Main content

Bills, Maximalism, Buy Now Pay Later

With food and energy costs increasing, we look at what it means for consumers as we approach winter.

Changes that start from today will add to bills. The price of energy rises by £35 a year for the average household. A new packaging tax kicks in, meaning companies that create packaging will have to pay new fees to cover the cost of recycling it. Companies are warning that some of those costs will be passed on to consumers. We'll be talking to one person trying to make their income match their outgoings, a food manufacturer about growing costs of production, and Colletta Smith the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s Cost of Living Correspondent will explain how all of this will impact you.

How do you decorate your house? Are you a minimalist with a home full of greige (a mixture of grey and beige, is often described as 'the perfect neutral colour')? Or are you one of the growing number of people who are maximalists? Think colourful walls, trinkets, ephemera, and anything else that brings you joy that you want to display.
We'll speak to one maximalist, as well as Sophie Robinson, the interior designer and broadcaster, who welcomes this riot of colour!

And more people are using 'Buy Now Pay Later' services, with a rise in recent years from 14% of adults to 25%. Fashion is the main thing we use it for - but how has that changed our relationship with what we wear? UK Finance and the Manchester Fashion Institute will tell us more.

PRESENTER - Winifred Robinson
PRODUCER - Dave James

Available now

53 minutes

Broadcast

  • Wed 1 Oct 2025 12:04

Health

Health

A selection of the best health advice and discussions from You & Yours.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle

From hanging wallpaper to takeaway apps, some of our favourite features about lifestyle.