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Ever since Gok Wan went from making us look good naked to creating catwalk outfits for less than the price of dry cleaning a designer outfit, I’ve been pulling out my craft glue (and the occasional DIY supplies) to glam up New Look basics into must have “pieces”. I’ve even taken a couple of their comfortable wide fit shoes and made them into sparkling triumphs courtesy of Claire’s Accessories and some Superdrug nail varnish. I know, these are not names that generally inspire, but when the resulting sandals are mistaken for the latest season sandals from Dune (and are actually comfortable enough to walk in) I knew I was on to a winner.Fast forward to a girlie weekend in Barcelona this March and a visit to a local spa and suddenly my mind was working overtime again.As much as I love the idea of a long weekend at a luxury spa hotel, if I’m honest the prices have always put me off, and my recent experiences at day spas in Morocco and Barcelona have convinced me that you don’t need to pay through the nose for an exceptional spa experience. In fact the best massages I have had to date have been the cheapest ones:- Around 32 pounds for a hammam, with a gommage “scrubbing”, followed by a rhassoul, and then the most relaxing massage I’ve ever had. I can’t tell you how long I was in there – only that the sun had gone down, I had lost all track of time, and I was on a completely different planet.- Even in Barcelona, with the euro at an all-time high, the top rated spa cost us around 54 pounds for the hammam, (with extra hot steam room and plunge pool), followed by a gommage “scrubbing” and another extremely relaxing massage. Three hours of luxury for 54 pounds compared to UK prices is a total steal.The fact is that in many cultures the local spa is an everyday (or at least every month) treat, which, combined with good exchange rates (when they are available), makes them a great bargain on holiday. So why aren’t we taking advantage of them? Well personally I think it’s because, whereas guide books are stuffed with restaurant, sight and hotel recommendations, very rarely do they spend any time on spas. The spa in Morocco was recommended by friends, and the spa in Barcelona was found with some pre-emptive internet research. Later in the year I’m off to visit China, which has some world class hotel spas, but also boasts a proud massage tradition, which leads me to hope that as well as the day spas I’ve been recommended (where prices are about a quarter of UK rates) I’ll also be able to find other more authentic bargains.Which leads me to the hotel part of the spa and hotel break. One of the reasons that staying at a luxury spa hotel can cost so much is that you are paying for the option to use it 24/7. If, like me, you see your spa time as part of a whole trip rather than a destination in itself, you’ll probably find that one day spending 3-4 hours in a spa is enough (taking into account the detox effects) at least for a couple of days. So just by choosing to stay in a separate hotel you will probably save a hefty chunk of your holiday budget, and you’ll also avoid the temptation to stay locked up in your hotel for your entire stay and miss out on the local treats.By then choosing an affordable hotel, reasonably close to your spa, which features the required level of pampering (slippers, robe, fluffy white towels), you can relax back in your room safe in the knowledge that you’ll be going home with a designer glow and a budget bill.Of course this is not to say that there aren’t spa hotels offering affordable deals, but by being flexible and savvy you can make sure that your relaxation time isn’t spent feeling ripped off. And perhaps more importantly, by being more creative in choosing your hotel, you have a much better choice of spa. You are not limited to an in-house spa experience, very important considering the number of excellent day spas available, even in the UK. Take for example Spa London in Bethnal Green, voted 2010 Professional Beauty Awards “Day Spa of the Year”, where 3 hours of thermal experience will set you back 21.50 pounds at the top of the scale for non-members, down to 6.75 pounds for concessionary local members (including towel, robe and flip flop use) and which is truly a luxury experience compared to the slightly run down Porchester Spa. And then there’s Thermae Bath Spa, the only place in the UK where you can bathe in natural healing spa waters, voted 2010 “Best Spa in the World” by readers of the Daily Telegraph’s Ultra Travel Magazine for the second time running, where a 2 hour session in the New Royal Bath (recommended) will set you back 24 pounds (plus 9 pounds hire cost for towel, robe and slippers if you need them – and you get to keep the slippers!) Unlike many spas the Thermae Bath Spa also offers reductions for locals, disabled guests and their carers, so a local disabled guest (and carer) could pay as little as 9.50 pounds each for a 2 hour session in the New Royal Bath. (You can also buy a glass of spa water at The Pump Room for only 50p!)Of course London and Bath are not known for their cheap hotel rooms, and certainly in central Bath you might be pushed to find availability, let alone an affordable room rate. However, if you widen your search to the surrounding area, you’ll also find some wonderful B&Bs which would put many hotels to shame, and where you can wake up to the sound of a horse clip clopping past, right in the heart of the countryside. Then it’s up to you whether you decide to explore some old fashioned villages, head back home refreshed and revived, or pop back to the Thermae Bath Spa for just a little more bargain relaxation.

A payday loan or cash advance is a small, short-term financial instrument that allows a borrower to cover his or her expenses until the next paycheck. Typically, the amounts of such loans range of $100 to $1500, on 10-14 days term and have enough high interest rates (APR) from 390 to 900 percent.Payday lending is regulated at the state level – each state has its own laws regarding payday loans. Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress passed a law in October 2006 that limits lending to military personnel at 36% APR. The Defense Department was concerned that payday lenders could cause financial challenges for soldiers and even jeopardize security clearances.Some federal banking regulators are trying to limit or prohibit payday loans not just for military personnel, but for all customers. The high interest rates are considered as a hard financial blow to the lower and middle class people who are the primary borrowers.Lenders prove that payday loans are often the only available way to get money for customers with bad credit history or who can not obtain another lower-interest alternative, such as a bank loan or a credit card. In their turn, critics say that the most of borrowers find themselves in a worse financial situation when they have to repay their loan. Many of them get trapped into a cycle of unsecured debt.Statistics compiled by the Center for Responsible Lending show that the large part of the payday lending’s profit comes from repeat consumers who can not repay prior loans on the due date and instead prolong their loans, paying extra fees each time.Retail lending.Customers come to a payday lending store and qualify for a small cash advance in the range of $100 to $500 with payment on the borrower’s next paycheck.As loan charges, the customer will pay from $15 to $30 per $100 borrowed for 14 days period, which translates to interest rates of 390 to 780 percent (APR). On the due date the borrower returns to payday lending store and writes a check to his lender in the full amount of the cash advance plus charges.If the borrower does not repay the loan, the lender may process the check traditionally or through electronic withdrawal from the borrower’s bank account.If there is not enough money to cover the check at the checking account, the customer will face extra fees from his bank in addition to the costs of the loan. Meanwhile, the most of payday lenders offer an extended payment plan with no additional fees for customers who can not pay out their loan at the due date.In several states like Washington, extended payment plans are required by state law.Internet lending.You can get a payday loan not only from payday lending store, but online through special lending websites. Typically, a customer fills out a simple online application form, where he or she indicates required personal and bank account information, Social Security number and employer information. Some lenders require fax copies of a check, a recent bank statement, and signed paperwork. After instant approving the loan amount is direct deposited into the borrower’s checking account. On the due date loan payment with fees is electronically withdrawn from borrower’s account.Examples.For example, a borrower wants to get a payday loan. The borrower will write a post-dated personal check for $500 to borrow $570 for up to two weeks. The payday lender agrees to hold the check until the borrower’s next paycheck date. At that time, the borrower has the option to redeem the check by paying $570 in cash, or renew his loan by paying off the $570 and then immediately applying for an additional loan of $500, in result prolonging the loan for another 14 days period. However, in many states extending of payday loans is not allowed by state law. In states where there is an extended payment plan, the borrower could choose to opt into a payment plan.The Consumer Federation of America has conducted a survey of one hundred internet payday loan websites recently. The results showed that these lenders offer loans from $100 to $1,500, with $500 the most frequently offered. Finance fees ranged from $10 per $100 up to $30 per $100 borrowed. The most frequent rate was $25 per $100, or 650% annual interest rate (APR) if the payday loan is repaid within 14 days.Exploiting financial emergencies for profit.Critics say that payday lenders are exploiting consumer’s temporary financial difficulties to make high profit. Often payday lenders are targeting their services to young or poor people with low-income. Borrowers simply may not understand that the high APR can trap them into a debt-cycle, where they will have to repeatedly extend the loan and pay growing extra fees every 14 days until they can save enough money to pay off the loan amount and get out of this dangerous cycle. There is an opinion that payday lenders disadvantage the poor people, compared to the middle class who pay moderate interest on their credit cards.Meanwhile, supporters say that many people that apply for payday loans have already ruined any other available alternatives. They are not able to get a bank loan or a credit card because of serious problems with credit history.Costs of payday loans.Supporters of payday loans argue that the processing costs for these loans do not differ from other loans. They say that moderate interest rates for low borrowed amounts and short terms would not be profitable. For example, a $200 one-week loan, at a 20% interest rate would give the lender only 72 cents of interest, which would not cover even processing costs.Defenders say that payday lenders processing costs are much lower than costs for home loans and other usual loans. Besides payday lenders require only the proof of borrower’s income and employment, while traditional loan lenders do full credit checks and value the borrower’s ability to pay out the loan.

There are many gardeners who have been planting vegetables, herbs, and flowers for years and really enjoy it. New gardeners are also hoping to have the same enjoyment but may not be sure on how and where to begin. You do not need a large area to start a brand new garden, it is better to start small to see how well it is going to work and then progress to something larger. You may even want to start out with a small container garden instead of a plot in the ground.You can check to see if there are any classes being offered with regards to gardening; some nurseries, garden centers, or master gardeners in your area may offer some suggestions. You may also have neighbors that do some gardening and would be willing to show you how to begin. Some cities have public gardens for you to visit so you can see what will grow well in your environment. In order to make your gardening experience enjoyable start out small so it will fit into your schedule. A new garden should not be so large that you are going to wonder what you got yourself into.You are going to need a few basic gardening supplies regardless of whether you are planning on growing vegetables, flowers, or herbs. Compost, which is composed of decaying organic material, will greatly improve your soil by adding back nutrients that will improve growth. Compost can be made at home by using kitchen scraps and natural yard and garden waste or it is available in bags from home improvement centers and garden nurseries. If you add mulch to your garden in the spring it will cut down on your weeding time and it will retain moisture for the plants especially during the warmer summer months. Organic mulch is probably the best to use because it will eventually break down over time and help feed the soil. Other types of mulch can be wood chips or straw.The basic set of gardening tools generally includes a dibbler or trowel for digging holes for seedlings and to plant seeds and a three-prong cultivator for weeding a small garden and establishing troughs for planting seeds. A garden hose with a spray attachment for releasing gentle sprays for those delicate seedlings is a must. A good investment is a garden hat with a wide brim to protect your head and face from the sun along with a good sunblock. If you do not want to use sunblock on your arms and legs some old clothing with long sleeves and long pants can be worn for protection. A pair of gardening gloves that is going to last awhile during gardening tasks is a must. There are gardeners that spend a lot time on their knees while gardening and have purchased gardening mats or kneelers that help protect those knees.Wherever you decide to have your garden be sure the area is going to get the right amount of sunlight for what you are going to grow. Most herbs, vegetables, and fruit will need six hours, at least, of full sunlight daily; some of them may need more time. Flowers are going to be different; some need partial sun; full sun; or even shade. You can have an in-ground flower garden in full sun and a container flower garden for partial sun or shade; remember a container garden can be moved around as needed. If your garden is not going to be near the water spigot just make sure your garden hose is going to be long enough to reach. Your in-ground garden soil needs preparation as soon as the ground is pliable with plenty of compost or organic material. Good garden soil needs to have organic material added every year to keep it healthy. If you feed garden soil every year it will grow and produce everything your plants need for producing a good healthy crop or beautiful plants and flowers.There are a few plants that are difficult to grow from seeds such as tomatoes, peppers, and petunias, so you may want to plant their seedlings instead. If you prefer growing from seed, try planting indoors early and transplant them as seedlings, when they are strong, to your outside garden. If you plant any seedlings outside too early you may run the risk of another frost and your plants will die. It is probably best to check with a gardening neighbor or your local garden nursery for best times for planting in your area.As new gardeners you may find your first year of gardening may not give the best crop of vegetables or the most beautiful flowers; do not get discouraged, if you enjoyed the gardening experience your following years will always be better than the last. Just remember to grow the plants that will do well in your environment, keep the garden small at first and grow the plants that you and your family will enjoy.