guest post

Why Has My Bank Abandoned Me?

Guest Post: Why Has My Bank Abandoned Me?

Today I am sharing something a bit different – an opinion piece by a fellow writer who asks to be known as SD.

In her article, SD expresses her frustration with banks who no longer seem to care about their customers, especially the older ones. I guess this is something many Pounds and Sense readers may be able to relate to.

Over to SD, then…


 

I just read in the news about yet another banking app outage – this time, with serious consequences. Salaries were delayed, house moves disrupted, and critical money transfers put on hold. Everything ground to a halt, with no clear resolution in sight. And it got me thinking – if AI is so advanced, why can’t it fix outages like this?

Paying bills was stalled, and customers were understandably frustrated. These outages seem to be happening far too often. Yes, it’s 2025, but are our banking systems really ready for a fully digital future?

Not long ago, I was a customer of a high street bank. After years of in-person banking, staff encouraged me to “go digital” and use their app. I was reluctant. As someone who experiences anxiety and panic attacks, I find complex IT systems overwhelming. I’m over 57 – I wasn’t raised in the digital age.

Despite me sharing my concerns, the bank staff didn’t really listen. A sign on the wall said “Not all disabilities are visible”, yet this clearly didn’t apply to me. My local branch, which was always busy, was shut down – ATM and all. Another nearby branch followed suit. There was one left five miles away, but eventually even that became digital only.

When I visited and explained my situation, I was told bluntly that I couldn’t be helped – there were no counters any more. I didn’t need anything complicated. Just a basic, face-to-face banking service. Instead, I was simply dismissed. Invisible disabilities, it seems, were invisible to them too.

So I closed my account and went to another high street bank – only to be met with more unwelcome change. Gone was the polished wood floor and staffed counters. In their place: low, foam seats and whiteboards hiding the old counter space. It felt less like a bank and more like a waiting room.

These trendy seating areas? Not great if you’re elderly or disabled.

Still, I figured sitting here was better than trying to deal with a chatbot. Banks think chatbots are a great innovation, but they’re not yet smart enough to help with specific, real-world banking issues. I’ve tried. It’s frustrating. And I thought AI was supposed to solve problems?

There were only three staff members at the new branch, all run off their feet. When I asked about opening a new account, I was told I needed a smartphone. I declined and walked out.

If they still had real counters and six staff members, people might not mind standing in line. They’d actually get served.

Which brings me back to banking app outages – again. They’re frequent, disruptive, and a growing source of frustration. Yet I was told digital banking was “the future” and that I’d be left behind if I didn’t.

Tell that to the millions of customers now stuck in this digital mess. It’s a financial farce.

Call me a tech dinosaur, but I truly believe shutting down mass branches was one of the worst decisions banks ever made. Staff lost jobs. Customers lost peace of mind.

It all worked just fine – until the banks decided to “modernize”.

Yes, a few banking hubs have popped up. But most town-centre branches now sit empty, derelict, and forgotten. It’s a sad waste of once-useful community spaces.


 

Many thanks to SD for a thought-provoking (and clearly heart-felt) article.

I do agree that the so-called digital revolution has made life harder for many older people and those with disabilities. Yes, some have taken to banking apps and online banking without major issues. I have a friend in his eighties to whom I had to give a crash course after his wife (who previously handled all their finances) passed away. Despite my concerns he soon got the hang of it and uses his bank’s app like a professional now.

But plenty of older people do struggle, especially with apps and complicated online security systems. And clearly it doesn’t help if your memory and eyesight aren’t as good as they once were. I can understand why so many older folk yearn for times gone by, when you could speak to a real-life individual and they would help you with whatever issues you might be having.

But what do YOU think? Have the banks really abandoned older customers, or do we just need to accept change and “get with the programme”? I’d love to hear your views and experiences, as would SD!




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How to Publish Your Book

Guest Post: How to Publish Your Book (and Earn Royalties!)

Today I’m pleased to bring you a guest post from my friend and near-neighbour Sally Jenkins, a successful published fiction and non-fiction author (check out her latest novel Out of Control – a later-life romance perfect for summer holiday reading!).

Many older people (in particular) harbour an ambition to write a book and make money from it. If that includes you, I hope you will find Sally’s article of interest. In it she sets out the main options for getting your book published, and shares some valuable resources she has found.

Over to Sally then…


 

Everyone has at least one book in them, or so the saying goes. It might be a thriller, a memoir, a collection of poems or short stories, a ‘how-to’ non-fiction manual or something completely different. Finishing that manuscript is a laudable achievement in itself but don’t stop there. It takes guts to send any literary work out into the public arena; however, doing so can lead to an additional passive income stream in the form of royalties that continue to hit your bank account long after you’ve finished writing.

There are three main routes to publication that you might like to consider:

Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishers come in all shapes and sizes, from the giants like Penguin and Hachette to far smaller, less well-known companies who publish in e-book format only.

Traditional publishers bear all the costs of publishing a book, meaning there is no financial risk for the author. These costs may include editing, proofreading, cover design, marketing and the printing of physical copies. The author contributes nothing to these costs and receives a small royalty for each copy of the book sold.

The competition to be signed by a traditional publisher is fierce and only a very small number of authors are taken on. The larger companies will only accept manuscript submissions via a literary agent but it is possible for authors to submit directly to many of the small publishing houses. There is nothing to lose by trying this traditional route but be prepared to develop a thick skin to deal with the probable rejections. A good place to start is an up-to-date copy of the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, which contains a comprehensive list of publishers and literary agents.

Partnership Publishing

In the partnership publishing model, the publisher and the author share the financial risk of publishing the book. This means the author will be asked to make a financial contribution towards the publishing costs. What proportion and how much this means in monetary terms will vary from company to company, so it’s worth approaching more than one partnership publisher and requesting explicit information about their offering. In return for contributing to the publishing costs, the author can expect to receive a higher percentage of royalty payments than under the traditional model.

However, care is needed when choosing a partnership company to work with – there are many rogue or ‘vanity’ publishers out there who will publish anything and charge a lot of money for very little service. Ensure that the company you choose has a manuscript selection process – even if this means you might face rejection as in the traditional model. A true partnership publisher will only publish books that it thinks have merit and will sell. Even so, there is no guarantee that you will recoup all or any of your publishing costs via royalties. Do not spend more than you can afford to lose.

The Writers’ Beware website has a section devoted to avoiding vanity publishers.

Self-Publishing

Authors who self-publish carry all the financial risk themselves but retain all the royalties (bar the amount taken by distribution platforms such as Amazon). It is possible to self-publish on Amazon at no cost or you might choose to spend hundreds of pounds depending on what services you buy in. The main services requiring financial outlay will be:

Cover Design – don’t attempt this yourself unless you are a graphic designer with a knowledge of the book covers currently selling in your genre. An amateur cover design will be obvious and off-putting to potential readers.

Editing – a novel (particularly a first novel) may benefit from a full structural edit. This will advise on plot, character development, pace etc. You might also want to consider a sentence level copyedit and/or proofread.

Formatting – some authors pay for this but, with a little patience, anyone who can use Microsoft Word can do this themselves.

Printing – there is no need to pay for a print run of books and hold them in stock.

Amazon (and other companies) use print-on-demand (POD) technology. This means that when someone orders a copy of your book it is printed individually and sent direct to the customer. Authors can also order copies at a reduced rate to sell direct to friends, family or the public at large.

The Alliance of Independent Authors has a directory of reputable editors, cover designers, proofreaders, etc. The directory also lists companies who can offer a complete self-publishing service for authors who don’t want to do any of the leg work – but this can be very expensive. As with partnership publishing, never spend more than you can afford to lose.

KIndle Direct Publishing for Absolute Beginners If you would like to know more about low-cost self-publishing via Amazon, the e-book Kindle Direct Publishing for Absolute Beginners (pictured, left) offers a good introduction. If you don’t currently read on Kindle, download the free Kindle app to your laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Whichever publishing route you choose, enjoy the journey and the royalties!

Sally JenkinsBio: Sally Jenkins (pictured, right) currently writes uplifting and hopeful novels for the traditional publisher Choc Lit (part of Joffe Books). She has also had a novel published in partnership with The Book Guild and has self-published several books via Amazon KDP. When not at the keyboard, she feeds her addiction to words by working part-time in her local library and running two reading groups. Sally can also be found walking, church-bell ringing and enjoying shavasana in her yoga class. Follow her writing blog at https://sally-jenkins.com/.

 




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Marriage in Later Life

Guest Post: Marriage in Later Life: A Guide to the Financial and Legal Implications

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.

Over to Victoria then…


 

More adults are remarrying in later life than ever according to the Office of National Statistics, and it could be a smart financial move as much as a romantic one.

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.

HCR Law Victoria Fellows

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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Life Insurance Myths

Guest Post: Debunking Common Myths About Over 50 Life Insurance

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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Dos and don'ts for divorce

Guest Post: Dos and Don’ts for Divorce in 2025

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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7 Top Tips for Money Saving Websites

Guest Post: 7 Top Money-Saving Websites for Freebies

Today I have another guest post for you on the subject of saving money and getting freebies 🙂

My friends at Hot Free Stuff have put together this list of seven top money-saving websites where you can get freebies, discount codes, downloadable coupons, and more.  Check them out, and don’t forget to sign up for free emails from Hot Free Stuff to get all the latest free offers daily!


 

Are you a stressed-out mum (or dad) trying to make the family budget work?

It takes juggling to make the household budget balance without the need for taking a calculator on every shopping trip. That is because just a click of your mouse or a swipe of your tablet can reel in huge savings on credit card bills, home goods, fashion, electricity, and fun-filled family activities!

We have done the work of trawling the Internet to find you seven of the best money-saving websites around. We’ll help you get freebies, codes, downloadable coupons and more, so that you can do more with your budget every week. Here is our point-and-click guide to savings…

HotFreeStuff.co.uk
This site gets you access to lots of free samples you can really use, from lotions to perfumes. Save money using this site on lots of household goods and get a chance to try new products for free as soon as they are available.

Gumtree
At this so-called ‘classified community’ you can snap up lots of great deals on pets to property. There are many listings for rentals and jobs throughout the UK and Ireland. You will enjoy the deals, but you can also get free items via the freebies section. Just scroll beyond the ads and sponsor links to find many free listings for household items and furniture. At the time of writing there were listings on the London site for free sofas and mattresses, a working Hotpoint fridge-freezer, and free haircuts. Just a word of caution – we suggest for any classified site that you take someone along with you to collect any items, and be careful about giving away too much personal info when responding to ads.

HotUKDeals
This site has been around for well over a decade and is the most reputable place for people to share information on the freebies and discounts they have picked up on their website travels. It is free to register and features include ‘Top 10 Hottest Offers’, requests for offers, and fun, free competitions to enter.

My Voucher Codes
Get over 2000 discount codes at Britain’s biggest voucher website. Tabs include top listings as well as categories, together with the ability to print out vouchers.

Groupon
Never underestimate the power of Groupon! Many times it can seem like a venue for free or cut-price beauty treatments. There are, however, great deals on family attractions, meals and holiday getaways as well.

Moneysaving Expert (MSE)
This massive site set up by financial journalist Martin Lewis has saved the UK millions. It is clearly written, easy to understand, and has lots of information on getting deals on everything from home and car insurance to broadband and mortgages.

Travel Supermarket
This is the best site to find travel deals and compare flights and hotel offers in one easy-to-navigate resource.


 

Many thanks to Hot Free Stuff for sharing their advice and information. If you have any comments or questions – or other tips and resources for saving money – please do share them below as usual.

Hot Free Stuff

Disclosure: this is a sponsored post.

 

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Guest Post: Six Tips for Getting Free Stuff Without Dealing With Scams

Guest Post: Six Tips for Getting Free Stuff Without Dealing With Scams

Today I have a guest post for you on a subject I’m sure will resonate with many Pounds and Sense readers.

We all love a freebie, but how do you ensure that by providing your details you aren’t opening the floodgates to a torrent of spam? Read and follow the tips below from my friends at All Free Stuff. And don’t forget to sign up for their free email newsletter to get details of all the latest free offers daily!


 

It’s completely possible for you to get free stuff. There are plenty of opportunities out there.

That said, for every legitimately free thing you can get, there are two complete scams set up to get your personal information at the cost of a few free samples. If you want to get free stuff without dealing with scams, try the following steps.

1. Set up a ‘spam catcher’ e-mail. This e-mail account is one you have no plans on using for normal correspondence, but rather the address you give out for giveaways and promotions. You can also use it when you register with a company that wants your e-mail address in exchange for free gifts. If you give the company your primary e-mail address, you’ll be swamped with a mass of promotional e-mails. It won’t take long for you to abandon your e-mail account in despair if this starts to happen.

2. Avoid giving personal information. You should never give out more than your name, e-mail address, physical address, and birthday. And you should be careful about giving away all of those, as well. If you can, try using a fake name or a PO Box. The more personal information you give out, the easier it will be for other companies to get that information. In addition, some websites ask for your credit card number ‘just to ensure you’re a real person’. Once they have your credit card information, you can’t make them forget it.

3. Be realistic about what you expect. If the deal seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is. It’s certainly possible the giveaway is legitimate, and if that’s the case then they should have company contact information readily available. You should also check the internet to see if you can find information. If the offer is that great, then plenty of people will be talking about it. Of course, if it’s a scam you’re liable to find discussion about that, too.

4. Visit only legitimate websites for samples. Manufacturers’ sites are generally trustworthy, whereas some retail-specific sites are not.

5. Write to the manufacturers of products you enjoy using. Companies are always happy to give a few freebies to customers willing to go out of their way to make their voice heard. It builds goodwill and often garners more customers. And all for the cost of a few free samples.

6. Learn to use coupons properly. It can take a huge amount of patience to learn to coupon well. That said, good couponing can save you so much you may even get free groceries. Couponing is a fairly big deal, so you can find plenty of websites that can help you learn. There are also many grocery stores or manufacturer sites that will keep you informed of what great deals and amazing coupons are available.

These are some of the best ways to get free stuff without dealing with scams. Do you have any other tips yourself? Please do leave them below!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

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Guest Post: Key Things to Consider when making a Gift or Loan to Married Children

Guest Post: Key Things to Consider When Making a Gift or Loan to Married Children

Today I have a guest post on what can become a major issue for parents when making gifts or loans to their married children. Specifically it looks at what you can do to ensure that your wishes are respected should the worst happen and the marriage fails.

The article is by Joanna Toloczko, a partner, family law solicitor and mediator at UK law firm RWK Goodman.

Over to Joanna then…


According to the UK House Price Index in August 2023, the average house price in the UK was £291,000 and in London a whopping £536,000. To put this into context, the average house price back in January 2013 was £167,716, representing an increase of around 73%.

A bank or building society will normally require a minimum deposit of between 10% and 25% of the property value as a term of a mortgage offer, and the more you are able to put down as a deposit, the lower rate of interest you are able to secure. It is not surprising, then, that an increasing number of married couples rely on a contribution from one or both sets of parents for their deposit.

In my work as a family lawyer and mediator I often come across cases where a divorcing couple are at loggerheads about whether such a contribution was a loan or a gift. The party whose parents provided the funds will often argue that the funds were a loan which should be returned to their parents before the remaining funds are distributed between the husband and wife. The other party will usually argue that the funds were a gift and are available for distribution between the parties.

If the couple are not able to reach agreement and the case proceeds to court significant sums of money can be spent on arguing this point as a preliminary issue. Very often the parents will be drawn into the litigation.

Even if the Court accepts that the funds were a loan, it is possible that the Court will take the view that it was a “soft loan”, i.e. a loan where repayment is unlikely to be enforced. In these circumstances, the Court may choose to disregard the liability.

Usually, at the time the funds are made available to the couple no-one has formally addressed the issue of the nature of the advance. Everyone is excited about the new house purchase; no-one anticipates that the marriage may fail.

So, what can be done to ensure that gifts made to married children stay in the family of the parents making the gift, in the event of a divorce?

If the funds are being advanced to assist with the purchase of a property, a Declaration of Trust can be a useful tool. In this situation the married couple are the legal owners of the property and hold the property as “tenants in common”, which means that they have their own distinct share in the property. The Declaration of Trust can be used to set out the beneficial interests in the property, including the interests of third parties. For example, a Declaration of Trust could make it clear that as parents had contributed to the purchase price of the property, they are entitled to a specified share of the equity. Alternatively, the Declaration of Trust could set out that once the property is sold, the parents have to be reimbursed prior to the distribution of the remaining equity between the couple.

If parents are to receive a share of the equity, they need to be aware of a potential Capital Gains Tax liability, should their interest in the property increase in value.

Another alternative would be to use a formal loan agreement or for the parents to take a Legal Charge over the property. A Legal Charge works like a second mortgage. It is secured over the property and registered at the Land Registry. The Charge sets out details of the sum loaned to the couple, whether interest is payable and when/in what circumstances the parents are entitled to call for repayment of the loan.

Nuptial Agreements are also becoming more popular. These can be entered into either before the marriage (Prenuptial Agreement) or during the course of the marriage (Postnuptial Agreement).

These agreements make clear what is to happen to the couple’s assets in the event of divorce or separation.

If parents are gifting money, transferring properties, leaving an inheritance, providing an interest in a business, etc, and they wish to protect those assets in their child’s favour in the event of separation or divorce, a Pre- or Postnuptial agreement can be an extremely useful document.

Although Nuptial Agreements are not legally-binding and can be over-ruled by a judge in the divorce proceedings, if they are prepared in the correct manner, they have good prospects of being upheld or will certainly be heavily influential on the judge.

In summary, when advancing funds to a married child, always be clear about whether the funds are a gift or loan and seek legal advice about how best to ensure that the funds remain in the family in the event of a divorce. It is usually also a good idea to discuss any tax implications of your plans with an accountant or tax adviser.

Joanna Toloczko is a partner, family law solicitor and mediator at RWK Goodman and can be contacted on 07553 058485 or at Joanna.Toloczko@RWKGoodman.com.


 

Many thanks to Joanna Toloczko (pictured, below) for an informative and eye-opening article. Please do check out her company’s website (linked above).

Joanna Toloczko

While nobody likes to think about the marriage of their offspring failing, the reality is that an estimated 42% of marriages in the UK today will end in divorce. So it is vital to be realistic and ensure that, should the worst happen, any money you give or lend is returned or divided in accordance with your wishes.

As always, if you have any comments or questions about this article, please do leave them below.

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Guest Post: Make Money From Speaking!

Guest Post: Make Money From Speaking!

Today I am pleased to bring you a guest post from my friend and near-neighbour, Sally Jenkins.

Sally is a successful author of both fiction and non-fiction. She also regularly gives talks about writing and related subjects (including to my local U3A group). Sally has also written a book called Public Speaking for Absolute Beginners (pictured below).

Public Speaking for Absolute Beginners

Public speaking can be a good paying sideline for retired and semi-retired people. As well as the financial benefits, it can offer an enjoyable opportunity to talk about your hobbies and interests, or your current or former career. I’ve also known people who have done public speaking as a method of raising money for charities or other causes close to their heart. Although the pandemic and lockdowns temporarily put paid to most public speaking work, as life has returned to normal the opportunities are definitely out there again.

Over to Sally then…


 

Wouldn’t it be great to make extra money by following your passion? A hobby that pays makes ‘working’ a pleasure. Unfortunately, things like stamp-collecting, rambling and local history rarely turn a profit, but there is a way to make them pay: share your specialist knowledge with others.

Community organisations such as the WI, Probus and independent Leisure and Learning clubs struggle to find speakers for their meetings. I speak about novel-writing at many such groups and am always asked if I know of any other speakers open for bookings. These are paid gigs. How much you charge, how far you travel and what type of bookings you take are all up to you. Depending on the policy of the organisation, these events may also give you the opportunity to sell produce from your hobby. For example, I sell copies of my books, but a creator of conserves might sell jam and marmalade or an artist, his paintings.

Below are some tips for starting a speaking career:

  • Collate enough material for a 45-minute talk and sort it into a logical sequence. Include stories that will capture the listener rather than a lot of heavy facts.
  • Refine the material into minimal bullet-pointed notes. It’s important to talk freely around each bullet point rather than read from a manuscript. Reading makes eye contact with the audience difficult and hand gestures to illustrate your words are almost impossible.
  • Think about any visual aids; these add variety and colour to a talk. When I talk about thriller-writing I produce some ‘murder weapons’ – a rolling-pin, a (blunt) knife and a packet of tablets. The conserve creator might show her jam pan and specialist thermometer. The artist might have a range of brushes to discuss.
  • Practise! Producing a successful talk is like an iceberg. At least 90% of the work is in the preparation beforehand. However, once you’ve perfected your performance, you can give that same talk many times to different groups.
  • Don’t be surprised if you are handed a microphone to use. This often happens in large halls or where several audience members are hard of hearing. Hold it at a consistent distance from your mouth and don’t turn your face away from it. Practise at home by holding a wooden spoon – this will give you an idea of what it’s like to talk with only one free hand.
  • Join a speakers club to get feedback on your speaking technique. Look at the Association of Speakers’ Clubs or the Toastmasters websites to find one near you.
  • Enquire at your local church hall about community groups who meet there and use speakers.
  • Do a couple of small bookings for free and ask for feedback from the audience. Once you’re confident, don’t make a habit of speaking for free (unless it’s a charitable cause) because that makes it harder for other speakers to ask for a fee.
  • Register on a speakers’ website such as Public Speakers Corner.

Receiving a cheque at the end of a talk is good but public speaking brings other benefits, such as the opportunity to meet new people and share your knowledge. It will improve your everyday confidence as well. When you can speak in front of an audience, complaining in a shop or restaurant is less daunting, putting your point of a view in a meeting is easier and making small talk with strangers at a party is no problem.

There is much more information on public speaking in Public Speaking for Absolute Beginners, including advice on constructing a speech plus chapters on Speaking Engagements, Weddings and the Eulogy. Public Speaking for Absolute Beginners is available from Amazon in Kindle and paperback format.

Sally Jenkins is an author and speaker. In 2018 she reached the national final of the Association of Speakers Clubs Speech Competition. Follow her on Twitter @sallyjenkinsuk or Facebook.


 

Many thanks to Sally Jenkins (pictured) for an interesting and inspiring article. Although as I said to her, I hope she never gets stopped by the police on the way to one ofSally Jenkins her public-speaking gigs and asked why she has all those ‘murder weapons’ in her bag!

I have done a bit of speaking myself, both for work reasons (in the long-ago days when I had a proper job) and to talk about writing or blogging. I always get nervous beforehand, but once I start I normally enjoy it and get a buzz from doing it.

I would maybe add one more tip to Sally’s list and that is to compile a list of topics you can speak about (with appropriate visual aids, of course). You can then offer potential bookers a ‘menu’ they can choose from. This has the benefit that if they don’t like one idea, they may well go for another. It also means you can potentially get repeat bookings, maybe on a regular basis, speaking on a different subject each time. This certainly happens with some of the speakers who are booked by my local U3A.

As always, if you have any questions about this article, for Sally or for me, please do post them below.

This is a fully updated version of an original post from 2019.

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Managing Time and Money in Retirement

Guest Post: How to Manage Your Time and Money in Retirement

Today I have a guest post that may be of interest to many readers of this blog.

It has recently been reported that nearly 100,000 retirees have returned to work due to the cost of living crisis and the realization that they need more money to live in reasonable comfort.

To help those in or nearing retirement, my friends at Equity Release Supermarket have set out some of their top tips for older people on how best to manage their finances, time, and boundaries with loved ones, to support their overall mental and physical well-being.


 

Many consider retirement to be the first time in their adult lives that they can relax and prioritize doing what they enjoy most.

This new-found freedom can be overwhelming, however, and establishing a new routine can take time. What’s more, as the cost of living crisis continues, those in and approaching retirement likely need to pay closer attention to their personal finances and outgoings.

Mark Gregory, Founder and CEO at Equity Release Supermarket, explains: “We speak to hundreds of over 55s each week and, for many people, the prospect of spending more time with loved ones and being able to offer support to their family is what they look forward to most. We also see how people want to use retirement as an opportunity to pursue budding interests or fulfil personal goals.

As a result, it is important that those in and approaching this stage of their life manage both their time and money, helping to get the most from their retirement plan and budget.

To help, the experts at Equity Release Supermarket have shared steps for retirees to keep on top of their time and finances to ultimately support their well-being and achieve their retirement goals.

Set goals by creating a retirement plan

Whether retirement is a few years away or you’ve already stopped working, we recommend making a retirement plan.

Start by thinking about your long term goals, such as places you want to travel to or whether you’d be interested in learning a new skill in the future. Then, consider what day-to-day activities you enjoy doing, such as spending time with grandchildren or visiting friends, as well as tasks you want to tick off your to-do list. This could include anything from giving your garden a makeover to clearing out old items from the loft.

Mapping out your days, weeks, and even years with goals and activities that will bring you fulfilment will help you organize your priorities for retirement. You could write these goals down in a notepad or even create a vision board.

Regardless of your process, make sure your retirement plan is something you can physically refer to in the future, rather than just having all the ideas up in your head.

Check in with your budget

When it comes to planning your yearly budget, you will need to establish how much money you require for your outgoings and living costs, as well as any big expenses you have planned for retirement. This could be anything from a bucket-list travel destination to supporting a son or daughter in buying their first home.

If possible, you should also aim to create an emergency savings pot, to use for any unexpected expenses.

However, it is important to remember that just because you have set your budget, those figures are not set in stone.

There are many factors that can affect your outgoings, from the ongoing cost of living crisis to personal changes such as marriage, divorce, moving house/downsizing or serious illness. Be flexible with your budget and priorities to accommodate these changes and the impact they may have on your personal finances. You might find that you need to seek out other financial options or guidance to support both your retirement and your loved ones.

It’s also important to continually check whether the money you’ve set aside for big expenses is working for you and your well-being. You might realize that you want to spend more money on things you hadn’t planned for, such as renovating the house or going on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday – in which case, you will need to update your financial plan accordingly.

Communicate with loved ones

Although creating a clear plan for retirement is essential, you also need to be mindful that life does not follow a set path.

From your physical health and mobility to ticking off your travel plans, your goals and potential limitations in retirement will adjust over time – and that’s fine and to be expected.

As difficult as it may be to admit, it can become a burden to spend your free time exactly as planned or support loved ones as much as you hoped. In these instances, it is important to keep communicating with your loved ones and be honest with them, so they can offer you support too. This will help to alleviate any pressure you may be feeling and allow your family and friends to be more accommodating of your situation.

Take care of your physical and mental well-being

It is important to make time in retirement for activities that will aid your well-being, especially as loneliness and depression are increasingly prevalent in later life.

Without the daily company of colleagues, you need to ensure you still get chances to socialize and see friends. Whether it’s arranging a coffee catch-up or joining a new local club, there are plenty of ways to incorporate social activities into the week without spending too much money, seeing both old friends and making new ones.

You can also take up activities that will benefit your physical and mental health at the same time, such as walking or low-impact exercises such as Pilates or yoga.

Think about the future

Although retirement may have been the end goal for your working life, it doesn’t mean you should stop planning for the future.

For example, you can make financial decisions that will save time and money in the long run. This could include minimizing your monthly outgoings to pay off existing mortgages quicker, as well as potentially providing you and your loved ones with more freedom later down the line.

If you’re planning to leave an inheritance to your children or family members, it is also worth considering gifting this money instead. Money gifted through equity release [or otherwise] becomes exempt from inheritance tax, provided that the giver lives for seven years afterwards. This can be a useful strategy for those who want to offer more financial support to loved ones throughout retirement and see the positive impact of this themselves.

So there you have it, five tips for getting the most from retirement. For more information about finances in retirement, visit the Equity Release Supermarket website.


My thoughts

Thanks again to my friends at Equity Release Supermarket for a useful and thought-provoking article.

I do agree it’s important to cultivate a strong social network in retirement, both with existing friends and family and with new friends and connections.

Time and again, studies have found that older people are both mentally and physically healthier when they foster relationships with others and maintain strong social connections. By contrast, social isolation and loneliness in old age have been linked to higher risks of heart disease, obesity, depression, cognitive decline, and so on.

Staying connected is especially important if (like me) you live alone. Social groups such as U3A are inexpensive to join and offer a wide range of activities, from rambling to guitar-playing, bird-watching to music appreciation. It’s well worth checking if there is a U3A group in your area. I recently joined not one but two local U3A groups and plan to write a post about this soon.

it’s also important to pay careful attention to your finances in retirement. On the one hand, you need to watch your income and expenditure to ensure you don’t run out of money in old age. On the other hand, though, you don’t want to deprive yourself without good reason and end up leading an unnecessarily frugal existence in what should be your ‘golden years’.

If you’re unsure about your finances, it can be a good idea to have a chat with a professional financial adviser. You definitely don’t need to be super-wealthy for this. Take a look at my blog post 10 Reasons Over-50s May Need an Independent Financial Adviser for more information. Most advisers (including mine) will be happy to arrange an initial meeting free of charge and without obligation.

As always, if you have any comments or questions about this post, please do leave them below.

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