Here are too many ways to turn your passion into a viable income. In this blog you will learn about how to make so much money online from lots of website and apps.By reading blog you will also find many good links which help you in making money online.
Friday 29 April 2022
Get Paid to Eat Brunch
Reading Time:2mins
How do the words Bottomless Brunch grab you? Sound good? Do you fancy getting paid to eat brunch? Well, a global discount voucher website is recruiting five enthusiasts to test and help select the top bottomless brunch spots in the UK. A successful candidate will be allowed to bring a mate along, and will be paid £150 a day to travel around the UK, reviewing Britain’s brunches.
The Bottomless Brunch Testers will be recruited by WeThrift – who help customers save money – and will be asked to test and score ten of the UK’s top bottomless brunches against intensive criteria such as variety of food and drinks on offer, quantity of drinks served, number of courses, time spent and overall value for money. Feedback will then be used to determine the final ranking of the UK’s top 10 bottomless brunches.
How to Apply
Applications for the Bottomless Brunch Testers can be submitted here.
The Bottomless Brunch Testers will need to be able to travel to ten venues within a month, although hours can vary according to availability, and research can be carried out around your other commitments.
To qualify, you must be aged 18 or over, have access to a smartphone or computer, and be on hand to attend ten bottomless brunches between 13th June and 17th July. Applications close on 31st May, with successful candidates being selected by 6th June.
Due to the expected number of submissions, WeThrift will only be contacting the successful five candidates. Good luck!
It’s the start of a new month so the hardship grants May 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 aren’t fully aware of is that there are hardship grants available when times are hard. With everything from help for talented young musicians to help to get mobility aids, take a look and see if any apply to you.
You can apply for funding of up to £3000 towards recording and releasing music. Help musicians also facilitate one-to-one advice sessions with industry professionals.
Awardees receive:
£3,000 in financial support towards creative output
one-to-one business advice sessions tailored to your needs and delivered via experienced music industry professionals, as coordinated by ThinkMusic
one-to-one health consultation with British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) professionals, covering all aspects of a musician’s health, including physical and mental health needs and specialist referrals where required
The support is for professional UK musicians of all genres over 18, with a focus on independent creators who are controlling one or more aspects of their careers. Apply here.
Currently, the Actors Benevolent Fund has two grants open for application one for support for those who are unwell, injured, or unable to work. The second is for individuals who are experiencing financial hardship owing to the coronavirus pandemic. Applications are discussed by the trustees at monthly meetings.
Provide financial assistance for young people under the age of 25 whose development will benefit as a result. Applicants must live in the geographical area of Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire. Grants are considered monthly and can be as high as £500, they can be made for clothiers, training, education and household goods. For more information, click here.
The individual grants aim to support motivated adults in the UK to undertake education and training that will increase employment opportunities. Applicants can apply for up to £1500 towards course fees and or costs associated with studying.
To apply you must be:
Aged 18 and over
Experiencing financial and other challenges e.g. disability, major trauma or a life event, mental health issues, carer responsibilities, care leaver, estranged from family, English language learners (ELL), child care responsibilities.
Have been unemployed for at least 6 months within the last 2 years.
Have the right to work and study in the UK, and have lived in the UK for at least 3 years.
WPH consider multiple types of applications for everything from re-training as a result of disability to home adaptations. You can apply here.
FAMILY FUND
UK Charity Family Fund provides assistance to families with disabled children. Grants have been given out for a range of items from sensory toys, family breaks, outdoor play equipment, clothing and more. Their aim is to support families and make a real difference. The deadline for applications is ongoing and more information can be found here.
THE BOOTS BENEVOLENT FUND
The Boots Benevolent Fund provides funding to ex and current Boots employees in the UK who are going through financial hardship. They can provide grants, interest-free loans and supermarket vouchers for a variety of needs.
GLASSPOOL
Glasspool provide grants to UK residents, there are no restrictions on who they give these to, but they are not able to support everyone who applies. They may provide a small grant for household items and essentials, including but not limited to: beds and bedding, school uniforms, cookers and baby essentials. Access more information here.
That was your round-up of Hardship Grants: May 2022. Check out the website for more information surrounding hardship grants.
Broadband provider Hyperoptic have begun a campaign more important than ever in a time of record-breaking inflation and soaring living costs. The #FreeToSwitch petition is campaigning to allow customers to switch broadband providers without penalty and free of charge, should prices rise above current inflation levels.
Here at MoneyMagpie, we found out about the #FreeToSwitch campaign after our founder Jasmine Birtles appeared on GB News discussing broadband price rises, and the fact many providers are being accused of profiteering from these increases.
‘Possibly broadband companies are using this: Basically everything is going up.’
Jasmine Birtles, founder of MoneyMagpie, speaks to Liam Halligan as Britain’s biggest telecom providers are accused of profiteering as broadband prices rise. pic.twitter.com/l2QMpp9WAi
There are 28 million households in the UK today, of which 96% have broadband. Of these households, 97% are with providers who have increased their broadband prices, impacting a staggering 25.9 million people. That means you, yes YOU are likely to be impacted by these increases.
But why is this important? You may be thinking, “Prices are rising, of course broadband costs will increase, it’s to be expected”. This is true to an extent – but we mustn’t allow broadband giants to profit from a cost-of-living crisis and exploit customers.
Major broadband providers who lead the marker are putting their prices up by as much as 10%, which is far above the current rate of inflation. To top this, they offer nothing extra in return for these increased costs. UK broadband providers will likely pocket an extra £887 million from these price hikes.
It is also suggested the small print is locking millions of people into contracts they are unable to leave, despite increased costs. If the price rises above inflation, you should be able to leave without consequence.
Hyperoptic want to help the 92% of people worried about the cost-of-living crisis. In addition, 88% of people believe you should be allowed to switch contracts or providers mid-term, should the cost become too much, without charge or penalty. Furthermore, 94% of people said they would switch broadband providers mid-term to get a better deal, should the rules and terms of a contract allow.
According to James Fredrickson from Hyperoptic, “Households are already hurting from inflationary pressure on core products like food, petrol and energy. It is then startling to see that the majority of broadband customers are unaware of being locked into price rises of this scale. It is imperative that Ofcom, as our industry regulator, urgently investigates industry compliance with the rules governing price variation clauses.”
You can find out more about the #FreeToSwitch campaign and sign the petition here.
You are being charged for electronics left on standby
Reading Time:2mins
You are being charged for devices left on standby.
New research from provider British Gas has suggested households could save almost £150 per year by fully switching off electrical devices. Nicknamed ‘vampire devices’, these are electronic devices which continue to use power even when they are on standby.
As a result of this research, the Energy Saving Trust (EST) have suggested consumers should take time to consider which devices they can leave switched on, and which they should turn off completely in order to save money. EST have also said that costs related to individual appliances being left on standby depend on several factors, including the make and model of the item and individual use.
Brian Horn, Senior Insight and Analytics consultant at EST has suggested some practical steps consumers can take to save money. These steps include switching items off at the wall or unplugging them completely if there is no need for them to be on when not in use but switching off at the wall is fine if you need to ensure the plug remains accessible.
He suggests making your devices and electronics as easy as possible to switch off, so it doesn’t become a chore. If you have lots of electrical devices or appliances plugged into many different plugs, he says plugging them all into one extension lead is a good idea. You can then just switch off or unplug the extension lead, making it easier and quicker.
Why it matters
It may seem an obvious thing to do, but it is more important than ever to save money wherever possible. The 54% increase in the energy price cap has meant energy bills have risen to an average of £1,971 per year. With this set to soar even higher this autumn, starting to save energy now, and saving pennies where possible, could save you stress later on.
Similarly, getting into the routine of turning off items and the plug, and switching off devices wherever possible, will put you in good standing for this winter, which is set to be expensive. According to EST, 9%-16% of electricity consumed in homes is the result of appliances left on standby.
Yearly cost of appliances left on standby:
TV: £24.61
Games console: £12.17
Computers: £11.22
Microwave: £16.37
Shower: £9.80
Washing machine: £4.73
Printer: £3.81
Phone charger: £1.26
Recommendations from British Gas:
Try not to overcharge your mobile phone and laptop unnecessarily.
Add devices to an extension lead that can be switched off at night.
Use smart plugs which allow you to turn off devices from your mobile phone.
As soon as your device is charged, try and get into the habit of unplugging it.
A smart meter’s in-home display can help to identify how much energy is used at different times of the day. This is useful to see where energy is wasted.
An online educator provides online courses, typically via the internet. They are in direct competition with traditional colleges and universities. The online educator may be able to provide a quality product at a lower price than that of the traditional brick-and-mortar institution. The online educator must understand their market well and what makes it tick to position themselves as experts in the field. This requires understanding current trends in education, technology, and politics. Here are ways to make money as an online educator.
You can make money by blogging about your online courses. You can do this on an existing blog or a new one. A blog is a website that you create to write articles. You can use your blog to write about online courses that you have made or helped create for other people. By writing about these courses, you will be able to build your reputation as an expert in online education.
Your blog will also help you attract potential students who may want to sign up for your online course in the future. Once your blog is set up and functioning, it is time to begin writing articles. It would be best if you start by writing a few articles that discuss topics related to the content of your course. You should also write some posts that discuss how others who have taken your course have perceived it or what they have learned from it. If you can, also include links to blog posts that other people have written about your course.
Create and Host a Podcast
You should consider creating and hosting a podcast on your blog if you want to start earning as an online educator. A podcast is a type of audio recording that usually lasts for a specific amount of time or is released one episode at a time. If youstart a podcast, then this will allow potential students to hear what it is like to take your courses or talk with other people who have taken them. Many people listen to podcasts while driving, working out, or doing other activities on their mobile devices. This may be the perfect way for you to build your reputation as an expert in online education by helping others learn what it takes to earn money through this type of business.
Teach College Courses Online
If you are interested in earning money through online education, consider teaching college courses. Many people will pay for the opportunity to learn from experts. The rise ofoutsourcing in higher educationmeans more opportunities for you to teach college courses online. If you have a college degree, this may be an excellent way to earn money in your spare time. You can either create your courses or share your knowledge by teaching others what you have learned in the classroom.
Create Your Ebooks and Sell Them
If you are interested in making money online, considerbecoming an ebook author. The best way to do this is by writing about a topic that you know well. If you teach or coach others, consider creating an ebook that includes the lessons and techniques you have learned in the classroom. You can either write your ebooks or pay others to write them. You can also choose to create an ebook of checklists and other resources that can help people.
Become a Tutor
If you have a passion for teaching and helping others, consider becoming a tutor. You can either create your online tutoring business or work with an established one. If you have experience as a teacher, you may be able to start an online tutoring business by creating video lessons and tutoring students in these lessons. This is an excellent way to make money working from home.
Conclusion
Being an online educator requires a passion for what you are doing. If you are interested in earning money through this type of business, you should find a way to make it work for you. There are many ways to do this, so you must research each one to see which one works best for your situation.
Disclaimer:MoneyMagpieis 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.
Young people are more likely to trust a fraudulent message
Reading Time:4mins
A new report from visa has revealed that young people are more than twice as likely to trust a fraudulent message.
The study carried out by Visa and researchers from Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics (AIFL) found that one in four (25%) 18-34-year-olds unknowingly trust fraudulent messages – more than double the proportion of over 55s (11%).
Out of 2000 consumers asked about their experiences, it was found that 25% of consumers shopped online at least once a month. 55% of consumers said they had seen an increase in fraudulent messages in the past year with the average UK consumer being sent fraudulent messages twice a week. It is now more important than ever that we understand how we can be subject to this type of fraud.
Fraudulent messaging has become more sophisticated with senders often copying the language and logos of companies when contacting people. The study also showed that younger people are more trusting of communications they receive relating to products and services online:
Almost a quarter (23%) of respondents between 18 – 34 said they were unlikely to check messages for spelling and grammar mistakes, while nearly 3 in 10 (29%) said they were unlikely to consider how persuasive the language is.
Common reasons for trusting a fraudulent message were familiar wording (39%) such as the use of the reader’s name, and references to established companies. This was followed by respondents feeling the action required, such as clicking through to a webpage, was clear (36%) or that they recognised the brand name or product mentioned (34%).
The report from Visa also revealed several language tactics used when targeting online shoppers. They found that:
‘Click here’, ‘account information’ and ‘gift card’ were found to be the most commonly used phrases in fraudulent communications
Inviting people to click links (87%) and take urgent action (72%) are among the most common techniques used by fraudsters
This is followed by asking the reader to resolve a ‘problem’ (72%), such as rearranging package delivery times or paying a late fee, and highlighting unique offers (32%)
With fraudsters using various techniques to make themselves appear credible, Visa is encouraging consumers to learn about ‘Fraudulese’, to help them feel confident online.
Mandy Lamb, Managing Director, UK & Ireland at Visa comments:“As we’re all spending more time online, it’s good to be aware of what we can do to keep ourselves safe. Our new study demonstrates how it can be hard to spot the signs of fraud in emails, texts and messages. That’s why we’re raising awareness of ‘Fraudulese’ and sharing our top tips for spotting the signs, so everyone has the tools to avoid falling victim. When it comes to paying with Visa, you can feel confident you are paying safely and securely, as Visa’s Zero Liability Policy* means you won’t be held responsible for unauthorised or fraudulent charges made with your account. “
Visa’s top tips for spotting the signs of fraud
Spell-check messages– inconsistencies in the language used in a message, such as errors in grammar and spelling, or differences between the sender’s name and the URL link provided, could indicate it’s fraud. If you receive a message from a company or individual out of the blue, be vigilant in checking for these errors.
Be cautious of urgent actions–language encouraging you to take urgent action is a common tactic used in bogus communications. Look out for phrases like ‘send (…) here’ or ‘click (…) below’, or undated timeframes such as ‘in 48 hours’ or ‘by tomorrow morning’. Always take the time to consider whether the message is genuine. If you think it’s fake, it’s important not to click on any links to avoid compromising your personal information.
Watch out for suspicious asks– fraudsters often entice you by either highlighting a problem (e.g., asking you to rearrange a delivery) or making a tempting offer (e.g., suggesting you have won a prize). Think about your recent dealings with that organisation or individual. If you don’t recognise the problem you’re being asked to resolve or the offer they’re trying to get you to react to, it might be fraud. If you’re unsure, don’t click on any links or contact the sender in any way.
Validate they are who they say they are – fraudsters often work hard to convince you of their credibility, sometimes using words and phrases that you might find in genuine communications. It can be hard to tell the difference, so if you are unsure, you can check by using a different form of communication to the one they have used to reach you. For example, if you get a text asking for bank information, try emailing or web chatting with the company directly to check if it’s a true request.
Check the message with someone you trust– people can be great at understanding language and communication in social contexts. It may sound obvious, but if you’re unsure about the legitimacy of a message, it can help to discuss it with someone you trust. They may have also received a similar message and might be able to help advise on the best course of action to take. Sharing your experience might save someone else from falling victim too.
If you are targeted by a fraudster, to help others avoid falling victim you can report it to Action Fraud or the National Cyber Security Centre. And if you think you have been defrauded, call your bank and explain the situation – they can often help you claim your money back.
Should the UK put the clocks forward to save on energy bills?
Reading Time:< 1min
Liberal Democrat peer John Lee is calling on the government to put the clocks forward in the UK by an hour to match with Central European Time. His reasoning for this, he says, is that moving the UK to Paris time would reduce household bills and help to ease the cost-of-living crisis for many.
He argues it would maximise the length of daylight time in the evenings, reducing people’s needs to use lights and heating as early in the day, particularly in the winter months. As inflation reaches its highest level on record in 30 years, Lord Lee is suggesting the government must consider a “double summertime” to combat soaring energy bills.
He also stated he would question the government about its position on this issue later this month when the House of Lords returns from recess. Lord Lee is the president of the Association of Leading Visitor Attraction and a former tourism minister and suggests he doesn’t think double summertime would costs the government much, if anything.
Supporters who are on board with this idea are suggesting it would give the UK an extra hour of daylight for11 months of the year. Campaigners have also estimated extending daylight hours would sae each household up to 152 hours’ worth of electricity each year, thus saving them a great deal of money on their bills.
On a similar note, a study from 1993 from the Policy Studies Institute estimated this move could save £260 million in the electricity bills of homes across the UK, and staggering figure even 30 years ago.
Do you think the UK should put the clocks forward? Leave your views in the comments!
Some people need to use donated sperm to start a family. This can be for a range of reasons.
It may be because of a man producing sperm that is of a low quality, or not enough sperm or that they carry a genetic condition that they do not want to pass on to their child.
Single women and women in same-sex couples also need donor sperm to start their own families.
You can also choose to donate your sperm to research surrounding infertility, genetic disease and fertility treatments.
how much can you make from sperm donation?
It is illegal to pay sperm donors more than their reasonable expenses in the UK.
But this doesn’t mean you won’t be compensated for your time and travel.
Sperm donors receive around £35 per clinic visit to cover their expenses.
There is sometimes more available if your expenses for travel, accommodation or childcare are higher than this.
Things you should know about donating your sperm
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about sperm donation:
Can you donate sperm anonymously?
No – the law surrounding donation was changed in 2005.
This means that anyone conceived via the help of a donor can ask for the name of their biological father, his date of birth and his last known address when they turn 18.
Do I have any legal rights or responsibilities for children born through my donation?
No.
Providing you donate through a licensed UK fertility clinic; you won’t have any legal rights or responsibilities to children conceived via donation.
You won’t have a say in their upbringing and no legal requirement to help with their care.
However, if you donate outside of a clinic the situation could become more difficult as you may be considered the legal father of the child.
You can read more about the laws surrounding sperm donation here.
Am I eligible to donate?
Donors should be aged over 18 and under 46.
In some special cases, an older donor may be allowed if the clinic feels it is unlikely that there will be serious consequences from the donated sperm.
You will also need to have various health checks including checking for HIV and Hepatitis. These can take up to six months.
What is the Sperm Donation process?
Personal information:
The clinic you work with will ask you to provide them with some personal information.
Some non-identifying information will be given to prospective parents at the time of donation.
Any children born from your donation will be able to access non-identifying information at the age of 16. When they turn 18, they can apply for your identifying information.
You will also have the opportunity to write a personal description to help potential parents make their decision
Health Tests:
You’ll be tested for certain diseases, including serious genetic diseases before you can donate.
Clinics carefully consider the welfare of the unborn child to prevent them from developing serious medical conditions.
It is also important to tell your clinic about any problems in your or your family’s medical histories as failing to do so could lead to legal action if a child born from your donation inherits it.
Counselling:
The clinic you use is legally required to offer you counselling before you donate.
This is to allow you to talk through the implications of your donation and how it could affect you and your family in the future.
Consent:
Before you donate you must consent in writing. You can withdraw or change your consent at any time up to the point at which your sperm is used in treatment.
Donating:
You normally have to visit the clinic once a week for between 3 – 6 months to make your donation.
Once your donation has been collected it will be frozen for use in treatment, research or training.
Can I find out if my donation has been successful?
You can apply to find out if your donation has been successful. You may receive the number of children born, their gender and their year of birth.
You won’t receive any information that reveals the identity of the child.
Can I change my mind?
You can change your mind about your donation up until it is used in someone’s treatment.
This is true even if you have given consent.
What about the emotional impact of donating?
You will be offered counselling before donating to make sure you are comfortable with donating.
You should remember that at some point one or more children born from your donation may contact you and that you need to be prepared for that.
In the future, you may have a family of your own and you’ll need to think about how to broach the subject with them.
What are the next steps?
If you have decided to donate you should find a clinic that is taking on donors. You can find local clinic via this database.
You may not have set foot in it for years, it may be full of tools and garden equipment. But did you know that wooden shack at the bottom of your garden could make you some extra money?
We delved into the intriguing world of shed-working and the results surprised us. There are many possibilities for transforming your dilapidated shed into a lucrative source of income.
Using your shed for anything other than storing gardening tools may seem strange. But many people have turned theirs into a productive alternative workplace. There are even whole websites dedicated to doing this!
Johnson started the site in 2006 after moving back to the UK from Madrid with a growing family.
“As we liked where we lived and didn’t want to move. I investigated the then very tiny garden office market and decided that was the way forward. After a couple of months, it struck me that there would probably be other people in the same boat. So I started ‘The Shed’ PDF magazine and then the Shed-working site (which inspired the book),” he explains.
More than a decade down the line, the whole idea of shed-working has increased exponentially and so has Johnson’s site. Since his very first post in October 2006, Johnson has covered every aspect of shed transformation, interviewed an array of shed-workers from all over the globe and published an inspirational illustrated book called Shed-working: The Alternative Workplace Revolution.
Based on findings from a poll he carried out, Johnson also revealed a few interesting statistics surrounding shed-based businesses:
The average turnover of a shed-based business in the last financial year was £76,449
An estimated 80,000 workers are thought to be based in garden sheds and outbuildings in the UK
More than half of shed-based businesses (61.3%) are run by sole traders, with 32.3% employing 2-5 workers
Of the more than 500 shedworkers polled for the study, 74% said that they planned to remain in their sheds indefinitely
Seven years later, shed-working has been growing steadily more popular. While Johnson hasn’t had the opportunity to gather more recent statistics, there’s reason to believe that its impact on the UK’s economy is even more impressive.
“I think we’re returning to a more natural way of life with better work/life balance, more like the cottage industries that were once the main way people worked, rather than the mindless commuting that we’ve become accustomed to in the last century,” comments Johnson.
Finally, he believes that this frenzied way of life we’ve become accustomed to will soon slow down.
“Essentially, technology was used to herd us into factories. But the way it’s developed now means we don’t need to go into a central office. At least not all the time” Johnson concludes.
Shed-based businesses to consider
Here are a few ideas of businesses you can run from your shed:
Brewery
Hop onto the craft beer bandwagon by turning your backyard shed into a bespoke brewery. If you don’t actually have one, you could always invest in this fully-kitted Brewery Shed by TigerSheds.
Creative studio
Whether you’re a designer, jewellery-maker, artist or writer, you’ll know that having an inspiring place to work in does wonders for the creative process. And what better setting than your very own garden? In fact, if this Guardian article is anything to go by, transforming sheds into studios has been popular among creatives for a very long time.
List it on Airbnb
As with pop-up restaurants, people are always on the look-out for something quaint and interesting when trawling Airbnb. Give your shed a good spring cleaning and then kit it out for guests. Bear in mind that this would require installing at least a toilet and shower, but possibly also a kitchenette. Read our article on how to make and save money by renting.
Urban chicken coop
Firstly, this is probably not a good idea for anyone with neighbours living very close by. However, if you have a larger garden with some extra space, running your own chicken coop and selling ‘farm’-fresh eggs could become a roaring business.
If your shed is full of character, maybe it’s cute and well-kept or run-down and creepy, you could offer it as a location for film sets or photo shoots. This would involve a lot of foot traffic through your house and garden. But the money earned can be well worth it.
Toying with the idea of working from home full-time? Instead of trying to have your guest bedroom double as an office, you could always repurpose your shed.
Dog grooming business
This is a great idea if you love animals and have a big, secure garden where dogs can roam around freely and safely. In order to set up a doggie parlour in your shed, you will need a reliable water supply, a large bath/basin or two and a sturdy table for drying, cutting and trimming their coats.
Yoga studio & retreat
If you’ve always dreamed of running your own wellness retreat, you don’t have to look much further than your back garden. Since you probably won’t be able to accommodate too many people at a time, your unique angle can be exclusivity. The main objective here is to create a space that is airy, welcoming and serene. Consider adding a window or two, as well as air conditioning and heating to keep the temperature mild throughout the year.
Storage space
Finally, you can always make money by using your shed for its intended purpose; storage. However, instead of stashing your own stuff away in there, you will be helping other people out by keeping theirs safe.
Before you can start making money from your shed, however, you’re probably going to have to spend a fair amount on transforming it.
Here are just a few things to consider:
Power
No matter what kind of business you run from you shed, you’re going to need electricity. Unless you’re a qualified electrician or have a natural affinity for these sorts of things, it’s probably best to get professional help. After all, you don’t want ongoing power troubles to interrupt your work or, even worse, an unfortunate accident to cast a shadow over your new venture.
Heating/Air-con
Unless you’re running something like a yoga studio, installing heating/air-con is more of a nice-to-have. For most businesses a heater will do the job in winter and a fan in summer.
Wi-Fi
If you’re running any desk-based business, you’ll definitely need an internet connection. However, if the whole idea is to escape distractions, you may want to avoid it altogether.
Tools of your trade
Of course, you’re going to need to kit your shed out fully in order to your business. So, if you’re using it as the base for your catering enterprise, you’ll need a safe, clean and spacious kitchen setup. If you’re designing and sewing wedding dresses, you’ll need a large sewing table, good lighting and plenty of storage space for fabrics.
The best thing to do is make a comprehensive list of all the necessities, followed by a list of things that could add value. Once you’ve ticked off all the former, you can move into your new shed-working space and add the rest as you go.
Rules & regulations
Finally, if you’re going to be running any sort of retail/catering/food/beverage business from your home, you may need to check with your local authority about any zoning regulations. Also, if you’re going to be working with food at all you will need to comply with health and safety regulations, as well as apply for certain licenses. The Food Standards Agency has a comprehensive start-up document to help you out.
Case study:
We caught up with Dawn Fry from The Melting Pot to find out more about the chocolate workshops she presents in her garden shed.
This is what she had to say:
Can you give a quick summary of what it is you do at The Melting Pot?
The Melting Pot offers chocolate-making workshops to adults, children and teams.
I don’t make chocolates to sell, most people presume I do this, but just offer workshops. Where people come and make their own yummy creations under my instructions.
It has proved a great formula. I now teach other people how to run workshops from where they live, and have created a ‘business in a chocolate box’.
What did you use your shed for before it became the home of The Melting Pot? Also, how big is your shed?
The shed was previously our family den. We have three children and a small terraced house. So when they were growing up it was a great big space to have friends and family in or just a space to play. There were lots of parties for children and grown-ups too. And this continues to this day.
The shed is 5m x 6m and was built entirely by my husband Jo, a blacksmith by trade.
How did you decide to transform your shed into a working space?
I had seen some friends use their sheds for businesses and this inspired me to think about running my own.
Frustrated with part-time work and trying to fit around the needs of my family. I wanted to create a business that was fun and flexible. Since I love cooking, I knew it needed to be food-related and also that I wanted to include people. I really enjoy meeting lots of different people and didn’t wish to work on my own.
I literally woke up one day and thought ‘chocolate, that’s got to work!’
Once I’d made that decision, I started to research how you trained as a chocolatier, found out about some courses, started planning my business on paper, whilst still in a part-time job. This was in early 2009 – in June of the same year I was made redundant from my job and decided, it’s now or never, and went for it. There was no redundancy package to fund my new business, but I did my training and launched that September.
I was totally scared, but it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done for so many reasons. Not least of which the amazing opportunities that working with chocolate has bought for me personally. It has also been totally flexible while my family was growing up, which is what I wanted in the first place.
How long did the transformation take? Can you name a few of the changes that had to be made? What was the hardest part?
The structure of the shed was already there, in terms of making it useable for my business. We stuck a false wall in the main body of the shed, to create a storage area. Then we added underfloor heating, flooring, mains water supply, painted and prettified.
It already had an electricity supply.
We did this over a couple of months in the summer of 2009.
The hardest part was worrying that the investment was worth it. We did not have any funds behind us, it was the height of the recession. I was using up precious resources to launch and untested business concept!
What do you love most about your working space?
I love my working space because it’s home, but not quite home. I’m down the garden and I can see my own house but I’m in my own precious space.
The outlook is so pretty, and it always smells of chocolate!
It’s my space, but one I also share with lots of others. It’s where we go to have fun and a good time. So it has a really positive ambience and also a lovely peaceful feel to it too.
Would you recommend RE-PURPOSING your shed into a working place to other entrepreneurs? If so, why?
I would definitely recommend repurposing your shed if you have a business idea and wish to go for it.
Both my husband and I believe that your job should be something you enjoy doing if at all possible. He offers courses at his forge on the back of my success at chocolate workshops.
Working from your shed is flexible, the commute is fantastic and usually you are doing something creative, that you love.
Ask your money-making questions
The Magpie community is full of savvy money savers and makers – and now’s your chance to ask your burning questions!
The new MoneyMagpie Messageboard brings together the Magpie community, MoneyMagpie team, and vetted experts to make sure your essential money-making questions get answered.
Take a look here and register to post a new thread or reply. Every week, the best post wins a £25 Amazon voucher, too!
The TikTok influencers teaching personal finance to millions
Reading Time:2mins
Did you know, there is a community of TikTok influencers teaching millions of people about personal finance?
When lockdown hit the UK in March of 2020, our lives ground to a halt and we found ourselves stuck at home with little to do. But out of this tough, stressful time came something beautiful. The TikTok app.
Now, it may get some hate, but it sure kept us occupied. And communities on every theme and topic you could think of, blossomed. These communities grew rapidly and continue to grow. Want to try new, easy recipes? Learn about nature? Watch people discuss politics? It’s all on TikTok.
But our favourite topic to explore? The booming system of people teaching others about finance, and the excited audience, finally understanding parts of their money and financial lives previously not understood. This has come to be known as ‘FinanceTok’ or ‘MoneyTok’.
Want to learn about finance in fun and easy ways? According to MoneyUnder30, here are some of the top finance TikTok influencers to follow.
Humphrey is an ex-Wall Street professional, who turned to TikTok to share his personal finance teachings to his eager-to-learn audience. What makes Humphrey so popular are the small, bite-size chunks of information he provides. This way of teaching makes even the most complicated of things seem simple and easy to digest. No wonder he has a fanbase of over 3 million people!
Milan teaches the same tips we strive to teach here at MoneyMagpie. From negotiating your internet bill to saving money in quick and easy ways, he teaches his audience money can be saved and made in all corners of life. “I love that I get to help people in their financial journey”, says Singh of his TikTok fame.
Tori is a huge inspiration to girls and women across the platform. She embodies power, hard work and feminism, teaching her fans to fight the patriarchy. Tori fought hard to invest and is now set to have $6 million in the bank from investments alone by the time she retires. She proves you can invest no matter your age, sex, race or ability.
John focuses mainly on teaching young adults about personal finance. He creates entertaining and eye-opening educational videos, and has amassed a whopping 21 million views on his videos to date. From the must-knows of having a credit card to student loans, John covers a huge range of topics.
At just 21 years old, Taylor Price spends her days creating content about personal finance, investing and business for those who are Gen-Z. She has built a huge following for herself, discussing beauty on a budget, side hustles for university students, shopping hacks, budgeting and more.
Yesterday, on the 19th April, the government and rail industry launched the biggest ever rail sale. This initiative allows passengers to get their ‘next trip at a snip’. With up to 50% off train tickets for journeys between 25th April and 27th May 2022.
The government are hoping the more than one million discounted tickets will help to connect people with friends, family and loved ones and boost tourism within the UK. There are also hopes to encourage greener travel across the country, with more people choosing to journey by train instead of road vehicles.
This sale has been labelled the Great British Rail Sale and is the first of its kind. The public are encouraged to take advantage of this sale, which sees multiple rail operators in conjunction, working together to bring nationwide savings for customers.
So, where will your half price train tickets take you? Savings on offer for off-peak tickets include:
York to Leeds: was £5.60, now £2.80
London to Edinburgh: was £44, now £22
London to Cardiff: was £47, now £25
Wolverhampton to Liverpool: was £10.50, now £5.25
Manchester to Newcastle: was £20.60, now £10.30
Birmingham New Street to Bristol Temple Meads: was £25.30, now £12.60
Portsmouth Harbour to Penzance was £45.70, now £22.00
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
“For the first time ever, operators across the rail industry are coming together to help passengers facing rising costs of living by offering up to 50% off more than a million tickets on journeys across Britain.
“There’s no better time to visit friends, family or just explore our great country, so book your tickets today.”
Jacqueline Starr, CEO of the Rail Delivery Group, said:
“We want everyone to be able to benefit from travelling by train because it’s more than just a journey, it’s a way to connect everyone to the people, places and things they love.
“As part of the Great British Rail Sale customers will enjoy over one million discounted tickets, so they can explore some of the fantastic locations that are accessible by rail.”
You can purchase train tickets online from participating retailers, with up to half price applying to a huge range of off-peak journeys reaching far and wide around the country. Discounts only apply to journeys taken between 25th April and 27th May 2022.
Netflix to introduce ads and password sharing charges
Reading Time:2mins
Streaming giant Netflix is planning to introduce adverts and extra charges for sharing passwords.
The introduction of adverts will allow consumers the ‘choice’ of having a lower subscription rate whilst there will still be package options without adverts.
During a quarterly earnings call with investors, CEO Reed Hastings explained that while he had been ‘against the complexity of advertising, and a big fan of the simplicity of subscription’ he is a ‘bigger fan of consumer choice and allowing consumers who would like to have a lower price, and are advertising-tolerant, get what they want.
There is currently no advertising on the service, this is due to the monthly pricing structure allowing consumers to transition seamlessly between episodes of their favourite shows. However, the introduction of an ads-based model may be to encourage more users to stay on the platform.
how could your netflix subscription change?
Alongside the introduction of ads-based subscriptions, Netflix will soon be charging you for sharing your password with other family members. Last month it was revealed that the streaming service was already trialling these additional charges in Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru. Those found to be password sharing were charged around another £2 on top of their subscription fee. During its quarterly earnings call, Netflix said they would be expanding these to other countries including the US from next year.
it is currently unclear how they will detect those sharing passwords with people outside of their households.
The plans come as a way to help Netflix continue to invest in new big-budget shows and movies, but the announcement has left some consumers unhappy especially following a price hike earlier this year. The rise in living costs, as well as increased competition from streaming services like Amazon Prime and Disney+, are taking a toll on company finances. According to the Wall Street Journal, Netflix lost 200,000 global subscribers in the first quarter of 2022. They expect to lose 2 million more this spring resulting in shares in the company falling by 17%.
how you can still watch TV for free
If you don’t want to pay for streaming services, there are plenty of ways to access TV for free.
Online streaming services such as Pluto TV and UKTV play are free to watch both holding a variety of programmes to choose from.
Freeview has over 40,000 hours of TV and over 700 boxsets on-demand for free as well as the ability to watch channels live.
There are now shows on YouTube and TikTok that can be accessed for free. If you’re looking for something different to traditional media, these are great places to look.
40% of Brits could fall into fuel poverty in autumn
Reading Time:2mins
Energy bosses have told parliament that as many as four in 10 people in the UK could fall into fuel poverty when the energy price cap rises further in autumn. Firms are calling for the government to give further support to the most vulnerable households, telling them we are likely to face a “horrific winter”.
Energy regulator Ofgem is once again expected to push up the annual limit on energy tariffs in October. E.ON UK’s chief executive Michael Lewis has warned that this could cause between 30% and 40% of people could fall into fuel poverty. This means they will be unable to afford the standard amount of energy needed to survive.
He added he expects customer debt to rise by 50% in the coming months, equivalent to a staggering £800 million. Not only this, but people may be forced into debt in other parts of their life, or struggle to put food on the table.
ScottishPower also spoke of the huge number of phone calls they receive on a daily basis. These calls are from worried customers, unsure they will be able to pay their bills. Their chief executive Keith Anderson told MPs the firm has received an overwhelming 8,000 phone calls from customers in distress.
Now, energy bosses are calling for a £1,000 deficit fund from the government to come into place. This would take £1,000 off the bills of the poorest and most vulnerable households in the county. The government or consumers would then pay this off over 10 years. This is more needed than ever, with some experts warning the price cap could hit an eye-watering £2,600 per annum from October.
Similarly, EDF Energy has experienced an influx of phone calls from worried customers – an increase of 40%, in fact. Simone Rossi, EDF’s chief executive had similar worries to those of E.ON and ScottishPower. “Pre-payment customers are being hit first,” he told parliament. “We need the government to reassess.”
Gas prices have also surged as of late, meaning most household energy suppliers have raised prices to the very maximum. Many consumer groups, however, are arguing firms are raising prices by more than necessary. This is for their own gain, at the expense of customers who are already struggling.
In this instalment of the How to be a MoneyMagpie podcast, our founder Jasmine Birtles is joined by singer-songwriter Tom Speight. Tom discusses being a full-time musician and the pros and cons of touring and making music.
You can listen to and watch the full podcast here, or read the transcription below!
The podcast
Jasmine Birtles: Well, hello and welcome to the MoneyMagpie podcast. If you’re watching this podcast don’t forget to share and like and just tell everyone how fabulous it is because hey, you know it is. I’m Jasmine Birtles, and I’m the founder of money magpie.com and today I’m joined by the wonderful singer songwriter Tom Speight.
If you haven’t heard Tom’s music go to his website, which is tomspeightmusic.com. And hopefully we’ll be allowed to play a bit a bit later in the podcast. Is that alright, Tom?
Tom Speight: Yeah. Sounds good to me. Yeah.
Jasmine Birtles: Oh, great. Well, now, Tom, let’s get straight into it. Because you and I met on on telly or on a programme and we were talking at the time about the business of music, now you’re doing what so many others would give their right arm to do you’re making money making music. But is it as glamorous as it looks?
Tom Speight: Yeah, it’s, it’s a weird thing, isn’t it? Because I imagine a lot of people’s perception of, you know, musicians these days comes via social media. And I think obviously, with social media, they kind of you get the, you know, the highlight reel of someone’s life. But I you know, is it as glamorous as it looks, I feel very, very lucky to do music as a full time job. Because, you know, for me, it isn’t a job. So that, that that’s the biggest, you know, reward.
There is really and as the glam, there’s, yeah, there’s definitely parts that isn’t glamorous, you know, touring isn’t particularly glamorous, staying in, you know, not very nice hotels, and getting in late and, you know, missing home and all that kind of stuff, but it’s just it’s such a privilege to kind of have music as your full time job. I think that’s that is to me that, you know, so that’s the biggest win.
Jasmine Birtles: True, but as a job, you’re not 100% sure what money you’re going to get, of course, because you can get amazing money. You know, we all see the big ones the big glamorous musicians who make millions, literally millions. But how do you make sure that you can pay the bills that you can pay your mortgage that you can you can eat etc, when your your your business’s music?
Tom Speight: I think you can never too, you can never be too sure, obviously, with music and it is you know, I think that’s probably one of my biggest worries is like, I suppose to staying in the game of being a full time musician, really. But you know, I’ve been doing music kind of as like as a full time recording artists for nearly seven years now. And I’m on my coming up to my I’ve just about to write and record my third album. And I think it’s, it’s just, you know, I’m constantly trying to grow the project, be ambitious with it, but not, you know, my, my kind of my goal isn’t to be Ed Sheeran, you know, because there’s only really one Ed Sheeran.
My goal was just to have longevity and, you know, you know, hopefully produce 10, 15 albums, you know, and it’s just about staying in the game. And I think, if you constantly work hard, and you, you know, I think one of my, my strongest thing is, is I’m like, I have a very loyal connection with my fans. I like to think those my fans will stay with me which in it, they, they’re kind of, you know, they’re the reason I have a career. So, yeah, it’s very worrying to kind of stay in the game, but I think you you kind of, you know, you live within your means.
So obviously, you know, I have, you know, as my career has grown, I’ve recorded in like fancier studios, that Abbey Road, or, you know, in America and stuff like that, but I certainly didn’t start off like that, you know, I was recording and, you know, smaller studios with a tighter budget. And as the project’s grown, that’s when I’ve increased to kind of, you know, take it to the next stage, really, but I think you just got to keep working hard and not take it for granted.
Jasmine Birtles: Yeah, and obviously, there are different things. I mean, you’ve mentioned albums, there are different elements to being a musician that will make money so what what do you think because I’m approaching it from as a business here.
Tom Speight: Yeah, sure.
Jasmine Birtles: So, I mean, you’ve mentioned albums, I’m guessing those sell you make some money off those the Spotify and streaming, there’s actual gigging. Are there other elements or other places to make?
Tom Speight: So I make predominantly most of my money from streaming platforms, which a lot of people are I think always kind of a bit shocked about because, you know, streaming in the papers and media is kind of perceived as a like, you know, they don’t really pay very much and all this kind of stuff, but for me, personally, I set up my own record label and then I licence my record so I was kind of like the biggest stakeholder in my mind music, which is, is an amazing thing.
And I feel very lucky that I was in that position where I could release music. Then people kind of, I don’t know, reacted well to it. And then I was in a position where I could licence it and grow it from that point of view. But other platforms were make, my I suppose just continued to, to make a living out of music is I had like six or seven plays that records on radio too. So you get the royalties from that.
I was one of the most played artists on Love Island, so you’ve got TV aspect. And then gigs, festivals, you know, I earn a bit of money from festivals, you know, when you came to, you came to see me in February, that I wouldn’t, you know, people would have thought oh, sold out gig in London, I actually made loss on that gig, because I try and put on a great show for my fans, which would have been, you know, a five, six piece band, and you know, I like to treat them well look after them. So, there’s definitely different ways you can, you know, you can make a living out of a musician, I write for other people.
So that’s another thing you know, and, and during lockdown, when obviously, things dried up a little bit with the live performance, I was teaching, I went back to teaching guitar, you know, which is still for me music. And I finally, I find that, you know, highly rewarding as well. So I always just try and keep busy and make sure that I’ve got, you know, constantly writing gigging and, you know, writing for other people, and then hopefully, something will pay off. I have also, I did a few, like cover versions of songs, which have kind of almost like, you know, helped me make another record, which is kind of crazy, you know. But yeah, there’s definitely other avenues.
But you know, I’ve been doing musics for 15/20 years. And I would say, you know, if you said to someone, you know, if you’re doing saying a business, you’re not going to make money for the first 10 years, people would be like, I’m not, I’m not signing up for that. So you’ve got to, you know, you’ve got to really, really love it. And, you know, as I said earlier, in your first question, I am, you know, extremely lucky. And I think, because I love it so much.
I, you know, it’s a lot of people switch off after work, you know, I, you know, I’m constantly thinking about song writing ideas at midnight, all this kind of stuff. So it is kind of like it’s very consuming, but in a in a really great way. Because I do love it.
Everything’s waiting for you – tom speight
Jasmine Birtles: Well, you you say that you’re lucky. But honestly, from what you’ve just said, it sounds to me that you work, you really do work.
Tom Speight: Yeah, it’s you know, it’s it is it’s a job in itself. But it’s a great job, you know, so
Jasmine Birtles: Yeah, but then you’ve got lots of different streams, is it right, that if you, if you write the music, you’re more likely to make the money? Is that where a lot of the cash comes from?
Tom Speight: Yeah, I think so. Yeah, I remember when I was growing up, and people would say, oh, you know, make sure you write the songs and stuff. And I do obviously write my songs. But I think the way the world is going now, I think it you know, if you read the papers, or like Taylor Swift, I think it’s mainly about owning as much of your music as possible, because that’s where, you know, you can make most of the money.
And I think the amazing thing about like, you know, the internet and things like that is, you’re not so reliant on major labels to, you know, put your album in HMV, for example, you can read it online, you know, you can listen to it at home, within, like, you know, an hour of me putting up online or something, you know, so it’s, I think it’s very liberating. And I think, you know, everything’s kind of, you know, you can get to your audience a lot quicker.
So you don’t need that big push, shove, you know, getting a big distribution deal. So you can get into HMV, Tesco, all that kind of stuff to reach an audience. But I think the main thing is just yeah, if you can own as much of your music as possible, like any product, I imagine, you know, I watch Dragon’s Den, and they say, give up 30-50% of your business. And it’s like, you know, if you can be, you know, I own the most of it, that is, you know, the way you’re gonna see the rewards.
Jasmine Birtles: Well, yes, because you mentioned setting up your own record label, because, you know, I think I listened to that. And I think, Wow, you can set up your own record label that surely that’s, that’s a huge thing, but you’re saying it, like, it’s not so difficult to do. Is that right?
Tom Speight: No, it’s, you know, obviously, you know, it’s a similar thing of registering as a company and all that kind of stuff, the boring admin stuff, but you just work with like an online distributor, you set up a record label, you have to have obviously a pool of contacts, if you want to get a TV plug or radio plug, a booking agent, all of that kind of stuff. But, you know, I, but you know, with music, it wasn’t again, it wasn’t an overnight success. So I learned a lot along the way to get to that point where it’s releasing my music. And it’s been a very like, gradual thing.
Like when I started my first, when I first released on the label, it was just me and my manager, and I think maybe a press person. And then we kind of gradually built this bandwagon of just, you know, recruiting more and more people to the project. Um, so yeah, I think it’s it’s always about just taking baby steps, but steps but you know, knowing you, you have a goal to reach.
Jasmine Birtles: It does sound as you say you, you really have to love it to be doing this because if you didn’t make any money for the first 10 years, that’s that’s tough. I mean, well, now the business is building up which do you think it had its own momentum once once you’ve got some good stuff out there and enough people going, “Oh, yeah, like Tom Speight” whatever, it kind of creates its own momentum?
Tom Speight: Yeah, I think we were, you know, we, when I first released music, I came at a time when Spotify things was really kind of, I suppose, reaching like the mainstream. And they were incredibly supportive of my music. That was the big launchpad to kind of, you know, for me to have a career really, you know, it’s if I think back to when I first started, you know, the only way people could have my music as if they came to my gig, and I would sell out my rucksack kind of thing. And now, it’s like, you know, I’m less like a door to door salesman in that respect.
And, you know, we, we played Brazil, you know, which was the only way people listen to my music over there was things like Spotify, and we had like five or 600 people queuing up for my gig from Brazil. So that is kind of crazy. You know, am I also my, my album isn’t physically available over there. So it’s purely on streaming. So I think we were very, very lucky with the time that I released my first single, it was when Spotify was growing and I kind of, I suppose kind of grew with it, really.
Jasmine Birtles: That’s excellent. I’ve heard that the Rolling Stones gig a lot and I mean, they’re still gigging because they can control the merchandise, the income and all that, do you find that with gigging?
Tom Speight: Yeah. You know, I’m gonna have a gripe with that as well, because I’ve obviously I started gigging up again recently, obviously, since the pandemic. And I, there’s, you know, I don’t think a lot of people know this, but when you sell at a venue, the venue takes 25% of your merchandise.
Jasmine Birtles: Ah, hmm.
Tom Speight: That’s like, that kind of winds me up a little bit, because I’m selling my own physical merchandise myself, which I have to you know, it’s very, like costly process being on the road. So I think 25% seems like quite extortionate. So, I don’t know what the Rolling Stones do. I hope it you know, they’re in a position where they can get a better contract. And then I would but yeah.
Jasmine Birtles: Yeah, it’s possible. Yeah. So they go, you know, we’re not coming unless we negotiate this down.
Tom Speight: Yeah, it seems a bit. Yeah, by, you know, merchandise you’ve got, if you’re, if you’re a fan of someone, please, you know, go to their gig and buy something off the merchandise because it really like it can make or break and artists on a tour you can come away, are going to lose money in the store, you can go and so it’s a load of t-shirtx, CDs, etc. And you can come away actually, this tour made money, you know, which is a huge difference.
Jasmine Birtles: So, for somebody watching this thinking, I would really like to be a singer songwriter, I would like to be a drummer, I’d like to I’d like to have my own band, etc. What would your advice be in order to help them succeed in that as a business?
Tom Speight: I think, you know, everyone’s path is different, you know, my path took a long time, but I think it was, you know, it was, you know, when I think the songs were getting better and better as I was growing, you know, with my, with my, I suppose, my craft really, but I would suggest, you know, gigs, get, you know, get used to playing live I think a lot of people just think go on TikTok and, you know, play a 30 seconds bit of song and then become a pop star.
I think it’s highly like, you know, like, the, you know, the importance of gigging is so important, you know, you have got to get out there. And then I also think what I think my biggest strength is surrounded myself by good people. Like my, my, the guy that mixes my music calls me The Avengers, because he like he thinks I recruit, you know, like the superheroes by like, you know, Lydia, who’s an amazing vocalist, or having a drummer or having a great TV plug all of those things I think you can surround yourself by good people that you like as well they get onwards because you don’t have to spend a lot of time with these people.
Yeah, and I think also just be with the financial element is trying to live within your means you know, don’t spend too much money if you actually realistically you know, not gonna make it back and take it as it comes. You know, if you see more money and money coming in, then you think okay, I can invest more into the project.
But otherwise, you know, my my dad used to say like, you know, I was becoming like a busy fool, because I was doing all these gigs and losing money. And in a in it, it kind of you can get a bit you know, you can kind of grow to think about falling out of love with music and that part so I wouldn’t want that to happen to anyone, but I do think you need to be gigging as much as possible, but in a like viable way financially.
Jasmine Birtles: Absolutely. What’s your next big, big event or you know, where are your big events? Where can we see you next?
Tom Speight: I suppose will be the festival season. So we’re announcing a few. We’ve announced a couple we’re doing with some gigs in Texas.
Jasmine Birtles: Oh, great.
Tom Speight: Fun. Yeah. But we’re announcing most of them actually, next couple weeks. So let’s stay tuned on socials. But as for that we’ve got, you know, I’m going to be releasing music from next month, which is kind of like a very acoustic EP, which is exciting. And hopefully, yeah, I was keeping busy. You know, my, my aim in 2019 was to do 100 gigs.
And we did that we did that in 22 countries, I think, obviously, you know, I have to kind of my goal is going to be slightly less because of the fact that we can’t tour as much because you know, places with the, they haven’t quite got back to normal yet. So I’m hoping 2023 I’ll be gigging again, and you know, more overseas and stuff like that. That’d be fun.
Jasmine Birtles: Find out more, there’s tomspeightmusic.com. And which socials and what are the names?
Tom Speight: So if you just go on Instagram, or Facebook or Twitter, any of those just put Tom Speight Music, and it’s all there really. I’m not the most exciting person to follow, you know, but I’m sure I’m trying to get better with that kind of thing, you know, but, uh, no, there’s no TikTok dances or anything like that going on. Yeah.
Jasmine Birtles: It’s probably a good thing. It’s a slow burn, it’s, you know, whatever comes out is real. So that’s, that’s really good to know. What What’s your new record? And can we play it or what? What music can we play here? Now?
Tom Speight: I would, I’m gonna suggest playing the title track of my second album, which is called Everything’s Waiting For You.
Jasmine Birtles: Excellent. Well, we’ll play that. Well. Thank you so much, Tom, thank you so much for being on and explaining to us the business of music.
Tom Speight: Yeah, hopefully, hopefully, it’s not too depressing. And, you know, honestly, you know, it can happen to anyone. You know, so think as long as you work hard, and just, you know, just enjoy it. And, you know, yeah, that’s the main thing. That’s what life’s about, isn’t it?
Jasmine Birtles: It is absolutely, enjoy it. Enjoy what you do, and just try and do it as well as possible to make some cash out of it. So keep doing it basically.
Tom Speight: Yeah.
Jasmine Birtles: Well, thank you so much, Tom. I’ve been talking to singer songwriter Tom Speight, and you can find out more at tomspeightmusic.com and thanks for joining us on the MoneyMagpie Podcast don’t forget to share and like and generally gush about us – you know you want to.
Interest rates on student loans are set to rise to as high as 12%, this could cost high-earning graduates an extra £3000 every 6 months unless the government intervenes. Following the RPI rise in March, most recent grads will be charged 9% interest which is substantially up from the current 1.5%.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies analysis found that higher-earning graduates would be most affected by the increase, as they were more likely to repay their loan within 30 years of graduation. It is also worth noting that highly paid graduates earning over £49,130 a year are charged an additional 3 parentage points compared to low earners. This means they’ll be paying 12% interest until at least March 2023, when interest rates are next revised.
Breakdown of rates for those on Plan 2 loads – started university in/after 2012
Earn under £27,295 – New interest rate is 9%
Earn over £49,130 – New interest rate is 12%
Between these 2 figures is a sliding scale between 9 – 12%
Postgraduate loans will also be at an interest rate of 12%
What do the experts think?
Ben Waltmann, senior research economist at the IFS, said: “Unless the government changes the way student loan interest is determined, there will be wild swings in the interest rate over the next three years.
Nick Hillman, the director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, said: “One modest thing the government could do immediately to ease the situation would be to move to a more respected measure of inflation.
“Four years ago, the Office for National Statistics said RPI was a bad measure of inflation and should not be used in public policy. Now would be a good time to look again at its use for student loans.”
What does the Government say?
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Unlike commercial loans, student loans are protected in a number of ways. Monthly repayments for student loans are linked to income, not to interest rates or the amounts borrowed, and borrowers earning below the relevant repayment threshold make no repayments at all.”
Get paid to eat food. This is yet another dream job scenario, MuscleFood are on the hunt for a UK foodie who wants to be paid to try out their nutritional and delicious food as their chief recipe taster.
What is the Job?
Every month, the company will send you new recipe kits for review, which means you also won’t have to agonise over what to make for your dinner each day.
In exchange, you’ll also get monthly vouchers for MuscleFood products, providing you fit the criteria below:
A foodie with a passion for nutritional feel-good food.
An honest individual, who can accurately review upcoming products.
Someone with a keen eye for detail, who is easily able to monitor key areas for improvement.
Someone with an understanding of the importance of nutrition.
Over 18 and a UK citizen or permanent resident of the UK.
How to apply
Use this online form to show why you’d be the best candidate for testing MuscleFood’s upcoming recipes.
Act fast! Applications close on April 21 2022 (11:59 pm GMT).
Successful candidates will hear back via email by May 18 2022 (11:59 pm GMT).
