If you’ve been thinking about dipping your toes into investing – or you’re just after a quick cash boost at this expensive time of year – there’s a new Trading 212 offer on the table that’s worth checking out.
There is a £25 welcome reward for new UK customers who sign up and complete a few simple steps with Trading 212. Note that this is a limited-time offer that closes on 20 January 2026.
💰 What’s the Offer?
Trading 212 is currently running a limited-time promotion in the UK where new customers can earn a £25 cash reward by:
Signing up for a Trading 212 Invest account using a referral link (like mine below)
Verifying your identity
Depositing funds and ordering a free Trading 212 card
Using the card to make 3 transactions of £5 or more each within 10 days of opening your account
Once those conditions are met, you get £25 in cash credited to your account – and you can use that money however you like!
Here’s a breakdown of what you need to do if you want to take part in this offer:
📌 Step 1: Sign Up Click through my referral link and register for a new Trading 212 Invest account (UK residents only, new users only).
📌 Step 2: Verify Your Account Trading 212 requires standard ID checks (passport, driving licence, address details, etc.). This helps satisfy regulatory “Know Your Customer” requirements.
📌 Step 3: Deposit Funds Add at least £1 to your Trading 212 account – although you may want to deposit a bit more so you can do Step 4 straight away as well.
📌 Step 4: Order & Use Your Card Order the free Trading 212 card and make three transactions of £5 or more – these can be everyday purchases you’d make anyway.
📌 Step 5: Get Your £25 After you meet the criteria, your £25 reward should be credited within a few business days. (You will have to wait 30 days before you can withdraw it.)
💷 What Is the Trading 212 Card?
As part of this offer, you need to order and use the Trading 212 card. So what exactly is it?
The Trading 212 card is a free debit card (physical and virtual) linked directly to your Trading 212 Invest account. It allows you to spend money held in your account just like you would with a normal bank debit card. Here is a quick summary of how it works…
Linked to your Trading 212 balance Any uninvested cash in your Trading 212 account can be used for card payments.
Everyday spending You can use the card in shops, online, and via contactless payments, just like a standard debit card.
No need to invest You don’t have to buy shares or funds to use the card. You can simply deposit money and spend it.
Free to order There’s no charge to order the card, and it’s managed through the Trading 212 app.
UK and overseas use The card can be used abroad, making it handy for travel or online purchases from overseas retailers (although exchange rates and fees can vary, so always check the latest terms).
Even after the bonus is paid, some people choose to keep the card as a secondary spending card, while others simply withdraw their money and stop using it. There’s no obligation to keep spending with it long term.
As always, it’s worth keeping an eye on Trading 212’s terms and conditions, as card features and fees can change over time.
💡 Why This Is a Good Deal
This is a no-brainer for most people because:
You don’t need to invest in stocks and shares to earn the £25 – just make normal card purchases you were planning to do anyway.
The minimum effort required is low: three card payments within 10 days.
You can withdraw the bonus cash after a short delay and spend it or reinvest it however you choose.
🧠 Things to Know
Offers like this can end or change at any time – so if you are interested, it’s worth acting sooner rather than later.
This is different from Trading 212’s free share promotion, which exists separately and offers up to £100 in free shares for new users. I discussed this offer in a separate blog post. Note that the Trading 212 free share offer is not available at the time of writing and I don’t know when (or if) it will return.
You must use a referral link to qualify for the £25 bonus.
You must also open an Invest account to qualify. A Stocks ISA, Cash ISA or CFD account won’t work (though you can open any of these subsequently).
📌 Final Thoughts
If you’ve been on the fence about trying out a stock trading or investment app, this £25 welcome reward from Trading 212 is a genuinely easy way to benefit from signing up. It doesn’t require any complicated investing – you can simply earn the bonus and decide what comes next. Just be sure to follow the steps above carefully and meet all the qualifying requirements.
And don’t forget that this limited-time offer closes on 20 January 2026.
As always, if you have any comments or questions about this post, please do leave them below.
Disclosure: If you take up this offer via my referral link, I will also receive a cash bonus for introducing you. The £25 cash bonus is guaranteed if you follow the steps set out above. If you choose to reinvest this money, however, be aware that – as with all investing – there is a risk of loss if you put the money into equities (stocks and shares). You should always do your own “due diligence” before investing and seek advice from a qualified financial planner/adviser if in any doubt how best to proceed.
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As is customary for bloggers at this time of year, here are the top twenty posts on Pounds and Sense in 2025, based on comments, page-views and social media shares. They are in no particular order. I have excluded any posts that are no longer relevant.
I hope you will enjoy revisiting these posts, or seeing them for the first time if you are new to PAS.
All posts in the list below should open in a new tab/window when you click on the link concerned.
I’ll be taking a break from blogging over the festive period (though I’ll still be around on X/Twitter and Facebook). I’ll therefore close by wishing you a Very Merry Christmas (strikes and cost-of-living crisis permitting) and for all of us a brighter, more prosperous new year
If you have any comments or questions, of course, feel free to leave them below as usual.
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Christmas will soon be here. But with flu and other respiratory infections at high levels – and the Covid pandemic still a fairly recent memory – many older people will be understandably cautious about how much face-to-face socialising they do at this time of year.
In addition, we’re still feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis. Many pensioners are cash-strapped, and rising energy costs make winter harder than ever. Add in bad weather, NHS and rail strikes, busy roads and crowded trains, and reduced face-to-face socialising becomes a real possibility, especially for older adults. Loneliness at Christmas can lead to anxiety, depression and other health issues.
While video calling isn’t a complete solution, it can be a lifeline for keeping in touch with distant friends, family, children and grandchildren – especially if travel or health concerns make meeting in person difficult.
So here’s an updated guide to the best video calling tools for older people in 2025, including what you need and the pros and cons of each option.
How to Get Started
To make video calls, you’ll need:
A device with a camera and microphone – like a smartphone, tablet, laptop, Chromebook or desktop with webcam.
A reliable internet connection – ideally wi-fi at home (video calls can use a lot of mobile data).
A video calling app – more on this below.
All modern smartphones (iPhones and Androids) have good-quality cameras. Tablets and laptops usually have larger screens which make conversations easier to see and more comfortable for group calls.
If you’re using a desktop, you might need a separate webcam and microphone unless your machine already has them built in.
Video Calling Tools Worth Considering
1. FaceTime (for Apple Users)
Best for: iPhone and iPad users whose family also uses Apple devices
Smartphones: Yes
Tablets: Yes
Windows: No
Mac: Yes
FaceTime remains one of the easiest options if everyone is in the Apple ecosystem. It comes pre-installed on iPhones and iPads, and calls are seamless and high quality. You can add up to 32 people in a group call.
Pros:
Built into Apple devices – no extra download
High video quality and simple interface
Works with newer features like scheduling links and spatial audio
Cons:
Only works with Apple devices
Not cross-platform (except via browser links in newer versions)
2. WhatsApp
Best for: Informal chats with family and small group calls
Smartphones: Yes
Tablets: Limited (WhatsApp on some tablets may not support video yet)
Windows/Mac: Yes (via desktop app)
WhatsApp is one of the most widely used apps in the world and is familiar to many older people already. Recent updates now allow up to 32 people on one video call, plus screen-sharing and a “speaker spotlight” to highlight whoever’s talking.
Pros:
Very familiar and widely adopted
End-to-end encryption
Works across devices
Cons:
Requires contacts to use WhatsApp too
Owned by Meta — some users dislike data-sharing practices
3. Messenger (Meta/Facebook)
Best for: Users who already use Facebook and want extra features
Smartphones: Yes
Tablets: Yes
Windows/Mac: Yes
Messenger lets you video call directly from your Facebook contacts. It’s quite straightforward and supports up to 50 people with no time limit on group calls.
Pros:
Connects with existing Facebook friends
Fun features (filters, translation tools, games)
Works across all major platforms
Cons:
Requires a Facebook account
Some features may feel cluttered for very simple calls
4. Zoom
Best for: Larger family gatherings or planned group events
Smartphones/Tablets/PC/Mac: Yes
Zoom is still widely used for large group calls and celebrations. On the free plan you can host up to 100 people, though sessions may be time-limited (often around 40–60 minutes) unless you have a paid subscription.
Pros:
Great for big groups (birthdays, Christmas catch-ups)
Works on nearly all devices
Easy to join via links
Cons:
Time limits on free accounts
More features than some older people need
5. Google Meet
Best for: Longer chats and group calls without app installs
Smartphones/Tablets: Yes
Windows/Mac: Yes
Google Meet is a solid everyday option with no required paid plan for basic use, up to 100 people on free accounts, and features like live captions.
Pros:
Good for group calls of all sizes
Works in a browser (no app install needed)
Integration with Google Calendar
Cons:
May feel business-oriented for casual use
6. Microsoft Teams (Replacing Skype)
Best for: People who used Skype and want a modern replacement
Note: Skype was retired in 2025 and replaced by Microsoft Teams, so new Skype recommendations are no longer relevant. Users are being encouraged to move to Windows Teams where chat history and contacts can carry over.
Pros:
Continued support and development
Group calls and chatting similar to Skype
Cons:
More features than some users need
Setup can be more complex than simpler apps like WhatsApp
Devices That Make Calling Easier for Seniors
Beyond apps, there are dedicated devices that make video calling much simpler for older people:
Smart displays like the Amazon Echo Show – big screens, voice commands (“Alexa, video call Mum”), and simplified controls.
Senior-friendly tablets (such as this one) with simplified interfaces and large buttons.
These devices are ideal for those less comfortable with standard phones or computers.
✔ Keep software updated: The latest versions of apps are generally more reliable and secure. ✔ Use wi-fi: Video calls eat data – wi-fi helps avoid extra charges. ✔ Practice together: A short practice call before a big family chat can ease nerves. ✔ Label apps clearly: Rename icons on tablets or phones so they’re easy to find.
Closing Thoughts
Video calling isn’t just a tech trend for businesses and younger people – it’s a lifeline for older adults to stay connected, especially around busy times like Christmas.
The right setup – a good device, a reliable connection, and the right app – can make chatting over distance almost as good as being there in person.
I hope you have found this article helpful. As always, if you have any comments or questions about this post, please do leave them below.
Note: this is a fully revised update of an annual article.
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I’ll begin as usual with my JP Morgan Personal Investing (previously Nutmeg) Stocks and Shares ISA. This is the largest investment I hold other than my Bestinvest SIPP (personal pension).
As regular readers will know, in June this year I transferred most of the money in my former Nutmeg Fully Managed portfolio (just under £25,000) to a new Nutmeg Income Portfolio. I discussed this in detail in this post, but basically money in this port is invested to generate an income from share dividends and other sources. This is then paid monthly. Capital appreciation is targeted as well, but these portfolios are aimed primarily at older people (and others) who want/need their investment to generate a regular cash income.
In November my JPM Investing income portfolio generated £119.59 of income, which was duly paid in to my bank account on 24 November 2025. That was around double the £63.96 I received in October and means I have now received a total (tax-free) income of £396.30 to date. That’s about what I would have hoped for based on JPM’s projected annual return of just under 5% for income ports at my chosen risk level (five).
My income portfolio grew in value again in November. It’s now worth £27,015 compared with £26,837 at the start of last month, a rise of £178. As the screen capture shows, the port has actually increased by £2,063.04 (8.27%) since I opened it in June this year. That’s clearly good going, though I don’t suppose it will carry on like this indefinitely. (I should maybe also mention that performance may have been helped a bit by the no-fees introductory offer on Nutmeg/JPM income portfolios until the end of 2025.)
I still have a smaller, growth-oriented pot using JPM Investing’s Smart Alpha option. This is now worth £4,685 compared with £4,694 a month ago, a small decrease of £9. Here is a screen capture showing performance for the year to date.
Smart Alpha portfolio Dec 2025
And at the start of December 2023 I invested £500 in one of Nutmeg/JPM’s thematic portfolios (Resource Transformation). In March 2024 I also invested a further £200 from referral bonuses (something I no longer receive for reasons I won’t bore you with). As you can see from the YTD screen capture below, this portfolio is now worth £931 (rounded up) compared with £932 last month, a small decrease of £1.
Finally, I still have a small amount left in my original Nutmeg/JPM Fully Managed portfolio. I have kept this largely for comparison purposes. This has also decreased slightly in value from £639 at the start of November to £637 (rounded up) now, a fall of £2.
Overall in November I was up by £166 or 0.49%. In addition I did, of course, receive £119.59 in income from my income portfolio. The latter was obviously my star performer in November and ensured that I made an overall profit for the month.
Excluding income generated, the overall value of my JPM investments is up by £2,839 or 9.33% since the start of 2025, so the April 2025 fall (caused largely by Trump’s tariffs) has now fully reversed. If you add to this figure the £396.30 of income generated so far this year, that gives a total profit of £3,235.30 – not a bad return in these uncertain times.
As I always have to say, some volatility is to be expected with stock market investments, but over the longer term they tend to even themselves out (and generally perform better than bank savings accounts, although that is never guaranteed). In general the worst thing you can do is panic and sell up when downturns occur (as happened in April this year). You are then crystallizing your losses rather than giving the markets time to recover. This is something I had cause to discuss in this blog post from earlier this year.
You can read my full original Nutmeg/JPM review here. If you are looking for a home for your annual ISA allowance, based on my overall experience over the last nine years, they are certainly worth considering. They offer self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs), Lifetime ISAs and Junior ISAs as well.
As mentioned above, Nutmeg have rebranded as J.P. Morgan Personal Investing and their website is now at www.personalinvesting.jpmorgan.com.
Moving on, I also have investments with P2P property investment platform Assetz Exchange. As discussed in this post, the company has rebranded as Housemartin.
My investments with Housemartin continue to generate steady returns. Housemartin focuses on lower-risk properties (e.g. sheltered housing). I put an initial £100 into this in mid-February 2021 and another £400 in April. In June 2021 I added another £500, bringing my total investment up to £1,000.
Since I opened my account, my HM portfolio has generated a respectable £285.00 in revenue from rental income. I have made a small net loss of £21.68 on property disposals. Capital growth generally has slowed, in line with UK property values generally.
At the time of writing, 16 of ‘my’ properties are showing gains, 4 are breaking even, and the remaining 21 are showing losses. My portfolio of 41 properties is currently showing a net decrease in value of £54.99. That means that overall (rental income minus capital value decrease and loss on disposal) I am up by £208.33. That’s still a respectable return on my £1,000 and does illustrate the value of P2P property investments for diversifying your portfolio. And it doesn’t hurt that with Housemartin most projects are socially beneficial as well.
The net fall in capital value of my Housemartin investments is obviously a little disappointing. But it’s important to remember that until/unless I choose to sell the investments in question, it is largely theoretical, based on the latest price at which shares in the property concerned have changed hands. The rental income, on the other hand, is real money (which in my case I’ve reinvested in other HM projects to further diversify my portfolio).
To control risk with all my property crowdfunding investments nowadays, I invest relatively modest amounts in individual projects. This is a particular attraction of Housemartin as far as i am concerned. You can actually invest from as little as £1 per property if you really want to proceed cautiously.
As I noted in this blog post, Housemartin is particularly good if you want to compound your returns by reinvesting rental income. This effectively boosts the interest rate you are receiving. Personally, once I have accrued a minimum of £10 in rental payments, I usually reinvest this money in either a new HM project or one I have already invested in (thus increasing my holding). Over time, even if I don’t invest any more capital, this will ensure my investment with Housemartin grows at an accelerating rate and becomes more diversified as well.
In 2022 I set up an account with investment and trading platform eToro, using their popular ‘copy trader’ facility. I chose to invest $500 (then about £412) copying an experienced eToro trader called Aukie2008 (real name Mike Moest).
In January 2023 I added to this with another $500 investment in one of their thematic portfolios, Oil Worldwide. I also invested a small amount I had left over in Tesla shares.
As you can see from the screen captures below, my original investment (total value £888.36 in pounds sterling) is today worth £1,168.71 an overall increase of £280.35 or 31.56%.
Note: eToro now displays the value of investments in your native currency, although you can change this if you wish.
As you can see, my Oil WorldWide investment is in profit, though at 12.27% it is nothing to get too excited about. My copy trading investment with Aukie2008 has been doing better, with an impressive overall profit of 61.67%. To be fair, I have held this investment a bit longer.
My Tesla shares, which I bought as an afterthought with some spare cash I had in my account, are down a little this month but still showing an overall profit of 281.91% since I bought them. If only I had put a bit more money into this!
You might also notice that I have small holdings in Prosus NV, a Dutch internet group, and South Bow, a Canadian energy infrastructure company. To be honest I don’t understand how I acquired these, but I assume they are some sort of bonus I was awarded. In any event, I am happy to have them in my portfolio.
If you would like more information about setting up an eToro account, please click on this no-obligation website link [affiliate]. Don’t forget that you also get a free $100,000 virtual portfolio, which you can use to experiment with trading and investing strategies. I have certainly earned a lot from mine.
As an experiment, at the start of April this year I put £50 into an investment ISA with Trading 212. As mentioned in my recent blog post about dividend investing, I put it into the (Almost) Daily Dividends Portfolio, a ready-made portfolio or ‘pie’ on Trading 212. As you can see from the screen capture below, my portfolio is now worth £57.61, an increase of £7.61 or 15.20% over the eight-month period. It has even accrued a grand total of 67p in dividends!
I am quite impressed with how this investment has been faring, despite the small amount I put in (which means I may be missing out on some smaller dividends). If I increased my investment I would almost certainly become eligible for more dividends, and even more the longer I remain invested. If I had any spare money at the moment, I would consider doing this. Of course, I do now have an income-focused portfolio with JPM Investing as well (see above).
Moving on, I published various posts on Pounds and Sense in November. I have listed below those that are still relevant.
In What Are Money Market Funds and Who Should Invest in Them? I discussed what money market funds (MMFs) are and why they are seeing a surge in interest from UK investors at the moment. I examined their pros and cons and revealed how they may be a valuable addition to your investment portfolio, especially in light of Rachel Reeves’ recent Budget.
In Should You Take a Tax-Free Lump Sum From Your Pension Now? I addressed a question many people were asking in view of rumours that the Chancellor might be about to tighten the rules. As it happens no changes were made in the Budget regarding the tax-free lump sum. The article is still relevant, though, as it sets out the pros and cons of accessing this money early, and when doing so might (or might not) be a good idea.
The popular Trading 212 Free Share Offer reopened in November, so in Get a Free Share Worth Up to £100 With Trading 212 I explained how the offer works and how (If you haven’t done it before) you can take advantage of it. You will need to get your skates on with this, as the offer closes on Tuesday 3 December.
Why Growing Numbers of Over-50s are Buying Park Homes discusses the growing popularity of park homes among older people. The article explains the crucial differences between park homes and holiday homes, and sets out some reasons more and more older people are opting to go down this route. This article was written in association with my friends at Compass Insurance, who are leading specialist providers of park home insurance.
Finally, in Twelve Great Christmas Gift Ideas for Older People (That Aren’t Socks) I set out twelve varied ideas for Christmas presents for your older friends and relatives – based on my personal experience as an older person, of course! Older folk are traditionally harder to buy gifts for – so if you’re struggling with this, hopefully you may find some inspiration here 🙂
One other thing I wanted to mention this month is that currently EDF Energy are offering an enhanced switching bonus. Until 22 December 2025 you can get a hefty £75 (usually £50) credited to your energy account if you switch your supply to them via my link at https://edfenergy.com/quote/refer-a-friend/sunny-koala-9462. I will get a bonus too, so it really is win-win all round!
Additionally, if you’re already an EDF customer (or sign up now) you can enter a free prize draw to win a holiday in the UK with £700 prize money! Enter at https://www.edfenergy.com/edfstaycations. The closing date for this is 11 December 2025 – but if you switch to EDF Energy now, you still have time to enter.
I’ll close with a reminder that you can also follow Pounds and Sense on Facebook or Twitter (or X as we have to call it now). Twitter/X is my number one social media platform and I post regularly there. I share the latest news and information on financial matters, and other things that interest, amuse or concern me. So if you aren’t following my PAS account on Twitter/X, you are definitely missing out!
I am also on the BlueSky social media network under the username poundsandsense.bsky.social. Twitter/X remains my primary social media platform, but I also post details of my latest blog posts, third-party articles and other financial news and resources on BlueSky for those who prefer to follow me there.
As always, if you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave them below. I am always delighted to hear from PAS readers
Disclaimer: I am not a qualified financial adviser and nothing in this blog post should be construed as personal financial advice. Everyone should do their own ‘due diligence’ before investing and seek professional advice if in any doubt how best to proceed. All investing carries a risk of loss.
Note also that posts on PAS may include affiliate links. If you click through and perform a qualifying transaction, I may receive a commission for introducing you. This will not affect the product or service you receive or the terms you are offered, but it does help support me in publishing PAS and paying my bills. Thank you!
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It won’t have escaped your notice that Christmas will soon be here.
It’s well known that older friends and relatives can be the hardest to choose gifts for. But don’t despair – as an older person myself (I’m 69) , I’m here with some ideas to make gift-buying for this age group a bit easier for you!
None of the suggestions below will break the bank. For the electronic ones, though, you might just want to check first how they might be received. Some older people are wary of trying new things, but I believe most will enjoy and get a lot of benefit from all these products. So a little bit of gentle encouragement if they express doubts might be in order!
Let’s start with a couple of the more techy ones then…
1.Kindle e-reader
As an older person myself I love my Kindle.
Of course, people of all ages use these devices, but for older people they have two particular advantages. One is you can adjust the brightness, font size, and so on. For those (like me) whose eyesight isn’t what it once was, the benefits of this can’t be overstated.
The other attraction is that on a Kindle you can literally carry hundreds of books around with you. If – like many of us older folk – your shelves are already groaning from the weight of books on them, a Kindle can provide a great alternative option.
In my view an Amazon Echo smart speaker with Alexa would make a great gift for any older person, even if they aren’t tech-savvy (though these devices do of course need wifi to work).
Once the speaker has been set up – which you can help with if required – they can control it using just their voice. As you may know, you can ask it to play your favourite music, set alarms and reminders, ask questions, and much more besides.
For an older person living alone especially, having an Echo can provide companionship as well as reassurance in the event of an emergency (you can ask Alexa to call any of your contacts for you, though currently you can’t get it to phone 999). And an Echo smart speaker is a present that will go on giving through Christmas and well beyond.
Again, various models are available from Amazon, including my personal favourite, the Echo Show. This has a display screen, so you can do video calls on it if you like. Prices range from £30 upwards, with generous discounts frequently on offer.
3. Afternoon Tea Voucher
Dare I say it, this might be especially popular among female friends and relatives, but plenty of men will enjoy it too. Or you could buy this as a joint gift, of course.
This is another very popular gift among older people. It’s an opportunity to enjoy an exhilarating flight in a hot air balloon with stunning views of the UK landscape.
Vouchers are available from Virgin Balloon Flights for prices between £139 and £219 for a one-hour flight, including a celebratory glass of Prosecco afterwards. Flights take place in the UK between March and October.
5. Christmas Hamper
Who doesn’t enjoy a hamper of festive food and drink at Christmas? And that applies especially to older people on a limited income, who may relish the opportunity to enjoy some little luxuries that would normally be beyond their budget, particularly in the current cost-of-living crisis.
You could put together a basket filled with quality chocolates, nuts, gourmet snacks, cakes, biscuits, and a bottle of fine wine or champagne. Alternatively you can buy a ready-made hamper from suppliers such as Prestige Hampers or Marks and Spencer. Prices range from £25 upwards (including delivery).
6. Magazine or Newspaper Subscription
Choose a magazine or newspaper subscription that aligns with their interests, e.g. gardening, travel, cooking, or current events. Another good option might be Radio Times, as many older people consume a lot of TV and radio.
This is another present that keeps on giving throughout the year. Just remember to purchase a gift subscription rather than a standard one, or your subscription will automatically renew.
7. Artisan Chocolates
You can’t go too far wrong with chocolates. But except perhaps for your least favoured relatives, a tin of Quality Street isn’t going to cut it.
So why not push the boat out and buy them some luxury, hand-made, artisan chocolates? There are various local shops specializing in this, and as ever Amazon sell a good range, including this Amelie Chocolat Luxury Collection.
Prices for boxes of artisan chocolates range from £15 upwards. They are guaranteed to bring a bit of good cheer to anyone’s Christmas celebrations!
8. Digital Photo Frame
Load a digital photo frame with a collection of your friend or relative’s favourite pictures. This way, they can enjoy a rotating display of memories without the need for multiple printed photos. And compared with the latter option, it’s a great space-saver as well!
Most frames come with a remote control; they may also have extra features such as a built-in clock/calendar. Prices range from £30 upwards. You can view a selection on this Amazon web page.
9. Cosy Blanket or Throw
A soft and luxurious blanket or throw (such as the one pictured below from Amazon) is perfect for staying warm during the winter months. And of course it can help save on energy bills as well.
Prices range from £15 upwards (more for those with built-in electric heating). Look for one in their favorite colour or with a pattern that matches their decor.
10. Ergonomic Gardening Tools Set
For those with green fingers, consider a set of ergonomic gardening tools (like this one perhaps). These tools are designed to reduce the strain on joints and muscles, making gardening more comfortable and enjoyable. Prices range from about £13 upwards.
11. Subscription to a Streaming Service
Give the gift of entertainment with a subscription to a streaming service like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. This will provide a wide range of films and TV shows for your friend or relative to enjoy at their leisure. This is another gift whose benefits will extend well beyond Christmas itself.
12. Comfortable Slippers
I’ll close with an ‘old-school’ gift, but nonetheless one that will be very much appreciated by many older people.
Opt for a pair of high-quality, comfortable slippers. Look for features such as memory-foam insoles and non-slip soles to ensure your friend or relative stays cosy and safe around the house.
You can expect to pay from £20 upwards for a decent pair of slippers. They are available from many high street stores including Marks and Spencer or – inevitably – from Amazon (see example below).
A personal recommendation is to avoid getting slippers with low (or no) backs, as these are easy for an older person to slip out of. Traditional high-backed slippers, such as the ones pictured above, are safer and better.
So there you have it. Twelve great gifts for older people – one for each day of Christmas – and not a sock among them!
Remember to take into account personal preferences and interests when choosing a gift, to make it truly special.
If you have any comments or questions about this article, as ever, please do post them below.
Note: This article is adapted from one originally written for my good friends at Mouthy Money.
Disclosure: This article includes affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission for introducing you. This will not affect the price you pay or the product you receive.
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Black Friday is fast approaching, and Amazon UK is gearing up for one of the biggest online shopping events of the year.
This year Amazon’s Black Friday Sale extends over 12 days, from Thursday 20 November to Monday 1 December, with thousands of discounts across tech, home, beauty, toys and more.
Here’s what UK shoppers can expect this year – plus some practical tips to help you score the best bargains.
What to Expect From Black Friday 2025
1. Earlier and Longer Sale Periods
In recent years, Amazon has expanded its Black Friday event, and 2025 will follow the same pattern. Early deals began in mid-November, with the main sale (as mentioned above) running from Thursday 20 November to Monday 1 December (Cyber Monday).
Expect:
Daily “Early Black Friday Deals”
Lightning Deals with limited stock and countdown timers
Exclusive Prime-only discounts
2. Strong Discounts in Key Categories
Amazon’s 2025 Black Friday event is likely to feature major discounts on:
● Tech & Electronics Massive reductions are expected on Amazon devices such as Echo speakers, Fire TVs, Ring doorbells and Eero routers. Big-brand TVs, headphones, gaming accessories and laptops are also likely to see significant markdowns.
● Home, Kitchen & Appliances Robotic vacuums, air fryers, espresso machines and cordless vacuums are typically Black Friday favourites, and 2025 should be no exception.
● Fashion & Beauty Deals across premium skincare, grooming, and clothing ranges, including Amazon Fashion, Levi’s, Adidas and a wide variety of brand boutiques.
● Toys, Books & Gifts Perfect timing for Christmas shoppers – expect deals on LEGO, board games, bestselling books and stocking fillers.
Tips to Make the Most of Black Friday 2025
1. Build and Optimize Your Wish List Early
Add items you’re interested in well before Black Friday. Amazon will highlight when prices drop, making it easy to track discounts without constantly refreshing pages.
2. Use the “Watch This Deal” Feature
For Lightning Deals, tap “Watch This Deal” in the app to get notified the moment an offer goes live. Popular items sell out in minutes – even seconds – so alerts are hugely valuable.
3. Check Price History Tools
Not all Black Friday discounts are equal. Tools like CamelCamelCamel and Keepa let you:
Check an item’s historical lowest price
See whether the “deal” is genuinely good
Avoid marketing gimmicks
4. Consider Using Amazon Prime
Prime members get benefits that can help during Black Friday:
Early access to certain limited-time deals
Faster (often free) delivery
Access to Prime-exclusive Lightning Deals
If you’re not already a member, you can take advantage of Amazon’s 30-day free trial. You can always cancel once the Black Friday sale is over if you don’t want to pay for a subscription.
5. Update Payment and Delivery Settings Beforehand
Seconds matter during Black Friday. Make sure:
Your card details are correct
One-click checkout is enabled (if you use it)
Your delivery address is up to date
This reduces friction at checkout, especially for fast-selling items.
6. Set a Spending Limit
Black Friday can be brilliant for bargains but also tempting for impulse purchases. Create:
A realistic budget
A priority list (must-have, nice-to-have, impulse watchlist)
Alerts for items you genuinely need
7. Look Out for Coupons and Voucher Badges
Beyond headline discounts, Amazon often offers:
Tick-box coupons on product pages
Automated discount vouchers
Bundle promotions (e.g. buy two, save extra)
These can stack with Black Friday prices for even bigger savings.
Key Black Friday 2025 Dates
Early Black Friday Deals: Start mid-November
Amazon Black Friday Week: 20–28 November 2025
Black Friday (Main Event): Friday 28 November 2025
Cyber Monday: Monday 1 December 2025
Final Thoughts
Amazon UK’s Black Friday 2025 event will be a major opportunity for shoppers to save on electronics, household essentials, Christmas gifts, and more. With early preparation, smart budgeting and the right tools, you can navigate the sale confidently and secure the best possible deals.
As always, if you have any comments or questions about this post, please do leave them below. I am always delighted to hear from Pounds and Sense readers!
Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission for introducing you. This will not affect the price you pay or the products or services you receive.
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As speculation mounts ahead of Rachel Reeves’ upcoming budget on 26 November 2025, many UK retirees and those approaching retirement are wondering if now is the right time to take a tax-free lump sum from their pension. Already it appears growing numbers have been doing just that in anticipation of a possible tightening of the rules.
The rumoured changes in pension taxation could have significant implications, but should these potential shifts prompt immediate action? Let’s explore the factors you should consider.
What Is the Tax-Free Lump Sum?
In the UK, when you begin accessing your defined contribution pension (typically from age 55, rising to 57 in 2028) you are currently able to take up to 25% of your pension pot tax free, subject to a cap (currently £268,275). This tax-free cash is often used for a home deposit, debt pay-off, investment, or simply a financial cushion in retirement.
The Upcoming Budget and the Rumour Mill
As mentioned above, the Autumn Budget will be delivered by Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 26 November 2025. Given the government’s fiscal pressures – slow growth, high borrowing, commitments to public services, and so on – pensions (and pension tax reliefs) are under increasing scrutiny.
Among the speculated measures are:
Reducing or limiting the current 25% tax-free cash entitlement.
Adjusting tax relief on pension contributions (for example moving to a flat rate or scaling back higher-rate relief).
Capping salary sacrifice pension arrangements or increasing National Insurance on them.
However, officially there are assurances that the tax-free lump sum rule will not be cut in this Budget. HM Treasury has signalled that while pensions generally are in scope for reform, a “raid” on tax-free cash is off the table for now.
Why Some Are Considering Acting Now
Because of the rumours, many savers are thinking: “If the 25% tax-free rule is reduced or withdrawn in future, better to take it now.” Indeed:
Research shows that nearly 59 % of people are worried about changes to the tax-free cash rule ahead of the Budget.
Before you jump, it’s important to consider the downsides:
Speculation is not policy Rumours abound, but nothing is guaranteed until the Budget is announced and legislation moves through. Acting based purely on speculation introduces risk.
Reduced pension pot = reduced income later Taking cash now reduces the amount left invested in your pension, which could lower your future retirement income or growth potential.
Lost tax-efficient growth and benefits Leaving funds within a pension means continued tax-relief on growth, protected status for certain tax benefits (including potential inheritance tax advantages) until rules change. Withdrawn funds may lose these perks.
Re-investing is complex and possibly taxed If you withdraw and then reinvest elsewhere (e.g., an ISA), the tax treatment, returns and flexibility may differ — and you may fall foul of HMRC rules (e.g., pension “recycling” rules) if you try to put withdrawn cash right back into a pension.
Triggering higher tax or reducing benefits Taking lump sums might push you into a higher income tax band, or reduce eligibility for means-tested benefits. Once you take the amount, you can’t “untake” it.
What You Should Do Rather Than Rush
Pause, but monitor: With the Budget just weeks away, wait for the official announcements.
Review your plan: Think about your retirement timescale, how much income you’ll need, and what role the lump sum will play in that.
Check your immediate needs: If you have pressing expenses (e.g. paying off expensive debt, home adaptations), the lump sum may make sense. If it’s purely “in case rules change”, be cautious.
Seek expert personal advice: Pension decisions are long-term and often irreversible. A qualified financial adviser can assess your whole situation, not just the tax angle.
Keep an eye on transitional protections: If rules change, the government typically layers in protections for those close to retirement. That could mean any changes happen with a delay, not overnight.
So Is Now the Time to Take Your Tax-free Lump Sum?
It depends on your personal circumstances, but in broad terms:
Yes, you might consider taking it now if:
You have an immediate, compelling financial need for the cash.
Your retirement plan is settled, and you won’t harm your long-term income by reducing the pot.
You are comfortable sacrificing some future growth for now.
No, you might be best to wait if:
You’re taking the lump sum purely on the basis of rumoured policy change.
Your retirement income depends significantly on your pension pot size and future growth.
You believe the current tax-free rule will remain (official signs point that way for now) and you want to keep your funds invested tax-efficiently.
Final Thoughts
With the Budget on 26 November 2025, the risk of rule-changes is real, but the specifics are uncertain. While rumours suggest the tax-free lump sum (the 25% rule) could be reduced, the Treasury has publicly said it will not be cut this year. Still, the doubt has already caused many savers to act.
Rather than acting in panic, it’s wise to pause, understand your own retirement plan, and consult an adviser. If you do decide to take your tax-free lump sum before the Budget, make sure it is for a reason aligned with your long-term goals — not simply a reaction to budgetary speculation.
As always, pensions are complex and deeply personal. Changes in tax rules can take time to come into effect; acting too early or for the wrong reason may cost you more in the long run than you save.
As always, if you have any comments or questions about this post, please do leave them below. But bear in mind that I am not a qualified professional adviser and cannot give personal financial advice.
This is a fully revised update of an earlier article.
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According to various sources (here, for example) money market funds or MMFs are seeing a surge of interest from UK investors at the moment.
So today I thought I’d explain what MMFs are, their pros and cons, and who should (and perhaps shouldn’t) invest in them. I will also examine some likely reasons for the high level of interest in MMFs just now.
Let’s start with the most basic question, though…
What Are Money Market Funds?
A money market fund is a type of investment fund that invests in short-term, high-quality, liquid debt instruments — such as government treasury bills, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and other instruments with very short maturities. In the UK context, many asset managers describe them as a “park your cash” vehicle: not quite a deposit account, but relatively low risk compared to equities or longer-dated bonds.
Because the underlying assets mature quickly (many in weeks or a few months) the fund manager can reasonably anticipate the yield and maintain high liquidity.
In simple terms, you could think of a money market fund as somewhere between “keeping money in a bank account” and “investing for growth in the stock market” — it aims for capital preservation + modest income, rather than big capital gains.
Pros of money market funds
If you’re considering an MMF, here are some of the advantages that frequently show up in analyses:
Lower risk (relatively) Because the underlying holdings are short-dated and usually high credit quality, money market funds tend to carry lower risk than many other types of investment funds. For example, compared to longer-term bond funds or equities, there’s far less exposure to interest-rate/inflation risk and less time for issuers to go horribly wrong.
High liquidity Many funds allow you to redeem on a daily dealing basis (or very frequently) so you can access your money relatively quickly. This makes them useful as a “waiting place” for money or for short-term needs.
Potentially higher return than pure cash savings Especially in a higher interest-rate environment, the yields on money market funds can exceed those of some bank savings accounts or easy-access deposits — for investors willing to accept the (small) additional risk.
Diversification of cash holdings If you keep large sums of cash at one bank, you may be exposed to that institution; a money market fund spreads the credit risk across many issuers.
Use within tax-efficient wrappers In the UK, you can hold money market funds inside a Stocks and Shares ISA or SIPP, which may be advantageous rather than leaving all your money in a conventional cash account.
Cons of money market funds
As always, “lower-risk” doesn’t mean “no risk”, and there are some important drawbacks to bear in mind…
Capital is not guaranteed Unlike deposit accounts covered by the UK’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) (up to £85,000 per institution), investments in money market funds are subject to investment risk. You could get back less than you invested.
Return may not beat inflation Because the returns are modest (given the conservative nature of the underlying assets), there is a risk that inflation will erode the real value of your money over time. In other words: you may earn income, but your purchasing power may still decline.
Interest-rate/yield sensitivity The yield of a money market fund is influenced by short-term interest rates. If interest rates fall, the yield on the fund may drop. If the market is unsettled (or credit spreads widen) the value can move.
Liquidity risk in extreme scenarios While these funds are normally very liquid, in times of market stress there is still a risk of redemption delays, or assets becoming harder to value. Some regulators have highlighted this as a risk.
Limited capital growth potential These funds are designed for preservation and modest income, not high growth. If your goal is expanding your wealth significantly over many years, other assets (equities, long-term bonds, etc.) may suit you better.
Who Should Invest in MMFs?
Here are some scenarios where a money market fund may be a good fit:
If you have short-term needs (e.g. you expect to spend the money within the next 1 to 3 years) and want to avoid exposing it to the ups and downs of equities.
If you’re deciding what to do with funds (e.g. waiting for an investment opportunity) and need a place to park cash that offers a little bit more than a basic savings account, while keeping reasonable access.
If you hold a large sum of cash in an ISA or pension wrapper and you want it to “work a little harder” than a pure deposit, but without taking large risks.
If you have low risk-tolerance and want the bulk of your capital in safer, more liquid form — while still preserving flexibility.
Who Shouldn’t Invest In MMFs (or maybe think twice)?
On the flip side, money market funds may not be appropriate if:
Your investment horizon is long-term (say 5-10+ years) and you’re seeking substantial growth. The conservative nature of money market funds means they are unlikely to match the returns of equity or balanced portfolios over the long term.
You are relying on the investment to outpace inflation significantly. If inflation is high, the modest returns may mean your real-terms wealth declines.
You need instant access or expect frequent withdrawals. While liquidity is good relative to many investments, it is not always instant and sometimes there may be daily dealing only. Check the individual fund terms.
You misunderstand the risk: if you assume it’s the same as a deposit account (with full guarantee), you may be unpleasantly surprised. While risk is lower than many funds, it is not zero.
Examples of Popular UK MMFs
To illustrate what’s out there in the UK market, here are a few examples of well-known money market (or “cash/money-market”) funds. Note: this is for information only and not a product recommendation.
Royal London Short Term Money Market Fund — This fund is often cited as a top choice in the UK short-term money market fund category, with a low ongoing charge and yield of ~4–5% in recent years.
Vanguard Sterling Short‑Term Money Market Fund — Vanguard’s UK money market offering, described as “a low-risk place to park your money” by the provider.
abrdn Sterling Money Market Fund — Another UK-available fund in the segment, targeting short-term money market instruments and relatively modest returns.
When choosing a fund, you’ll want to consider: the fund’s objective, charges (ongoing management charge/OCF), dealing terms (how quickly you can withdraw), liquidity provisions, and whether the yield is appropriate for the risk.
Why Is Interest in MMFs High Right Now?
There are various reasons for this. A major one is a degree of caution among investors at present. Equities and long-duration bonds have had episodes of volatility, inflation remains a concern, and with rising rates the risk of capital losses in interest-sensitive assets is higher. In that context, MMFs — with their short-duration holdings and relatively low volatility — look like a safer option to hold cash or near-cash assets.
Also, with central banks (including the Bank of England) keeping base rates elevated, the returns available from short-term debt and cash-like instruments have increased. For example, one provider (Fidelity) notes that MMFs “made a comeback in 2023 and have remained popular ever since — thanks largely to interest rates remaining higher for longer than expected.”
Because MMFs can be held inside ISAs or pensions, they benefit from the same tax-efficient wrappers as other investment funds. For investors who already use their ISA or SIPP allowance, being able to park cash inside that wrapper via an MMF may be an attractive alternative to leaving it outside the wrapper in a separate (perhaps taxed) savings account.
And finally, many investors have cash allocations in their portfolios (for future investment or awaiting opportunity) or hold money inside tax-efficient wrappers as mentioned above, but may not want to leave it entirely in a low-interest bank account. MMFs provide a way to hold cash within an investment platform, maintain liquidity, and potentially earn slightly more than a basic savings account. For example, AJ Bell notes that one of the appeals is that an investor can hold the MMF inside their S&S ISA or pension without transferring it out to a separate cash savings account.
UPDATE: An additional attraction of MMFs has arisen due to the decision by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her November 2025 Budget to reduce the annual Cash ISA allowance to £12,000 (with an exception for over-65s). If you would previously have put the full £20,000 into a Cash ISA, you could now put all that money into an MMF within a Stocks and Shares ISA instead. Alternatively you could put the maximum £12,000 into a Cash ISA and the remaining £8,000 into a MMF within a S&S ISA.
Key Takeaways
Money market funds can be a useful tool for parking money (relatively) safely, earning a bit more than a basic savings account, and maintaining liquidity.
They are not risk-free: capital is at risk, and returns may not keep pace with inflation.
They are most useful for short- to medium-term horizons, or as part of a diversified portfolio where some portion of assets is kept in safer, liquid form.
If you’re investing for the long term with a view to growth, you’ll likely need to supplement (or allocate differently) rather than relying solely on MMFs.
You can invest in MMFs directly or via a platform such as AJ Bell or Hargreaves Lansdown.
You can invest within a tax-free wrapper such as a SIPP or S&S ISA, or in a general investment account without tax-free status if you’ve used up your annual £20,000 ISA allowance.
Always read the fund’s Key Investor Information Document (KIID) or factsheet, check charges, underlying holdings and suitability for your goals and time horizon.
Comparison Chart: MMFs vs Bank Deposits vs Cash ISAs
Product type
Typical recent yield / rate*
Key features / caveats
Money Market Funds (UK)
Around ~3.9%-4.3% p.a. (e.g. Premier Miton UK Money Market Class B shows an underlying yield ~3.98%.
Variable yield; invested in short-dated instruments; not guaranteed like a deposit; liquidity good but subject to fund terms. May be held within a tax-free wrapper such as a SIPP or ISA.
UK bank deposits / savings accounts
For easy‐access/variable savings: up to ~4.20% or so.
Usually FSCS-protected up to £85,000; rates may change; access may be immediate or with notice depending on account.
Cash ISAs (UK)
Top easy‐access Cash ISAs: ~4.52% AER or thereabouts.
Tax-free interest; also FSCS-protected as with deposits; you must use your annual ISA allowance (£20,000 in 2025/26) for it to count as an ISA; yield may be variable or fixed term.
*Yields/interest shown are approximate at the time of writing and subject to change.
As the chart shows, if you’re looking for a place to “park” money in the UK, you’re getting broadly similar yields whether you go for a bank savings account, a cash ISA or a money market fund. The differences come down to tax treatment, level of guarantee/risk, which wrapper you use, and ease of access.
For example, a cash ISA is tax-free, which can boost your effective return if you’re a higher rate taxpayer. A bank deposit may offer the FSCS safety net. A money market fund may allow you to invest via your ISA or pension wrapper and keep your cash within your investment portfolio structure, but you must accept that capital preservation isn’t guaranteed.
If you value the FSCS protection and are comfortable with a savings account structure, a bank deposit or savings account/cash ISA might be your preference. If you already have your deposit needs covered and you’re simply looking for a place inside your investment wrapper to hold cash-like assets, a money market fund may fit the bill.
It’s also important to ascertain whether the quoted rate is fixed or variable, check any withdrawal penalties, and consider whether the returns will keep pace with inflation.
As always, if you have any comments or questions about this post, please do leave them below. Bear in mind that I am not a qualified financial adviser and nothing in this article should be construed as personal financial advice. You should always do your own ‘due diligence’ before investing and seek professional advice if in any doubt how best to proceed. All investing carries a risk of loss.
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I’ll begin as usual with my Nutmeg Stocks and Shares ISA. This is the largest investment I hold other than my Bestinvest SIPP (personal pension).
As regular readers will know, in June this year I transferred most of the money in my Nutmeg Fully Managed portfolio (just under £25,000) to a new Nutmeg Income Portfolio. I discussed this in detail in this recent post, but basically money in this port is invested to generate an income from share dividends and other sources. This is then paid monthly. Capital appreciation is targeted as well, but these portfolios are aimed primarily at older people (and others) who want/need their investment to generate a regular cash income.
In October my Nutmeg income portfolio generated £64.60 of income, which was duly paid in to my bank account on 24 October 2025. That is down a bit on the £78.20 I received in September, but it means I have now received a total (tax-free) income of £276.83 to date. That’s a bit less than I would have hoped for based on Nutmeg’s projected annual return of just under 5% for income ports at my chosen risk level (five). It’s still too early to draw any significant conclusions from this, though.
My income portfolio grew in value again in October. It’s now worth £26,837 (rounded up) compared with £26,383 at the start of last month, a rise of £454. As the screen capture shows, the port has actually increased by £1,844.36 (7.55%) since I opened it in June this year. That’s clearly good going, though I don’t suppose it will carry on like this indefinitely!
I still have a smaller, growth-oriented pot using Nutmeg’s Smart Alpha option. This is now worth £4,694 (rounded up) compared with £4,524 a month ago, a rise of £170. Here is a screen capture showing performance for the year to date.
And at the start of December 2023 I invested £500 in one of Nutmeg’s thematic portfolios (Resource Transformation). In March 2024 I also invested a further £200 from referral bonuses (something I no longer receive for reasons I won’t bore you with). As you can see from the YTD screen capture below, this portfolio is now worth £932 compared with £900 last month, a rise of £32.
Finally, I still have a small amount left in my original Nutmeg Fully Managed portfolio. I have kept this largely for comparison purposes. This has increased in value from £617 at the start of October to £639 (rounded up) now, a rise of £22.
As you can see, October was another good month for my Nutmeg investments. Overall I was up by £678 or 2.46%. In addition I did, of course, receive £64.60 in income from my income portfolio.
Excluding income generated, the overall value of my Nutmeg investments is up by £2,673 since the start of 2025, so the April 2025 fall (caused largely by Trump’s tariffs) has now fully reversed. I am also up by £3,526 or 11.92% since the start of November last year, again excluding cash income received. All things considered, that’s not a bad result.
As I always have to say, some volatility is to be expected with stock market investments, but over the longer term they tend to even themselves out (and generally perform better than bank savings accounts, although that is never guaranteed). In general the worst thing you can do is panic and sell up when downturns occur (as happened in April this year). You are then crystallizing your losses rather than giving the markets time to recover. This is something I had cause to discuss in this blog post from earlier this year.
You can read my full Nutmeg review here. If you are looking for a home for your annual ISA allowance, based on my overall experience over the last nine years, they are certainly worth considering. They offer self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs), Lifetime ISAs and Junior ISAs as well.
Note that Nutmeg are rebranding as J.P. Morgan Personal Investing and their website will be at www.personalinvesting.jpmorgan.com from this week onward.
Moving on, I also have investments with P2P property investment platform Assetz Exchange. As discussed in this post, the company has rebranded as Housemartin.
My investments with Housemartin continue to generate steady returns. Housemartin focuses on lower-risk properties (e.g. sheltered housing). I put an initial £100 into this in mid-February 2021 and another £400 in April. In June 2021 I added another £500, bringing my total investment up to £1,000.
Since I opened my account, my HM portfolio has generated a respectable £279.58 in revenue from rental income. I have made a small net loss of £19.02 on property disposals. Capital growth generally has slowed, in line with UK property values generally.
At the time of writing, 14 of ‘my’ properties are showing gains, 4 are breaking even, and the remaining 22 are showing losses. My portfolio of 40 properties is currently showing a net decrease in value of £54.00. That means that overall (rental income minus capital value decrease and loss on disposal) I am up by £206.56. That’s still a respectable return on my £1,000 and does illustrate the value of P2P property investments for diversifying your portfolio. And it doesn’t hurt that with Housemartin most projects are socially beneficial as well.
The net fall in capital value of my Housemartin investments is obviously a little disappointing. But it’s important to remember that until/unless I choose to sell the investments in question, it is largely theoretical, based on the latest price at which shares in the property concerned have changed hands. The rental income, on the other hand, is real money (which in my case I’ve reinvested in other HM projects to further diversify my portfolio).
To control risk with all my property crowdfunding investments nowadays, I invest relatively modest amounts in individual projects. This is a particular attraction of Housemartin as far as i am concerned. You can actually invest from as little as £1 per property if you really want to proceed cautiously.
As I noted in this blog post, Housemartin is particularly good if you want to compound your returns by reinvesting rental income. This effectively boosts the interest rate you are receiving. Personally, once I have accrued a minimum of £10 in rental payments, I usually reinvest this money in either a new HM project or one I have already invested in (thus increasing my holding). Over time, even if I don’t invest any more capital, this will ensure my investment with Housemartin grows at an accelerating rate and becomes more diversified as well.
In 2022 I set up an account with investment and trading platform eToro, using their popular ‘copy trader’ facility. I chose to invest $500 (then about £412) copying an experienced eToro trader called Aukie2008 (real name Mike Moest).
In January 2023 I added to this with another $500 investment in one of their thematic portfolios, Oil Worldwide. I also invested a small amount I had left over in Tesla shares.
As you can see from the screen captures below, my original investment (total value £888.36 in pounds sterling) is today worth £1,170.40 an overall increase of £282.04 or 31.75%.
Note: eToro now displays the value of investments in your native currency, although you can change this if you wish.
As you can see, my Oil WorldWide investment is in profit, though at 9.26% it is nothing to write home about. My copy trading investment with Aukie2008 has been doing better, with an impressive overall profit of 61.88%. To be fair, I have held this investment a bit longer.
My Tesla shares, which I bought as an afterthought with some spare cash I had in my account, are up again this month. They are showing an overall profit of 310.84% since I bought them. If only I had put a bit more money into this!
You might also notice that I have small holdings in Prosus NV, a Dutch internet group, and South Bow, a Canadian energy infrastructure company. To be honest I don’t understand how I acquired these, but I assume they are some sort of bonus I was awarded. In any event, I am happy to have them in my portfolio.
eToro also offer the free eToro Money app. This allows you to deposit money to your eToro account without paying any currency conversion fees, saving you up to £5 for every £1,000 you deposit. You can also use the app to withdraw funds from your eToro account instantly to your bank account. I tried this myself and was impressed with how quickly and seamlessly it worked. You can read my blog post about eToro Money here. Note that it can also serve as a cryptocurrency wallet, allowing you to send and receive crypto from any other wallet address in the world.
If you would like more information about setting up an eToro account, please click on this no-obligation website link [affiliate]. Don’t forget that you also get a free $100,000 virtual portfolio, which you can use to experiment with trading and investing strategies. I have certainly earned a lot from mine.
As an experiment, at the start of April this year I put £50 into an investment ISA with Trading 212. As mentioned in my recent blog post about dividend investing, I put it into the (Almost) Daily Dividends Portfolio, a ready-made portfolio or ‘pie’ on Trading 212. As you can see from the screen capture below, my portfolio is now worth £56.75, an increase of £6.75 or 13.5% over the seven-month period. It has even accrued a grand total of 59p in dividends!
I am quite impressed with how this investment has been faring, despite the small amount I put in (which means I may be missing out on some smaller dividends). If I increased my investment I would almost certainly become eligible for more dividends, and even more the longer I remain invested. If I had any spare money at the moment, I would consider doing this. Of course, I do now have an income-focused portfolio with Nutmeg as well (see above).
Moving on, I published various posts on Pounds and Sense in October. I have listed below those that are still relevant.
In Annuity or Drawdown? Weighing Up Your Pension Income Options After 50 I discussed an issue relevant to many PAS readers (and me personally). If – like most of us nowadays – you have a defined-contribution (aka money-purchase) pension, what is the best way to convert this into an income when the time comes? In this article I set out the pros and cons of the two main methods.
How to Save Money on Your Heating Bills This Winter covers a topic many of us are worried about right now. With energy bills soaring, what methods are available to us to save money on our heating and energy bills? Following these tips could save you hundreds of pounds in the months and years ahead.
In Winter Fuel Payment 2025/26 – What Pensioners Need to Know I explained how the rules regarding Winter Fuel Payment have changed this year. The good news is that WFP has been reinstated for most pensioners in 2025/26, but with one major caveat. Read the article for a full explanation of how things now stand and what – if anything – you need to do.
Finally, in How to Prepare for Winter Blackouts I revealed why power cuts are becoming increasingly probable in the UK and what steps you can take to prepare for them. While the prospect of winter blackouts may be daunting, thorough preparation should alleviate many of the challenges. By taking steps now, you can ensure the safety and comfort of your household, no matter what the winter months bring.
I’ll close with a reminder that you can also follow Pounds and Sense on Facebook or Twitter (or X as we have to call it now). Twitter/X is my number one social media platform and I post regularly there. I share the latest news and information on financial matters, and other things that interest, amuse or concern me. So if you aren’t following my PAS account on Twitter/X, you are definitely missing out!
I am also on the BlueSky social media network under the username poundsandsense.bsky.social. Twitter/X remains my primary social media platform, but I also post details of my latest blog posts, third-party articles and other financial news and resources on BlueSky for those who prefer to follow me there.
As always, if you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave them below. I am always delighted to hear from PAS readers
Disclaimer: I am not a qualified financial adviser and nothing in this blog post should be construed as personal financial advice. Everyone should do their own ‘due diligence’ before investing and seek professional advice if in any doubt how best to proceed. All investing carries a risk of loss.
Note also that posts on PAS may include affiliate links. If you click through and perform a qualifying transaction, I may receive a commission for introducing you. This will not affect the product or service you receive or the terms you are offered, but it does help support me in publishing PAS and paying my bills. Thank you!
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If you’re looking for ways to ease the pressure of rising energy bills, here’s a scheme you might want to check out. The online price-comparison service Uswitch has launched a new offer giving households up to 25 hours of free electricity this November, via their app. Note that you must have a working smart meter to take part in this.
How the scheme works
Here’s a breakdown of the key steps:
Download the Uswitch app (available for Android and Apple phones) and connect your smart meter. It’s free to join.
Sign up for ‘Power Hours’ by the deadline (you must register by 31 October 2025 to take part in the November campaign).
Choose your free-hours slot: For each weekend in November you’ll select a time slot (either Saturday or Sunday), from 7 am–12 pm or 12 pm–5 pm.
Over the five weekends in November you’ll accumulate up to 25 hours of free electricity — i.e., 5 weekends × 5-hour slot = 25 hours.
After each slot, Uswitch will calculate your usage from your smart meter during that time and apply your ‘free electricity’ value based on your consumption.
Who can claim the free electricity?
The offer is open to anyone with an electricity smart meter in the UK, regardless of who your supplier is.
The key requirements: you must have your smart meter connected in the Uswitch app, and you must sign up by 31 October 2025.
Your supplier and tariff don’t matter — as long as you’re a UK domestic household, you can participate.
How much free electricity can you claim?
You can claim up to 25 hours of free electricity across the five weekends in November — that’s one 5-hour block each weekend.
During each chosen 5-hour slot, your actual electricity use will be measured. The equivalent cost of that usage is then calculated and becomes your ‘free electricity value.’
Importantly, this value isn’t just a notional saving — it’s credited directly to your account once Uswitch has confirmed and processed the data from your smart meter. You can then withdraw the money to your bank account.
The maximum payout is £25 per campaign, or up to £5 per weekend across the five weekends in November 2025.
In other words, the more electricity you use during your Power Hours (within the stated limits), the closer you’ll get to the full £25 benefit.
What does £25 equate to in electricity usage?
Under the current UK electricity unit rate (approx 26.35 pence per kWh for the period 1 October to 31 December 2025):
If electricity costs ~26.35p per kWh, then £1 would buy about 3.80 kWh (i.e., £1 ÷ £0.2635 = ~3.80 kWh)
Therefore, £25 would buy roughly £25 ÷ £0.2635 ≈ 95 kWh of electricity usage
Put another way: if you used 95 kWh during your designated free-hours slots, you’d roughly reach the £25 maximum value (assuming that usage is entirely within the scheme slots and eligible)
On a ‘per-weekend’ maximum of £5, that’s ~£5 ÷ £0.2635 ≈ 19 kWh each weekend.
So, as a rough guide, you’ll want to use around 19 kWh in each 5-hour weekend slot (or a total of ~95 kWh over the five weekends) to come close to extracting the maximum value from this offer. Of course, if you use significantly more or less in that slot, your credited amount might vary (up to the cap of £5/weekend or £25 total).
Why it matters
With energy costs still elevated and many households looking for ways to save, this offer from Uswitch is a timely boost. Even if the ‘free hours’ don’t cover your entire weekend usage, they can help absorb some of the higher-cost usage periods. Also, by signing up you may gain additional insights via the Uswitch app into your energy usage, which may be helpful for long-term savings.
Important things to bear in mind
Make sure your smart meter is already installed and that you have access to it (in-home display or via your supplier) so you can connect it to the app. Uswitch says the set-up takes less than two minutes, and I can confirm this was the case for me.
You must act before the deadline (31 October 2025) if you want to participate in November 2025. After that, you may miss out.
While 25 hours is a fixed maximum, your actual ‘free electricity value’ depends on how much you consume during your chosen slots. If you use very little, the credit will be smaller.
The maximum reward you can earn under this campaign is £25 in total (£5 per weekend).
This offer applies for November 2025 weekends only. It’s a limited-time seasonal offer tied to Uswitch’s ‘Power Hours’ programme. It may be repeated in future months, but that is not guaranteed.
Keep an eye on the terms and conditions for any exclusions or fine print (for example, whether only certain types of smart meters are eligible, deadlines for claiming, etc).
If you’re already in another scheme
If you’re already taking part in a scheme such as EDF Energy’s ‘Sunday Saver’, that does not stop you from joining the Uswitch Power Hours offer — you can take part in both.
However, when you sign up to Power Hours, you’ll also be automatically enrolled in Uswitch’s ‘Reduce and Earn’ sessions, which are part of the National Grid ESO Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) scheme. You can only be registered with one DFS scheme at a time. If you’re enrolled in multiple DFS schemes when a session takes place, there’s a risk you’ll be disqualified from earning money in both until you’ve opted out of all but one. If that happens, simply opt out of your other DFS scheme, and you should be able to rejoin the Reduce & Earn sessions the following day.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking to lighten the load on your energy bill this winter, this scheme is definitely worth considering. By choosing to run higher-usage appliances (washing machine, tumble dryer, hoovering, etc.) during a designated 5-hour block each weekend in November, you’ll get more bang from the offer. Signing up is free, the app is straightforward, and the benefit — a real cash credit of up to £25 you can withdraw to your bank account — is clear.
Plus: with the current unit rate of ~26.35 p/kWh, hitting that £25 maximum means using around 95 kWh across the five weekends, or around 19 kWh each weekend slot. That gives you a practical target to aim for if you’re going to maximize the benefit.
Overall, it seems to me that this scheme from Uswitch offers a range of benefits and no major drawbacks, so I have signed up. I will let Pounds and Sense readers know in due course (by updating this post and/or adding a new one) how it works out for me. If you decide to give it a try as well, don’t hang around, as the closing date to apply for the November scheme is Friday 31 October 2025.
Lastly, a quick reminder that if you switch to EDF Energy (my own energy supplier) via my link below you can get a free £50 credited to your energy account (and so will I). Terms and conditions apply. For more info, click on https://edfenergy.com/quote/refer-a-friend/sunny-koala-9462 [referral link].
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