Just for fun

Microwaves, mocktails & mince pies – this week's MSE Forum highlights

Forum Executive

13 December 2024

If you think luxury Advent calendars have got out of hand, then one MSE Forumite has come up with the perfect feel-good antidote that need not cost you a single penny. Read on to find out how – and explore the rest of the week's Forum highlights.

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A few of this week's top threads

These are some of the Forum discussions that caught our eye this week:

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 my daughter claim Universal Credit?

My daughter is 18, lives at home and is taking a gap year before starting university next September. She had a temporary part-time job that recently ended and is now job hunting. Technically, she could claim Universal Credit, but she doesn't think she should as she has some savings and few outgoings, and our family isn't short of money. I suggested she claim it and put it towards her university costs, but she feels that's not what Universal Credit is designed for. Should she claim it?

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

Followers of the long-running keeping hens and ducks chat thread were very sad this week to hear of the passing of Biscuit the hen who has featured in the Forum highlights blog at least once before now. She was 6.5 years old. This was Edwink's last photo of the much-loved creature whose exploits have been chronicled on the Forum.

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.

Challenge corner

We loved this alternative take on an Advent calendar from PennysintoPounds: "I came up with this idea last year as I was envious of my friends getting nice beauty/beer/posh chocolate etc etc Advent calendars, so I could also have a slightly random selection of nice things to choose from every day in December – without spending unnecessary money!"

Meanwhile, 2025 challenge threads are beginning to appear on the forum, including the 52-week envelope savings challenge.

Latest comping wins

Haribobo19 posted some snaps of their latest haul of prizes, whilst soph3185 is delighted to have won a hamper: "A lovely treat just before Christmas, and my first win after starting to enter competitions again for the last couple of months."

See if luck is on your side this week by exploring the Competitions time boards.

Your two cents

18 years ago researcher posted their elderly neighbour's secret recipe for the ultimate mince pie pastry and since then it's been a firm favourite with Forumites. Will you be trying the recipe this year? We'd love to see photos of your efforts.

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