On 4th July 1776, the United States declared its independence from Great Britain and the date has remained as a big day of celebration for Americans…
If you have family or friends in the States, more than likely they’ll be celebrating 4th July with backyard BBQs and explosive fireworks. DHL helps families and friends celebrate special events, like Independence Day, regardless of the distance between them.
We make it easy to send gifts to your friends this Independence Day. With over 1,300 Service Points nationwide, we’re sure to be on a high street near you. So, once you’ve found the perfect present, just take it to your local Service Point and we’ll send it on its way!
Why not impress them with some of our favourite 4th July facts?
- On 4th July 1776, America declared its independence from Britain. It was the separation of 13 colonies from Great Britain.
- Each year on 4th July, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics and family gatherings.
- The estimated population on 4th July 2013 is 316.2 million
- Three of America’s first five presidents died on 4th July.
- 150 million hotdogs are consumed on 4th July every year
- 700 million lbs of chicken is purchased in the week leading up to 4th July
- 190 million lbs of red meat/pork is purchased in the week leading up to 4th July
- 25 million lbs of fireworks is sold to cities for public celebrations
- 11: number of places in the US with “Independence” in their name
Sources: (CNN, The Herald Tribune, US Census Bureau as of 7.3.2012)
Whilst we can’t deliver sizzling BBQs or explosive fireworks, we can help you join your American buddies in spirit by celebrating Independence Day with a hamper full of American goodies. Click here to find out more about our new competition. But hurry, it closes tomorrow!
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Father’s Day is widely celebrated on the third Sunday of June every year by many different countries. Check out our top 5 alternative Father’s Day gifts to show your dad how special he truly is…
Choosing the perfect gift for Father’s Day can leave even the most skilled shopper in a trickier than anticipated situation. It can be a dreary thought when those ‘days-of-the-week socks’ or ‘novelty ties’ seem like a good idea. The question is what do you buy the dad who really does have everything?
Gift shopping is not an easy task but these top 5 alternative Father’s Day gift ideas may spark your imagination.
The Chef Dad – The Obsessive Chef is the perfect gift for those dads who like everything to be ‘just so’. This 9 x 12 inch cutting board made from super-durable, sustainable Bamboo is the perfect gift to aid your dad with the skill of precision vegetable chopping.
http://www.fredandfriends.com/products/view/obsessive-chef-cutting-board
The DIY Dad - This classy tool set is the impeccable design of Jonas Damon. The sleek Beechwood tool set includes: flashlight, screwdriver, spirit level and collapsible yardstick. Let your dad work away in vintage style this summer.
http://www.jonasdamon.blogspot.co.uk
The Traveller Dad - This unusual map is the perfect way for your dad to show off where in the world he has travelled. The Scratch Map features a gold foil top layer that can be scratched off to reveal a colourful, unique record of travel and is ideal for the dad who likes to remember all of his great adventures.
http://www.theletteroom.com/the-little-boys-room/large-scratch-map
The Gardener Dad - This indoor windowsill allotment should really hit the spot with any budding gardener. Perfect for the dad who hasn’t enough time to be outdoors, or even for the dad who just can’t get enough of gardening. Add a new dimension to your dad’s kitchen and help him get his herbs growing!
http://www.prezzybox.com/indoor-allotment.aspx
The Wildlife Dad - This innovative window bird feeder is perfect for the dad who loves watching wildlife. Made from recyclable and highly durable plastic, the feeder is environmentally friendly and is an idyllic environment for small birds. Let your dad admire all things wildlife from the comfort of his own home.
http://www.presentsformen.co.uk/window-bird-feeder-prod8526/
DHL Service Point makes it easy to send gifts to your dad this Father’s Day. With over 1,300 Service Points nationwide, we’re sure to be on a high street near you. So, once you’ve found the perfect present, just take it to your local Service Point and we’ll send it on its way!
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Get a massive 10% off your first shipment when you send with DHL Service Point from any Staples store in the UK. Perfect for sending that dirty washing home!
Times are tough for uni students. Fees are on the rise. Rents are on the up. And the price of a pint of beer is through the roof.
But that doesn’t mean it’s time to scrimp, save and live the life of a Dickensian miser. It’s just about being smart with your student loan come September/October time. The good news is there are loads of offers out there to help you get through the next year without resorting to begging or bank robbery.
We’ve got a great one for you right now: a massive 10% off your first shipment when you ship with DHL Service Point from any Staples store in the UK.
It’s a perfect opportunity to have a clear-out, send your washing home, or sell stuff on eBay. But best of all, it’s a good excuse to pop into your local Staples and stock up on supplies for the new uni year.
The world’s largest office products supplier, Staples is your one-stop-shop for all things stationery – as well as offering free parking, late opening hours and a DHL Service Point in every store! Plus, a host of hot deals to help your student loan go that little bit further.
]]>As swarms of undergrads disappear home to enjoy the summer break, you’re stuck on campus writing your thesis. But you can still enjoy your summer too! Find out how to keep on top of your work with Service Point…
1. Planning is key
If you haven’t already picked a topic and put together a detailed plan, get started now. Reading is key to developing a good plan, but this will take time so it is important to start your research early.
Think about the structure your thesis will take and plan your chapters. The more you plan, the better disciplined you’ll be, and the more likely it is you’ll get a good result.
Create a timetable to make sure you stay on track. Give yourself regular breaks, get plenty of sleep and eat well – these will help to keep your brain active.
It is also important to talk to your supervisor from an early stage, as well as other students, discussing ideas and methods for writing your thesis.
2. Write as you go
It can be tempting to leave writing your thesis until after your research, but it’s a good idea to take notes as you go. To make life easier, consider using a software tool like Reference Manager to keep track of your references, or you may never be able to find them again!
It’s important to review and proofread your work once it’s complete. Mistakes, including typos, undermine the professional quality of your work, and will impact on your overall result.
Finally, make sure you have a complete references section or bibliography highlighting your sources.
3. Use your supervisor
After all, that’s what they’re there for. Your dedicated supervisor will support you throughout your thesis by reading drafts and offering feedback, helping you to get the best result possible.
4. Get your work organised and looking great!
You’ll have accumulated lots of notes and it’s a good idea to keep them in folders, making them easy to find. You’ll find all your stationery needs at Staples.
After spending such a long time creating your work, it’s only fair to get it looking great! Again, Staples is the place to go to get your thesis printed and bound. Click here to see if these services are on offer with Staples this week.
5. Sell the books you no longer need
Unless you’re planning on a career in academia, chances are you’re not going to need the books you used to do your research again.
So sell them on and pack a profit! With Service Point, you don’t get charged by the weight of your package – perfect for a box full of heavy books!
Find out more about Service Point here.
]]>Here at DHL Service Point, we like to give helpful tips and advice to students. And as our parcels travel around the world every day, we thought it would be a great idea to give some useful tips to those of you who are thinking of doing the same!
We asked top online hostel booking site, Hostelbookers, if they’d like to share some top tips for saving money before and whilst travelling, and luckily for you – they said yes! So here they are: 10 top tips for saving money before and during your travels.
Save Before
Before you hit the road, you need to make sure you’ll be able to support yourself throughout your travels. By doing a bit of research and making a few changes to your lifestyle before you set off on your big adventure, the pennies will soon add up.
1. Budget. Do your research and make sure you can afford to visit the countries you want to. The cost of living varies from place to place. For example, a bed for the night in Thailand will cost much less than it will in Australia, so make sure you know the price of accommodation, food and sights before you set off. Many countries also require you to get a visa before entry – you can send visas and important documents around the world using DHL Service Point.
2. Before leaving, you must check with your bank to find out what charges they have for overseas withdrawals – the fees will soon add up. Traveller’s cheques or specialist travel spending cards give you much better exchange rates and are worth looking into. It’s also advisable to clear any debts you may have. If you have credit cards, complete payments where possible or move debts to one account to make it easier to keep track of your money.
3. Don’t buy everything in the shops. Chances are, unless you’re climbing Machu Picchu, you won’t need hiking boots or sleeping bags. They’re expensive, bulky, and difficult to carry around and you’ll probably end up throwing them away when you realise how much space in your bag they take up! If you really feel like you should have bought something, get your ‘rents to buy it and post it to you via their local Service Point – it’s that easy!
4. Although you’ll spend a lot of time waiting for trains, buses and planes, there’s no need to stock up on piles of books before you go. Most hostels have a book exchange service and many travellers swap books and country guides with each other after they’ve used them.
5. Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves. Instead of spending a few pounds on a sandwich from the local supermarket, make your lunch at home. Stop going out for dinner and buy a cheap cookbook down the local charity shop and get experimental in the kitchen – you’ll save loads and have fun. Cancel any luxuries you may have, like Sky television – you won’t have a chance to keep up with any programmes whilst you’re away, so we’re sorry to say that now is the time to finally give up watching Hollyoaks!
Save During
It’s imperative that you have enough money to keep you going throughout your travels. Think how upset you’d be if you ran out of money half way through your trip and had to come home. But don’t worry; there are easy ways to save money whilst on the road.
6. Now of course, we’re a little biased, but hostels are a cheap way to bed-hop around the world and a great way of meeting friends! Whether you’re travelling alone, as a couple or a group of friends, staying in dormitory rooms is the cheapest way of grabbing a bed for the night. If you wish to have a bit more privacy, most hostels offer private rooms at a reasonable price. In some hostels, you can also work for your accommodation. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a free bed at the end of the day! Check out our range of hostels here.
7. Travel like a local. After all, you’ve gone abroad to experience life in other countries, so why fly or take tourist buses or trains, which are often overpriced? Transport is very good in many countries. For example in South America, the bus services are fantastic, even in second class. You will get reclining seats, films to watch and sometimes even a hot meal, for a fraction of the price of a first class ticket.
8. Eat like a local. Many people shy away from trying the local cuisine or street food, and opt for the tourist restaurants. Big mistake. Street food is often freshly caught or prepared that day, and as you can see them making it in front of you, you know what’s going into it, unlike in a restaurant. Of course, common sense comes in to play here and you should always choose the busiest stalls – if the locals are eating there, it’s sure to be good. Another alternative to eating in restaurants is using the kitchen facilities that many hostels have nowadays.
9. Haggle. It may seem like a strange concept after coming from a country where everything is a fixed-price, but it is often expected in many markets and cultures around the world. Lose your inhibitions and give it a go – you never know what bargains you might pick up.
10. Finally, if you are a student, make sure you get an International Student Card, which is valid in 120 countries and can save you money at many attractions, stores and restaurants around the world.
Now you’ve got your money in check, there’s only one thing left to do – go out there and have some fun!
Remember to visit www.hostelbookers.com, a cheap and easy way to book accommodation around the world.
DHL Service Point is available in many locations around the UK. It’s ideal for sending important documents, including visas and passports, at a reasonable price.
]]>Saving coppers, keeping an electricity meter reading diary and refusing to flush the toilet for fear of unnecessary water consumption. Once upon a time, three or four years ago, these were the kinds of activities guaranteed to draw comparisons with Scrooge McDuck and mark you out as a penny-pinching social pariah, owner of a bathroom best avoided. Fast-forward a few years and now, post-economic global meltdown, watching what you spend is the necessary norm. Which is great news for those of us who’d rather stick to a daily diet of crumbs and the occasional delicacy of peas on toast than risk the culinary and financial unknown of healthy, balanced and moderately appetizing cuisine.
2011 is the year of cutting back. To help you have a prosperous year in the face of all the economic trouble, the @DHLServicepoint Twitter stream has dedicated itself to delivering tips on great ways to save money, as well as letting you know about all the latest deals on parcel delivery available through DHL Servicepoint.
Last week, to let everybody know about this new direction, we launched our May money saving competition, giving you a chance to win £100 in high street vouchers in exchange for your top money saving tips. You didn’t let us down. Here, in no particular order, are some of our favourites…
Money and spending
Don’t get married! And if you do, hide the credit card from the wife! @Ivy106
Only go shopping with cash. Leave your cards at home – that way you can’t overspend what you don’t have @cyderapple
This money saving tip works in my home: buy BOGOF bargains and put the second product in the freezer to keep until you want it @LondonBirdLucy
Shop at outlets for clothes and use Vouchercloud on the Iphone for discounts on pretty much everything else! @Tinky_Pink
Set yourself a budget after compiling a list of your incomings and outgoings & STICK TO IT. Stop smoking and drinking too! @CRYSTALmse
Energy savings
Save money when having a shower & flushing the toilet – request a water saving device… @JoMaries86x
With regards to flushing the loo…if on water meter…if it’s yellow let it mellow…if it’s brown flush it down @onelittlewonder
Save energy: bring pasta to the boil, turn heat off, put lid on, leave for 18 mins. Perfect cooked pasta. @mrsmildredroper
Save money on petrol. Drive slow & people will crash into the back of your car. You get a new rear end or a new car @gumbie23
Only put enough water in the kettle for the drink you are making @shazpaz
Use price comparison websites…Saved over £1000 a year on gas/electricity @melandjake99
Food
Do you need that coffee? A latte each day at £2.50, 5 days a week, for 48 weeks a year costs £600/yr. Cutting 2 a week out saves 240/yr! @V1cki_Lou
Invest in a gastric band. You’ll save cash in the long run because you’ll have no food bills! @Paul4Rach
Top tip: take your own lunch to work and homemade coffee. It saves at least £5 per day. X5 days x52weeks = £1300 per year! @GAarcade
Save money by taking turns with friends to make lunch and taking it to work. It’s like eating out but much cheaper. @aratology
Entertain at home rather than eating out – everyone brings a course to share the costs & no babysitters required! @Hertschick
And the winner is…
Some great ideas we’re sure you’ll agree, but sadly, there can only be one winner. For its combination of wit and hard-hearted practical advice, the title of DHL May money saving competition winner goes to this little gem:
Tell your kids that when the ice cream man plays his tune, he’s run out! Guaranteed to save money @sassyele
Thanks to everyone who entered. It was a real close call in the end, but rest assured we’ll back with another great competition in the not too distant future.
For more information on DHL Servicepoint www.dhlservicepoint.co.uk
To follow us on Twitter and hear about all the latest practical money saving tips, @DHLServicepoint
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Have you ever fancied closing your eyes, sticking a pin in a map and taking yourself there on an adventure? Of course, haven’t we all…
However, in the real world unless you are enjoying the proverbial ‘gap year’ (as no doubt many of this summer’s recently qualified students will do) it’s back to the workplace. And with the growing trend for online businesses, many of you will be budding entrepreneurs running a start-up company using eBay or perhaps a larger SME exporting around the world.
For those businesses still using traditional postal services which often prove frustrating and painfully slow, why not give DHL Servicepoint a try.
DHL Servicepoint is designed to be simple, effective and most importantly quick. Just pick your nearest DHL Servicepoint, pack the parcel when you get there and pay.
Our destinations include 220 countries worldwide with UK deliveries starting at £5.95 and the USA and Canada at £25.95. All parcels are guaranteed, tracked at every stage and signed for on receipt.
But don’t take our word for it. Here’s what a recent DHL Servicepoint customer had to say:
“Accurate tracking system. My parcel was received the next working day. All items we’re intact. Very reliable. I will use the service again, absolutely brilliant!”
]]>It seems the trend for working long hours has returned to the British workplace since the upturn – albeit slight – in the economic recovery.
According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) the loss of nearly one million full-time jobs and a move towards part-time working since the start of the recession led to a 10% drop in the number of men working more than 45 hours per week. A trend that has risen once again since things began to improve in the economy around a year ago.
While working long hours is common for many, it is particularly prevalent in the start-up, smaller business and entrepreneurial community. For those running their own company every minute of every hour really does count. So time spent on unnecessary chores such as queuing for hours to ensure a customer delivery item makes that day’s post is time and therefore money ill-spent.
Which is why DHL Servicepoint is designed to be simple, effective and most importantly quick! Just pick your nearest DHL Servicepoint, pack the parcel when you get there and pay: https://dhlservicepoint.co.uk/howto.htm
As the late great Dr Benjamin Franklin noted to his fellow tradesmen back in the 1700s: remember that time is money. And, thankfully, while many things have changed and evolved in the subsequent few hundred years or so the underlying value of his words remains – time spent is indeed money spent, so ensure you spend wisely.
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