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We're with you on the go (Global)

Loren

Although Covid-19 restrictions have started lifting allowing fully vaccinated people to finally travel abroad, those still waiting to get their second jab may find themselves feeling some holiday envy. But at least you can still holiday near home, right?

Well, for those looking for a getaway on home soil, you may be shocked to learn that staycation costs have reportedly skyrocketed by more than a third (35%) over the past year.* And with our previous [study](https://monese.com/blog/25-family-days "25 family days out for under £25") revealing that parents spend £15 more per day, per child during the school holidays vs. term time, the costs associated with a family holiday this summer are likely to add up fairly sharply. 

However, for those still keen to escape the mainland this summer, our new research has revealed the top 10 cheapest UK islands to visit. Whether you’re travelling solo, with a partner or friend or as a family, you don’t have to spend a fortune for a change of scenery.

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## Solo travellers 
For those looking for a break from the day-to-day and for a little peace and quiet in the coming months, the Isles of Scilly were found to be the most affordable staycation for solo travelers in summer 2021 (and beyond).

Home to an abundance of natural attractions, stretching sandy beaches, local artists and galleries and even its own vineyard and winery, the Scilly Isles have plenty to offer those who visit them. With prices from just £126.90 per person for return travel and accommodation, the island provides the perfect option for those on a tighter budget.

Other similarly affordable options for holiday makers going it alone include the Isle of Man (£262.90), the Isle of Arran (£280.20), the Isle of Wight (£310.80) and Jersey (£316).

### Top 10 cheapest islands for solo travellers:
1. Isles of Scilly (St. Mary’s), Cornwall — from £126.90
2. Isle of Man, Channel Islands — from £262.90
3. Isle of Arran, Scotland — from £280.20
4. Isle of Wight — from £310.80
5. Jersey, Channel Islands — from £316
6. Shetland Islands, Scotland — from £351
7. Isle of Skye, Scotland — from £434.20
8. Orkney Islands, Scotland — from £452
9. Isle of Bute, Scotland — from £496.70
10. Isle of Lewis, Scotland — from £510

## Travelling in pairs  
Whilst for some, traveling alone is a blissful escape, for others, sharing their experiences with a partner, friend or loved one is their preferred way to travel. Topping the list of destinations for those travelling together were the Isles of Scilly once again. With prices per couple totaling just £253.80 for a weeklong getaway including travel, it’s easy to see why!

### Top 10 cheapest islands for couples (based on 2 adults sharing):
1. Isles of Scilly (St. Mary’s), Cornwall — from £253.80
2. Isle of Arran, Scotland — from £370.40
3. Isle of Skye, Scotland — from £488.40
4. Isle of Man, Channel Islands — from £509
5. Isle of Wight — from £515.60
6. Jersey, Channel Islands — from £624
7. Orkney Islands, Scotland — from £638
8. Isle of Bute, Scotland — from £643.40
9. Shetland Islands, Scotland — from £646
10. Isle of Lewis, Scotland — from £810

<br/><br/>

One thing to keep in mind when visiting the majority of UK islands is that average temperatures can often be cooler than anticipated due to the surrounding sea. Whilst temperatures on the Scilly Isles can hit a high of 19°C in August, making sure you pack plenty of warm clothing is an absolute must across all of the islands. The weather can be fairly unpredictable and unforgiving.

## Family travel
Lastly, we added up the potential costs of a staycation on the islands for a family of four (inclusive of 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 12). Once again the Isles of Scilly claimed the top spot, boasting a week away with return travel from just £396.80 for the whole family!

The jump in price between our top spot and the island in second place on the list, the Shetland Islands (Scotland), was fairly substantial — more than £300! However, at £717 for a week away inclusive of travel, a holiday here still provides great value for a family escape.  

Often overlooked as a UK holiday destination, the Shetlands are steeped in a rich history and the islands boast strong Viking roots. From wildlife and nature to food and drink, and plenty of outdoor adventures available, visiting families will have plenty to keep them occupied. 

### Top 10 cheapest islands for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children):
1. Isles of Scilly (St. Mary’s), Cornwall — from £396.80
2. Shetland Islands, Scotland — from £717
3. Isle of Man, Channel Islands — from £797
4. Orkney Islands, Scotland — from £845
5. Isle of Skye, Scotland — from £858.60
6. Isle of Bute, Scotland — from £895.20
7. Clare Island, Ireland — from £922
8. Isle of Arran, Scotland — from £1,012.60
9. Isle of Wight — from £1,025.40 
10. Jersey, Channel Islands — from £1,230

<br/><br/>

Naturally, the summer holidays come with additional costs outside of just the price of travel and accommodation. Our previous research revealed that parents spend £15 more per day, per child during the school holidays vs. term time, so budgeting beyond these prices is recommended.

Our research found that the top islands to getaway close to home, include the Isles of Scilly and Isle of Wight, especially for those looking for cheaper staycation destinations. 

Equally, the Scottish Isle of Arran is also a great option for those wanting to escape and see some truly breathtaking scenic views. For those wanting to head slightly further afield, then the Isle of Man, located in the Channel Islands, is likely to be your best port of call and has also made it onto all three of the top 10 lists.

## How to save for your staycation
![Savings 1920x1080](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/34KBnRIcN1ETiNsiEr4eUr/1b6c8e34ee475b59f04ac0f7dd54d3d8/Savings_1920x1080.png)
For those dreaming of travelling to one of the above locations and beyond, we’ve put together some top tips on how best to save in a short amount of time for the staycation of your dreams.

### 1. Set a realistic goal
Know exactly how much you’re aiming to save up for this trip. Once you’ve got a number in mind, you can work out how much you'd need to save each week to reach this goal. If you’re trying to save a large amount each week, work out a specific budget and make sure you stick to it.

When giving yourself a budget, remember to be realistic: you can’t expect to completely cut down overnight, and if you set a budget that’s too strict, you may find yourself dipping into the money you’ve worked hard to save!

With Monese, you can easily set a weekly or monthly [budget](https://monese.com/features/budgeting "Budgeting made easy") to help keep you on track. 

### 2. Make smart swaps
If you’re going to struggle to meet your goal due to current [spending](https://monese.com/gb/en/blog/keep-spending-under-control "Top tips to keep spending under control as we ease back into normality") habits, you might need to make some decisions about your priorities and adjust expenses accordingly.

For example, when doing your food shop, swapping out name brands for cheaper, supermarket own brands is a great way to reduce your shopping bills and will make a difference in your weekly spending. Take a list with you and stick to it. Don’t get distracted by any flashy deals or buy more than you need. 

If you get recipe boxes delivered, then you may want to put these on pause too, as buying  ingredients yourself is usually quite cheaper.

### 3. Set money aside before you spend
Commit to putting money aside as soon as you get [paid](https://monese.com/blog/receive-salary "How to receive your salary in your Monese account"). If you treat setting money aside as an obligation, and see it as being similar to paying your bills, you’ll end up reaching your target goal in no time.

### 4. Use Monese money pots
You can set up a money [pot](https://monese.com/products/pots "Open Monese money pots") in the app so you have a place to keep your staycation money separate from day-to-day spending. Give your pot a target goal and reach it fast by rounding up your transactions by 10x and sending the difference to your designated staycation pot. You can also create up to 10 different pots to help you keep everything you’re saving for separate from each other, so you can track your [holiday money](https://monese.com/blog/holiday-money-at-home "How much holiday money could you find at home?") accurately. 

### 5. Cut back on treats
If you want to save in a short amount of time, the best thing to do is cut out any of your unnecessary purchases. With the [Spending Overview](https://monese.com/blog/simple-spending-overview "An easy way to stay on top of your spending") feature, you can easily keep an eye on any excess spending. You’ll also get instant notifications for detailed transaction descriptions every time you buy, making it easier to stay on track.

For example, eat in instead of having meals out and takeaways. Really consider if you need any new clothing or a new set of nails. Afterall, cutting back on the extra expenses while you’re at home means you can enjoy yourself more when you’re on your holiday.

<br/><br/>

Are you planning a staycation this summer? Let us know where you’re headed! Share your budgeting and savings tips and tricks with us on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://instagram.com/monese "Monese official Instagram page") or write to us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com).

<br/><br/>

*__Sources:__*

** [https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-staycation-surge-hikes-up-cost-of-seaside-holiday-lets-12236330](https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-staycation-surge-hikes-up-cost-of-seaside-holiday-lets-12236330 "COVID-19: Staycation surge hikes up cost of seaside holiday lets")*

*__Methodology:__*
- *Data and calculations are correct as of 7/7/2021*
- *Family of four is inclusive of 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 12*
- *All prices are inclusive of travel costs (both by ferry or plane) and accommodation (selected from the cheapest options available e.g., camping, B&B or hotel, etc.)*
- *Calculations were based around a 7-night stay between the 16–23 August on UK islands.*

*__Data was taken from the following sources:__*
- *Skyscanner was used to determine the cost of flights from London (if available) to each destination, the cheapest flights were used if they were cheaper than a ferry*
- *All ferry prices are just for the person — not inclusive of a car*
- *Alderney — [https://www.thelittleferrycompany.com/](https://www.thelittleferrycompany.com/ "Twice Daily Ferry Service  Alderney - Guernsey")*
- *Brownsea Island — [https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island/features/winter-weekend-opening](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island/features/winter-weekend-opening "How to get to Brownsea Island")*
- *Clare Island — [https://clareisland.info/get-here-clare-island/ferry-times/ ](https://clareisland.info/get-here-clare-island/ferry-times/ "Departure Times & Fares")*
- *Guernsey — [https://www.condorferries.co.uk/ferry-routes-ports/ferries-to-guernsey](https://www.condorferries.co.uk/ferry-routes-ports/ferries-to-guernsey "Condor Ferries")*  
- *Isle of Arran — [https://www.calmac.co.uk/](https://www.calmac.co.uk/ "Caledonian MacBrayne")*
- *Isle of Bute — [https://www.calmac.co.uk/](https://www.calmac.co.uk/ "Caledonian MacBrayne")*
- *Isle of Lewis — [https://www.calmac.co.uk/](https://www.calmac.co.uk/ "Caledonian MacBrayne")*
- *Isle of Man — [https://www.steam-packet.com/](https://www.steam-packet.com/ "Steam Packet Company")*
- *Isle of Mull — [https://www.calmac.co.uk/](https://www.calmac.co.uk/ "Caledonian MacBrayne")*
- *Isle of Scilly (St. Marys) — [https://www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk/fares/](https://www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk/fares/ "Isles of Scilly Travel")*  
- *Isle of Skye — [https://www.calmac.co.uk/](https://www.calmac.co.uk/ "Caledonian MacBrayne")*
- *Isle of Wight — [https://www.wightlink.co.uk/](https://www.wightlink.co.uk/ "Wight Link")*
- *Jersey — [skyscanner.net](https://www.skyscanner.net "Skyscanner Homepage")*
- *Orkney — [https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/](https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/ "NorthLink Ferries")*
- *Shetland Islands — [https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/](https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/ "NorthLink Ferries")*
- *NB: For accommodation, first used [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com "Booking.com Homepage"), if no availability used Airbnb, if no availability here, then local tourist sites were used*
- *Alderney — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Brownsea Island — [http://www.theeastburyhotel.co.uk/](http://www.theeastburyhotel.co.uk/ "The Eastbury")*
- *Clare Island — [https://www.goexplorehostel.ie/](https://www.goexplorehostel.ie/ "Explore Hostel") (Only available on 21–28 Aug, based on a family room in a hostel, sleeps up to 6) / [https://www.clareisland.ie/accommodation/cicampsite](https://www.clareisland.ie/accommodation/cicampsite "Clare Island Campsite") (Alternatively, there is unreserved camping available at €10 per adult and €6 per person U18. )*
- *Guernsey — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Isle of Arran — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Isle of Bute — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Isle of Lewis — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Isle of Man — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")* 
- *Isle of Mull — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")* 
- *Isles of Scilly (St. Mary’s) — h[ttps://www.visitislesofscilly.com/accommodation/garrison-campsite-and-readi-tent-hire-p752093?bookurl=%2Fbook-online%3Fstage%3Dunitsel%26isostartdate%3D2021-7-16%26nights%3D7%26roomReq_1_adults%3D2%26NumRoomReqs%3D1%26fuzzy%3D0%26product%3D752093](https://www.visitislesofscilly.com/accommodation/garrison-campsite-and-readi-tent-hire-p752093?bookurl=%2Fbook-online%3Fstage%3Dunitsel%26isostartdate%3D2021-7-16%26nights%3D7%26roomReq_1_adults%3D2%26NumRoomReqs%3D1%26fuzzy%3D0%26product%3D752093 "Garrison Campsite & Readi-Tent Hire")*
- *Isle of Skye — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Isle of Wight — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Jersey — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Orkney — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Shetland Islands — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*

*__Other notes:__*
- *Clare Island requires both a flight and the ferry.*
- *The Shetland flights are from Manchester airport as flights don't depart here from London.*
- *Orkney ferry dates are 15-23rd as no ferries leave on the 16th.*
- *Transport prices for Alderney include ferry to Guernsey and then ferry from Guernsey to Alderney.*

We reveal the cheapest UK islands to escape to this summer

Top tips on saving for the staycation of your dreams

Staycation 1080x1080

island monese travel suitcase camera cards passport

Blog post > Top tips on saving for the staycation of your dreams

Our new research has revealed the top 10 cheapest UK islands to visit.

Covering the costs of a wedding can be tricky to manage and get right — especially during ongoing Covid times. That’s why we’re breaking down all the extra costs you’ll need to consider plus how a [Monese joint account](https://monese.com/products/joint-account "Open a Monese joint account online") can benefit you and your loved one when planning for your special day.   

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## How much do weddings cost? 
Covid-19 safety rules are set to change on 19 July, meaning that big weddings can finally take place once again in England, and venues are no longer required to enforce safety rules and provide hand gel and other precautionary supplies. 

Many brides and grooms with a wedding on the horizon are expected to introduce their own safety measures to their big day, even after all official restrictions are lifted, to help ensure the good health and safety of guests in attendance and allow any friends and family members to join the celebrations worry-free.

Weddings are already expensive with the average cost in the UK already totalling more (£30,000¹) than a typical annual salary ². With brides and grooms now responsible for implementing their own Covid-safety measures to protect their guests, this could add more than £5,000 (£5,305)* to the total cost of their wedding day, increasing the average budget by almost a fifth (18%) ¹, according to a new study. 

From lateral flow tests to temperature checks, hand sanitiser stations to disposable masks, and the average number of wedding guests sitting at 78 in 2020³, costs for these additions can soon add up for couples opting to absorb these costs within their own wedding day budgets. We’ve calculated the average cost of each optional safety measure that brides and grooms-to-be may now have to think about, and budget for in 2021 and beyond when planning their big day.

### Lateral flow tests — from £64 for a pack of 72⁴ 
Although they’re not as accurate as a PCR test, lateral flow tests can show if someone is infectious with Covid-19 at that particular time. This means they can be taken in the lead up to and on the day of the wedding by guests, to help identify if they may need to go and get a PCR test and self-isolate. 

As mentioned, these are not 100% accurate, but they could be sent out to guests to use ahead of the wedding for additional peace of mind.

### PCR testing — from £65 at home / £99 in store⁵
More accurate than a lateral flow test, the 48-hour PCR test is being used as proof of a negative Covid test for those looking to travel in 2021. That said, they do come at a cost, so for those looking to test all guests ahead of your wedding day, budgeting is key as these may add up to a hefty amount depending on the size of the wedding party. 

### Covid testing thermometers — from £12 per unit⁶
Another option is to check the temperature of guests before they enter the wedding ceremony or venue. Thermometers for this purpose are relatively inexpensive, but remember to allow for additional time to test, especially for larger wedding parties.

### Hand sanitiser — from £20 for a pack of 24 (50ml)⁷
Why not incorporate hand sanitiser as part of the table favours? Small bottles can be picked up relatively cheaply and can be scattered across tables for each of the guests to use throughout the day. 

### Disposable face masks — from £14.99 for 200⁸
Most people are now carrying around a mask without even giving it a second thought, and whilst they’re not always going to be a legal requirement, masks have been reported to help stop the spread of Covid and may be something couples wish to incorporate for at least a small part of their wedding.

## Set money aside and budget with a Monese joint account
![monese-pots-save-1](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/4JHGsVP22GFvfudLjDbZyL/79dd62cc9edb243b270d14ab46ff2ca4/monese-pots-save-1.jpg)
Along with these extra costs, you’ll also have to budget for the usual venue costs, catering, reception, [honeymoon](https://monese.com/blog/travel-2021 "Top tips for your next travel attempt") costs, makeup, the wedding dress and suit, accessories, shoes, ceremony fees, cake, bar, entertainment, transportation, insurance and plenty more. That’s why having up to 10 dedicated Monese money [pots](https://monese.com/products/pots "Open Monese money pots") set up in your joint account to help you [save](https://monese.com/blog/savings-goals-with-partner "Setting savings goals with your partner") and work towards each goal is so important — and you avoid going into any debt! 

For example, say you have a dream dress that costs £3,000. With Monese, you can easily set up £3,000 as the target for your “Wedding dress 👰🏻‍♀️” pot and monitor your progress as you add to it and watch it grow! 

To reach your targets even faster, you can choose to round up daily transactions by up to 10x and send the difference directly to a chosen pot. Having pots also helps to keep your wedding money separate from daily spending. And you can easily set up Recurring Payments to your pot to automate how much you’re putting away. 

With a Monese joint account, you and your partner can also agree on a set budget for your wedding expenses. Easily set up a monthly and weekly [budget](https://monese.com/features/budgeting "Budgeting made easy") as you lead up to your big day. Stay on track and in the loop together with the [Spending Overview](https://monese.com/blog/simple-spending-overview "An easy way to stay on top of your spending") feature in your app. 

A joint account also makes it simple for guests to gift you money on your special day. You can easily copy and share your account details with your friends and loved ones straight from your app for an easy and smooth process for all! Plus, this way you’re able to keep track of who sent you a little something so you remember to send a thank you card later.   

## Send money abroad and travel with a Monese joint account 
![TRAVEL Blog & Social 04](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/6qOd3cCyzcRQMqVj2li2je/cd4bdc73cf1dbcc969e6d3fa5f11366b/TRAVEL_Blog___Social_04.png)
Along with budgeting for additional Covid-related travel costs and safety measures as mentioned above, planning a destination wedding or even your [honeymoon](https://monese.com/blog/holiday-money-at-home "How much holiday money could you find at home?") also means dealing with foreign vendors and paying them in foreign currency. With a Monese joint account, you can easily [send money abroad](https://monese.com/money-transfers "International money transfer – send money safely for less") to pay vendors at a great currency exchange rate. 

And when you finally go on your [honeymoon](https://monese.com/travel-money-card "The only travel money card you’ll need"), your Monese [card](https://monese.com/features/debit-card "Get a prepaid debit card from Monese") is the only travel card you’ll need on your romantic getaway! You’ll have instant access to your cash worldwide by withdrawing at any ATM at the wholesale currency exchange rate. Plus, you can spend abroad with your card and always count on the wholesale exchange rate without ever having to worry about hidden fees. 

## The benefits of a Monese joint account after your wedding 
You can use your Monese joint account well after the wedding and honeymoon are over. In fact, this is just the beginning! There are many benefits to having a Monese [joint account for married couples](https://monese.com/blog/open-joint-account "Should you open a joint account with your partner?"): 

- Easily work towards future goals together like buying a house 
- Manage household bills and expenses together
- Set up a weekly or monthly budget together
- Keep track of joint transactions with instant notifications
- Get both of your [salaries](https://monese.com/blog/receive-salary "How to receive your salary in your Monese account") paid into your joint account for easier money management 
- Quickly set up [Direct Debits](https://monese.com/blog/setting-up-direct-debits-with-monese "Setting up Direct Debits with Monese") or [Recurring Payments](https://monese.com/gb/en/blog/make-regular-transfers-with-recurring-payments "Make regular transfers with Recurring Payments") to stay on top of shared payments  

Best of all, opening a Monese joint account is free! You just pay the card delivery fee: €/£4.95. 

<br/><br/>

Will you be opening a joint account to help with your wedding day planning? Or if you’ve used a joint account for your wedding plans, let us know how it was useful for you! Leave us a comment on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Monese official Instagram page") or drop us a line at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com). 

<br/><br/>

**Data around the additional costs associated with a more covid safe wedding were totalled based on 78 guests calculated against the below which were correct as of 10/7/2021:* 

- *2 x packs of tests based on: Lateral flow tests — from £64 for a pack of 72⁴* 
- *78 x at-home tests based on: PCR testing — from £65 at home / £99 in store⁵*
- *1 x unit based on: Covid testing thermometers — from £12 per Unit⁶*
- *4 x packs of: Hand sanitiser — from £20 for a pack of 24 (50ml)⁷*
- *1 x pack of: disposable face masks — from £14.99 for 200⁸*

*__Total:__ £5,304.99*

*__Sources__*
1. *[https://www.nimblefins.co.uk/average-cost-wedding-uk](https://www.nimblefins.co.uk/average-cost-wedding-uk "NimbleFins")*
2. *[https://uk.jobted.com/salary](https://uk.jobted.com/salary "Jobted")*
3. *[https://www.purephotoni.com/blog/the-average-cost-of-a-uk-wedding-in-2019](https://www.purephotoni.com/blog/the-average-cost-of-a-uk-wedding-in-2019 "purephotoni")*
4. *[https://ukwholesales.co.uk/individually-packed-covid-19-lower-nostril-noninvasive-antigen-lateral-flow-test-kit-lower-nostril-swab/](https://ukwholesales.co.uk/individually-packed-covid-19-lower-nostril-noninvasive-antigen-lateral-flow-test-kit-lower-nostril-swab/ "UK Wholesales")*
5. *[https://www.boots.com/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testing-service](https://www.boots.com/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testing-service "Boots")* 
6. *[https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Infrared+Thermometers&i=industrial&rh=n%3A6286456031&s=price-desc-rank&_encoding=UTF8&c=ts&qid=1625580173&ts_id=6286456031&ref=sr_st_price-desc-rank](https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Infrared+Thermometers&i=industrial&rh=n%3A6286456031&s=price-desc-rank&_encoding=UTF8&c=ts&qid=1625580173&ts_id=6286456031&ref=sr_st_price-desc-rank "Amazon UK")*
7. *[https://www.staples.co.uk/catering-and-cleaning-products/cleaning-and-hygiene/bathroom-supplies/hand-soaps-sanitisers/mrs-gleams-antibacterial-hand-gel-50ml-pack-of-24-handgel50/?gclid=CjwKCAjw_o-HBhAsEiwANqYhpyTeX1qGn4fUtekpWt3hRJJDTXOOhlc1ql7Ic4Fw4Pd1EP-oUP3hhRoCN5oQAvD_BwE  ](https://www.staples.co.uk/catering-and-cleaning-products/cleaning-and-hygiene/bathroom-supplies/hand-soaps-sanitisers/mrs-gleams-antibacterial-hand-gel-50ml-pack-of-24-handgel50/?gclid=CjwKCAjw_o-HBhAsEiwANqYhpyTeX1qGn4fUtekpWt3hRJJDTXOOhlc1ql7Ic4Fw4Pd1EP-oUP3hhRoCN5oQAvD_BwE "Staples UK")*
8. *[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Protective-Disposable-Breathable-Filterability-Sensitive/dp/B08GH2CVNQ/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=face%2Bmasks&qid=1625580991&s=drugstore&sr=1-3-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyUlk5SUpRSTJJUUZTJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDE0ODYxMkVNSkdaM1RUQzhJQyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjA5MDIyMVI1QVFBQUNSNDg1WSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Protective-Disposable-Breathable-Filterability-Sensitive/dp/B08GH2CVNQ/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=face%2Bmasks&qid=1625580991&s=drugstore&sr=1-3-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyUlk5SUpRSTJJUUZTJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDE0ODYxMkVNSkdaM1RUQzhJQyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjA5MDIyMVI1QVFBQUNSNDg1WSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1 "Amazon UK")*

Plus how a joint account can help you plan for your big day 

Covid-related wedding costs to budget for in 2021 

Joint Accounts Wedding - Landscape

Monese joint account cards spending over view screen on cell wedding cake heart wedding planner

Blog post > Covid-related wedding costs to budget for in 2021 

We’re breaking down all the extra costs you’ll need to consider plus how a Monese joint account can benefit you and your loved one when planning for your special day.   

On 31 January 2020, the UK officially left the EU, and is no longer obliged to follow one of the key tenets of the European Union: the free movement of people. 

This means that, following this momentous date, EU citizens still living in the UK will need to secure their right to stay (if they hadn’t done so already).

At Monese, it’s our mission to help people thrive anywhere. This includes borderless workers, families, students, expats, retirees and other EU citizens living in the UK. 

As well as our highly multicultural customer base, we’re also proud to have a pretty diverse team in London, most of whom are EU (non-British) citizens. This makes the end of free movement very much an important issue for us and the reason we’re sharing our experiences with you today.

## The EU Settlement Scheme
The government’s solution to the end of free movement is something called the [EU Settlement Scheme](https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families "Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)"). This lets EU/EEA citizens and citizens of Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein, along with eligible family members, secure their residency in the UK now that Brexit has happened. The deadline to apply for this scheme is __30 June 2021__ and there’s no fee to apply. 

Once you’ve successfully applied to the scheme, you’ll be able to carry on working and living in the UK past this date without any issues. Depending on how long you’ve been in the UK, you’ll get either settled or pre-settled status. Whichever you’re eligible for and granted, you’ll be able to: 

- work in the UK
- be a part of the National Health Service
- enrol in education and study in the UK
- access public funds and benefits, if eligible for them
- travel in and out of the UK

## What’s been our experience with the scheme?
![Settled-Status-Visual-passport](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/6tdA2sXm9RBu8O8UVXjQNs/fb83111706c8fb4c6beb9ed227e834dc/Settled-Status-Visual.jpg)

Here a few of our fellow colleagues share their experiences with the scheme so far:

__Toomas__

“I’ve been in the UK since July 2020 and moved here from Estonia. I applied for pre-settled status in November last year and everything went smoothly. I just filled in the form and provided the necessary evidence. Getting a National Insurance number was trickier”!  

__Jiri__

“I came to the UK in 2005 from the Czech Republic. Applying for settled status back in September 2019 was pretty smooth for me. The whole process took two days. To apply, I needed to send my full name, email, phone number and had to scan my passport. After submitting my application, I got an email confirming my submission. Two days later, I received an email with the outcome: I’d been granted Indefinite Leave in the United Kingdom or settled status.

While I realise that for me the procedure was quick, I know others were a bit stressed because unlike me, they weren’t notified within days. They had to wait weeks”!

__Radu__

“I moved to the UK from Romania in 2017 so I applied for pre-settled status in April 2019. The process was extremely smooth: I had to scan my passport, which I did with their app on an Android phone. I stuck the biometric passport to the back of an NFC-capable device, and a few seconds later everything was done. 

A few days later I got an email from the Home Office saying they’re pleased to inform me that my pre-settled status for five years (until 2024) was granted. All in all, smooth sailing from start to finish. 

On their platform, they also provide a way for an individual to prove their right to stay: you can generate a one-time security code, which employers or whoever else needs to can easily check this”.

<br/><br/>

We’re strong believers in giving people everything they need to make the best decisions for their future and, of course, the freedom to thrive anywhere, wherever they may be. 

__That’s why we’re taking the opportunity to remind you that the deadline to apply and secure your right to stay in the UK is 30 June 2021.__

Have you signed up for the EU Settlement Scheme? How was your experience? Did you have any difficulties applying? We’d love to hear your thoughts, tips and stories. Get in touch via email at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com) or on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page") or [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Monese official Instagram page").  

Sharing our own team’s experience with the EU Settlement Scheme

Our take on Settled Status

Settled-Status-Hero

passport phone check mark green monese blue 

Blog post > Our take on Settled Status

The end of free movement is very much an important issue for us and the reason we’re sharing our experiences with you today.

Each year, the UK’s [Citizens Advice](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/our-work/campaigns/current_campaigns/scams-awareness-month/ "Scams awareness month") runs a Scams Awareness Month campaign to inform people of the different scams happening out there, how to stay safe and what to do if you do happen to fall for a fraud scheme. This year’s campaign takes place from 14–27 June. 

## Common scams you could face
Keeping you aware of the different types of fraud making the rounds is important to us too. We like to take every opportunity we can to educate you so that you, your money and your account stay [protected](https://monese.com/blog/keeping-monese-account-protected "Keeping your Monese account protected").  

The pandemic made way for several [scams](https://monese.com/blog/avoiding-coronavirus-scams "Avoiding Coronavirus scams") to thrive as fraudsters took advantage of the most vulnerable people affected by Covid-19. And they’re still going on. 

Here we talk you through some of the most recent scams still making the rounds:   

### APP fraud
Also known as Authorised Pushed Payment fraud, this is when a scammer pretends to be a company or person you’re already familiar with or doing business with and tricks you into making a payment to their account. APP fraud can take many shapes and forms, from invoice to mandate scams.

__Tips for staying safe:__ 
- Double-check payment information before sending money.
- Transfer a small amount first and check payment has been received directly by the right party.
- Make sure to call an official number to confirm any payment requests you receive via email.

### Pension scams
This is a type of investment scam in which fraudsters may contact you via email, SMS, phone or even introduce themselves via a family or friend of yours who is also being scammed. They often offer free pension reviews, higher returns on your pension savings and use high-pressure sales tactics such as “limited-time offers”. 

__Tips for staying safe:__ 
- Don’t assume something is genuine just because a website or social media page looks real. 
- Always reject unexpected offers, especially if they’re coming out of the blue. 
- Don’t fall for pushy salespeople pressuring you to act fast.  

### Crypto scams
This is another type of investment scam that is popular on social media. You may notice criminals flooding the comments section of your favourite social network pretending to be successful crypto traders who can invest your money for high returns. Many scammers trying to lure you to their website are often phishing attempts to steal your information.

__Tips for staying safe:__ 
- Don’t trust strangers you don’t know on social media — especially with your hard-earned money.
- If something sounds too good to be true, remember that it probably is!
- If you’re considering investing, always get independent advice first and do thorough research.

### Romance fraud 
This type of scam also happens a lot on social media and dating websites or apps. It’s when someone uses a fake profile to form a relationship with you, gain your trust and then ask for money or personal information from you to defraud you. 

__Tips for staying safe:__ 
- Avoid giving too much of your personal information (such as your full name, address and date of birth) to someone you’ve never met in person. 
- If you’re using an official dating website or app, stick to this form of communication only — many criminals will pressure you to take the conversation over to social media to avoid traces of them asking for money or personal information on the dating site. 
- Don’t let anyone guilt or pressure you into sending them money if you’ve never met in real life no matter how much you feel you trust them or believe their story.  

### Shopping fraud 
This scam operates behind the anonymity of online and internet shopping. It can also take many forms including fake online shops, items not being received or getting goods that are different from what you ordered. 

__Tips for staying safe:__ 
- Always double-check the URL. Standard techniques used by criminals who want to send you to buy from a fake site include incorrect spelling, letters replaced by characters or numbers, special characters inserted, altered endings to URLs or adding an IP address.
- Buy from reputable sites or authorised sellers listed on a major brand’s website. 
- Avoid bank transfer buying and search for secure checkout options like Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal or major card schemes like Mastercard, instead.

### Delivery fraud 
Fraudsters are taking advantage of all the confusion and uncertainty regarding new delivery fees following [Brexit](https://monese.com/blog/parcel-taxes "Your money or your parcel"). Criminals are targeting recipients pretending to be from Royal Mail, Hermes, DPD and DHL with SMS messages asking them to pay for the release of parcels.

__Tips for staying safe:__ 
- If you’re not sure about the fees you’re being charged, it’s best to call the courier company’s official number to check the charges and what you owe.
- Remember that you’ll only ever receive an SMS from Royal Mail if you’ve opted in for the service. 
- If a parcel from Royal Mail couldn't be delivered to you, they’ll leave you a missed parcel slip to let you know. 

## Steps to take if you fall for a scam 
Don’t be ashamed if you happen to fall for fraud as it’s much more common than you may think. Action Fraud [reported](https://www.financialreporter.co.uk/features/online-financial-scams-are-on-the-rise-so-how-can-you-protect-yourself.html "Online financial scams are on the rise. So how can you protect yourself?") £1.7 billion lost to scams in the last year, and UK’s National Cyber Security Centre’s Active Cyber Defence program said it mitigated more than 700,000 online scams last year. And while this number may seem high, it doesn’t include the number of scams that go unreported.

If you happen to fall for a scam, here’s what to do:  

### 1. Lock your card
Do this immediately right from your app to avoid any further illegal use of your card or information. 

### 2. Contact our Support team
Get in touch through our in-app chat or email us at [support@monese.com](mailto:support@monese.com) to let us know you’ve been a victim of fraud and provide us with the transaction details and information on what happened. 

### 3. Report
Each country has its own [official authority](https://www.europol.europa.eu/report-a-crime/report-cybercrime-online "REPORT CYBERCRIME ONLINE") for reporting cybercrime and fraud — in the UK, for example, you can report your situation to [Action Fraud](https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime "Reporting fraud and cyber crime"). In the UK, you can also forward any text to SPAM (7726).

## Resources
Keep in mind that the scams mentioned here are only a few of the many types of fraud out there. Criminals are crafty and part of their job is to come up with new and ingenious scams every day to rob innocent and vulnerable people of their money. Don’t let this be you. Stay up to date by watching the news, reading up on the latest scams on our [blog](https://monese.com/gb/en/blog-list?cat=security "Security blog posts ") or other resources like [Citizens Advice](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/our-work/our-campaigns/all-our-current-campaigns/scams-awareness-campaign-2021/ "Scams Awareness Fortnight"), [Take Five](https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/ "Take five to stop fraud") and [Action Fraud](https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud "A-Z of fraud").

If you’re from outside of the UK, we’ve gathered some other useful sites that may be more relevant for you: 

- France — [Ministry of the Interior](https://www.demarches.interieur.gouv.fr/particuliers/escroquerie "Ministre de l'Intérieur")
- Germany — [Polizeiliche Kriminalprävention](https://www.polizei-beratung.de/themen-und-tipps/betrug/ "Betrugsmaschen - Sie können sich schützen")
- Italy — [Commissariato di P.S. online](https://www.commissariatodips.it/ "sportello per la sicurezza degli utenti del web")
- Romania — [Centrul Național de Răspuns la Incidente de Securitate Cibernetică](https://cert.ro/ "Centrul Național de Răspuns la Incidente de Securitate Cibernetică")
- Spain — [AEECF](https://asociacioncontraelfraude.com/ "Asociación de empresas españolas contra el Fraude")
<br/><br/>

Remember: stay vigilant, be skeptical and stay safe! 


Stay safe from fraud

Scams - Landscape (1)

Alarm lock card Monese broken sheild protection scam cellphone 

Blog post > Stay safe from fraud

Each year, the UK’s Citizens Advice runs a Scams Awareness Month campaign to inform people of the different scams happening out there, how to stay safe and what to do if you do happen to fall for a fraud scheme. 

June is Scams Awareness Month 

Deciding to merge your finances with your significant other is a huge step for any relationship. But how do you know when you’re ready? In this post, we cover all the signs and milestones you should have already hit as a couple before deciding to [open a joint account together](https://monese.com/products/joint-account "Open a Monese joint account online"). 

<div data-comp="signup"></div>

## You’ve had previous money talks…and it’s not awkward 
Let’s face it: talking finances with others is considered a taboo topic in society. And it can be especially awkward to talk about with a romantic partner. It can be a little daunting and just downright unsexy. But if you and your partner have spent enough time with each other and are comfortable and open enough to have honest conversations around money, then this is already a great first sign! 

If you need help getting that important conversation started, we’ve gathered some [tips](https://monese.com/blog/talking-finances-partner-taboo-topic "Why talking finances with your partner shouldn’t be a taboo topic") to help you tackle the topic with your loved one with ease. 

<br/>

## You’re comfortable with one other’s spending habits 
![Valentines Visual](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/ZYtdW5tqIE2Syc3SciNjY/f9ac2444f3b712c8ddd3826606c49399/Valentines_Visual.png)

Before merging your money, you should have a sense of your partner’s spending habits. 

A poll we ran on our Instagram showed that nearly half of our community were savers (49%) and just over half (51%) were spenders. So which one are you and which one is your significant other? Do they like to splurge on the finer things in life or do they enjoy saving their money? And more importantly, how comfortable are you with their money habits? How closely do they align with yours? And if they don’t, how much are you both willing to compromise? These are all important questions to consider when you’re thinking about bringing your finances together. 

With Monese, it’s easy to analyse spending habits with our [Spending Overview ](https://monese.com/blog/simple-spending-overview "An easy way to stay on top of your spending")feature, which neatly categorises expenses into 15 different lifestyle categories. Use it to compare one another’s expenses and see how similar they are. To avoid any conflict, you’ll eventually need to get on the same page when it comes to how to spend (or save) the money in your joint account. 

<br/>

## You’ve set a budget and trust each other to stick to it 
Speaking of getting on the same page, one thing that could help is creating a [budget](https://monese.com/features/budgeting "Budgeting made easy") that you’re both comfortable with and believe you can stick to. Merging your money means you have to trust one another to manage it wisely and in a way you two can agree on. Still, it’d be wise to talk about how you’ll handle it if one of you goes over budget. 

With a Monese joint account, you can easily create a monthly or weekly budget to keep you both on track. The best part is, you’re able to monitor each other’s expenses as you’ll both receive instant notifications anytime one of you spends. 

<br/>

## You’re saving for something together 
Whether you’re thinking about adopting a pet, going on a dream holiday together or buying your first home as a couple, having a specific [saving goal](https://monese.com/blog/savings-goals-with-partner "Setting savings goals with your partner") you’re both working towards is a great indicator that you’re ready to open a joint account together.

When you open a Monese joint account, you’re able to create up to 10 money [pots](https://monese.com/products/pots "Save with pots ") where you can set money aside for all the things you’re working towards together. This is an excellent way to keep this money separate from your day-to-day spending. You can even choose to round up your daily transactions by up to 10 and send the difference to your money pot so you reach your money goals even faster! Or set up [Recurring Payments](https://monese.com/blog/make-regular-transfers-with-recurring-payments "Make regular transfers with Recurring Payments") into your pot so you’re stashing money away regularly.    

<br/>

## You’re already living together
If you’ve already decided to bring your lives together and share personal space, joining your money could be a natural next step — especially if you’re sharing and managing bills, groceries and other household expenses together. Having an allocated place to put that money in for those daily purchases for the home could be a huge timesaver. Plus you avoid the headache of constantly trying to figure out who owes who for what and how much.

But if you aren’t already living together and just need a place to keep money for date nights or weekend getaways together, not to worry! With Monese, you can still open a joint account with your loved one even if you don’t live under the same roof just yet.  

<br/>

## What are the benefits of a Monese joint account?

If you and your better half do decide you’re ready to take the plunge, here are some of the other pros of opening a Monese joint account together: 

- Have a shared account number, transaction feed, balance and allowances while enjoying individual contactless Mastercard debit cards to shop, spend and use on your own

- Link your joint account cards to [Apple Pay](https://monese.com/features/apple-pay "Apple Pay") or [Google Pay](https://monese.com/features/google-pay "Monese with Google Pay™") for speedy and secure transactions both in-store and online
- Get both of your [salaries](https://monese.com/blog/receive-salary "How to receive your salary in your Monese account") paid directly into your joint account
- Quickly set up [Direct Debits](https://monese.com/blog/setting-up-direct-debits-with-monese "Setting up Direct Debits with Monese") or Recurring Payments from your joint account to easily manage shared payments 
- Open a joint account for free (just pay the card delivery fee: €/£4.95) without having to be in the same physical place together

<br/>

Have you and your sweetheart considered opening a joint account together? Or if you have one, what are tips you’d share with other couples before doing so? Let us know on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Monese official Instagram page") or email us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com). 

Here’s how to know if you’re ready to merge your money 

Should you open a joint account with your partner?

Joint Accounts - Landscape (1)

Blog post > Should you open a joint account with your partner?

We cover all the signs and milestones you should have already hit as a couple before deciding to open a joint account together. 

It’s been a while since we’ve been able to think about travelling abroad. But now that international travel is back on the agenda following the [UK’s green travel list](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england#green-list "Green list countries and territories") reveal, some eager Brits have already started planning their getaways. 

Part of holiday planning is figuring out how much money to take with you to cover your expenses abroad and possibly even convert some money. But before you do any of this, did you know that more than half of Brits (63%) have some foreign currency stashed away at home? This means you may already have all or at least some of the foreign currency and holiday money you might need!      

<div data-comp="signup"></div>

## Leftover foreign currency stats 
We surveyed more than 2,000 people across the UK and learned that Brits have an average of £49.56 in foreign currency somewhere in their homes. The top foreign currencies kept are euros (68%) followed by US dollars (31%). 

Overall, we found that as many as 17.5 million Brits are holding onto a whopping total of £867 million collectively in foreign currency. Check out more of the interesting findings below including where Brits are most likely to stash their leftover travel money.  

![Monese infographic holiday money at home](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/2QEpGfGvLBTM0qUaIuLJiT/6b7e99082fdd5a6df2935dda5fd5662c/Monese_Jh_f2_main.png)

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## What are the benefits of travelling with Monese?  
From our research, we also discovered that the majority of people (58%) always buy foreign currency before they travel, with 22% believing that you can’t possibly travel abroad without any foreign currency in cash.   

While it may be useful to have a small amount of foreign currency in cash for small purchases like bus tickets or snacks, taking large amounts of cash away with you is a risky way to travel (only 17% of survey participants said they were worried about carrying lots of cash around on holiday). If your cash is lost or stolen, it’s gone for good. 

### Keep your money safe
Putting money on your [Monese card](https://monese.com/travel-money-card "The only travel money card you’ll need") is the safest way to go! Via the app, you’re in complete control of your money and account. So if you happen to lose your card while abroad, not to worry! Because your money is still [safe](https://monese.com/features/security "Security is at the heart of what we do"). You can easily lock your card straight from your app and your account and money stay protected. 

### Dual account to keep your travel money separate
With Monese, you can also open a secondary account so you can budget for your holiday, add in the exact amount of money you’d like to spend while abroad and keep your travel money separate. This way, you also secure the exchange rate and protect yourself from currency fluctuations while on holiday. And if you run low, easily move money instantly from your primacy account.  

### Forget about bank charges
Thirteen per cent of participants also worried about charges associated with using a bank card while abroad. But with Monese, this is something you’ll never have to worry about. 

When you spend abroad using your Monese card, you’ll still benefit from the wholesale currency exchange rate. You also get generous allowances on ATM withdrawals worldwide so you have easy access to cash when you need it. And if you need a little more, you can easily upgrade your [plan](https://monese.com/pricing "Our pricing") for higher allowances and downgrade after your travels! We never tie you to anything so you’re free to choose the best plan for you at any time. 

### Instant spending notifications
So if you’re planning on going away soon, remember: don’t go without your Monese card! You’ll get instant notifications as you spend so you can easily keep track of your money and in your app, we’ll even show you the wholesale exchange rate of your transaction so you know what you’ve spent in the local currency. 

<br/><br/>

What’s the first place on your travel bucket list? Let us know where you’re headed on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Monese official Instagram page") or email us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com). For even more travel tips, check out our other [blog posts](https://monese.com/blog/smart-tips-travel "Smart tips to save you money when you travel").  

<br/><br/>
__Methodology__

*Survey of 2,005 UK adults completed in May 2021. The 17.5 million figure was based on 63% of respondents in the survey saying they have some foreign currency at home. We calculated what 63% of 27.8 million is (this is the number of UK households — recent data from the ONS). This came out at 17,514,000. To get the £867 million figure we did 17,514,000 x£49.56 (which was the average value figure from the survey).*

You might have more leftover foreign currency than you think! 

How much holiday money could you find at home?

Hidden Cash 1920x1080 V2

sofa monese coins under plant clock lamp home living room 

Blog post > How much holiday money could you find at home?

You may already have all the foreign currency and holiday money you might need right at home!

These days, there are plenty more options for sending money abroad. Traditionally, sending an international money transfer has been costly — especially when sending with a high-street bank. But today’s modern options are often faster, just as secure and don’t have to cost you an arm and a leg! 

While nowadays cheaper, it’s still important to investigate the charges for moving money abroad. Other things you’ll want to consider are the speed of your transfer, safety and security, plus much more. Read on for insider tips so you can make an informed decision the next time you need to send money abroad. 

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## 1. What are the fees to watch out for? 
The main fees associated with international money transfers that you need to be aware of are:

- current exchange rate
- fixed transfer fees
- commission fees
- intermediary bank fees 
- receiving fees 

### Current exchange rate
This is the rate at which one currency will be converted to another. A quick internet search will uncover plenty of live exchange rates and conversion tools, some of which are updated within seconds. Still, keep in mind that the exchange rate is constantly changing. So it’s best to check this right before you’re ready to send to get as close of a real-time figure as possible. Knowing this rate will help you see when you’re getting the best deal when choosing a money transfer service. 

If sending with Monese, you can plug in amounts on our [Money Transfers](https://monese.com/money-transfers "International money transfer – send money safely for less") page or right in your app to compare. However, the rate may change when you actually send. We’ll update this figure with the real-time conversion rate before confirming your mobile money transfer.   

### Fixed transfer fees 
This is the fee that a bank or international money transfer app will charge you for using their service. These fees can vary significantly from one service provider to another, so it pays to shop around. 

### Commission fees 
On top of a fixed sending fee, some providers also charge a commission on top of transfer fees. This is usually the case when sending with larger firms and larger amounts of money. 

### Intermediary bank fees 
There may also be an intermediary bank fee, which is the amount charged by a third-party bank that acts as the middleman when facilitating a money transfer between two institutions. These can be paid by either the sender or the receiver. 

### Receiving fees 
There may be a charge for receiving the money, such as accepting it into a bank account. This is a fee worth investigating, too, so you’re clear on everything you may be charged for.

<br/><br/>
At Monese, we believe in no hidden fees. If you know you’ll be making plenty of international money transfers regularly, you may want to sign up for our Premium [plan](https://monese.com/pricing "Our pricing"). On this plan, foreign currency transfers to non-Monese accounts are free. On all our other plans, you’ll pay a fee of 0.5–2%, depending on which plan you’re on (although Monese to Monese transfers are always free, no matter the currency). The foreign exchange rates will of course still apply to all plans.  

## 2. How do I find the cheapest international money transfer service? 
The best way to find the cheapest international money transfer service is to do your research and compare. It’ll depend greatly on the amount you’re sending. Plus, the cheapest way could also change over time. A quick internet search will uncover plenty of live comparison tools you can use. 

Traditional transfer services may be more expensive than more modern options and expat money transfer services nowadays. Most international money transfer apps have a currency converter screen. This will show you a breakdown of what the recipient will get depending on how much you send, which should help you compare and make your choice.  

## 3. Where can I send money?
You can make an international money transfer to virtually anyone, anywhere in the world, depending on the service or bank you choose. With [Monese](https://monese.com/money-transfers "Use our international money transfer tool to see what you’ll get for your money based on your plan"), for example, you can send EUR, GBP or RON to more than 30 countries, including electronic money transfers to Europe and SEPA countries. Here are just some of our most popular countries and currencies we support: 

- pound sterling (£) → [US](https://monese.com/blog/send-money-us "How to send money to the US") dollar ($)
- pound sterling (£) → euro (€)
- euro (€) → Romanian leu (RON)

## 4. How do I make an international money transfer? 
Once you’ve settled on an international money transfer service, sending money in another currency should be simple. You’ll usually need the recipient's account details if it’s a bank transfer, including their name, account number and bank code and in some cases, their residential address.  

If sending with Monese, you can make an international money transfer straight from your phone. You'll need to add a new payee if it's your first time sending money to the recipient from your app. Then choose what currency you want to send from the list of currencies and countries available in the app. We'll save your contact's information and account details in the app, so you don't have to fill their details in again the next time you make an international money transfer to them. 

For thorough, step-by-step guides for sending to specific countries, check out our [Money Transfers](https://monese.com/blog-list?cat=money-transfers "Latest articles") blog series.

## 5. How long will my international money transfer take? 
Generally, international money transfers can take anywhere between 1 and 5 working days. Some international money transfer services and banks offer same-day transfers, but these can cost you extra. If you aren’t in a hurry, waiting a few days could save you money. If you do need to send money abroad on the same day, just make sure you do so before their cutoff time.  

When sending money outside the UK or EEA with Monese, the actual delivery time for a mobile money transfer may sometimes vary. It’ll depend on the processing times of the receiving bank and the country you’re sending to. Typically though, it’s between 2 to 4 working days. This timeframe can be longer if you’re sending on weekends or bank holidays, so keep this in mind. 

## 6. What are the limitations of international money transfers? 
Limits around how much money you can send abroad and how often vary from company to company. Some services could have per-day, month, week or even yearly limits to how much you can send internationally. To learn about specific transfer limits at Monese for [GBP](https://monese.com/gb/en/fees-and-limits/fee-and-limits-information "UK Personal Fees and Limits"), [RON](https://monese.com/gb/en/fees-and-limits/fee-and-limits-information?version=2021-01-19&type=personal&jurisdiction=Rom%C3%A2n%C4%83 "Română Personal Fees and Limits") and [EUR](https://monese.com/fees-and-limits "Fees and Limits") accounts, check out our [Fees and Limits](https://monese.com/fees-and-limits "Fees and Limits") page.  

## 7. Are international money transfers safe?
Generally, yes — but it’s essential to do some checks first. Safety and security are paramount to assess when it comes to sending large amounts of your hard-earned money abroad. 

Say you've finally found an expat or migrants money transfer service you trust. In that case, it's important to check if they're regulated by an official regulatory body, such as the [Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)](https://www.fca.org.uk/ "FCA Homepage") in the UK. This should give you extra peace of mind knowing that your money is protected because your money is kept separate from company funds. 

If you’re still unsure about an international money transfer service you’re trying out for the first time, try sending a smaller amount of money first to make sure it arrives with no hiccups. 

<br/><br/>

Let us know what other questions you have about international money transfers, and we’ll be happy to try and dig up answers for you. Get in touch on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese/ "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Monese official Instagram page") or email us your thoughts at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com).  

If you have specific questions about our international money transfer service, check out our [FAQ](https://support.monese.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360017330300-Can-I-send-money-internationally- "Can I send money internationally?") articles for more details.

7 things to know when making an international money transfer 

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Send money abroad FX screen world coins Monese blue background 

Blog article > 7 things to know when making an international money transfer 

Read for insider tips so you can make an informed decision the next time you need to send money abroad.

Send money abroad the smart way 

Admit it: we all went a little overboard when it came to our lockdown splurges over the past year. Whether you invested a little too much in at-home workout gear, home office equipment or several new video games to keep you from going stir crazy, you might be left wondering what to do with all your new purchases now. As lockdown restrictions ease in the UK, we may no longer need all the items that got us through lockdown.

So with that in mind, we put together this useful guide on how to tackle all those extra items taking space in your home and get them ready for selling online.

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## Make a plan
First, make a list of all the items you want to sell. Inspect the condition of all your things and make sure everything is working as it should. Try and make your objects as “sell-ready” as possible. Find all original receipts, manuals, handbooks, accessories and guarantees that might still apply to your items — this will help you sell for the best price.

## Pick your platform
Some of the most popular sites to sell your items online include [Amazon](https://services.amazon.co.uk/services/sell-online/how-it-works-basic.html "The beginner's guide to selling on Amazon"), [eBay](https://www.ebay.ie/pages/help/sell/sell-getstarted.html "Sell an item - Getting started"), [Etsy](https://www.etsy.com/sell "Reach millions of buyers in Canada and around the world"), [Craigslist](https://www.craigslist.org/about/sites?lang=en&cc=gb#EU "Craigslist Europe"), [OLX](https://www.olx.com/ "Olx Homepage") and [Ziffit](https://www.ziffit.com/ "Sell books, CDs, DVDs, & games"). There are even apps for selling online, like [Depop](https://www.depop.com/ "BUY. SELL. DISCOVER UNIQUE FASHION.") and [Shpock](https://www.shpock.com/en-gb "Sell & buy - easy & fast"). Some platforms are also better than others for selling specific items, so consider this when choosing your platform: 

- eBay is good for electronics, antiques, jewelry, designer shoes, vintage clothing and handbags.
- Old records and books are great to sell on Amazon.
- Art, crafts and wall decor do well on Etsy.
- Ziffit is good for selling games, books, CDs and DVDs.
- Sell clothing on Depop.
- Shpock is great for home appliances, electronics and clothing. 
- Facebook groups might work better for old furniture. 

On this note, don’t discount social media platforms or your networks like your friends and followers on Instagram. Try Facebook Marketplace or even reaching out to colleagues first. Many companies have a marketplace Slack channel where you can easily buy or sell things from people you know and trust. If you can't find one, start one! 

## Create your listing 
The more detailed your descriptions are, the more likely you are to sell your items. Pick keywords and your category wisely. Also, be honest about things such as the condition of your items. People looking for things to buy online are usually okay with purchasing second-hand, as long as you're accurate with the state of your objects. Buyers need to know just what they're getting for their money. 

Be sure to include plenty of high-quality photographs, too, as part of your listing — this is especially important if you’re selling clothing or jewelry. You may even want to consider modeling your clothing and accessories on yourself or a mannequin, so buyers can visualise what the items will look like on. 

## Consider shipping costs
Before you add a price tag to your listing, make sure you account for any packaging and shipping costs for mailing your items. Otherwise, this could easily eat into any profit you hope to make. eBay, for example, offers a postage estimator service. If sending from the UK, check out the [Royal Mail’s price finder](https://www.royalmail.com/price-finder "Get a price") for a calculation. It’s also good to research to compare prices for similar items selling online. 

Once you’ve settled on a price, make it easy for your buyers to pay you by sharing your Monese account details. You can easily do this straight from your app. [Invite](https://monese.com/invite-and-earn "Invite and earn") them to sign up for Monese; this way, your payment will be instant! Or, if they pay you through [PayPal](https://monese.com/products/paypal "Monese with the power of PayPal"), link your [PayPal](https://monese.com/blog/monese-with-paypal "Monese with the power of PayPal") to Monese so you can see all your earnings all in one app.  

## Stash your earnings
![monese-pots-save-1](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/4JHGsVP22GFvfudLjDbZyL/79dd62cc9edb243b270d14ab46ff2ca4/monese-pots-save-1.jpg)
Now that you’ve gotten rid of all your things and made some extra money, the last thing you’ll want to do is misspend it all again! Why not use that money to start an emergency fund instead and put it towards one of your [pots](https://monese.com/products/savings "Grow your savings") to set money aside for something that matters? With Monese, you can create up to 10 different pots to put money away for more than one thing at a time. Round up your transactions and even multiply by up to 10 to help you reach your money goals even faster. 

<br/><br/>

We hope these tips will help you get your home decluttered this spring. What was your biggest expense during lockdown? Of all the things you bought, what items will you be keeping, and which will you be selling? Let us know on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Monese official Instagram page") or drop us a line at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com). 

Good luck! 

Get rid of all those extra items you bought during lockdown

Selling your pandemic purchases online

Selling lockdown purchases V2

Bike, espresso machine, guitar for sale blue Monese background

Blog post > Selling your pandemic purchases online

We put together this useful guide on how to tackle all those extra items taking space in your home and get them ready for selling online.

One in four of us have been setting money aside for a holiday this year, according to our survey in January 2021.* If you’ve been saving for that dream trip, then you’ll no doubt be particularly delighted that you can finally head abroad again as countries open back up.

You’ve probably already got a destination in mind, but before you jet off, we recommend you take a look at our smart travel tips to save you money, make budgeting for your holiday easier and help you keep your Monese account safe while you’re away.

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## When booking
Whether for airline tickets, accomodation or car rentals, keep these tips in mind when making your travel reservations: 

- Departing on a Tuesday or Wednesday is often the cheapest day to fly.
-  Look for flights departing late at night or early in the morning as these usually cost much less.
- Adding a layover can drastically reduce the price of your ticket compared to flying direct — but take note of any Covid-related restrictions or requirements in the country you’re connecting through.
- Join hotel loyalty programs to save money in the long run by getting free hotel stays and extra perks reserved exclusively for members.
- If you need transport, booking a hire car as part of an airplane and hotel package can save you money, so explore and test out different options before proceeding with a reservation.
- Make sure you’re reserving from the official website of the hotel, airline, train or rental car agency to avoid falling for any scams or paying extra for markups.
- Avoid super low, cheap prices with stiff cancellation policies. With the ever-changing travel restrictions and requirements, it’s better to opt for a flexible cancellation policy even if it means paying a little bit more.
- Read the fine print and understand the terms and conditions and cancellation policies before booking.
- Dial up the security when booking flights and accommodation online with [3D Secure](https://monese.com/blog/shop-online-3d-secure "Layer up with 3D Secure") and link your Monese card to [Apple Pay](https://monese.com/features/apple-pay "Apple Pay: Easier, faster, more secure payments") or [Google Pay](https://monese.com/features/google-pay "Monese with Google Pay™") for encryption and protection when checking out.

## Before you travel
Here’s what you’ll want to do right before you're ready to go:

- Make sure your Monese card is loaded and ready to go! Choose the best way to [add money](https://monese.com/features/add-funds "Adding money easily") to your account or top up your account with [cash](https://monese.com/features/add-funds/cash "Add money to your account with cash") at more than 84,000 payment point locations across the UK and Europe with [Post Office](https://www.postoffice.co.uk/ "Post Office: Homepage"), [PayPoint](https://paypoint.com/ "PayPoint: Homepage") or [Paysafecash](https://monese.com/features/paysafe "Add cash to your Monese account with Paysafecash").
- Plan and set aside your travel budget before you take off, so you don’t accidentally overspend.
- Review your plan and allowances — if you think you’ll need a little extra for your trip, [upgrade your plan](https://monese.com/pricing "Our pricing") as we’ll never tie you to anything and you’re free to downgrade at any time. 
- Set up instant notifications in your app so you’ll be able to know exactly what you’re spending while on holiday, and how much you have left.

## While on holiday
Here’s how to save with Monese while you’re on holiday:

- Pay in the local currency or travel with your [Monese card](https://monese.com/travel-money-card "The only travel money card you’ll need") instead for better exchange rates and worldwide ATM withdrawals with fee-free allowances.
- Pay contactless and with your phone by linking your Monese card to Apple Pay or Google Pay to pay in-store anywhere in the world where the contactless symbol is displayed.
- Keep your money and account [secure](https://monese.com/features/security "Security is at the heart of what we do") while on holiday by locking and unlocking your [card](https://monese.com/features/debit-card "Get a prepaid debit card from Monese") straight from your app.

## When you get back
To wrap up your trip, here are the important steps you’ll want to take once you’ve made it home:

- Check your transactions upon your return to make sure there aren’t any double charges, missing refund credits or spending that you didn’t authorise.
- Take time to look over your outgoings with our [Spending Overview](https://monese.com/blog/simple-spending-overview "An easy way to stay on top of your spending") feature to give you a clear understanding of how much you spent while abroad and help you better prepare for your next trip away with a more informed, organised budget.
- Easily [request payments](https://monese.com/blog/2019/03/request-payments "Request payments simply, quickly and politely") right from your app from fellow travellers who owe you money from your holiday. 
- Start planning your next trip with [pots](https://monese.com/products/savings "Grow your savings") as they’re a designated place to hold your new travel fund and keep this money separate from day-to-day spending.

<br/><br/>
But the number one tip we could give you is don’t forget to pack Monese! Aside from all the reasons listed above, once you’re back from your holiday, you can carry on using your Monese card  as you normally would and not have to worry about annoying coins left over at the end of your trip. 

Now that we’re all gearing up to get back out there in the world, what are your top tips for travel? Let us know on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://instagram.com/monese "Monese official Instagram page") or write to us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com).
<br/><br/>

__*Methodology__
*Survey of 1,000 UK adults completed in January 2021.*

Finally heading abroad? Make sure you follow these tips

Smart tips to save you money when you travel

TRAVEL Blog & Social 01

Monese travel card passport holiday sunglasses sailboat

Blog post > Smart tips to save you money when you travel

Take a look at our smart travel tips to save you money, make budgeting for your holiday easier and help you keep your Monese account safe while you’re away.

Having the kids at home can be great fun, but it can also prove to be expensive. 

Our latest survey with UK parents revealed that two-thirds (65%) worry about the cost of keeping their kids entertained during school breaks. 

On average, parents told us that over the holidays, they typically spend around £15 more per day, per child, on extras such as food, treats and activities, versus a normal school day. We estimate that across an average year, the school holidays could cost parents £975 per child. This is based on the child having around 65 school holiday days a year (not including weekends). Households on lower incomes are typically more worried about this financial burden. 

With this in mind, we’ve looked at some of the best value days out that all the family can enjoy, across the UK, along with tips to help you prepare your spending and budget around school holidays. 

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## Take control of your school holiday budget
Here are our top five tips to help you make a plan to make the most of your money around school holidays:

### 1. Budget in advance
If you can afford to, set aside a little bit of extra money before school holidays come around, so the extra cost of lunches or little treats doesn’t come as a surprise. Our [pots](https://monese.com/features/pots "Save with pots ") make it easier to set aside little bits of money regularly.

### 2. Know what you can spend 
Be clear on your [budget](https://monese.com/features/budgeting "Budgeting made easy") by reviewing incoming income and regular outgoings. You may find that you need to make compromises on things like takeaway meals and streaming service subscriptions to do other things with your kids on their days off. 

### 3. Stick to your budget 
Easier said than done but try your best to stick to your budget. With Monese, you get instant notifications whenever you spend making it easier to track how much money is going out. At the end of day, check the [Spending Overview](https://monese.com/blog/simple-spending-overview "An easy way to stay on top of your spending") screen in your app to see exactly where your money went. 

### 4. Search for free activities 
Play dates, walks, trips to the park — they’re all free! You’ll be surprised just how much there is to do out there that doesn’t cost you a penny.

### 5. Watch out for special offers 
Local magazines and newspapers, newsletters and social media are all good places to look out for on special offers on trips and activities with your family and can save you a lot of money.

<br/><br/>
## Budget-friendly places to visit
At the time of research (April 2021), all of our suggestions came in at £25 or less for the admission of two adults and two children, although travel expenses and parking charges may be additional. 

### 1. West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, Suffolk
One of England's great archaeological sites, featuring extensive indoor galleries and a stunning recreation of an [Anglo-Saxon village](https://www.weststow.org/ "West Stow") surrounded by 125 acres of unspoilt countryside.

__Price:__ £16 for a family ticket (up to 5 family members, maximum 2 adults) 

### 2. Beaumaris Castle, Beaumaris, Wales
[Beaumaris](https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/beaumaris-castle "Beaumaris Castle") on the island of Anglesey is famous as the greatest castle never built. It was the last of the royal strongholds created by Edward I in Wales and his architect James of St George — this was to be their crowning glory, the castle to end all castles.

__Price:__ Free

### 3. Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park, Birmingham
From reptiles and birds to furry favourites like monkeys and red pandas, there are new friends to meet everywhere you turn at [Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park](http://www.cannonhillpark.co.uk/nature-centre "Cannon Hill Park"). You can even catch up with the keepers at feeding times to find out more about some of their animals and see them have their lunch!

__Price:__ £21.80 for two adults and two children 

### 4. Cambridge Museum of Technology, Cambridge
[Cambridge Museum of Technology](https://www.museumoftechnology.com/ "Museum of Technology") is the home of our industrial heritage. Children are free to explore and take part in activities while learning about Cambridge’s former industrial landscape.

__Price:__ Families of two adults and up to four children — £13.00 

### 5. Cannon Hall Farm, Barnsley
One of the biggest [farm](https://www.cannonhallfarm.co.uk/ "Cannon Hall Farm") attractions in the UK, it’s a world of animal magic where thousands of baby animals are born every year. Children can enjoy sheep and ferret racing or learn how milk is produced during cow and goat milking demonstrations.

__Price:__ £23.70 for two adults and two children on a weekday 

### 6. Canonteign Falls, Devon
Visit [Canonteign Falls](https://www.canonteignfalls.co.uk/ "Escape to a tranquil private estate in the heart of the Devon countryside") for peaceful walks among the waterfalls and lakes and family fun in the gardens and playgrounds. Experience the highest waterfall in Dartmoor National Park.  

__Price:__ £25 for a family of four  

### 7. City of Caves, Nottingham 
[City of Caves](https://www.nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk/venue/city-of-caves/ "National Justice Museum") is part of a hidden maze of over 500 original sandstone caves underneath the streets of Nottingham dating back to the dark ages.

__Price:__ £24.50 for a family of four 

### 8. Cotswold Sculpture Park, Gloucestershire
There are ten acres of lush, forested ground with dozens of [sculptures](https://cotswoldsculpturepark.co.uk/ "Cotswold Sculpture Park") from a variety of artists. The sculptures are also available to buy if you find one that you wish to have in your own garden.

__Price:__ £20 for two adults and two children 

### 9. Derby Ram Trail, Derby
Derby Museums in partnership with Wild in Art are bringing a flock of 30 colourful and unique 5ft [rams on a trail](https://derbyramtrail.org/ "Derby Ram Trail") around the city of Derby.

__Price:__ Free

### 10. Free Harry Potter tour, Edinburgh, Scotland
Explore some of the real places in Edinburgh that inspired J K Rowling to create the [Harry Potter](https://freeharrypottertour.com/ "Free Harry Potter tour") series.

__Price:__ Free

### 11. Imperial War Museum North, Manchester 
Explore the timeline from the [First World War](https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-north "Imperial War Museum North") to the present day, immerse yourself in the Big Picture Show, discover the forgotten histories of service personnel and civilians and see conflict through the eyes of artists.

__Price:__ Free

### 12. Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, Yorkshire
This [trail](https://www.ingletonwaterfallstrail.co.uk/ "Ingleton Waterfalls Trail") follows a well-defined footpath which runs as close to the edge of the two rivers as possible to provide spectacular views of the waterfalls. Walking boots or strong shoes are advised.

__Price:__ £24 for two adults and two children 

### 13. Kelburn Country Centre, Ayrshire, Scotland
The most popular attractions at [Kelburn](https://www.kelburnestate.com/ "Kelburn Estate") include the magical Secret Forest — a complex of woodland paths and raised walkways with fairy tale surprises at every turn, and the Waterfall Pool where the Kel burn drops 20ft into a spectacular grotto. There's also the Adventure Park, the Wild West Saloon, indoor soft play, gardens, surprising artwork throughout the glen and much more.

__Price:__ Free

### 14. Macduff Marine Aquarium, Macduff, Scotland 
Meet hundreds of local fishy characters at this fascinating [aquarium](https://www.macduff-aquarium.org.uk/ "Macduff Marine Aquarium"). Enjoy daily feed shows, touch pool sessions and see divers feeding the fish!

__Price:__ £22.40 for a family of four 

### 15. Natural History Museum, London 
Find answers to your big nature questions. Delve into stories about the [Museum's](https://www.nhm.ac.uk/ "Natural History Museum") collections, scientists and research. Uncover the history of life on Earth, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals.

__Price:__ Free

### 16. Northern Ireland War Memorial, Belfast, Ireland
The [Northern Ireland War Memorial](http://www.niwarmemorial.org/ "NI War Memorial") tells the story of how Northern Ireland was affected by and contributed to the Second World War. The museum has an expanding collection and offers a range of family events and workshops for schools and community groups.

__Price:__ Free

### 17. Northumberland College Zoo, Northumberland 
[Northumberland College Zoo](https://www.northumberland.ac.uk/for-visitors/northumberland-college-zoo/ "Northumberland") is home to 150 species of animals. Children can watch animal feedings throughout the day and learn about conservation.

__Price:__ £6.95 per adult, 4.95 per child

### 18. Puzzlewood Forest, Coleford
Experience twisted trees in an otherworldly [woodland](https://www.puzzlewood.net/ "Puzzlewood Forest") through a mile and a half of paths, bridges and lookout points. 

__Price:__ £25 for two adults and two children 

### 19. Rabbit Farm, Gwynedd, Wales 
Take a visit to this [farm](https://rabbitfarm.co.uk/ "Rabbit Farm") and interact with lots of animals. Children can handle different animals including rabbits, guinea pigs, even puppies. They can also hand feed many of the larger animals like pigs. 

__Price:__ £5 per adult, £4.50 per child (3–15yo)

### 20. Royal Victoria Country Park, Hampshire
The [Royal Victoria Country Park](https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/rvcp/visit "Hampshire County Council") is by the shores of Southampton Water. It comprises 200 acres of mature woodland and grassy parkland, as well as a small shingle beach. It has a fairy garden, playground and miniature railway.

__Price:__ Free

### 21. Sandringham Garden, Norfolk
The 600-acre [Royal Park](https://sandringhamestate.co.uk/ "WELCOME TO SANDRINGHAM") has two waymarked trails winding through woodlands and parkland with further unmarked paths for you to explore.

__Price:__ £12 per adult, free for under 17

### 22. Volcano Falls Adventure Golf, Yorkshire
Set on a mysterious island amid dense jungle, an exploding volcano, plunging waterfall and ferocious dinosaurs lay two challenging indoor 18-hole mini [golf](https://xscapeyorkshire.co.uk/attractions/volcano-falls-adventure-golf "Volcano Falls Adventure Golf") courses, waiting to be defeated. Enjoy some refreshments on your visit with a range of street food and two fully stocked Tiki Bars!

__Price:__ £24 for a family of four

### 23. Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary, Swansea, Wales
The [sanctuary](https://www.ape-monkey-rescue.org.uk/index.html "Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary") rescues and provides a home for many types of animals, especially primates, such as chimpanzees, baboons, spider monkeys and marmosets.

__Price:__ £25 for a family of four 

### 24. WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre, Moray, Scotland
The [WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre](https://dolphincentre.whales.org/ "Dolphin Centre") is based at the mouth of the River Spey where the world's largest bottlenose dolphins are regularly seen feeding, hunting and breaching, wild and free along with seals, ospreys, the occasional otter and a whole host of other wildlife. 

__Price:__ Free

### 25. Wood Mills Nature Reserve, Sussex
Visitors can walk past the old ponds and lake, through the ancient [woodland](https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/visit/woods-mill "Wood Mills Nature Reserve"), alongside the streams and waterways into the unimproved meadows with their wild hedgerows — habitats all contained within its 47 acres. This variety of habitat attracts an impressive number of species including mammals, insects, amphibians and birds.

__Price:__ Free

<br/><br/>
How are you planning your budget around school holidays and family days? Let us know your spending and savings tips on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://instagram.com/monese "Monese official Instagram page") or write to us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com).
<br/><br/>
__Methodology__
*Survey of 2,000 UK parents completed in April 2021.*

We’ve rounded up some of the best family days out in the UK that don’t cost a fortune

25 family days out for under £25

25 family days £25

Blog post > 25 family days out for under £25

We’ve looked at some of the best value days out that all the family can enjoy, across the UK, along with tips to help you prepare your spending and budget around school holidays. 

At Monese, we’ve always been an advocate for ending IBAN discrimination.  Last year, we shared a [blog](https://monese.com/blog/iban-discrimination "IBAN discrimination (yes, there is such a thing!)") with tips on what to do if you’re ever faced with this sort of injustice from an employer, merchant or any other company in SEPA (the Single Euro Payments Area) refusing to accept your SEPA-enabled IBAN for euro payments or direct debits. 

That’s why we’re very happy to be joining Wise’s [Accept my IBAN](https://www.acceptmyiban.org/ "Report it, so we can stop it!") campaign along with other leading fintech companies to put a stop once and for all to this all-too-common illegal practice. We and our peers in the fintech space realise that this is something our customers across Europe face daily — even though it’s against the law.   

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## How can I report IBAN discrimination?
![acceptmyiban.org-smaller](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/4lR2J2utqXXUKp6HB1JDh/3bcc2e692be4aaccf9fcf3839383f133/acceptmyiban.org-smaller.png)
As part of the campaign, you can now visit [acceptmyiban.org](https://www.acceptmyiban.org/ "End IBAN discrimination") to report details of your case, which will then be passed on to the right authorities. Anyone can submit a case, regardless of who you bank or pay with. 

If you’re ever faced with this kind of discrimination, it’s important to remember to gather documented proof of the rejection, whether that’s written, a screenshot or any other interaction you’ve had with the merchant or organisation. This will help better support your case when eventually presented to the relevant authorities. 

Remember: anytime a service provider, salesperson or employer refuses to accept your IBAN, they’re breaking the law. 

Report it, so we can stop it! 

Monese part of the fight to end IBAN discrimination once and for all 

We’ve joined the Accept my IBAN campaign 

Accept my IBAN Hero (1)

EU IBAN screen Monese app blue background

Blog post > We’ve joined the Accept my IBAN campaign 

We’re very happy to be joining Wise’s Accept my IBAN campaign along with other leading fintech companies to put a stop once and for all to IBAN discrimination. 

We’re excited to announce we’ve been chosen as one of the UK’s leading late-stage tech companies and joining the [Future Fifty 9.0 program](https://technation.io/programmes/future-fifty/ "Tech Nation") — Europe’s leading growth program for late-stage tech scaleups. The exclusive network of high-growth is designed to bring together, empower and accelerate the growth of the most successful tech companies in the UK. 

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Monese is one of 22 new companies to join the program this year, driving the growth of UK tech and economic recovery. Among these new joiners, we’re also one of eight fintechs and insurtechs selected to join. 

![FF9.0 MarketingPackAssets Email Header](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/3MJcdNTnQh0GuXi1xpzBuQ/367ac1795c906f8af16ba56d728410e6/FF9.0_MarketingPackAssets_Email_Header.png)

As part of the program, we look forward to peer-to-peer learning and applying these learnings straight away into our work environment. We’ll also be focused on addressing and unlocking answers to some of the different challenges we face as we continue to grow and expand our business. 

We’re proud to be included in this year’s Future Fifty, alongside some of the most prominent tech companies in Europe. It’s a testament to our team’s hard work and drive to help those living in challenging situations to build sustainable financial resilience and provide access to fair and flexible financial services. 

Monese joins the UK’s leading late-stage growth program  

We’ve joined Future Fifty 9.0!

Future Fifty Blog Hero

Monese logo white background green curtains blue screen

Blog post > We’ve joined Future Fifty 9.0!

We’re excited to announce we’ve been chosen as one of the UK’s leading late-stage tech companies and joining the Future Fifty 9.0 program — Europe’s leading growth program for late-stage tech scaleups.

As Covid-19 restrictions start to lift, we’re finally allowed to go out and enjoy a cold pint in a beer garden again, get our nails done and get rid of that lockdown hair. 

During this unusual past year, many of us have [managed to save more money](https://monese.com/blog/year-in-lockdown "A year in lockdown: what we spent and where we spent it") than we have ever done in the past. However, our recent poll of 1,000 UK residents has revealed that over half (51%) are concerned about how much more they’ll start spending now that restrictions are being lifted. Of these, it seems those aged 25–34 are the most worried (72%), alongside residents of London (67%).

With this in mind, we’ve put together a few tips to help you stay in control of your outgoings while enjoying a little slice of long-awaited normality.

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## Budget
As we start spending less time at home, it’s inevitable that some of our “extra” expenses will go up again. Of course, rent and bills come first, but we all need a little something to splurge on after so many months being stuck indoors! Our survey has revealed that people think they’ll spend the most money in restaurants (45%), at shops and shopping centres (43%), at pubs and bars (37%) and at hairdressers or barbers (36%).

Whether it’s pints with friends or a shopping spree, make sure you calculate how much you can afford to spend on any additional luxuries each month. With Monese, you can easily give yourself a weekly or monthly spending [budget](https://monese.com/features/budgeting "Budgeting made easy") to ease you back into it. 

## Swap to stretch your budget
If you’ve worked out that you don’t have loads of budget to work with then you might need to prioritise and adjust expenses accordingly. For example, two extra pints means one less takeaway, or a meal out could mean not buying those jeans online.

## Don’t dip into savings
Whether you’ve managed to save more in lockdown or not, it’s important to make sure you don’t make a dent in your savings for non-essential expenses. But if it happens, set up a [Recurring Payment](https://monese.com/blog/make-regular-transfers-with-recurring-payments "Make regular transfers with Recurring Payments") to your savings pot on the same day you [receive your salary](https://monese.com/blog/receive-salary "How to receive your salary in your Monese account"). This way you can slowly start to “pay yourself back” and keep that money for rainy days or get back on track with any other savings goals.

With Monese, you can create up to [10 different pots](https://monese.com/features/pots "Save with Pots") to help keep your savings separate from everyday spending, so you have money for when you really need it.

## Don’t lose track of spending
It’s essential that you keep an eye on how much is coming in and how much will now be going out each month. 

With Monese you can get a PDF or Excel statement straight from the app for any date range you need, so you can visualise exactly when, where and how you spent your money. You can also make use of the [Spending Overview](https://monese.com/blog/simple-spending-overview "An easy way to stay on top of your spending") feature, which neatly categorises your spending into 15 different lifestyle categories. You should make a habit of checking this and your account daily so you know exactly what you have left to spend. Plus, set up instant notifications for detailed transaction descriptions every time you buy.

## Spread out your outings
Of course, it’s only natural that you might want to get a haircut, go to the pub and enjoy a meal out all in the same week, but that may not be the smartest move. Spreading out your treats not only gives you something to look forward to each week, but also means you’re less likely to overspend and be left with nothing (or close to nothing) in just a week alone. 
<br/><br/>

## Enlist the help of others
If you know you’re not good at resisting that new jacket or a trip to the pub, then ask your family or friends to help you. Let them know you need to stick to a budget and looking for their support. Some of your friends may be worried about overspending too, and knowing someone else feels the same and are in it together, can make sticking to a budget so much easier.

## Think before you buy
If you’ve spotted something you want to buy, walk away from the purchase and sleep on it before you complete the transaction. If you wake up and still think you’d really like to buy it, and can afford it, then go for it. More often than not, though, you may change your mind or decide you’d actually rather to wait until you’ve saved up for it.

## Hide social media ads
Spending will power is hard to maintain, especially when we're bombarded with targeted adverts on social media all the time. But you can hide these if you’re worried you'll be tempted to splash your cash. On Facebook and Instagram, you can click the three dots in the top right-hand corner of the ad to select a hide option.

## Try budget-friendly outings  
You don’t need to splurge on dinner and drinks to be sociable with friends. Instead, you could organise a picnic in your local park. It’ll work out much cheaper than dining out and will still feel really special after weeks of being stuck at home!

## Shop second-hand 
If you’re looking forward to a long-awaited night out, you might be considering buying a new outfit. However, rather than hitting the shopping centre, you could look around your local charity shops first. With so many people having clearouts during lockdown, you might be surprised at what you unique, low-cost treasures could be waiting for you! You’re also helping a charity too, so it's a win-win.

Don't forget to also check out places like Facebook Marketplace for bargains. This can be particularly good if you’re looking for items for your home or garden. You can set up alerts for specific items so you don’t miss out when that perfect listing goes live!
<br/><br/>

These tips should help you stay on track with your budget, while not dipping into savings and still allow you to have some much-needed fun! Let us know how you plan on getting back out there while keeping your spending in check. Share your tips and tricks with us on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://instagram.com/monese "Monese official Instagram page") or write to us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com).
<br/><br/>

__Methodology__
*Survey of 1,000 UK adults completed in April 2021.* 

Over half of UK residents are worried about how much more they’ll spend as Covid-19 restrictions ease

Top tips to keep spending under control as we ease back into normality

calculator_spendingoverview_monese coins in jar 

calculator_spendingoverviewscreen and monese coins in clear jar

Blog post > Top tips to keep spending under control as we ease back into normality

We’ve put together a few tips to help you stay in control of your outgoings while enjoying a little slice of long-awaited normality.

As one of the top 5 most requested finance apps from Huawei device users in the UK, we're excited to announce that Monese is now available for download in [Huawei's AppGallery](https://appgallery.huawei.com/#/app/C103759763 "Monese on AppGallery")! The app comes with the [features](https://monese.com/features "Learn about the features on your Monese money account") you know and love so your financial life is literally within reach and at your fingertips, anytime, anywhere.  

![AppGallery Visual (2)](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/5UTg6xuK7oBQQK0Yk3LmJ/294655ee0b6dff71378dbe1220a208e7/AppGallery_Visual__2_.png)

## What are the benefits of downloading Monese? 
Monese makes opening a mobile money account fast and easy, straight from your phone so you can start: 

- sending money abroad with no hidden fees
- [receiving your salary](https://monese.com/blog/receive-salary "How to receive your salary in your Monese account")
- budgeting your monthly or weekly spending
- analysing your day-to-day spending
- making instant and free transfers between Monese accounts, no matter the currency  

And there’s so much more! The Monese app comes jam-packed with useful features to make your everyday money management as simple as ever. 

![Monese App on Huawei screen](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/ETga1aXxUcmqMaJZK5NV3/f4ea366c49085ad662bd3796cce3e112/Phone_Visual.png)

## What are the features that come with Monese? 
Download the Monese app today to start making use of your multi-currency account and powerful [tools for better money management](https://monese.com/blog/manage-money "Tools to use to better manage your money"). Your Monese account comes with:  

- [international money transfer service](https://monese.com/money-transfers "International money transfer – send money safely for less") at great rates
- [virtual card](https://monese.com/blog/create-virtual-card "Create a virtual card") for an extra layer of security when shopping in-store or online
- [pots](https://monese.com/products/savings "Grow your savings") to keep your savings separate from daily spending
- [Direct Debits](https://monese.com/blog/setting-up-direct-debits-with-monese "Setting up Direct Debits with Monese") so you never miss a bill or payment again 
- [Recurring Payments](https://monese.com/blog/make-regular-transfers-with-recurring-payments "Make regular transfers with Recurring Payments") for regular transfers
- instant notifications whenever there’s activity on your account 
- [budgeting](https://monese.com/features/budgeting "Budgeting made easy") tools and [Spending Overview](https://monese.com/blog/simple-spending-overview "An easy way to stay on top of your spending") screen 
- state-of-the-art protection and [security](https://monese.com/features/security "Security is at the heart of what we do") 
- contactless Mastercard prepaid [debit card](https://monese.com/features/debit-card "Get a prepaid debit card from Monese") 
- quick ways to [top up your account](https://monese.com/features/add-funds "Adding money easily") instantly, including with cash  

Once you join Monese, you can also open a [joint account](https://monese.com/products/joint-account "Open a Monese joint account online") with a loved one, partner, friend or 
family member. 

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## Use Monese in your language 
You can download Monese from the AppGallery and change your settings to use it in any one of the 14 languages we support in-app: English, French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, Bulgarian, Italian, Spanish, Romanian, Polish, Czech, Turkish, Estonian and Lithuanian.

<br/><br/> 

Head to Huawei's AppGallery on your phone and search for the Monese app to get started today. For your security and latest app updates, make sure you’re only downloading the Monese app from official sources, like the AppGallery. Keep in mind that the Google Pay feature isn’t available in the app if installed from Huawei's AppGallery. 

If you love our app, don’t forget to rate us! We love reading your positive feedback. 

[![Huawei badge black](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/7whnGL0f7W4lyOv4wTcKM6/83b0fca38b8e8752a4073a7b8b012eea/Badge-Black.png?w=200&fm=webp)](https://appgallery.cloud.huawei.com/ag/n/app/C103759763?channelId=Monese+blog&id=67e6a35e88dc47288ea695bbda9e2aa6&s=DBE4C1F0869EE37FFC73C7A449B026EB52623478C11DBE765902ACFE5DC2FB0D&detailType=0&v=)

Download the app today for the features you know and love  

Monese now available in Huawei's AppGallery

Huawei Blog Hero V2

Blog post > Monese now available in Huawei's AppGallery

Monese is now available for download in the Huawei AppGallery! The app comes with the features you know and love so your financial life is literally within reach and at your fingertips, anytime, anywhere. 

Monese now available in Huawei AppGallery

If you’re wondering how to send money to someone in Switzerland, we explain how you can do just that straight from your Monese app. That’s right! You can easily and safely send money online to Switzerland from the comfort of your own home in just a few taps. 

Ready to get started? 

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## How to transfer money to Switzerland 
Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to send money to Switzerland with Monese:  

__Step 1:__ Tap on New payment to create a new payee. We’ll prompt you to enter their full name, the currency you want to send (in this case, Swiss franc), their residential address and their account details. We'll save these details for you, so you won't have to enter them the next time you want to send.

__Step 2:__ Enter the amount you want to send to Switzerland (you’ll see the currency conversion screen here).

__Step 3:__ Review and confirm your payment.

Sending money to a Switzerland bank account with Monese is as simple as that!

## Switzerland money exchange rate
You can find an indicative figure of the Switzerland money exchange right in your app or on our [Money Transfers](https://monese.com/money-transfers/switzerland "Send money to Switzerland") page. Straight from your phone, you’ll be able to add in different amounts to verify the rate, what your recipient will get, plus the fee you’ll pay, which we never keep hidden from you. 

If you know you’ll be using our international money transfer service regularly — whether to send money to Switzerland or elsewhere — you may want to consider signing up for our [Premium plan](https://monese.com/pricing "Our pricing"). On this plan, sending money to a Switzerland bank account is free. On all our other plans, you’ll pay a fee of 0.5–2%, depending on which plan you’re on. The foreign exchange rates will of course still apply to all plans.  

## Make the most of Monese
Transferring money to Switzerland is just one of the many things you can do with your Monese app. There are so many useful features loaded in your app, all within a fingertip’s reach! 

- If you send money online to Switzerland often, you can set up a [Recurring Payment](https://monese.com/blog/make-regular-transfers-with-recurring-payments "Make regular transfers with Recurring Payments") in your Monese app so you never miss a transfer abroad. 
- Tuck money away for that post-lockdown dinner out with friends, holiday or much-needed blowout with [savings pots](https://monese.com/products/savings "Grow your savings") in your app. 
- [Create a virtual card](https://monese.com/blog/create-virtual-card "Another easy and secure way to pay — all from your phone!") right in your app to pay online or in-store with an extra layer of security and a unique 16-digit card number different from your physical card. 

<br/><br/>

How do you use our [Money Transfer](https://monese.com/money-transfers "International money transfer – send money safely for less") service and what other countries do you send money to? Let us know on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Monese official Instagram page") or email us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com) with your feedback. 


Transfer money to Switzerland quickly and securely with Monese 

How to send money to Switzerland

Swiss 16x9

Blog post > How to send money to Switzerland

If you’re wondering how to send money to someone in Switzerland, we explain how you can do just that straight from your Monese app. 

A lot’s been happening over the last few months! We’ve unveiled quite a few new features to make your money management simple and easy. Read on to learn all that’s new with your app! 

### Customisable home screen
![New home screen - Modules](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/4jPNuhSGhvPx8yi427HHcX/8b73be07ef5e93223dce082c404819bf/Modules__1_.png)

We’ve redesigned our [home screen](https://monese.com/blog/new-home-screen "Welcome to your new home screen") so you can customise your app however you like! You can add or remove widgets to see any recently paid contacts, [savings pots](https://monese.com/blog/better-pots "Savings pots"), budget and your [Spending Overview](https://monese.com/blog/simple-spending-overview "Spending Overview"). Move them around the screen and reorder whichever widgets you want by tapping on the ‘Customise’ button at the bottom. You can also see how much you have in your pots right  next to your balance, or toggle to remove.

### Invite and earn referral program 
![MGM 1920x1080](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/4xR0VnpDJXvkgcXtc0YLDo/ed14632a955f328dc06aaea1031d0bf1/MGM_1920x1080.png)

Our famous [Invite & Earn](https://monese.com/invite-and-earn "Invite and earn with Monese") program is back in select countries (check your app to see if you're eligible). Make up to £20 (or €20 or 110 lei, depending on your primary account) for each new friend who joins and starts spending. Invite as many friends as you like but the bonus will only work for your first 5 invited friends, so you can make up to a total of £100.

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### And finally...
Other new features we’ve brought to your app these past few months are: 

- A simpler currency converter screen 
- A new type of statement that you can download straight from your app that lists out any fees you’ve paid 
- An easier way to get help straight from your app for any unrecognised online card transactions 
- A revamped ‘Help’ section in the app to make finding information even simpler
- We’ve also made a total of 225 fixes and improvements in your app. 

We’re always open to hearing your thoughts and suggestions for every new feature we bring you. Let us know how we can improve your in-app experience by leaving us your ideas on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese on Facebook"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese on Twitter"), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Monese on Instagram") or emailing us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com).   


Spring 2021 Feature Update

Blog post > Your Spring 2021 feature update

We’ve been unveiling quite a few new features to make your money management simple and easy. Read on to see what’s new with your app this spring!

Your Spring 2021 feature update

Here’s what we’ve been releasing so far this year

It’s been a year unlike any other, and not being able to go out to the pub, the shops or the cinema has — along with many other things — had a big impact on where and how our customers spent and saved money. 

To see exactly what effect the Covid-19 pandemic and the local and national lockdowns in the UK have had on our financial habits, we’ve looked back over our pre-pandemic customer transactions from March 2019—February 2020 and compared them with our lockdown spendings of March 2020—February 2021.

![Year in lockdown - 16% more money Monese coins](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/2bb9yndE4nMHLYGb2atHAr/ad884f59c499751c4f3f75cf7101bd34/AYIL_Landscape_01_2x.png)

Despite being stuck at home, we discovered that, on average, each person has spent 16% more in the last 12 months than in the previous year, with spending increasing in a few key areas.

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## Shopping online skyrocketed 
Across the nation, non-essential shops were closed for a large part of the year, meaning that many [high streets were nearly deserted](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/deserted-streets-shops-shutters-down-19574139 "Manchester Evening News") and shopping centres shut their doors too. The effect of this was a massive surge in online shopping, particularly in November and December 2020, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday driving even more people online. Looking at all transactions made by Monese customers over the last 12 months, a staggering 80% more money was spent at online retailers versus the year before.

![A year in lockdown - online shopping laptop ](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/7FglRdgTUzkk0M3tkCR6kd/a75bb2755acfbcaf54aea3745d1863d5/AYIL_Landscape_02_2x.png)

This figure includes online grocery shopping, which grew in popularity as many people sought to avoid supermarket trips and long queues. Some supermarkets reported that, particularly at the start of each new lockdown, [their delivery slots had sold out completely](https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/tesco-asda-sainsburys-iceland-waitrose-4667593 "Herts"), although this pressure eased as lockdowns progressed.

One of the more recent challenges and expenses that has come with online shopping has been the arrival of [EU-UK shopping taxes](https://monese.com/blog/parcel-taxes "Monese blog: your money or your parcel ") after Brexit. Some buyers were caught out by unexpected customs tariffs, handling charges and VAT costs. 

## DIY spending surged
We calculated that on average our customers spent 184% more on DIY tools and products in the last year, showing just how popular painting, decorating and home renovating was. Interestingly, the weeks our customers spent the most on DIY kit and caboodle was 22 November, followed by 16 August — not during the first national lockdown as may have been expected.

![ Year in lockdown - DIY tools and hammer](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/71sQs0e4mN07RsnOzg7g5b/6d16a95206e4d9bc7b49ec85a82780ae/AYIL_Landscape_03_2x.png)

In the first national lockdown, hardware stores were forced to close as DIY products were not deemed to be ‘essential items’. When the government allowed these to reopen from 23 April 2020,  business boomed, with [reports of long queues](https://www.itv.com/news/central/2020-04-23/diy-stores-reopen-to-long-queues-during-lockdown "itv: DIY stores reopen to long queues during lockdown") at DIY chains across the nation. 

While buying things for your home can be expensive, [some projects are reported to add value](https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/how-to-add-value-to-your-home "Homebuilding and renovating: How to Add Value to Your Home - 23 Value-Boosting Tips") to your property too, so it’s an investment that can pay off in the long term. Some people also find decorating and DIY relaxing, fulfilling and a welcome distraction from some of the worries of last year.

## Supermarket spending shot up
Another area where our customers spent a lot more money was at the supermarket — perhaps not surprising that while we couldn’t go out for dinner or to the pub, we bought more groceries for meals at home. On average, we estimate that households spent 51% more at the supermarket in the last 12 months.

![Year in lockdown - groceries food](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/7hJ1PZt6G2Yl6eHmzNZI6v/2679e9478e471063b1b5098b170dd795/AYIL_Landscape_04_2x.png)

The peak week for supermarket spending in the last 12 months was just before Christmas (20 December) which was also the biggest week in 2019. 

However, the biggest annual increase took place just before the first national lockdown, during the week of 15 March 2020 when 47% more was spent at the supermarket than during the same week in 2019. This date ties in with [reports of stockpiling and panic buying](https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/supermarkets/stockpiling-spend-hit-60m-in-first-week-of-coronavirus-panic/602952.article "The Grocer: Stockpiling spend hit £60m in first week of coronavirus panic"), with many households dashing to supermarkets to buy dried and canned foods, and endless amounts of toilet roll. 

Fortunately, things settled down a bit by the end of March and, while spending was still higher during the remainder of the year, we didn’t see any similar surges as in that first, worrying week in spring.

## Utilities bills went through the roof
With more people working from home than ever before, the nation’s utilities bills also soared. We estimate that the total cost of water, electricity and gas bills grew by 69% in the last 12 months. The cost started to jump up around 26 April — one month after we started working from home — and stayed at this higher level for the rest of the year.

![Year in lockdown - Utility bills paperwork document](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/1jfYYTL6JZIyMvyK4xvAwX/89fdeb842a1afb0951c9c7a947a22133/AYIL_Landscape_05_2x.png)

Another potential reason the nation’s electricity bills went through the roof last year could be because Britain went mad for hot tubs. [Many retailers said they’d sold out](https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-8414201/Hot-tub-sales-rise-1-000-Britons-enjoy-hot-weather.html "This is Money: 'We've sold out': Hot tub sales rise by 1,000% and suppliers struggle to keep up with demand as Britons spend more time and money in the garden") by the summer. If you fancy joining in on the trend, it’s worth noting that they come with [a potential annual running cost of £600 per year](https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/is-it-normal-for-a-hot-tub-to-cost-600-a-year-to-run--164414689.html "yahoo! finance: Thousands upfront and £600 a year to run - is a hot tub ever worth the money?")!

## Other places we spent more money
A few of the other areas our customers spent more money last year are at: 

- digital games stores (+168%)
- car washes (142%) 
- pet shops (+113%)
- motorcycle dealers (+101%)
- jewellery and watch retailers (+98%)
- musical instrument shops (+71%)
- TV streaming services (+68%)
- craft shops (+46%)
- toy shops (+40%)
- second-hand shops (+40%)
- pharmacies (+31%)

A lot of us got a new pet during the lockdowns, with many explaining that their ‘pandemic puppy’ has helped them get through this challenging time. A year on, some animal shelters are sadly reporting that [they’re getting a lot of pets handed over](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-55719338 "BBC: When your pandemic puppy doesn't work out ") because their owners aren’t able to look after them. 

Getting a pet, particularly a dog, can be very expensive — as much [as £33,000 throughout their lifetime](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/jan/20/can-you-afford-dog-33000-pet-insurance-food "The Guardian: Paws for thought … can you really afford to get a dog?") — so it’s really worth thinking about if you can afford that sort of financial commitment before you buy your furry friend. After all, a dog is for life, not just for lockdown.

## Places we spent less money
At the other end of the scale, there were, of course, many areas where our customers spent a lot less money in the last year. Perhaps not surprisingly, customers spent 81% less at cinemas; 66% less at theatres; and 56% less at bars, night clubs and pubs. 

Our customers also spent 26% less at restaurants in the last 12 months. However, the Eat Out to Help Out scheme certainly gave the hospitality sector a boost, and our average restaurant bill (per visit) went from £47.70 to £59.16 in August 2020.

Monese customers also spent a lot less on travel: 49% less on train tickets, 32% less on airline tickets, 27% less on car rental, and 23% less on bus tickets too.

## Savers also squirreled away more money for rainy days
While many people were spending more money during lockdown, we were pleased to see that others have been able to set aside more savings for the future too. It’s great to have a [safety net](https://monese.com/blog/emergency-fund "Monese blog: How to build an emergency fund") if you can.

![Year in lockdown - Vault Monese coins gold](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/6mzsks2TE8fHS5jIbe6xXm/8654df7d1d559fbaf813983eb1450ad2/AYIL_Landscape_06_2x.png)

On average, Monese customers that use [our saving pots feature](https://monese.com/features/pots "Monese: Save with Pots") put aside in excess of three times more in the ‘year in lockdown’ versus the previous year. The average Monese saver also doubled the value of their pot! 

We ran a survey earlier in the year to find out what people were saving for and discovered that over a third were setting money aside for a rainy day (37%), one in four were looking to hit a specific savings milestone (26%) and a similar number were putting cash aside for a holiday (25%) in the coming months. 

If you live with a partner, it can be easier to hit a specific savings goal if you’re both invested in doing so. But we know that talking about money with our nearest and dearest can be a challenge, so we wrote up a blog about [how to tackle those tricky conversations about money](https://monese.com/blog/savings-goals-with-partner "Monese blog: Setting savings goals with your partner"), as well as how to set a joint budget and savings goals. A [joint account](https://monese.com/products/joint-account "Open a Monese joint account online") is a great place to start and can be set up in minutes!

## Looking to the year ahead
With the lockdown easing roadmap now revealed, many of us are looking forward to getting back to ‘normal’: visiting loved ones, [organising holidays](https://monese.com/blog/travel-2021 "Monese blog: Top tips for your next travel attempt"), heading out on shopping trips and, of course, getting a round of drinks in for colleagues after a long working week. 
If you’re worried about money and the resumed cost of commuting and socialising, then it’s important to plan ahead as best you can. 

With Monese, [our features](https://monese.com/features "Learn about the features on your Monese money account") make it easier to budget and manage your money. Take a look at [our products](https://monese.com/products "All your Monese accounts in one app") to see all you can do.
<br/><br/>

How did your spending and saving change during the year in lockdown? Let us know on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://instagram.com/monese "Monese official Instagram page") or write to us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com).

<br/><br/>
__Methodology__

*We analysed Monese card transaction data comparing consumer spending data for March 2019 to February 2020, with data for March 2020 to February 2021. We compared spending between these two time periods across a number of categories and analysed this on a week-by-week basis. This allowed us to rank consumer spending categories as well as amount spent and rate of consumer spending throughout the past year. Monese has over one million customers in the UK.*

We look at how the spending and savings habits of Monese customers have changed over the last 12 months

A year in lockdown: what we spent and where we spent it

Year in Lockdown - hero image

shopping online laptop tools DIY groceries Monese coins in vault savings utilities bill 

Blog post > A year in lockdown: what we spent and where we spent it

We’ve looked back over our pre-pandemic customer transactions from March 2019—February 2020 and compared them with our lockdown spendings of March 2020—February 2021.

If one of your goals this year is to get control over your money, our app can help you do just that. From useful budgeting tools, virtual cards to savings pots and much more, with Monese, you can manage your accounts straight from the palm of your hand.   

So whether you’re just discovering Monese or have been with us for a while, we’re here to remind you of just a few of the features that’ll help you get a handle on your finances. 

## Receive your salary in your Monese account 
![Receive-Salary-1920x1080 Monese notification on phone](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/R9DTxB69lzTr29DOhoou9/2fde677d8c624e86e28103a8a912d6db/Receive-Salary-1920x1080.gif)

[Getting your salary paid into your Monese account](https://monese.com/blog/receive-salary "How to receive your salary in your Monese account") is the first step to getting a grip on your finances. If you know you get paid regularly, you can start planning for what income you know you’ll have each month and exactly how much you have to work with. This will then make budgeting and sorting your money even easier. 

## Budget and monitor your spending 
![Spending Overview 1](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/2irOdKukCaCmiWYilvzgOA/5df92e9292f7a5d62a047164dac47e1e/Spending-Overview-1.jpg)

Once you’ve subtracted your essentials such as your rent or mortgage, groceries, utilities, transport and so on, you can quickly give yourself a [budget](https://monese.com/features/budgeting "Budgeting made easy") for whatever you have left over. With Monese, you can set up a monthly or weekly budget that you can adjust at any time. Keep an eye on your spending with our [Spending Overview](https://monese.com/blog/simple-spending-overview "An easy way to stay on top of your spending") feature, which neatly categorises your expenses into 15 different lifestyle categories.  

## Pay with your Monese card (physical or virtual) 
![Virtual-card-set-up2](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/1MKIcC0YXQNiYpYb7zwBmG/2c72d4901eb5a9bfdee6e30fee5032ee/Virtual-card-set-up2.png)

When you open a Monese account, you can order your very own shiny contactless Mastercard debit [card](https://monese.com/features/debit-card "Get a prepaid debit card from Monese") for all your in-store and online shopping needs or worldwide ATM withdrawals. You can add your Monese card to [Apple Pay](https://monese.com/features/apple-pay "Apple Pay: Easier, faster, more secure payments") or [Google Pay](https://monese.com/features/google-pay "Monese with Google Pay™") to pay quickly and securely — no need for a physical card. Or [create a virtual card](https://monese.com/blog/create-virtual-card "Virtual card: Introducing another easy and secure way to pay ") right in your app for an extra layer of security when you make transactions in-store or online. Your Monese virtual card is also linkable to Apple Pay and Google Pay.   

## Set up your savings pots 
![Saving-Improved-Pots-2](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/1CSaqJMSADu9bHMUl5XsqR/8ae5f5ce6f1d6c837583b3caa2986c4a/Saving-Improved-Pots-2.png)

To help you [achieve your financial goals in 2021](https://monese.com/blog/financial-goals-2021 "Five tips to help you achieve your financial goals in 2021"), one of our top tips is to create savings [pots](https://monese.com/blog/better-pots "Pots have gotten even better") to help you keep your money separate from everyday spending. 

With Monese, you can create up to 10 different pots to help you save for more than one thing at a time. Give each pot a target amount plus a unique name like new laptop, [emergency fund](https://monese.com/blog/emergency-fund "How to build an emergency fund"), new cellphone or post-lockdown vacation to help keep you focused and on track. You can even round up transactions and multiply them by up to 10 — send spare change to your pot and multiply to help you reach your goals even faster!     

## Easily set up Direct Debits 
![Direct Debits 1920x1080](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/6hHr69bKgCD9w6T6eoCnXc/37c7580a7361fa97f44dabe6190632c2/Direct_Debit_1920x1080.png)

With Monese, you can effortlessly set up [Direct Debits](https://monese.com/blog/setting-up-direct-debits-with-monese "Setting up Direct Debits with Monese"), so you don’t have to worry about a missed bill or payment ever again. Just share your Monese account number and sort cord with your service provider, request the date you’d like the payment to go out, and your goods provider will take care of the rest. Set it and forget it!  

## Make Recurring Payments 
![Recurring-3](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/35NiQZppeV7GdT9KB3iJDJ/e8b24e46484a52ec8249afcc70b5d365/Recurring-3.png)

Similarly, [Recurring Payments](https://monese.com/gb/en/blog/make-regular-transfers-with-recurring-payments "Make regular transfers with Recurring Payments") can help you never to forget to pay your landlord or even send money to a savings pot. With Monese, you can manage and cancel these at any time right from your app. Our integrated notifications will remind you when you have a Recurring Payment coming up, so you have time to [top up your account](https://monese.com/blog/add-money "All the ways to add money to your Monese account") if you need to, and there are no surprises. 

## Control joint spending 
![JA visual-2](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/1xZwJvjfpxITWug2CkS42H/0da3278da30b02eb86faf32cd0cdd5b6/JA_visual-2.jpg)

With Monese, you can open a [joint account](https://monese.com/blog/launching-joint-accounts "Spend and save together with the new Monese Joint Account") with a partner, roommate, friend or family member to help you manage any shared expenses together. 

You’ll each get one of our rose gold contactless Mastercard debit cards and share one account number. This means you can both get your salaries paid directly into the account, set up direct debits and manage other payments and bills together. [Joint accounts](https://monese.com/products/joint-account "Open a Monese joint account online") also share the same balance and allowances, plus create up to 10 savings pots so you can save together too!   

<div data-comp="signup"></div>

We’re always working on building upon these features and creating even more useful tools to help you get a grasp on your finances and keep you in control. As always, we’re open to hearing your thoughts or any ideas you may have to improve our product to make money management even easier. Leave us your comments on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Monese official Instagram page") or email us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com) with your feedback. 

Making the most of the features in your Monese app

Tools to use to better manage your money 

Managing Your Money - 1920X1080 - Coins, joint account cards, spending overview, calendar, Monese

Coins, Monese, two joint account cards, spending overview screen on phone and calendar 

Blog post > Tools to use to better manage your money 

From useful budgeting tools, virtual cards to savings pots and much more, with Monese, you can manage your accounts straight from the palm of your hand.   

We’re always exploring new ways to improve your in-app experience. That’s why you can now build your Monese home screen however you want! We’ve brought all your primary tasks to the forefront for better insights. With this new way of looking at your money, we think you’ll be more in control and make payments more easily. 

Now, let’s check out the updates! ✨

## Introducing widgets
![New home screen - Modules widgets](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/4jPNuhSGhvPx8yi427HHcX/8b73be07ef5e93223dce082c404819bf/Modules__1_.png)

Apart from your balance and transactions, your new home screen can now show you your account details, a summary of your spending, your budget progress, how much you’ve been saving to your pots, any outstanding payment requests, and the people you’ve recently paid. 

## Reorder or remove
![New home screen - How-To-Rearrange-Widgets GIF](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/4V8gFZk8oxHWHLtEsBaqSu/0f234601fda422a3a258322a804046c3/How-To-Rearrange-Widgets__2_.gif)

Build your Monese home screen exactly how you want by moving things around or only keeping the bits you’d like to see. Drag to reorder your widgets however you want, plus you can add or remove whichever ones you like. Just hit the ‘Customise’ button at the bottom to set yours up.

## See your savings 
![Home screen with savings vs home screen without savings monese app phone](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/5zBrpRdFRWFeTtALdvuzdF/f8a495809b0210392e95e2e9dacf62f9/Savings_Vs_No_Savings__1_.png)

When you fire up the app, you can now choose to see all the savings from your pots, right next to your account balance. You can easily toggle this off from the ‘Customise’ screen, and you can still set up a widget that shows you a breakdown of what’s in each of your pots.

<br/><br/>

Are you loving your new home screen? Are there any other widgets you’d like to see? Let us know what you like and how we could improve. Message us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Monese official Instagram page") or email us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com "Email us") with your thoughts and suggestions.  

Personalise your screen for better money management at a glance


Welcome to your new home screen

New home screen update Monese layout widgets

Hero - Landscape - with Savings (1)

New home screen layout update widget with savings 

Blog post > Welcome to your new home screen

You can now build your Monese home screen however you want! 

Personalise your screen for better money management at a glance

*__🚨 Increased bonus for a limited time! Make more than double your bonus: get up to £50 (or €50 or 275 lei, depending on your primary account) when you invite a friend. ⏰__*

Better than spending and saving with Monese is doing so with friends! There are so many benefits and reasons to invite your friends to join Monese — we’ve decided to highlight some of the greatest reasons in this blog post.

<div data-comp="signup"></div>

Plus, if you’re a customer in the UK or Germany our famous [Invite and Earn](https://monese.com/invite-and-earn "Make up to £100 for new friends who join and start using Monese") referral program is back. Make money for up to five new friends that sign up and start spending with Monese. It’s going to be around for a limited time so be sure to act fast! 

__18 March update:__ Our Invite and Earn referal program is now available for customers living in Italy and Spain. 

__25 March update:__ Our Invite and Earn referal program is now available for customers living in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. 

__4 June update:__ Our Invite and Earn referal program is now available for customers living in Portugal. 

__2 July update:__ Our Invite and Earn referal program is now available for customers living in Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta and Slovenia.

## What are the benefits? 
Here are the top 3 reasons why you should get your family and friends to join Monese: 

### 1. Send and receive money instantly

Quickly send, request and receive money instantly from other Monese contacts straight from your app. No matter if moving money between GBP, RON or EUR accounts, your money will land in your account in seconds, ready for you to spend or save. 

![Request payment Monese screen app](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/24eHW6xz5ZjMLh9Snn6pcn/217f51bdd49fcdc50397883b8b573a52/request_still_-_android_3_v3.png)

### 2. Open a joint account 
Whether it’s a family member, roommate, partner or friend, when you invite someone to join Monese, and they’ve signed up, you’ll then be able to invite them to open a [joint account](https://monese.com/products/joint-account "Open a Monese joint account") with you. 

[Joint accounts](https://monese.com/blog/launching-joint-accounts "Spend and save together with the new Monese Joint Account") are great for duos looking to save, pay, spend and keep track of money together. Share a balance, transaction feed and get real-time notifications whenever there’s movement on your joint account, so you both stay in the loop. You can even create up to 10 savings pots in your joint account so you can work towards [savings](https://monese.com/blog/savings-goals-with-partner "Setting savings goals with your partner") and [reach financial goals](https://monese.com/blog/financial-goals-2021 "Five tips to help you achieve your financial goals in 2021") together.  

![Open a joint account Monese screen app](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/1xZwJvjfpxITWug2CkS42H/0da3278da30b02eb86faf32cd0cdd5b6/JA_visual-2.jpg)

### 3. Find friends near you 

Via Bluetooth, you’re able to find nearby Monese contacts to pay or request money from them fast. Just make sure you’re both discoverable, find your friend and voilà! Tap on your friend to send or request your money, and that’s all — no need for any extra details. 

![Find friends Bluetooth Monese screen app](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/1Yo0PAIgPwkyKzI5HOyKq6/ab907ce5386f376465496f8c1912de1f/1920-Montly-round-up-Dec-2.jpg)

## Refer and earn 
With the reintroduction of our Invite and Earn program, you can make up to £20 (or €20 or 110 lei, depending on your primary account) for each new friend you refer. Invite as many friends as you like but the bonus will only work for your first 5 invited friends, so you can make up to a grand total of £100 (or €100 or 550 lei). You’ll earn your cash once they’ve successfully signed up and started spending with Monese. For the time being, the program is only open to customers in: 

🇭🇷 Croatia 

🇨🇾 Cyprus

🇩🇰 Denmark

🇪🇪 Estonia

🇫🇮 Finland

🇩🇪 Germany

🇬🇷 Greece

🇭🇺 Hungary

🇮🇸 Iceland

🇮🇪 Ireland

🇮🇹 Italy

🇱🇺 Luxembourg

🇲🇹 Malta

🇳🇴 Norway

🇵🇹 Portugal 

🇸🇮 Slovenia

🇪🇸 Spain

🇸🇪 Sweden

🇬🇧 UK

### How does it work? 
You can start inviting and earning in 4 easy steps: 

__Step 1__ -  Invite your friends using the Invite tab from your app. 

__Step 2__ - Once they’ve signed up using your invite code, remind them to get spending. 

__Step 3__ - Once they’ve made their first card transaction, you’ll both receive £5 (or €5 or 30 lei, depending on your primary account’s currency) 

__Step 4__ - Finally, nudge them to keep spending. Once they’ve spent at least £500 or €500 in card transactions or sent this much internationally (outside the EU/EEA), you’ll each get your final reward of £15 (or €15 or 80 lei, depending on your primary account). 

That’s it! 
<br/><br/>

You can get all the rules and specifics for our Invite and Earn program under our [Terms and Conditions](https://monese.com/monese-referral-program-terms-and-conditions "Monese 'Invite & Earn' Referral Program - Terms and Conditions"). And if you still have any questions, feel free to check out our [FAQ](https://support.monese.com/hc/en-gb/sections/360004870779-Invite-and-Earn-Program "Invite and Earn Program") section for more information. 

Our Invite and Earn referral program is back!


Monese is better with friends 

MGM 1920x1080

Blog post > Monese is better with friends 

Monese is better with friends

Our Invite and Earn referral program is back!

Last year was a complete bust, to say the least — but especially when it came to travel plans. Many special occasions were interrupted due to Covid-19 — from postponed holiday plans, weddings, concerts and other major international events. But hopeful adventure seekers see the light at the end of the tunnel as coronavirus vaccination plans are underway in countries worldwide. 

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Regardless, while it may still be too early to expect travel to get right back to normal anytime soon, many travellers are optimistic with talk of vaccination passports and [lockdown exit plans.](https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56161129 "BBC - Holiday bookings surge following lockdown exit plans") 

![IG Story travel question and answer](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/4UPISuIVR1rgUS0cpJX0oF/512c6c0cb10a5c2a03c785d6ca91114c/IG_Story__1_.png)

So if you’re planning on getting back out there this year, we’ve rounded up a list of some of the best money-saving advice and other travel tips for organising your next getaway, whenever that may be. ✈️

## Booking airline tickets 
If you’re feeling ready and comfortable enough to get back on a plane (and you’re doing so safely), look out for flexible deals and policies being offered by many airlines. Both low-cost and major carriers are offering vouchers should your travel dates change last-minute, or even zero cancellation fees well into late 2021 bookings. 

For example, with [British Airways](https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/incident/coronavirus/latest-information?dr=&dt=British%20Airways%20%7C%20Book%20Flights,%20Holidays,%20City%20Breaks%20%26%20Check%20In%20Online&scheme=&audience=travel&CUSTSEG=&GGLMember=&ban=8e42dec5bdb91e62531666c004b7bb4c%7C%7CCAM%7C9%7CCTA1%7C1%7C%7C%7C%7CHOME%7C%7C%7C%7CL4%7C%7C%7C%7Canonymous-inspiration%7C%7C%7C&KMtag=c&KMver=1.0&clickpage=HOME#make "COVID-19 travel and service updates"), you have the option to change the destination, dates or even cancel fee-free for bookings until the end of August 2021. Spanish low-cost airline [Vueling](https://www.vueling.com/en/passengers/flex-and-care/ "Flex & Care") provides passengers with maximum flexibility by allowing them to change dates, destinations, and ticket holders for free. If you've always wanted to travel far and wide but are on a limited budget, these may be the bargains and policies to take advantage of.  

If you’re looking to save a few bucks on your airline tickets this year, check out these top money travel tips below that’ll help you save when booking your next flight:  

- If you have a flexible itinerary, departing on a Tuesday or Wednesday is often the cheapest in the week
- Red-eye flights usually cost much less, so look for flights departing late at night or early in the morning  
- Adding a layover can drastically reduce the price of your ticket compared to flying direct, so it’s something to consider if you aren’t in a hurry – but take note of any Covid-related restrictions in the country you’re connecting through 

For even more travel tips and money-savings gems, make sure to read Parts [1](https://monese.com/blog/smart-money-travel-tips-1 "Smart Travel Money Tips: Part 1"), [2](https://monese.com/blog/smart-travel-money-tips-2 "Smart Travel Money Tips: Part 2") and [3](https://monese.com/blog/smart-travel-money-tips-3 "Smart Travel Money Tips: Part 3") of our Smart Travel Money Tips series. 

## Reserving accommodation 
Likewise, hotels and online travel agents are currently offering flexible booking policies in response to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, so shop around to see what’ll work best for you. For a list of places offering accommodating reservations, visit Google’s [Hotel Center Help](https://support.google.com/hotelprices/answer/9814453?hl=en "Flexible policies for hotel reservations"). 

When booking places to stay, here are some general rules to follow to guarantee you the best experience and even save you money:

- Join hotel loyalty programs — this can save you money in the long run by getting you free hotel stays and extra perks reserved strictly for members  
- [Link Monese](https://monese.com/gb/en/products/avios "Monese with Avios") and your British Airways Executive Club account to collect [Avios](https://monese.com/gb/en/blog/introducing-avios "Introducing the world’s first current account to link with Avios") points when you book accommodation on sites like [Booking.com](https://www.shopping.ba.com/retailers/booking-com-uk "Collect Avios with Booking.com UK"), [Hotels.com](https://www.shopping.ba.com/retailers/hotels-com-uk "Collect Avios with Hotels.com UK") and [more](https://www.shopping.ba.com/retailers?c=travel#Travel "British Airways") 

## Renting a car 
If you’re still feeling uneasy about using public transport, you may want to opt for renting a car once at your travel destination instead of relying on the local metro, bus or train system. The car rental business is another sector of the tourism industry that was hit hard due to the coronavirus outbreak. Therefore, it’d be wise to compare costs at a few different sites to see which companies have slashed prices. With a bit of effort and research, you may snag yourself an excellent deal for your transport while on holiday!  

Things to keep in mind when browsing for your next car rental include the following: 

- Avoid super low, cheap prices with stiff cancellation policies — with the ever-changing travel restrictions, better to opt for a flexible cancellation policy even if it means paying a little more
- Steer clear of deals that only apply for small cars (i.e., impractical cars you can’t take with you if you plan on going camping, exploring rougher landscapes and terrains, beaches, etc.) 
- Booking your car as part of an airplane and hotel package can save you money, so explore and test out different options before proceeding with a reservation 

## Travel by train
Don’t feel as put off by the idea of enjoying a scenic trip by train? Well, this is your moment because rail tours and train holidays have also drastically dropped fare prices and are offering travellers maximum flexibility. For instance, [Railbookers](https://www.railbookers.co.uk/why-railbookers/frequently-asked-questions/ "Frequently Asked Questions") has a new cancellation and rescheduling policy. They'll allow passengers who book through 31 March 2021 to change their travel dates or cancel their rail holiday up to 5 days before departure without incurring any change or cancellation fees.

When booking trains and railway holidays, don’t forget to check for the following which could make your getaway more cost-effective: 

- Don’t pay the full price before checking for any discounts you may be eligible for (youth, student, senior, child, family, group, veteran, military members, etc.)  
- Check if the train company you’re booking with offers multi-ride tickets — this will allow you to stop and explore different areas and cities and hop back on the train over a certain period 
- While most railway companies allow for free baggage check and hand luggage, it’s not always the case — remember to review the baggage policy before booking, so you aren’t surprised by any extra costs later

## And finally...
Some general do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when booking or planning a getaway: 

- __Don’t__ travel without doing your research on your destination’s quarantine rules or Covid-19 testing requirements  
- __Do__ read the fine print and understand the terms and conditions and cancellation policies before booking 
- __Don’t__ fall for any booking scams, and make sure you’re reserving from the official website of the hotel, airline, train or rental car agency 
- __Do__ know your consumer rights and remember they may not apply if you’re travelling in a foreign country 
- __Don’t__ pay unnecessary foreign exchange or bank charges while abroad 
- __Do__ pay in the local currency or travel with your [Monese card](https://monese.com/features/debit-card "A contactless Mastercard debit card for anywhere in the world") instead for better exchange rates and worldwide ATM withdrawals with fee-free allowances

For more tips, check out our [Travel do’s and don’ts from Monesers](https://monese.com/blog/travel-dos-donts "How to make the most of any trip with these helpful spending tips") on our blog. 
<br/> <br/>

If you’re finally fulfilling all (or at least some of) the travel plans you had to put off in 2020, please remember to do so safely. Wear a mask when travelling, wash and sanitise your hands frequently, keep a safe distance from fellow passengers and follow all the rules in place.

Are you travelling in 2021? If so, where? Let us know on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Monese official Instagram page") or email us your travel plans at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com). 

Bon voyage! 🧳

Things to know plus how to save if you plan on vacationing this year  


Top tips for your next attempted travel 

Travel Tips 2021 - Landscape (1)

Brown suitcase filled with reddish flip flips, masks, Monese card, headphones, clothes, hand sanitiser, hat, camera, sunglasses

Blog post > Top tips for your next travel attempt 

Things to know plus how to save if you plan on vacationing this year  

Top tips for your next travel attempt 

Last Valentine’s Day, we explored the [benefits](https://monese.com/blog/talking-finances-partner-taboo-topic "Why talking finances with your partner shouldn’t be a taboo topic") of having an open and honest talk with your significant other around finances. If you got that awkward hurdle out of the way — congratulations! You’ve already conquered the first crucial step (which we’ll recap for you below). 

Now, you may have started thinking about a serious, long-term future together. And this means saving and working towards realistic financial goals together. But if you’re not sure where to start, not to worry. We’ve gathered some quick tips that’ll make saving with your soulmate a breeze.

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## Have a conversation 
Communication is the key to any relationship. That’s why the first thing you’ll want to do is have a heart-to-heart with your loved one if you haven’t done so already. You’ll both need to make sure you’re on the same page regarding finances and your objectives. What are you saving for together? Is it a home, your children, a pet or your next romantic getaway? Whatever it is, you’ll need to ask yourselves the tough questions: 

- What are your spending habits like? 
- What will our budget be? 
- How much are you willing to put away each month? 
- How often will you check in to make sure you’re both keeping on track? 
- How will you handle it if one of you goes over budget? 

## Open a joint account
When you’re working towards a financial or savings goal together, a [joint account](https://monese.com/products/joint-account "Open a Monese joint account") can come in handy. Our Monese [joint accounts](https://monese.com/blog/launching-joint-accounts "Spend and save together with the new Monese Joint Account") make it so much easier for couples to plan, save, budget, spend and keep track of expenses together. Make use of advanced features such as a shared Spending Overview screen and real-time notifications, so you both stay in the loop. Opening a joint account is fast and free. Open one straight from your app to set up direct debits and manage other payments and bills together. 

## Determine your combined net income  
Your net income is the amount of money you’ll have in your account after deductions. We make it easy for both of you to [get paid right into your Monese joint account](https://monese.com/blog/receive-salary "How to receive your salary in your Monese account") and combine your net incomes, so you know exactly how much you’re working with. Sharing your joint account details with each of your respective employers can be done straight from your app. Your employers shouldn’t have any issues paying your salaries regularly into your Monese joint account with these details.

## Make a budget that works for both 
We recently ran a poll on our Instagram asking our community if they were the spender or saver in the relationship. The results came back nearly split, with 51% considering themselves the spender and 49% calling themselves the saver. 

It’s important to be self-aware and know which each of you is in the relationship. You’ll need to factor this in when creating a balanced budget that works for both of you. Our Monese joint accounts make it easy to set up a monthly budget, so you’re both able to keep tabs on your shared transaction feed.  

![Valentines Visual](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/4ARK7aKD53sRsotA7C8YXd/98331b9b736e021c3fadd1d33483b8a5/Valentines_Visual.png)

## Save together 
Once you’ve discussed your budget and established what you’re saving for, you’re ready to create your savings [pots](https://monese.com/features/pots "Save with Pots") to keep your savings separate from day-to-day spending. Under your joint account, you can set up up to 10 different savings [pots](https://monese.com/blog/better-pots "Pots have gotten even better") if you’re saving for more than one thing at a time. Give each pot a name and set a target, so you both stay in the know regarding your progress. You can even round up your transactions by up to 10 and send the spare change to a designated pot to help you reach your savings goals even faster!  

<br/><br/>

When saving on your own, it can be easy to fall off the bandwagon. But saving with a partner can help keep you both accountable to one another. We hope that with these tips and our useful app, you’re able to find financial bliss with your better half. If you have other advice, feel free to share it with us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese/ "Official Monese Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Official Monese Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Official Monese Instagram page ") or drop us a line at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com). 

Make saving with your sweetheart smooth sailing 

Setting savings goals with your partner 

JA-Blog-Post-1920x1080

Holding hands over table joint account cards

Blog post > Setting savings goals with your partner 

The Brexit transition period officially ended on 31 December 2020. The new rules and regulations that came in place since — particularly around parcels and deliveries — have caught many of us off-guard. 

Buyers who’ve purchased from the EU and vice versa are being hit with unexpected fees upon delivery of their packages. Couriers are showing up at doorsteps demanding, in some cases, [more than £100 in import duties](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jan/21/britons-buying-from-eu-websites-face-more-than-100-import-duties "The Guardian - Britons buying from EU websites hit with £100 customs bills"). And in Europe, clients are also being asked to pay [customs tariffs, handling fees and VAT](https://www.bbc.com/news/business-55752541 "BBC - Brexit parcel price shock: 'I had to pay £30 for a gift'") to receive their parcels. 

While it's still quite the bureaucratic headache, we've gathered advice and information on what you need to know when shopping online for items shipped between the UK and the EU after Brexit.  

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## First, what are the fees? 
The [UK government](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-and-overseas-goods-sold-directly-to-customers-in-the-uk "VAT and overseas goods sold directly to customers in the UK") has outlined tax and duty information for goods sent from abroad, including EU countries, following Brexit. 

A 20% UK VAT now applies to almost everything from the EU, including gifts, second-hand items and Amazon/eBay products bought from private sellers. Gifts over £39 will come with the UK sales tax, and if it’s over £135, custom duties will also apply if the goods 'originate' from outside the UK and EU, which can be as much as [25%](https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/couriers-refusing-hand-over-parcels-19682053 "WalesOnline - Couriers are refusing to hand over parcels bought from Europe if people don't pay extra charges"). The UK VAT can be collected at the time of purchase if it’s under £135. Still, it'll be due at the time of delivery or at the point of entry if it's over this limit. 

For fee information on the reverse scenario (i.e., ordering from the UK to the EU), we suggest visiting your particular country’s government website before purchasing for details on any applicable sales tax and custom tariffs for imported items from the UK. 

Additionally, some courier firms may charge an additional fee to cover extra handling costs. This could be a flat fee or a small percentage of the total price of your item.  

Here are just a few examples of the costs you could be paying:

*__Buying a £150 jacket from France__*
- You'll be charged VAT of £30 (20% of £150) at time of delivery (i.e., on the doorstep) or when the good arrives in the UK 
-   You may also have pay up to 25% in custom duties if parts of the jacket originate from outside of the UK or EU, which could be as much as £37.50 
-   The courier firm may charge a fee 

__*Buying a £50 homeware gift from Italy*__
- You'll be charged VAT of £10 (20% of £50) at point of sale 
- VAT gift exemption only applies to items worth £39 or less 
- The courier firm may charge a fee 

__*Buying a £35 second hand pair of jeans from an eBay seller in Germany*__ 
- You'll be charged VAT of £7 (20% of £35) at point of sale 
- The courier firm may charge a fee  

## Tips before buying
Here are the top things you need to know the next time you plan on ordering something from the UK or EU now that the Brexit transition period has come to an end. 

### Do your research 
While it’s common for online retailers to have a localised website, you’ll need to do some digging beyond the homepage to find out where the items you want to purchase are actually located and coming from. 

In some instances, people browsing a localised UK website thought they were buying their items from the UK but in fact, were coming from Europe. Hence, to their surprise, they were subject to the new shipping fees. The same is true for EU buyers who thought they were purchasing items from within the EU because they bought from an EU version of a retailer’s site with prices displayed in euros, but in fact was a UK company with items shipped from the UK.   

### Watch out for foreign exchange fees
Some EU-based retailers may only transact in euros (and vice-versa, if you're based in the EU and shopping in the UK). If so, you could end up paying any VAT or custom fees in euros (or vice-versa), which might result in foreign exchange and/or bank charges. Avoid this by paying in your local currency where you can, or use your Monese EUR/GBP account to pay for your orders. With your Monese multi-currency account, you can send money instantly to and from your GBP and EUR accounts at great exchange rates.   

### Read the terms and conditions
Online shops like [Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=201910710 "About Import Fees Deposit") and [eBay](https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/buying/paying-items/paying-tax-ebay-purchases?id=4771#:~:text=Value%20Added%20Tax%20(VAT)%20generally%20applies%20to%20purchases%20by%20EU,pay%20VAT%20and%20customs%20duty "Paying tax on eBay purchases") have stated that they’ll start to charge the VAT at the time of purchase for orders to the UK and vice versa. But you'll still need to be careful when ordering from other shops online as not all have implemented this tactic yet. 

You’ll be required to pay up before receiving any packages. Even if you reject the box because you refuse to pay the new extra charges, firms are changing their terms and conditions. Some state you're liable for the supplementary costs, regardless of whether you reject and return the parcel. So read the fine print before buying. 

At the same time, make sure you have a clear understanding of the return, refund, exchange and order cancellation policies before buying any items. 

### Keep your receipts
If you know you’ve already been charged the full VAT at the time of purchase, don’t pay it again if a courier demands it. Show proof of payment on your receipt (like on your order confirmation email) and reject the parcel. Then, contact the company and explain they didn’t declare the VAT properly and you were unable to receive your item. 

### Pick up in-store 
One way to avoid any extra charges upon delivery to your home could be to pick up your purchases in-store. This is an option if the retailer has physical stores in your country.   

### Know your rights 
If you’re in the UK, your [consumer rights](https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-will-brexit-affect-my-consumer-rights "How will Brexit affect my consumer rights?") will be unchanged following Brexit, even when shopping in the EU. However, any disputes around hidden costs and the like can no longer be settled in UK courts. Instead, it’ll have to be resolved in the courts of the country where the seller is located, making it more challenging. Likewise, your EU consumer protection legislation may no longer apply in the UK if you’ve bought something from a UK business and an issue arises. 

If you want to return an item later on, be aware that some additional charges may apply if you’re sending something back to the EU or vice versa. 

### Be vigilant of scams
Fraudsters are taking advantage of all the confusion and uncertainty and targeting recipients with SMS messages asking them to pay for the release of parcels, etc. Double-check any messages and don’t click on links you’re suspicious or unsure of. If you’re not sure about fees you’re being charged, it’s best to call the courier company using an official number to verify the charges and what you owe.  

### Shop locally 
Suppose you truly want to avoid the hassle of these new taxes and customs charges. In that case, it's best to avoid shopping from abroad at all — at least until things iron themselves out, which could be a while as businesses get used to the new rules. If you’re in the EU, shop locally or from other EU countries, and if you’re in the UK, buy from shops you’re sure are UK retailers.  

<br/><br/>

Are you still buying from other countries post-Brexit? What issues have you encountered while shopping online from retailers abroad? Let us know on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://instagram.com/monese "Monese official Instagram page") or email us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com). 

What you need to know about the new EU-UK shipping taxes

Your money or your parcel

Covid19-Shopping

Blog post > Your money or your parcel

As another New Year swings around, many of us start thinking about our finances and how we can improve our savings and spending habits in the next 12 months. 

We recently ran a poll with 1,000 UK adults and learned that more than eight in ten (83%) of us have at least one financial goal for the year ahead. Setting money aside for a rainy day (37%), hitting a savings milestone (26%) and putting cash aside for travel/a dream holiday (25%) all came out on top. Two in ten (20%) also told us they wanted to reduce their outgoings in 2021. 

So, if you want to spend less and save more, where do you start? We’ve put together a few top tips to help you get going.

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## 1.	Know what money you have coming in and going out
Whether you get paid weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, it’s important to know exactly what money you expect to receive and what your consistent ‘essential’ costs are. These are things like your rent/mortgage, bills and food shopping. 

With Monese, you can download your statements from your app in PDF or Excel format for any date range you choose. This makes it easy to get a clear view of your income and expenses.

## 2.	Set yourself a budget
When you know what money you have coming in and going out, you can determine what is leftover — money you might want to save, or spend on little luxuries (or a bit of both).
With Monese, you can easily set yourself a weekly or monthly budget, to make sure you don’t go over your set limit.

## 3.	Track your spending
With Monese, you get a [Spending Overview feature](https://monese.com/features/budgeting "Budgeting made easy") that shows you what you’ve spent so far that week/month in the app. You can also set up instant notifications every time you make a purchase. These features allow you to stay on top of your spending and know exactly where every hard-earned penny is going. One in five (19%) people we polled said they couldn’t say how much they’d spent at the end of each calendar month, so getting a grasp on this is a great place to start.

## 4.	Save money automatically
If you know what date you get [paid](https://monese.com/blog/receive-salary "How to receive your salary in your Monese account") on, it’s useful to set up a recurring payment into a [savings pot](https://monese.com/features/pots "Save with Pots") on that same date (or the day after). That way, the money you want to save is moved across before you’ve had a chance to spend it! With Monese, you can set up as many as ten different savings pots — you could have one for a holiday, one for a car, one for a new phone and one for a rainy day. It’s completely up to you. Naming your savings pots can help it to feel more ‘real’ too. 

## 5.	Send spare change to a savings pot
Something as simple as rounding up each payment and automatically sending the difference to your chosen savings pot can help you hit your goal even quicker. With Monese, you can multiply your spare change by up to 10, allowing you to save up to 10 times more money!

<br/>

Whatever your financial goals for 2021, [our features](https://monese.com/features "Features for better money management") make it easier to budget and manage your money. Take a look at our [products](https://monese.com/products "All your Monese accounts in one app") and [plans](https://monese.com/pricing "Our pricing") to see what could be the best fit for you. We’d love to hear about what your money and savings goals are for this year. Share your plans and any other savings tips and tricks with us on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://instagram.com/monese "Monese official Instagram page") or write to us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com "Email us").

<br/>

__Data Sources:__ *1,000 UK adults polled by The Leadership Factor in January 2021*

More than eight in ten people have at least one financial goal this year

Five tips to help you achieve your financial goals in 2021

Savings 1920x1080

Blog post > Five tips to help you achieve your financial goals in 2021

Many people across the world are living far from their loved ones, whether for work, studies or all sorts of other reasons. But no matter how far apart, relatives still want to feel close to their kin, especially during times of financial need. So we make it easy to receive money from outside of Europe right into your app. 

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## Receiving money from outside the UK or EEA
Family and friends from all over can top up your account. Just remember that your Monese account can only receive GBP, EUR or RON. If their account is in a different currency, the sender will need to convert the money into one of these currencies and make sure to include your Monese ID as a reference when they make the payment, so the money reaches your account without a hitch. You can find your Monese ID right in the app under ‘Account details’. 

For full international bank transfer details, tap on ‘Add money’ on your home screen and select ‘Bank transfer’. From here, select the country you’re planning to receive money from, and you’ll have all the information the sender will need to make a payment. This includes the account name, IBAN and SWIFT/BIC. You’ll even have the option to share these details with the sender right from your app. 

![International Details Monese app screen 1920x1080](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/5qPz5EdwVlpGyGxQdJsGXo/cd624d28b78da81f1f73010e4abdc952/International_Details_1920x1080.png)

## What else should I know?
Remember, transfer times depend on the sending bank. The good news is that we don’t charge any fees for receiving payments, but keep in mind that the sending bank may charge for transfers. 

<br/>

If you have any more questions about receiving international payments, visit our [FAQ](https://support.monese.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115002026325-How-do-I-receive-international-payments-into-my-account- "How do I receive international payments into my account?") article for more details. And for more ways to add money to your Monese account, check out our [blog](https://monese.com/blog/add-money "All the ways to add money to your Monese account"). 

Top up your account with money from abroad  

How to receive payments from outside Europe

International Payments 1920x1080

Globe design and Monese coins being moved abroad 

Blog post > How to receive payments from outside Europe

Despite the crazy and disruptive year 2020 has been, we didn’t let it stop us from bringing you plenty of great new features to your app. So to wrap up a tumultuous year none of us are sure to miss, we’ve pulled together an end-of-the-year round-up of some of our favourite feature launches from the past 12 months.

Read on and take a look back with us! 🎉 

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## RON accounts with local IBANs 
![RON account app and card](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/1tAa9KDUtdtbR2vBcaWwcO/fa4a29ddbe5b41105e274640b31aafdd/RON-Visual-1-EN.png)

We started the year off with a bang with the introduction of [RON accounts](https://monese.com/blog/ron-accounts "Say hello to RON accounts") for a better, more localised experience. Since early February, customers in Romania have been able to receive their salary right into their Monese RON account, make use of a contactless Mastercard RON debit card and send, receive and spend like a true local in the country. 

## Monese for web 
![Monese for web screen](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/3j24A81jPAlVW0cStByu87/49e9a56300d2e6b038a30c8bbfa0a82a/Webapp-Blog-BodyImg.jpg)

While we’ll always be mobile-first, we brought you [Monese for web](https://monese.com/blog/monese-for-web "We're rolling out Monese for web ") back in April so you can easily access your Monese account from your desktop computer or tablet. With [Monese for web](https://web.monese.com/ "Log in to your account "), you can view transactions, check your balance, get statements, log in securely and keep things private with the same privacy mode feature you have on your mobile app. 

## Save up to 30% with an annual plan 
![Calendar and Monese cards](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/1QEfTJ3brZWquFf5iWAdbI/474fe70c03a4d0e6b5526faf047e062d/Annual-LS.png)

Since the introduction of [annual plans](https://monese.com/blog/annual-plans "Save more with annual plans") in June, you’ve been able to save up to 30% on Monese Classic and Premium plans. Get all the same features and generous allowances you love for less when you make the switch! You can easily sign up for an annual plan right in your app, or if you’re just joining Monese, you’ll see the option for an annual plan when you sign up.    

## Add cash to your account with Paysafecash 
![Paysafecash screens how it works steps](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/7HEYIumJhzAAwIx8Ko83kF/0bcbf44f10eb0d98b538a43ea3a6b26b/PaySafe-Visual-V2-1920x1080.jpg)

[Paysafecash](https://monese.com/blog/add-cash-paysafe "Add cash to your account with Paysafecash") is now an option for topping up your Monese EUR account with cash across Europe! We launched this feature in July and started with France, but quickly expanded to several other countries throughout Europe (you can find them all [here](https://monese.com/gb/en/features/paysafe "Add cash to your Monese account with Paysafecash")). 

You can quickly and securely top up your Monese EUR account with cash at nearly 72,000 Paysafecash payment points across Europe. This is part of our continued effort to expand our cash services, which include cash top-ups in the UK at any Post Office branch or high street shops and off-licenses with the PayPoint logo.

## French account numbers 
![French account details screen](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/m028Unn48u1180CxjH3Yn/3cbe44b26e7f90699a54b6d6edcea33c/FR_IBAN_Visual_1_V2.png)

At the end of July, we began rolling out [French account numbers](https://monese.com/blog/french-iban-account-number "Bonjour, French account numbers") for EUR account holders based in France. This makes it easier for people working in France to get paid directly into their account, set up SEPA Direct Debits, top up their account with cash via Paysafecash and lots more.  

## And finally...
Other goodies we were proud to bring to your app in 2020 include the following features:

- New and improved [pots](https://monese.com/blog/better-pots "Better pots") for your personal and joint account
- [Express mode for Apple Pay](https://monese.com/blog/express-mode-apple-pay "Pay even faster on Transport for London with Express Mode for Apple Pay") to pay even faster on London public transport with your Monese card 
- Add your Monese card to [Google Pay](https://monese.com/features/google-pay "Monese with Google Pay™") in even more countries throughout Europe 
- Create and send [invoices](https://monese.com/blog/business-invoices "Create business invoices") with your Monese business account 
- Get Smart Tips in your app for collecting Avios when you shop

<br/>

And there you have it! What have been some of your favourite new features of 2020, and what would you like to see us do in the new year? Let us know on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese/ "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/mymonese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Monese official Instagram page") or drop us a line at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com "Email us"). 

<br/>

Happy 2021! 🎊

A look back at some of the biggest launches of the year  

Your 2020 feature roundup

Annual Round Up - 1920x1080

paysafecash fr iban ron account monese for web annual plans

Blog post > Your 2020 feature roundup 

Your 2020 feature roundup 

To say 2020 has been quite the whirlwind of a year would be an understatement. Given that, we’re looking forward to unwinding and celebrating the festive season (perhaps more so than any other year) in whatever way we can! 

We’ve asked our multicultural team here at Monese to share how they’re planning to celebrate the holidays amidst all the ongoing craziness due to Covid-19, plus what new spin they’ll put on local traditions under the circumstances. 

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## In Colombia  
Colombians certainly know how to party — and the Christmas and New Year’s period is no exception! In fact, it’s perhaps the biggest party of the year for many Colombians. Colombians usually celebrate the holiday season with something called *novenas*. This is when they start celebrating the Christmas period nine days in advance. It’s usually a time for family and friends to gather and pray together. But, traditionally, it's also filled with lots of food, drinking, dancing and singing. 

Andrea (from Colombia, lives in Estonia): “Due to the virus, my family back in Colombia are still celebrating novenas but just among our immediate family. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to travel to Colombia this Christmas period to join them. Still, we have a small Colombian community here in Tallinn, so we're celebrating with each other".

## In Scotland
Scotland’s big holiday celebration is Hogmanay on New Year’s Eve. Due to Covid-19, Edinburgh's Hogmanay, a world-renowned event, has been cancelled this year; however, families are still finding ways to celebrate — like eating the traditional steak pie on New Year’s Day! As for Christmas, one Moneser has found both pros and cons to the coronavirus restrictions around the holidays. 

Jess (from Scotland, lives in England): “I have a big family, so normally we have more than 15 people on Christmas day, but it’ll just be six this year, which is a shame. Regarding Christmas shopping, I’ve done it pretty much all online! I've spent less because I’ve not been browsing in shops like I normally would and just picking stuff up. Everything I’ve bought I've been looking specifically for and searched for deals”. 

## In Poland
In Poland, the most important date of the holiday season is Christmas Eve. The tradition is to fast the whole day and wait until supper for a grand feast of 12 meals (but no meat)! After dinner, everyone gathers to sing Christmas carols. Christmas presents are set under the tree, and they aren’t open until the first star rises in the sky. The little ones usually sit by the window, waiting for the first one to appear. 

Karolina (from Poland, lives in Ireland): “I’ve ordered all my Christmas presents online this year! I’m not seeing my mom for the first time in my life this Christmas because of Covid. However, I’m going to have some family come over to my place,  and we’ll connect with my mom on Skype to eat together”.

## In England
With recent developments of a new Covid-19 strain detected in the UK, travel restrictions are changing rapidly. So, before you head anywhere, it’s best to check the latest Covid-19 limitations for your [tier](https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-local-restrictions "UK Gov Covid-19 local restrictions ") and travel rules. The government has also published guidelines for making your [Christmas bubble](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family "UK Gov Christmas bubble ") so you can celebrate the holiday with friends and family as safely as possible. This means there’s still a chance you can partake in the traditional Christmas meal on the 25th with your nearest and dearest. The main meal typically consists of roast turkey, vegetables and stuffing.

Joe from England: “I’m going to get a Covid test before I visit family locally, to try and make sure I don't infect them. I’m planning to buy gift cards, so I don't need to go to shops much because I don't want to risk catching Covid and then giving it to my family when I meet them at Christmas”. 

## In Romania
In Romania, the holiday season is more than a month-long affair! It kicks off on 30 November on St. Andrew’s Day and lasts until 7 January with the celebration of Saint John the Baptist. In between, there are other major holidays such as Great Union Day, Saint Stephen’s Day and Saint Nicholas’ Day where the tradition is to polish your boots and leave them by the doorstep. Children who were well-behaved throughout the year will get candies and gifts in their boots (and a whip or a stick if they’ve been naughty).  

Monica (from Romania, lives in Portugal): “Food is the main part of any holiday in Romania and Christmas is a true feast for the senses! There are a lot of pork meals. We also have *sarmale*, which is stuffed cabbage and *cozonaci* — a sort of sponge cake with nuts, cocoa and Turkish delight. It’s similar to the Italian panettone but more consistent. Tradition says it must be prepared on Christmas Eve”. 

 <br />  

It’s safe to say that regardless of the outbreak and continued lockdowns across Europe, nothing is bringing down our Christmas spirit this time of year! How are you celebrating the holidays in 2020? Let us know on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese/ "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Monese official Instagram page") or email us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com "Email us") to share your merry traditions with us.  

Happy holidays! 🎄

Learn all about our different traditions for Christmas and New Year’s 

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