Spain’s winning of the World Cup was not the only jackpot to happen on Sunday evening. For two lucky ONCE coupon sellers Sunday’s Weekend Coupon draw handed out huge cash prizes in Fuengirola and Huelva just hours after the national team’s victory.

Fuengirola seller too busy for the final whistle

A ONCE vendor in Fuengirola sold a winning coupon worth €1.5 million, only to spend the closing minutes of the World Cup final answering congratulatory phone calls rather than watching Spain lift the trophy. Manuel González, who has sold ONCE coupons since December, awarded a top prize of €300,000 in cash plus €5,000 a month for 20 years on Avenida Santa Amalia, close to Fuengirola’s Central Mosque. Sixteen further winning coupons each brought in €20,000, pushing the total windfall for the town to €1,820,000.

“Calls started coming in while Spain were winning, and I couldn’t watch the match anymore,” Gonzalez said. Missing those final minutes clearly didn’t bother him. “You start working for ONCE because you want to give out a prize, and when that day finally comes, it feels strange, like it happened to you too, even though it didn’t,” he explained.

Gonzalez’s path to selling lottery coupons wasn’t a conventional one. Flamenco singing was his career before a heart condition forced a change of direction. “ONCE turned my life around completely,” he said. “Dealing with people is what I love most, and now I get to do that while giving out prizes too.”

Huelva beachgoers celebrate double win

Pedro Soler, a seller on La Antilla beach in Huelva for the past two years, also brought good news on Cup final day. His coupon sale earned a winner €2,000 a month for 10 years. Crowds packed the promenade on Sunday, buzzing with anticipation ahead of Spain’s win later that evening, Soler described the day as a double celebration, Spain’s triumph and the prize money he’d just paid out. “I’m delighted for whoever won,” he said. “It’s like scoring another World Cup goal.”

How the ONCE Weekend Sueldazo works

ONCE’s Weekend Sueldazo runs every Saturday and Sunday, offering a top prize of €300,000 plus €5,000 monthly for 20 years to one winning coupon. Four additional coupons each win €2,000 a month for 10 years. Sales come with strict safeguards attached. Coupons cannot be sold to minors or bought on credit, and ONCE follows responsible gambling guidelines set by the World Lottery Association and the European Lotteries Association.

More than 21,300 sellers offer ONCE coupons across Spain, with additional sales available through juegosonce.es and authorised retail partners.

You have to be in it to win it

Whether you’re travelling from the UK to Spain on holiday, or vice versa, or leaving a holiday home empty for a summer break, these easy tips and tricks could help you avoid expensive surprises and hassle when you return.

Have you ever settled into your seat, scanned the in-flight magazine and started to picture that golden sand only to be hit by that familiar feeling of panic? “Did I leave something switched on?”, “Should I have emptied the fridge?”

Some take just a few seconds, and others are worth doing the day before you travel. Together, they can make all the difference between returning to a fresh, welcoming home, or an expensive problem. Many of these tips have become very popular with homeowners in Spain, with other hacks being shared as clever travel tricks by experienced travellers. Here’s what’s being recommend to add to your tickets, money, passport checklist.

Leave bicarbonate of soda in your fridge to keep it smelling fresh

Most people remember to throw away old food before going on holiday, but a little bowl of bicarbonate of soda can make a welcome difference. Leaving it uncovered inside the fridge helps absorb lingering odours while you’re away, so you won’t be greeted by unpleasant smells when you return. It’s worth giving the fridge a quick clean first, throwing away anything close to its expiry date and wiping up spills. The baking soda works best as a finishing touch rather than as a substitute for cleaning.

Try the frozen coin trick

This clever hack has become popular with travellers who leave home for extended periods. Freeze a mug of water, then place a coin on top of the ice before leaving. If there’s a lengthy power cut while you’re away, the ice will melt and the coin will sink. Even if the electricity comes back on before you return, you’ll know your frozen food may no longer be safe to eat.

Turn off the water if you’re going away for more than a few days

One of the most expensive problems homeowners face is returning to a leak that has gone unnoticed for days. If you’re leaving your property empty for a week or longer, turning off the main water supply can help prevent a minor fault becoming a major insurance claim. It’s particularly worthwhile if you’re travelling between homes in Spain and the UK or leaving a holiday property empty for several weeks.

Leave your washing machine and dishwasher doors open

Before you head to the airport, leave the washing machine door and detergent drawer slightly open. The same goes for your dishwasher. Allowing air to circulate helps prevent mould, mildew and stale smells from developing while you’re away. It’s a tiny job that can save having to deep clean appliances when you return.

Make coming home the best part of your holiday

One of the nicest travel hacks currently being shared has nothing to do with leaving, it’s about returning. Before you lock the door, change the bed, leave fresh towels in the bathroom and make sure there’s tea, coffee, long-life milk and toilet paper waiting for you. After a delayed flight or a long drive home, walking into a clean, welcoming house can make the end of your holiday feel far less stressful.

Photograph your fridge before you leave

This one applies to only a short break and may sound unusual, but taking a quick photo of the inside of your fridge can save money and reduce food waste. When you return from being away, you’ll know exactly what’s already waiting at home rather than buying duplicates.

Check your smart home devices and unplug unnecessary electronics, especially chargers

More people than ever rely on smart cameras, video doorbells, alarms and thermostats in their homes. Before leaving, make sure your devices are online, batteries are charged and you can still access everything remotely. A security camera is only useful if it’s actually recording.

Modern televisions and appliances use far less standby power than they once did, but unplugging non-essential electronics still makes sense before a long trip as it reduces unnecessary electricity use. Leave essential appliances such as your fridge connected if they still contain food, but chargers and kitchen gadgets can usually be safely unplugged.

Help your plants survive the holiday too

Instead of overwatering your houseplants before you leave, move them together into a bright room away from direct sunlight. Grouping plants creates a slightly more humid environment, helping them retain moisture for longer. If you’re away for more than a couple of weeks, consider asking a neighbour or friend to water them occasionally rather than soaking them before you go.

Think twice before posting holiday photos and don’t make your house look empty

Most people are guilty of wanting to show off their tans and pool shots immediately but sharing beach pictures while you’re away tells everyone exactly when your home is empty. If your social media profiles are public, it’s safer to wait until you’re back before posting holiday snaps. It won’t spoil the memories, but it could help protect your home.

It may seem sensible to close every curtain or shutter before leaving, but doing so can make it obvious that nobody is home. Consider leaving persianas or blinds partially closed instead of completely shut. Pair that with a lamp on a timer or smart lighting that comes on in the evening, and your property will appear much more lived in. It’s a simple way to discourage opportunistic burglars without costing much to run.

So before you pick up your suitcase, take one final walk around your home. A quick routine before you lock the door could save you from returning to spoiled food, damp smells, water damage or an expensive repair bill.

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