Table of contents for 02-2024 in Best

January is arguably everyone’s brokest month of the year… and it may feel like the wrong time to tell you to start saving. But turn to page 51 and you will find a host of ideas to help you make your money last longer and get out of debt! My personal favourite money saving hack is this one. If you save as little as 1p on 1 January, you can end up with over £600 by the end of the year! You simply build the sum by going up a penny each day as the year progresses, meaning that on the final day of December, you’ll have £667.95 in your savings pot. Genius. And it’s not too late to take the challenge. Start saving from today (9 January), by setting…

A marriage split is a testing time – but when you’re in the public eye, it must feel so much worse. Now Chloe Madeley has admitted she wouldn’t have got through the breakdown of her relationship to James Haskell without her mum and dad – TV’s Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley. Fitness trainer Chloe, 36, and former rugby player James, 38, announced they had parted ways in October as they explained their main focus was now on co-parenting their daughter Bodhi, then just 14 months. Reflecting on this painful split, the reality star, who tied the knot with James in 2018, recently revealed she spent the entire time at her parents’ home in tears. ‘The day that the statement came out, James had Bodhi and I went round to my…

‘Who do you think has the best job in the world? And what, would you say, is the best job in the world? I used to think it was that of a bus conductor on the open Routemaster buses as they were the only ones who were allowed to swing out into the road on the pole. In my teens, it was simply an ‘office job’. Later, I thought being an ‘air-hostess’ was the one to beat. In my 30s it was any job, I just wanted to get back to work after my first marriage went t**s up. Then, at the age of 40, I got it, the best job in the world on Loose Women, which I had until just last year when that also went t**s up.…

THESE KITCHEN STAPLES MAKE GREAT MULTI-TASKING PAMPER PRODUCTS OLIVE OIL Packed with antioxidants, olive oil will do your skin a power of good, protecting, plumping and moisturising. ● Strengthen hair:Section dry hair and apply to the partings on the scalp with a small brush. Wrap hair in a hot towel for an hour.After shampooing add a small drop of vinegar in the rinse water to add shine. ● Bath soak: Add a couple of capfuls into your bath water to moisturise all over. ● Smoothing mask:Mix 2 tbsp olive oil with 1 tbsp white sugar and one chamomile tea bag. Apply to cleansed skin, avoiding the lip and eye area. Leave for 10 minutes then rinse and lightly moisturise. Chamomile helps soothe your skin, while sugar exfoliates dead skin cells…

Salt and Pepper Chicken Salad Nothing has us looking forward to lunchtime quite like this fakeaway-inspired crispy chicken salad. It’s every bit as fun and delicious as it sounds, for only 313 calories per serving (drizzle of sweet chilli sauce included!). We think it really shines on a bed of Asian-style veggies, but there’s nothing to stop you swapping in your favourite shredded greens – just be sure to tweak the calories, if you’re counting! 15 Mins Prep, 30 Mins Cook, Serves 4 • 1 tbsp fine sea salt• 1 tbsp white granulated sweetener or caster sugar• ½ tbsp Chinese 5 spice• pinch of dried chilli flakes• 1 tsp ground white pepper• 75g panko breadcrumbs• 1 medium egg, beaten• 400g diced chicken breast• low-calorie cooking spray• 300g Chinese leaves, thinly…

TOP TIP! A vase of faux flowers will lift the Jan blues and will last well into Spring.…

Naomi Willis, 40, and husband Ricky, 45, live in Hull and have three children. The husband-and-wife duo have been running their blog Skint Dad since 2014 after struggling to make ends meet. At one point, they owed money to 25 different credit companies. One day, with £6.20 in the bank and still a week to go until payday, Ricky wrote about their predicament online and was shocked by how many people were experiencing the same. Now they’re finding ways to make every penny count... ‘With the New Year in full swing, there has never been a better time to start managing your money,’ says Naomi. ‘We’re not financial experts with degrees in accounting but, we are really proud that over the past few years, we’ve made Skint Dadone of the…

For many, the Christmas holiday proves to be the final straw in a marriage already headed towards the end. So much so, the first Monday of the New Year is known among solicitors and lawyers as Divorce Day. Divorce is, by definition, the breakdown of a relationship. It’s often characterised in films as a messy business, as bitter, hostile couples break apart resentfully, slinging belongings out of windows and hurling accusations and blame at each other. But does it always have to be this way? In April 2022, a change to divorce laws in England and Wales signalled an end to the blame game, with the introduction of no-fault divorce, meaning couples no longer had to point the finger to quickly dissolve the relationship. This significant milestone suggests that, sometimes,…

MUM’S BECOME A TOTAL HOARDER My mum has never been particularly ‘tidy’ – growing up, I distinctly remember the piles of newspapers, magazines, clothes, all sorts in random corners of the house. But as she’s got older (she’s 82 now), the situation seems to have escalated. The piles of rubbish are getting bigger, gathering dust and I’m worried this is unhealthy. She’s totally compos mentis, I’m not worried that way, so how do I get her to change her ways? I’ve tried to broach the topic and she laughs and says: ‘Oh, you know me!’ What should I do? Julie, Ayr It’s time to take your mother’s hoarding seriously. Piles of decaying rubbish could be a fire or health hazard. This is more than a little eccentric. It’s dangerous. Your…

‘Oh, here’s details of the next Neighbourhood Watch meeting. The Crowthers might appreciate this,’ Dad mused at breakfast, as he studied a leaflet. Forty-something Jenny was spending the weekend with her parents. Six months ago, her folks had moved to a pretty Yorkshire dales village called Kipston – as they were both retired and wanted a fresh start. It had cast a serenity spell over Jenny, too. The never-ending fields, farm animals, birds, woodlands and bubbling streams held a special magic charm. She felt so relaxed here! Getting away had been extra nice this time, she thought, because of her general feeling of unease. It was just work related – or was it?, she reflected. Jenny and her accountant boyfriend Tim had been dating for two years. Yet they hadn’t…

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As I stared at the chunky woman in the photo that a friend had posted on social media, I didn’t recognise her. She was wearing a very unflattering black corduroy dress and boots, and she looked awful. Then my heart sank. I realised the woman in the photo was me. It was 2020, we’d just come out of lockdown and I’d recently split from my husband of 19 years. I’m only 5ft 2in tall and my weight had always fluctuated between 9st and 11st. I was very unhappy and this was the heaviest I’d ever been. When I was younger, I’d diet for a few weeks before a special occasion and the weight would fall off. But since hitting the perimenopause, the pounds had become harder to shift. Working full-time…

HOW IT WORKS Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and the related health issues were big news in 2023. So it makes perfect sense that a growing interest in eating less processed food is predicted to be a trend for 2024. UPFs are foods that have been heavily processed (typically mass produced) and commonly contain multiple additives like flavourings and preservatives. Examples include products such as packets of biscuits and ready meals. We’ve put together a plan cutting out UPFs, while helping you lose weight. Eliminating processed foods can be challenging, especially when you’re short of time and money. So we haven’t been ultra-strict because so many foods have some degree of processing. But you won’t find common convenience foods included in the plan. Instead there’s plenty of nutritious, natural alternatives that don’t…

It’s a bit of a British institution. Yes, Grantchester ’s back, the 1950s detective drama set in the picturesque Cambridgeshire village of the same name, Robson Green returning as perennially overworked Detective Inspector Geordie Keating, and Tom Brittney as Reverend Will Davenport – a confirmed bachelor who gave us a delicious twist at the end of the last series, by tying the knot. This explosive new season, which sees Will rocked by a terrible accident, explores faith, forgiveness, and redemption – and will test Will and Geordie to the limit. Here, Hexham-born Robson, 59, tells us more... Robson, you’ve been in Grantchester longer than any other series. What keeps you coming back? As I’m in the last third of my life, I want to work with people I love working…

Imagine being sent to prison for something you didn’t do, shamed in your local community, ruined financially and driven to want to die. For many of those caught up in the shocking Post Office scandal, this was the terrifying reality – and, tragically, four people did take their own lives. Britain’s biggest miscarriage of justice is back in the headlines, thanks to ITV’s drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, and for many of the victims and their families, it’s shining a much-needed light on a very dark chapter. Seema Misra was a Post Office operator in West Byfleet, Surrey, but in 2008 she was suspended after an audit found a £74,000 discrepancy. The problem lay in the Post Office’s faulty IT system, but – like the other victims –…

1 JANUARY: Install LED Bulbs Embrace energy efficiency in your home by replacing old energy-guzzling bulbs with LED lights. Not only do LED bulbs consume significantly less electricity, they are better for the environment and last much longer than traditional bulbs, meaning fewer replacements and less waste. Expected saving: £35-£50 a year on bills. 2 FEBRUARY: Homemade Valentine’s gifts Showing the love of your life that you care does not need to cost money – there are plenty of free and cheap ways to mark the occasion. Considermaking a gift instead of buying one. You could have the same pre-planned dinner at home but fully set the table with candles to make it more romantic, or consider a floor picnic in front of the telly – it might still be…

TRAVEL BUG I want to travel more this year – hardly the most original of statements, but I mean it. I just don’t know where to go! This indecision over travel destinations has plagued me all my adult life and, as I get older, it gets worse. These days with everyone feeling the financial pinch, the stakes are high and no one can afford to get a holiday wrong. Not unless you’re a Beckham, in which case, one dud holiday can be kissed better with another sun-drenched paradise island trip. For the rest of us, all our hopes, dreams and savings are poured into a couple of precious weeks a year, and woe betide it goes tits up. Things that can go wrong on holiday mostly revolve around weather and…

ITCHY SKIN – BUT WHY? Can blood pressure medication cause itchiness? My other half has been on tablets since late last year for high blood pressure and is experiencing terrible itchiness on and off, all over his body – he’s scratching himself to bits. He doesn’t really take any other medication regularly and certainly doesn’t have psoriasis or eczema. Could this be the culprit, doctor? Glenda, Fife DR HILARY SAYS: The short answer is yes, it can. Blood pressure-lowering medication including Captopril, Enalapril, Lisinopril, Candesartan and Irbesartan among others can all lead to itching and skin rashes as occasional side-effects. Luckily, there are many other medications to choose from so he should ask his doctor about trying something else to see if his symptoms improve. Besides that, there may be…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES The answer will appear in the shaded boxes and this is your prize answer. Enter by using the number at the top of the grid or at hearstmagazines. co.uk/bestcross0224 ACROSS 1 4 9 10 11 12 14 15 17 18 20 21 22 DOWN 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 13 14 15 16 17 19 Trees and shrubs that shed leaves annually are known as what? The answer will appear in the shaded squares. Phone and online entries open 9 January 2024 until midnight on 26 January 2024. Over 18s only. †Calls cost 65p per min plus your telephone company’s network access charge, and should last no longer than 2 mins. Service provided by Spoke (0333…

Former Golden Girl of ITV Holly Willoughby departed from This Morning last October, with what seemed like the comfort of various other TV projects firmly on her radar. And no one would have suspected any problems with the 42-year-old getting work, after years of fronting a top daytime telly gig. But it would appear that safety net is disappearing, after the BBC recently confirmed her show Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof has been cancelled. The series, hosted by mum-of-three Holly, 42, and Lee Mack, 55, saw eight celebrities embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure under the training of extreme athlete Wim Hof, the Dutchman often called The Iceman, despite being 64. Speculation over the future of Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof had rumbled since it aired in 2022 with…

National treasure Joanna Lumley is back on our screens, starring in new thriller Fool Me Once, which hit Netflix on New Year’s Day (and we’re all talking about it!). We caught up with the actress and campaigner at the London premiere of the show, where she told us about one of her pet hates, explained why she’s mistaken for a snob, revealed the secrets to still looking great at 77 – and gave us the inside story on the Z-list ‘stars’ best avoided... Hi Joanna, tell us about Fool Me Once… It’s a thriller based on Harlan Coben’s novel of the same name, and I play Judith, the mother-in-law of the main character Maya, played by Michelle Keegan. It’s full of the most amazing twists and turns and will keep…

You haven’t changed since you were 10 years old,’ my cousin Mark said throwing me an affectionate smile, as I regaled them with yet another funny story of my calamitous life in London. There we were, a higgedly piggledy group – three generations of cousins, aunts and children, relaxed and content as we sat around, swapping jokes and chatting in the sunshine. I hadn’t seen my dad’s family for over 30 years, and everyone had made their way to Stanley Park, Blackpool, especially to see me. For the first time since my father died, I felt as if belonged. Dad had drawn his last breath on a freezing cold day in early January 2022, only three weeks after he’d been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. The shock and devastation of…

I’ve long thought the potty antics of my moggy, Sealy Cuddle Cat, have served some special purpose. Keeping me on my toes mentally, ready to satisfy his every whim, is obviously beneficial to an ever-so-slightly spoilt kitty. Maybe Sealy has not been trying to turn me into a crazy cat lady. Instead, has his mission been to keep my brain working well by exercising it with his fiendishly clever feline tomfoolery? So when he plonks his bum smack-bang in the middle of my bed, he’s not being a selfish bed hog, he’s testing my spatial awareness. When he stares at the window, then me, willing me to get up and open it, he’s exercising my powers of perception, not just being too idle to use the £200 microchip catflap? So,…

Joe Wicks has been helping the nation stay healthy for over 10 years, and with his latest book, Feel Good in 15, the 38-year-old is teaching us how to keep our minds in shape, too. Already a dad to three, Indie, five, Marley four and Leni, one, he admits he and his wife Rosie are trying for baby number four... Hi, Joe. How can your new book, Feel Good in 15, help us create healthier habits? It’s all about doing things in 15-minute blocks, whether that’s working out, stretching or making a meal. There is also a lot of stuff in there that will help with sleep and mindfulness. It’s about focusing on mental health and the way that if you do one thing for 15 minutes, it could motivate…

‘FINAL WARNING’ the letter read in red bold letters. I hated opening my mail. The letter said I needed to call the credit card company urgently. Despair seeped through me. I could call them but I didn’t have the money to pay them back! It was September 2009; and I was going through a separation with my husband. I lived in Islington, North London with my two daughters, then age 14 and 12, and my debt – if you added it all up – was £12,000. Three credit cards, two catalogue accounts and an overdraft. I paid the minimum amount each month barely paying off the interest. I was locked in a vicious cycle, with a massive debt I had no way of settling. I’d been struggling to make ends…

CAPRICORN 22 December – 20 January The New Moon in your sign on 11 January brings another personal New Year for you. Resolutions often get broken, it’s true, but why not identify one thing you want to improve over the next 12 months and put some effort into researching the best way to go about this? And if you falter, forgive yourself and start again. AQUARIUS 21 January – 19 February You’re entering your most withdrawn time of year and Thursday’s New Moon makes you feel like keeping apart. There are one or two individuals who don’t seem well-disposed to you – but really is that your imagination? Don’t become a hermit. You have kind friends to cheer you up and clear your mind. PISCES 20 February – 20 March…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Seaham, like many towns on County Durham’s coastline, fell on hard times in the Nineties with the closure of the coal mines that supported the local economy. But ironically, it’s this industrial legacy that’s driving Seaham’s renaissance. Besides being an attractive shoreline of cave-pocked limestone cliffs, Seaham Beach’s big draw is its wealth of colourful sea glass: indeed, this is one of the world’s best locations for finding these wave-polished gems. INSIDER’S GUIDE Sea glass is created when fragments of glass become smoothed by the sea’s endless motion, turning what were bits of rubbish into things of unique beauty. Seaham is particularly good for these trash-to-treasure riches because it was once home to Britain’s largest glassworks, producing 20,000 bottles each day. Waste glass from the process was dumped…