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14 Mar, 2024
A survey from Yell has found that 68% of Brits have attempted DIY home improvements over the past year, with 64% doing so to save money. Experts warn that while DIY may seem like the easier option, it should be approached with caution as 79% of those surveyed revealed they spent money hiring a professional to fix botched DIY jobs. From re-wiring a kitchen to fitting light fixtures and plumbing, Yell has revealed the most commonly attempted DIY home improvements and the cost of DIY mishaps. The Most Popular DIY Home Improvements As over 3.3 billion turn to TikTok to view the hashtag #homeDIY, it seems like many homeowners think they are a dab hand at the odd DIY job. According to those surveyed, while YouTube was their first point of call (41%), 1 in 10 believe they don’t need any help when it comes to DIY - which may explain the need for professional fixes. 1 in 3 surveyed said they would turn to their partner or husband first before calling a professional, whereas only 28% said they would reach out to a professional before attempting a DIY project themselves. 25-34-year-olds are most likely to refer to social media platforms such as YouTube before a professional when seeking advice or tutorials (57%). In contrast, with age comes experience as the older generations aged 55+ are most likely to contact a professional tradesperson first (37%). Most Commonly Attempted DIY Projects Understandably, low-risk DIYs are the most popular tasks that homeowners are attempting. The most popular DIY project was Painting (64%), followed by hanging pictures/shelves (47%) and bleeding radiators (36%). However, low-risk DIYs do not mean things can’t go wrong. While 63% admit that they attempt DIY to save money, botched DIY jobs could see you spending far more than originally planned. Drilling holes in your wall to hang a shelf can still result in a pricey mishap. Accidentally drilling through a water pipe in your wall could result in flooding or leaks and set you back anything between £150-£300 to have it repaired by a professional. 42% of those surveyed attempt DIY home improvements because they think it looks easy to do, despite the risks and having no previous professional experience. Only 10% wouldn’t attempt DIY themselves over getting a professional. 
06 Feb, 2024
A celebrity psychic and body language expert has outlined her predictions for season 18 of The Apprentice Sam Saadet stood out as the “only adult in the room” and is a clear candidate to win the series Asif Munaf, who quickly went viral for his premature boardroom applause, won’t last long according to the experts Before the first episode of the new series of The Apprentice aired, Lord Sugar was quoted as saying ‘you really can’t tell from first impressions’, but celebrity psychic and body language expert Inbaal Honigman disagrees, tipping Essex-based fitness coach Sam Saadet to take the series by storm. Yell enlisted the help of Inbaal to carefully analyse each contestant’s body language throughout the first episode to predict who stands tall as a winning candidate, and after just one viewing, “Sam is already a winner”. Why Could Sam Win The Apprentice? According to Inbaal, Sam quickly stood out as the “only adult in the room” and the “group’s mother figure”, which is fitting for the mother-of-two. However, her real winning qualities come in the form of self-control and fearless honesty. “Her self-control is exemplary – she looks ahead without flinching, she doesn’t fidget or play with her hair. Sam’s controlled body language tells us that she’s a resilient person who never shies away from a challenge and always does her best”. “Her direct, steady gaze marks her out as an honest and fearless lady, as she doesn’t look away even in stressful situations. When Sam was picked to lead a challenge, she did a playful little dance of excitement, which tells us that she’s happy to be there, and is being her true self. This is the kind of exuberance that cannot be faked.” Who Are Sam’s Biggest Challengers? It won’t all be a direct walk to the final however, as Inbaal believes Tre, Steve and Onyeka could pose significant challenges. Tre Lowe, the “king of eye contact” came into his own, despite being a quieter figure in the first episode. “Even in his silence he’s an active member of the team, as he leans around to give his full attention to each candidate. When Lord Sugar is taking the boys’ team to task towards the end of the episode, the time has come for Tre to speak up, and he does so with flair. Direct eye contact, clear and measured words, his body language still and balanced, even in difficult conversations, Tre displays maturity and inner calm”. London-based management consultant Steve Darken found himself at risk of an early departure, but his “open and honest” body language will help him to shrug that off and go far. Inbaal remarks “when talking, he uses broad, wide arm gestures, palms facing up, which suggest honesty. Steve’s body language marks him out as a quietly confident and effective team member.” Similarly, Onyeka Nweze “may have had a rough first episode, but her body language is genuine and fearless too, with a direct gaze ahead, and a happy smile. When she’s stressed, she doesn’t hide it, and even her unhappy pout is notable in its honesty. Her authentic air will help her to stay in the game.” Who Will Get Fired Next? Due to his body language alone, the writing was already on the wall for Ollie, who came across as “exceedingly nervous, with panicked raised eyebrows and tense face-rubbing”, but a similar trait was also seen in recruitment director Jack, who was “rubbing his nose, which is a sign of nerves. Jack’s body language appears inconsistent when he shakes his head to say ‘no’ when he verbally says yes, which may come across as unreliable”. However, it was another member of the boys' team that stood out as the prime candidate for an episode two firing. “The biggest inconsistency is Dr. Asif, who tries to appear very confident and secure. He maintains eye contact with others, which appears quite mature at first glance, but when observed over the entire first episode, we see him looking downwards as he speaks, which reveals his insecurity. He’s also seen chewing his lip, which signifies tension, and he slicks his hair back non-stop, which is a preening gesture, meaning he wants people to like him”. Just How Important is Body Language in Business? Is body language really that important in a business setting? Isn’t it all about your actions and what you actually say, rather than visual cues? Inbaal believes that it’s actually the foundation for everything and despite what Lord Sugar thinks, is what sets that crucial first impression. “Body language reflects how you truly feel and indicates who you truly are. It’s a good predictor of who will crack under the pressure and who can take the heat. People who display stable, honest and fearless body language, such as standing tall, looking straight ahead and smiling, are likely to enjoy challenges and do their best. In business, those are important qualities. Those whose body language is chaotic and uneven, for example shaking their head when they’re saying yes, or failing to make eye contact with people they talk to, are likely to struggle. Beyond that, any facial expression or body language gesture which displays boredom is a business killer”. Sarah O’Rafferty at Yell agrees, commenting: “When thinking about business body language, the mind can immediately go to the boardroom and more office-based roles, but this actually resonates across any type of business. Whether you’re a landscape gardener visiting someone to provide a quote or an estate agent showing someone around a property, body language is a huge trust builder and can be the difference between winning work and losing it. In the modern age, body language isn’t only displayed in a face-to-face setting, business owners need to be mindful of it on video calls, and also any video tutorials that might be present on their websites too. With so many sectors being highly competitive with new businesses launching every day, how your business is presented on your website, social channels, and in that first in-person meeting has never been more crucial”.  To find out more and for tips on how to improve your business’s digital presence, visit: https://business.yell.com/digital-marketing-solutions/
25 Jan, 2024
Research by Yell has found that the English Springer Spaniel is the most high-maintenance dog breed, with grooming needed every 2 weeks at an average annual cost of £1,222. By looking at UK dog registrations in 2023, compiling annual grooming needs and care costs per breed, dog grooming experts at Yell have identified the most high-maintenance dog breeds to own in 2024. Dog ownership has soared over the last few years, with more people than ever opening their homes to a new dog. From getting a puppy for Christmas to wanting a fluffy companion for company, the estimated number of dogs kept as pets in the UK in 2023 was 12 million. With over 220 different breeds to choose from and certain breeds needing more care than others, be it food consumption, regular grooming or constant stimulation, it can be difficult to know which breed to pick that will suit your home and lifestyle the best. The Most Popular Breeds in the UK By looking at the number of dog registrations in the UK over 2022/2023, experts at Yell identified the most popular breed with over 44,000 registrations was the Labrador Retriever. Following close behind is the French Bulldog with 42,538 UK registrations, with the Cocker Spaniel coming in third with 29,491 registrations. 
18 Jan, 2024
A new study has revealed that 32% of small business owners wish they placed more focus on their work/life balance during 2023 Managing stress, branding and getting a handle on admin and finances also feature as the things business owners want to get better at in 2024 Business consultant Jon Barnes has offered his advice on how business owners can improve their wellbeing, as well as their business this year New research by Yell has revealed the new year’s resolutions small business owners are making for 2024, with a mix of managing their own wellbeing, as well as finances, topping the charts. As January marks the opportunity for a fresh start but also to reflect on the year that’s just been, Yell asked small business owners what they wish they prioritised more during 2023. One in three small business owners said they wished they’d ensured a better work/life balance and advised anyone running a business to make this a priority for the new year. Difficult in many lines of work, let alone when you run your own business, previous Yell research that highlighted how three-quarters (75%) find it hard to set boundaries with their clients, hints at just one reason gaining a happy work/life balance can be so troublesome for so many. In a similar vein, prioritising personal stress levels ranked as the second most common business resolution for 2024, with 27% stating that they wish they’d managed this better through 2023. The Top 10 Resolutions Business Owners Should Be Making In 2024
18 Jan, 2024
As we bunker down into the coldest time of year, every penny counts when it comes to your household bills, especially your heating. With gas and electric prices still at an all-time high, you might be looking for alternative ways to save that all-important coin whilst staying warm this winter. As we enter January and February, notoriously the coldest months of the year, Google search demand for “how to save money on heating” has increased by 22% since last year, and nearly 500% in the last month alone. With this in mind, Plumbing Experts at Yell have compiled a list of tips on how best to save money on your heating bills this winter to ensure you can stay warm whilst cutting costs. 1. Bleed and Clean Your Radiator System Every January, search terms for “how to bleed your radiator” spike to their highest across the whole year, seeing 29,000 searches on Google within the month. After a mild Winter, January has seen a lot colder temperatures with more people becoming conscious of how well their radiators work due to heating costs. Making sure that the water that lives in your pipes and radiators is clean and free of any sludge, will ensure your heating system is as effective as it possibly can be. Sludge build-up can not only increase your bills by as much as 25% with up to 36% more heat loss but will also significantly reduce the lifespan of your boiler and central heating system. Signs of a sludgy system or one that needs bleeding include cold spots at the bottom of your radiator or finding they take longer than others to heat up fully. Regularly check your radiators by simply bleeding a little of the system water into a container from your radiator valve. This way you can keep on top of any maintenance that may be needed, as well as ensure no unnecessary money is being spent. If you are unsure, you can call your local plumber to have a look or even replace the system with a new boiler or radiator if needed. 2. Check Your Radiators are Balanced An unbalanced heating system within your home can lead to you spending far more money heating your home than you need to. In January alone, search demand for “how to balance heating” has increased by 35% in comparison to the previous year with around 1,000 searches. When a thermostat is set to 20 degrees Celsius, an unbalanced heating system will result in the upstairs reaching around 23 degrees, whereas the downstairs will still be much lower and too cold. However, if you turn the thermostat up higher to heat the downstairs to a higher temperature, the upstairs will then be overheated which will lead to higher energy bills. Increasing the temperature of your thermostat by just one degree will increase your annual heating bill by about 10% as it does not heat your home any faster, it will just stay on for longer as it tries to reach the higher temperature within the house. With a correctly balanced heating system, it is recommended to keep your thermostat between 18-21 degrees Celsius throughout the home to keep it at the most comfortable temperature upstairs and downstairs without significantly increasing your monthly bill. It is important to note if you have a new boiler installed, your system will need to be re-balanced. Your heating engineer will be able to provide proof of this being done. 3. Programme or Time Your Heating Between December - February each year, search demand peaks for “how to program heating” with around 9,000 searches in Google. As many people go back to work in January, they look at ways to turn their heating on and off at more convenient times to avoid any overspending or wastage when they are out of the house more regularly. No matter the heating system you have, programming or timing how long your heating is on is a great way to cut costs and save money this winter. A timer allows you to schedule when your boiler turns on and off over 24 hours, whereas a programmer gives you more options allowing you to set different times and temperatures throughout your week. Consider setting your timer to go off 20 minutes before you leave the house or go to bed. That way, there will still be residue heat left in the house before you need to leave. If you want to make an investment that will save you money in the long run, installing a smart thermostat will allow you to control your heating from your phone no matter where you are. This way, if you have forgotten to turn it off before leaving, you don’t have to waste money on heating an empty home by switching it off from your phone. You might also choose to turn it on just before you arrive home so the house has heated up by the time you get in. Speaking to your local energy conservation consultant is a great idea if you are looking at making changes to save money this winter. 4. Set Your Thermostatic Radiator Valves To Low Much like your thermostat, ensuring your thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) are set to low will save you more money than you may realise. You can then gradually turn these up until the room’s left at the desired temperature. Turning your TRV to a higher setting will not heat the room any quicker as this depends on the size and setting of your boiler. All this will do is spend more money and use more energy for longer as it tries to get the room to a hotter temperature. Heating costs can be significantly reduced by ensuring your radiator can circulate the heat properly, even at a lower setting. Make sure there is no furniture blocking the radiator, curtains are not covering them, and cabinets are not used to disguise them. This way your room will heat swiftly without having to whack the thermostat up too high. 5. Stop Draughts There is no easier way to save money on your heating bills than by ensuring any window and door draughts are blocked out. Draught-proofing around windows and doors could save you around £45 a year . Draft proofing your home will vary depending on what level of proofing you need so it is worth identifying the ‘problem areas’ as soon as possible. Many draught-proofing hacks can be carried out by homeowners and won't cost much to do. A great hack is adding metal brushed windows and draught excluders to your frames. This way, you will be able to keep out the cold and reduce the amount of hot air that is being lost and therefore money that is going to waste. As well as doors and windows, many older properties have open chimneys, which are known for letting out significant amounts of heat. Consider blocking the chimney with an inflatable chimney pillow or fitting a cap to your chimney pot. If you are not comfortable fitting these yourself, hiring a handyman service is quick and simple. Ticking Off Your Money-Saving Checklist Saving money on your bills this winter is an easy process, and by following this expert-approved checklist, you can avoid any surprises or expensive bills over the colder months whilst staying warm and comfortable.
15 Jan, 2024
Motorists have been warned that driving under the influence of a common illness could result in a hefty fine as they could be “breaking the law” if driving while poorly. January and February see the peak of the cold and flu season and with especially cold, wet weather continuing across the UK, it’s the perfect breeding ground for viruses to spread, with cases on the rise. Drivers who get behind the wheel whilst ill not only risk being handed a hefty fine and a possible driving ban but also jail time. With this in mind, Driving Experts at Yell have revealed the fines and dangers you could be facing when driving sick and how best to stay safe on the roads this flu season. Common Dangers of Driving While Ill & Fines You Could Be Facing Sneezing fits Any driver will say sneezing behind the wheel is something that's best avoided. There’s a high risk of losing control of the car, impairing your vision – where you could end up travelling around 155ft with your eyes closed – or simply swerving into another lane. Although not an official law, if you are found to be unwell behind the wheel and sneezing is found to be the cause of an accident, drivers can receive a fine of between £100 - £2,500 and three to nine license points depending on the severity of the accident. Decreased concentration & fatigue Illness can cause a foggy head, confusion, and fatigue, making it much harder to concentrate on the roads. Although there is not a specific offence when driving whilst tired or ill, you are significantly increasing your chances of committing other offences & causing collisions. If you are convicted of driving whilst fatigued or from distractions related to an illness, you could be facing charges of dangerous driving, an unlimited fine, a driving ban, and up to 14 years in prison. Medication Common legal, over-the-counter drugs – such as painkillers – may seem like a safe option to drive on, but these too can cause symptoms such as drowsiness, dizziness or blurred vision. If caught, you can be prosecuted for drug driving offences if your driving is deemed to be impaired, even if the drugs taken are completely legal. If convicted, you could face a minimum one-year ban, up to 6 months in prison and your driving license showing you were convicted of drug-driving for 11 years or even life imprisonment if the accident has caused a death. Safety Tips For Driving While Ill Although driving whilst sick is not illegal, it is strongly advised you do not get behind the wheel. However, if you must drive, there are some necessary precautions you can take to minimise any risks. Be aware of medication side effects Before getting behind the wheel, make sure you are aware of the side effects of any medications you have taken or are thinking of taking. If any will impair your driving, even slightly, it is advised you avoid driving and find a safe, alternative way to reach your destination. If you are unsure of whether the side effects of your medication will impair your ability to drive safely, contact your local medical practitioner for advice. Assess your condition Before getting behind the wheel, it’s vital that you assess your condition, and whether you think you will be able to safely drive to your destination. If you feel too unwell or impaired, consider alternative transportation options, such as your local taxi service , or delay your journey for another day, if possible. Stay hydrated Dehydration can result in fatigue, and these can both increase the effects of an illness such as a cold or flu. Ensure you are well rested and hydrated before getting in your car, and keep water with you whilst driving. If you feel yourself fighting back fatigue or dehydration, find a safe place to stop to pull over and drink some water. If it continues to impact your ability to drive and you have recovery cover, you can call your local roadside assistance should you be taken ill and there are no passengers who can drive the vehicle. Limit distractions By minimising the distractions in the vehicle, you are minimising the risk of an accident. This way you can focus solely on the road. Avoid using your mobile phone by putting it on aeroplane mode to stop any notifications from becoming a distraction, turn off any loud music, and wear your glasses if needed. Driving whilst ill checklist Ensuring you are fit and well enough to drive safely is vital for keeping yourself and others safe on the roads. By following this expert-approved list, you can avoid any expensive fines or accidents from occurring during the height of flu season, and ensure you and others on the road stay as safe as possible this winter. If your illness or symptoms affect your driving and are something more long-lasting than just a passing illness, you must inform both the DVLA and your insurer. If you fail to do this, it could result in up to a £1,000 fine.
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