It’s mortgage payback time now savings rates are grim

More young people are opting to overpay, cutting the term of their house or flat loan

It has been a grim decade for savers and it now appears younger people are looking closer to home in an attempt to make their money work. Consumer group Which? has found that well over half of young homeowners are overpaying on their mortgages, cutting the length of time they will have to pay back their house or flat loan.

It is little surprise, with high street rates at rock bottom after a dismal decade for savers. Many commentators are now actively encouraging people to look at increasing their repayments – if budgets allow.

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Nasturtiums, the flowers that follow me everywhere

Something about these hopeful, haphazard English cottage flowers has always endeared them to Allan Jenkins

I measure my life in flowers. Nasturtiums marked my first home, red geraniums my first proper job, scented lily of the valley are for the love of my life.

On the table in front of me is a box of Blue Pepe nasturtium seeds, from Piccolo, a specialist in culinary plants. Also four packets from Plants of Distinction, all nasturtiums: Black Velvet, Bloody Mary, Crimson Emperor, Caribbean Cocktail. There are others downstairs, a multicoloured mix from Franchi, a climber from Higgledy Garden, plus of course some I saved.

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Nasturtiums, the flowers that follow me everywhere https://t.co/nWr9bQucdu Solicitors & Estate Agents In One Just £899 + vat .. https://t.co/eLmKfiYyW9

Nasturtiums, the flowers that follow me everywhere https://t.co/nWr9bQucdu Solicitors & Estate Agents In One Just £899 + vat .. https://t.co/eLmKfiYyW9 (via Twitter http://twitter.com/conveyandmove/status/1084331254844194817)

Nasturtiums, the flowers that follow me everywhere

Something about these hopeful, haphazard English cottage flowers has always endeared them to Allan Jenkins

I measure my life in flowers. Nasturtiums marked my first home, red geraniums my first proper job, scented lily of the valley are for the love of my life.

On the table in front of me is a box of Blue Pepe nasturtium seeds, from Piccolo, a specialist in culinary plants. Also four packets from Plants of Distinction, all nasturtiums: Black Velvet, Bloody Mary, Crimson Emperor, Caribbean Cocktail. There are others downstairs, a multicoloured mix from Franchi, a climber from Higgledy Garden, plus of course some I saved.

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from Property | The Guardian http://bit.ly/2VRCyY7
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Hiding in plain sight

A newbuild ‘barn’ not far from the coast matches the surrounding vernacular while being contemporary, bright and airy inside

Gina Portman’s house is almost impossible to find, hidden down a tree-lined farm track, on the edge of a village somewhere near the English Channel. When you finally navigate past the big industrial gate, wheels crunching on thick gravel, the sight before you is not exactly a cosy cottage. Instead, a big wooden building, with narrow windows giving the impression of a giant bird hide, is linked to the driveway by a kind of drawbridge. There are no clues to the character and warmth on the other side of the large double doors.

We wanted to build something modern and brutalist, but we weren't allowed to

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from Home And Garden | The Guardian http://bit.ly/2Fp5nWu
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Hiding in plain sight https://t.co/6U8Y3Nk8Yf Solicitors & Estate Agents In One Just £899 + vat .. https://t.co/eLmKfiYyW9

Hiding in plain sight https://t.co/6U8Y3Nk8Yf Solicitors & Estate Agents In One Just £899 + vat .. https://t.co/eLmKfiYyW9 (via Twitter http://twitter.com/conveyandmove/status/1084118910037909504)

Hiding in plain sight

A newbuild ‘barn’ not far from the coast matches the surrounding vernacular while being contemporary, bright and airy inside

Gina Portman’s house is almost impossible to find, hidden down a tree-lined farm track, on the edge of a village somewhere near the English Channel. When you finally navigate past the big industrial gate, wheels crunching on thick gravel, the sight before you is not exactly a cosy cottage. Instead, a big wooden building, with narrow windows giving the impression of a giant bird hide, is linked to the driveway by a kind of drawbridge. There are no clues to the character and warmth on the other side of the large double doors.

We wanted to build something modern and brutalist, but we weren't allowed to

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