Born in 1960, the daughter of Sixties singer-songwriter Marty Wilde, Kim Wilde found instant global superstardom in 1981 with her debut single “Kids in America”. Twenty-five top 50 UK singles, including “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” and “Cambodia”, followed and she became the most charted female singer of the 80s. After a hiatus to have children Harry, now 26, and Rose, 24, with her ex-husband actor Hal Fowler, she successfully turned her hand to horticulture, presenting several gardening TV shows and winning a Gold Award at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2005. She now tours her back catalogue.

    Here she looks back on the moments that changed her perspective on work, love, family, money and health.

    Music came more naturally to me than being a mother – and I’m not proud to admit that. It was the same for my father, he’s still touring and releasing albums at 87 – music was always the top priority. If I could have my time again, I’d do it completely differently. I don’t think I really appreciated how amazing it is to be a parent.

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    The mistakes parents make at home

    Baby-proofing professionals like Al Kola from Baby Safe Steps say there are several mistakes he often sees that are actually more harmful than helpful. 

    He shares the most common ones.

    Accidents in the UK

    Unintentional injuries in and around the home are a leading cause of preventable death for children under five years.

    67,000

    Every year, more than 67,000 children experience an accident in the kitchen, says the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

    58,000 

    58,000 children have accidents on the stairs, often where the most serious incidents occur.

    The mistakes parents make

    The wrong gate
    Pressure gates – gates with a bar along the bottom to keep them fixed in place – shouldn’t be on the stairs as the bar is a trip hazard. You can end up flying down the stairs with your baby.

    Young Asian mother enjoying family time with her toddler in nature - stock photoYoung Asian mother enjoying family time with her toddler in nature – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)

    The Cuggle Extending wooden gate failed some of the tests (Photo: Argos)

    Not securing furniture
    Parents tend to assume that kids won’t do XYZ. For example, we might assume they won’t pull on drawers, but they can, and it’s a threat that can land on them.

    What to do

    Father with baby on hands standing near window at home. - stock photoFather with baby on hands standing near window at home. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)

    Don’t leave windows ajar

    The window could be pushed open the rest of the way by a toddler of about two years old. 

    Hide cords

    Cameras next to a cot are often on a wire, which means that a child could grab it, take it into their cot and get entangled.

    love three padlock on fence lock forever Pensions pensioners triple lock padlocksThe Government may eventually have to scrap the triple lock (jacquesdurocher/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

    Lock cupboards

    Lock cupboards where you keep cleaning products, batteries, medicine, glassware and potentially tools.

    Other things to note

    You don’t need to overprepare. If you put edge protectors everywhere, then that child is not going to know what pain is. When they go anywhere else like nursery and do get hurt because they don’t understand it.

    Mother guiding her young daughter to school up the stairs, symbolizing back to school season and family bonding.Caption: Mother guiding her young daughter to school up the stairs, symbolizing back to school season and family bonding.
    Photographer: FreshSplash
    Provider: Getty Images
    Source: E+

    Asian small toddler child is riding a toy car when he falls on the floor, leading to cries and shouts. The unhappy boy, playing with his toy car in the living room daylight, sheds tears - stock photoAsian small toddler child is riding a toy car when he falls on the floor, leading to cries and shouts. The unhappy boy, playing with his toy car in the living room daylight, sheds tears – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)

    The only baby gate brand Al Kola trusts is Baby Dan. “We use them for a few reasons: firstly, safety, secondly, practicality, and then thirdly, they look good. They are the only brand that currently ticks those boxes for most scenarios.”

    As a finance expert that’s made money mistakes in the past, these are the secrets I’ll pass on…

    Clare Seal once had £27,000 of credit card debt. Now she’s a financial coach.

    Here are the tips she’ll pass onto her daughter.

    MONEY

    Clare’s story

    I want [my daughter] to learn from my mistakes and make smaller, less catastrophic ones.

    Over the course of 10 years, Seal amassed debt that equated to her whole pre-tax salary. Some was down to high living costs and a low salary and some from her wedding.

    Now she’s paid off her debt, she is teaching her child to avoid this – and be wiser.

    Align your career and lifestyle aspirations

    I’d like to make sure my daughter knows what sort of salary her chosen profession can command, what sort of hours she might work and where to set her sights when it comes to lifestyle. When there’s a mismatch, it can lead to frustration, resentment and debt if you try to make up the shortfall with credit.

    CLARE SEAL, AUTHOR OF FIVE STEPS TO FINANCIAL WELLBEING

    Young woman making a payment with a credit card - stock photoYoung woman making a payment with a credit card – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)

    The money tips I’ll pass on

    A married couple sitting in silence, looking in opposite directions. The image captures the concept of female loneliness within a marriage, emotional disconnection, and relationship problems. Symbolizes quiet desperation and isolation at homeCaption: A married couple sitting in silence, looking in opposite directions. The image captures the concept of female loneliness within a marriage, emotional disconnection, and relationship problems. Symbolizes quiet desperation and isolation at home
    Photographer: Galina Zhigalova
    Provider: Getty Images
    Source: Moment RF

    Keep a ‘freedom fund’

    This is specifically designed as an escape hatch from a difficult situation, like a horrible partner or bad boss.

    Start investing

    Investing even just a
    tiny amount of pay
    could help to grow real financial security.

    A conceptual illustration featuring a growth graph composed of pink translucent house symbols at varying heights, reflecting a vibrant blue background. This design symbolizes real estate market growth, property investment, housing trends, and financial analysis. The clean and modern composition conveys progress, change, and market dynamics, making it ideal for marketing materials, editorial content, infographics, and corporate presentations with a visually engaging and contemporary aesthetic.Rent control has proved a controversial topic in the UK, but is used more widely across the world (Photo: Getty)

    Young Asian women managing home finance using laptop & smartphone. She is working with household utility bill and calculating expenses at home.(Photo: Tang Ming Tung/Getty).

    Always negotiate

    For women additional benefits like a generous pension, paid leave and health insurance, can make a huge difference.

    The money tips I’ll pass on

    Liking yourself is your armour

    “I could not tell you how much I have spent over the years, trying to ‘fix’ the parts of myself that society told me were not good enough,” says Seal.

    Senior female friends with party hats and sunglasses having celebration outdoors in garden.Friendships can be hugely rewarding but like any relationship you have to nurture them (Photo: Halfpoint Images/Getty/Moment RF)

    A young girl plays sits on a wooden bench beside a long radiator and a sunny window. She gazes out through the glass. The room is homely and comfortable. Conceptual with space for copy.Caption: A young girl plays sits on a wooden bench beside a long radiator and a sunny window. She gazes out through the glass. The room is homely and comfortable. Conceptual with space for copy.
    Photographer: Catherine Falls Commercial
    Provider: Getty Images
    Source: Moment RF

    Have an enjoyment allowance

    A pot of money for guilt-free spending is a good idea. If you start young enough, spending on your lifestyle and saving for your future don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

    Use credit wisely

    I want to teach her how easy
    credit makes it easy to hide your own spending from yourself.

    I hope she understands that there
    is always a price to pay.

    I don’t want her to be scared of credit though because that’s a recipe for misuse and shame.

    I want her to know how to use it well and what the red flags are.

    4 min read

    Summer is approaching, and so are the insects

    Are we getting more flies in the UK?

    With warmer, wetter winters and longer summers, flies are likely to breed quicker and survive for longer. We’re likely to see more in the future.

    James Logan, professor of medical entomology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, says we could see more bugs as warmer temperatures create an ideal environment for breeding.

    How to deter flies

    Clear out leftovers

    Flies love leftover food, especially if it’s sugary or decaying. Food should be covered or in airtight containers, and leftovers cleared away immediately after eating.

    A man pours a glass of water from a chrome tap at a kitchen sink - stock photoA man pours a glass of water from a chrome tap at a kitchen sink – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)

    Clean your sink

    Particles of food found in the sink or drains after washing up will attract flies so keep them clean and clear. Keeping windows closed will also help.

    At-home remedies to try

    Try vinegar

    Mixing apple cider vinegar with a spoonful of sugar and washing up liquid attracts flies – they then drown in the liquid.

    Lemon with cloves

    Cut a lemon in half and stick in some cloves. It’ll create a strong combination of smells that repel flies.

    Flat lay arrangement of dried ground pungent spices and aromatic herbs in rustic wooden spoons in a random scatter on a blue background viewed from aboveIf you’re looking for a way to boost your health and wellbeing, you likely already have a goldmine in your store cupboard (Photo: Yulia-Images/Getty)

    Herbs

    Placing mint, rosemary and basil around windows and kitchens can keep flies at bay.

    Techniques to use

    Keep windows closed

    Have windows ajar not wide open and use fans as the airflow makes it hard for flies to land.

    A serene moment of relaxation, with a person reclining by a window while reading in a comfortable, warmly-lit room adorned with decorative details.Take time to rest (Photo: Counter/Getty/Digital Vision/Nicolas Hudak)

    One example of this is the Intelligent Street Lighting project being trialled by Glasgow City Council. It uses an algorithm to process real time sensor data on noise, air pollution and footfall around the city and control street lighting in reaction to people’s use of cycle paths and open spaces. (Richard Baker via Getty Images)One example of this is the Intelligent Street Lighting project being trialled by Glasgow City Council. It uses an algorithm to process real time sensor data on noise, air pollution and footfall around the city and control street lighting in reaction to people’s use of cycle paths and open spaces.
    (Richard Baker via Getty Images)

    Use warm lights, if any

    While flies are attracted to blue light, they are repelled by warm tones so try to get yellow or orange-toned lights.

    Check your drains

    Remove any organic matter that could be a food source, and clean them using boiling
    water and vinegar.

    WEYMOUTH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Street art drawing attention to pollution caused by rainwater drains which take untreated surface water, or storm water, directly to rivers and beaches with the words, 'The Beach Starts Here' is seen at a road drain on October 19, 2021 in Weymouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)Water companies are allowed to spill sewage so long as their plants are overwhelmed (Photo: Finnbarr Webster/Getty)

    Look at your bins

    Leftover and decaying food is a playground for flies

    A resident walks past uncollected bin bags piled up on Poplar Road in Birmingham, central England, on April 15, 2025. Residents are desperately trying to get rid of an estimated 17,000 tonnes of trash that has piled up since refuse workers ramped up a strike last month. Four weeks in, the city council has declared a "major incident," the prime minister has had to defend the government's response in parliament, and residents say their problems are worsening by the day. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Caption: A resident walks past uncollected bin bags piled up on Poplar Road in Birmingham, central England, on April 15, 2025. Residents are desperately trying to get rid of an estimated 17,000 tonnes of trash that has piled up since refuse workers ramped up a strike last month. Four weeks in, the city council has declared a “major incident,” the prime minister has had to defend the government’s response in parliament, and residents say their problems are worsening by the day. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
    Photographer: PAUL ELLIS
    Provider: AFP via Getty Images
    Source: AFP
    Copyright: AFP or licensors

    Keep your compost bin as far from the
    house as possible, use a wheelie bin liner and keep the lids sealed, says pest control expert Jonathon Nicholls.

    2 min read

    Menopause causes Alzheimer’s-like changes to the brain

    Some symptoms overlap
    between the perimenopause
    and dementia which can be worrying for women but
    experts say lifestyle changes can help.

    The new research

    Could this explain why
    more women develop dementia than men?

    Two thirds

    According to the Alzheimer’s Society, women account for around two thirds of people living with Alzheimer’s disease (the most common form of dementia) in the UK.

    Menopause

    Some of the symptoms of menopause which are similar to dementia include memory issues, trouble with word retrieval, irritability, anxiety and frustration.

    The differences

    Someone with menopause brain fog may have difficulties with memory or clear thinking, but in dementia, these issues increase over time.

    The person’s abilities will decline progressively and they will need more support with everyday tasks.

    Memory problems with
    menopause, however, can
    improve with treatment, lifestyle changes or time.

    5 min read

    What to do if you have menopause-related brain fog

    Managing menopause is a bit like putting together pieces of a jigsaw.

    British Menopause Society (BMS) trustee Dr Paula Briggs says HRT can help but it’s not the only solution.

    “It’s important to ensure that you’re eating well and exercising regularly throughout menopause, when your body is under some strain due to fluctuations in hormones”.

    The lifestyle changes to make

    Healthy senior woman doing swim noodle exercises in aerobics pool class. Active senior people doing workout in swimming pool holding swim noodles.Caption: Healthy senior woman doing swim noodle exercises in aerobics pool class. Active senior people doing workout in swimming pool holding swim noodles.
    Photographer: Luis Alvarez
    Provider: Getty Images
    Source: Digital Vision

    Exercising

    This supports mental health and sleep but it can be as simple as walking for 30 minutes.

    Learn new things

    Keeping your brain active can improve your brain health, cognition, well-being and mental health.

    Portrait of elderly woman solving sudoku puzzles at home, sitting in living room. Sudoku as popular game for aging people, logical thinking, problem solving.Caption: Portrait of elderly woman solving sudoku puzzles at home, sitting in living room. Sudoku as popular game for aging people, logical thinking, problem solving.
    Photographer: Halfpoint Images
    Provider: Getty Images
    Source: Moment RF

    File photo dated 26/11/14 of a pint of beer and a set of car keys on a bar in a pub in central London. More than a fifth (21%) of motorists have drunk alcohol after 10pm when needing to drive before 9am the following morning, a new survey suggests. Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, which commissioned the poll, warned that drinking alcohol the night before getting behind the wheel can pose a Caption: File photo dated 26/11/14 of a pint of beer and a set of car keys on a bar in a pub in central London. More than a fifth (21%) of motorists have drunk alcohol after 10pm when needing to drive before 9am the following morning, a new survey suggests. Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, which commissioned the poll, warned that drinking alcohol the night before getting behind the wheel can pose a “serious threat” because a “groggy head” means slower reaction times. Issue date: Friday July 18, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Philip Toscano/PA Wire
    Photographer: Philip Toscano
    Provider: Philip Toscano/PA Wire
    Source: PA

    Reduce unhealthy habits

    Reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking are also worthwhile, says neuroscientist Professor Barbara Sahakian.

    Selling a house can be a minefield

    The market is stagnant, first-time buyers are struggling to save enough for deposits and sales are falling through.

    To help, we asked experts for their tips on completing a sale. From what to do with decor and lighting to marketing it correctly.

    These are the most common mistakes they see.

    Children??????s clothes hanging on rail in wooden closet at home. Fashion and shopping concept. Modern closet interior design concept.(Photo: Anastasiia Krivenok/Getty).

    LOREM IPSUM

    Paint problems

    If you give people the choice of a renovation project or something that’s finished, they’ll go for the latter.

    Arsh Ellahi, who has over 20 years of experience in the property industry, says buyers want houses that are done.

    Warmer tones like stone and neutrals can also help a sale.

    The mistakes to avoid

    Leaving out clutter

    If all someone can see is clutter, they’re more likely to think the house is too small. Space is value.

    Young Man Relaxed On Sofa While Looking At Smartphone On Messy Room‘I do his laundry. I’ve learned to check the pockets. I regularly pull out enough snack wrappers to fill a small bag’, says Allana (Photo: Rani Nurlaela Desandi/Getty)

    House mortgage calculation, residential budget, insurance or cost and expense, real estate investment or home decoration money concept, businessman agent or broker holding pencil with house calculator(Photo: Nuthawut Somsuk/Getty).

    Over-decorating

    Show homes come without the personal element and are usually plain but modern. This draws people in. 

    Overpricing

    When the price is set too high, it’s more likely to stay on the market. Your home has to look like good value for money.

    Rosie if this is your main home, you will usually have no tax to pay at all.For the vast majority of people selling the home they live in the process is straightforward and tax-free (Photo: Karl Hendon/Getty)

    The mistakes to avoid

    Declining offers

    Ellahi says the best offers tend to come within the first four weeks of marketing.

    EMBARGOED TO 0001 SATURDAY MARCH 21 File photo dated 14/10/14 of a sold and for sale signs. First-time buyers face significant affordability gaps across Britain, with homes in some areas costing around twice the local salary typically, and as much as 14 times average incomes in other locations, according to analysis. Issue date: Saturday March 21, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Andrew Matthews/PA WireMortgage rates have been rising for days (Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

    Senior real estate agent showing couple around potential new house pointing out features in spacious empty room, real estate, potential, new lifeA reader is currently viewing properties (10’000 Hours/Getty Images/Digital Vision)

    Being present for viewings

    If the owners are there, buyers can feel uncomfortable walking around and getting a sense of the place.

    The wrong photos

    Photos are the first thing a potential buyer sees, and poor-quality images will stop stage two – the inquiry and viewing. 

    What to do

    Aroma candles of orange color, coffee in a black mug and decorative pine cones served on a metal tray. Autumn or winter atmosphereLight a candle for atmosphere (Photo: VeranikaSmirnaya/Getty/iStockphoto)

    Prepare your home

    Windows should be opened to allow fresh air in, and, if it’s cold, the heating should be turned on to make the house feel inviting and homely.

    Be flexible

    It’s really important to accommodate viewings on weekends or evenings when they’re most popular.

    Black alarm clock and bed - stock photoBlack alarm clock and bed – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)

    Concept of personal finance, budgeting, expense tracking, digital payments and financial planning.You do not need to have it all figured out but you do need to start (Photo: Olha Danylenko/ Getty)

    Financially prepare

    Solicitors’ fees, agent fees, and capital gains tax are all big things to consider when it comes to finances and being ready to sell.

    Navigating hot and sticky weather is often a sensory and social nightmare

    With summer approaching,
    Dr Adil Sheraz of the British Association of Dermatologists, explains why we sweat and
    what we can do about it.

    Monica Garcia, 65, wipes her sweat with a cloth while standing in front of a fan, as residents of Canada Real neighbourhood struggle with scorching temperatures amid first heatwave of the summer, in Madrid, Spain, June 26, 2023. The mother-of-three, who has lived at the shanty town for over 20 years, is waiting to be rehoused after a fire burnt her previous home. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes/Monica Garcia, 65, swelters in Madrid’s first heatwave of the summer (Photo: Isabel Infantes/ Reuters)

    Why do we sweat?

    Sweating is an important part of thermoregulation. When you sweat and it evaporates off the skin, it will take the latent heat with it.

    We’re covered in three to four million sweat glands and the majority produce a sweat made up of just electrolytes and water. In other words, completely odourless.

    These eccrine glands function from birth
    to keep us cool.

    When does sweat smell?

    Amazon Delivery UNITED STATES - APRIL 6: Amazon driver Shawndu Stackhouse wipes away sweat while delivering packages in Northeast Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)Oil in our sweat can suck in microplastics posing a health risk (Photo: Tom Williams/Getty)

    Glands in the armpit, groin and scalp operate differently.

    They’re under the control of hormones and the glands contain lipids and potentially fatty esters.

    The bacteria on our skin will
    feed off these fatty acids and
    lipids and cause the odour. 

    6 min read

    Are we sweating more now?

    It is not just the weather impacts how we sweat…

    The bigger you are (in height, weight or muscle mass), the more surface area you will need to sweat on in order to cool down. 

    This is why men tend to sweat more than women and why you sweat
    more when you gain weight.

    Medical conditions like diabetes
    and thyroid problems will also
    cause increased sweating.

    Certain dietary items, including caffeine, processed foods and spicy foods can also trigger the chemicals in our body which cause us to sweat more.

    When does it matter?

    If it’s impacting your daily life, you will likely have some form of hyperhidrosis and need
    to speak to a doctor to determine further.

    Primary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating with no underlying cause.

    Secondary hyperhidrosis means there’s a condition or illness causing the sweating.

    There are two main ways to tell the difference.

    Sweating with secondary causes tends to happen all over the body rather than just localised to your palms or armpits.

    Primary hyperhidrosis tends to switch off when you’re sleeping as the neurons stop firing. This doesn’t happen with secondary hyperhidrosis.

    How to manage sweat

    Relaxed young woman in bright summer clothes is sitting on a bench on a city street with her eyes closed enjoying music through headphones from a smartphone.Caption: Relaxed young woman in bright summer clothes is sitting on a bench on a city street with her eyes closed enjoying music through headphones from a smartphone.
    Photographer: Tanja Ivanova
    Provider: Getty Images
    Source: Moment RF

    Clothing

    Wear natural or wicking fabrics that prevent sweat patches, or clothes that are cooling for the skin.

    Antiperspirant

    One that contains aliminimium is advised as it’s well known for blocking and plugging our sweat ducts.

    Woman applying deodorant roll on under armpitCaption: Woman applying deodorant roll on under armpit
    Photographer: wing-wing
    Provider: Getty Images
    Source: iStockphoto

    Britain's best coffee shops have been revealed - spanning from the tip of Scotland to the bottom of England. (Photo: William Lailey / SWNS)Britain’s best coffee shops have been revealed – spanning from the tip of Scotland to the bottom of England. (Photo: William Lailey / SWNS)

    Dietary changes

    Where possible
    reduce dietary causes like caffeine and
    spicy foods.

    Can I save money without giving up fun?

    When it comes to financial planning, I’ve always lived month to month, but recently I’ve wanted to be slightly more serious.

    So I spoke to a range of financial experts for the easiest, idiot-proof ways to be savvier with money – without just hibernating.

    The expert tips

    Print out your bank statements

    “This is the hardest step but you’ve got to know what’s coming in and out, down to the pound,” says financial coach Ian Dempsey. You’re more likely to remember what’s on there, and pay attention to it on paper.

    Kasia Delgado reads old letters from her childhood. A professor of happiness at Bristol University taught Kasia how adults can train themselves to be happier and find more joy, like when they were unencumbered children.Caption: Kasia Delgado reads old letters from her childhood.
    A professor of happiness at Bristol University taught Kasia how adults can train themselves to be happier and find more joy, like when they were unencumbered children.

    Photographer: mail@teripengilley.com
    Provider: Teri Pengilley / i News
    Source: Teri Pengilley

    Kasia Delgado, Chief Features Writer, i News.Caption: Kasia Delgado, Chief Features Writer, i News.
    Photographer: Teri Pengilley
    Provider: Teri Pengilley / i News
    Source: Teri Pengilley

    Draw an image of what you’re saving for

    “Anything that requires discipline is much easier to achieve when you [can picture] the end goal,” says Ruth Power, from the Financial Management Bureau.

    The expert tips

    UK pound. A pensioner holds a wallet with money. Financial concept. Pensions in BritainExperts are arguing that the UK should make greater use of existing government data
    Photographer: Andrzej Rostek
    Provider: Getty Images
    Source: iStockphoto
    Copyright: andrzejrostek@gmail.com

    Go on a money date

    If you’re in a relationship, for 30 minutes once a month, take a notebook to the pub/cafe and talk about money with your partner.

    Delete shopping apps…

    They are designed to be compulsive. Removing them gives you an extra layer of resistance.

    Close up of an unrecognizable woman shopping online with credit card via mobile phone - stock photoClose up of an unrecognizable woman shopping online with credit card via mobile phone – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)

    An image of a hand that quickly sends an email - stock photoAn image of a hand that quickly sends an email – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)

    …and unsubscribe

    Marketing emails are designed to reach you when you’re likely to spend money.

    How it went when Kasia followed the expert advice

    I delete Vinted and only re-download it when I actively want to replace something for my son that he’s grown out of.

    I’m no longer buring my head in the sand. Sections of my bank statement flash into my mind when I go to use the Uber app.

    Money dates have been uncomfortable. We did have a small argument about buying own-brand beans versus Heinz for example, but scribbling down numbers we want to save has also been exciting.

    I have found it easier to be mindful about spending and broke some unhelpful habits, like associating walks with always getting a coffee.

    How the UK currently saves

    The average person in the UK has £16,067 in savings in 2025.

    39%

    However, 2 in 5 Britons have £1,000 or less in savings. A quarter have £200 or less.

    1 in 6 UK adults (16 per cent) have no savings at all, equating to around 8.4 million people. 

    82%

    Men are estimated to have 82 per cent more in savings than women.

    Almost three in 10 (28 per cent) of adults state saving money is a habit.

    The final verdict

    The truth is, I’m never going to be someone with five side hustles and the financial savvy to become a bitcoin billionaire. But I’m no longer thinking, “where did my salary go?”. The small changes have, over time, made a difference to my bank account, but also my mind and self confidence.

    KASIA DELGADO

    Kasia Delgado, Chief Features Writer, i News.‘I’ve found greater joy in spending money in an active, more conscious way – on things that felt worth it such as a massage, a cocktail with a friend, a comedy gig, a tricycle for my son,’ says Delgado (Photo: Teri Pengilley/The i Paper)

    Six easy swaps to increase your fibre intake

    We asked the experts why it’s so important to include enough fibre in our diets, and how to do it without totally overhauling our diets…

    Why fibre is important

    Fibre isn’t a fad nutrient. It’s been consistently linked to better health outcomes for decades. Unlike protein, which the majority of people already get enough of, fibre is something most of us (96 per cent) are significantly lacking. 

    NICHOLA LUDLAM-RAINE, SPECICIALIST REGISTERED DIETITIAN AND AUTHOR

    Various kinds of vegan protein sources on beige background. Set of food supplements. Gluten free cereals as ground hemp seeds, quinoa. Nuts and legumes (green mung beans, chick-pea, red lentil, kidney bean, almonds, hazelnuts). Flat lay, top view - stock photo

    The small diet tweaks to make

    Beans, lentils and chickpeas are fibre powerhouses, with around 6-8g per half-tin. If you find beans tricky to digest, start with microdosing them for a week and gradually build it up to half a can at a time.

    Young Asian woman carrying a shopping basket grocery shopping in a supermarket, shopping for packaged fresh wholegrain bread in the bread aisle. Healthy eating lifestyleBread is the category of food that is most thrown away, survey finds (d3sign
    Provider: Getty Images)

    Green vegetable salad with chickpea, spinach, cucumber, red onions, and greens on a wooden table. Top viewCaption: Green vegetable salad with chickpea, spinach, cucumber, red onions, and greens on a wooden table. Top view
    Photographer: Qwart
    Provider: Getty Images/iStockphoto
    Source: iStockphoto

    One of the simplest changes you can make is to switch to wholegrain versions of everyday carbs. Swapping two slices of white bread for wholemeal adds around 3g of fibre.

    How to add fibre to your diet

    Close-up view of a pot filled with boiling potatoes, releasing steam as they cook on a rustic stove. The natural lighting and traditional setup add a homely and authentic touch, evoking the warmth of homemade cooking. Perfect for themes of food preparation, rustic kitchens, and traditional cooking methods.When you cook potatoes the right way they go from being a health burden to a health hero (Photo: Getty)

    Keep some skin

    The skin of some foods can contain up to 50 per cent of the total fibre. Just make sure it’s safe to eat.

    Level up the snacks

    Berries, raw vegetables with hummus, or a small handful of nuts are all easy fibre wins.

    Yoghurt and frozen berry crunch in a glass jar - stock photoYoghurt and frozen berry crunch in a glass jar – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)

    Overnight oats with apple and almonds. Made by soaking rolled oats and chia seeds in milk served with chopped apples, cinnamon, almonds and honey for a chilled, yummy, healthy and easy breakfastBreakfast cereals can be swapped out for overnight oats (Photo: Jogy Abraham/ Getty Images)

    Don’t skip seeds

    Ludlam-Raine adds a spoon of mixed seeds to porridge, cereal, yoghurts, soups and salads.

    EASY WAYS TO ADD FIBRE TO YOUR DIET

    Add in, don’t take away

    Plant-Based Anti-Inflammatory Diet Ingredients Flat Lay - stock photoPlant-Based Anti-Inflammatory Diet Ingredients Flat Lay – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)

    A few extra handfuls of fibre-rich ingredients might be all that’s needed to take your meals from average to fibre-full. 

    Small changes are key because they’re more sustainable and better tolerated by the gut. Increasing fibre too quickly can cause bloating or discomfort.

    I don’t remember tangibly thinking: “I’m going to be a pop star when I grow up.” But I just had this knowing. I sensed that my destiny was going to start with music in a really fabulous way. I do feel very perceptive about things. It’s a little bit witchy. Obviously, fame was just part of my culture and family, too.

    Because I grew up with a famous dad, I had a handle on fame. I was just grateful to have a job and independence. I was a 20-year-old living at home when “Kids in America was released in 1981, and it was a key to travelling the world, singing and immersing my life in music. Some young people can find fame suffocating, but I loved being spoilt rotten. I had champagne waiting for me in my bedroom anywhere I turned up.

    When I was living in London in the 80s, I saw a man trying to climb up the drainpipe of my house. I could see the top of his head, and he was trying to get have a look in the window. I remember crouching down on the floor and phoning up the police, but I don’t think much came of it. By the time they got there, he’d scarpered.

    I have had people sleeping outside my house, too. People have ended up sleeping in my neighbour’s shed because they got the wrong garden. Then, just after I’d got married, before I had a gate, a couple of Russians walked round to the back of the kitchen, and knocked on the door. “Where is Kim Wilde? I want to marry her.” My then-husband walked out and said: “You missed the boat mate. I married her six months ago.”

    I never saw myself as a sex symbol. I’ve always had the same attitude and that’s just to have fun with it. I knew I could strike a pose and put on some lipstick and rock that. I didn’t always pull it off, but I saw it as a fun mask, like dressing-up for grown-ups.

    Touring with Michael Jackson in 1988 made me realise how frightening extreme fame is. It forces you to live inside, in a gilded cage. I saw how isolated he had become, so I felt very grateful I was the support act and still had all the fun. I got to travel, then go home and have a life – get my groceries without a bodyguard. That tour experience was the beginning of me thinking about getting out of the music industry and finding another world.

    I went back to college at 36 to study horticulture. By that point I had two kids. Then I got offers to do gardening TV programmes. People called it a reinvention, but I just had all this passion for learning and gardens. I wanted to make a garden for the children to grow up in. When I left music, the only thing I missed about the music industry was having having my make up done.

    Giving up alcohol at 55 had a profound impact on my health. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. My physical health and, more importantly, my mental health are very good now. Having no alcohol allows clarity of thought in a way that one wouldn’t have if one was a little bit inebriated or hungover.

    My stress valve now is gardening, dog walking and meditation. I meditate all the time. I spend quite a lot of time on my own, and I’m happy about it. I wasn’t always comfortable being alone, but I am now. It’s about being present, which is a lot harder to be than it sounds.

    I love scrolling, though – I won’t hear anything bad said about scrolling. I love dog videos. I love cat videos. I love anything to do with the pyramids, ancient civilisations, and the mysteries of the universe. I’m down the wormhole. I just end up laughing hysterically, or staring in wonder at the world we live in. It thrills me and it totally inspires me. I won’t have a bad word said against Instagram.

    At 65, I’m into a peaceful version of love, rather than falling head over heels. More of that kind of gentle, being with someone in a mundane kind of way. Being happy to be sat at a table drinking a cup of tea.

    I believe in love more now than I’ve ever done. It’s cheesy, but when you get older and you learn to love yourself, then you know that you can love someone else. It starts with you. You have to do the work and feel at peace with yourself.

    I look at the mirror every morning and I tell myself how much I love myself. I say, “Kim, I love you.” It’s really easy not to love yourself. It’s easy to give yourself a hard time, to find fault and to ruminate, to go down negative roads in your head.

    I’m not inspired by making money. I’m inspired by being creative. I do like money, though. I love going on to Amazon and thinking: “Yeah, I’m gonna get that.” I love the freedom of that as not everybody has it.

    Tickets for Kim Wilde’s 2027 singles tour are out now. This year, she performs at festivals including Let’s Rock 80s in Huddersfield on Saturday, and Rewind in Henley-on-Thames on 22 August

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