menu_open Columnists
Emma Gill

Emma Gill

Daily Record

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

"I can't say I've ever had Frazzles on a pizza before, but somehow it works"

If we eat out there's usually at least one of us picking a pizza, so when it comes to getting a takeaway it's a popular choice. We've...

latest 0

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

I got a £4 Surprise Bag from Starbucks and was so impressed

I got a £4 Surprise Bag from Starbucks and was so impressed

Anyone with growing kids in the house knows how much they eat, especially when they're having a growth spurt. My teenage son has reached the age...

latest 0

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

We tried the M&S Dine In Family Roast and it's a fiver a head you won't regret

We tried the M&S Dine In Family Roast and it's a fiver a head you won't regret

Like most families, we love a roast dinner, but there's not always the time to be cooking one up, especially midweek. By the time you've...

latest 0

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

We tried the new Milkybar Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream Easter egg - and it left us reaching for a glass of water

We tried the new Milkybar Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream Easter egg - and it left us reaching for a glass of water

We're still months away from Easter, but that hasn't stopped the stores filling their shelves with this year's eggs. Each year we see...

latest 0

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

My Home Bargains haul proves why it's one of the cheapest places to shop right now

My Home Bargains haul proves why it's one of the cheapest places to shop right now

There are two places I go when I 'need to pick up some bits' and that's either Home Bargains or B&M. When I say 'bits',...

yesterday 10

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

We tried Aldi's viral £1.79 treat and made it even sweeter

We tried Aldi's viral £1.79 treat and made it even sweeter

As we head towards Easter, you're never too far from a mini egg in the supermarket aisles. Now Aldi has gone one better, by selling a cookie...

friday 30

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

We tried the new £1.50 M&S biscuits shoppers called a 'game changer', now we have a problem

We tried the new £1.50 M&S biscuits shoppers called a 'game changer', now we have a problem

Nobody needs to be tucking into biscuits in January do they. After the excesses of Christmas, the last thing I needed was to be told about Marks and...

29.01.2025 2

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

We tried the M&S £15 Chinese meal deal, this £5.50 main was incredible

We tried the M&S £15 Chinese meal deal, this £5.50 main was incredible

With red lanterns dangling from the trees and Manchester's dragon about to emerge from hibernation, it can mean only one thing, it's almost...

26.01.2025 30

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

We tried the new Terry's Chocolate Orange Cream Egg and there was a problem with the goo

We tried the new Terry's Chocolate Orange Cream Egg and there was a problem with the goo

It's only January but of course the supermarkets are already gearing up for Easter. And among the many sugary treats hitting the shelves,...

20.01.2025 9

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

'I think a trip to the local baths and a Greggs would have felt like more of a treat - and been a damn sight cheaper'

'I think a trip to the local baths and a Greggs would have felt like more of a treat - and been a damn sight cheaper'

After the chaos of Christmas and in the midst of never-ending January, who doesn't feel the need for a bit of pampering? So when I saw an offer...

20.01.2025 10

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

We tried a fish and chip shop that's in the UK's top 50 and found a £5.50 'Super Barm'

We tried a fish and chip shop that's in the UK's top 50 and found a £5.50 'Super Barm'

Nothing gets excitement levels going in my house quite like the words 'chippy tea'. They're not uttered as much these days. With the...

19.01.2025 6

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

I bought half price Stella Artois, 15p M&S beans and a massive gammon joint from the food warehouse selling Morrisons, Tesco, Aldi, Waitrose and more

I bought half price Stella Artois, 15p M&S beans and a massive gammon joint from the food warehouse selling Morrisons, Tesco, Aldi, Waitrose and more

As far as food shopping goes I'm quite used to seeking out the bargains. Having written about the cost of living crisis since it first took hold,...

19.01.2025 7

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

I took Martin Lewis advice to swap 'demon' appliance hiking my energy bills and I'll never look back

We all know how hard it is to get clothes dry without the central heating, but nobody wants to be turning the thermostat up more than necessary. In...

16.01.2025 4

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

My £35 supermarket food shop was incredible, it'll last my family weeks

My £35 supermarket food shop was incredible, it'll last my family weeks

Nobody needs telling how much food prices have risen and we're probably feeling it in January more than ever. While supermarkets spout off about...

14.01.2025 4

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

'I spent no more than £1 on any item in my Iceland food shop, my haul is incredible'

'I spent no more than £1 on any item in my Iceland food shop, my haul is incredible'

We're all quite used to supermarkets telling us they have the best deals aren't we? But it doesn't always work out to be the case. But...

13.01.2025 2

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

Cold Weather Payment: Bargain £20 Amazon buy has kept my home warm like nothing else

With the cold weather most certainly upon us, most people are doing all they can to keep warm. And while there's been a huge focus on heating the...

12.01.2025 3

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

I tried the Stacey Solomon range proving so popular there's a waiting list for products

She's known for her tidying and home makeover tips, but cleaning and DIY isn't the only thing Stacey Solomon is popular for. The TV...

12.01.2025 10

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

'I made the simple Slimming World breakfast cake mums swear by and it blew my mind'

With a new year comes new year's resolutions, often to kick bad habits and become healthier. Yet if there's a specific diet you're...

08.01.2025 8

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

We tried the Shark 'best ever hair pick up' vacuum with £150 off in January sales

Nobody spends more time hoovering than someone with a moulting dog. Whether you let them on the sofa or not, you'll find that their hair gets...

08.01.2025 3

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

I sorted my life out like Stacey Solomon thanks to £3 B&M buys

A tidy home equals a tidy mind so they say. And with each new year I promise myself that I'll rid my house of clutter once and for all. I made...

05.01.2025 10

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

Winter Fuel Payment - £4.50 buy keeps my room warm and costs nothing to run

With the cold weather hitting, most people will be turning the heating on to keep warm. But with energy bills on the rise, nobody wants to be using...

04.01.2025 3

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

Martin Lewis-inspired buy that keeps you warm without central heating slashed to £15 in January sales

The cold weather is most certainly here and leaving many households struggling to keep warm without racking up huge heating bills. With energy...

04.01.2025 10

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

Country pub's Sunday roast hit the spot after idyllic Greater Manchester winter walk

There are few things in life better than blowing away those Christmas cobwebs with a winter's walk that ends at a country pub. Persuading my...

03.01.2025 3

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

My idea to save £780 a year is so simple, everyone ends up copying it

We all know how difficult it is to save and in the current climate it feels harder than ever. Where families are concerned, there's always...

30.12.2024 10

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

We tried festive pizzas from Papa Johns and Domino's, there's a big difference

Whether you're ordering a treat for the family, or you've got a crowd to feed this Christmas, pizza is up there as a people pleaser. And...

25.12.2024 4

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

I tried Lidl and Home Bargains versions of Sol De Janeiro, one's amazing, another is rank

Few things have burst onto the shopping scene like Sol de Janeiro. Largely thanks to trending TikTok videos, it's fast become the collection...

24.12.2024 5

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

I tried the viral £10 M&S festive main shoppers are swapping Christmas dinner for

One thing that says Christmas is the humble turkey and in the UK around 10 million are bought and eaten on the big day. But let's be honest,...

24.12.2024 4

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

'I went shopping in Manchester Arndale on the last weekend before Christmas, it was peculiar'

Tell anyone you're heading into town just a few days before Christmas and their face can't help but do a little gurn. Fearing the commute...

24.12.2024 6

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

Home Bargains is selling an XL Christmas Cracker filled with 81 bars of Mars, Flake, Fudge and more

Christmas crackers have come a long way over the years, but there's one that's getting more attention than most. Home Bargains is selling...

24.12.2024 7

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

'I tried Iceland's Cathedral City Pigs in Blankets Toastie ands it's EVERYTHING you need this Christmas'

I don't mind a bit of turkey on my Christmas dinner, but really I can take it or leave it. Honestly, I wouldn't be fussed if I had...

24.12.2024 3

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

'I cooked the Aunt Bessie's £12 roast dinner from Iceland and Asda and I have major issues'

It's Christmastime, or it almost is, which means thoughts are turning to that all-important roast dinner. And, with the way that food prices...

23.12.2024 20

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

Kitchen gadget that makes toasted sandwiches and wraps in minutes is ideal stocking filler

The humble toastie is underrated, but as a sweet or savoury snack it's up there with the best. Whether you stick with the grill, or have one...

22.12.2024 5

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

We compared Baileys with M&S, Sainsbury's, Asda, Lidl, Aldi and Morrisons versions, no wonder this one's a sell-out

I was never that keen on Baileys until a few years back when I began taking a liking to the stuff. Having spent two decades living with someone...

21.12.2024 20

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

We found two stores selling Smarties stocking fillers cheaper than Home bargains, Asda, Poundland and more

With less than a week to go until Christmas, many parents will be shopping for those all-important stocking fillers. Tubes of Smarties, Jelly Tots...

20.12.2024 4

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

I went to Home Bargains and B&M in search of Christmas pyjamas and found the cosiest pair from £6

It's the time of year when our social media posts are filled with pictures of families donning their matching Christmas pyjamas. But amid the...

19.12.2024 10

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

My daughter's £14.34 bag of pick and mix from Manchester Christmas Markets was a disgrace

Nobody visits a pick and mix stall expecting it to be cheap, but everyone deserves a treat now and then. That's why, during a trip to...

17.12.2024 4

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

We tried Tesco's new £2.50 Indian fakeaway range - and had to pinch ourselves

You can't beat a takeaway curry on a cold winter's night, but it can come at a cost. With households generally trying to cut back on...

15.12.2024 4

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

Winter Fuel Payment - £13 Martin Lewis-inspired buy keeps me toasty warm and costs nothing to run

With energy bills on the rise and the weather getting colder as we head towards winter, households are doing all they can to keep warm without...

15.12.2024 3

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

Look inside as Tinsel Town brings the sparkle to The Trafford Centre this Christmas

13.12.2024 20

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

These bargain £4.99 Lidl Christmas pyjamas were the best buy

It's that time of year again when the stores are filled with festive clothing. Christmas nightwear is among the biggest sellers, but nobody...

11.12.2024 10

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

Supermarket's 142% price hike made me feel sick about my big shop

It's no secret how much costs have risen over recent years and it's at the supermarket where many people feel it most. It's been...

10.12.2024 4

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

Winter Fuel Payment: Martin Lewis-inspired £14 buy keeps me warm for 2p an hour

With the cold weather we're getting and energy bills on the rise, it's no surprise that people are looking for all kinds of ways to keep...

09.12.2024 4

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

The 25p mince pies shoppers say are better than any box from Asda, Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons, M&S, Tesco and Sainsbury's

You can't walk in any supermarket without coming across a Jenga-style pile of mince pie boxes at this time of year. With so many varieties on...

08.12.2024 3

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

We tried the cheapest prosecco from Tesco, Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and M&S, this 79p glass sparkles

Prosecco is a favourite tipple for many people throughout the year. So it's not surprising that at Christmas time, sales of the stuff soar....

08.12.2024 30

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

Tesco peas up in price by 142% - seeing how much my big shop has risen makes me sick

Unless you've been living under a rock then you'll be all too aware just how much our groceries have increased over the last few years....

08.12.2024 4

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

We made the Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate House, it's so much better than gingerbread

Building gingerbread houses might be a traditional activity at this time of year, but how about taking it up a notch with a chocolate house? The...

03.12.2024 2

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

I followed Martin Lewis' advice to swap 'demon' appliance for dehumidifier, it was the smartest move

We're all quite used to hearing advice from Martin Lewis these days, but he rarely goes as far as to label something a 'demon...

02.12.2024 3

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

My kids tried every chocolate Santa, this new kid on the block took the crown

There's one thing every kid likes getting in their Christmas stocking and that's a chocolate Santa. Most supermarkets have their own...

01.12.2024 10

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

'Parents need to stop putting pressure on themselves to get the perfect Christmas'

It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for many people Christmas can end up feeling anything but. With present buying,...

01.12.2024 2

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill

Martin Lewis' advice to swap 'demon' appliance has made it much cheaper to dry my washing

We're all quite used to hearing advice from Martin Lewis these days, but he rarely goes as far as to label something a 'demon...

01.12.2024 2

Manchester Evening News

Emma Gill