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Martin Greenfield, tailor for Sinatra, Obama, Trump and Shaq, dies at 95

Sabir Ansary — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 20:37:11 +0000

Martin Greenfield defied the boundaries of taste and time and made suits for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the gangster Meyer Lansky, Leonardo DiCaprio and LeBron James. Men skilled in the art of power projection regarded him – along with fashion writers and designers – as the country’s greatest men’s tailor.

For years, none of them knew the origin of his expertise: a beating in Auschwitz.

As a teenager, Mr. Greenfield was Maximilian Grünfeld, a skinny Jewish prisoner whose job was to wash the clothes of Nazi guards at the concentration camp. One day in the laundry room he accidentally tore the collar of a guard’s shirt. The man whipped Max and then threw the garment back at the boy.

After a fellow inmate taught Max to sew, he repaired the collar, but then decided to keep the shirt and slip it under the striped shirt of his prison uniform.

The garment changed his life. Other prisoners thought this meant Max enjoyed special privileges. Guards let him walk around the grounds of Auschwitz, and when he worked in a hospital kitchen, they assumed he had permission to take extra food.

Max tore another guard’s uniform. This time it was intentional. He created a clandestine wardrobe that would help him survive the Holocaust.

“The day I first wore that shirt,” Mr. Greenfield said wrote seventy years later “was the day I learned that clothes have power.”

He never forgot the lesson. “Two torn Nazi shirts,” he continued, “helped with this Jew building America’s most famous and successful customization company.”

Mr. Greenfield died Wednesday at a hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., on Long Island, his son Tod said. He was 95.

The woes and triumphs of Mr. Greenfield’s life exemplified the classic story of immigration to America. He faced pain abroad and then poverty in his adopted home. With workaholic energy, he built a business, made a name for himself and acquired fortune and prestige. Late in life, he finally came to terms with the childhood tragedies he had tried to put behind him.

The culmination of his hopes and efforts was his company, Martin Greenfield Clothiers. It managed the unlikely feat of success by doing the opposite of the rest of its industry.

There was local clothing production decreasing That had been the case for decades by the late 1970s, when Mr. Greenfield set up shop in Brooklyn’s East Williamsburg neighborhood, in a four-story building that had housed clothing stores since 1917. He refused to produce abroad and never changed his standards.

As a result, Greenfield Clothiers was able to offer services that New York designers and wealthy suit wearers could hardly find elsewhere. It is now the last remaining unionized garment factory in New York City, Tod Greenfield said in an interview for this obituary last March.

There, about fifty garment workers, each with a specific expertise, put together one suit in about ten hours. They operate the machines manually, allowing them to adjust every press and fold of the fabric; to align patterns flawlessly on jacket pockets; and to make fabric stitches invisible.

The traditionalism of the shop’s techniques is epitomized by several centuries-old buttonhole cutting machines still in use today. A year ago this month, a rusted dial on one of the structures indicated that it contained approximately 1,074,000,000 buttonholes.

The old factory became a sympathetic setting for political, artistic and athletic patriarchs. The acknowledgments section of Mr. Greenfield’s 2014 memoir, “Measure of a Man: From Auschwitz Survivor to Presidents’ Tailor,” lists the people “with whom we have had the privilege of working”: Gerald R. Ford , Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Donald J. Trump, Joseph R. Biden, Colin Powell, Ed Koch, Michael R. Bloomberg, Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman, Martin Scorsese, Denzel Washington, Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony – in addition many, many others.

A hand-sewn Greenfield suit became a low-frequency status signal, especially in New York City. Former Police Commissioners Raymond Kelly and William J. Bratton were both patrons of Greenfield.

The proximity to power provided Mr. Greenfield with a supply of jokes and anecdotes. Making a suit for the seven-foot-tall Shaquille O’Neal, he wrote in his memoirs, “requires enough suit fabric to make a small tent.” When asked by The New York Post in 2016 about Mr. Lansky’s tastes, Mr. Greenfield said remembered exactly that gangster’s orders: 40 short, navy blue, single-breasted suits.

But he knew when to be discreet. “I met him at the hotel once,” Mr. Greenfield said of Mr. Lansky. “He was a very nice man to me and I knew he was in charge. That’s all I’m saying!”

Initially, Greenfield Clothiers’ main activity was manufacturing ready-to-wear clothing for department stores such as Neiman Marcus and for brands such as Brooks Brothers and Donna Karan. Mr. Greenfield worked directly with designers, including Ms. Karan, who admitted to The Times that he had taught her clothing terminology such as “drop,” “gorge” and “button stance.” She added: ‘His genius lies in interpreting my vision.’

The company changed direction after Mr. Greenfield agreed to create 1920s-style outfits for the HBO series “Boardwalk Empire” (2010-2014). His shop produced more than 600 suits for 173 characters.

Other film and TV projects followed, including the Showtime series “Billions” (2016-2023); and the films “The Great Gatsby” (2013), “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013) and “Joker” (2019). The latter featured perhaps Greenfield’s most recognizable creation: the crisp red suit and mismatched orange vest worn by Joaquin Phoenix, who played the title character, Batman’s enemy.

As a testament to his longevity, Mr. Greenfield dressed early 20th-century comedian Eddie Cantor, as well as the actor who played him decades later in “Boardwalk Empire.”

Maximilian Grünfeld was born on August 9, 1928 in the village of Pavlovo, which was then in Czechoslovakia and is now in western Ukraine. His family was wealthy: his father, Joseph, was an industrial engineer; his mother, Tzyvia (Berger) Grünfeld, managed the house.

When Max was about twelve, the German army occupied towns around Pavlovo and he was sent to live with relatives in Budapest. Feeling that he was not wanted, he fled the night he arrived and spent about three years in a brothel – the women there took him sympathetically – earning a living as a junior car mechanic.

But after suffering a hand injury that made it difficult for him to work, he returned to Pavlovo. It wasn’t long before the Nazis forced him and his family onto a train to Auschwitz. Upon arrival he was separated from his mother; his sisters, Rivka and Simcha; and his brother, Sruel Baer. He only stayed with his father for a short time. They all died during the Holocaust.

He witnessed many horrors. He once built a brick wall and worked with another boy who was randomly used for target practice and murdered.

After a harrowing death march from Auschwitz, followed by an icy train journey to Buchenwald, Max was finally released in the spring of 1945. General Eisenhower himself toured the camp, unaware that a teenage inmate there would one day become his tailor. In his memoirs, Mr. Greenfield recalled thinking that Eisenhower, an ordinary 6-foot-1, was 10 feet tall.

He emigrated to the United States in 1947 and arrived in New York as a refugee with no family, no knowledge of English and $10 in his pocket. Within weeks, he changed his name to Martin Greenfield — an attempt to sound “all-American,” he wrote — and a childhood friend, also a refugee, got him a job at a clothing manufacturer called GGG in Brooklyn.

He started out as a “floor boy,” delivering unfinished garments from one worker to another. He studied every job in the factory: pleating, piping, lining, stitching, pressing, hand basting, blind armhole work and finishing.

“If the Nazis taught me anything, it’s that a worker with indispensable skills is less likely to be thrown away,” he wrote.

Over time, Mr. Greenfield became a confidant of GGG’s founder and president, William P. Goldman, who introduced him to the company’s clients, including some of postwar America’s leading tuxedo wearers. He could hang out with Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.

In 1977, thirty years after he started, he bought the factory and renamed it GGG after himself.

Decades later, he began to discuss his experiences with the Holocaust more broadly, culminating in the publication of his memoirs. Around the same time, he was labeled America’s best tailor GQ, Vanity fair And CNN.

In recent years he turned the business over to his son Tod and another son, Jay.

In addition to them, Mr. Greenfield is survived by his wife, Arlene (Bergen) Greenfield, and four grandchildren. He lived in North Hills, a village in Nassau County on the north shore of Long Island.

On his first day in Auschwitz, Max’s father, Joseph, told him he was more likely to survive if they separated, Mr. Greenfield wrote in his memoir. The next day the camp guards asked which prisoners had skills. Grabbing Max by the wrist, Joseph raised the boy’s hand in the air and announced, “A4406”: Max’s tattooed prisoner number. “He’s a mechanic. Very talented.”

Two German soldiers dragged Max away. He no longer saw his father.

Before they parted, Joseph told Max, “If you survive, you live for us.”

The rest of Mr. Greenfield’s life was an attempt to follow that commandment, his son Tod said, “And that’s what he did.”

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Who is James Martin’s ex-girlfriend, Barbara Broccoli? Meet the Bond producer, 63, who wooed the 51-year-old chef at auction but split £180,000 Aston Martin gift

Sabir Ansary — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 16:59:24 +0000

James Martin has announced his split from his partner of 12 years, Louise Davies, and has moved on with Arun Nayar’s ex-wife, personal trainer, Kim Johnson.

But the TV chef once had a Hollywood romance with James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, who was 12 years his senior.

The pair dated for four and a half years with James, 51, later revealing the real reason behind their split in 2008 after previously calling her ‘the love of his life’.

As James moves on with Kim, the ex-wife of businessman Arun Nayar, who was previously married to actress Elizabeth Hurley from 2007 to 2011, MailOnline takes a look at his past relationship with producer Barbara, 63.

James Martn once had a Hollywood romance with James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, who was twelve years his senior

The pair dated for four and a half years with James, 51, later revealing the real reason behind their split in 2008 after previously calling her ‘the love of his life’.

Who is Barbara Broccoli?

Barbara – who, along with half-brother Michael G. Wilson, has managed the James Bond franchise since 1995

Barbara’s most important role was as producer of the Bond films starring Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig (pictured in Skyfall 2012)

Barbara – who, along with half-brother Michael G. Wilson, has managed the James Bond franchise since 1995.

She began working in the Bond series at the age of 17, working in the publicity department of The Spy Who Loved Me (1977).

A few years later she was assistant director on Octopussy (1983) and became associate producer of the film The Living Daylights (1987).

Her most important role was as producer of the Bond films starring Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.

Last year, Barbara said there was a “long way to go” in casting Craig’s replacement.

The actor called it quits two years ago after a fifteen-year stint spanning six films: Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Specter (2015) and No Time To Die (2021).

How did they meet?

The chef and the film boss first met at a charity auction in 2001 when Barbara, then 41, paid £18,000 to have him cook her a meal when he was 29 years old and a star on the rise.

They hit it off immediately and James cooked for her again at her birthday party, leading to a blossoming romance.

Reflecting on their romance, James previously wrote for the Mail: ‘Six weeks later I visited Barbara to prepare a meal for her and five friends. The evening was hilarious – and we just hit it off.

‘I didn’t know she was co-producer of the current James Bond films with her half-brother Michael G. Wilson. I just thought she was a wonderful woman.

‘The next day I told my then personal assistant Erica about the evening. She decided to play Cupid and called Barbara’s PA. It turned out that Barbara’s PA was trying to organize a surprise for her birthday, so I offered to cook.

‘Thus began my longest relationship, the most surreal, exciting and unforgettable four and a half years of my life.;

Hollywood lifestyle

While James was doing well with Ready Steady Cook, Barbara was at the ‘very top of Hollywood’ (L-R Antony Worrall-Thompson, Dominic Cork, Ainsley Harriott, Anne Robinson and James)

While James was doing well at Ready Steady Cook and had books published, Barbara was at the ‘very top’ of Hollywood.

He recalled, “We had been together about three months when she invited me to go to Los Angeles with her. Her house was huge; the living room alone was twice the size of my house.

‘What am I doing here?’ I kept thinking. “How did this happen?”

“One day, while Barbara was away, I opened the door to a man dressed in a black suit, holding a silver plate with an envelope.

“Inside was a set of car keys with a prancing horse on the key ring and a note from Barbara that said: ‘Enjoy Beverly Hills, see you later, love B.’

On the ride was a silver Ferrari 360 Spyder, exactly the same as the black 360 I once had, but with a soft top that, let’s be honest, you have to have in Beverly Hills.

Divide

Yet it came to an end in 2008. And James wasn’t shy about speaking out about the issues they faced in their relationship.

He admitted that he was “a bit of a late starter when it came to women” and noted that when he accompanied Barbara to glitzy film premieres and hung out with the stars of Bond films, he felt “out of my depth, a spare part.” .

James – who had since moved on to Miss England 2001, Sally Kettle – explained to the Daily Mail in October 2008 how their age difference and wealth were getting in the way of their relationship.

Barbara had showered the chef with gifts, including a Picasso painting, and had once offered to buy him a £180,000 Aston Martin, but James confessed that his ‘manly pride’ stopped him from accepting such extravagant purchases.

James noted that while their age difference did not bother him, as he “always liked independent women,” it “didn’t help matters in public.”

He confessed: ‘When we went to events, I felt uncomfortable when people looked at me, this nobody, and probably thought, “He’s with her for the money.”

Despite the obstacles they faced, James insisted: “Barbara was the first real love of my life. I still think about her a lot and always will.’

He described their breakup poignantly, writing: ‘It’s hard to walk away from someone you love and who loves you so much.

‘Maybe it was the stupidest thing I’ve done in my life, but it was probably the wisest thing. Ultimately, I think this was the best thing, not only for Barbara and me, but for her children as well.”

To proceed

Following his divorce from Barbara, James moved on to Miss England 2001, Sally Kettle, in the same year, before settling down with Louise Davies for 12 years (pictured 2021).

James shocked fans this week when MailOnline exclusively revealed he had quietly split from his girlfriend of 12 years Louise Davies and moved on with Kim Johnson (pictured)

Kim is the ex-wife of Arun Nayar, who tied the knot in July 2016 before divorcing the following year (photo in 2015)

After his divorce from Barbara, James moved on to Miss England 2001, Sally Kettle, in the same year, before settling down with Louise for 12 years.

The TV chef, famed for his love life, quietly parted ways with his long-term partner Louise Davies in December, but the pair have remained ‘firm friends’.

Despite being together for more than a decade, James rarely spoke about Louise, only to admit that marriage was off the table for the couple as he was “quite happy” as he was and “didn’t feel the need to spend 60,000 dollars per day’. .’

James shocked fans this week when MailOnline exclusively revealed he had quietly split from his girlfriend of 12 years Louise and moved on with Kim Johnson.

The celebrity chef, 51, and his new love interest were spotted looking at watches at a store in Mayfair on Saturday.

Kim is the ex-wife of businessman Arun Nayar, who was previously married to actress Elizabeth Hurley from 2007 to 2011.

Kim and Arun first got together after their split in 2011 and tied the knot in July 2016, but divorced the following year.

However, they kept in touch after their divorce and have been photographed together at events in recent years.

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Martin Lewis’s MSE reveals a simple trick to get up to thousands of pounds in free cash

Jeffrey Bailey — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 11:51:44 +0000

MARTIN Lewis has revealed a simple trick to get up to thousands of pounds in free cash in minutes.

Currently, four major banks are offering switching bonuses and this can be a great way to get some free money.

Martin Lewis’s MSE reveals the big four banks with switching bonuses at the moment

There has been little talk of bank switching bonuses in recent weeks, but now competition is increasing.

The latest MSE newsletter revealed that four major banks now have switching offers that can help you make some money in minutes.

Throughout the year, most banks tend to offer some kind of incentive to entice customers to switch to them.

However, there are usually certain criteria you must meet to receive the free money, so make sure you check all the details before signing up.

Some people are quite nervous about making the switch because they think they have to do all the work themselves, but that’s not true.

To qualify for the switching offer, in most cases you must complete the switch via the current account switching service (CASS).

The CASS is a free service that does most of the work for you. Below we explain all the details of the switching offer and how you can switch.

Santander

Free £185 cash, plus 1% cashback on bills and 7% easy-access savings

This Santander offer is open to new and existing customers switching to a qualifying Santander UK current account.

The eligible accounts are a daily current account, a Santander Edge current account, a Santander Edge Up current account or a private V2 current account.

According to MSE, the Santander Edge account is the standout, a ‘top pick for accounts’.

The Santander Edge account costs £3 per month and requires you to pay £500 plus a month.

We made £1,000 last year alone, everyone should try it

Angus, MSE fan

Two ongoing sets of cashback are also available on this account, up to a maximum of £10 each.

Customers with this account can earn 1% cashback when spending on supermarket, fuel, train and bus travel.

Also 1% on water, council tax, energy, broadband, telephones and any paid TV bills paid from the account.

Households with average leaving accounts can typically earn £80 to £100 per year after the monthly account fee has been deducted.

With this account you also get access to a year’s worth of 7% variable savings up to € 4,000. If you save the maximum, this means that you will receive € 280 in interest.

If you have a lot of expenses, you can opt for the Santander Edge Up account for a chance to get more free cashback.

The cost of the account is slightly higher at £5 per month, but the cashback limit is higher at £15, up from £10.

To qualify for the £185 switching bonus, you must do the following:

Complete the entire transfer within 60 days of requesting the transfer process.
Pay at least €1,500 within 60 days. This does not have to be done all at once.
Set up two active direct debits within 60 days. Direct debits to fund Santander, cahoot or Cater Allen savings do not count.
Continue to maintain the eligible checking account on the day the payment is made.

Those eligible for the payment will be paid within 90 days of the switching process.

New customers can switch online via Santander’s website, by telephone or in a branch.

Existing Santander UK customers must visit a branch to take advantage of the offer.

NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland

Free €200 cash plus up to €36 cashback per year and access regular savings of 6.17%

NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) are offering customers who switch to one of their eligible accounts a £200 bonus.

People who switch to an Everyday, Reward or Premier account using the CASS can get the money if they meet certain criteria.

To qualify for the bonus you must:-

Deposit €1,250 into your new checking account and log in to the mobile banking app within 60 days of switching.
Have not received any previous switching incentive from NatWest Group since January 1, 2020.

When you do this, the money will be deposited into your account within seven days.

Customers can also earn up to £5 cashback when they use their card, but they will have to pay £2 per month.

This could mean a total of a potential €36 extra cashback over the year.

The Everyday checking account from both banks does not offer cashback, but is free of charge.

Meanwhile, there are three Premier accounts to choose from: Premier Select, Premier Reward and Premier Reward Black.

There are no monthly fees for the Premier Select account, but there are £2 and £31 monthly fees for the Premier Reward and Premier Reward Black accounts respectively.

Lloyds

Free £175 cash plus benefits like Disney+ and you also get access to a regular savings account at 6.25%

As well as offering free cash, Club Lloyds will pay switchers £175 and either 12 months of Disney+, 6 cinema tickets, Gourmet Society and Coffee Club membership or a magazine subscription.

The Lloyds offer is only available to customers switching to a Club Lloyds, Club Lloyds Silver or Club Lloyds Platinum current account.

Customers must switch from a current account to Lloyds by Thursday, March 28 to avoid missing out.

To qualify for the free money you must do the following:

Switch and pay €2,000 per month, or you will be charged €3 per month.
The account you are transferring must have two direct debits.
Make sure you have not received a transfer fee since April 2020.

Customers can also put £400 a month into a one-year fixed savings account at 6.25%, which if you max out will earn £161 in interest, according to MSE.

The bank switch must be done via the Payment Account Switching Service (CASS).

HSBC

Free £100 plus £10 per month cashback for a year and access to regular 5% savings

People switching to an HSBC UK Advance or Premier account can get a £100 switching bonus when they switch to one of the eligible accounts.

There is also a chance to increase the amount you get to €220, which we explain below.

Customers can receive a lump sum of €100 just for switching bank accounts. You can then earn £10 per month cashback for 12 months, meaning you could potentially earn £220 in free cash.

Certain criteria must be met to get the full £220 and the switching process must be done through CASS.

To receive the first payment of £100 you must meet the following criteria:

Apply for an HSBC Advance or Premier bank account on or after March 11 and successfully open the account
Change an existing account from another bank using the CASS within 30 days of opening the account
The switch must include at least two direct debits or standing orders
Deposit at least £1,500 into the account within 60 days, divided into one or more payments
Make at least 20 transactions with your HSBC debit card
Register and log in to mobile banking
Open an Online Bonus Saver account and deposit a minimum of £50

If new customers complete all the steps above, they will receive €100 in their checking account within 30 days.

To get their hands on another €120, customers will have to complete some of the above steps for another twelve months each.

Customers must continue to log into mobile banking, pay £1,500, complete a minimum of 20 transactions and keep their direct debit active each month, as well as making a monthly deposit of £50 into their online bonus savings account.

For each month they meet these criteria, €10 will be paid into their account up to a maximum of €120 or twelve monthly payments, before the 20th of the following month.

However, the extra money is dependent on meeting the criteria, so if you miss a month you will miss out on the £10 bonus payment for that month.

A Martin Lewis fan said he has made £1,000 in the past year thanks to switching from bank to bank.

Angus wrote: “Thanks to your guidance we have made £1,000 – £200 each from TSB, £125 each from Co-op and £175 each from Barclays in the last year alone. It’s so simple, everyone who is able should try.”

Keep in mind that while it can be profitable, switching to a bank can impact your credit score in the short term.

So if you want to make an important credit application soon, such as a mortgage, it may be worth waiting until after that.

How can I switch bank accounts?

Switching bank accounts is a simple process and can usually be done through the Current Account Switch Service (CASS).

Dozens of major banks and building societies have signed up; there is a full list on the CASS website.

With the switching service, switching banks would take seven working days.

You do not have to remember to transfer the direct debit when you move, as this will be done for you.

All you have to do is apply for the new account you want, and the new bank will notify your existing account that you are moving.

However, there are a few things you can do before you switch, including choosing your switch date and transferring any old bank statements to your new account.

For old statements, you must contact your existing bank.

When switching to another checking account, consider what other benefits come with membership of a specific bank or building society.

Some banks offer 0% overdraft fees up to a certain limit, and others may offer better rates on savings accounts.

And some banks offer free travel or cell phone insurance with their checking accounts, but these accounts may charge a monthly fee.

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Ex-Turkish star Ersen Martin dies at 44, two years after ‘fighting for life’

Jeffrey Bailey — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 09:54:57 +0000

FORMER Turkish international Ersen Martin has tragically passed away at the age of 44.

The ex-striker, who came through at Nuremberg before playing for Besiktas and Trabzonspor, retired from football in 2013.

Ersen Martin tragically passed away at the age of 44Credit: Reuters

Martin, right, played three times for the Turkish national teamCredit: Alamy

He retired with three caps for his country, between 2004 and 2006.

He is believed to have suffered a ruptured aorta in 2022, which resulted in him being hospitalized.

Now, after lengthy treatment, he has unfortunately passed away.

His ex-club Trabzonspor paid tribute to their former player, saying: “We learned with deep sadness the news that our former footballer Ersen Martin has passed away.

“May God have mercy on Ersen Martin who lost his life; we extend our condolences to his family, loved ones and community.”

And Besiktas said: “We have learned with great sadness that our former footballer Ersen Martin has passed away.

“May God have mercy on Ersen Martin, we extend our condolences to his family, relatives and the Turkish sporting community.”

Reports from Turkey claim he was intubated in hospital on March 10 before dying there.

THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT STORY..

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Footballers you never knew were related to Premier League icons to Lionel Messi

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Martin Lewis’s warning to couples as a divorcee reveals she has saved £19,000

Jeffrey Bailey — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 01:59:39 +0000

MARTIN Lewis has shared a dire warning for couples who have joint finances.

The money-saving expert’s advice came after a divorcee revealed how she has saved £19,000 since her marriage ended.

Martin Lewis has shared valuable suggestions for couples to avoid a major financial fiascoCredit: ITV

And Martin warned those who choose to combine their finances with someone else should be careful to avoid “disasters”.

Angela, who was divorced 20 years ago, says she is in financial difficulties.

However, with the help of Martin’s tips and tricks, she revealed she had saved almost £20,000 over the years.

While responding to Angela’s story, Martin warned couples who share their finances against having a “dominant financial doer” controlling every financial aspect.

He explained that it could be a disaster if the person who handles only money matters steps over the line.

Martin wrote: ‘In relationships there is usually a ‘dominant financial doer’ who controls the finances.

“There’s nothing wrong with that, but if it crosses the line of ‘I’ll just do it all so they don’t have to worry,’ it can feel generous, but it can be disastrous.”

Angela said she was in dire financial straits when her husband left, but tips from Martin’s Money Saving Expert helped her get back on track.

The brave woman revealed she used the website to budget her money, pay off her mortgage and open savings accounts.

She used the Money Saving Expert mortgage site to pay off her mortgage, which helped her become debt-free faster than she thought.

Angela revealed that thanks to Martin’s tips, she was able to save a little on insurance and roadside assistance every year – and so far she has saved a total of £18,858.95.

“I could go on. My daughter now uses the budgeting and savings system herself, so she has skills she wouldn’t have had without MSE, and I feel financially secure,” Angela wrote on the website.

When he heard Angela’s story, Martin advised that both partners should know enough about finances and money-related matters to take over the other in times of need.

Martin Lewis warns urgently as households only have WEEKS left to claim up to £1,000 free cash – how to get it

He said: ‘In a shared financial relationship, both partners need to know enough to be able to take over if necessary, especially if one of the three D’s strikes (death, divorce, dementia).

“Communication & a financial fact sheet are crucial.”

Martin’s advice comes after he warned married couples to check if they are owed £1,256 in cash.

The Money Saving Expert said you can claim back hundreds of pounds in tax, but you’ll need to act quickly to get the full amount back.

Last month, the money-saving expert shared a little-known tip for couples that could save them hundreds of pounds on breakdown insurance, even as premiums soared.

This neat trick allows you to effectively receive coverage “for free” as a perk with another service.

Writing on the Money saving expert website, Martin shared a large number of hacks with which partners can improve their personal finances.

One of these was a recommendation to look at package bank accounts.

He also issued an urgent warning to households who have just weeks left to claim up to £1,000 in free cash.

The consumer champion said people can claim back some tax exemptions for up to four tax years.

This includes the marriage tax credit, the PPI and the uniform tax credit.

But the current financial year ends on April 5, meaning you’ll need to claim your tax back on or before this date if you want to reclaim tax for the 2019/20 tax year.

He said: “With some tax breaks you can claim back four tax years before the current one.

“So that means when the new tax year starts on April 6, we’ll be saying goodbye to the 2019/20 tax year.”

It comes after Martin shared the next steps motorists should take in the mounting car finance scandal and warned against ‘fob-off’ tactics from companies.

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Homes under the Hammer star Martin Roberts is left stunned when he makes a surprising discovery in a ‘tired and dated’ flat that has ‘not been touched since it was built’

Sabir Ansary — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 19:30:17 +0000

By Zac Campbell for Mailonline

Published: 2:33 PM EDT, March 19, 2024 | Updated: 3:19 PM EDT, March 19, 2024

Homes Under The Hammer returned for a new series on Tuesday, but presenter Martin Roberts was left stunned after making an unexpected discovery in a ‘no-go’ house.

Martin, 60, climbed a flight of stairs in the apartment building and pointed out that being on the third floor is something to avoid for anyone with a disability.

He went on to say that the flat did not look in bad condition, but it did look tired and dated before he moved in.

When he walked in, he was blown away by the design of one item in the kitchen, as he pointed out that “everything in this house says it hasn’t been touched since maybe it was built.”

He then approached a green kitchen unit which he was shocked to see had fallen through due to the springs no longer working.

Homes Under The Hammer returned for a new series on Tuesday, but host Martin Roberts was left stunned after making an unexpected discovery in a ‘no-go’ house

He approached a green kitchen unit which he was shocked to see had fallen through due to the springs no longer working.

Bewildered as to how the appliance had somehow fallen into such a state of disrepair, he said: ‘Look at this kitchen unit, it’s sprung. That’s a spring to cushion this if it falls,” he said as the closet door fell.

Addressing the camera, his next comment seemed more tongue-in-cheek as he joked, “They really used to know what they were doing.”

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for this particular property, however, as he was full of praise for a living room that he said was an ‘amazing space’.

Martin added: ‘The flat in general, yes it needs a revamp but what you have here is something you don’t get in modern flats and that is [an abundance of] room

‘For the money it’s fantastic! And there’s one last bonus,” the BBC star said as the camera followed him.

Martin went to the balcony of the property and continued: ‘Obviously you have the communal garden downstairs, but what about this?

‘Your own balcony and it’s just a nice piece of outdoor space’.

Estate agent Charlotte Anning agreed with Martin’s assessment, saying: ‘There’s a lot going for it, the room sizes, balcony and communal areas are well maintained which is great for potential buyers.’

Homes Under The Hammer can be viewed on BBC iPlayer.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for this particular property, however, as he was full of praise for a living room that he said was an ‘amazing space’.

Martin added: ‘The flat in general, yes it needs a revamp but what you have here is something you don’t get in modern flats and that is [an abundance of] room

The post Homes under the Hammer star Martin Roberts is left stunned when he makes a surprising discovery in a ‘tired and dated’ flat that has ‘not been touched since it was built’ appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

Meryl Streep and Martin Short to see the Broadway show after denying their relationship

Sabir Ansary — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:09:42 +0000

Meryl Streep And Martijn Kort have taken their friendship to Broadway, where they attended a performance of the revival of We roll along happily.

“Meryl & Martin Kort?!?! I am absolutely floored,” Cheerful cast member Crystal Joy Brown wrote on Saturday, March 16 via Instagram Story, sharing backstage photos after the show. “I performed for these two legends and they were so gracious and effusive about our show and said kind words to me that I will NEVER forget.”

Streep, 74, and Short, 73, stood on either side of Brown, 37, in her post-show photo, all smiles as they worked together in black.

Streep and Short also met the entire cast – led by actors Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff And Lindsay Mendez – on the stage.

“You were fantastic! What a show,” Streep told the cast, according to footage shared by Brown. “It should be a joy. I hope it is. That will be fun.”

Short, meanwhile, whistled “Growing Up” (a song from the musical) in the background before Mendez, 41, asked if the pair wanted to pose for another photo with the entire cast.

Meryl Streep, Krystal Joy Brown and Martin Short. Courtesy of Krystal Joy Brown/Instagram

Streep and Short were spotted before the show X statues looking cozy on a couch in the lounge of the Hudson Theater in New York.

Streep and Short have grown closer since the Oscar winner joined him Only murders in the building for season 3. After Streep’s Loretta served as a love interest for Short’s Oliver Putnam, rumors swirled that they were an item in real life.

“They’re just really good friends, nothing more,” Short’s rep shared The messenger in January, denying the reports.

The pair continued to fuel dating rumors, especially after they both attended the Golden Globes later in January. (They were both nominated for their OMITB roll but each lost.)

While the duo has put the dating speculation to rest, their close bond has kept them going OMITB band.

Meryl Streep and Martin Short on ‘Only murders in the building.’ Patrick Harbron/Hulu

“It was one of the biggest thrills of my life,” Short said at a March For Your Consideration event. “In fact, the first day of shooting – which was rare because I’m not brand new – I was driving to work and I was like, ‘I’m nervous today. I work with Meryl Streep. ”

During the panel, Streep revealed that she called the producers to ask for a role.

“I was a big fan of the show, but I also just wanted to have some fun because the world is pretty messed up right now,” she joked.

Stripe will return OMITB for season 4, which is currently in production, alongside Short and costars Steve Martin And Selena Gomez.

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Martin Lewis reveals how you can get 75% of the price of Ikea furniture back when you trade-in

Jeffrey Bailey — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 23:16:07 +0000

MARTIN Lewis’ MSE has revealed how Ikea fans can get 75 percent back of what they paid when trading in old furniture.

The Money Saving Expert team told Brits how to make the most of the popular retailer’s ‘buyback’ programme.

Martin Lewis’s MSE has revealed a handy tip about Ikea furnitureCredit: Rex

The financial expert highlighted the deal where you can trade in your old Ikea furniture for a gift voucher that you can spend online or in store.

Shoppers can trade in cabinets, bookcases, chairs and more, but this doesn’t apply to everything.

Depending on the condition of the item, you can get up to 50 percent of the original value back as an Ikea gift voucher.

It must be in good condition and it’s fine if your item shows cosmetic wear, but you will be quoted less.

An item that is rated as new should not have any scratches and you can get 50 percent of the original price back.

Meanwhile, a “very good” item with “minor scratches” will net you 40 percent.

Finally, you can get 30 percent of the original price back if your item has multiple scratches and is considered “well used.”

Ikea Family members will be thrilled to know they’ll get an extra 25 percent on top of the buyback value until April 30.

Couple’s ‘unliveable’ flat transformed with IKEA purchases and YouTube videos, saving them £9,000

For example, an Ingolf chair returned to “as new” condition costs £27.50 for non-family members.

However, an Ikea Family member would set back a much better £34.37.

You can enter the details of your item via Ikea’s buyback estimator to get an idea of the repurchase value of your item.

If you are satisfied with the offer you received through the Buyback Estimator, please take your item to a participating store.

All Ikea stores are eligible, except Hammersmith and ‘Plan & Order’ points.

WHAT IS THE IKEA FAMILY CARD?

IKEA Family was first launched in 1952 by their founder, Ingvar Kamprad, who opened a customer club called “Silverklubben”.

The more modern relaunch took place in 1984 when their Swedish Linköping branch re-opened the popular club to their loyal customers.

The Ikea family card is advertised as a club that anyone can join, their site states: “Some clubs for a select group, but IKEA Family is for everyone.”

You can join the club for free by going to their website and signing up. Once signed up, customers can expect member discounts, free hot drinks, invitations to specialist workshops and events and free cover on items until they are assembled at home.

The staff will then inspect the item and may change your quote if they believe there are any differences from the way you described it.

If you are considering returning a larger item, please note that you may need to arrange transportation.

The following items can be returned under the Ikea buyback scheme:

Bookcases and shelves
Cabinets
Chairs and stools (excluding upholstered or leather chairs and stools)
Dresser
Children’s furniture (excluding baby items such as cribs and changing tables)
Dining tables and desks
View storage
Dressers
Multimedia furniture (e.g. TV furniture and storage furniture)
Office chests of drawers and other small constructions with drawers
Accessories for Ikea’s PAX wardrobes (e.g. clothes rails, shelves)
Dressers
Small tables

Ikea does not accept the following items:

Non-Ikea products
Hacked or modified products
Unassembled Ikea products
Products that have been used outdoors, including garden furniture
Mattresses & bed linen (such as blankets and mattress toppers)
Sofas/armchairs
Other soft goods (pillows, towels, curtains, etc.)
Objects containing glass
Kitchens including worktops, cupboards and fronts
PAX wardrobes
Other oversized items
Appliances and other electrical appliances
Baby products such as cots, mattresses and changing tables
Upholstered or leather products
Market hall products
Non-furniture items
Products purchased more than seven years ago

The post Martin Lewis reveals how you can get 75% of the price of Ikea furniture back when you trade-in appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

Buy your eBay items now, warns Martin Lewis’ MSE – or you’ll face huge price increases

Jeffrey Bailey — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 02:32:18 +0000

MARTIN Lewis has warned anyone with an eBay account to sell their items now or face a mega price hike.

A post on Money Saving Expert’s Twitter account announced the news to ensure no one gets caught.

Martin Lewis has warned anyone with an eBay account to flog their items nowCredit: ITV

The message read: “More fee increases – this time it’s eBay. Starting Monday April 8, selling fees will go up, so sell what you can faster to beat it.

“After the price increase, if you ship a €20 item with €5 shipping costs, you will pay €3.60 in costs instead of €3.50 now.”

Martin Lewis Money saving experts explained that eBay’s fees will increase from 12.8% of the sold price plus shipping to 13.22%. (You still pay an additional 30 cents per transaction.)

According to eBay, the increase is due to “increasing operational costs”.

Martin Lewis warns first-time buyers with just weeks left to claim £1,000 cash

Jeffrey Bailey — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 18:11:58 +0000

MARTIN Lewis has warned first-time buyers that they have just weeks left to claim £1,000 free cash.

The money-saving expert spoke about the benefits of a Lifetime ISA (LISA) on last night’s episode of the Martin Lewis Money Show.

Martin Lewis has advised starters to act quickly

A LISA is a powerful savings instrument for starters who want to get on the property ladder.

The savings account can save you up to £4,000 per tax year and the state adds 25% per year.

This means you can get up to €1,000 in free cash per year, but if you haven’t already, you need to act quickly.

If you are considering transferring your money to a LISA, you must do so before the end of the tax year, which is April 5.

A Lifetime ISA can be opened by anyone aged between 18 and 39.

You can use it to save up to €4,000 per year, for a first home costing up to €450,000, or for your retirement.

It is important to note that savers must have the LISA open for a year before they are eligible for the 25% bonus.

It is for this reason that Martin advises anyone who has never owned a house to put £1 in a LISA to “keep the clock ticking” on how long the house has been open.

He said: “You might as well put a pound in now in case you want to use it in the future. It’s great if you’ve got 18-year-old kids and you want to put money in for them.”

If you withdraw the money from the account for any reason other than for a qualifying home (up to £450,000) or before you are 60 years old, you will pay a 6.25% penalty to access to your money.

Martin was asked by a member of the public if he thought the government would waive the fine if the house cost more than the eligible amount.

He said he asked the chancellor before the autumn statement and as nothing has changed he plans to “keep campaigning on it”.

Martin also told viewers that MoneyBox currently has the best rate on a LISA at 4.4%.

The Sun’s James Flanders explains how to find the best deal on your mortgage

Last year, thousands of first-time buyers missed out on millions of pounds of free cash by not putting their savings into a Lifetime ISA.

Moneybox data shows that just 56,100 people bought their first home using a Lifetime ISA in 2022/2023.

This means that of the 300,000 registered starters, a maximum of 243,900 could have missed the government bonus offered by saving in a LISA.

This equates to a potential loss of £243,900,000 in ‘free money’ in government LISA bonuses in 2022/2023.

More than 18 million Britons are currently eligible to open a LISA.

What is a lifetime ISA?

A Lifetime ISA (LISA) is a savings account that allows new buyers to spend up to £4,000 in cash each year tax-free.

The government will then add a 25% bonus to your savings, up to a maximum of £1,000 per year.

You can open a Lifetime ISA with any bank, building society or investment manager that offers the product.

Savers can also hold more than one ISA, although you can only pay into one ISA each tax year.

LISAs are also transferable, so you can move your ISA if you want to get a better rate.

If you don’t use your LISA to buy your first home, you can continue making payments until you’re 50.

You can then make a full or partial withdrawal at the age of 60, without incurring any costs.

How to find the best savings interest rate

If you are trying to find the best savings rates, there are websites you can use that can show you the best rates available.

If you do some research on websites like MoneyFacts and price comparison sites including Compare the Market and Go Compare, you’ll quickly see what’s out there.

These websites allow you to tailor your searches to an account type that suits you.

There are three types of savings accounts: fixed savings accounts, easy access and regular savings accounts.

A fixed-rate savings account offers one of the highest interest rates, but it comes at the cost of not being able to withdraw your money within the agreed time period.

This means your money is tied up, so even if interest rates rise, you can’t move your money to a better account.

Some providers offer the option to record, but this comes with high costs.

An easy-to-access account does what it says on the tin and usually allows unlimited withdrawals.

These accounts usually have lower returns, but are a good option if you want the freedom to move your money without being charged a penalty.

Finally, there is a regular savings account. These accounts generate a decent return, but only on the condition that you pay a fixed amount every month.

What types of lifetime ISAs are there?

There are two types of LISAs: a cash LISA and a stock LISA.

A cash LISA may be worthwhile if you are saving for your first home and plan to buy it within a few years.

Interest is paid out tax-free on both the amount you deposit and on top of the government bonus.

Because the account is an ISA account, the interest earned does not count towards your personal savings allowance.

A stocks and shares LISA may be more suitable if you are saving for your retirement over a longer period.

This is more complex because investment profits come in the form of dividends, capital gains and bond interest.

Here too, the interest earned does not count towards your personal savings deduction.

The post Martin Lewis warns first-time buyers with just weeks left to claim £1,000 cash appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

Martin – USMAIL24.COM

Martin Greenfield, tailor for Sinatra, Obama, Trump and Shaq, dies at 95

Who is James Martin’s ex-girlfriend, Barbara Broccoli? Meet the Bond producer, 63, who wooed the 51-year-old chef at auction but split £180,000 Aston Martin gift

Martin Lewis’s MSE reveals a simple trick to get up to thousands of pounds in free cash

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How can I switch bank accounts?

Ex-Turkish star Ersen Martin dies at 44, two years after ‘fighting for life’

Martin Lewis’s warning to couples as a divorcee reveals she has saved £19,000

Homes under the Hammer star Martin Roberts is left stunned when he makes a surprising discovery in a ‘tired and dated’ flat that has ‘not been touched since it was built’

Meryl Streep and Martin Short to see the Broadway show after denying their relationship

Martin Lewis reveals how you can get 75% of the price of Ikea furniture back when you trade-in

WHAT IS THE IKEA FAMILY CARD?

Buy your eBay items now, warns Martin Lewis’ MSE – or you’ll face huge price increases

Read more about saving money

How eBay fees work according to the Money Saving Experts

Martin Lewis warns first-time buyers with just weeks left to claim £1,000 cash

What is a lifetime ISA?

How to find the best savings interest rate

What types of lifetime ISAs are there?

Martin – USMAIL24.COM

Martin Greenfield, tailor for Sinatra, Obama, Trump and Shaq, dies at 95

Who is James Martin’s ex-girlfriend, Barbara Broccoli? Meet the Bond producer, 63, who wooed the 51-year-old chef at auction but split £180,000 Aston Martin gift

Martin Lewis’s MSE reveals a simple trick to get up to thousands of pounds in free cash

Santander

NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland

Lloyds

HSBC

How can I switch bank accounts?

Ex-Turkish star Ersen Martin dies at 44, two years after ‘fighting for life’

Martin Lewis’s warning to couples as a divorcee reveals she has saved £19,000

Homes under the Hammer star Martin Roberts is left stunned when he makes a surprising discovery in a ‘tired and dated’ flat that has ‘not been touched since it was built’

Share or comment on this article: Homes under the Hammer star Martin Roberts is left stunned as he makes a surprising discovery in a ‘tired and dated’ flat that has ‘not been touched since it was built’

Meryl Streep and Martin Short to see the Broadway show after denying their relationship

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Thank you!

Martin Lewis reveals how you can get 75% of the price of Ikea furniture back when you trade-in

WHAT IS THE IKEA FAMILY CARD?

Buy your eBay items now, warns Martin Lewis’ MSE – or you’ll face huge price increases

Read more about saving money

How eBay fees work according to the Money Saving Experts

Martin Lewis warns first-time buyers with just weeks left to claim £1,000 cash

What is a lifetime ISA?

How to find the best savings interest rate

What types of lifetime ISAs are there?