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Thousands looking for help to hang on to winter fuel payment flood The Sun’s helpline

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Thousands looking for help to hang on to winter fuel payment flood The Sun's helpline

THOUSANDS of Sun readers flooded our Winter Fuel SOS helpline yesterday looking for help to hang on to the payment.

Our experts explained to pensioners that they could still be eligible to the allowance, worth £300, if they receive Pension Credit.

Thousands of Sun readers flooded our Winter Fuel SOS helpline

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Thousands of Sun readers flooded our Winter Fuel SOS helplineCredit: Getty
We gathered together a top line-up of experts — and our Winter Fuel SOS crew will be taking your calls

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We gathered together a top line-up of experts — and our Winter Fuel SOS crew will be taking your calls
Pensions expert Sir Steve Webb was part of our panel

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Pensions expert Sir Steve Webb was part of our panel

The panel — including Baroness Ros Altmann and Sir Steve Webb — also offered advice on cutting energy bills.

One caller, a 73-year-old man on a state pension, told how he was worried he would narrowly miss out on qualifying for Pension Credit but has little spare income at the end of every month.

He said: “I voted for this Government and then they immediately turned round and did this without warning.

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“I am really disappointed. I have worked all my life and paid into the system.”

Another worried caller said she already receives Pension Credit, but can only afford one shower a week as she is on a water meter.

Many readers were baffled about whether they are eligible for Pension Credit.

Our experts are working through all of our readers’ queries to try to find helpful solutions, such as how to apply for Pension Credit or secure better deals on bills.

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If you called the helpline, which is now closed, you will get a call back within a week.

Neil, 80, from Balmullo, Fife, called the helpline yesterday. He said: “I am very grateful to The Sun for doing this.

“I don’t use the internet so it was really helpful to speak to someone on the phone and get help working out if I might qualify for Pension Credit.”

Martin Lewis slams cabinet minister over Winter Fuel Payments

Ten million older people were affected when Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in July that only households in England and Wales that receive Pension Credit or certain means-tested benefits will be entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment.

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Before this the allowance was available to everyone over the age of 66.

Baroness Ros Altmann was also one of our experts

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Baroness Ros Altmann was also one of our experts
Expert Martyn James helped explain your rights

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Expert Martyn James helped explain your rightsCredit: Stewart Williams
If you're struggling with debt, expert Jonathan Chesterman can offer advice

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If you’re struggling with debt, expert Jonathan Chesterman can offer adviceCredit: Supplied
Energy expert Joe Richardson was also part of The Sun's Winter Fuel SOS crew

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Energy expert Joe Richardson was also part of The Sun’s Winter Fuel SOS crewCredit: Supplied
Jenny Ross is a costs crisis expert

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Jenny Ross is a costs crisis expertCredit: Supplied
Elise Melville offered expert energy advice

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Elise Melville offered expert energy adviceCredit: Supplied
Ben Gallizi was another energy expert on The Sun's panel

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Ben Gallizi was another energy expert on The Sun’s panelCredit: Supplied
Adam Stachura was one of the panel's age experts

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Adam Stachura was one of the panel’s age expertsCredit: agescotland.org.uk
He featured alongside Fran McSweeney, another age expert

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He featured alongside Fran McSweeney, another age expertCredit: theorg.com
Emily Seymour gave expert energy advice

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Emily Seymour gave expert energy adviceCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd.
The Sun's very own Tara Evans was also on hand to help

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The Sun’s very own Tara Evans was also on hand to helpCredit: David New – The Sun

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Major supermarket is offering unlimited free refills on hot drinks this winter – how to get them

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Major supermarket is offering unlimited free refills on hot drinks this winter - how to get them

HERE’S how you could get unlimited free refills on hot drinks this winter at a major supermarket.

The chain is offering a Winter Refills Allowance which provides unlimited free refills across all self-serve hot drinks at its cafés.

Morrisons has said it will provide unlimited free refills on hot drinks throughout winter

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Morrisons has said it will provide unlimited free refills on hot drinks throughout winterCredit: Alamy

Morrisons made the announcement in order to “help customers stay warm throughout the colder months.”

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Unlimited free refills will be available across all its self-serve hot drinks including fruit teas, lattes, cappuccinos and hot chocolates.

The supermarket giant has a wide range of beverages available to warm the body and soul starting from just £1.85.

Those looking to complement their hot drink with a sweet treat can also do so for just £4.

Morrisons offers a range of desserts including Victoria sponge cake and Sicilian lemon muffins.

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The chain’s cafés also offer affordable breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

For example, breakfast sandwiches and a hot drink cost just £4.25 while an adult sandwich meal deal is £6.50.

Plus, kids eat free every day, seven days a week when customers purchase an adult meal costing £5 or over, available for any child aged under 16 in Morrisons Cafés nationwide.

Main meals can be found on the menu under ‘The Breakfasts’, ‘The Classics’ or the ’Chippy’ – ‘Extras’ are not included.

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Customers can receive one free kids meal from the kids menu that includes favourites like Chicken Nuggets, Chips and Beans, Bangers and Mash or Mac ‘n’ Cheese – which would usually be £3.50 each.

Top things to buy at Morrisons

The offer is also available on the Kids Pick n Mix meal deal from the fridge.

Children must be under the age of 16 and with an adult at the time of purchase.

Becky Wilson, Morrisons Café Buyer, said: “We are always looking for ways to give our customers more reasons to visit our Cafés – and the Winter Refills Allowance does just that.

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“As well as the quality food at affordable prices, our Cafés are a space for communities to connect, work or relax, and they can now do so over a warm mug of their choosing.”

Morrisons is not alone in providing unlimited free refills on its hot drinks, however.

Pub chain Wetherspoons, for example, provides bottomless top ups on its wide range of hot drinks, starting at just £1.56.

List of cakes available in Morrisons deal

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HERE’S the full list of sweet treats available in Morrisons’ £4 offer.

  • Blueberry Muffin
  • Lemon Muffin
  • Chocolate Muffin
  • Chocolate Fudge Cake
  • Carrot Loaf Cake
  • Victoria Sponge
  • Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake
  • Childrens Cupcakes
  • Salted Caramel Brownie
  • Rocky Road
  • Caramel Shortbread
  • Raspberry & Almond Slice
  • Rainbow Cookie
  • Toffee & Pecan Yum Yum
  • Biscoff Cheesecake
  • Lemon Cheesecake
  • Gingerbread Biscuit
  • Carrot and Walnut Cake
  • Seasonal Muffin
  • Doughnut
  • Scone
  • Croissant
  • Cookie
  • McGhees Empire Biscuit (Scotland)
  • McGhees Pineapple Tart (Scotland)
  • Tunnocks Tea Cakes (Scotland)
  • Lemon Meringue Pie
  • Chocolate Lumpy Bumpy
  • Egg Custard Slice
  • Victoria Sponge Cake
  • Salted Caramel Chocolate Brownie
  • Childrens Cupcakes
  • Sicilian Lemon Muffin
  • Wild Blueberry Muffin
  • Croissant
  • Walker’s Giant Shortbread Fingers
  • Caramel Shortbread
  • Mrs Crimbles Macaroon
  • Shortbread Fingers
  • Giant Jammie Dodger
  • Carrot and Walnut Cake
  • Chocolate Fudge Cake

Other ways to get free hot drinks

There are also other ways to nab free hot drinks this winter.

Greggs: Download the bakery chain’s app and sign up to its loyalty scheme for the first time to get a free hot drink.

The offer includes tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

You’ll be able to collect loyalty stamps through the app, too, which add up to freebies.

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Octopus energy customers can also get a complimentary hot drink every week at Greggs by signing up to the Octoplus section on the power provider’s app.

Group deals: Last winter, select Asda cafes provided a “community cuppa” initiative which gave community groups a space to meet and have a free hot drink.

If the scheme starts up again this year, you could grab yourself a free cup of warmth.

Similarly, Hungry Horse hosted “Communi-tea Cuppas” events at pubs across the country throughout last winter to combat loneliness in adults.

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Each guest attending could get a free cup of Yorkshire Tea.

Keep an eye out in case these resume this year.

IKEA: Pop into the homeware giant ­during the week to get a free cup of tea or filter coffee with one of the store’s loyalty card.

It costs nothing to sign up to Ikea Family and you can join at ikea.com or in store.

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As well as free drinks, you will get discounts and access to events.

Waitrose: You can also bag a free hot drink at Waitrose if you’re a MyWaitrose member when you make a purchase instore and if you bring your own reusable cup.

Get a tea, coffee, cappuccino or latte with the deal.

And the purchase need not cost a lot – buy a piece of fruit or a cheap chocolate bar.

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However, the free drink can only be redeemed from self serve machines located in store, not from the café. Sign up at waitrose.com.

Loyalty pays: If you’re a ­regular customer at big drinks chains StarbucksCosta Coffee and Caffe Nero, sign up to their respective loyalty scheme.

They give a free drink after a certain number of purchases — usually around nine or ten.

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Five tips for cleaning your oven this autumn

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Five tips for cleaning your oven this autumn

AUTUMN weather calls for lots of cosy nights in with warming homemade grub.

But over time, grease and food debris builds up in your oven, leaving it needing a good clean.

We have five tips for cleaning your oven this autumn

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We have five tips for cleaning your oven this autumnCredit: Getty

You can call in professionals, or save yourself some money by doing the job yourself with these tips.

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LEMON BAKE: Fill a heatproof dish with water and squeeze the juice from half a lemon into it.

Bake on a medium heat for half an hour or until the water starts to boil.

Once the oven is cool enough to touch, the acid in the lemon should have helped cut through the grease and grime, making it easier to wipe off.

SODA SAVIOUR: Heavy duty cleaning products can contain lots of hazardous chemicals.

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So before reaching for these, try creating a paste with baking soda and warm water, then apply it all over the inside of the oven.

Leave to work for about an hour and the paste should neutralise acids and break down grease.

SHELF SOAK: If your grill shelves are coated with stuck-on grease, give them a good soak in hot water and soda crystals.

You can use scrunch up kitchen foil to scrub the wires and help get the metal sparkling again.

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STAY IN THE LINES: One way of making cleaning super-easy in the future is by lining the bottom of your oven to catch drips and spills.

Queen of Clean Lynsey Crombie’s 5 seasonal cleaning tips

You can get heavy-duty oven liner, £4, from Dunelm.

SAFE EATING: A clean oven doesn’t just look good, it will also help the appliance heat evenly and work as efficiently as possible, according to Zimbini Nkonjera, cooking category manager at appliance firm Hotpoint.

She said: “Although it may seem tedious, cleaning your oven is crucial in preventing bacteria growth and ensuring safe and healthy cooking.

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“The average oven has three components that require regular cleaning.”

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

Deal of the day

This padded jacket down from £79.99 to £49.99 at Mountain Warehouse

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This padded jacket down from £79.99 to £49.99 at Mountain WarehouseCredit: Supplied

WRAP up from the elements with this snow padded jacket down from £79.99 to £49.99 at Mountain Warehouse.

SAVE: £30

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Cheap treat

Butterkist limited-edition Wicked popcorn is £2.40 from Morrisons

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Butterkist limited-edition Wicked popcorn is £2.40 from MorrisonsCredit: Supplied

PUT on a movie and grab a bowl of Butterkist limited-edition Wicked amazafying sweet popcorn, £2.40 from Morrisons.

What’s new?

FEELING peckish? KFC’s tasty new limited-edition original wrap is coated with black pepper mayo and available for £2.49, until November 10.

Top swap

Dr Jart cicapair tiger grass treatment is £40

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Dr Jart cicapair tiger grass treatment is £40Credit: Supplied
Lacura’s colour-correcting treatment is just £4.99 from Aldi

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Lacura’s colour-correcting treatment is just £4.99 from AldiCredit: Supplied

COVER skin blemishes with Dr Jart cicapair tiger grass treatment, above, £40 from lookfantastic.com.

Or say goodbye to redness with Lacura’s colour-correcting treatment, £4.99 from Aldi.

SAVE: £35.01

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Little helper

GET 20 per cent off kids Halloween costumes at Wilko.

It takes this Day Of The Dead outfit down from £6.99 to £5.59.

Shop & save

This Habitat salt and pepper set is down from £18 to £12 at Argos

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This Habitat salt and pepper set is down from £18 to £12 at ArgosCredit: Supplied

ADD some seasoning to dishes with this Habitat salt and pepper set, down from £18 to £12 at Argos.

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SAVE: £6

Hot right now

WICKES paint sale runs until November 6. Get a third off own-label products and brands including Dulux and Crown.

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle

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Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle

JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

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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!

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I used Martin Lewis tip to slash my essential household bill by £286 – it only took 30 minutes

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I used Martin Lewis tip to slash my essential household bill by £286 - it only took 30 minutes

A MARTIN Lewis fan has shared how she managed to shave hundreds off an essential household bill by using a nifty Martin Lewis hack.

The MoneySavingExpert (MSE) reader made the saving after seeing the advice in one of the website’s weekly newsletters.

Martin Lewis recommends following his six key steps to reduce your home insurance bills

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Martin Lewis recommends following his six key steps to reduce your home insurance billsCredit: Rex

In an email last week, the money saving website listed its six steps to cut home insurance costs.

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Just days later, reader Karen emailed back to share her massive saving.

The email read: “Our buildings & contents auto-renewal reminder came in with a 52% price rise – even my husband commented: ‘Wow, that’s some hike.’

“I double-checked your action steps, and 30 minutes later I had saved £286 on an exact like-for-like policy.

Read More on Martin Lewis

“Happy days. Thanks to you all at MSE.”

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By following the guide, Karen managed to make the major saving on the often costly bill.

Making comparisons across multiple websites can often lead to finding a cheaper plan.

In Karen’s case, by looking at other comparison sites, she managed to save almost £300.

The previous week’s email also included the story of Fiona, who managed to save an enormous £423 after following the same help guide.

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Fiona’s email said: “I received a renewal notice which shot up by a few hundred quid to £866 (for a standard four-bed).

Martin Lewis explains how to slash your energy bills

“Your newsletter landed, I used your tips and which comparison websites to use, and 40 minutes later I found the exact same cover for £443.

“A huge saving of £423, woohoo. Thank you so much.”

Home insurance prices have had record heights for over a year now, with prices sitting at almost 30% higher than last year.

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However, the stats imply we may have reached the peak, with average quotes dropping 1% over the past three months, according to Consumer Intelligence.

If you’ve not checked your home insurance in a while, it’s worth looking to see if you’re overpaying.

Six steps to save on home insurance

HERE are Martin Lewis’ six core steps to saving on home insurance.

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  • COMBINE comparison sites for 100s of quotes in minutes – don’t assume they’re all the same. Never just auto-renew – there’s no guarantee your existing insurer will give you the cheapest or best cover. It’s always worth a check elsewhere. Comparison sites zip your info to dozens of insurers and brokers at once. Yet don’t just use one as a) they can cover different insurers, and b) they often have different prices for the same firm.

    Our current order is 1) Compare The Market, 2) MoneySupermarket, 3) Confused.com.

  • Check special deals to see whether you can beat the comparisons’ cheapest. Biggie Direct Line doesn’t appear on comparisons and can be competitive for some, so it’s worth a try. Yet there are also some special deals available for firms that are on comparisons, though you’ll need to buy direct to get the vouchers. So check the price and factor in the incentive to see which wins overall.

    – Coverbaloo gives a £25 Amazon voucher (comes within 90 days).
    – Urban Jungle gives a £15 Amazon voucher after seven months when you use code MSE_OFFER.
    – If you’re a member of cashback sites Quidco or Topcashback, you can do a comparison through them, and get up to £35 back. But check prices are the same (or cheaper) as through the main comparisons.

  • Establish what cover you need. Everyone, including renters, should consider contents insurance, but buildings insurance is usually only for freehold homeowners (otherwise it’s generally the management company or landlord’s responsibility – check your lease if you’re not sure). This is how to think about it…
    • – Contents insurance: Beware UNDERinsuring. Many underinsure, thinking: “I’d never claim for everything” … but insure only half your contents’ value, then claim for, say, a TV, and you may only get half the TV’s value once they assess whether the cover was accurate. Use a contents calculator.
    • – Buildings insurance: Beware OVERinsuring. Many wrongly insure for their home’s market value, but what counts is how much it’d cost to rebuild if it was knocked down. Use a rebuild cost calculator to find out.
  • The sweet spot is about three weeks ahead of renewal, but even if that’s ages away, check anyway. Leave getting insurance until the very last minute and the price can go up, as insurers deem those who leave it later to be a higher risk. On average, the cheapest time to get quotes is 21 days ahead of your renewal, though a few days either side won’t matter much. See best time to renew home insurance.

    Not at renewal? It’s still worth a check, especially if you auto-renewed last time around. If you can make a substantial saving (and haven’t claimed yet this year), you can cancel and usually get a pro-rata refund, minus a £35ish admin fee (though you won’t earn the year’s no-claims discount). See switching home cover mid-year.

  • Haggle. Want to stick with your existing firm? Ask it to match your cheapest price from steps 1 and 2 – it will often work. See home insurance haggling help.
  • Ensure the policy’s right for you before buying. Go through the main terms to check you’re happy, and check the provider is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. And remember, if you have a claim unfairly rejected, you have a right to escalate any complaints to the free Financial Ombudsman.

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‘Amazing’ rave Aldi shoppers going wild for McDonald’s dupe that’s only £1.79

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'Amazing' rave Aldi shoppers going wild for McDonald’s dupe that's only £1.79

A SAVVY shopper has uncovered a surprisingly affordable dupe to one of the most iconic burgers in the world for just £1.79 at Aldi.

Her find sparked a flurry of interest among bargain hunters and burger lovers alike, who are going wild to try the “amazing” treat.

Shoppers are rushing to Aldi to get their hands on a Big Mac dupe

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Shoppers are rushing to Aldi to get their hands on a Big Mac dupeCredit: Getty
The original Big Mac usually costs £4.99 in the UK

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The original Big Mac usually costs £4.99 in the UKCredit: Getty
Aldi's Big Stack scans for just £1.79

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Aldi’s Big Stack scans for just £1.79Credit: Facebook/Deborah Newman / Facebook Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group

Deborah Newman took to Facebook to share her surprising experience after watching a comparison television programme that revealed how two-thirds of participants struggled to differentiate between McDonald’s Big Mac and its supermarket counterparts.

She wrote: “Having watched a comparison TV programme, where 2/3 couldn’t tell these from a MD, I thought I’d try, not expecting to really be surprised, but wow, for £1.79 each, we thought them as good as the branded.”

Deborah who found her Big Mac dupe at the Aldi freezer section, also explained how she prepared her meal at home.

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She said: “I used my air fryer, (I defrosted the item) the burgers took about 3 mins each side, the buns 1 min in the air fryer, the sauce was warmed in hot water in a cup.

“My husband added gherkins, but the sauce was delish, he said he didn’t need the added extras.”

Fellow shoppers rushed to the comments section under Deborah’s post, with one person writing: “Agreed! We tried these last week and rate them like 8/10 almost the same as McDonalds.”

Another added: “I watched that programme few months ago. Me and my daughter tried them and they were better than the true McDonald’s. For £1.79 can’t go wrong.”

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A third replied: “The breakfast hash browns are really good as are the sausage McMuffin patties.”

The original Big Mac, a staple of McDonald’s menu since its introduction in 1968, is celebrated for its signature taste, featuring two beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions, all sandwiched between a three-part sesame seed bun.

Aldi’s version, dubbed the “Big Stack,” boasts a similar construction and flavor profile, making it an attractive option for those looking to satisfy their cravings without breaking the bank.

With its two juicy beef patties, creamy sauce, and fresh toppings, many are praising it as a worthy dupe compared to the £4.99 McDonald’s staple.

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Shoppers are also rushing to Aldi to get their hands on bargain home accessories scanning for just pennies.

The set of three textured vases in cream costs a mere 49p and for that you get three different styles.

A shopper on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group posted her find saying simply “49p Aldi!”

Other members immediately reacted. “This is what I was looking for,” cried one woman, who said she hadn’t been able to find them.

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“I paid £1.99 last week,” said another. 

A third poster simply added “Wow!”

The vase set was originally on sale in Aldi’s middle aisle for £4.99 and available in neutral shades grey and beige, as well as cream, to suit all styles of decor.

When’s the best time to shop at Aldi?

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WHEN it comes to shopping at Aldi, the best time to do so depends on what you want to buy.

For reduced items – when shops open

Red sticker items are rare at Aldi’s 830 UK stores, but the supermarket says that none of its food goes to waste so there are some to be found – if you’re quick.

A spokesman for the supermarket said: “All items are reduced to 50 per cent of the recommend sales price before stores open on their best before or use by dates.”

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That means you have the best chance of finding reduced food items if you go into stores as soon as it opens.

Opening times vary by shop but a majority open from 7am or 8am. You can find your nearest store’s times by using the supermarket’s online shop finder tool.

For Specialbuys – Thursdays and Sundays

Specialbuys are Aldi’s weekly collection of items that it doesn’t normally sell, which can range from pizza ovens to power tools.

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New stock comes into stores every Thursday and Sunday, so naturally, these are the best days to visit for the best one-off special deals.

For an even better chance of bagging the best items, head there for your local store’s opening time.

Remember: once they’re gone, they’re gone, so if there’s something you really want, visit as early as possible

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‘Had a few good times there’ say punters as major pub chain with 2,700 locations to close city centre branch in days

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'Had a few good times there' say punters as major pub chain with 2,700 locations to close city centre branch in days

A MAJOR pub chain is set to shut one of its city centre branches in just days as punters recall the “good times” they had there.

Via Fossa on Canal Street in the heart of Nottingham has been trading since the late 1990s.

Via Fossa is the latest in a string of closures on Canal Street

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Via Fossa is the latest in a string of closures on Canal StreetCredit: Google
The pub is set to shut in just days

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The pub is set to shut in just daysCredit: Getty

However, the Greene King owned pub has confirmed its doors will shut for the final time this month.

The chain, however, said that staff members will be relocated to other venues owned by Greene King across Nottingham.

Fans of the pub said how they “had a few good times there” ahead of its impending closure.

One fan described the pub as “lovely,” with “lovely people” and a “great location.”

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Read More on Pub Closures

Another said: “Really nice food, staff, and it’s beautiful.”

A spokesperson for the pub chain told Nottinghamshire Live: “We have made the difficult decision to close Via Fossa on the 19th of October.

“We appreciate this is difficult news to our loyal customers and we would like to thank each of them who have enjoyed visiting over the years.

“We are working closely with our team at Via Fossa to find alternative employment in our pubs across Nottingham, where possible.

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“The pub will remain open and trading as usual over the coming weeks.

“We have over 70 Greene King pubs in the city and surrounding suburbs including, the Grosvenor, Carrington, which has been recently refurbished as well as Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem and the Bell Inn, so we look forward to welcoming new guests to these other Greene King pubs.”

Why are so many pubs and bars closing?

Thankfully, this does not seem to be a trend for the pub giant.

However, Canal Street has seen a string of pub departures in recent years.

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The nearby Waterfront pub appeared to close suddenly in spring 2023, with no explanation given about the closure.

The Company Inn at Castle Wharf, also on Canal Street, shut its doors permanently in November 2021 after it stood closed for some time.

A spokesperson for Wetherspoons, who owned the pub, said: “We appreciate that staff at the pub as well as our loyal customers will be disappointed with the decision and we appreciate their loyalty over the years.”

The Fellows, Morton and Clayton pub also appeared to be closed as of September 28, with signs saying owners Stonegate Group are looking for a new publican.

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This comes just months after the venue reopened under new management with a firm plan of action.

Stonegate were leasing the pub to Stout and Stone Inns, a rapidly growing pub company based in the West Midlands, with the new general manager, Andy O’Connor, saying the reopening was “all about consistency.”

Why are retailers closing shops?

EMPTY shops have become an eyesore on many British high streets and are often symbolic of a town centre’s decline.

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The Sun’s business editor Ashley Armstrong explains why so many retailers are shutting their doors.

In many cases, retailers are shutting stores because they are no longer the money-makers they once were because of the rise of online shopping.

Falling store sales and rising staff costs have made it even more expensive for shops to stay open. In some cases, retailers are shutting a store and reopening a new shop at the other end of a high street to reflect how a town has changed.

The problem is that when a big shop closes, footfall falls across the local high street, which puts more shops at risk of closing.

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Retail parks are increasingly popular with shoppers, who want to be able to get easy, free parking at a time when local councils have hiked parking charges in towns.

Many retailers including Next and Marks & Spencer have been shutting stores on the high street and taking bigger stores in better-performing retail parks instead.

Boss Stuart Machin recently said that when it relocated a tired store in Chesterfield to a new big store in a retail park half a mile away, its sales in the area rose by 103 per cent.

In some cases, stores have been shut when a retailer goes bust, as in the case of Wilko, Debenhams Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Paperchase to name a few.

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What’s increasingly common is when a chain goes bust a rival retailer or private equity firm snaps up the intellectual property rights so they can own the brand and sell it online.

They may go on to open a handful of stores if there is customer demand, but there are rarely ever as many stores or in the same places.

Nottingham has also seen many other closures of major high street shops over the past year.

The local Co-op store in The Meadows is set to close its doors on November 16 after being open for over 50 years.

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On September 22, Bonmarché closed its high-street branch in the Arnold area.

The city has also seen the demise of multiple Boots stores as well as the planned closure of its Victoria Centre Market.

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The 12 top toys for Christmas revealed including Bluey and Disney must-haves – prices start from just £8

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The 12 top toys for Christmas revealed including Bluey and Disney must-haves - prices start from just £8

HERE are the top 12 toys for Christmas that have been revealed – including Bluey and Disney must-haves.

As the festive season approaches, The Entertainer has announced its top toy predictions for Christmas 2024 that start from just £8.

As the festive season approaches, The Entertainer has announced its top toy predictions

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As the festive season approaches, The Entertainer has announced its top toy predictions
Hot Wheels Power Shift Motorised Raceway Playset

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Hot Wheels Power Shift Motorised Raceway Playset
Despicable Me 4 The Ultimate Fart Blaster, £29.99

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Despicable Me 4 The Ultimate Fart Blaster, £29.99
Disney Bitzee Interactive Pet

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Disney Bitzee Interactive Pet

The toyshop’s highly-anticipated list contains a mix of 12 exciting and educational toys suiting all budgets.

From interactive pets and snuggly toys to racetracks and blasters, the predictions feature gifts for children of all ages to make it easier for parents.

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On the list, exclusive to The Entertainer, is bound to be a hit on Christmas Day with Bluey’s Escape Convertible Playset that’s only £19.99.

And a Gold Fugglers is at the cheaper end of the scale, with the product only setting buyers back by £8.

Whereas the most expensive toy on the list, Hatchimals Alive! Mystery Hatch Pufficorn Electronic Pet, will set you back £64.99.

The Entertainer’s top toy picks for Christmas 2024 are:

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Gold Fugglers – exclusive to The Entertainer, £8

Gold Fuggler toy

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Gold Fuggler toy

The Fuggler Gold Fuggler – Reek-O Soft Toy is available exclusively at The Entertainer for £8.

Fugglers are funny-ugly monsters that will ruin your life and warm your heart with their mischievous antics and straight-up bonkers appearance.

You can recognise these creepy creatures with their human-like teeth, vacant eyes and disturbing demeanour.

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Totally Tracks Loop Race Track, £12.50

Totally Tracks Loop Race Track

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Totally Tracks Loop Race Track

Build your very own glowing loop track with this incredible 165-piece set.

The snap tracks are easy to assemble. Just click them together for fun glow in the dark adventures.

Turn out the lights, press down on the light-up car, and watch it make its way around the glow tracks.

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Early Learning Centre Wooden Little Town Figure of Eight Playset – exclusive to The Entertainer, was £34.99 now £14.99

Early Learning Centre Wooden Little Town Figure of Eight Playset

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Early Learning Centre Wooden Little Town Figure of Eight Playset

With over 30 wooden pieces included in this fun set, you can set up your town with shops, signposts, trees and people.

It includes 15 pieces of track, one bridge, one engine, three train carriages, four trees, two buildings, three signposts, a traffic light, one pony and two people. 

The train set can be picked up from The Entertainer, Early Learning Centre and Marks and Spencer for £14.99.

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Bluey’s Escape Convertible Playset – exclusive to The Entertainer, £19.99

Bluey's Escape Convertible Playset

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Bluey’s Escape Convertible PlaysetCredit: The Entertainer

The car that Bluey and Bingo draw in the Bluey episode ‘Escape’ has been brought to life in this great figure and vehicle playset.

Bluey’s Escape Convertible comes with four accessories – food and drink for a road trip and a camera to capture the journey.

It also comes with a fun sticker sheet of drawings done by Bluey and Bingo from the ‘Escape’ episode.

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The play set can be picked up from The Entertainer and Early Learning Centre for £19.99.

Disney Lilo & Stitch Crack Me Up Interactive Soft Toy, £25.00

Lilo & Stitch Crack Me Up Interactive Soft Toy

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Lilo & Stitch Crack Me Up Interactive Soft Toy

This cheerful, interactive Disney Stitch Soft Toy sits 11 inches tall, and plays the familiar sounds of Stitch’s giggles and chuckles inspired by Disney‘s Lilo & Stitch.

Just pick him up and give him a shake to activate fun sounds and motion.

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It’s available at The Enetertain for just £25.

However, it can also be picked up from Very.com and Hamleys.com for 1p less at £24.99.

Happyland Limited Edition Gold London Bus, to mark Early Learning Centre’s 50th anniversary, £27.99

Happyland Limited Edition Gold London Bus

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Happyland Limited Edition Gold London Bus

This limited edition Happyland Golden London Bus is specially created to celebrate 50 years of Early Learning Centre.

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There are only 3,150 buses available.

Ideal for imaginative play, your little ones can drive over the bridges, around roundabouts, and through the tunnels.

While they drive the bus, they can push the buttons for fun sounds.

It costs £27.99, but shoppers could opt for the original red version instead, which is £4 less at £23.99.

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Despicable Me 4 The Ultimate Fart Blaster, £29.99

Despicable Me 4 The Ultimate Fart Blaster

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Despicable Me 4 The Ultimate Fart Blaster

Unlock hilarious farting fun with this Despicable Me 4 The Ultimate Fart Blaster.

With this hilarious gadget from the movie, your little ones will let it rip and have loads of laughs pranking their friends and family. 

The toy can play 15 different funny fart sounds.

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It costs just £29.99 at The Entertainer or 1p more at Argos.

Hot Wheels Power Shift Motorised Raceway Playset – exclusive to The Entertainer, was £59.99 now £29.99

Hot Wheels Power Shift Motorised Raceway Playset

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Hot Wheels Power Shift Motorised Raceway Playset

Kids can blast their cars up, down and around this Hot Wheels Power Shift Motorised raceway playset.

It includes a motorised booster for stunts and crashing action and 1 Hot Wheels vehicle for out-of-the-box play.

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It costs £29.99 at The Entertainer.

Pets Alive Mama Duck Surprise Electronic Pet by ZURU, £29.99

Pets Alive Mama Duck Surprise Electronic Pet

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Pets Alive Mama Duck Surprise Electronic Pet

This toy allows kids to look after their very own duckling family.

The Mama Duck can hatch her very own family. 

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Attach the baby ducklings onto Mama Duck’s tail and watch them follow as Mama Duck quacks and waddles.

The toy costs £29.99 at The Entertainer but can also be picked up from Asda for a penny more at £30.

Disney Bitzee Interactive Pet, £39.99

Disney Bitzee Interactive Pet

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Disney Bitzee Interactive Pet

Your kids can explore the world of Disney like never before with the Disney Bitzee Interactive Pet.

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Bitzee Disney characters respond to swipes, tilts and taps with cute sounds and reactions at every interaction.

It costs £34.99 at The Entertainer but can be picked up for £10 at John Lewis for £24.99.

BeyBlade Extreme Playset, was £44.99 now £35.99

BeyBlade Extreme Playset

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BeyBlade Extreme Playset

This toy marks the next generation of Beyblade.

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This Beyblade X Xtreme Battle Stadium Set has all you need to begin your quest for Beymastery.

When the gear of the top engages the stadium’s X-Celerator Rail, it can super-accelerate into an Xtreme Dash, rocketing it around the arena for crushing collisions. 

The toy costs £35.99 at The Entertainer and can also be picked up at Argos for £45.

Hatchimals Alive! Mystery Hatch Pufficorn Electronic Pet, £64.99

Hatchimals Alive! Mystery Hatch Pufficorn Electronic Pet

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Hatchimals Alive! Mystery Hatch Pufficorn Electronic Pet

Featuring an exciting hatching experience with mist, lights and over 100 sounds and reactions, these Hatchimals are a must-have. 

Inside every Mystery Hatch Hatchimals egg is 1 of 2 characters. Cuddle, tap, lift and rock the egg to encourage your character to hatch — the egg lights up and rocks and you’ll even hear your Hatchimal reacting from inside.

Once your egg has been given enough love, gather family and friends and prepare for the ultimate hatching experience.

The toy costs £64.99 at The Entertainer and can also be picked up at Argos for £65.

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You can discover The Entertainer’s full range of Christmas toys and games in-store and online at www.thetoyshop.com.

Aldi’s Must-Have Toddler Specialbuys!

Argos has also revealed its top toys list for Christmas 2024 with fewer than 100 days left until Christmas day.

The list contains a mix of 20 nostalgic, interactive and character themed toys, which range in price from £16 to £89.99.

This year, Argos has seen searches for Furby up 237%, revealing the rising demand for 90’s toys.

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The toys featured in the list are designed to encourage kids to get creative and immerse themselves in a world of play.

Polly Pocket Dolphin Aquarium Compact is on the cheaper end of the scale, with this product only setting buyers back £16.

Whereas the most expensive toy on the list, the LEGO Wicked Emerald City, which launches on October 1, will set you back £89.99.

To make sure you’re getting the best price available on the market, don’t forget to use comparison sites such as Pricespy.co.uk and CamelCamelCamel.

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Another helpful site, PriceHistory.co.uk, will be able to let you know if Argos has ever stocked the same toys for less.

Prices can also vary day to day and by what deals are on at the time, plus remember you might pay for delivery if you’re ordering online.

Money-Saving Tips from Gemma Bird: Save £2k Before Christmas

IF youre’ looking to save cash, you’ve come to the right place, as here, Gemma Bird has shared her top tips that’ll save you £2k before Christmas.

  • Set a budget: Track your spending and create a realistic budget.
  • Cut unnecessary costs: Cancel unused subscriptions and avoid impulse buys.
  • Meal planning: Plan meals to reduce grocery bills and avoid takeaways.
  • Sell unwanted items: Declutter and sell items online for extra cash.
  • Cashback and discounts: Use cashback sites and hunt for discount codes.
  • DIY gifts: Make personalised gifts to save money and add a personal touch.
  • Pick up a seasonal shift: A really easy way to pick up a bit of extra cash in the winter is to find yourself some seasonal work.

Follow these practical tips from Gemma Bird to boost your savings before the festive season!

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