Latest news with #Betsy
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Rachel Kolisi swaps ‘humble' Yaris for brand new Jetour X70 Plus
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi's estranged wife now drives an SUV worth at least R454 900. Rachel Kolisi, the estranged wife of double Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has recently been in and out of the news a bit more than she perhaps would have expected. The furore centres around her very public on-off choice of wheels, which went from a luxury Mercedes-Benz to an old Toyota Yaris, now back to a brand-new sponsored Jetour X70 Plus. In a since deleted Instagram post, Rachel posted that 'Life has a funny way of humbling you just when you think you've got it all figured out. One day you're riding high, the next you're asking a friend to borrow their spare car and googling 'how to parallel park a Yaris with dignity'. Rachel Kolisi's Instagram post has since been deleted. Jetour jumps at opportunity A post that many just took as a single mom throwing it out there about what she was experiencing as she begins to adjust to life away from the spotlight and perks of being the wife to one of the most recognised rugby players on the planet. But it was also a post the raised the ire of many who were quick to point out that they could only wish to own the somewhat tatty-looking old Toyota Yaris Rachel affectionately called Betsy. Many believed she was only in it for public sympathy and pitching for a new car after enjoying a somewhat pampered lifestyle. Despite this somewhat spicy reception to her post, Jetour South Africa were quick on the draw. The manufacturer announced that Rachel was now an ambassadors for the brand. A fact she then confirmed in a new post on Instagram. 'Very excited and very grateful to be apart of the @jetour_south_africa family! Thank you @lmgsportsmanagement!' Once again the public response has varied from those that wish her all the best and praise her hustle, to those that dismiss this as a cheap publicity stunt. Either way, Betsy the old Toyota Yaris is now out of the picture. And a smiling Rachel Kolisi has a brand-new set of wheels. ALSO READ: Kolisi divorce: The many millions Rachel will score from Bok captain Siya Rachel Kolisi 'perfect fit' Jetour South Africa chimes in by saying: 'Rachel Kolisi is the perfect fit for the Jetour family. As a busy working mother, comfort, space and safety in the vehicle that she drives is paramount. As someone constantly on the move between school runs, fitness sessions, business meetings, and family life, Rachel embodies the dynamic spirit of Jetour's flagship seven-seater, the Jetour X70 Plus.' The seven-seater Jetour X70 Plus is one of the Chinese carmaker's two models on offer in South Africa, with the other being five-seater Jetour Dashing. The X70 Plus costs R454 900 for the Momentum and R484 900 for the Deluxe. The Dashing Momentum and Deluxe sell for R439 900 and R469 900 respectively.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
I ditched tiny city flat for ‘UK's Costa Del Sol'…I live on £10 a day – you don't have to go abroad for dream beach life
Erin reveals the turning-point, which happened during a 24-hour-long shift at work, where she decided enough was enough SHORE THING I ditched tiny city flat for 'UK's Costa Del Sol'…I live on £10 a day – you don't have to go abroad for dream beach life Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIVING in a cramped city flat, care worker Erin Temple struggled to get by - often relying on food banks when her salary would barely cover her rent. But now she owns her own home with picture-perfect sea views - and has slashed her monthly living expenses by a staggering 90 per cent. 14 Erin Temple has slashed her monthly living expenses by a staggering 90 per cent by swapping a UK city for life by the sea Credit: supplied 14 Erin now owns her own home with picture-perfect sea views Credit: supplied 14 Erin has swapped her one-bedroom high rise flat for a new life by the coast Credit: supplied 14 Erin in her previous flat, which cost her £1,200 a month with bills Credit: supplied And she didn't need to flee the country to beat the cost of living crisis. She simply bought a van for £650 and parked it on the Cornish coast. Erin, 25, tells The Sun: 'I swapped a tiny flat for an off-grid home on wheels. The savings are gobsmacking. "I'm proof you don't have to move abroad to live affordably near world class beaches." Fed up with working gruelling shifts as a dementia and end-of-life carer for a salary that barely covered the rent on her Tyne and Wear one-bedroom flat, Erin upped sticks and moved to Cornwall with just £1,000 to her name. She arrived in Truro with her two dogs, Rooster and Rebel, a backpack, and a tent - and was soon tipped off by a local at a camping site about an elderly couple who wanted to sell their van. Erin snapped up the 20-year-old green LDV Convoy, affectionately nicknamed Betsy, and secured a long term camping spot on a private airfield near Perranporth, North Cornwall surrounded by forest and with spectacular views over the Atlantic coast. She says: 'It's a beautiful life on a budget.' Betsy's interior includes a double cabin style bed, built-in stove, sink and solar powered electrics which keep her energy costs down. The van is also fitted with a portable camping toilet and shower, though the campsite where Erin pays £300 a month to park offers full facilities. Her only other major costs are £100 for diesel and insurance, and around £20 a week for groceries, meaning her monthly outgoings total just £460. The exotic beach bar that people can't believe is in Britain She keeps costs low by shopping for yellow label supermarket bargains, buying from local farmers and finding free firewood for Betsy's log burner, which heats her home. She adds: 'I've even started growing vegetables in buckets outside the van. "I used to pay nearly £1,200 a month in rent and bills. 'Now I live on around tenner a day, including food and accommodation. And I own my home." I was broken by low wages, high rents, and exhausting and often dangerous work. Erin Temple It's a far cry from Erin's previous life in the north east town where she would work 50 hours a week but still struggle to pay her bills. She says: "I was broken by low wages, high rents, and exhausting and often dangerous work. "It got so bad that, on occasion, I used food banks despite working 12 hour shifts. 'Carers are the hidden workers who are chronically underpaid and caught in a constant cost of living crisis. Getting a foot on the property ladder seemed like an impossible dream. She admits: "Even with double shifts, I couldn't get ahead.' Turning point 14 Erin says her previous life left her exhausted and struggling to make ends meet Credit: supplied 14 During one particularly difficult shift Erin says she was pushed and ended up with bruised knees and bleeding arms Credit: supplied 14 Erin worried if she stayed she'd end up a 'boozing mess' Credit: supplied Her turning point came after being pushed by a dementia patient during a 24-hour shift. She recalls: "I was exhausted. My knees were bleeding and my arms bruised. 'Other staff were meant to meet me at a local pub for an after work drink but didn't show. 'I looked around and realised I was standing there in the middle of the day surrounded by two old alcoholics. 'I knew then if I did not change my life I'd end up a boozing mess, with no savings and no hope. That moment changed everything." 'Make or break' Erin gave notice on her flat, sold most of her belongings, and headed south. "I'd heard it was quieter, cheaper and the weather was tropical compared to up north," she recalls. "People said I was mad. Friends told me to take a holiday. But I knew it had to be make or break." Now Erin is living the dream in Cornwall - which since the pandemic has overtaken London as the most-searched-for location for property in the UK according to Rightmove. Perranporth Beach, renowned as one of the most beautiful surfing spots in Europe and dubbed 'Costa Del Perran' - after Spain's Costa Del Sol - by locals is on her doorstep. She says: 'I've never been happier. The weather's great, the people are kind, and the view is incredible. 'An elderly neighbour even brought me homegrown veg to welcome me when I first arrived. That never happened in the city." Saving thousands 14 Perranporth Beach, renowned as one of the most beautiful surfing spots in Europe and dubbed 'Costa Del Perran' by locals is on her doorstep Credit: supplied 14 Erin loves life in her van, Betsy, with her two dogs Credit: supplied 14 Erin can't believe how much better the weather is down south Credit: supplied 14 Life in the van is cosy but she's learned to de-clutter and down-size Credit: supplied Determined that Betsy will be her home for years to come, Erin is currently building storage, redecorating and expanding her bucket garden. She says: "My dogs love it here. I am planning on studying psychology and counselling at a local college next year and finally have a life I love. 'I'm saving money, making plans and my mental health has never been better.' Erin adds that she's happily single at the moment - which she's thankful for as a bloke might be a bit of a squeeze with her and the two dogs. She chuckles: 'Living in a van, you downsize and de-clutter. I might find myself a nice Cornish lad and we'll just have to make sure he can fit in somehow!' I'm saving money, making plans and my mental health has never been better Erin Temple Erin is one of many embracing the van life movement. Since 2019, the number of Brits living in vans, buses or converted vehicles has exploded by 2,280 per cent, from 21,000 to over half a million. Cornwall is a hotspot for digital nomads even in the off season, with van lifers lured by the mild winters, coastal beauty and affordability. Farmers are renting out fields and people in local towns rent out their driveways to meet demand. While Cornwall is known for its luxurious seaside mansions and celebrity residents, including Cate Blanchett, Gordon Ramsay and Dawn French, costs can be surprisingly low. A cappuccino in Cornwall costs an average of £2.80, a third cheaper than £4.05 in London. A pint of lager averages £4.79, compared to £5.99 in the capital, and a loaf of bread is 92p compared to £1.64. For Erin, it's the perfect balance of quality of life on a budget. She says: 'We're Gen Z - we don't want to work just to pay bills. We want purpose, nature, creativity, community. Cornwall gives us that. "I'm healthier, happier, and finally hopeful. I've swapped a high rise flat for a van on the Cornish coast, and I wouldn't change a thing.' 14 For Erin, her new life is the perfect balance Credit: supplied 14 Erin loves the freedom that van life provides Credit: supplied 14 Erin says the locals in Cornwall have been very welcoming to her Credit: supplied
The Sun
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I ditched tiny city flat for ‘UK's Costa Del Sol'…I live on £10 a day – you don't have to go abroad for dream beach life
LIVING in a cramped city flat, care worker Erin Temple struggled to get by - often relying on food banks when her salary would barely cover her rent. But now she owns her own home with picture-perfect sea views - and has slashed her monthly living expenses by a staggering 90 per cent. 14 14 14 And she didn't need to flee the country to beat the cost of living crisis. She simply bought a van for £650 and parked it on the Cornish coast. Erin, 25, tells The Sun: 'I swapped a tiny flat for an off-grid home on wheels. The savings are gobsmacking. "I'm proof you don't have to move abroad to live affordably near world class beaches." Fed up with working gruelling shifts as a dementia and end-of-life carer for a salary that barely covered the rent on her Tyne and Wear one-bedroom flat, Erin upped sticks and moved to Cornwall with just £1,000 to her name. She arrived in Truro with her two dogs, Rooster and Rebel, a backpack, and a tent - and was soon tipped off by a local at a camping site about an elderly couple who wanted to sell their van. Erin snapped up the 20-year-old green LDV Convoy, affectionately nicknamed Betsy, and secured a long term camping spot on a private airfield near Perranporth, North Cornwall surrounded by forest and with spectacular views over the Atlantic coast. She says: 'It's a beautiful life on a budget.' Betsy's interior includes a double cabin style bed, built-in stove, sink and solar powered electrics which keep her energy costs down. The van is also fitted with a portable camping toilet and shower, though the campsite where Erin pays £300 a month to park offers full facilities. Her only other major costs are £100 for diesel and insurance, and around £20 a week for groceries, meaning her monthly outgoings total just £460. She keeps costs low by shopping for yellow label supermarket bargains, buying from local farmers and finding free firewood for Betsy's log burner, which heats her home. She adds: 'I've even started growing vegetables in buckets outside the van. "I used to pay nearly £1,200 a month in rent and bills. 'Now I live on around tenner a day, including food and accommodation. And I own my home." I was broken by low wages, high rents, and exhausting and often dangerous work. Erin Temple It's a far cry from Erin's previous life in the north east town where she would work 50 hours a week but still struggle to pay her bills. She says: "I was broken by low wages, high rents, and exhausting and often dangerous work. "It got so bad that, on occasion, I used food banks despite working 12 hour shifts. 'Carers are the hidden workers who are chronically underpaid and caught in a constant cost of living crisis. Getting a foot on the property ladder seemed like an impossible dream. She admits: "Even with double shifts, I couldn't get ahead.' Turning point 14 Her turning point came after being pushed by a dementia patient during a 24-hour shift. She recalls: "I was exhausted. My knees were bleeding and my arms bruised. 'Other staff were meant to meet me at a local pub for an after work drink but didn't show. 'I looked around and realised I was standing there in the middle of the day surrounded by two old alcoholics. 'I knew then if I did not change my life I'd end up a boozing mess, with no savings and no hope. That moment changed everything." 'Make or break' Erin gave notice on her flat, sold most of her belongings, and headed south. "I'd heard it was quieter, cheaper and the weather was tropical compared to up north," she recalls. "People said I was mad. Friends told me to take a holiday. But I knew it had to be make or break." Now Erin is living the dream in Cornwall - which since the pandemic has overtaken London as the most-searched-for location for property in the UK according to Rightmove. Perranporth Beach, renowned as one of the most beautiful surfing spots in Europe and dubbed 'Costa Del Perran' - after Spain 's Costa Del Sol - by locals is on her doorstep. She says: 'I've never been happier. The weather's great, the people are kind, and the view is incredible. 'An elderly neighbour even brought me homegrown veg to welcome me when I first arrived. That never happened in the city." Saving thousands 14 14 14 Determined that Betsy will be her home for years to come, Erin is currently building storage, redecorating and expanding her bucket garden. She says: "My dogs love it here. I am planning on studying psychology and counselling at a local college next year and finally have a life I love. 'I'm saving money, making plans and my mental health has never been better.' Erin adds that she's happily single at the moment - which she's thankful for as a bloke might be a bit of a squeeze with her and the two dogs. She chuckles: 'Living in a van, you downsize and de-clutter. I might find myself a nice Cornish lad and we'll just have to make sure he can fit in somehow!' I'm saving money, making plans and my mental health has never been better Erin Temple Erin is one of many embracing the van life movement. Since 2019, the number of Brits living in vans, buses or converted vehicles has exploded by 2,280 per cent, from 21,000 to over half a million. Cornwall is a hotspot for digital nomads even in the off season, with van lifers lured by the mild winters, coastal beauty and affordability. Farmers are renting out fields and people in local towns rent out their driveways to meet demand. While Cornwall is known for its luxurious seaside mansions and celebrity residents, including Cate Blanchett, Gordon Ramsay and Dawn French, costs can be surprisingly low. A cappuccino in Cornwall costs an average of £2.80, a third cheaper than £4.05 in London. A pint of lager averages £4.79, compared to £5.99 in the capital, and a loaf of bread is 92p compared to £1.64. For Erin, it's the perfect balance of quality of life on a budget. She says: 'We're Gen Z - we don't want to work just to pay bills. We want purpose, nature, creativity, community. Cornwall gives us that. "I'm healthier, happier, and finally hopeful. I've swapped a high rise flat for a van on the Cornish coast, and I wouldn't change a thing.' 14 14 14
Perth Now
14-07-2025
- Perth Now
Unique retreat a romantic getaway in the South West
The calm and scenic Ferguson Valley is now home to a new retreat for couples wanting to go on a romantic getaway or for friends looking to tighten their bond. R&R Bus Retreats owners Simon and Judith Allington were lifelong farmers with a passion for world travel, who took inspiration from all the unique accommodation where they have stayed and put it into their own little retreat. Their new oasis has two buses, Betsy and Charles with their own unique design and space, guaranteeing complete privacy for those staying in them. Ms Allington said she got the idea while she was living in different units and saw an advertisement for one of the buses — Betsy. 'We bought Betsy and it was just a shell, there was nothing in it,' Mr Allington said. Bus retreat 'Betsy' Credit: Yousuf Shameel It took two years for the couple to modify the buses and said they had to learn as they went — it was a process of 'trial and error'. Along with creating a cosy retreat, they made sure their busses are as sustainable as possible. 'We looked at the eco-friendly part of it too and both the buses are solar-powered with almost everything in the interior being second-hand purchased through marketplace or locally produced,' Mr Allington said. Being regular travellers themselves, the Allingtons were always on the lookout for interesting and unique accommodation but since they never saw a bus turned into a retreat without significant modifications, they decided to do it themselves. Bus retreat 'Charles' entrance. Credit: Yousuf Shameel 'The buses I see normally have their wheels taken off and have been built onto, so they have their bathroom and toilet outside and it just looks like a little house,' Ms Allington said. 'So I thought, just a bus would be really unique, and age was a factor too, these buses are made in 1960s.' When talking about the accommodation they prefer when they were travelling, Ms Allington said her keywords are 'cozy, little, and unique', which has been implemented into the creation of this retreat. As of the future of the retreat, the couple said they have no plans to further expand the business as they value their privacy and of their customers. 'We purposely put the buses where they are so you cannot see them from the house and you can't see each other too,' Mr Allington said. 'If we start building more, then we start to get tied down too. 'Once both of us are retired, we plan to do some travelling ourselves, so we want to try and run this as remotely as possible.'
Business Wire
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Senior Market Sales ® (SMS) Acquires MIC Insurance Services
OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MIC Insurance Services, a highly successful New Jersey health insurance agency, has entered into a strategic partnership with Senior Market Sales ® (SMS), one of the industry's premier insurance marketing organizations (IMOs). Based in Kinnelon, New Jersey, MIC is a second-generation, family-owned independent insurance agency that since 2012 has relied on SMS' proprietary technology, industry-leading back-office support, proven marketing systems, and comprehensive product portfolio of health and wealth solutions from top carriers. 'The more we have entrusted to SMS, the better our company has become,' said MIC President Betsy Chandler. 'That can only become stronger as we continue to move forward for our company, and in the relationship with SMS and Alliant Insurance Services.' Since joining Alliant in 2020, SMS has acquired nearly 20 companies as part of its strategic growth plan expanding its national health and wealth distribution network and fostering innovation among the SMS family of companies. SMS President John Haver said MIC's impressive growth trajectory and hallmark dedication to clients align perfectly with SMS' strategy to acquire like-minded businesses that want to continue to grow. 'Their customer service is so fantastic that they never have to buy leads — they're always getting referrals. That's a testament to how they do business and to the good people that they are,' Haver said. 'They're a growing agency that wanted to partner with a growing IMO, and together we're going to grow. We anticipate that we'll be able to help them grow even faster.' Medical Insurance Claims (MIC) Inc. was founded in 1980 by Betsy's mother, Irene Card, who wanted to help patients at the oncology office she managed feel less overwhelmed by the claims submission process. In response to the shifting health care industry, she and Betsy became licensed health and life insurance producers in the early '90s, and in 2002, Betsy's husband, Terry, also became licensed and joined the family business. By the time Irene retired in 2013, the company had evolved into MIC Insurance Services but with its core commitment to integrity and client-focused service still strongly intact. As Betsy and Terry saw the landscape shifting once again, they determined the time was right to partner with a larger company equipped with the knowledge, technology and backing of an industry leader to prepare for the changes and to continue growing. 'Our company is now 45 years old and has come through a number of transitions already,' Betsy said. 'As we look to the future, we certainly would only want to engage and embrace this next chapter with SMS, a company we have a long history with already.' About Senior Market Sales Senior Market Sales ® (SMS) represents top Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, annuity, life, long-term care, individual health and travel insurance carriers in all 50 states. Independent insurance agents rely on SMS for proprietary technology, competitive insurance products, and expert training and service to help them leverage their time, make more money, and put their business in a position of distinction. Founded in 1982, SMS is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. In 2020, SMS joined the Alliant Insurance Services family of companies. Visit or call 1.800.786.5566 for more information. About Alliant Insurance Services Alliant Insurance Services marks a century of success as the nation's leading specialty broker. We operate through a network of specialized national platforms and local offices to offer our clients a comprehensive portfolio of risk solutions built on innovative thinking and personal service. The business of managing risk is complex, and Alliant meets this complexity head-on with creativity and agility. Alliant has changed the way our clients approach risk management and benefits, giving them complete access to our resources and expertise—regardless of where the resource is located—to capitalize on new opportunities to grow and protect their organizations and their people. Alliant is recognized as a leading destination for top-tier brokerage talent in the U.S., attracting brokers and specialists across a diverse spectrum of disciplines who are eager to advance their careers. With the advantage of being majority employee-owned, professionals choose Alliant for autonomy, unparalleled resources, and a unique equity ownership opportunity. As a testament to our commitment to excellence, Alliant maintains an impressive 99% producer retention rate and has earned Forbes' prestigious title of one of America's Best Large Employers. Visit us at
