{"id":682980,"date":"2026-07-09T20:43:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T20:43:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/682980\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T20:43:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T20:43:14","slug":"why-im-bored-to-death-of-being-told-mortgage-rates-were-higher-in-your-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/682980\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I’m bored to death of being told mortgage rates were higher in your day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this week, I wrote a piece detailing the worries some young people have about high mortgages rates \u2013 and why it was putting them off buying.<\/a><\/p>\n

Mortgages got comfortably below 4 per cent at the start of 2026, but since the Iran war started back in February, they\u2019ve been far higher, and it\u2019s deterring some first-time buyers from dipping their toe into the market.<\/p>\n

One woman I spoke to said she wouldn\u2019t be buying until rates got below 4 per cent again.<\/p>\n

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Can we treat guests without blowing our budget?<\/p>\n

According to Waitrose, a dinner party revival is underway led by younger people trying to reduce the cost of getting together.<\/p>\n

The i Paper food writer Sophie Morris [below] asks chefs for their best ideas for hosting at home. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Always have bread<\/p>\n

People will feast on the
bread, and then need less fish\/steak\/expensive whatever. All small plates restaurants know this: this is why the first thing on the menu is always artisan bread and butter. <\/p>\n

ELLA RISBRIDGER, AUTHOR OF THE KITCHEN BOOK \u2013 GOOD FOOD FOR EVERY DAY<\/p>\n

\"FemaleFemale Hands cutting bread. \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\nUse vegetables as centrepieces\n<\/p>\n

Chef and food writer Helen Graham turns vegetables into centrepieces to cut down on meat and fish expenses.<\/p>\n

\"VarietyVariety Fresh of organic fruits and vegetables and healthy vegan meal ingredients in reusable eco cotton bags on beige background . Zero waste shopping concept. Healthy food, clean eating, eco friendly, no plastic. Flat lay, top view \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"BeautifulBeautiful woman unpacks a full fabric bag with fruits and vegetables on the kitchen. \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Add pantry items<\/p>\n

Graham\u2019s recipes include a braised cabbage with a preserved lemon sauce, a roast cauliflower with saffron, and harrisa roast carrots with mango labneh.<\/p>\n

\nHow to host on a budget\n<\/p>\n

\"TableMany of the dishes we take for granted in British curry joints are entirely unlike anything you might find to eat in the subcontinent (Photo: Getty\/E+)<\/p>\n

Improve the everyday<\/p>\n

Guests will\u00a0always appreciate a stellar interpretation of the ordinary. Think lasagna or curry. <\/p>\n

Generosity<\/p>\n

Cooking dinner for your guests is spoiling them \u2013 you\u2019re being generous with your time, your effort, and your home. So don\u2019t feel the need to go overboard elsewhere.<\/p>\n

\"A(Photo: FilippoBacci\/Getty Images\/E+)<\/p>\n

\"ManMan serving friends salad at backyard dinner party \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Ask for help<\/p>\n

Ask friends to bring a contribution, be it a nibble or a pudding.<\/p>\n

Big platter energy<\/p>\n

[Presentation] can be the key to elevating something\u00a0. Spaghetti and tomato sauce suddenly looks like a feast when tumbled\u00a0on a lovely big plate, dressed with olive oil and parmesan and placed in the middle of the table.<\/p>\n

Food writer and editor Eleanor Steafel\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Entertaining doesn\u2019t have to be stressful (Photo: The Good Brigade\/Getty\/Digital Vision)<\/p>\n

\nHow to host on a budget\n<\/p>\n

Taco party<\/p>\n

Have one expensive filling, like shredded chicken, and two cheaper options, like refried beans, says Ella Risbridger.<\/p>\n

\"TraditionalTraditional ice cream parlours are still going strong (Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

\"TacosTacos are a popular dish throughout the country (Photo: Daniela White Images\/Getty) <\/p>\n

Sundaes<\/p>\n

Shop-bought ice cream is so easily zhuzhed up with the help of handy toppings, says Eleanor Steafel.<\/p>\n

\"LynseyCaption: Lynsey Crombie @lynsey_queenofclean, home expert and TV presenter<\/p>\n

Low-effort tricks for
a cleaner house<\/p>\n

While many Britons feel inspired to\u00a0tackle their homes\u00a0during summer, the warmer months can also make cleaning harder.<\/p>\n

But Lynsey Crombie, known as the Queen of Clean, says the hotter months\u00a0can increase mould, musty smells and sweaty clothes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here, she shares the tips and practical
hacks she lives by.<\/p>\n

\nEvery 30 washes, clean the machine\n<\/p>\n

A study of 1,000 UK residents by Domestic & General revealed that almost one in 10 Brits have never\u00a0cleaned\u00a0their washing machine, yet it could be grubbier than the toilet seat.<\/p>\n

\"OverheadOverhead view of young Asian woman loading the washing machine with laundry \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"WomanWoman loading washing machine in the kitchen \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Crombie says after 30 washes, use 500 grams of soda crystals on the hottest wash to clean out the drum. If there\u2019s sludge, run a quick rinse cycle with some white vinegar. <\/p>\n

Always make sure to leave the door and drawer ajar for 10 minutes to dry out too and avoid stale smells.<\/p>\n

\nHousehold ingredients to use\n<\/p>\n

\"EnsureProlonged exposure to forever chemicals has been linked to health problems (Photo: Olga Rolenko\/Moment RF\/Getty)<\/p>\n

White vinegar<\/p>\n

This is Crombie\u2019s go to. It can descale the kettle and taps and deodorise places in her home.<\/p>\n

Table salt<\/p>\n

For tough stains like red wine, rub salt into the stain, leave overnight and wash as normal. <\/p>\n

\"UnrecognizableThe drunken monkey theory could explain humans\u2019 drinking habit (Photo: Olga Pankova\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"FreshThe fridge extends a lemon\u2019s lifespan (Photo: Paul Calinescu\/500px\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Lemons<\/p>\n

For stubborn water marks, use half a lemon and bicarbonate of soda and leave on for 30 minutes before rinsing. <\/p>\n

\"DetailFor Valentine\u2019s Day, try giving her something she\u2019ll really love (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Cold water is better<\/p>\n

You\u2019re damaging [wooden] floor [with hot water], making it expand, stretch
and cause gaps\u2026<\/p>\n

During hot days, Crombie says to avoid cleaning with hot water altogether to avoid adding humidity to the home.<\/p>\n

\u201cCold water is much better, and if you\u2019re using the right floor cleaning product, it\u2019s still going to be clean,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\nHacks for a cleaner home\n<\/p>\n

Three is the magic number<\/p>\n

Wash your towels after two to three uses and make sure they dry properly in-between.<\/p>\n

\"OrangeAs it turns out, a human towel is like Alton Towers for bacteria. A lot of fun can be had. (Photo: Joxxxjo\/ iStockphoto\/ Getty)<\/p>\n

\"TOTOCaption: TOTO Neorest WX<\/p>\n

TOTO toilets
www.gb.toto.com<\/p>\n

Image supplied by
Julienne Webster <\/p>\n

Focus on hotspots<\/p>\n

Clean the \u201chigh traffic\u201d areas, like the toilets, kitchen worktops and the hallway daily.<\/p>\n

Open the windows<\/p>\n

To keep a home fresh open the windows for 15 minutes each day \u2013 even in colder months. <\/p>\n

\"AnKeep your curtains closed (Photo: Mireya Acierto\/Getty\/Photodisc)<\/p>\n

\nWeekly habits\n<\/p>\n

Do it more frequently, to cut down how long it takes<\/p>\n

\"LazyHe doesn\u2019t always have time to do the cleaning, the ironing, or walk the dog
Photographer: Maryviolet
Provider: Getty Images\/iStockphoto
Source: iStockphoto<\/p>\n

One task Crombie does weekly is her fridge. This includes a 10-minute wipe-down, focusing on the salad and vegetable tray. \u201cIf you save\u00a0that job\u00a0up and do it every other month, it\u2019s going to be a very big chore.\u201d<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

\nHacks for a cleaner home\n<\/p>\n

\"AnCaption: An employee of the French pan maker Cristel, wipes a frying pan at the Cristel factory, on May 23, 2024, in Fesches-le-Chatel, eastern France. At Fesches-le-Chatel, in the Doubs region of France, the Cristel factory is on a roll: France\u2019s number-one manufacturer of stainless steel kitchen equipment has seen \u201cdemand explode\u201d since the National Assembly passed a law restricting the use of PFAS in April. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON \/ AFP) (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON\/AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: SEBASTIEN BOZON
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

Stainless steel<\/p>\n

Crombie\u2019s hack is one product: Barkeeper\u2019s Friend in powder form. <\/p>\n

The expensive products<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you spend more money, you get the floral scents. The\u00a0difference is scent, not performance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"DeepDeep cleaning glass door handles for Covid-19 disease prevention. alcohol,disinfectant spray on Wipes of Banister in home for safety,infection of Covid-19 virus,contamination, germs \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"CleaningCleaning day at home \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Ignore online advice<\/p>\n

The biggest issue she sees is product overuse. \u201cYou don\u2019t need half a bottle of washing up liquid to clean a surface.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nCrombie\u2019s essentials\n<\/p>\n

Four products can do do\u00a0a full clean\u00a0of the house.<\/p>\n

Antibacterial washing-up liquid: \u201cIt can clean almost anything, and any brand works.\u201d<\/p>\n

M&S Fabric Refresher spray: It\u2019s pet-friendly, eco-friendly and \u201cticks all the boxes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cif cream cleaner: \u201cIt\u2019s an old school product. It\u2019s so good.\u201d<\/p>\n

White vinegar: \u201c\u201cIt\u2019s great for\u00a0washing sportswear, gym kits and is a great stain remover.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ExhaustedMost British houses are built to retain heat (Photo: Antonio Diaz\/Getty\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n

How to keep your sex life going in a heatwave<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t endure it<\/p>\n

For some people, the heat and the sun boost the production of hormones responsible for joy, pleasure and connection like serotonin and dopamine. For others, the heat causes fatigue and irritability. For them, being touched can set off an anxiety response.<\/p>\n

GEMMA NICE [BELOW]<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Don\u2019t endure sweaty cuddles<\/p>\n

Long-term partners can be upfront and honest with each other and say that it\u2019s too hot to touch right now.<\/p>\n

For others, break the tension by having an open and honest conversation.<\/p>\n

Choose dates with built-in air conditioning, like the cinema.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t ignore the issue or
power through if you\u2019re too hot.<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

\nHow couples can manage a heatwave\n<\/p>\n

Take penetrative sex off the table<\/p>\n

It may make you feel lightheaded, tired, and can even lead to erectile dysfunction because the body is overheating.<\/p>\n

\"LesbianThe UK had pretty low numbers of libidinous romantic lovers, suggesting that \u2018Brits may not be having as much fun between the sheets as people in other countries\u2019
(Photo: RealPeopleGroup\/ Getty Images\/ iStockphoto)<\/p>\n

\"A(Photo: Dmitrii Marchenko\/Getty).<\/p>\n

Indulge in dirty talk instead<\/p>\n

Because you aren\u2019t distracted by physical movement, your focus is entirely on your partner\u2019s voice. This can help build\u00a0a massive amount of tension and sexual desire.<\/p>\n

\nHow couples can manage a heatwave\n<\/p>\n

\"YoungCaption: Young couple at home practicing yoga. They are watching online fitness live streaming classes.
Photographer: svetikd
Provider: Getty Images
Source: E+
Copyright: SVETIKD<\/p>\n

Breathwork<\/p>\n

This syncs up your nervous systems and can trigger a deep, full-body energetic response.<\/p>\n

Mutual play<\/p>\n

Set up a fan and touch yourselves while looking directly into each other\u2019s eyes, says Nice.<\/p>\n

\"A\u2018Humid heat is harder heat,\u2019 one expert says (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"RearOur reader\u2019s new partner always wants to \u2018chill\u2019 at home rather than go for walks or dinner or come up with ideas (Photo: vm\/E+)<\/p>\n

Strip and chill out<\/p>\n

Just sharing the space and being close to each other\u00a0can strengthen your bond.<\/p>\n

Why you shouldn\u2019t have
sex in the sea<\/p>\n

Water actually washes away
your body\u2019s natural lubrication.<\/p>\n

It creates friction against the delicate tissue.<\/p>\n

This can cause micro tears and severe irritation.<\/p>\n

It drastically increases the risk of getting a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a yeast infection.<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

The one easy habit which keeps your
brain young<\/p>\n

From adopting a different running route to taking up a new hobby, here are seven ways in which new experiences can dramatically alter your brain health for the better.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\"Women,Making friends at work can have a profound impact on happiness (Photo: Tim Robberts\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Why we need new experiences<\/p>\n

A well-connected brain is more resilient to stress, illness and the\u00a0effects of ageing.<\/p>\n

Neurologist Dr Steve Allder says when we try unfamiliar things, our brain is forced to work in new ways. <\/p>\n

Over time, this improves the brain\u2019s ability to adapt to change and respond to challenges, helping us to preserve thinking skills and emotional balance.<\/p>\n

\nWhy we need new experiences\n<\/p>\n

They strengthen memory formation<\/p>\n

Regularly exposing yourself to new situations \u2013 even small ones \u2013 helps exercise your memory systems, which improves your ability to store and retrieve information. <\/p>\n

\"AA human brain made of wool with folded paper brainwaves \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"FrustratedPuzzles like sudoku have now been widely shown not to protect against cognitive decline (Photo: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

They improve overall learning ability<\/p>\n

Just as muscles adapt to\u00a0new exercises, the brain adapts to\u00a0new mental demands.\u00a0As we age the brain then benefits from regular stimulation and maintains sharpness.<\/p>\n

\nWhy we need new experiences\n<\/p>\n

\"HappyCaption: Happy woman walking with male partner in vineyard during sunset. Elderly couple are touring in field against sky. They are enjoying during weekend.
Photographer: Morsa Images
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Digital Vision<\/p>\n

Boosts dopamine<\/p>\n

New experiences naturally stimulate dopamine, which encourages positive behaviour patterns.<\/p>\n

Reduce cognitive decline<\/p>\n

New experiences activate different brain regions, helping to keep more areas working.<\/p>\n

\"HappyHappy pregnant mother sitting close to smiling teen daughter while taking selfie on smartphone \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"PortraitCaption: Portrait of elderly woman solving sudoku puzzles at home, sitting in living room. Sudoku as popular game for aging people, logical thinking, problem solving.
Photographer: Halfpoint Images
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

Problem-solving<\/p>\n

Your brain must evaluate options, test ideas and adjust its approach.<\/p>\n

\nThe benefits of new experiences\n<\/p>\n

Each time you adapt successfully to something new, your brain learns that change can be handled. This improves emotional flexibility, making it\u00a0easier to cope with stress\u00a0and unexpected events.<\/p>\n

They also often involve other people, whether through\u00a0travel or social activities. This stimulate areas of the brain
responsible for communication, empathy and\u00a0understanding others\u2019 perspectives.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Running might not seem like the most appealing hobby, but if you give it a try, you might be surprised (Photo: EMS-FORSTER-PRODUCTIONS\/Getty\/Digital Vision\/ems-forster-productions)<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Your sleep has a huge impact on your heart health<\/p>\n

How sleep and your heart
health are linked<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Adults who regularly sleep fewer than seven hours are at increased risk of high blood pressure, obesity, heart attack and diabetes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The risk of coronary\u00a0artery disease is 45 per cent higher in adults with short sleep durations at night.<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

\nThe bedtime habits that reduce risk\n<\/p>\n

\"SleepSleep tourism in hotel. Exhausted woman sleeps sweetly in bed in the morning \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Consistency<\/p>\n

Keep daytime naps to less than 20 minutes and aim for seven to eight hours sleep per night.<\/p>\n

Wind down<\/p>\n

A reasonable 20-30 minute bedtime routine can include reading, light stretching, and meditation.<\/p>\n

\"AA mature man meditates in the last sun rays coming into his bedroom \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"Close-upCaption: Close-up view of female jogger tying laces of her sport shoes before running exercise routine. Motivation, healthy lifestyle and fitness concept.
Photographer: Xavier Lorenzo
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

Time your exercise<\/p>\n

Vigorous exercise within three hours of bedtime can cause insomnia.<\/p>\n

The bedroom environment<\/p>\n

\"PensivePensive young Asian woman sitting on bed writing on journal in cozy bedroom. Copy space. \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Sleeping in a bedroom with bright overhead light has been associated with a higher risk of major cardiovascular events, including\u00a0heart attack\u00a0(47 per cent higher risk),\u00a0stroke (28 per cent) and heart failure.<\/p>\n

Darken the room with blackout blinds or an eye mask, avoid blue light and leave your mobile phone outside your bedroom. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe bedtime habits that reduce risk\n<\/p>\n

Food and drink<\/p>\n

Alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and large evening meals can all disrupt sleep quality.<\/p>\n

\"AOne theory is that alcohol and drugs can hijack the brain\u2019s pathways (Photo: Guillermo Spelucin\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Know your numbers<\/p>\n

If your blood pressure at bedtime is consistently high, consider discussing medication with your GP.<\/p>\n

Beware of snoring<\/p>\n

Sleep-disordered breathing is linked with cardiovascular conditions, so it could be time for a GP evaluation.<\/p>\n

\"YoungSeparate bedrooms is not the first step on the road to dissolution; it\u2019s the route to joint survival (Photo: LordHenriVoton\/E+\/Miljan Lakic\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"BrainAlzheimer\u2019s can be seen on brain scans (Photo: Tek Image\/Getty)<\/p>\n

HEALTH<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the early signs of dementia<\/p>\n

Three families reflect on the early signs of the illness, which affected their parents.<\/p>\n

They include the things they missed or dismissed, what they\u2019d do differently and what they\u2019d want other people in the same position to know.<\/p>\n

\nRobert and his mother Joyce\n<\/p>\n

She fell for a scam<\/p>\n

\"RobertRobert\u2019s mother Joyce spent her last six years in a care home<\/p>\n

One of the first incidents that rang alarm bells for Robert was his mum falling victim to a suspected scam from someone selling mattresses door-to-door.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She also started to struggle with cooking and making her special dishes she\u2019d been making for decades without a problem.<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

Did he tell his mother?<\/p>\n

We [had] just sort of played along with everything. But on one particularly bad day, I blurted it out over the phone, \u2018Because you\u2019ve got dementia, mum!\u2019 She threatened to kill herself, which was very scary. Maybe it\u2019s something I should have explained properly to her from the get-go.<\/p>\n

JOYCE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ALZHEIMER\u2019S IN HER EARLY SEVENTIES<\/p>\n

\"OldOld man with dementia enjoys sunny weather \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Rosie became a carer
in her early thirties<\/p>\n

I think we missed some of the really early subtle signs.<\/p>\n

Rosie\u2019s mother was diagnosed with Young Onset Alzheimer\u2019s Disease at 58 but some symptoms, like brain fog, were put down to the menopause. <\/p>\n

She had become more forgetful, and was repeating herself, but as she had always \u201cbeen scatty\u201d it was dismissed.<\/p>\n

She became fixated<\/p>\n

It was on strange things like going to\u00a0the same buffet.<\/p>\n

Chloe was just 14 when her mum, Sarah, was diagnosed with young onset frontotemporal dementia, a rare form of the disease.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Another time Sarah, who was diagnosed in her forties, forgot how to boil an egg.<\/p>\n

On Saturdays, when she\u2019d usually go shopping, she\u2019d go out and come straight back home, almost like she was forgetting
what she was going out for.<\/p>\n

Unused or unwanted subscriptions cost consumers \u00a31.6bn.<\/p>\n

Writer Sadhbh O\u2019Sullivan looked into her own forgotten subscriptions when she became a first-time buyer, and realised how much she was wasting on things she wasn\u2019t using. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\"CloseAre you good at managing money (Photo:
Peter Dazeley\/Getty\/The Image Bank RF)<\/p>\n

The hidden spends that go unnoticed<\/p>\n

I\u2019d long considered myself to be quite a reasonable spender.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But the hidden costs across her bank accounts, like free trials that hadn\u2019t been cancelled and memberships for abandoned services, proved otherwise. <\/p>\n

It was full of small amounts, \u00a32.99 here, \u00a34.50 there. These small amounts added up. <\/p>\n

\nThe ghost subscriptions\n<\/p>\n

Sadhbh isn\u2019t alone. <\/p>\n

19%<\/p>\n

According to a Nationwide survey almost one in five Brits don\u2019t use every platform they pay for.<\/p>\n

The bank suggests they could save as much as \u00a3400 a year by ditching them.\u00a0<\/p>\n

4.7 million<\/p>\n

National Trading Standards\u2019 2025 research found 4.7 million people were paying for subscriptions they didn\u2019t know they\u2019d signed up for.<\/p>\n

In 2024, a government report found unused and unwanted subscriptions cost consumers up to \u00a31.6bn a year.<\/p>\n

\nHow to deal with the subscriptions\n<\/p>\n

Hunt them down<\/p>\n

Banking apps usually list your \u2018subscriptions\u2019 separately from direct debits and standing orders so you can easily spot what you\u2019re shelling out on.<\/p>\n

\"PensionersPensioners have some flexibility over the timing and payment of their state pension
(juststock\/Getty Images\/iStockphoto\/ NIPITPHON)<\/p>\n

\"AEdge will give customers cashback on debit card and direct debit spending<\/p>\n

Check everything<\/p>\n

You can be debited through credit cards, E-payment services, your mobile phone bill, Apple Pay or Google Pay.<\/p>\n

\nHow to deal with subscriptions\n<\/p>\n

\"SmilingDating apps have failed the black community, says Amber (Photo: Morsa Images\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Be honest<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t vow to use a subscription you\u2019re not going to, even if you
have good intentions.<\/p>\n

Look over 13 months<\/p>\n

Many businesses have changed from monthly to annual payments so look further back.<\/p>\n

\"AChanges are due to kick in on everything from inheritance tax to filling in self-assessment forms (Photo: Getty).<\/p>\n

\"ACustomers struggling with debts are highly likely to be in vulnerable circumstances, regulators warn
(Photo: Martin Prescott\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Future proof<\/p>\n

Make sure to track any subscriptions you have kept so you can cancel them, if need be, in future.<\/p>\n

\nDon\u2019t be afraid of phone calls\n<\/p>\n

If companies don\u2019t let you cancel online, don\u2019t fear the customer service line.<\/p>\n

With TV and broadband, call the new customer number as it\u2019s often answered more quickly.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re happy with the service, but not the price, speak to a real person that may offer a better deal. <\/p>\n

Look for a phone number and press the \u2018thinking of leaving us\u2019 option. It\u2019s usually a fast track to a team with authority to offer bigger discounts.<\/p>\n

Donations to charity have increased dramatically<\/p>\n

But staff say many people treat their shops like a tip. <\/p>\n

Here they share the most useful donations they get, and the
ones that drive them mad.<\/p>\n

\"AA rail of clothes in a second hand vintage charity shop \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

People won\u2019t buy the current donations<\/p>\n

The quality of donations over the last year has diminished.<\/p>\n

Claire Stockman, head of retail for\u00a0St
Luke\u2019s Hospice [pictured], says many donations include used items from fast fashion like Boohoo and Primark, which they cannot sell for more than \u00a32, if at all.<\/p>\n

\nWhat the workers see\n<\/p>\n

60%<\/p>\n

of what comes into St Luke\u2019s Hospice is unsellable, Stockman says.<\/p>\n

She adds its soiled, damaged beyond
repair or smelly.<\/p>\n

Vinted<\/p>\n

Harriet, a volunteer at\u00a0Crisis in Dalston,
says people bring in clothes that are dirty and stained \u2013 things that they cannot sell
on Vinted.<\/p>\n

She also sees dirty kitchenware and technology that no longer works.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not all bad<\/p>\n

\"TwoTwo young women shopping in a vintage charity shop \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Harriet says they still get their
fair share of designer items.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s seen a pair of Louboutins
sell for around \u00a3400.<\/p>\n

People will buy high-end items
even if they\u2019re a little worn.<\/p>\n

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First Person<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

The best donations<\/p>\n

There was a box donated after someone\u2019s family had passed and in it were all these medals. I researched them and the whole collection ended up going for \u00a32,340\u2026<\/p>\n

JANE THURNELL-READ, VOLUNTEER AT
THE OXFAM GENERAL SHOP IN EXETER<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

What is a good donation?<\/p>\n

\"AA young woman chooses clothes in a fashion store and reads the labels on things while shopping at the mall. A millennial shopaholic woman tries on clothes in a fashion boutique \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

A good donation is anything new with tags on, anything that hasn\u2019t been opened, or higher quality items.<\/p>\n

Items that have been well looked after are more likely to sell and generate a better price for charity too.<\/p>\n

Harriet adds that knick-knacks and wine glasses are surprise hits in her branch.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"\"\/<\/p>\n

When the article was posted on social media, a number of the responses of readers were painfully predictable.<\/p>\n

\u201cHigh!? 5 per cent isn\u2019t high! Try 12 per cent.\u201d<\/p>\n

The reaction is the same when I write about the concern people who are renewing their mortgage have \u2013 with responses often coming from those in their sixties and seventies.<\/p>\n

These people likely bought their first homes in the 1970s and 1980s. As a result they would have faced the extremely high and volatile mortgage rates seen during that period.<\/p>\n

In 1989, the Bank of England\u2019s base rate \u2013 which has a heavy bearing on loan costs \u2013 peaked at nearly 15 per cent, with mortgage rates averaging 14.44 per cent across that year as a result, according to building society data.<\/a><\/p>\n

Average rates today, which Moneyfacts data suggests are around 5.48 per cent, pale in comparison.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the key thing. Let\u2019s say you bought your property two years ago, and your mortgage is now coming up for renewal.<\/p>\n

You have a bought at an average 2024 price of \u00a3262,000 with a 10 per cent deposit on a 25-year term.<\/p>\n

Now, at a 5.48 per cent mortgage rate, your new mortgage is likely to cost you around \u00a31,450 per month. Average wages are \u00a339,000, so annually, this equates to around 45 per cent of a typical gross wage.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s compare that to someone two years into a mortgage in 1989. House prices two years prior had averaged around \u00a336,000.<\/p>\n

Two years in, assuming a similar deposit and term length, they will be looking at a mortgage of around \u00a3400 on that 14.44 per cent rate. Average wages were around \u00a314,000, so annually, this equates to around 35 per cent of a typical pre-tax wage.<\/p>\n

In other words, the higher house prices now means simply comparing 1980s mortgage rates to today\u2019s is not a fair comparison.<\/p>\n

Three years ago, analysis for The i Paper by Savills estate agency, similarly found that 2020s first-time buyers have it worse than those in the late 1980s<\/a>, when the difficulty of saving for a deposit and mortgage payments were both factored in.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a young person you\u2019ll undoubtedly know this already but it seemingly still needs explaining.<\/p>\n

Obviously, you can do the calculations lots of different ways and come to slightly different figures.<\/p>\n

You can also point out extra factors that those in the 1980s had to contend with \u2013 the rise in mortgage rates as more sudden than seen recently, people were having to deal with larger scale unemployment, and more families got by on a single income.<\/p>\n

But the simple conclusion is that mortgage rates alone, whilst currently lower than they were in decades gone by, do not tell the full story.<\/p>\n

Our current housing market has been built upon years and years of low rates. Buyers now are more sensitive to higher rate and a mortgage rate of 5 per cent is undoubtedly high for most. <\/p>\n

So, if you\u2019re in your 60s and telling young people today that their mortgage rates aren\u2019t that bad actually, it might be time to consider how much value you\u2019re adding to the debate, or if you\u2019re being a bit of a pub bore.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Earlier this week, I wrote a piece detailing the worries some young people have about high mortgages rates…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":682981,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[84,1294,25949,2295,12895,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-682980","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-economy","tag-business","tag-economy","tag-mortgages","tag-property","tag-property-prices","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/682980","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=682980"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/682980\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/682981"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=682980"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=682980"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=682980"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}