PAHouseholds could save as much as £235 a year on broadband mobile and TV bills with an easy move[/caption]
According to its research, it found that on average, out-of-contract TV and broadband customers could save £160 by switching.
Sky customers surveyed saved most – a bumper £235 a year on average by switching to a better deal.
TV and broadband customers who haggled with their current provider rather than switching still saved £117 on average.
Which?’s study also found there were decent savings for broadband-only customers who switched providers, with the average being £105.
Customers switching from BT, Sky or Virgin Media saved even more – up to £165 on average for VM customers.
Broadband customers who haggled saved £55 per year, with Virgin Media customers seeing the biggest average saving of £81.
There was less of a difference in savings between mobile customers who switched and those who haggled.
Mobile customers at the end of their contract saved £67 on average by switching and those that haggled saved a slightly lower £61.
Vodafone customers saved £146 by switching, more than twice the £67 average.
EE and O2 customers also saved an average of £122 and £132, respectively.
When it came to haggling, it was EE customers who stood to save the most, at £101 a year on average.
Natalie Hitchins, Which? Head of Home Products and Services, said: “Our latest research shows out-of-contract broadband, TV and mobile customers can save a substantial amount of money by switching providers or haggling with their current one – and that most people find the process easy.
“With many telecoms providers already adopting Ofcom’s ban on unpredictable mid-contract price hikes before it officially comes into effect in January, consumers can more easily compare deals and should feel empowered to switch and potentially save hundreds of pounds.”
Results of the survey
The consumer champion surveyed more than 5,000 customers whose broadband, combined broadband and TV or mobile phone contracts had ended in the past 12 months, asking if they had switched or haggled, and how much they had saved on their bills in the process.
Which?’s research found that most consumers found the switching process easy.
This was the case for 75% of broadband, 73% of mobile customers, and 55% of broadband and TV customers.
The survey found that price was the most common reason for switching.
But people also then benefitted from better customer service, faster download speeds and better connections.
Three in 10 broadband switchers said customer service was getting better after switching, while just 6% reported it getting worse.
For those that changed mobile networks, a third said customer service improved and three per cent said it got worse.
For download speeds, nearly four in 10 broadband customers said they got faster after switching, versus one in eight who said they got slower.
For mobile network switchers, a quarter found they improved versus nine per cent who reported they got worse.
Around four in 10 got a more reliable broadband connection after switching, while one in eight found it got worse.
Mobile network reception improved for half of the switchers but got worse for one in seven.
How to switch
Switching providers is far easier now because as of September, customers only need to contact their new provider to switch.
This makes it easier to move to a cheaper deal without your current provider trying to convince you to stay, even if you can find a better offer elsewhere.
Since 2015, people have been able to switch between phone and broadband providers on Openreach’s network – like BT and Sky – by letting their new provider handle the switch.
However, if you were switching to or from a different network, such as Virgin Media, which uses its own private network, you had to contact your existing provider to arrange the switch as well.
Ofcom‘s new “One Touch” rules, which started last month, have changed this.
Now, landline and broadband customers on any network only need to contact their new provider to make the switch.
Under the new rules, customers won’t have to pay notice-period charges beyond the switch date, so they will no longer be paying for the old service after the new one starts.
Plus, providers must also compensate customers if they experience issues with the switch or are left without service for more than one working day.
However, the exact amount of compensation you’ll receive will be issued on a case-by-case basis.
The new rules bring broadband switching in line with mobile switching.
Since 2019, mobile phone customers have been able to “text to switch” without the hassle of having to call their current network.
How one-touch switch works
The new “One Touch” process is designed to make it easier to switch providers and get a faster package, a cheaper deal, or better customer service.
It will also make it quicker – just one day when this is technically possible.
A customer will contact their chosen new provider and give their details.
The customer then automatically receives important information from their current provider, including any early contract termination charges they may have to pay, and how the switch may affect other services the customer has with the company.
If the customer wants to go ahead, the new provider will then manage the switch.
The new process means that customers no longer need to notify their current provider 30 days before switching.
Instead, the operators handle all billing and activation dates in the background.
CUT YOUR TELECOM COSTS
SWITCHING contracts is one of the single best ways to save money on your mobile, broadband and TV bills.
But don’t just switch contracts because the price is cheaper than what you’re currently paying.
Take a look at your minutes and texts, as well as your data usage, to find out which deal is best for you.
For example, if you’re a heavy internet user, it’s worth finding a deal that accommodates this so you don’t have to spend extra on bundles or add-ons each month.
In the weeks before your contract is up, use comparison sites to familiarise yourself with what deals are available.
It’s a known fact that new customers always get the best deals.
Sites like MoneySuperMarket and Uswitch all help you customise your search based on price, allowances and provider.
This should make it easier to decide whether to renew your contract or move to another provider.
However, if you don’t want to switch and are happy with the service you’re getting under your current provider – haggle for a better deal.
You can still make significant savings by renewing your contract rather than rolling on to the tariff you’re given after your deal.
If you need to speak to a company on the phone, be sure to catch them at the right time.
Make some time to negotiate with your provider in the morning.
This way, you have a better chance of being the first customer through on the phone, and the rep won’t have worked tirelessly through previous calls which may have affected their stress levels.
It pays to be polite when getting through to someone on the phone, as representatives are less inclined to help rude or aggressive customers.
Knowing what other offers are on the market can help you to make a case for yourself to your provider.
If your provider won’t haggle, you can always threaten to leave.
Companies don’t want to lose customers and may come up with a last-minute offer to keep you.
It’s also worth investigating social tariffs. These deals have been created for people who are receiving certain benefits.
Rule changes
The findings come ahead of Ofcom’s ban on unpredictable mid-contract price hikes which comes into effect in January 2025.
Telecom firms have faced criticism for implementing mid-contract price rises on fixed contracts that exceed inflation over the past four years.
Due to clauses in contracts, providers are allowed to impose annual increases, typically in April.
These hikes are linked to either the Consumer Price Index or Retail Price Index inflation rate, which has surged during the cost-of-living crisis.
As a result, millions of customers experienced increases of up to 8.8% this year, adding as much as £50 to their bills.
However, from January 17, 2025, Ofcom will require telecom firms to display mid-contract price increases in pounds and pence.
The rules are designed to protect customers by ensuring they know exactly how much their contract will increase before they sign up.
Instead of being linked to inflation, which can fluctuate, the price rises will be clearly stated in pounds and pence.
However, some experts have slammed the rule change for “unfairly” impacting customers on cheaper contracts.
Earlier this year, The Sun revealed that millions of mobile and broadband customers on cheaper contracts will be hit by huge bill rises under the new mechanism.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
3 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Strictly bosses ‘left with headache’ after Chris McCausland becomes favourite to win BBC show
STRICTLY bosses have reported been ‘left with headache’ after Chris McCausland becomes a favourite to win the BBC show.
The stand up comic – who is blind – has impressed Strictly viewers with his routines so far in the 2024 series.
PAStrictly bosses have reported been ‘left with headache’ after Chris McCausland becomes a favourite to win the BBC show[/caption]
PAChris is currently the bookies favourite to win the glitterball trophy after wowing viewers with his routines alongside pro partner Dianne Buswell[/caption]
Chris EadesBut Chris’ stand up tour clashes with the Strictly Live Tour next year[/caption]
Chris, 47, is paired with pro partner Dianne Buswell and their chemistry – as well as his impressive performances – have made him a front runner to lift the Glitterball Trophy come December.
However, if he does triumph over his fellow celebrities, Chris will leave bosses in a bit of a pickle, according to The Mirror.
Historically, the Strictly champion always takes part in the show’s annual live tour, which heads to arenas all around the country weeks after the Strictly finale.
Unfortunately, Chris’ own stand up tour clashes with the 2025 Strictly tour dates, meaning he would be the first champ not to participate.
A source told the publication: “Craig [Revel Horwood] has suggested that all this year’s favourites will be there but that’s not true.
“How can Chris be in two places at once? As things stand, Chris can’t do it because every show on his comedy tour from January 17 clashes.”
Chris currently has odds of 4/9 to win with bookies, with Tasha Ghourinext in line with 4/1.
The Strictly Tour 2025 is set to begin in Birmingham on January 17 before heading to cities including Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow and Manchester.
It is set to conclude at London’s O2 Arena on February 9.
However, Chris’ latest stand up tour, Yonks!, also starts on January 17 in Walsall and runs right through until June.
A spokesperson for Ladbrokes said of the latest odds: “Chris McCausland seems to be running away with the competition this year after he extended his lead at the head of the Strictly betting.
“Tasha is his main rival as things stand, but punters only see one winner.”
Chris and Dianne safely made it through to Halloween Week this weekend.
3 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on I grew up living in a ‘rough’ council house – now I make seven figures a year and take my wife on SIX holidays a year
A MAN who grew up living in a “rough” council house and later became a millionaire explains how he manages to take his wife on six holidays a year.
Karl Hudson, 33, from Newcastle, sometimes works 18-hour days and is such a workaholic he even took his laptop on his honeymoon.
Karl Hudson, 33, from Newcastle, is a millionaire and credits his ambition to growing up in a council house in a ‘rough area’Jam Press/Karl HudsonJam Press/Karl HudsonHe regularly holidays with his wife Charlotte who works for his website[/caption]
Jam Press/Karl HudsonThe two enjoy a lavish life of luxury but Karl admits he’s always working – even when away[/caption]
The entrepreneur built his SEO successful business by launching a website from his parents’ bedroom.
He created Searcharoo back in 2008 and has been “involved with multiple businesses to help investors get their websites ranked.”
Karl, a proud Geordie who still lives in his home town, lives in a £350,000 house with their two Yorkshire Terriers with wife Charlotte, also 33.
The Geordie credits his ambition to “growing up in a rough area in a council home”.
Karl said: “Despite the area we lived in, I had a great upbringing and my SEO journey actually started in that house.
“My dad, who worked as a life coach, needed help with designing a website and with 14-year-old me being a big fan of computer games, he called on me for some help.
“Back in those days it was a lot of trial and error, with a big emphasis on error – it was the perfect way to learn.”
He also said that when he started his career he “didn’t need much in terms of financial backing”.
Karl said: “When I started SEO, it was hugely different [to how it is now].
“You were capable of just spamming and things would rank, the trickiest part is all of the algorithm changes and trying to test what is working, because Google doesn’t tell you.
Ex-homeless man who runs a multi-million pound property business
By Louisa Gregson
A MAN who found himself homeless and living in his car as a teenager now owns a thriving business worth £5million helping other people to buy homes easily.
Kieran Witt, 31, is one of seven and when there was no space left for him in the three bed council house he shared with his single mum and six siblings he was forced to move out and sofa surf with friends.
His ordeal trying for years to get a roof over his head led him to set up a business making the process of home buying easier and it now has a valuation of £5 million.
Kieran says. “We were quite a poor family. I’m the eldest of seven siblings.
“My mum never worked and we were on benefits. We were in a small three bed council house and there’s rules around teenagers sharing bedrooms with young kids. And you can’t have mixed gender sharing.
“That forced the situation where I needed to move out of the property.”
Seventeen-year-old Kieran was in his first year of college studying for his A levels and despite having a part time job, he did not have the means to pay rent.
“So networking with other people, testing and sharing ideas, is what I’ve done for many years to help give me the edge, which has definitely helped contribute to my success.”
The couple live in a and are travelling in Australia and Bali during a four-week honeymoon, following their wedding in July this year.
While Karl reinvests much of his earnings, he occasionally likes to treat himself to fun toys, too – his latest purchase is a £35,000 Ford Ranger Wildtrak, while his wife drives a £55,000 BMW X5, which the entrepreneur paid for.
His success grew through various investments and agencies, as well as the entrepreneur’s own personal website.
The 33-year-old lives a luxury lifestyle but admits his career takes a toll on his marriage because he can never really switch off.
Karl said: “We’ve had six holidays in this year alone – visiting places such as Thailand, Poland, Vietnam, Spain and the Philippines.
But the work doesn’t stop. If I have to jump on the laptop while we’re out there, then I’m going to do it because that money means the next trip will be even better.
“My work allows us to have the finer things in life, which she definitely enjoys. I’ll never change.”
“My constant working can cause issues and arguments,” said Karl, who got married earlier this summer.
“My wife knows that I can get absorbed in the job but that this is a sacrifice we have to make to live the life we now have.”
Karl says extreme dedication is necessary for anyone who wants to succeed in business.
While he has been with Charlotte for the past eight years as a partner, he’s also her employer – she’s a content manager at Searcharoo.
Karl believes his financial success is down to his resilience, something he thinks today’s generation struggle with.
He said: “I’ve had some days in my career where I’ve been working for 18 hours straight but it doesn’t phase me.
“I find it impossible to switch off as I love what I do. I’m not one to flash the cash, though – I’m actually quite a reserved person.
“The harder you work the more you get. Unfortunately, with how easy technology has made everything, I fear that the younger generation has lost that fire.
“Gen Z expects everything to be handed to them but that’s not the real world – I’ve got out exactly what I’ve put in.
“Younger lads wouldn’t dream of working on holiday but if they want a life like mine, it’s part of the grind.”
Jam Press/Karl HudsonKarl has visited six countries this year including Thailand, Poland, Vietnam, Spain and the Philippines.[/caption]
3 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Motoring expert shares hacks to fix up your car using household goods – from toothpaste to potatoes
A MOTORING expert has unlocked her hacks to fix up a car using household goods – and they’re so simple anyone can try them.
The car fanatic has demonstrated how easy it is with one video having received over 1.6 million views and you won’t believe the items she suggests.
Jam Press Vid/@driver_ms_mayMay demonstrates car maintenance hacks and people’s reactions have been varied[/caption]
Jam Press Vid/@driver_ms_mayMay lines up the household items that anyone could use to attempt to car hacks[/caption]
Jam Press Vid/@driver_ms_mayShe goes through step-by-step to show how each item could fix common problems[/caption]
Going by the name of ‘Driver Ms May’ online, she presents seemingly magic fixes for common vehicle issues and in one particular viral video she even uses a tube of toothpaste.
May claims that the product can tackle scratches.
She spreads some onto a car and then uses a towel to wipe the area back and forth a few times.
And the scratch magically disappears.
The white metalwork appears to be restored and back to looking brand new.
According to May, toothpaste actually has three different uses when it comes to cars.
In the clip, she can be heard saying: “Why do one billion experienced drivers keep toothpaste in their cars?
“Because toothpaste has three functions.
“It is very practical.”
She reveals that the teeth cleaning product can also used on rainy days, to be smeared on the wing mirrors to prevent water droplets forming.
For the third hack, she applies a small amount to the wiper blades and claims that this will help aged wipers to scrape the glass clean.
In another clip shared recently, which has over 760,000 views, May, who is from China, shows some other items that can be useful.
This includes a potato cut in half to prevent water droplets on the wing mirrors in wet weather.
“In fact, it [the car] is most afraid of potatoes.
“We just need to wipe potatoes on the rear view mirror a few times.
“There will be no more water droplets.”
May also pointed out that a car’s headlights can start to turn black and yellow with age.
To solve this, she recommends pouring cola over the area and then soaking it in beer, before wiping it with a towel.
Jam Press Vid/@driver_ms_mayShe claims that billions of people around the world keep a tube of toothpaste in their car due to its ability to fix multiple problems[/caption]
Jam Press Vid/@driver_ms_mayShe goes on to describe how beer and cola can even be used but others have argued that her suggestions waste the beverages[/caption]
Sharing her final hack, she added: “In addition, when we open and close the car door, the car door has a creaking sound.
“It is most afraid of soap.
“Let’s put the soap on the limiter and wipe it back and forth a few times.
“The abnormal sound will disappear.”
A few viewers were unsure of May’s suggestions, as reported by Luxury Auto News.
One person commented: “The last one makes me uncomfortable for no reason.”
Another viewer added: “Not gonna waste beer for some headlights.”
“We are just wasting food and products,” said a third user.”
Mario added: “White paste on white car, obvious. Try it on a black car?”
Others were grateful for the tips and enjoyed her unique recommendations.
Ella said: “Awesome.”
Someone else wrote: “I don’t have a car but this is so satisfying that I followed.”
“Thanks May, it was useful,” added Reza.
Another viewer said: “So toothpaste can clean car scratches but not my teeth.”
Jam Press Vid/@driver_ms_mayMay’s videos have received thousands and in some cases millions of views[/caption]
Jam Press Vid/@driver_ms_mayShe even suggests that a car is most afraid of a potato before smearing one along a rear view mirror[/caption]
Jam Press Vid/@driver_ms_mayShe claims the hacks are cost effective and so can be used by anyone hoping to achieve similar results[/caption]
Freelance copywriting involves writing compelling and persuasive content or “copy” for businesses.
This could include writing for websites, blogs, marketing emails, or any other materials that require engaging text to convince people to buy products or services.
Copywriting is an in-demand skill because businesses everywhere need effective copy to reach their audiences.
According to TikToker Wanda Njimi (@wandanjimi), there’s a shortage of talented copywriters in the market.
In the clip, Wanda recommends utilizing YouTube to familiarize yourself with the basics.
There are then three ways you can start filling your pockets.
GETTING STARTED
Users can create a free profile on Upwork, a popular freelancing platform, and search for copywriting jobs.
There are plenty of opportunities available, and you can start applying as soon as you set up your profile.
They can also search for copywriting groups on Facebook and join as many as possible.
These groups often post job positions, allowing people to apply directly by following the instructions provided.
It’s also smart to keep an eye on opportunities posted by other freelancers or businesses on social media.
Wanda, for example, shares job opportunities on his Instagram stories, so following his and others in the field can help you stay informed.
Freelance copywriting can be an accessible and profitable side hustle for anyone, from high school students to university graduates or those seeking employment.
With the right skills and a proactive approach to finding clients, you could soon turn your writing talent into a steady income stream.
If this side hustle isn’t for you, there are plenty of others to try.
The simplest way to earn money is by partnering with a brand as an Instagram influencer.
Side hustles and tax implications
Extra income you make from side hustles may need to be reported to the IRS.
If you receive more than $600 in gross payouts from a selling platform like eBay, the site will issue you a Form 1099-K to use in your tax return.
Individuals should calculate their adjusted gross income, taxable earnings, and deductions for the year.
Once they have that, they can use the 1040-ES form to calculate estimated taxes.
They send you products to test out and review in your posts and in exchange they’ll pay you a fee.
You must have a minimum of 1,000 followers to become an influencer and the more followers, the bigger the fee.
You’re followers also need to engage with your posts, as this also affects how much you
Good for your wallet and for the world, reselling unwanted items such as clothes or children’s toys is increasingly popular.
There are plenty of apps and websites that make it super easy to sell your items online by finding potential buyers for you and handling a lot of the shipping process.
Each platform and app offers something slightly different, so it can be a good idea to try a few out until you find one that works for you.
The biggest and the most established platforms are eBay and Amazon.
Both have massive reach, though Amazon’s Marketplace tends to appeal mostly to small businesses.
Some side hustlers scour thrift shops for cheap items they then sell on for a profit.
Generally speaking, there’s no limit on how much you can earn from reselling but the more expensive and in demand the item, the bigger the profit.
Secondhand designer handbags can go for hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds.
3 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on ‘Squid Game: The Challenge,’ ‘The Traitors’ Earn Studio Lambert International Format Awards Wins
The U.K.'s Screendog Productions won in the factual entertainment category for drama-factual format 'The Jury: Murder Trial,' which aired on Channel 4.
3 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on LGBTQ+ Filmmakers, Activists Address How Hollywood Can Confront the Current Moment at NewFest36
A collection of voices across art and politics took part in a conversation about how storytelling and social media can help respond to anti-LGBTQ+ backlash.
