Right now – as you can see on the official UKHSA website – flu and other respiratory viruses (though not Covid) are soaring.
Of course, winter often brings a surge in colds, flu and other seasonal illnesses. But while not unexpected, these infections can be a nuisance at least. And – in the case of older people especially – they can sometimes be life-threatening.
While a balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate sleep remain the cornerstones of good health, certain supplements can provide an extra layer of protection. Here’s a guide to the best supplements to support your immune system during the colder months.
1. Vitamin D
Why it’s essential: With limited sunlight during UK winters, many people experience a drop in their vitamin D levels. This nutrient plays a crucial role in immune function and helps reduce the risk of respiratory infections.
How to take it: Public Health England recommends everyone consider a daily supplement of 10 micrograms (400 IU) of vitamin D during the autumn and winter months. Higher doses may be necessary for those with deficiencies, but consult a healthcare professional first.
2. Vitamin C
Why it’s essential: Vitamin C is known for its immune-boosting properties and its ability to reduce the duration and severity of colds. It’s also a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage.
How to take it: A daily dose of 500–1,000 mg is generally safe for most people. You can also pair supplementation with dietary sources like oranges, kiwi fruit and bell peppers.
3. Zinc
Why it’s essential: Zinc is vital for immune cell function and has been shown to shorten the duration of cold symptoms when taken early. It also helps your body fight off viruses more effectively.
How to take it: Lozenges containing 10–15 mg of zinc can be taken at the onset of a cold. Long-term supplementation should not exceed 25 mg daily unless advised by a healthcare professional.
4. Probiotics
Why it’s essential: A healthy gut microbiome supports immune function, and probiotics help maintain this balance. Some strains, like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, are particularly effective in reducing the risk of upper respiratory tract infections.
How to take it: Look for a high-quality probiotic supplement with at least 1 billion CFUs (colony-forming units). Yogurt and fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut can also be excellent natural sources.
5. Elderberry Extract
Why it’s essential: Elderberries have been traditionally used to fight colds and flu. They are rich in antioxidants and may reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.
How to take it: Elderberry syrup or capsules are common forms. Follow the recommended dosage on the product label, and avoid taking it if you have an autoimmune condition without consulting a doctor.
6. Echinacea
Why it’s essential: Echinacea is a popular herbal remedy that may help prevent and reduce the severity of colds by boosting immune activity.
How to take it: Look for standardised extracts and follow the manufacturer’s dosage guidelines. Echinacea is best taken at the first sign of illness.
7. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Why it’s essential: Omega-3s, particularly EPA and DHA found in fish oil, have anti-inflammatory properties that support immune function and overall health.
How to take it: Aim for 250–500 mg of combined EPA and DHA daily. Vegetarian or vegan options include algae-based supplements.
8. Garlic Supplements
Why it’s essential: Garlic contains allicin, a compound with antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties. Regular garlic intake has been associated with fewer colds and flu.
How to take it: Opt for aged garlic extract supplements or incorporate fresh garlic into your diet for the best benefits.
Final Tips
Consult a GP or pharmacist: Always check with a healthcare professional before starting new supplements, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing or on medication.
Choose quality brands: Look for products that are third-party tested for purity and potency. A wide range of supplements and vitamins is available from Amazon.
Maintain healthy habits: Supplements work best when combined with a balanced diet, good hygiene and adequate sleep.
By supporting your immune system with the right supplements, you can give yourself a better chance of staying healthy this cold and flu season.
This blog post was created with the aid of AI.
If you enjoyed this post, please link to it on your own blog or social media:
As is customary for bloggers at this time of year, here are the top twenty posts on Pounds and Sense in 2024, 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.
Thank you for being a valued Pounds and Sense reader. Just a reminder that you can get notifications every time the blog is updated via the Subscribe box on the right (or scroll down on mobile devices). You can also follow PAS on X/Twitter and Facebook and now on BlueSky as well 🙂
If you have any comments or questions about this post, of course, feel free to leave them below as usual.
If you enjoyed this post, please link to it on your own blog or social media:
Christmas is coming, so here’s a chance to make it extra special for one lucky winner!
I’ve joined forces with some of my fellow UK bloggers in this festive mega-giveaway with prizes valued at over£500 in total.
Entering the giveaway is free of charge and full instructions can be found below. There are multiple ways to enter, and the more you do, the better your chances of winning. You may also like to use the prize list as a source of ideas for Christmas gifts.
Note that where an entry requires following a social media account, you will need to continue following this account until the winner has been drawn after the closing date of 22 December 2024. Before the winner is announced the organisers will check that they are still following the account in question. If not, they will be disqualified and another winner drawn.
This giveaway has been organised by my fellow blogger Rowena Becker, who blogs at My Balancing Act. Please check out her blog and those of the other talented bloggers taking part (listed below). And read on for full details from Rowena of all the prizes on offer and how you could win this mammoth bundle!
The Bloggers Mega Christmas Giveaway!
Win Big This Christmas! Some of the UK’s top bloggers have come together to offer one lucky winner a collection of incredible prizes that are sure to bring smiles to every face in your household.
From thoughtful treats to exciting surprises, this bundle has everything you need to make this Christmas extra special. Entering couldn’t be easier—simply head over to our Rafflecopter link at the bottom of this post for multiple chances to win.
Don’t miss out—this could be the perfect way to surprise and delight the whole family!
This giveaway is open to over 18 only and age verification will be required. The winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email. Terms and conditions apply.
The Bloggers
In order to be able to bring you this incredible giveaway, some of the UK’s top bloggers got together. A massive thank you to our bloggers! The bloggers taking part are:
The Perfect Gift for Foodies: FinaMill Rechargeable Gift Set
Upgrade your loved ones’ cooking game with the festive FinaMill Rechargeable Gift Set. This set not only adds a pop of colour to any kitchen in its Sangria shade, but it also takes cooking to the next level with its innovative design and features. Whether you’re shopping for experienced chefs or kitchen newbies, this gift set is sure to impress.
The rechargeable grinder allows for fast charging and has a long-lasting battery, making it the perfect addition to any busy kitchen. And with its eco-friendly design, you can feel good about reducing your carbon footprint while cooking up delicious meals.
Not only does the gift set come with the FinaMill grinder, it also includes 3 different types of FinaPods: 2 FinaPod Pro Plus for everyday spices and 1 FinaPod MAX for larger spices and dried herbs. With a sleek and modern tray exclusive to this gift set, your loved ones will have all the tools they need to elevate their dishes in one convenient package.
As well as being a practical and unique present, this will also show your loved ones how much you care about their passion for food. Don’t wait—enter our giveaway now!
Ocoopa HotPal PD Quick Charge Rechargeable Hand Warmer
The Ocoopa HotPal PD Rechargeable Hand Warmer is the perfect addition to our prize bundle, making it an ideal gift for anyone who loves spending time outdoors during the colder months. This hand warmer not only keeps your hands warm and toasty during chilly morning hikes or outdoor activities, but it also has adjustable heat options so you can customise the warmth level to suit your needs.
But that’s not all! The Ocoopa HotPal PD Hand Warmer also serves as a backup portable charger using the PD protocol, making it a convenient and versatile gadget to have on hand. It can charge various devices such as lights, earbuds, and smartphones – with lightning-fast speed. In fact, it can charge an iPhone to 50% in just 30 minutes, perfect for those who are always on-the-go. This means you’ll never have to worry about your devices running out of juice during your outdoor adventures.
So whether you’re gifting this hand warmer to a friend or family member who loves camping, hiking, or simply enjoys being outdoors, or even treating yourself to one, the Ocoopa HotPal PD Rechargeable Hand Warmer is a must-have accessory for any winter adventure. Don’t miss your chance to win this amazing prize and make someone’s Christmas extra warm and special with our ultimate giveaway bundle!
Opinel Cheese Knife & Fork Set
Looking for a unique and practical gift for the foodie in your life? Look no further than the Opinel Cheese Knife & Fork Set. This set is not only stylish and beautifully designed, but also functional for any cheese lover.
Opinel, known for their iconic French design and quality craftsmanship, brings their expertise to this must-have set for any cheese plate or charcuterie platter. Made from sustainably harvested European wood, the beechwood handles add a touch of elegance to the knife and fork.
But don’t let the sleek design fool you, these tools are made to last. The stainless steel blade of the knife is sharp, durable, and easy to maintain, ensuring that it will be a staple in any cheese lover’s kitchen for years to come. Plus, the fork serves a dual purpose as a holder for the knife and for easily serving slices from the platter.
This set is not only perfect for holiday gatherings and dinner parties, but also makes a great gift for any occasion. Give the gift of style and functionality with Opinel’s Cheese Knife & Fork Set this Christmas!
Opinel Art Deco 4pc Kitchen Knife Set
The Opinel Art Deco 4pc Kitchen Knife Set is the perfect addition to our prize bundle this Christmas. With its simple, versatile and efficient design, these knives make everyday cooking much easier. The set includes four high-quality knives with unique and stylish designs that are sure to impress any recipient.
Each knife in the set has a Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel blade with a high carbon content, ensuring excellent cutting quality and resistance to corrosion. The handles are made from tinted hornbeam and covered in a protective varnish, making them resistant to water for long-lasting use.
The set contains four essential kitchen knives: No.112 Paring knife in purple, No.113 Serrated knife in soft grey, No.114 Vegetable Knife in emerald green and No.115 Peeler in white. These knives are perfect for various tasks such as peeling, slicing, and dicing fruits and vegetables, cutting bread or meat, and even preparing sushi.
The Opinel Art Deco 4pc Kitchen Knife Set is not only practical but also adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen with its Art Deco design. It’s an ideal gift for anyone who loves to cook or wants to upgrade their kitchen essentials.
Note: Age verification will be required for all prize winners. Open to UK residents over 18 only.
The Perfect Gift for Coffee Lovers: RISE 26oz Tumbler by Klean Kanteen
As part of our amazing Christmas prize bundle, we are excited to offer the RISE 26 oz tumbler with flip lid in Sea Spray. This sleek and stylish tumbler is not only a great addition to any coffee lover’s collection, but also an eco-friendly choice.
Made from certified 90% post-consumer recycled stainless steel, this durable tumbler is perfect for enjoying hot or cold drinks on the go. Its Climate Lock™ insulation keeps drinks at the desired temperature for hours, making it ideal for busy mornings or long commutes.
Christmas Negroni Cocktail Prize Pack
Are you looking for a sophisticated and festive cocktail to add to your Christmas celebrations? Look no further than the Award-Winning Christmas Negroni, crafted by Bottle Bar and Shop.
This twist on the classic Negroni is perfectly balanced with warm seasonal spices and premium ingredients, providing an effortless way to indulge in the holiday spirit. Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or enjoying a cosy night in, this Christmas Negroni will elevate your experience with its rich flavours and festive flair.
Enter now for a chance to win this as part of our prize bundle. Please note that this prize is only available for those who are 18 years or older. Cheers to the holiday season with our Christmas Negroni Cocktail Prize Pack! Disclaimer: Must be 18 years or over to enter.
Disney Stitch Drink Flask from Thermos
Looking for a practical and fun gift for the little ones in your life? Look no further than the Direct Drink Flask 470ml Disney Stitch Signature from Thermos. This flask not only features cute images of everyone’s favourite mischievous alien, Stitch, but also keeps drinks hot for up to 10 hours and cold for up to 24 hours.
Whether they’re off on an adventure or just need a cool drink at school, this direct drink flask is perfect for kids (or adults!) who love Disney and staying hydrated. And with its durable design and reliable insulation, it’s sure to be a gift that will last beyond the holiday season.
Brainstorm Toys Outdoor Adventure Metal Detector
As part of our Christmas prize bundle, we are excited to offer the Brainstorm Toys Outdoor Adventure Metal Detector. This fun and innovative STEM toy is perfect for young detectorists who love to explore and discover hidden treasures. With its easy-to-use design and light and sound alerts, kids will be entertained for hours as they search for buried gems and coins. Not only does this gift encourage curiosity, but it also provides an exciting outdoor activity that will keep kids active and engaged during the holiday season. Lightweight and versatile, the Brainstorm Toys can be used in handheld mode or attached to a pole for an even more thrilling treasure hunt experience. Don’t miss your chance to win this amazing gift for the little ones in your life!
Doll Smash Glass Lip Oil: The Ultimate Hydration and Shine for Her Lips
This Christmas, give the gift of hydrated and shiny lips with Doll Smash Glass Lip Oil. Its lightweight, vegan formula is perfect for anyone looking for a quick and easy way to add some moisture to their lips. Say goodbye to sticky residue and hello to soft and supple lips with just one glide. With its instant boost of hydration and shine, this lip oil is the perfect addition to any winter skincare routine. So why not treat your loved ones (or yourself!) to beautifully moisturised lips this holiday season?
Age-Defyers Discovery Set from Evolve Organic Beauty
Looking for the perfect gift for her this holiday season? Look no further than the Age-Defyers Discovery Set from Evolve Organic Beauty. This giftable collection of 3 travel-sized skincare products is suitable for all skin types and is specifically designed to help smooth, plump, and give a younger-looking appearance.
Included in this set are 3 samples from Evolve’s award-winning range of organic skincare products, so you can try out some of their best-selling items before committing to full-sized versions. The Gentle Cleansing Melt (30ml) will leave her skin feeling clean and refreshed while the Peptide 360 Serum (10ml) and Multi Peptide 360 Anti-Ageing Cream (30ml) work together to tackle signs of aging. Plus, with the addition of 2 sachet samples, she can continue her journey to youthful skin even after the holidays are over.
Don’t miss out on this amazing gift that will give her the gift of beautiful, radiant skin this Christmas!
New Sprouts® Prep ‘n’ Store Kitchen Island from Learning Resources
As part of our amazing Christmas prize bundle, we are excited to offer the New Sprouts® Prep ‘n’ Store Kitchen Island from Learning Resources! This fantastic play kitchen island is perfect for your little chef to prepare and serve pretend play food and will provide hours of imaginative play. With two rolling wheels on one side and a convenient handle on the other, it’s also easy to move around and store when not in use. Plus, with two storage shelves included, there’s plenty of space to store all kinds of play food—including the six pieces that come with the set! Let your child’s creativity and culinary skills shine this Christmas with the New Sprouts® Prep ‘n’ Store Kitchen Island from Learning Resources.
Numberblocks® Rainbow Counting Bus
The New Sprouts® Prep ‘n’ Store Kitchen Island is not the only exciting educational toy that we have included in our Christmas prize bundle. As part of our commitment to providing quality learning resources, we are also offering a Numberblocks® Rainbow Counting Bus from learning resources! This fun and educational toy is perfect for any young Numberblocks fan who loves imaginative play.
Get ready to embark on exciting adventures in Numberland with the included Seven figure as your driver. With 12 songs and sounds from the series, your child will have a blast counting along and exploring all the numbery features of the bus.
Take a peek at the hidden rainbow by opening the drop-down back, and count all the different colours together. Let this magical toy from Learning Resources be a part of your child’s Christmas celebrations and help them learn and grow while having tons of fun!
Pretend to Bee Postal Worker – 3-5 Years
This fun and interactive costume from Pretend to Bee is the perfect gift for children who love to play pretend and explore different occupations. With a sleeveless jacket, trousers, and post bag, kids can dress up and act out the role of a postal worker, gaining a better understanding of this important job in their community. Not only will they have hours of fun with imaginative play, but they’ll also learn valuable skills such as responsibility and teamwork. Plus, it’s machine washable for easy clean-up after all their adventures! A great addition to any child’s dress-up collection and a fantastic way to encourage creativity and social development. Get ready to deliver some letters this Christmas with the Pretend to Bee Postal Worker costume!
Little Brian Scribble Paint Sticks and Bath Paint Sticks
Add a splash of colour and creativity to your child’s Christmas with the Scribble Paint Sticks by Little Brian, included in our prize bundle! These innovative paint sticks allow kids to unleash their imagination and create intricate designs thanks to their finer tip. With 12 vibrant colours, these paint sticks bring any artwork to life in just under 60 seconds. And the best part? No more messy clean-up afterwards! Watch as your child explores their creativity on paper, card, wood, or glass without worrying about stains or spills.
But wait, there’s more! Also included in our prize bundle are the Bath Paint Sticks from Little Brian. These washable paint sticks make bath time even more fun and colourful as kids can create their own masterpieces on the bath tub or shower walls. With six vibrant colours that easily wash off with water, these paint sticks provide a mess-free and imaginative activity for children of all ages. Make bath time a creative experience this Christmas with the Little Brian Bath Paint Sticks! Don’t miss out on this perfect gift for budding artists this holiday season!
LittleLife Toddler Backpacks
LittleLife’s award-winning range of toddler backpacks come in a plethora of different colourful designs, giving your little ones the perfect amount of storage space this Christmas, whether that’s for their new toys or sweet treats!
What’s more, LittleLife’s toddler backpacks have a built-in safety rein to keep youngsters safe and within reach, whilst still giving them the freedom and independence to explore the outdoors and develop motor skills that are so important for children’s development.
Make festive family walks a cherished tradition, knowing your little ones are secure with LittleLife toddler backpacks!
Browse the LittleLife toddler backpack collection here
Start-Rite Party Shoes
Add some sparkle and fun to little feet this Christmas with Start-Rite’s versatile collection of children’s party shoes! You’ll find classic T-bar styles such as Lottie in Pink Leather and Puzzle in Navy Patent, and festive colours, such as Wiggle in Gold Glitter and Wonderland in Cherry Red Patent. The extensive collection of party shoes and boots from Start-Rite has something for everyone – perfect for family festivities this Christmas.
The FoldLite LX is the perfect solution for making family visits easier this Christmas! With a lightweight, one-of-a-kind fold, the FoldLite LX can be popped up and taken down with ease both home and away. Collapsing to only 26cm wide, you can swiftly tuck the cot into any nook around the house. When travelling, the FoldLite LX can go one step further, folding down even tinier for exceptional portability. Doubling as a playpen and featuring a removable infant bassinet, the FoldLite LX conveniently travels with the family throughout the festive period and beyond.
You can enter the Giveaway by completing as many Rafflecopter widget entry options below as you like. All entries will be collected, and one winner will be randomly chosen via Rafflecopter. Good luck!
The giveaway will run from 8 am 15th December 2024 to 11.45 pm 22nd December 2024.
Prize open to over 18s only. Age verification will be required.
The winners will be notified by email from rowena@mybalancingact.co.uk.
The winner will have 7 days to respond after which time we reserve the right to select an alternative winner.
This prize draw is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, BlogLovin or Pinterest or any other social media platform.
The prizes may not arrive in time for Christmas.
Some or all of the prizes may take a few weeks to arrive.If any prizes are out of stock then we will do our best to find a suitable replacement but cannot guarantee it.
Anyone who unfollows before the giveaway ends or doesn’t complete the required entry action will be disqualified.
The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for monetary value.
We may be using a parcel service or Royal Mail for some of the prizes and their standard compensation will apply in the event of loss or damage.
Some items may be sent directly by the supplier and we do not have responsibility if these go missing and we cannot replace them.
In the unlikely event that one of the companies withdraws a prize, we cannot offer an alternative.
The winner’s name will be stated on some or all of our blogger’s websites and announced on Twitter and other social media channels. It will also be displayed on the Rafflecopter entry form. By entering this prize draw, you give your permission for this.
Please note the winner may have the same name as you, so if you see your name displayed, be aware that you are not the winner unless you have been notified by us.
There may be some delays in receiving prizes.
Good luck, and I hope a Pounds and Sense reader wins this fabulous prize bundle!
NOTE: Posts on Pounds and Sense may include affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission for introducing you. This will not affect in any way the product or service you receive or the price you pay.
If you enjoyed this post, please link to it on your own blog or social media:
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 the screenshot below for the year to date shows, my main Nutmeg portfolio is currently valued at £25,822 (rounded up). Last month it stood at £24,799, so that is an impressive increase of £1,023.
Apart from my main portfolio, I also have a second, smaller pot using Nutmeg’s Smart Alpha option. This is now worth £4,157 compared with £3,988 a month ago, a rise of £169. Here is a screen capture showing performance over the year to date.
Finally, at the start of December 2023 I invested £500 in one of Nutmeg’s new thematic portfolios (Resource Transformation). In March I also invested a further £200 from referral bonuses. As you can see from the YTD screen capture below, this portfolio is now worth £818 (rounded up) compared with £789 last month, a rise of £29.
As you can see, November was a good month for my Nutmeg investments. The overall value has risen by £1,221 or 4.13% since the start of November. They are also up by £4,482 or 17.03% since the start of the 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 eight years, they are certainly worth considering. They offer self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs), Lifetime ISAs and Junior ISAs as well.
Note that I am no longer an affiliate for Nutmeg. That means you won’t find any affiliate links in my review (or anywhere else on PAS). And you will no longer see the no-fees-for-six-months offer I used to promote as an affiliate. However, the better news is that you can still get six months free of any management fees by registering with Nutmeg via my Refer a Friend link. I will receive a gift voucher if you do this, which is duly appreciated
Don’t forget, also, that the current tax year began on 6 April 2024. Despite some predictions to the contrary, you still have a full £20,000 tax-free ISA allowance for 2024/25. As from this year, you can open any number of ISAs with different providers in the same tax year, as long as you don’t exceed your overall £20,000 allowance. So opening a stocks and shares ISA with Nutmeg won’t prevent you from also opening one with another S&S ISA provider (should you wish to) later in the financial year.
Moving on, I also have investments with P2P property investment platform Assetz Exchange. These continue to generate steady returns. Assetz Exchange 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 AE portfolio has generated a respectable £220.04 in revenue from rental income. Capital growth has slowed, though, in line with UK property values generally.
At the time of writing, 12 of ‘my’ properties are showing gains, 4 are breaking even, and the remaining 18 are showing losses. My portfolio of 34 properties is currently showing a net decrease in value of £44.11, meaning that overall (rental income minus capital value decrease) I am up by £175.93. That’s still a decent 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 Assetz Exchange most projects are socially beneficial as well.
The overall fall in capital value of my AE 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 AE 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 AE as far as i am concerned. You can actually invest from as little as 80p per property if you really want to proceed cautiously.
As I noted in this blog post, Assetz Exchange 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 reinvest this money in either a new AE 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 AE grows at an accelerating rate and becomes more diversified as well.
My investment on Assetz Exchange is in the form of an IFISA so there won’t be any tax to pay on profits, dividends or capital gains. I’ve been impressed by my experiences with Assetz Exchange and the returns generated so far, and intend to continue investing with them. You can read my full review of Assetz Exchange here. You can also sign up for an account on Assetz Exchange directly via this link [affiliate]. Bear in mind that, as from this financial year (2024/25), you can open more than one IFISA per year.
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 totalling $1,022.26 is today worth $1,315.34, an overall increase of $293.08 or 28.67%.
As you can see, my Oil WorldWide investment is showing a respectable if not outstanding profit of 10.32%. My copy trading investment with Aukie2008 has been doing better, with an overall 25.95% profit. To be fair, I have held the latter investment a bit longer.
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 have been 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.
I had two more articles published in November on the excellent Mouthy Money website. The first is Ten Ways to Boost Your Bank Balance in the Run-up to Christmas. As Christmas approaches, many of us are feeling the pinch, with the cost of gifts, food and festivities adding up. And that’s before you even factor in the cost of living crisis, tax increases, benefit cuts, and so on. So in this article I set out a variety of ways you may be able to boost your income in the weeks leading up to the big day.
Also in November Mouthy Money published my article Get Fit, Make Money – How to Profit from Fitness Apps. In this article I revealed a variety of methods by which you may be able to get fit and boost your bank balance at the same time.
As I’ve said before, Mouthy Money is a great resource for anyone interested in money-making and money-saving. From the range of articles published in November, I particularly enjoyed this guide to saving money by selling stuff on eBay and other websites by regular MM contributor Shoestring Jane. Jane writes mainly about money saving and frugal living. You can see all of her articles for Mouthy Money via this web page.
I also published (or republished) several posts on Pounds and Sense in November. Some are no longer relevant, but I have listed the others below.
In Update on my eToro Virtual Portfolio, I brought readers up to date with how my eToro VP has been doing and discussed what lessons could be learned from it. As I say in the article, anyone joining the eToro trading and investing platform automatically gets a $100,000 virtual portfolio in which they can experiment with different investing styles and strategies. I found it very interesting to revisit my VP a year on. I was pleased to discover that since my previous VP update, and despite the fact I hadn’t really paid it much attention, performance had turned around and the port was showing a good profit (unfortunately virtual as well!). As ever there were winners and losers, and these will inform my real-money trading as well.
With Christmas fast approaching, last month I published What Are the Best Video Calling Tools for Older People? For older people (in particular) video calling can provide a great way of connecting with far-flung family and friends if – for whatever reason – they can’t meet in person. In this article I set out the main options available and shared a few hints and tips for making the most of them.
And in Twelve Great Christmas Gift Ideas for Older People (That Aren’t Socks) I set out 12 suggestions for presents for older friends and relatives that – based on my experience as an older person myself – should put a smile on their faces! If you’re struggling for ideas for gifts for older friends and relatives, check this out
Lastly, 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 (and other) 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 have also just joined the new BlueSky social media network. My username there is poundsandsense.bsky.social. For the time being at least, Twitter/X will remain my main social media platform, but I will 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.
That’s all for today. I hope you are keeping safe and warm in the current Arctic weather. 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!
If you enjoyed this post, please link to it on your own blog or social media:
As part of our Christmas prize bundle, we are excited to offer the
I also published (or republished) several posts on 