I used to be a Junior ISA sceptic. Yeah you heard me.

My thinking was this: I don’t fill my annual allowance in my own ISA, so surely I should focus on trying to do something about that first?

Plus, JISAs are cool and all but there’s an element of trusting your child to turn out not to be a reprobate aged 18 and blow the cash you’ve so diligently saved for them.

This feels like a bit of a taboo thing to say, surely our lovely offspring are all little angels etc?

I have however, had a change of heart, dear reader.

It takes a village to raise a child

One of the drawbacks of the JISA is it is beholden on a responsible parent to get one set up. This is something I know for a fact firms such as Scottish Friendly have campaigned tirelessly on to rectify.

More than one in three (36%) of Brits would set up a JISA for a grandchild, niece or nephew if they were allowed to, according to the firm’s own research.

But there are growing tech solutions that help to mitigate some of this. My podcasting co-host Chris Tuite and I were joined by Cem Eyi, co-founder of a JISA app called Beanstalk, on the podcast this week to talk about how his firm is trying to square this issue.

And I have to say, I’m not often persuaded by gadgety fintech solutions, but I think this one might have actually pushed me over the line into becoming a JISA fan.

Beanstalk sets up really easy ways for family and friends to contribute to a JISA. So the responsibility to set up and maintain the account is still a parent, but now we can ask family and friends to put a tenner in his account for his birthday or Christmas.

This has the potential to give a significant boost to his JISA fund beyond what we’re able to contribute on a regular basis.

And importantly it takes some of the jeopardy of sharing cash around out of it. Grandparents can contribute directly and regularly, as can other family or friends. There’s no fuss with having to hand money through a parent.

It really does take a village to raise a child, and this seems like an excellent modern expression of this.

My son is now over one year old, so really I’m starting late for him. I’ve gone all in 100% invested for his allocation in the app. After all, 17 years is a long time to grow him a nice little nest egg.

So happy Christmas Cosmo, here’s hoping I can start you today on a journey to financial freedom in adulthood. My only regret now is I didn’t start it for you sooner.

This article contains affiliate links. Affiliates help fund our journalism but in no way have a bearing on editorial discretion.

Photo credits: Pexels

The post I’m giving my son a JISA for Christmas (one year late) appeared first on Mouthy Money.

The festive season is fast approaching and it might appear that the whole world has gone into a spending frenzy.

But at a time when many of us don’t have endless resources, the idea of spending our hard-earned cash on presents recipients don’t appreciate feels like anathema. So, how can we buy Christmas gifts people actually want?

According to a poll by the Post Office in 2023, almost a third of consumers planned to return some of their Christmas gifts. This was partly down to financial pressures caused by the cost-of-living crisis, but many of those polled said the items were not wanted or wouldn’t be used.

The most common items being returned, sold, regifted or donated were clothes and shoes, beauty items, books and stationery.

I like to think I take a more mindful and well-considered approach to gift buying than I used to. No more rushing around at the last minute chucking gift sets into my basket. I would rather buy nothing than give a present likely to be donated to a raffle in a few months.

On the flip side, wouldn’t we all like to receive gifts with thought and love behind them? A small, well-thought-out present will be more welcome than something expensive but unsuitable. But how can we get our gift-giving right?

What NOT to buy

I asked members of my Facebook Group, My Second Hand & Frugal Life, what their least welcome gifts have been.

They disliked being given items for the home or last-minute petrol station panic buys (and – take note – most of these seemed to come from EX-partners!).

Someone received a vacuum cleaner from her husband for their first Christmas together who was bewildered when she cried. Another received knickers and Tampax, and Paula had replacement foot mats for her car …

Seren dislikes ‘tat’: “Any ornaments, uplifting quotes on plaques, cheap boxed sets of toiletries … scented candles that smell of food (coffee, cranberries, cinnamon, etc).”  Candles came up several times as an unwelcome gift, as did “pointless, sentimental ornaments.”

Buying toiletries is a minefield, as many people have sensitivities and allergies, or only use particular brands. As well as the afore-mentioned gift sets, bubble bath, shower gel and hand cream got the thumbs down. However, these can work if you know what people like. Diane, for example, loves to receive body butter and bath bombs.

Catherine doesn’t appreciate being given clothes that don’t fit her or aren’t her style, and Kerry dislikes festive clothing that she only has a few days to wear. Jilly especially does not like gimmicky socks. “They are always poor quality and can cut your feet.” Joke slippers were another gift seen as a waste of money.

Be careful with edible gifts, too. Christine doesn’t want to receive “Edible gifts, because I’m a coeliac and also intensely dislike coffee and nuts.”

Rachel is not a fan of “anything that is sold ready-packaged as a gift (as there has been) no thought put into it at all.”

The group was split on receiving alcoholic drinks like bottles of wine. Some said they would love them, but others didn’t drink or didn’t enjoy the taste of certain products.

If you are considering alcohol, make sure you know what your recipient likes drinking. Michelle says the only drink she enjoys is a dry white wine, so she doesn’t appreciate receiving “mulled wine or liqueurs such as that famous Irish cream…”

Sami says that because she has a cat she receives things like “cat playing cards, a make your own cat food recipe book and a ‘how to speak cat’ book. Please just get me a bottle of wine!”

So…which Christmas gifts do people actually want?

The thread on my group was revealing. Some presents I thought would be fail-safe, like gift vouchers, were disliked by as many members who said they would appreciate them. 

Many people said they would welcome experience gifts. However, my partner once received a zorbing experience (where you get bounced down a hill in a huge bubble) when he had a herniated disc, so approach with caution!

Rachel prefers people asking what she would like: “I hate spending money on myself, and the thought of spending £50 on a Dermalogica cleanser and moisturiser pains me, but it’s so lovely to get it from someone else.”

Susan has written a list for her family which consists only of gardening or sewing gifts.

Research is key to buying successful Christmas gifts. Take some time to find out what people really want. If you prefer to surprise your recipient, ask their nearest and dearest for some ideas. Otherwise, ask them directly for a list of suggestions. 

You could also use an app such as the Giftster app, which allows you and your group to create wish lists, or Elfster, which is great for a Secret Santa draw.

Do you need to buy gifts at all?

Carolyn says, “I cannot see the sense of buying gifts … just because it is Christmas. As one gets older we have mostly what we need so our present at Christmas is your presence.”

Natalie agrees: “ I would prefer to go out for the day and make memories. They are more precious than any gift.”

Yvonne says she detests “the whole thing of ‘I have to buy/make a gift for xyz. So many are not required or appreciated and the whole gift-giving process is completely out of hand.”

Susan has a different approach: “I started a trend years back with my two boys that we could only spend £5 and it had to be from a charity shop. Always fun to see what we get.”

If you dislike the massive commercialisation of the season, or if you simply cannot afford to join in the gift-giving, then perhaps it is time to take a step back and either reduce your gift purchases to the bare minimum or stop participating altogether.

I would love to know your thoughts on this, and on how to buy Christmas gifts people actually want. What’s your approach to festive present giving?

Photo credits: Pexels

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Q Do savings schemes for Christmas still exist and are they any good or should I pick a regular savings account instead?

A Accounts that are specifically designed to mature just before Christmas may seem like a good idea and in truth can be useful as long as they offer a decent interest rate.

However, currently there aren’t any Christmas-branded accounts that are available to open, that we are aware of, but that may be because we are closing in on Christmas once again, so it’s not an ideal time to start a regular savings account.

But regular savings accounts are useful for getting you into the savings habit. So, if you are looking to put some money away every month, perhaps just after you’ve been paid, a regular savings account could be just what you are looking for, even if it is not   a Christmas account.

These accounts help to get you in the savings habit as they often require you to make a minimum deposit each month but may restrict the access, so it’s important to read the terms and conditions thoroughly.

You may not be able to access the money for the first 12 months, for example, so an account with these restrictions wouldn’t work if you need to withdraw the money in December.

Virgin Money has recently released a Regular Saver Exclusive Account paying 10.38% AER, but as the name suggests, you need to have or open a current account with Virgin Money or its parent company Yorkshire Bank.

However, if you do qualify, this is the best paying account on the market. You can pay up to £250 into the account each month, but you can vary the amount you save and better still, you can have access at any time, so it would be appropriate for saving for this Christmas.

As I inferred, regular savings accounts come with lots of terms and conditions and the best rates often require you to have a current account with that provider. If these don’t seem to be the right fit, you can open a more flexible easy access account, but the rates are not nearly as high.

Whatever you choose, while you should always go for the highest rate, anything you can put away will make all the difference.

Anna is the co-founder of the website Savings Champion. She has worked in the financial services industry for more than 30 years and for most of that time has been helping people to make the most of their savings. Anna started her career with Chase de Vere, in its innovative Moneyline department, a free savings information service that became as popular with personal finance journalists as it was with savers. Anna believes passionately that savings advice is a neglected part of the financial services sector and that the needs of savers are largely ignored by the savings product providers and the government. Anna is a regular contributor to the BBC’s Money Box, Breakfast and News programs, as well as the national press, providing expert analysis and commentary on the UK savings market.

Photo credits: Pexels

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As Christmas approaches, many of us are feeling the pinch, with the cost of gifts, food and festivities adding up. And that’s before you even factor in the rising cost of living, tax increases, benefit cuts, and so on.

Fortunately there are many ways to boost your income in the weeks leading up to the big day.

Whether you’re looking to save for gifts, pay off bills or simply enjoy a more relaxed holiday season, here are some ideas to help you generate extra cash.

1. Take on seasonal work

One of the most straightforward ways to earn extra money is taking on seasonal work. 

Many retailers, supermarkets and delivery services hire additional staff to cope with the Christmas rush. These roles often include flexible hours, making them suitable for those who already have a full-time job or other commitments. 

Retail work: High street shops, supermarkets, and shopping centres are always on the lookout for extra hands during the festive period. Roles might include working on the shop floor, stock replenishment or assisting with customer service.

Warehouse and delivery jobs: With the surge in online shopping, companies like Amazon, Royal Mail and other courier services ramp up their staffing. Positions in warehouses and delivery driving are in high demand and can pay well, especially if you’re willing to work unsociable hours.

Hospitality and events: Pubs, restaurants and event venues also require additional staff during the Christmas period. If you’re good with people and enjoy a lively atmosphere, these roles can be both fun and financially rewarding.

• Be aware that competition for seasonal work can be fierce, so start applying as early as possible, and ensure you have plenty of irons in the fire.

2. Sell unwanted items on eBay

Another great way to raise funds is by decluttering your home and selling unwanted items online. eBay is a popular platform and with millions of users it’s an excellent place to turn your unused belongings into cash.

Clothing and accessories: If you have clothes that you no longer wear, especially branded or designer items, these can sell well on eBay and similar sites. Take clear photos, write detailed descriptions, and be honest about the condition to attract buyers.

Electronics and gadgets: Old phones, tablets, or gaming consoles that are gathering dust could fetch a good price. Just be sure to wipe all personal data before selling. For more tips, see my recent Mouthy Money article.

Toys and games: With Christmas approaching, parents are often on the lookout for bargains. If your children have outgrown their toys or games, now is the perfect time to sell them.

Books, DVDs and collectibles: Niche items like collector’s editions or rare finds can attract considerable interest. But even commonplace products can sell well if you bundle them together.

3. Rent out a spare room or parking space

If you have a spare room in your home, consider renting it out on a short-term basis through platforms like Airbnb. With people travelling to visit family during the festive season, there’s often a high demand for accommodation. If you live in a city or near a popular attraction, this can be a particularly lucrative option.

Similarly, if you have a parking space you’re not using, you could rent it out via a website such as JustPark (as discussed in this article). This is especially profitable if you live near a city centre, train station or sports/entertainment venue where parking is limited.

4. Take online surveys and participate in market research

While not a huge money-maker, taking online surveys or participating in market research can be an easy and enjoyable way to make a bit of extra cash in the run-up to Christmas.

Sites such as Swagbucks, Prolific, and YouGov reward you for giving your opinion on various topics (as discussed in this recent article on Mouthy Money).

Some market research companies (e.g. People for Research) also look for participants for focus groups or product testing, which can pay quite well for a few hours of your time.

5. Offer freelance services

If you have skills in writing, graphic design, web development or social media management, consider offering your services on a freelance basis.

Websites such as Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour allow you to advertise your skills and connect with potential clients. This option is flexible, allowing you to work as much or as little as you like, fitting around your schedule.

6. Do Christmas crafting and baking

If you’re crafty or enjoy baking, you could create handmade Christmas decorations, cards or baked goods to sell at local markets or online.

There’s a strong demand for unique, handmade items during the festive season. Platforms like Etsy can help you reach a wider audience.

7. Offer pet sitting or dog walking

If you’re an animal lover, pet sitting or dog walking can be a fun way to earn extra money.

Many people travel during the holiday season and need someone to look after their animals. Platforms such as Rover or Pawshake make it easy to find clients in your area.

8. Use cashback and reward apps

While it’s not exactly an extra income stream, using cashback and reward apps like TopCashback, Quidco or Shopmium can help you save money on purchases (e.g. Christmas gifts) you’re already planning to make. Some even offer bonuses for referring friends, which can be a handy extra earner. 

9. Rent out your car

If you own a car but don’t use it all the time, consider renting it to others through platforms like Turo or Getaround.

This can be a great way to earn passive income, especially if you’re not using your vehicle during the day or over the weekend.

With more people travelling for Christmas and New Year, demand for rental cars increases, making it a particularly opportune time to rent out your vehicle.

10. Become a mystery shopper

If you enjoy shopping and have a keen eye for detail, becoming a mystery shopper can be a fun and lucrative way to earn extra money. 

Mystery shoppers are hired by companies to evaluate the quality of service in their stores, restaurants or other businesses. Your task will typically involve visiting a shop and making a purchase and then providing feedback on your experience.

There are several companies that recruit mystery shoppers, e.g. Market Force and Grass Roots. Assignments vary in what they pay, depending on the complexity and time required. In some cases you aren’t paid a fee but are given a budget and are allowed to keep whatever you buy with this.

Mystery shopping allows you to combine earning extra cash with your everyday activities, making it an enjoyable and flexible way to supplement your income in the run-up to Christmas.

Closing thoughts

As you can see, boosting your income before Christmas doesn’t have to be stressful or even particularly time-consuming. By exploring the options set out above, you can find a method that suits your lifestyle and helps you to achieve your financial goals. 

Whether it’s taking a temporary job, selling unwanted items or offering a service, there are lots of ways to generate extra cash and enjoy a more financially comfortable festive season.

Here’s wishing you a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year!

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

Nick Daws writes for Pounds and Sense, a UK personal finance blog aimed especially (though not exclusively) at over-fifties.

Photo credits: Pexels

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I know there is always a huge collective groan whenever I mention Christmas during the Summer, but it is coming! 

Christmas is said to be the most wonderful time of the year, but not if you are broke. Last year the Independent predicted that the average UK family would spend around £1800 on gifts, food, entertainment and decorations.

It must be planned and saved for when you are on a budget. You still have time to increase your Christmas savings pot and help remove some of the financial anxiety of the festive season. With this in mind, I have compiled a list of eight quick moneymakers to put towards your Christmas spending.

1# Get paid to walk your dog

Biscuit is a great little app that allows you to earn vouchers and discounts from various retailers, simply for walking your dog. 

You need to input your dog’s microchip details, and then remember to switch on the app at the start of each walk. When you walk every day, it doesn’t take long to gather ‘biscuits’, which can be converted to money in the form of vouchers.

So far, I have earned £40 of M&S vouchers, but I could have chosen vouchers to spend at Caffe Nero, Costa or various restaurants, or taken advantage of discounts on dog training, treats or pet-sitting.

2# Host language students

If you have a spare room some of the time, hosting language students from around the world is an interesting way to make extra cash and learn about other cultures.

English UK says you can earn up to £250 a week hosting students, but it will depend on where you live. This was my favourite side hustle for several years, and you can read my experience and tips on how to do it here.

3# Airbnb

Another way to make money from your spare room is to join Airbnb as a host. You don’t have to live in a palace with a pool. A clean room with a comfy bed in a family home can do well, too. You can find guidance on becoming an Airbnb host here. 

4# Sell your old clothing

You can sell unwanted clothing and homewares easily on the Vinted app for free, so why not have a wardrobe declutter?

To compete, eBay has also removed fees for clothing, but they still charge selling fees on footwear, accessories and anything else from your home, so bear this in mind when setting your prices.

5# Make money on books and media

There are many companies that will buy your old books, DVDs, CDs and games. The most well-known are probably Ziffit, Music Magpie, WeBuyBooks and AbeBooks, although there are others. They buy to sell on, and therefore you may get a very low price, but this adds up if you have a few to sell.

Items with a potentially higher value may be better sold individually, such as textbooks, first editions, signed or out of print books, and vintage games. Check what people are asking (as well as sold prices) on eBay or Amazon. Bear in mind the fees you will be charged and the cost of the postage.

6# Use cashback on every purchase

Sign up for cashback sites like TopCashback or Quidco to make money back on your online purchases.

Retailers pay these sites to drive traffic to them, and they pass some of that to you. It soon adds up and you can cash out straight to your bank account.

7# Rent out your driveway

If you live in a busy town or city, especially if you are near a station, airport or city centre, you can make money by renting out your driveway or parking space. If it sits empty all day whilst you are at work, it requires little effort. 

A quick internet search will give you a list of sites to help you rent a parking space, such as JustPark, Your Parking Space or Park On My Drive.

8# Switch banks

Many banks offer cash incentives of potentially hundreds of pounds for you to switch to them. These deals change frequently, so research the best current switching deals before making a move.

Check cashback sites too, as signing up via one of these then switching could net you some money back on top of the bank’s incentive. Be aware that you will be credit checked when you apply.

Final thoughts

Obviously, this is not a comprehensive list of quick moneymakers, but hopefully these ideas will get you started.

Make sure you keep your Christmas savings pot separate, so you aren’t tempted to dip in. Ideally, pay a small amount in every month throughout the year as soon as you get paid, then add any extra earnings on top. It soon adds up!

Being financially prepared for Christmas will help ease your financial anxiety and help prevent starting the new year with debt.

The post Eight money makers to put towards your Christmas spending  appeared first on Mouthy Money.

The holiday season is in full swing, and while the lights are twinkling and the festive spirit is in the air, it’s also the time of year when our wallets and purses can take a huge hit.

Rather than letting the ghosts of your financial past haunt you, take a proactive approach to sleighing your debt and embrace a debt-free New Year. In this festive guide, we’ll explore some simple, yet practical steps that you can take in order to help you navigate the holiday season while making significant steps toward debt freedom.

Understand your debt

Before diving into the financial festivities, it’s essential to take a moment to understand your current financial landscape. Create a detailed list of your debts, stating exactly how much you owe and to who.

Write the list of all your creditors down in order of smallest to largest amount. Next to each amount write down the interest. This step is crucial for prioritising which debts to tackle first, laying the groundwork for a strategic debt repayment plan.

Create a debt repayment plan

During this festive season, set realistic financial goals for yourself. Establish a budget that includes a holiday spending limit, allocating funds specifically for debt repayment.

Consider exploring additional income sources, such as overtime or reselling to give your Christmas budget a festive boost and increase the amount of extra money you have available for debt repayment.

Tactical tips for debt reduction

When it comes to tackling debt, there are two main categories: the debt snowball and debt avalanche methods. The snowball method focuses on paying off the smallest debt first for quick wins and motivation.

In contrast, the avalanche method prioritises the highest-interest debt to minimise overall interest payments in the long run. The choice between them depends on personal preferences and financial goals—quick progress with the snowball method or long-term interest savings with the avalanche method.

Leverage festive opportunities

Turn the holiday season into an opportunity for debt reduction. You can do this by putting any holiday bonuses and gifts toward your outstanding balances. Get creative with gift-giving

by opting for DIY gifts or participating in gift exchanges. Every penny or pound saved or earned during this festive period can contribute to your journey towards debt freedom.

Stay motivated and accountable

Embarking on a debt-free journey is no easy task, but staying motivated is key. Increase morale and motivation by celebrating small wins along the way, as well as tapping into a selective support system of friends or family who understand your financial goals, and can hold you accountable to the goals in which you’ve set yourself.

Avoid holiday debt traps

While holiday sales and tempting promotions are all around you during this festive season, resist the urge to succumb to impulse buying.

Rethink some of your more expensive family traditions and celebrations and instead focus on the joy of spending time with loved ones rather than the material aspects of the season. Avoiding these debt traps will help you avoid digging a deeper debt hole.

Embrace minimalism

Why not consider adopting a minimalist approach to gift-giving and holiday celebrations?

By focusing on meaningful experiences and quality time with loved ones over accumulating material possessions, you’ll not only reduce the financial strain, you will also align with a more intentional and mindful lifestyle.

Financial education for the New Year

Finally, as the New Year swiftly approaches, make a resolution to invest in your financial education.

Learning more about budgeting, investing, and building financial resilience can empower you to make informed decisions and avoid debt pitfalls in the future.

Photo Credits: Pexels

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It won’t have escaped your notice that Christmas will soon be here. 

It’s well known that older friends and relatives can be the hardest to choose gifts for. But don’t despair – as Mouthy Money’s resident old person, I’m here with some ideas to make gift-buying for this age group a bit easier for you!

None of the suggestions below will break the bank. For the electronic ones, though, you might just want to check first how they might be received.

Some older people are wary of trying new things, but I believe most will enjoy and get a lot of benefit from all these products. So a little bit of gentle encouragement if they express doubts might be in order!

Let’s start with a couple of the more techy ones then…

1.Kindle e-reader

As an older person myself (I’m 67) I love my Kindle. 

Of course, people of all ages use these devices, but for older people they have two particular attractions. One is you can adjust the brightness, font size, and so on. For those of us whose eyesight isn’t what it once was, the benefits of this can’t be overstated.

The other attraction is that on a Kindle you can literally carry hundreds of books around with you. If – like many of us oldies – your shelves are already groaning from the weight of books on them, a Kindle can provide a great alternative option.

Various models of Kindle are available from Amazon at prices from around £75.

2. Echo smart speaker

In my view an Amazon Echo smart speaker with Alexa would make a great gift for any older person, even if they aren’t tech-savvy (though these devices do of course need wifi to work). 

Once the speaker has been set up – which you can help with if required – they can control it using just their voice. As you may know, you can ask it to play your favourite music, set alarms and reminders, ask questions, and much more besides.

For an older person living alone especially, having an Echo can provide companionship as well as reassurance in the event of an emergency (you can ask Alexa to call any of your contacts for you, though currently you can’t get it to phone 999). And an Echo smart speaker is a present that will go on giving through Christmas and well beyond. 

Again, various models are available from Amazon, including my personal favourite, the Echo Show. This has a display screen, so you can do video calls on it if you like. Prices range from £35 upwards, with generous discounts frequently on offer.

3. Afternoon tea voucher

Dare I say it, this might be especially popular among female friends and relatives, but plenty of men will enjoy it too. Or you could buy this as a joint gift, of course. 

Vouchers are available to suit all budgets, starting from around £30 to £200 for a champagne afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason! Visit the Virgin Experience Days website for a wide range of options.

4. Hot air balloon ride 

This is another very popular gift among older people. It’s an opportunity to enjoy an exhilarating flight in a hot air balloon with stunning views of the UK landscape. 

Vouchers are available from Virgin Balloon Flights for prices between £150 and £200 for a one-hour flight, including a celebratory glass of Prosecco afterwards. Flights take place in the UK between March and October.

5. Christmas hamper

Who doesn’t enjoy a hamper of festive food and drink at Christmas? And that applies especially to older people on a limited income, who may relish the opportunity to enjoy some little luxuries that would normally be beyond their budget.

You could put together a basket filled with quality chocolates, nuts, gourmet snacks, cakes, biscuits, and a bottle of fine wine or champagne. Alternatively you can buy a ready-made hamper from suppliers such as Prestige Hampers or Marks and Spencer. Prices range from £25 upwards (including delivery).

6. Magazine or newspaper subscription

Choose a magazine or newspaper subscription that aligns with their interests, e.g. gardening, travel, cooking, or current events. Another good option might be Radio Times, as many older people consume a lot of TV and radio. 

This is another present that keeps on giving throughout the year. Just remember to purchase a gift subscription rather than a standard one, or your subscription will automatically renew.

7. Artisan chocolates

You can’t go too far wrong with chocolates. But except perhaps for your least favoured relatives, a tin of Quality Street isn’t going to cut it. 

So why not push the boat out and buy them some luxury, hand-made, artisan chocolates? There are various local shops specialising in this, and as ever Amazon sell a good range. Here are some I bought my sister as a thank-you for putting me up for a few days in the summer. She tells me she and her husband enjoyed all the different flavours and quickly polished them off!

Click here to visit the Amazon sales page

Prices for boxes of artisan chocolates range from £15 upwards. They are guaranteed to bring a bit of good cheer to anyone’s Christmas celebrations!

8. Digital photo frame

Load a digital photo frame with a collection of your friend or relative’s favourite pictures. This way, they can enjoy a rotating display of memories without the need for multiple printed photos. And compared with the latter option, it’s a great space-saver as well!

Most frames come with a remote control; they may also have extra features such as a built-in clock/calendar. Prices range from £40 upwards. You can view a selection on this Amazon web page.

9. Cosy blanket or throw

A soft and luxurious blanket or throw (such as the one pictured below from Amazon) is perfect for staying warm during the winter months. And of course it can help save on energy bills as well.

Click here to visit the Amazon sales page.

Prices range from £15 upwards (more for those with built-in electric heating). Look for one in their favorite colour or with a pattern that matches their decor.

10. Ergonomic gardening tools set

For those with green fingers, consider a set of ergonomic gardening tools (like this one perhaps). These tools are designed to reduce the strain on joints and muscles, making gardening more comfortable and enjoyable. Prices range from £15 upwards.

11. Subscription to a streaming service

Give the gift of entertainment with a subscription to a streaming service like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. This will provide a wide range of films and TV shows for your friend or relative to enjoy at their leisure. This is another gift whose benefits will extend well beyond Christmas itself. 

12. Comfortable slippers

I’ll close with an ‘old-school’ gift, but nonetheless one that will be very much appreciated by many older people. 

Opt for a pair of high-quality, comfortable slippers. Look for features such as memory-foam insoles and non-slip soles to ensure they stay cosy and safe around the house. 

You can expect to pay from £20 upwards for a decent pair of slippers. They are available from many high street stores including Marks and Spencer or (inevitably) from Amazon.

So there you have it: twelve great gifts for older people – one for each day of Christmas – and not a sock among them! 

Remember to take into account personal preferences and interests when choosing a gift, to make it truly special.

If you have any comments or questions about this article, as ever, please do post them below.

The post Twelve great christmas gift ideas for older people (that aren’t socks!) appeared first on Mouthy Money.

I’m not turning into Scrooge, honestly! I think it is possible to have a frugal family Christmas without feeling you are missing out.

There is no reason you can’t join in the festivities when you are on a tight budget. Here are some suggestions to shave some pounds off your festive spend.

Get the best deals

Aiming for a frugal family Christmas doesn’t mean you don’t buy anything; rather, it means that you shop around to make sure you are getting the best deals.

If you find something you want to purchase, research the websites of similar retailers to see which is the cheapest or if they are running any special offers. 

Use cashback

Once you find an item you want to buy online, use a cashback site such as Top Cashback or Quidco to get back some of the purchase price.

Keep your spending under control

It’s all too easy to get into a spending frenzy once you start. The shops and online retailers are full of sparkly Christmas bits to lure you in, but do you really need them, and will they be used?

I find that setting a budget is super helpful to enable a frugal family Christmas. An Excel spreadsheet can be a good tool for this. 

I type in everything I plan to spend money on and set an approximate spending limit. Everybody I need to buy gifts for is listed (don’t forget obscure ones such as teachers or any one-off gifts to the window cleaner, etc.), along with all the Christmas food we will need, costs of outings or parties, clothing, decorations, travel, etc.

Focusing on my list and ticking things off as I buy them helps to stop unnecessary spending and keep me on track.

Make Christmas hampers

Not every gift needs to be shop-bought at great expense. If you harness your creativity, you can make some of your own gifts more cheaply, and if you let the kids help, it creates family entertainment, too. 

For example, various Christmas hampers can be pulled together inexpensively. I look for suitable baskets and boxes in charity or pound shops. They can be filled with sweets, toiletries and other items you can purchase little and often as you see them.

A pamper hamper might include cotton wool balls, bubble baths, face or hair masks and bath bombs. You could pull together a gin hamper with mini bottles or cans of gin, alongside a nice gin glass. (I recently picked up a really fancy one for £1 from a car boot sale!)  

Children will appreciate a craft hamper containing coloured pencils or crayons, stickers, different coloured pieces of card, glue, glitter, pipe cleaners, etc.

If you have a particular talent for painting, knitting or pottery, the world is your oyster for homemade gifts.

Create frugal family Christmas traditions

There are many fun things to do at Christmas that don’t mean spending lots of money. For example, here are some frugal family Christmas traditions you could create to make memories rather than a dent in your overdraft.

• Play board games. Many homes have piles of them lurking in a dusty cupboard. If not, the classics like charades are always fun.
• Do a Christmas jigsaw together. The charity shops were full of festive puzzles when I looked recently.
• Find a free carol concert.
• Do a tour of the Christmas houses in your area.
• Make some Christmas crafts.
• Do some festive baking. 
• Go to the light switch-on in your town
• Decorate the Christmas tree together.
• Watch old Christmas movies.
• Write a letter to Santa and get a free reply here.

Save on Christmas cards

If you work in a large office, as I used to, you can end up giving out a ton of Christmas cards.

I recently read about an alternative idea that I wish I had known about. Instead of everyone sending out loads of cards individually, buy one or two large ones and get everyone to write a Christmas greeting to of their colleagues. You could raise money for charity at the same time by asking for a small donation when they sign. 

It is cheaper, creates less waste and a charity will benefit. 

You can also send e-cards where you have the recipient’s email address. There are lots of websites offering templates or you can create your own design using Canva.

This works well for people you don’t see often, as you can add all the family news instead of writing out an abbreviated version on individual cards.

If you are creative, how about recycling last year’s old cards to create new ones? This could be a fun activity for the kids. There are some other craft ideas for old Christmas cards here.

Don’t forget, it’s not about spending the most you can, but spending wisely. Here’s wishing you a frugal family Christmas full of fun festive times and future memories.

Phot Credits: Pexels

The post How to have a frugal family Christmas appeared first on Mouthy Money.

Getting Christmas presents for people can be quite awkward, especially when the response to ‘what do you want?’ is met with the dreaded ‘I don’t know!’

But this might be a nice easy way to treat people close to you, and you don’t even have to spend a penny.

Here’s everything you need to know about this free chocolate deal:

How to get it

When you’re next walking around in your local town, or in a big city – keep your eyes pealed for Cadbury’s posters, billboards and advertisements.

You may just stumble across the Cadbury’s Secret Santa promotion, which can bag you some free chocolate.

If you see one, it should have a QR code on it, that you can scan with your phone to take you to a special website.

From here, you can choose a person to send a free bar of Cadbury’s chocolate to, and you can even pick their favourite flavour.

Fill out their address and details, and within a few weeks, they’ll have a free bar of chocolate landing on their doorstep.

Of course, if you really wanted, you can order it to yourself… or at least your partner which you can steal off them!

The promotion is running everyday, although sometimes you might scan and too many have been given away for that day. Go back and scan again another day to get one.

For full information, head over to the Cadbury Secret Santa website.

For more deals, visit: dealaday.

All ideas expressed in this article are for informational purposes only. If you have a complex pensions-related issue then it can be worth seeking financial advice to establish a solution. Sites such as Unbiased.co.uk list advisers who can help.

This article contains affiliate links. Affiliate links have no bearing on the editorial stance of Mouthy Money, but do help us fund our journalism and information we provide to readers.

Photo credits: Pexels

The post Free Cadbury’s chocolate secret Santa gifts for your loved ones appeared first on Mouthy Money.

At this time of year, supermarkets offer saving cards, for you to put money away to help with the Christmas supermarket shopping – although your money is locked into spending with that brand.

To incentivise, they also offer free money bonuses for depositing into the Christmas saving scheme. Some of them have passed, but a few are still running:

Here are the top picks, and how much free cash you can get right now:

Iceland £15 Bonus

Iceland have a scheme called Bonus Card, which is free to sign up to and have as a physical or digital card.

If you sign up and deposit £100 into the Iceland bonus card by Fri 3rd November, you get a £15 bonus! This is on top of the £1 you earn for every £20 saved in there too. So in total, you’ll get £20 bonus cash for depositing £100.

The £15 Christmas bonus will be available to use from 24th November, and you can use the rest of the £100 (+£5 bonus) whenever you like.

For full information, and to get it, head over to the Iceland website.

Asda £5 Bonus

If you’re an Asda shopper and use the Asda Rewards app, you can get some bonus cash this Christmas.

If you add £40 into your Christmas Saver bonus pot, you’ll get a £5 bonus added to your account that you can use between November 24th – December 31st.

For full information and to get the deal, head over to the Asda rewards app.

The post Supermarket Savings Bonuses – How To Get Free Cash This Christmas appeared first on Mouthy Money.