PARENTS are rushing to pick up Aldi’s brand-new chocolate pancakes – that taste just like Nutella.

The pancakes, which contain Nutoka chocolate chips, Aldi‘s Nutella dupe, come in servings of four, and sell for £1.49 in the bakery section.

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A picture of the breakfast item was posted on the Newfoodsuk Facebook group, and quickly wracked up more than 500 reacts and comments.

One commenter wrote: “I need these.”

Another said: “These look good”.

A third tagged another user, saying: “Think we need some of these x”.

Several others were excited to get the pancakes for their children, with one saying: “The kids would love these.”

On the Instagram account John’s Snack Reviews, the item received a respectable six out of ten rating, with the poster praising the “chocolate quality”.

It comes as another new chocolatey treat, Cadbury’s Fuse Mini Treats, hit supermarket shelves.

Chocoholics were sent into a frenzy over the launch, having feared the classic Fuse bar was “extinct”.

Meanwhile, B&M shoppers went wild for a new twist on the Dream bar.

And customers raved about a new type of M&M – the Candy Popcorn M&M Minis.

Nestle has also added a new chocolate to its Quality Street “Favourites Golden Selection” pouch: the Toffee Penny.

But in sad news for chocoholic vegans, Aldi has axed its popular Moser Roth Vegan Blond chocolate.

How to save money on chocolate

We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

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Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

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So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.

GREENERY in your home can help improve the air quality, not to mention your mood.

But if you have splashed out on indoor plants, the last thing you want is for them to then wither and die.

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Here’s how to keep your shrubs flourishing . . . 

PERK UP: Tea and coffee gives us a boost — but it can also revive greenery.

Nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus are among the nutrients in old coffee grounds that can help plants to grow while tannic acid in tea leaves also has benefits.

Adding these occasionally to soil can act as a fertiliser but it’s best to do this in moderation — just a couple of spoonfuls of grounds or leaves every couple of months or so is enough.

WASTE NOT: You can also use other kitchen scraps to nourish soil. Elise Harlock, brand manager at florist Prestige Flowers, said: “Banana skins are a fantastic, simple way to enrich your soil.

They decompose quickly and provide essential nutrients.

“Or try crushing leftover eggshells and sprinkle them around your plants. They are rich in calcium, which is vital for plant cell walls.”

POT LUCK: It may be easier to keep your plant in the pot it came in, but if it is too small it could cause issues.

You ideally need a pot that gives its roots room to grow.

Ikea has a really lovely range of plant pots with prices starting from just £1.50.

HOT TIPS: Try to keep your plants in a place where there are no big fluctuations in temperature.

So avoid putting them near to any radiators where it can get hot, or windows where it can get very chilly at night.

WATER TIGHT: Try to strike a balance between under or over-watering your plant.

A pot with drainage can help to avoid drowning your greenery with too much water.

You can also help nutrient absorption and boost plant health by dissolving a teaspoon of Epsom salts in one litre of water and using it on plants once a month, Elise says.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability

Deal of the day

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SPOOK your neighbours with this “family” of inflatable pumpkins, which make the perfect Halloween decoration.

It costs less than 1p an hour to run and is down from £50 to £35 at Homebase.

SAVE: £15

Cheap treat

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SWEETEN up breakfast time with a bowl of Inventure S’mores cereal, featuring chocolate, marshmallow and crunchy crackers, £2.50, from Morrisons.

What’s new?

POUNDLAND has released a new rewards programme through its new app Poundland Perks.

Customers can snap up more than 100 offers through the scheme, plus earn points, which can be exchanged for digital reward vouchers.

Top swap

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STAY toasty with The North Face 100 glacier zip fleece, £75, from John Lewis.

Or keep the chills away and save a few pounds into the bargain with Lidl’s Rocktrail fleece jacket, £7.99, in stores now.

SAVE: £67.01

Little helper

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VAMP up your lunchtime with Ginsters’ limited-edition spicy sausage and red pepper pasty, £1.25, from Sainsbury’s with a Nectar card or £1.95 without.

Shop & save

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YOUR morning cuppa will be even better out of this flamingo mug, which is down from £5 to £3.50 at Flying Tiger.

SAVE: £1.50

Hot right now

VIRGIN Media O2 customers can get up to a third off train travel with a £10 railcard until November 9. The rail-card is usually £30.

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

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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 more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!

The U.S. housing market is grappling with significant challenges, as existing home sales in September plunged to a 14-year low. High mortgage rates and escalating home prices are causing many potential buyers to remain on the sidelines, waiting for more favorable conditions before making a purchase. This situation not only affects individuals looking to buy homes but also has broader implications for the economy as a whole.

Key Highlights

In September, U.S. existing home sales fell by 1.0%, resulting in a seasonally adjusted annual sales rate of 3.84 million units—the lowest level since October 2010. This decline fell short of economists’ expectations, which had forecasted a steady rate of 3.86 million units. Adding to the challenge, home prices have surged, climbing 3% year-over-year to a median of $404,500.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that first-time homebuyers now represent only 26% of the market, significantly lower than the 40% threshold typically needed for a healthy recovery in the housing sector. This decline in first-time buyers is particularly concerning, as they are often viewed as the backbone of a robust real estate market.

Declining Sales Amidst Rising Rates

The 1.0% decline in home sales reflects a broader trend, with sales down 3.5% compared to the same time last year. The ongoing increase in mortgage rates, which surged earlier this year, has left many prospective buyers hesitant. Although there was a brief dip in rates following the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut last month, recent strong economic indicators, including rising retail sales and robust job growth, have prompted a resurgence in rates.

Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist, emphasized that the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming U.S. presidential election on November 5 is also likely contributing to buyer hesitation. While there is no concrete evidence linking the election to immediate buyer decisions, significant financial commitments like purchasing a home are often postponed during politically uncertain times. This added layer of uncertainty can lead to more cautious behavior among potential buyers, ultimately impacting the overall housing market.

Related: Trump’s Proposed Tax Plan: Income Tax Exemptions and Economic Impact

Housing Inventory and Prices

Despite the sluggish demand, housing inventory saw a 1.5% increase in September, bringing the total inventory to 1.39 million units—the highest level since October 2020. This increase marks a 23% rise compared to a year ago, providing consumers with more options in a constrained market. However, even with this increase in inventory, home prices remain elevated, with the median home price rising 3.0% year-over-year.

At the current sales rate, it would take 4.3 months to sell the existing home inventory, an increase from 3.4 months a year ago. This inventory level is approaching the four-to-seven-month range that is generally considered healthy for maintaining a balance between supply and demand in the housing market. A balanced market is crucial for ensuring that both buyers and sellers can engage in transactions without extreme pressure on pricing.

Market Trends

September saw homes on the market for an average of 28 days, compared to 21 days the previous year. This increase suggests that homes are taking longer to sell, which may indicate that buyers are being more selective due to high prices and interest rates. First-time buyers represented only 26% of total purchases, a slight drop from 27% the previous year. This decline is troubling, as a healthy housing market typically relies on a steady influx of first-time buyers to stimulate demand.

On the flip side, all-cash transactions made up 30% of sales, a small increase from 29% last year. This trend suggests that wealthier buyers are more capable of navigating the current market conditions, which is further alienating entry-level buyers who may need financing options. Meanwhile, distressed sales continue to be low at just 2%, indicating that homeowners are generally in a stable position and not forced to sell at discounted prices.

Outlook for Potential Buyers

The outlook for the housing market remains challenging as high mortgage rates and elevated home prices continue to discourage buyer enthusiasm. For potential buyers, navigating the current landscape requires a strategic approach. Here are some key considerations:

1. Patience is Key
For buyers hoping for a dip in mortgage rates, patience may be necessary. Many analysts predict that rates will stabilize in the coming months, providing opportunities for those willing to wait.

2. Exploring Alternative Financing Options
First-time buyers should consider exploring alternative financing options, such as government-backed loans or adjustable-rate mortgages, which may offer lower initial rates.

3. Assessing Market Timing
With the housing market currently in flux, buyers may benefit from keeping a close eye on market trends. Understanding local market dynamics can help buyers make informed decisions about when to enter the market.

4. Utilizing Professional Guidance
Engaging with real estate professionals who are knowledgeable about current market conditions can provide valuable insights. These experts can help navigate the complexities of buying a home in a challenging environment.

Broader Economic Implications

The challenges facing the housing market extend beyond individual buyers and sellers; they also have broader implications for the U.S. economy. The housing market is a significant driver of economic activity, contributing to job creation, consumer spending, and overall economic growth.

As home sales decline, related sectors such as construction, home improvement, and consumer goods may also experience slowdowns. Additionally, a stagnant housing market can impact consumer confidence, as many individuals view homeownership as a key indicator of financial stability.

Related: 2025 Federal Income Tax Brackets: Key Changes and What They Mean for You

Thoughts

In summary, the U.S. housing market is currently facing significant headwinds, with high mortgage rates and rising home prices creating a challenging environment for potential buyers. While inventory levels are improving, they have yet to result in substantial price reductions. Until mortgage rates show a consistent decline, the market outlook appears cautious.

For consumers considering entering the housing market, the path forward may require strategic planning, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt to evolving conditions. As the market continues to adjust, opportunities may arise for those prepared to act when the timing is right.

A SIMPLE £1 coin found by a shopkeeper has fetched a whopping £1,250 at auction.

Diane Bath, 62, discovered the rare coin on September 16 when loading change into the till at the post office where she worked.

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The batch of King Charles 2023 £1 coins had been delivered straight from the Royal Mint.

But Diane and her colleague quickly realised that it looked “unusual”.

It turned out the coin had an ultra-rare, never-seen-before error – it had accidentally been produced in the wrong metal.

The yellow-coloured £1 was brass, rather than the usual two-tone nickel.

After consulting expert, Diane was told it could fetch a huge £600 at auction – 600 times its usual value.

But, after taking the coin to an auction at Ryedale Auctioneers in Yorkshire on October 18, Diane was met with yet another shock, as it ended up selling for more than twice its estimated worth – at £1,250.

The ecstatic Diane said: “The first bid came in at £400 then it just kept shooting up to £500 then £570.

“Finally, it was a lady on the phone who placed the winning bid for £1,250.

“Everybody clapped and it was such an exciting day.

“We’re thrilled to bits that it’s gone to someone who really wants it.”

It comes as a bag of rare 50p coins was sold for an enormous £17,000 at auction, following a bidding war.

And a £2 coin with a Captain James Cook design sold for £57 on eBay.

How to spot rare coins and banknotes

Rare coins and notes hiding down the back of your sofa could sell for hundreds of pounds.

If you are lucky enough to find a rare £10 note you might be able to sell it for multiple times its face value.

You can spot rare notes by keeping an eye out for the serial numbers.

These numbers can be found on the side with the Monarch’s face, just under the value £10 in the corner of the note.

Also if you have a serial number on your note that is quite quirky you could cash in thousands.

For example, one seller bagged £3,600 after spotting a specific serial number relating to the year Jane Austen was born on one of their notes.

You can check if your notes are worth anything on eBay, just tick “completed and sold items” and filter by the highest value.

It will give you an idea of what people are willing to pay for some notes.

But do bear in mind that yours is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.

This is also the case for coins, you can determine how rare your coin is by looking a the latest scarcity index.

The next step is to take a look at what has been recently sold on eBay.

Experts from Change Checker recommend looking at “sold listings” to be sure that the coin has sold for the specified amount rather than just been listed.

Blogging has become a great avenue for generating passive income, but success requires both creativity and strategy. A strong foundation—technically and creatively—can make all the difference in long-term success. This guide walks you through the steps to build a blog that provides a steady income stream, including deciding whether to do things yourself or hire professionals.

Choose Your Niche

Start by selecting a niche that interests you and offers market potential. Popular niches such as personal finance, health, or travel have proven to be highly lucrative. Research your target audience, look for content gaps in existing blogs, and focus on topics that can sustain long-term engagement.

Set Up Your Blog

Setting up your blog is the next important step. You can go the DIY route by using website builders like WordPress or Squarespace, but this may take more time and effort. Opting for self-hosting offers greater flexibility for monetizationand control over your site. For those looking to save costs, many tutorials online can guide you through setup, but it might take longer if you’re unfamiliar with technical aspects. A professionally built blog, however, can be optimized from the start, making it more efficient and polished.

Create Valuable Content

The content you produce is the core of your blog. Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a writer, the focus should be on quality. High-quality, SEO-optimized posts are essential to ranking well on search engines, attracting traffic, and building trust with your audience. If writing isn’t your strong suit or you lack time, ghostwriters can take this load off your shoulders while maintaining a consistent content stream.

Grow Your Audience

Building a blog audience is vital for passive income success. If you’re handling this yourself, SEO, social media marketing, and guest blogging will become part of your routine. Promoting your blog can be time-consuming, but with dedication, it’s achievable without professional help. For quicker results, you can invest in professional SEO and marketing services to expand your blog’s visibility more rapidly.

Monetize Your Blog

Monetizing your blog involves leveraging various income streams. Affiliate marketing allows you to promote products and earn commissions on sales. Display ads generate passive income through impressions or clicks. Sponsored content partnerships with brands can bring in additional revenue while creating and selling digital products, such as e-books or online courses, and offer more direct income opportunities.

Scale Your Blog for Passive Income

As your blog grows, scaling becomes crucial for maximizing your revenue. If you’ve done everything DIY, you’ll need to optimize your content and experiment with different income streams consistently. This may take more time, but it can also save you money. Alternatively, hiring a developer or marketer can help you scale faster by implementing automated tools, refining SEO, or managing ad placements.

Doing It Yourself

For those on a budget, doing everything yourself—from setting up your blog to creating content and handling design—can be a cost-effective way to start. There are countless resources, tutorials, and free tools available that can help you learn the ropes. However, this approach requires time and patience. You may need to spend hours researching how to optimize your site, learn about SEO, and produce content that resonates with your target audience. While this approach can save you money in the beginning, it could also delay the time it takes for your blog to generate passive income.

DIY can be especially beneficial in areas where you have expertise. If you’re confident in your writing, for example, producing your own content can ensure authenticity and save costs. If you enjoy learning about website development, setting up your site from scratch allows for full creative control. However, for those with limited time or who want to accelerate their blog’s success, outsourcing specific tasks can provide better efficiency and professional quality, allowing you to focus on growing your blog.

Hiring a Professional

On the other hand, hiring professionals can fast-track your blog’s success. A professional web developer can create a well-designed, functional site optimized for user experience and search engines. Professional designers ensure your blog has a cohesive and engaging aesthetic, which can set you apart in a competitive market. Hiring UK ghostwriters will help you keep up with the content demands, ensuring your blog stays active and engaging without overburdening you.

Together, hiring professionals for website development, design, and content creation can streamline your blogging efforts, allowing you to focus on growing your audience and income without burning out.

Conclusion

Blogging for passive income is achievable through a combination of strategy, consistency, and technical expertise. Whether you decide to manage your blog yourself or hire professionals for support, the key is finding the right balance between time, budget, and quality. With the right foundation, you can create a blog that generates sustained passive income, allowing you to focus on other projects while your blog works for you.

Interlinking

–        https://www.finance-monthly.com/2022/07/how-to-use-software-to-improve-the-way-your-business-works/anchor if you’re on a tight budget

PRIMARK has just made Christmas shopping a whole lot easier as shoppers can now use the Click & Collect service in 24 additional stores across the UK.

This latest expansion means the service is now available in a total of 81 stores nationwide, just in time for the busy festive season.

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Shoppers can now order from Primark’s biggest-ever Click & Collect range, which includes popular items from its women’s, men’s, kids’ clothing, and homeware collections.

Orders can be placed online via the Primark website and picked up in-store at a convenient time.

This nationwide rollout forms part of Primark’s ongoing expansion of Click & Collect, with even more stores set to offer the service before Christmas.

Kari Rodgers, Primark’s UK Retail Director, said: “Our Click & Collect service has proved really popular, so we’re excited to roll it out even further.

“It means shoppers can easily order their items from home and pick them up at a time to suit them, and it’s a great way to make Christmas shopping a little easier this year.”

The expansion comes as Primark celebrates 50 years of serving British shoppers, having first opened its doors in Derby in 1974.

The retailer now operates 185 stores across Great Britain.

Here are the 24 stores where Click & Collect launched today:

• Birmingham (High Street and Fort Parkway, The Fort Shopping Centre)
• Coventry, Broadgate
• Wolverhampton, Wulfrun Square
• Dudley, Merry Hill Shopping Centre
• Rotherham, Parkgate Shopping Centre
• Barnsley, The Alhambra Shopping Centre
• Wakefield, The Ridings Shopping Centre
• Derby, Cornmarket
• Doncaster, Market Place
• Chesterfield, Market Place
• Bradford, The Broadway
• Leicester (Haymarket Shopping Centre and Fosse Park Shopping Centre)
• Rushden, Rushden Lakes Retail Park
• Loughborough, Market Place
• Oxford, The Westgate
• Leeds (White Rose Shopping Centre and Trinity, Albion Street)
• Shrewsbury, Darwin Shopping Centre
• Telford, The Telford Centre
• Tamworth, Ventura Retail Park
• Burton On Trent, Coopers Square Shopping Centre
• Redditch, Kingfisher Shopping Centre

With more stores set to join the Click & Collect offering before the end of the year, Primark is aiming to make holiday shopping simpler and more convenient for its customers.

It comes as Primark fans are racing to the fast-fashion store this Halloween to pick up boo basket essentials.

Spooky season is now in full swing, and many of us will using this time to share seasonal gifts with our loved ones.

Among the treats on offer is a cosy checkered blanket priced at £16.

A boo basket is a Halloween themed basket of treats, given to a partner of loved one in October.

Primark also has the perfect festive dress and fashion fans have compared it to the more expensive House of CB brand.

The stunning little black dress was shared on social media by Laura Ward, and shoppers are already predicting it’s going to sell out.

Although it won’t hit the shelves until the end of November as part of Rita Ora‘s latest collection, which will be priced at £20, is one to look out for.

Other shoppers said they had spotted similar designs in other high street shops, including Oh Polly, Quiz and Rare London – although they might not be quite as cheap as the Primark version.

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