Money Diary: A Deputy Director On £80,000

Occupation: Deputy Director
Industry: Civil Service
Age: 36
Location: Birmingham
Salary: £80,000
Joint income: N/A
Assets: I have a mortgage on my own home with probably about £100,000 equity in it, £7,500 in premium bonds and just shy of £30k in a stocks and shares ISA, plus about £1,000 in crypto.
Debt: £4,300 on a 0% interest credit card.
Paycheque Amount: £4,657
Pronouns: She/her read more

Sorry, But These 8 Body Care Products Are A Big Scam

“Metal foot files, especially those with coarse surfaces, can be overly abrasive and harsh on the skin, leading to irritation, cuts or abrasions, particularly on sensitive areas of the feet,” says Gohil. She adds that they are particularly difficult to sanitise thoroughly, increasing the risk of bacterial or fungal infections. Instead of a metal foot file, Gohil recommends opting for gentler alternatives such as pumice stones or ceramic foot files, which are designed to exfoliate the skin effectively without causing damage or irritation. “These alternatives offer a safer and more hygienic approach to foot care, promoting smoother, healthier feet with reduced risk of injury or infection,” says Gohil. read more

“I Paid Thousands For A Dating Coach — Now I’m Engaged”: Inside The Rise Of High-Investment Dating

Back in April, entrepreneur Shirley Vernae Williams, 39, went viral on TikTok after revealing that she had spent $10,000 (approx £7,400) on a dating coach to enhance her love life. “The total amount I spent on a dating coach in the end was $12,000 (around £9000). I started with a program called ‘Get Your Guy’, which helped me get clear on my patterns, rewire how I date, and build a stronger relationship with myself,” she said to Unbothered. A few months later, Williams, based in New York, joined another program called ‘Get Your Ring’, which comprised a more intimate group container that was focused on partnership. Between those two programs, Williams had personalised coaching, voice note access, and real-time support — all of which she hoped would enhance her dating life. read more

Young Black Women Are Finally Leading UK Coming-Of-Age TV — But Will It Last?

We’re also finally seeing Black women lead shows in genres where we’ve long been underrepresented in the UK, like fantasy and superhero. Earlier last year, BBC Three introduced us to Domino Day, a witch-drama about a Black witch who must feed off other people’s energy to stay alive. Created by Lauren Sequeira and starring Siena Kelly, I loved how the show kept the authenticity of Britishness, brought the fun elements of American teen supernatural shows such as Vampire Diaries and Witches of East End, while still managing to be inherently Black (a Black witch, a Black coven of witches whose sisterhood I really admired, and a Black writer). Then came Netflix’s Supacell, a show that I had long been waiting for as someone who loves the superhero genre. read more

Money Diary: A Personal Assistant On £47,500

Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent/guardian(s) educate you about finances?
I grew up always feeling comfortable, but I knew we weren’t rich. I thought we were pretty well off until I moved to London and realised how the other half actually live! My parents split when I was in my early teens and money became a lot tighter. We stopped going on holidays, downsized into a rental and myself and my brother took on more responsibilities. My mum has always drilled into me the importance of having my own money and encouraged me to save something every month that I didn’t touch, whether it was £20 or £200. Looking back, I really didn’t appreciate how tough it must have been financially (and mentally) for her to start all over again in her 40s with two teenage children, especially as a woman from a traditional culture who lived in a dual-income household from the age of 21. She has always been my biggest money motivation. read more