THOUSANDS of brits could pocket an extra £200 to help with soaring winter energy payments – check if you’re eligible.

The Household Support Fund offers families a helping hand when they may need it most, whether it’s with the food shop, school uniform or paying essential bills.

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In September, the Department for Work and Pensions announced the HSF in Birmingham will be extended from October 2024 to March 2025.

Thousands may be eligible to claim the cash boost from Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC).

The £200 grant can be put towards household essentials including energy and food bills.

It won’t have an effect on any other benefits you may be receiving or be entitled to.

The payment is usually transferred directly into a bank account in the applicant’s name.

Who is eligible

According to Birmingham City Council, you must meet the following requirements to be eligible:

• be a Birmingham resident
• be experiencing financial hardship, particularly with covering costs linked to food and energy
• not have received a £200 grant payment in the last 12 months

Each household is only eligible to receive one £200 grant payment in a 12 month period.

How to apply

To apply, those eligible need to complete the Hardship Grant Community Fund expression of interest form.

This can be accessed on the Birmingham City Council website under Cost of Living Support, Household Support Fund 2024 to 2025.

All applicants will be contacted via email with details of the next steps should they be accepted.

If you’re invited to apply, you will likely need to provide proof of your address and proof that you’re receiving means-tested benefits, if applicable.

What is the Household Support Fund?

Households in need can claim support to help with the cost of living via the Household Support Fund.

The funding is supplied from a £421million pot by the Department for Work and Pensions.

It was first introduced in October 2021 and has been extended five times.

Councils up and down the country get a portion of the cash to allocate to vulnerable households.

For example, Medway Council in Kent, South-East England, is offering thousands of households supermarket vouchers worth up to £225.

Some could qualify for electronic energy cards or e-vouchers to cover water bills worth £100 too.

Get in touch with your local council to see if you might be eligible for help.

You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government’s council locator tool on its website.

The help you can get varies depending on who your local council is, as well as your personal situation.

But you may be able to get free cash and vouchers to help pay for things like heating your home or to cover costs of your weekly grocery shop.

If an applicant is already receiving benefits, these will not be affected by the HSF.

And, you do not need to be getting benefits to receive vouchers or funds from the HSF.

Check with your local council to find out what support is available and the eligibility criteria.

HOUSEHOLDS could get a free cash payout worth up to £200 just in time for Christmas.

Four major banks are now offering cash incentives for new customers and you could land a boost in time for the festive period.

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Switching bank accounts can be an easy way to give your balance a quick boost.

Cash incentives are regularly launched by banks to entice new customers, but do be sure to check the small print.

Most of these offers have certain criteria that you need to meet in order for you to get the cash.

For example, some accounts require you to pay a certain amount each month to maintain them.

While others might charge you for setting up an overdraft.

Be sure to check that the account you chose is right for you in the long term before switching.

Once you’ve decided you’ll need to make the switch using the current account switching service (CASS) which takes just seven days, and the new bank handles it for you.

We explain further down how the CASS works, but first here’s the full list of the offers available now that could tempt you to move.

Lloyds Bank – £200

If you switch your current account to Lloyds you could get £200.

Both new and existing customers can take advantage of the free cash offer available for those who switch between now and December 10.

Those who switch to the Club Lloyds account can expect the £200 to be paid within ten days of completing the switch.

It is important to be aware that the account comes with a £3 a month fee unless you pay in £2,000 a month.

To finalise the switch, customers can either scan the QR code available on the bank’s website or use the mobile app.

Once completed, Club Lloyds customers will be able to select from a range of perks, including a 12-month Disney+ subscription, a choice of Vue or Odeon cinema tickets, a magazine subscription, or a Coffee Club and Gourmet Society membership.

But remember you pay a fee for the extras, so work out if it’s worth paying the fee to get these.

New customers can get the bonus, and so can existing Lloyds customers if they don’t already have a Club Lloyds account and open a new one.

Those who already received a switch bonus since April 2020 from Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland (all part of the same group) won’t be eligible.

The same bonus is also available when switching to the Club Lloyds Platinum Account and Club Lloyds Silver Account but these comes with a £22.50 and £11.50 a month fee, respectively, on top of the £3.

How do I switch bank accounts?

SWITCHING bank accounts is a simple process and can usually be done through the Current Account Switch Service (CASS).

Dozens of high street banks and building societies are signed up – there’s a full list on CASS’ website.

Under the switching service, swapping banks should take seven working days.

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You don’t have to remember to move direct debits across when moving, as this is done for you.

All you have to do is apply for the new account you want, and the new bank will tell your existing one you’re moving.

There are a few things you can do before switching though, including choosing your switch date and transferring any old bank statements to your new account.

You should get in touch with your existing bank for any old statements.

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When switching current accounts, consider what other perks might come with joining a specific bank or building society.

Some banks offer 0% overdrafts up to a certain limit, and others might offer better rates on savings accounts.

And some banks offer free travel or mobile phone insurance with their current accounts – but these accounts might come with a monthly fee.

First Direct – £175

First Direct has relaunched its popular cash switch incentive for anyone who opens a 1st Account.

Customers can receive a payment of up to £175 by using the CASS.

Users have to switch at least two direct debits or standing orders within 30 days of opening the account to qualify for the cash.

Switchers also need to add at least £1,000 into the account, register and log on to internet banking and use the debit card at least five times within 30 days of opening the account.

Customers who meet the criteria should expect the free bonus in their accounts by the 20th of the following month.

The bank revealed that new customers switching to their current account to first direct can expect several extra perks, including a £250 interest-free overdraft.

You won’t qualify for the switching incentive if you have previously held a First Direct product or opened an HSBC current account on or after January 1, 2018.

Customers moving across to the bank will also get access to a regular savings account paying 7% interest, one of the best deals around, as well as a 0% overdraft on the first £250.

Nationwide – £175

Nationwide Building Society has launched a new offer of £175 to switch to its FlexDirect, FlexPlus or FlexAccount current accounts.

The free-cash perk is a joint-market leading sum with First Direct.

The FlexDirect account gives the holder 5% credit interest on balances up to £1,500 for the first 12 months.

This account also offers an interest-free overdraft for the first 12 months.

Those who open a new FlexDirect account will still get the 5% credit interest rate, and will also receive 1% cashback for the first 12 months on debit card purchases, capped at £5 per month.

For new FlexDirect account openings, the previous interest-free overdraft offer will be withdrawn.

But if you are an existing customer who is benefiting from an interest-free overdraft offer then don’t worry, this will continue until the end of their 12-month period.

You also can’t have switched into a Nationwide account, or have received switch cash from Nationwide, since August 18, 2021.

Co-op Bank

The Co-operative Bank has announced eligible customers could receive up to £150.

The first £75 is given when a customer completes a switch to the bank.

Then, the bank is offering three monthly instalments of £25 – another £75 – to make up the £150.

Both new and existing customers can apply to switch to a current account to make themselves eligible for the payment.

Customers must apply for a Standard Current Account or Everyday Extra account.

To be eligible, customers must not have benefited from a switch incentive at The Co-operative Bank since 1 November 2022.

And to receive the first £75, customers need to follow a series of rules.

They are:

• Deposit a minimum of £1,000 into their new account (this includes balances transferred as part of the switch).
• Have 2 active Direct Debits.
• Make a minimum of 10 debit card or digital wallet transactions (pending payments will not count toward fulfilment of this criteria).
• Register for our online and/or mobile banking service.
• Set up the debit card in a digital wallet (Apple Pay, Samsung Wallet or Google Pay).

That leaves the three £25 instalments – and there are some rules to claim them too.

Customers need to deposit at least £1,000 into their account, have two direct debits and make a minimum of 10 debit card transactions.

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

SHOPPERS have been warned the rising costs of two ingredients will hike the price of chocolate this Halloween.

The ongoing cocoa crisis in West Africa and slump in sugar supplies means the cost of the key ingredients have soared.

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As a result, chocolate prices have increased by more than 10% in the last three months.

The price of cocoa in London has skyrocketed by nearly 45% since the start of the year.

As of September, it sits at £5,302 per metric tonne, according to trade journal Confectionery News.

In April, it had reached a record high of £10,265.

Poor harvests caused by unusual weather means cocoa supplies in the likes of the Ivory Coast and Ghana – which produces approximately 60% of the world’s cocoa – remain tight.

Nidhi Jain, commodity specialist at The Smart Cube, told the trade journal it’s a “dramatic rise”.

“Looking ahead, these supply issues are highly likely to keep prices elevated in the run-up to Halloween,” she said.

The expert added that sugar prices are also expected to rise over the rest of 2024 “due to supply distributions”, particularly in Brazil and India.

“Given the volatile costs of these two commodities, there will be unavoidable affects on the consumer, with manufacturers considering price increases to confectionery products,” continued Jain.

“Higher prices for sweets and chocolates seem inevitable as commodity costs rise.”

SUPERMARKET HIKE

The price of chocolate has risen by 11% in the year to August, according to a study by the consumer group Which?

This is compared to other food and drink products which grew by 2.7% over the same period.

These hikes can be seen in supermarkets’ own brand ranges and from manufacturers such as Cadbury and Mars.

An Asda spokesman said the supermarket is “consistently recognised as the best-value traditional supermarket in independent price comparison surveys”.

While a Morrisons spokeswoman said the company was “working hard to keep prices down and competitive for our customers”.

Sainsbury’s said: “While prices can go up and down for a range of reasons, we’re committed to offering our customers great choice and value when they shop with us.”

SHOP AROUND

Ele Clark, retail editor at Which?, explained that to ensure you get the best value for money on your Halloween chocolate, “shop around and compare the price per gram across different pack sizes, retailers and brands.”

This is known as unit pricing and is an easier way for shoppers to compare similar items of different sizes.

You should be able to see the product’s unit price where its price tag is shown – it may be in small print.

It displays the cost of different products by weight, or volume and helps you easily compare the prices of products, regardless of their respective sizes.

For example, Tesco is charging £1.29 per 100g for a four-pack of Twirls.

However, the supermarket charges £1.10 per 100g if you snap it up using the Tesco Clubcard.

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.

SHOPPERS are “absolutely gutted” as a fashion chain with 345 branches shuts a beloved store for good today.

Fans of the budget retailer cried “nothing will be left” as their County Durham high street waved goodbye to another shop.

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The Peacocks store, located in Consett, sadly announced their closure date last month.

A message plastered to the window read: “As of September 22 there will be no further refunds done at this store.

“This is due to store closure on October 19, 2024.”

They went out with bang and offered a 30% discount on all goods before the shutters were permanently pulled down.

For those who still want to shop at Peacocks after the closure, their nearest outlet can be found in Bishop Auckland.

It appears a Farplace charity shop will be moving in to take the place of Peacocks.

News of the closure prompted huge reaction on social media, with many expressing their disappointment.

One member of the Facebook group ‘The Consett Chatterbox’ stated: “Absolutely gutted loved Peacock’s especially with Christmas coming up.

“They always had lovely stock in, ridiculous that Consett’s losing yet another good shop.”

Another local questioned the decision saying: “Absolutely crazy it’s been there forever, love Peacocks, why can’t they just move somewhere else in Consett?

“There’s plenty of empty shops?”

Someone else added: “Nothing going to be left. Our high street now is so very run down.”

“Unfortunately another retailer going. Use it or Lose it’ springs to mind,” another member replied.

“What an absolute shame,” agreed a fourth.

“Another to bite the dust,” penned another.

One member added: “They went into administration a few years ago and were saved. Nothing going to be left in our high street not just Consett everywhere is suffering.”

In July earlier this year Peacocks announced they would be strategically closing stores as they launched a new website.

The fashion retailer revealed an annual turnover of £238million for the year to February 2023, with £14.65million in profits for the same period. 

The company said the hike in profits was due to an investment in its store estate, which saw the opening of new stores in “key retail locations” and the strategic closure of stores on high streets where ”the impact of the pandemic has been irreversible”.

Group CEO Steve Simpson said: “In the last two years, we have been focused on a strategy of offering our customers exceptional quality and value for the whole family.

“With the backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis, we have been committed to offering our customers even better products than we have done before, still at low prices.

Retailers closing stores in 2024

RETAILERS have been hit by soaring inflation and a downturn in spending due to the cost of living crisis.

High energy costs and a move to shopping online are also taking their toll.

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Some high street shops have closed due to businesses opening up in different locations such as larger retail parks.

Shops may also close due to a number of other reasons, such as rising rents.

We explain which retailers are closing in 2024:

• Argos – The brand announced plans to close 100 standalone UK branches last year as it looks to move away from the high street and focus on expanding its presence in supermarkets.
• B&Q – The chain has over 300 shops across the UK, with two stores closing this year due to leases not being renewed. It has plans to open more in 2024 too.
• Boots – The health and beauty chain announced that it would be closing 300 stores last July. Closures are ongoing and this will see the retailer’s estate reduced from 2,200 to 1,900 shops.
• Clintons – Clintons mulled plans to close 38 shops in a bid to avoid insolvency late last year. We’ve listed the stores affected.
• Costa Coffee – The caffeine giant has around 2,000 sites nationwide, so chances are you’ll have one near you. The chain has shut the doors to dozens of its sites recently. We’ve revealed which stores are due to close this year.
• Iceland – The supermarket has more than 900 stores but closed nearly two dozen sites in 2023, and more selected shops are due to shut.
• Lidl – The supermarket, which has 950 stores, is changing up shop locations, which has meant that some stores have to close. But the retailer is also looking to open 12 new supermarkets.
• M&S – M&S, which runs 405 stores across the country, has been closing a string of branches across the country in a blow for shoppers. It’s not all bad news, though, because the chain also has big plans to open dozens of new shops.
• Trespass – The firm announced in July last year that it was closing six branches, but more are on the way.
• WHSmith – The retail giant, which runs over 1,100 stores, has shut eight stores since March 2023, but more are coming.

“We have welcomed into the Peacocks family our stylish celebrity ambassadors of Louise Redknapp and Michael Owen.

“Their style credentials have resonated strongly with our customers and helped improve our style perception, delivering strong growth in their ranges across ladieswear, menswear and lingerie.

“As we celebrate our 140th year we remain focused on expanding our product offering to our valued customers.”

Peacocks was originally bought out of administration in 2021, saving 2,000 jobs.

The brand was saved by investors led by Edinburgh Woollen Mill’s chief operating officer Steve Simpson.

It comes as closures have rocked high streets across the UK in recent years.

Devastated shoppers cried “what a tragedy” as a beloved shop of 33 years is set to pull down the shutters for good.

Czerwik Fine Wines & Cheeses, in the Brighouse town centre, West Yorkshire, has been a hailed part of the high street for decades.

Fans were saddened to learn the store would be waving goodbye forever on December 31.

Elsewhere, a much-loved tea room is being forced to close having been in business for 34 “happy and successful” years.

The family-run Two Hoots Tea Room is situated in one of Wales’ most-visited tourist spots and they say they are devastated after they were ordered to pull down the shutters for good.

Meanwhile, customers were left devastated after a family-run clothing shop was forced to close after 144 years.

And, closures are affecting various industries across different sectors as a historic city brewery, with a legacy spanning 150 years, is also set to close.

The Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) has confirmed plans to close Wolverhampton’s Banks’s Brewery.

Why the high street still rules!

Fabulous’ Fashion Director, Tracey Lea Sayer shares her thoughts.

I WAS 10 when I first discovered the utter joy of high street shopping for clothes with my mum and nan.

Going into town on Saturday became a family tradition – a girls’ day out we would look forward to all week.

My mum’s favourite shop was M&S, where she would gaze at jackets with big shoulder pads and floral sundresses, while my nan would make a beeline for John Lewis and their classic coats and elegant court shoes.

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I was all over Tammy Girl – Etam’s little sister – and Chelsea Girl, which was later rebranded to high street fave River Island.

I would spend hours in the changing rooms, watched keenly by my two cheerleaders, who gave the thumbs up – or thumbs down – on what I was trying on.

Frilly Ra-Ra skirts, duster coats, polka dot leggings, puff balls, boob tubes… I tried them all, often making my nan howl with laughter.

Fashion wasn’t so fast back in the 1980s and every item was cherished and worn until it fell apart – literally – at the seams.

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At 18, I went to art college and my tastes became more refined.

Extra cash from a part-time job in a bar meant I could move on to slightly more expensive stores, like Warehouse, Miss Selfridge and the mecca that was Topshop.

I knew at this point I wanted to work in fashion because the high street had totally seduced me.

One day, I wrote an article for a competition in a glossy mag about my love of retail therapy and my favourite LBD – and I won!

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That led me to where I am today – Fashion Director of Fabulous.

It’s not just me that loves the high street – big-name designers are fans, too. When ‘Cool Britannia’ hit in the Nineties, they all turned up in one big store.

‘Designers at Debenhams’ was a stroke of genius by Debenhams CEO Belinda Earl, designer Ben de Lisi and fashion director Spencer Hawken, who introduced diffusion ranges from John Rocha, Matthew Williamson and Betty Jackson to name a few.

This meant we could all afford a bit of luxury and wear a well-known designer’s signature style.

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Years later I hosted a night with Debenhams and Fabulous for 250 readers, who were in awe meeting all the designers. It was a real career highlight for me.

In 2004, H&M started rolling out their international designer collabs.

Karl Lagerfeld was first, followed by Roberto Cavalli, Marni, Stella McCartney, Maison Martin Margiela, Sonia Rykiel, Comme des Garçons, Balmain, Versace and many, many more. I could barely contain myself!

Then in 2007, Kate Moss launched her first collection with Topshop, with thousands queuing along London’s Oxford Street.

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I remember sitting behind Ms Moss and Topshop boss Philip Green at a London Fashion Week Topshop Unique catwalk show.

I had my three-year-old daughter, Frankie, in tow and we both made the news the next day after we were papped behind Kate, my supermodel girl crush.

At the time, the high street was on fire. Who needed designer buys when Mango stocked tin foil trousers just like the designer Isabel Marant ones and you could buy a bit of Barbara Hulanicki’s legendary brand Biba from Topshop?

High street stores even started to storm London Fashion week.

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Although Topshop Unique had shown collections since 2001, in 2013 River Island showed its first collection in collaboration with global superstar Rihanna, who was flown in by a friend of mine on a private jet. KER-CHING!

A whole new generation of high profile high street collabs followed.

Beyoncé created Ivy Park with Topshop’s Philip Green and I even flew to LA for Fabulous to shoot the Kardashian sisters in their bodycon “Kollection” for Dorothy Perkins.

I am pleased to say they were the absolute dream cover stars.

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Fast forward to 2024 and while the high street doesn’t look exactly like it did pre-Covid, it has made a gallant comeback.

Stores like M&S, Reserved and Zara, and designer collabs like Victoria Beckham X Mango and Rochelle Humes for Next are giving me all the feels.

The supermarkets have really come into their own, too, smashing it with gorgeous collections that look expensive, but at prices that still allow us to afford the weekly shop.

The last 30 years of high street fashion have been one big adventure for me. Bring on the next 30!

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CONDENSATION and mould can cause serious health issues but there are ways of keeping them both at bay.

The pesky vapour occurs when warm air hits a cooler surface and creates moisture.

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Left alone, it can create mould and mildew which is both a pain to get rid of and can cause havoc with your health including worsening asthma, eczema and allergies.

Luckily, there are several ways you can tackle condensation to save yourself issues further down the line, and you don’t need to invest in a dehumidifier.

While they’re handy at removing moisture from the air and preventing mould, but they can cost up to £150.

Luckily, there are cheaper ways of keeping your home mould-free, and they can cost as little as 2p.

Cat litter -2p

It may sound not sound like something you want around your house, but cat litter can be used to to remove moisture from the air.

Cat litter is created to absorb liquid, so it makes sense that it’s good DIY dehumidifier, says Stephen Day, heating engineer at iHeat.

“Non-clumping, unscented cat litter is a far more effective desiccant than salt for absorbing moisture as it will not leech moisture or become ‘soggy’ and can help deal with damp odours,” he said.

“The best type of cat litter to use is silica crystal cat litter which can be used for weeks at a time before needing to be replaced.”

You can fill an old sock with cat litter and place it near the affected area.

Many cat litters are fragranced so you won’t have an unpleasant smell around your home.

You can pick up a 10kg bag of Just Essentials cat litter from Asda for £2.19.

This works out at just 2p per 100g.

However, it’s a good idea to keep cat litter out of reach of children so they don’t eat it.

Salt – £1.25

Salt has the power to draw in moisture – and there’s plenty of internet folklore that suggests bowls of it around the house can dry out the air.

Ordinary table salt works, but rock salt can be more effective in large spaces at clearing condensation.

“Salt is a desiccant, meaning it absorbs moisture in the air,” Mr Day explained.

A container of rock salt from Sainsbury’s is currently going for £1.25 online, though prices may vary in store.

However, Mr Day cautioned that salt can only absorb a limited amount of moisture before becoming “saturated and ineffective”, so you will need to use much larger amounts.

“The moisture can leach out from the bowl and leave salt deposits on your surfaces which can cause irreparable damage and be hard to clean,” he said.

Make sure to keep a regular check up on any salt bowls and empty them if they begin soaking up moisture.

Keep your home well-ventilated – free

As the weather gets colder, you might warm up by having hotter showers.

To avoid steam clinging to your bathroom walls, make sure you open any windows and turn on any extractor fans, Nicholas said.

Keep the bathroom door closed after you’ve showered as well, to stop any excess steam escaping into the rest of the house.

Use the trickle vents on windows or keep a quarter light open for background ventilation.

Trickle vents are small vents that can be added to the tops of windows and allow a constant stream of air in and out.

Dry clothes outside – free

Hanging your pants and socks up inside can create condensation as the moisture from them escapes into the air.

Instead, hang your clothes up outside, even if there’s a slight chance of rain.

Alternatively, dry clothes using a tumble dryer or in a closed room with the window open.

Silica Gel packets from Amazon – £3.75

These are probably a lesser known damp remover.

The little sachets that come in shoes and clothes – could end up protecting your walls and window sills.

That’s because they’re designed to prevent moisture from damaging a product – so they’re ideal for keeping dampness at bay around your home.

You can currently get them on Amazon for £4.95 although they do come for free within packaging of certain products – so keep an eye out.

In the review section, one shopper said: “These are perfect for what I wanted them for.

“My cupboard, where I store all our shoes, is very cold and was starting to feel damp in places. I bought these to pop in the shoes.”

Chalk and clove oil – £5

Another low-cost method involves using mega chalk and clove oil.

If you have children, you may be familiar with them using chalk for arts and crafts activities.

What you might not realise is that it’s also a very absorbent material.

Clove oil, meanwhile, has anti-fungal properties which can kill spores, and effectively prevent the growth of mould.

The chalk will remove condensation and the clove oil prevents it from returning. Both items are relatively inexpensive

You can, for example, pick up a 12-pack of chalk from Hobbycraft for £2 and a 10-ml bottle of clove oil from Boots for £2.99.

All you need to do is dab a few drops of the oil onto your chalk.

Once this is done this, simply place the chalk in any affected areas to help keep it dry.

You might, for example, want to put the chalk in the corner of your bedroom, or in your drawers or wardrobe.

The key is to place a stick or two around the house wherever you need moisture to be absorbed such as windowsills.

You can then return to those pieces of chalk every month or so, and add a few more drops of clove oil.

If you spot small areas of mould, clove oil is a great product you can use to clean these up before the fungus spreads too far.

Common Bathroom Habits That Increase Mould

Plumbworld, a leading expert in bathroom and kitchen products, has shared the daily habits that increase the chance of mould growing in homes.

Leaving wet towels and bathmats on floor 

Wet towels and bathmats on the floors after a shower or bath can increase humidity levels which provides a perfect breeding ground for mould spores.

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To prevent this, hang towels and bathmats in an area where they can dry quickly and to wash them regularly.

Not turning on the fan 

An exhaust fan is critical in reducing moisture levels in the bathroom. 

When taking a hot shower or bath, steam increases the room’s humidity level, creating an ideal setting for mould to flourish on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces.

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An exhaust fan helps by moving the moist air outside, significantly reducing the risk of mould growth. 

Experts suggest running the fan during the shower and for at least 20-30 minutes afterwards to lower humidity levels.

Ignoring small leaks

Even minor leaks from the sink, toilet, or shower can contribute to increased moisture levels in a bathroom, fostering an environment where mould can thrive. 

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Over time, these leaks can cause significant water damage, promoting mould growth in less visible areas such as inside walls or under flooring. 

Fix leaks promptly to prevent mould and potential structural damage.

Keeping shower curtains or doors closed 

Keeping the shower area closed after use traps moisture inside, delaying the drying process and creating a humid environment conducive to mould growth. 

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Mould can easily develop on shower curtains, doors, and in tile grout if they remain wet for too long. 

To avoid this, leave the shower door or curtain open after use to improve air circulation and allow the area to dry more quickly.

Storing too many products 

Shower caddies and corners filled with bottles and accessories may seem harmless, but they can obstruct airflow and trap moisture and creates hidden, moist niches where mould can grow unnoticed. 

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Keep shampoo and shower gel bottles to a minimum, and regularly clean and dry the areas underneath them to prevent mould growing. 

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

CHATTING to a neighbourhood friend, Chloe Godland, 30, starts her pre-winter preparation.

She grabs some lengths of bubble wrap and a water bottle and starts working around the windows of her three-bed home. 

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“Have you lost the plot?” her friend asks – but it’s a comment Chloe isn’t bothered by. 

Her wacky use of bubble wrap is actually a bill busting method to keep her house warm this winter.

“I’m super scrimper – I save around £3k in winter with all my tricks, which cost almost nothing,” she told The Sun.

BUBBLE WRAPPING WINDOWS

Chloe estimates that “bubble wrapping” her windows has saved her around £900 on her bills over the past three years.

“Bubble wrap is a cheap option for double glazing,” she explained.

“The bubble side stays on the window sealed with just water and captures heat from the sun, and at night time, it stops heat getting out.

“It’s upping the temperature of the room by two degrees and we don’t have to turn the heating on as much.”

Former receptionist Chloe, who lives in Leicester with her fiance, gym instructor Jack Gordon, 34, and their two and half year-old daughter Clemmie, isn’t alone with this trick.

Experts say bubble wrapping your windows is a proven winter heat saver.

The howtogosolart.org website reveals bubble wrap on windows can cut your energy bills in that area of the house by 50%.

This is money Chloe’s family really needs to save. 

Jack earns just over £29,000 a year and the family pays £800 a month to rent a three bedroom.

“Once our bills are paid, we are left with £50 a month in the emergency fund,” Chloe said.

RICE AND SOCK TRICK

Chloe’s second winter hack involves a bag of own-brand rice, costing around 50p.

“I don’t cook rice – I collect all the long odd socks I can find and fill them with rice. They make great draught excluders along doors and windows.”

The Energy Saving Trust says draught-proofing around windows and doors could save you between  £40 to £50 a year.

This isn’t the only way she used the rice.

“On cold nights I pop a rice-filled sock into the microwave with a little lavender or nice smelling essential oil for one and a half minutes. 

“I put one into Clemmie’s bed so it’s warm when she gets in.  Jack and I use them as lap warmers while watching TV. Bargain rice retains the heat.”

CHEAP DOOR CURTAINS

Chloe’s third winter warmer tip is using cheap curtains to hang over doors, creating a second layer. 

“I buy the thick-double layered old-fashioned curtains in the home furnishings section for between five and ten quid,” she said. 

“Doorways are some of the worst places for heat to escape, so adding an extra layer of insulation helps the heat stays in.”

According to University of Salford researchers drawing your curtains at dusk can reduce heat loss by around 15-17%. 

“I have saved more than £630 on heating bills in three years doing this,” Chloe said. 

BLANKETS ON WALLS

Chloe also hangs blankets around the walls in rooms she is in as an extra layer of insulation.

“The heat is trapped in the room and doesn’t get lost through the wall,” she said. 

“I did it during the big freeze last December. The room temperature went up two degrees using my blanket hanging tip.”

The energysavingtrust.org.uk says 35% or more that a third of heat is lost through walls, so this trick could be a big energy saver.

LEAVING OVEN OPEN

Finally, Chloe always leaves her oven door “Whenever I use the oven in winter, I leave the door open when I turn it off,” Chloe said.

As a result, all the hot air flows out into the kitchen and other rooms – raising the overall temperature.

“It is heat that would have stayed in the oven and been lost.”