SAINSBURY'S BASIC JUG KETTLE

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

Last year, I was surprised by the sound of an explosion and it came from the kitchen. I checked the appliances, one by one, until I smelled the burnt plug of an electric kettle. The fuse had exploded and the electrical wire was severely affected, too, which made the kettle impossible to mend and get back in working order.

The kettle was absolutely irreparable that evening and I was left with no hot water for my hot chocolate drink (LOL!). Honestly, I found it very challenging not to have sizzling hot water in the house especially in the morning. Who would not be when you are used to having a cup of refreshing coffee after breakfast and late afternoon tea as well.

I woke-up at 5AM and searched immediately for electric kettles from various sellers online. I visited six stores to see their offers and ended with two of my best choices. They were from John Lewis website with impressive remarks from the previous customers. Additionally, they were not too expensive given the style, colour as well as their key features.

I stayed up and didn’t go back to bed....

My top two choices were amazingly very good but I ended up buying Sainsbury's Basic Jug Kettle. My only idea was to try it and to see if it's worth the trouble saving a few quid? Unfortunately, it wasn't a wise buy at all nor saving a few dosh in my purse!

While I was in the kitchen for hours, I couldn't stand the look of the kettle as it was disappointingly very basic and cheap looking (Sorry for being blunt and insulting). On the contrary, Sainsbury's Basic Jug Kettle functions similar to my broken Dome Kettle from Russell Hobbs. Yes, I didn't go to John Lewis to buy one of my choices and because of that, I hated myself (a little bit). My decision in buying it was absolutely a pointless compromise. Well, I'm only human!

I disliked it but didn't return it to the store...

Last year, the Sainsbury's Basic Jug Kettle was placed in the "balikbayan" box and shipped over to my beloved country. It wasn't exquisitely ideal for my finicky taste but it was worth experimenting. On the other hand, this well-made inexpensive kettle has been very useful at my brother's humble abode nowadays.
 

Technically speaking, this compact jug kettle has a light weight power base which doesn’t need so much space with the additional cord storage. It has twin water gauges on both sides of the body to see through the water level with removable and washable filter in the spout. The kettle is finished in clean white with a generous 1.7L capacity- providing you with more sizzling hot water for coffee, tea and other purposes. It also has a flip-top lid with on/off switch which illuminates with an orange glow when the water is boiling. Moreover, this household jug kettle brings water to the boil rapidly because of its powerful 1850- 2200W.

PAYMENT SERVICE PROVIDERS

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

  

Money, money, and more money! 

When transferring money from one country to another there is a loss in the transfer process which includes the exchange rate costs and the transaction charges. So, try to give much attention my dear! 

The common way to send money is by means of wire transfer. It is a method of sending money from one person/institution to another. This transfer can be made from one bank account to another; through a transfer of cash at a cash office or on the respective websites of the payment service providers. Given all of the choices mentioned, most people like myself will use the last method of sending money just to save time whenever our family (recipient) needs it most. Would you agree? 

There are a few money transfer institutions today such as the competent/ageless Money Gram; the 24-hour or less Western Union; the reliable XOOM and the reasonable LCC Trans-Sending Ltd. etc. 

The Money Gram was advertised in the market even before the invention of computers and the discovery of the Internet. It is still used by many people all over the world because banks and cash offices can provide a service both for the sender and the recipient. It has 347,000 agents in 200 countries and is as a global leader in wire transfer. 

Western Union is stereotypically called in some Asian countries as MTCN because of its 10-digit Money Transfer Control Number. Can you get it now? The use of their service means paying for the transfer fees which vary based on the sender and receiver's location, type of transfer, and whether the money is sent from a counter location or by the website. Aside from that, their service offers the lowest transaction fee if you use their own obscure/puzzling methods which takes up to 7 days before your recipient will receive the funds. I did it many times and was worth it. However, if and when you'll make a tiny error like I did in the past, the reversion of your money takes ages. 

Xoom Corporation is known for offering a fast, affordable and convenient way to securely send money, pay bills and reload phones through a mobile app, as well as a desktop and mobile site to 33 countries in the world. In connection to this, the recipient can receive the money in three ways such as Cash Pickup with their well known partners, trusted banks and retailers; Bank Deposit with their well-known and trusted Banks too so you can quickly and easily deposit money into your recipient’s bank account or the relaxing Home Delivery which will be handed over by Xoom partners trusted and safe home delivery couriers to your loved-ones in the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic. 

The LCC Trans-Sending Ltd. or also known as Small World FS is another payment service provider started in 2002. Its fast and inexpensive way to send and receive money anywhere in the world makes the world leader in international money transfers. Yes, anywhere in the world with the use of their secure payment options. It includes the usual cash pick-up; the convenient account transfer; the digitally accessible mobile top-up & mobile wallet and the frequently use home delivery. 

We can choose whatever type of payment service provider we would like to use that suits our purpose most. Once chosen, we should be aware of how to protect ourselves from the many fiddles as it is not just the transaction fee that matters most. Without adequate security you could loose the lot and your bill fold will no longer remain fat!