3 SIPP mistakes to avoidAs Black Friday and Christmas approach, many of us will be looking for a bargain If you're looking for branded goods then Home Bargains and Amazon both have you covered, and both regularly sell big-name products far below the RRP. We went and filled a basket with branded goods in Home bargains, and then did the same on Amazon. This was the price difference. Pedigree Dog Christmas stocking, 367g A selection of Dentastix, Tasty Minis, Rodeos and a Jumbone £3.49 £7.70, or £7.31 with Subscribe and Save (through third-party sellers) This is a clear win for Home Bargains. This may be down to the only Amazon sellers bringing third-party, and not being as competitive as the main company. Either way, Rover will be glad you went to Home Bargains (maybe get him or her two to celebrate). Pedigree Dog Food, Chunks in Jelly, 385g : £5.99 for a pack of six tins (£1 a tin) £20 for four six packs of tins, or £17 with Subscribe and Save (that's 24 tins, so 83p each, or by subscribing it's 70p) This one is a win for Amazon - if you don't mind buying in bulk. I also spotted an extra voucher on offer, for an additional 10% odd the first Subscribe and Save order on this, and that would bring the price down to 63p on that first order. These vouchers are 'stackable' so you get the discounts combined. Cadbury's Wispa, 4 pack of bars, 102g £1.65 £3.96 (based on equivalent values) The verdict: Another clear win for Home Bargains. This was only available in a bundle of three packs of four, so 12 bars in total, for £11.90 regular price, or £11.30 for Subscribe and Savers, again sold by a third party but dispatched by Amazon. The price difference per bar is 99p vs 55p. Heinz Beans, 415g, six can multipack Home Bargains: £4.75 or two for £8 Amazon: £4.75, or £4.04 with Subscribe and Save The verdict: Prices are tied here for regular shoppers, but if you eat a lot of beans, it pays to either select Subscribe and Save or for the best deal of all, buy two packs from Home Bargains, working out at £4 each. Domestos Bleach spray, 700ml £1.89 1.95, or £1.66 Subscribe and Save Again, this is a very close call, but Subscribe and Save is the way to buy this yet again if you want a bargain. Fairy Non-Bio washing liquid capsules 58 pods for £12.49 (21p each) 108 pods for £23, or £19.55 Subscribe and Save (21p and 18p each) This is a close call when you look at equivalent values, but for many shoppers, £23, or £19.55, is a big outlay all at once, and they may not have space to store a bulk pack of pods. Surf laundry powder, Tropical Lily, 1.15kg £3.49 £3.50 This works out as a penny difference, with both coming in at around £3.04 per kilo. Amazon does have a better value option, but it's for a huge 6.5kg box, which comes in at £14.53 (£2.24/kg) or 12.35 for Subscribe and Save (£1.90/kg). This means you'd need a big, dry storage space. On the upside, it's delivered free so there's no issue with carrying it back from the shops. Yorkshire Tea £5.49 for 210 bags (2.6p a bag) £18 for 600 bags, or £15.30 Subscribe and Save for 600 (3p or 2.5p a bag) This is another one where they don't sell the exact same sizes. Also, think about the initial outlay - do you have a spare £15 for tea, and where would you keep 600 tea bags? Also, would cup number 599 taste as good as the first one? Overall verdict There are winners and losers in both camps here, but it's worth considering bulk deals for both - whether that's buying two multipacks of beans or looking at Subscribe and Save. The best bargains are to be had on volume purchases. Saying that think about where you'd store it all and if you'd get through it before it goes off - it's only a bargain if you use it all. Similarly, it can be a big outlay, and it's not worth getting into debt when you're trying to find a good deal. Also think about your own brands - lots of the supermarket and shops' value ranges are just as good, so try switching brands and see if you notice a difference. Mostly it's horses for courses - head to Home Bargains for pet products, smaller volumes and chocolate, and look at Amazon for big, bulk purchases. Best of all, check out your local independents too, they can offer the best deals of all, and you know more money stays in your local community.
Jimmy Carter: president, global mediator, Nobel laureate
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (NASDAQ:IGF) Short Interest Down 19.0% in DecemberSome quotations from Jimmy Carter . We have a tendency to exalt ourselves and to dwell on the weaknesses and mistakes of others. I have come to realize that in every person there is something fine and pure and noble, along with a desire for self-fulfillment. Political and religious leaders must attempt to provide a society within which these human attributes can be nurtured and enhanced. — from 1975 book “Why Not the Best?” Our government can express the highest common ideals of human beings — if we demand of government true standards of excellence. At this Bicentennial time of introspection and concern, we must demand such standards. — “Why Not the Best?” I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry. — “Why Not the Best?” Christ said, “I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery.” I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do — and I have done it — and God forgives me for it. But that doesn’t mean that I condemn someone who not only looks on a woman with lust but who leaves his wife and shacks up with somebody out of wedlock. — Interview, November 1976 Playboy. This inauguration ceremony marks a new beginning, a new dedication within our Government, and a new spirit among us all. A President may sense and proclaim that new spirit, but only a people can provide it. — Inaugural address, January 1977. It’s clear that the true problems of our nation are much deeper — deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper even than inflation and recession. ... All the legislation in the world can’t fix what’s wrong with America. ... It is a crisis of confidence. — So-called “malaise” speech, July 1979. But we know that democracy is always an unfinished creation. Each generation must renew its foundations. Each generation must rediscover the meaning of this hallowed vision in the light of its own modern challenges. For this generation, ours, life is nuclear survival; liberty is human rights; the pursuit of happiness is a planet whose resources are devoted to the physical and spiritual nourishment of its inhabitants. — Farewell Address, January 1981. We appreciate the past. We are grateful for the present and we’re looking forward to the future with great anticipation and commitment. — October 1986, at the dedication of the Carter Presidential Library and Museum. War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn to live together in peace by killing each other’s children. — December 2002, Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. Fundamentalists have become increasingly influential in both religion and government, and have managed to change the nuances and subtleties of historic debate into black-and-white rigidities and the personal derogation of those who dare to disagree. ... The influence of these various trends poses a threat to many of our nation’s historic customs and moral commitments, both in government and in houses of worship. — From 2005 book “Our Endangered Values.” I think that this breakthrough by Barack Obama has been remarkable. When he made his speech (on race) a few months ago in Philadelphia, I wept. I sat in front of the television and cried, because I saw that as the most enlightening and transforming analysis of racism and a potential end of it that I ever saw in my life. — August 2008, commenting on then-Sen. Barack Obama’s candidacy. I think it’s based on racism. There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president. ... No matter who he is or how much we disagree with his policies, the president should be treated with respect. — September 2009, reacting to Rep. Joe Wilson’s shout of “You lie!” during a speech to Congress by President Barack Obama. I’m still determined to outlive the last guinea worm. — 2010, on The Carter Center’s work to eradicate guinea worm disease. You know how much I raised to run against Gerald Ford? Zero. You know how much I raised to run against Ronald Reagan? Zero. You know how much will be raised this year by all presidential, Senate and House campaigns? $6 billion. That’s 6,000 millions. — September 2012, reacting to the 2010 “Citizens United” U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting unlimited third-party political spending. I have become convinced that the most serious and unaddressed worldwide challenge is the deprivation and abuse of women and girls, largely caused by a false interpretation of carefully selected religious texts and a growing tolerance of violence and warfare, unfortunately following the example set during my lifetime by the United States. — From 2014 book “A Call to Action.” I don’t think there’s any doubt now that the NSA or other agencies monitor or record almost every telephone call made in the United States, including cellphones, and I presume email as well. We’ve gone a long way down the road of violating Americans’ basic civil rights, as far as privacy is concerned. — March 2014, commenting on U.S. intelligence monitoring after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks We accept self-congratulations about the wonderful 50th anniversary - which is wonderful - but we feel like Lyndon Johnson did it and we don’t have to do anything anymore. — April 2014, commenting on racial inequality during a celebration of the Civil Rights Act’s 40th anniversary. I had a very challenging question at Emory (University) the other night: “How would you describe the United States of America today in one word?” And I didn’t know what to say for a few moments, but I finally said, “Searching.” I think the country in which we live is still searching for what it ought to be, and what it can be, and I’m not sure we’re making much progress right at this moment. — October 2014 during a celebration of his 90th birthday. The life we have now is the best of all. We have an expanding and harmonious family, a rich life in our church and the Plains community, and a diversity of projects at The Carter Center that is adventurous and exciting. Rosalynn and I have visited more than 145 countries, and both of us are as active as we have ever been. We are blessed with good health and look to the future with eagerness and confidence, but are prepared for inevitable adversity when it comes. — From 2015 book, “A Full Life.”Arsenal, Man City and Bayern advance to Women's Champions League quarterfinals