Wall Street pointed higher early Friday as more strong earnings results trickled in along with a closely-watched report from the U.S. government showing that inflation ticked higher.
Futures for the S&P 500 rose 0.5% while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3%. Nasdaq futures climbed 0.8%.
Exxon Mobil shares ticked up less than 1% after the energy giant posted strong fourth quarter profits that beat Wall Street’s forecast. Exxon credited increased production in the U.S. Permian basin and in Guyana for the strong results, even though revenue came in lower than expected.
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Friday’s report from the Commerce Department showed that consumer prices rose 2.6% in December from a year earlier, up from a 2.4% annual pace in November and the third straight increase. The Fed is still working to get inflation down to its target level of 2%, deciding earlier this week to leave its benchmark borrowing rate alone.
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Japan’s core inflation rate, a key indicator of national trends, rose to 2.5% in January, surpassing the central bank’s 2% target and paving the way for further interest rate hikes. Meanwhile, Japan’s unemployment rate for December declined to 2.4% from 2.5% in the previous month.
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In energy trading, benchmark U.S. crude added 24 cents to $72.97 a barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, rose 16 cents to $76.05 a barrel.
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I've transformed my horrendous council house with Temu buys from as little as £3 - people say I have their 'dream home'
CHEAP TRANSFORMATION
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A DIY fan has transformed her ‘horrendous’ council house using bargain buys from Temu.
So if you want to give your pad an upgrade but without breaking the bank, you’ve come to the right place and will need to check this out.
Titkok/@61thecouncilhouseA DIY enthusiast has revealed the cheap Temu buys you won’t want to miss if you’re looking to add style to your space[/caption]
Titkok/@61thecouncilhouseNot only did Celene Francis stock up on storage jars and cutlery, but she also nabbed glasses that are sure to leave your guests impressed[/caption]
Titkok/@61thecouncilhouseCelene also got her hands on oil dispenser bottles, which cost her just £12.98 for two[/caption]
This mug was only £4.88Titkok/@61thecouncilhouse
26-year-old Celene Francis, a mum-of-two who lives in a two-bedroom house in Rotherham, used cheap finds from Temu to glam up her kitchen.
The DIY enthusiast, who recently gave birth to her second child, Iris Valerie Duggan, nabbed herself some stylish storage jars, which had been slashed from £8.49 down to just £4.97.
As well as this, Celene also decorated her kitchen with stackable ribbed glasses, which are sold for £17.99 for four.
The mother even nabbed a 24 set of stainless steel, black and gold cutlery from Temu, for just £12.98.
Additionally, the content creator decorated her floating shelves with ribbed glass water cups, which are just £3.48 each.
Not only this, but she also got her hands on olive oil dispenser bottles, which cost her just £12.98 for two.
And that’s not all, as Celene even bought a gorgeous speckled mug for only £4.88, which now takes pride of place in her jaw-dropping kitchen.
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @61thecouncilhouse, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 246,500 views.
I'd never touched the grout in my council house kitchen but I did it up myself using a £10 Wickes buy
Grout makeover
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DIY fans users were impressed with Celene’s cheap buys and many eagerly flocked to the comments to express this.
One person said: “Adds all to cart.”
Another added: “Love it! Your home is beautiful!”
Never been tempted to shop on Temu until now
TikTok user
A third commented: “Your house is actually my dream house. It looks amazing!”
Meanwhile, someone else beamed: “I want it ALL.”
Not only this, but another bargain hunter shared: “Never been tempted to shop on Temu until now.”
Celene’s home makeover
Not only this, but Celene previously revealed all to Fabulous on her epic council house overhaul.
She explained that she regularly shops in high-street chains such as B&M, The Range and Home Bargains and by watching YouTube videos, was able to give her home a stunning upgrade.
Celene FrancisCelene is a huge DIY fan[/caption]
Celene FrancisShe explained that when she moved into her council property – it was a bit of a mess and was very run down[/caption]
Celene FrancisCelene has given her home a stunning makeover, using luxe bargain buys from B&M, The Range and Home Bargains[/caption]
And while nasty trolls often tell her that her DIY work is ‘a waste of money’, Celene isn’t fussed and is obsessed with her beautiful home.
“It was really run down, it was left in a state, there was nothing on the floor, the garden was horrendous.
Rules on transforming your council house
According to Gov, the kind of improvements you can make to your council property depends on the type of tenancy you have.
Introductory tenants are usually limited to minor improvements like redecorating inside.
If you’re a secure tenant, you have the right to carry out improvements to your property. These include:
installing a new bathroom or kitchen
building an extension
putting up a garden shed or greenhouse
installing a new gas fire or fireplace
cavity wall insulation
redecorating the outside of a house
fitting an aerial or satellite dish
You might need your council’s written permission for work you do. Contact your council if you’re not sure.
“I think the previous people who lived there were smokers as it had yellow ceilings.
“It was your typical council house, what they deem ‘liveable’ – there was some paint but it was what was left – so some of the doors were purple.
“Some of the walls had wallpaper but it was just what was left.
“There was no flooring down, there was an old lino that had been ripped up so it was quite bare.”
I watched a lot of YouTube videos but I’ve always been into DIY and interiors and doing things myself
Celene Francis
Celene got to work on making the home her own and explained that she watched YouTube clips to learn about DIY.
She explained: “I’ve done all sorts of DIY. I’ve painted it all white.
“I painted the kitchen cupboards, got new handles, and painted the tiles.
“Obviously I put down flooring and just got laminate and carpets.
“On the stairs I did a stair runner and just used what was leftover from my carpet.
Celene FrancisShe said that trolls slam her and say her DIY renovations are a ‘waste of money’[/caption]
Celene FrancisBut the mother isn’t fazed by what haters thinks, and uses any spare money on upgrading her home[/caption]
Celene FrancisThe stairs were in some need of TLC[/caption]
Celene FrancisShe watched YouTube videos and did a stair runner with her leftover carpet[/caption]
“I did all of the DIY myself – obviously the carpet I had that fitted, but I did everything else myself, including fitting the stair rods and all of the painting.
“I watched a lot of YouTube videos but I’ve always been into DIY and interiors and doing things myself.”
Celene revealed that as a single mother, she has tried to cut costs where possible, and so buys a lot of her home furnishings from cheap high-street chains.
How to do your council house up on the cheap
Take inspiration from pricier shops and head to B&M, Home Bargains for interior decorations.
Head to YouTube for easy to follow tutorials on how to decorate rather than paying for professionals.
For a quick glow-up for your floors or anywhere with tiles, opt for stick-on vinyl to save on costs.
A lick of paint does wonders to make a room feel brand-new.
Switch out kitchen cupboard knobs for modern ones instead of buying brand-new cupboards
She added: “I like to be on a budget and especially in this day and age, I haven’t got loads of spare money.
“I’ve done everything gradually and I don’t really go out or drink [alcohol] so any spare money I have, I buy things for the house.
“I love IKEA and B&M. I like H&M Home but it’s slightly more expensive so I’ve only got a few ornaments from there.
“I mainly shop at The Range, B&M, Home Bargains and IKEA. Some things I’ve got from JYSK.
“But my favourite shop is B&M. I absolutely love B&M. As soon as something is trendy, B&M have it straight away.
“You see something you like in H&M Home and you go into B&M and they’ve got it in there straight away.”
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Celene FrancisShe said that when she moved in, there was no flooring and random wallpaper on the walls[/caption]
Celene FrancisCelene stripped the wallpaper and put down a neutral carpet, to give the rooms a fresh, relaxing feel[/caption]
