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How to get 55 days off work in 2024 using only 25 days of annual leave

Time to hack the system.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 24th November 2023

Whether you can believe it or not, we’ll be getting ready to say welcome in December by this time next week.

And that also means in won’t be long before 2024 arrives either.

2023 has been quite the year, and with the working world getting ready to wind down for the festive season, many are no doubt already looking ahead to the new year, and planning all the holidays and time off work they want to book.

Fancy making the most of it though? For those looking to play their cards right and hack the system a little bit, travel insurance price comparison platform PayingTooMuch has worked out a way to secure yourself a whopping 55 days off work using just 25 days of your annual leave allowance – and it’s pretty impressive.

With most full-time employees who work a five-day week having a minimum of 28 days (5.6 weeks) of paid annual leave each year, travel experts at the company have figured out how these people can effectively double their time off in 2024.

Here’s how it works.

There’s a way to get 55 days off in 2024 using only 25 days of annual leave / Credit: Behnam Norouzi | Marissa Grootes (via Unsplash)

January

Saturday 30 December 2023 to Sunday 7 January 2024 – To extend your new year celebrations, you’ll want to book four days off at the start of the year for a total of nine days off.  

Easter

Saturday 23 March to Sunday 7 April – With Good Friday falling on 29 March next year, you can enjoy a long Easter break of 16 days by only booking eight days off.   

May

Saturday 4 May to Monday 12 May or Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June – Thanks to the two bank holidays in May, there’s two ways for you to enjoy nine days off in a row by only using four days of annual leave. 

August

Saturday 24 August to Sunday 1 September – Here you can book just four days off in August to gain nine days off for a summer holiday.

December

Saturday 21 December 2024 to Tuesday 1 January 2025 – To end the year on a high and give yourself the chance to properly enjoy the festive period with family and friends, you can book five days of annual leave to gain 12 days off in total.

There’s also loads of health-boosting benefits about taking time off from work / Credit: Towfiqu Barbhuiya (via Unsplash)

PayingTooMuch also spoke to Wellbeing Coach Lorna Wilkins to explore the health-boosting benefits of going on holiday and taking time off from work.

“One of the key health benefits of going on holiday is that it reduces stress,” Lorna explains.

“Having a break from your daily routine can make you feel more relaxed and therefore improve your mental wellbeing.

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“A change of environment and getting away from the pressures of day-to-day life not only helps you to clear your mind but can also help to improve your sleep quality as you’ll be feeling more relaxed.”

Featured Image – Jose Losada (via Unsplash)

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A deal has reportedly been agreed for Antony to leave Manchester United

Danny Jones Danny Jones Antony transfer update Man United loan deal

Currently exiled winger Antony looks like he’s finally set to leave Manchester United, as the Red Devils have reportedly agreed a deal with a Spanish team, Real Betis, to seal his return.

The 25-year-old winger, who joined Man United from Ajax in 2022 at the behest of former manager Erik ten Hag for nearly £90 million all told, has made 96 appearances for the club, but has only played a handful of games under Ruben Amorim.

In fairness, he did spend six months on loan in La Liga, where he performed so well that Betis players joked they should set up a crowdfunder in order to sign him permanently.

Most notably, he also doesn’t look to be part of Amorim’s plans, and it looks like the Sevillan side may not have to turn to far-fetched measures after all.

Sharing the update on social media, Daily Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath wrote: “Agreement in principle for Antony to return to Real Betis, according to Spanish sources.

“Talks have been over a deal where the 25yo Brazil forward to eventually move permanently after [an] initial loan.”

Expanding in a full column, the football writer also briefed readers re: ongoing talks with potential new goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, who looks close to sealing an estimated £21.6m transfer.

As you can see, since these reports, the latest from other sources is that an official bid has now been received, though nothing has been signed just yet.

It goes without saying that Antony, who scored nine goals and five assists in 26 appearances for Los Béticos – many of which came in crucial games – would be keen on the switch.

Once again, it is only believed to be an agreement in principle at this point, but there is understandably a keenness on all sides.

You can see why he was an instant hit with their supporters down below.

Antony quickly looked much more at home in the Betis starting XI than he did in Manchester.

Although it is said that United have not yet accepted the bid, freelance transfer specialist Sam Alex claims that the Premier League club would prefer not to loan him out for a second time.

That being said, as McGrath states, it’s thought that the hope is that they can agree on another short-term spell in the immediate, with a look to sign him full-time at a later date.

Betis have reiterated that they still have a modest budget when it comes to recruitment, and it is unclear whether they’d be able to raise enough money via player sales by January to make it a permanent deal.

United have ended up spending more than £200m this window and are rumoured to be spending further as Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS Sports Group look to try and get the global sporting brand back to ‘the good days’, which the Portuguese coach insists are coming.

Nevertheless, the ex-Sporting boss has now played more Premier League games (29) than he has won points, of which he has amassed just 28 thus far. Those new signings have to start clicking soon.

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Featured Images — Ardfern (via Wikimedia Commons)/La Liga (screenshot via YouTube)

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BBC needs outspoken Mancs to share their hottest TV takes in brand-new show

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Outspoken Mancs are being urged to apply to take part in a new BBC show where they share their hottest TV takes.

We all have opinions when it comes to television, right? Whether it be which show had the best and worst ending, which characters deserved better arcs, or which shows are the most underrated – you name it, someone will have an opinion on it.

Some people, however, like to broadcast or shout about their options a little louder than others do… and it’s these people the BBC is looking to speak to.

The broadcaster is currently in the process of casting for a new digital pilot called People Watching that will give people from across the UK a chance to share their hottest TV takes, straight from the comfort of their own sofa, and is looking for outspoken people from across Greater Manchester to talk the talk and take part.

The BBC needs outspoken Mancs to share their hottest TV takes in a brand-new show / Credit: CoWomen (via Pexels)

A casting call for the new show on the BBC website reads: “Subtitles on or off? What would your winning strategy be on The Traitors? And what is the most overrated show ever made?

“If you have a big personality, an interesting living room, or are part of a household group who love a binge watch – we want to hear from you.”

People Watching is being produced for the BBC by BBC Socials, which likely means it’ll be a show primarily made for online audiences.

To apply to feature on the show, you’ll need to be 18 years old or over, and you must be willing to allow the BBC to film in your home.

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Applicants will need to send casting directors a short ‘expression of interest’ in the form of a paragraph or video link, telling them a bit about yourself, your favourite BBC show, and most importantly, your most controversial TV opinion.

The closing date for applications is 1 October 2025, and you can apply by sending an email to [email protected]

Featured Image – JESHOOTS (via Pexels)

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