Money makes the world go around; money money money it's a rich man's world; the best things in life are free but you can keep 'em for the birds and bees, Now give me money, that's what I want.

So many famous songs and so many stress our need for money.

Until economic collapse or other major issues change the way we work we all need money. For most of us money is in sort supply and hard earned. Getting the best out of your money is important.

Can you afford to save or rather can you afford not to?

Bank interest rates are low and hardly encouraging but it never makes sense to live hand to mouth unless you really have to.

Many people experience times when money supply is very tight. Having some money to fall back on is important.

Personal experience, with no family able to help, meant we learned to survive and steer well clear of serious debt trouble from a young age. So although we do not always get it right, here are some ways discovered over the years to increase your savings.

Economise, work out your budget and save as much as possible

Firstly you need to know just how much money you have coming in each week or month and just how much is going out. It may be that there is more money left over each month than you had realised and you are just frittering it away. That however is doubtful but you never know unless you are on top of your finances. If this is the case begin a regular savings plan -- one which has the money deducted and transferred immediately into your savings account before you waste it.

So, assuming that when you work out your budget you do not have a lot of money left to play about with, see where savings can be made. Sometimes just changing where you shop can save you plenty of money. You might also consider swapping which brands of stock items you buy; after all it's claimed that often the same product is in a packet of branded cornflakes and a non-branded one.

Look at cutting back on luxury items, definitely stop buying fast food and having too many restaurant and take-away meals. You will probably lose weight with this one as you save the money. Make your own dishes such as pasta and lasagne rather than buying the more expensive frozen variety.

Cut back on the amount of newspapers and magazines you buy. Many people merely glance at such written material and then consign it to the waste bin. You can read most of this on-line anyway.

Look at swapping your fuel supplier and bank plus credit card and mortgage provider for a better deal. It is so easy to just carry on with your usual provider and actually lose lots of money. Transferring a credit card balance to a new provider can save you money. However, overall try to limit the use of your credit card or even get rid of it! Credit cards often tempt us to buy things which we would not normally purchase just because they make it easier to buy.

If you are in serious trouble with your credit card take proper advice as you may well be able to have interest charges frozen or even wiped away.

Try to implement savings around the home that will help the environment as well as your bank balance. Often if you are trying to cut down on expenditure these two go hand in hand. Turning the thermostat on your central heating down slightly, switching of appliances rather than letting them go into stand-by-mode, using energy efficient electrical equipment and light bulbs, and always running the power saving programmes on the washing machine and dish washer can save far more power and money than you can imagine.

Work out a general plan to economise. Perhaps deciding to walk at least to or from work could save you money. If you live a long way from work look into the possibility of car sharing. You can often put feelers out regarding this via your workplace intranet or notice boards. Have a garage or car boot sale of all your unwanted goods. Consider taking on a little extra part-time work.

Overall though THINK BEFORE YOU SPEND and SPEND WISELY

Savings

Now that you have streamlined your budget, and begun your economy drive, you hopefully will have more disposable income. Check out the Internet and your local bank for the best savings schemes. In England there are saving co-operatives and ISAs which are great places to keep your money.

Individual Savings Accounts have limits - "For each tax year, there's a limit to the amount you can deposit into your ISA – this is your annual allowance. The allowance for the 2016/2017 tax year is £15,240, which you can invest in a cash ISA, an investment ISA, an innovative finance ISA, or a combination of the three."

ISAs usually pay a better rate of interest and the fact that they are tax-free saves you money. Savings Co-operatives are often local schemes and aimed at helping the saver whilst giving great benefits.

Have a coin pot around the home where you can all put your loose change. Over time you will be surprised how much money accumulates and this can then be banked.

Look at investing some of your savings in stocks or shares and in premium bonds or your countries equivalent. Most government savings schemes are fairly safe and pay good interest.

If you have a computer look at joining some of the review or survey sites on the Internet which will provide you with a little extra money to save. Consider mystery shopping where you may make a little money and receive goods into the bargain.

Remember that old adage that ‘Great oaks from little acorns grow'?

Even a small saving can help and you have to start somewhere, but often once you have the saving bug it is catching. The more you save and cut back the more you want to save and cut back. Just remember that you need to live and enjoy life also.

Do not let your scrimping take over your life. Do not become miserly. Perhaps you could set a target of a years time and keep records to see how much money you have saved.

If at the end of that time the effort was not too all consuming it may be that you have found a new and better way of life.

More advice at This is Money

In the UK fireworks are no longer a once a year event.

There was a time when fireworks were pretty much used for only very special events and November 5th Guy Fawkes celebrations.

Not anymore.

In 21st century Britain fireworks are often a feature of a birthday, anniversary or wedding celebration; New Year's Eve tends to be a spectacle of noise and light as the next year is welcomed in with a huge bang.

Fireworks are great fun and can provide a wonderful spectacle but we should never be blase around them.

When used to celebrate the July 4 in the USA, November 5 in the UK or the New Year around the world, they add pizazz and can ensure that the event is both memorable and spectacular.

But we must never forget that fireworks can be dangerous, especially in the wrong hands.

If you attend an organised event health and safety issues should have been addressed beforehand. You will still need to exercise a sensible approach though. If the firework display is to be a smaller community or home event, it could be that you will be responsible for making sure that the event goes off without a hitch. Common sense and the advice given in this guide will help your event be safe, as well as fun.

Purchasing fireworks
Always purchase fireworks from a reputable supplier. There are so many fake goods on the market these days it is dangerous to buy fireworks from an unknown supplier. Look for well known branded fireworks and make sure that you read the packaging for the manufacturer's storage and usage guidelines. Keep these guidelines in a safe place.

Storing fireworks
Fireworks need to be stored as recommended by the manufacturer. If you are organising a large firework display you may need a license.

As a general rule fireworks should be stored in:

• An airtight container.
• The container should preferably be metal and definitely not made of a material such as plastic.
• The fireworks should be stored well away from any source of heat.
• An outhouse could be the ideal place to store fireworks, if it is lockable. Fireworks need to be stored where children, for example, cannot access unsupervised.

Children
It is not safe for children to handle and light fireworks. Unless your country has legal age limits set, use your common sense and personal knowledge of the child involved. After all, some teenagers are sensible whilst others are not. Generally it is safer for young people to enjoy watching the display, whilst an adult, or adults, is the person responsible for the display.

Make sure that children are aware of the potential hazards. They should be told never to handle the fireworks, especially once they are lit. Children must not be allowed to run about, close to the fireworks.

Pets and animals
There are always some exceptions to the rules, which means that some pets will be fine around fireworks. On the whole though, this is not true. You will need to ensure that your pets and animals are kept indoors, well away from the fireworks. The light and noise of a firework display can unsettle an animal, make them flee or cause them bodily injury.

If necessary consult your veterinarian about calming medication for your pet to take before the firework display begins.

The firework display
If you are organising a large firework event you will need to check the rules and regulations with your local council. You will need to make sure that the fire service is informed, have stewards and fire extinguishers. Research the exact needs as these will be based on the amount of spectators you expect, the location and the length the display may last.

For smaller home firework displays consider:

• The distance from your house and fence.
• The distance from neighbouring homes, fences and gardens.
• An appropriate place for the spectators to watch the display. This will need to be a good distance from the fireworks.
• An appropriate place to light and display the fireworks. This must be free off debris, overhanging plants and trees, foliage, litter and the like. Ideally choose a spot that has a firm footing.

Make sure that you have:

• A fire blanket and, or, small fire extinguisher.
• A long taper so that you can light the fireworks at arm's length.
• A basic first aid box.
• The manufacturer's full instructions for displaying the fireworks safely.
• A tin to store the fireworks outdoors until use. This must have a lid that fits securely.
• A small amount of sand for damping down. Store this in a metal bucket.

After the event remember to clear away the debris of the fireworks safely. Occasionally there may be fireworks that did not ignite. Cover these with sand before disposing of them safely.

If your firework party has included a bonfire ensure that this is left safe and not smouldering dangerously

You will need

• Children supervised
• Pets and animals safely indoors.
• Airtight container for the fireworks.
• Preferably this should be made of tin.
• Safe storage of the fireworks.Good quality fireworks.
• The firework manufacturer's instructions.
• A fire blanket and, or, small fire extinguisher.
• Enough room for the display to be away from debris, homes, fences, plants and the like.
• Long tapers for lighting the fireworks at arm's length.
• Safety gloves-optional.

Additional Advice

• Do not let children, pets and animals run free during the display.
• Never buy cheap fireworks from a doubtful source.
• Avoid storing the fireworks indoors.
• Do not store fireworks where anyone and everyone can access them.

Why collect?

Many people begin collecting particular items for a reason. Some think that their collection may hold the antiques of the future, others like to share their passion with similar enthusiasts, whilst some may collect as they are a fan of something or someone else. Take, for example, a die hard fan of the late Michael Jackson.

Such a fan may have collected all things Michael Jackson from signatures, to music, to books, to clothes in styles like Michael's and more. Of course without even intending to make money such a collection can bring you wealth. Possibly a collection of Michael Jackson memorabilia could soon be worth a small fortune. It does depend however on what has been collected, the item's rarity and its condition.

Other people just collect for the sake of collecting. These people may hoard all sorts of stuff in the hope that it may be useful one day or end up being priceless. Unfortunately much will simply end up as junk.

Then there are collectors who have a fascination with something and want to collect related items. Often people are unsure how such a collection started. Collecting can be a fun hobby, pure and simple. Once that collecting bug has bitten it can be hard to break.

THE FUTURE
Just think about if you had collected something when you were young. Perhaps you did. As an adult you could have a great piece of nostalgia and personal history. You could even now have a family heirloom to be passed down from generation to generation.

Train sets, Meccano, Lego, Enid Blyton Books, early Barbie dolls and lots more could be worth plenty of cash these days. They may be worth even more to you as fond and affectionate memories of your childhood.

When my mother-in-law passed away the family were in for a surprise as they cleared her home out. Tucked away in a shoe box was a keepsake from each of her six children. One had died when he was a toddler but she had a keepsake from him included in this. It was a lock of each of their baby hair wrapped in tissue paper. She also had the girls plaits from when they had received their first short hair cut, into a more grown up style. At the time of finding these keepsakes the eldest child was 63 and the youngest was 51. How sad, poignant and touching for all concerned.

Think about this if you are starting some sort of collection and pick an item or items that work for you and the reason for your collection.

HINTS AND TIPS FOR COLLECTORS
There are quite a few obvious, and not so obvious, things that will need to be considered before you start a collection. Here are a few hints and tips:-

• Start small.
• Decide on what you are going to collect. Unless you have an unlimited income and a massive amount of storage space take both of these into account.
• Why are you starting to collect? It may be that you are a music lover and simply want to start a music collection that will give you pleasure over the years, but also could be worth money eventually.
• Are you collecting to make money? If you are then try and pick something which will be scarce or only be issued briefly. Some collectors will collect items associated with a particular event, such as a Royal Wedding in the UK, or a new President in the USA.
• What will this collection cost you in time, money and effort? Collecting something, such as beer mats, or coasters, in the UK was, and is, usually free. They do not take up much space. However, what do you do with them? Well ones from breweries that no longer exist can be worth money. Most collectors only collect one of each example. Although such a collection could ultimately have thousands of pieces they would be easy to store in, for example, old shoe boxes.
• Make sure that your collection is stored appropriately. Old paper items, for example, must be kept away from damp conditions and only handled infrequently, ideally with hands that are wearing thin gloves.
• Ask around friends and family to see if they are able to add to your collection for free or next to nothing.
• Remember, if you are hoping that your collection may earn you some money the items should be in pristine condition, ideally unopened and still in their original box or packaging.

IDEAS FOR COLLECTORS
You can collect anything that you want. Some people collect the sick bags from planes. Unused of course. They collect these because they have specific images on them.

Let your imagination run wild and think about what you enjoy. Sometimes the bonus with a collection is that it is useful. I have collected old buttons for years. I never discard any clothes to the rubbish or rag bag unless I have removed the buttons first. Some buttons are just plain and common but there are buttons that are hard to find, difficult to match, unusual or even antique. The bonus is that I always have a ready supply of buttons if I ever need to change any or if I am making something. I used to keep them in a small jar but have so many now they are in a few jars.

HERE ARE A FEW SUGGESTIONS

• Books especially by a particular author. Remember first editions will be worth more.
• Music CDs, DVDs and or Records.
• Postage stamps.
• Key rings.
• Knitting Patterns
• Old woodworking tools.
• Corkscrews.
• Watches.
• Quirky pens.
• Travel tickets from planes, buses and or trains.
• Toy ranges such as Dr Who.
• Programs from events such as theatre or concerts.
• Magazines.
• Coins, foreign or from your own country.
• Phone cards.
• Recipes.
• Vintage clothes.
• Hats.
• Handbags.
• Cigarette lighters.
• Spectacle cases.
• Photographs.
• Jokes.
• Mouse mats, of all shapes, sizes and patterns.
• Autographs.
• Old jewellery.
• Kitchenalia and gadgets.
• Fridge magnets.
• Old toy train sets.
• Dolls.
• Unusual pencil sharpeners.
• Posters.
• Bumper stickers.

The list is endless. People are so different that there is bound to be someone somewhere in the world collecting anything that you can name. Please don't send me suggestions though. I knew a guy, in the past, who had kept all his nail clippings since he was a child. How absurd is that? Try to sort the good from the bad and be selective. If not you run the risk of becoming an eccentric hoarder a bit like Steptoe and Son, the old Rag and Bone men in the British UK comedy series.

Hopefully you are now inspired to start a collection which may become full of future antiques, family heirlooms or make your fortune eventually.

Overall though remember the important points:-

• CONDITION
• COST
• SIZE
• STORAGE
• SCARCITY
• USES

Good hunting.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/07/hunter-davies-guide-becoming-collectork

If like me you cook fish on a regular basis you may find that your tasty meal is hard to forget. The reason may not be just because it was delicious but rather that "the meal is ended but the smell of it lingers on" if you know what I mean.

One of my favourite fish dishes is grilled, smoked mackerel. It is a healthy food providing essential fats and it is very tasty. However much as I love the food I hate the after smell. It can linger around for far too long.

You need to consider good methods of cooking, preparing and clearing up in order to limit fish smells. So this write-up is about prevention as much as removing; let's start with preparing the fish.

Preparation

Lay your fish onto a chopping board and you could start the whole fish smell scenario. You may have to prepare your fish though. If you do, use a board that does not hold smells and liquids. Avoid wooden chopping boards but go for tough easily cleanable plastic ones.

Clean all boards, utensils and work surfaces as soon as possible. Make sure you throw any packaging in a bin outside at once, preferably in a tied plastic or polythene bag. This will prevent bins becoming smelly, especially those indoors. Add a few drops of lemon juice to your cleaning solution as this fights smells. On a cautionary note though take care with lemon juice. Some surfaces such as granite may not react well. Always check before use.

Cooking

In order to minimise fish smells in your home cook wisely.You can bake, grill, steam, poach or fry fish. It depends on the dish and the fish.

If you are frying, fish greasy splashes on work tops and your hob may be a big problem. Keep the heat on the hob relatively low and if necessary use a splatter guard. Again wipe down surfaces thoroughly sooner rather than later. Use hot soapy water.

Keep any ventilation or cooker hood open while you are cooking fish.

Cooking fish in the oven means it is covered and smells will be kept to a minimum. If you opt to grill fish, line your grill pan with aluminium or cooking foil. As soon as you serve the fish and the foil is cool enough, squeeze the foil into a tight ball and remove. Again it will need to go in a bin outside of your home. I tend to have a carrier bag outside the kitchen door when cooking fish and keep placing all this stuff in it. Once finished I can just tie it tight and throw its away.

Clearing up

Now we get to the nitty gritty. If you have prepared and cooked wisely the lingering fish smells should be at a minimum but they will still be there. Time can make the difference between the smells lingering until doomsday or them being gone in a few minutes.

Washing up, plus tips and advice

• There is no time to hang about when you have served fish. If you really cannot do the dishes immediately at least rinse them thoroughly under very hot water. Ideally though get them washed straight away. Whether you are washing the dishes by hand or in a dishwasher make sure you thoroughly rinse all first. Hot water tends to work best on greasy fish pots and pans; cold water if you have cooked white fish by, for example, the steaming method.
• Use a good quality cleaning agent; cheap and cheerful washing up liquids may not do the job. Rich and especially lemon scented ones will.
• If you use a dish cloth, sponge or brush clean it well after use. Again a hot soapy water should suffice.
• Never wipe down kitchen surfaces with the washing up water. It spreads germs and will add smells.
• Use fresh hot soapy water to wipe down surfaces. The cloth should be clean and smell free.
• Do not use fresh air sprays and scented candles which only cover the smells. If you have cleaned, prepared and cooked properly though these could be fine.
• Buy and use an odour removing bar in the case of emergencies.
• Remember to thoroughly clean washing up bowls and sinks where odours may linger. If you have drained fish down a sink the smell could come from your water outlet. A blast of very hot, lemon scented, soapy water down the outlet pipe should do the trick.
• Remember that over the hob extractor fans have a habit of drawing in odours. Ensure you clean yours regularly.
• Open kitchen windows if possible as you cook.
• Place a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in an egg cup in your refrigerator to combat smells. If your fridge smells of fish spread the bicarb or baking soda on a plate and place in the fridge.
• Buy fish that is as fresh as possible and use it quickly. Fish soon passes its best by date and begins to smell more.
• As you cook make sure that doors in your home are closed. If you tend to leave all the inner doors open you may find fish smell even in the bedroom.

One of the ways that seems to be popular in coping with fish smells in vinegar. Yes vinegar does have so many uses.

If you place the vinegar in a small dish,whilst you work on the fish and clear up afterward, apparently it will soak up any odours. Having not tried this method I would imagine that the smell of vinegar could be just as off putting as the fish. However it's claimed that as soon as you smell the vinegar it is time to move it away. The claim is that your kitchen will be left odour free. I shall try this the next time I am cooking fish. I have read that a cut onion acts the same way but who wants a raw onion hanging about whilst they are cooking?

For now though I would say that you cannot beat good kitchen hygiene for reducing or removing kitchen smells such as fish. The bonus is you will minimse your risk of catching a stomach bug and your kitchen will sparkle.

If all else fails

If the above all sounds like too much hassle for your busy schedule cook fish outdoors on a barbecue. You will still have smelly utensils and dishes to clean but away from your home and kitchen. Outdoors the smell cannot and will not linger for long.