Each week members of the UK Money Bloggers network and their readers join up to take a different #MondayMoneyUK topic.
Following news that only a quarter of eligible couples had claimed for the marriage tax allowance, the bloggers took on money and relationships.
This week our editor Andy Webb was the host. Here’s our pick of the best tweets and tips:
Are coupons acceptable on a first date?
First Q in a bit. Before then say hello & tell us if you think it’s ok to use a restaurant coupon on a date #MondayMoneyUK @ukmoneybloggers
— Andy Webb CleverCash (@AndyCleverCash) October 24, 2016
It seems we money bloggers are cheap dates
@AndyCleverCash no but on a first date I would want to feel a bit more special than a coupon. Date 3 onwards is fine #mondaymoneyuk
— Mummy Saver (@mummymakersaver) October 24, 2016
@AndyCleverCash @UKMoneybloggers Would depend on the restaurant. Chance to go somewhere swish – fine. MaccyDs – not so much. #MondayMoneyUK
— MuchMoreWithLess (@MuchMore_Less) October 24, 2016
@AndyCleverCash @UKMoneybloggers hello! Ooo tough question! You could give it to the waiter without them seeing 🙂 #MondayMoneyUK
— FromPenniestoPounds (@FromPenniesto) October 24, 2016
Which is more expensive – being single or relationships?
Right let’s get to it Q1 What’s been more expensive for you & why – being single or being in a relationship? #MondayMoneyUK @ukmoneybloggers
— Andy Webb CleverCash (@AndyCleverCash) October 24, 2016
Despite the benefits of being in a couple like two incomes, two for one movies and the marriage tax allowance, it seems life just gets more expensive when there two of you.
@AndyCleverCash @UKMoneybloggers being in a relationship for sure. My hubby is a ‘spender’!! #MondayMoneyUK
— FromPenniestoPounds (@FromPenniesto) October 24, 2016
@AndyCleverCash @UKMoneybloggers A2: Being in a relationship – we’ve got married and had a family! More expensive for sure 🙂 #MondayMoneyUK
— Nicola (@thefrgalcottage) October 24, 2016
@AndyCleverCash @UKMoneybloggers #mondaymoneyuk when I was single I was stricter with my shopping habits now I often want to spoil my OH
— Martyna Sroka (@miss_SEO) October 24, 2016
@AndyCleverCash @FromPenniesto @tortoise_happy Finally gave into hubby having sky sports 2 yrs ago. Now with 3 boys & hubby cannot get rid.
— Mrs Mummypenny (@MrsMummypennyUK) October 24, 2016
Savings for singletons
Sounds like most of us are in relationships. But back to single life for Q2 What are ways you can save? #MondayMoneyUK @ukmoneybloggers
— Andy Webb CleverCash (@AndyCleverCash) October 24, 2016
Overcoming the curse of multipack vegetables by batch cooking and living with mates to bring down money spent on bills were key ways people on their own could cut their costs.
Food shopping for 1 can be expensive, but you can save money by batch cooking #mondaymoneyuk
— Tortoise Happy (@tortoise_happy) October 24, 2016
@AndyCleverCash my single friends either live at home or to be honest, get good government benefits for being single parents. #MondayMoneyUK
— FromPenniestoPounds (@FromPenniesto) October 24, 2016
@AndyCleverCash Living with mates or choosing a smaller place #MondayMoneyUK
— Tortoise Happy (@tortoise_happy) October 24, 2016
Cashback for couples
Q3 What about relationships. You said they’re more expensive. How can you spend less money? #MondayMoneyUK @ukmoneybloggers
— Andy Webb CleverCash (@AndyCleverCash) October 24, 2016
When there are two of you, there’s a team – meaning you need to work together to make the most of your finances. Plus there’s the advantage of Netflix and chill…
@miss_SEO Yes, you can often get joint accounts on top of your own, though interest rates sadly to drop in new year on most #MondayMoneyUK
— Andy Webb CleverCash (@AndyCleverCash) October 24, 2016
A3. Agree on budgets & big expenses, so neither of you is splashing the cash on stuff you don’t need. Try a spending diary #MondayMoneyUK https://t.co/Cdjysy8nOO
— MuchMoreWithLess (@MuchMore_Less) October 24, 2016
@AndyCleverCash @UKMoneybloggers haha, just watching things like #thewalkingdeadUK instead of going out! 🙂 #MondayMoneyUK
— Nicola (@thefrgalcottage) October 24, 2016
Bigger problems…
Q4 Single or loved up, what are your money worries based on your relationship status? Share tips to help #MondayMoneyUK @ukmoneybloggers
— Andy Webb CleverCash (@AndyCleverCash) October 24, 2016
It seems that as life moves on and relationships grow, so you do you expenses. Having a family, buying a home and getting married can be big outgoings which have an impact when things change.
@FromPenniesto love this! So many problems can be caused when partners have different feelings about money. #MondayMoneyUK
— Your money, sorted (@FinancialCoachx) October 24, 2016
@AndyCleverCash @UKMoneybloggers Mortgage etc based on original double income that keeps dwindling as family expands #MondayMoneyUK
— The Mini Malpi (@TheMiniMalpi) October 24, 2016
What about being married vs cohabiting? Anyone got thoughts on best thing to do in terms of money? #MondayMoneyUK
— Andy Webb CleverCash (@AndyCleverCash) October 24, 2016
@AndyCleverCash weddings can be costly ? but the legal documents help in case anything bad happens #mondaymoneyuk
— FromPenniestoPounds (@FromPenniesto) October 24, 2016
In a secure relationship, marriage is better for tax reasons. But focus on marriage not the wedding, don’t start life in debt #MondayMoneyUK https://t.co/8CCmSznbzd
— MuchMoreWithLess (@MuchMore_Less) October 24, 2016