Baby blankets, backpacking & broadband – this week's MSE Forum highlights
Whether it's buying a new item, picking up a secondhand bargain or repairing something you already own, the MSE Forum has MoneySaving wisdom for you. Here's our roundup of some of this week's top topics.
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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 employer adjust its rewards scheme so I don't lose out?
My employer has a recognition scheme for colleagues who go above and beyond, with prizes paid in vouchers that are processed through payroll for tax purposes. However, anyone repaying a student loan can actually lose money by winning because the prize can push their income over repayment threshold. That's going to happen to me next month, so I'll end up taking home less and effectively pay to receive a 'reward'. Higher-rate taxpayers get adjusted payroll so they don’t lose out, so should the company make changes so no one is penalised for being recognised? Or should we just be grateful it offers such a scheme in the first place?
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
On the Old style MoneySaving board, Forumites regularly share their charity shop hauls. Pictured here is just part of goldfinches' latest stash of bargains: "I stopped in at my favourite BHF shop yesterday and found two lovely cookbooks, £2 each, a New Yorker cartoon collection, £2, and DVDs of Citizen Kane, £1.99, Snow White, £1.99, the Little Mermaid, £0.99 and an Eddie Izzard collection, £3.50, a bowling ball and skittles pin, £1, a good French make 3lb loaf tin, £3.99, a Burt Bacharach CD, £1.99 and a Motown collection which was £3.99. I also bought some lovely soft navy John Lewis cords for £8.50 which I'm currently wearing so you'll just have to imagine those."
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
Congratulations to flyingbug who is taking delivery of a Nespresso coffee machine thanks to a competition they found via the Forum.
Take a look at Competitions Time to try your luck this week.
Challenge corner
MoneySaving challenges – where Forumites hold each other accountable for cutting spending and increasing savings – are one of the Forum's biggest success stories. As Mamma2004 wrote this week: "Doing these MSE challenges is giving me enough financial confidence to set up a regular savings payment for the first time in a v long time."
We have collected all the challenges in one place so it's worth a browse to see if there's one that would work for you. Some challenges run month by month. For example, the March grocery challenge is already up and running.
Your two cents
The World Cup is on the way and MSE_Ruby has written a new guide to watching sport on TV and streaming services whilst keeping the cost down. We'd love to hear your feedback and any extra tips and tricks in the feedback thread.
If you're not a member yet, it's easy to register for the MSE Forum.
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