Author Archives: Frostie

Financial Advice Or Financial Guidance – What’s The Difference? Read On To Find Out

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Many people don’t understand the difference between financial advice and financial guidance. However, knowing it is essential to maximising your pension fund.

As you approach retirement, you become eligible for free and impartial pension guidance. The government introduced this entitlement in 2015 under their Guidance Guarantee. Two organisations that provide pension guidance are the Citizens Advice Bureau or Pension Wise, the government’s pension advisory service.

The guidance you receive from these differs from professional advice from professional advisors in a few aspects. The following paragraphs give you the essential factors of each.

Pension Guidance

  • Pension guidance will present you with an overall market appraisal in terms of what is available. However, not all products will be available to you.
  • It provides general information rather than focusing specifically on your financial situation.
  • The guidance you receive comes with no recommendations or guarantees.
  • It is free in line with the Guidance Guarantee.

Professional Pension Advice

  • A professional advisor can advise you on the best options for your financial situation.
  • Professional advice is specific to the individual receiving the advice. It considers your age, investments, financial goals, etc. You will receive advice on the benefits of different products and get offered recommendations.
  • Professional advice is generally not free. You may have to pay before receiving any advice, or you might receive a limited amount of advice at no charge to get you to take on the advisor’s services.
  • If you receive poor advice that causes you to lose money, you can take your issue up with the Financial Ombudsman or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. If your financial advisor is FCA-regulated, you could receive compensation.
  • To help you find a suitable advisor, the FCA maintains a database of all its regulated advisers. You should check this database before entering into a contract with any financial advisor.
  • On average, people who get professional financial advice amass around £30,991 more wealth in their pension funds than those who don’t. This statistic is according to ILC UK data from 2019.

Guidance or Advice?

You will find pension guidance of particular use if you need an introduction to your pension options. However, if you want help with specific aspects of your situation, professional advice is more suitable.

Do You Need a Financial Advisor?

If one of the following situations applies to you, you must seek financial advice from a regulated financial advisor:

  • You are part of a final-salary or career-average pension scheme, also known as a defined-benefit scheme, with a value greater than £30,000, and you intend to transfer to a defined-contribution pension.
  • You have a defined-contribution pension with a value greater than £30,000 with guaranteed payment on retirement, and you intend to use your pension pot for something else.

Even if you have less than £30,000 in your pension pot and want to do either of the options above, you should get professional advice.

Should You Choose An Independent Or Restricted Advisor

Before you commit to using a financial advisor, you should know if they are restricted or independent. So, ensure you ask when you first contact them.

Remember, restricted advisors cannot offer you whole-of-market advice or products, whereas independent advisors can.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this brief article will help you understand the difference between financial guidance and financial advice so that you can make better decisions about your pension. When looking at options for your pension, get in touch with a regulated financial adviser such as Portafina or, view the info at Pension Wise.

 

Collaborative post with our partner.

Lockdown Love from Conscious Chocolate for Valentine’s Day

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chocolate, valentines day, veganWith Lockdown firmly in place for the most romantic time of the year, Conscious Chocolate are bringing their singular brand of luxury organic, vegan aphrodisiacs to your door for Valentine’s Day 2021.

Available for home delivery as the ideal gift, the brand’s Love Potion Gift Box and Conscious Hamper offer the very best in amorous indulgence.

The Love Potion Gift Box is exquisitely packaged with dried rose petals and contains twelve creamy chocolate hearts, infused with essential oil of rose, ribbon-tied and sealed for premium quality, while the Conscious Hamper is a colourful trove; sixteen large bars of beautiful gluten-free, vegan, chocolate, bursting with unforgettable flavours including Love Potion No 9, Sour Cherry, Peppermint, Orange & Tangerine and Citrus Zest.

Handmade and free from refined sugars, dairy and soya, Conscious Chocolate pair ethics with decadence; the packaging is fully plastic-free and compostable – a wonderfully guilt- free token for the most deliciously passionate occasion.

The Love Potion Gift Box is available for £9.95, while the Conscious Hamper is available for £37.95.

We loved these delicious chocolates, and the packaging has the ‘wow’ factor. There are even rose petals inside and the smell is beautiful. Get some today.

http://www.consciouschocolate.com

 

Help for home-schoolers! Useful tips that will see you through.

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Was mathematics always this difficult? Why does science suddenly seem so difficult? And why is the way they do things nowadays so different? Just some of the questions most parents find themselves asking a few times each day whilst home-schooling. It’s safe to say that home-schooling isn’t for the faint-hearted and we certainly have more respect and admiration for teachers than we did before we became emergency educators. 

Trying to get your children to complete any school work at home is difficult, and that’s before you manage to get your own head around ‘why Timmy has 3 apples and Sarah has 6’ …None of us signed up to this physically and mentally draining task, and if you have more than one child to educate at home as well as a full-time job to juggle, you may be wondering when this nightmare will end.

In the meantime, I’ve gathered some helpful tips for home-schoolers that will see everyone through …at least until the weekend! Read on to find out more.

Stock up on supplies

Having the right resources at home will not only make your life easier but also help to enhance your child’s learning and understanding. Start by stocking up on paper and printer inks, you’ll find the best Epson cartridges here, all at competitive prices. Being able to print work and activities that have been sent over by the kids’ teacher means they can work independently and away from a screen. You can also print fun activities for when they need some downtime.

Plenty of pens, notebooks and stationery are a must, along with other learning resources such as counters, flashcards, books and even mini whiteboard markers. Whatever you think will enhance your child’s learning should be something to consider. 

Get outside!

Kids don’t just learn in the classroom. Spending time outdoors exposes them to all kinds of learning opportunities. From nature and habitats to the weather and the seasons. Forests and oceans to mammals and birds – get them caring for the world we live in. Taking some of your lessons outdoors – even for something as simple as a nature trail – can enhance their learning and make this period much more immersive. It also means you all get to enjoy some fresh air and time outdoors.

Organise in advance

Seeing what their teacher has set for the day in the morning, isn’t ideal. To help your children get the most out of their learning experience, planning ahead and keeping yourself organised is the best approach. That means having the right equipment set out and ready for the next day, the lessons and activities planned, packed lunches arranged, and the right mindset in place. Having all this sorted in advance will make your home-schooling schedule much easier to cope with.

Accept that every day won’t be idyllic

Regrettably, even if you plan your day down to the last detail, things will go awry. Sometimes our kids just aren’t motivated to learn, and in this confusing and difficult time, we shouldn’t expect too much from them. Dedicating a few hours each day to their curriculum and other time for activities they enjoy such as reading, arts or even music, is more than enough. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself. 

 

Collaborative post with our partner.

 

Choosing The Perfect Bedding: A Practical Guide

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Finding the perfect bed and creating a comfortable set-up has always been essential to your wellbeing. 

However, in today’s challenging times, it’s more important than ever before. Our lives are changing rapidly, and that means that we need to focus on getting the rest we need. 

There are also other reasons why we need to make sure that our bedding is perfect. For example, you might be feeling more tired due to the pandemic, or you could find that your working life has changed, and you now spend more time working from your bed.

Whatever your reason, if you’re searching for the perfect bedding, then there’s a lot of factors that you need to consider.

It’s not just the duvet cover that you should think about; from the mattress to the pillows you choose, every aspect of your bedding influences your comfort and ability to sleep.

If you’re choosing fresh bedding products to improve your sleep in 2021, then read on, and we’ll share some top tips to help you find the ideal solutions. 

Invest In A Quality Mattress

One of the most important parts of your bed is your mattress. If your mattress is old, or it isn’t supporting you correctly, then you should consider replacing it with a new model. There are many different types of mattress out there, each with unique features so that you can always find the right product to suit your sleeping style and other nighttime needs. All of this choice can feel incredibly overwhelming, so consider finding a mattress brand that you like and then choosing from their selection of products. 

Mattress brands usually have a unique selling point, so you can narrow down your search by choosing a mattress maker that aligns with your values. For example, if you’re looking for an environmentally-friendly mattress brand that cares about the planet and quality, then you could explore Nectar’s range of products. As this Nectar mattress review shows, the brand takes the environment as seriously as it takes your comfort, and it is one of few brands that offers you 365 days to trial the mattress and a lifetime warranty. The products are made in the UK, so they travel fewer miles to reach customers. They’re also sent in climate-neutral packaging to cut down on the cost to the planet so that you can sleep easily on one of these comfortable and eco-friendly mattresses.

Test Out Your Bedding

Every sleeper is different, so you need to make sure that you find the perfect bedding that looks amazing and feels great. It can be tough to tell if your bedding will be comfortable and suit your sleeping needs without testing it out, particularly if you’re buying it online.

Therefore, you should consider buying your bedding products, particularly expensive and important ones like your mattress and your pillows, from a seller that gives you a great returns policy and a trial period. Check the terms and conditions of each site before you commit to buying their bedding so that you can return it if the products you choose don’t suit your requirements. With a little trial and error, you should be able to find snug bedding that will keep you comfy for many nights to come. 

Consider Buying Multiple Products For Different Climates

When you’re buying bedding, it can be easy to think that you only need one of each; one duvet, one set of pillows and pillowcases, etc. However, you might want to consider selecting several products to keep you snug all year round.

After all, in the winter, you’ll need a completely different set of bedding to what you used in the warmth of the summer. While you could just add blankets, these can fall off your bed if you toss and turn in your sleep. Instead, consider selecting multiple duvets of different togs, so that you can change your duvet depending on the temperature. This approach will ensure that you feel comfortable no matter what the weather outside is like. 

Combine Style With Comfort

While comfort is key to choosing the right bedding, you should also consider style. Try to select bedding that is both comfortable and fits in with the aesthetic style of your bedroom. 

Style is where duvet covers, pillowcases and blankets all shine. There are many different styles to choose from, and you can buy several different designs to suit every mood and trend that takes your fancy. You could choose a timeless style that will never go out of fashion, or you could go for some trendy bedding by a renowned designer. Whatever you choose, make sure that it is thick enough for your needs and that it is the right size, to ensure that you don’t have to return it. 

With so many options to choose from, it can be tough to find the perfect bedding solutions. Use this guide to find comfortable, stylish bedding that enables you to get a great night’s sleep. 

Collaborative post with our partner.

 

5 reasons to start lifting weights in 2021

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Are you considering lifting weights? Maybe you’re worried about looking too bulky, or you’re concerned it won’t fit into your regular training program – whatever your reasons for avoiding weights so far, the truth is, in terms of fitness, you’re missing out.

Lifting weights is beneficial for everyone, regardless of their age or gender. Of course, most of us gravitate towards the cardio machines at the gym, but in terms of overall health and mental wellbeing weight training ticks all the boxes.

Here we’ll explore 5 reasons to start lifting weights in 2021.

You can workout at home

Whether you’re living in a small space, or you’re on a tight budget, not everyone can afford to fill their home with pricey cardio equipment. And not everyone enjoys running in all weathers and in public. Incorporating weightlifting into your daily workout routine means you can have access to gym equipment like quality cast iron kettlebells at home as well as hand weights and dumbbells. All these options allow you to create diverse and challenging weight training programs. Encouraging you to push your limits, focus on your strength and build on your muscle mass. Weight training is convenient and accessible for everyone.

You’ll sleep better

When we push ourselves and take regular exercise, we sleep better. It’s a fact. So, if your exercise routines have taken a bit of a hit since going into lockdown or due to your gym closing, your sleep may not be as refreshing or as deep as you’re used to. Studies have shown that those who focus on weight training sleep much deeper and wake fewer times in the night when compared to those who don’t exercise at all. Sleep is important for the muscle repair process, so the more you get – the better. 

Your clothes will fit you better

Whether you’re trying to lose weight or not, when you start lifting weights, you’re stripping back fat and revealing muscle, which means your clothes will fit and look better on you. It sounds perplexing. But building muscle may help you lose fat more effectively than cardio-focused exercise alone. Just remember to watch your diet and you’ll soon notice your progress.

Lift for your mental health

All forms of exercise are known to release endorphins, a chemical that triggers a feeling of contentment and positivity and weightlifting is no exception. Interestingly, weightlifting has also been connected to strengthening mental health and helping people who suffer from anxiety and depression. You don’t have to be an Olympic weight lifter to feel the benefits. Weightlifting means increased confidence and a stronger mental outlook.

Your bones will also benefit

Weightlifting and strength training can help reduce the risk of bone fractures and other skeletal problems by increasing bone density. Studies have shown that strength training also reduces the risk of osteoporosis, and as it’s an effective form of training to reduce fat, there’ll be less weight and pressure on your joints.

Final thoughts…

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to pick up those dumbbells and kettlebells and start weight training. What are you waiting for? 

 

Collaborative post with out brand partner.

5 of the Latest Women’s Footwear Looks from Valentino – The Best Styles for Winter 2021

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If you are ready for 2020 to be over, like just about everybody else in the world, then why not start looking to 2021 with some hot new additions to your wardrobe? When it comes to footwear for the rest of the winter 2021 season, there are some really gorgeous styles out there for shoes, boots and sneakers, and you will definitely love the chic designs in the latest women’s footwear collection by Valentino.

Valentino is a fashion house with a lot of pedigree when it comes to looks that retain everything that is special about glamorous Italian style while also keeping with the times and providing looks with a modern, fashionable edge. Here, we explore five of the most interesting and beautiful footwear looks you can find from Valentino right now:

Over the Knee Black Rock Stud Boots

Over the knee boots are a winter staple, giving you a sexy and sophisticated look while also keeping you warm when you decide to dress in skirts or dresses during the colder months. If you want a pair of classic black over the knee boots that give you a true sense of high-end luxury every time you put them on, then you really can’t find anything better than these sleek black leather boots by Valentino, which have plenty of alluring fashion details like the iconic Valentino rock stud embellishments to give them a unique look.

Black V Logo High Top Sneakers with Fur Trim

When it comes to casual shoes for this season, these beautiful shearling sneakers with their warm trim at the ankle will give you a warm, cozy look without cutting down on style. With different textures and Valentino branding across the shoe to give a true ‘designer’ look, these are the perfect sneakers to upgrade your streetwear look with for the new season.

There are plenty of other gorgeous sneaker styles in the latest Valentino range for women, which you can find at SSENSE, so if you prefer a lower cut sneaker or a bolder color, you can find your new dream Valentino shoes by checking out the latest collection from this designer. This high-end site has all of the top fashion labels, so you will find plenty of beautiful fashion ideas on there for winter 2020.

Rock Stud Heeled Combat Boots

If combat style chunky boots are what you are looking for, then these heeled boots, which also feature Valentino’s rock stud furnishings, offer great comfort as well as the fierce look you want. Made in high quality Italian leather, these boots will last you through many more winter seasons to come, and the chunky heel gives a feminine look that is great with jeans. These boots are also a great way to add a more edgy, bold look to cute dresses, especially when worn with lace or fishnet hosiery and a leather jacket. 

Pink and Blue Cage Garavani Heels

If you want a sexy evening look to step out in this winter, then these beautiful stilettos with cage style straps are the perfect choice. The pink trim and straps against the blue body of the shoe make for an eye-catching contrast that looks incredible with black dresses, and the combination of the strappy design and the stud details makes these shoes as glamorous as you would expect from Valentino. 

This shoe design is available in other colors and textures, including a cashmere boucle design in off white, as well as of course classic black versions, so if you prefer neutral colors for your evening shoes, it is still well worth checking out this model. The cage style of stiletto heel is one that will never go out of fashion, and provides a little more interest to your evening shoe than the classic court shoe or pump style.

Tan Shearling Boots

If you love the warm feel and winter comfort of shearling boots that encase your feet and ankles in warmth and softness, but you want something a bit more shapely and sophisticated than Ugg style boots, then these beautifully made Valentino shearling heeled boots in tan are a fabulous investment. The classic heeled structure makes these boots elegant and luxurious, and the Valentino branding detail adds a classy touch. Wear these over leggings or thick tights with your favorite winter sweater dresses, or pair them with jeans for a soft yet sexy winter look.

These are just five of the many fantastic designs you can find if you browse the latest women’s footwear offerings from Valentino. Whatever type of shoe or boot you are interested in adding to your winter 2021 wardrobe, you are certain to find styles you will fall in love with if you take a look at their beautiful new collection.

Collaborative Post with our Partner. 

 

Fun Sanitiser Range For Kids | Frost Loves.

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Before COVID-19, getting children to wash their hands was hard enough, but it’s important now more than ever to keep their interest and the health discipline up to keep them and others safe. Leading UK hand sanitiser manufacturer, Ocean Free, have just launched their new ‘Fantasy’ line of Hand Sanitisers for kids.

sanitiser, hand, kids, unicorn, pink

TIPS FOR SAFE KIDS HAND SANITISING

Apply a single pea-sized amount of gel into your own hands then rub the surfaces of the child’s hands and between fingers until fully dry. This takes approx 20 seconds.
Supervise the child to ensure they do not try to lick the product, especially if it has an enticing sounding scent.

Make sure the child’s hands are dry before they consume any food or drinks or are going to put their hands near their mouth.
Only use hand sanitiser gel as the next best option if soap and water is not available.

Available from www.oceanfree.com

Fantasy Hand Sanitiser, 5L, £21.99 Fantasy Hand Sanitiser, 500ml, £6.99

Ocean Free Fantasy Hand Sanitisers are surgical-grade, proven to be antibacterial, virucidal and yeasticidal. The highly effective UK-made sanitiser kills 99.999% of many common germs. Contains 70% ethanol to ensure quick effective hand sanitisation, ideal for children who don’t have high attention spans! Use and application of hand sanitisers need to be supervised, and only a pea-sized applied to a child’s hands to ensure effective hygeiene and safety. Moisturising to skin, Ocean Free has a high emollient content reducing the drying effect on the skin commonly associated with regular use of hand sanitisers.