Sunscreen, spiders & golden pigs – this week's MSE Forum highlights
Step into the MSE Forum and benefit from the wisdom, support and humour of its MoneySaving members. We've compiled a few of this week's best bits.
Not a member yet? Here's how to register to the MSE Forum.
A few of this week's top threads
We're always scouring for useful, interesting or cheering threads. A few that caught our eye this week:
- Can you recommend a good insurance policy for my rabbit?
- We’d like to buy our rented house from the landlord – what’s the best way to approach this?
- I’ve been paying child maintenance to my estranged ex and daughter. Now the child maintenance service tells me I’ve overpaid by £4,000 and I’m due a refund. Will they make my ex pay it back? Or will the CMS foot the bill?
- Can anyone recommend a MoneySaving sunscreen that's as good as the branded ones?
Know of a good pet insurance policy for bunnies?
- Did I purchase a house with an illegal septic tank?
- What things bug you about new builds? For me it’s front doors placed right next to each other so you continually have close contact with your neighbour
- My four-year-old is obsessed with the idea of us getting a pond, but we don’t have the space. What alternative is better than a box of water but simpler than a hole in the ground?
- Our neighbour wants to buy our loft space and convert it into a bedroom. The space is shared by the two flats but only accessible from theirs. What things should we consider before agreeing?
- How can I deter the hordes of spiders from my decking without harming them?
Success of the week
We spotted a satisfying post from maz052 on the Reclaiming Mortgage Fees, Council Tax, etc board, detailing how they got a chunk of change back from the council when they successfully challenged their council tax band.
See if you could lower your band and save £1,000s using our Council tax bands guide.
Success thanks to the MSE team
Delighted to say I have just been paid £6,950 after challenging my council tax band. I did try a few years ago but was told by the powers that be that 'as I had lived in the property for more than 6 months, I wasn't eligible to challenge the band'.
I decided to pursue again using your steps. The valuation office form was simple to fill in. I received a reply within 4 weeks saying I had a case. Two weeks later – 'Yes, you have been rebanded'. Two months later £6,950 appears in my account.
Thank you so much. You are doing such good work. You really should be proud of yourselves.
~ maz052
Photo of the week
Over on the Savings & Investments board, PiggyBankCollector posted a picture of their vintage Natwest golden pig. It's sparked a flurry of nostalgia as other MSE Forumites dug out their banking freebies and keepsakes, awarded when they opened an account or reached savings milestones. Visit the thread to see all the photos of vintage figurines and novelty moneyboxes.
Please note: We love seeing your photos in the MSE Forum, but if you're uploading one, make sure it doesn't include any personally identifiable information such as your face or address.
New month, new challenge
May is about to launch itself onto the calendar, which means the time is ripe for a new MoneySaving challenge. Here are a couple that are just starting:
- May 2022 Grocery Challenge
Decide on your grocery budget for the month and stick to it, while drawing encouragement and ideas from these frugal Forumites.
- NST May: Mischief and Mayhem
The NSTs (Ninja Saving Turtles) launch a new challenge every month to help each other cope with financial difficulty. The theme this month is 'mischief and mayhem' – click to learn why.
Money Moral Dilemma
Every week, the Money Tips email features a real-life Money Moral Dilemma (MMD for short). They're intended to encourage debate and, as such, they're usually among the most discussed threads each week.
Should I ask for my daughter's school-leavers' celebrations to be cheaper?
My daughter's leaving primary school in July. The parent committee has organised a trip, T-shirts and yearbooks to celebrate. They've asked parents to contribute £75 each and although I can scrimp elsewhere to find the money, it won't be easy. I want to ask the committee to scale back the plans so it's cheaper, but I'm also aware the kids have had no trips or parties at all over the last two years due to the pandemic and I don't want to be the one to ruin their fun.
You can find out what our MSE Forumites think and add your own two cents on the Money Moral Dilemma discussion thread. Remember the MSE Forum rules: keep it kind and keep it clean. Remember, there's a real person behind every Money Moral Dilemma.
Got a Money Moral Dilemma of your own? Email us at MMD@moneysavingexpert.com and it could be featured.
Latest comping wins
One of the most frequented boards, Competitions Time, is where compers come to find and share competitions. There are countless success stories, but here are a few of the most recent: dreamfish_2 had their very first win: tickets to see The Osmonds Musical, and Samjade97 won £120 for a Feel Amazing app membership.
Your two cents
Over to you. Now that wholesale gas prices are at their lowest since November 2021, we'd like to know: what fixed energy deals are you being offered by your current provider? Join the conversation by dropping a comment in the thread.
If you're not a member yet, it's easy to register to the MSE Forum.
Related Blogs
10 September 2024
-
Cheap medical insurance
Going private & healthcare cash plans
-
FIVE perk bank-switch bribe
Including FREE £175
-
Were you mis-sold car finance?
Check with our free tool
-
1st class stamps to rise by 30p
How to beat the hike
-
Cheapest Samsung S24
Plus FREE Chromebook laptop
-
£64 Boots beauty Advent calendar
Contains £221 of skincare
-
Vote for Martin by noon Wednesday
He's up for two National Television Awards
-
Read the full email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
Recent Blogs
-
13 ways to STOP wasting food and drink
3 September 2024![]()
Are you always throwing out food that’s gone off? It's been claimed that new food labelling guidance could save shoppers £1 billion a year by prolonging the lifespan of food and stopping edible items being thrown out. We’ve 13 tips to help you stop throwing food away.
