So, in the spirit of Black Friday, I decided today would be the day to save money. First, I emailed off my claim for a delayed train journey – the train driver was so insistent in his announcements that passengers should claim for the 40-odd minute delay due to some signalling cock-up that it ...

Should I stay or should I go? I’m trying to decide. For many years, I’ve had broadband, TV and home phone all with Sky. But frankly I am getting a bit fed up with the constant adverts offering bargain subscriptions when my last monthly bill was nearly £90. We have no extra Sky channels and I don’t l...

Admittedly, I am not a big fan of Christmas. But I do try. I like decorating the tree and even quite enjoy buying presents although I feel a bit queasy about the expense involved. I mean, it’s not as if children these days are short of things – the days of just getting bought things for your birthda...

Next week I have a posh evening do to go to. I hate going out at night – particularly at this time of year (too cold) and in London (last train home to the sticks known accurately as the vomit comet). But duty calls. And I know I’ll enjoy it when I get there. Problem is Cinderella here does not have...

I’ve just written a large cheque to a charity. I am, frankly, not the charitable type and also, I (obviously) don’t have money to spare. Yet I’m happy to have handed over a four figure sum to our local hospice. Here’s why. Earlier this year my elderly mother died. She had cancer but given her advanc...

We’ve just sold my late mother’s house. It was totally painless – as it should have been, given that the chain was very short and her house in good condition in a desirable area. The estate agent, sensible to the fact that there is hardly a shortage in estate agents in the area and aware that it wou...

I am considering a new career as a currency trader. The pound is, as we all know, ailing against every other currency – indeed it was the worst performing in the world in October (the best was the Suriname dollar). Imagine my delight while clearing up the drawer in the kitchen reserved for assorted ...

Never pay full price for anything is a good maxim. But going for one discount is not enough. Try hard and you can get far more than that. The easiest way is to collect vouchers and then use them only when the item the voucher’s for is already discounted. That’s a bit organised for me – and frankly w...

I like to think that if I were loaded, I’d be a generous philanthropist, bestowing some of my wealth on those causes in need of cash. But frankly, the behaviour of some charities doesn’t currently make me feel kindly towards them. Here’s why. We moved to our current house five years ago. It’s no exa...