MT Digest - Job hoppers earn about £10k more a year
What to read right now…
Oh dear - the UK’s gender pay gap has widened for the first time since 2021.
It’s interesting when read concurrently with this report on how mothers are leading the charge when it comes to the growth in the side hustles sector.
I’ll have more posts on specific side hustles later this year but meanwhile it’s a good time to resurface this piece on the different side hustles you can try.
On a different note, those who change jobs frequently are apparently earning an average of £10k more a year than who don’t. That’s a lot over a lifetime. Time to brush up that CV?
And finally, the latest Wealth and Assets survey from the Office for National Statistics revealed that the wealth gap between the north and the south is over £300,000.
The deal that’s a steal…
Virgin Experience Days* still have their sale on, with up to 80% off experiences.
There are lots of options, although the most heavily discounted ones involve photoshoots…
I’d personally go for the Spa Day with Three Treatments at Bannatyne Health Clubs* offer.
Available at 36 locations around the UK, you’ll enjoy 35 minutes’ worth of treatments as part of the deal, ranging from facials to scalp massages.
Given the length of time, it’s more of a taster really, but you do get to use the leisure facilities afterwards and get a £10 voucher that you can use towards spa products from their shop.
The deal is currently selling for £60 instead of the usual £135, so a saving of 56%.
There are a few different offers from Bannatyne Health Clubs though, so make sure you pick the right one.
And an actual freebie…
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust is giving away free passes to visit its wetlands centres around the UK.
All you have to do is enter your email on their website, which I suppose means you’ll be signing up for their newsletter as well.
One email equals one pass, so if you want to claim passes for the whole family you’d need a whole family worth of email addresses.
The passes are only valid between 31 January and 7 February and you’ll have to choose a date in your request.
If you only do one thing…
It’s almost that time of the year. Yes, I’m talking about tax returns.
Embarrassingly, I’ve left it to the very last minute because, well, I’ve been doing too much travelling.
If you’re in the same boat, you might like to read this piece on filing your tax return for the first time, and this one on things you should be claiming in your tax return.
Both have been refreshed in time for this tax season.
Think someone you know might like Money Talk? Refer a friend (or few) and get free premium subscription.
Best buys
Accounts with some of the best rates around. The full list here.
Current account:
Nationwide Flex Account 5% AER (first 12 months up to £1,500; for new customers only)
Instant access savings account:
Chip Easy Access Saver* 4.50% AER (penalty for more than three withdrawals)
Marcus Online Savings Account 4.30% AER
Regular savings account:
First Direct Regular Saver 7% AER (pay in up to £300 a month)
Natwest Digital Regular Saver 6.17% AER (pay in up to £150 a month, with higher rate paid up to £5,000)
RBS Digital Regular Saver 6.17% AER (pay in up to £150 a month, with higher rate paid up to £8,000)