Having fallen out of favour for a while due to a lack of suitable opportunities, the sideline-earning system of stoozing is back in the spotlight again!
Stoozing is a financial strategy that allows individuals to profit by leveraging 0% interest credit card offers. By using the interest-free periods, you can earn interest on borrowed funds without incurring additional costs.
Here’s a guide to effectively implementing a stoozing strategy…
1. Understanding Stoozing
Stoozing involves borrowing money through a credit card offering a 0% interest period and depositing that money into a high-interest savings account. The goal is to earn interest on the borrowed funds and repay the credit card balance before the interest-free period ends. This method requires careful planning and discipline to ensure profitability.
2. Steps to Implement Stoozing
Table of Contents
Select a Suitable 0% Interest Credit Card
Begin by researching credit cards that offer a 0% interest period on purchases or balance transfers. Opt for cards with the longest interest-free durations to maximize potential gains. Ensure you understand any associated fees, such as balance transfer fees, which could impact your overall profit. A useful resource for tracking down cards with 0% interest-free offers can be found on the popular MoneySavingExpert website.
Use the Credit Card for Everyday Purchases
Instead of using your debit card or cash, utilize the 0% interest credit card for daily expenses. This approach allows your regular income to remain in your bank account. This money can then be transferred to a high-interest savings account. Note that you should never withdraw cash directly from your credit card as you will be charged interest on this and it may also adversely affect your credit score (see below).
Deposit Funds into a High-Interest Savings Account
Transfer the money that would have been used for purchases into a high-interest savings account. This strategy enables you to earn interest on funds that would otherwise have been spent. Regularly monitor interest rates using a platform such as MoneySuperMarket to ensure you’re getting the best possible return on your savings.
Make Minimum Monthly Payments
It’s essential to make at least the minimum monthly payments on your credit card to maintain the 0% interest offer. Setting up a direct debit can help prevent missed payments, which could result in losing the interest-free benefit.
Repay the Full Balance Before the 0% Period Ends
Before the end of the 0% interest period, ensure you repay the entire credit card balance using the funds in your savings account. The difference between the interest earned and any fees paid represents your profit.
3. Example of Potential Earnings
Let’s say you obtain a 0% interest credit card with a 24-month interest-free period and a credit limit of £5,000. You deposit the full £5,000 into a high-interest savings account offering an annual interest rate of 5%.
Year 1 Interest: £5,000 x 5% = £250
Year 2 Interest: £5,000 x 5% = £250
Total Interest Earned Over 2 Years: £500
Assuming there are no fees and you meet all minimum payments on time, your profit from stoozing would be £500, simply by leveraging the 0% interest period.
4. Calculating Potential Profits
To assess the potential gains from stoozing, you can use online calculators designed for this purpose. These allow you to enter details such as the balance to be transferred, the introductory period, balance transfer fees, and minimum monthly payments to estimate your profit. One such calculator is available at stoozing.com.
5. Risks and Considerations
While stoozing can be profitable, it’s important to be aware of potential risks:
Discipline Required: Failure to make minimum payments or repay the balance before the 0% period ends can lead to interest charges that outweigh your earnings.
Credit Score Impact: Applying for multiple credit cards can affect your credit score. It’s advisable to check your credit report before proceeding. And it may be best to avoid stoozing if you plan to apply for a mortgage or business loan in the near future.
Changing Interest Rates: Savings account interest rates can vary, potentially reducing your anticipated profits.
Fees: Be mindful of any fees associated with the credit card or savings account, as they can erode your gains.
6. Closing Thoughts
Stoozing offers a method to earn additional income by strategically using 0% interest credit card offers and high-interest savings accounts.
Success in stoozing hinges on careful planning, disciplined financial management, and a thorough understanding of the terms and conditions associated with the financial products involved. Always ensure that the interest earned exceeds any fees incurred to achieve a net profit.
As always, if you have any comments or questions about this post, please do leave them below.
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This Valentine’s Day I’m pleased to bring you a guest article on a subject that I know will resonate with many readers of this blog.
Finding love in later life is clearly to be celebrated. But there are potential pitfalls as well, especially if you’ve been married before and/or have children from previous relationships. Mistakes made now can have costly – and stressful – consequences for you and your family further down the line.
My guest today, Victoria Fellows, a partner and head of family at the Birmingham office of HCR Law, knows this all too well. And she has some excellent advice for anyone who may be contemplating tying the knot (again) in their later years.
Marriage is an important decision at any stage of life, but when it comes to later-life marriages, the financial and legal implications take on an added level of significance which can include both benefits and challenges. This is especially likely if you have been married before (which accounts for most marriages among over 50s) or have children from previous relationships.
One of the primary concerns when entering a later marriage is protecting your children’s and/or extended family’s inheritance rights. In the absence of proper planning, a surviving spouse may inherit a significant portion of the estate, potentially diminishing what your children from earlier relationships would receive. This can lead to complicated family dynamics, particularly if your surviving spouse chooses to remarry or if your children feel their inheritance has been unfairly diminished.
There may also be inheritance tax (IHT) issues if the combining of assets pushes the estate value above the inheritance tax threshold, creating additional financial burdens for children who inherit.
So how can assets be protected to provide reassurance to the happy couple and their families?
Pre-Nuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements
In addition to thinking about what happens to your wealth when you die, it’s also worth giving some thought to what might happen if you separate.
A pre-nuptial agreement is a legal contract entered into before marriage that sets out how assets will be divided in the event of divorce or death. While pre-nuptial agreements are not legally binding in England and Wales, they can be persuasive if challenged in court, particularly if both parties entered into the agreement voluntarily and with full disclosure of assets. In later-life marriages, a pre-nup can be used to protect children’s inheritance rights by ensuring that assets accumulated before the marriage remain separate and are passed down to children.
A post-nuptial agreement can serve a similar purpose but is created after the marriage has taken place. Although UK courts are not legally obliged to uphold these agreements, post-nups can still be considered, especially if they are seen as fair, transparent, and made with legal advice.
It can be an awkward subject to raise, but nuptial agreements simply set out what a financial agreement would look like were you to separate and allow you to ring-fence any assets that one or both of you are bringing to the marriage. Often we find that our older clients feel more confident about getting married once they have raised the issue of a pre-nup with their partner because it provides both parties (and their wider families) with clarification on what would happen if they were to separate further down the line.
Wills and Trusts
Creating or updating a will is crucial to ensure that assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death. For individuals in later-life marriages, it’s vital to establish clear provisions that reflect your intent to protect children’s inheritance, ensuring that your assets are passed to your own children and grandchildren not your new spouse’s family. A well-drafted will can explicitly set out which assets should go to children from previous relationships and can address potential challenges from a surviving spouse.
Many people are unaware that when they marry a previous will is likely to become null and void. Therefore, if you pass away without making a new will, the law will decide how your assets are distributed, which may not reflect your wishes or the needs of your loved ones.
In addition to creating or updating a will, you can consider a life interest trust which could upon your death give your surviving spouse the right to an income for the rest of their life, at which point the remaining capital would be passed to your children. This will prevent the entire estate passing to a surviving spouse for them to pass on at their discretion, which may or may not include your children.
Joint Ownership and Beneficiary Designations
When it comes to property you should carefully consider whether joint ownership or beneficiary designations will achieve your asset protection goals. In the case of joint ownership, you can hold property as tenants-in-common, which ensures that you each own a specific share of the property. This is important because, upon the death of one spouse, their share will be passed on according to their will or trust, rather than automatically going to the surviving spouse.
Beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, pensions, and retirement savings plans should also be reviewed. In the UK, these designations take precedence over what is written in a will, meaning that you can directly allocate these assets to your children rather than your surviving spouse.
Pensions
If you have any ‘defined benefit’ (final salary) pensions, they will likely pay a portion of your income to your spouse when you die, so it’s important you update them to let them know of a new spouse.
Meanwhile any money that remains in ‘defined contribution’ pensions, such as stakeholder pensions or self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) can be passed on when you die to your chosen loved ones.
You can tell your provider/s whom you would like to inherit your pension by completing an expression of wishes form.
Conclusion
Marriage in later life presents unique financial and legal considerations, especially when it comes to protecting assets for children from previous relationships. It’s essential to have open, honest communication with both your spouse and your children. Discussing your intentions, explaining why you are making certain decisions, and addressing any concerns upfront can help to avoid potential conflicts down the road.
With careful estate planning, the use of legal tools like pre-nuptial agreements, wills, trusts, and tax strategies, you can safeguard your wealth and ensure that your assets are passed down according to your wishes. By taking these steps, later-life marriages can be both emotionally fulfilling and financially secure, providing peace of mind for you your spouse and their families.
Victoria Fellows (pictured, below) is a partner and head of family in the Birmingham office of HCR Law.
Many thanks to Victoria and her colleagues at HCR Law for an eye-opening article on this important topic. It may not be particularly romantic but devoting a little attention to these matters now can potentially save you and your heirs a lot of grief in the future.
As always, if you have any comments or queries about this article, please do leave them below.
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For those of us who pride ourselves on family and caring for the ones we love, life insurance can be a very helpful safety net to have. Whether you want to leave behind a nest egg or just help them cover funeral expenses, taking out a policy can give you peace of mind that your loved ones will be looked after when you’re gone.
But unfortunately, life insurance is often surrounded by myths and misconceptions that can cause a lot of confusion when it comes to choosing a policy.
So in this post I’ve teamed up with British Seniors, Over 50 Life Insurance specialists, to take a look at the truth behind these common assumptions. Below, we’ll debunk some of the myths around Over 50 Life Insurance, so you can take pride in making an informed decision for your family.
Myth 1: “I’m Too Old to Get Life Insurance”
One of the most common myths is that people of a certain age can’t get life insurance. Many people assume that insurers won’t cover them if they’re over a certain age. In reality, Over 50 Life Insurance policies are designed to be taken out later in life. With British Seniors, you’re guaranteed acceptance for an Over 50 Life Insurance policy if you’re a UK resident aged 50 to 80. Better yet, there’s no need for medicals, blood tests, or complicated forms – you can get your policy sorted out over the phone.
Myth 2: “Life Insurance Is Too Expensive for Seniors”
Another common misconception is that life insurance becomes too expensive as you get older. While it is true that premiums are cheaper when you’re younger, many Over 50 Life Insurance policies are built to be affordable. When you take out a policy with British Seniors, you have control over your future payments with a fixed benefit amount or you can add the Increasing Benefit Option. With a fixed benefit amount, your monthly payments will stay the same for the duration of your policy. With the Increasing Benefit Option, to help keep up with the effects of inflation, your benefit amount and monthly premium will increase annually.
Myth 3: “I Don’t Need Over 50 Life Insurance Because I’m Debt-Free”
While being debt-free is a fantastic achievement, life insurance can be used for so much more than just debt. Many people take out life insurance to cover funeral costs, leaving their loved ones free from financial burdens during a difficult time. You could also leave your benefit amount as a nest egg for your family, so they can have some extra financial security. So, even if debts are no longer a concern, a life insurance policy can still offer some peace of mind and support for your loved ones.
Myth 4: “I Have Savings, So I Don’t Need Insurance”
While consistent saving is a great way to prepare for the future, even a substantial nest egg can be subject to risks where life insurance is not. Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring, and the reality is that many of us will end up needing our rainy-day savings for unforeseen expenses, like medical emergencies, home repair, loss of income, or simple day to day life as the cost-of-living increases. With an Over 50 Life Insurance policy in place, you have something of a financial safety net, so no matter what your savings look like down the line you can still count on your benefit amount.
Myth 5: “Life Insurance Payouts Are Taxed”
Many people worry that the payout from their life insurance policy will be heavily taxed, reducing its value for your family. The truth, however, is that life insurance payouts are usually exempt from income tax. Having said this, it’s important to note that your policy could be counted towards the overall value of an estate for inheritance tax purposes. Setting up your policy in a trust can help with this, by seeing to it that your loved ones receive their payout untaxed.
Myth 6: “I Can’t Get Life Insurance Due To A Medical Condition”
Another common myth is that having a medical condition makes it impossible to secure Over 50 Life Insurance. While this could be true of some policies that involve health assessments or medicals, some insurers offer guaranteed acceptance if you meet the criteria. With British Seniors, you’re guaranteed acceptance if you’re a UK resident aged 50 to 80. That means no medicals or blood tests are needed.
Myth 7: “I Can’t Leave Anything Significant to My Family”
While it’s true that the payout from an Over 50 policy may not be as large as those from other types of life insurance, the payout can still make a significant difference. You could secure enough to cover funeral costs, unpaid bills, or even to leave as a monetary gift. Having a policy in place also goes beyond financial value, as it can be a lovely gesture that tells your loved ones you care about them and their future.
Conclusion
In short, life insurance is not as complicated as it might seem – and being over the age of 50 doesn’t mean it’s too late to get covered. With these common myths busted, we hope that you feel more confident when it comes to planning for the future. Now you can make an informed choice for your loved ones and feel proud that you’ve looked out for them. If you’d like more information on British Seniors Over 50 Life Insurance, reach out to their trusted, UK-based advisors today and you’ll get a free quote with no strings attached.
Many thanks to my friends at British Seniors Over 50 Life Insurance for their assistance in compiling this article. As always, if you have any comments or queries, please do leave them below.
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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 the screenshot below for the last twelve months shows, my main Nutmeg portfolio is currently valued at £26,528. Last month it stood at £25,513, so that is an impressive rise of £1,015.
Apart from my main portfolio, I also have a second, smaller pot using Nutmeg’s Smart Alpha option. This is now worth £4,267 compared with £4,103 a month ago, a rise of £164. Here is a screen capture showing performance over the last twelve months.
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 screen capture below, this portfolio is now worth £832 compared with £798 last month, a rise of £34.
January has clearly been a good month for my Nutmeg investments. Their overall value has grown by £1,213 or 3.94% since the start of the year. And their value has increased by £5,193 or 19.65% in the twelve months since 31st January 2024.
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.
Moving on, I also have investments with P2P property investment platform Assetz Exchange. As discussed in this recent post, the company has just 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 £229.98 in revenue from rental income. Capital growth has slowed, though, in line with UK property values generally.
At the time of writing, 15 of ‘my’ properties are showing gains, 2 are breaking even, and the remaining 18 are showing losses. My portfolio of 35 properties is currently showing a net decrease in value of £55.21, meaning that overall (rental income minus capital value decrease) I am up by £174.77. 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 Housemartin most projects are socially beneficial as well.
The overall 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 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.
My investment on Housemartin 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 Housemartin and the returns generated so far, and intend to continue investing with them. You can read my full review of Assetz Exchange/Housemartin here. You can also sign up for an account directly via this link [affiliate]. Bear in mind that, as from the current 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 (total value £888.36 in pounds sterling) is today worth £1,081.19, an overall increase of £192.16 or 21.71%.
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 showing a profit of 8.43%. That’s not overly exciting but the portfolio has just been rebalanced by eToro, so hopefully that will improve its performance going forward. The investment team at eToro periodically rebalance all smart portfolios to ensure that the mix of investments remains aligned with the portfolio’s goals, and to take advantage of any new opportunities that may present themselves.
My copy trading investment with Aukie2008 has been doing better, with an overall 26.56% profit. To be fair, I have held the latter investment a bit longer.
My Tesla shares, which I bought as an afterthought with a bit of spare cash I had in my account, have done particularly well in recent months. 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 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.
If you would like more information about setting up an eToro account, please click on this no-obligation website link (affiliate).
I had another article published in January on the excellent Mouthy Money website. This is How to Make Money Through Bank Account Switching. In this article I discussed an easy method for generating handy lump sums by taking advantage of switching incentives offered by some UK banks. The banks are currently battling one another for your custom, and they are offering some enticing cash bonuses (and sometimes other freebies/benefits as well) to get you to sign up.
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 January, I particularly enjoyed 16 Ways to Be More Frugal and Save Money in 2025 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 several posts on Pounds and Sense in January. Some are no longer relevant, but I have listed the others below.
As mentioned earlier, I published a post titled P2P Property Investment Platform Assetz Exchange Rebrands as Housemartin. In this I discussed the recent rebrand of this P2P property investment platform, which I invest through myself. The post also discusses how the platform has changed since I first featured it here on Pounds and Sense.
In Here’s Why Most Over-50s Need More Protein in Their Diet I discussed a subject that will be relevant to many readers of this blog (which is of course aimed especially at over-50s). I must admit I hadn’t realised just how important this was until I saw the topic being discussed on GB News last month. I wanted to learn more and researched the subject with the aid of AI program ChatGPT. This blog post was the result.
In Take the Plum 52-Week Saving Challenge, I shared a method you can use to set aside a handy lump sum of up to £1,378 in a year. As you may gather, the method involves using the smart money app Plum [affiliate link]. This automates the whole process for you, making saving as easy and painless as possible. Read the article for full details!
Also in January I published a guest post on the subject Dos and Don’ts for Divorce in 2025. Written by an experienced divorce lawyer, this article sets out tips and guidelines to make the divorce process as pain-free as possible if, sadly, your marriage has run its course.
Finally, on a happier note, I published Planning a UK Holiday This Year? Here Are Some Ideas For You. In this article (which I update and republish annually) I set out a range of suggestions for short break (or longer) holidays in the UK, along with links to blog posts I have written about the destinations concerned.
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 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. For the time being anyway, Twitter/X will remain my primary 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 may prefer to follow me there.
That’s all for today. 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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As regular readers of Pounds and Sense will know, I’m a fan of P2P property investment platform Assetz Exchange and have invested through them myself. AE have recently rebranded as Housemartin, so I thought I should write an update about this.
You can read my original detailed review of Assetz Exchange (as it was then) in this post. Much of this info still applies – so I won’t reproduce it all here – but certain things (as well as the name!) have changed.
Assetz Exchange began as a ‘traditional’ property crowdfunding platform, with investors coming together to buy a property. They then shared in the rental income received – and any profit if the property was subsequently sold – in proportion to the size of their investment. When I first wrote about Assetz Exchange they offered a variety of investment opportunities, including former show homes and development projects.
Nowadays, though, the company focuses on supported housing, working closely with charities and other organizations that assist people with physical and cognitive disabilities. These have generally proven the most reliable and hassle-free investments, so Housemartin have understandably chosen to concentrate on this.
Properties are generally let on long leases, with the charities taking responsibility for day-to-day management and maintenance. As mentioned, investors receive a share of the monthly rental received and any profits if/when the properties are sold (you can also potentially sell your holdings online at any time via the exchange, which serves as a secondary market). That puts these investments at the lower-risk end of the property investment spectrum (though there are, of course, still risks involved, and you should ensure you understand these and are comfortable with them before investing).
Assetz Exchange was originally part of the Assetz group of property investment companies that included Assetz Capital. In December 2023 Assetz announced it was withdrawing from the retail marketplace to work with institutional investors only. Partly as a consequence of this, the team behind Housemartin took the decision to part ways with the Assetz group and are no longer affiliated with them. Although they always operated separately from Assetz Capital, Housemartin is now an entirely independent P2P property investment platform. Regarding the name change, the company says:
“The name Housemartin reflects the company’s commitment to delivering robust, hassle-free, quality residential property investment opportunities that reward investors with monthly inflation-linked income. Just as the house martin bird is known for its sociability and adaptability, Housemartin aims to provide investors with an opportunity to pool funds with fellow investors to create much needed quality homes for people requiring support.”
Future Plans
In its new guise as Housemartin, the company has big plans for 2025 and further into the future. They intend to stick to their strategy of working with partners in the supported housing sector, including (for example) Golden Lane Housing, Lets For Life and Halo Housing. A typical current opportunity from the website is shown below.
Peter Read, the MD of Housemartin, points out that with interest rates currently falling, this makes the returns of around 7% they can typically offer investors increasingly attractive (and of course there is the potential for capital growth as well). He also points out that rentals are raised every year in line with inflation.
Housemartin are currently launching a fundraising round on the investment platform Crowdcube. They are looking to raise additional capital which will be used to help the company expand and improve its offering. Anyone is welcome to invest via Crowdcube, though as this is a share offer it’s almost certainly riskier than investing via the platform itself, with no clearly defined exit route. Personally I do not plan to invest in Housemartin this way, but you can find out more if you wish by registering on the Crowdcube site.
My Own Experience
I put an initial £100 into the platform 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 portfolio has generated a respectable £227.35 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, 3 are breaking even, and the remaining 20 are showing losses. My portfolio of 35 properties is currently showing a net decrease in value of £62.22, meaning that overall (rental income minus capital value decrease) I am up by £165.13. 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 the projects are socially beneficial as well.
The overall fall in capital value of my AE investments is obviously a bit disappointing. But it’s important to remember that until/unless I choose to sell the investments in question, it is 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 HM 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 getting. Personally, once I have accrued a minimum of £10 in rental payments, I reinvest this money in either a new Housemartin 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 HM grows at an accelerating rate and becomes more diversified as well.
My investment on Housemartin 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 Housemartin and the returns generated so far, and intend to continue investing with them. If you wish you can also sign up for a no-obligation account on Housemartin 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 so long as you don’t exceed your overall £20,000 ISA allowance.
Closing Thoughts
As I said earlier, I am a fan of Housemartin and have been investing with them for several years now. I have also spoken to their MD, Peter Read, on various occasions, and always found him open and honest.
My HM investments have performed well; and as far as I’m aware no investor has ever lost money through the platform. Obviously there are never any guarantees with investing – but if you like the idea of earning higher rates of interest than available from banks while helping vulnerable people secure a much-needed roof over their heads, Housemartin is certainly worth a look.
As always, if you have any queries about this blog post or Housemartin more generally, do leave a comment as usual.
Disclosure: As stated in this post, I am an investor with Housemartin and also an affiliate for them. If you click through my link and sign up, I may receive a commission for introducing you. This will not affect in any way the service you receive or the terms you are offered.
Please be aware also that I am not a professional financial adviser. You should always do your own ‘due diligence’ before investing and seek advice from a qualified adviser if in any doubt how best to proceed. All investing carries a risk of loss.
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Today I’m discussing a subject relevant to many readers of this blog (which is of course aimed especially at people over 50).
As we age, our bodies undergo various changes that can affect our overall health and well-being. For those aged 50 and above, maintaining a balanced diet becomes increasingly important – and one nutrient that often requires special attention is protein. One recent study in South Yorkshire found that over 50% of older people weren’t eating enough protein to stay healthy.
Here’s why boosting protein intake can be crucial for those of us in our golden years.
The Role of Protein in the Body
Protein is a fundamental building block for the human body. It’s essential for repairing tissues, supporting immune function, and producing enzymes and hormones. Additionally, protein plays a key role in maintaining muscle mass, which naturally reduces with age.
Why Protein Needs Increase After 50
Muscle Mass Decline: From around the age of 30, individuals begin to lose muscle mass at a rate of approximately 3-8% per decade. This rate accelerates after 60. Without adequate protein and physical activity, this loss can lead to sarcopenia, a condition characterized by severe muscle loss that impacts mobility and quality of life. Women are especially susceptible to this due to hormone changes that take place in the menopause.
Bone Health: Protein is vital for maintaining strong bones. With age, the risk of osteoporosis increases, especially among postmenopausal women. Adequate protein intake, combined with calcium and vitamin D, can help reduce this risk.
Reduced Appetite and Nutrient Absorption: Many over-50s experience a decrease in appetite or changes in digestion that affect how nutrients are absorbed. Ensuring sufficient protein in the diet can help counteract these challenges by providing concentrated nutrition.
Immune Support: As the immune system weakens with age, protein becomes essential for producing immune cells and antibodies to fend off illnesses.
How Much Protein Do You Need?
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day for adults. However, research suggests that older adults may benefit from higher intakes, around 1.0 to 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight daily, to maintain muscle and support overall health. For example, an 80 kg individual should aim for 80-96 grams of protein per day.
Sources of Protein for Over-50s
To meet these protein needs, focus on a mix of high-quality protein sources, such as:
Animal Proteins: Lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
Protein Supplements: If meeting protein requirements through food alone is challenging, consider protein powders or fortified products, but consult a healthcare professional first.
Tips for Incorporating More Protein
Start Your Day Right: Include protein in your breakfast with options like eggs, Greek yogurt, or a protein smoothie.
Snack with a Punch: Opt for protein-rich snacks like a handful of nuts or a boiled egg.
Spread It Out: Distribute your protein intake evenly across meals, to enhance muscle protein synthesis.
Combine Strength Training: Pair a higher protein intake with resistance exercises to maximize muscle maintenance and growth.
Can You Have Too Much Protein?
While protein is essential, consuming excessive amounts can have drawbacks. Overloading on protein, especially from animal sources, may strain the kidneys, particularly in individuals with pre-existing kidney conditions. It can also lead to imbalanced diets if other essential nutrients are neglected.
Moderation and a focus on diverse protein sources are key to maintaining optimal health. As a rough guide, most people should aim for a maximum of 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day [source]..
The Bottom Line
For those over 50, boosting protein intake is a simple yet powerful way to support muscle health, maintain bone density, and enhance overall vitality.
By making small dietary adjustments and choosing nutrient-dense foods, you can pave the way for a healthier and more active life in your later years. If you’re unsure about how much protein you need, consult with a registered dietitian or healthcare provider to tailor a plan to your needs.
As always, if you have any comments or questions about this post, please do leave them below.
Note: This article was researched and written with the assistance of AI.
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I have written about Plum a few times on Pounds and Sense. Today I am spotlighting their new Plum52-Week Saving Challenge. This is designed to help you set aside a handy lump sum of up to £1,378 in a year, while making the whole process as quick and easy as possible 🙂
Let’s start with the basics for those who may be new to Plum, though…
What is Plum?
Plum is a smart money app designed to help you automate setting money aside for any purpose – from holidays to major purchases or simply for a ‘rainy day’ fund. It uses AI to analyze your spending and then makes suggestions about saving and investing.
NOTE: Capital is at risk if you invest. The value of investments can go down as well as up.
Plum is one of a range of apps that make use of Open Banking. This allows third-party apps to access your financial information – as long as you provide the necessary authorization, of course – and perform certain transactions on your behalf (if you choose to set up a direct debit). Plum uses Open Banking to access your financial information with your authorization. Ensure you are comfortable with this before proceeding.
Plum offers three levels of account. These are the free Plum Basic and paid-for Pro and Premium.
The Basic account is (as stated) free of charges. Fees apply for Pro and Premium accounts. Plum Pro costs £2.99 a month and Premium costs £9.99 a month. The Pro and Premium accounts offer a wider range of features and higher interest rates in interest-bearing ‘Pockets’. It’s important to note that these are not traditional savings accounts. This is further discussed on the main Plum website.
The current challenge is specifically for people who have a Pro or Premium account
The 52-Week Saving Challenge
The Plum 52-Week Saving Challenge is designed to help you set aside up to £1.378 in one year. Here’s how it works.
You start by setting aside £1 in the first week. Then each week you add £1 more than the previous week. So in the second week, you set aside £2, in the third week £3, and so on.
Week 1: £1
Week 2: £2
Week 3: £3 . . .
Week 51: £51
Week 52: £52
By the end of the challenge year, you will have set aside a total of £1,378. Before you start you can check out a special calendar in the app that shows exactly how much money you’ll be setting aside each week.
How to Get Started
As mentioned above, holders of Plum Pro or Premium accounts have access to a built-in feature that makes the whole challenge as easy and painless as possible. Just follow these few simple steps below…
Open the Plum app and find the Brain.
Tap on the 52-week challenge to activate it.
You can turn it on or off like a light switch. Before you turn it on, you’ll be able to see the calendar mentioned above, which shows exactly how much money you’ll be saving each week.
Plum say that if they aren’t able to create a deposit for a specific week, the amount for that week won’t be skipped. They will deposit that amount the following week instead, so you won’t miss out.
Closing Thoughts
In my view the Plum 52-Week Savings Challenge represents a great opportunity to save a handy lump over a 12-month period. You could use this to pay for a well-deserved holiday or other one-off purchase, or even put it towards Christmas 2025!
Using the app automates the whole process, making it as quick and painless as possible. But of course you can switch it off any time if your circumstances change.
As always, if you have any comments or questions about this blog post, please do leave them below.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. If you click through any of my links and set up an account with Plum, I may receive a modest commission for introducing you. This will not affect in any way the terms you are offered.
Plum is the trading name of Plum Fintech Limited, which is registered with the FCA (FRN 836158) to carry out payment services activities as a Registered Account Information Service Provider, to carry out payment services activities. Plum is a distributor of Modulr FS Ltd and an agent of PayrNet Ltd for the purposes of the Plum Card. Modulr (FRN 900573) and PayrNet (FRN 900594) are regulated and authorised as Electronic Money Institutions by the FCA. Plum Money is the trading name of Saveable Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 739214) to carry out investment and credit broking services. T&Cs apply. Visitwww.withplum.com.
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My guest post today concerns a subject none of us wants to think about, but one that can have huge financial (and other) ramifications, especially if not handled well.
Traditionally divorce lawyers see a peak in enquiries in January. Indeed, the first Monday in January is sometimes known as ‘Divorce Day’. This uptick may be partly to do with people putting off taking action till after the festive season is over. Nevertheless, divorce is undoubtedly a matter on the minds of many people at this time of year.
If – sadly – you find yourself in this position, my guest today, Simon Bassett, head of the family team at RWK Goodman, has put together some Dos and Don’ts to help ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible for you.
Over to Simon, then…
Dos and Don’ts for Divorce in 2025
Dos
Focus on your long-term goal – your happiness and the children’s happiness.
Build a support network – divorce can be a daunting process so build a support network of trusted family members and friends and consider using a therapist or divorce coach – we find that our clients who have good support make better decisions and are less likely to procrastinate.
Choose your solicitor carefully – like any working relationship, you need find someone you can work with and build a rapport with. Seek recommendations from friends and colleagues and if the fit doesn’t feel right, find another.
Try and keep the divorce amicable and out of court by using non-court methods such as mediation. Not only will this be better for your children and your own emotional health, it will also save you money in legal fees and speed up the process.
Sort out your paperwork – if you have your finances in order, e.g. details of all your expenditure, income and pensions, this will save you masses in divorce fees.
Be grateful for what you had – the end of a relationship should not be viewed as a failure. Some relationships simply run their course, so be grateful for what you had, e.g. there were many years of good times, and what the marriage produced, the children.
Don’ts
If you are certain your marriage has come to an end, don’t delay taking action. Things may get messy, but they will get better!
Look back and obsess about what went wrong.
Compare your divorce to other people’s – every divorce is different.
Don’t ignore your solicitor – if they recommend something, it will be based on many years’ experience and the advice will be specific to you and designed to achieve the best possible outcome.
Don’t email your solicitor every time you have a heated exchange with your ex!
Don’t be greedy – the courts take a very dim view of people who exaggerate what they may need post-divorce.
No matter how tiresome your ex is, don’t ever be negative about him/her in front of the children. Remember that you are your children’s role model.
Simon Bassett is the head of the family team at RWK Goodman and has over 30 years’ experience advising clients on divorce and other family law issues.
Many thanks to Simon for his valuable advice. Although I’ve not been in this situation myself, I have friends and relatives who have. From what I have seen, the process is far less stressful for all concerned if matters can be conducted in a civilized – and even amicable – way.
You can contact Simon and his colleagues at RWK Goodman via their website. They have offices in London, Bath, Oxford, Swindon, Bristol, Marlborough and Thame.
As always, if you have any comments or queries about this post, please do leave them below.
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For many of us 2024 was another difficult year, with a cost-of-living crisis driven especially by rising gas and electricity costs.
With the festive season behind us now and the worst months of the winter still (probably) to come, many of us are understandably desperate for something to look forward to in the year ahead.
Some will be planning to head abroad in search of sunnier climes. But others may be deterred by the cost of going overseas and the additional hassles it may entail.
So today I thought I’d share links to my blog posts about some UK holiday destinations I’ve visited in the last few years, in case you wish to consider them for short breaks – or longer – in the year ahead. Clicking on any of the links below will open my post about the place concerned in a new tab, so you won’t have to keep clicking the Back button to return here.
Llandudno in North Wales is somewhere I have been visiting regularly for over ten years now. It’s a traditional British seaside resort with a long pier, Punch and Judy show, sweeping promenade, and plenty more (you can see the stunning Victorian seafront in the cover image). It’s very popular with both older people and young families. As well as my main review, my October 2020 Coronavirus Crisis Experience Update includes details of a short break I enjoyed there just before the Welsh government imposed another lockdown 😮
Minehead is a North Somerset coastal town. I enjoyed a short break there in 2020 as well, at a time when lockdown rules were relaxed. It was my first visit to Minehead and I particularly enjoyed visiting the National Trust property Dunster Castle, which is just a couple of miles down the road. Sadly the West Somerset Railway which starts (or ends) in Minehead was closed due to the pandemic when I went, but I’d love to go back for a trip on this heritage steam railway sometime in the future.
Aberystwyth is in mid-Wales on the Cardigan Bay coast. I have visited it three times now, the first two staying at the Marine Hotel and the most recent at a self-catering apartment called Sea Brin. Aberystwyth is quieter and less commercialized than Llandudno (mentioned above), and the fact it’s a university town means it has quite a cosmopolitan feeling. It’s a good place to chill out, but there are plenty of interesting things to see and do as well.
I visited Aberdovey for the first time in April 2023. It’s a small town on the mid-Wales coast. It’s about ten miles north of Aberystwyth and five miles south of Tywyn, the home of the Talyllyn Railway (see below). It’s a charming, laid-back place, perfect for a relaxing short break. It has a beautiful beach (with watersports for those who want them) and some great cafes and restaurants. I wouldn’t go there for the night-life, though – even the chip shop closes at 8 pm!
I had a particular reason to visit Hewenden MIll Cottages, as my sister Liz and her family live just a couple of miles down the road in Wilsden. Even if I didn’t have family connections, though, I would definitely recommend them for a short break. The accommodation consists of a converted mill and a number of former workers’ cottages, all in a beautiful woodland setting. The apartments and cottages are spacious and well equipped. From here you can visit Haworth – home of the Bronte sisters – and the Victorian model village of Saltaire. The area is also great for walking and cycling.
I went back to Hewenden Mill in October 2021 for a family reunion. I stayed in a cottage on the main site (picture below). I went for a long weekend but ended up staying almost a week. This was from necessity rather than choice, as the petrol crisis struck and I was unable to buy fuel to get home. The management at Hewenden were wonderful, though, and said I could stay on as long as I needed for no further charge. I therefore recommend them even more highly now!
The Aberdunant Hall Holiday Park and Hotel (to give it its full name) is about four miles from the North Wales coastal town of Porthmadog You can stay in the hotel itself (which is quite compact) or in accommodation around the park. I stayed in what they call a Forest Pod, which is roughly the equivalent of half a caravan. It was okay for a short break but if you went as a couple the cramped conditions could put a strain on your relationship! If I went again I would book a room in the hotel or maybe one of the Woodland Escape Suites in the park. I still enjoyed my stay there, and found the location convenient for visiting a range of places including Portmeirion (where the sixties TV series The Prisoner was filmed) and the Ffestiniog Railway, which runs from Porthmadog to Baenau Ffestiniog. It’s also on the edge of Snowdonia, with lots of opportunities for walking and mountain climbing.
Lake Vyrnwy is a few miles over the border from Shropshire into Wales. I went there in 2019 after watching a TV show about the history of this artificial lake, which was originally created to provide a water supply for the people of Liverpool in the 19th century (it’s now naturalised and if you weren’t aware of its history you wouldn’t know it was man-made). I stayed at the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa, which is near the dam at the western end of the lake. This was originally built to accommodate senior managers and engineers on the construction project, though it has of course been extended and modernised many times since. If you want to visit Lake Vyrnwy, it’s the best (possibly the only) option. I happened to choose a bitterly cold weekend just before Easter for my visit, which spoiled it a bit. Still, I enjoyed the beautiful scenery and some great walks. It’s probably not a place to take children, however, as there might not be enough for them to do.
The Talyllyn Railway (also mentioned under Aberdovey) is a heritage steam railway in Wales. It starts in the town of Tywyn in mid-Wales, so in October 2018 I booked a short break there. To be honest there isn’t a great deal else to do in Tywyn, but it makes a good base for a day on the railway. And the railway itself takes you through some stunningly beautiful countryside. If you buy one of their very reasonably priced Day Rover tickets, you can get on and off at any station along the route. I highly recommend an hour or two at Dolgoch, which has some great walks and lovely waterfalls.
Warner Leisure Hotels have 16 country and coastal resort hotels across England and Wales. They have a strict adults-only policy, and appeal mainly to an older clientele (based on my experience, the average age is around seventy). As well as accommodation they offer a variety of leisure activities, including day trips, quizzes, guided walks, archery and bowls, social dancing, swimming, and so on. Most of these activities are included in the price, as is the evening entertainment. I have stayed at Bodelwyddan Castle in North Wales and Alvaston Hall in Cheshire. Some aspects I liked, others I wasn’t so keen on, as you can read in my review. You can also see their latest offers by clicking on the banner ad below [affiliate].
About four years ago I took a short break in the English Lake District. I stayed at the Waterhead Hotel, just south of Ambleside, at the north end of Lake Windermere (England’s largest lake). The hotel is located literally a few yards from the lake (hence the name, of course). If you haven’t visited the Lake District before, the area should definitely be on your ‘To Do’ list. There are many miles of beautiful countryside to explore, along with attractions such as Beatrix Potter’s house and Wray Castle. And, of course, you must buy a day ticket for the Windermere lake steamers. You can travel the length of the lake in style on these vessels, while sipping a hot chocolate (or something stronger) and listening to commentary on the scenery passing alongside. Highly recommended 🙂
I visited the Isle of Man for the first time in April 2024, staying in the island capital Douglas. I went on a heritage-railway-themed break offered by Newmarket Holidays. So naturally I had trips on the Isle of Man Steam Railway and also the Manx Electric Railway. The latter takes you from Douglas to Laxey and onward to Ramsey. Laxey is the home of the iconic Lady Isabella waterwheel, the largest working waterwheel in the world. The IOM is about the same latitude as Liverpool so obviously the weather can be variable, but I was lucky enough to get wall-to-wall sunshine during my stay. I flew to the island from Birmingham Airport which took about 45 minutes, but you can also get a ferry from Heysham or Liverpool. The Isle of Man is charming and verdant, and largely unspoiled. Definitely worth considering if you’re looking for something a little bit different for a short (or longer) holiday.
I visited Lanbedrog for the first time in July 2021. It’s a village on the Llyn (or Lleyn) Peninsula in NW Wales. I stayed at an Airbnb property, the first time I had done this (Llanbedrog doesn’t have any hotels as far as I know). It’s by the coast, roughly half way between Pwllheli (famed for its Butlins camp, now run by Haven Holidays) and trendy Abersoch. It has a beautiful sandy beach which would be perfect for families with young children (or grandchildren). I very much enjoyed my three-night stay and found it a perfect place to relax and chill out after months of lockdown. The National Trust mansion (and garden) Plas yn Rhiw is about seven miles away.
I stayed in Criccieth in North Wales for the first time in June 2022, although I have visited the town in the past. It is a lovely place to relax and chill out. It has excellent road and rail connections, and there are also some high-quality tourist attractions nearby, including Portmeirion and the Ffestiniog Railway. Criccieth itself is best known for its castle which dominates the town. Although it’s a ruin, many of the walls are still standing and you can enjoy some amazing views across the bay, as far as Harlech Castle and beyond.
I visited Lavenham in Suffolk for the first time in August 2022. It is said to be England’s best-preserved medieval town, with over 300 listed, timber-framed houses. There are various historic buildings such as the Guildhall and Little Hall you can look around. Lavenham also boasts a variety of highly rated pubs and restaurants, and some lovely tea rooms and coffee houses as well! 🍮
Barmouth is a traditional Welsh seaside resort about ten miles south of Harlech. I visited in September 2022, staying at an elegant Victorian Gothic hotel called Tyr Graig Castle. Barmouth has a clean, attractive promenade and beautiful sandy beach which goes out a long way. There is plenty to do for families, including a funfair and amusement arcades. There are various restaurants and fast food outlets along the seafront. There is also a railway station with regular trains to Pwllheli in one direction and Aberystwyth and beyond in the other. Nearby attractions include Harlech Castle, Portmeirion and the Fairbourne miniature steam railway 🚂
I visited the historic city of Bath in June 2023. There is lots to see and do, although top of many people’s lists will be the stunning Roman Baths. Bath Abbey is well worth a look too, and you can admire the beautiful Georgian architecture around the city for free! Read my top tips for anyone visiting Bath in this post, including the excellent self-catering accommodation I stayed at.
Other Resources
Here are links to a few other blog posts that may be of interest if you are planning a UK holiday this year…
In recent years Airbnb has become increasingly popular for self-catering holidays. You can book anything from a spare room in someone’s home to a whole house or apartment. My recent short breaks in Lavenham and Llanbedrog (see list above) were in Airbnb properties. You can read all about the booking process in my post.
Finding a cashpoint in an unfamiliar town (or village) can be challenging, so you might find this free app a useful resource to download. It has helped me avoid embarrassment on several occasions.
If your thoughts are turning further afield, you may be considering a cruise holiday as an option. Even if you can’t go abroad, I can testify from personal experience that a cruise of the British Isles (like these, perhaps) can be very enjoyable and enlightening. My blog post sets out a range of tips and advice that will be particularly relevant for first-time and solo cruisers.
Finally, coach holidays are another very popular option among older people especially. I don’t have much experience of this myself, but my friends at Over 60s Discounts have a great article about coach holidays for over-60s in the UK. This includes a list of popular UK destinations and details of several companies offering low-cost coach holidays.
Closing Thoughts
I hope you have enjoyed reading this post and it has given you a some ideas for UK holidays.
Obviously I am a 60-something male and nowadays usually travel on my own. So if your circumstances are different from mine, I understand that some of the destinations mentioned above might not hold as much appeal. In addition, I live in Staffordshire, so the places I go are all reasonably accessible from there.
Finally – as I noticed when reading back my list – I do have a bit of a penchant for places with heritage steam railways nearby, so please bear that in mind as well 😀
Of course, I’d love to hear your views about any of the destinations mentioned, or any other places in the UK you would recommend for a short break or longer holiday. Please leave any comments or questions below as usual.
Note: This is a fully revised update of an annual post.
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 £25,513. Last month it stood at £25,822, so that is a fall of £309.
Apart from my main portfolio, I also have a second, smaller pot using Nutmeg’s Smart Alpha option. This is now worth £4,103 compared with £4,157 a month ago, a fall of £54. 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 £798 (rounded up) compared with £818 last month, a fall of £20.
As you will note, following a very good month in November, December saw the value of my Nutmeg investments fall back somewhat. Their overall value dropped by £383 or 1.24% since the start of December. Sadly there was no sign of a Santa rally this year…
Overall, 2024 has still been a good year for my Nutmeg investments though. They are up in value by £4,098 or 15.57% since January 1st 2024.
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.
Moving on, I also have investments with P2P property investment platform Assetz Exchange. This has now renamed itself as Housemartin. There have been a few other changes as well, so I shall be writing a separate blog post about this soon.
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 £225.17 in revenue from rental income. Capital growth has slowed, though, in line with UK property values generally.
At the time of writing, 14 of ‘my’ properties are showing gains, 2 are breaking even, and the remaining 18 are showing losses. My portfolio of 34 properties is currently showing a net decrease in value of £48.60, meaning that overall (rental income minus capital value decrease) I am up by £176.57. 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 Housemartin most projects are socially beneficial as well.
The overall 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 80p 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 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.
My investment on Housemartin 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 Housemartin and the returns generated so far, and intend to continue investing with them. You can read my full review of Assetz Exchange/Housemartin here. You can also sign up for an account 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 $1,289.44, an overall increase of $266.98 or 26.14%.
As you can see, my Oil WorldWide investment is showing a modest profit of 5.32%. That’s a bit underwhelming but the portfolio has just been rebalanced by eToro, so hopefully that will improve its performance going forward. The investment team at eToro periodically rebalance all smart portfolios to ensure that the mix of investments remains aligned with the portfolio’s goals, and to take advantage of any new opportunities that may present themselves.
My copy trading investment with Aukie2008 has been doing better, with an overall 23.92% profit. To be fair, I have held the latter investment a bit longer.
My Tesla shares, which I bought as an afterthought with a bit of spare cash I had in my account, have done particularly well in recent weeks. 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 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 December on the excellent Mouthy Money website. The first is How to Save Money on Rail Fares With Split Ticketing. In this article I discussed a money-saving hack called ‘split ticketing’ that savvy travellers can use to reduce their fare costs, often by a substantial amount. Split ticketing involves breaking a journey into two or more smaller segments, purchasing separate tickets for each segment rather than one through-ticket. In my article I discussed how to apply this method and revealed my favourite split-ticketing app.
Also in December Mouthy Money published my article How to Check and Improve Your Credit Score. In this article I shone a spotlight on a vital aspect of our financial health. Your credit score affects everything from loan approvals to mortgage rates. It’s a measure of how reliably you handle credit and debt, and lenders use it to assess risk. My article reveals everything you need to understand, check and improve your credit score.
As I’ve said before, Mouthy Money is a great resource for anyone interested in money-making and money-saving. If you haven’t checked it out yet, why not get the new year off to a good start by visiting their website. Besides a wide range of interesting articles by me and other writers, currently you can enter a free competition to win one of five copies of How to Retire by Christine Benz.
I also published several posts on Pounds and Sense in December. Some are no longer relevant, but I have listed the others below.
With flu and other seasonal viruses (although not Covid) currently surging, in Stay Healthy This Winter: The Best Supplements for Cold and Flu Season I set out eight of the best supplements to support your immune system during the colder months. This post was researched and written with the assistance of AI (ChatGPT).
And in My Top Twenty Posts of 2024 I listed the top twenty posts on Pounds and Sense in 2024, based on comments, page-views and social media shares (excluding 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.
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 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. Once again, I should like to wish you a very happy and prosperous new year. 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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