Obviously they will come in all kinds of sizes and are usually designed for industrial use but there’s an interesting amount of industrial chemicals in most of our homes these days. Some of those things will simply eat through your normal paint tins as some people have found to their detriment.

I have already set aside a ‘kitty’ for that special occasion. I intend to buy him the whole shebang…formal suit – I am not sure about the mens ties so have to see what young men wear with a suit these days – and a sharp pair of shoes for him of course. You can ask yourself if it is better to hire a suit or should you splash out and buy a good one, all depends on whether your teen has completed his growing. My son is 6ft 2″ and I’d say at 17 he is just about done as far as height is concerned so the suit I buy just may do him for other occasions over the next few years. The worry is they might have a final growth spurt and your expensive suit is rendered useless. Anyway, this is special occasion for him and only the best will do

Now we are tackling the bathroom and then it will be the living room. We spend a lot of time as a family in the living room and we need new accessories such as tv stands and tables and chairs. New carpets as well although I am considering having the floors tiled and paved rather than covered with carpeting.

Having lived in France I like the Med look…

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“Having listened to the strength of feeling from our customers and the broader community, I will withdraw Kmart’s application for early trading on Anzac Day. I got this one wrong and on behalf of Kmart, I apologise,” Mr Russo said. Nice one then Mr Russo!

Federal Veterans Affairs Minister Alan Griffin had said Anzac Day was an occasion for remembering those who fought and died for their country, not for shopping and he is so correct. Anzac Day is a very important day in Australia, on par with Australia Day in January, and to think that this store could not go one day without making a profit is annoying to say the least. We don’t shop on Anzac Day, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

You can get a plasma mount for your television which will keep it in place and not in danger of toppling over onto a toddler or baby playing on the floor underneath it. The danger with wall units is when the child tries to climb up and holds onto the unit for balance – the tv wobbles and over it goes…then you have a nasty accident.

I remember back in the 70’s dad giving me and my sister $2.00 each and we would leave with showbags hanging off each arm – about six each. Now the bags cost as much as they would if you bought each item in them from a shop and that is wrong – they were meant to advertise promotional products at a vastly reduced price but that message has long been lost. The showbags too, these days, reflect the materialistic society we have become – there are showbags for everything now whereas before they were basically from companies you would not normally purchase from. The Commonwealth Bank bag was always brilliant because you went back to school after Easter with some new pencils, pens, writing paper, money box and other odds and ends you got in their showbag. These days I reckon you would get an application for a mortgage and a brochure of their bank charges…

Yes, it has become too expensive these days and the promoters are now out to make as much money from the public as possible rather spend money to earn our custom – the advertising industry has become too arrogant and self-assured to see the need to court us. But it is still the thing to do at Easter and I really feel for those parents who cannot afford this special day out – I remember back in 1999 I admitted defeat when I saw the admission prices and prices of the showbags alone. With three kids it would have meant paying the rent or going to the show – in fact paying the rent cost a lot less!

Working for four years on the refund counter of a major chain store in Sydney changed me for the better – I saw first hand how other people handled this situation, the amazing excuses they would come up with to explain why they wanted their money back…and I eventually developed as much front myself. But I would never dream of pulling some of the scams some of my customers got away with…

But did you know that British people are missing out on possible savings of £74billion a year because they are afraid to complain? each UK household misses out on an average of £2,873 every 12 months because they fail to demand refunds, good service and discounts on faulty or unwanted goods. Now unwanted gifts might just get you a voucher or credit slip as refunds and exchanges are normally reserved for defective purchases. A staggering two out of three people will not complain when they receive bad service in a hotel or restaurant and will even pay a tip.

The top five reasons given by people who refuse to demand better service, discounts, or replacement goods include: fear of making a scene (90 per cent), not wanting to ask for a discount (88 per cent), not wanting to appear cheap (82 per cent), not being good at complaining (67 per cent), and not having time (59 per cent). Is it being British that makes people not want to make a fuss or appear rude and ungrateful…? this never bothered Hyacinth Bucket. Put on your best voice, draw yourself up to your full height – and complain!

With big signs advertising up to 70% reductions outside some stores, and big savings on many top-of-the-range items, there was plenty to tempt people out on these chilly late December afternoons. If you can brave the cold temperatures right now – and it certainly is cold here in NI at the moment – you will pick up some fantastic items at brilliant prices.

Yesterday, the normally packed out shopping outlet was significantly more busy than normal. Dozens of shoppers were piling through the entrance every minute while there were long queues at the checkouts in many stores. If you want to think ahead to next Christmas then head on to the Christmas Store where crowds were still very thin on the ground and lots of specials on offer. Yeah it’s cold, but you can always warm yourself with a coffee at one of Belfast’s many great cafe’s while you plan your next assault.

Before setting off for the sales, make a shopping list of everything you wish to purchase and then set yourself a budget. There is no point in buying something that has been heavily reduced if you don’t really need it. Does your dad love a good cigar…? then you wont mind buying him some discounted Black and Mild just this once. Don’t be swayed by any amount of saving.  If you will never use it or wear it, what’s the point? try to ensure that you purchase only the items that are on your shopping list as you know they will actully be put to good use.

Ladies, we all know that the true hell of the Christmas sales is the dressing rooms. Avoid them by wearing a thin outfit under your coat to enable you to slip things over it in a quiet area of the shop. Doing this has the added benefit of allowing you to use the large mirrors and aisles around the shop floor meaning you have lots more room to try things on. The sales are also great for finding any special gifts – perhaps a family member is celebrating a milestone birthday this year, or there’s a big wedding to attend. Obviously there’s no point buying a Christmas-scented candle to give as a spring gift. But there will be lots of fabulous things out there and planning ahead will also save you time in future. Buying for next Christmas is definitely my intention this time round.