Author: Sam Allcock

Netherlands tops the list with drivers facing over £4,000 in annual costs, while Turkey offers the cheapest motoring at under £1,200 Key Findings: Owning a car represents one of the largest ongoing expenses for millions of Europeans, but the true cost varies dramatically depending on where you live. From fuel prices and parking fees to insurance premiums and vehicle taxes, the financial burden of motoring can differ by thousands of pounds, even between neighbouring countries. To help drivers understand these variations, Ovoko, one of Europe’s largest online marketplaces for used car parts, conducted a comprehensive study examining car ownership costs…

The portman estate confirms a series of new brands and welcomes a cultural pop up this june to support retail on edgware road with the arrival of black sheep coffee, costa coffee, aldi and shubbak corner. Three major global retail and F&B brands join Edgware Road as The Portman Estate boosts the neighbourhood’s amenities. Prominent openings on Edgware Road aim to enhance the ongoing wider regeneration of the area, developing a resilient retail and leisure mix to support the continued growth of the West End. Edgware Road will welcome a new supermarket when Aldi opens a 17,000 sq ft Aldi…

Business expert points to skills shortages as the true culprit behind Britain’s workplace performance struggles Key Points: When 67% of UK workers report underproductivity at work, citing poor communication, excessive meetings, and lack of skills development as primary barriers, it’s tempting to blame employee attitudes. But Allan Murphy Bruun, Founder of SimplerQMS, a cloud-based quality management solutions provider, believes British businesses are missing the real issue. “The conversation around ‘quiet quitting’ distracts from what the data is actually telling us,” says Bruun, a former business systems consultant who has worked extensively with UK organisations. “When 72% of UK firms report…

Simple perks hiding in plain sight that most parents completely overlook Key Points: Planning a family vacation can feel like preparing for battle. Between packing endless supplies, managing meltdowns, and watching costs spiral, parents might start to wonder if it’s worth the hassle. But what if we told you that travelling with children actually comes with secret advantages that could save you serious money? Personal finance expert Fred Harrington from SaveMyCent, a digital savings platform, has discovered that families are missing out on perks specifically designed for parents travelling with kids. “Most families focus on what makes travelling with children…

Why the early bird gets the bargain in the world of digital retail Key Points: Many shoppers hunt for the best deals by comparing prices across different websites or waiting for seasonal sales. But what if the secret to bigger savings was simpler than that? What if it came down to something as basic as what time you hit ‘add to cart’? Most people don’t realise that the time of day they shop online can actually impact the discounts they receive. That’s according to money-saving expert Fred Harrington from SaveMyCent, a Brooklyn-based digital savings platform that’s been helping online shoppers…

Expert reveals the perfect Spanish drives for those who prefer their travel with a side of fresh air Key Points: With the summer travel season fast approaching, a time when convertible rentals usually trend across Europe, more tourists will be trading city-hopping for open-road adventures. Spain, with its stunning coastlines, mountains, historic villages, and vineyards, offers some of Europe’s most rewarding road trip experiences, especially with the top down. “The magic of exploring Spain by car is that you experience the country with all your senses,” says Javier Sobrino, Founder of Descubriendo Viajes, a Spanish travel platform specialising in curated…

Dreaming of saying “I do” somewhere unforgettable? A new study has revealed the most sought-after wedding destinations for 2025. With the global wedding services market valued at a staggering $899.6 billion and projected to reach $1.13 trillion by 2030, it’s no wonder couples are going all out for their big day. From a desert under the stars to an island straight out of Mamma Mia!, destination weddings experts Destify have analysed global search interest and social media buzz across TikTok and Instagram to crown the hottest wedding locations of the year. 2025’s top 10 most in-demand unique wedding destinations RankDestinationAverage Global Monthly Search VolumesNumber of Instagram HashtagsNumber of TikTok HashtagsPopularity Score (/100)1Positano, Italy2,79072,41035,45593.52Atacama…

Smart job choices that could free you from the 9-to-5 decades sooner than your peers Key Points: Many Americans dream of retiring early, swapping decades of office life for the freedom to pursue passions and travel while still young enough to enjoy them. Yet for most, retirement before 65 seems like an unreachable goal, especially with rising living costs and economic uncertainty. This doesn’t have to be the case, according to Ana Peiris, Manager of Enrollments & Integration at Robertson College, a leading Canadian career-focused educational institution. “The path to early retirement isn’t just about saving aggressively, it starts with…

Simple booking strategy could slash hundreds off your festive travel costs Key Points: Planning a Christmas getaway while the sun’s still shining might seem bonkers, but one money expert reckons June could be your golden ticket to massive vacation savings. While most people are thinking about summer vacations, savvy travellers are already eyeing up December destinations – and there’s a very good reason why. The festive flight market follows predictable patterns that most passengers never cotton on to. Prices typically start climbing from September onwards, reaching eye-watering peaks by November when panic-booking sets in. But right now, in this sweet…

Japan’s tourism industry is thriving, with a record 40 million visitors expected in 2025. As more travellers explore the country’s spiritual heart, from centuries-old Shinto shrines to serene Buddhist temples, knowing how to respect local customs has become essential. Recent incidents, such as the disrespectful behaviour at Watatsumi Shrine in Tsushima City, have brought global attention to the importance of shrine etiquette. In response, experts at JR Pass have uncovered the most-searched shrines and temples in Japan and shared key etiquette tips to help visitors experience these sacred spaces with the reverence they deserve. Top shrines/temple recommendations Fushimi Inari Taisha, with 39,000 global monthly online searches, is…