Not being able to afford a bed to sleep on will obviously affect your ability to live, work and study; no cooker or fridge can mean a poor diet, risks to health or relying on expensive takeaways for your food. 

Using a launderette adds up to hundreds more a year too, if you can’t buy a washing machine. If you’re applying for jobs without a desk and a computer, this will be difficult; no iron and ironing board may prevent you from getting ready for interviews… plus imagine not having a sofa to sit on: how can you invite friends or support workers into your home? 

Where to turn

Thankfully there are many organisations set up to help people who find themselves in furniture poverty. Here are a few: 

Gumtree

…has thousands of freebies in your area: just search. All this stuff is free, from sofas to lamps, and from baby items to beds, stuff for your garden, you name it: you’ll be doing someone a favour taking it off their hands. 

Preloved

This site contains ads for virtually everything you can think of: again, most of which are absolutely free, providing you can pick them up. Some might need a little love and paint, and most are being ditched by owners who have no room for them anymore, so there are some real finds to be snapped up on a daily basis.

Plus you can put up free ads to sell your own unwanted furniture, so it works both ways. 

Community Furniture Store

Most towns and cities have a local community furniture store that collects all kinds of furniture from the local area, so again, if you’re getting rid of or wanting to pick up some super-cheap furniture, you’ll find these places aim to provide affordable second-hand bargains for only a few quid or at least a super low price, from large and small items of furniture to white goods and lighting. Everything you could think of, and they often deliver to your home too, for a small fee. 

Freecycle 

Whether you’re looking for free furniture, baby stuff, collectibles, craft supplies, kids’ clothes, or even free books, you’ll find them plus a whole lot more. “Someone’s trash is indeed someone else’s treasure!” as they say. 

Facebook Marketplace 

Like any real-life marketplace, Facebook is teeming with people looking to buy or offload items of furniture, and Facebook is a great place to find communities of people looking to do just that. You can join any of the organisations mentioned in their article via Facebook, or search for furniture for sale or giveaway – the possibilities are limitless. 

Salvation Army

Most towns have a Sally Army, and they are stocked to the rafters with old furniture and bargains befitting one of the UK’s oldest charities. 

ASK People

Also, finally, don’t forget to ask your friends and family! Every day, people get rid of furniture and home items to make space or to buy something new, so ASK and you can be sure someone will be getting rid of something: it’s all recyclable! 

Local Council

Also don’t forget that local councils often offer people a voucher to help. Citizens Advice say the following.

“Your local council might give you vouchers to help pay for day-to-day essentials like:

• a hot meal

• second-hand furniture

• household appliances, for example a cooker

This help is known as ‘welfare assistance’ or the ‘Household Support Fund’. Each council runs their own scheme. The help on offer and who can get it varies. Find your local council on GOV.UK and ask them if they run a welfare assistance or Household Support Fund scheme that could help you.

You don’t have to be getting benefits to get help from your local council. If you do get benefits, they won’t be affected if you start getting money from a welfare assistance or Household Support Fund scheme.”

The post Furniture Poverty and where to get free stuff appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Loyalty schemes allow key workers to access discounts only available to them. From car insurance to holidays, clothes shops to cinema tickets, groceries to broadband, there are a huge range of discounts and offers available if you know where to look.

Some loyalty schemes are better than others. Network is the biggest free keyworker discount provider in the UK, and it stands out to MoneyMagpie because discounts can stack with existing sales and retailer promotions — and there’s no cost to join. An independent study of Network users that members save an average of up to £2,262 per year.

“Most people have heard of NHS discounts,” says Luke Ince, Partnership Director at Network. “But many don’t realise there are similar schemes for all education staff, charity workers and carers too — with real, everyday savings to be had.”

Some of the biggest available offers include:

• 5–3% cashback at ASDA (recently removed from Blue Light Card), Sainsbury’s & Waitrose
• Up to 50% off AA breakdown cover
• 10% off JD Sports and Pandora
• Extra 10% off sale items at Debenhams
• 20% off Seasalt Cornwall
• Up to 40% off cinema tickets
• Up to 50% off European holidays

“This is about helping the people who keep the country going save money on everyday essentials,” said Ince. “It’s free, it’s instant, and it can make a real difference.”

Who’s eligible?

Anyone who works in or supports:

• Education – including teachers (all education levels), nursery staff, TAs, school admin, and teaching students
• Healthcare – NHS staff, students, and private sector workers
• Care – paid carers, care workers, and unpaid carers
• Charity – both employees and volunteers

Eligible key workers can join for free at:

• Discounts for Teachers
• Health Service Discounts
• Discounts for Carers
• Charity Worker Discounts

These schemes are designed to give something back to the people who give the most. “It’s about helping community heroes make their money go further — without changing how they shop,” said Ince.

The post Thousands of Key Workers Missing Out on £2,262 in Free Discounts Each Year appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

It costs each wedding guest around £451 according to Experian. That’s a huge 19% of the average monthly salary in the UK! And if you have more than one wedding to go to this summer, you could see your entire annual savings plan wiped out.

We’ve come up with some easy ways you can save money without skimping on the fun!

Rent a Dress

HireStreetUK.com has a ‘wedding guest’ rental section, with maxi dresses starting from £18. Even John Lewis has a special ‘wedding guest’ rental section, with dress rentals costing about one sixth of the price that you’d pay to buy them outright.

You can also rent fascinators on John Lewis’s website. Or, if you like a challenge, make your own using a nice piece of fabric, some feathers and tuille, and an old hair slide. There are loads of tutorials (and even kits for sale) on the internet.

Tips for Men

Guys can also jazz up their out-of-date suit by investing in some inexpensive, head-turning accessories.

You can get 35% off lapel pins, ties and pocket squares at online retailer Mr Lapel by entering my code Jasmine35 at the checkout. It gives you a third off everything, including sales items!

Don’t Attend the Stag/Hen

Unless you’re a direct sibling or parent of the bride or groom, you don’t have to attend the stag or hen do. Have a conversation with your friend about the costs, and explain that you have a limited budget that you would rather spend on their actual wedding. Peer pressure can be strong, but remember it’s not worth going into debt for someone else’s celebrations (or, really, your own!).

If you’re responsible for organising the stag or hen do, keep costs in mind. The bride or groom might want a weekend away somewhere, but most people won’t be able to afford that. Try to encourage a local event or activity, and remind them that it’s about spending time together not having extravagant holidays!

Save Money on Gifts

There are a few ways to save money on a gift without looking like a cheapskate. First, shop online for deals and discounts to find luxury items for a bargain. Use cashback sites like Topcashback and Quidco to stack your savings, too.

Second, if you know other friends attending the wedding, it could be worth all chipping in for a larger gift together. Many newlyweds would rather have fewer, more luxurious things than lots of small items.

If you’re really hard up, you could talk to the couple about offering your time instead. Perhaps they’re due to move house soon – offer your services as a moving buddy. Or if you’re a dab hand with a paintbrush, help them redecorate their new place. Maybe they have children or pets that need looking after while they go on dates as a newly married couple. Or, you could provide something for the wedding – if you’re a great baker, perhaps you could gift them their wedding cake, for example.

Consider Your Travel and Accommodation Costs

Saving on travel is easy if you’re organised about it. If a group of you are all attending from a similar location (such as from a city to a country hotel wedding venue), arrange a minibus and share the costs. Or, if the wedding is relatively local, choose a designated driver who won’t drink alcohol and get them to drive you home instead of paying for a late-night taxi.

Accommodation costs can quickly rack up, especially if you’re attending a wedding in the middle of the countryside and you’re expected to book rooms at the venue. Make it clear before the engaged couple confirm block booking on rooms whether you will want to take advantage of staying at the venue. It is often cheaper to find a nearby B&B, or even hire a whole house with other friends attending the wedding through sites like Air BnB to help everyone save on costs.

Limit Your Bar Tab

Many couples these days will offer a few drinks included, such as a welcome cocktail and a champagne for the speeches, and leave a cash bar for everything else. This can get costly when you’re buying alcohol, so try to alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Avoid getting into buying rounds with friends too, as when the night carries on it can be easy to forget whose round it is and you’ll end up spending a lot more than you planned!

Say No

Finally, this one might sound like a spoilsport point, but it’s important to remember. If you can’t afford to attend a wedding as a guest, don’t go. Offer to spend time with the couple another time, perhaps picking an activity that will create wonderful memories for them as a newly married couple. For those who are close to the couple getting married, such as immediate relatives or best friends, you should be able to have the conversation about not affording to go. If they really want you there, they will find a way to make sure you can attend, so be honest about it.

The post Save Money as a Wedding Guest with These Sneaky Tips appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

It’s the time of year where you may be prepping for an upcoming holiday or summer party. We all like to treat ourselves to new clothes here and there, but especially so when we are jetting off abroad or travelling to the coast for some much-needed time away.

As the weather changes, so do the clothes we wear. We pack away our jumpers and fluffy socks and bring out our summer dresses, shorts and polo shirts in preparation for the summertime.

But now, more than ever, saving money is the top of most people’s priorities. This means many of us don’t have the extra money available to buy lots of new clothes or overhaul our whole wardrobe.

But don’t fear – there are plenty of ways to revamp your summer wardrobe without breaking the bank. In many cases, you can even get new clothes for free! One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, after all. Here’s how to get a brand-new summer wardrobe on a budget.

• Charity shops
• Online marketplaces
• Boot sales
• Clothes swapping
• Upcycle

Charity shops

Charity shops can be your best friend. They are one of the best ways to revamp your summer wardrobe on a budget. Charity shops line our high streets, providing us with plenty of amazing goods, both new and second hand. They can be a goldmine when trying to find new clothing on a small budget. You may be surprised at what you can find, too!

Many charity shops sell designer goods for a slither of the price they retail for. Some have vintage sections. Others may have sections where the items are brand new with tags.

The best part of charity shops is that you can get a whole outfit in one place. From your head to your toes, there will be something for you. Whether you are looking for hats, jewellery, shoes, dresses, trousers, skirts, shorts, blouses, dress shirts, suits, coats, cardigans, t-shirts or sportswear, charity shops provide a huge selection of preloved goodies for a fraction of the retail price.

You can also find unique items and one-of-a-kind gems. Some of the items may have been sat in a wardrobe, totally unloved and unworn for many years. They are in amazing condition and in need of a good home.

Don’t impulse buy

When going into a charity shop, it is imperative to take the time to look. There will likely be a sea of clothes and accessories to sift through, but it will most certainly be worth it. Don’t rush through the items, rather take your time and look at every rail, rack and shelf. Many people wander into a charity shop, glance around for a moment then decide it’s all flea-ridden tat.

This is not the case. All charity shops clean the items that come to them. They only sell items in decent condition, too. So, take a breath and work your way through the rails. Be patient. It is guaranteed you will find something to revamp your wardrobe, and it won’t cost a bomb!

Now, we admit. Some charity shops have become quite expensive over the years, charging high prices for newer items or items from more expensive brands. But don’t fear – there are still many charity shops out there which charge low amounts of money for the goods they sell. Their aim is not to make a profit, but to sell their items at a reasonable price and raise money for a good cause. Do some research, either by searching online or visiting the charity shops in your area to see which shop best suits your price range.

Many charity shops now have online shops, too.  Make sure to check out the online stores, and remember you can support charities by buying from their eBay shops, too.

Look for Flipping Items

While you’re on your charity shop haul mission, keep your eyes peeled for designer bargains. Or, if you’re a bit handy with crafts, consider items you could upcycle with some crochet or embroidery. These items will take more of your budget initially – but you could then resell them on marketplaces like Vinted and eBay to make a profit.

MAGPIE IZZY SAYS:

“I absolutely adore charity shops. Most of my wardrobe is either from charity shops or second hand! I spend time looking through my charity shops, combing through each hanger to see if I can find something I like. On more than one occasion, I have saved an item of clothing from a high street shop online to buy later, only to see something identical in a charity shop.

Just the other day I found a dress in my local charity shop that I have had on my wish list for months. It was the exact brand too! The dress is £17.99 online – I got it for £3.50! I have never been so chuffed. Another amazing find of mine was a pair of brand new Tuffa boots for £4.99. They looked unworn and I bought them thinking they’d be good for winter. I later found out they retail for £65!”

Online marketplaces

Another way to get some new pieces for your summer wardrobe on a budget is online marketplaces. We have all heard of eBay or Depop. But there are hundreds of online marketplaces where you can buy great second hand and preloved items. At a time where people want to make a little extra cash during the cost-of-living crisis and when sustainability concerns are at a high, secondhand shopping has boomed.

The great thing about the world wide web is, well, it’s wide. Anything you want, you can most likely buy online. Whether it be designer items, high street brands or something weird and wonderful, you can likely find it on a secondhand marketplace.

The downside to buying on secondhand websites, of course, if that you are unable to return items you have bought. Unless the item arrives damaged or not as described, most sites don’t let you return items just because they don’t fit right. Keep this in mind when buying and look for any size specifications on the listing. Many sellers may add measurements to their items to ensure you buy something which correctly fits you. If these aren’t available, ask the seller to measure the item for you.

Be safe when buying online

Similarly, make sure you buy your items through the official website. Never give your card information to anyone online. This protects you in the case of scams or fraudulent activity. For example, very rarely, an item may be listed which does not actually exist – perhaps a secondhand mobile phone. The buyer then pays for the item and they never receive it. Buying through the platform protects your money and ensures you can get your money back should something like this happen.

Scams for items like clothing are rare, but take extra care when buying designer, vintage or rare clothing items online. Check the reviews the seller has received in the past and their seller rating. If you have any concerns, contact the marketplace directly.

Overall, buying preloved clothing from online marketplaces is a great way to go. Not only are you saving good money, but you are reducing your carbon footprint by buying a pre worn item.

Online marketplaces:

• Vinted
• Depop
• eBay
• Thrifted
• ASOS marketplace
• Shpock
• Gumtree
• Freecycle

READER JESS SAYS:

“I actually spent over an hour the other day scrolling on Vinted for clothes to wear on my upcoming holiday. I genuinely love buying secondhand. Most of my shoes, especially high heels for special occasions, were bought on eBay. I tend to get them all for less them £10. Plus, some of the have been worn in slightly, so I avoid the fiasco of getting blisters from my new shoes! It’s a win, win. I have saved so much money over the years.

Some of my friends have bought clothing for huge amounts of money and I have seen basically the same, or sometimes the exact item being sold online, secondhand for so much less. Lots of ‘preloved’ items are basically brand new or totally unworn, where people have missed the return period or wore something once for a particular event. I always look on Depop, Vinted or eBay first!”

Car Boot Sales

Boot sales can be an absolute gold mine. People want to sell their preloved items quickly and get rid of their clutter. Although it may be clutter to them, it may be just what you are looking for. Clothes sell for as little as 50 pence. Even clothes which are brand new with tags may be sold for a few pounds.

The thing about boot sales is people want to make quick money and get rid of a big bulk of items in one go. If they try to sell items for too much money, they just won’t sell. So, they go low. You can try and haggle, too!

Many of the items may have been for sale online for months, with no luck being had selling them. Sellers want the items gone quickly, selling them cheap. As with charity shops, you can find amazing and unique items too. You never know what you are going to find.

Take a Full Look Before Negotiating

Be patient and take your time. Go around stalls when you arrive to get an idea of what’s on offer, before looking in detail. To find the gems, you often have to rummage. Sometimes sellers hang their items up on rails. Sometimes, they create a jumble sale on the floor, which you have to sift through. But don’t be put off that big pile of loot. Within it may be a pot of gold with your name on it.

Take £50 with you to a boot sale, and you could get five new outfits for summer and have enough left over for a burger from the burger van! Give it a go, and don’t be too quick to turn your nose up at slightly messy stalls.

The downside of boot sales is that the number of traders has grown quickly. These traders sell brand new items of clothing, food and more. Ignore these stalls and head straight for the homegrown sellers. The people who are having clear outs and genuinely want to make a bit of pocket money will sell for very fair prices. You’ll be shocked at the bargains you can bag! Don’t be pressured into a sale, either. Be willing to walk away from everything – and that often means you can haggle a great price.

You can find your local boot sale with a simple google search. They tend to take place over the warmer months and at weekends. Some boot sales may take place during the week, however! Bank holidays are also a great time for car boot sales, with some of the biggest car boot sales taking place during this time.

Remember – get to your local boot sale as early as possible to scoop up the best bargains. If you leave it too late, the best buys will be gone by the time you get there. Set your alarm and get up bright and early. You’ll be grateful you did!

OUR FRUGAL COLUMNIST JANE SAYS:

“Shopping at boot sales is like going on a treasure hunt – you never know what you will pick up. You can also find amazing second hand bargains at a tiny fraction of the new price!

I found a new with tags Monsoon party dress for £3 – the label said £125! I also found a Karen Millen coat for £2. It was grubby so I gave it a gently wash and it came up perfect. It would have cost £300-400 new!”

Clothes swapping

Have you ever looked at someone and thought, “Gosh, I wish I had your wardrobe!” or suck a peak at your friend’s wardrobe and wished you had every single item? Why not try clothes swapping?

There are a few ways to go about clothes swapping. You could suggest the idea to your friends and see what they think. If everyone had a clear out of their old clothes, shoes and accessories, you could get together and have a rummage through each other’s pre-loved items. That way, you get new-to-you items and it won’t cost you a thing!

However, this may be hard to organise in a small group and would work better for a larger number of people. Plus, we understand everyone has different clothing and shoe sizes, as well as different styles and preferences.

There is a way around this, however. Thanks to the internet, there are now plenty of websites online where you can swap your items with others. You may be in search of a particular style of jacket, which someone else has. They may be in search for some shoes and like the look of a pair you are offering. Voila – you can swap these items! You get something new and so do they. Plus, you can clear out some of your own preloved items at the same time.

This is also great as you’ll be doing your bit for the environment. Producing new clothes uses up extreme amounts of water, pollutes waterways and produces millions of tonnes of carbon. In fact, fashion production makes up 10% of the globe’s carbon emissions. Swapping clothes means you can add a whole new flare to your wardrobe whilst be carbon neutral. New clothes without the guilt (and the cost to your wallet!).

Some clothes swapping sites:

• Get Swishing
• Untagged Fashion
• The Swap Shop
• NUW
• Swap Society
• Swap Nation

Upcycle

If you are feeling creative, why not revamp some of the clothing you already have? There are so many ways to add a bit of oomph to clothing you own already. Upcycling is not only a fun and creative pastime but adds new life to your summer wardrobe on a budget.

Firstly, go back to basics. If your favourite blouse or shirt is missing a button and it has put you off wearing it for some time, take the time to sew on a new button instead of discarding the item or buying a new one in its place. Sew up any small rips in the seam of a skirt you like and repair the zip on those old jeans instead of buying a new pair.

These things may take time but stick the telly on and catch up on your favourite shows and movies whilst you do it. These things are also easier than you think. The internet can be your best friend, with plenty of how-to guides and videos describing and showing how to repair buttons, zips and seams.

Making small repairs saves you money, as not only does it save you money compared to buying new items but brings back a once loved piece of clothing into your wardrobe.

More upcycling ideas

There are other ways to upcycle your clothes, which are a bit more fun and creative. Iron-on badges and prints are an easy way to turn a plain t-shirt into a one-of-a-kind groovy piece. Similarly, gems, buttons and even fabric paint can be used to turn your old, boring items into new and exciting clothes which bring back your excitement to wear them.

You can also dye clothes to change their appearance entirely. Fabric dye is readily available at supermarkets, online stores such as Amazon and in DIY stores. Perhaps you have a white t-shirt which has become slightly grey and grubby over time. Don’t bin it! Dye it black. You now have a brand-new t-shirt. The same can be done with faded jeans. Don’t donate them – dye them! You can breathe a new lease of life into old, slightly worn or faded items simply by dyeing them.

For some extra fun, why not try tie-dye? It’s simple. Get a few different colours of dye and create a tie-dye masterpiece. You may already have some white or light-coloured tops, hats, socks or any other clothing item. If not, you can buy low cost plain white tops from charity shops. Youtube channel Highsnobiety has a great video about how to tie dye at home, including three different methods of doing so. You can watch it here.

If you know your way around a sewing machine, you could also think about tweaking your clothes to turn them into an entirely new item. You could slightly shorten the length of skirt, dress or trousers. Perhaps you could cut the sleeves of a long-sleeved shirt or top, sewing the edge to look neat. You could even change the buttons on a shirt, skirt or pair of jeans to something new or edgy.

Do you have any fun ways to revamp your summer wardrobe on a budget? Leave them below!

The post Get a new summer wardrobe on a budget appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Food, glorious food! Whether you have a sweet tooth or prefer something salty to snack on, we have some fab food deals for you.

• Sweets, chocolate and confectionary
• Supermarket deals
• Restaurant, café and pub deals
• Freebies
• Drinks
• Other

Supermarket deals

Fill your freezer with 3 for £4 deal at Co-op

Families should head to Co-op this week!

Fill your freezer for less with three frozen favourites for £4 if you’re a Co-op member. Or it’s three for £5 for non-members or online shoppers.

The selection you can choose from includes Goodfella’s Pizza, Birds Eye Crispy Chicken, McCain Lightly Spiced Potato Wedges and Rowntree’s lollies, among others. Three packs of Rowntree’s lollies would normally cost you £9.60, so that’s a £5.60 saving for members.

Check out the full selection at coop.co.uk now.

Earn up to 4% cash back towards your phone bill when shopping at Aldi

Airtime has excitingly relaunched Aldi on its app, providing you with a fantastic opportunity to earn cash back on your shopping.

By linking your debit or credit card to Airtime, you can effortlessly earn cash back on every eligible purchase made at Aldi. The cash back you accumulate goes directly towards reducing your phone bill.

To get started, simply open the Airtime app and check your card connections. If you haven’t linked your card yet, follow the easy prompts to do so. Once everything is set up, just shop as you normally would at Aldi, and watch your cash back grow.

Download the Airtime app now

Get the Lidl Plus app to score big savings

Download the Lidl Plus app and receive fresh money-off vouchers every Thursday. 

New users may also get a £5 voucher off a £25 spend upon signing up. If available, this voucher is valid for 14 days from the app activation date.

This week, deals included 30% off bakery treats, 15% off Deluxe pasta bakes and 15% off Mister Choc Big Bake chocolate bars.

Download the Lidl Plus app now

Supermarket delivery deals

Shop now at Iceland and save £5 off your next shop

Fill your freezer at Iceland and claim £5 back when you spend a minimum of £45 online, as long as you’re a new customer.

As part of the deal, you will also get free next day delivery – very handy if you need to fill cupboards quickly.

To claim the £5, use the code ICEFIVEOFF at checkout.

Shop now at Iceland.co.uk

Restaurant, café and pub deals

£8 off at Just Eat throughout May

From 1st to 31st May, food-lovers across the UK can enjoy £8 off Just Eat. To snag this saving, just simply enter the code MAY8 when placing an order via the Just Eat app. The code can only be used once when spending a minimum of £25 (excluding fees).

Full terms and conditions here.

Free Doner Rice Bowls at German Doner Kebab

German Doner Kebab is hosting a nationwide giveaway of 1,500 FREE Doner Rice Bowls this month across Manchester, London and Birmingham. To claim, look out for the GDK street team in each city who will be handing out empty branded bowls (one per person), which can be taken to the nearest participating GDK location to claim a free Doner Rice Bowl.

50% off springtime favourites at Just Eat

Get 50% off all your favourites throughout May from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Asda. From cleaning essentials to BBQ and picnic food, as well as selected beers, wines and spirits – all delivered in as little as 30 minutes:

• 9th – 11th May: Those looking to freshen up the home with a spring clean can also bag half price cleaning essentials – such as all purpose cleaners, washing up liquid and loo rolls.
• 16th – 19th May: Brits wanting to satisfy cravings in the sun can cool off with scrumptious sausage rolls, crisps and dips such as tzatziki or hummus. 
• 23rd – 25th May: For those seeking a springtime tipple can enjoy a selection of beers, wines and spirits at half price too.

Kids eat for £1 at Bella Italia

At Bella Italia kids (aged 2-11) eat free all day on Thursdays and for just £1 on Sunday to Wednesday, up until 6pm. Fulls T&Cs can be found here.

Kids eat free at Morrisons Café

Get one free kid’s meal with any adult meal over £5, including The Breakfasts, The Classics or The Chippy excluding extras. Kids Eat Free also includes your choice of a kids’ drink.

Free refills on hot drinks at Morrisons Café

Enjoy free refills on all self-serve hot drinks in the majority of Morrisons Café branches. View the full list here.

Kids eat for £1 at Asda Café

Over the Easter holidays you can still make the most of Asda Cafe’s hugely popular ‘Kids Eat for £1’ meal deal. This offer is now on all year-round, and no adult purchase necessary. A free piece of fruit included with all kids’ hot meal deals.

Get 20% off food at Pizza Express

Blue Light Card holders get 20% off food when they dine in at any Pizza Express pizzeria in the UK, valid Saturday to Thursday. Claim your code via the app and show this to a team member when dining in to redeem the offer. No minimum spend required. 

Unlock great deals with the Premium Country Pub Collection app

The Rewards by Premium Country Pub Collection app offers a wide selection of offers – including a complimentary glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne just for registering. Collect points each time you visit and you could earn everything from £25 gift vouchers to complimentary starters, desserts, and bottles of Veuve Clicquot. What’s more, guests can sign up to the mailing list for their local pub and receive a complimentary starter or dessert to say thank you!

Freebies

Get a free alcohol-free cocktail

Greene King pubs have teamed up with CleanCo, the alcohol-free spirit brand founded by Spencer Matthews, to offer 10,000 free Clean Cocktails.

With CleanCo’s wide range of zero-alcohol spirits, you can sip on delicious drinks like the Clean Pineapple Spritz or the Clean Elderflower G&T.

To claim your free cocktail, simply visit CleanCo, download your voucher, and show it at the bar in participating Greene King pubs.

Hurry, there are 10,000 vouchers are available, but we bet they go quickly.

Free side dish with Wagamama Soul Club loyalty scheme

Chopsticks at the ready!

Wagamama has unveiled its first-ever loyalty program, ‘Soul Club,’ offering exciting deals and freebies for its guests and there’s an immediate freebie, once you download the app.

Get a free portion of Edamame worth approx. £8.50, just for signing up and in addition, Soul Club membership includes:

• Freebies: Enjoy a free side dish after three visits and a free main dish after six visits.
• Birthday Prize Draw: Members are entered into a draw to win a £1,000 Wagamama gift card on their birthday.
• Exclusive Content: Access secret menu items, recipe videos, and foodie content.

Download the Wagamama Soul Club app now

Free Taco Bell crunchy taco

Fancy a free crunchy taco? Just download the Taco Bell app to claim.

Download the app here

Free Krispy Kreme doughnut

Get a free doughnut when you sign up to Krispy Kreme Rewards, as well as member-only offers, discounts and other freebies. 

Sign up here.

Free tea or coffee every week day at IKEA

Sign up to become an IKEA Family member and enjoy a tea or coffee every day, Monday-Friday between 9.30am until 11am at all restaurants excluding Hammersmith and Belfast stores.

Free hot drink every day at Waitrose

MyWaitrose members can get a free regular-sized tea or coffee every day in-store from the self-serve machines, provided they bring their own reusable cup and scan their MyWaitrose card. Sign up to become a MyWaitrose member for free.

Every drink purchased from one of 14,000+ Costa Express machines in the UK gives customers on-the-go a chance to win amazing prizes every single day. All you have to do is buy a drink from a Costa Express machine, scan the QR code on the screen (or head to www.costaexpressdailywin.co.uk), register, upload your receipt and you’re in for a chance of winning!

Customers can enter once a day, every day. Prizes include gift cards at Costa Coffee, Amazon, Odeon and Love2Shop, an incredible Costa Coffee hamper, and even a dream holiday to Barcelona! The competition runs until the 20^th May. Full terms and conditions can be found on: www.costaexpressdailywin.co.uk/terms

Exclusive Discounts for MoneyMagpie Readers

EXCLUSIVE 15% off at Sweet Hamper Company

Get a delicious 15% off at Sweet Hamper Company with code MONEYMAGPIE15.

The one-stop shop for all goodies, treats and candies, you’ll find a delectable array ofsweet hampers, boxes, cones, bouquets and more at Sweet Hamper Company.

It even has specially created vegan and vegetarian sweet hampers, so no one misses out! 

EXCLUSIVE 15% off at Sweet Bouquet Emporium

Sweet Bouquet Emporium is a family run business with a passion for all things sweet and chocolate.

From sourcing the highest quality chocolates for chocolate bouquets, to discovering retro favourites for sweet bouquets, its team loves getting creative and crafting the ideal gift for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Plus they’re committed to ensuring that their gift bouquets always arrive at their destination in perfect condition. For 15% off, use code MONEYMAGPIE15 at checkout.

EXCLUSIVE 15% off at The Awesome Hamper Company

The Awesome Hamper Company offers a wide range of delicious, beautifully packaged and high quality gift hampers for all occasions.

The family-run business operates from the heart of Essex, where they design and create unique luxury gift hampers, gift baskets, gift boxes, alcohol hampers and more.

You can get 15% off any order when you use the code MONEYMAGPIE15 at check out.

Full to the brim of top-quality pamper products, confectionery, and food and drink, every order is handpicked and packed by the dedicated team and beautifully presented – making them the perfect gift for any celebration.

Other

10% off your first order from Candyroo

Candyroo is an online retailer of pick ‘n’ mix, sweets, chocolate and free from ranges. Get 10% off your first order with code HELLO10.

Candyroo provide one of the largest selections of pick ‘n’ mix, as well as American candy, drinks and chocolate, fudge, cables, chocolates, drinks, party sweets, gift ideas, and a great selection of vegan sweets and chocolate.

Check out our other deals pages:

• Beauty deals: Make-up offers, cosmetic deals and more
• The best UK deals and offers right now
• Cinema deals, discounts and offers

The post Best food and drink discounts, supermarket offers and takeaway deals appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Did you know it’s easier than ever to support local and independent businesses while also saving money, thanks to Steppr’s gift cards.

Since its launch in 2022, Steppr has prioritised ethical tech. In an era of AI, big brands and fast consumerism, Steppr directly supports independent businesses, making a tangible financial difference.

How It Works

What Price Do I Pay?

Brands You’ll Love

Get Started in Seconds

How It Works

Steppr showcases discounted gift cards (“vouchers”) from independent businesses, so you pay less every time.

1. Find Your Voucher

Visit Steppr.com or download the app to explore voucher campaigns.

2. Save With Every Purchase

Buy vouchers for less than their face values, instantly saving money.

3. Unlock Instant Rewards

When you buy the same vouchers again, the discounts increase. For example:

• 1st voucher: 20% off
• 2nd voucher: 30% off
• 3rd voucher: 40% off!

4. Use Instantly

Vouchers are available straight away.

What Price Do I Pay?

1. For you: You only pay the discounted price.
2. For gifts: It’s just 99p extra for personalised gifting.
3. Businesses pay no voucher commission to Steppr, your money payment supports them directly.

Brands You’ll Love

Discover a range of vouchers from businesses like:

• Grounded Body Scrub – As seen on Dragon’s Den
• Chapel Down – Award-winning vineyard, represented by Wine Garden of England
• Camellios – Award-winning teas

With over 250 partners, Steppr features voucher campaigns across a selection of categories:

• Home, Garden & Family
• Health & Beauty
• Clothing & Accessories
• Technology
• Toys

…& more!

Get Started in Seconds

Support small.

Save big.

Discover great brands today.

 Visit steppr.com or download the Steppr app from Google Play or the Apple App Store. Sign up in seconds, start browsing, and save with every voucher you buy!

The post Save Money & Support Independents with Steppr appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

This limited-time deal covers the entire month of May, including the May school holidays, giving families a much-needed helping hand during a time when food prices are still high and family budgets are under pressure.

Kids Meals for 60p – No Adult Spend Required

Available in over 205 Asda cafés nationwide, children under 16 can enjoy a hot meal for just 60p, with no minimum adult spend required. That means you don’t need to buy an adult meal to access the offer—perfect for families on a tight budget.

There are over nine hot kids’ meals to choose from, including:

• Penne Pasta with Meatballs

• Chicken Nuggets and Chips

• Fish Fingers and Peas

• Margherita Pizza

Each hot meal also comes with a free piece of fruit, such as an apple, banana, or pear—ideal for encouraging healthy eating on a budget.

Affordable Half Term Meal Deals for Families

Asda’s kids café menu has been a hit with parents since it launched in 2022, with over six million £1 kids’ meals served to date. During school holidays, demand peaks at around 40,000 meals per week, showing just how vital this initiative has become for families across the UK.

Now, by dropping the price from £1 to just 60p, Asda is helping parents feed their kids for less—especially useful during the May half term, when costs can quickly spiral.

For example, a family with four children can get all their kids a hot meal for under £2.50—a fantastic saving compared to eating out elsewhere.

Cold Meal Option Also Reduced to 60p

Prefer a lighter lunch? Asda is also cutting the cost of its cold pick-and-mix kids’ meal to 60p. This budget-friendly bundle includes:

• A sandwich

• A drink

• A piece of fruit

Asda cafés have also introduced new healthy snack options like fruit-filled jelly pots and jelly squeeze pouches as alternatives to crisps—great for health-conscious families on a budget.

Why This Meal Deal Stands Out

Unlike many other kids eat free deals or discounted children’s menus, Asda’s offer doesn’t require a minimum spend or adult meal purchase. That makes it one of the most accessible kids’ meal deals in the UK.

The initiative was originally launched to help families during the school holidays, but due to its popularity, it became a permanent offer in 2023. Now it’s even better value, just in time for Asda’s 60th birthday.

Asda’s Commitment to Supporting Families

Ian McEvans, Vice President of Commercial Food at Asda, said:

“Asda has a rich heritage in supporting families, and reducing our already hugely popular Kids Eat for £1 initiative to 60p is the perfect way to highlight that and to kick-start our 60th birthday celebrations.

We know families face financial pressures all year round, not just in the holidays. Dropping the price to 60p this May is one more way we can help ease that burden.”

How to Access the 60p Kids’ Meals

• When: 1st – 31st May 2025

• Where: Over 205 Asda Cafés across the UK

• Who: Available to all children under 16

• What’s included: Hot or cold kids’ meal + fruit

• Cost: Just 60p per meal—no strings attached

Looking for more ways to feed your family for less? Check out our guide to the best UK restaurants where kids eat free, plus budget-friendly family recipes and half-term activity ideas that won’t break the bank.

The post Asda Reduces ‘Kids Eat for £1’ Café Deal to Just 60p for May – Including Half Term Meals appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

• Claim for office equipment
• Request a home working allowance
• Check what you can expense
• Save on bills
• Batch cook
• Try free exercise videos
• Save your fuel costs

Claim for Office Equipment

Your employer might not pay for you to buy a new desk, chair, or lamp – but you can claim tax relief on ones you buy yourself. You can also claim relief on expenses used solely for business purposes, such as business phone calls, and business portions of gas and electricity. You can either work out the exact cost, or claim a flat £6 a week (which results in £1.20 a week relief for basic rate tax payers).

The P87 form allows PAYE workers who work remotely to claim tax relief at their rate on home office essentials, up to the total of £2,500 a year. So, if you pay 20% tax, you’ll get that much relief – while higher-rate payers will receive 40% relief.

If you use your own vehicle for work, and your employer doesn’t pay expenses, you can claim for that, too. This doesn’t include commuting to and from your regular place of work (i.e., the office), but if you have to travel for work that is included.

Find out how to claim on the Gov.uk website here.

Request a Home Working Allowance

Employees who are working from home can request an extra weekly allowance from their employer. This is to cover the rise in utilities bills, as working remotely means you’re using more electricity, gas, and water.

The allowance for 2025/26 is £6 per week and is paid tax-free. If you’re claiming for these expenses via a P87 form, you can’t also request this home working allowance.

You’ll need to ask your employer to arrange this allowance for you. They can refuse, but it is unlikely (and if they do, you can use the P87 form to claim tax relief for yourself).

Note that the gross figure on your payslip won’t change. Instead, you’ll pay £6 a week less tax.

Check what you can expense

Do you need to print things out? Post things? Any costs involved in normal office activities should be covered by your employer.

Speak to your boss to find out what you can expense each month. Whatever you buy must be exclusively for business use, but if you’re using materials or – for example – a work mobile phone, this should be paid by the company.

Keep all your receipts – and if you’re paid hourly, remember to include the time spent shopping for supplies and posting items.

If you regularly need to order and use items for business purposes, such as stationery, it could be worth asking for access to a business account to purchase directly from and have sent to your home, rather than buying yourself and waiting to reclaim expenses.

Save on bills

As well as claiming working from home allowances and expenses, you can always do more to save money while remote working.

Switching energy suppliers, for example, could save you hundreds of pounds each year. Remember to also consider switching other suppliers, such as broadband and home insurance, to keep premiums down and long-term savings up!

You could also:

Put on extra layers

A jumper could be all you need – instead of turning the thermostat up! Before you turn your heating up, take a look at what you’re wearing. If you could add socks, a jumper, or an extra layer, this could save you a lot over the course of a month or year.

Consider a heated blanket

In colder months, if you’re the only person working from home during the day, consider getting a heated throw or heated hoodie. These will keep you toasty warm without the running costs of central heating all day.

Only boil what you need

Working from home means the kettle becomes a welcome distraction. Tea breaks can shake up the monotony of Zoom calls and spreadsheets! Instead of boiling a full kettle each time, only boil the water you need. It saves significant energy over time.

Switch off at the wall

When you’re done for the working day, shut your computer down – and then switch it off at the wall. The same goes for any appliances you’re not using – it saves a lot of energy over a short space of time!

Consider a water meter

If you live alone or with a partner, you could also consider requesting a water meter. These aren’t suitable for larger properties or families, as it works out expensive – but for couples and single people, it saves hundreds of pounds per year. (A real-life example: this writer paid £42 a month for a non-metered supply – and now pays £38 a quarter, saving £352 a year!).

Buy wholesale and batch cook

Pasta, potatoes, even flour – it’s much cheaper to buy these in bulk where you can.

If you don’t have the space for sacks of potatoes, don’t fret. Work out what you use the most in your cooking and find the largest packets or buy-one-get-one-free deals. It could also be worth getting a wholesaler or trade membership to a shop like Costco – even better if you can share with a friend or family member to make the most of bulk buy discounts together.

Once you’ve done your weekly shop, make the most of these bulk ingredients – and batch cook. Even if you’ve got a tiny (or no) freezer, batch cooking means you can prepare 4 or 5 portions at the same time and pop them in your fridge for the next few days.

Batch cooking saves a lot of time – and a LOT of money. Every time you’re tempted to call for a takeaway dinner because you’re tired, stop! Think of the frozen healthy dinners you’ve already got at home. In the time it takes to defrost and cook one, your takeaway meal would be getting cold on its way to you.

Try free exercise videos

Many of us with gym memberships choose one near work, so we can go before or after the working day, or even in our lunch break. When you work from home, you might not have one in walking distance – and getting in the car or the bus to go the gym is one more obstacle (and cost) to overcome to persuade yourself to exercise.

You don’t have to stump up extra costs to get fit at home, though! There are tons of free exercise videos online that you can follow without the need for lots of equipment, either.

You’ll get fit together, expend excess stressful energy, and not spend any extra cash either!

Save your fuel costs

What else are you saving on while you’re working from home? If you commute by car, your fuel expenses will drop. Train commuters won’t have to pay for their fare, either.

You might also save on things like clothes, if your office has a strict dress code. You’re not wearing suits and shirts at home – we all know you’re in your favourite three sets of joggers and sweatshirts (because we do that, too!).

You’re also not buying a coffee on your way to work each morning, or paying for a Meal Deal every day at lunch.

Consider how much you’re saving each week by not going to work. Tuck the equivalent away in a savings account, instead. This’ll quickly build an emergency savings buffer without you feeling the pinch!

The post Easy Money-Saving Hacks for Working From Home appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

The amazing Hoover Robot Vacuum Cleaner HG4 has a rotating brush uses a combination of bristles and rubber blades to pick up dust and dirt from all types of flooring, whilst the side brush sweeps corners and edges. Suction power of up to 4000 Pa pulls the dust and debris up into the robot’s dust chamber, leaving your floors clean.

Download the HG Robot app to control your HG4 from anywhere, even when you’re not at home. You’ll be able to create the first map of your home in under 10 minutes, then you can personalise it to suit your needs. Give a name to each room, split or merge them, add no-go areas or virtual walls in places where you don’t want the robot to clean.

Laundry

We’ve got a couple of great recommendations for washing lines, whether you have a garden, a yard, or a corner somewhere to hang your laundry. We know wet laundry can dominate the house and garden, particularly if you have a family.

The Vileda Cordomatic – 15 metre retractable washing line is a great space-saving washing line. The wall mountable unit has 15 metres of retractable line which can be locked at any length. Once used, the line can be put back in to the unit so it doesn’t get in the way, and it’s a very sturdy product that easily holds up to 15kg of laundry.

The Vileda Viva Air 45m 4 Arm Rotary Dryer might give you some childhood nostalgia, as it’s reminiscent of the one your folks used to use to hang piles of laundry in a compact space. With a line length of 45m, the dryer can easily hold 4 loads of washing. The lightweight steel 4 arm rotary dryer comes with a split pole, so it can be transported with ease, and assembled quickly before installation.

Where do you start with furniture cleaners? We’d recommend the VAX SpotWash Max Pet-Design  to clean, revive and restore your home, car and pet-loved areas. This powerful SpotWasher with 30% more suction power than other products, combined with the SpinScrub Hand tool gives the best cleaning results when tackling stubborn pet messes and household spills and stains. Heavy-traffic areas can be harder to keep clean, but VAX SpotWash Max Pet-Design’s powerful extraction and double the tank capacity make cleaning mud-trodden and rain-soaked spaces easy.

Interchangeable tools make tackling any surface hassle-free. The dedicated Messy Clean Up Tool is ideal for pets, allowing you to deep clean without any cross-contamination, the Crevice Tool reaches tight spaces and the Wide Path Tool cleans carpets and upholstery faster.

Sometimes elbow grease won’t quite do the job on its own. There are a wide range of specific scrubbers and cleaners available on the market that help take the hard work out of housework. You can go old school with manual brushes like the Lakeland Natural Cleaning Brush Set, which will get into all the nooks and crannies with ease. Or, take the effort away with the Lakeland Electric Cordless Scrubber for easy cleaning almost everywhere.

Cleaning Products

Hot soap and water will get you a long way, but sometimes you need something for a particular job. Bar Keepers Friend Power Cream is ideal for grease, grime, and even limescale – it’s a TikTok sensation for being one of those miracle products that can get things clean you thought would never shine again.

Most people will try to ignore that their oven hasn’t had a deep clean in months (or years). But burnt on grease can become smelly, make your oven inefficient, and in worst case cause a fire hazard. It’s a fiddly job, unless you use something like the Oven Mate Deep Clean Kit, which has everything you need to get a professional level clean at home.

Zoflora is a recognised household name, and for good reason. We particularly like the Springtime Trigger Spray multipurpose cleaner and the Springtime Wipes are efficient and smell great. The Carpet Foam is ideal for stubborn odours and some stains, while the concentrated disinfectant cleaner offers brilliant value for money as you dilute it in a bucket for floors or pop into a spray bottle; it’s currently £4.32 on Amazon and dilutes at a 1:40 ratio so a real bargain.

The post Save money with our 2025 cleaning guide appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

From ^19th December you’ll be able to get lots of festive seasonal produce for just 15p in Aldi stores, and 19p in Lidl.

Sainsbury’s is matching Aldi –with prices also starting at 15p. Tesco are also offering a 15p secetion with a clubcard.

Aldi has said it will drop the price of its “Super Six’ veggies from the 1^9th December.

What does this mean for you?

In Aldi you’ll be able to grab a 2kg bag of potatoes, a 500g bag of parsnips and 1kg bag of carrots all for 15p each.  You’ll also be able to get 500g of sprouts, red or white cabbage and a single swede for the same price. That’s all your Christmas veg sorted for under a £1!

Sainsbury’s are offering white potatoes to those with a Nectar card at 15p (a 2KG bag) and the rest for 19p. They are also offering the entire Christmas dinner for six for under £20 – a nectar card is free to sign up so it makes it worthwhile.

So, get to the supermarket on Monday and get your veggies for a bargain price.

The post Get your Christmas veg for as little as 15p! appeared first on MoneyMagpie.