Katie Elliott On The Money (Image: -)
April’s coming around fast, bringing longer, brighter days with it. Bluebells will line pathways, and winter-bare trees will be back in leaf.
But there’s no rose without a thorn. The start of the month also brings another round of household bill rises, from water and council tax to broadband, TV and mobile phone bills. A lot of these hikes are unavoidable, particularly if you’re in a contract. Fortunately, there are a few savvy ways to offset some of these costs, like opting for a current account that pays cashback on these bills.
Cashback current accounts reward you for paying regular bills by direct debit. Each month, the bank will pay a small percentage of what you’ve paid out – typically 1-2% – directly into your account.
It doesn’t sound like much, but it adds up. Sweetening the deal further, some accounts offer switching bonuses of up to £200 – enough to offset at least a few of the bill hikes.
Energy bills rising is a cause of stress to many (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Read more: ‘I make £600 extra per month with my car side hustle – you could do it too’
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For £3 per month, the Santander Edge account pays 1% cashback on key household bills, including energy, council tax, water, broadband, TV and mobile, capped at £10 per month. Pay in at least £500 and run two direct debits to qualify.
If your bills are higher, Edge Up offers up to £15 monthly cashback for a £5 fee, and a monthly interest of 2.1% AER on balances up to £25,000. You can also bag a free £200 if you qualify for Santander’s bank switch deal.
Digital bank Zopa’s Biscuit account pays 2% cashback on direct debits for a year, including household bills like energy, broadband and mobile.
Cashback is capped at £125 of payments, meaning you can earn up to £30. It also pays 2% interest on your current account balance for the first year, with no cap, plus access to a 7.1% interest regular savings account.
Digital bank Chase doesn’t pay cashback on bills, but it can still help trim everyday costs. New customers get 1% cashback on groceries, fuel and transport, capped at £15 per month. It also includes a linked easy access savings account paying 4.5% interest for 12 months.
NatWest’s Reward account charges £2 per month, but pays £5 monthly cashback if you pay in £1,250, run two direct debits and log into the app, leaving a £3 net gain, or £36 per year.
Switching customers can also get a £150 upfront bonus, plus access to a 7% regular saver that lets you save up to £150 per month.
Deal of the week
Heritage Pubs is offering a free miniature Tanqueray gin and tonic gift to mums when guests pre-book a table for two or more on Mother’s Day this Sunday.
Just add the code MUM26 in the booking notes. To find a participating pub near you, visit heritagepubs.co.uk
Side hustle
Take note of this savvy Stockport side-hustler!
There are dozens of weird and wonderful ways to make some extra cash, and I spoke to a man from Stockport this week doing exactly that.
Hanmant Mashiana, a father of two, rents out his cars when they’re not in use, earning a few hundred pounds per month.
He uses an app called Turo, which lets everyday car owners rent out their vehicles to travellers or locals who need temporary access to a car, without the commitment of ownership.
Hamnant, 33, has the advantage of living near Manchester Airport, making his Vauxhall Astra a prime target. He said: “I have a young family, so the extra income pays for things like trips, meals out and lots of teddies for my two girls and wife.
“The income isn’t guaranteed, but you get a feel for what you could bring in.”
Hamnat Mashiana is making £600 a month from his side hustle (Image: Hamnat Mashiana/Daily Express)
If you don’t have a car to rent out, you might have an unused driveway or parking space.
Data from YourParkingSpace, an app that lets you list your space or find one to rent, last year shows that some postcodes rake in nearly £500,000 a year.
How much you can make depends on factors like local demand and nearby amenities, but in many areas, there’s always someone in need of a parking spot.
Spots near sports stadiums, airports, and major cities are usually in high demand.
Check eligibility and use a platform like YourParkingSpace, JustPark, or ParkLet to list it. These apps let you set your availability and pricing.
You can earn up to £1,000 a year without having to pay income tax. Just keep in mind that if you earn more than this amount, you’ll need to report it to HMRC and possibly complete a self-assessment tax return.