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PCOS Early Diagnosis and How it Affects Your Body

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Polycystic ovary syndrome shortly known as PCOS has been a familiar term in recent years. The term is very popular that it is the favorite topic for article writers in heath advisory websites and health magazines. As it affects mostly women in their reproductive age and seriously affects fertility, it has a social aspect also. PCOS diagnosis is a threat or concern for teenage girls, parents being afraid of marriage, etc. Treatment for PCOS suggests an early diagnosis for better results. Though it is mostly understood as a hormonal disorder affecting the ovaries, the disease affects the whole body. It makes the defective functioning of many organs and organ systems. Some complications like obesity and diabetes may develop due to PCOS, which has no connection with the ovary at a glance. Today, some teenage girls suffer problems like delayed menstrual bleeding, overweight or excessive growth of unwanted hair, etc as a result of PCOS. But it is also possible that some women may not show any signs or symptoms till their middle age.

In such cases, the PCOS diagnosis happens when the couple goes for routine scanning as a part of the infertility treatment. Though the woman may not be having any discomforts, the disease may be in a later or progressive stage by then. In man cases of infertility, PCOS is the reason that can not be managed successfully. It is not an infectious disease or an acute condition. Both genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of this condition. Pathogenesis starts at a very young age leading to changes in the body systems. Clinical manifestation of PCOS starts mostly as irregular and delayed periods but without any other discomforts. Girls especially at a young age, take it as an advantage or convenience due to ignorance. But this is a dangerous condition that develops the pathology underneath. It is very common in urban girls and women nowadays counted due to unhealthy diet and lifestyle. Due to immediate changes in hormone levels, this disease can cause both physical and emotional problems. If not diagnosed and managed on time, PCOS can lead to physical changes like obesity with body parts that are not proportionate.

Other physical changes include dark patches on the skin especially the neck & face, excessive sweating with bad odor, and excess growth of unwanted hair like men. As the hormones play a main role in emotions, PCOS may manifest as uncontrolled emotions like fear, grief, or mostly anger. Humans are created as male or female and rarely transgenders. It is not yet clear why there is a little number of female hormones in all men and vice versa. In PCOS, the female body produces male hormones mainly androgen in an abnormally higher quantity. It is not normal and leads to many health issues. PCOS diagnosis is done based on a group of signs and symptoms observed along with higher levels of male hormones in a woman of reproductive age. Normal levels of hormones are a blessing but when abnormal they can lead to many problems. The abnormally higher levels of the male hormone androgen in PCOS cause delayed menstrual periods, the main symptom of the condition.    

The female reproductive system has two ovaries on both sides of the uterus, connected to it by a tunnel-like structure called the fallopian tube. Ovaries produce the female reproductive cell, named as ovum. In normal conditions, only one ovum starts growing and reach maturity in either ovary in a month from the numerous follicles. Once matured enough it is released into the fallopian tube. If conception is there, the ovum meets the sperm in the tube and fuses with it. If not, the ovum travels down and is eventually expelled as part of the menstrual bleeding. Ovaries do not work properly in women with PCOS. The immature cells in ovaries called follicles swell like bigger pouches and not the single-cell get matured and form an ovum as it is meant to be. A cyclic reaction develops like the hormonal surge leading to physical changes and vice versa. In this, the ovum is not normally released and no pregnancy is possible.

The disease, mainly the imbalance of hormone levels leads to obesity. PCOS is a condition that affects the endocrine system including the pituitaries ovaries pancreas and other organs. The condition interferes with insulin and fat metabolism also. This causes a lot many problems associated with the condition including type two diabetes, cardiac diseases, thyroid problems, and skin problems like acne. It makes the woman prone to more serious conditions including endometrial carcinoma. The blood pressure is seen in many women with PCOS owing to the fat deposits in the wrong way. Emotional stress ad uncontrolled mood swings in PCOS can also be the cause for a higher value of blood pressure in them. PCOS diagnosis with stress is not an easy matter. The person will face severe changes in her body including hair growth like men noticeably, excess oil and acne on face, uncontrolled & sudden weight gain despite not eating enough food, dark skin patches and thickened skin mostly on face & neck and excess fat deposits.

Very severe and abrupt mood swings make the condition worse. In most cases, the sleep will be disturbed and the person feels lethargic and weak all the time. Changes in physical appearance may cause disappointment in the person eventually leading to depression. PCOS weight loss is a way to be tried out but it is not a replacement or substitute of treatment for PCOS. PCOS weight loss is attained by a controlled and balanced diet along with a healthy lifestyle including Yoga, physical workout, breathing exercises, and meditation. Treatment for PCOS includes medications ( Ayurvedic Medicines ) like symptomatic management and hormone therapy along with lifestyle management. A sedentary lifestyle acts as a risk factor in most cases of PCOS. An active lifestyle, early diagnosis, and proper management will help the person improve their quality of life.

Costco revealed as cheapest place for fuel in Britain according to new price research

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Sainsbury’s was found to offer the best value for money among the ‘big four’ supermarkets – with Manchester and Coventry the two top cities for cheap fuel

The long queues at petrol stations have finally subsided, but as the fuel shortage passes, another crisis dawns. There are now reports of a diesel price surge for the upcoming month – with costs predicted to hit record highs in November.

In a bid to help drivers keep their tanks topped up without breaking the bank, vehicle dealership Vertu Motorcycles has conducted research into national fuel pump prices to find the most affordable station.

Six weeks’ of price analysis across hundreds of pumps revealed that Costco offered the best value for money – with the brand’s member-only policy allowing for more competitive prices.

Costco is in fact home to the cheapest petrol pump in the whole of the UK: The Birmingham fuel station on Watson Road (B7 5SA) near Coventry.

The cheapest diesel in Britain, however, is actually found further south at Sainsbury’s in Enfield, London along the A10.

Manchester and Coventry are the best places to purchase fuel overall – with 60% of cheap stations located in or nearby these two cities.

Ranking by cheapest Fuel station (petrol) City Average petrol price* (pence per litre)
#1 Costco Birmingham (Costco Birmingham Automat) Coventry 125.8
#2 Sainsbury’s Northwich Manchester 127.0
#3 Sainsbury’s Bolton Manchester 127.2
#4 Sainsbury’s Staines London 127.4
#5 Asda Barons Quay Northwich Manchester 127.5
#6 Costco Leicester (Costco Leicester Automat) Leicester 127.9
#7 Tesco Northwich Manchester 127.9
#8 Asda Minworth Coventry 127.9
#9 Sainsbury’s Castle Vale Coventry 128.0
#10 Tesco Brent Cross Hendon Way London 128.2
Ranking by cheapest Fuel station (diesel) City Average petrol price* (pence per litre)
#1 Sainsbury’s Enfield London 128.9
#2 Costco Leicester (Costco Leicester Automat) Leicester 130.2
#3 Costco Bristol (Costco Bristol Automat) Bristol 130.4
#4 Unbranded Ashton Old Road (St Annes Service Station) Manchester 130.4
#5 Costco Oldham (Costco Oldham Automat) Manchester 130.7
#6 Tesco Brent Cross Hendon Way London 130.9
#7 Costco Birmingham (Costco Birmingham Automat) Coventry 131.0
#8 Sainsbury’s Bolton Manchester 131.1
#9 Sainsbury’s Redditch Coventry 131.2
#10 Sainsbury’s Beckton London 131.5

Vertu Motorcycles’ data also revealed that the big garage brands, such as Texaco, Esso and BP, are among the most expensive for fuel – consistently ranking among the priciest across the country.

Texaco proved particularly costly – with fuel here priced at 2.7p per litre more than the national average.

Research also showed supermarket petrol stations offer better-priced fuel for Brits overall.

Costco was lowest at 129.9p per litre, and out of the ‘Big Four’ supermarkets, Sainsbury’s emerged best-value at 131.5p per litre.

Tesco is the most expensive supermarket for fuel, with prices averaging at 132.7p per litre, while Morrisons and Asda sit in the middle with 132.5p and 132.4p per litre, respectively.

Cheaper fuel prices can also be found at Murco and independent fuel stations, but these are much rarer than the big garage brands (Texaco has around 800 UK stations, while Esso and BP each have over 1,200 locations).

Ranked by most expensive Fuel brands Average fuel price (pence per litre)
#1 Texaco 135.1
#2 Applegreen 134.4
#3 Esso 134.2
#4 BP 133.8
#5 Tesco 132.7
#6 Morrisons 132.5
#7 Asda 132.4
#8 JET 132.2
#9 Sainsbury’s 131.5
#10 Gulf 131.4
#11 Independent 131.0
#12 Murco 130.9
#13 Costco 129.9

Want to make more everyday fuel savings? Check out these top tips below:

  • Shop at supermarkets for the lowest fuel prices. If possible, try to top up locally at independents to help support them.
  • Under-inflated tyres require more fuel to maintain movement. A five-minute check every two weeks is all you need to save money at the pumps.
  • The extra weight of a full tank will cause your car to burn through fuel quicker. Fill your tank up halfway to stay fuel-efficient.
  • Eco-drive. Accelerating smoothly and maintaining a constant speed (rather than erratic speeding up and slowing down) consumes much less fuel, netting you noticeable savings.

A Vertu Motorcycles spokesperson commented: “With the fuel shortage still fresh in people’s minds, it is critical that everyone reassess how and where they buy their fuel from to avoid paying over the odds.

“Of course, it is not viable for those who live near expensive pumps to drive further afield to find cheaper fuel, but knowing which fuel brands are best to avoid could save you a pretty penny at the pumps if you do have the option.

“Hopefully, this is the last time we hear of any ‘fuel crisis’, but it always pays to do your research and exercise cautious purchasing habits.”

For further insights from Vertu Motorcycles, visit the Vertu Motorcycles blog.

Landlord with £2.5m Worth of Assets Fined for Not Dealing with Damp in Tenant’s Home

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Jonathan Clough Williams Ellis owns several properties, including Parc Glasfryn, which is located outside Pwllheli in North Wales. With assets worth £2.5 million, the 62-year-old is considered a tourism leader and recognised as one of the prominent landlords in the UK. 

Things may change for Ellis soon, though, as a court found that he failed to address damp and other disrepair issues in a tenant’s home. The court ordered Ellis to pay a fine and spend £8,690 after it was determined that there were serious issues in one of his properties.

Ellis defended himself by saying his tenants entered into an agricultural tenancy, so it was their responsibility to take care of the issues inside the property. His obligations, according to him, were limited to the roof and outer walls.

However, the Caernarfon Magistrates learned last month that the landlord ignored his responsibilities and did not follow an improvement notice set for compliance between June 20th, 2020 and February 10th, 2021. This led them to hand out a guilty ruling against Ellis.

In a hearing on October 21st, the defendant was asked to give details about his assets and finances, which is essential for handing out a proper sentence. The prosecution was reluctant and doubted if Ellis provided complete and transparent details about his cash assets. 

According to the prosecutor, the landlord is “asset-rich,” enumerating several companies that are linked to Ellis, including Attractions of Snowdonia, Glasfryn Farm, and Green Hire Ltd.  The prosecutor also counted administration expenses and wages for Parc Glasfryn, which totalled to over £260,000. The defendant’s claim of an annual income of £25,000 is way below the £2.5 million worth of assets that the prosecutor revealed and is misleading.

Ellis’ lawyer, however, argued that assets and income are two separate things and Ellis can be asset-rich, but cash-poor. Some of the landlord’s properties are not-for-profit organisations while others have not been earning well for years.

Despite his lawyer’s insistence that he was “of previous good character” and was negligent but not reckless, Ellis was still fined and ordered to pay costs worth £6,250 in addition to a victim surcharge of £190. 

Asked about the court ruling, a spokesman for the Gwynedd County Council said they were satisfied and hoped that the Ellis case will serve as a warning and discourage other landlords from neglecting their obligations. 

Rogue landlords

The issue of rogue landlords is a longstanding problem in the UK. 

Rogue landlords are property owners who rent out substandard and unsafe homes to tenants. Ellis’ indifference to the issues in his tenant’s home is one distinct characteristic of a rogue landlord. There are other signs that one should be aware of. These are:

  • Landlords are required by law to keep tenants’ deposits safe using any of the government-approved deposit protection schemes. This is an essential factor in ensuring the deposit is safe from the landlord and will not be used for personal purposes. Keeping tenant deposits in deposit protection schemes ensures both the landlord and tenant that the money will be returned to the tenants when the tenancy ends. A landlord who avoids talk or questions about protecting and returning tenant deposits are considered rogue.
  • Gas safety certificates are required of landlords. They should provide tenants with a copy of the certificate as a guarantee that the property is safe from boiler issues. Rogue landlords would not care to show tenants such safety certificates.
  • Landlords are also obligated to present tenants with a copy of the property’s Energy Performance Certificate or EPC. Furthermore, the certificate should reflect a level of an “E” at the least. If the landlord does not have an EPC or is not willing to get one, they are to be considered as rogue landlords.
  • Rogue landlords ignore the safety and maintenance of their properties, so they do not keep smoke alarms in working condition. They also do not care to refurbish the property; repainting was done years ago and there has never been a follow-up.
  • Landlords can visit their tenants, but they have to inform their renters about their plan 24 hours or more before the schedule. Rogue landlords just pop up whenever they want to, without respect for their tenants.
  • Rogue landlords, like Ellis, often ignore their tenants’ requests.

Protecting yourself and your deposit

Rogue landlords are the main reason for most tenant issues – disrepair, safety and protection, and ignored requests are only some of them. Problems like these make it even more important for tenants like you to ensure your deposit is protected from rogue landlords. If your deposit is protected, these law-breaking landlords cannot use it for their personal gain and you are guaranteed to get your money back at the end of your tenancy.

If your landlord has not protected your deposit, you can file a claim for tenancy protection compensation. Find a team of experienced solicitors who can help you through every step of the process. A dedicated team such as the one at Tenancy Deposit Claims will protect you against rogue landlords and ensure you’ll get back your tenancy deposit. 

How Exactly Does Van Leasing Work?

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Van Leasing is also comparable to paying for the usage of a car, truck or any vehicle allowed to be used for a certain period of time. A lot of people have mistakenly associated van leasing to van rentals. However, the former has one major difference. When you say van rental, you’re going to use the van for a very short period of time, this can only be days or weeks, on the other hand when you talk about van leasing this requires at least a year of usage.

When considering a van lease, first thing that you need to mull over is the price. Make every effort to get a good deal and try to negotiate as much as possible. Moreover, if you are a smart lessee, you should familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of the van being leased.

Once you are able to talk to your van dealer and agreed on the financial aspect, the dealer will then sell your chosen van to the leasing company at a price that has been agreed on. Then the leasing company will let you have the van at the settled price. This will be the time for you to give out the total amount of the leases that is being spread over a period of every month. Just remember, that before making any deal, written agreement should be carefully read, understood and checked.

Also, take into account that the dealer is only an agent working as a medium between you and the van leasing company. Dealers are people who would do the scouting for you so as to avoid any hassles on your part. The dealer serves as the middleman who would speak on your behalf and would let the leasing company know of any concerns specifically when it comes to the mode of payment. In this line of work, the dealer is given a portion of the price of the leased van known as the “commission” in each of the purchaser he endorses.

However, once a written agreement has been inked, keep in mind that the settlement is now between you and the leasing company excluding the dealer. The dealer’s work ends there. Any concerns regarding your van should go directly to the leasing company, nothing more nothing less. The dealer is totally out once the agreement has been settled.

There are a number of renowned and reputable motor and van companies like Ford and General Motors that have van leasing businesses acting as subsidiaries. You can also transact to dealers directly coming from these companies and dealers hired by banks and other leasing and loaning institutions. Furthermore, along with the monthly obligations that you usually pay when you lease a van, you still have to shoulder and pay for equivalent fees, taxes, licensing fees and other pertinent documents needed to be completed the same way as owning your own vehicle.

The leasing contract comprise of different agreement along with the deal of the van’s usage for a specified number of year or months. A pledge is also being done to ensure that the van will still be in the same running condition and continue until the end of the duration period. On the end of the leasing period, you are compelled to return the car to the leasing company. Small dents are acceptable however; serious damages on the van will call for damage fees and additional fees when you opt to use the van longer than the specified time. The leasing company also gave lessee the opportunity to buy the vehicle or can be used to trade for a brand new one.

The other thing to keep in mind when using leasing companies is that they already have great relationships with certain dealerships and can often get the vehicle at a reduced rate in the first place, so it is often better to talk with the leasing company about what they are able to offer before even going to see a dealership.

What You Need To Know About Parcel Delivery

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When sending something by mail, you want to ensure that it will arrive on time, in good condition, and ideally at a reasonable price. You should therefore ensure you do everything possible to ensure the above criteria are met whenever you are considering parcel delivery. If you put all your efforts into it, then you have at least made an attempt. It’s impossible to control everything that happens outside of your control.

Professional Couriers Are The Best Choice

Large item courier service offers a number of advantages over other methods of sending items. You can arrange for your item to be picked up at a convenient time because most of them offer collection services. As well, if your package needs to be delivered urgently, you can use one of their express services to ensure it arrives next day.

Provide Proper Packing for Your Items

In the event that you are sending anything that is liable to break, it is extremely important that you pack it in the proper manner. You are more likely to have it arrive at its destination in pieces if you just pack it in a box and send it. Provide your goods with protection by wrapping them in bubble wrap, packing peanuts or tissue paper. In addition, it is a good idea to pack your items in a strong, sturdy box. Using this method will protect your package from minor bumps or drops.

Reservations In Bulk

It is wise to look for bulk delivery options if you send a large number of parcels every week. If you are a regular customer who sends a lot of packages using a company’s services, many companies now offer discounts on their prices. Saving a considerable amount of money in the long run is definitely worth looking into, since you could end up saving quite a bit.

The best option for shipping a parcel is to check out the best options whenever it is needed. It is important to take some time and effort to pack and arrange the parcel so it will arrive on time and in the same condition.

The Importance of Choosing a Company That Can Handle Large Packages

You can never go wrong with a little personality as well. Finding a company that understands your sending needs and why you are doing it is likely to be easier if you work with a large parcel delivery company. Thank you for sharing that information. You will feel much more relaxed about the delivery person’s ability to handle your parcel if you feel that they understand its importance. It’s a sign of a courier company’s confidence in its own business if it promotes a relaxed attitude among customers – and that, of course, is an indication that it’s good at what it does.

Make sure the company you choose provides a free quotation, with no obligation to use their service once you have received it; and avoid companies that are aggressive in their approach. This is your decision and you have every right to shop around for quotes. Walking away if a company intimidates or pushes you into using it is the best course of action. There is less likelihood that claims made by a company will be untrue if they are simpler. In addition, you don’t want to deal with companies who have complicated processes to navigate. Find a company that can transport your large parcel from anywhere to anywhere, with no size and weight restrictions

RSI Indicator: Basic Strategies

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Do you check RSI indicators when opening or closing deals? As of today, they are considered to be one of the key criteria for choosing securities for investing. Haven’t heard about this term yet? Then, be sure to study up and learn what it is and how to use it.

So, what is RSI? This abbreviation is used for a relative strength index. This indicator reflects whether a security (or another asset) is oversold or overbought at the current moment or in the recent period.

One can find out the RSI indicator of an asset chosen from a specific graph, which has a form of a broken line. Its readings range from 0 to 100.

How to interpret it? There are two possible situations:

·   If it is lower than 30, that means the asset selected is oversold, hence, you need to close short positions and open long positions.

·   And if the indicator is higher than 70, the asset is overbought. Thus, you should close long positions and open short ones.

Now, let us tell you about the key RSI-based strategies:

1. Wilder’s strategy. According to it, one must buy an asset when the corresponding indicator rises higher than 30 and sell when it drops lower than 70. Thus, one must close a position, when there is a signal to open a deal in the opposite direction. As a result, one always has at least one position opened. But, there is a certain risk of technical flipping. To fix that, one can apply stop-loss and take-profit orders.

2. Connor’s approach. It involves trading the major trend, but after adjusting entry conditions. Namely, one should buy an asset when RSI is in the oversold area and the price exceeds SMA (200). But a trader must also set the period at 2 (by default, it is 14) and signal levels at 10 and 90. For opening a sell order, one must catch a reverse situation. Experts advise applying this scheme for opening buy deals when the market is clearly growing or there is an obvious trend.

3. Watching divergences. Divergence is a situation when the real price differs from the data shown by the indicator. For example, if the price of the asset skyrockets up to the highest possible limits, but it is not reflected by the corresponding RSI indicator, that means the current market trend is rather weak and there is a risk of a reversal.

In sum, RSI indicators are a valuable source of additional information about the strength and perspectives of current price trends, which can prompt you when to buy and sell assets at a profit.

A Short Overview of KuCoin Fees

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The KuCoin crypto exchange is known for its low trading commissions in the first place. In this guide, we will tell you about its fees in detail, as well as mention other crucial features. Also, we will find out whether its fees are lower or higher than on other services.

First, let us say a few words about this platform in general. It is most famous as a crypto exchange, but it also allows trading futures, margins, and spots. As of now, it offers 20 coins, but this range is regularly extended. As for other pros, we must name high trading volumes, leverage of up to 1:100, a $1 minimum deposit limit, a $0 minimum order, mobile trading, and demo accounts for beginners.

Here are the major commissions you must know about:

·   trading fees ― 0.1%;

·   fiat deposits ― from 3 to 12%;

·   Bitcoin withdrawals ― 0.0005 BTC;

·   Ethereum withdrawals ― 0.004 ETH;

·   Tether withdrawals ― from 1 to 10 USDT;

·   Cardano withdrawals ― 1 ADA.

As you can see, KuCoin fees for spot trading fee are extremely low ― only 0.1%. In practice, it is the most affordable on the market, which is a decisive advantage.

Yet, if you are interested in diversifying your portfolio, you must know that a commission for margin trading is around 0.1%, investments in futures ― from 0% to 0.03%.

Again, deposits are accepted for free. And withdrawal rates charged by this broker are among the most attractive compared to competitors. For example, if you decide to withdraw your Bitcoin, that will cost you only 0.0005 BTC. Most other online exchanges have much higher rates. At the same time, if you need to withdraw NEO or GAS, that will cost you $0. Besides, there is no charge for crypto conversion.

Another crucial detail ― this online broker offers users to participate in a VIP program, which allows them to save up to 20% on trading costs.

Yet, that is not the only method to reduce expenses. There is another ― much easier ― solution. You can get 80% rebates if you choose to register on this broker platform via an affiliate link from Traders Union. Just so simple and free of charge.

In sum, one can safely say that this broker is among the leaders of the market in terms of low trading costs. Its policies are much more comfortable than on Coinbase and other services.

5 Ways to Help You Save Money in Your Daily Life

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It is a proven fact that making money habits always take a considerably long time. However, it is always good to start small with things you can do every day. This is especially true if you want to make any new lifestyle change. Admitted, it is inevitable to spend on the basic needs like food, gas and rent, but there are certain ways to lower your overall spending. If you succeed in this regard, you will be able to put more money towards retirement, a house, personal investments, emergency funds, etc. This article will guide you about certain activities you can add to your day to help you save more money toward your long-term financial targets. Here are the ways to do so. Let’s read on.

  1. Track your daily expenses sensibly

You must keep track of the money you spend every day. To do so efficiently, you may use any type of budget or budgeting app in order to monitor your daily spending. Doing so will help you better point out the areas you can easily cut back on. On the contrary, not knowing properly how much money is going out and in may cause you financial anxiety. Through tracking your daily spending, you will be better able to get a true picture of your money. In this way, you will enhance the chances for making smarter money decisions on the go.

  • Switch from in-person to online

In-person working in any field costs you more as compared to the one online. For instance, if you are taking in-person classes to learn some musical instrument such as the piano, you must be spending a reasonable amount for this. You may switch to online classes or use online learning apps as they are also as good and a little cheaper, too. Piano lessons online will prove both economical and time saving. The same you may apply to other areas of your everyday life as well.

  • Try your best to eat at home

Eating home-made dishes at home helps you save both your money and good hygiene. Though it is difficult to develop this habit at first, you will get used to it gradually. You will be eating healthier while on a budget as well. Likewise, try your best to manage to buy different grocery items once in a week and that, too, in bulk in order to save more money at the grocery store. You may use grocery coupons and other saving options in this context. Remember, all this never means that you must not dine out with your family or friends at some restaurant. You may opt to visit some good restaurant once in a week especially on the week-ends.

  • Wait 30 days before you buy

Impulse spending is another worst factor that spoils your whole scheme of budget. If you are an impulse buyer, try your best to refrain from it. Worse still, you often impulsively buy what you want not what you actually need. Hence, it will be very wise if you develop a habit not to buy before it is 30 days since your last buy. This 30-day rule will help you better identify your needs from your wants and reduce your impulsive spending a lot. Moreover, you must always be trying your hardest to curb excessive spending on things you actually never need.

  • Unplug energy-draining  electrical devices to cut short energy bills

 There is always a worst drain of money if you keep the electrical appliances plugged in when they are not in use. It is really a financially and environmentally sustainable habit to always unplug your energy-draining devices the soonest you have used them. Phone chargers, computer cords, coffee pots, etc. use up a lot of energy and prove them vampire energy drainers. You may reduce your energy bill by keeping them unplugged if they are not in use anymore. All this may reduce your energy bill by up to 20 percent. Using smart power cords and other energy-saving features of your electrical devices such as the sleep mode, etc. can help a lot to minimize the energy bill to an affordable level.                   

How Utility Warehouse is offering competitive tariffs despite the energy crisis

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While energy providers’ prices soar, Utility Warehouse’s tariffs are comparatively low.

People across the UK have seen their bills go up because of the spike in gas and electricty prices, which came into force on October 1, 2021. The price rises follow the increasing demand for energy, which has triggered a huge jump in wholesale energy costs. As a result, the government regulator Ofgem has raised its price cap for the second time this year. Despite the energy crisis, the UK’s only genuine multiservice provider Utility Warehouse (UW) is able to offer some of the most competitive energy prices on the market.

How can Utility Warehouse offer such good value energy tariffs?

UW, the ninth biggest independent energy supplier in the UK, can offer some of the lowest energy prices because of a deal between E.ON and its parent company Telecom Plus. In the past, this long-term agreement has meant that some energy suppliers have been able to undercut UW by taking a shorter-term approach. These suppliers have primarily focused on gaining market share. However, the rising wholesale prices have made it difficult for many of these suppliers to maintain their competitive energy pricing. This has left UW amongst the few energy providers that can take on new customers at the most competitive prices.

It’s no surprise that UW’s shares rose by over 10% when the multiservice provider reassured customers it was better insulated against the price hikes than most suppliers this autumn.

“We’ve been in business for 20 years,” says UW’s CEO Andrew Lindsay, who was a mergers and acquisitions banker for Goldman Sachs before he became the chief executive of Telecom Plus in 2010. “We’ve been patiently waiting for our opportunity.”

Lindsay explains that although the price climb has exposed the energy sector’s “systematic flaws”, he considers government intervention beyond temporary stop-gap measures unnecessary.

“Energy markets are cyclical,” he says. “We learned back in 2005 that you get wholesale price spikes. But everyone’s conveniently forgotten about that. The government is treading the right line here by not letting the incumbents muscle in and stifle competition, but equally not bailing out insolvent suppliers and prolonging the overdue and much-needed reset of unsustainable pricing practices.”

UW energy prices come in lower than many of its rival suppliers not only because of the agreement with E.ON, but also because the multiservice provider teams its energy service with great value broadband, mobile, and insurance services. UW has offered great value home services for 25 years, helping customers bundle their utilities into monthly packages. Plus, the bundles come with customer bonuses like 100% renewable electricity for Double Gold customers, a cashback card for those who take all services, and free smart meter upgrades for all energy customers.

About Utility Warehouse

UW helps people up and down the country save time and money on their utility bills with its award-winning home services. The more services customers take, the more money they save. Plus, keeping all their bills in one place means that if customers have any queries, they only ever need to contact one, UK-based customer service team.

The UW Foundation

Money and time savings aside, UW has also set up several initiatives to give back to society and support local communities. For starters, the company’s charity, the UW Foundation, works with Charities Trust to support environmental non-profits. The UW Foundation is currently working with Ocean Generation to tackle plastic pollution and spread the word about the dangers that plastic can cause in oceans, seas, and rivers. The UW Foundation matches every pound its Authorised Partners (independent distributors) and colleagues raise for Ocean Generation, doubling the company’s contribution.

The UW Foundation also supports underprivileged communities near the company’s offices in London, Bolton, and Bournemouth. ‘Get Your Hands Dirty’ campaign

Meanwhile, UW’s ‘Get Your Hands Dirty’ campaign has seen the FTSE 250 company give back to society through a range of additional initiatives. Aside from donating some of its annual profit to environmental and social causes, UW has:

·       Tidied local streets, rivers, and beaches during the coronavirus crisis. You might have seen some of UW’s Partners at litter-picking events.

·       Raised thousands of pounds for NHS Charities Together and Domestic Violence UK throughout the pandemic.

·       Supported local community events for St Luke’s Hospice in Harrow, the Young Barnet Foundation, and Ashton Lodge.

‘Get Your Hands Dirty’ is a call to arms that asks people to join UW in making a real, tangible difference to society. UW and its Partners are keen not only to help customers save time and money on their utility bills, but also to improve environmental health and keep communities safe.

Utility Warehouse’s Awards

UW has won many awards for its home services and customer care over the years. In 2021, the company claimed two titles at the Uswitch Energy Awards: Best Incentives/Rewards and Best Meter Reading Services – and came fourth in the Best Supplier category. This is the fourth year in a row that UW has scooped Uswitch awards. (UW won the Best Energy Saving Support Award in 2020 and 2019 and the Best Customer Service Award in 2019.)

In 2020, UW’s parent company Telecom Plus won CFI.co’s Best Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance Multi-Utility Provider Award. Meanwhile, Which? has recommended UW several times since 2011.

UW’s other accolades include 21 Moneywise awards, a five-star rating from Defaqto every year since 2017, and two new Moneyfacts five-star ratings for its home insurance in 2021.

Learn more about UW.

What is the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 and When does It Apply?

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The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 came into force on the 1st of July 1997 and applies throughout England and Wales to resolve disputes in relation to party walls, party structures, boundary walls and excavations near neighbouring buildings.

The Party Wall Act legally obligates a building owner to notify their neighbour’s, in advance of commencing certain construction works. (Neighbours are known within the Act as the adjoining owners)

When applicable, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 provides statutory procedures for appointing Party Wall Surveyors. The surveyors then resolve matters by way of a ‘party wall award’. An award lists the format, the owner undertaking the work is required to follow. The Act is of a facilitative nature, it does not allow an adjoining owner to prevent a building owner exercising their rights to conduct work under the Act, unless the party wall procedures are not followed. The Act ensures works are performed in a manner that protects both the adjoining owners’ interests and the building owner undertaking the works interest.

What is a Party Wall?

Party Walls stand astride the boundary of land belonging to two or more owners. A wall is also considered a “party wall” if it stands wholly on one owner’s land but is used by two or more owners to separate their building. Party Fence Walls are not part of the building, they stand astride the boundary line between lands of different owners and are used to separate land.

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 Covers Three Different Types of Work:

  1. Works directly to a Party Wall, Party Structure or Party Fence Wall.
  2. Excavations within 3m – 6m at depth lower than the adjoining owner’s foundations.
  3. New walls built up to, or astride, the line of junction.

Here at Icon surveyors, we have seen it all over the years. However, in our experience the list below tends to be the most typical works undertaken, that invokes the Party Wall Act:

  • Repair of a damaged party wall.
  • Insertion of a damp-proof course.
  • Underpin a party wall.
  • Cutting into a party wall, for the insertion of steel beams.
  • Raise the height of a party wall.
  • Removing chimney breasts from a party wall.
  • Extend a party wall downward, to form a basement.
  • Demolishing and rebuilding a party wall or party fence wall. (Usually as a result of the wall being insufficient)
  • Weathering the junction of adjoining walls or buildings, i.e. cutting a flashing into an adjoining building.
  • Cut off projections of an Adjoining Owner’s boundary to remove or build a new wall.
  • Building, up to or astride the boundary line between properties: If the building owner is planning to build a party wall or party fence wall astride the boundary line, you must inform the adjoining owner by serving a party wall notice. You will only be afforded the legal right to build astride a boundary, with your neighbour’s written consent. The building owner must also inform the adjoining owner if they plan to build a new wall, wholly on their own land but up to the boundary line.
  • Excavations within 3 or 6 metres of neighbouring buildings or structures: A notice is required under section 6 of the Act, if any part of the proposed excavation is within six metres of any part of an adjoining owner’s building/structure, if this meets a line that is drawn downwards at 45° angle in the direction of the excavation from the bottom of an adjoining owner’s foundations.

Below are Some Works on a Party Wall that are Considered Minor and will not require a Party Wall Notice under the Act

  • Drilling into a party wall to fix plugs and screws for wall units or shelving
  • Cutting into a party wall to add or replace electrical wiring and sockets
  • Removing old plaster and re-plastering

What can Happen If You Choose not to Follow, the Party Wall Procedure?

Court Injunctions

If a building owner commences works without serving a Party Wall Notice, the adjoining owner can apply to the court for an Injunction. Injunctions are easy to apply for and have the potential to stop construction works immediately, until the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is followed. Ignoring this injunction can become a criminal offence. The building owner is usually held liable for costs in relation to obtaining the injunction. These costs generally include; court fees, solicitor fees, and surveyor costs. Over the years we have seen cases where the building owner was ordered by the court to remove the current works.

Property Damage

If the adjoining owner suffers damage due to the construction works, the onus would be on the building owner to provide evidence this was not caused by their works. If you have not undertaken a Schedule of Condition Report pre-works, it will be very difficult to identify if the damage was caused by the Notifiable works. The building owner will, therefore, have to pay for the repairs to the adjoining owner’s property. This can be a very costly mistake, so ensure to undertake a Schedule of Condition Report prior to commencing your planned works.

If you are planning to undertake Construction works and would like to discuss your party wall surveying matter, give us a call and speak to one of our experienced Party Wall Surveyors. We provide 30 minutes FREE impartial, no strings attached advice.

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