Just for fun

Charity shops, cottage gardens & cycle helmets – this week's MSE Forum highlights

Forum Executive

4 July 2024

As we reach the half-way point in the year it's a good time to renew your MoneySaving motivation, and you'll find plenty of inspiration in the pages of the MSE Forum.

If you're not a member yet, here's how to register for the MSE Forum. It's simple and quick to join.

A few of this week's top threads

Here's a selection of what caught our eye recently:

A low-cost phone doesn't mean you have to compromise on camera quality

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 keep the money I won playing a charity lottery?

I play a number of charity lotteries, more to support them than anything else, and it’s more exciting than donating by Direct Debit. I’ve won the odd £10 here and there, which I donate back to the charity in question, but last week I won £1,500. I know the lotteries are good fundraisers, so if I keep it I wouldn't be taking money from the charity, but it doesn’t feel right. If I donate it back, with Gift Aid it'll raise even more funds. Yet I did win it fairly and it's a decent sum that I could use for a holiday or similar treat. Am I overthinking this?

See what our MSE Forumites had to say and add your own thoughts on the Money Moral Dilemma discussion thread. Do please stick to the MSE Forum rules: keep it kind and keep it clean. Remember, there's a real person behind every dilemma.

Got a Money Moral Dilemma of your own? Email us at MMD@moneysavingexpert.com and it could be featured.

Photo of the week

On our Shop Charity Shop in 24 thread Forumites share their hauls from charity shops and boot sales. This week Miró was chuffed to pick up this Next dress for £2 and Charles Tyrwhitt shirt for a fiver. What bargains have you found recently?

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.

Latest comping wins

Sarah250187 shared a snap of the hamper of cleaning products they'd received as a competition prize from a contest they'd discovered via the MSE Forum.

The Competitions Time boards are full of opportunities to win. If you've not given comping a go, why not try your luck this week?

Bundle of cleaning products received as competition prize

This hamper of cleaning products arrived at one Forumite's home this week

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

Wedding anniversaries, winemaking & wooden floorboards (28 June)
Passports, patios & prom dresses (21 June 2024)
Seals, selling & software (14 June 2024)
Parquet, picture-hanging & pressure washers (7 June 2024)
Marbles, mice & Motability (31 May 2024)

Your two cents

A 'secret hotel' booking usually offers a discount, but the catch is that you don't know which hotel it is until you've booked. Have you had a success or a fail you'd like to share? Perhaps through Lastminute, Priceline, Hotwire or any other company that offers secret hotel bookings? MSE_Laura_F.

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