Go To Tastecard

Dear Member,
 
2020 has certainly been a difficult year for everyone so as the nights start drawing in why not say goodbye to 2020 and start looking forward to sunny 2021 with cocktails on the beach, dinner with a view and morning dips in the pool!
 
We have uploaded a range of suggestions for you in association with On The Beach.They include some of our top spots for 2021 such as the Canary Islands, Greece, Dubai, Turkey & Spain. Plus don’t forget, customers can secure their holiday from just £30pp, get Covid Cover with our travel insurance and all our holidays are fully protected so book early, save some money and look forward to getting back on the beach!

On the Beach

Give your wardrobe a refresh with up to 40% off seasonal styles, plus free UK delivery on orders over £45

Converse All Star Hi 70s Trainers Egret Multi Black Floral Exclusive
Now: £56.24

Adidas Stan Smith Trainers White Strawberries and Cream Exclusive
Now: £56.24

Adidas Gazelle Trainers White
Now: £55.99

Vans Old Skool Trainers Black Black Marshmallow
Now: £51.99

UGG Classic Mini II Boots Navy
Now: £116.00

Timberland Slim Premium 6 Inch Boots Black New Rose Gold
Now: £104.00

Timberland 6 Inch Double Collar Boots Wheat Nubuck
Now: £144.00

Ted Baker Sumpsa Lace Up Derby Shoes
Now: £69.30

T&Cs – Apply

Please bear with us as we have a site clean down. We are removing thousands of offers that are now irrelevant and taking the opportunity to simplify the categories.

New offers will start to appear daily so you will still be able to take advantage of them to save over £60 a year.

If you spot any major errors, please let us know

Many thanks for your continued support of the good causes

The Community Scheme

Most businesses start out with a dream and an inspiration, but that is where it ends. Even the most innovative businesses can wind up closing their doors because a good action plan and a focused timeline were not in place at conception.

There are many benefits to creating your action plan and online business timeline. When you have an action plan put into place and follow it regularly and continue to focus on your business timeline, things will run much more smoothly for your new business, your employees, and your customers.

Tips to Create a Powerful Action Plan

* Streamline Your Path – If you have a dream and a vision – excellent. Now, you must have knowledge of where your business is heading down the line. It is important to focus on a streamlined path when you first start your business. Otherwise, you are likely to find that your business is “all over the place.” Be sure to be specific in where you expect your business to go in the first twelve months.

* Put It in Writing – In the early stages of creating your business, it is important to create an action plan in writing. Without this piece of the puzzle, it can get messy quite quickly. Having an action plan in your head or verbalizing it with other team members is not nearly as efficient as putting it down in writing.

* Measure Your Goals Consistently – Make sure to check up on your goals often. By measuring your goals, you consistently marry those goals against where you are at the moment. If your goals are not in alignment with where they should be, then it is time to re-evaluate.

* Break Down Bigger Projects into More Manageable Ones – When you create your action plan, make certain to break down bigger projects into more manageable ones. In this way, you will be able to get the whole job done without it feeling overwhelming.

* Delegate – Do not be afraid to delegate some of your action plan. If you try to do everything all on your own, chances are all those balls you are juggling will come tumbling down sooner rather than later.

Tips to Create an Online Business Timeline

* Create a Timeline for Every Task – You may think it is not necessary to create a timeline for each and every task; however, a timeline is essential for success. Creating a timeline will help you to manage your time and your business.

* Keep It Real – A timeline should have manageable date attached to each task. If you create a timeline goal too soon, then you may set yourself up for failure. By being realistic, you set yourself up for success.

* Differentiate Your Tasks – Make certain to differentiate your short-term tasks from your long-term tasks. For example, a short-term task would be to hire employees and a long-term task would be to improve your social media status.

* Stick to Your Timeline No Matter What – You have to have integrity in this area. You need to stick with your timeline no matter what, as this is the only way to achieve success.

* Stay Focused – It is very easy to let a task go because other “stuff” gets in the way. Stay focused and stick to your timeline. Check your progress as you go along the way.

Well here we are in an everchanging world. Just when we thought that we were moving forward to a new normal, normal. Its all change again.

We are just come out of furlough and were realy looking forward to announcing some new partnerships coming on board which we hope would save you even more money for supporting the good causes via The community Scheme

The author, Leo Tolstoy, once said, “Boredom is the desire for desires.” Never has that quote held truer than now when so many countries are going into lockdown and governments are telling people to self-isolate to curb the spread of COVID-19.

There’s no denying that self-isolation is the best way to prevent yourself from getting infected and it puts a brake on the spread of the disease. If everyone self-isolated for a month, the spread of COVID-19 would come to an abrupt halt.

Of course, this scenario is impossible to achieve, but it highlights just how powerful self-isolation is. The downside to this is that now you’re stuck at home and you’re bored.

You feel like the pandemic has cramped your cool lifestyle. Introverts may find no change to their already quiet lives but even they may feel a little rebellious since they’re being told to stay inside. It’s human nature.

There are several things you can do at home.

• Start on projects that take a while to complete

Go ahead and get a puzzle book, sudoku, word search or colouring book. Now you and your family have something to spend hours figuring out. There’s even a jigsaw puzzle that has 18,000 pieces. Imagine that! (https://amzn.to/39jYVLc)

Alternatively, you may decide to start writing the book that you’ve always dreamed of writing.

Or maybe you’ve wanted to learn oil painting. Or start improving your guitar playing skills. There’s so much you can do and now is as good a time as any to start.

• Exercise

This activity is crucial. Remember how you used to say, “But I just don’t have the time to go to the gym.”

Well, guess what? You have all the time in the world now to work out at home. Most gyms are closed these days. So, start training.

• Spend time with your family

So often we are caught between juggling our careers and families. With more time at home now, you can actually catch up with your spouse and kids.

Engage in fun activities like board games or video games. A family that plays together stays together.

• Plan your next Holiday

Yes, you may not be able to go anywhere now… but things will get better. The good news is that you can experience the same excitement by planning your future trip now.

Where will you go? What will you do/see? Where will you stay?

So many questions… and your family and you can spend time together finding the answers. Once you know how it’s all going to go, it’s just a matter of waiting until the COVID-19 situation has run its course and subsided for you to set off on your dream holiday.

• Social media

Social media is a double-edged sword. While it can help you pass the time, it’s also filled with drama and debate which can put a dampener on your spirits.

Use social media for entertainment and AVOID getting into debates at all cost. Ideally, spend no more than 15-minutes on social media at any one time. This will prevent you from falling down a rabbit hole of vitriol and pointless arguments with insane people online or getting addicted to the platform itself.

• Netflix and chill

What better way to spend time with your spouse/partner than to cuddle up in front of the TV and binge watch the latest TV shows… and if the show is boring, you can always ‘chill’.

Some married couples have not chilled for so long that they’ve become virgins again. This home-isolation period can put the passion back in your relationship, if you will let it.

At the end of the day, as long as you find activities to engage in, you’ll keep boredom at bay. You just need to find out what you’re passionate about and pour your attention there. Where your attention goes, your energy goes. Keep your activities fun and productive and you may discover that you’re actually happier now at home. That’s a good place to be.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has led to a very strange phenomenon where toilet paper (affectionately known as ‘loo roll’ in the UK) seems to be the first thing that people are panic buying.

It almost boggles the mind as to how a respiratory illness from China can cause the stores in the US to sell out all their toilet paper in hours. Panic can make people illogical and selfish.

On an interesting note, there’s a website online that online that will calculate how long your existing supply of toilet paper will last. You can see it here: https://howmuchtoiletpaper.com/

The only possible explanation for all the hoarding is that people are afraid that the pandemic will be a protracted situation, and they’ll be left without any more toilet paper.

While this is hardly likely because there are no production hiccups and supply chains are still strong, you may encounter a situation where you can’t buy toilet paper because the store shelves are empty.

You may be running low or have completely run out, and now you’re really in a sticky situation.

So, what do you do?

• Bidets

The most difficult hurdle to overcome will be to shift your mindset. It’s also the easiest way to deal with the toilet paper shortage.

Millions of people in Europe, Asia, etc. use bidets to clean up after defecation.

A spray of water is delivered directly to the anus and cleans the area pristinely. It’s more hygienic than toilet paper and its hassle-free.

You’ll not need any toilet paper when water is your friend.

Americans who are not used to this practice and can’t even fathom the idea of using a ‘bum gun’ to clean themselves will be hesitant to try it out.

Do give it a try and you may never look back. Tough times call for improvisation and adaptation.

Rather than spending hours in queues or jostling with other people just to get toilet paper, you could easily purchase a bidet from Amazon and install it in your house. Problem solved.

• Wet wipes

This is another alternative to toilet paper. There are two problems here. Firstly, these may be sold out too. Secondly, flushing wet wipes down your toilet may clog the plumbing.

If your toilet gets clogged, you’ll need to find a plumber to fix the problem and during these times of self-isolation, that will be a bigger chore than usual.

Some people may hoard baby wipes as toilet paper substitute. This is not recommended because babies NEED those wipes too, since their skin is softer and more sensitive. Be thoughtful even when times are tough.

• Fast food napkins

Sometimes you just have to think out of the box. Fast food outlets usually provide paper napkins with their meals. Buy a delivered junk food Meal and voila! You’re now the proud owner of a PizaToiletpaper.

• Washable towels/cloth rags

This one is nasty and should only be undertaken by those with a strong constitution. All levity aside, the cloth towels/rags will be used just like toilet paper, but when you’re done using the towels, you’ll need to wash them in hot water so they can be reused later.

If the idea of doing this makes you balk, you’re better off just getting a bidet and calling it a day.

• Paper products

There are many other types of paper that you could repurpose as toilet paper. You could use old newspapers or you could yank out the A4 paper from your printer and use those too. CVS receipts are another option.

The problem here is that you’ll need to soften the paper with water first. The last thing you want are paper cuts on your behind.

Then there’s also the issue of safety. You don’t know if the inks on the paper or the receipts will have any negative effect on your health, if absorbed by your skin.

You’ll also need to discard the used ‘toilet paper’ in the trash and not flush it down because your plumbing will get clogged.

• Sanitary pads and/or sponges

Feminine hygiene products may be sold out, but if all you can get your hands on are sanitary pads, those can be used as toilet paper too.

Dishwashing sponges are another alternative. But just like the washable towels, you’ll need to reuse them which means washing them and enduring the ordeal.

Once again, none of these products should be flushed down your toilet because they do NOT break down like toilet paper, and will clog the sewer lines.

Besides the options mentioned above, hardcore survivalists will recommend toilet paper alternatives such as leaves, rocks, corn husks, etc.

These are extreme measures, and we’ve not reached a situation where you’re living off-grid or in the wilderness. The store shelves will be restocked and many supermarkets have instituted quotas on the essential items to prevent hoarding.

Your best bet during this time will be to use a bidet and get through the shortage until the situation returns to a relative state of normalcy. Rest assured that it will happen soon.

People are panicking. They’re stressed and hoarding and panic buying. Get on social media, and everyone and their plumber is going on and on about the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the coronavirus is a serious matter and is cause for concern, it’s still no excuse to get sucked into the current whirlwind of fake news, panic and stress that is sweeping the world.

• The truth is that…

No one has any answers and the facts keep changing daily. You can’t trust the media because they’ll make any situation seem worse than it already is.

People are making things harder than it needs to be by clearing the store shelves and hoarding. You could try explaining to them that their actions are unnecessary because supply chains are still strong… and there are no shortages other than the ones people are creating through panic.

But most won’t listen and you’ll just get aggravated by the stupidity of your fellow man. So, how do you stay calm when so many are worried?

1. Stop following the news and/or hysteria on social media

The best way to strengthen your mind is to stop feeding it garbage.

Governments lie. You really do NOT know if the situation in China has gotten better or if that’s just another lie from the Chinese government.

Most people are clueless. Just a few months ago, they were jumping out of their cars to do the Kiki dance challenge, and suddenly now they’re virologists speculating about why deaths are increasing in Italy.

Engaging in pointless dialectic with them is unnecessary. The situation is what it is and the healthcare professionals and authorities will do the needful to manage the problem.

You worrying unnecessarily is not going to help you. In fact, you’re doing a disservice to yourself because stress lowers your immune system and makes you more vulnerable to disease.

1. Exercise daily

Nervous energy, fear, and other unhealthy emotions tend to ‘snowball’ within you. There MUST be an outlet for this negative energy and nothing beats physical exercise as a form of release.

When you work out, you help to expend all that pent up energy within you and your body also releases endorphins that will make you feel better. This is a win-win.

Ideally, you should engage in exercises that occupy both your mind and body. For example, following a home workout on video will help you focus on the training rather than drifting into your own thoughts.

If you were to run on a treadmill which is an exercise you can do on ‘autopilot’, you’ll end up thinking of other worrying scenarios rather than focusing on your training.

Your body needs movement and your mind needs a mental break. Engage in activities like kickboxing, bodyweight training, juggling, etc. to engage both your mind and body.

• Stay busy

An idle mind is a devil’s workshop. As long as you’re in pursuit of a worthy goal and busy with what needs to be done to get there, you’ll not have time to worry about what’s the worst that could happen.

Any fears and worries you have about COVID-19 are all in your mind. You’re a prisoner to your imagination. Put your mind to work on something else and you’ll be less stressed.

• Prayer

Over the past few years, religion has been mocked and it has almost become uncool to believe in God. Atheists and other groups make it seem like belief in God is pointless and not based on science.

The truth of the matter is that there is immense power in prayer. Praying and surrendering your worries to a higher power removes stress from your life because you’re now living by faith, not sight.

Come what may, you’re in the palm of His hand and there’s no point in worrying over what’s beyond your control.

• Be safe

Take all the necessary health precautions to protect yourself and your family. You do not want to deal with the guilt of having a lackadaisical attitude which raises the risks of getting the disease.

• Adapt. Improvise. Overcome.

Life goes on. Despite the food shortages due to hoarding, or the lockdown, or possible unemployment and recession… decide that you will be resilient and adapt to the situation.

The kite rises against the wind, not with it. You will rise and overcome this situation.

To conclude, just know that all you can do is your best… and that’s enough. If you’ve taken all the necessary precautions to minimize your risks, you’ve done enough.

Don’t give in to panic or fear. Neither is real. You have what it takes to overcome anything. Have faith in yourself.

“You can destroy your now by worrying about tomorrow.” – Janis Joplin

There’s a common assumption that hand sanitizers will help you avoid the COVID-19 virus. This is a misconception. While these little bottles of alcohol-based solutions can help to kill some bacteria, they’re not your most potent weapon against the coronavirus.

Currently, people are hoarding bottles of hand sanitizers and some are even reselling them at higher prices. Even in stores, if you can find these products, they have been significantly marked up in price.

• Vodka doesn’t work!

More and more people are thinking of creating their own hand sanitizers at home. There have been videos circulating around on social media where you can see clueless souls mixing vodka or bourbon with water to create a hand sanitizer spray that would make MacGyver proud.

In reality, vodka or other alcohols sold in stores just do not meet the mark when it comes to creating a potent hand sanitizer. You need at least 75% alcohol… and the ones sold in stores are usually only around 40 to 50%. They’re too weak to be of any use… besides getting you high.

Furthermore, using the wrong type of alcohol can cause burns or skin problems. You’re better off wearing disposable gloves rather than rubbing some questionable homemade concoctions on your hands.

• A quick recipe

While making your own hand sanitizer is unnecessary, if you truly insist on making it, you might as well follow a recipe provided by the World Health Organization.

You can find the recipe to download here: https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_to_Local_Production.pdf

Follow the instructions to the letter.

• 4 Precautions That are Better than Hand Sanitizers

*Wash your hands often.

This is so simple and basic, yet has been overlooked by millions of people until now. Washing your hands with soap and water is far more effective than any hand sanitizer on the planet. It cleanses your hands and washes away most of the bacteria.

*Avoid touching your face

When you’re outside, you’ll come into contact with countless surfaces such as handrails, elevator buttons, door knobs, etc. All these places can have bacteria/viruses on them.

In many cases, you might have no choice but to touch these surfaces. The best thing you can do to mitigate the problem is to constantly remind yourself to keep your hands far away from your face, and to immediately wash your hands once you have access to soap and water.

*Disinfect your workstation

If you have no choice but to go to work, use a towel and disinfectant spray like Dettol or Lysol to wipe down your work area. Once again, do not sink into complacency and touch your face when at work.

*Practice basic hygiene at home

Avoid wearing shoes into your home. You don’t want to track bacteria from outside in.

Shower before you sit anywhere in your house. Place all clothes that you wore outside straight into the washing machine and wash them.

The goal here is to minimize contact between the items in your house and what you wore outside. You may choose to wipe down your handbag/briefcase with a cloth and some disinfectant spray.

If you can adopt these 4 precautions, you’ll be far less likely to get infected with COVID-19. Of course, besides these measures, social distancing is the BEST way to keep the disease at bay.

Be alert. Be proactive. Be safe.