This past Friday I walked for nearly 3km through the streets of Jabavu in Soweto from 8pm to 10pm on a winter night in July. That might sound crazy, but it was actually a lot of fun.

I was part of a group of 100 people and along the way we chanted and sang with Karabo Ya Morena, a youth choir from Soweto that were part of our parade. At the front of the crowd, leading us through the streets and keeping the energy up, was Nomsa Mazwai, the originator of Soweto Night Out. At every stop she would yell out “Funk it, I’m walking!” and the crowd would yell back “Let’s walk to freedom!” 

What were we thinking, you might ask? Well, partly it was a unique way to celebrate Nelson Mandela Day. But it was also a chance to meet American Grammy award-winning musician and respected emcee Rapsody, who was in the country working on her next album and who joined in on every step of the way.

For most of us, the journey started in Rosebank, where we boarded a bus courtesy of the organisers, which was really appreciated because it muted any worries about transport from Soweto back to town, especially after a long night out.

We arrived at Soweto Theatre where we gathered on the front steps and enjoyed a welcome performance by the youth choir while people clamoured to get their photo opportunities with our illustrious American guest — including yours truly, because there’s nothing wrong with pausing work mode to have a fan moment.

After that we started our walk, accompanied by members of the community policing forum, walking up and down the Jabavu streets with white banners with “Soweto Night Out Tours” written on them at the back and front of the procession.

“What we like to say about ourselves is that we are an alternative protest,” says Mazwai. “When you look at us in the street, we look like a protest, but we’re not. We’re a business. Everybody there is making money. We’re solving the unemployment crisis in South Africa. We’re solving the crime crisis in South Africa. It’s a drop in the ocean. We are not government.

“If we were the government, it would be far greater impact, but we are not. So we are doing what we can, where we can, in the ways that we can do it. And this is just one of the ways that we do it. 

“And we are a performance to the community of the possibilities of safety because we’ve shown communities that there is an economic value to safety and we’ve unlocked it for the communities that we work in.”

The origin of these walking tours, which Mazwai now hosts for paid groups of at least 20 people on request, stretches back for more than a decade, when she returned to South Africa after living abroad for years in places such as New York in the United States and Newcastle in the United Kingdom.

“I love walking, and I’ve lived in other parts of the world where I walked everywhere, any time of day, all the time,” says Mazwai. 

“And when I came back, I realised I was feeling down because I wasn’t getting to walk.”

So she said, “Fuck it, I’m walking!” 

Mazwai even wrote a Facebook post about how she wasn’t going to let anything stop her from walking around as she did when she lived abroad. It was a friend who encouraged her to make the slogan more child-friendly and so she started saying “Funk it, I’m walking!” instead.

At first it was an activist movement that would mobilise walks in support of various causes such as for water with the World Wide Fund for Nature. 

But when Mazwai left her job at the Soweto Theatre, where she had spent five years as the general manager, she decided to set her mind to building #FunkItImWalking into a business.

Mazwai put years of research into developing it into a sustainable social enterprise, drawing on her background in economics as a Fulbright alumna with an MA in international political economy and development from Fordham University in the US.

“It took a while but eventually we zeroed in on what our mission or intention was. And it’s that #FunkItImWalking aims to make it safe for a woman to walk at any time of day, in any condition. And how it does that is by thinking about sustainable businesses that enable women’s safety.

“Because I am an activist woman, I have been part of the marches and the seminars where we call the president to come and account. I’ve been part of all of those things and they’ve yielded zero results. The talking has yielded nothing. There’ll be a law that’s passed. Then they say they’re opening centres but the material condition on the ground has not changed.

“And I think for myself, I believe that’s because South Africa decided to be a neoliberal country and it decided to follow that economic policy. That economic policy puts capitalism at its centre. It sees capitalism as the answer. And capitalism puts money above all else. And so it became very clear to me that if I wanted to enjoy safety as a woman, it had to make economic sense,” says Mazwai.

After leaving Soweto Theatre, we first made our way to Kwa-Khaya Lendaba, the late great Credo Mutwa’s cultural village. Once we entered the compound it was so dark we had to use our phone lights to guide our steps. I asked my friend if we weren’t absolutely sure we weren’t being led to a mass sacrifice.

Fortunately, there were no sacrifices, and it turned out to be worth the journey. Once we got to the centre of the compound we sat around the bonfire and listened to Zamalek Giza, a rasta sage, tell us about the life of Credo Mutwa and the fables about creation and the universe.

After that we hit the road again, walking past the notorious Jabulani flats.

“The Jabulani flats are one of the most dangerous parts of Soweto,” says Mazwai. “I’m sure people have read about them a lot in the news. There’s always drama there, but there’s never drama when we do our night tours because our CPOs [community policing officers] are within the community and the community understands the value that we’re bringing into that community.

“Our night walks are incident free to this point. In addition to that, we also work with the Seth Mazibuko Foundation, which is a heritage and youth development-focused foundation. So where we are very focused on women’s safety, they are very focused on youth employment as well as heritage. And so working with Seth, we then started incorporating heritage sites into the routes. Now, because of the way communities have welcomed our work, the museums also came on board and they open at night.”

We made our way to the June 16 Memorial Acre, which opened after hours just for us.

And then finally we walked to Native Rebels, a restaurant and our last stop of the night. It was there where we sat down to watch the main attraction —Rapsody in conversation with the legendary activist Seth Mazibuko. 

While some may have initially thought Rapsody would be the one answering questions, it turned out she was interviewing Mazibuko. Their conversation touched on a variety of themes including activism, youth engagement, Pan-Africanism and the future of South Africa.

“I see Rapsody as a voice of the youth,” says Mazwai. “She has built a career that is very conscious, very grounded, and wholesome, and I love that. And so I believed that for Rapsody to level up, she really needs to hear from somebody who changed the trajectory of an entire nation.

“I feel like myself and Rapsody are soldiers on the same battlefield, fighting on the same side, you know, for the lives and the livelihoods of young black people and for black people and brown people all around the world.

“And so when I spoke to her, I said, ‘You know, Rapsody, a lot of young people don’t know Seth Mazibuko, and you don’t know Seth Mazibuko. And so I want you to ask questions that you would ask Seth Mazibuko. 

“‘I don’t want to tell you what to ask him, because what I want you to do is to ask him the questions that young people in South Africa are afraid to ask because they don’t want to look stupid.’ I wanted young people to watch their hero not know and be so willing to know and be so fearless in asking because Rapsody has that skill of not being afraid to ask. She wants to know.”

The night ended at about midnight, and I boarded the bus back to Rosebank feeling physically tired but spiritually uplifted and inspired. It was the kind of night that reminded me what’s possible when people come together with purpose, creativity and a little bit of courage. 

In a country where safety is too often a privilege, not a right, a night out reminded me that joy, community and economic opportunity can carve out new paths through even the most neglected corners of our cities. Walking through Soweto in the company of song, story and solidarity, I felt like we weren’t just remembering the past. We were actively imagining a better future. And for a few beautiful hours, it felt within reach.

Standard Bank has once again demonstrated its leadership as the best bank in South Africa and Africa after receiving 26 accolades across its continental footprint at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025. At an awards ceremony hosted in London, Standard Bank was recognised for its excellence in corporate & investment banking, customer experience, SME banking and corporate responsibility in 14 markets.

Euromoney evaluates the world’s leading financial institutions through performance data and surveys, and has led a comprehensive awards programme for more than 30 years.

“Our purpose is clear: ‘Africa is our home, we drive her growth.’ As the continent’s leading financial institution, and with Africa poised to remain one of the world’s fastest-growing regions, we are uniquely positioned to capture the immense opportunities ahead while delivering strong returns for our shareholders and positive impact for our clients and the communities we serve,” says Sim Tshabalala, Chief Executive of Standard Bank Group.

Commenting on CIB’s exceptional performance that earned 18 Euromoney awards, Luvuyo Masinda, Chief Executive of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Bank said: “Our deep sector expertise, particularly in energy and infrastructure combined with strong client relationships where we offer strategic insight, capital solutions, or trusted advice, has positioned us to lead in landmark transactions. By aligning our lending and global markets capabilities, we were able to deliver market financing solutions tailored to our clients’ needs.

“We aim to sustain and grow this performance by focusing on high growth sectors such as energy, infrastructure, mining and technology media & telecommunications (TMT).  We are investing in data and analytics to identify origination opportunities and bring solutions faster to our clients. We are also focused on deepening our competitive advantage in structured capital, expanding our equity capital markets (ECM) and debt capital markets (DCM) solutions beyond South Africa, and investing in the next generation of investment bankers,” Masinda added.

Full list of awards presented to Standard Bank by Euromoney:

Standard Bank             Africa’s Best Bank

Standard Bank             Africa’s Best Bank for Large Corporates

Standard Bank             Africa’s Best Investment Bank

Standard Bank             Africa’s Best Investment Bank for ECM

Standard Bank             Angola’s Best Investment Bank

Stanbic Bank                Botswana’s Best Investment Bank

Stanbic Bank                Ghana’s Best Investment Bank

Stanbic Bank                Kenya’s Best Investment Bank

Standard Bank             Malawi’s Best Bank

Standard Bank             Malawi’s Best Investment Bank

Standard Bank             Mauritius’s Best Bank for Large Corporates

Standard Bank             Mauritius’s Best Investment Bank

Standard Bank             Mozambique’s Best Investment Bank

Standard Bank             Namibia’s Best Investment Bank

Stanbic IBTC Bank        Nigeria’s Best Bank for Securities Services

Stanbic IBTC Bank        Nigeria’s Best Bank for SMEs

Standard Bank             South Africa’s Best Bank

Standard Bank             South Africa’s Best Bank for Large Corporates

Standard Bank             South Africa’s Best Investment Bank

Stanbic Bank                Tanzania’s Best Bank for Customer Experience

Stanbic Bank                Tanzania’s Best Investment Bank

Stanbic Bank                Uganda’s Best Bank

Stanbic Bank                Uganda’s Best Investment Bank

Stanbic Bank                Zambia’s Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility

Stanbic Bank                Zambia’s Best Bank for Customer Experience

Stanbic Bank                Zambia’s Best Investment Bank

The government’s flagship economic reform programme, Operation Vulindlela, has registered modest progress in the second phase of its roll-out — particularly in visa reform — but faces mounting criticism for delays in key infrastructure areas and a lack of transparency in outcomes and expenditure.

The latest progress report notes that more than 11 000 visas were processed in the first three months under the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme, launched in February. In March, the government accredited qualifying employers under the Trusted Employer Scheme to support the recruitment of foreign skilled workers.

These visa reforms aim to “attract skills, investment and tourism through a streamlined and modernised visa system”. The home affairs department has also upgraded its digital verification system to enable remote authentication and reduce downtime — a step toward building a digital identity system.

Yet the gains made in visa systems are in contrast to widespread delays in fixing constraints in water and sanitation, electricity and freight logistics. Most work so far has been legislative, with little tangible implementation.

Operation Vulindlela, initiated during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s first term, aims to boost economic growth through structural reform. Ramaphosa has touted the operation as a key achievement, and in his latest newsletter called the halting of load-shedding a crucial win in the battle “to remove the binding constraints that have long held back our economy’s growth”.

“The reduction in load-shedding over the past year was supported by the reforms we introduced to unlock private investment in electricity generation, while reforms in the telecommunications sector have brought down the cost of mobile data,” he wrote.

Launched in May after cabinet approval, phase two expands the reform scope to seven areas: electricity, freight logistics, water, visas, local government, spatial inequality and digital transformation.

But despite policy work being under way in several areas — with the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill, the Water Action Plan, the Digital Transformation Roadmap and the Local Government White Paper among the documents drafted — implementation remains limited. The progress report itself concedes that of the seven priority areas in phase two, only visa reform has moved into tangible outcomes.

The electricity sector reform includes the establishment of the National Transmission Company of SA, which will eventually separate power utility Eskom’s grid from generation and distribution. The government has also finalised a national wheeling framework to enable third-party access to the grid.

Yet, the new transmission company still awaits licensing as a market operator. The National Energy Regulator of SA is also finalising market codes for private wholesale.

Legal adviser and social activist Nkanyiso Ngqulunga was scathing in his assessment, saying Operation Vulindlela represents an acceleration of neoliberal policies that are proving counterproductive.

“It has been a complete failure. The unbundling of Eskom has not yielded any positive results but rather put the country’s energy generation into the private sector,” Ngqulunga said, adding that the reforms have not attracted the promised investment.

“It hasn’t attracted investment as intended. We are implementing policies that have been proven to fail — allowing the private sector in with the hope that it will boost the economy is counterintuitive.”

Ngqulunga believes the government should focus on building state capacity and investing in public infrastructure.

“We need to unlock opportunities by empowering public assets,” he said. “At a time when the government is underperforming, geopolitical tensions are high and tariff wars are growing, it’s misguided to think these reforms will attract investment.”

In logistics, a new Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager division has been created to modernise operations and enable private operator access. In December, the rail, port and pipeline parastatal released network access tariffs and received 98 slot applications from private freight operators. Conditional awards will be announced by 15 August.

Ntokozo Buthelezi, an economist and researcher, is concerned about the Vulindlela initiative’s accountability. 

“I remember from the budget speech, the minister mentioned phase two and I wondered what happened to phase one,” she said, adding that she found it to be “vague” with regard to outcomes and money spent. “We don’t know what happened, how much was spent and what the outcomes were. There is so much secrecy — we have no clue as the public on how investment and loans are spent by the government,” she said, also criticising the absence of oversight.

“They don’t tell us much. It’s just numbers — billions here, billions there — but no tangible outcomes.”

As Southern Africa works toward the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating malaria by 2030, the region continues to face major challenges, including cross-border transmission, limited resources, and insecticide resistance. However, amid these difficulties, a significant milestone will be celebrated this month: the 10th annual Southern Africa Malaria Research Conference.

The event, hosted by the South African Medical Research Council’s (SAMRC) Malaria Research Group (MRG), will take place from July 29 to 31 at the University of Pretoria’s Future Africa Campus. It will bring together scientists, health professionals, policymakers, and regional partners to share insights, showcase progress, and refine strategies to eliminate the disease.

The theme for this year’s conference is “Shaping the agenda to meet the malaria elimination end goal”. This agenda highlights the region’s commitment to aligning research and policy to combat malaria more effectively.

For a decade, the MRG has played a pivotal role in South Africa’s malaria elimination efforts. It is the only organisation to have hosted a dedicated malaria conference annually for ten consecutive years, a testament to its leadership and unwavering commitment to ending malaria in the region. Through its work, the group continues to support the National Department of Health by improving existing interventions, conducting advanced research, and training a new generation of malaria-focused scientists.

Among its notable efforts is its support for the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative. This project monitors cross-border malaria and insecticide resistance in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal. Findings from the initiative have informed national vector control policy and confirmed that local mosquitoes remain susceptible to current insecticides.

The MRG has also been instrumental in cross-border initiatives. In collaboration with the National Treasury, it supported indoor residual spraying in southern Mozambique to reduce the importation of malaria into KwaZulu-Natal. Border screenings and interventions led to a marked decline in imported cases, a clear indication of the power of regional cooperation.

The upcoming conference is expected to provide a platform for the latest developments in parasite biology, surveillance technologies, and vector control. It will also spotlight innovative tools for malaria elimination and successful case studies of cross-border collaboration. As the region intensifies its push toward a malaria-free future, the SAMRC Malaria Research Group’s decade-long dedication continues to inspire a unified, evidence-driven approach to tackling one of the region’s most persistent public health threats.

Online trading is accelerating across Africa, opening up new opportunities for people to grow their income, diversify investments, and gain access to the global financial system. Leading this transformation is ExpertOption — a powerful trading platform built with transparency, flexibility, and ease of use at its core.

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Summer is well and truly underway, leaving many parents wondering how they’ll keep the kids entertained on their already-stretched budgets.

No matter how frugal you are, extra spending adds up quickly over the school holidays. From meals to activities, the break can put a serious dent in your wallet.

But there’s no need to panic. A number of UK businesses are offering discounts and deals to help families save money without cutting back on fun — and we’ve rounded up some of the best.

So whether you’re looking to plan a full weekend of adventure, or just trying to keep lunch costs down, this go-to guide has an array of options to ensure your summertime schedule doesn’t break the bank.

Free kids meals

One of the simplest ways to save money this summer is to cut back on dining out. However, many places have promotions over the holidays, so you don’t necessarily have to miss out.

Bill’s

From July 21 to August 29 (excluding weekends), up to two children can eat free when one adult orders any main dish at Bill’s.

The offer runs all day, including the chain’s breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, applying to all children under 10. You’ll also be provided with story books, colouring in materials and stickers to keep the little ones entertained while you dine.

Browse the Bill’s menu and find your local branch here.

Prezzo

With the purchase of an adults main meal, children up to 12 years old will receive a free three-course kids meal at Prezzo, every day from July 14 to September 5.

All you need to do is sign up to receive a code via email, which you then show to the waiter at the end of your meal.

Prezzo has 180 branches across the UK. Visit the website for more information.

Ask Italian

Parents who sign up to Ask Italian’s Perks rewards app can save this summer. All you need to do is claim a code, and you’ll get your hands on two free kids meals with the purchase of an adult meal.

Valid from Friday July 18 through to Sunday August 31, it makes for a budget-friendly holiday treat.

For more information on the offer, or to find your nearest branch, check the Ask Italian website.

Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay

Finding yourself in London or Edinburgh this summer? Head to Bread Street Kitchen, where children aged 10 and under eat free when accompanied by an adult ordering two courses from the a la carte menu. Kids can choose from mac and cheese, sausage and mash, meatball pasta and more, with no extra cost added to your bill.

This deal is valid every day at its Liverpool, Stratford, Limehouse, Southwark, and St Paul’s locations, or at the City, Heddon Street Kitchen, Battersea, Mayfair and Edinburgh branches on weekdays only.

Visit the Bread Street Kitchen website for more information.

Pizza Express

If your little ones are pizza and pasta fans, you can get a free, three-course piccolo meal at Pizza Express this summer with every adult main. And given these dishes start at just £12.25, it’s a major bargain.

There are 339 Pizza Express restaurants across the UK. For more information on the offer or to find your local branch, take a look here.

Heathrow Airport

Travelling with the whole clan? During the school holidays, Heathrow Airport is running a Kids Eat Free promotion across a variety of its restaurants.

With options in Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 – including Leon, Shan Shui, Giraffe and Co-Pilots Bar & Kitchen – it’s a handy way avoid blowing too much holiday cash before you’ve even stepped on the plane.

The promotion is valid from July 18 to September 2, with one free children’s meal for each purchased from the adult’s menu priced at £14.95 or more.

Visit the Heathrow website for more information.

Angus Steakhouse

This popular London spot is offering children aged 8 and under a complimentary kids meal with the purchase of any main menu dish, alongside an activity sheet and crayons to keep young diners occupied.

Available everyday from 12pm to 5pm, across Angus Steakhouse’s five London locations: Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Mayfair, Paddington and Oxford Circus.

You can find more information on the brand’s website.

Discount days out

Days out can add up fast, but summer adventures don’t mean you have to spend a fortune. Take a look at our shortlist of the some of the best deals over the summer break.

SRO Audiences

If you’re a live entertainment lover but aren’t keen on ticket prices, SRO Audiences has got you covered. This service offers free tickets to a plethora of different TV shows — all you have to do is be an audience member.

With tickets to the likes of Loose Women, Would I Lie to You?, The Voice UK, the Graham Norton Show and 8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown, there’s bound to be something you fancy.

It’s completely free to sign up, and once you have an account you can apply for tickets to all of these popular shows, and more.

Visit the SRO website to see the full list and apply for your seat.

Pets at Home

Begging your kids to take a break from the screen?

Head to Pets at Home, which is hosting free My Pet Pals workshops across its UK stores between July 19 and August 21.

These events – recommended for ages four and above – are designed to teach children about how to take care of a range of animals, with activities, a chance to meet store pets, a pocketbook with collectable stickers, and a My Pet Pals certificate.

Check out the Pets at Home website for more information and to book your spot.

Kew Gardens

Visitors to the stunning Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, Richmond, can claim two-for-one tickets with National Rail this summer.

As well as being London’s largest Unesco World heritage site and home to the largest collection of living plants on earth, Kew features a range of family-friendly activities, from a treetop walkway to a dedicated children’s garden. Better still, kids under four go free.

Check out full details and claim the offer here.

LEGO

As well as a range of online tutorials LEGO is hosting in-person Creativity Workshops this summer to keep kids’ imaginations flowing.

Its ‘Summer Fun with Music’ workshops – available at stores across the country – give children aged six to 12 the chance to design, build and decorate their own unique LEGO microphone for only £5. Affordable, enjoyable and educational is a rare combination for holiday activities, so you might want to reserve a place ASAP.

Check out your nearest location and book your spot here.

Virgin Media Gamepad at The O2

Open daily to the public, the Virgin Media Gamepad is your go-to destination for gaming fun that’s totally free.

Whether your child is a casual couch gamer or aspiring professional, they can choose from 16 Xbox Series X pods to raid, race and battle, every day at the Gamepad from 2pm to 7pm.

Find out more information on the Virgin Media website.

Everyman on the Canal

Head down to the steps of Granary Square, Kings Cross from June 30 to August 17 and catch free screenings of your favorite flicks — no ticket needed, just grab a spot on the canal.

From recent releases and family favorites to niche cult classics, there’s something for everyone’s tastes. Plus, you can either bring your own picnic or discover the canal-side bar which sells snacks, cocktails, ice creams, coffee and more.

Visit the Everyman website to take a look at the full film programme and menus.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

A mum-of-two has revealed the unsual lengths she goes to in order to save money, including cutting her own hair and even ditching toilet roll.

And while Christine Lan, 40, may have made some sacrifices, she’s now reaping the rewards.

Christine and her husband are mortgage free and have recently come back from a family holiday in the Carribbean.

Christine and her husband sold their first flat and bought a four-bed home in 2018 in Montreal, Canada. While they had a 25-year mortgage of$150,000, they paid it off in just seven years.

“We’re enjoying life,’ Christine says. ‘We’re very fortunate.’

Christine’s family are originally from Mauritius, and moved to Montreal, Canada, in the 1970s. She says her mum and dad didn’t have much money, so had to make their budget stretch.

Christine said: ‘My parents are from a tiny island where resources are limited.

‘When they came to Canada to start a life for themselves, they were forced to pinch a few pennies.’

Her mum and dad would use clever hacks, like using citrus peels as natural air freshners, or popping spring onions in water so they’d sprout new shoots.

She adds her ‘mum doesn’t waste anything’, including cutting open toothpaste to get out every last drop.

And, her parents’ attitude to money rubbed off on Christine, who embarked on a career in acting.

‘I started with making my own skincare,’ she says. ‘I would get oils from the kitchen and buy things like shampoo bars for $10 (£4) for my hair.

‘I even cut my own hair because it was costing so much to have someone else do it.

‘My frugal life started with skincare and beauty, and then it just trickled down to other aspects of my life.

‘I would use menstrual cups instead of disposable tampons, go thrift shopping or charity shopping for clothes, take public transport and walk instead of driving, or have picnics instead of going to a restaurant.’

When Christine and her husband got married, they bought a flat together, before buying their four-bedroom townhouse in 2018 for $217,000 (£117,700).

With a 25-year mortgage of $150,000 (£81,400), they were keen not to have the debt hanging over their heads, and continued to live on a tight budget.

It meant they were able to pay it off in the space of just seven years, which split evenly per month, works out at paying roughly $1,786 (£970) per month.

‘I continued to cook my own foods, and go charity shopping,’ says Christine.

‘I also noticed we were spending lots of money on toilet paper, so we purchased a bidet, which has really helped with savings.

‘Those are the kinds of things that I will spend money on upfront to save in the long run.’

Christine also says that she and her husband routinely audit their monthly expenses, where they make tough decisions about outgoings.

She says: ‘If you pay for Netflix, can you live without it? Or is there a cheaper alternative?

‘Then, also look to see if there are jobs you pay people to do that you can do yourself.

‘For example, we do lots of our own DIY.’

Christine insists making these changes allowed her to pay off her mortgage in seven years, and take her children — aged 15 and 17 — on expensive vacations to Mexico, Cuba, and the Caribbean.

‘When we got married, we didn’t really have a lot of money, so in the beginning, we didn’t really travel as a family a lot.

‘It wasn’t until last year that we brought our kids on the plane for the first time.’

Now, while they’re still not willing to splash the cash, the purse strings have loosened slightly.

‘We have started travelling more, and we spend money on electronics as they will last a while. 

‘We also spend money on our home, like security and motion sensor lights.

‘I don’t want a fancy purse. I want a nice home.’

But Christine, who is also a content creator, says that ultimately, she lives a frugal life not because she’s struggling for money, but because it makes her happier.

‘Frugality is about being grateful,’ she says.

‘I find that a lot of people feel like they need the newest shirt or product to feel happy.

‘But being grateful for everything you have has brought a lot more fulfilment to my life — and a lot more happiness.’

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

With food bills set to rise by an average of £275 this year, everyone will be looking for ways to cut costs on groceries.

And while you can try and do this by visiting the UK’s cheapest supermarket for your weekly food shop, there’s also a little known way to save 50% when ordering items from the likes of Sainsbury’s, Asda or Morrisons for a top up.

If you find yourself reaching for Deliveroo on days where you just can’t be bothered to go out, then you’ll want to keep reading.

That’s because the delivery app has launched a new deal that allows customers to bag themselves half-price food. 

The Fridge Filler Monday offer is live every Monday and allows shoppers to save 50% on selected fresh and chilled items from Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Asda, Iceland, Morrisons and more. 

This includes everything from fruit and vegetables to meat, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs, bakery and products like ready meals.

Discounts are available nationwide and the best part is that there’s no minimum spend requirement to use it. But there is a bit of a catch.

The T&Cs state that only 90% of customers are eligible for the offer, so while it’s the vast majority, not everyone is able to use it.

Savvy shopper Lauren Kaye (@_thekayfamily on TikTok) shared a look at an order she’d placed using the Fridge Filler offer at Iceland. The total came to £18 and included part-baked baguettes, bananas, soft pittas, a tiger bloomer, a pineapple, crisps, frozen pizzas, TGI Fridays potato skins, chicken breast fillets and Lurpak butter. 

For Lauren, the butter was the real standout of her shop, as she managed to nab the ‘absolute bargain’ for ‘just a quid’.

Deliveroo isn’t the only platform with a similar offer, as Uber Eats also has a Fresh Mondays promotion, which allows customers to buy half-price fruit and vegetables (selected items) at the start of each week.

Supermarkets that are featured in this deal including Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Iceland, Asda and Morrisons. 

The discount is automatically applied at checkout, but delivery and service fees still apply.

Just Eat doesn’t have a consistent weekly promotion, however they do sometimes run Half Price Wednesday offers. So it’s worth checking the app to see what’s available.

Other ways to get money off your weekly shop

If you’d prefer to still head to the supermarket to stock up on groceries, instead of ordering on an app, then there are still some ways to save money this summer, as Aldi and Iceland are offering millions of families money off their weekly shop.

Iceland and The Food Warehouse are offering a great way to get money off your weekly shop, from June 30, until August 30, 2025.

The supermarkets will be accepting free school meal vouchers to get you money off your groceries.

The money you get off your shop is dependent on the monetary value of your free school meal vouchers, which varies depending on your council, but is typically £15 a week.

What’s more, is if you spend the minimum of £15 of School Meal Gift Cards, then you can get an extra £5 off your shop.

This is as long as you have a registered Iceland and The Food Warehouse Bonus Card. You’ll need to scan it in store when completing your shop, and then wait up to seven working days for the £5 bonus to be credited onto your card.

Meanwhile, Aldi has launched its Summer Support Scheme which will see vouchers given away every day over the six-week break in July and August.

This one is more of a competition format and, to enter, you’ll need to send your name and email address to SummerSupportScheme@aldi.co.uk to be eligible.

Of all the families that do this, one will be chosen at random each day to receive a £50 voucher to spend in store. There are a total of 62 vouchers up for grabs.

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Hollywood stars honored Malcolm-Jamal Warner with moving tributes to “The Cosby Show” actor shared one day after his drowning death in Costa Rica. He was 54.

Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé and Kate Hudson were just a few colleagues who paid respects online to Warner.

“Speechless on this one,” Foxx shared on Instagram Monday with a photo of “The Resident” star. “Rest in power, my brother.”

‘THE COSBY SHOW’ STAR MALCOLM-JAMAL WARNER DEAD AT 54

Beyoncé added an image of Warner to her website, and wrote, “Rest in power, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. For being a big part of our shared television history. You will be missed.”

“Spent time working on a film in Australia with Malcolm and he was the kindest and sweetest,” Kate Hudson wrote on her Instagram stories. “My heart is heavy and sending such love to @malcolmjamalwar family.”

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“Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Working alongside him on The Resident was an honor,” Morris Chestnut shared online. “He brought so much depth, warmth, and wisdom to every scene and every conversation. One of the nicest in the business. Rest easy, brother. Your legacy lives on.”

“Everyone at Fox is heartbroken by the tragic loss of our friend and colleague, the extraordinary Malcolm-Jamal Warner,” the network said in a statement shared with The Associated Press. “While his iconic roles – from comedic to dramatic – are unforgettable and timeless, Malcolm will be remembered most for his warmth, kind heart and the lasting impact he had on his friends, family and fans everywhere. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones.”

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Warner’s former “9-1-1” co-star Jennifer Love Hewitt posted in her Instagram stories, “I cannot believe this. This hurts my heart. A gentleman, an incredible talent and we were so lucky to have him in the 911 family. Heartbroken and sending love to his family.”

Tracee Ellis Ross shared a carousel of images with Warner online, and wrote, “I love you, Malcolm. First I met you as Theo with the rest of the world then you were my first TV husband. My heart is so so sad. What an actor and friend you were: warm, gentle, present, kind, thoughtful, deep, funny, elegant. You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I’m so sorry for this unimaginable loss.”

Viola Davis wrote on Instagram, “I actually am speechless!!!!! No words! Theo was our son, our brother, our friend… He was absolutely so familiar, and we rejoiced at how TV got it right!! But… Malcolm got it right… and now… we reveled in your life and are gutted by this loss. Blessings and prayers to your family and loved ones… We will speak your name—always.”

Taraji P. Henson admitted Warner’s death “hurt” in a post shared online. “Malcolm, we grew up with you,” she wrote. “Thank you for the art, the wisdom, the grace you gave us!!!!! You left the world better than you found it. Rest easy, king!!!! Your legacy lives far beyond the screen.”

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Warner co-hosted the “Not All Hood” podcast with Candace Kelly, a platform where different lived experiences were discussed from within the Black community.

“We’re heartbroken by the unexpected passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner,” the Fanbase network said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. “On Fanbase, he showed us what it means to be a creator with purpose, Malcolm brought intention, integrity, and brilliance wherever he was. His legacy runs deep and we were honored to witness it. His voice as a Black man in America shaped generations and reminded creators everywhere of the power of speaking truth through their work.The Fanbase community joins the world in mourning his loss and honoring the impact he had on culture. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those who were inspired by his light.”

Warner was swimming Sunday at Playa Grande de Cocles in the Limon province when a current pulled him into deeper waters, Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department claimed.

“He was rescued by people on the beach,” an initial report stated, but first responders could not revive the actor. 

Warner gained fame as the son of Heathcliff Huxtable, played by Bill Cosby, on “The Cosby Show” from 1984 to 1992. He appeared in all 197 episodes of the NBC sitcom.

In 1986, Warner earned an Emmy nomination for best supporting actor in a comedy.

The show’s legacy was tarnished after Cosby was accused of sexual assault. Cosby’s 2018 conviction was overturned in 2021. Since then, five more women have come forward with accusations against the comedian.

Despite the controversy, Warner was still proud of the show.

“Regardless of how some people may feel about the show now, I’m still proud of the legacy and having been a part of such an iconic show that had such a profound impact on – first and foremost, Black culture – but also American culture,” Warner told People magazine in 2023.

Fox News Digital’s Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.

A federal judge has sentenced former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison to 33 months in prison for violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor, who was killed in 2020 by law enforcement during a botched drug raid.

Hankison, 49, was convicted last year of violating Taylor’s civil rights, which could have resulted in a maximum sentence of life in prison. U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, handed down the sentence on Monday afternoon.

Last week, the U.S. Justice Department asked a federal judge to sentence him to just one day in prison and three years of supervised probation, noting in a court filing that he “did not shoot Ms. Taylor and is not otherwise responsible for her death.”

“It is unfathomable that, after finally securing a conviction, the Department of Justice would seek a sentence so drastically below the federal guidelines,” a statement from national civil rights attorneys Ben Crump, Lonita Baker and Sam Aguiar, who represent the family of Taylor, said in a statement.

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“This sets a dangerous precedent. When a police officer is found guilty of violating someone’s constitutional rights, there must be real accountability and justice,” it said. 

Taylor, a Black woman, was killed by police in 2020 after they executed a no-knock warrant during a botched raid of her home. Her boyfriend, who was carrying a legally owned firearm, shot at police, prompting them to fire back 22 times into the apartment.

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Her death, as well as the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, sparked mass racial justice protests around the country.

The Civil Rights Division during former Democratic President Joe Biden’s tenure brought criminal charges against the officers involved in both Taylor and Floyd’s death.

A separate jury deadlocked on federal charges against Hankison in 2023, and he was acquitted on state charges of wanton endangerment in 2022.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.