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Some samples of my recent work

The Guardian •

Use shop loyalty cards, invest, switch savings accounts: six ways to tackle inflation

Inflation measures how much prices rise over time. It is measured officially by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).For its main measure of inflation, the ONS tracks the prices of about 700 everyday goods and services in a representative “basket”. The total cost of this basket forms the consumer prices index (CPI). The headline rate reported each month is the percentage change to the CPI compared with a year earlier. Previously, inflation was measured using the retailer prices index (RPI),...
The Guardian •

‘I got paid £250 for one day of filming’: how to earn cash as a film or TV extra

If you have ever dreamed of seeing yourself on screen – or just want a fun way to earn additional cash – working as an extra (or “supporting artist”) can be a lucrative side hustle.Extras are the people populating the background of television shows, films and commercials to make them look realistic– think drinkers in EastEnders pub the Queen Vic, or a passersby outside Slough House in the Apple TV+ show Slow Horses.Supporting artists do not need any acting experience and rarely have any dialogue...

How to Choose a Financial Adviser in the UK

Choosing a financial adviser is a big decision. Getting the right adviser and the right advice can make a massive difference to your financial future.

If you’ve never used a financial adviser before, it’s natural to feel unsure about where to start. How does the process work? Can you really trust their advice? We’ll explain what you need to know.
What’s on this page?
Financial ‘guidance’ and financial ‘advice’ are two different things.
There are several organisations, such as Citizens Advice,...

Rules to protect against your home being repossessed could be scrapped

Mortgage experts have warned that plans to scrap the ‘mortgage charter’ introduced in 2023 – including rules which protect homeowners from repossession – could disproportionately impact the over-50s.

The agreement aimed to stave off a wave of repossessions during a surge in interest rates two years ago. It can also help anyone who’s coming to the end of a fixed-rate mortgage term. So what could plans to scrap it mean for you?

What’s on this page?
The charter was introduced by the Financial Con...
Condé Nast Traveler •

Women Who Travel Podcast: An Unlikely Hike Across the English Countryside

You can listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify each week. Follow this link if you're listening on Apple News.Our guest this week is British journalist Emma Lunn, an avid hiker who has hit the trails all over the world. But a particularly memorable solo walk for her was closer to home—across the English countryside, and filled with dramatic moors and grand coastlines. Lale chats with Lunn to find out how she pulled it off, why she believes in the healing powers of hiking, and how she...
The Guardian •

From TV to toilet rolls: how to save on subscriptions

You can normally only sign up for free trials once, but there are lots of them to work your way through, especially when it comes to music, audiobooks and TV and film streaming.For example, Spotify Premium offers a month free (normally £11.99 a month), Apple TV+ a week free (normally £8.99 a month), BFI Player 14 days free (then £6.99 a month), Audible 30 days free (then £7.99 a month) … the list goes on.The key to making the most of free trials is to be sure to cancel before the trial ends and...
The Guardian •

Start saving, budget and think long term: how to build financial resilience

Financial resilience doesn’t just mean having lots of money stashed away, but rather having contingency plans in place for certain scenarios.For example, could you cope if interest rates rose, you lost your job, your car gave up or you separated from your partner?Aiming to be financially resilient means finding a way to make your situation secure – no matter how unpredictable life may be.An emergency fund offers a buffer against financial shocks, such as job loss, being unable to work for health...
Your Money •

BLOG: What’s it like to volunteer at Christmas?

I was working as a volunteer at Crisis for Christmas – an annual charity appeal run by Crisis that helps the homeless charity provide warm meals, shelter, support and companionship at Christmas to those experiencing homelessness.
One of my tasks during my shift was to manage appointments for the audiologist. I added Daniel’s name to the list and we chatted while he waited for his turn. He started to relax a bit and told me he was a photographer and studying for a degree, having already achieved...
The Sun •

Cheapest way to heat a room in your home revealed - and it could save you £229

USING the wrong appliance to heat a room in your home could end up costing you hundreds of pounds extra.If you spend most of your time in one room - if you work from home, for example - then it makes sense to heat just one room rather than your whole house or flat.The Sun has crunched the numbers to reveal the cheapest way to do it - and we’ve uncovered a simple mistake could cost you hundreds of pounds extra.A gas-powered central heating system is generally the most economical way to heat an en...
The Guardian •

How Britons can save on winter sports holidays

When it comes to skiing and snowboarding, going to Europe will always be cheaper than flying to somewhere such as the US or Canada – but costs vary massively on the continent.Marcus Blunt, the co-founder of the ski holiday company Heidi, suggests somewhere off the beaten track such as Bansko or Borovets, both in Bulgaria, for a cheaper deal.“In Italy, Livigno boasts lower prices thanks to its tax-free status, while Bardonecchia is another lower-cost option with great-value ski passes, and Sestri...
The Sun •

No more hunting for voucher codes – handy web widgets do the hard work for you

EVERYONE loves a discount, voucher or promo code, but finding working codes for shopping websites can take a lot of work.Dedicated voucher websites such as MyVoucherCodes.co.uk and HotUKDeals can help you find – and share – the latest offers. But searching these sites takes time and effort, with codes typically only working a limited number of times or for a certain time period. This is where web browser extensions (also called web widgets, add-ons or plug-ins) come in handy. Installing a free e...
The Guardian •

How to work freelance, plan ahead and stay afloat in the UK

Here’s how to organise your financial life if you’re a freelancer or sole trader.Sole trader is the most straightforward business or legal structure if you are self-employed. Depending on the nature of your business, other options include a partnership (with someone else) or setting up a limited company. If you have a partnership or limited company, your business finances should be kept completely separate from your personal finances. But there’s a bit more overlap if you are a sole trader.To re...
The Guardian •

How to cut the cost of travelling on your own

Heading off abroad alone? Give the single supplement the swerve and cut the cost of solo travel.Package holidays are designed for couples and families. Tour operators don’t seem to want single travellers – something they make very clear in their pricing.Research by the debt advice company UK Debt Expert found that solo travellers were charged a premium of almost £500 for the same package holiday compared with one half of a couple.Who wants to stay in a hotel full of screaming kids anyway? Planni...

Should you pay off your child’s student loan?

If you’re a parent, it’s natural to want to help your kids out financially. Parents of graduates, in particular, have a dilemma.
You might have saved a nest egg, received an inheritance, or taken 25% of your pension as tax-free cash. It can be tempting to use those savings to help your kids reduce their student debt, but should you?
On one hand, you might want to help your offspring start adult life debt-free. But on the flip side, you might want to focus on paying off your own debt...
The Sun •

The little-known schemes that could slash your water bill by 90%

HOUSEHOLDS could get up to 90% off water bills due to little-known schemes.Each water company has its own social tariff for low-income customers - but the discount varies based on where you live.Residential households can’t choose their water supplier, so it’s pot luck regarding the generosity of your supplier.Another issue is that social tariffs aren’t widely advertised and they tend to be hidden away on water companies’ websites.The best thing to do is check your supplier’s website and see if...
Independent Advisor •

What is fronting for car insurance? | The Independent

“Fronting” is a type of car insurance fraud. It happens when someone falsely claims to be the main driver of a car in order to get cheaper car insurance.


In most cases of fronting, it is a parent or older driver who claims to be the main driver instead of a younger or higher risk driver. People do this because older or more experienced drivers are charged less for car insurance than young or new drivers.


However, fronting is illegal, and if you’re caught, your car insurance policy could be...

Does Universal Credit affect your credit score? | Ocean Finance

Being on Universal Credit does not have a direct impact on your credit score. But the reasons you are on Universal Credit – such as being unemployed or on a low income – will affect your ability to borrow money at competitive interest rates. 

What is Universal Credit? 

Universal Credit is a UK state benefit to help people on a low income. It was introduced in 2013 as a single monthly payment to replace a number of ‘legacy benefits’. 








be aged between 18 and State Pension age...

How to use a credit card to improve your credit score | Ocean Finance

Responsible use of credit cards can help you improve your credit score. Build a borrowing history by making small regular credit card transactions and paying your bill in full each month. This will show lenders that you can handle credit responsibly.  
A good credit score is important. The higher your score, the more likely it is that your application for a credit card, mortgage or personal loan will be accepted. 

If you have never borrowed money before, lenders won't be able to see how you ha...
Afforda •

Can you get a loan if you are unemployed? | Afforda

If you are unemployed you will still have several loan options available including secured loans and guarantor loans. These and other options are shown in the table below:


Unemployment loan eligibility is dependent on whether the lender is confident you will be able to meet the monthly repayments for the loan.


Lenders offering personal loans for unemployed people will look at the following:


If you’re unemployed and fail to repay a loan on time, the consequences can include late payment...
Afforda •

Ultimate Guide to Universal Credit in the UK | Afforda

Universal Credit was introduced in 2013. It aims to simplify the way in which UK state benefits are calculated and received.


Universal Credit replaces six benefits:


People who apply for government support will now get Universal Credit instead of these six benefits. People already on these benefits are gradually being moved over to Universal Credit. This process is known as migration.


Universal Credit is a ‘working age’ benefit. This means it is payable from the age of 18 to State Pensi...
Your Money •

Oasis fans ‘look back in anger’ at dynamic ticket pricing

Tickets for the Oasis Live ’25 tour went on general sale on Saturday (31 August) at 9am, while tickets for the Dublin gigs went on sale an hour before.
But fans of the ‘90s indie band found that tickets for concerts listed at £148.50 were rebranded as ‘in demand’, with the price more than doubling by the time they reached the front of the virtual queue. The only place to secure a ticket for the Gallagher brothers’ reunion shows in Wembley, Cardiff, Manchester, Edinburgh and Du...
GoodTo •

What benefits can I claim while on maternity leave?

Most people who take time off work to have a baby will be paid maternity pay – but many families will be able to claim certain benefits while on maternity leave too. If you’re pregnant, you’ll want to find out  and how much maternity pay you'll get, and how maternity pay is calculated in order to plan your finances while you are on leave. It also helps to understand who pays for maternity leave - this will depend on whether you qualify for statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance instead....
The Sun •

O2 Priority customers fuming as it quietly axes free Greggs perk

MOBILE giant Virgin Media O2 has quietly made a major change to a Greggs offer from it Priority rewards scheme - and customers are fuming. At present, thousands of customers can get one free coffee a week from Greggs, as well as a free breakfast roll, sausage roll, or vegan sausage roll on Friday or Saturday mornings. To get the freebies, O2 customers need to visit the Priority app to get a code. Hot drink codes are issued on a first come first served basis, with at least 10,000 codes available...

My favourite articles - some of my best work from the past 20 years

moneysupermarket.com •

How to avoid the single traveller tax | MoneySuperMarket

Travelling solo? Whether you go shopping in New York or hiking in the Himalayas, being a single traveller can be so much more expensive compared to going as a couple.A study by Which? in January 2023 found that single travellers who book a package holiday with Tui typically pay 47% more than a person travelling as a pair. The single tax can be even worse if you go on a cruise – researchers were quoted almost £1,400 for a solo cabin on a P&O Mediterranean cruise, while a couple sharing a bigger c...
moneysupermarket.com •

Food poisoning on holiday | MoneySuperMarket

Travellers’ tummy, Delhi belly, Peru poo… Call it what you like, but a dose of diarrhoea and vomiting overseas can ruin your holiday.Each year thousands of holidaymakers suffer upset stomachs and food poisoning. Bugs can spread quickly in all-inclusive resorts and hotels where buffet style food is served, while in other destinations poor food hygiene by street vendors might be to blame.




Food poisoning is defined as an illness caused by the consumption of food or water contaminated with...
The Guardian •

‘I was dog-tired but exhilarated’: hiking the UK’s Coast to Coast route

Lying back on the grass, I exhaled for what seemed like the first time in 18 months. I was miles away from civilisation and a world away from the long days of solo lockdown in my London flat.Now I was alone again, but in happier circumstances. I could hear faraway sheep and feel a gentle breeze as I gazed at the Lake District countryside and sky. I was a few days into walking from Cumbria’s Irish Sea shores to the North Sea on the Coast to Coast, a network of paths created by fell-walker and wri...
Your Money •

BLOG: Why do insurers make it so hard to cancel auto-renewal?

One reason: Money. UK drivers are collectively stung for about £1.9bn a year by allowing their car insurer to auto-renew their policy. But getting your insurer to stop this nefarious tactic is not easy – as I found out when my car insurance came up for renewal.
My insurer Hastings Direct emailed me to say my policy was due to renew. The email said it would cost more than last year (despite not making a claim, changing my car, or committing a driving offence) and that it would take money from my...
The Guardian •

'Hey Google, dim the lights': how smart home devices can save money

Almost everything in your home, from lights and thermostats to door locks and security cameras, can now be connected to the internet. With a few taps on an app or a voice command you can turn down your heating, let visitors into your home or check for leaks.But while many of these gadgets appear to be simply a way to impress visitors (“Hey Google, dim the lights and play some romantic music”), others can save you money. And at a time when many of us are working from home and running up bills dur...
The Guardian •

Leaseholders facing 'staggering' bills for ex-council flats

The risk of buying ex-local authority property has been laid bare by a leaseholder who claims she has had to pay more than £24,000 for a new heating system and £2,000 to have her door painted.Artist Michelle Baharier has lived on the Gilesmead estate in Camberwell, south London since 1993, first as a council tenant, then as a leaseholder since purchasing her flat through right to buy in 2008. Southwark council owns the freehold to the estate of 40 flats, 29 of which are owned by leaseholders.Sin...
The Mirror •

How I saved £300 on water bills by using a 'secret' tariff

It turns out there's a way to pay a lot less for water that doesn't involve a meter. This is how Emma got a huge refund after discovering it by accidentPeople living alone and unable to have a water meter fitted could be flushing money down the drain when it comes to paying their water bill. In fact, many could be due a refund of more than £300 covering the past five years. That's because water companies charge for water in three ways: My flat was rejected for a water meter by Thames Water when...
The Guardian •

‘Fleecehold’ complaints flood in as residents battle to turn tide

Last month Guardian Money revealed how thousands of homeowners, who bought on “unadopted” private estates, face escalating costs after developers sold off management contracts to private companies in what many describe as “fleecehold”. Following our report we were contacted by many homebuyers with tales of woe – but one name seemed to feature more than any other: Greenbelt.Greenbelt is a Glasgow-based company responsible for maintaining the communal areas of about 550 developments, home to 52,00...
The Mirror •

How I made £700 and got fitter after downloading a single app

After a thousand empty promises of riches and other benefits, Emma Lunn thinks she might have finally tracked down an app that really DOES make you richerI'm as cynical as the next brow-beaten Brit when it comes to smartphone apps that that promise to make you money - but Job Spotter has become both the exception and an obsession. For people looking to make some extra cash in their spare time, Job Spotter works like a monetised version of Pokemon Go and is weirdly addictive. Since I downloaded J...
The Telegraph •

'Taylor Wimpey sold our freehold - it will cost £40k to buy it back'

A group of home owners who believe they were “mis-sold” their properties are preparing to sue the builders and the solicitors they used when they bought their homes.
The home owners, who formed a Facebook group called the National Leasehold Campaign when they discovered that they faced huge increases in ground rent, say they were lied to by builders’ sales staff and badly advised by solicitors when they bought their newbuild homes.
Thousands of people have demanded answers from the bosses of bui...
The Independent •

My Tinder date asked for a refund when I declined a second meet up

Just when I thought romance was dead, along came Tinder and a whole sweet shop of men appeared before my eyes. Yes, Tinder. Please don't judge.Admittedly the dating app has been credited with a variety of dubious accolades, from the invention of casual sex to the death of morality, but critics miss one crucial point: it's free.The beauty of free is that, unlike its paid-for predecessors, it allows even the laziest, cheapest people who can't even be bothered to build a profile to dip their toe in...
The Independent •

Today's students live in luxury accommodation

I have every sympathy with students who face leaving university thousands of pounds in debt with unfavourable job prospects. According to a report by Lloyds bank, this year's freshers can expect to graduate £30,000 in the red. Yet I can't help but notice that the student experience seems to have changed since my own undergraduate days 20-odd years ago. Back then, my parents waved me off to a freezing, rodent-infested hovel in Coventry that I shared with three other students and where it was comm...