August 7th, 2026 | Andrew Hagger | News

August 7th, 2026 | Andrew Hagger | News

Many homeowners take pride in a beautiful garden, but keeping one up often means a steady stream of expenses. From professional services to constant fuel, supplies, and water, costs can quickly pile up. However, if you think of your garden equipment as a long-term investment rather than just a purchase, you can significantly reduce ongoing upkeep costs and free up both time and money.

Changing your approach to use more efficient, modern tools and landscaping methods can turn your garden from a money pit into a smartly managed asset. These initial investments often pay for themselves through lower operating costs, reduced water use, and a reduced need for manual labor or professional help. Let’s look at how smart choices in your garden can lead to big savings.

The Hidden Costs of Traditional Garden Maintenance

Many of us start with or inherit traditional garden tools, often petrol-powered, without thinking about the total cost over their lifetime. These expenses go well beyond the initial price. Petrol mowers and strimmers constantly need fuel, and its price can change a lot. They also need regular engine servicing, like oil changes and spark plug replacements, which costs you either time or money if you hire a professional.

Besides fuel and maintenance, other costs keep coming up. Getting rid of garden waste might mean buying endless rolls of disposable bags or paying for council pickups. A large lawn requires a lot of water, especially during dry spells, leading to higher utility bills. If the work feels too much, hiring a gardener, even for just a few hours a month, becomes a big expense in your household budget. These small, regular costs add up over the years, making traditional methods a surprisingly expensive way to manage your outdoor space. Looking at garden maintenance on a budget often shows just how much these small, recurring expenses really do add up.

Making the Switch to Efficient Electric Tools

One of the best ways to cut long-term garden costs is to switch from petrol tools to modern electric or battery-powered ones. The upfront cost might be similar, but the savings start right away. Recharging a battery is much cheaper than filling a tank with petrol. Plus, with no engine, you don’t need costly annual servicing, oil, or filters.

Modern tools are also designed to be efficient and versatile, saving you even more. Instead of having many single-purpose devices, you can find tools that do several jobs. For example, a combination leaf sucker and mulcher not only clears your lawn but also shreds the debris into fine mulch. This saves you money in two ways: you no longer need to buy plastic bags for leaf disposal, and you get free, nutrient-rich mulch to protect your plant beds and improve soil health. Combining tools like this saves money and valuable storage space in your shed or garage.

Smart Irrigation and Water-Wise Landscaping

Water is one of the highest variable costs in garden upkeep. A traditional sprinkler system on a fixed timer can waste a lot of water by running when it’s raining or in the middle of the day when most of it evaporates. This is where smart irrigation systems really pay off. These systems connect to local weather data, automatically skipping watering sessions if rain is expected and adjusting their schedules based on temperature and humidity. This precise control can cut your garden’s water use by up to 50%, leading to noticeable savings on your utility bills.

You can save even more by making smart landscaping choices. Choosing native plants that are naturally suited to your local climate means they’ll need less extra watering once they’re established. Putting a thick layer of mulch around plants helps the soil retain moisture, suppresses weeds, and reduces the time you spend weeding. Following sustainable landscaping principles isn’t just good for the environment; it’s a direct way to lower your household expenses.

Long-Term Investments That Slash Maintenance

Beyond handheld tools, some larger landscaping investments can almost eliminate certain maintenance tasks and their costs. While it’s a big upfront expense, installing high-quality artificial turf is a great example. This choice completely removes the need for mowing, watering, fertilizing, and weeding. 

The long-term savings on water bills, fuel, equipment, and your own time can be huge. For many busy households, the convenience and consistently neat appearance make it a worthwhile investment, as artificial turf significantly reduces maintenance costs over its lifespan.

On a smaller scale, creating clear garden beds with permanent edging stops grass from spreading into them, saving hours of tedious work each season. Choosing perennial plants instead of annuals means you only plant them once, and they come back year after year. This saves you the ongoing cost and effort of buying and planting new flowers every spring. Homeowners are increasingly investing in smart landscaping because they see that these choices add value to their property while also lowering their cost of living.

Calculating Your Return on Investment

To figure out if a smart garden investment is right for you, it helps to do a simple cost-benefit analysis. First, estimate your current yearly spending. Add up what you spend on petrol, oil, lawn feed, weed killer, water, and any professional gardening services. This is your starting point.

Next, find out the cost of the upgrade you’re considering, like a new robotic mower or a smart sprinkler controller. Then estimate the annual running cost of the new equipment, which will often be just a small amount for electricity. Subtract this new, lower yearly cost from your original baseline. This number is your annual savings. Finally, divide the initial investment cost by your annual savings. 

The result tells you how many years it will take for the equipment to pay for itself. For many modern garden tools, this payback period is often just two to three years, and after that, the savings are pure profit.

Making smart choices about your garden tools and design is a powerful way to manage household expenses. By investing in efficiency, you reduce waste, save time, and lower your long-term costs, all while enjoying a beautiful outdoor space.

August 4th, 2026 | Andrew Hagger | News

Younger savers increasingly feel the concept of ‘saving for a rainy day’ is outdated, and are focusing their efforts on saving for specific goals, new research from LHV Bank has revealed.

The survey of more than 2,000 savers found 44% of respondents aged 18-24 felt the idea of rainy day savings was outdated. Similar proportions of savers aged 25-34 (43%) and 35-44 (46%) were equally unmoved by the idea, though the concept did resonate with those aged over 55, where only one in four (28%) felt it was outdated.

Instead, savers are motivated by putting money aside for specific goals. Almost half (48%) of the 18-24 age bracket are more likely to save for particular goals, rising to two thirds (65%) of 25-34 year olds and 60% of those in the 35-44 age group.

Looking at a regional basis, savers in Leeds are the most likely to save for a specific goal (61%), compared with savers in Cardiff (46%)*.

However, while savers are taking an active approach in putting money aside for specific goals, they may not be quite so proactive in ensuring they are getting a decent return. The study identified that while 95% regularly check their balance, and 69% know exactly where their money is kept, more than half (53%) aren’t confident that their savings rate is competitive. This interest rate apathy means they will have to save for longer in order to achieve their goals.

Industry action: make rates more visible to help savers achieve their ambitions

LHV Bank has campaigned for the industry to make interest rates more visible, ensuring savers can establish how competitive their rate is whenever they check their balance. For too long savers have been punished by banks utilising bonus rates that disappear after a year, teaser rates or rate cuts which are carried out quietly, leaving savers in the dark over their underperforming account.

The bank, which champions straightforward, easy to understand accounts, has also encouraged people to become Active Savers in order to achieve their goals more quickly.

To do so, savers should:

1. Check your rate. Many people are shocked to discover their account is paying 1% or even less.

2. Move your money. With inflation back in the picture, it’s crucial to ensure your money is delivering an inflation-beating return.

3. Get in the habit. Set a reminder to review your rate every few months, and keep an eye out for short-term bonus rates that quietly slip away. If you’re checking your balance, check your rate too.

Alex Beavis, Interim Director of Banking, LHV Bank, comments:

“Saving for a rainy day is increasingly viewed as outdated, particularly among younger people, but that doesn’t mean they have switched off from saving. Quite the opposite – they are instead focusing on saving for specific goals, whether that’s a deposit on a house, a holiday or to start their own business.

“That said, it’s important to have some sort of savings buffer in place in case of emergencies. Without some standby cash in an easy access account, savers may find their goal-oriented savings are knocked off course when life throws a spanner into the works.

“While savers are taking an active approach to saving the money needed to meet those goals, there’s a danger that their efforts are being undermined by mediocre savings rates. Savers are suffering because of a lack of transparency from providers, and it’s making them have to wait longer to achieve their ambitions. Having a goal in mind isn’t enough; being an Active Saver means checking your rate as well as your balance, and moving the money if your savings account isn’t working as hard as you are.”

August 4th, 2026 | Andrew Hagger | News

Britain’s older savers are increasingly putting money aside not to fund a holiday, hobby or once in a lifetime experience, but to provide a financial safety net as concerns about costs in later life continue to grow.

The first United Trust Bank Savings Insight Report 2026, based on responses from 947 customers aged 55 and over, suggests that many people are increasingly saving not for fun in retirement, but to give themselves the reassurance that they can cope with whatever the future may bring – including the need for residential care.

More people said their main savings priority was day-to-day financial security (27%) than holidays and travel, home improvements, major purchases and lifestyle spending combined. A further 22% said retirement remained their biggest savings priority.

By comparison, only around one in 11 (9%) said holidays, travel, experiences or other lifestyle spending were their main reasons for saving.

The emotional value of savings was even more striking.

When asked what having savings actually meant to them, almost half (49%) said the biggest benefit was the financial security it provides, while 36% said savings gave them the freedom and independence to make choices about their future.

Perhaps the most revealing insight came from survey respondents’ own words.

Respondents were asked to share what their main saving priority was if it wasn’t listed as an option. 27% of those indicated that they were saving for potential old age care costs, maintaining their independence or ensuring they would not become a burden on their families. Verbatim responses included:

• “To ensure I have enough money should I need care later in life.”
• “To remain independent and not become a burden on my family.”
• “In case I or my husband have to go into care.”
• “To cover any costs I might have if I cannot care for myself at home in the future”

Their concerns reflect worries about how we look after our senior citizens when they can no longer live independently. Government figures show the average cost of residential or nursing care in England now exceeds *£60,000 a year, highlighting why more people are recognising the importance of building their own financial resilience for later life.

Brian Todd, Deposits Director – United Trust Bank, said: “The traditional view of retirement is that people finally start spending the money they’ve worked hard to save. Ticking off exciting bucket list experiences and seeing the world. Our research suggests the reality is often very different.

“What particularly stood out was the number of customers who, completely unprompted, talked about paying for future care and not becoming a burden on their families. That reflects growing awareness that many of us may need to rely more on our own financial resilience as we age.”

“Financial security has become a goal in its own right. People want the confidence that comes from knowing they can deal with the unexpected, remain independent and continue making their own choices in the future. And it seems many older savers are prioritising future peace of mind over having fun while they can.

“As we continue living longer, I expect we’ll see funding later life care become an even bigger driver of saving decisions in the future.”

August 4th, 2026 | Andrew Hagger | News

Santander has today (4 August 2026) launched a new range of Fixed Rate ISAs, offering competitive rates of up to 4.70% AER/tax-free, alongside rewarding customers who transfer in an ISA from an external provider, with up to £400 in hotel vouchers.

The new range includes two top-of-market rates among high street providers for a three-year (4.65%) and five-year (4.70%) fixed rate ISA.

The new Fixed Rate ISA range¹ includes:

• 1 Year Fixed Rate ISA (12 months): 4.50% AER/tax-free
• 2 Year Fixed Rate ISA (24 months): 4.50% AER/tax-free
• 3 Year Fixed Rate ISA (36 months): 4.65% AER/tax-free
• 5 Year Fixed Rate ISA (60 months): 4.70% AER/tax-free

To help customers make even more of their savings, Santander is offering those who transfer a full ISA with a minimum balance of £25,000 from another provider into a Santander ISA up to £400 in TLC hotel vouchers², which can be used across 1.5 million hotels worldwide, including popular hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Millenium hotels.

To qualify for the hotel voucher, customers must:

• Open one of our new Fixed Rate ISAs on or after 4 August 2026 and before the offer is withdrawn;
• Complete a “transfer in” instruction online or in branch within the first 14 days of opening or upgrading their account, which asks for customers’ non -Santander ISA to be transferred to the new Fixed Rate ISA;
• Ensure the non-Santander ISA that is being transferred in has a balance of at least £25,000 and is transferred in full – patrial transfers are not eligible³; and
• Be a UK resident and at least 18 years old.

Joao Soares, Head of Savings at Santander UK, said: “At a time when many savers are looking for both certainty and value when it comes to their money, our new Fixed Rate ISA range offers customers guaranteed and competitive longer-term rates. For eligible customers who choose to transfer an external ISA to Santander, the added benefit of up to £400 in hotel vouchers means they can enjoy a reward today, while continuing to build their savings for tomorrow.”

August 3rd, 2026 | Andrew Hagger | News

Late payment is not a minor admin irritation. It is a growth tax imposed on smaller firms by larger customers, as well as by muddled systems and old habits. Cash flow keeps an SME alive. Not profit on a spreadsheet. Cash. When invoices sit unpaid for weeks beyond terms, owners freeze hiring, shelve expansion and waste hours chasing money already earned. That drag spreads everywhere. Confidence drops. Decisions shrink. A business can look busy, even successful, while its bloodstream quietly clots.

Cash Flow, Not Vanity

SMEs rarely collapse because demand vanishes overnight. They crack because cash arrives too late. Plenty of firms post healthy sales and still stumble into panic because customers treat payment terms like a suggestion. Central London accountants see this phenomenon constantly in growing companies that appear solid from the outside yet operate with alarming fragility underneath. One delayed payment knocks supplier schedules sideways. Three delayed payments force directors to choose between VAT, wages and stock. That is not a strategy. Growth needs momentum, and momentum hates uncertainty.

The Hidden Cost of Chasing

Late payment steals time as well as money. Owners and finance staff should spend their days pricing work properly, improving service and planning the next move. Instead, they send reminders, make awkward calls and hunt for missing purchase order numbers. This is clerical theatre dressed up as control. It drains morale. Staff become debt collectors by accident. Senior people end up in disputes over invoices that should have sailed through a clean process. Firms often rot through friction before they fail through catastrophe.

Automation Cuts the Nonsense

Automation eliminates delay by attacking its cause. Automation sends bills quickly, applies the right terms, logs each step, and sends reminders without human intervention. Better systems match purchase orders, detect exceptions early, and show finance teams who owes when. Organised and reliable processes speed up customer payments. Internal teams stop making costly mistakes. Bad allusions. Absent follow-ups. Records duplicated. Computers don’t feel bad about delivering reminders on day seven. It just works.

Growth Loves Predictability

Predictable cash flow restores nerve. Leaders can hire before burnout hits. They can negotiate from strength with suppliers. They can invest in equipment, marketing or new premises without gambling the rent on one overdue client. This is where automation stops being a finance tool and becomes a growth engine. Reliable collections data sharpens forecasting. Forecasting sharpens choices. A company that runs tight payment systems signals seriousness. Clients notice. Staff notice. Lenders notice. Order has a habit of compounding. The books improve, and the business becomes calmer, faster, and harder to bully.

Conclusion

Many SME leaders still treat late payment as an annoying part of business, something to complain about and put up with. That attitude belongs in the bin. Tolerating chronic delay means funding other people’s inefficiency with one’s own survival. Smaller firms do not need more heroic founders performing midnight cash-flow acrobatics. They need systems that make prompt payment normal and visible. Automation does not remove every dispute or awkward client. It does remove a great deal of avoidable chaos. Once that rhythm returns, SMEs stop merely coping and start moving with force again.

July 29th, 2026 | Andrew Hagger | News

Finding a cheaper energy deal is set to get even easier for households across the UK thanks to a new update on a free mobile app.

The Renewal app’s new energy-switching feature lets households see which providers are available at their property and how much they could save by switching. Users just have to add their home address to the app, which will then estimate how much they could save on their annual bill by changing providers.

Renewal from Go.Compare is a free app that allows customers to store all their insurance details in one convenient place. Users can quickly check what they’re covered for, find out who their insurer is, and access important contact and claims information whenever they need it. The app also sends reminders when policies are due for renewal, helping customers stay on top of their insurance and shop around for a better deal at the right time.

Now, the app is also aiming to help users find a better price on their utility costs through this new energy feature. The addition comes in light of Ofgem increasing the energy price cap by 13% this month, which saw the average annual energy bill rise by £221 for a typical household.

Matt Sanders, Go.Compare’s money spokesperson said: “With many households continuing to feel the impact of higher energy bills, consumers are understandably looking for simple ways to reduce their monthly outgoings so that their money goes further.”

“We’re delighted to bring another useful addition to Renewal from Go.Compare to help with this. Our new energy-switching feature makes it easier for users to explore the providers available at their property and see how much they could save by switching. By helping users compare their options in just a few clicks, the feature will support homeowners in finding a better deal and minimise the impact of rising energy costs.”

Matt added: “Renewal is all about helping consumers stay on top of important household expenses and renewals. Alongside the new energy-switching feature, users can also keep track of their insurance policies, and other details like their vehicle’s MOT status, in one place.”

The Renewal app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.

July 24th, 2026 | Andrew Hagger | News

Digital assets have grown quickly, opening up new chances for investors and businesses. But this growth also brings big challenges for accounting and reporting. As these assets become more common, knowing how to track, value, and report them correctly is no longer just for specialists; it’s a basic need for good financial health and following rules.

Understanding Digital Asset Basics

To account for digital assets, you first need to know what they are. This term covers many things that exist digitally and come with a right to use them. This includes cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and stablecoins. Many tax authorities define digital assets as any digital representation of value recorded on a cryptographically secured distributed ledger. For accounting, each type of asset might need different handling depending on its features and how the company uses it.

Why Traditional Accounting Falls Short

Old accounting systems were made for a world of regular money, physical goods, and central banks. They struggle to handle the unique features of digital assets. Cryptocurrencies change value very quickly, making it hard to value them consistently. Unlike a bank account with a clear balance, a digital wallet can hold many different assets, each with a price that changes every second. Plus, the sheer number of transactions, like trades, transfers, and staking rewards, can quickly overwhelm manual record-keeping, leading to mistakes and incomplete information.

Key Principles of Digital Asset Accounting

New rules are emerging for digital asset accounting to fix the problems with older methods. The main idea is to keep a clear, verifiable record for every transaction. This involves:

• Tracking the Cost Basis: Recording the exact price paid for an asset. This is crucial for correctly figuring out capital gains or losses when the asset is sold, traded, or spent.
• Measuring Fair Value: Regularly updating the value of holdings to show current market prices, especially for businesses that need to present an accurate financial picture.
• Proper Classification: Deciding if a digital asset should be treated as an investment, inventory (for traders), or an intangible asset on the balance sheet. This classification affects how it’s valued and reported, marking a new era in tax planning and financial strategy.

Automating for Accuracy and Efficiency

Trying to manually track thousands of transactions across many exchanges and wallets is not just slow; it’s almost impossible to do accurately. This is why specialized software is so important. Modern digital asset accounting platforms automate the whole process. They can connect directly to exchanges and blockchain addresses to automatically import transaction data. These tools match transfers, calculate gains and losses using common methods like FIFO or LIFO, and create the detailed reports needed for taxes and internal accounting. Using dedicated crypto accounting software not only saves a significant amount of time but also helps you maintain accurate records, automate reconciliation, and generate the reports needed to keep up with evolving regulatory requirements.

Preparing for Future Financial Audits

As regulators pay more attention to digital assets, being ready for an audit is vital. An audit trail for digital assets must be perfect, tracking every asset from when it was bought to when it was sold. Just having a final number for gains or losses isn’t enough; you need to be able to show how you got that number. This means keeping detailed records of every transaction, including dates, times, values in regular currency at the time of the transaction, and any fees. Using an accounting platform that creates a permanent, auditable log of all activity offers strong protection if an audit happens. It’s also smart to work with an accountant or firm that has proven experience with digital assets.

Managing your digital asset accounting correctly is a proactive step toward financial transparency and security. Adopting the right tools and principles now helps you build a strong foundation that supports growth while reducing risk.

July 23rd, 2026 | Andrew Hagger | News

If you aren’t in control of your finances, then it’s reasonable to claim that you aren’t in control of your life or your destiny. Your long-term spending priorities, like a deposit for a house, or a pension pot, might end up being undermined by short-term, frivolous spending decisions.

So, how can we solve this problem? Let’s take a look a few key tips for staying in control of your spending.

Understand Where Your Money Is Going

Before you attempt to cut costs in a meaningful way, you’ll need an idea of what those costs amount to. Get a budget together for the average month. Review old bank statements, and try to divide spending into essential and non-essential. Fortunately, many modern digital banking services will provide tools that make this much easier to do.

Cut Household Bills Without Cutting Comfort

Of course, just because a give expense is ‘essential’ doesn’t mean that you can’t lower it. By comparing services and costs from different energy, broadband, and mobile phone providers, you may find that you can save money without compromising on the quality of the service you enjoy.

Shop Smarter Rather Than Spending Less

Often, you might find that spending big on quality items might help you to spend less in the long term. Price comparison services, discounts, and loyalty schemes might all offer scope for savings. The same goes for the second-hand market, which can often lead to major savings, too. Second-hand jewellery often represents much greater value than the pieces you buy fresh off the rack.

In short, cutting down on spending doesn’t always mean that you need to give up the things that you really appreciate. If you go into the task of reviewing your spending thinking that you’re going to end up giving things up, then you’re likely to put it off – perhaps indefinitely. But the truth is that this is rarely necessary.

Find Everyday Savings That Add Up Over Time

Often, it’s not the major items of spending that make the biggest difference, but the small, seemingly minor ones. It’s easy to leave savings on the table when it comes to things like food shopping, transport, and energy usage, because these areas of spending so often amount to a myriad of smaller costs.

For example, when it comes to spending on energy, you might find that changes in your heating habits make a big difference to the amount you spend over the course of a given winter. Try to keep the temperature on your thermostat low, and to dial down the temperature in rooms that don’t need it, like hallways and spare bedrooms. In the long term, the savings that you accrue will add up.

Finally, you might consider performing a financial ‘health check’ every so often. This is a review that will ensure that your spending remains aligned with your goals, and that you haven’t slipped back into bad habits.

July 15th, 2026 | Andrew Hagger | News

The broadband experts at Go.Compare have explained consumers’ rights and shared the steps they can take to leave their contract following the news that Ofcom is fining Virgin Media for preventing contract cancellations.

The industry regulator Ofcom announced earlier in the week that it has fined Virgin Media £28 million for breaching its consumer protection rules, following an investigation.* It cited that millions of calls made by customers between January 2022 and September 2024 were likely mishandled to delay or prevent a cancellation.

In response to the news, Catherine Hiley, broadband expert at Go.Compare, said: “We all have the right to leave a broadband provider at any time, even if you’re mid-contract – although this will likely incur an early termination fee. Providers also can’t try to delay or prevent a cancellation to get you to stay, as this goes against Ofcom’s rules, which state that cancellation procedures must not act as a disincentive to customers who wish to leave. If you believe this has happened to you, you can make a complaint.

“Start by following your provider’s complaints process and gathering as much evidence as possible to support your claim, including records of previous communications and details of when you contacted them. If your complaint hasn’t been resolved after eight weeks, or if your provider issues a deadlock letter before then, you can escalate it to an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme. They can investigate the complaint independently and may award compensation where appropriate.

“You can also report your experience to Ofcom. While it doesn’t investigate individual cases, consumer complaints can help it identify wider issues and may lead to enforcement action, as we’ve seen with Virgin Media this week.

“It’s also worth remembering that, while leaving a contract early will usually come with a charge, you may be able to leave without paying an early termination fee if your provider isn’t delivering the minimum level of service it promised and the issue can’t be resolved.”

This follows the news that 43% of UK households now feel broadband is the connected expense that has increased the most over the past five years, according to Go.Compare’s latest research.** It also found that the average UK household now spends £774 a year on broadband, mobile and digital subscriptions combined.

In addition to this, Catherine Hiley shared the following steps customers can take to cancel their broadband contract:

• • “Check if you’re mid-contract: You may have to pay an early termination fee to cancel if you’re mid-contract, so be sure to check this and consider if you’re willing to pay it before cancelling. You might prefer to wait until the end of your contract, when you can leave for free. You can also leave for free if you’re still within the provider’s cooling off period.
  • “Check your provider has been delivering the service promised: You can leave for free if they haven’t, even if you’re mid-contract, but you will need to attempt to resolve the issue with them first. Use a broadband speed checker to get proof that the speed promised isn’t being delivered, taking screenshots of the results. Use this to complain to your provider about their service, keeping a record of each time you contacted them. If the issue still isn’t resolved, you can then use all of this as evidence to leave penalty-free.
  • “Compare deals to switch providers: If you decide you’re cancelling after this, your next step should be to compare other providers so that you can find a deal to replace them. Ofcom’s One Touch Switch policy means you no longer have to tell your current provider about a switch – your new provider does this for you. Once you’ve found a deal you prefer you can simply agree to switch with your new provider. You might even be able to find a deal that will give you some money towards any early cancellation fees. So it’s well worth shopping around, even if you’re not out of contract yet.
  • “Cancelling without switching: If you’re not switching providers and just want to cancel your contract, you will need to get in touch with your provider directly. Each provider has a different process for this, so you’ll need to check the process for yours.”

More information on cancelling broadband contracts, including details on how to cancel deals with the major providers, can be found on Go.Compare’s website: https://www.gocompare.com/broadband/broadband-cancellation-rights/