Last week you joined us in London for Money Marketing Interactive London and what a day it was!

A huge thank you to all our incredible delegates. Your energy and participation made this year’s conference unforgettable. We’re excited to see how you’ll take the knowledge shared and continue shaping the future of financial advice.

AS temperatures drop, many homeowners will be starting to notice condensation gathering on window sills and surfaces around their homes.

Condensation can lead to stubborn mould growing in your home, which is an expensive problem to get rid of if left untreated and is also bad for your health.

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But some houseplants can act as natural dehumidifiers by absorbing this moisture – and even better, they are cheap to buy and have no running cost.

Plants that are great at tackling humid environments include Snake Plants, Peace Lilies, Orchids, English Ivy and Bamboo Palms.

These plants absorb water from their surroundings through their leaves and release the moisture back out through transpiration.

They also improve the quality and smell of the air in your home by removing airborne mould spores.

An English ivy plant costs just £3.99 from Gardening Express.

Comparatively, it costs £120 at Dunelm for a 12L electrical dehumidifier which plugs into the wall, and these typically cost about 4p an hour to run.

While that may not sound much, if you were running this for just two hours a day, you would spend almost £2.50 a month.

Remember to compare prices by visiting local hardware stores and garden centres and asking a member of staff what’s on offer.

You can also do this online by browsing different retailers and viewing their “cheapest items first” using the “sort by” tool.

And when you have one plant you can make multiple cuttings from it and grow more in separate pots for free.

You could even ask a friend if you could take a cutting of their plant so you don’t need to spend anything at all.

The more plants, the better, as this means more moisture will be soaked up and the air will be fresher, so there is less chance of mould developing.

However, keep in mind that not all plants thrive in a humid atmosphere, so you should double check the

Here are some low-cost plants which will make your home beautiful and fix your condensation problem.

English Ivy

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English Ivy is a poisonous plant that should be kept away from animals in your home.

However, its also rated as one of the best plants around when it comes to acting as a natural dehumidifier.

English Ivy grow best in bright light and the soil should be kept moist.

A great way to optimise its ability for air purification while keeping it healthy is to place it in a hanging pot.

This way, it’s also out of reach.

You can buy English Ivy for as little as £3.99 from Gardening Express or £5.99 from Waitrose.

Peace Lily

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Peace lillies are also poisonous, like English Ivy, but they can also be great helpers with soaking up moisture in your home.

They grow well in high humidity areas with lots of shade such as your bathroom.

They should be kept away from pets because of their toxicity – so keep yours on a window sill where it is out of reach.

You can buy the plant for £6 in B&Q and £5 in Homebase.

Bamboo Palm

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Palm plants such as Bamboo Palms are great at absorbing moisture and keeping mould at bay.

They can grow as tall as three metres, meaning they are great for purifying any airborne nasties in your home.

Bamboo palms cost £14.99 in B&Q.

Other palm plants include Areca Palms, Lady Palms, Dwarf Date Palms and Reed Palms.

You can buy an Areca Palm for £12 from Gardening Express.

Snake Plant

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Snake plants grow best in areas with low light or without a window – which means they’re ideal for places like the bathroom which are prone to getting damp.

You can buy one from B&Q for £14.99 or even cheaper at Homebase for £10.

Orchid

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Orchids aren’t just pretty to have around the house – they also work hard to keep air clean and healthy.

They reduce humidity in the home and require very little upkeep and maintenance on your end.

You can purchase an orchid for £10 in B&Q or £9 in Ikea.

The cheapest offer around is at Homebase where they are currently reduced from £11 to £5.50.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

In your 20s, setting solid financial goals can lay the groundwork for long-term financial success. A little time spent planning can help you avoid a lot of money woes both now and in the future. So, what are the 5 financial mistakes to avoid in your 20s? Read on.

How to Avoid Financial Mistakes in Your 20s

Mistake 1  – Not Having an Emergency Fund – How Much Money Should You Save by 30?

One of the biggest financial mistakes is not having savings to fall back on. Aim to have 3-6 months of living expenses saved to protect yourself from unexpected costs.

Having an emergency fund is key to financial planning and the minimum you should aim for in terms of savings. Think about having 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses to cover you if you change jobs, get made redundant, or have a hefty bill to pay.

Set a monthly savings goal and ask: How much money should I have saved by 30? Well, if you’re wondering, the average for the UK is around £3748.

If you’d like to see how you stack up and compare to other people, your age in terms of savings, check out our Average savings article based on Age. If you can create a savings pot now in your 20s, you’ll form the habit for life, which is great news as life has a way of throwing curve balls at you.

Mistake 2 – Making Minimum Payments Only – How to Pay Off Debt in Your 20s

Paying only the minimum on credit cards or loans increases the amount of interest you’ll pay. In your 20s, focus on paying more than the minimum to reduce debt faster and save on interest.

Credit cards have notoriously high interest rates when you flip over to their standard rate, and managing debt effectively is crucial. Your debt can build up quickly, especially if you use it for big purchases. If you are not good at keeping track of this and not good at managing credit card debt and switching your card to a new lower rate, then pay off the debt as soon as you can and ideally always more than the minimum payment. Student loans are another source of debt, and while they have much lower rates than standard credit card rates, you should look to pay them off as soon as you can to avoid long-term interest payments.

Mistake 3: Neglecting Investments – Start Investing in Your 20s to Grow Wealth

Starting to invest early is key to growing wealth. Learn how the power of compound interest can help your money grow exponentially when you invest in your 20s.

So, what is the best way to start investing in your 20s? That’s easy to answer – just start, but start now; the sooner, the better. If you haven’t heard of compound interest and how powerful it can be to make money over time, then check out our article on compound interest and the compound interest calculator. Simply put, the sooner you start investing and saving, the better; this is a huge advantage of being in your 20s compared to someone in their 30s or 40s. There are lots of low-risk options on how to save money in your 20s, whether it’s a high-interest saving account with your bank or investing in an ETF such as the FTSE100 ( the hundred biggest UK companies bunched together, so your risk is diversified). How much should you invest?– well, if you can invest 10% of your income a month, it’s a great start. But if you can only invest £10 a month, this is also a great start – just be sure to increase it over time, such as when you get a pay rise.

Mistake 4 – Not Using a Budget – Budgeting Tips for Your 20s

Budgeting is essential to keep track of your income and expenses. Set up a budget and stick to it to avoid debt and save more money each month.

Learning how to budget in your 20s is another key life skill. Get into the habit of budgeting your monthly/weekly income. There are lots of budgeting apps to help you do this. Or go old school and put physical money away – the envelope system. Don’t get to the end of the month and go into your overdraft – this is bad news and difficult to get out of because of the high interest your bank will charge. Think about an amount for supermarket shopping, going out, hobbies, bills, rent, etc. Budgeting in your 20s can be tough with so much stuff to tempt you, but remain laser-focused and reap the rewards.

Mistake 5 – Ignoring Debt – How to Build a Good Credit Score in Your 20s

Ignoring debt can damage your credit score. Instead, tackle it head-on by setting up a repayment plan and working with creditors to manage what you owe.

Learning how to pay off debt in your 20s can be a real game-changer and can set you up for life. If you do get into debt, then deal with it head-on. Call your bank or credit provider and agree on terms to pay it back, they are more understanding than you might think and don’t forget, if you are struggling to manage your debt, there are plenty of official Government resources that can help

www.gov.uk/options-for-dealing-with-your-debts 

or Citizens Advice – www.citizensadvice.org.uk

You may ask yourself – How Can I improve my credit score? There are several ways of doing this – You can start by taking manageable and affordable credit like a credit card or a small bank loan and then paying the credit owed on time each month and ideally paying the credit off in full and start the process again. Other more surprising ways to improve your credit score are not moving home too often – trying to stay in one place for more than 3 years, and lastly, make sure you are on the electoral register www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Improving your credit score is critical in your 20s and beyond. So, what is a good credit score? Well, according to Experian, is between 881 and 960. One example of why a good credit score is important is when you come to get a mortgage – a person with a bad credit score will always be charged more interest by the lender than someone with a good credit score. Companies like Experian offer free credit score checks if you’re wondering.

What financial mistakes did you make in your 20s, or what advice would you give to someone just starting out? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The majority of people want social media platforms to introduce a verification system for influencers who promote financial content, a study from Barclays has found.

Just under three quarters (73%) of the 2,011 surveyed believe it is needed.

The study found 51% of Brits who use social media for investment guidance are putting their money at risk by not always carrying out checks to verify the reliability of ‘finfluencers’ and their content.

Overall, 23% of Brits are turning to social media, community messaging apps and online forums for investment guidance, the research revealed.

In total, 19% said they do so because it provides them with free access to financial experts, while 26% said it is because it is quick and easy to use.

Just under a fifth (19%) said it was because the format of content is easy to digest.

This trend is higher among the younger generations, with 37% using these channels for investment support.

TikTok is the most popular platform among Gen Z (46% of 18-24-year-olds), while Millennials (aged 25-44) and Gen X (45-54) prefer Facebook.

Despite this, 39% of 18-24-year-olds said they feel unsafe on social media due to the prevalence of scams.

When asked what would improve confidence in the investment content shared by social media influencers, “better understanding of risk was key”.

Of those who use social media to consume investment content, half said they would like more information on the potential risks involved.

Additionally, 45% said they would like more transparency on any investment mistakes finfluencers have made in the past and how they navigated them.

Barclays said it wants to see the investment industry work with the government and regulators to improve consumer support for investors.

The bank has suggested that the regulator allows banks and financial providers to suggest investment recommendations to customers on a “people like you basis”.

It has also recommended the creation of an FCA-accredited badge to help entry-level investors identify suitable products.

Barclays private bank and wealth management CEO, Sasha Wiggins, said: “The UK landscape needs to change to support and encourage savers to invest for their future.

“As more people turn to social media for investment guidance, there is clear demand for platforms to improve transparency around finfluencers’ credentials.

“This is needed to tackle the threat of investment scams and stop people acting on unsuitable guidance.”

Barclays Smart Investor director of savings and investments, Clare Francis, added: “Our research shows that a quarter of people don’t know how or where to start investing, with growing numbers turning to social media for this support.

“These platforms clearly play a positive role in making investment information more relatable, but they also come with risks.

“It can be difficult to work out which accounts are trustworthy and run by experienced financial professionals, so it’s worrying to see that half don’t carry out regular checks on finfluencers.

“This puts them at risk of making unsuitable investment decisions or even falling victim to investment scams.”

In order to obtain these results, Barclays commissioned Savanta to survey 2,011 UK adults in July 2024.

COLD Autumn nights are officially upon us, prompting many to look for ways to heat their homes on a budget.

Popping the central heating on to dry clothes or keep yourself warm can become costly, especially now Ofgem‘s latest price cap means electricity will rise by £149 a year.

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Gadgets such as heated blankets and airers can be cost-effective ways to keep your home warm without racking up a hefty bill.

This week, Aldi will be selling an array of heating products at a bargain price for shoppers.

It’s part of the German discounters ‘Special Buy’ range.

These are unique products that are sold by Aldi each Thursday and Sunday, while stocks last.

The goods are sold on a first-come, first-served basis meaning once they’re gone they’re gone.

The Sun has rounded up all the heating tools coming to Alid in just a matter of days.

However, it’s worth bearing in mind that stock may vary from store to store.

If you have your heart set on one item in particular it may be worth ringing up your local sites to avoid disappointment.

Superfoil Radiator Reflector – £9.99

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This highly reflective foil works by bouncing heat back into the room.

The reflector Aldi plans to sell claims to cut heat loss by up to 86% and comes with enough cover for three radiators.

You will need to cut the foil to fit the size of your radiator and slide the foil behind it to get the full effects.

This foil also comes with built-in adhesive strips which should make the process easier.

It will be in Aldi from October 20.

Kirkton House Fan Heater – £24.99

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An electric fan heater can be a cost-effective to keep warm as the nights get colder.

These are portable devices as well, so you could travel from room to room with this heater.

Aldi will be selling electric fan heaters to customers from October 20 as part of its Special Buy range.

They will cost £24.99 and can run at either 1000W or 2000W, meaning it costs around 22p or 45p to run an hour.

Heated Airer – £34.99

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Aldi’s heated airer is a sell-out anytime it lands in stores.

The £34.99 device comes with 18 heated bars and can hold 18kg worth of clothes.

Heated airers can save money on your energy bill as it offers a cheaper alternative to drying your clothes on the radiator.

You have to plug it in to get the heating effect from the product.

Other retailers such as Dunelm and John Lewis sell similar products but they can cost upwards of £100.

If you do not manage to get your hands on one from Aldi do not worry, as The Sun found a very similar product from Amazon for the same price.

Aldi will be selling the heated airers from Sunday, October 20.

The retailer will also be selling a larger version of the device for £74.99 on the same day.

Kirkton House Oil Filled Radiator – £29.99

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Aldi will be selling oil-filled radiators in its stores from October 20.

The device features an adjustable thermostat control with three heat settings and overheat protection.

It also comes with a built-in carry handle that allows for easy transportation around the house.

It also costs just 20p per hour to run, helping to cut costs on your energy bill.

If you do not manage to get your hands on the Aldi heater, Screw Fix is selling a similar device for £29.99.

Dehumidifier – £44.99

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Homes are at risk of developing mould over the winter because of condensation and heavy rainfall.

However, dehumidifiers can help remove dampness from your home and can prevent the growth of mould.

They can also be great for helping clothes dry quicker when placed near your airer.

This is because it can help suck the moisture of your clothes helping them dry at a faster pace.

Aldi’s dehumidifier can collect two litres of water, making it one of the smaller dehumidifiers on the market.

But it could be a cheaper alternative to pricier alternatives on the market.

For example, Argos is selling a three-litre dehumidifier for £70.

Silentnight Thermal Mattress Cover -£11.99

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Aldi will also be selling Silentnight thermal mattress covers on Thursday, October 17 for £11.99.

These sheets fit a king-size bed and add an extra three tog of warmth beneath you.

They will also be selling a smaller double-sized cover for £9.99.

The Sun looked online and found the Silentnight website is selling this product for £29 for the king and £28 for the double.

Workzone strip seal – £1.99

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The Workzone Adhesive Draught Excluder lines the gaps between your windows to prevent draughts.

Heat often escapes through breaks in the window and can drastically change the temperature of a room.

The product description reads: “This accessory is great for keeping a room warm and keeping any chilling winds outside rather than in.”

By lining the window edges and blocking any temperature transfer, you’ll be less likely to whack those radiators on.

The soft-adhesive sticks to glass and window frames, fitting gaps from 2-5mm.

How to save money at Aldi

Unlike other major grocers, Aldi does not have a rewards or point card system but that does not mean you cannot save on your shop. 

Every week the store releases a list of special buys, which are unique bargain products you find online at Aldi and in-store. 

The store releases a fresh range of deals every Thursday and Sunday, so be sure to check regularly to see what’s new. 

Meanwhile, the store also regularly sells fruit and vegetables at highly discounted prices, as part of its ‘super six’ deal.

It also does weekly saving offers on typically pricey items such as meat and fish.