With more individuals looking to decrease their carbon footprint, it is no surprise that a number of individuals have made it their New Year’s resolution to incorporate green measures in to their home. There is common perception that creating a green home can be expensive; however, this couldn’t be further the truth. Indeed, some green measures serve to save you money over the years after your initial investment, and underfloor heating is one of them.

Underfloor heating systems like those available at Topps Tiles and other specialist retailers can actually help you reduce your monthly energy bills by distributing low-cost heat evenly throughout a space, even when winter has passed. When choosing your underfloor heating system you should bear in mind that you want to be happy with your flooring for as long as possible, so your selection should boast a versatile design and good quality – this will ensure that you get the most use out of your investment and, as a result, more value for your money.

Don’t be put off from investing in a heating system like this if you’re thinking of selling your property down the line. After all, a number of estate agents claim that such an investment can significantly increase your return-on-investment on your property, as well as increasing your chances of a fast sale. What’s more you can enjoy the luxury that underfloor heating offers right up until the day you come to sell.

Mules, best known for their backless design, have been off the fashion radar for some time now, since the 90s to be exact. However, it seems they’re back with a new look and, despite some criticism of the revival, they’re likely to be a popular addition to the modern wardrobe this season.

Drawing from the design inspiration of designers like Oscar de la Renta, Fendi, Rochas, Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu, Marisota and other plus size fashion retailers have adapted the look to cater for plus size women shopping on a budget. What’s more, if you don’t want to commit to your purchase wholeheartedly until you’ve given them a try, you can always have a stylish pair of mules delivered to your door when shopping online and return them if you change your mind. Just remember to check the size guide and the returns policy of the website you’re buying from.

To bag yourself some of the key mule trends, keep your eyes peeled for colours and textures including gold, beaded, striped, pastel, metallic-effect, velvet, satin and patent leather. Whatever your opinion on the modern mule, there is no denying that this key trend for spring gives you the opportunity to experiment and be playful with footwear fashion.

Riding a motorbike automatically generates a lot of cost savings compared with driving a car, with lower insurance premiums and much-improved fuel efficiency standing as the two biggest reasons to switch to life on two wheels. However, there are some ways you can save even more cash on your machine, such as by shopping around to see if you can get a better insurance deal with providers like http://www.mceinsurance.com/.

New riders might be able to negotiate a cheaper deal by taking an advanced riding course. Not only will this make you a better biker and help you to avoid accidents, but your insurer may be willing to drop your premiums if you earn a certificate. If you don’t ride during the winter, consider getting lay-up insurance, which covers the bike as long as it is not on the road and is accordingly much cheaper.

Improving the security of your bike could also qualify you for a cheaper insurance deal, and measures like chain locks, ground anchors and alarms will also help you rest easier at night. Finally, don’t forget your own safety – make sure you invest in high-quality helmets, jackets and other kit to protect yourself in an accident.

Fashion writer Liz Jones is perhaps best known for her Daily Mail column ‘Liz Jones Moans’ and as such is not often recognised as having a friendly or upbeat disposition. That said, Ms Jones herself has stated that a recent cosmetic surgery procedure has had the perhaps unexpected result of making her appear friendlier. Following a facelift in March, Liz reports she has “been more cheerful and outgoing”. She explained: “Because I look more cheerful, and less exhausted, people react to me in a different way.”

As part of the facelift, Ms Jones also had blepharoplasty to remove the bags underneath her eyes, which left her looking far less tired. Facelifts were the fourth most popular surgery in the UK in 2010 with 4,756 carried out by the likes of

MYA.co.uk. In addition to the surgery, Ms Jones has had a series of cosmetic treatments designed to enhance and prolong the results of the procedure. According to the writer, these include, Botox, facial fillers and a chemical peel, which she credits with boosting her confidence and making her look younger. It is quite common for people to use cosmetic treatments to delay the need for cosmetic surgery or to prolong the impact of surgery itself.

Middlesex University’s online tool MDX Play, an online tool designed to give prospective students an insight into life at the university, has won an Interactive Media Award (IMA) and may signal the move of more universities coming up with a tool of their own that has similar benefits.

There are a great number of factors to take into consideration when deciding which university to attend, and when you consider the amount of money you spend during your time at university – all well spent, of course – this decision becomes an even greater one. As well as offering this tool to help students with their decision, MDX offers a variety of grants, bursaries and scholarships to those wanting to apply but are prevented from following their application through by financial obstacles.

Director of marketing Lucy Everest said of the win: “With all the hard work and planning that has gone into this website, it is fantastic to get recognition with an independent, international award. What we are trying to do with this site is show people what Middlesex University is like and what talented people we have working and studying here.”

A Scottish entrepreneur has come up with what could be the perfect Valentine’s Day gift to combine with a memory foam pillow from time4sleep – a device that allows you to hear your absent partner’s heartbeat while you’re in bed. Pillow Talk is the creation of Joanna Montgomery, who has already attracted £50,000 in funding to develop her product, the Scottish Daily Record reports. It uses a mobile phone app to connect to a ring that monitors the wearer’s heartbeat, then transmits the sound to a flat panel that can be stored inside a pillow. Long-distance lovers will also see a faint glow appear on their pillow when their partner goes to bed.

“I realised that things being interactive all seemed to involve a screen and things that you click on,” she told the newspaper. “I thought there must be better ways for us to interact with technology and each other.”

Interest picked up after Pillow Talk was mentioned on gadget blog Gizmodo, and she now boasts 7,000 followers on Facebook who are looking for ways to stay connected with their partners while they’re apart. “You see them on the page giving others advice, saying ‘I love this idea because my boyfriend’s always away’,” she added.

A new £1.4 million camping and caravanning zone at a Devon theme park will provide plenty of fun for families going away with caravan insurance from www.simplecaravaninsurance.co.uk when it opens at the beginning of the 2012 season.

Some 138 plots will be made available on a newly-landscaped plot at Crealy Great Adventure Park, which will be served by two new shower blocks and full electric hook-ups.

The park offers thrilling rides such as the Tidal Wave Log Flume, the Meteorite Drop Tower and the Maximus Roller Coaster, while animal lovers will get the chance to meet the ponies, rabbits and goats who live on the site.

Additionally, those who want a holiday with a difference will be able to stay in one of 18 mediaeval-themed tents that will be offered to meet the growing trend for ‘glamping’.

Work recently began on the caravan park, following a successful application to East Devon District Council planning committee earlier this year.

“The plans that we drew up last year are now starting to come to fruition, and the new campsite is just one of the developments we will be making,” said Rod Pearson, managing director of the company behind Crealy Great Adventure Parks.

“It’s an exciting time for the company as well as for the region.”

A mild performance by some online retail brands in October has not stopped e-retail association IMRG predicting a bumper year for online Christmas shopping. Figures published via the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index show that though growth in online shopping continued in October with a 14 per cent rise on the previous year, some sectors performed better than others.

In particular, online clothing sales suffered due to the unusually warm weather for the month, which led shoppers to delay updating their winter wardrobe. With the winter weather now firmly setting in and snow predicted for December, online retailers such as JD Williams  could now see a surge in orders as people choose to wrap up warm and buy presents to wrap.

Indeed, IMRG have predicted that over £7.75 billion will be spent online by consumers this Christmas as they stock up from gifts such as books, DVDs and clothes from online brands. In separate research, YouGov reveal that one third of shoppers plan to splash out on Christmas this year despite continuing financial constraints. The survey also revealed that over half of those surveyed intended to give gifts of clothing this Christmas, potentially improving the sales of online clothing retailers and catalogues.

Expats are still financially better off despite downturns in local economies, according to a recent survey. The latest Expat Explorer survey, carried out by HSBC Expat, discovered that most of those who converted their cash with the likes of TorFX for a life abroad were still as secure as they were a year ago.

Despite the negative economic outlook, expats revealed that their financial health in countries such as Egypt, Bahrain and Japan remained resilient despite wider economic and troubles, with Egypt coming second out of 31 countries in the Expat Economics League Table. This ranks countries based on a wide array of factors, such as disposable incomes, earning levels and the ability to get hold of luxurious items. Bahrain and Japan were also strong performers for this very reason, coming 10th and 12th respectively.

Additionally, expats in such countries are finding themselves better off financially. Over half (52 per cent) of expats in Bahrain have disposable incomes that are much higher than they ever were in their home country. This statistic applies to 58 per cent of expats in Egypt and 38 per cent of expats in Japan – the latter being a famously expensive place to live in.

Many people mistakenly think that fish are the most low-maintenance of pets, but they still require caring for while you are on vacation; fish that go without food regularly can become ill. There are companies who will actually ‘fish sit’ for you while you are, though this of course comes at a price. It is far cheaper of course to get a neighbour or family member to pop in to make sure your fish are fed and that all is well with any lighting or filtration systems. Investing in good quality equipment when you first set up your tank will go a long way toward ensuring there are no problems should you have to leave your fish in the care of others. Choose carefully from specialist ranges such as these: http://www.petsathome.com/shop/fish/fish-tank-equipment/fish-tank-filtration-products/

As well as making sure your filter and thermostat are set correctly before heading off on your hols, you should change the water a few days before you leave. This way the fish have time to adjust to the new water before you leave and your fish minder won’t need to do it themselves – providing you aren’t going to be away too long. It is very common to overestimate the amount of food fish need, so be careful to demonstrate this clearly to your helpers as overfeeding can cause the water to dirty and microbes to develop.