All The Welsh Funding that is Available

Reading Time: 4 mins

All our readers across Wales (and the Welsh people living elsewhere of course) will today be donning their traditional dress, eating Welsh Cakes and Cawl and celebrating all that it is to be Welsh. Why? Because March 1 is St David’s Day and in honour of all of my beautiful countrymen I have done a round up of all the grants and funding, only available to Welsh people. Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus.

EDUCATION: UNIVERSITY FEES

There are alot of schemes in place to make studying in Wales affordable for Welsh people. To find out more click here.

Pupil Development Grant.

Learners currently eligible for free school meals in Wales can apply for the grant of £125 per learner, and £200 for those learners entering year 7, recognising the increased costs associated with starting secondary school.This can be used for school uniform.

For more information click here.

RUDBAXTON PARISH EDUCATION

The Rudbaxton Parish Education Fund aims to advance the education of children and young people under the age of 25 who live in the Parish of Rudbaxton, in Pembrokeshire.

THE SEABURNE

FUND

The Seaburne Fund is a Wales wide fund with a focus on supporting people from secondary through to further or higher education who have a genuine need for financial support, and for whom the level of educational attainment they wish to achieve would not be possible without the assistance of the fund.

This is currently closed but reopens in June 2022. Read more here.

THOMAS JOHN JONES MEMORIAL FUND

The Thomas John Jones Memorial Fund was established in 1944 in order to help young people in what was then the county of Breconshire to study and train for employment in the engineering industry. Applications will open in August.

Play Wales

Play Wales work to raise awareness of children and young people’s need and right to play and to promote good practice at every level of decision making and in every place where children might play.There are several funding oppurtunities available for

LIVING COSTS:

DISCRETIONARY ASSISTANCE FUND (DAF)

The Discretionary Assistance Fund provides 2 types of grant that you do not need to pay back. For more information click here.

The most important part here is that these are emergency funds and the application process takes ten days. After that the money should be in your account. In funding terms this is one of the fastest.

UNIVERSAL CREDIT

As with the rest of the UK, UC has lots of additional points of support. To see what you are eligible for in Wales click here.

WELSH WATER ASSISTANCE FUND

‘The Customer Assistance Fund is designed to help those in severe financial hardship to clear debt and get on top of their payments.

If you’re successful in your application, we’ll set up a monthly, fortnightly or weekly payment plan for your current year’s charges.Once you have made payments for 6 months, we will pay off 50% of your previous arrears.If you make payments for a further 6 months, we will then pay off the rest of your previous arrears.’

THE ARTS: Future Wales Initiative

In partnership with Natural Resources Wales, Arts Council of Wales is inviting artists based in Wales, in particular those from under-represented backgrounds, to apply for a Future Wales Fellowship in 2022 here. 

INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND FOR INDIVIDUALS

The purpose of this arts fund is:

• To support the development of relationships, collaborations and networks between Wales’ creative professionals and arts organisations and international partners.
• To share experiences and skills through the arts within an international context.
• To raise the profile of Wales and its connections through the arts internationally.

If interested click here.

Books Council Wales.

The Advances/Fees to Authors and Illustrators Scheme enables publishers in Wales to commission
books of wide appeal which will help them to increase sales, target new markets and develop their
future publishing programmes as a whole. To learn more click here.

Literature Wales: Events Funding

Literature Wales’ Inspiring Communities Fund funding scheme (formerly Writers on Tour) is a unique funding scheme for literature events.Click here for more info.

Creative Wales

Creative Wales is an agency set up within Welsh Government in early 2020.

Their mission is “to drive growth across the creative industries, build on existing success and develop new talent and skills – positioning Wales as one of the best places for creative businesses to locate and thrive.”For funding oppurtunities in all creative sectors click the link here.

Ffilm Cymru

Ffilm Cymru offer funding and training supports emerging and established filmmakers to realise their creative ambitions, gives audiences across Wales access to exciting cinematic experiences, and inspires people of all ages and abilities to participate in film education. For more info click here.

 

To read a similar round-up for our Scottish readers then click here.

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Hardship Grants: March 2022

Reading Time: 2 mins

It is the start of a new month so the hardship grants March 2022 round-up is here. People often start googling terms such as “get money now” and “get money quick” and read our many suggestions for often fun ways to make quick cash. However, one thing a lot of people are not fully aware of is that there are hardship grants available when times are hard. With everything from help for talented theatre professionals to help to get mobility aids, take a look and see if any apply to you. 

• Careers
• Family
• Miscellaneous 

Careers

MAD Trust 

The Make A Difference Trust aims to help current workers within West End Theatre whether that be as an actor or back of house worker.  The fund is designed to support workers when unforeseen circumstances arise. Their website also includes links to further support.  

 

Addington Fund 

The Addington Fund provides grants to past and present farmworkers. They can provide a grant of up to £1000 for essentials around the home. This can range from white goods, beds and specialist equipment for disabled people. Applications can be made directly to them via the website.  

 

British Legion  

The British Legion provide a variety of grants, but one offers immediate help when a crisis arises. The Crisis grant can provide you with food vouchers, help to find accommodation when facing homelessness and help to purchase essentials.  If you are a member of the armed forces community, you are eligible to apply and are encouraged to email or phone for more information.

Family

Greggs Foundation 

Not only do Greggs sell tasty treats but they support those in need. They aim to help families in need afford a range of items from white goods to school uniforms. Applications are only accepted from partner organisations but are assessed weekly.  

 

Cosaraf Hardship Grants 

Aimed at supporting the most financially excluded families, cosaraf provide grants of up to £2000 to families in need. Support can be given for a variety of items from white goods to utility bills. Like some other grants, funding can only be applied for by recognised social organisations.  

 

 Miscellaneous 

Live West Crisis Grant 

Live West supports its customers by providing hardship grants in crisis situations. Grants can support a range of things from food to emergency energy top-ups. Applications must be made through LiveWest customer income officers.  

 

Sherburn House Fund Individual Hardship 

Aimed at those in the North East of England, the Sherborn House Fund can provide funding of up to £300. Items such as white goods can be applied for as well as school uniforms. Like other grants, applications must come via referral from a social organisation. 

 

Food Banks 

In a time when many are choosing between heating and eating, it is important to remember food banks are available. We have included a link to the Trussel Trust’s food bank locator in case you are in need of assistance in accessing food.  

 

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New “Pay the bills” Series to Empower Readers

Reading Time: 2 mins

We are excited to announce that we are putting our money where out mouth is and launching our Pay The Bills series. In this series we will share tips every single day on how you can access fast cash and empower you to not feel so defeated by the financial trials and tribulations of the last couple of years and all the recent discouraging money news.

The financial fear of the last few years really has made an impact on people and, while so many media outlets are reporting on this, journalist Jasmine Birtles has made it her life’s mission to actively try to help these people. By provinding valuable advise with other news sources, she is also offering her years of financial experience to help support others on her own site here at MoneyMagpie.

Jasmine states that she “started MoneyMagpie in order to make money fun, accessible and, where possible, funny for my readers, so that normal people who aren’t maths geniuses and don’t carry an Excel spreadsheet around with them all the time can understand it.”

Therefore, in keeping with the company ethos, we have wanted to help people more than ever. Vicky Parry (content editor at MoneyMagpie) says over the last month they have seen “an influx of people asking for advice and help, some people genuinely terrified of losing their homes and who ate constantly asking for tips and ways to access money.”

What MoneyMagpie are offering.

As a direct response to this understandable fear, MoneyMagpie are going to share one tip a day (sometimes more) in a bid to support people and show them how they can access money quickly or gradually.

Jasmine adds, “Money can be really boring and really frightening but it doesn’t have to be either. I am always striving to help people put money in its place: that is where it can support our way of life and no more. It’s not something we should be running after or fearfully looking over our shoulder to see if it’s going to catch up with us. It should be something that we use, not something that uses us.

“I wanted to take the limits of money – to show people (as I have learned) that money is elastic: there’s always a way to get more of it and always a way to use less of it while having the same standard of living.

“So MoneyMagpie shows you how to save money day-to-day but it also shows you how to make extra and how to get loads of things for free. It also shows you the easy way to invest so that the money you have now can grow and grow while you sleep to give you a great income later on. It’s your complete guide to getting on top of your money and having a genuinely richer life.”

We hope this was a fun read and has helped to at least begin putting the current financial climate into perspective. Keep checking in for future tips, tricks and updates.

To access these tips daily don’t forget to subscribe to our newsfeed here.

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Green Savings Bond show vast improvement in money making

Reading Time: 3 mins

What is a Green Savings Bond?

A Green Savings Bond – which helps finance the Government’s green projects, including tackling climate change – have offered for sale a new Issue of NS&I Green Savings Bonds, which pay 1.30% gross/AER fixed-rate over a three-year term.

The Bonds support projects including making transport greener, using renewable energy rather than fossil fuels, tackling the pollution problem, more efficient uses of energy, protecting natural resources and learning to adapt to the changing climate. More information is available at nsandi.com/green

What is the Minimum Investment?

The minimum investment you can make in Green Savings Bonds is £100, with a maximum limit of £100,000 per person for each Issue. Investors must he aged 16 or over to purchase the Bonds. The full amount deposited will be held for three years and can’t be withdrawn until that period is up.

Laura Suter, head of personal finance at AJ Bell, comments: “After what must have been a lacklustre response to its initial launch, NS&I has revamped its Green Savings Bond and more than doubled the interest on offer to savers. While it’s still below the top rate in the market for three-year fixed rate bonds, which stands at 1.86% currently*, it’s far more competitive than the first issue of the bonds.

Green Savings Bond

 

“Since the Green Bonds launched in October the Bank of England has increased rates by 0.4 percentage points, which in turn has pushed up average fixed-term rates. NS&I points to this rising interest rate environment as the reason for doubling the rate from 0.65% to 1.3%. However, what’s more likely is that the initial launch, which at the time offered the same interest rate as an easy-access current account, went down like a lead balloon and NS&I had no choice but the raise the rate to draw in more money and reach its funding targets.

What the Experts Say

“One group of savers who will understandably be disgruntled are those who signed up to the initial Green Savings Bond, who will be locked in to earning 0.65% for the next three years. The bond has an initial 30-day cooling off period, where people can get their money back, but once savers are past that point they can’t withdraw the cash for three years – so will have missed out on earning double the interest. If someone invested £10,000 they will make almost £200 less in interest over the three year period if they signed up to the first issue of the bond rather than the second. If they had £50,000 invested that difference jumps to almost £1,000.

“While the rate increase is a vast improvement, savers are still sacrificing returns in order to invest in a ‘green’ way and to have the backing of the UK Government. If someone invests £5,000 in the new savings bond they will generate £198 interest over the three years, but if they saved in the current top-rate three-year account* they’d make £87 more interest over that time. That is a significant reduction on the £350 penalty savers would have taken if they invested in the Green Bonds at launch last October, compared to the top rate equivalent account at the time.

However, anyone signing up to a long-term fix needs to think carefully about what they think interest rates will do during that time. We’ve already had two interest rate rises since the bonds’ launch and the Bank of England expects rates to hit 1.25% before the end of the year, although this is by no means certain. But that would mean an uptick in savings rates too, in both the easy-access and fixed-rate market. If you lock money away now you’ll miss out on those potential increases.”

Read MoneyMagpie’s guide to Making your money green.

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How to make your dream a reality: by Katie Godfrey

Reading Time: 4 mins

Katie Godfrey’s Story

Sometimes we read a story that gives us hope. Katie Godfrey’s life is one such story and now sees Katie reaching out to inspire others to help them follow their own dreams.

Thirteen year old Katie Godfrey felt her options were limited. She had dropped out of school due to horrendous bullying, but instead of letting this define her, it made her more and more determined to do something positive with her life. Now Katie is a household name in the beauty business, with a training academy and full product range as two of the strings to her ever-expanding bow. What Katie really wants us to see is the power of belief: through her training, she wants to share the way to making this a lucrative business and recognise the beauty industry as a way to turn your life around.

Katie Godfrey’s story could have been a very different one, as evidenced by many surviving victims of bullying, but she somehow went from high school dropout to owning her first salon by the age of nineteen. From then on, she became more and more determined as she grew her empire: a chain of franchise salons that she sold in order to focus on education, aiming to raise standards across salons and within the industry.

Soon enough, people within the industry were inspired by this story and contacted Katie for guidance: she is now a dedicated business mentor and looks after over thirty-five salons. She started this side business three years ago after being inundated by businesses coming to her for help as a result of her success story: she offers one-to-one and group mentoring sessions, and aims to launch the first comprehensive online business course for the hair and beauty industry imminently. She talks regularly at colleges and events about her story and is passionate about motivating others to build their careers. She is one of the authors of number one bestselling book ‘Extraordinary Women’ and she co-owns Salon Franchise, a consultancy company in the hair & beauty industry.

Katie’S Vision

What Katie Godfrey now wants people to see is that people can make a lot of money through her training. Whether it is a side hustle or a main income there is so much money to be had within the beauty industry, when you do your job to a high standard; something she will help you achieve. In order to help with this Katie launched KG Professional, a beauty training academy which now has branches in Bedfordshire, Southampton, Gloucestershire, Derbyshire, Milton Keynes, Sussex and Essex, and an eyelash product range. Within six months of launch, the eyelash range was selling in five hundred salons and is now sold globally. Katie was also one of the first trainers in the UK to teach Russian Volume Lashes, flying to New York to learn and then bring the techniques back, in addition to maintaining the salon and pro businesses.

Katie Godfrey founded Professionals

 

One person who was inspired to turn her life around was lawyer turned lash expert and salon owner Jenna. Jenna started out in Law but was obsessed with beauty and lashes, so trained on the side and started doing treatments in her home salon in the evenings and weekends. She became so popular that she ended up giving up Law and started Beauty full time and is now one of KGProfessional’s lash educators with her own salon. She is a new mum, so loves the fact that lashing is so flexible and that she can arrange her business around her baby. This is a great example of Katie’s insistence for people to follow their dreams.

Katie’s achievements are all the more impressive considering she has done this while single-handedly parenting her daughter. She is testament to the goals that can be reached with determination and hard work and is inspiring and helping many others to do the same.

About the courses:

Eyelash Courses are available on the KG Professionals Website

 

Courses are fully accredited by ABT insurance, Professional Beauty and Lash Inc meaning you will gain industry recognised certificate after you have completed your course. All academies are easily accessible by car and public transport and training is held in small groups or individual one to one sessions.

• Academies are now; Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, Derbyshire, Hull, Gloucestershire, Southampton, Essex, Sussex and Kent
• Courses run every day of the week and online courses are also available.
• KG offer finance options to make it easier for students and all training courses have a luxury training kit included.

If you are inspired by Katie’ Godfrey and her story and want to follow in her footsteps then sign up for her training academy here. Courses are available online or in person and she also offers advice and mentorship. If you are just keen to learn more about the courses and are looking to share with a family member of friend then click here.

MoneyMagpie’s guide to whether the beauty industry is for you here.

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Make and save £500 a month for your ISA!

Reading Time: 6 mins

Want to make and save £500 a month for your ISA? The tax-free allowance for the 2022 financial year is £20,000. So, rather than have your savings languish in an ordinary account, make the most of the tax benefits ISAs bring. In today’s low-interest environment, taking full advantage of your tax-free allowance is more important than ever.

Don’t have enough savings to take full advantage of your tax-free allowance? Don’t worry. If your finances are already stretched to the max, we’ve got some great ideas to help you accumulate enough savings to make a healthy looking cash ISA in a year. Anyone can do it – so read on for all the tips you need.

• The best ISAs on the market
• How to make and save £500 a month for your ISA
• Cut your living costs
• Shop wisely
• Make money online
• Make money in your spare time

 

The best ISAs on the market

Don’t know where to start and want the full lowdown on tax-free saving? Take a look at our guide to the best ISAs.

For an ISA that’s easy access and won’t penalise you for withdrawing money from your account, we recommend:

• Shawbrook Bank – 0.98% Fixed Rate Cash ISA. At 0.98% AER, Shawbrook Bank’s ISA is one of the best on the market right now. The account requires a deposit of £1,000 and allows easy access to pay in and withdraw money whenever you like. You can easily apply for the account online.

If you’re looking to transfer existing cash ISA funds into a better account, we recommend:

• Hodge Bank – 1.25% 2-Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA. Yes, it is two years instead of one, but at that rate it’s hard to say no. You must put in £1,000, however there is a penalty for withdrawing before the 2 years is up. Please note, you can only deposit money into this account at opening.

 

How to make and save £500 a month for your ISA

From 6 April 2021, the government increased the amount of money you’re allowed to wrap an ISA around to £20,000 per tax year. You can split this how you like between a cash ISA and a stocks and shares ISA.

If you do the basic maths, you’ll realise that to fulfill your annual allowance of £20,000 a year, you’d need to set aside £1,667 a month. However, that might be a big ask. But, if you can save £500 a month you could have a cash ISA of £6,000. Anything more you should consider putting into a stocks and shares ISA anyway.

The good news is, saving £500 might not be as hard as you think! How do you reach that magic number? We have a few recommendations.

 

Cut your living costs

It can be easier to cut down on non-essential spending, such as buying clothes or new technology, than cutting down on essentials such as food and bills. However, there are ways you can cut your utility bills, broadband and insurance costs, if you are savvy about it.

Luckily for you, here at MoneyMagpie, our mission is to save you money whenever possible.

Phone Bills

Let’s start with one of the costs we all face on a recurring basis. Mobile phones can drain our bank accounts, however there are many ways to save on your bills. Check out our top 10 tips to save on your phone bill here. Our tips include switching provider, recycling your old phones and more!

When it comes to landline phones, well…they are becoming a thing of the past. Once households were unable to be without one, but with technology in the palm of our hands (literally), there is less demand for them. So, if you have a landline that you never use, it may be worth getting rid. You are likely being charged monthly for line rental.

We also have a great article all about reducing the cost of your smartphone. Check it out here.

Utility bills

When it comes to saving money on your bills, we have you covered. Back in October, our founder and personal finance expert Jasmine Birtles hosted a free webinar all about saving money on heating bills and within the home. You can watch the webinar and read the summary here, or watch the video below. She was joined by expert guests who gave great tips and tricks about saving on your bills. The best part is, they are all easy and don’t cost you a bomb.

If you have a little money available, it may be well worth investing in good insulation for your home. You may even be unsure whether your insulation is doing the trick. Next time there is frost or snow in your area, stand outside of your house and look up at your roof. If all the snow and ice is melted, or is melting faster than that of your neighbours, your insulation may need updating. Yes, it is an upfront cost, but will save you plenty of money in the long run. You can read our guide to getting insulation here.

We also recommend checking out our article about smart meters, and how they can save you some serious money on your bills. Saving energy in summer is just as important as in winter. You may be using energy in your home you don’t need, or don’t even realise you are using. Check out our guide on how to save energy in summer here.

 

Shop wisely

Food shopping is the most essential of all bills. It is imperative to feed yourself and your family, and there should never have to be a choice between heating and eating. It is important to make sure you always get the best deals when you go shopping. Check out our 8 Sneaky Supermarket Tricks to help you save extra pennies every time you shop.

We also released a recent Boxset Newsletter, all about food – specifically how to save money on it. Check it out here – and don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter so you don’t miss out on future money saving tips, direct to your inbox.

We also have a great 7 step guide on how to save money on food, without compromising on quality. From bulk buying to shopping online, using loyalty cards to avoiding pre-prepared food, we have everything you need to know in one easy to follow guide.

Don’t forget, there are amazing apps available that allow you to get food for free! Olio and Too Good To Go are just two of the names leading the way in fighting food waste. All the while, you can get your hands on delicious food the supermarkets can no longer sell. Check it out now.

If you are a vegan, or thinking about lowering your meat and animal product consumption, but are unsure how to manage on a budget, don’t fear! We have you covered with plenty of delicious, low-cost vegan recipes.

If you’re shopping online, it’s definitely worth checking out cashback sites. They give you money back on products you buy through them. This can save you a fair few pennies – just make sure the product you’re buying via a cashback site isn’t available cheaper elsewhere – it doesn’t make sense to buy a TV on a site offering 10% cashback if the TV is included as part of a half-price sale somewhere else! Our favourite flashback sites include TopCashback, Quidco and Honey.

Get your money sorted for 2022!

We also recently hosted a free webinar – How to get your money sorted for 2022! You can read the summary of the key points here, or watch it below. There was plenty of discussion on how to save money on your food shop. Definitely worth a watch in our opinion!

 

 

Make money online

If you are a long-time reader on MoneyMagpie, you will be aware of how much we love paid surveys as a way to make money on the side. It all adds up, and you can earn whilst watching TV, having a bath or waiting in line at the supermarket.

Sign up to an online survey website and get paid to answer questionnaires. Normal pay rates for completing a survey can be anything from 20p to £10 – typically, the longer the survey, the higher the reward. Most surveys are fairly short and don’t take much time to complete.

Sites we recommend include:

• Toluna
• Opinion Outpost
• Qmee
• LifePoints
• Opinimum
• Inbox Pounds

There are also more traditional ways to make cash online – why not get rid of unwanted household goods (from clothes to electronics) by selling them on eBay? Did you know, old cassette tapes and CDs are in high demand at the moment? Plus, you’re bound to have old books and games long around. Why not hop online and see what you can shift?

 

Make money in your spare time

Making money in your spare time is easier than you think. You may be thinking, “But I don’t have any spare time!”. Well, some of our tips and tricks can be done on the go, whilst you are watching your favourite film or even without you trying.

Starting with our 22 Ways to Make and Save Money in 2022. With 11 ways to make money and 11 ways to save it, there will be at least one method of cash making or saving to fit around your lifestyle.

We also have hundreds of other ways to make and save money, to help you top your ISA up. Here are some of the articles that may interest you:

• 66 ways to get free stuff and live for free
• 21 lazy ways to save money on everything
• 44 ways to make extra money
• 21 ways to save £100 this week
• Top 10 ways to grow your money
• 10 ways to make money doing nothing
• 10 easy ways to make quick cash
• 52 money saving tips for families

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As Fear Reaches its Peak: What Should we do about this inflation?

Reading Time: 6 mins

Inflation really is causing panic and upset at the moment. The Centre for Economic and Business Research has published data from YouGov on consumer confidence: the HL Savings and Resilience Barometer data is available on request and outlines the problems of “cash” and “income” faced by a majority of the population in light of recently reported price hikes and general cost of living.

Sarah Coles, senior personal finance analyst. Hargreaves Lansdown had this to say:

“For millions of people, life is already an uphill battle to make ends meet, and things are only going to get worse. The rest of 2022 will make the battle harder and the mountain you need to climb even bigger. Research from CEBR reveals we haven’t been this pessimistic about the state of our finances for nine years – and we’re right to be worried.

The HL Savings and Resilience Barometer, produced with Oxford Economics, reveals the extent of the problem. Only around half of us currently have enough cash left over at the end of the month to deal with price rises. By the time we’ve got through the eye-watering price hikes due this spring and beyond, this is expected to fall to around one in three.

Photo by Emily Wang on Unsplash

 

Who is hardest hit by all this inflation?

Among those on lower incomes, Citizens Advice received more requests for crisis support than ever before last month – so more people are hitting the wall financially than at the peak of the pandemic lockdowns. And the Barometer shows that six in seven people will be running on empty by the end of 2022.

Whatever your income, price rises are already causing pain for two thirds of people. Within this group, three quarters said their energy prices were responsible for a chunk of the price rises, largely because of the 12% hike in the price cap in October. However, energy prices aren’t the only things squeezing households. Everything from the cost of home repairs to food prices is on the rise, and there are a huge array of things which have risen more than a fifth in the past year – ranging from petrol to margarine and irons.

And inflation hasn’t peaked yet. The Bank of England expects it to hit 7.25% in April when the energy price cap feeds through. This could cause us even more of a financial headache, because it puts more pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates. This will make life more expensive for borrowers, so those who have borrowed to make ends meet will face a double-whammy.

It means we all need to think how we can make ends meet after prices rise. For those with more wiggle room in their budget, this means revisiting what they spend each month, cutting out some of the non-essentials, and shopping around on everything from petrol to groceries to keep costs down. For those whose finances are on more of a knife edge, they’ve already done all the easy things – and a lot of the hard ones. A third (32%) of those who said their costs had risen recently also said they’re cutting back on energy use, and more than half are cutting back non-essentials (53%). If you’ve already done everything you can think of, the key is to make sure you’re getting any help you can.

What is the government doing?

It will lend everyone £200 to offset their energy bills in October. This will be repaid in £40 instalments over the next five years. It essentially spreads the rises over a longer period, so it will take some of the pain out of the immediate hike, but will mean higher prices for longer. It has come in for criticism because you can’t refuse the loan, and if energy prices remain high, we’ll end up having to make repayments on top of higher costs. There’s also the issue of people who move out of shared accommodation or away from home after October, who don’t get the loan, but still have to make repayments.

It has also announced a council tax rebate of £150 for those in properties banded A-D, paid in April. It will also provide local authorities with a discretionary fund they can use to support people who are exempt from council tax and for those on low incomes who live in higher value properties. This doesn’t have to be paid back, so will ease some of the extra cost. However, it will still leave us having to produce hundreds of extra pounds from thin air in order to pay the bills.

Rishi Sunak announced that the government will also go ahead with plans to expand the eligibility to the warm homes discount to 3 million. However, because unless the government changes the way it works, it will be paid for by other energy customers – it will end up costing those on average incomes more.

It has chosen not to make one change which would have protected millions of people from another hike set to cost us hundreds of pounds: the National Insurance rise planned for April. It is resisting calls for it to be shelved, but it’s the last thing we need when price rises are already crippling our finances.

What can you do?

There will be plenty of people who consider themselves to be reasonably comfortable, but who are worried about rising bills. This is likely to creep up on them, as price rises gradually feed in through into their monthly costs, and fixed mortgage and energy deals come to an end. It’s going to get worse slowly – and then very suddenly.

If you’re in this boat, it’s worth working out what you spend each month, either by keeping a spending diary, or by checking your banking apps and statements. That should help you identify the non-essentials you can cut back on without making a major difference to your life.

You should also look at shopping around for better deals on everything from groceries to media, to bring your costs down. You can’t shop around for an energy deal cheaper than the price cap at the moment, but if you haven’t already switched to paying by direct debit, it’s worth doing so, because people who pay by cash or cheque are charged £130 extra a year.

Likewise, if you haven’t yet tried energy-saving approaches like turning the thermostat down by one degree, switching radiators off in rooms that aren’t used regularly, being more ruthless about how often you run the dishwasher and washing machine, or installing draught-proofing and insulation, then now is the time.

When you’re considering your regular costs, you may be tempted to revisit things like pension contributions. If you upped your monthly payments to take account of lockdown savings, this may be a sensible readjustment. Likewise, in some cases, even when people have already cut back on their spending, the pressure of rising costs means something has to give. It makes more sense to roll back a pension payment than to miss debt repayments or bills. However, cutting pensions shouldn’t be a first port of call, because you could be losing any matching employer contributions and tax relief on top. In some cases, you may have no choice, but in others it’s important to consider the alternatives.

If your finances are on a knife edge

For people whose finances are already stretched horribly thin, there just aren’t enough easy energy efficiency steps or non-essentials left to cut. There’s a real risk they are forced into impossible choices about heating and powering their homes.

It’s worth investigating whether there is any help available. Check whether your supplier’s warm home discount is still open for applications, and whether you qualify, because this can provide £140 off your energy bills. You should also check whether you qualify for a grant from your provider or your local council – both of which have specific support schemes for people who are struggling.

Citizens Advice knows both the benefits system and the energy support rules in great detail, so are a brilliant place to go for help. It can also be enormously useful to have someone to talk to at a time like this.

There may also be charitable grants available, which you can search for on the Turn2Us website.

If you’re facing problems with debts, a debt charity can also help enormously. Organisations like StepChange can help you work out the best possible way to get out of problem debt.”

Jasmine Says:

Our own Jasmine Birtles adds: “These forecasts are very depressing but not surprising. I have been saying for over a year now that inflation would be higher and last longer than the central bankers would have us believe. There will be more price rises, and a lot more interest rate rises, and it is going to be particularly tough for lower income households. Those are a given.

However, there are ways of coping. Firstly there are free debt advice agencies like those we mention in this article [link to free debt advice article] and Turn2Us.org.uk is a great help with its benefits calculator and access to grants. Your local council can point you in the direction of local grants and, sometimes, cash from their own emergency funds.

But the best and most long-lasting way we can all keep going is through sharing with friends, family and neighbours. I said this back in 2010 when the fall-out from the 2008 financial crisis was really biting and I say it again today: we can’t manage on our own unless we’re seriously rich. Increasingly we have to realise that by supporting each other and sharing (food, money, car, childcare, homes and more) we can all manage and have a good standard of living.

Finally, it’s even more important for people to take on at least one extra earner as soon as possible. We have literally hundreds of ways that people can supplement their income on MoneyMagpie so do look at our Make Money section to find out ways to bring in more cash on the side. It can make the difference between paying bills and going into arrears.”

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Best Money Making Methods in WoW Classic

Reading Time: 4 mins

Like any RPG, World of Warcraft Classic needs good money and item management to be successful on your journey to optimal progression. If you haven’t started playing the game yet, one way to acquire video games is through cheap cd keys that you can buy at discounted price. There are many money-making methods in WoW Classic, but we will discuss the best ways that we know of to make money fast and easy in WoW Classic.

• Dailies
• Classic professions
• Defeating enemies
• Addons

 

Completing Dailies for Gold

Dailies were introduced in the Burning Crusade release, and they are essentially various quests that match well with the type of game mode you are running. There are dailies associated with dungeons, PVP events, professions, and more. They will show a blue exclamation point above their head on the map.

Upon completing those daily quests, you can earn gold and other valuable rewards, making this a very resourceful way for getting a boost in gold and currencies while completing other vital tasks in the game.

 

Earning Gold in Classic Professions

Professions play a massive role in earning special items that help make your gaming sessions more manageable. They do very well to provide the player with gold-earning opportunities. Getting professions as early as possible is the best way to optimize earnings from this game mechanic.

For example, picking either two of the Mining, Herbalism, or Skinning professions will allow you to earn so much more money in your playthrough. Jewelcrafting was added with Burning Crusade and has helped many players make tons of gold. However, the significant professions shouldn’t be the only ones you sought. Secondary professions provide money earning potential, too.

 

Defeating Swathes of Enemies to Farm Gold

There are always packs of enemies to beat up on to gather materials and gold when you’re low on something. The subject here is money, so there is no shortage of enemy groups to pound on for those extra coin droppings.

The cycle of killing a group of enemies and leaving the area to respawn is known as farming, or at least it’s one farming method. There are many forms of farming in an MMORPG or traditional RPG. However, this one involves being as destructive as possible to the local population of monsters.

The method of beast farming varies, as well, depending on your goal. You can seek to aim for uncommon drops to sell at the auction house, or you can focus on a more reliable method like gathering coins and crafting materials to make gear and clothing. Regardless, farming can be very effective no matter your level. You can do it alone or with friends making it a versatile method of making money in WoW Classic.

 

Use Addons to Make Gold in WoW Classic

Addons help players streamline the approach to making gold in WoW Classic, and there are several ones from which to choose.

TradeSkillMaster

To start, the TradeSkillMaster is arguably the best addon tool in the list of usable addons for players in WoW Classic. If you are looking to become a master money maker, this is the one for you. It comes with a suite of usable tools that cover virtually all opportunities between crafting and auctioning.

Of course, it will take some time to unlock its full potential, and new players might have difficulty grasping the concepts of all the combined addons at once. However, this will expedite the process of earning gold very well.

Auctionator

The Auctionator is a tool that optimizes the earning potential for WoW Classic players who are “gold-conscious.” Smart Auctionator users will use it to take advantage of undercuts within the Auction House, post multiple auctions simultaneously, and quickly buy items in stacks to save time and even money.

GatherMate2

The GatherMate2 addon goes perfectly with WoW Classic players who have a gathering profession. This addon ensures that you never miss an herb or a mining node. All nodes that you’ve already picked and left alone will show on both the mini and world map. It makes the gathering process more efficient, faster, and more manageable.

 

Additional Tips for Farming Gold in WoW Classic

Farming will always be an excellent opportunity for earning gold since it’s a repeatable and measurable method for making gold in WoW Classic. You want to be aware of some general tips when doing it that could help in any farming session.

• Try your best to learn only the skills you need from a class trainer. This will mitigate the resources and time used to gather everything instead of focusing on the ones that will help you do things faster and more efficiently.
• A common problem in WoW Classic is the limited bag space. When farming, you want to make sure you have as much space as possible in your reserves. Therefore, you should always start your farm with a bank alt. It’s straightforward, but it comes in handy.
• Whip out “ye ol’” fishing rod and lure. Fishing is an underrated method of gathering gold and other valuable items. You can also sell Oily Blackmouth, Stonescale Eel, and Firefin Snapper, which provide a solid amount of gold earnings.
• Faction discounts for flight masters are overlooked by many players looking to earn gold successfully. Try your best to establish this before you start your farms. If it isn’t accessible, make sure that’s one of your goals so that you aren’t missing out on the earning potential provided by faction discounts.
• Following the usual routes can be tempting, but always remember to gather all the nodes by swimming down lakes. It’s easy to follow the given path, but every little bit of gathering counts when you are farming.

 

Other Ways to Make Money in WoW Classic

So you’ve spent hours and days and weeks grinding WoW Classic for gold. Farming is practical, but it gets time-consuming and can leave many wondering if it was worth it. That’s because you’re thinking about your time in the real world. Did you know that you can translate that time spent playing WoW Classic to real-world value by trading your in-game currency and items?

 

Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.

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Kirstie Allsopp Faces Huge Backlash with Comments

Reading Time: 4 mins

What has Kirstie Allsopp said to cause such uproar?

“I don’t want to belittle those people who can’t do it. But there are loads of people who can do it and don’t. It is hard. We’ve fallen into the trap of saying it’s impossible for everybody. I was brought up to believe owning your home is the be all and end all and in a way I still believe that…It’s about where you can buy, not if you can buy.”

These were the words this weekend of TV’s Kirstie Allsopp, stating that people who wanted to afford housing should move “somewhere cheaper” and cut back on “luxuries” such as avocado toast and Netflix. Her attitude has unsurprisingly stirred up a lot of comment.

This has caused vast uproar on social media due to the inference that £5.99 a month on a Netflix subscription could in fact result in home ownership and shows an incredibly tone deaf attitude when so many can barely afford to eat, The New Statesman has gone as far as to call it “Victim blaming for a broken housing market” .

MoneyMagpie’s Jasmine Birtles adds: “It’s all very well for someone like Kirstie, who comes from money and earns well, to say that young people could afford to buy a property if they just stopped buying lattes, but for most young people now who are coping with huge hikes in the cost of living, their extra money is going on paying bills and keeping themselves fed.

“Sure there are a few who are on a good salary and really could cut down on some luxuries to get a downpayment on a house, if they look in a cheap area (as Kirstie says), but the vast majority do not have that ability; they are either already struggling to pay the basics or scared that very soon they will be in that position.

“There is a lot of fear about right now. The messages we get from many readers at MoneyMagpie.com are cries for help. Many, many people are genuinely afraid that they won’t be able to put food on the table.

“It’s more helpful to recognise the worrying situation that millions of Brits are in right now – both young and old – and did what I am currently doing which is finding ways with which people can save and make money day-to-day to help pay bills and keep food on the table.”

The facts:

The average house price in the UK is £268,349, while in 2021, the average annual salary for the UK was £25,971. The average rent is £968 per month per home.

Mortgage lenders normally lend 4.5 times people’s salary. Where does the rest come from? Some lenders announced at the end of last year they would do 7 times, but that is still unusual and has a huge amount of criteria. Some of these mortgages could not even be paid off within our lifetime (we take a look at that here).

Compare this to our parents: in 1999, the average house price was £63,640 and the average wage per year £17,800, a sum of about 3.5 times people’s wages.

This hike is comparitively huge compared to previous generations and while it was always difficult. For many who are shelling out a mojority of their wages on rent, they are unable to make the savings to shell out on such an investent.

Tweets such as this indicate public reaction

Our Conclusion

Clearly there is a disparity between what Kirstie Allsopp is suggesting and what is possible for the average UK house buyer.

Although it is not impossible, for many to have the same chance of a housing investment as others means huge sacrifices from the whole family.

Often living rent free with family members, and while yes not taking holidays, also not having any luxuries at all. Therfore it’s also clear that those who come from perceived privilege should carefully consider what they’re saying regarding the judgement of others from more humble backgrounds, if they don’t want to raise the ire of most of the nation. Then again, perhaps Allsopp wanted to encourage passionate debate, and it’s abundantly clear she has.

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Mukbanging: Is it as dirty as it sounds?

Reading Time: 7 mins

Mukbanging: Is it as dirty as it sounds? Well, it depends on how messy of an eater you are. Mukbanging is a YouTube trend that started around 2010 and has picked up in popularity in recent years? So what’s it all about and why should you try to make some money from it?

 

• What is Mukbanging?
• When did mukbanging start and its rise to popularity?
• The difference between Korean and American/English mukbangs
• Most popular mukbang YouTube channels
• How much can you earn
• How to start mukbanging

 

What is Mukbanging?

Mukbanging is the act of videoing yourself eating and uploading it to the internet or live streaming it. Often people order a large amount of fast food and work their way through over a few hours. Some are made in an ASMR style, some as vlogs and others as menu reviews. People eat and chat about everything from their daily life to the latest YouTube drama – there’s something for everyone when it comes to mukbanging.

 

When did mukbanging start and its rise to popularity?

Mukbanging started to appear on social media platforms around 2010 with the video style originating in South Korea. The word itself is a combination of the two Korean words “Muk-ja” meaning to eat and “bang-song” meaning to broadcast. Mukbanging in Korea started on the streaming platform AfreecaTV, with broadcast jockeys cooking and eating meals on stream. As eating is a very sociable activity in Korea many individuals will not goout to eat alone so instead tune in to their favourite streamers while they eat. Much like we love a good tv dinner in the UK, Koreans like to have company when they eat. Live streaming mukbangs is a great way to get audience interaction as they can comment. This gives viewers the ability to suggest the best dipping sauce to go with the food they’re eating.

Mukbangs began to rise in popularity when American and English YouTubers started to make YouTube videos in the same style. These are pre-recorded videos that people can watch as and when they like, making their favourite creators more accessible.  There are many big YouTube mukbang creators that focus on a mix of food reviews and real-life stories. There are thousands of results for mukbang on YouTube and google so there’s certainly a lot of content to get through.

The difference between Korean and American/English mukbangs

Aside from the way mukbangs are accessed there is another major difference when it comes to different countries mukbang styles. Korean mukbangs tend to focus on the ASMR aspect of eating, for example, there are many videos of people cracking open lobster shells or slurping down noodles. ASMR aims to reduce anxiety so it may be particularly helpful for those who don’t like eating alone. Whereas American and English mukbangs focus on storytelling, reviewing food and vlogging.

The top mukbang video currently is 불닭볶음면 먹방 Mukbang Fire Spicy Noodle by DONA 도나, it is a ASMR style mukbang with a comedy element. With a staggering 595,828,239 views since its upload on September 4^th 2020, it is clearly very popular.

The most popular talking style mukbang is by the YouTube creator group the Sidemen with 33 Million views. Titled SIDEMEN REUNITED MUKBANG and lasting over an hour in length, it shows the group members sitting around, talking and completing challenges.

Mukbangs make for easy watching, you don’t have to be fully paying attention like when you watch TV, you can just have them on for background noise. They started as a way to not eat alone and still many university students and adults living alone use them for this. For some, eating alone is not a pleasant experience so being able to switch on a video and have someone eating alongside them is extremely comforting.

Most popular mukbang YouTube channels

Timmy’s Takeout

With 1.49 Million subscribers, Timmy is not the biggest star on the list but he is one of my favourites! The American YouTuber does full menu reviews of takeout chains. From McDonald’s to Taco Bell, he has covered them all. I enjoy watching his menu reviews just to see what other countries McDonald’s is like as well as living vicariously through his ability to eat gluten.

Nikocado Avocado

Combined across all his channels, Nikocado has a subscriber count of 5.944 million so to say he’s popular is an understatement. He posts a mix of videos of him eating alone and eating with friends. From spicy noodle challenges to menu reviews, he does it all.

DONA

With over 11 million subscribers over their channels, DONA is very popular. They focus more on the ASMR side of mukbanging but also integrate some comedy in as seen in the video mentioned earlier. They are more on the side of the original Korean style of video.

 

How much can you earn

Well as with a lot of YouTubers, the amount made per month varies. Sponsored videos can make massive amounts of money if you negotiate the right price. If you are lucky enough to monetise your channel, you’ll be paid for your views. It is also worth mentioning that the longer the video the more mid-roll adds you will have which will also increase your earnings. It’s hard to put down a number for possible earnings as these are not published by YouTubers but some very successful YouTubers are known to make upwards of 6 figures a year.

 

How to start mukbanging

So now you’ve learnt all about mukbanging, you’re probably wondering how to get started yourself. Here at MoneyMagpie, we’ve put together a handy guide on how to get started mukbanging.

• Decide on your name
• Find a niche
• Set up your YouTube channel
• Purchase your equipment
• Design your backdrop
• Get your food in!
• Start filming
• Upload your first video
• Stay consistent

 

Decide on your name

Now picking a channel name may sound easy but it is at the centre of your brand. You might want something catchy or maybe food-based. You need your name to stand out as well as look good on your YouTube banner. Food imagery works well because almost everyone can imagine a potato or orange. Alliteration also works, rhyming names, anything that is memorable is always great.

 

Find a niche

So you’re set on your name but before you set up your channel you need to find you’re niche. Do you want to focus more on ASMR or storytelling? Do you want to use it to spread awareness for a cause close to your heart? Maybe practising your stand-up jokes? Watch some of the mukbangers suggested in the article to see their style and think about how you can make your own.

 

Set up your YouTube account

You’ve got your name, found your niche, now is the time to set up your channel. It’s a simple process to do but here are a few tips that might push your channel to the next level.

• Set up an email address specifically for it – if your channel takes off this way potential sponsors can contact through an email just for your channel rather than your regular email. It’s also great for if you’re planning to have other social media connected to your account like Instagram and Twitter.
• Make a banner for your channel – sites like Canva have free to use templates that allow you to make a channel banner that encapsulates your brand. They also have intro and outro templates and video thumbnails. You can make your brand cohesive and recognisable this way.
• Build up the hype for your channel launch – whether you do this on your own social media channels or on the ones you set up for your new venture it’s worth building up to the launch. You could share a few posts in the week leading up to it to get those around you excited.

 

Purchase your equipment

You don’t need a top of the range camera and microphone to get started – your laptop’s webcam will do! However, if you are thinking of making ASMR style videos it might be good to get a cheap USB microphone to pick up the sound better.

 

Design your backdrop

So the focus of the video will be you and all the delicious food you’re devouring but you’re going to need some form of backdrop behind you. You could put a green screen behind you and edit a restaurant into the background or you could do something fun and creative. For example, MenKind have a whole host of fun lights and even lightsabre salt and pepper grinders. Have fun with your background and be creative!

 

Get your food in!

In essence, this seems obvious because you’re filming yourself eating but you need to choose what food. ASMR creators favour foods such as noodles to slurp and lobsters to crack. Storytellers might choose burgers or chips; food reviewers often purchase the whole menu! Some people do spicy noodle challenges while others eat a plate of cheese – the choice is entirely up to you!

 

Start filming

Now it’s time to start filming and eat away! Have a plan in your head of what you want to talk about and get chatting. Maybe imagine you’re at dinner with a friend having a wholly one-sided conversation after all mukbanging is supposed to be social.

 

Upload your first video

Now it is time to upload your video – remember to add in your intro and outro slides and ask everyone to like, subscribe and share. Share the link to the YouTube video on social media and remember to keep pushing it out. The more times you share it the more likely people are going to see it.

 

Stay consistent

YouTube success is not going to happen overnight so remember to stay consistent. You could start with a video a week while you get going and then gradually increase it over time. As with any side hustle success is not instantaneous so keep at it and see where it takes you!

The post Mukbanging: Is it as dirty as it sounds? appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Energy price cap increase: Rishi Sunak announces financial support

Reading Time: 3 mins

Energy regulator Ofgem has announced an increase in the energy price cap from April – the second hike in six months. The energy price cap is a limit set on the amount energy suppliers can charge for an average fuel tariff. This increase is due to an unprecedented rise in the price of gas.

This is an increase of £693 to the price cap. This means from April, energy bills are likely to rise by a staggering 54%. Prepaid meter users are expected to be hit even harder, with a hike of £708 to the cap, resulting in annual average energy bills of £2,017.

These increased costs are significant and is likely to impact 22 million households, with millions falling into fuel poverty. Fuel poverty could leave millions of brits unable to heat or light their homes. So, what is being done to combat this?

• Financial support
• Jasmine Birtles says

 

financial support

Just today, Chancellor Rishi Sunak spoke in The House of Commons after increased pressure on the government to support the country through this difficult time. With the cost of living increasing day by day, the financial strain on the UK is at an all-time high. The latest price cap increase – the highest on record – is another notch in the public’s belt.

Sunak announced the government would in fact be giving financial support to those who need it most. Firstly, the government are going to try and spread these increased costs. Instead of raising energy bills by 54% from April in one foul swoop, these increases will be implemented gradually over the coming months. So far, we are unaware of how much this will add to our monthly bills for the next few months.

£200 discount on bills and council tax rebate

He has also announced that all domestic electricity consumers will receive a £200 discount on their electricity bills from October 2022. This, however, has been criticised by The Labour Party as a buy now, pay later scheme for electricity bills. This is because, unfortunately, this £200 discount is not simply a discount, but something customers will have to pay back. Customers will have to pay back £40 a year for the next 5 years. This will be added to their energy bills in equal instalments.

Another aid being given to the public is a council tax rebate. Households in council tax bands A to D will be given a £150 rebate in April to help ease the blow to people’s purse strings.

£150 million to local authorities

There will also be £150 million given to local authorities across the UK to help local councils support those who will be hardest hit and those who are particularly vulnerable. Lower income households are expected to be given much of this help, in an attempt to help ease the burden of increased living costs.

Sunak, however, has rejected calls to reduce VAT on energy bills, and says there will be fast and generous support to those who need it. He has also suggested a VAT cut would not happen as it would disproportionately favour the wealthier in society and would cause people to save just £90 on average. Hence, the £150 council tax rebate is a better option in the eyes of the government.

increased interest rates

In a final blow today, the Bank of England has announced a 0.25% increase in interest rates, bringing the total rate to 0.5%. Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has stressed the interest rate move is part of an attempt to curb a rapid rise in the cost of living, explaining it was “necessary because it is unlikely that inflation will return to target without it”. Inflation is at the highest rate it has been for 30 years, at a staggering 5.4%.

 

Jasmine Birtles says:

“Energy prices are cyclical – particularly gas prices. They will come down at some point. I don’t know when but it could be in a year or two.

The bad news in the short-term is that we are likely to have to undergo another, smaller energy price rise in the Autumn, but at some point the wholesale gas prices will go down again which will make it cheaper for the energy providers to buy it in and will enable some price competition to come into the market. That way our bills will come down. Historically gas prices have gone up and down. We are in an ‘up’ part of the cycle right now.

So although this year is going to be tough financially, and probably next year too, it’s not going to be forever. Keep that in mind all the time.”

 

Useful links:

• Hardship Grants: February 2022
• Jasmine Birtles on rising living costs: “Try not to panic”
• How to save on heating bills and in the home
• 5 ways to save energy in the summer

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