National Trust for ScotlandVoting IDGallery behaviour True liesSwiss army knife I enjoyed your article on discounts for the over-60s (Money hacks, 7 May), but there’s an even better National Trust discount than the one included. Any UK resident can join the National Trust for Scotland and get the same benefits, but cheaper. It has a joint senior membership that comes in at £99.60 annually, and does not require being a member for the previous three years. It’s valid across the UK. Jane Black Manchester • Peter Bottomley MP is right that the Electoral Commission recommended some form o ..read more

It’s still the magic milestone when senior citizenship begins … with a host of money-saving offers to take advantage of The UK state pension age has risen but many companies and organisations still hold on to “the big 6-0” as the point at which senior citizenship begins, and it continues to represent a money-saving milestone as a result ..read more

Take advantage of refills, dupes of high-end products and sharing with your partner There are plenty of ways to reduce the cost of your skincare routine – from everyday moisturisers to potent serums ..read more

From renovating existing wood and plastic to scouring the local tip for anything that can be recycled Getting your garden ready for the warmer months is not only about planting. We take a look at how to furnish your outdoor space for less ..read more

Whether the deal auto-renewed without your knowledge or you forgot a free trial had ended, try asking for your money back How many subscription services are you signed up to? It may be more than you think. According to recent research from Citizens Advice, the amount consumers are spending on “accidental subscriptions” has risen sharply: it estimates unused subscriptions cost us £688m in the past year. The charity found that many of those affected said the subscription “auto-renewed” without their knowledge, or they signed up for a free trial but forgot to cancel later ..read more

From simple lifestyle changes to choosing the right bedding and gadgets that can help Dr Nicola Cann, a sleep consultant and psychologist, says sleeping is a natural process “that our bodies are primed for”, so there is a lot you can do to improve it without spending anything ..read more

Some Britons are aiming to cut their mortgage costs and lower stress levels by moving to a smaller property When Richard Wise* moved from London to Margate in Kent three years ago, he did not expect to move again any time soon. But the music industry manager and his partner are planning to downsize from a four- to a three-bedroom property after their mortgage rate quadrupled. “After Liz Truss’s bombshell [the September 2022 mini-budget that led to rising mortgage rates], our mortgage repayments doubled last year,” the 40-year-old says ..read more

The best tips and tricks for getting the lowest possible fares in England and Wales If you regularly travel by train, you can’t fail to have noticed that ticket prices in England and Wales rose by 4.9% earlier this month. The increase added hundreds of pounds to many commuters’ annual travel costs, and represents an unwelcome price rise for those who use trains to get around for leisure purposes or to visit family. The above-inflation increase follows a 5.9% increase in March last year. Motorists, meanwhile, were given a budget boost last week when the chancellor said fuel duty would remain fr ..read more

Want to be fashionable? Talk about your spending limits, turn down costly invitations and always have a packed lunch. And yes, it’s much more fun if you’re rich Name: Loud budgeting. Age: New for 2024 ..read more

There are ways to eat well for less, with discount schemes and rewards to enrolling as a mystery diner Many restaurants, usually high street chains, offer two-for-one deals and money off for holders of discount cards. The best known of these is Tastecard, which offers you 25% off the total bill, two-for-one deals and 50% off food deals, depending on the chain. However, there are conditions such as being limited to certain days of the week and having to ring ahead. Zizzi, for example, offers two-for-one deals from Sunday to Thursday, while Beefeater offers 25% off the total bill on the same day ..read more