Blogs

WITH the summer season in full swing, many will be searching for the perfect things to liven up their gardens for upcoming events.

From summer weddings to birthdays or family get-togethers, gardens across the country are set to be transformed.

LIDL IRELAND

The XL Gazebo is down to €79.99[/caption]

LIDL IRELAND

The gazebo is weather and UV-resistant as well as water repellent[/caption]

And it comes just in time, as Met Eireann predict high temperatures of a sweltering 28C.

But as we live in Ireland, it’s not always a given that the good weather will remain, so you must be prepared for anything.

Now, Lidl Ireland is selling the ultimate product to help move the party under some cover if it rains.

And even better, shoppers can now get it at a reduced rate as it’s on sale.

The XL Gazebo hit shops last month, and originally cost €99.99.

Now, shoppers can grab the summer essential for €20 less, as it’s now down to just €79.99.

The gazebo measures 6m x 3m x 2.5m, and is perfect to host any summer event coming up.

It is quick to put up and take down, as a result of the tool-free plug-in system that has clearly marked connectors.

And even better, the gazebo is weather and UV-resistant as well as water repellent.

The gazebo is available at the reduced rate in stores across the country now, but is set to fly off the shelves.

And it’s not the only summer essential that has shoppers racing to the tills.

The bargain supermarket is set to stock the shelves with a range of affordable household cleaning equipment.

The Silvercrest 1500W Steam Mop & Handheld Steam Cleaner is set to be a major hit, priced at €39.99.

And the best thing is that no bucket is required for it, making it seamless and easy to clean your floors and tiled walls.

It comes with an adjustable spray mist, a removable water tank and mop covers that can be easily washed.

The mop is very compact as the handle can be lowered down, and it’s suitable for all floors.

It also has a detachable handheld mode, meaning you can use it for various cleaning tasks around the home, including showers with grime and indoor windows.

HEATS IN 30 SECONDS

And it comes with a wide range of accessories, including a nozzle with a brush that can be used to clean dirt from your BBQ grill racks.

The product can also be used to clean your sofa with dedicated fabrics by using their special accessory, which is designed to remove stains and banish germs without damaging the fabric.

The water tank capacity is 350ml and will last up to 15 minutes, ensuring you have enough to clean every room of the house with one tank of water.

And the best thing is that it comes with a power of 1500W, meaning it can heat the steam in just 30 seconds.

The product comes with a three-year guarantee.

MOLLY MAE Hague has revealed her tears over her parenting struggle, after partner Tommy Fury was spotted partying with girls again.

The superstar influencer, 26, bravely opened up about how she finds looking after Bambi, two, on her own when Tommy’s not around.

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Molly Mae has opened up about her parenting struggle[/caption]

YouTube

The influencer welcomed her daughter in 2023[/caption]

Youtube

The former Love Island star bravely opened up about how tough she sometimes finds motherhood[/caption]

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Molly shares Bambi with her partner Tommy Fury[/caption]

Molly and Tommy shocked fans when they split last summer, before reconciling in May.

The couple welcomed toddler Bambi in 2023, and the new mum has always been open and honest with her fans about how she finds motherhood.

In her latest vlog on her popular YouTube channel, Molly addressed how she can find it tough sometimes when she is looking after her daughter on her own.

She explained that this was in contrast to how Tommy handles parenting.

“He (Tommy) can literally have Bambi all day to himself, he doesn’t get one bit stressed, one bit agitated, doesn’t get frustrated,” Molly told fans.

“And then me, it’s like, I try so hard to stay calm and collected, but I had a life coach session about it the other day and I got like really emotional.

“I’ve actually never cried in one of my sessions with Jacqueline, but when it was about Bambi, like, I just like broke down because I think it’s been like a massive build up at the minute of, I know, to be honest with you, it’s not something that I would like to talk about on here.”

Continuing, the former Love Island star said: “And I’m very aware that sometimes I think my vlogs are just so up and down, but I think like my feelings towards motherhood are actually very much impacted by like other things that have gone on like in my life, like just stuff that couldn’t be helped.

“You know, I just, I think like everything, there’s been like so many things that when I actually really think about it and when I actually get very deep, I do think that.”

TOMMY PARTYING

Molly’s admission comes just days after it was revealed how Tommy had been spotted out partying again.

Last week, it was reported how the boxer had been seen chatting to his brother Roman’s partner in Alderley Edge.

They later headed over to The Symposium night club and danced until 2am, according to MailOnline.

The club is well known in the area and is owned by Hollyoaks hunk Ashley Taylor Dawson, who plays Darren Osborne on the show.

Mum-of-one Molly shocked fans last year when she announced her split from Tommy. 

Prime

Molly broke down in tears on her documentary about Tommy’s boozing[/caption]

He was later accused of cheating on her with a ‘blonde stranger’ on a lads’ holiday to Macedonia – something Tommy has repeatedly denied. 

The sports star previously said that alcohol and partying was behind his split from the star.

“We broke up because I had a problem with alcohol and I couldn’t be the partner that I wanted to be anymore,” he said.

“It kills me to say it, but I couldn’t. I loved a pint of beer, loved to drink.”

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Tommy and Molly are keen to put on a united front after getting back together[/caption]

Molly later sobbed as she recalled pleading with the boxer to ditch the alcohol during her sister Zoe’s big day in July.

In heartbreaking scenes in her warts-and-all Prime Video documentary, she said: “At my sister’s wedding I literally begged him, I pleaded with him to not drink.

“And … it’s just really sad … I don’t know why I’m crying now. It’s just so sad. It just affected me.”

However the pair managed to work past their problems and have since reconciled.

Molly revealed in May that they had got back together, and since then have been keen to put on a united front.

AXED Love Islander Ryan Bannister has revealed the truth about a secret feud brewing between two of the girls.

Ryan, a 27-year-old bombshell who entered the villa last week, but was dumped alongside Alima Gagigo just two days later.

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Ryan was sent packing shortly after he arrived in the villa[/caption]

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Ryan said he never saw Toni and Meg talking[/caption]

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Eroteme

Joking that his time was “short and sweet” after none of the girls recoupled with him, Ryan was then flown back to the UK.

However, after returning home, Ryan has been spilling secrets from inside the villa – including Meg Moore and Tori Laites not getting on.

One fan asked: “Were Megan and Toni good friends when you were in the villa or is it the same as on TV?”

He responded: “Truthfully didn’t see them speak one word to each other” alongside a laughing emoji.

Ryan’s confirmation that the girls don’t get on comes after Meg’s behaviour was just one incident reported to Ofcom.

The show racked up over 1k Ofcom complaints in a matter of days, after viewers raised concerns over alleged bullying and misogyny by contestants.

The 1,138 objections were related to episodes broadcast on 26, 27 and 29 June, with the behaviour of Meg, as well as islanders Ben Holbrough and Helena Ford noted.

Things are set to get even more tense in the villa this week with the introduction of the Casa Amor boys – six new men all fighting for their place in the main house.

The annual twist will test the strength of the relationships of those in the villa so far, with couples being asked to stick with their current partner or twist and bring in someone new.

With tensions already running high in the villa, it could prove chaos for everyone involved.

The six Casa girls have already shaken things up – particularly for Harrison, whose ex-girlfriend Emma has already made her mark on the show.

Speaking to him after they reunited, Emma shared her thoughts on his blossoming romance with Helena, saying they “deserved each other” before branding them “snakes”.

Shutterstock Editorial

Ryan was dumped alongside Alima just hours after arriving[/caption]

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GK Barry left viewers gobsmacked after accidentally swearing live on air during her radio show – and had to rush out a quick apology, confessing, “I thought my mic was off!”

The comedy star, known for her sharp wit and no-nonsense humour, clearly didn’t expect her slip-up to go straight to millions of ears.

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GK Barry lands dream Radio 1 gig – but not before dropping a clanger live on air during her second show[/caption]

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The newbie slipped up big time, dropping a swear word live on air this past Sunday[/caption]

GK Barry went from viral sensation to a broadcasting star – after landing herself the coveted big Radio 1 job.

Hosting BBC Radio 1’s weekend afternoon show throughout July, she will be on air from 1pm to 4pm every Saturday and Sunday. 

But, the newbie slipped up big time, dropping a swear word live on air on Sunday, while presenting alongside Melvin Odoom.

She apologised as soon as the song was over saying: “Guys, I am so sorry if you heard me swear. I thought my mic was off.

“I’m so sorry. Let’s keep this a peaceful Sunday and move on.”

GK Barry addressed her mistake on her TikTok page explaining: “I was introducing a band and went f***ed it!”

“And everyone in the studio was like ‘No!’ and they had to call HR and say ‘Grace has sworn.'”

“And I had to apologise and I wasn’t allowed to laugh during the apology, because it’s very serious.

“And I’m really really sorry for swearing on national radio. I’m really embarrassed, I’m not going to sleep tonight, because it’s going to come back to haunt me.”

She then turned to her partner, Ella Rutherford, and asked: “Did you find it sexy though?”

Ella replied: “Yeah. If anyone is going to do it, it’s going to be you.”

GK Barry joked: “That’s all that matters then,” before addressing Radio 1 and adding: “Sorry to everyone at Radio 1 that was listening today.

“But at the end of the day, it is live, and if you do have me on live radio there is a chance of that.

“I’m really sorry I thought the mic was down and I won’t do it again Radio 1. Please don’t sack me.”

Fans were quick to flood social media, with many having a good laugh at the unexpected blooper.

Taking to the comment section on TikTok, one wrote: “I heard it it was hilarious.”

Another added: “Kinda iconic of u.”

A third penned: “I heard that live and just laughed and rolled my eyes thinking that’s such a Grace thing to do.”

A fourth said: “Hahahaha I was in the car with my kids listening!”

Despite the cringe moment, GK quickly recovered and kept the show on track.

With a prime slot on one of the UK’s biggest stations, GK’s brings her signature blend of humour and honesty to millions every week.

Not only is GK Barry taking the reins solo, but she’ll also be joined by a line-up of rotating guest co-hosts to keep things fresh and buzzing.

The comedy star couldn’t hide her excitement about fronting her own show – saying it’s a whole different ball game from her usual podcasting gigs.

This comes after GK Barry revealed the I’m A Celeb cast no longer speak after Maura and Danny’s drunken kiss.

Speaking on The Katie Price podcast, GK told the former glamour model how the group has disintegrated.

She admitted: “We had a group chat. It has died down slightly as you can imagine, it’s died down.”

She added: “But I still keep in contact with the Rev (Richard Coles) – and Dean (McCullough) I still keep in contact with a little bit, but mainly the Rev and Melvin (Odoom).” 

The internet personality entered the I’m A Celeb Jungle last year and quickly became a fan favourite and ended up placing fifth.

Following her TV stint she went on to make multiple appearances on daytime TV show Loose Women.

Meanwhile, McFly star Danny‘s marriage to his wife Georgia has been rocked since appearing on the show.

Singer Danny, 39, has been trying to move on from the fall out from his “drunken kiss” with Maura Higgins, 34, at the Brit Awards.

Wife and podcaster Georgia – who briefly moved out of the family home following the kiss scandal – was reportedly “furious” at the way the Star Girl singer had handled the aftermath of the scandal.

A few of the campmates are set to be working together soon, which could make things very awkward for Maura and Danny.

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The podcaster bagged a prime slot on one of the UK’s biggest stations[/caption]

PA

The I’m A Celeb cast of 2024 are no longer in contact with each other[/caption]

A MUM who admits having a baby “ruined her career” says trolls have dubbed her a ‘bad mum’ and accused her of hating her son.

High-flyer Derricka Hill, 31, unexpectedly fell pregnant with her little boy, Derriawn, one, in October 2023.

SWNS

SWNS

Despite being career-focused in her role as a marketing recruiter – which saw her work 50-hour weeks – Derricka was excited to experience motherhood.

Derriawn was born via caesarean on June 28, 2024, weighing 9 lb.

But, since returning to work, Derriawn has had a constant three-month chronic ear infection and has contracted salmonella.

This left single mum Derricka having to use her annual leave and take unpaid days off to care for him.

Some weeks, she is only able to work 25 hours a week in order to look after Derriawn and she says the reduced hours have “ruined her career” because time off means she’s “not a valuable employee”.

But she insists she “wouldn’t be without him”.

Derricka, who has full custody of her little boy, from Seattle, Washington State, said: “I ruined my career by having a son.

“When I have time off, I don’t bring money into the business. I’m not as valuable as an employee in a business sense.

“I wanted to experience the trials and tribulations of motherhood.

“People online call me a ‘bad mother’ or say that I hate my son. I don’t, he is my whole world, but being a single mum working full time in corporate America is tough.

“Plus, dealing with a child who is sick is an added layer.

“I’d never be without him but my career has suffered enormously. I don’t have the luxury of giving up work because it’s just me and Derriawn.

“Everything I do is for him.”

Before becoming a mum, Derricka said she “worked hard and played harder”.

Working as a certified nursing assistant for seven years, she then got into marketing recruitment – a job which saw her work up to 50 hours a week.

“I lived for my job, I wanted to be successful in my career,” Derricka said. “I worked hard but played harder.

“I only had myself to take care of and I could do whatever I wanted.”

Life changed when Derricka unexpectedly fell pregnant in October 2023 and she “decided to go it alone”.

After an “emotionally intense” pregnancy, on June 28, 2024, she welcomed her son, Derriawn David D’Angelo, two weeks past his due date.

Taking her three-month paid maternity leave, in September 2024, Derricka returned to work.

Despite having help from her grandma and mum, Dawn Bellmy, 50, who works in healthcare, on the weekends, in March 2025 Derricka began to struggle with the demands of her work and home life.

She said: “My grandma wasn’t able to have Derriawn as he got too heavy for her to lift on her own, and my mum works full-time during the week.

“In March, Derriawn started contracting chronic ear infections one after the other.

“He’d cry relentlessly throughout the night because he was in so much pain, which meant I got little to no sleep and struggled to function at work the next day.

“It was heartbreaking to see as his mum.

“In May, he contracted salmonella too.

“Taking him back and forth to doctors and caring for him meant unpaid time off work.

“He hasn’t gotten better, and doctors aren’t able to recommend further than the antibiotics that he’s taking.

“Corporate America is a beast, but I’m always going to put my son first.

“Having him was my beautiful accident.

“That’s why being a mum ruined my career, but I don’t regret it for a second.”

Posting an honest rant on TikTok on June 20, it has amassed more than 600,000 views.

Derricka said: “I didn’t expect so many people to watch me in that video, I just wanted to voice how frustrated I was feeling with it all.

“Some people have commented, ‘should have kept your legs closed’ and ‘where’s the dad?’.

“I just try and laugh it off.

“I’m a single mum and I’m proud of it.

“But other people have reached out with messages of support or said they can relate.

“That’s the point, motherhood is unpredictable. You don’t know what it will chuck at you.

“My son is my whole world; everything I do is for him.

“I think I’m one and done, I couldn’t handle another kid at the moment – I don’t think my career would survive it either.”

Meanwhile, it seems Derricka isn’t the only mum struggling.

A mum has shared a brutally honest post about how she regrets having a baby and wishes she never had, as parenthood has turned her into a “shell of her former self”.

Elsewhere, one mum revealed she ‘contracted a cold when pregnant and didn’t even know’ she had it, leaving her baby girl brain damaged for life’.

Plus, another mum was left fuming after stranger leaves most passive aggressive note ever on her car BANNING her from using parent parking spot.

SWNS

A two year old boy has died with bruises covering his body, prompting an investigation by police in Nonthaburi province. The child’s biological father fainted upon arriving at the hospital, while the mother suspects her new partner of four months. At 10.20pm yesterday, July 6, police from Sai Noi Police Station were informed by Sai …

The story Police investigate toddler’s death with bruises in Nonthaburi as seen on Thaiger News.

TEMPERATURES in Dublin could top 26C this week as a hot Continental airmass grips the country.

People have been urged to “get the paddling pools ready” as Ireland prepares to bake under the heat dome that has been dominating much of Europe’s weather for the entire month of July.

Meteologix

Dublin looks set to bask in some of the warmest temperatures later this week[/caption]

Garrett White - The Sun

Carlow Weather’s Alan O’Reilly confirmed sunshine will beam down and conditions will heat up towards the end of the week.

He said: “A breezy Monday but good sunny spells for many and a good week ahead that will get warmer and warmer with Friday and weekend looking warm as temperatures get above 25C.

“Get the paddling pools ready.”

Tomorrow will be “warm and humid” with sunny spells but cloudier skies at times, especially later on in the day when the odd spot of drizzle may develop.

Temperatures could hit between 19C to 21C.

Looking towards the week ahead, Met Eireann said: “The Azores High will build this week with warm and settled weather to come.

“Becoming very warm or even hot from Thursday.”

Wednesday is forecast to be a dry day in Dublin, but it will be generally cloudy.

Met Eireann said warm sunshine will break through the clouds over the capital and temperatures could hit 24C.

Thursday is expected to be a dry day for most with warm spells of sunshine, but weather boffins confirmed Dublin will miss out on the possibly cloudy conditions forecast for north and northwest areas.

Temperatures in the east will hit between 21C and 26C.

Met Eireann pinpointed Friday as the hottest day of the week.

It said: “A very warm or hot Continental airmass looks likely to feed up across Ireland with sunny conditions occurring widely.

“Top temperatures of 22C to 28C generally in just light southerly breezes.”

And Dublin looks set to be one of the warmest areas in the country.

Met Eireann could issue some hot weather warnings later this week.

A Status Yellow high temperatures warning is issued if temperatures over a wide area exceed 27C at their max and 15C at their minimum.

A Status Orange “threat to life” high temperature warning is issued if maximum temperatures are in excess of 30C for three consecutive days and a minimum of 20C for consecutive nights.

Met Eireann confirmed that some uncertainty still remains surrounding the weather this weekend, but said there is potential for widespread hot sunny weather to remain.

HOW HOT WILL IT GET?

Kenneth McDonagh from the Donegal Weather Channel said details on just how hot it will get will become clearer over the coming days.

He explained: “The good news over the last 24 to 48hrs hours is that weather forecasting models are trending more towards a hot spell later next week and next weekend again.

“I did mention a few weeks ago the best chance for warmer conditions to return would be into the 2nd and 3rd week of July with this now looking more solid.

“Temperatures for many are looking to rise into the mid to high 20s with 30C even likely in some areas locally but that detail on how hot it will get will become more clear early next week.

“Conditions will really improve by Wednesday with temperatures in the low to mid 20s rising into the mid to high 20s on Thursday, Friday and next weekend with plenty of sunshine also looking likely.”

Met Eireann said confidence is low in the forecast for the week starting on July 14 but warned there is still a signal for high pressure over most of Ireland.

The far southwest is an exception to this trend, with the areas showing “no specific marker” for either high or low pressure.

Met Eireann said: “Temperatures are expected to remain above average with precipitation amounts below average.”

Meteologix

Ireland is bracing for some of the heatwave that has blasted Europe this month[/caption]

Meteologix

Dublin city centre will be blasted by high temperatures and sunshine later this week[/caption]

PAT Ryan believes Cork’s status as red-hot favourites will have no impact on their quest to end their 20-year wait for an All-Ireland crown.

Beaten finalists against Clare last season, Ryan’s side booked their place in another SHC decider, this time against Tipperary, with Saturday’s 20-point trouncing of Dublin.

One bookmaker paid out on the Rebels going all the way before the Championship even began.

Ahead of last month’s Munster final win against Limerick, the Cork boss dismissed the move as ‘a gimmick, a stunt’, insisting it was ‘wrong for a betting company to be doing that to amateur athletes, putting them under that pressure’.

And speaking after the defeat of the Dubs, Ryan said: “I think we’ve probably been favourites for lots of games all year, bar probably the Munster final.

“I’d prefer to be favourites because that means you’re doing something right. That’s the way I look at it.

“It’s up to the lads if we’re winning matches and playing well and performing well, you’re going to be favourites. But as we know ourselves, it doesn’t make a difference what the bookies are going to do.

“You have to turn up and perform. I’d say we were favourites probably for the All-Ireland final last year with the bookies and we didn’t win.

“It’s just about being focused on ourselves and making sure that we’re ready to go.”

From weather conditions to competition for places, Ryan reckons many factors combined to help Cork navigate the long road back to the biggest day of the year.

He added: “We knuckled down when we got back in. We probably refreshed the panel a bit more. We looked at areas that we didn’t do well as a management team — our S&C, physio, all that side of things that we could improve on.

“We spoke to players about that and really went after performances in the league, trying to make the panel as competitive as we could. It’s a small thing but the weather was much better this year so fellas were looking forward to going to training.

“If you’re not really involved in GAA or in teams, sometimes the weather you think is the same. But the weather this year was fantastic and it made a huge difference.

“We were in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Páirc Uí Rinn for an awful lot of the year and there was a great buzz about that. The year kind of flew.

“When you’re playing games, you just move from game to game and the competitiveness within the squad has made fellas step up their game a bit as well.”

TAKE YOUR POINTS AND GOALS WILL COME

That being said, Ryan sees plenty of room for improvement. For example, while their goal threat has been fundamental to Cork’s success, the boss felt they were sometimes too keen to feed their appetite for green flags.

He explained: “After we got maybe the first two or three goals, we probably pushed it a bit too much after that. We should have been building the score.

“We left maybe three or four points behind us that would have kept the score tipping away and would have kept maybe making it difficult for Dublin. Then we gave away two kind of soft goals, which we were disappointed with.

“But we came in at half-time and our lads were really focused. I thought maybe our work-rate was a bit down as well. They’re areas we’ll go after.”

OUTRAGEOUS O’DONOGHUE

On a day when Cork’s forwards showed their flair, Inniscarra clubman Seán O’Donoghue set the standards at the other end of the pitch with an impeccable defensive display in the full-back line.

The input of the 29-year-old came under scrutiny during last season’s Munster SHC. After his red card proved costly in the defeat to Clare, he was turned over for two goals in the defeat of Limerick.

It was a busy period on and off the pitch for O’Donoghue, whose partner Aoife gave birth to the couple’s first child a week before he captained his county in the All-Ireland final rematch with the Banner.

Ryan said: “I think sometimes fellas get a name into their head and they try and give them flak and then everybody jumps up on top of it.

“It’s happened down in Cork with different players through the years but we’ve no question about Seán. We see it every night in every training. He’s probably our best trainer, diligent, everything.

“He had a lot going on last year with the captaincy, having a new baby, building a house. All those things can take a bit of distraction away from yourself but he’s been brilliant for us.

“A great leader within the group. I’m delighted with Sean’s performances but he needs to play a bit better now again the next day.”

CAPTAINCY CHANGE

Ryan named O’Donoghue as captain following his appointment as manager. Rob Downey then took over the role for the 2025 season.

Asked if O’Donoghue has benefited from no longer carrying such responsibility, the Glanmire-born gaffer replied: “I wouldn’t think so.

“I don’t think it affected him in any way last year. It’s like everything, a lot of things go on. I thought he performed very admirably last year.

“But the key thing to Seán this year is that he had a clear run of injury. He’s in really good shape, played lots of matches and that’s the key for any player.

“As I’m still learning as I go in this job, injuries just dampen any momentum. Whether it’s a team or whether it’s an individual, injuries just dampen momentum. That’s given him momentum in every game.”

Cork will hold their All-Ireland final press event this evening. And Ryan confirmed that their plans for Sunday week’s battle with Tipp will not be interrupted by tomorrow night’s game between Cork City and Scottish champions Celtic at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

He said: “We’ll be back into the gym on Monday in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and back into the pitch on Wednesday. So that won’t affect our preparations in any way.”

SCORERS — Cork: A Connolly 3-2; P Horgan 0-8, 6f; B Hayes 2-1, T O’Mahony 2-1; D Dalton 0-5, 2f; D Fitzgibbon 0-3; S Kingston 0-2; D Healy 0-1, C Joyce 0-1, C Lehane 0-1, J O’Connor 0-1. Dublin: C O’Sullivan 2-5; S Currie 0-7f; F Whitely 0-3, C Burke 0-3; B Hayes 0-1, J Hetherton 0-1, D Burke 0-1.

WITH the costs skyrocketing, millions of cash-strapped Brits are struggling to put money into their savings – especially the younger generation.

According to shocking data, the average amount of savings in the UK is just £16,000, with those between the ages 25 and 34 having set aside a little under £4,000.

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The savvy saver follows a thrifty lifestyle so she can ”soft retire” a whopping 26 years before her peers[/caption]

But one woman, who’s just 24, has already managed to save an astronomical £100,000 – and is currently on the course of retiring by the age of 40.

Mia Rose McGrath has ”almost £100,000 in savings and investments” and follows a thrifty lifestyle so she can ”soft retire” a whopping 26 years before her peers.

With more than 143,000 followers on her TikTok page, Mia, who lives in London and works in fashion, regularly posts about the strict approach she takes to manage her finances.

”Trying to be cool or aesthetic is making you broke,” Mia shared the brutal truth in a recent video.

In her eyes, forking out for a brand new outfit or spending £38 on the trendy Rhode phone case in a bid to look ”aesthetically pleasing” on Instagram was a total waste of money. 

Reflecting on her own experience, the thrifty fashionista admitted that she used to chuck away cash on this behaviour before she made a key change.

She said: ”I realised I was doing it for other people, not for myself.”

The second mistake that people make, according to money-smart 24-year-old, is allowing themselves to be swept up in trends and fads that turn out to be more expensive than they can afford.

The saver warned: ”You don’t need the latest trending item – a Labubu, a Coach bag. It’s not essential.”

While she approved of saving up for something ”you really like”, Mia encouraged her followers to be really honest with themselves before making a significant purchase.

She added: ”I guarantee if you waited 30 days to buy it, you wouldn’t want it anymore.”

The third financial mistake Mia identified in the informative clip ”not saving because you think it’s pointless”.  

Urging those who are saving none of their income to ”please change that”, Mia argued that ”no matter how small it is”, it’s still worth doing. 

”I guarantee, if it’s £10, £50, no matter how small it is, you’re probably not doing it because of that reason,” she reminded viewers.

Mia, who has accumulated ”almost £100,000 in savings and investments” in recent years, claimed that she also started small, even putting money aside when she was relying on a student maintenance grant at university.

She continued: ”I wouldn’t have been able to do that if I had that mindset that saving £50 is pointless.”

Fourthly, Mia advised to start a side hustle, telling fellow TikTokers that they’re ”not too busy”.

She said: ”Stop using the excuse that you don’t have enough time, you just don’t want to enough.”

She insisted: ”Whatever it is, creating content, creating a personal brand, making extra money – I’ve done all those things while at a nine to five job that I have to be in the office five days a week for.”

Lastly, the savvy saver warned that it’s irresponsible to think a ”man is going to sweep in” and facilitate the ”soft life” that some people crave so badly.

”Soft life” is shorthand for a life lived on a person’s own terms, usually free from the constraints of a fulltime job.

She added: ”There is so much bad advice on TikTok saying you need to appear in your “soft feminine energy” and go sit at a bar where a rich man will find you…”

Mia said: ”You have to work hard and have your own money.

”Sure, if you meet someone who earns more than you, that’s a bonus. Make sure you have your own finances sorted first.”

WHAT’S your water persona? This wacky quiz will analyse your hydration situation, and determine if you’re a Bottled Water Billy, or a Rebecca Re-user.

Are you someone who can’t bear the thought of leaving the house without a supply, or will you happily go hours without a sip?

SWNS

Take the quiz to find out your water personality[/caption]

The questions will delve into your priorities when it comes to choosing a water bottle, look at how much you drink and how often you carry a big vessel.

It comes after a poll of 2,000 adults found seven in 10 Gen Zs carry water with them when they leave the house – with 55 per cent claiming it’s an ‘accessory’.

While the typical person owns two vessels for drink, a fifth of the youngest generation (19 per cent) have four or more.

This includes 49 per cent of Gen Zs owning different water bottles for various places, including their workplace (65 per cent), the gym (64 per cent) and even on their bedside table (31 per cent).

Michael McAuley, a spokesperson for Culligan UK – provider of drinking water solutions for home and work – which commissioned the research, said: “If you look around when out and about, it’s rare to see someone without a reusable bottle.

“Whether it’s a personalised straw-style vessel or a stainless steel patterned bottle, people love to stay hydrated in stylish ways.

“The choice of water bottles is endless in terms of size and design and youngsters see it as a way of reflecting part of their personality and making their lives easier.

“But if there’s nowhere to refill them, the purpose of carrying a bottle around to stay hydrated is ruined and with the weather only getting warmer it’s important to have water to hand.”

The research also found Gen Zs will spend close to £20 on a reusable water bottle – an average of £16.70 – but 27 per cent claim they have one in order to save money in the long run.

Of the 55 per cent who see it as an accessory, they do so because it’s from a brand they like (44 per cent), it colour matches their outfits (34 per cent) and is personalised with their name (29 per cent).  

Other reasons for always carrying H2O include to be sustainable (32 per cent) and for their overall health (30 per cent).

Gen Zs consider the pattern and design (33 per cent), sustainability factors (33 per cent) and brand (24 per cent) when buying a reusable bottle.

Almost a fifth (17 per cent) claim the bigger the better when it comes to water carriers and a tenth even struggle to lift theirs sometimes as it’s so big.

But it’s also about hydration, for 55 per cent who set themselves a goal of how much water to drink each day and 91 per cent of them believe having a bottle on them encourages this.

A quarter claim carrying one has become a trend, but the same amount (25 per cent) feel there aren’t enough refill stations in their local town – only being aware of two.

As a result, 33 per cent of those polled via OnePoll  have bought something in a café as an excuse to ask the staff to fill up their bottle and 25 per cent have even topped it up from a sink in public toilets.

Culligan UK’s spokesperson added: “The research shows people are calling out for more places to top up their water bottle.

“Resorting to spending money on things in cafes to have theirs refilled defeats the object of saving in the long run with a reusable one.

“Youngsters seem to care about sustainability as well, suggesting why they own many bottles rather than buying plastic ones when out and about.”

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Most young Brits carry a water bottle everywhere[/caption]