Olivia Stringer
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Senior Digital Reporter @SWNS/ email: olivia.stringer@swns.com
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Articles by Olivia Stringer
‘I quit my Co-op job to become a nurse at 40 – and earn more as a student’
A single mum ditched her Co-op job to train to be a nurse aged 40 – and earns more as a student. Kate Sanderson, from Mansfield, left her supermarket job in September 2026, to embark on a midlife career change. The mum of three, whose kids are 15 and 11-year-old twins, failed her maths GCSE and dropped out of sixth form, but developed a drive later in life to go back into education.
“I save up to £200 a week with Pinterest savings challenge”
SWSMchallenge – By Olivia Stringer A woman saves up to £200 a week using a Pinterest savings challenge. Sara Puhto, 30, decided to make 2026 the year she took savings seriously, but knew she would have to “gamify” the process, to help her stick with it. Despite always being “money conscious” and able to save small amounts, Sara found she was not capable of saving larger amounts as she would end up spending on holidays, her UK visa, or tattoos.
‘My shopping tricks save me £1k for Christmas – including £250 from scanning receipts’
A mum has revealed her food shop tricks to save £1,000 for Christmas – including scanning her supermarket receipts and using cashback apps. Kelly Miles, 33, begins saving up for Christmas presents for her two kids, 12 and 10, in the summertime, to save herself the financial burden when the festive period rolls around. As she works full time as a service manager, Kelly from Portsmouth is “time poor”, so only has the capacity for side hustles that require minimal effort.
‘I save £300 a month because I never pay full price for anything’
A freebie hunter who refuses to pay full price for anything has shared how she is able to save £300 a month on purchases. From student discounts to free M&S goodies Georgia Thorney Nash, 27, is always on the hunt for ways she can save cash. The customer administrator, who earns £1,771 a month, from Bournemouth is constantly scouring the MoneySavingExpert website and TikTok for the latest freebies and has made £600 in the last few months, just from switching banks.
‘Giving birth left me with painful acne – I hid my face on the school run’
A mom who became so self-conscious about her acne that she covered her face on the school run says her skin finally cleared after switching her skincare routine. Megan Stacey King, 32, says her face became red, painful and inflamed following the birth of her second son. The nail technician, from Portsmouth, England, spent more than £300 ($400) trying different skincare products but says her skin continued to get worse.
Freebie hunter Georgia saving £300-a-month - here's how
A freebie hunter who refuses to pay full price for anything has shared how she is able to save £300 a month on purchases. From student discounts to free M&S goodies Georgia Thorney Nash, 27, is always on the hunt for ways she can save cash. The customer administrator, who earns £1,771 a month, is constantly scouring the MoneySavingExpert website and TikTok for the latest freebies and has made £600 in the last few months, just from switching banks.
Tesco, M&S and bank switching tricks helping bargain hunter save £300 a month
A bargain hunter says Tesco freebies, M&S rewards, cashback sites and bank switching deals have helped her save around £300 a month. A bargain hunter who says she refuses to pay full price for anything claims she saves around £300 a month using deals from brands including Tesco, M&S, NatWest, Nationwide and Barclays.
“Giving birth left me with boils on my face – I had to hide during the school run”
A mum who hid her face on the school run after giving birth gave her “boils” on her face, is now blemish free thanks to a £16 skincare product. Megan Stacey King, 32, grew incredibly self-conscious after her face became red and inflamed following the birth of her second son.
‘I’m £80k in debt from medical bills – but paid off £5k in two months’
A woman left in £80,000 of debt after taking out loans for treatment for a debilitating medical condition has now paid off £5,764.27 in two months – using micropayments. Svenja Knight, 32, was diagnosed with lipoedema in 2024, a condition which left her in extreme pain and unable to work. She was unable to get treatment on the NHS, so took out a £24,000 loan to pay for surgery but then took out more loans totalling £31,000 to pay her other loans off.
I left school at 15 to work in a sausage factory - now I earn £60k a year
A woman who left school at 15 to work in a sausage factory is now a project manager on a £60,000 salary - and she even publishes books in her spare time. Cheryl Stewart, 39, received poor grades and assumed she'd work in a factory for the rest of her life. After encouragement from her sister, Cheryl, from Blackridge in West Lothian , got a temp role at a medical research company aged 18, and worked herself up the ranks, to a project manager position.
'I left school at 15 to work in a sausage factory - now I earn £60k a year'
A woman who left school at 15 to work in a sausage factory is now a project manager on a £60,000 salary - and she even publishes books in her spare time. Cheryl Stewart, 39, received poor grades and assumed she'd work in a factory for the rest of her life. After encouragement from her sister, Cheryl, from Blackridge in West Lothian, got a temp role at a medical research company aged 18, and worked herself up the ranks, to a project manager position.
Moment humanoid robot breaks into dance with street performers
This is the moment a humanoid robot unexpectedly broke into dance in front of a group of street performers – quickly drawing a crowd of onlookers. Musician Arnav Rawal, 21, was performing with his band at Galleria Market in Gurugram, India, on September 18 when the robot suddenly appeared in front of them. The group had been entertaining shoppers and passersby when the humanoid machine decided to join in.
Sick Svenja builds up £80k debt after NHS couldn't treat her
A woman was left £80,000 in debt after taking out loans for treatment for a debilitating medical condition. Svenja Knight, 32, was diagnosed with lipoedema in 2024, a condition which left her in extreme pain and unable to work. She was unable to get treatment on the NHS, so took out a £24,000 loan to pay for surgery but then took out more loans totalling £31,000 to pay her other loans off.
Girl’s ‘growing pains’ stopped her dancing – but it was thyroid cancer
An 11-year-old girl whose severe leg pain forced her to stop dancing was told she was experiencing “growing pains” before being diagnosed with a rare form of thyroid cancer. Cheryl Barber, 35, knew something was wrong when her usually chatty and energetic daughter Tamelia became too tired and in too much pain to attend dance classes.
Girl’s ‘growing pains’ stopped her dancing – but it was thyroid cancer
An 11-year-old girl whose muscle pain stopped her dancing was told by doctors it was just “growing pains” before she was diagnosed with a rare form of thyroid cancer. Cheryl Barber, 35, knew something was wrong when her usually chatty and energetic daughter Tamelia was no longer able to go to dance class, as her legs were in so much pain.
Neil Young and wife Darryl Hannah hold hands on shopping trip
Neil Young looked loved up with his wife Darryl Hannah while on holiday in Rome. The rarely seen couple, who have been romantically linked since 2014 before tying the knot in 2018, were pictured holding hands as they went shopping in Piazza di Spagna, on September 13. The Heart of Gold singer, 80, looked casual in a blue shirt and grey trousers, with Crocs and a baseball cap finishing off his look. Neil Young and wife Darryl Hannah sighted holding hands on holiday in Rome.
‘I bought two properties by 24 – by saving £1k a month since I was 18’
A man has bought his second property at just 24 years old, by saving up at least £1,000 a month of his wages since the age of 18. Jacob Waddington, 24, has always put away at least 50% of his wages since leaving college, allowing him to purchase a £98,000 two bed house at age 23. Alongside his girlfriend Holly, 23, Jacob from Accrington, Lancashire spent a year doing up the property, before getting it valued at £160,000, and then renting it out.
Jacob owns two homes at the age of 24 - here's how he did it
A man has bought his second property at just 24 years old - by saving up at least £1,000 a month of his wages since the age of 18. Jacob Waddington, 24, has always put away at least 50% of his wages since leaving college, allowing him to purchase a £98,000 two-bed house at 23. Alongside his girlfriend Holly, 23, spent a year doing up the property, before getting it valued at £160,000, and then renting it out.
Side-hustle Sammie pays off £24k debt - and has £250k savings
A man who was £24,000 in debt paid it off in just 18 months - and now has £250,000 savings. Sammie Ellard King, 36, quickly racked up debt after being given a student overdraft and credit card at university and would splash the cash on clothes and alcohol to make it seem like he was loaded. By the age of 25, he had racked up £24,000 of debt and was left unable to rent a flat as his credit score was so bad.
Pig found alive after being trapped under flood debris for 36 days
A pig was miraculously found alive after spending 36 days trapped beneath mud and debris following severe flooding. The animal was discovered on September 9 after becoming trapped during a flood in Zhashui County, Shaanxi, China. It had been stuck beneath a concrete slab in an extremely narrow space after a mudslide buried its enclosure. Rescuers carefully cleared away the surrounding mud and stones before spotting the pig pushing at the soil with its snout.
I'm saving £300 for Christmas with five minute savings challenge
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“I’m saving £300 for Christmas with five minute savings challenge”
A mum is side hustling £300 for Christmas with a ‘low effort’ savings challenge that takes just five minutes. Neesha Craig, 36, has made over £100,000 from “low time, high pay” side hustles over the last 10 years, and every time she has a few minutes to spare earns cash from doing surveys or market research. And the content creator, from Swansea, South Wales, is taking off the stress of Christmas this year, with a cashback savings challenge.
Woman, 24, becomes best friends with 75-year-old stranger she met while travelling in Australia
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‘I’m 24 and my roommate is 75 – he’s my best friend’
A 24-year-old woman who moved in with a 75-year-old stranger says they are now “best friends” despite their 51-year age gap. Ella Wilson met David Cox while traveling in Sydney, Australia, after running out of money and needing somewhere to stay. The content creator, from Canterbury, Kent, England, initially expected to stay with David for just a few days. But the pair quickly formed a close bond and Ella ended up living with him for six months.
“Docs said I was infertile – now I’m on 3rd baby in 2 years thanks to fat jabs”
A nurse who was diagnosed with infertility is pregnant with her third baby in two years after taking weight loss jabs to boost her chances of conception. Areli Ruiz, 35, and her husband Jose Ruiz, 34, refused to give up after being told by doctors she couldn’t conceive and she began taking Ozempic to reduce inflammation in her body.
“I’m 24 and my housemate is 75 – he’s my best friend”
A woman moved in with a 75-year-old stranger and says they are now “best friends” despite their 51-year age gap. Ella Wilson Sharp, 24, met David Cox, 75, when she was travelling in Sydney, Australia, and needed somewhere to stay. The content creator, from Canterbury, Kent, only expected to stay with David for a few days, but the pair quickly formed a strong bond, and Ella now uses David’s home as a base, whenever she’s not travelling.
HMS Queen Elizabeth sets sail from Portsmouth ahead of NATO deployment
The HMS Queen Elizabeth has set sail from Portsmouth, ahead of a four-month deployment with NATO. The 65,000-tonne warship and her crew of 800 sailors will undergo intensive training, alongside allies, to strengthen NATO security. The ship, which assumed the role of NATO’s command ship for the Allied Response Force in July, will carry out exercises across the full spectrum of naval warfare, to ensure it is fully prepared to respond to naval threats.
Mandy £8.5k out of pocket after NHS refuses her 38JJ breast reduction surgery
A mum took out an £8,500 loan against her mortgage to reduce her 38JJ breasts by 12 cup sizes - after she was denied surgery on the NHS. Mandy Humphries, 47, lived in constant agony, as her nine-pound breasts weighed her down and made even simple household tasks a painful struggle. The education sales consultant was told as her BMI was over 27, she couldn't have a reduction on the NHS - despite the fact that her breasts had hardly shrunk in size at all after a four and a half stone weight loss.
“I immediately regretted my daughter’s name and changed it – it was too popular”
mum of seven says she “immediately” regretted the name for her youngest daughter because she felt it was “too popular” – so she changed it. Kristen Crew, 38, was stumped when it came to naming her little girl – now one. Kristen and her husband, Nathan, 39, settled on Eliana meaning “God has answered” – as after four miscarriages and a high risk pregnancy they felt she was a “miracle”.
Zweijährige stirbt bei Gartenunfall – Mutter: „Ihre Schreie lassen mich bis heute nicht los“
Die Mutter einer Zweijährigen, die bei einem Unfall mit einem Landschaftsbaufahrzeug ums Leben kam, fordert bis heute Gerechtigkeit für ihre Tochter. Der Stiefvater des Mädchens hatte laut einem Bericht Alkohol im Blut, wurde jedoch nicht angeklagt. Trish Paia (31) verlor im April 2023 ihre Tochter Kaleleioleilani, die von Familie und Freunden Kalelei genannt wurde.
Trockene Augen: Mutter hält Beschwerden für erblich – doch 20 Jahre Make-up sind schuld
Eine Mutter glaubte, ihre trockenen Augen seien genetisch bedingt. Die Ursache war jedoch eine chronische Augenerkrankung, die mit einer 20 Jahre langen Make-up-Gewohnheit zusammenhing. Sarah Koseki (41) machte sich lange keine Gedanken darüber, mit Augen-Make-up schlafen zu gehen. Das änderte sich vor fünf Jahren, als ihr Augenlid plötzlich am Auge festklebte und sie weder sehen noch schlafen konnte.
‘I was told my dry eyes were genetic – but my 20-year make-up habit was to blame’
A mum who was told her dry eyes were just down to “genetics” was diagnosed with a chronic eye condition caused by 20 years of wearing make-up to bed. Sarah Koseki, 41, thought nothing of going to sleep with her eye make-up on, until five years ago, when her eyelid got stuck to her eye, leaving her unable to see or sleep. The Field consultant, from Boise, Idaho, was told by doctors she just had dry eyes caused by genetics or ageing.
Mom develops ‘debilitating’ chronic eye condition from 20-year makeup habit
A mom who was told her dry eyes were just down to “genetics” was diagnosed with a chronic eye condition caused by 20 years of wearing makeup to bed. Sarah Koseki, 41, thought nothing of going to sleep with her eye makeup on, until five years ago, when her eyelid got stuck to her eye, leaving her unable to see or sleep. The Field consultant, from Boise, Idaho, was told by doctors she just had dry eyes caused by genetics or aging. 11 Sarah Koseki’s dry eyes are pictured on Aug.
“I have to hide knives at home after OCD gave me thoughts of attacking my family”
A woman’s OCD caused her to have intrusive thoughts about attacking her family members with a kitchen knife. Victoria Korlewala, 20, first began to have symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, a mental health condition characterised by intrusive thoughts and compulsions at age 13, when she became obsessed by the idea that she smelled bad.
British skydivers smash 40-year record with formation at 14,000ft
British skydivers have beaten a 40 year-record with a 27-person canopy formation. Skydive Langar, based in Nottingham, smashed the Royal Marines and Royal Navy’s previous 24-way record, which they have held since 1986, in a stunning display on Sunday, August 16. The 27-strong team jumped out of a plane at 14,000 feet, before linking together in the air by standing on their partner’s parachutes.
Man calls 999 after accidentally buying alcohol-free gin and tonic
Police are urging the public to use 999 only in an emergency, after a man called the number when he had accidentally purchased a non-alcoholic gin and tonic. A call handler was left baffled when a man asked for police from Hertfordshire Constabulary to come down to his local Tesco Extra to help mediate, after he complained to staff that he had mistakenly purchased a non alcoholic drink.
Cornish penguins ditch foreign sardines in favour of ones caught 10 miles away
Penguins at a wildlife park in Cornwall are tucking into sardines caught just 10 miles away by local fisherman after keepers ditched fish imported from Europe. Paradise Park in Hayle was forced to feed penguins frozen sprats imported from the Netherlands in February 2026, after the park’s local sardine supplier retired. But when local fisherman Tom Lambourn visited the wildlife sanctuary and overheard a keeper say the penguins loved sardines, he saw a business opportunity.
Police officer rams man with his head after disorder erupts at beach
A police officer charged at a young man with his head – during disorder on Bournemouth beach. He was filmed charging at him – causing a huge crowd of people to surge forward. Violence broke out on the beach and police officers said they were attacked with glass bottles and missiles as they tried to disperse the crowds. Police said three people were arrested and have now been released on bail, as enquiries continue.
These penguins prefer local when it comes to eating sardines
A penguin entering the water with a mouthful of sardine. (Seafish via SWNS) By Olivia Stringer Penguins at a wildlife park in Cornwall are tucking into sardines caught just 10 miles away by local fisherman after keepers ditched fish imported from Europe. kA 4=2DDlQHA\3=@4<\A2C28C2A9Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^A2C25:D6A2C<]@C8]F<^Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Q C6=lQ?@C676CC6C ?@@A6?6CQm!2C25:D6 !2C<k^2m :? w2J=6 H2D 7@C465 E@ 7665 A6?8F:?D 7C@K6? DAC2ED :>A@CE65 7C@> E96 }6E96C=2?5D :?
These penguins prefer local when it comes to eating sardines
Penguins at a wildlife park in Cornwall are tucking into sardines caught just 10 miles away by local fisherman after keepers ditched fish imported from Europe. Paradise Park in Hayle was forced to feed penguins frozen sprats imported from the Netherlands in February 2026, after the park's local sardine supplier retired. But when local fisherman Tom Lambourn visited the wildlife sanctuary and overheard a keeper say the penguins loved sardines, he saw a business opportunity.
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