A few weeks ago I spotted an informal job ad on Instagram that caught my eye. It was by Unsah Malik, social media and digital marketing expert and more recently the best-selling author of Slashed, an ebook created to help students, bloggers, influencers and brands grow on social media. Unsah explained she was looking for an Assistant Editor for her… View Post
I’m The Finance Editor Of An Exciting New Website!
With Interest Rates So Low, Is Now A Good Time To Buy Premium Bonds?
I’ve talked about how much I dislike NS&I’s Premium Bonds on several occasions. While many people praise Premium Bonds for offering them the chance of ‘winning’ money, I’ve long believed they’re an inferior way to save when bank accounts offer guaranteed ‘winnings’ in the form of interest. But with interest rates currently at their lowest in years, is now a… View Post
Matched Betting After Redundancy - A Good Way To Make Money?
If you’ve been made redundant and you’re having difficulties finding new work, you might be exploring ways to make money from home. Matched betting is one option, as it gives you the chance to make tax-free income from the comfort of your own sofa. I was made redundant from my full time job in August last year, so I can… View Post
August Income Report - £1,724 - A Great Month For Blogging Income
Here’s a round up of how I made money in August… Working at a supermarket - £562 This month I didn’t earn as much as I usually do at the supermarket but all my different income sources add up! It was also nice to have more time to myself this month, rather than devoting so much of my energy to… View Post
Trading 212 Review: A Great Way To Start Investing Or One Big Scam?
It feels like everyone’s been talking about Trading 212 recently, thanks to its generous referral scheme that sees referrers and new customers receiving a free share up to the value of £100 when a recommendation is made. Do you want to get a free stock share worth up to £100? Create a Trading 212 Invest account using this link www.trading212.com/invite/Ffp1pfZz and we… View Post
What Is Negative Equity And How Can You Avoid It When Buying A House?
Negative equity is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. And when you team low deposits with a struggling housing market and a potential recession on the cards, it’s likely that more homeowners will find themselves in negative equity. Here are the key things you need to know. What is negative equity? A property is in negative equity if it’s worth less than… View Post
Nationwide Bans ‘Bank Of Mum And Dad’: First Time Buyers Must Prove They Saved 75% Of Deposit Themselves
Nationwide has announced that first-time buyers will now need to prove at least 75% of their deposit came from their own savings, rather than being gifted or lent it from the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’. The building society, which is the UK’s second biggest mortgage lender, has introduced the changes to ensure buyers are able to afford their mortgage…. View Post
July Income Report - £1,556. Are You Still A Writer If It Doesn’t Pay Your Bills?
It’s that time again for my monthly income report. I’m delighted to have made £1,556 this month and given the state of the job market and economy right now, I feel lucky to not be worrying about whether I can pay my rent and bills or not. However, although I’m grateful to have multiple sources of income that ensure I… View Post
#NeverSpoons: Here’s Why You Should Think Twice Before Boycotting Wetherspoon’s
In the weeks since pubs reopened in the UK, many people have called for a Wetherspoon’s boycott. A #NeverSpoons app has even been created to help people avoid the popular pub chain and support independent establishments instead. But is it a good idea to boycott Spoons in the middle of a pandemic? How did the #NeverSpoons boycott start? The #BoycottWetherspoons… View Post
Coronavirus Stamp Duty Changes: What Do They Mean For You?
On the 8th July, the chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a temporary break from stamp duty on the first £500,000 of all property sales in England and Northern Ireland. The holiday will last until the end of March 2021 and it’s designed to boost the property market and help buyers struggling financially because of the coronavirus crisis. What is stamp duty?… View Post
June Income Report - £1,733. Doubled Shifts & Investing With Trading 212
It’s been another great month in terms of income, with me coming away with approximately £1,733. If I consistently took home £1,733 a month, this would be the equivalent of a salary of roughly £25,000 a year. Check out my April and May income reports to see how my income varies from month to month. Supermarket work - £797 I… View Post
Why I Consider Myself A ‘Financial Success’ - Even Though I Work In A Supermarket
Some months ago a guy on Twitter took the piss out of me because my website’s slogan is ‘Money Mess to Financial Success’ yet I work in a supermarket. I sometimes wonder whether there are others out there who think “here this lass is banging on about being a financial success when she makes just over minimum wage in a… View Post
Why I’m Supporting The KlarNAA Campaign For Greater Regulation Into Buy Now Pay Later Products
Over the past few months, Go Fund Yourself’s Alice Tapper has been investigating the stories of people who have been misled by ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ products such as Klarna. By looking into the regulatory gaps which desperately need closing, Alice hopes to protect young consumers from making financial decisions that could take years to recover from. Alice argues “without… View Post
How To Make Up To £100 By Depositing £1 Into A Trading 212 Account
When I first read about Trading 212 on another money blog, I was suspicious. The blog said if I created an account with Trading 212 and deposited just £1, I’d receive one free share and within just a few days I’d be able to sell that share and withdraw a sum of money up to the value of £100. I… View Post
May Income Report - £1,596. Matched Betting & Free Casino Offers
It’s that time again for another income report. I didn’t do as well this month as I did in April, but given the current economic climate, I’m just glad to have an element of financial stability. I’m not in a position to complain, even if I did struggle to make money from my writing. Supermarket work - £771 I made… View Post
April Income Report - £1,928. Renting Out My Spare Room & Writing For Grazia
Monthly income reports are hugely popular in the money blogging community, with a growing number of personal finance bloggers disclosing their income to their readers. Back in the day, when my income was made up primarily of digital marketing wages, I didn’t see much point in sharing an income report. Most months would be like: “Made £1,500 from my job…. View Post
Bonus Accumulator Review: 7 Days Of Free Casino Offers
Back in 2017 I spent 7 days matched betting in an attempt to boost my deposit for my first home. It was a success and in just one week I made £156. I carried it on for a second week and made a further £100. You can read more about that here. I couldn’t have done it without the help… View Post
Coronavirus And Matched Betting: Is Now A Bad Time To Start This Side Hustle?
*This post was originally written on 11th March 2020, but it has been updated on 20th May due to the fast-paced changes in the gambling industry and matched betting community* While everyone’s number one priority should be keeping safe and doing everything possible to prevent loss of life, it’s only natural for people to worry about how the coronavirus will… View Post
4 Things I’ve Learned About Productivity From My Part Time Job In Retail
Here’s how my job in a supermarket is improving my productivity as a freelance writer. Back in November I got a part-time job in a supermarket in an attempt to supplement my freelance income and relieve some of the financial pressure that comes with being self-employed. Retail work is often referred to as ‘unskilled’ but I personally think it’s far… View Post
Is Matched Betting Worth Doing In 2020?
Updated April 2020: Wondering if now is a bad time to start matched betting because of the coronavirus outbreak? I’ll look into this later in the post. If you’d like to make money from home in 2020 from the comfort of your sofa, matched betting can be a smart way of doing just that. Matched betting has long been a… View Post
Is The Skincare Industry A Scam?
“I kinda think skincare is a scam,” I said to an old colleague, as we discussed whether we’d invest in cosmetic surgery or other treatments if we had the money to do so. “Sure, it might make your skin better,” I said, before gesturing at an expensive cream promoted by an Instagram skinfluencer. “But does this particular product make it… View Post
Is Buying A House Making You Too Stressed To Shag?
According to a survey by digital mortgage broker, Habito, the home-buying process is making people so stressed that their sex lives have taken a pounding… and not in a good way. One in ten couples surveyed admitted that they were so stressed out by the mortgage application process that they’d stopped having sex. One in 20 respondents said it caused… View Post
How Usdaw’s ‘Time For Better Pay’ Campaign Can Change Retail Workers’ Lives
In September 2018, Usdaw launched its ‘Time For Better Pay’ campaign in a bid to tackle low pay, short-hour contracts and insecure work. With millions of workers across the UK struggling with their finances as a result of a lack of reliable working hours and financial stability, the campaign has the potential to change so many people’s lives. For many… View Post
5 Questions To Ask Before Opening A Joint Bank Account With Your Partner
Joint bank accounts have long been a popular choice among couples looking to manage their finances together. However, with most people assuming their relationship is rock solid and will stand the test of time, many overlook the potential problems that can arise in the event of financial disagreements, relationship troubles or a breakup. Here are 5 questions to ask before… View Post
What Is Lifestyle Inflation And How Can You Avoid It?
If you’ve just received a pay rise at work, you might be thinking about all the ways you can spend the extra cash. From new items of clothing each month to a new apartment in a nicer part of town, there are tons of ways you could improve your lifestyle with the help of this extra cash, right? Wrong! Let… View Post
5 Reasons To Join A Trade Union
Many of the workplace rights you have today are the result of trade unions fighting for better working conditions. Sick pay, holiday pay, lunch breaks and pensions are just a few of the rights that might not have been achieved had unions not fought for them. However, data from TUC shows that over the past 25 years, union membership has fallen by… View Post
Why I’m Supporting My Writing Career With A Part-Time Job In A Supermarket
A few weeks ago I tried to open a new bank account with First Direct and I was mortified when they called to check I hadn’t made a mistake when filling in the application form. “It says here that you earn just £5,000 a year. Is that correct, Miss Hill?” The voice said on the other end of the line…. View Post
Are Fitbits Worth The Money?
Thinking of getting a Fitbit but wondering if it’s worth your time and money? I’ve shared my experience of having a Fitbit Charge 2 and have explained some of the key features from the most popular models. What features do all Fitbits have? Pedometer Every Fitbit will act as a pedometer by allowing you to count your steps and distance… View Post
Is It Possible To Be Addicted To Online Courses?
Yesterday was an exciting day for me because I had a feature published in Vice Magazine for the very first time! Vice has been my favourite website for absolutely years, so it was really satisfying to finally be a part of it myself. My piece, I Spent £4,000 On Online Courses And I Still Feel Like A Fraud, explored my… View Post
What Can I Do If My Boss Isn’t Paying Into My Workplace Pension?
Hi, Jenni I’ve been having problems with my workplace pension for almost two years. Looking at my payslip, it looks like a percentage of my wages has been deducted for my workplace pension and that my employer has been contributing to the pension too. But I keep getting letters from the pension company to say they haven’t received the money…. View Post
The Way We Talk About Student Debt In The UK Is All Wrong
I read an article this morning called: ‘Graduates say their inescapable student loan debt is a life sentence that affects their everyday decisions.’ Citing a poll carried out by Splash Financial, the piece says: “The majority of people with a degree see their debt as an inescapable financial burden that negatively affects their everyday life.” 82% of the poll’s respondents… View Post
4 Lifestyle Changes That Have Saved Me Money While Also Saving The Environment
Money saving and sustainability go hand in hand. Here are just 4 lifestyle changes I’ve made to save money while also doing my bit for the environment. Switching fast fashion for second hand style When I watched The True Cost for the first time a few years ago, it completely changed the way I thought about fashion. I felt sad,… View Post
How To Make Money From Clinical Trials. Is It Worth The Risk?
I received an interesting letter from my GP last week. It said I could earn hundreds by taking part in a clinical trial for people with migraines. Unfortunately, as I delved a little deeper I realised I wouldn’t be eligible for the trial because I no longer suffer from 3-8 migraines a month. For a split second I cursed a… View Post
7 Days Of Using A Menstrual Cup
I’ve done 7 days of Swagbucks and 7 days of matched betting and now I’m exploring another money saving tactic… the menstrual cup! I’m not going to hold back in this post and I will be sharing some pretty gory details, so if you feel a little disgusted at any point, tough luck! You don’t read a post about menstrual… View Post
11 Ways To Save Money On Audible
Whether you’re already an Audible member or you’d like to assess how affordable it is before you sign up, here are some of my top tips to keep costs down and save money on Audible. Before I continue, did you know that most libraries have an audiobook service giving you access to thousands of audiobooks for free? If your library… View Post
What Is Gazundering And How Can You Avoid It When Selling Your Home?
I recently wrote about the dreaded act of gazumping, which is essentially the act of accepting a higher offer after verbally agreeing to sell your home to a particular buyer. (Check out my gazumping guide to learn more). Today, I’d like to talk to you about gazundering. While the home buyers are the victims of gazumping, sellers are the victims… View Post
10 Personal Finance Books That Will Help You Be Better With Money
If you’re tired of living pay cheque to pay cheque, you’re struggling to buy your own home, or you’re looking to invest in the future, you may be looking for guidance to do just that. Blogs are great (amiright?!) but there’s something about investing in a book and curling up on the sofa with it that feels somewhat committal. When… View Post
What Is Gazumping And How Can First Time Buyers Avoid It?
When you’ve successfully saved a deposit, found a place you’d like to buy, and your offer is accepted, it can be tempting to crack open a bottle of prosecco and tell all your pals that you’re a homeowner. But it’s a sad fact that even after a seller has agreed to sell you their home, things can still go wrong… View Post
Old House vs New Build: Which Is Best For First Time Buyers?
If you’ve been working hard to save a deposit and you’re almost ready to buy your own home, you might be wondering whether to opt for an old house or a new build. Although I opted for a new build apartment and I’m really happy with it, I also see the advantages of older properties. If I decide to move… View Post
7 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying An Online Course
Whether you want to improve your social media management skills or learn to code, there are so many online courses promising to transform your career and make your dreams a reality. As someone who’s purchased more than a dozen courses over the last few years, I’ve learned a lot about the online teaching industry and have often learned the hard… View Post
Should I Postpone Saving For Retirement Until After I’ve Bought A Home?
If you’d like to buy your own home one day, you may be tempted to put saving for retirement on the back burner until you’ve finished saving a deposit. But is this a wise move? This is a tricky dilemma and with house prices rising faster than the average wage, it’s no surprise that so many people decide to prioritise… View Post
Should I Get A Debt Management Plan?
If you’re in a lot of debt and you’re looking for ways to get out of it, you may have heard about something called a ‘debt management plan’. What is a debt management plan? A debt management plan is an informal agreement between a person in debt and their creditors. It allows you to pay a set amount each month… View Post
Can I Get A Mortgage If I’m In Debt?
A common question I’m asked by potential home owners is ‘can I get a mortgage if I’m in debt?’ The short answer is: it depends. Here’s some more info… Can I get a mortgage if I have debts? Debts won’t necessarily stop you from getting a mortgage, but lenders will take this into account when deciding how much to lend… View Post
6 Signs Your Personal Trainer Isn’t Good Value For Money
In 2017 I hired my very first personal trainer. I’d been riding my bike and going to the gym every so often but I was eager to break away from cardio machines, start lifting weights and transform myself into the strong and agile athlete Nike adverts have me thinking I could be. Sure, I could attend free classes at my… View Post
The Pros And Cons Of Buying A New Build
Thinking of buying a new build? Here’s a run down of some of the key pros and cons. Pro - Chain-free Since you’re the first to live in the property and you’re not buying off another homeowner, this means you won’t have a huge chain of buyers above you. This should make the buying process a little easier and slightly… View Post
Everything You Need To Know Before Taking In A Lodger
If you’re lucky enough to have your own place, taking in a lodger could be a smart way of boosting your income while also meeting new people. Read on to learn about some of the key considerations before taking in a lodger and becoming a live-in landlord. How much can I earn by taking in a lodger? The amount you… View Post
Unmortgage Scheme Has Rebranded And Is Now Known As ‘Wayhome’
Last month I wrote about Unmortgage, a scheme designed to help first time buyers to purchase their own homes without the need for a mortgage. Unmortgage has since had a rebrand and is now known as ‘Wayhome’. The change was implemented after research suggested the company’s original name caused confusion. The Wayhome website explains: “For the last 3 years we… View Post
Unmortgage: Everything You Need To Know About Buying A Home Without A Mortgage
Since I initially wrote this post, Unmortgage has undergone a rebrand and it’s now called Wayhome. I’ve left the rest of this post as it is and have continued to refer to it as Unmortgage because many people are still searching Google for this term. Any future blog posts I write about Wayhome will use its new name. What is… View Post
How To Tell Interviewers You Got Fired - And Still Get The Job
There’s no doubt about it, being fired is up there on the leader board of life’s lowest moments. And yet, although getting the sack is often associated with shame and inadequacy, it’s extremely common. Whether you understand why your employer gave you the chop or you spend your evenings angrily sticking pins in the eyes of a voodoo doll, you… View Post
Here’s Why First Time Buyers Need To Open A Help to Buy ISA ASAP
The government’s Help to Buy: ISA scheme was launched on 1st December 2015 to help first-time buyers save for a deposit on their own home. The Help to Buy ISA allows first-time buyers to save £200 a month in the account and rewards them with a 25% top up from the government, with a maximum top up of £3,000. This means that for… View Post
Can my boss ban me from discussing my salary with my coworkers?
Talking about money can be extremely awkward, especially when it comes to discussing how much you earn. And when we throw coworkers and workplace politics into the mix, money chat can be even more excruciating. It’s for this reason that many employers discourage workers from discussing their salaries with fellow members of staff - or at least that’s the reason… View Post
#GetWhatYouDeserve: How to increase your income by mastering the art of asking for more
I’m on a mission to help you master the art of asking for more and today marks the start of my new #GetWhatYouDeserve campaign! If you’re a little inexperienced when it comes to negotiating for more money, you’re in the right place. Towards the start of the year, I was offered a promotion at the company I worked for. The boss and… View Post
Ask Jenni: How Do I Deal With The Office Snitch?
Hi, Jenni I’m dreading going back to work on Monday. There’s a woman in my office who seems hell bent on making life difficult for the rest of us. She snitches on us for absolutely everything - even for things that really don’t matter. Every time someone does the slightest thing wrong like turning up late, going on social media… View Post
Should I Remortgage My Home Before Brexit?
With Brexit fast approaching, many people are starting to worry about the financial implications of Britain’s exit from the EU. As I explained in my recent post Should I Buy A House Now Or Wait Until After Brexit, it’s hard to predict how the event will impact our finances. Even the country’s leading economists and financial experts are unable to… View Post
Should I Start Stockpiling For Brexit?
Hi Jenni There’s been a lot of chatter in the office over the last few weeks about all the people doomsday prepping for Brexit. My colleagues keep laughing about it and saying how OTT they think all the people are for stockpiling food and toilet paper etc. I laughed along but I’m secretly wondering if it’s really such a bad… View Post
The Drudgery Of Having To Switch For A Better Deal
This is a guest post by Sara Williams, who writes about debt and credit ratings at Debt Camel. Have you heard the saying that loyalty is great for labradors and your best friends – but it can wreck your finances? Citizens Advice says eight out of ten people are paying higher bills for remaining with their existing supplier than if… View Post
Ask Jenni: How Easy Is It To Switch Energy Suppliers?
Hi Jenni I’m looking for ways to save money in 2019 and I saw your Instagram post about switching energy suppliers. How easy is this to do? I work long hours and don’t really want to book time off work to let the new energy company in to switch the pipes or wires or whatever. My energy bills seem expensive… View Post
Why I’m Tired Of Men Splitting The Bill In The Name Of Feminism
“Shall we split it?” he asked, the second the waitress placed the bill on the table. I said yes and lifted my handbag off the arm of my chair. Before I’d even had chance to find my purse, my date uttered the words that I silently prayed would not emerge from his beautiful lips. “Feminism, innit,” he said. His smile… View Post
Ask Jenni: Should I Buy A House Now Or Wait Until After Brexit?
Hi Jenni I’ve spent the last two years saving to buy a house with my boyfriend and we finally feel like we’re ready to buy somewhere. But we’re wondering if it’s best to wait until we’ve properly left the EU next year. We’ve heard that Brexit could affect property prices. Will it be cheaper to buy a home after Britain… View Post
Ask Jenni: “My Parents Gave Me A Deposit To Buy A House But Now They Want It Back”
“Hi Jenni When I was 25, my parents gave me and my boyfriend £40,000 towards a deposit on a house. We’d already saved £20,000 between us, but the money they gave us allowed us to get a better interest rate. Four years on, my parents want us to start giving the money back. My dad got made redundant a few… View Post
Ask Jenni: Can I Get A Mortgage When I’m Self Employed?
“Hi Jenni. I’ve been saving for my own place for two years and have managed to save up a £20,000 deposit so far. At the start of the year I was made redundant from my job in marketing and decided to use the opportunity to start freelancing. Things are going well so far and on really good months I can… View Post
Exactly How Much It Cost Me To Furnish My Home As A First Time Buyer
It’s been just over four months since I picked up the keys for my flat. Since that joyous day, I’ve been really busy trying to furnish the place. I’d still like to add some finishing touches such as curtains and bar stools, but due to other financial commitments, I’ve had to put some these big home purchases on hold for… View Post
Should You Use A Mortgage Broker Or Go Straight To Your Bank?
I’m often asked whether it’s best to use a mortgage broker or go straight to your own bank when you start looking at buying a house. Spoiler alert: My answer is pretty much always… get in touch with a mortgage broker. By all means, if you want to contact your bank to see what they have to offer, you do that,… View Post
Habito Review: How This Online Broker Helped Me Get A New Mortgage
Back in August I wrote a first time buyer’s guide to choosing a mortgage broker. Within the post I talked about how my friend Chris had used an online mortgage broker called Habito and was really happy with their service. Not only did Habito not charge him a penny, he said they also made the application process effortless, convenient and strees-free…. View Post
Matched Betting: Your Questions Answered
Back in May, I decided to take the leap and give matched betting a go. I’d heard so many great things about this ‘risk free’ money making trick that I was starting to think it sounded too good to be true. You can read about my experience in my 7 days of matched betting post. Since publishing the post, I’ve been… View Post
7 Days of Matched Betting: One Big Scam Or A Clever Side Hustle?
In what can only be described as a moment of madness, in October last year I subjected myself to a gruelling 7 days of using the popular survey website Swagbucks. I kept a diary over the course of the week and when it finally went live, Becky from Scunthorpe told me the post was ‘the funniest thing on the internet’ and Keith… View Post
A First Time Buyer’s Guide To Choosing A Mortgage Broker
It’s often said that buying a house is one of the most stressful experiences in a person’s life. And when you’re a first time buyer with little knowledge of the property buying process, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed. With estate agents, solicitors, and surveyors to deal with, it’s only natural to feel out of your depth. One thing that… View Post
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