Just for fun

Bags, bees & building up savings – this week's MSE Forum highlights

Forum Executive

24 July 2026

The beauty of the MSE Forum is that it's a place for real people to freely share their knowledge and experience with one another. Let's explore what MoneySavers have been chatting about this week.

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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.

Is it wrong to use student discounts when I'm a high earner?

I'm in my mid-30s and have an income that puts me in the top 5%. I've got a National Union of Students card through an institution I'm part of. My partner says it's unfair, as student discounts are aimed at low earners. Yet a cynic might argue that companies only offer these discounts to build loyalty among those who’ll one day be well-paid graduates. I’ve not lied to get the card, and I avoid using it at independent shops. Is it wrong to use it elsewhere?

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.

Photo of the week

Dustyevsky shared this photo of a bee and a butterfly making the most of the buddleia in the garden:

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

It's been an exceptionally good week for snowhyte who explains: "I took a five year break from comping for various reasons.

"Last month I just had the urge to enter some competitions again so I worked my way through the competitions page for a few hours. This morning I received a £200 cheque in the post from the Take a Break Fiction Feast competition.

"I spent a few years comping before and had some good wins but never won one of those comps no matter how many times I entered them. Now, after one evening of comping I get a win. Thanks to those who post."

Have a browse of our Competitions Time boards to see which comps have been shared by our community this past week.

Your two cents

Every six months, MSE Towers asks for your help to track the quality of customer service provided by banks. By comparing your answers with last time, we can see which have got better or worse. Vote in the poll and share your experiences.

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