When it comes to frugal and better value living, Martin Lewis consistently offers brilliant tips and tricks to keep us warm during the dropping temperatures.

While it might not be the most thrilling purchase, investing in a pair of thermal socks could be the solution to your chilly feet.

In a recent post on the Money Saving Expert website, Martin’s team of experts compiled a practical guide on ‘heating the human, not the home’ to assist households in saving thousands on rising heating bills.

While Martin says, ‘this is a guide I really wish we needn’t be publishing,’ he adds it’s been put together due to an ‘overflowing email bag of desperation from people who can’t afford their energy bills’.

And according to their information, a pair of £10 socks could be the secret to staying warm in the colder months and saving some coins.

The 3-pack of Thermal Sumptuously Soft Ankle High Socks from Marks and Spencer is gaining popularity among Martin Lewis fans, and they come at a reasonable price of just £10.

Crafted to ensure your toes stay exceptionally warm, these socks are constructed from an ultra-soft material with additional stretch for comfort.

Thermal Sumptuously Soft™ Ankle High Socks

Buy Now For £10 at m&S

Featuring a reinforced heel and toe, you can rest assured that they won’t slide down during wear. Available in size ranges of three-to-five and six-to-eight, each pack includes three pairs to keep you snug throughout the winter.

These convenient winter foot warmers have garnered over 500 five-star reviews, with customers praising their warmth and cosiness, labelling them as ideal companions for long winter walks.

One delighted shopper said: ‘I’ve had these before and they are brilliant and very comfortable, I do a lot of walking and they serve their purpose.’

While a second added: ‘Great little socks, not too thick like some thermals but you can definitely tell the difference to normal socks. Feet kept warm and toastie and so comfy to wear.’

Numerous other shoppers appreciated the socks for being ‘not too thick’ and highlighted their ankle-friendly design, noting that the socks ‘left no marks around the ankles’ and ‘stayed in place without slipping or moving about.’

Available in black and grey, the thermal socks are definitely a noteworthy bargain.

In addition to socks, Martin and his team recommended considering Heatgen thermals, also available at M&S and priced between £10 and £25.

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Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning to unmarried couples who live together, stressing the importance of addressing will-related matters.

Appearing on ITV’s The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on Tuesday (November 21), the money saving expert outlined that even after decades of cohabitation and numerous children, legal protections are still lacking without a formal will.

According to Martin, not being married or in a civil partnership means your partner becomes ineligible for inheritance under the law after you die.

Martin said: ‘If you’ve got assets, do a will, that way you decide where the money goes. A special point to anyone who is co-habiting, you’re not married, you’re not a civil partner.

‘If you have been living together for 30 years and you’ve got nine children, it still means nothing in the law when it comes to a will. Your partner wouldn’t get anything.’

Martin explained to viewers that if you die without a proper will in place, it is up to the state to decide what happens to your house and your assets under the intestacy rules.

He also warned that these rules affect married couples too.

‘It’s also important to note that wills everywhere but Scotland are revoked when you get married so if you had a will and you got married, you no longer have a will in most cases so you need to do one again,’ he added.

‘Worth everybody being aware of that and also if your circumstances change and you’ve got a will from 20 years ago, leaving it to your ex husband or wife, you might want to change it and make sure it’s up-to-date.’

Martin also highlighted that in the event of dying without a will, the procedures will vary based on the specific region within the United Kingdom where you reside.

He explained: ‘Let’s say in England, the first £320,000 would go to your spouse, your husband or wife. And then the rest, the spouse would get half and the children would get half.

‘And it’s not necessarily what you want which is why you do a will.’

Following on from this discussion, a viewer’s message was then shown to Martin Lewis viewers which said their older brother had died six years ago and had no will.

This meant it ended up costing over £35,000 in solicitors’ fees to fix, emphasising the importance of Martin’s message.

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Wedding planner and venue owner Alison Rios McCrone helps solve your dilemmas, no matter how big or small, in a weekly agony aunt column.

Hi Alison, 

Last year, my husband and I were married and it was the best day of my life. I have a large family and was the first of my equally big friendship group to get married. 

Everyone was so generous, and we received so many gifts, from vouchers for meals out to hotel stays to champagne. Almost 18 months on from my big day, we’ve barely made a dent in what we received. 

Now, however, so many of my friends are following my lead in tying the knot, with several weddings in the next few months and I’m getting worried about the amount of money on present I’ll have to spend.

But I need your advice on what I think is the perfect solution, but which others have considered unacceptable – regifting! 

I’m not much of a drinker and my husband works away, so hotel stays, restaurant vouchers and alcohol aren’t much used to us. But with so many weddings upcoming and a cost-of-living crisis, I think it is an ideal chance to pass them on to happy couples while making a saving.

I’ll make sure no-one gets their own gift back, and I think it does seem more personal than money. 

However when I mentioned it to my mum and some other friends, they accused me of being a cheapskate, not caring about other people’s weddings, and said I would offend the bride and groom with my regifted presents rather than put a smile on their faces. 

I was taken aback, as I thought regifting was pretty normal and it would be a great way to ensure no presents go to waste.

Am I in the right? Or should I just bite the bullet and buy more presents?

Thanks,

Ruth

Dear Ruth,

Getting married really is the best day of your life. But these events can be costly too so I completely understand your concern about the number of upcoming weddings and the financial strain it might put you under.

As such, the idea of regifting is not uncommon. But it is essential to acknowledge that not everyone sees regifting the same way. 

While some may appreciate the practicality and thoughtfulness, as you have seen by your mum and friends’ reactions, others may feel differently. And sadly it’s up to you to gauge that.

Gift giving should always be more about the thought and consideration that suits each couple, than the present itself.

If a couple specifically asks for something or requests cash donations towards a life experience, I would suit their needs rather than choose to regift.

However, for those with no specific wishlist it can be difficult to know where to start – especially if they have already set up a home together and have everything they need. In this instance, regifting could be a good option and when done with care, it can be a practical solution all round.

If you decide to regift, be selective. Hotel stays, restaurant vouchers, and alcohol can be great choices, but be cautious with more personal gifts that may carry sentimental value.

Your idea of passing on gifts that do not quite suit your lifestyle to couples who may appreciate them more, for example, is definitely a consideration.

Though I would argue that, as your husband works away, using the hotel vouchers and restaurant vouchers for yourselves as a special treat will be a much better use than regifting.

Just be sure you’re always passing the present on for the right reasons and not just to rid yourself of the clutter.

Tailor the regifted items to suit their preferences as much as possible and take the time to repackage the gifts nicely. A well-wrapped present can make a significant difference in how it is received. Perhaps include a heartfelt note of why you chose that particular gift for them for an extra personal touch.

And always ensure the items are still in good condition and, more importantly, take care not to give someone their own gift back while making sure the chosen present aligns with the happy couple’s preferences and needs. 

Ultimately, your intentions are good, and you want to ensure that no gift goes to waste. However, it is essential to be mindful of how others might perceive regifting, and you really want to avoid offending anyone, especially on their wedding day.

If you sense some friends might not appreciate it, buying a more modest but thoughtful gift that will not strain your budget could be worth considering. Purchase something during sales and special events like Black Friday and you could find a great gift at a bargain price.

Remember, every couple is different, and what matters most is the thought and care you put into your gesture.

Best wishes,

Alison

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk. 

Share your views in the comments below.

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It might still seem a little early to talk about the office Christmas party, but venues will have been booked months ago and there will be people organising invites and other logistics in the coming weeks.

A big part of these workplace festivities is always Secret Santa.

There’s a lot I like about the concept. In theory, it’s a fantastic money-saver – perfect for a time of year when we’re already spending so much.

Rather than buy lots of presents, you’re buying just one. And there’s usually a price cap, so you can’t get too carried away (or worry about whether your gift will be worth the same as the one you’re going to receive).

Plus it doesn’t just work for the office – you can do it with friends and family, too. All in, it sounds like something we should embrace.

But when it comes down to it, I’m not a fan. My problem is in the execution.

So many times in the past I’ve been given something random or useless by colleagues at the party – and had to force a grin in an attempt to avoid any hurt feelings (not that it sometimes appeared much effort went into choosing the gift).

In a way, it’s often destined to go wrong.

Much of the time you’re buying for someone you hardly know, and you’re getting a gift from someone who has never met you.

Or there are the office comedians who mistake bad taste for hilarity. In these situations it won’t end well.

Yes, it can work. Yes, it can come up trumps. But based on my experiences I’m less than enthusiastic about taking part in its current form.

And I’m not alone here. Research by my UK Money Bloggers community found that one in three men and one in four women would rather not participate.

And when they do, more than a third of people say they will give away the gift they receive via Secret Santa.

With a total of £167million likely to be spent via this present exchange in the workplace alone, that’s almost £60million of wasted cash this year.

But what if instead of reluctantly taking part in something because everyone else is, you can feel good about being involved?

What if unwanted presents weren’t bought at all? What if the thought is genuinely what counts?

This is where my idea of ‘give or gift’ comes into play.

At UK Money Bloggers you can print out Secret Santa sheets that along with letting you write your name to go in the hat, also allow you to tick a box stating whether you’d like to receive a gift as usual, or a different one if you’d like your mystery Santa to give to charity on your behalf instead.

The money that would have gone on festive novelty books and mugs instead goes to a good cause – to those who need the money more than you do.

You can, of course, choose any charity close to your heart, but we’ve partnered with KidsOut, which will use your donation to buy toys or experiences for children in refuges who have escaped from domestic violence. There’s a JustGiving page that makes it easy to give your money.

If you like the idea of this, please do tell your colleagues and friends about it, and encourage them to join in. The more people who join in, the more money we can all raise.

Do remember, though, that it’s about the choice. So you can still say you want a ‘gift’ – there’s nothing wrong with that.

And again, especially in small groups of friends where you know each other well, it can be a good way to exchange presents.

But if you’re not fussed about receiving a gift and would rather spread some festive love to those who really need it, you just need to tick the ‘give’ box.

You can donate as a Secret Santa at the Just Giving page.

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