Vanilla, veg & vexatious neighbours – this week's MSE Forum highlights

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A few of this week's top threads

We're always scouring the MSE Forum for useful, interesting or cheering threads. A few that caught our eye this week:

• I’ll be buying a £5k engagement ring for my girlfriend. What’s the best credit card for a single large purchase?

• I ordered vanilla pods from Asda and they sent me a vanilla scented candle instead

• What are the best sites for selling stuff in 2022?

• Do any charities still allow you to donate a one-off sum by sending a text?

• What's the best way to spend a LOT of Nectar points?

• Please recommend me some outdoor plants and flowers that can cope with drought

How much do groceries set you back each month?

• I was shocked to realise our family of four spent £1400 on groceries this month. How much do you usually spend?

• I’m in my 60s and housebound for a few months – what’s the cheapest way for me to study A level English Lit online?

• My neighbour’s fenced off a small section of my garden and merged it with hers. She keeps her compost heap in it. What’s my move?

Ask An Expert: what we learned

Last week we told you about the MSE Forum's first Ask An Expert event. Themed around energy, it was a chance for people to put their gas and lecky questions to Gary and Andrew from MSE's Utilities team.

We've put together a blog, Ask An Expert: Energy, to explore a little of what we learned, including what the most popular questions were and a sample of expert answers. There's space in the comments section at the bottom of that blog for you to leave your thoughts. If you'd like to see a future Ask An Expert event on a particular topic, we're keen to hear.

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.

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. We love reading the (constant) success stories. This week, redfox5 posted a picture of the Bide laundry powder and socks they won through an Instagram comp.

Want to peek at some MSE Forum highlights from recent weeks?

• Commas, kittens & cash prizes – this week's MSE Forum highlights (12 August 2022)

• Homes, hornets & high heels – this week's MSE Forum highlights (5 August 2022)

• Beetles, bathtubs & low-ABV beer – this week's MSE Forum highlights (29 July 2022)

• Rooks, records & renting dilemmas – this week's MSE Forum highlights (22 July 2022)

• Hedgehogs, holidays & heatwave hacks – this week's MSE Forum highlights (15 July 2022)

Your two cents

Planning on going to university this year, or have some tips for those who are? A mature student started the useful thread 38 and going to uni! in order to compile a list of the things they'd need to bring. Got something to add? Join in the conversation by posting a comment.

If you're not a member yet, it's easy to register for the MSE Forum.