Join the Zoo-normous Easter egg Hunt this April

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Join the zoo-normous Easter egg hunt at London Zoo this April!

Looking for somewhere fun to take the little ones this Easter break? Hop on down to London Zoo for an Easter egg hunt like you have never seen before! 

Now is the time to put on your thinking caps and switch on detective mode. Families visiting the conservation zoo will be tasked with cracking secret codes. This will help to find the golden egg, hidden amongst the 36 acres of wildlife. 

Between Saturday 1st and Sunday 16th April 2023, you can join the search for the zoo’s egg-laying animals in the heart of the capital city. From Humboldt penguins, ostriches and clown fish to beautiful and elegant flamingos, there are stunning and interesting species to see wherever you look. 

Cunning wildlife-themed riddles and clues will be used to test the most devoted of animal lovers. So, get your friends and family involved for an egg-citing day out. 

The zoo is home to Critically Endangered Sumatra tiger cubs Zac and Crispin. You’ll also see Galapagos tortoises Polly, Dolly and Priscila. You’ll find clues all over the establishment, seeing cheeky gibbon Jimmy along the way. The whole family will be inspired and gain a real passion for wildlife in this unique day out. 

Children will be given special code-cards at each spot, which they can stamp. This will help them un-scramble the code and decipher the top-secret location of the Golden Egg Garden – home to a magnificent golden egg. Step aside, James Bond – your little ones will take on this mission. 

After all the excitement of the Easter fun, you can check out new arrivals at the zoo, including Amara the pygmy hippo and baby sloth Nova. You can also listen to interesting talks from zookeepers and let your little monkeys burn off steam at the Animal Adventure play area. 

Plus, the Zoo-normous egg hunt is free – meaning there are no additional costs to join in. You just need to pay zoo entry, and under 3s go free. Find out more. 

The post Join the Zoo-normous Easter egg Hunt this April appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Get a free cup of tea this April

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Get a free cup of tea this April.

It’s no secret that we Brits love a good cup of tea. Whether you are a herbal tea person, prefer an Earl Grey or are a fan of the classic English breakfast builder’s tea, it’s no surprise we drink a staggering 36 billion cups of the stuff every year. 

Forget the debates about the order you put tea, water and milk into your mug, this National Tea Day, let’s just enjoy the good stuff. National Tea Day is on Friday 21st April, and Bird & Blend Tea Co. are offering a free cup of tea in stores across the UK between 11 am and 12pm. 

When we say there is more tea available than you could even fathom, we mean it. Bird & Blend stores offer over 100 tea blends, showcased on the famous tea walls. With that many blends on offer, you are bound to find something suited to your taste buds. Plus, the fact that it will be free will make it taste just that bit better. 

Flavours include Chocolate Digestives, Blue Raspberry, Whisktea, Birthday Cake, Peppermint Cream, Cherry Bakewell, Jasmine Poached Pears, Tea & Toast, Honeycomb Cookie D’oh, Cherry Cola Bottles, Earl Grey Crème and Great British Cuppa. You may even opt to try something new and enter a world of flavours you never knew existed. 

• Which stores are offering this?
• How to make the perfect cuppa

 

Which stores are offering this?

• Brighton North Laine 
• Brighton Beach 
• Bristol 
• Cardiff 
• Exeter 
• Glasgow 
• London Angel 
• London Borough 
• London Portobello 
• Manchester 
• Norwich 
• Nottingham 
• Oxford 
• Worthing 

 

How to make the perfect cuppa

Tea really is ingrained in cultures across the world. It has a long and rich history dating back thousands of years to the Zhejiang province in China.  

But for those in the UK today, a cup of tea is a vital part of everyday life. It can bring comfort to everyone, with the first thing most of us do when we arrive home is put the kettle on, ready for a nice brew. 

Plus, a cup of tea really is appropriate for any occasion. Having a bad day? Cup of tea. Have a headache? Cup of tea. Enjoying a nice slice of cake? Well, it wouldn’t be the same without a cup of tea. 

Whether you’re a milk first or last, a tea bag squeezer, a scoop-er or a loose-leaf connoisseur, here’s how to ensure you get that perfect cup of tea every time. 

Select your perfect tea

Tea as to suit the mood. Need an energy boost? A classic breakfast tea might be the one for you. Want to relax after a long day? Chamomile may be the hug in a mug you’re looking for. If you are cutting back on caffeine, try a fruit infusion.  

Choose your teacup

We all have that one, particular mug we reach for first when going to make tea. Somehow, we find comfort in that special teacup, a fondness we cannot quite explain. Whether it’s the ‘Worlds Best Mum’ mug, the one that you have had so long you can’t even remember where it came from, or the posh one you splashed out on in a high-end department store on a whim, your vessel of choice determines your whole experience. 

Boil fresh water

Now hear us out. We want to save you money, so don’t go boiling a full, fresh kettle full of water every time you make yourself a cup of tea. We don’t want to send your electricity bill through the roof! Instead, measure out the exact amount of water you need using your mug. This allows for great, oxygenated tea, which tastes just that bit better. 

Read the instructions

Instructions? For tea? We sense you are scoffing… 

Well, everyone enjoys their tea differently. However, if you are trying a new brew that you aren’t too keen on, check the instructions. You may have brewed it too much, or not enough! Try following the recommended brewing times – you may just find this helps! 

 

Now sit back, relax, put your feet up, and enjoy every sip of your perfectly made tea. Oh, and remember to pic up your free cup of tea on April 21st!

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Cash for Trash? Currys extend scheme to your doorstep

Reading Time: 3 mins

Last year, tech giant Currys has launched a ‘Cash for Trash’ trial scheme. A year on, the scheme is still going. This is where customers can take their unwanted or unused electronic items to their nearest Currys store in exchange for a voucher worth at least £5 to use on their next in-store or online purchase.

Now, the UK’s largest tech retailer is bringing the opportunity directly to your door, announcing the new door-to-door recycling service, ‘Currys Collects’. So, what is this new initiative and what does it involve?

• The scheme
• What will be collected?
• What Currys are saying
• Where else can you take unwanted items?
• Where is my nearest Currys?

 

the scheme

This new initiative follows on from the success of the Cash for Trash scheme, which has seen over 46,500 tonnes of electrical goods, household appliances and tech recycled in the last year. However, understanding there may be thousands of potential customers unable to come into the store, Currys are bring the scheme to people’s doors.

Disregarded electrical items and tech is the fastest-growing waste stream in the UK. A whopping 155,000 tonnes of e-waste is thrown into household bins every year. We are one of the world’s largest producers of e-waste, producing 23.9kg per head on average.

With 190,000 tonnes of unused electrical items being hoarded by UK households at this very moment, Currys Collects is designed to raise awareness of how to correctly dispose of tech devices.

 

What will be collected?

This new scheme couldn’t come at a better time. New research has revealed that 76% of people feel guilty for not recycling tech properly. Another 38% admitted that they do not know how to dispose of electrical goods correctly, either. Shockingly, more than one in three 18 to 34 year olds (35%), said they had no idea small batteries, such as those from a TV remote, could be recycled. An estimated 600 million batteries end up in landfill each year.

The pilot scheme, currently taking place in Bradford sees a Currys Collects electric van driving around the city, collecting unwanted tech from people’s front doors. Additionally, the bank will park up at the local community centre. This is for drop-in centres, where experts will answer questions the public may have, as well as collect tech in exchange for £5 cash for trash vouchers.

The items being collected include a huge array of items, including anything that uses wiring or batteries, such as batteries, chargers, cables, beauty appliances such as hair straighteners and dryers. The scheme also happily collects kitchen appliances, including kettles and toasters.

what currys are saying

Mandeep Gobindpuri, Head of Circular Economy at Currys said:

“We know that people want to recycle – our survey found that 84% of the nation said they would recycle their old tech – but more than half either don’t know how to or lack the means to do so. Our new service aims to address both issues by collecting and educating the public. And what better time than spring to look into your cupboards for all those idle cables, outdated phones, broken remotes and used batteries. Virtually anything that houses a plug or battery holds value through its materials, no matter how damaged it is. We’re hoping to make it as easy as possible to recycle your unwanted or broken tech – and in a small way, help us live more sustainably.

“We are making great progress on educating the nation about tech recycling and going into 2023, Currys Collects takes that one step further by bringing it right to people’s doors. We hope the Currys Collects pilot is a success and that we can eventually take nationwide.’”

 

Where else can you take unwanted items?

There are other ways to get cash for things like smartphones, satellite navigation systems, speakers, headphones, laptops and cameras. Businesses including CeX, Cash Generator and MoneyMyTech are a good place to start. MoneyMyTech gives people the chance to sell certain unwanted tech goods. All you have to do is review the quote you’re offered, and complete a sequence of steps.

We offer you a guide to is another way of getting cash for your old unwanted CDs here, while WeeeCharity is a not-for-profit UK charity that recycles nearly every kind of electrical item, regardless of condition. They provide these items to businesses, consumers and education facilities in need of them.

Where is my nearest Currys?

Once we have decided what we want to take, literally just take the items to your nearest Currys store. Find out where it is here.

You can also find out more about the Cash for Trash scheme here.

The post Cash for Trash? Currys extend scheme to your doorstep appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Could you be a local councillor?

Reading Time: 3 mins

The local council elections will be held on Thursday May 4th this year.

We recently posted an article about being a poll clerk, what that involves and how much you can earn. It got us thinking about what is involved in being a local councillor. Who can stand, how much time is involved, what are the responsibilities and how much do you get paid?

Before we get down to the nitty gritty, for those who are unsure, a local councillor is someone who represents the people who live in their ward to the council. They do this by attending meetings, deciding what services the council should provide and work out and review council policies. They are different from MPs who deal with things that affect the whole country. A councillor deals with local matters for local people.

Read on to find out if you could be a local councillor…

• How much do you get paid?
• Who can stand?
• What is involved?

How much do you get paid?

Let’s start with the basics. Local councillors do not get a salary. However, they do get financial compensation in the form of an allowance which covers things like the time they have spent on council duties, telephone and travel expenses.

According to the Local Government Association (LGA), on average local councillors in England can get anything from £3,000 to £16,000 depending on their council. The average works out at about £7,000 per year.

The amount they can get also depends on their responsibilities and what their role is. As well as a basic allowance, councillors with specific roles such as cabinet members or leaders of the council will also receive a Special Responsibility Allowance to reflect their additional workload.  This amount depends on the local council.

Many councillors have full time jobs and fit their council work in alongside their everyday lives.

So, it’s clear from this that people don’t stand to be a local councillor to make money. They do it because they want to give back to their community or feel that they have something to contribute. They might be passionate about a specific cause (e.g. the environment) or just want to make a real difference to peoples’ lives.

WHO CAN STAND?

The basic rules for who can stand to be a local councillor include:

1. being aged 18 or over
2. being on the electoral register of the local authority they wish to stand for
3. have lived or worked in the area for the past 12 months

You don’t have to be a member of political party to stand for local elections, some councillors sit as independents.

In terms of skills, there are no qualifications needed but it helps if you have good communication skills; are flexible and open-minded; and have a good grasp of how our political system works.

There is training available and although it’s often described as a steep learning curve, you would quickly gain experience and get more confident with time.

Councils are often looking to diversity their staff and encourage applications from people from different ethnic or socio-economic  backgrounds.

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

According to a 2022 census of local authority councillors, the average amount of time spent on council duties is 22 hours per week. Some spend less (10 hours or fewer), others a lot more (over 35 hours a week).

During their working hours, councillors are expected to attend council meetings and to spend time preparing for these in advance. These meetings usually involve making and scrutinising decisions, reviewing council policy and other regulatory or quasi-judicial obligations.

Other duties might involve holding drop in sessions for local residents, getting out into the community to meet the people you represent and spending time sharing what you do on social media (eg Facebook).

 

You can find more information on what is involved in the role on the government website and here, on the LGA website.

 

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JamDoughnut – the Instant Cashback app

Reading Time: 5 mins

This is a paid article on behalf of JamDoughnut

JamDoughnut is a cashback app with a difference. A difference that can make a big impact on your bank balance.

Cashback sites are familiar to lots of us now, in fact so much so there’s an almost overwhelming amount to choose from. They all do what they say on the tin. They reward users with cash for doing their shopping or paying for services via the cashback site or app (often by using a referral link). But, usually we have to wait days or weeks (sometimes even months), to get our rewards.

With JamDoughnut you get your cash instantly – literally as soon as you confirm your purchase.

How great is that? Here at MoneyMagpie we were so impressed that we decided to try it out for ourselves.

• How does it work?
• Our Experience
• Our Verdict

How does it work?

1. Buy a Gift card

Unlike other cashback sites or referral apps, JamDoughnut gives you cashback when you buy a gift card or gift certificate for the shop or service you want to buy from. So, rather than using your debit or credit card, you buy a gift card and use that to complete your purchase. (There are 100s of brands to choose from.)

You can use your gift card in app, online or on the high street. You can also share or gift your gift card to someone else. (An important point however is that the gift cards are non-refundable so be sure before you purchase.)

2. EARN POINTS

Every time you buy a gift card you earn points which are converted into cash. These points are collected in your JamDoughnut Jar (your wallet).

The amount of points you can earn is different for each brand or shop. It can range from 3% – 20%. On average it’s around 7-8% of your total purchase. You can see exactly what percentage you can earn underneath the icon for each brand.

You can shop at popular brands like Morrisons, Boots, Currys and Airbnb!

 

3. FILL YOUR WALLET

Your JamDoughnut wallet is also called a Jar. Once you get to £10 or over, you can withdraw the money from your wallet. It even tells you how many more points you need to earn in order to get to the £10, which is a good incentive to keep using the app.

It really is that simple! Buy your gift cards, earn points instantly, withdraw your cash (£10 or over) from your wallet whenever you want.

OUR EXPERIENCE

Our intrepid shopper, Rach, gave it a go.

“The app is available on iOS and Android. I have an Apple phone so I searched for JamDoughnut on the app store, found it with no problem and downloaded it.

Next you have to register. This took less than a minute. There was no need for a password, I simply clicked on a link they sent to my email and the same to my mobile number

I was then taken to a page that showed me all of the available shops and restaurants etc. There are so many to choose from! It helps that they are in categories such as: Health & Fitness; Home & Garden; Shopping & Fashion; Takeaway; Travel & Holiday.

I’ve recently moved house so I tapped on “Home & Garden”. The app lists all sorts of shops and websites – from Bloom & Wild, B&M,  B&Q, Ikea and Wayfair (to name just a few).

As I was scrolling I remembered that it’s Mother’s Day on Sunday so I thought I’d try out Bloom & Wild. The first thing that caught my attention was that as it was my first purchase I immediately earned a bonus in the form of an additional or free 200 points which meant £2 was added to my wallet.

The instructions are clear and simple. Tap on “Purchase Securely”,  enter the amount I wanted to spend, then once my payment was completed I was sent a code to use online at the Bloom & Wild checkout. The app also explained that anything I didn’t spend would remain available to spend at a later date.

I paid for my gift card using my bank account which was a simple click through then confirm. One thing to note though, is that you get less cash back – up to 50% less – if you purchase via apple pay rather than using your bank account.

Lastly, in bold letter it told me that my cashback would be added immediately to my JamDoughnut Jar or wallet. It also clarified that I could use other vouchers and or loyalty codes with my JamDoughnut code to maximise savings and discounts.

All in all – very straightforward. I was impressed! What I particularly liked was that when I clicked on ‘purchase securely’ the app told me exactly how much I would earn back on each amount available to spend on the gift card.

I don’t really use other cashback sites as I tend to forget they are there but I will definitely be using JamDoughnut again.”

OUR VERDICT

We think this is a brilliant take on an established method of earning money when shopping. Quite often we hear of people who have signed up to cashback sites but have to wait a ridiculous amount of time to reap the rewards. With JamDoughnut you don’t have to wait or remember that you’re owed a certain amount and then waste time chasing it up or constantly checking to see if it’s arrived in your account.

There is a really good range of popular high street shops, restaurants and bars to choose from.

As our shopper found, it’s incredibly straightforward to use. We also took a look at their reviews on TrustPilot and they score a very impressive 4.8 out of 5 and 93% of users rated it 5 stars.

We also found that their refund policy was better than the purchase of a gift card so even you are buying as a present or cash back you have better protection than and this is shown by their reviews on TrustPilot that we have read.

Lastly, we think this could also be a fantastic way to budget. You could buy a gift card for Asda, for example, for £30 and that’s your shopping budget right there. Not only does it help you stick to your allowance, you get paid to do so! (An Asda gift card gives you 3.4%, which is £1.02 for £30).

 

Click here for more information on the app and how to download it to your phone.

 

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.

The post JamDoughnut – the Instant Cashback app appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Make money from the local elections – be a poll clerk

Reading Time: 3 mins

The local elections will be held on Thursday, May 4th this year. Many people don’t realise that local elections are more than a chance to cast your vote — they are an opportunity to make money.

When you vote in any election, you’ll almost certainly have noticed the poll clerks overseeing everything.

However, have you ever considered making a bit of extra cash as a poll clerk yourself? Can you make yourself free for the whole day?

If so, you can earn around £250 for a day’s work in a polling station.

It’s a quick and easy money-making idea and ideal if you are retired or a student.

In this article, we explain how to become a poll clerk. Read on to learn how you can be a part of political history — and get paid for it.

• Who can become a poll clerk?
• What’s involved?
• How much can I make?
• How do I apply?

Who can become a poll clerk?

Anyone is eligible to act as a poll clerk, providing they are over 18, literate and numerate and not a member of a political party participating in the election.

The only other requirement is that applicants must be on the electoral roll – if you’re not, you really should be. Not being on the electoral roll can damage your credit rating!

If you’re not on the electoral roll you can register to vote on the Government’s official website. You can also find your local Electoral Registration Office by clicking here. Alternatively, give your local authority a call. 

What’s involved?

As a poll clerk, you are there to set-up the polling station and make sure correct procedure is followed throughout the day, including after voting closes.

Your duties include checking people are eligible to vote, checking and marking electoral numbers, stamping and issuing ballot papers, and, crucially, making certain that votes are cast in secret and put into the ballot box. 

You answer to the  Presiding Officer, who is the official in charge of a polling station.

It’s a long day, usually from early morning (before 7am) till at least 10pm when the voting finishes.

You can also apply to help count the ballot papers in the evening, but be aware that this is, as you can probably imagine, pretty frantic work.

For more information on the duties of a poll clerk, and the requirements to become one, things are summarised well by Croydon Council or you can look at the Handbook for Polling Station Staff here.

 

How much can I make?

The amount you earn varies from council to council so it depends on where you apply.

You should be getting at least £100 for the day and councils who pay the most will offer £250 or more.

To find out how much your local council pays, simply visit their website and search ‘poll clerk’. For a list of local authorities in England and Wales, click here.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that if you have worked at a polling station on at least two other occasions, you can apply to become a Presiding Officer, which means more money!

Leeds City Council gives a good summary of the duties of a Presiding Officer and what you must have to become one.

How do I apply?

Usually, poll clerks have worked for their local council, but this experience is not a prerequisite.

Most councils and local authorities have information on how to become a poll clerk on their website. 

Either visit their website and search ‘poll clerk’, or simply Google ‘become a poll clerk’ followed by your town, city, or council. For a list of council websites, click here. 

Alternatively, you can call your local authority and ask for the Elections and Registration Office, or send them an email telling them that you’re interested. They’ll send you a form if they need clerks.

Don’t leave it until a week before an election to apply because the positions will probably already be filled – it’s better to apply sooner rather than later.

Some local authorities recruit all year round so you can keep applying and be put on a waiting list for the next election.

If you are selected as a poll clerk you will attend a training/briefing session and then be sworn in the day before the election.

On Election Day, a Presiding Officer oversees the whole station and will supervise and instruct you.

Have you ever made money as a polling clerk? Do you have any other good money making ideas? Let us know in the comments section below – we love to hear from you!

The post Make money from the local elections – be a poll clerk appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Make money by listening to music

Reading Time: 6 mins

Here at MoneyMagpie we like to share good news and the fact there are ways that you can make money by listening to music is definitely good news.

Music is everywhere and part of our everyday lives. We listen while we work, play, drive, walk, exercise, clean, cook… you name it! These days we can access music wherever we are, create and share playlists instantly, discover new artists and book gigs whenever we want.

As the great Jimi Hendrix said, “Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.”

Nicely put, Jimi. But did you know you can earn a little extra money on the side just by listening to music? Yes, really!  There are apps and websites out there that let you do just this. Some take a bit of effort on your part, others take a lot of effort but for a bigger reward.

Read on to find out how you can make money by listening to music…

• Slicethepie
• Playlist Push 
• HitPredictor
• Music Xray
• Earnably

Slicethepie

When we say music scout, we don’t mean a boy in shorts with his trusty Swiss army knife, warbling next to a campfire.

It’s simply what Slicethepie calls a music reviewer. They pay you to share your opinion on new songs before they’re released.

Luckily, you don’t need to know anything about music to write a good review! Explaining how it makes you feel and comparing it to the other artists and songs is enough to be useful. If you still feel a bit daunted, you can find some handy tips via this link.

1. To review a piece of music, you need to listen to at least 90 seconds of the track before you can start writing. The more in-depth and specific your opinion, the better. However, you will need a minimum of 45 words in your review
2. Next, you rate the track from 1-10
3. Then, fill in a checklist for how you would describe the song if it was a person. For example, is the music funky? Playful? Sexy?

And you’re done! Just click ‘Submit’ to move onto your next review.

Getting paid…

The tricky bit is getting the maximum amount of money out of your review.

Rather than a flat rate, Slicethepie pays you depending on your star rating. This, in turn, depends on the quality of your reviews. Reviews are judged on the following criteria:

• How close your rating of the track is to the average score the track has received from other reviewers. For example, you will have a low accuracy if you think a track deserves a 9 when most of the other scouts only gave it a 3.
• Whether your feedback is detailed and meaningful, and will actually benefit the artist.
• How active you are as a scout is also a consideration. The more reviews you do, the higher your rating. However, this doesn’t apply if you aren’t taking the time to correctly review the tracks.

Based on our tests, your rating goes up one star for every 30 tracks you review. That’s assuming that you listen to enough of the song and put effort into your reviews.

When you first register with Slicethepie, they’ll ask for your email address. This is important, because you must make sure it’s the same one as your PayPal account, which is how you get paid. (For some reason, despite it being a UK company, Slicethepie pays everyone in US dollars. But not to worry: you can convert it back easily with your PayPal account.)

Although it’ll be a little while before it starts mounting up, as soon as you hit $10, you can make a withdrawal and access your cash. Just remember to keep an eye on that star rating.

To sign up to Slicethepie, click here.

PLAYLIST PUSH

Spotify is pretty ubiquitous these days. According to Statista, over 30% of music streaming subscribers worldwide have a subscription to Spotify. That’s a lot of listeners.

You can’t actually earn money listening to music directly via Spotify itself, but for those of you with a big enough following on Spotify or TikTok, there are ways and means to earn money as a music curator by submitting reviews via Playlist Push.

On Spotify you need to meet these criteria:

Minimum of 1000 followers per playlist as well as playlists that are focused on genre or a specific band or artist; playlists with ‘follow me’ in the title; and a minimum of 30 active Monthly Listeners per playlist.

If you meet these criteria Playlist Push give you songs to review and include in your playlist. If they like your review you can earn up to $12 per track, paid weekly via bank transfer.

On TikTok you need to meet these criteria:

Be a TikTok video creator – Playlist Push will give you songs to use in your videos. You must have at least 30,000 followers to qualify as a creator.

This way you can earn up to $10 per TikTok video you make. Earnings have to reach a minimum amount of $20 before payments are made.

We won’t lie, it isn’t easy to earn money this way and it really is for the dedicated music aficionados amongst you – there is some serious effort involved to just get set up and maintain your listeners – but once you do there is the chance to make a decent amount.

Click here to find out more.

HitPredictor

On this site, you can choose the music genres you want to listen to rather than getting a mix of anything and everything. Although this means that sometimes there won’t be much for you to review.

Whatever you write will be going to the artists, producers and record labels. So your opinions will be shaping the future of music.

Earn 3 points for every piece of music you listen to. Once you reach 500 points you can enter raffles for $50-$100 iTunes gift cards or free DVDs and CDs at 1,250 points. There’re also loads of contests to enter and other prizes you can win daily.

Hit it at this link.

Music xray

As well as picking preferred genres, you can also tell Music Xray your favourite artists, so the site can use fancy software to pick music as similar as possible to what you love. This means that sometimes there’ll be lots of songs, other times – none. It depends on what the artists are uploading.

Music Xray helps connect potential success stories to record labels and producers, as well as set up fan bases for when the artists start solidifying their position in the music industry.

You’ll be paid a few cents to listen to 30 seconds of a song. You can withdraw the money from a PayPal account similarly to the way Slicethepie manages it.

Get jamming at this link here.

Earnably

Earnably is an established online reward site that pays you to do things like complete surveys, review podcasts, download apps or play games, amongst others. It will also pay you to listen to music (often via radio stations) or watch music videos.

It’s quick and easy (and free!) to sign up to – you just need to fill out a quick demographics survey to get started.

Once you’re in you can scroll through and select whatever you want to do to earn. You will never make enough to live off, but it’s a nice little earner with payments made in points and then converted into cash either via a Paypal account or gift cards, such as an Amazon voucher.

Let us know how you get in the comments below!

 

The post Make money by listening to music appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

How to claim money back if you hit a pothole

Reading Time: 3 mins

Can you claim money if you hit a pothole?

Hit a bump in the road? Potholes can be a nuisance to drivers and pedestrians alike. They can result in accidents, make roads difficult to navigate, and worse still, cause damage to your car.

Yet pothole damage is at a ten-year high in the U.K with thirteen million cars damaged by last year, costing a total of £1.7bn to repair, according to Kwik Fit Repairs.

This common problem on many UK roads costs approximately £40 to fix each one but as well as causing damage to vehicles, it can pose a safety risk to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel if you have experienced damage to your vehicle due to a pothole, you may be entitled to compensation.

are you eligible for compensation?

Firstly, it is important to note that not all potholes will be eligible for compensation. The local authority is responsible for the road but must have had prior notice of the pothole and have failed to take reasonable steps to repair it.

Therefore, if you hit a pothole that has only just formed and there was no prior notice, you may not be eligible for compensation.

If you believe you are entitled, the first step is to gather evidence of the damage caused.

gather evidence

Take photographs of the pothole if you can do so as safely as possible, and also include damage to your vehicle, including any tyre damage, wheel damage, or suspension damage. It is also a good idea to get a quote from a reputable garage for the cost of repairs as this can be used as trusted evidence.

Next, you should report the pothole to the relevant local authority as soon as possible. This can usually be done online via the council’s website or by calling their customer service team. You will need to provide details of the location of the pothole and the damage it caused. If you have photos this can really help.

After reporting the pothole, you should receive a reference number and the council will begin an investigation. If they agree that the pothole was a hazard and that they failed to take reasonable steps to repair it, they will likely offer you compensation to cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle.

what if your claim is denied?

If the council denies your claim, you can escalate the matter by submitting a formal complaint. This should be done in writing and should include all of the evidence you have gathered, including photographs and the garage repair quote. You should also include any correspondence you have had with the council regarding the matter.

If your complaint is still not resolved, you can take legal action against the local authority. However, this can be a lengthy and expensive process, so it is advisable to seek legal advice before pursuing this option.

There are some lawyers that will offer a no-win no-fee agreement for a claim but it is best to find out all terms and conditions prior to embarking on legal action as there may be some clauses depending on the law firm you use.

You could also make a claim on your comprehensive car insurance if all else fails but check that the claim is larger than the excess and you may lose some of your no-claims bonus.

Kwik Fit recommend keeping your car in tip-top condition and ensuring your tyres are correctly inflated which will act as protection should you hit a pothole or rock in the road and have regular checks on your car throughout the year.

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Get £1200 added to your savings with Help To Save

Reading Time: 2 mins

 As the cost of living crisis continues, Help to Save could help Brits to get an extra £1200 added to their savings by the government over the next four years.  

In light of the extension of the Help to Save scheme, personal finance expert Lucinda O’Brien has given her insights into what this means for Brits: “For those on Universal Credit, the Spring Budget also highlighted Help to Save accounts and its attractive 50% bonus scheme.  

“The good news is that applicants can now apply for an account until April 2025 as the government is keen for low-income earners to have a savings pot for a rainy day.  

“The Help to Save scheme was due to end in September after its launch in 2018. However, the scheme is now even more important as many people are struggling with the cost of living crisis and finding it increasingly difficult to save each month.”  

 

How much can I save in a Help to Save account?  

Lucinda O’Brien says, “A Help to Save account is backed by the government which means that your money will be safe and secure. The account then allows you to save from £1 to £50 each month, but you don’t have to pay money in every month and you can pay in as many times as you wish – until you reach the £50 limit.  

“The account will then reward you for saving with a bonus of 50p for every £1 that’s saved over four years. The bonus is paid at the end of the second and fourth years and it’s based on how much you’ve saved.  

“For example, if you saved £50 a month for two years, you would get a tax-free bonus of £600. This means that you could end up with a pot of savings totalling £1,800 by 2025.  

“If you decide to carry on saving, you’ll then receive another tax-free bonus of £600 after another two years, meaning you’ll receive £1,200 after four years of saving.  

“However, it’s important to note that although you can close the account at any time, if you close the account early you might miss out on the bonus and you won’t be able to open another account.  

“You can qualify for a Help to Save account if you live in the UK and you’re receiving Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit (and entitled to Working Tax Credit) or Universal Credit and you had a take-home pay of £658.64 or more in your last monthly assessment period.” 

 

Who is eligible for Help to Save?  

“In the Money.co.uk savings report, it was discovered that as of March 2022 there had been almost 360,000 Help to Save accounts opened in the UK. This means that millions of people are missing out on the opportunity to earn a bonus from the government by saving a little each month.” 

 

How to Apply 

 

If you think you might be eligible for the Help to Save scheme, just visit gov.uk and enter your Government Gateway user ID and password to apply. You’ll also be asked to provide your UK bank details as you pay money into the account via either a debit card, standing order or bank transfer.  

“For more information about the Help to Save scheme, you can read this guide or visit gov.uk for full terms and conditions, plus how it can impact your benefits. 

 

 

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Earn money while you spend with Suits Me®

Reading Time: < 1 min

This is a sponsored post from Suits Me®

Suits Me® have all your shopping needs covered! Shop in-store or online with your Suits Me® card at our cashback reward retailers and earn money while you spend.

Customers can also enjoy exclusive monthly Account Holder Discounts with some of the UK’s biggest retailers.

Suits Me®, the increasingly popular alternative banking solution offer e- money accounts accompanied by a modernised mobile app and contactless Mastercard® debit card. Anyone living in the UK can apply and open an account in minutes with next day card delivery. Suits Me® support those who struggle to open a high street bank account.

This Months offers:

BoohooMAN – 5% off everything, including sale items
Gousto – 60% off your 1st box & 25% off your first 2 months
Three – Get 3 months free on Three’s 5G Home Broadband Hub
Lebara – Get 25% off for 3 months on Lebara sim contracts
TasteCard – GET A FREE 60-DAY TASTECARD TRIAL!
Smarty – Get unlimited data for £16 with SMARTY’s exclusive offer.
SimplyCook – Try your first 4 recipes for free
MyProtein – Get 37% off
Just Eat – Get McDonald’s classics from 99p

This Week’s Cashback partners include:

When you use your Suits Me® debit card in our cashback partner’s retail stores or online via their websites, you will receive cashback into your account, ranging from 4-15% cashback.

4% Argos, 3% Asda, 4% B&Q, 8% Bella Italia, 8% Café Rouge, 8% Carpet Right, 8% Clarks, 7% Foot Locker, 8% Las Iguanas, 7% Halfords, 10% JoJo Maman Bébé, 6% Laithwaife’s Wine, 7% New Look, 4% Sainsbury’s, 8% Storey Carpets, 15% Virgin Experience Days, 10% YO! Sushi.

All Cashback partners can be used in-store but not all can be used online.

Get started with Suits Me® here. 

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Half of food thrown away in the UK still edible

Reading Time: 3 mins

Half of food thrown away still edible, experts say

New research has revealed families spend a fifth of their weekly food shop on snacks. This is around £1,225 per year. This is despite almost half admitting to having the means to make snacks at home in the fridge already.  

This leads to food waste, with every household wasting a whole month’s worth of food every year, totalling approximately £409. This uneaten food could be repurposed into cost-effective meals and snacks. 

• READ: Discussing food waste with UK Harvest

That’s why Jacob’s are launching its new Less Waste More Taste Snackademy, which aims to teach families how they can reduce food waste and save money. Being more resourceful with the food in the fridge and cupboards and being mindful of the waste thrown away, can save you hundreds of pounds per year.  

With 20% of parents admitting they would never think to look in the fridge and use up food already in there when they feel a bit peckish, the money thrown down the drain annually soon tots up. 

Why do people throw away good food?

Within the new research, just under half (47%) of UK parents admitted to throwing away food that is still edible or can be eaten safely. Despite 53% feeling guilty about doing this, it is still something that occurs in millions of households across the UK every single day.  

Many suggest their reasons for doing this are as follows; 41% say they throw items away if the packet has been open too long, 33% say they have bought too much food when shopping and 25% don’t know what to do with leftover food they may have. 

• READ: Prevent food waste and save money

Of those who throw away food that is still edible, 44% regularly bin leftovers from previous meals. Additionally, 37% say they struggle to eat the fresh fruit and vegetables they buy before they go bad. 

Many people also suggested they get stuck in a ‘snack rut’. Over half (53%) of parents feel they fall into this rut, purchasing the same snacks every single week. 32% of parents say they do this as they feel their family members are fussy with their food choices. 

Jacobs has partnered with food waste charity FareShare, the UK’s largest food waste and food poverty charity, to redistribute the equivalent of 40,000 meals. This collaboration will help fight hunger across the charity’s network of 9,500 charities and community organisations.  

Food waste disruptor, Martyn Odell, The Lagom Chef said:

“The recipes I’ve created all showcase how, with just a humble cracker, you can quickly knock up fresh and delicious snacks using food you already have at home. One of the best ways to fight food waste is to be more resourceful with the food you have, the Jacob’s Snackademy snacks are a great way to use up all those little bits and bobs leftover in your fridge that you may not know what to do with and so often throw away.” 

Kate Stokes, Senior Brand Manager, Jacob’s said:

“At Jacob’s, we’re on a mission to help families achieve Less Waste and deliver More Taste by showing how they can turn food which would otherwise go to waste, into delicious snacks. The Less Waste, More Taste Snackademy is just one way in which we’re helping families to bring more taste to their daily snacks and supports our partnership with FareShare to redistribute the equivalent of 40,000 meals to help fight hunger.”

 

More articles:

• The groups working hard to fight food waste
• Uses for sour milk 
• 7 hacks to keep food fresher for longer

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Get free pastries, baguettes and other baked goods

Reading Time: 2 mins

Baked goods can be some of the most satisfying, delicious foods on the planet. Who doesn’t love the smell of a freshly baked loaf of bread, or a flaky pastry with their morning coffee?

Well, if you love a warm, buttery baguette or pizza slice as much as we do, you are in luck!

Wildfarmed is a food business representing change by farming differently. Wildfarmed flour is regenerative, fully traceable and is grown in a way that prioritises soil health. Grown without herbicides, fungicides or pesticides, Wildfarmed works with nature to ensure its flour is not only better for biodiversity, but tastier for you.

Now, Wildfarmed are collaborating with bakeries nationwide, from London to the Lake District, to give away thousands of delicious baked goods throughout March and April. Not only will this support independent and small bakeries, but it aims to introduce customers to regeneratively farmed British produce.

All you have to do is turn up at a participating bakery, and say, “Show me the Wildfarmed”, for a free party, baguette, sourdough loaf or pizza. But be quick, your local bakery may have limited items available!

participating bakeries

• 23^rd March – Beaten by a Whisker, London E17 – Bun
• 23^rd March – Keelham Farm Shop, Skipton North Yorkshire – Keelham Sourdough
• 24^th March – Sourdough Sophia, London N8 – Wholemeal Loaf
• 30^th March – Companio, Manchester – Wildfarmed Baguette
• 30^th March – Good Honest, Nottingham – Pecan Buns & Sourdough
• 31^st March – Holy Grain, Manchester – Baked Goods
• 31^st March – Ozone Coffee, London E2 – Wholemeal Bran Cake
• 5^th April – Orange Bakery, Wallington Oxfordshire – Wholemeal Loaf
• 7^th April – Marmadukes, Sheffield – Baked Goods

dates to be confirmed

• More? The Artisan Bakery, Lake District – Wholemeal Sourdough
• Chatsworth Bakehouse, London SE19 – Pizza
• Layla Bakery, London W10 – Wholemeal Loaf
• The Long Table, Cotswolds – Baked Goods
• Bun Dat, South London – Baked Goods

Already embraced by Michelin-starred restaurants, pasta and pizza chefs and leading bakers across the country (highlighted stockists include Manteca, Strakers, Moro, Fallow, Hide, Pizza Pilgrims and Jolene), by simply buying a loaf of Wildfarmed bread, customers can support Wildfarmed’s mission to become the biggest soil regeneration programme on British arable land.

Ever conscious to help their stockists and customers, January ’23 saw Wildfarmed give away £250 dinner tabs, totalling nearly £5000, supporting hospitality in a traditionally tough time of the year, and bringing joy to diners whilst pockets are tight.

You can find out more here. 

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Chancellor announces help for parents but not enough for low and mid earners

Reading Time: 2 mins

In his first budget, the Chancellor announced help for parents but nothing for low and middle earners.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt talked a lot about what the government has achieved while they’ve been in power. He also glossed over the decisions he had to make back in the Autumn when he was faced with the fallout out from Kwasi Kwarteng’s take on the economy. Rather he focused on the Prime Minister’s five point plan.

As usual, many of the key announcements had already been leaked but unusually he didn’t hold anything back to announce on the day. There were no nice surprises, nothing to sweeten the fact that as much as help with energy costs is much needed and very welcome, there was nothing for the hard workers who keep the economy going.

our CEO Jasmine says:

“I liked the way Jeremy Hunt described the scrapping of the lifetime pension allowance as helping get doctors back into the NHS. Well yes, it helps them but it’s also going to be great for City types and, frankly, anyone earning a good whack. It’s a move to help rich people, and there are no guarantees that retired surgeons will rush back to work because of it.

“Frankly, it would help more if the personal tax allowances were unfrozen and kept in line with pay increases. That would help the lower and middle earners as well who have not been particularly helped with this Budget. If you have children of school age then you will be feeling a bit happier about life, particularly if you drive to work, but those who are working all the hours and struggling to get by won’t have found any solace in Hunt’s announcements.”

So yes, the increase in support for parents in terms of massive increases in childcare allowances and the short term continued help with energy costs are both really good for families. But, living standards continue to fall and in real terms this budget is for the rich.

Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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Spring Statement 2023: The Key Points

Reading Time: 4 mins

In his first Spring Budget, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has today set out the government’s plans for tax and spending. At the same time the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) published their economic and fiscal forecasts for the next five years.

Mr Hunt opened his budget by announcing that the OBR has confirmed that the UK will not enter a technical recession this year. They forecast that the government will meet the Prime Minister’s five points for growth.

He continued by stating that the difficult decisions that he needed to make in the Autumn to deliver stability are now paying off and that the government are committed to growth and “prosperity with a purpose”.

Before going into the specifics of what his budget will do for the UK, he said that the government was “following a plan and that the plan is working”.

The OBR has forecast that inflation will fall from 10.7% to 2.9% by the end of year and that the UK economy will grow throughout the forecast period. The OBR also expect the unemployment rate to rise more slowly than previously predicted.

Mr Hunt finished his opening preamble by saying that this return to growth has direct consequences for our role on the world stage.

HERE ARE THE KEY POINTS FROM TODAY’S SPRING STATEMENT

Energy Price GUARANTEE

The Energy Price Guarantee will remain at £2,500 for the next three months. This will save the average family £160 on top of the support already announced.

Prepayment Meters

Over 4 million households on pre-payment meters will get help. Their charges will be reduced so that they align with households who pay their bills by direct debit.

Swimming Pools

Mr Hunt has responded to concerned about the effect of high energy costs on our leisure centres and swimming pools. He announced a fund of £63 million fund to keep our public leisure centres and pools afloat.

LOCAL CHARITIES

£100 million to support local charities and community organisations to support their fantastic work.

Suicide Prevention

£10 million over next 2 years to help the voluntary sector who work in the area of suicide.

Great British Pub

The Chancellor will significantly increase the generosity on draft relief, which will be 11p lower than the duty on supermarkets. He called this the ‘Brexit Pubs Guarantee’. (“British Ale is wam but the duty on a pint is frozen!,” he added). This will apply to every pub in NI too (thanks to the Windsor Protocol).

Fuel Duty

Will be frozen.

DEFENCE

A total of £11 billion will be added to the defence budget over next five years.

VETERANS

Mr Hunt announced support for veterans amounting to £30 million.

The Chancellor broke down his approach to economic growth into four sections: Enterprise, Education, Employment, Everywhere. He started with Everywhere:

12 new investment zones

Using Canary Wharf as a model for success, Mr Hunt announced 12 new investment zones across the country:

West Midlands, Greater Manchester, the north-east, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, East Midlands, Teesside, and Liverpool. There will also be at least one in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

REGENERATION

• £200 million in high quality regeneration projects
• £161 million for mayoral combined authorities and Greater London
• £400 million for new levelling up partnerships in places such as Oldham, Mansfield, South Tyneside, Rochdale
• £8.8 billion over 5 years for sustainable transport schemes
• £200 million for potholes

He also confirmed investments for Scotland, Wales and NI

ENTERPRISE

Measures include

• a new investment allowance that means that every £ a company invests in IT equipment, plant or machinery can be deducted in full from taxable profit. This will be worth £9 billion over 3 years
• a new tax credit for small and medium firms in the Life Sciences sector that spend 40% or more of their expenditure on R&D
• Tax relief for the creative industries

ENERGY and NUCLEAR POWER

Measure include

• Carbon Capture Usage and Storage – £20bn for early development of CCUS, Paving the way for CCUS across the whole of the UK
• To encourage investment, nuclear power will be classed as environmentally sustainable (subject to consultation)
• creation of “Great British Nuclear” which will bring down costs and provide opportunities to help provide 1/4 of our electricity by 2050

Employment

• Disabled People

A new programme to help disabled people get into or back into work was announced. This will mean up to £4k per person will be invested in the scheme and it has the potential to help up 50,000 people per year.

£400million will be allocated for mental health and muscular skeletal support and £3million for people with special needs.

Earning thresholds to be increased to 18 hours per week (from 15 hours)

• Older (Experienced) People

The annual pensions tax free allowance will be increased from £40,000 to £60,000 and the lifetime allowance for pensions savings will be abolished.

• Childcare

Funding paid to nurseries to be increased by £204 million, going up to £288 million next year. A 30% increase.

Parents on Universal Credit will get around 50% more support for childcare to encourage them to get back to work. This will be paid upfront rather than in arrears. In real terms this means families will be able to claim £951 for their first child and £1630 for 2 children.

People joining the childcare profession will get incentive payments of £600, and £1200 if they join via an agency

By 2026 Mr Hunt wants schools to be able to offer wraparound care from 8am to 6pm (either on their own or in partnership with other providers).

30 hours of free weekly childcare is being extended to cover children below age of 3. Eventually the aim is cover all children from the age of 9 months where both adults work.

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Reader’s Story: How I make money from magazines and competitions

Reading Time: 2 mins

Recently we did a call out offering MoneyMagpie readers the fun chance to earn a bit of extra cash. To launch our series we begin with one reader who makes a little extra money by entering competitions as well as writing letters, sending photos and tips to magazines. (And she’s getting £25 for this story too!)

Here at MoneyMagpie we often feature articles about how you can earn a bit of money on the side by doing exactly what Lisette from Nairn does! Sometimes we get asked if making money from writing into magazines and entering competitions is actually a thing? We’re here to tell you that yes it is and Lisette’s story is proof…

Queen of Competitions!

Lisette Davidson from Nairn in Scotland isn’t only the Queen of Competitions, in our opinion she’s also the Monarch of Magazines!

Lisette sends household tips, moneymaking ideas, funny photos and anecdotes into magazines like Yours, Take a Break and My Weekly. For these she regularly receives £10, £25 and £40 in cheques. She was also recently paid £100 for a “bite size” story in Fate & Fortune magazine.

That’s not all. As Lisette explains, “I had a little article published in Quids In! magazine where I was dubbed the “Queen of Competitions” – that is the other string to my bow, winning cash prizes in competitions. Before Christmas I won a £100 Town & City Centre Gift Card with a creative competition on Instagram, this month I have had a £25 win, and in November I had a £50 win.”

We are so impressed with Lisette’s side hustle. As she says, all of this adds up, “I tend to try to put the money aside for unexpected things such as birthdays, Christmas, and a little household fund. It’s really useful to know there is a little extra coming in and lovely to get cheques in the post instead of bills!”

We couldn’t agree more… If you also have an interesting way you have made or saved some money recently then click here to find out how to send us your story and earn £25. It could be the start of great little earner!

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