The blog
The money questions nobody answers straight
Honest takes on saving, spending and getting by in the UK, with sources you can check.
Can Costco save you money in the long term?
Membership fee, pack sizes, shelf life, freezer space and waste: when a Costco membership pays off for a UK household and when it costs more.
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Groceries · 7 minWhat does it mean to feed a family of five on £50 a week? What do you sacrifice?
£50 a week for five people is about £1.43 each per day. What that budget looks like on the plate, what goes first, and what you should never cut.
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Food · 6 minCan an allotment pay off, or is it too costly unless you pickle and make jam?
Rent, tools, seeds, water and hours: whether a UK allotment saves money, and why preserving often decides it.
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Shopping · 5 minHow to thrift and find gems in charity shops
Where to look, when to go and what to check: practical tips for finding quality clothes, homeware and kids' stuff in UK charity shops.
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Side income · 5 minCan survey sites make you a few quid?
Points, cash-out thresholds and screen-outs: what survey sites pay in the UK, how to spot the dodgy ones and whether it's worth your time.
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Money mindset · 5 minWhen do you draw the line at being frugal?
Saving money is good until it costs your health, your time or your relationships. Signs that frugality has tipped into something that hurts.
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Council tax · 7 minIs council tax a hoax? What other countries in Europe do: a real review
Council tax isn't a hoax, but it's based on 1991 values in England. How it compares with property taxes in Ireland, France and Germany.
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Housing · 6 minMoving up north or somewhere remote saves on rent, but what about work?
Lower rent vs jobs, wages, commuting, broadband and car costs: what to check before moving somewhere cheaper in the UK.
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