With the cost of living still biting many households, and projections of declining disposable incomes for the rest of the decade, many people are looking at ways of making extra cash. And around half of UK adults now have a second job, or a ‘side hustle’. Whilst average earnings are often modest, at around £200 a week, others can do well enough that it becomes their main form of income.

The UK housing market is heading for a year of steady improvement rather than dramatic change in 2026. Falling interest rates, easing affordability pressures and new mortgage products are expected to support buyers. I warn against expecting a return to ultra-cheap borrowing or runaway house price growth. 2026 should be a great year to buy a property.

This January is set to see UK consumers returning over £1 billion worth of Christmas gifts. Whether it is something you’ve purchased yourself, for a friend or loved one or it’s an unwanted gift, it can be a trying experience. If you’re trying to return something after Christmas, your rights depend on how and why you’re returning it.

For the last few years I have bought Christmas trees with a root ball so that I can plant them outdoors once the festive season is over. Whilst this is great for the tree, it does have a downside from a smallholding point of view, as Christmas trees, fir, pine and spruce are an excellent source of healthy snacks for the goats.

It’s the day of the year when soaring numbers of people are looking to buy a home. For many, logging onto Rightmove on Boxing Day will be as important as tucking into the leftovers and getting in early for the High Street sales. Experts say we gravitate towards Rightmove and other property platforms as our mind begins to turn towards New Year aspirations.

Our mental health expert has issued her advice on how to avoid feeling lonely during the festive season.

We all know that Christmas carries its fair share of stress—the preparation, the rushing around, the family dynamics—but for some people, it goes far deeper than being ‘a bit overwhelmed’. For certain individuals, Christmas itself can trigger a full phobic response, no different from a fear of public speaking, flying, or spiders. It even has a name, Christougenniatikophobia.

A property expert had shared his predictions for the housing market in the first three months of 2026. Mish Liyanage, Founder and CEO of Mistoria Group, is optimistic about steady growth in house prices as the number of sales return to pre-pandemic levels.

It is possible to pick up freebies for stocking fillers and get Christmas dinner bargains if you know the right places to look. The average person will spend over £1,100 this Christmas on gifts, food, drink and going out – a significant chunk of most people’s monthly pay at a time when we’re all feeling the pinch from the cost of living,” says Jane.

Grasmere Distillery has announced the launch of The Pioneers Club, inviting whisky enthusiasts to secure a rare opportunity: ownership of the first three releases of the distillery’s inaugural English single malt whisky.

The invitation landed like a perfectly aged Wensleydale – impossible to resist. A chance to explore the Wensleydale Creamery's new festive offerings? I was there faster than Wallace could spot a wedge of his favourite cheese. Winter had wrapped the Yorkshire Dales in its most theatrical costume.

With statistics showing over two in five Brits have felt stressed during the festive season, I have put together a plan to help people cope with the additional pressures the season brings. Despite it being such a happy and exciting time for most, one in four of us have said we struggle with anxiety or depression at this time of year.