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Are you Car Savvy? The Simple Checks that can Save your life

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12 October 2016

Are you Car Savvy? The Simple Checks that can Save your life

There are many different types of leader, from introverted and unassuming icons to those who manage hundreds of employees on a daily basis. The majority of us would probably consider ourselves to be self-leaders, as this empowers us with the skills and outlook to become an independent adult.

When it comes to cars, however, a surprising percentage of the UK population are lacking even basic awareness and maintenance skills. According to a survey by First Response 30% of all drivers are unable to identify the simplest of car malfunctions, leaving them stranded and at the mercy of fate every time their vehicle breaks down.

For faults that you can’t fix yourself, you can use Kwik Fit voucher codes to get more off when you take your vehicle into your local garage. You can find these vouchers here http://www.totaldiscounts.co.uk/shop/kwik-fit/

Image: – Automoblog

How to Become an Independent Motorist: The Basic Car Repairs Explained

Not only would this inability to lift the bonnet and identify simple faults cause you to technically fail your driving test, but it could have more serious connotations. Make no mistake; many of these faults can lead to serious accidents on the road, particularly if they are left unidentified and unattended for a prolonged period of time.

This need not necessarily be the case; however, as we have identified some of the most basic and important checks that can make you a more responsible and independent driver. These include: –

Checking and Changing Tyres

You need to know what the legal tyre tread depth is and be able to check your tyres are roadworthy. What’s more, being able to change a tyre is an invaluable skill should you experience a blow out or a flat, but fortunately there are countless video tutorials available to equip you with the necessary skills.

These resources will also educate you on the tools that you will need and the importance of keeping a compliant spare in your boot at all times, helping you to execute a quick repair as and when required.

Identifying your Reservoirs

Everything from your brake fluid to your screen wash reservoir and more can be found under your bonnet, so you need to know where these are and when they need topping up. Equally, you should be able to then source the fluids you need and get these replenished, so we recommend keeping a supply at hand both in the vehicle and in your home.

Brake fluid is particularly important, as this maintains consistent and optimised performance (as well as safety) over a prolonged period of time.

Changing the Oil

You can apply the same as the above to your oil as well, although this requires you to use your vehicle’s dipstick to see just how much oil you have left. Also you need to make sure you know what the right type of oil is that you need to put into your car and at what time.

This is arguably the simplest of all car maintenance tasks, and completing it independently can ultimately save you money while also driving an improved engine performance.

Checking your Lights

All of your lights need to be in full working order before you drive your vehicle, and you need to be able to check these and change any bulbs.

While some of the above aren’t all strictly a requirement in passing the UK driving test, the truth is a number of them are, and as a driver you should be able to spot them and resolve the car problems.

So make sure you do your homework now if you’re not sure, by having a look through your vehicle manual to find out what to do to cover yourself for any emergencies. If your lights do fail while out on the road and you are unable to repair them, you run the risk of either earning a ticket or being involved in a collision.

The Importance of Being an Independent Driver

Ultimately, having an awareness of these simple automotive repairs and their importance is crucial, whether you are an experienced driver or new to the road. Either way, having a sense of independence can save you huge amounts of money as a motorist, while it may even save your life at some point in the future.

Are Property Auctions now the Best Way to Invest in Real Estate in 2016?

ABC Staff

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11 October 2016

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Are Property Auctions now the Best Way to Invest in Real Estate in 2016?

Let’s face facts; life as a consumer has changed considerably over the course of the last decade. Much of this has to do with the relentless pace of technological advancement, although the we there has also been considerable evolution in the wake of the Great Recession.

More than anything else, these factors have combined to create greater flexibility for modern-day consumers. Those in the market for engagement or eternity rings can now compare the best prices online, for example, while anyone hoping to invest in a car can access a host of funding options including leasing and purchase hiring.

But what about aspiring home-owners, we hear you ask?

Arguably, this market has seen more consumer-friendly innovations than any other. You no longer need to go through the rigmarole of a traditional high street estate agent when purchasing a home, for example, as there is another easy and affordable means for you to buy and sell houses (namely property auctions).

Image: – The Times

These can be found both at physical auction houses and online, while they work in the same was as any normal auction except that they deal exclusively in property. Most importantly, they are accessible and help buyers to reduce the cost of investing in real-estate in an age where property prices are growing at a disproportionate rate to earnings.

If this sounds like something you’d like to make the most of, then be sure to read this post as below you can find just how you can save by buying or selling in a property auction:

Save when Buying: Negating the rising cost of Buying Real Estate in the UK

An auction offers you the opportunity to potentially purchase a property for a great value price. It’s fair to say that this does depend on the auction itself and the bidding situation on the day, but rather than having to negotiate an offer like you would with an estate agent and a seller, you could well end up with an absolute bargain. Of course, the properties that offer the best value usually require some form of additional work and remodelling, so you must ensure that your budget includes additional funds for this purpose.

When it comes to estate agents, this is another place where you can make big savings. With an auction you don’t need to pay money having to deal with other people like you would by heading to the high-street. No longer are there any hidden extra costs, or prolonged expenses from having to wait for a seller to agree to a price. Instead you can simply bid and get the place you want, although you may need to pay above the guide price in some instances.

Save when Selling: Driving a Quick and Lucrative Sale

In the same respect, you can also save a lot when selling. Again this is down to the fact you don’t have to waste lots of time, and money, waiting on others to fulfil their roles in the selling process. On top of this, there aren’t as many of the legal fees and payments needed like you can encounter with an estate agent, so it is far easier to utilise your capital for the purpose of enhancing the property in question.

You also have the opportunity to set a reserve on the property or properties you have up for auction. This way you can be sure you’re going to get the minimum amount you expect to receive for your lots, ensuring that the asset is not sold for a bottom-line loss. This offers an advantage in comparison with modern alternatives such as the quick house sale market, as these channels require you to compromise on your expectations and settle for a bid that is around 75% of the asset’s total value.

This is not the case with an auction, however, where you can set the thresholds that govern your returns.

The Last Word: Property Auctions as the Future for Real Estate Trading

Ultimately, property auctions appear to offer the ideal balance between accessibility, speed and savings, whether you are buying property or looking to sell. They are enjoying particular prominence in the modern age, where property prices are continuing to soar exponentially and price many aspiring buyers out of the market. In this respect they are likely to become even more popular in the near-term, even with prices projected to fall slightly as the value of the pound diminishes.

These circumstances make a compelling argument for property auctions in the current climate, regardless of whether you are looking to buy or sell. As aforementioned, there are both in-house and online means for you to make the most of future property auctions, so get researching now and find a location where you can see the process in action and get more information on how it works!

Students Struggling To Make Their Loans Go Far Enough

Finance

Jack Peat

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11 October 2016

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Students Struggling To Make Their Loans Go Far Enough

By Lewis Oakley

For many people across the UK, going to university is not only the first time living away from home but it is also the first time they are responsible for their own finances.

However, in the modern world, the main source of income for those at university is a student loan which doesn’t appear to be going far enough anymore. The study, by Endsleigh, revealed one in four freshers will spend their first loan instalment within a month of receiving it. Another six in ten said it was gone within a couple of months.

It appears that students are seeking other options to make ends meet and these methods may not be approved by their parents. Seven in ten blinkered parents say their children don’t have or use a credit card – when in fact 94 per cent of students admit to having one.

And more than one in four don’t believe their offspring make use of an overdraft, but just two per cent of students said this was the case.

As a result of the money troubles, parents are hit with an unexpected cost of £683.30 when a child goes to university as they have to help out with the cost of food, course books and travel. Around one in five parents even said the biggest negative effect of their children starting university on their life was on their own finances.

Sara Newell, Director of Student & Graduate Markets at Endsleigh, advises: “No young person who is preparing to start higher education this autumn should begin term without a basic conversation about money matters.

“We urge parents of young people soon off to university to ensure their child doesn’t fall in to the student money advice gap.

In an effort to combat bad money management Endsleigh have put together their five money tips to help Freshers get to grips with finance away from home:

Have a money chat – talk to someone you trust about basic money management
Keep a weekly budget – use it to set monthly spending limits
Get covered – protect your precious gadgets from loss and theft
Hit the university job shop – be sure you’re in the queue for the best jobs in town to help you enjoy uni with less money worries
Check your inventory – make sure you receive and check your inventory. Take photos of your room when you move in and out to avoid deposit disputes

How to obtain public funding for your innovative start-up

Elliot

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10 October 2016

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How to obtain public funding for your innovative start-up

If you are an entrepreneur and love to venture into the unknown and push the boundaries of technology then mixing R&D Tax Credits, with help from Myriad Associates, and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) could provide you with up to 83% of your funding requirements. The latest tax incentive offerings from HMRC are unprecedented. Both R&D Tax Credits and SEIS are very generous in their own right, however when they are combined together they make an incredible funding opportunity for an innovative start-up business.

The funding recipe

Serves 4+ investors & a hungry innovative start-up

Ingredients

1 start-up company or alternatively a company that has been trading for less than 2 years
Investors (ideally 4 or more)
1 SEIS certificate (available from HMRC)
Directors that have a passion to venture into the unknown
A sprinkling of dedicated employees that engage in development activities
1 specialist tax consultancy
1 R&D Tax Relief claim (per year)

Instructions

1 Firstly, set up a new company or use an existing company that has been trading for less than 2 years, has total assets of less than £200,000 and employees 25 people or less.
Add a SEIS certificate. You will be able to obtain this by making an application to HMRC (with the support of your tax consultant)
Add 4 investors that each invest £37,500 in return for a 25% shareholding in the new venture. Under SEIS each investor would be able to reclaim 50% income tax relief (£18,750) on their investment irrespective of their tax rate. This means that a total of £75,000 is received back through the self-assessment return. It is important to structure the shareholdings so that no shareholder has more than 30%. A company can raise up to £150,000 in total under the SEIS incentive.
Invest the £150,000 in development activities by adding and mixing employees that have a passion to push the boundaries of technology forward
Bring the development activities to boil and then leave to simmer for up to 12 months (could be shorter if you need to get your hands on cash quicker!)
Add a specialist R&D Tax Relief consultant that will analyse, prepare, optimise and then submit your R&D Tax Relief claim to HMRC
Continue with your development activities whilst your R&D Tax Relief claim is cooling off with HMRC
Finally, invite your investors to dinner so that they can get a taste of the £50k (£150,000 x 2.30 x 14.5%) worth of R&D Payable Tax Credits before agreeing to re-invest it in the business to support further development activities. Alternatively the investors can treat you to dinner as they would have received £75k back through their self-assessment returns.
So in sum from the original investment of £150k into the start-up innovate business, a total of £125k (83%) has been paid out by HMRC.

We hope that this recipe has given you a little taster of the excellent funding opportunities that are available from HMRC. All that is required is a little bit of upfront tax planning to ensure that your business venture is structured to take advantage of these very generous tax incentives.

How to Save Money When You Have a Baby

News

Elliot

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5 October 2016

0

Having a baby can be a costly affair but by not falling victim to the gadgets and gizmos and sticking to the necessities, you can save heaps of cash.

Money saving blogger and mum of two Kayleigh Hughes, who blogs for PromotionalCodes.org.uk, has put together her top tips on how to bag the best bargains when you have children.

The 29-year-old, from Grantham in Lincolnshire, is mum to Joshua, three, and Jaxon, one, but admits that she spent a lot less money with her second child than with the first.

She says that by only purchasing the items you really need, buying a second hand pushchair and resisting the urge to buy lots of clothes are all great ways to save the pennies when you have a baby.

Kayleigh said: “Having a baby is one of the most exciting times of your life – the anticipation and the countdown to the final few days can be filled with different emotions, but when you hold your little miracle for the first time and see that beautiful face looking back at you it makes it all worth it.

“I’m a mummy of two beautiful boys and I definitely learnt from having Joshua that there are some things you really don’t have to buy, so when Jaxon arrived I was fully prepared.”

Here are Kayleigh’s top tips on saving money when you have a baby:

Stick to the necessities

There are endless gadgets and gizmos aimed at new mums and they make it sound like you have to buy them all. Honestly, in my opinion sticking to the basics is all you need.

The first items that you can never have enough off are nappies and wipes. They are perfect items to stockpile as you can really never have too many. Buying them when they are on offer is a great way to make some savings. Pampers regularly do some great options if you like to use branded products, but a lot of supermarket brands are just as good and often cheaper.

Build up a stockpile

I chose Pampers and made sure to bulk buy them in various sizes when they were reduced.

Laundry supplies are definitely other great items to stockpile. General laundry detergent can be too harsh for a baby’s skin so make sure to use the specially formulated products. You will be amazed at the amount of washing you can get through when you have children, it’s a never ending cycle, so get fully stocked up.

Don’t go crazy on clothes

Be careful not to go mad on clothes. This is a mistake I made with my first child. I got very carried away and when he arrived he was a lot bigger than expected, so straight away I had a big box of brand new clothes that he didn’t fit. He also outgrew clothes so fast that he never wore a lot of what I had bought.

Luckily, my second child was also a boy so I got more use out of all of the clothes in the end. But we didn’t know he was definitely going to be a boy until he was born, so for a long time the clothes were just a lot of money sat in a box. I would advice to stick to the basics and buy just a few of each item.

Don’t waste your money

One of the biggest wastes of money for me was buying a nappy bin. They don’t work! The idea is that they wrap the nappy in sealed bags that link together, and when the bin is full you empty it without the smell and the mess. I got sucked into buying one, believing all of this, and was hugely disappointed. For a start, the refill cartridges are a ridiculous amount of money and they don’t last five minutes. I also think, why would you want a load of dirty nappies hanging around in the nursery. A bag of 30p nappy bags work a lot better and they can be taken straight outside to the bin.

Buy second hand

One of the biggest expenses when you have a baby can be the pushchair. I’ve seen models for sale for up to £1,200. For a lot of people, including me, that’s a big no go, as even if I had the money I wouldn’t spend that much. Kids grow out of pushchairs just as fast as they do clothes so why not save money and look for a second hand one.

Even if you buy a pushchair brand new, they only have around six months wear on them so start looking online on places like eBay and Gumtree. They are great for bagging a bargain. I bought a Quinny Buzz pushchair, which was only four months old and in perfect condition, from Gumtree for only £30. It’s perfect and it was really cheap – it was in the owner’s way and she just wanted to get rid.

Don’t always look for the cheapest

For some items though I would actually tell people to not go for the cheapest option – a steriliser is one of them. For my first child, I had a Tommee Tippee microwave. This held four bottles and it was used constantly because of the number of bottles I was going through. For my second child, I paid a little bit more and went for an electric one that held six bottles. It was definitely a wise choice and I would recommend an electric steriliser to anyone, as they are great.

My overall tip for new mums is to not fall for the gimmicky gadgets that trick you into believing they’re essential. Nine times out of ten you will only use them once and then never touch them again. Stick to the items that have been tried and tested for generations and are still used today – that way you can’t go wrong.

Have You Ever Thought How Home Care Could Be So Beneficial!

News

Sam Allcock

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3 October 2016

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Have You Ever Thought How Home Care Could Be So Beneficial!

If you have a loved one that has a hard time living on their own, whether it is due to disease or age, home care can be the perfect solution for you. Below, we have some great reasons why you should consider home care for your loved one.

It reduces stress for the whole family
Caring for your elderly loved one or a friend or family member suffering from a disease is a lot of work. Even if you have the whole family pitching in, it can really take its toll on those that care most about them. Having the help of home care to assist your family can make things go a lot easier and reduce stress for everyone.

Someone with experience
Home care nurses have experience working with all types of disabilities and diseases that patients struggle with. They know from first-hand experience how tough it can be. They also know how to make things as easy as possible for the patient.

With their years of experience, they have learned what to look for and what to do in any situation. It can be tough for someone that is not experienced handling the issues that the patient is dealing with on their own. This is why it is important to have a professional that knows what they’re doing there to help.

A home care specialist can teach everyone
A home care specialist can use their experience to show the patient how to do more on their own than they thought they could. They can also teach friends and family members what they can do to help as well.

You can read as much as you want, but nothing beats in-person lessons. Not only is a home care specialist there to help take care of the patient, they can also provide valuable insight into what you can do to contribute to help take care of your loved one as well.

It’s convenient for your loved one
One of the most difficult things about visiting a facility is getting your love the one there and back each time. This can be a major task that can take up a lot of time and it can make your loved one very uncomfortable.

In-home care allows you to skip this part entirely. It’s the most convenient way for your loved one to be cared for by professionals. By allowing them to stay in their own home, they can receive the attention they need in the comfort of their own home.

Providing them with a personalized caregiver
In a hospital or facility, they may be cared for by several different people throughout each day. This can make things very impersonal for everyone involved. Home care allows your loved one to receive one-on-one individualized attention with the same one or two people each day.

By receiving care from the same people, it will help them feel more comfortable with each visit. It will also give the home care specialist more experience working directly with their patient. This means they will get to know them better and they will be able to make better decisions when trouble arises.

How to Acquire a New Citizenship without Any Disruptions to your Life

Economics

Sam Allcock

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3 October 2016

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How to Acquire a New Citizenship without Any Disruptions to your Life

A growing number of the so called “economic citizens” are rushing to add a second passport to their collection. What is motivating people to pay a large amounts of money for a passport?

Apart from tax advantages and lifestyle benefits, passport holders can use their newly acquired citizenship to move freely internationally. This includes doing business with easy in other countries. There are several countries which offer a citizenship-by-investment program. Austria, Antigua, Barbuda, Cyprus, Dominica, Malta and St. Kitts and Nevis are at the most popular.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Malta IIP:

The Republic of Malta is a small archipelago situated in the southern Mediterranean, halfway between Italy and Tunisia. The country offers a relaxed island lifestyle and excellent business opportunities with a metropolitan twist. Over the last ten years, Malta has quickly become a hub for iGaming, financial services and property development due to its accommodating commercial environment and flexible corporate taxation framework. Furthermore, islanders enjoy a flourishing economy, a stable democratic political system and over 3,000 hours of sunshine every year.

In 2014 Malta launched its Individual Investor Programme (IIP), a citizenship by investment scheme similar to the ones launched by countries such as Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Hungary. It essentially allows an individual and their dependents to benefit from Maltese citizenship in return for investment in property, bonds and the local economy. With the Maltese passport being one of the strongest in the world, the programme has become an attractive offer for wealthy families, and entrepreneurs from all over the world.

The whole process takes between 12-24 months and involves a strict due diligence procedure which ensures only applicants with clean backgrounds who can make valuable contributions, both financially and socially are granted citizenship and the wealth of benefits that accompany it.

Benefits of the Malta IIP

● Free movement within the Schengen Zone and visa-free travel to over 160 countries;
● Malta is a member of the British Commonwealth which gives all citizens the right to reside in all Commonwealth countries for up to six months at a time. Commonwealth countries include the U.K, Canada and Australia;
● The right of establishment and residence in all 28 EU member states, and Switzerland;
● Affordable qualifying government and investment contributions;
● Stable political, social, and economic environment;
● No minimum residence requirement to retain citizenship once granted;
● English speaking, along with the local Maltese language and a high percentage of Italian fluency;
● Citizenship can be passed down through direct descendants;
● Malta is strategically located with excellent international air links to airports worldwide. It is three hours from London, 2.5 from Paris and a little under eight from Dubai.

The government agency responsible for administering the programme is Identity Malta and all applications must be submitted to them via a certified Accredited Agent such as a law firm, corporate services company or specialist immigration agent. The application process itself is efficient, straightforward and as long as all requirements are met, relatively stress free.

Minimum Requirements for Application
Any person wishing to apply for citizenship must meet a set of criteria stipulated by Identity Malta. These include a minimum age of 18 for the main applicant, a clean criminal record, proof of residence, proof of title to a qualifying property, a contribution to the National Social and Development Fund and an investment in government approved stocks, bonds or debentures.

Financial Contributions

● Main applicant: €650,000
● Spouse of main applicant: €25,000
● Each child under 18: €5,000
● Each unmarried child between 18-26: €50,000
● Each dependent over 55: €50,000

Government Approved Investments
The main applicant is bound to invest €150,000 in government approved stocks, bonds, debentures and or special purpose vehicles. There investments are secure but do not yield interest, and they must be held for a minimum of five years.

Property
The main applicant must hold title to a residential property in Malta or Gozo. This property may be rented or purchased but must be held for a minimum of five years.

● Minimum purchase price: €350,000
● Minimum rental price: €16,000 per annum

The IIP is unique in that it was the first programme of its kind to gain full approval from the European Commission and it remains one of the few that offers full citizenship in return for investment as opposed to just permanent residence. This citizenship by investment scheme offers qualifying individuals and their families an opportunity to expand their business into Europe, as well as offering stability for them and their future. Malta is a beautiful, vibrant country and provides a safe environment to reside in or to use a base whilst exploring the other opportunities that Europe has to offer.

With low crime rates, excellent healthcare and educational facilities the country regularly ranks as one of the top places to live in the world and as soon as you step off the plane you will start to see why.

Fancy Yourself as a Bargain Hunter? Take The Test

Jack Peat

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3 October 2016

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Fancy Yourself as a Bargain Hunter? Take The Test

We all think we have the knack when it comes to spotting a deal, but how good are we really?

A new graphic puzzle has been released designed to put Britain’s thriftiness to the test. The mind-boggling puzzle has multiple devious deals on display, but the big question is; which will net you the biggest saving?

A recent study of 2,000 adults found that eight in ten regularly go bargain-hunting, with the average Brit saving £106 a year by taking advantage of special offers and voucher deals.

A spokesperson for MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, who commissioned the graphic puzzle and supporting research, said: “Many of us crave the buzz of uncovering a steal when shopping, but when there are so many different deals and offers out there it can be tough to figure out where the best bargains are buried.

“Hopefully this puzzle will help to attune your senses to the savings waiting out there and help you to avoid unnecessary spending.”

For any other voucher codes please visit https://www.mamma.com/uk

Cost and Value: The Top Tips When Choosing a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

ABC Staff

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30 September 2016

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Cost and Value: The Top Tips When Choosing a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

Every government leaves a legacy, whether this intentional or the adverse consequence of a failed policy. This is certainly true of the reigning Conservative Party, who will most likely be known for their decision to hold a referendum on the EU and their apparent marginalisation of those seeking disability benefits. In fact, the number of people being refused disability benefit reached its highest level for three years in January, after key changes to how applicants were assessed and monitored.

This has had a profound effect on applicants, many of whom have been forced to adopt a more independent and proactive approach to funding their lifestyles.

A good example of this is buying a new car, which will likely be the most expensive purchase you ever make (besides taking out a mortgage on your first home). For a lot of people this is a simple process of researching vehicles online before arranging to see a new car or heading down to the nearest dealer. The same cannot be said for wheelchair users, however, who can find it far more complicated to locate and choose an appropriate wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV).

With some now losing access to their benefits and the subsidising of an accessible vehicle purchase, finding suitable transportation as a disabled citizen has never been harder.

How to Find an Accessible Car for Less

Fortunately, it is possible to source, select and purchase a wheelchair accessible car without government assistance. The key is to understand the market and your precise requirements, while also leveraging some of the favourable financing options available. For example: –

Features to Look For

All WAVs are fitted with a ramp or lift to allow easy access from the back or side of the vehicle. You should decide which method suits you better, such as whether you’ll be able to manually operate the lift if needed. Check there is a three-point seat-belt or other methods to safely secure the wheelchair in the vehicle and that you can easily put these in place. As well as wheelchair modifications, don’t ignore regular car features such as air con, sat navs, efficient engines and what you’d look for in any new or used car.

Make Measurements

In the same way that you should never buy a car without taking it for a test drive, don’t purchase a WAV before trying to fit your wheelchair inside. Take wheelchair measurements and see if they match up, remembering to add your seated height. Depending on where you regularly drive and park the vehicle can affect the model you choose, as some are larger than others.

Types of Accessible Vehicles

There are many different types of wheelchair accessible vehicles available at Allied Mobility, from small, medium and large models that suit different lifestyles and purposes. For example, the Fiat Festival is a mid-sized option suitable for urban driving, while the Volkswagen Vista is that bit larger and will suit taller drivers and passengers. Have a look through all available WAVs and decide on one that matches your needs and style before looking to buy.

Finance Options

When you’ve decided upon an appropriate WAV, the final step will be paying for the car. There are all the regular financing options available, such as leasing, buying outright, hire purchase and more. Joining the Motability Scheme is an advisable decision too, as they can specifically help out those seeking a WAV with financial advice and sorting out issues. So consider all of these tips when it comes to looking for a brand new or used wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Top tips for saving money on cleaning

Elliot

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28 September 2016

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Making double use of products, looking out for coupons and offers and even trying your hand at making your own are all expert ways to save money on your cleaning products.

Money saving blogger Kayleigh Hughes, who writes for coupon site PromotionalCodes.org.uk, has put together her expert advice on how to stop splurging the cash on unnecessary cleaning items.

The mum-of-two says that housework supplies can come at hefty prices but by only buying the core essentials, you can slash the total of your weekly supermarket shop.

Kayleigh, who lives in Grantham, in Lincolnshire, also urges fellow shoppers to look out for useful discount codes as well as taking the natural approach by making products using items already in the kitchen cupboards.

The 29-year-old said: “One of the most expensive items on your shopping list can be cleaning supplies. From kitchen and bathroom cleaner to multi-purpose cleaner and floor cleaner, is it really necessary to buy a different product for each area?

“In my opinion, you don’t need all of these products. That is, however, just my preference but I know everyone has their own ways and favourite items. I stick to three products at most, which are washing up liquid, multi-purpose cleaner and anti-bacterial wipes.”

Here are Kayleigh’s top tips for saving money on cleaning products:

Look for double uses

As well as washing dishes, washing up liquid can be used for floor cleaning and it works great on draining boards and the sink.

Anti-bacterial wipes are great when you have kids and pets, as they are fast, simple and very effective.

Multi-purpose cleaner is exactly what it says on the tin. I use it for the kitchen, the bedrooms and the bathroom. This combined with the anti-bacterial wipes works great for me and is the perfect cleaning combination.

Get couponing

I really don’t think there is a need for all the different products available that make you part with your hard-earned cash. However, if you do want to use them then find as many coupons as you can. Coupons are always readily available for cleaning items and if you combine them with a store offer you can get all the cleaning products you want for a very little price.

Create a stockpile

When you can get a cleaning item for a low price, buy a few items and start to create a stockpile. Before you know it you will have a little treasure trove and you can cross these expensive items off your weekly shopping bill.

Make your own natural products

If you don’t like chemicals, then the natural approach can be very effective just by making use out of items in your cupboards. It’s also fun to use a homemade product.

You can make your own multi-purpose cleaner using vinegar, baking powder and water. This is quick, simple and chemical free, just make sure to not use anything with vinegar or lemon in it on granite or marble surfaces as it will eat into the stone. You can also use baking powder as a great carpet deodoriser and freshener. Just sprinkle across the carpet, leave for a few minutes and then vacuum.

One of the great old favourites is homemade glass cleaner. This can be made by using water, vinegar, rubbing alcohol and a few drops of your favourite essential oil. The last part is optional but will give you a lovely scent.

I haven’t yet gone down the route of making my own cleaning products as I’ve used various coupons and offers to get the items I use at rock bottom prices. I’ve managed to build up a great stockpile but I may give homemade items a go.

It’s all been tried and tested through generations – it’s something my grandma did and her mum before her.

It really is down to your stand on chemicals though – if you want something natural then give DIY a go.

To view Kayleigh’s blog post, click here.

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