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Saving Grace December 26, 2024 Full Episode 10

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Saving Grace December 26, 2024 Full Episode 9

The post Saving Grace December 26, 2024 Full Episode 9 appeared first on Teleserye.

If you enjoyed watching Saving Grace December 26, 2024, share Saving Grace December 26, 2024 Full Episode Replay to your friends or leave a comment for Saving Grace December 26, 2024 here at Teleserye.su Saving Grace December 26, 2024 Part 1 – 720p HD Quality Server ⚡ VIP 1 Server ⚡ VIP 2

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The popular airports where sitting at the BACK of the plane means you’ll get off quicker

THERE are a lot of different opinions on where the best seats are on planes.

However, it could be the case that the best seat varies for different flights.

passengers on an airplane with a red light that says emergency exit
Travel expert Gilbert Ott has explained why sitting at the back of the plane is sometimes better
Getty - Contributor

Travel expert Gilbert Ott has explained why sometimes the back of the aircraft is one of the better places to sit.

In an article for flight website God Save the Points, he said that on flights to places with smaller airports, it can be beneficial to sit closer to the back.

Gilbert revealed that this was because it could lead to them getting off the plane much quicker than they would if they were sitting at the back when arriving at bigger airports.

He said: “Some airports, particularly smaller airports in vacation destinations — think Greece, or the Caribbean — board and deplane using steps.

“To help speed up the process, steps are attached both to the forward door of the plane and the rear.

“If I know I’m headed for a destination with steps attached forward and aft and I’m flying economy, I’ll typically select the last, or second to last row of the plane. Business class may still get the first opportunity to deplane, but I’m always among the first off in economy.”

Gilbert recommends passengers research airport deplaning protocol at the airport they are heading to in order to decide whether or not they’re better off sitting at the back of the plane.

He said that looking up pictures of people getting off the planes at those airports can also help people choose where to sit.

As well as the chance to slip off the plane earlier, there are also other perks to sitting at the back of the aircraft.

Passengers are more likely to get free things and additional items such as pillows and food, according to cabin crew.

Flight attendant Annie Kingston revealed that back seat passengers are likely to receive VIP treatment – purely due to their location on the aircraft.

Why? It’s similar to giving one child an ice cream in full view of their friends – give one person a treat, and everyone wants one.

The passengers at the back of the plane are seen by fewer travellers, so if they get slipped an extra drink or a set of toiletries, it’s more likely to go unnoticed.

On a blog post for Oyster.com, she said: “We like to avoid responding to call bells from the front of the plane because answering one means potentially flaunting whatever item the passenger has requested to everyone else along the way.

“This can cause a problem since planes often don’t have enough extra vodka, pillows, earplugs, and toothbrushes, or the time on shorter flights to deviate from the service schedule.

“For passengers sitting near the back of the plane, however, it’s much easier to slip in that second mini bottle of wine.”

Plane etiquette

IF you're planning on going away any time soon, you'll need to pay attention to the following unwritten plane etiquette rules...

RECLINING SEAT: Podcast host and etiquette expert Nick Leighton explained that you shouldn’t recline your seat if the passenger behind you is working on their laptop.

He said: “Nobody likes their laptop snapped in half.”

Before you recline your seat, it’s best to check to see what the passenger behind you is doing.

If they are on a laptop, ask before you move your seat back.

FEET: A flight attendant told The Sun: “Your boarding card tells you a number and a letter, this will be the reserved seat that you have paid for.

“Your feet, which are attached to your body, should do their best to reside within this space and stay far away from anyone else.

“If you do insist on stretching out, please make sure your feet are covered up.”

CHAT: TV travel expert Samantha Brown explained that conversations from strangers aren’t welcome, suggesting that others shouldn’t expect a chat.

She added: “I’m not a talker. Plane time is me time.”

It can sometimes also be beneficial to sit near the front of the aircraft.

This is the best seat to book if you want extra legroom – but it comes with a risk.

a row of seats on an airplane with one that says ' a ' on it
Alamy
Sitting at the back of plane could lead to you getting off quicker after landing[/caption]

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Two eerie ‘Blood Moon’ total lunar eclipses and Saturn’s rings vanishing – the 2025 space events you must not miss

THERE’S no end of awe-inspiring sights to see overhead – but 2025 will bring four special events that you shouldn’t miss.

Stargazers, mark your calendars.

Blood moon.
Nasa / Public Domain
There are two Blood Moons to see in 2025[/caption]

DOUBLE BLOOD MOONS

A blood moon might sound ominous, but it’s just a fun name for a space effect called a lunar eclipse.

And there are two such lunar eclipses happening in 2025.

The first is due to take place from March 13 into March 14, and the second will occur from September 7 into September 8.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon.

This puts the Moon into the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra.

It means that sunlight isn’t directly reaching the Moon, but some is refracted by the Earth’s atmosphere.

This can give the Moon a reddish hue for a few hours, hence the name Blood Moon.

SATURN’S VANISHING RINGS

This one must not be missed – as it doesn’t happen very often.

Saturn’s rings will effectively vanish from view if you’re looking from Earth.

Both the Earth and Saturn are tilted to slightly different degrees.

And at some points, Saturn’s rings are tilted to exactly the right way that we’re seeing them edge on.

That means they appear to vanish. Of course they haven’t really gone, it’s just a matter of perspective.

It happens every 15 years, roughly, and is best seen with an amateur telescope.

And you’ll be able to see the event in March and November 2025.

Screenshot
Saturn’s rings will appear to vanish in 2025 if you’re looking at it from Earth (which you probably are)
NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute

Best dark-sky locations to view the stars

Here are the 10 best locations to see the night sky in the U.S. and U.K.:

United States

  • Death Valley National Park – California
  • Arches National Park – Utah
  • Vermillion Cliffs National Monument – Arizona
  • Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor – Oregon
  • Acadia National Park – Maine
  • Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park – Arizona
  • Adirondack Mountains – New York
  • Waimea Canyon – Kauai, Hawaii
  • Bisti Badlands – New Mexico
  • Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest – California

United Kingdom

  • Cairngorms National Park (Tomintoul and Glenlivet – Cairngorms) – Scotland
  • North York Moors National Park – North East England
  • Yorkshire Dales National Park – North East England
  • Northumberland National Park (with Kielder Water and Forest Park) – North East England
  • Lake District National Park – North West England
  • Snowdonia National Park – Wales
  • Elan Valley – Wales
  • Brecon Beacons National Park – Wales
  • Exmoor National Park – South West England
  • South Downs National Park – South East England

VENUS AND JUPITER MEET-UP

Venus and Jupiter aren’t exactly neighbours: they’re hundreds of millions of miles apart.

But in 2025, they’ll look like they live right next door to each other.

From late August 11 into the morning of August 12, the pair of planets will be extremely close in the night sky.

If you’ve ever seen either planet, you’ll know that they shine brightly in the sky.

Screenshot
Jupiter will meet up with Venus in the night sky in 2025
Enhanced image by Kevin M. Gill (CC-BY) based on images provided courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS

The Sun's top tips for amateur stargazers

Here's an easy guide to get you started...

  • Head up somewhere high
  • Avoid light pollution
  • Bring binoculars
  • Wrap up warm and bring a snack
  • Sit out in the dark for at least half an hour to let your eyes adjust
  • A star spotter guide and a compass can help you find a particular constellation or star
  • Alternatively, consider using an app like Night Sky on iPhone

Planets are typically far brighter than stars, so they’re great for stargazers to spot.

Venus will be the brighter of the pair, but Jupiter will also be plainly visible.

It’s best viewed with a telescope so you can see Jupiter’s details – but this event can be clearly seen even with the naked eye.

GEMINIDS

The Geminids meteor shower isn’t exactly rare because it happens every year.

Why can meteors be multi-coloured?

Meteors can turn all sorts of colours when they burn up, depending on what they're made up of.

The chemical composition of a meteor can be the difference of it shining a blue-green, an orange-yellow, and even violet.

If a meteor burns a bright green or blue, it is because it has magnesium inside it.

If it burns an orange-yellow, it’s composition features sodium.

If it’s just yellow, it’s made up of iron.

If it shines violet, it has a lot of calcium inside it.

If it’s red, this is most likely the result of glowing air plasma, or atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen.

But it’s one of the best opportunities to see a shooting star.

You can expect to see as many as 120 to 160 meteors per hour at the Geminids peak.

We see the shooting stars because we’re in the debris field of the asteroid 3200 Phaetheon.

You can usually see shooting stars from December 4 through to December 16.

What's the difference between an asteroid, meteor and comet?

  • Asteroid: An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits the Sun. Most are found in the asteroid belt (between Mars and Jupiter) but they can be found anywhere (including in a path that can impact Earth)
  • Meteoroid: When two asteroids hit each other, the small chunks that break off are called meteoroids
  • Meteor: If a meteoroid enters the Earth’s atmosphere, it begins to vapourise and then becomes a meteor. On Earth, it’ll look like a streak of light in the sky, because the rock is burning up
  • Meteorite: If a meteoroid doesn’t vapourise completely and survives the trip through Earth’s atmosphere, it can land on the Earth. At that point, it becomes a meteorite
  • Comet: Like asteroids, a comet orbits the Sun. However rather than being made mostly of rock, a comet contains lots of ice and gas, which can result in amazing tails forming behind them (thanks to the ice and dust vapourising)

But you’d typically expect the peak to occur on December 14.

The meteors can appear at any point in the sky, so all you really need is a clear night and a bit of patience.

Make sure you let your eyes adjust to the darkness – this also means not looking at your phone screen.

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PS5 gamers have to play these top five console releases from 2024

PLAYSTATION gamers have been eating well this year, with critically acclaimed games launching throughout 2024.

PS5 exclusives made up a good chunk of The Game Awards winners and nominees and they are worthy of their accolades.

We’ve picked out our five favourites that are all must-plays for PlayStation console owners.

Here are the top five PS5 games of 2024.

5. Black Myth: Wukong

Wukong, a monkey warrior, holding a staff.
Game Science
Black Myth: Wukong has some of the best combat of any game this year[/caption]

Black Myth: Wukong isn’t technically a PlayStation console exclusive, but without an Xbox version yet, we’ll still count this one.

An action RPG with some genre-blending, it has challenging boss fights of a soulslike without the difficult treks in between.

This gaming take on the classic story Journey to the West has proven itself as one of the best PS5 games of 2024.

If you want to read more about the game, check out our Black Myth: Wukong review.

4. Silent Hill 2

Silent Hill 2 remake: James Sunderland, a creature, and a disturbing portrait.
Bloober Team
Silent Hill 2 shows what a remake should be[/caption]

Silent Hill 2 is the first but not the last classic remake on our list, and is a completely new take on the PlayStation horror classic.

The remake ups the tension but keeps the atmosphere and feel of the original game.

More than just shiny new graphics, it adds more puzzles, endings, and things to find than ever before.

If you want to learn more, check out our Silent Hill 2 review.

3. Helldivers 2

a video game is being played on a captured on pc
Arrowhead Studios
Helldivers 2 is one of the best multiplayer games this year[/caption]

In a year that felt like the death of the live-service model, Helldivers 2 managed to succeed.

As part of Super Earth’s army, you take on missions with your crew in the pursuit of glory.

Collaboration is at the heart of Helldivers 2, as there are goals that every player completes together, and regular updates keep them coming back.

You can find out more by checking out our Helldivers 2 review.

2. Astro Bot

Gameplay screenshot of Astro Bot flying through a whimsical, cloud-filled world populated by pink flamingos and floating islands.
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Astro Bot mixes adorable animations and entertaining exploration[/caption]

Astro Bot features callbacks to characters from the most popular PlayStation games, but it’s so much more than nostalgia bait.

It features dozens of gorgeous levels that range from open exploration to difficult platforming challenges.

Astro Bot captured our hearts with its smooth mechanics, and delightful animations, and we love all of the updates it receives.

If you want to learn more about the game, check out our Astro Bot review.

1. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Aerith in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Square Enix
Once again Final Fantasy 7 is our top choice[/caption]

Our favourite PlayStation game of the year is also based on one of the most popular games of all time.

Putting a twist on the original FF7 story, it offers a second possibility for what might have been.

With side quests and stories that give more insights into all of the characters that we love so much.

Find out more about the game by reading our Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth review.

All the latest PS5 reviews from The Sun

Get the lowdown on more of the latest PS5 releases from our expert reviewers.

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Inside Masked Singer star Jennifer Saunders’ life with TV husband and nepo baby daughters

JENNIFER Saunders has revealed everything about her incredible life, from her friendship with Dawn French to her painful cancer battle and what it’s like to live with her famous TV star husband.

The 66-year-old actress rose to stardom alongside her best mate, Dawn French, on the eighties show French and Saunders.

LONDON - DECEMBER 4: Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders posing in the studio for red nose day 2003. (Photo by Comic Relief/Getty Images)
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders pose in the studio for Red Nose Day 2003
Jab-o-meter: 15 million target (14.5 million first jabs given).
Absolutely Fabulous The Movie starring Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders will be judges on the Masked Singer this Boxing Day
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 06: Jennifer Saunders (L) and Ade Edmondson attend the Glamour Women of The Year Awards 2017 in Berkeley Square Gardens on June 6, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Jennifer Saunders with her husband Adrian Edmondson, who played Eddie in Bottom!

She then went on to star as Edwina in Absolutely Fabulous opposite Joanna Lumley‘s Patsy.

And now the long term friends French and Saunders will be reunited as panel judges on tonight’s The Masked Singer Christmas Special.

The comedy duo will share a sneaky kiss under the mistletoe as they join Jonathan Ross, Mo Gilligan and Davina McCall to try to guess who is behind the mask.

This year’s contestants are Nutcracker, Star, Turkey Crown, and Christmas Cracker, but the celebs inside the costumes are being kept tightly under wraps.

But while they pucker up for the cameras, they have a competitive streak.

Speaking ahead of the show, Dawn said: “Any rivalry between Jen and I on this show will NOT be friendly… We love each other but a competition is a competition and I will take that beatch down with no mercy.”  

Jennifer added: “Dawn is far more up-to-date with the Who’s Who of showbiz, so I’m hoping she’ll give me some suggestions.” 

But while they are great friends, they won’t be gathering around the Christmas table together. Jennifer said: “No, we don’t live together… We’re not joined at the hip.” 

Dawn, renowned as the Vicar of Dibley, elaborated, “What you normally do at Christmas is you spend it with your family and we’ve got separate families!”   

However, the pair, who met at drama school more than 30 years ago, are almost as close as family, spending holidays together. Meanwhile, Dawn is Jen’s eldest daughter’s godparent.

Jennifer will be spending it with her husband Adrian Edmondson who is better known for his roles as The Young Ones and Bottom!

The 66-year-old has also appeared in EastEnders and Jonathan Creek and made his film debut on Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Adrian recounted to The Mirror how he met Jennifer in a comic strip club – where you could “perform alternative comedy on one stage while there were strippers on the other.

Best BBC comedies

We look back at some of the best to ever grace the screen.

Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) – Only two series were made of the beloved institution. However, the cultural impact of the series starring John Cleese and Connie Booth spans decades. It follows rude and intolerant Basil Fawlty (Cleese) as he attempts to improve the reputation of his hotel.

Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003) – The show was crowned by some as the best British sitcom of all time by a TV poll in 2004. Seven series were broadcast on BBC until 1991 with additional sporadic Christmas specials airing until 2003. Sir David Jason starred as ambitious market trader Derek “Del Boy” Trotter whilst Nicholas Lyndhurst played his younger half-brother Rodney. Set in working-class Peckham in south-east London, it follows the highs and lows of the lives of the Trotters’, in particular their brazen attempts to get rich.

Blackadder (1983 – 1989) – Four series were made of the iconic show, created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson. Each series spans a different historical period as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder (Atkinson) tries to better himself in each society. Accompanied by his dogsbody Baldrick (Tony Robinson), trouble always ensues. A TV poll in 2004 found that Blackadder was voted the second-best British sitcom of all time

Absolutely Fabulous (1992 – 2012) – Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley star as failing PR guru Edina ‘Eddie’ Monsoon and alcoholic fashionista Patsy Stone. The pair embark on heavy-drinking sessions and abuse drugs in a desperate attempt to stay ‘hip’. Eddie constantly chases bizarre fads and fails to lose weight whilst her disappointed and neglected daughter Saffy (Julia Sawalha) looks on.

Little Britain (2003 – 2006) – The premise is simple. A sketch show which features different British people from all walks of life that are engaged in all sorts of comical scenarios. Starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams, the pair created iconic pop culture characters. Viewers loved obnoxious council estate teenager Vicky Pollard, morbidly obese scrounger Bubbles Devere, slimming coach Marjorie Dawes, despondent office worker Carol Beer, disgraced politician Sir Norman Fry, of course the iconic Lou and Andy!

The Catherine Tate Show (2004-2015) – A sketch show starring the likes of Catherine Tate. She made iconic characters such as rowdy schoolgirl Lauren Cooper with her line ‘Am I bovvered?’. Other characters featured Bernie the nurse, the aga saga woman, complaining couple Janice and Ray, and of course her infamous ‘Nan’, Joannie Taylor. The last character herself spawned multiple specials and even a movie.

Gavin and Stacey (2007 – Present) The series tells the story of Gavin (Matthew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page). The pair embarked on an online and telephone romance for six months. But when they finally decide to be together properly, their friends and family get in the way. Ruth Jones and James Corden created the beloved show, which has been going for over a decade. The 2019 Christmas special was the most-watched comedy in 17 years and the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade.

“Needless to say she was one of the comedians not one of the strippers.”

He proposed on horseback, and the couple has three grown-up daughters, Ella, Beattie, and Freya, and live in Chagford, Devon.

Adrian was a tower of strength for Jennifer when in 2009, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

After nine months of treatment brought on menopause and depression, the comic revealed to The Mirror: “You just grit your teeth and bear it. It becomes your job and your job is now getting through this next year of whatever.”

And thankfully, Jennifer has remained healthy and well ever since, and her career has continued to thrive.

As well as releasing Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie in 2016, she has also starred in Netflix drama The Stranger and 2022’s Death on the Nile.

Meanwhile, the couple’s daughters have all stepped into the limelight in their own way too.

Eldest daughter Ella is a singer-songwriter who has supported Jools Holland and her father’s punk-inspired folk act The Bad Shepherds.

Meanwhile Beattie was one of the three main characters in the BBC Three sitcom Josh and also starred in Bridget Jones’s Baby.

Youngest daughter Freya is also an actress, and has appeared in Fate: The Winx Saga and TV series, Delicious.

French and Saunders crash the Repair Shop
Sister Act The Musical at Apollo Hammersmith 26/07/22 Jennifer Saunders (Mother Superior) Photo: Marilyn Kingwill
PA:Empics Sport
Jennifer Saunders as Mother Superior in Sister Act The Musical at Apollo Hammersmith[/caption]

The Masked Singer Christmas Special will air at 7.30pm on Boxing Day on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. 

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Exact date millions of energy customers must take a meter reading before their bills rise

ENERGY bills will rise for millions of households next week when the new price cap comes into effect.

The cap will increase by 1.2%, adding £21 a year to the typical bill of a household with a dual fuel tariff that pays via direct debit.

Electricity meter outside a UK home showing 129094.13 kWh.
Getty
Households need to submit a meter reading to make sure their bills are accurate[/caption]

Households will now spend £1,738 a year on their energy, up from £1,717 under the previous cap.

The threshold shows how much an average family could expect to pay for energy each year.

But the amount they will actually pay depends on how much energy they use and can be higher or lower than the cap.

The threshold applies to the 28 million households on a standard variable tariff, which changes every three months depending on the wholesale price of energy.

Other households are on a fixed tariff, which means they pay a set amount for the duration of their contract and are not subject to the cap.

To avoid being overcharged, you should submit a meter reading before the price cap increases.

Doing so guarantees that all of the energy you use before January 1 is charged at the lower rate.

The date by which you must submit a meter reading depends on your supplier as several will allow you to backdate it.

Some providers will even give you an extra fortnight to send in your reading.

If you miss the deadline then you will be given an estimated bill, which is calculated based on how much energy you are forecast to have used.

As a result, some of the energy you used before the new cap came into effect may be charged at the wrong rate.

This could mean that you receive a bill which is more than the amount you actually need to pay.

Here we explain the exact dates by which you need to submit a meter reading to your supplier.

When to submit a meter reading

You should try and take a meter reading as close to January 1 as possible to show how much energy you have used up until this point.

What energy bill help is available?

There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.

If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.

This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.

If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.

Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.

But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.

For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.

British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.

You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.

EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.

Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).

The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.

Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.

Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.

Once you have taken the reading you have a certain window in which to send it to your supplier.

How long you have to submit it depends on who your energy provider is.

British Gas customers have until January 14 to send in a reading online, via its app, telephone line or web form.

At Ovo Energy you can send in your reading in your online account, via its app or over the phone and you need to do so by January 11.

E.on Next customers must submit a meter reading before January 6 through their online account, via the app, email or by telephone.

Households which are supplied by Octopus Energy have until January 8 to submit their reading online, through a web form, via the app or by email.

EDF customers need to send in a reading before January 10.

They can do so online, via its app, online form, email, WhatsApp, text or over the phone.

At Utility Warehouse customers must give a reading in the five days leading up to October 1 and submit it in their online account, through its app or by phone.

Scottish Power customers need to submit their reading by January 5 and can do so through their online account, via its app or by telephone 24 hours a day.

So Energy customers need to provide a meter reading within a week before or after the new price cap comes into force.

They can do so online, via text, webchat, telephone or email.

If the reading is not submitted by December 31 then the closest available reading will be used for the changeover.

How to submit a meter reading

The easiest way to take a meter reading is to take a photo of your gas and electricity meters.

This means you have evidence in case you need to dispute a bill.

You can send in your meter reading online via your energy account.

Some providers will also let you send in the numbers by text or through their app.

Check which options your supplier offers on their website.

Electricity meters

If you have a digital electricity meter then you will see a row of six numbers.

Five of them will be in black and one will be in red.

Write down the five numbers in black, which are shown from left to right.

If you are on an economy 7 or 10 tariff, which gives you cheaper electricity at night, then you will have two rows of numbers.

You need both to take a reading.

If you have a traditional dial meter then you need to read the first five dials from left to right.

Ignore any red dials.

If the pointer is between two numbers then write down the lowest figure.

If it is between nine and zero then write down the number nine.

Gas meters

If you have a digital metric gas meter showing five numbers followed by a decimal point then you need to write down the first five numbers.

If you have a digital imperial meter then you will see four black numbers and two red numbers.

Write down the four black numbers only.

If you have a digital gas meter, follow the same steps as the digital electricity meter.

Smart meters

If you have a smart meter then you do not need to submit a meter reading as it is sent automatically to your supplier.

Check that your smart meter is in “smart mode” and is working properly to ensure that you are accurately charged.

Household Support Fund explained

Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund.

If you’re battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline.

The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living.

Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households.

Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments.

In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families.

Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying.

Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income.

The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer.

And don’t delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date.

Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it’s crucial you apply as soon as possible.

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

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Don’t despair over your rubbish Christmas gifts – you can make £3k flogging them if you follow expert’s savvy tips

YESTERDAY the majority of us sat in a circle around the Christmas tree tearing wrapping paper to see what our loved ones got us.

And while we are always grateful for the thought – sometimes the present itself isn’t exactly what we had in mind.

Man smiling, sitting at a table with luxury goods.
Supplied
Dan Hatfield shared how to flog your unwanted Christmas gifts to make some extra cash[/caption]

Whether it’s a jumper that’s too small or yet another perfume to add to your collection – sometimes there’s just no room for a gift.

But instead of throwing it away or giving it to charity, this year you could try selling it and make some cash back from pricey Christmas shopping.

This Morning‘s money-making expert Dan Hatfield, speaks exclusively to Fabulous on what presents to shift to make some extra cash and the exact website to do it on.

He says: “Christmas time is a wonderful, magical period for a lot of us, but it’s also financially quite a stressful period as well.

“We’re all striving to have the most magical Christmas we can, but the problem is that we spend about 156% of our monthly income on Christmas alone, which means that we’ve got a massive shortfall in terms of other bills to pay and just general living.

“So the problem is, come January, we find that on average Brits have a £3,000 credit card bill to pay, and it usually takes them about three to four months to pay that off.”

It’s an eye-watering amount of debt to start the year off with, but thankfully, the money-making pro says it can easily be erased.

“We know that there are, on average, Brits have 42 items in the home that they don’t use at present, which equates to about £3,000, which is a wonderful figure, isn’t it?” Dan explains.

“Because if your credit card bill’s about £3,000 and the average family in Britain has £3,000 of unwanted items, straight away, we can see that on average Brits can unlock that money-making potential in order to alleviate any big bills in January.”

And each year, 21 million people receive a gift they don’t want plus, further research from eBay found that 77% of us have an unwanted gift still in its original packaging, meaning you can make good money from it.

A woman looks disappointed at a Christmas gift containing face masks.
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You could have £3,000 worth of goodies to sell[/caption]

Jewellery

For those that have been gifted Jewellery this Christmas they aren’t in love with, well, you’r in luck.

The value of gold has increased by 30% in the past 12 months making it the perfect time to sell and earn some extra cash.

Dan adds: “Think about it, how many of us and how many of our family members have got a charm bracelet or a ring?

“I find in my job that every day I get people coming to me with jewellery boxes full of stuff that they just didn’t realise was worth as much money as it was.”

Best site to sell on: Etsy

Beauty

Many of the items we get for Christmas include fancy perfume gift sets or skincare.

But we all have particular brands and scents we like, so if you’ve been given one you’re not in love with sell it on.

Dan says you can get more cash for the product if you leave it unopened and it can be a good way to start paying back that Christmas credit card bill.

Best site to sell on: eBay

Clothes

Dan says we have an average of £900 of clothes we don’t wear hanging in the back of our wardrobes.

Not only that, we also tend to buy new clothes for Christmas and New Year which we wear once.

Instead of keeping it hanging in the wardrobe for years to come, Dan recommends selling it off, and that includes your ugly Christmas jumper.

“Brits pay £14 million a year on Christmas jumpers,” he explains. “And that number’s increasing every year.”

Best site to sell on: Vinted

Woman choosing clothes from a full closet.
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Selling clothes is super easy and can be lucrative[/caption]

Kitchenware

We hope you aren’t getting kitchenware for Christmas – but if you do, here’s how to sell it on.

According to Dan Etsy is a great place to sell kitchenware especially brands such as Pyrex.

For larger pieces – say a juicer, or kitchen aid Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace can be easier to get them gone quickly.

Best site to sell on: Etsy

Technology

Whether you have old phone slying around the house or you’ve been bought another portable charger – there’s a way to earn some extra cash.

In fact, it’s worth looking around the house for unwanted tech as most of us have around £800 worth not being used.

Dan says: “And even old technology can be worth something, once it becomes retro, so broken Gameboys can be worth £50.

“But if you’ve got a Gameboy that’s working, then you’re looking at between £100 and £200 for one of those.”

Best site to sell on: eBay

Items worth money

We probably all have at least one or two of these items lying around the house, but you could make hundreds selling them online.

  • Bikes – £290 
  • Computer tablets – £180  
  • Smart watch – £125  
  • Christmas tree – £38  
  • Juicer – £36  
  • Nokia 900 communicator – £800  
  • 2009 Sony Ericsson W995 – £500  
  • Super Nintendo – £50 to £200  
  • Sega game gear – £150-£350  
  • 90s football shirts up to £100  
  • 90s Royal Daulton figures up to £400 

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