Latest news with #Sarah-JaneOutten
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Grandparents can get £6,600 pension boost for looking after kids during summer holidays – but thousands miss out
Plus, we share how you apply for the support HELPING HAND Grandparents can get £6,600 pension boost for looking after kids during summer holidays – but thousands miss out GRANDPARENTS can get a £6,600 pension boost for looking after kids during summer holidays. Many grandparents are unaware they can be financially compensated for the time spent looking after their grandchildren. Advertisement 1 Grandparents can be compensated for looking after the grandhildren Credit: Getty The help will come in handy as 53% of grandparents with grandchildren aged under 18 will look after them this summer, according to research by MyVoucherCodes. They are expected to pay more than £21 per day on each child on average, up from £15.80 per day last summer. Sarah-Jane Outten, consumer and shopping expert at MyVoucherCodes, said: 'It's clear to see that many parents across the UK are calling on grandparents to step in to help with childcare, but for some, the generosity is coming at a cost." But there is a way for grandparents to get extra support. Advertisement Specified adult childcare credits are a type of National Insurance (NI) credit that can help you qualify for the full state pension. You need 35 years' worth of NI contributions to get the full amount worth £230.25 a week. It means parents and other relatives looking after a child under 12 can give their pension a boost. Recent research obtained by wealth manager Quilter from HMRC found only 104,433 people have successfully claimed the credits in the past five years. Advertisement Just 42,962 people applied for the credits last year, even though 78% of applications are successful. Cash for Care Every year of transferred credit will boost your state pension by £330 a year. This could add nearly £6,600 to the value of your state pension over the course of a 20-year retirement. You can also backdate your claim to 2011, when the credits were first introduced. Advertisement Who is eligible? You can claim if you are an eligible family member and responsible for caring for a child whose parents claim child benefit; otherwise, there are no national insurance credits to transfer. Moreover, there is only one credit available per child benefit claim, regardless of the number of children. So even if you care for two of your grandchildren, only one credit can be transferred to you. It is also important to note that the credits are available for transfer only if you are under the state pension age. Advertisement The child you are caring for must also be under 12 years old, or 17 if they have disabilities. To claim, you must live in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. How do I claim? You need to wait until October 31 to apply for the current tax year. This is because HMRC needs to check that the parent or main carer already has a qualifying year of National Insurance. They should check their National Insurance record to make sure they have credits they can transfer. Parents and carers can check their National Insurance record on the website. Before you apply for the credits you will need the child's details and a record of the periods when you provided care for them. You will also need the contact details of the child's parent or main carer who receives the child benefit. Both you and the person who receives the child benefit must sign a declaration on the application form. You then need to complete the CA9176 form online.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Survey reveals what dads really want this Father's Day – and what they will get
People are spending about £10 more on Father's Day this year typically than Mother's Day, a survey indicates. On average, people expect to spend £54.06 on a card and gifts for Father's Day (June 15), compared with an average spend of £44.80 for Mother's Day in March, according to MyVoucherCodes. People aged 25 to 34 are the biggest Father's Day spenders, the research indicates, typically planning to spend £78.24. Across all age groups, the most common gift that people expect to buy for Father's Day is alcohol, followed by food and a meal out, according to the survey carried out by OnePoll of 2,000 people across the UK in May who are in contact with their father or stepfather. The research indicated there may be a mis-match between what fathers would like and what they will receive. Most common gifts fathers would like to receive – Day out– Tech– A meal Among fathers surveyed, the most common gift they would like to receive is a day out, followed by tech and a meal. Sarah-Jane Outten, a money saving expert at MyVoucherCodes, said the research indicates that many people are 'going the extra mile to treat their dads'. Here are some tips from Ms Outten for saving money on Father's Day gifts: – Plan ahead Start shopping early to give yourself time to find the best deals. – Be creative A homemade meal, baked goods, or a hand-crafted gift can be more thoughtful – and more affordable – than store-bought options. – Buy a group gift Consider clubbing together with siblings or family members to buy one bigger, more meaningful gift. – Look for discounts on 'experiences' With a day out being the gift that fathers surveyed most commonly want, consider looking out for offers on experience days, local attractions, or events. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
The Independent
06-04-2025
- The Independent
Easter holiday spend of £1,272 on average for families with children
Nearly two in five (38%) people have a break planned for Easter, a survey indicates. A quarter (25%) of people surveyed are going on a UK-based trip this Easter, while 13% are opting to travel abroad, according to the research for MyVoucherCodes. Nearly half (46%) of men surveyed are planning an Easter break, compared with 31% of women. Younger adults were found to be particularly keen to take a holiday this Easter, with 67% of 25 to 34-year-olds planning a getaway and 57% of 18 to 24-year-olds also planning a break. People with children who are planning an Easter break expect to spend around £1,272 on average, while those with no children expect to spend £863 typically, according to the survey of 2,000 people across the UK in February and March carried out by OnePoll. The average expected spend for parents with one child is around £1,238, while those with two children anticipate an average spend of £1,562. Sarah-Jane Outten, a shopping expert at MyVoucherCodes, said: 'With the long bank holiday weekend, it can be an ideal time to go away without having to take too much annual leave. 'And while it can be more expensive than going away in term-time, for those with children, going on holiday at Easter is often a cheaper option than the summer holidays. 'For families, the cost of a holiday can quickly add up. A little extra planning and some savvy shopping can make a big difference when it comes to saving money on your Easter holiday.' Here are some tips from Ms Outten for people booking Easter breaks to save money. 1. Compare hotel prices Prices can vary significantly depending on factors such as proximity to the beach, if any meals are included or even the view from your room. 2. Look for airport parking deals Airport parking can be expensive, but booking in advance and using discount codes could help cut the cost. 3. Try to travel during off-peak times If you can be flexible with your dates, it may be possible to save money. People flying abroad could consider whether it is less expensive to travel during 'off-peak' hours. 4. Sign up for price alerts Signing up for alerts can mean people are notified about price drops and 'flash sales'. It may also be worth checking holiday firms' social media for deals notifications.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Yahoo
Easter holiday spend of £1,272 on average for families with children
Nearly two in five (38%) people have a break planned for Easter, a survey indicates. A quarter (25%) of people surveyed are going on a UK-based trip this Easter, while 13% are opting to travel abroad, according to the research for MyVoucherCodes. Nearly half (46%) of men surveyed are planning an Easter break, compared with 31% of women. Younger adults were found to be particularly keen to take a holiday this Easter, with 67% of 25 to 34-year-olds planning a getaway and 57% of 18 to 24-year-olds also planning a break. People with children who are planning an Easter break expect to spend around £1,272 on average, while those with no children expect to spend £863 typically, according to the survey of 2,000 people across the UK in February and March carried out by OnePoll. The average expected spend for parents with one child is around £1,238, while those with two children anticipate an average spend of £1,562. Sarah-Jane Outten, a shopping expert at MyVoucherCodes, said: 'With the long bank holiday weekend, it can be an ideal time to go away without having to take too much annual leave. 'And while it can be more expensive than going away in term-time, for those with children, going on holiday at Easter is often a cheaper option than the summer holidays. 'For families, the cost of a holiday can quickly add up. A little extra planning and some savvy shopping can make a big difference when it comes to saving money on your Easter holiday.' Here are some tips from Ms Outten for people booking Easter breaks to save money. 1. Compare hotel prices Prices can vary significantly depending on factors such as proximity to the beach, if any meals are included or even the view from your room. 2. Look for airport parking deals Airport parking can be expensive, but booking in advance and using discount codes could help cut the cost. 3. Try to travel during off-peak times If you can be flexible with your dates, it may be possible to save money. People flying abroad could consider whether it is less expensive to travel during 'off-peak' hours. 4. Sign up for price alerts Signing up for alerts can mean people are notified about price drops and 'flash sales'. It may also be worth checking holiday firms' social media for deals notifications.
The Independent
07-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Independent
How to celebrate Mother's Day on a budget
Mums and step-mums deserve spoiling – and this Mother's Day they will have an average of nearly £45 spent on them per child – new research indicates. Those celebrating Mother's Day on March 30 plan to spend a generous £44.80 on average on a card and present, with 25 to 34-year-olds splashing out the most, with an average spend of £71.86 on a gift and card. But it seems mums and step-mums won't always be receiving their ideal gift. The most-wanted gift for Mother's Day 2025 is a spa day, according to the survey for MyVoucherCodes, but the most popular present children plan to give is flowers. In joint second place, mums and step-mums said they would like something homemade or a meal out as a gift this Mother's Day. Among children giving gifts, while flowers are the top choice, chocolates and meals out will also be popular, researchers found. If money was no object, one in eight (12%) of people would treat their mum to a new UK-based home, according to the survey of 2,000 people in January. A holiday home, a cruise and a Caribbean holiday all came together in a joint second, each selected by 8%. Sarah-Jane Outten, a money saving expert at MyVoucherCodes, says: 'It's lovely to see that the British public still want to spoil their mums on Mother's Day and the average spend shows people aren't holding back when it comes to buying a card and gift for their mums or step mums. 'However, it's always worth remembering that spoiling your mum doesn't have to leave you out of pocket.' Here are Outten's tips to avoid overspending: 1. Made with love 'Instead of buying an expensive card, consider making one yourself,' says Outten. She says writing a touching note and creating a design using crafts can be more heartfelt and add a special, personal touch. Get a free fractional share worth up to £100. Capital at risk. Terms and conditions apply. She continues: 'If you have a minimal budget, try making her breakfast in bed, fill a memory jar with thoughtful messages or simply cuddle up with some popcorn to watch her favourite film.' 2. Plan ahead 'It's best not to wait until the last minute to buy a card and gift,' says Outten. 'Deciding to buy in advance gives you the opportunity to compare prices and make thoughtful purchases. You can often find discounts or deals if you start shopping early. 3. Look for sales and discounts As well as keeping an eye out for discounts, Outten suggests signing up for store newsletters to get early access to sales or voucher codes. 4. Set a budget Outten adds: 'Before you start shopping, have a think how much you want to spend on both the card and the gift. 'Setting a budget will help you avoid impulse purchases and keep you on track. It's the thought that counts more than the price tag.' 5. Shop local Online shopping gives people a huge amount of choice, but don't forget about browsing your local high street. Outten says: 'Local boutiques, craft markets, or second-hand stores often sell unique and affordable gifts that can be just as meaningful as something pricey from a chain retailer. Plus, it supports small businesses.'
