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Endangered icebergs and melting glaciers are prompting the rise of ‘last-chance tourism’ in Greenland
Across Greenland tourists are racing to capture the frozen vistas before they vanish.
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Florida and Texas say they won’t let DOJ monitors into polling places to perform decades-long practice of watching for violations
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I’m a Christmas cheapskate, I gift yellow sticker bargains & my used clothes – I spend the cash on holidays instead
COME Christmas day, Catherine Lofthouse’s nearest and dearest can expect some very familiar looking presents.
In a bid to save money, the mum is regifting her own belongings this festive season.
A lucky few will receive new gifts but Catherine is sure to make a saving there too, only shopping in the yellow sticker section.
And while she is happy to dish out freebies and cut price gifts, Catherine will have no problem accepting new ones in return.
Catherine, 43, is a self-proclaimed “tight mum” and often hits the headlines with her savvy – yet controversial – festive tips and tricks.
The mum-of-three previously said how she’s told her kids, Alex, 12, William, 10 and Robin, five, that Santa isn’t real in a bid to avoid buying extra stocking fillers.
Last year, she bought them “tat” as gifts, so that she could spend the spare cash on a hot tub holiday instead.
And for 2024, she’s upped her game; only decorating her home in charity shop finds, and giving everyone she knows the gift of…freebies.
“This is the first year I’ve got all the adults cut-price presents, as well as the kids,” the writer, from Leicestershire, told Fabulous.
“If I’m honest, I actually don’t think they’ll know any different.
“All of the gifts are discounted stuff from supermarkets, mainly using loyalty points I’ve amassed over the year to pay for it.
“I’ve basically only bought charity shop or clearance items, such as yellow sticker bits, to give as gifts.
“I’ve even got actual freebies to give to people, including hand-me-down clothes from friends whose kids have grown out of them.
“And also books from the village book swap.
“If they look more or less new, I just wrap them up and stick them under the tree.”
Catherine, who previously rubbed people up the wrong way when revealing she rewraps her kids’ old toys to regift them, says she’s spent just £150 in total on presents for the festive season.
Overall, she’s saving at least £500 on the entire soirée with her frugal mindset.
And it’s not only discounted presents she’s stocking up on, but also decorations for the house.
She says: “I do decorate the house with cut-price stuff I find at the charity shops or from the January sales.
“I got a big festive wreath for my mantle piece for a fiver and a golden urn that I fill with baubles for a couple of quid.
“To be honest, we even use the same artificial tree I had growing up.
“It must be the same age as me – and it’s still going strong.
“I love having a look around all the Christmas sections in shops and garden centres, admiring the decorations, but then I look at the price tag and think: ‘no thanks!’
“My house is unique and celebrates the people I love, as I incorporate bits from my childhood, things my kids have made and stuff I’ve found along the way.
“I don’t think we need loads of new bits to make our decor feel magical.”
Despite receiving new items, the mum-of-three “doesn’t feel bad” in the slightest about gifting second hand.
She argues, if anything, it removes all the stress from Christmas.
She said: “I’ve pretty much shopped this way for all special occasions since I had my first son.
“I actually really enjoy it and find it much less stressful, getting a few bits here and there when I’m out and about.
“[Otherwise], I’d be rushing around all the shops in December, grabbing whatever I can find, no matter how much it costs or if it really suits the recipient.
THREE WAYS TO SAVE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
MAKE A LIST:
If you note down what you expect to need for Christmas, you can spread the cost of spending and buy things when they are at the best price.
You can use price comparison sites such as idealo.co.uk to look at the price history of specific items, as well as setting up email alerts so that you know as soon as costs fall.
If you’re shopping specifically on Amazon, price-tracking sites bobalob.com and camelcamelcamel.com do a similar job.
DIARY DATES:
Laptops are typically best priced on December 19 at £1,267 after falling by around £90 from November.
For a capsule coffee machine head to the shops on November 17 when the lowest average price comes in at £135 — £30 less than average prices in October.
Wait to the last minute for trainers, as the cheapest price is on December 24 when you will save around £5 compared with November.
SHOPPING EVENTS:
It is also worth keeping an eye on prices on Black Friday, which this year falls on November 29, as some retailers offer special discounts at this time.
Make sure you sign up to marketing emails of your favourite stores to get exclusive offers or discounts that you can use towards shopping.
Sometimes you can also get money off products by popping it in your shopping basket online and not checking out.
Some retailers will then email with a discount on the item to help get the purchase over the line.
“I’m not actually bothered if people realise where their gifts come from.
“I don’t feel bad about regifting items or finding freebies.
“If they’re worried about how much I’ve spent, that’s on them.
“It’s about the time and effort I’ve put into finding something that I think they will love unwrapping.
“I’ve seen people spend massive sums on tat, that is clearly not wanted, and what’s the point?
“If you’re given something you don’t want or need, pass it on to someone who can make use of it.”
Catherine also believes her “tight mum” attitude is teaching her kids a valuable lesson; something which other parents should do, too.
The mum adds: “My sons are getting to an age now where they do want things like game consoles and expensive trainers – and that’s fine.
I get a buzz finding the perfect gift for someone at a price I can afford
Catherine Lofthouse
“If it’s beyond my budget, I say I’ll help toward it, but they need to save up for a bit, too.
“If it’s not important enough for them to spend their pocket money on, it’s probably just a passing phase.
“The best present I can have is knowing that I’m teaching them the value of money and so they don’t spend more than they can afford.”
Catherine says that more mums should take a leaf out of her book.
“I think everyone can do the same – just do it for one or two gifts as a start and see if you get bitten by the bug,” she says.
“I get a buzz finding the perfect gift for someone at a price I can afford.
“If you’re still buying brand new because you feel like you ought to, it might be time to have a rethink.
“Remember that Christmas isn’t about how much you spend, but on taking time to be with your family and friends.”
Which Tottenham midfielder is the best option for Dream Team managers this season?
TOTTENHAM’S victory over Aston Villa on Sunday was their ninth win in their last eleven games in all competitions.
Much was made of the slip-ups against Brighton and Crystal Palace but there’s no denying the broader picture is an increasingly optimistic one for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Furthermore, Spurs are currently the top scorers in the Premier League, a fact that Dream Team managers should not take lightly.
At the time of writing, the North Londoners are the only club with three representatives inside the top 15 midfielders in terms of overall points.
Brennan Johnson (£3.8m) and James Maddison (£4.6m) are ranked sixth and seventh in their position respectively with Dejan Kulusevski (£3.1m) nestled in 13th.
Some Dream Team bosses will be more than happy to select a couple of Spurs midfielders but many will see that as overkill and so it begs the question: which of the three is the best option?
Johnson has earned the most points (95) so far but Maddison is just two behind him at this stage.
The Wales international has been the most prominent goal threat; his close-range finish against Villa was his seventh of the season in all competitions.
Only Bryan Mbeumo (£4.6m) has scored more goals among midfield assets – Brentford’s talisman has eight to his name.
Maddison’s picture-perfect free-kick against Unai Emery’s mob was just his third goal of the campaign but he’s hot on Johnson’s heels because he’s a bonus point magnet.
Spurs’ No10 has earned 21 bonus points already – only Savinho (£4.1m) boasts a higher tally (22) – while Johnson is yet to muster a single one!
Maddison has also registered five assists to Johnson’s two.
However, gaffers who own the ex-Leicester playmaker will be concerned about minutes going forward.
Maddison was hooked at half time against West Ham in Gameweek 8, replaced after an hour against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 9, and given just eight minutes against Villa at the weekend.
From a Dream Team perspective, his owners have largely escaped punishment as the 27-year-old has pocketed enough points from his limited minutes to satisfy but whether he’s able to maintain such a rate remains to be seen.
Maddison will probably start against Galatasaray in the Europa League on Thursday night but Postecoglou is leaning towards a more conservative midfield balance in league fixtures.
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Maddison is also the most expensive Spurs midfielder by a relatively wide margin.
In contrast, Kulusevski is currently available for just £3.1m and has to be considered one of the best value-for-money selections in Dream Team this season.
The Sweden international is 20 points behind Maddison (and 22 shy of Johnson) but many Spurs fans will tell you he’s been the best of the lot.
Previously a right winger, the ex-Juventus man has been reinvented as a No10 where his creative powers have come to the fore.
Kulusevski has provided six assists – only Bukayo Saka (£6.7m) has more among midfielders – and he’s created twice as many big chances as Maddison.
In fact, Kulusevski’s quality in central areas has contributed to Maddison’s declining minutes.
In conclusion, Johnson is the best option for gaffers who simply want the biggest goal threat but Kulusevski is the smart, value-for-money option.
The latter is also the most in-form of the trio having taken more points from the last three games.
And Maddison, for all his quality, has to be considered a potential trap door given his high price and dwindling playing time.
18th-placed Ipswich are set to visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday so it’s a good time for gaffers to make sure they’re backing the right Spurs assets.
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My man got into over £10k debt to get my dream boob job – it’s not my fault I needed a lift after breastfeeding my kids
A WOMAN has admitted that she put her husband in debt so she could get her dream boob job.
Megan, 34, explained that after breastfeeding her children, she took out a loan to get a boob lift, because she “wanted to”, despite her and her husband not being able to afford it.
Opening up about the jaw-dropping revelation on the podcast The Financial Audit, Megan, a flight assistant from Texas, told podcast host Caleb Hammer that she had put her and her husband in debt all for a brand new chest.
Her husband, Garrett, 26, works in the oil and gas industry and said it wasn’t a “requirement” by his wife, but she wanted a lift in spring, before summer.
The blonde beauty confessed: “I got my boobs done. It was like $14,000 [£10,787].”
But Megan confessed that she has no issue telling people her boobs are financed and aren’t real – however, host Caleb appeared stunned by her admission.
He told the couple: “For self confidence sure, and I don’t really give a f*** what you guys spend your money on if you budget for it, but you’re putting it on debt. You have financed it.”
To this, Megan said she has no problem being honest about it, as she admitted: “I just wanted to get it done in spring time…I’m ok with telling people that.”
She was also quick to correct Caleb on her surgery, as she added: “I didn’t get implants, I just did a lift after breastfeeding my kids.”
She then said she had a conversation with Garrett about it, to which he was in “full agreement”.
The savvy mum also claimed Garrett was happy and “didn’t care” about the augmentation, as it was her decision, leaving Caleb lost for words.
The podcast clip was shared on Caleb’s official TikTok account, under the username @calebhammercomposer.
The video has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly gone viral and racked up 1.5 million views, with many users flocking to the comments to share their thoughts on the situation.
Not only did many encourage Garrett to ‘leave’ the relationship, but others were shocked at the price of the breast lift.
What are the risks of getting surgery abroad?
IT'S important to do your research if you're thinking about having cosmetic surgery abroad.
It can cost less than in the UK, but you need to weigh up potential savings against the potential risks.
Safety standards in different countries may not be as high.
No surgery is risk-free. Complications can happen after surgery in the UK or abroad.
If you have complications after an operation in the UK, the surgeon is responsible for providing follow-up treatment.
Overseas clinics may not provide follow-up treatment, or they may not provide it to the same standard as in the UK.
Also, they may not have a healthcare professional in the UK you can visit if you have any problems.
Source: NHS
One person felt sympathy for Garrett and wrote: “Why hasn’t he left..honestly there’s nothing there worth staying for in any sense of the word.
“I’d rather be alone than deal with that.”
She either got extremely ripped off or she took out a larger loan to spend half on something else
TikTok user
Another commented: “He needs to leave. They have very different lifestyles and expectations.”
At the same time, someone else questioned: “14k for a lift?! Nah that ain’t right.
“She either got extremely ripped off or she took out a larger loan to spend half on something else.”
Whilst a fourth wrote: “No way a lift was that much.”
Would you go on I’m A Celebrity?
I’M A CELEBRITY will be back on our screens from Sunday, November 17 with a whole new cast of campmates.
From Coleen Rooney to Danny Jones to Oti Mabuse it is sure to be another drama-filled series.
But how do you think you would do if you had the chance to go on the show? Would you go on at all?
Vote on the poll below.
‘We’re probably gonna see him in a Man Utd shirt because of his special connection with Ruben Amorim’
RUBEN AMORIM will bring Viktor Gyokeres to Manchester United because of his “special connection” with the striker, according to Dimitar Berbatov.
Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim, 39, will arrive at Old Trafford on November 11 as Erik ten Hag’s successor.
Ex-Coventry striker Gyokeres, 26, has been thriving under Amorim, scoring 43 goals in 50 games last season.
He has continued that form at the start of the new campaign, bagging 20 in just 16 matches.
Amorim has already ruled out signing Gyokeres in January, despite Man Utd having scored just nine goals in 10 Premier League games.
He said: “I’m not going to get any players from Sporting in January.
“Gyokeres costs €100million and it’s very difficult.”
However, former Red Devils striker Berbatov, 43, believes the relationship between Amorim and Gyokeres will see the Swedish forward eventually sign for Man Utd.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “This guy, Viktor Gyokeres, he’s scoring goals for fun right now.
“So I think there’s a special connection with the coach, so maybe we are probably going to see him in a United shirt at some point.”
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When asked whether he would be happy with the Gyokeres transfer, Berbatov added: “From what he’s showing right now, I think yes.
“Our strikers at the moment are not doing and producing goals, like we see with them 18th in the league for scoring goals, which is embarrassing for a club of the stature of United.
“This is a position that I’d like to see improvement.”
Gyokeres, who is being linked with a move to Barcelona, has already addressed rumours of him joining Amorim in Manchester.
He said: “Going with Amorim to Man Utd? I don’t know, I’m here. I really like being here, it’s not something I think about.
“I’m enjoying it here. I’m sad about him leaving. We wish him all the best.”
Laura Vaughan’s MAFS diary: Luke’s lies and sexual innuendos are making Amy feel uncomfortable – he needs to stop
IT all kicked off last night between Amy and Luke and although a lot fans have been critical of the wedding planner – she’s not entirely in the wrong.
Their homestay fallout reminded me very much of mine and Arthur’s disastrous away break.
White lies are never okay in the early stages of a relationship – I don’t think Amy was wrong for her reaction.
But at the same time, Luke shouldn’t be made to feel ashamed of working as a butler in the buff.
If you are as obsessed with Married At First Sight as I am, you need to keep reading, as I’ve got some thoughts…
Match made in hell
We saw the second episode of homestays week and it was giving a lot of drama, so let’s talk about it.
Amy and Luke…I want to talk about this because anyone who watched my season, it’s giving mine and Arthur’s homestays.
Arthur would tell white lies constantly, but they weren’t white, they were massive lies and towards the end it started really annoying me.
We saw Luke lie about the picture. Amy is not annoyed that he had a picture with another woman, he’s annoyed that he felt the need to cover it up and then lie about it.
The one thing that Amy has asked from Luke to do, is dial it down with the sexual innuendos and he’s ignoring her, he’s continuing to do it.
All she’s saying, is that it makes me feel uncomfortable on camera. I don’t want you to represent that overtly sexual side to our relationship in front of the nation, so please stop doing it.
I think he’s being disrespectful in continuing to do so.
But Luke is not the only one at fault.
Another thing I don’t agree with is how they brought up the butler in the buff, I don’t think we should weaponise those things.
I think there was a better way around that.
But taking his ring off and saying he’s a single man, it doesn’t really scream much emotional intelligence.
I think everyone is going to feel sorry for Luke but actually I think we need to realise that I’m not sure we’re seeing who this person is on camera.
I think he’s quite good at being aware of the cameras.
My advice to Amy is if you don’t feel that you’re getting an authentic version of this man…RUN…RUN NOW.
If he’s not been showing you who he is through this experiment, then do you really want to stay married to a stranger.
No bad blood
As I predicted, we saw Kieran and Kristina choose to stay apart for home stays week.
I think that was probably the right decision given the emotion that’s sitting around their relationship at the moment, but it does make me wonder how they’re going to bounce back from that.
If you’ve been given the opportunity in the experiment to see how you’re lives would work together and they haven’t done that, understandably so, where do you go from here.
I do think, we do see the end of Kieran and Kristina’s relationship in this week.
I think at the commitment ceremony they will decide to leave – but I think they will part amicably and I think they will part as friends because they haven’t got caught up in the drama, they haven’t ripped shreds out of each other unlike some of the other couples.
It was really interesting to see Kieran open up and explain that the reason he’s struggling with the relationship is because he doesn’t think he can be the emotional support Kristina needs throughout her PMDD.
I think he was a little bit blinkered going into it and didn’t realise how intense it could be and I actually think Kristina can use this now as a platform to talk about it, because women with the same condition will really be able to relate.
It’s giving selfish
Sacha and Ross, I said it in my last diary that I’m getting a little bit bored of people who refuse to move to be together.
What did they think was going to happen?
Did they think they were going to meet someone that lived in your own postcode?
I’m sorry but I think it’s going to have to be Sacha. Ross has a daughter, a toddler.
But Sacha’s parents want her to stay with them, but I think it’s really quite selfish and just a bit weird that they seemed so invested in keeping their daughter with them.
She’s not a child!
If Sacha’s dad is close to Sacha – surely he understands why Ross doesn’t want to leave his daughter.
We need some compromise from Sacha.
My predictions
In the next episode, we will probably see the house of cards fall down around Amy and Luke.
In the spoiler it looked like Adam and Polly are saying that they’re really giddy and happy together.
So I don’t know if they’ve forgot what they’re homestays were actually like. I guess we’ll see.
I also think Kristina and Kieran will probably leave the experiment as close friends.