Not All the Plastic in Your Wallet is Bad

It’s no secret that more and Brits are looking for ways to save money but unbeknownst to many, one or more money maximising tools may be tucked away in your purse or wallet.

Loyalty cards are not a new concept and many of us would say that we are familiar with them, but whether or not we know how to fully maximise their use is another story altogether.

Take the Nectar card for example. It’s easy to assume that the only way to earn Nectar points is to shop at Sainsburys but this is not the case. Points can be earned with partners such as EDF energy, BP, Expedia and more. Points can also be earned through the Nectar e-stores which means that points can also be earned at retailers such as Argos, Body Shop, ebay, and hmv via the Nectar e-store. There are literally thousands of places where your Nectar card can be used to earn points. Signing up for the newsletter will also provide you with opportunities to earn bonus points.

However, in order to fully understand the potential of this loyalty card it may be useful to look at a practical example. On average 2 Nectar points are earned for every one pound spent with affiliates, so if on a monthly basis the Nectar card was only when making essential expenditures such as groceries, petrol, electricity and gas, the user could earn around 8,000 points a year. Should they decide to use their Nectar card for non-essential shopping such as CD’s, clothes and gifts, this figure could rise to 10,000 points.

Whilst 10,000 points won’t buy you a new car, it’s enough points to earn you an MP3 player, quality kitchen gadgets or a day out for the kids – not a bad return on your essential shopping.

Another popular loyalty card is the Tesco Clubcard which offers 1 Tesco Clubcard point for every £1 spent in store, online or at a Tesco petrol station. Once you’ve earned 150 points you’ll begin to receive Clubcard vouchers which can be redeemed for groceries, travel insurance, airmiles and more.

The Boots Advantage Card is one of the most generous loyalty cards around with 4 points being earned for every pound spent. When you are ready to spend your points, 1 point is equivalent to 1 pence that can be spent in store.

The more you use your loyalty cards, the more your spending habits will be understood, resulting in offers and discounts being tailor made to suit your needs.

You work hard and your money should work for you, so dust off that plastic and put it to good use

For more information go to www.nectar.com

Update Your Caribbean Cuisine Skills in Ireland

Yana cathces up with the 'Face of Choice' Carmen Gowie

The UK’s got an amazing amount of talent, I catch up with Carmen Gowie, known as the ‘Face of Choice fm, to talk about life in London and really what inspires her as she has proven to inspire others in so many ways.

Carmen is born in the United Kingdom London of Sierra Leone/Ghanaian & Jamaican Descent, she discovered her passion for music from the age of 12 singing in the choir of her South East London Secondary School. Following her creative streak Carmen found a passion for Interior Design deciding to study and self develop.

Carmen then went on to complete a BA Hons in Interior Architecture & Design at Middlesex University London.   On winning 'The face of Choice FM, London' Carmen contacted me for support and sponsorship to the Yana brand and has been an Ambassador ever since. 

I catch up with Carmen for a one to one girlie gossip.
 
Carmen what made you decide to enter the ‘Face of Choice FM’?
I will never forget it, I was working on my university project when I heard about it whilst tuned into the Choice FM radio.  I was listening to George Kay and thought let me learn more about this.  After I read the terms and conditions I realized how simple it was. So I uploaded an image and answered some questions about myself and that was it.

What did your friends and family think?
Well it was my good friend who saw me on the Choice website, and said she was voting for me.  I didn’t even know I was chosen as part of the final 30 from thousand of applications.
My mum was away traveling, so couldn't tell her didn't think there was much point really, as I never thought I had a chance against the many beautiful girls and guys as it was a male and female competition.  I didn’t even submit professional photos, just a digital camera image my sister in law took of me in the back garden.

Was it a long process?
Not really. The competition ran for 4 weeks, the whole of November I think.
By the final week I was still there I thought, Oh boy this hansom guys got it in the bag-still didn’t think I had a chance.  When it came down to the two of us we were asked to take part in the elimination final at the studio live on air to the world.  That was an exciting concept I had never been on radio before.

How did it feel to win?
When the presenter declared the winner I still didn't believe it, I remember saying 'Why you doing this to me, stop playing the Tyra banks role and be serious' I was emotional at the time. I had never won anything, I have had to work for every success in my life and to win something based upon simply being me, was just amazing.  It was too much to take in as the opportunities that were to come my way however small I knew would be an addition to my life. So most of all I gave thanks to God for the opportunity to be the first also.   I can appreciate beauty when I see it and thinking that women were more interested in having a male representative for Choice made me think otherwise, the gentleman who was in the final with me was an amazing guy he was humble and sweet he looked like he could have been my brother, think it may have been his hair!

What do think that we need more of here in the UK in terms of role models, black faces, ambassadors?
I truly believe we simply need successful black role models, not people you see being recognized for negativity but for people who stay true to themselves and express their personalities with the UK.

I am a person whom many young black 21years old can relate to we need to be able to relate or simply understand and appreciate opinion, I personally believe I don’t have to like everything you tell me or advise me to like, we need to learn to appreciate another opinion and not take things too personally in negative light but listen learn and grow as a nation of successful black individuals who stand proud together.

How has becoming a Yana Ambassador helped you?
Being a Yana ambassador has helped me learn about peoples differences in their approach to make up.  I love make up its where I can be a girl and wear funky eye shadows and lipgloss.   I have had the opportunity to talk and network with likeminded individuals
within the entertainment industry or a night club talking with ladies in the toilets or whilst at a conference or on Sunday at church.   Women are everywhere and women love to take care of their appearance.

What are your aspirations?
To write songs/sing live forever, record great music as a solo artists and hopefully do some beautiful collaborations with beautiful artists such as Nate James, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Eric Roberson and Dwele would love to write with Lupe Fiasco.  If Estelle can write with Kanye West in her life time who can stop me . .skies the limit I believe.

You worked at a Library helping youth with thier homework, tell us more about that?
I worked there two days a week in the course of my BA Hons degree, I grew up in a large family filled with children so I developed the desire to attend to others and help members of my community dream.  I assisted in the yearly National Curriculum homework it was subject wide I would be handling art and design projects then assisting with biology.  As I have no children of my own I learnt a lot about childrens self esteem and how it is so important as a child to believe in your self and how adult opinions play a great part of children's hope and dreams, I found it overwhelming when alot of the kids made statements such as 'I wish I was you Miss'

How can others help?
The children at Peckham are amazing I think if schemes like this were available to all children with young people like myself not far off from the education system to instill the importance of education with young minds, I believe we will grow as individuals into a greater community.

Now that your a public figure, role model, beautiful icon how do you have to look after your self compared to before?
Wining the Face of Choice was amazing being chosen to represent such positivity within the entertainment industry made me continue to look after my self as self grooming and pampering is in my nature.

Now as an aspiring female vocalist It is important to keep my self refreshed at all times but I have my casual down days I mean lets be realistic I will happily do my food shopping fresh faced du rag under the hat kinda lady.

Do you have a skincare routine?
I have really sensitive skin so I had trouble finding a product which never gave me a reaction after my degree I went through so much stress which was not good for my skin. I now happily use facial wipes and Facial Wash as they contain no alcohol or soap .

what is your favourite make up?
I Live Yana as its a miracle custom blend which helps as it matches my skin.  Iam also a Maybelyenne matt moose girl.

How do you feel the make up trends predicted to us work? i.e such a miracle products, certain colours etc?
I can say 60% of the Make up retailers in the uk need to produce darker shade I think thats probably why Mac does so well.  I cannot walk into boots and be completely satisfied I need that personal touch to my foundation and either a perfect match or a custom blend suits me.

where do you draw your inspiration from?
My inspiration in my music comes from my love to see others love whether it be the lord to a friend relative or lover.  For me music is positive and draws from all things positive and negative, I mean- a women in heartbreak needed to be heartbroken before she knew the difference between heartbreak and love so in this sense music needs to be an express of life and the realities other wise we wouldn’t be able to imagine or relate.

On a fashion side of thing I am inspired by boldness I will wear anything stylish . where every my mood takes me as I believe color is an expression of emotional feeling.  Jazz and soul inspire me deeply, when I listen to Nina Simone, Chaka Khan,  I get goose bumps, I am a lover of song so anything with meaning and a story but I must say I am a fan of Jill Scot and Ms Erykah Badu.

what's your words of wisdom to young females out there
Stay true, powerful and in control of you, my mother always reminded me to obtain my own mind and voice my opinions with respect. Being able to make decisions for yourself and obtain your own views is a special part of life. And most of all I cannot stress enough dream and journey to your dream by making it a reality but with your education as your road because without education we would all succumb to free fall

What 3 things would change your world?
God sparing my parents to see their great grand children.
Being an infectious woman in the UK captivating people with my music and simple Love for life.  Having a double bed as I have slept on my single bed all my life how great would it be to simply roll over.