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The Sun
29-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Three savvy ways you can turn EVERY day into payday with minimal effort
THERE'S money to be made – just by doing the things most of us do every day. It may sound too good to be true, but with a little know-how you can make some extra cash from walking, shopping, and even watching TV. 6 Here's how to earn without much effort . . . WATCHING TV: You read that right — you can even get cash just by watching the box. Sign up to a research panel such as The Viewers to fill in surveys online or in person after watching various programmes. You could expect to earn £10 for a review taking around an hour or up to £70 for a group discussion. You can also earn while you listen to music. Online platform SliceThePie rewards users for songs listened to and rated. WALKING: More and more strolling apps such as Sweatcoin and Walkfi are now popping up. They convert steps to points which can be used to buy products. Even better, if you happen to see a derelict or abandoned house while out walking, take a photo and upload it to the website along with the address. This site gives a finder's reward with a £20 voucher, and you will get one per cent of the sold price (up to £10,000) if the property you spot ends up being redeveloped. SHOPPING: You can make some money while spending it by clicking through cashback sites such as Topcashback and Quidco. These are linked to many major brands across a wide range of sectors, so you could get a little kickback when you take out an insurance policy or buy yourself an outfit. Save money over summer on TV, games and even FOOD with app tricks You can also sign up to be a mystery shopper, and you could be paid for giving feedback on your experience when visiting various stores. There are a number of firms including Market Force and ESA Retail you can sign up to. All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability. Deal of the day ENJOY a day out at the beach with this brightly coloured body board. It's down from £22.99 to £12.99 at Mountain Warehouse. Cheap treat 6 GET your mitts looking marvellous with these press-on nails, £5 from Superdrug. Top swap BRING a ray of sunshine to your wardrobe with this butter yellow dress, £198 from Or snap up the linen-blend midi dress from Hollister for £28.99. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 6 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.


The Sun
24-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Four simple tricks to make using your paddling pool cheaper this summer
PADDLING pools are an easy way to keep kids entertained over the summer when temperatures are rising. But with the holidays and water restrictions looming, you needn't splash too much cash to cool off. With a few simple tricks you can keep the fun cheaper and going for longer . . . 7 FILLED UP: With hosepipe bans in place across parts of the country, you'll want to avoid refilling as much as possible. Instead keep the water cleaner by popping a washing up bowl with warm water beside the pool to act as a foot bath before kids jump in. And pop a cover over your pool when not in use to stop flies and debris landing in it. You can create one out of an old sheet. — a dark sheet can also help keep the water warm. Help keep the water free from bacteria for a couple of days by using Milton sterilising liquid or tablets. WARM UP: Even on a hot day, the pool can feel icy cold if you fill it up from the outside tap. Rather than faffing around with kettles and boiling water, there is an easier and cheaper solution. Simply place black bin liners over or in the water. The black bags will absorb the heat from the sun and warm the water within an hour. AVOID A PUNCTURE: The laughs will quickly turn to tears if your inflatable pool gets a puncture. Pop an old blanket or towel under the base before filling up to help protect it from little stones that could pierce the plastic. If you have dogs getting in and out the pool, consider popping an old towel across the bottom to protect it from claws. If your pool does get torn, you don't need to chuck it. You can get a repair kit for £4.99 online from Robert Dyas. MAKE USE: You don't need to wait for a scorching day to use the pool. When it is not hot, inflate smaller pools and fill with small plastic or foam balls to create a ball pit. Or you could even use it for some messy play with slime or jelly. How to keep your paddling pool spotless and safe this summer Deal of the day GIVE your humble toaster an upgrade with this four-slice model from De'Longhi. It's down from £69 to £45 at Argos. Cheap treat KEEP your paperwork in order with this coloured A4 document organiser, £3, from Flying Tiger. Top swap 7 GIVE shower time a little luxury with Molton Brown's heavenly gingerlily gel, £26. Or try Lidl's similar scented option for £1.49. Shop & save ENJOY Little Moons Himalayan salted caramel mochi ice cream on a hot day. A pack of six is down from £5 to £3.48 at Asda. Hot right now FRESHEN up your walls with the four-for-three offer on tubs of Dulux paint at B&Q. Savings start at £20. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 7 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.


The Sun
03-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Four savvy ways to make use of lemons around the house
WHEN life gives you lemons, don't just make lemonade. The versatile citrus fruit is the key to many household task hacks. From cleaning your kitchen to getting insects to buzz off, a bowl of lemons could benefit every home. SIMPLY THE ZEST: Citric acid in lemons is antibacterial and antiseptic, so has lots of uses around the house. If your chopping board needs a refresh, sprinkle it with salt and scrub the surface with half a lemon to give it a new lease of life. You can also put half a lemon in a bowl of water then pop it in the microwave on high. Once the water heats up, which will only take a few seconds, the citrusy steam will loosen the dirt inside the appliance, making it easier to clean. COLD COMFORT: It is cheaper to buy lemons by the bag but that may mean that some of the fruit gets wasted. Instead of letting them get overripe then throwing them away, cut any you won't use in time into slices and freeze flat, before bagging them up for whenever you need them. You can even put small slices into ice cube trays then top up with water. The lemony cubes can go straight in a drink. PEST OF THE REST: Lemons' strong citrusy smell is great for deterring ants, flies and other pests. Mix one part lemon juice to three parts water and squirt it around doors and on windowsills to make ants do a U-turn. Mrs Hinch shares her top tips for the big spring clean – from vacuuming your mattress to washing oven trays in the bath To make flies buzz off, cut a lemon in half and stud the flesh with whole cloves. SQUEEZY START: A l emon drink to start the day is said to aid digestion and boost immunity and hydration. To make one, mix the juice of half a lemon with a teaspoon of honey then add just boiled water. You can also add lemon juice to fresh grated ginger and turmeric. Mix and freeze in ice cube trays. Pop a cube out and stir into boiling water for a speedy goodness-packed drink. Sieve if you don't like the bits. Deal of the day SIZZLE your sausages on the Charles Bentley five-burner gas barbecue, down from £289.99 to £229.99 at Tesco Marketplace. SAVE: £60 Cheap treat 7 GET a pot of sweet peas for £1.50 each at B&M or get your garden blooming with five for £5. SAVE: £2.50 on five Top swap 7 LOOK good in the Love & Roses T-shirt, above, £26 from Next, or give us a wave in the broderie anglaise sleeve jersey top, below, £14.99 from Shop & save THERE'S a third off selected bangers and burgers at Sainsbury's. Ten Taste The Difference sausages are down to £2.90 from £4.35. Hot right now UNTIL tomorrow Morrisons is offering a third off its Market Street sirloin, taking an 8oz steak down from £6.80 to £4.54. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 7 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.


The Sun
29-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Three cheap and easy tips to clean your barbecue in time for the good weather
Sun Savers Published: Invalid Date, WITH the weather hotting up – and the long weekend on its way – it's the perfect time to host in the garden. But don't worry if your barbecue has seen better days, these easy steps can make it sparkle in no time. 7 GRILL POWER: Raid cupboards for ingredients that will shift grime stuck to grills. Try pouring a little beer over a heated grill and the acid will loosen dirt, so you can scrub it off. Onions also work wonders thanks to their natural acids. Just cut in half and rub across grates. And lemons are also powerful at cutting through grease. Again, just cut in half and rub over the metal. A tough wire brush is ideal for scrubbing grime and grease off the grates. But rather than buy one, you can use aluminium foil screwed into a ball. STAIN OR SHINE: For stains that are tougher to budge — and if you have a barbecue with a lid — grab some vinegar and mix with equal part water. Then pour the solution on a metal tray and heat up the barbecue. Close the lid and leave for around 15 minutes. The steam should loosen the grime. Or before heating, you can mix up a paste of bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar and let it sit on the grills for at least 30 minutes. Then scrub off with warm soapy water. Proper temperatures for perfectly cooked meats BRING TO RUST: If your barbecue has been sitting outside and developed rust patches, you can also use the same bicarbonate and vinegar paste and apply to these areas to help clean it up. After using your barbecue, try rubbing a light layer of vegetable oil across the grills and other areas to help prevent rust in the future. Deal of the day 7 PAMPER yourself with this Boots self-care beauty box, £34, featuring goodies worth £137, including hair serum, sleep mist and teeth whitening strips. SAVE: £103 Cheap treat WITH its mood-boosting fragrance, Radox mineral therapy shower gel, £1 from Boots, will help you feel uplifted after a shower. Top swap LIVE the five-star lifestyle with the Bottega Veneta bag, £2,150, at Selfridges. Or back in the real world, look stylish for £26 with this microweave bag from Next. SAVE: £2,124 Shop & Save LIFT your lashes with help from Revolution tubing mascara, down from £10.99 to £6.39 at Superdrug. Hot Right Now BRING some colour to your garden with four perennials for £10 at B&M, saving £2. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 7 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the mor


The Sun
28-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Six genius ideas to transform leftovers and cupboard stables into exciting lunchbox meals that your kids will love
THE summer term may have only just begun, but if you're already sick of making the same old sandwiches, we've got the answer. These genius ideas transform leftovers and cupboard staples into exciting lunchbox meals that kids will actually eat. 6 CHIP 'N' DIP: Revive stale pitta bread by cutting each one into triangles and air-frying until crisp. Blend chickpeas with lemon, garlic and tahini for instant hummus, or mix yoghurt with grated cucumber and mint for a refreshing tzatziki. Add veg sticks for crunch. SALAD SAVER: Whip up speedy couscous following packet instructions and then mix with chopped roast veggies from last night's roast. Add a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice to bring it together and leave to cool. Pop portions in airtight containers for lunch boxes. TORTILLA TREAT: Rescue limp tortilla wraps by filling with grated cheese and mashed beans, then fold and dry-fry until golden. Cut into wedges and pop into a lunchbox. They're perfect cold and packed with protein. GRATE IDEA: Make mini frittatas by adding leftover veg to whisked egg and crumbling or grating cheese into the mixture. Pour into a muffin tin and grate more cheese over the top before baking for 5-10 mins on a low heat. Once cooled, store in an airtight container. WRAP IT UP: You might already have rice papers in the cupboard, but if not you can pick up packs of them for around £1.50 in specialist Asian supermarkets. Soak rice papers briefly in warm water, then fill with leftovers from dinner — veggies and leftover meat work well. RICE BITES: Mix tinned tuna with cooked rice, an egg and breadcrumbs, then shape into patties. Fry until golden and leave to cool. Can be eaten hot or cold and the protein will keep kids full till dinner. Deal of the day 6 CHECK out the mid-season sale at A pair of Bayaband Flip sandals was £34.99, now reduced to £20.99. Cheap treat MAKE dessert a luxe affair with Ferrero Rocher white ice cream lollies, a pack of four was £5 at Iceland, now £2.50. Top swap LIE back and enjoy the mini heatwave on a set of reclining Von Haus chairs, £82.99, or get a similar set at George at Asda for £59. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 6 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the mor