home[/caption]
GettyAccording to the pro, giant inflatable decorations can provide good hiding places for burglars[/caption]
Joseph Lane, who works as a property expert at Mortgage Lane shared the five habits to rethink ahead of Halloween that could put your property at risk.
To celebrate the spooky season, homeowners decorate their homes with festive decorations like pumpkins, skeletons, and cobwebs.
While this adds to the fun of the season, it’s important to be mindful of how your decorations might unintentionally make your home a target for burglars.
Joseph broke down the best ways to protect your property this autumn.
KEEPING YOUR OUTDOOR LIGHTS ON ALL NIGHT
Many homeowners believe that leaving their exterior lights on overnight can deter burglars. However, this strategy can backfire.
Experienced burglars often recognise that a constantly lit house may indicate that the occupants are away, relying solely on lights as a deterrent.
“Use timers or smart lighting solutions to simulate normal household activity,” advises Joseph.
“This can help reduce the likelihood of your home being targeted by burglars.
“The goal is to make your home appear occupied and active, not simply illuminated.”
LEAVING YOUR WINDOWS OPEN FOR EERIE SOUND EFFECTS
While it may be tempting to open a window to allow spooky sound effects to echo outside, doing so can compromise your home’s security.
“Open windows can provide easy access for intruders,” warns the expert.
“Instead, invest in outdoor speakers to achieve a similar haunting ambiance without putting your home at risk.”
DISPLAYING EXPENSIVE ELECTRONICS
When you’re decorating your house for Halloween, be careful what you put in your windows or yard.
If you have expensive stuff like projectors or fancy sound systems, they may attract burglars.
“Try to hide your valuable devices or don’t use them for your decorations,” recommends Joseph.
Tacky Halloween decorations
Interiors expert Miriam Gomez revealed the seven mistakes that are making your Halloween decorations look tacky.
Too much orange and black can make your home look like a Halloween shop.
Plastic tombstones come across as cartoonish rather than spooky.
Too many lights can be overwhelming, mix in some candles instead.
Fake materials and too much glitter can make your house look cheap.
Loud repetitive sounds can be incredibly annoying for you and your neighbours.
Inflatable garden decor look tacky and can float into your neighbour’s garden.
Not embracing classic elements such as carved pumpkins.
“The idea is to have fun with Halloween without advertising your home’s contents to potential thieves.”
NEGLECTING OUTDOOR LIGHTING
You might think that leaving the lights off all night can save you money, but it’s actually not a good idea.
Dark areas around your house are like hiding places for burglars, they can sneak up on your house without being seen.
“Use motion-sensor lights to illuminate key entry points and other vulnerable spots,” suggests the property pro.
“This not only scares away burglars but also makes it safer for kids navigating your yard.”
USING OVERSIZED DECORATIONS THAT BLOCK VISIBILITY
Those big, bouncy Halloween decorations can be fun, but, according to the expert, they also make ideal hiding places for burglars.
If they’re blocking your windows or doors, it’s harder for neighbours to see what’s happening.
“It’s better to choose smaller decorations that don’t cover up your house,” says Joseph.
“That way, people can see if anything suspicious is going on. It’s like an extra layer of protection.”
The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com said: “While ‘boosting your State Pension’ doesn’t sound sexy, this is about big money, and we’ve had huge successes.
“It’s the most lucrative thing many under age 73 can do, some gain £10,000s.
“The deadline’s half a year away, but the process ain’t quick, so start now.”
Martin added that for every £825 or less you pay to buy NI years, many stand to gain over £5,400.
Typically, strict time limits apply to buying back these years.
However, when the new state pension was introduced in 2016, the rules were relaxed to aid the transition.
This relaxation was initially set to end in April 2023 but has been extended until April 2025.
It means that from May 2025, you will only be able to buy back six tax years, starting from 2019.
Although several months remain until this deadline, Martin has urged his readers to “just get on with this and do it now.”
Before considering purchasing any missing years, checking if you can obtain some years for free with NI credits is essential.
We have outlined the process you need to follow to boost your state pension below.
What is National Insurance?
NATIONAL Insurance is a tax on your earnings, or profits if you're self-employed.
These contributions make you eligible for things like the state pension and certain benefits.
You’ll usually pay National Insurance Contributions (NICs) when you’re over the age of 16 and earning a certain amount.
For example, if you earn £1,000 a week, you pay nothing on the first £242.
Earn over that and you pay 10% on the next £725 – so £72.50. Then you pay 2%o on the rest, so £33, which works out as 66p.
For the self-employed rates are slightly different.
You can also get something known as National Insurance in some circumstances when you’re not working, for example when you have kids and claim certain benefits.
NICs are usually taken automatically by your employer and paid to HMRC, so you don’t need to do anything.
You can see how much NICs you pay on your wage slip.
Anyone working for themselves usually has to pay NICs themselves when completing a self-assessment tax return.
CHECK YOUR YEARS
If you think you’re missing National Insurance years, the first thing to do is check you State Pension forecast.
You can check this as well as the State Pension age through the government’s new ‘Check your State Pension’ tool online at www.gov.uk/check-state-pension.
The tool is also available through the HMRC app, which you can download free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
You’ll need to log in using your Personal Tax Account login details. If you don’t already have an online HMRC account, you can register at gov.uk.
It shows you how much your state pension could increase by and what NI years you’ll need to buy to achieve this.
You’ll then be able to pay for these missing years securely online, without having to call up separately.
You’ll need to pay for these in full – you can’t pay in instalments.
You can’t use the online service if you’re already getting your State Pension.
Instead, you’ll need to call the Pension Service on 0800 731 0469.
However, before you commit to buying new National Insurance years it’s vital you check whether you were entitled to free credits at any point.
CHECK FOR NATIONAL INSURANCE CREDITS
Before making a voluntary contribution, it is important to check if the gaps in your contributions can be filled with free NI credits.
For example, those on certain benefits should qualify for Class 1 credits.
This includes parents with active claims for child benefit.
You can check the full list of people eligible to claim credits by visiting www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility.
It explains the circumstances where you’ll need to claim and when you’ll get it automatically.
TOP UP YOUR NATIONAL INSURANCE YEARS
In some cases, buying back missing years can be really valuable.
But earning back the years isn’t free, so your voluntary contributions come at a price.
If you fill gaps between 2006/07 and 2015/16, you’ll pay the 2022/23 rates for contributions.
It is worth £15.85 a week, which means it costs £824.20 to buy one year of contributions.
As the state pension was £185.15 per week in 2022/23, this boost would add £5.29 per week or around £275 per year.
Although you’d have to pay £8,242 (10 lots of £824.20), the annual state pension boost would be around £2,750.
Someone who was retired for 20 years would get back around £55,000 in total (before tax).
Anyone under 73 can make voluntary pension contributions, as it’s assumed everyone under this age will claim the new state pension.
If you’re below the state pension age, you can check your state pension forecast by visiting www.gov.uk/check-state-pension to determine if you’ll benefit from paying voluntary contributions.
You can also contact the Future Pension Centre by calling 0800 731 0175.
If you’ve reached state pension age, contact the Pension Service to find out if you’ll benefit from voluntary contributions.
You can contact this service in several different ways by visiting www.gov.uk/contact-pension-service.
You can usually pay voluntary contributions for the past six years.
For example, you have until April 5, 2030, to compensate for gaps in the tax year 2023 to 2024.
The deadline has been extended for making voluntary contributions for the tax years 2016 to 2017 or 2017 to 2018.
You now have until April 5, 2025, to pay.
Find out how to pay for your contributions by visiting www.gov.uk/pay-voluntary-class-3-national-insurance.
How does the State Pension work?
AT the moment the current State Pension is paid to both men and women from age 66 - but it's due to rise to 67 by 2028 and 68 by 2046.
The state pension is a recurring payment from the government most Brits start getting when they reach State Pension age.
But not everyone gets the same amount, and you are awarded depending on your National Insurance record.
For most pensioners, it forms only part of their retirement income, as they could have other pots from a workplace pension, earning and savings.
The new state pension is based on people’s National Insurance records.
Workers must have 35 qualifying years of National Insurance to get the maximum amount of the new state pension.
You earn National Insurance qualifying years through work, or by getting credits, for instance when you are looking after children and claiming child benefit.
If you have gaps, you can top up your record by paying in voluntary National Insurance contributions.
To get the old, full basic state pension, you will need 30 years of contributions or credits.
You will need at least 10 years on your NI record to get any state pension.
6 days agoSouth TvComments Off on Strictly’s Katya and Wynne put on a united front after ‘grope’ scandal but can’t raise a smile as they leave rehearsals
STRICTLY pairing Katya Jones and Wynne Evans looked downbeat as they made their way to rehearsals amid their ‘grope’ scandal.
The duo have been under the spotlight ever since Katya removed Wynne’s hand from her midriff during Saturday night’s show.
SplashWynne Evans and Katya Jones looked glum amid their Strictly ‘grope’ scandal[/caption]
SplashThe duo are in Wales to rehearse for Saturday night’s show[/caption]
PAWynne and Katya scored 34 points, finishing third on the leaderboard[/caption]
The awkward moment followed the professional dancer declining to high five Wynne, instead she responded to his beaming smile with an icy glare.
After both incidents went viral, the duo passed it off as an ‘in-joke’ gone wrong and insisted there was nothing sinister behind Katya’s frosty reactions.
Regardless, the fallout has overshadowed their success on the dancefloor after an impressive performance saw them score 34 points and finish in third on the leaderboard.
Today they were seen walking side by side in a Welsh residential street ahead of this weekend’s performance.
Wynne, 52, wore a grey jumper and jeans while Katya, 35, dressed in a stylish grey trench coat and pulled her Louis Vuitton luggage case behind her.
On Monday night’s BBC Two Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two, Katya insisted that the controversy had overshadowed their performance “for absolutely no reason”.
She added: “Quite frankly I actually can’t bear sitting here watching this man being portrayed as someone he’s not.
“In fact it couldn’t be further away from the truth.
“So I have to make absolutely clear, that this whole incident with the hand and the high five on Saturday night, it was an inside joke between Wynne and I.
“Was it a silly joke? Yes. Was it a bad joke? Yes.
“However, it was a joke and even the idea that it made me feel uncomfortable or offended in any way is totally nonsense.
“Those that have doubts, you guys have got it wrong.
“So hopefully this will be the end of it.”
Wynne added: “I’ve watched it back and I can see how people might have misinterpreted it.”
The controversy is the last thing the beleaguered corporation wanted after a summer of scandal which saw pros Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima leave the show amid allegations of bad behaviour.
Earlier yesterday, a TV insider said: “Strictly wanted to draw a line under one of the most troubling periods in the programme’s history, which had viewers deeply suspicious about what went on behind the scenes of the show.
“Allegations of inappropriate physical and sexual behaviour seemed to take some of the shine off the dance contest and bosses were looking forward to restoring the glitz and fun.
“Now there’s this bizarre incident which seems to suggest some tension between Wynne and Katya, not to mention inappropriate touching.
“The rap over the knuckles from Strictly was informal and there aren’t any plans to take any further action against them.
On Saturday Wynne was seen putting his arm around Katya’s waistBBCBBCKatya was then seen removing Wynne’s hand[/caption]
BBCEarlier in the night Katya was seen denying Wynne a high five[/caption]
Behind the scenes, Beeb bosses are said to be furious about the incident, but seem to believe Katya and Wynne’s explanation that it was a gag both were complicit in.
On Sunday Katya and Wynne made a joint online video in which they apologised for what happened.
During it, Katya said: “We were just messing around in the Clauditorium and just want to say sorry.”
6 days agoSouth TvComments Off on I wanted to throw myself in front of cars over misunderstood condition any woman could have – MAFS saved my life
KRISTINA Goodsell had always suffered from abnormally heavy periods, but it wasn’t until she began crying hysterically after her Big Mac fell apart when she was a teenager she realised she needed help.
The Married At First Sight (MAFS) star, 31, has bravely shared details of her rare hormonal condition on the Channel 4 show – and has now revealed how it was once so debilitating, she once contemplated opening the car door when she was driving because she didn’t want to live.
ZoomKristina bravely opened up to Fabulous about her struggles with PMDD[/caption]
Matt Monfredi / Channel 4The reality star has been open about her condition on MAFS[/caption]
InstagramKristina has received lots of support from hubby Kieran on MAFS[/caption]
It affects around 5.5% of women in the UK, and is often both misunderstood and misdiagnosed.
The dog walker, who owns her own animal care business, revealed that for two weeks of the month she is a bubbly carefree woman.
However, during the two weeks before her period she turns into an entirely different one, hit by a debilitating feeling of depression that leaves her left “rotting in bed”, and unable to do simple tasks, like washing her hair.
“The only way I can describe it is I feel like I’m in a swimmingpool and the surface is just above my head,” she tells Fabulous.
“And I’m swimming and swimming and trying to get to the top, but there’s something holding my foot down, and I’m drowning in my emotions.
“I genuinely think it’s the end of the world, and I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
She says on bad days, she often aches from head to toe and feels so exhausted she struggles to keep her eyes open.
When Kristina first went to the doctors for help she recalls being told that she had depression.
Throughout her teenage years she was prescribed anti-depressants but was certain she had been misdiagnosed.
Minor things sent her spiralling during two weeks of the month but for the rest of the time she felt completely fine. And various anti depressants didn’t ease her symptoms either.
“I knew within me that I wasn’t depressed, and I knew that there was something more going on,” she explains.
As she got older, Kristina began entering romantic relationships but they proved to be a huge struggle. Partners couldn’t understand why she was happy one minute, and crying uncontrollably the next.
“My partners just thought I was crazy, I was so hard to live with,” she recalls.
“I felt like a burden, and thought my partners would be better off without me.”
Eventually, the East Sussex born star, who was matched with happy-go-lucky Geordie lad Kieran Chapman on MAFS, took matters into her own hands and after doing her own research, she realised she was showing all the signs of PMDD.
What is PMDD?
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe and chronic medical condition that affects a small percent of people who menstruate.
It is a more intense form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and is characterised by a range of emotional, mental, and physical symptoms that can significantly disrupt daily life. Unlike PMS, which might cause mild discomfort or irritability, PMDD symptoms can be debilitating and often require medical attention.
The exact cause of PMDD is not fully understood, but it is believed to be linked to hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle, particularly fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone. These hormonal shifts can affect neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, which plays a critical role in mood regulation. Genetic factors may also contribute to the development of PMDD, as the disorder tends to run in families.
Symptoms of PMDD typically appear in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which is the time between ovulation and the start of menstruation. Common symptoms include severe mood swings, depression, irritability, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness. Physical symptoms can also manifest, such as fatigue, bloating, breast tenderness, and headaches. These symptoms usually subside once menstruation begins, providing temporary relief until the next cycle.
Treatment for PMDD often involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy. Lifestyle adjustments, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep, can help manage symptoms. Medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and hormonal treatments may also be prescribed to alleviate the disorder’s impact. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be beneficial in addressing the emotional and psychological aspects of PMDD, offering coping strategies and support.
“It made me feel horrendous,” she admits.
“Why hadn’t my GP picked up on this? I knew I wasn’t depressed.”
Determined to get an official diagnosis, Kristina booked an appointment with a gynaecologist, but on the day of the appointment her symptoms were so severe, she couldn’t string a sentence together.
“I literally sat in front of the gynaecologist and sobbed, I was hysterical, I couldn’t communicate,” she says.
Worse still, the appointment ended with Kristina being referred to a psychiatric ward.
“That burned a hole in my heart,” she admits.
“It was so destroying, I felt worthless.”
Describing her lowest point in her PMDD journey, Kristina bravely confesses: “I was driving on the motorway, and I just thought there was no way out.
“I just wanted to open the car door, and let fate take it’s course.
“I didn’t want to be here anymore, I’d had enough.”
InstagramKristina revealed that the support of everyone in the experiment, helped her to push for a diagnosis[/caption]
When she got the call for MAFS, Kristina was so nervous about how she would cope with the stress of the experiment.
But she says “MAFS saved my life”, thanks to the amazing support of the welfare team and her co-stars on the show.
During her stint on the reality series, one of the show’s psychologists confirmed to Kristina that she did have PMDD, and helped her to understand the condition better.
He also helped her to create a name for the person she becomes when her symptoms flare up.
“I’m not ‘Stina on my PMDD days,” she reveals, referring to her real name.
“The psychologist helped me to come up with a name for the silly voice in my head, so we call her Janice, and I tell her to go away.”
And due to how confident being on the show made her feel, Kristina was able to push for an official diagnosis from a gynaecologist after exiting the series.
Eventually, Kristina was prescribed escitalopram, an effective medication for PMDD, which she says made her ‘feel brilliant’ and saved her life.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she says.
I just wanted to open the car door, and let fate take it’s course
Kristina Goodsell
“I felt happier for longer, and wasn’t crying at silly things.
“I honestly wouldn’t be here without this medication.”
She says ‘Janice’ hasn’t made a return since but she still experiences low days.
“I’ve been told by doctors that to completely cure my symptoms, I’d either need a hysterectomy, or have an injection that would take me into early menopause,” she explains.
“But that means I wouldn’t be able to have children.
“I’m 31, the last thing I need right now is to be peri-menopausal.”
But Kristina won’t rule it out altogether, adding: “If I’m really fighting a battle here then I will definitely opt for the hysterectomy.”
Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@the-sun.co.uk and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line.
InstagramKristina reveals that she feels so much better, after finally getting diagnosed[/caption]
InstagramKristina and Kieran’s positive attitudes has made them fan favourites on the show[/caption]
