You can now create your own garden with a recyclable item that produces quick results.

One gardening guru tips are so simple that there is no excuse for not getting a head start on spring planting.

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Collin (@saltyacresnc) wants to show you his seed-starting trick using just one item that he says “everyone” has at home: a Styrofoam egg carton.

Aimed at novice gardeners, the “conveniently shaped” box has a flat bottom for any spot used to hold an egg – and can be a home for seedlings as well.

Cutting the box in half, Collin explained how the item allows plants or seeds to stand upright on the windowsill.

He hopes this advice will save many from the rookie mistake of “learning the hard way” that using cups or similar items that only hold dirt are not ideal starters.

That’s because nothing fits the shape of the inside of a windowsill better than an egg carton, which means there’s a good chance a cup will fall over completely.

Next, you’ll want to poke some holes in the bottom of each egg space in the box before filling it with dirt.

He couldn’t emphasize enough that this was the “best way” to start seeds if this was your first time getting your gardening feet wet.

The fact that it fits perfectly in your windowsill wasn’t even the best part.

Since you don’t need a grow light, his tip is completely free.

Need seeds?

Don’t worry: his seed company, Salty Acres, has got your back.

The brand sells a variety of vegetable and plant seeds, including the $3.99 Blue Lake Bush green bean seeds.

And the product had many satisfied seed-loving customers.

“I couldn’t be more pleased. My plants arrived quickly and looked very healthy.

“I followed the directions given and they are working well. I’m very excited! Thank you for providing such a great product!” said one buyer.

“They arrived in good condition and ours are now in pots,” said another buyer.

The watering process is also simple enough for any beginner: just grab a mason jar and a straw.

Just one or two ‘straws’ of water per morning is all you need to add to each space.

For best results, place the box on the windowsill, in the brightest light.

Many of his fans even had their own tips.

“I’ve always done this and occasionally put it in a plastic bag for a greenhouse effect, works great!” said one follower.

“Use the biodegradable ones. You can transplant the whole thing in your garden,” said another viewer.

“I use K-cup pods,” said a third audience member.

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SHE’s the Love Island presenter with an infectious personality and oh-so-radiant skin.

But the secret to Maya Jama’s glow from within is a lot cheaper than you might think.

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The 29-year-old religiously uses a store-bought product to this day, after her mother kept it permanently in the house during her childhood.

“I’ve been using Bio-Oil for years,” Maya revealed in an interview with British Vogue.

“My mother always had medicine at my house for stretch marks or scars and things like that.

“If you are a little damp immediately after showering and you put it on, I think it retains moisture better.

‘But I don’t know if that’s true!

“So yes, Bio-Oil, that’s what I immerse myself in.”

And thanks to the Amazon Spring Sale, the brand’s popular skincare oil has been reduced from £17.10 to just £13.13.

“It is clinically proven to help improve the appearance of new and old scars, stretch marks that form during pregnancy, growth spurts in teens, periods of rapid weight gain and helps with uneven skin tone,” according to a blurb.

“It contains vitamins and essential oils to improve your skin.

“The unique combination of PurCellin Oil and vitamin A and E complex improves skin texture and elasticity and provides non-greasy hydration.”

Skincare brand bosses recommend using their products for at least three months to see results.

It was previously crowned the best-selling scar and stretch mark product in Britain and is also loved by Kim Kardashian, Kate Middleton and Priyanka Chopra.

However, Maya has one more than Bio-Oil in her secret beauty arsenal.

The Rimmel ambassador washes her face at the end of each day and applies double the amount of concealers.

“I get quite dark under my eyes, so one is to hide the darkness, and the other is to brighten it,” she told Who What Wear.

She also keeps spoons in the refrigerator to instantly cool puffy eyes and reduce swelling.

“I try to get a facial at least once a month, just because of all the traveling,” Maya added.

“I have a pretty simple skin care routine.

“I use the CeraVe cleanser and cream, and it really does the job.”

A 43-year-old make-up artist has told how to give yourself a “facelift” using contouring – and the trick is where you place it.

Beauty influencer Lauren Hale urged women to ditch “fish face” when applying their bronzer and contour products in favor of her “game changing” hack.

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The mother of three called it a makeup tip “to combat the signs of gravity as we age.”

Over time, our skin loses its elasticity due to a decrease in collagen and elastin production.

Collagen provides structural support to the skin, while elastin ensures that it springs back into place after stretching.

As these proteins decrease over the years, the skin becomes less firm and more prone to sagging.

But you can hide signs of sagging with clever makeup techniques, like these Lauren shared on her Instagram profile.

She lines a brush from the edge of her ear to her mouth and dabs three dots of cream contour on top.

Once blended, the shadow created by the products lifts the face.

“Try this method to create the illusion of lifting your cheekbones with your contour placement,” Lauren wrote in the caption.

“You no longer have to apply your contour too low on the hollows of the face.

“Try this simple tip instead and watch your whole face lift for an easy facelift.”

Gravity constantly exerts a downward force on our bodies, causing tissues to gradually sag over time.

This effect is stronger as the skin loses elasticity and becomes less able to resist gravity.

In addition, genetic factors also play a role in the aging of our skin.

Some individuals may be more prone to developing sagging skin earlier or more severely than others based on their genetic makeup.

Lauren previously shared her hack for removing “raccoon eyes.”

Raccoon eyes refers to mascara that runs under the eye and creates a dark shadow, leaving you with black rings around your eyes, just like the garbage-loving mammals.

Having less square footage doesn’t mean you have to skimp on style with the right tricks that will instantly maximize any small space.

The best free and affordable tips from a professional moving company will give you the feeling of a bigger room while still being on a budget.

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According to Moving.comLetting in as much light as possible – both natural and artificial – can open up any small space.

That means forgetting the blackout shades and using string lights, hanging lamps and wall sconces if your room won’t accommodate larger floor and table lamps.

Bringing in extra light can also create an element of warmth.

If you want to make a small room seem more spacious, it’s all about how you place your furniture.

Rather than having to remove larger pieces of furniture, they recommend being strategic by keeping those pieces at the edge of the room.

Things like bookcases and couches should be placed against a wall rather than in the middle of the floor.

They also advise finding furniture that is not only stylish, but also functional.

Any pieces that can serve a dueling purpose, such as folding furniture, will do the transforming trick.

You can also get creative with design ideas by including beds that can be turned into sofas and side tables that can easily become desks.

Investing in dining tables and king-size beds that can be stored away are also suggested space-saving solutions.

The good news is that many companies have started making more compact and convertible items as the small trend continues.

Their next pro tip is to use mirrors, as this adds both light and space at the same time.

This ‘double’ interior design trick gives the illusion of more square footage by reflecting back natural and non-natural lighting – don’t worry, we won’t tell.

Adding just one larger mirror or even placing smaller mirrors around the room also adds an extra aesthetic element.

They even recommend making your own mirror wall.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember when upgrading your home is to remove unnecessary items that just take up space.

Getting rid of impractical possessions can also bring you joy that can be both seen and felt.

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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.

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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.

A TV and broadband expert has shared his ‘no-brainer’ TV licensing trick that could save you £169 a year.

The cost of a TV license is set to rise in the coming weeks, so you may want to check now if you can save some money.

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Struggling households could save on the cost of a TV license through a little-known rule.

We spoke to Nick Baker, broadband and TV expert at Uswitch, who revealed his useful tip that could bring you valuable savings in 2024.

To legally watch or record live TV in Britain, you need a TV license, which currently costs £159 per year.

However, from April 1, the price will rise to £169, so it’s worth finding out if you can be exempt from the payment.

Nick said: “There are a few exceptions when it comes to who has to pay for a TV licence.

“Under current rules, those over the age of 75 who receive a pension credit are eligible for a free license.”

Nick added that for people in this situation, applying for this is a “no-brainer” and could provide you with a useful savings boost.

You can request the discount on the TV license website or by calling 0300 790 6117.

In the meantime, we will explain to you in detail what Pension Credit is and how you can apply for it.

What is pension credit?

Pension credit is available to people over 75 years of age.

The benefit tops up state pension payments of up to £201 per week – and is paid to those who have reached state pension age (66) and are on a low income.

Surprisingly, an estimated 850,000 eligible households are not claiming the benefit.

Depending on your circumstances, you can receive different amounts of pension credit.

It consists of two parts and retirees can qualify for one or both parts:

• Guarantee credit – supplements your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level. This is £201.05 per week if you are single and £306.85 per week for married couples.
• Savings credit – offers extra money if you have saved money for your pension. You can get an extra £15.94 per week for a single person or £17.84 per week for a married couple.

These figures will increase from £201.05 per week to £218.15 or for couples, from £306.85 to £332.95.

If you receive the savings credit part of the pension credit, this will increase from £15.94 per week to £17.01 or for couples, from £17.84 to £19.04.

You can also receive an additional pension discount if you are disabled, have caring responsibilities or have to pay certain housing costs, such as mortgage interest.

For example, you could get €72.31 per week or €61.88 per week for each child or young person you are responsible for.

If you have a serious disability, you can receive an extra €76.40 per week. If you care for another adult, you can get an extra €52.75 per week.

To be eligible, you must live in England, Scotland or Wales and be of state pension age.

But you must also have an income that is so low that it must be supplemented with Pension Credit.

Your income is calculated on the basis of your AOW benefit, other pensions, your income from work and self-employment and certain social security benefits, including the informal care allowance.

But not all benefits are counted as income, including:

• Adult Disability Payment
• Attendance allowance
• Christmas bonus
• Child benefits
• Housing benefit for the disabled
• Personal Independence Payment
• social fund payments such as winter fuel surcharge
• Housing benefit
• Municipal tax reduction

How do I register?

You can apply for a Pension Credit up to four months before reaching the state pension age.

Crucially, you can claim at any time after reaching state pension age, but your claim can only be made backdated by three months.

This means you can get up to three months of benefits with your first payment if you were eligible during that period.

But if you go further, you won’t get more than three months’ back payments.

With your application you will need a number of personal information, including your citizen service number and information about your income, savings and investments.

When it comes to actually applying, you can do this online on the government website.

You can also apply by telephone on 0800 991 234 or by post. The address to send your claim form to is:

The Pension Service 8
Mail processing location B
Wolverhampton
WV99 1AN

What other benefits can I get on Pension Credit?

In addition to a free TV license for the over-75s, claiming Pension Credit can result in a whole host of other discounts and freebies.

If you claim it, you may be able to get help with housing benefit, if you have a rental property, and a discount on council tax.

This also makes you eligible for living expenses payments and the Warm Home Discount scheme.

You will find more information about Pension Credit and how to apply for it in our guide.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.

Moreover, you can join us Sun Money chats and tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.

A HOME decor expert has told how she made her small bedroom look a lot bigger with a few design choices.

In addition to tasteful large works of art, a mirror trick opened up her small room.

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KC (@thecasaverde) shared her interior design tips in a TikTok video.

“I have a fairly small bedroom, the smallest in the apartment, but I think I did a good job of making it seem like a cozy space that is so much bigger than it actually is,” she said.

She placed two large mirrors in her bedroom to fake the illusion of a larger space

“They’re looking at the window, which really adds to the illusion that the room is bigger,” she explained.

Other decor pieces, such as a hanging ceiling lamp, helped “draw the eye upward,” along with a wall-mounted desk with built-in shelves and an armless desk chair.

While having a small room can often be limiting when it comes to decor, KC encourages people to go crazy with their artwork.

“Don’t be afraid to hang big art in small spaces. It really helps to really bring things together,” she said.

A color scheme also worked well for a cohesive look, with KC opting for a neutral theme.

“I bring accents of color with the art and the [Tchotchkes] that I have,” she said, showing her prints.

“Your clothes have personality too, don’t be afraid to put it on display, like I did with this coat rack here.”

Together with her coat rack, she chose an open brown dresser with thick legs to store her wardrobe.

“The little legs help open it,” she said.

People were impressed with her artistic eye and crafty decor choices.

“You definitely made the most of that space!” said one commenter.

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A BEAUTY fan over 60 shared the make-up trick that gave her an instant facelift.

That one product tip added warmth and dimension to her face.

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Cheri (@maturebeautystudio) shared the makeup advice in a TikTok video.

The mature beauty fan regularly shares makeup advice and techniques for women over 50.

She applied her usual foundation, blush and contour off camera.

She then took a brush to add dimensions in three spots, instantly turning back time on her skin.

“Are you over 60 and looking for an easy way to get an instant facelift?” she said.

“I’ll just take my $16 Seint Illuminating highlight and make three lines.

“It’s so easy to get this beautiful, dimensionally lifted look by just applying the bleach to these three spots and then softening them.”

Using a thick brush, she applied three strokes of highlighter to her temples and cheekbones.

She quickly blurred the diagonal lines with a soft brush.

“Look how it lifts my eyes. It gives dimension and lift to my cheekbones,” she said.

The trick can be performed with any highlight, bringing light onto the face where it is applied.

Viewers were excited to try out the technique.

“I love this, I’m going to try this,” one commenter wrote.

“This looks great,” said another.

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IPHONE owners are excited about a little-known Apple Pay trick that could save your day in an emergency.

The smart feature can help you in two specific ways.

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First, you don’t need to unlock your account iPhone when using Apple Pay on certain public transport networks.

Apple has built something called Express Mode into iOS, which means you can use Apple Pay without Touch ID or Face ID in some situations.

It means you don’t have to struggle with unlocking your iPhone when using the London Underground or New York Underground, for example.

An Apple fan on Reddit wrote, “I’ve loved using Express Transit in San Francisco and New York. I go about twice a month.”

You can ensure that Express Mode is set to the correct card by going to your Apple Wallet settings.

DEAD GOOD!

But that is not everything.

Not only do you not need to unlock your iPhone, the battery may not even need to be charged.

“I recently accidentally discovered that it’s possible to still use your Transit card even if your phone breaks,” said one Reddit user in a thread about the feature.

“I was blown away, I already knew I could use it by essentially swiping the reader, but not this.”

Apple is more specific about how this actually works.

“You may even be able to use your card, pass, or key if your device needs to be charged,” Apple explains.

It continued: “With a compatible iPhone modelsthat you might be able to use current reserve with some cards, passes and keys that have Express Mode enabled for up to five hours when your iPhone needs to be charged.

“To see which cards, passes, and keys are available for use with power reserve, press the side or home button when your iPhone needs to charge.”

But there are two important things to note about this feature.

First, pressing the Side button or Home button can significantly reduce the power reserve on your iPhone.

Doing this enough may prevent the feature from working.

Secondly, if you manually turn off your iPhone, this feature will not work.

It is only available when your iPhone is visibly dead and put in backup mode.

A BEAUTY enthusiast has shared a budget-friendly trick to get fuller, thicker brows in minutes.

With a few flicks of the wrist and a trusty brush, she took her brows from dull to fabulous with a Target purchase for men.

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Podcast host Whitney Lynne (@whitney_lynne) likes to share tricks to look your best.

She showed off a quick beauty hack for fuller brows that ‘we all need to know’ in one Instagram role.

She used the Only for men Mustache and beard coloring$10, in a medium brown shade.

Although there is a suggested list of application instructions, Whitney has her way of using the budget purchase.

She then took the two small black and white tubes from the box, placed them on the tray and blended them with a small brush.

Shortly after the concoction turned brown, she lightly applied it evenly to her eyebrows with the brush.

“It’s a little dark, just trust the process,” she said.

The last place she applied the dye was closest to her nose so it could be lighter and fade in the dark.

“Leave it on for two to five minutes,” she added.

Finally, she wiped it off with a cotton swab, immediately revealing “fuller, thicker-looking brows.”

Several viewers were already aware of the makeup tip, while others appreciated the advice.

“I’ve been doing this for years. It’s much cheaper than tinting eyebrows. Before I go to bed I use oil because the tint can dry out my eyebrows. The only thing I hate about this dye is the strong perfume smell,” said one person . .

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“I’ve been using this on my eyebrows for seven years and it’s the best! However, I apply it with a cotton swab and it’s easy and perfect!” another suggested.

“I’m really trying to do this!!!!” wrote one woman.

“Life changing. How long will it last?” one TikTok user asked

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