SUMMER is firmly behind us but that throws up the chance to grab some major bargains.

A number of retailers have slashed prices in their end of season sales with up to 90% off.

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Shoppers can snap up planters, suitcases and even solar-powered garden lights from just 10p.

Of course, always remember if you’re considering buying any of the items below to shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

We have picked our favourites from the summer sales but there might be other retailers selling the same or similar item for less.

You can use price comparison sites like Price Spy or Trolley to find out how much one item is selling for across different websites.

The Google Shopping/Product tab is also a quick way to scan the internet to see how much a specific item is selling for.

Make sure to factor in delivery costs for items too, as this can make buying from one retailer more expensive than another.

In any case, here are our eight top picks from the end of season sales.

Homebase – Solar Company party lantern, £2 (75% off)

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Homebase is selling a solar-powered lantern for just £2 down from £8 – a 75% discount.

The light features a lattice design making it ideal for outdoor parties or gatherings where it can be hung from trees, pergolas or hooks.

Unfortunately, the lantern isn’t available to order via delivery but you can click and collect it from your local Homebase branch for free.

You can find your nearest Homebase branch by using the retailer’s store locator tool on its website.

You’ll want to be fast though as stocks are running low.

If the party lantern doesn’t take your fancy, Homebase has slashed prices on homeware, garden furniture and cleaning products.

Shoppers can get a four-drawer bathroom storage unit for £20, down from £45 or a crackle ball solar outdoor light for £2 instead of £4.50.

B&M – Planters, 10p (80% off)

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B&M shoppers are rushing to buy planters selling for 10p instead of 50p – an 80% discount.

The discounter is known for selling all kinds of bargains, not least homeware.

And shoppers in one B&M branch spotted the planters selling for just 10p each.

It’s worth bearing in mind, the planters might not be 10p at your local branch so check with staff before heading to your local store.

If you’re looking to snap up some other B&M 10p bargains, you should download the B&M scanner app for free on to your smart phone.

You can use the app to scan barcodes in-branch to find out their real price, and sometimes they are cheaper than the price tag.

Shoppers in recent months have found a Black and Decker power washer for 10p instead of £100 and street sauces for 10p too.

House of Fraser – Puma Long Sleeve Women’s T-shirt, £4 (89% off)

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House of Fraser has slashed the cost of its grey and black long-sleeve women’s T-shirts from £35 to just £4.

Bear in mind there are only XXL and XXXL sizes left.

House of Fraser has hundreds of other products included in its clearance sale, with some giant discounts to be had on men’s, women’s and kid’s fashion.

We spotted a Tommy Hilfiger Blouse on sale for £11 instead of £35 and Calvin Klein jeans for £17 instead of £55.

B&Q – La Hacienda Firepit, £40 (47% off)

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B&Q is selling a La Hacienda Firepit for £40, down from £76, ideal for social gatherings over the colder months.

The pit comes with a steel drum and oil finish and is filled with wood to create a toasty fire.

Bear in mind, B&Q shoppers keen to snap one of these up should place a separate patio slab or brick base underneath the pit as it can stain the floor.

B&Q has also slashed prices on a number of other garden, kitchen and DIY items in its clearance sale, including a cast iron chiminea from £80 to £50 and a decorating set from £30 to £17.

The Range – Mariana Single Foldable Hanging Chair, £100 (47% off)

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The Range has cut the price of its Single Foldable Hanging Chair from £190 to £100, offering shoppers 47% off.

You can also snap up a double size chair in the same style which costs £180 instead of £290 – a 38% discount.

Both chairs come with either one or two cushions and pillows and are made out of rattan resin wickers.

If the chairs don’t take your fancy, The Range has discounted dozens of other products across its garden, DIY and homeware departments.

Shoppers can get 10% off a pavilion gazebo selling for £360 instead of £400 or a rattan patio table for £40 instead of £50.

Next – Novogratz Mint Green Wibbly Wobbly Medium Mirror, £55 (63% off)

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Bag this Next mirror for £55 instead of £150 – a 63% discount.

The mint green mirror is 100cm in height, 60cm wide and 2cm deep.

If you’re after something else, Next has cut prices on a host of homeware items as well as fashion bits, including a French Connection ceiling light for £85.

There is also a Catalina metal bed frame on sale for £195 instead of £450 and a set of two tennis tea towels for £4.50 instead of £14.

Asda – Cuba Black six-piece patio set, £54.50 (50% off)

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Asda customers can bag this six-piece patio set for just £54.50 instead of £109 – that’s a 50% discount.

The set combines four folding chairs, a parasol and table with glass surface.

There is also a handy one-year guarantee on the set in case any issues arise.

Unfortunately click and collect isn’t available on this product and the delivery charge is a hefty £6.75 so bear that in mind before buying.

Asda has also cut prices on some of its other garden furniture including a metal sofa set which is scanning at £69.50 instead of £97.30.

Meanwhile, shoppers can snap up a green twirl planter for £3 instead of £6.

Plus, there are savings to be had on fashion, electricals and toys.

Dunelm – Constellation Skyline Hard Shell Suitcase, £17.50 (50% off)

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Summer might be behind us but it might be worth buying this suitcase from Dunelm for the next one.

The retailer has cut the price on its blue-coloured cabin case to £17.50 from £35.

You can also pick up a medium case for £20 instead of £40 at 50% off.

Dunelm shoppers can pick up curtains, bed sheets and mattresses for up to 50% off as well.

There is also a two-drawer Lynton bedside table on sale for £49.50 instead of £99.

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

WHAT looks like small change could actually be a small fortune if you know what to look for.

One rare 50p coin featuring a cartoon boy fetched £200 at auction late last month.

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It’s no secret that rare coins can fetch significant sums thanks to unique errors, low mintage numbers, or distinct features.

The coin in question was designed for the 2012 London Olympics as part of a Blue Peter competition.

The winning design was created by Florence Jackson, a 9-year-old from Bristol, in 2009.

Her depiction of a high jumper mid-flight was selected from an impressive 17,000 entries.

Coin enthusiasts have long been on the hunt for The Royal Mint’s Olympic 50ps.

Most of these coins were released into circulation in 2011, just before the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

There are 29 different designs to collect, each showcasing a different Olympic sport, such as Taekwondo, Wheelchair Rugby, Gymnastics, Cycling, Boxing, and Archery.

What makes this specific Blue Peter coin, recently sold at auction, particularly special is its rarity.

While over 2.2 million Blue Peter coins, also known as Athletics 50ps, were issued, the majority were minted in 2011.

These 2011-dated coins, though popular among collectors, typically aren’t worth much more than their face value.

However, the coin that fetched £200 at RWB Auctions is one of just 20,000 minted in 2009, making it an exceptionally rare find.

Jon White, founder of RWB Auctions, said: “Collectors love Olympic 50p coins but there are a few rare coins from this collection that they should watch out for.

“One example is the Athletics 50p with a 2009 date. This coin was minted a few years before the rest of the Olympic 50p coins, which were released by The Royal Mint in 2011.

“You will usually find these 2009 Athletic coins in a little card package with a Blue Peter logo on it since the design for the coin was chosen as part of a Blue Peter competition.

“Because these coins are scarce, they have been known to sell for £200 or more.”

The coin was sold on behalf of a private collector on September 25.

CHECK IF YOU HAVE A RARE COIN

Rare coins and valuable notes can be worth tens of thousands of times their face value.

But sometimes it’s just tiny differences which make them so lucrative.

The most valuable coins tend to be ones with low mintage numbers or an error.

Those qualities typically make them valuable to collectors.

Your next step would be to check if your coin is still available to purchase in superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality from an official Royal Mint distributor, according to Change Checker.

Certified Brilliant Uncirculated coins have been specially struck to a superior unblemished quality which set them apart from the coins you may find in pockets.

SELLING YOUR RARE COINS

There are many different factors to consider when trying to value a coin, including its condition and mintage, so it’s important to do your homework first.

If you’ve got a coin that you would like to sell at auction, you can contact The Royal Mint’s Collectors Service.

It has a team of experts who can help you to authenticate and value your coin.

You’ll need to enquire via email, and a member of the valuation team will contact get back to you.

Take a picture of your coin and attach this to the email – you can find the details on The Royal Mint’s website.

Be aware that you will be charged for this service though – the cost will vary depending on the size of your collection.

If you are looking to buy a coin online through a marketplace such as eBay, it’s important to know exactly what you are purchasing.

This is because anyone can list a coin on eBay and charge whatever amount they wish.

You should also be wary of fakes online – and keep in mind that on eBay a buyer could pull out, which means the coin won’t have sold for the price it says it has.

Meanwhile, we have put together a guide on the rarest and most valuable coins.

We also tell you what you should do if you find a lucky penny in your pocket.

A COUPLE who rent out luxury cabins on Airbnb have been ordered to tear down two of their properties following a bitter feud with neighbours.

Former cop Rhys Gronow, 47, and emergency call operator wife Roisin, 53, pooled their savings to buy a quiet cottage in the Welsh countryside after Rhys was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

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The couple forked out an extra £20,000 to nab two eco-friendly glamping homes and a bathroom area in Rhydlewis to let out to visitors.

But a cluster of seething neighbours have slammed the couple after allegedly hearing “late-night parties, traffic and noise.”

A furious Roisin hit back.

“We came up here for a quiet life and it has been anything but. I will not let these people dictate to me,” she said.

One complaint claimed that “multiple families” would party “late into the evening,” but Roisin alleged that “sour grapes” were at the heart of the grievances.

She added that it was unlikely that two holiday cabins could be responsible for an upsurge in traffic.

One of the complaints said “multiple families” would party “late into the evening” at the cabins – and planning officials refused permission for the lodges to stay.

She continued: “The planning officer who refused it didn’t even come out to see the property. If they had they would see there is space for around 10 cars.

“My husband and I have one car between us and most of the guests who visit us are regular visitors with just one car.

“That’s three cars in total.

“That’s the disappointing thing, we mostly get young families who just want to get outside with their children and experience somewhere new.

Roisin also hit out at one of those who complained, alleging that they had five cars outside their home.

“That is much more of a traffic disruption,” she claimed.

“Our guests actually contribute to the local shops and businesses and I think that has been forgotten about.”

Roisin said the couple – who formerly worked 100 miles away for South Wales Police based in Cardiff – erected the wooden cabins in the cottage grounds in just three days in 2019.

Roisin said it took her “around two weeks” to her to varnish the glamping pods and then applied for planning permission.

She said: “It was on again off again due to Covid and eventually they told us we needed to reapply.”

And she has vowed to fight back with an appeal after their planning application was rejected by Ceredigion County Council.

We came up here for a quiet life and it has been anything but. I will not let these people dictate to me.

Roisin Gronow

Their Instagram page has several positive reviews from guests and the only review on TripAdvisor also gives it five stars.

One guest wrote: “Our cabin was so cute and the stream running down in front was so therapeutic.”

Five neighbours objected to the application as did Troedyraur Community Council with concerns over increased traffic in the village of Rhydlewis.

One objector said: “All guests have use of an ‘entertainment’ area situated at the bottom of the applicant’s garden which backs on to a number of residents’ properties.

“There can be multiple families using this social area which includes loud music, singing, and shouting over the music.

“A loud party is enjoyed by all often late into the evenings including weeknights. The location of this site negatively impacts the lives of a number of residents which is not fair.”

The officer’s report for Ceredigion Council recommended refusal, saying: “In light of receipt of several neighbour objections to this development the potential harm to immediate neighbours has been thoroughly assessed.

“Given the rural location of the development site it is considered that the siting of the cabins are close to neighbouring properties on both north and south boundaries.

“The relatively restricted area of land provide for the siting of all three cabins would result in an unacceptable intensified use which would likely result in excessive noise and disturbance to nearby occupiers thus causing demonstrable harm to the living conditions that could be reasonably expected within such a rural village.

“Given that the development has previously been run unlawfully the effects of the development on neighbouring amenity is confirmed by representations received as part of this application.”

The Sun has reached out to Ceredigion County Council for comment.

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A SINGLE mum of six was left without heating and hot water for MONTHS but was saved by a little-known grant scheme.

Mandeep, 41, from Birmingham, was left living in the dark ages after her boiler broke down forcing her family to use a kettle every time they wanted showers.

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She spent seven gruelling months using water from the kettle to fill buckets of water so her six girls, aged between two years-old and 17, were clean for school.

The family were also unable to heat their home, spending cold nights in bed with just a duvet to keep warm.

As Mandeep owns her own home, the responsibility fell on her to fix it, but with no cash to afford a new one, she believed she’d have to make do without for good.

National Energy Action charity estimates that 5.6million people just like her across the UK are living in fuel poverty.

Factors such as the cost of living crisis have meant a greater number of households are struggling to heat their homes or find money for repairs.

Mandeep, who is unemployed, said that she did not ask neighbours or friends for support because she felt too proud.

Speaking to The Sun she said: “I would not want any other family to go through what I did.”

“It was really hard for me and my kids to go through all this, [we had] no [hot] water, no heat and were not able to keep warm [or] able to wash.”

It was only when a healthcare worker visited that Mandeep discovered a little-known scheme that could help her out – and she’s urging others to reach out too.

Help was on hand

The mum-of-six was advised to contact the Direct Access to Wellbeing Services Team (DAWS).

It is a new service set up by gas supplier Cadent and the Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Charity.

The pair are offering £2.4million worth of grants to help 100,000 vulnerable healthcare users with financial support over the next two years.

It is currently only available to NHS patients in Birmingham but if the project is successful then it may be rolled out across the wider UK.

And it’s just one example of thousands of little-known schemes across the country that are helping people out.

Households can not apply directly for this support – they need to be referred by their health worker GP, health visitor or nurse.

When the DAWS team receives a referral, an advisor will work through their details in a consultation.

From there, they will know which services they will need support with. This can include:

• Energy efficiency improvements around the home
• White goods like fridges or cookers
• Boiler checks
• Helping people get the benefits they are entitled to
• Support to maximise their income

In some instances, referrals have been actioned within 48 hours but this may not be the case everytime.

Patients and their families can ask about the support by speaking to their health professional.

Mandeep met the criteria to be provided with range of support and was given a new boiler alongside other financial aid totalling around £4,500. That included:

• A slow cooker to make food for £70
• Energy vouchers to heat her home for £70
• A new boiler worth £4k and £120 for the service to be installed
• An electric blanket worth to keep warm
• Food vouchers for shopping worth £100

Mandeep said that after being approved for the scheme she received her boiler within three days and it was also installed in her home free of charge.

It was a weight lifted off her shoulders and has helped transform her family’s life.

She said: “My life is better now..any other family going through this should speak out and not suffer in silence.”

“The DAWS team was amazing and they helped me through the situation”.

How to unlock cash grants

If you are struggling it is worth being aware of online tools which can help you access grants.

For example, Turn2Us has an online tool which checks your elibiglty for over 1,400 grants.

All of the grants do not need to be paid back and the tool will search through the grants and let you know if you qualify.

Each grant is different but they can provide support for a range of different necessities like groceries and even kitchen appliances.

For example, Macmillan Cancer Support offers, one-off grants to people living with cancer who have low incomes and savings. 

The Teaching Staff Trust also offers cash grants to those who work in the education sector and face financial difficulty.

The Sun spoke to one mum who used to scheme and was given £1,000 in vouchers to spend at Amazon and the big supermarkets.

Other grants have specific requirements for spending for example a business grant may need to be spent on business expenses.

How to use the grant search tool

First, go to the Turn2Us website and type in Grant Search.

Then look for what’s available specifically in your area by entering your postcode.

You will be asked to give details about yourself, such as your name and gender.

You can also go into more depth by telling Turn2Us about your current health and employment situation.

Once you’ve found a grant you think you’re eligible for, you can put in an inquiry through Turn2Us.

Other grants and schemes

Energy grants

Many gas and energy suppliers offer grants and schemes for customers who are struggling.

For example, British Gas has a fund open to pre-payment meter and credit customers who have found themselves in debt worth up to £1,700.

The Individual and Families Fund was first set up in 2021 to help households struggling with energy debt.

This scheme’s support is available to British Gas and non-British Gas customers.

However, if your provider is Ovo Energy, E.ON Next, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, Octopus Energy or Utilita it asks your go to them for assistance first.

You can check out your eligibility for the scheme here.

Elsewhere, EDF has a customer support fund which on average wipes £1,250 off customers’ bills. 

It is available to vulnerable customers experiencing hardship. 

To apply, visit EDF’s website and make sure you have details of your account number (find it on your energy bills or EDF emails) and the current debt balance on all EDF accounts you have.

Meanwhile, Octopus Energy offers a range of support, including cash from its Octopus Energy Assist Fund.

It could also include loaning a thermal imagery camera to find heat leaks in your home, which you can fix to reduce energy usage and your bill.

It also conducts home energy visits to discuss how households can reduce their usage and gives out free electric blankets.

Local welfare assistance schemes

Most councils also have local welfare assistance schemes designed to help families in severe financial hardship.

Again, the eligibility criteria varies by council, and how much you can get will depend on your specific circumstances.

Most councils say they will prioritise families who need urgent access to food.

The support you get could be money, vouchers, or referrals to other organisations such as food banks.

Household support fund

You might be able to get help with essential costs from your local council through a programme called the Household Support Fund (HSF).

The funding is designed to help people who are vulnerable or can’t afford to pay for necessities like energy bills, water bills, and food.

Some councils offer food vouchers to families during the school holidays, as well through the scheme.

Eligibility criteria varies by council, so you need to check your local authority’s website to see what’s available and how to apply.

Fuel vouchers

If you’re having difficulty paying your energy bills and use a prepayment meter, or if you use alternative heating sources such as oil, LPG, coal, or wood, you may be eligible for a fuel voucher from your local council.

A fuel voucher gives you credit for your gas and electricity supply without having to pay in advance.

You’ll receive a code in a letter, text message or email which you can use to add the credit.

You can use a fuel voucher at a Post Office, a shop signed up to Payzone or a shop signed up to PayPoint. You’ll need to take the code and a form of ID.

In this week’s Weekend Essay, Dan Cooper takes a look at the growing trend of football clubs partnering with high-risk CFD trading firms. Are clubs prioritising profit over fans? Should there be better regulation to protect supporters from risky financial products? Dan explores the dark side of the beautiful game and its sponsorship deals.

There are many ways you make extra money online, one of the most popular is using survey platforms. By using one of these platforms’ users earn cash or gift vouchers that they can use freely.  

Below we have compared the top 3 survey platform to earn extra cash so you can decide which one you should use. You could use multiple platforms to make the most of the rewards, but remember, consistency is key as earning points can take some time.  

The three platforms include Survey Junkie, Inbox Dollars and Swagbucks.  

Our choice: Swagbucks  

After research, we would choose Swagbucks to sign up to due to the variety of ways to earn and the sign-up bonuses! 

Recognised by Linkedin as a legitimate and reliable way to earn money online since 2008. There are 20 different ways to earn money, giving users a variety of tasks and keeping it interesting. The main ones include, Surveys, paying games, watching videos and online shopping. This means you can include your normal browsing behavior’s and earn. 

Sign Up bonuses – A $10 sign up bonus as well as bonus points when you refer a friend. Additionally, if you earn 300 points in your first 30 days the platform will award you with 300 free points the following month. A great way to stay motivated and maximize your earnings 

Earning potential – On average users earn $2-5 a day equaling $730-1,825 a year. 

Drawbacks – Users report waiting a long time for their rewards to be processed, which is not compatible with those who are looking for instant cash. 

 Interested? Find out more about Swagbucks here.

Established in 2000 and recognized as a Better Business Bureau accreditation. A platform you can trust to pay you for your completed tasks which include surveys, watching videos and using the platform’s web engine for genuine searches. 

Sign up bonuses – A low signup bonus of $1. 

Earning potential – Average of $50-300 a month for users. When you use the Inbox Dollars search engine you win scratch cards to earn more. 

How to redeem – You can redeem your points in cash via PayPal or in gift cards to popular retailers. 

Drawback- You must earn a minimum of $15 before being able to redeem and the processing time can take a long time. 

Interested? Find out more about Inbox Dollars 

One of the most popular survey platforms with over 20 million users due to its accessible and simple interface. You can complete surveys, watch videos, play games as well as sign up to surf-to-earn and be rewarded when you browse the web. Surf-to-earn allows Survey Junkie access into your browsing habits so they can track your patterns and trends. 

Earning potential – Average of $40 a month when completing 3 surveys daily  

How to redeem – Through PayPal to redeem cash or request gift cards for retailers such as Target, Walmart and Amazon.  

Drawback – Users report experience limited number of tasks once their account matures, they have fewer chances to earn points. 

 Interested? Find out more about Survey Junkie here.

So, Which one is best? 

Swagbucks – Best for those looking for a variety of ways to make money online with great bonus rewards. 

Inbox Dollars – Best for those who are looking for a reliable way to make money and those who are often using their search engine to browse and shop. 

Survey Junkie – Best for those looking for simple ways to make extra money through surveys.