Discount Archives - COOLCURATION

April 13, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

How to Get Cashback on Groceries UK: Save £100+ a Year (2026)

Last updated: 8 June 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

This article is for information only and does not constitute financial advice. CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Rates and terms can change; always check the provider's current terms before acting.

If you want cashback on groceries UK, there are a handful of apps that deliver results. We have been using JamDoughnut, TopCashback, and Sprive for our own weekly food shops for months, and the savings quietly stack up. This is not couponing. This is not switching to own-brand everything. It is simply routing your existing spending through an app that gives you a percentage back.

We ran the numbers on a typical £80 weekly Tesco shop using JamDoughnut and, at a standard rate of around 2%, that works out at roughly £83 back over a year. When rates get "pumped up" (more on that below), it could be closer to £125 or more. For cashback beyond groceries, see our full cashback apps roundup.

Our pick for grocery cashback

Of the three we use, JamDoughnut is the one I like best for the weekly shop, thanks to the widest supermarket list and instant payouts.

Get started with JamDoughnut

Published by Stiv in Apps, Discount, Money, Services

Tags: Aldi, Asda, cashback, gift card cashback, groceries, grocery shopping, JamDoughnut, money saving, mortgage cashback, Sainsbury’s, Sprive, supermarket cashback, Tesco, TopCashback

March 28, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Is Octopus Energy safe?

Last updated: 28 March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Yes — Octopus Energy is regulated and licensed by Ofgem, meaning it must meet the same legal, financial and consumer protection standards as other major UK energy suppliers.

Quick answer

Octopus holds an Ofgem supply licence.
Default tariffs are covered by the Ofgem price cap.
Customers are protected under Supplier of Last Resort rules.
Complaints can escalate to the Energy Ombudsman.

If you're comparing switching options, you can see how joining works here: Octopus Energy switch process.

Published by Stiv in Discount, Energy, Saving, Services, UK Made

Tags: consumer protection, energy supplier safety, octopus energy, Ofgem, switching energy, UK energy regulation

March 27, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

How to Cut Household Bills in the UK: 7 Realistic Ways to Save

Last updated: 10 June 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

The average UK household now spends well over £2,800 a month on bills and living costs. Energy alone accounts for £1,641 a year from April 2026 under the new Ofgem price cap, and that is after a 7% reduction. Council tax is rising again. Broadband providers are quietly adding £3–4 a month to existing contracts. It all adds up fast.

So how do you actually cut household bills in the UK without making your life miserable? This guide covers seven realistic ways to reduce what you pay each month across energy, your mortgage, food shopping, broadband, mobile and more. Every suggestion links to a deeper guide or a tried-and-tested deal on this site, so you can act on each one straight away.

Published by Stiv in Discount, Finance, Guides, Saving

Tags: bills, broadband, energy bills, energy saving, grubby, household bills, meal kits, mobile, money saving, mortgage, octopus energy, Ofgem price cap, referral offers, save money UK, Sprive, UK household

March 19, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

TrainPal vs Trainline: Which Train App Saves More? (2026)

Last updated: 29 March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

If you're booking train tickets in the UK, there's a good chance you've used Trainline. It's been around since 1997, and it's the name most people reach for first. But over the past few years, TrainPal vs Trainline has become a genuine debate. That's especially true for anyone who wants zero booking fees and automatic split ticketing. So which app actually saves you more money? We've compared the two side by side to help you decide.

Want money off your first TrainPal trip?

TrainPal books UK trains with zero booking fees, and our referral page keeps the current new-user offer up to date.

Get money off TrainPal

Published by Stiv in Apps, Commuter, Discount, Finance, Money saving, Reviews, Saving, Services, Travel lover, UK Deals

Tags: cheap train tickets, cheap train tickets UK, digital railcard, digital railcard UK, monzo, Monzo railcard, railcard, split ticketing, train apps uk, train booking apps UK, Trainline, Trainline alternatives, TrainPal, TrainPal vs Trainline, travel apps uk, UK trains

March 9, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Is Octopus Energy Regulated by Ofgem? UK Licensing and Consumer Protection (2026)

Last updated: 29 March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Yes. Octopus Energy is regulated by Ofgem, the UK's independent energy regulator. That means Octopus must follow the same consumer protection rules, pricing regulations and licensing requirements as every other domestic energy supplier in Great Britain. In practical terms, this covers everything from how you're billed to how quickly you can switch and what happens if things go wrong.

Quick answer

Octopus Energy holds both gas and electricity supply licences from Ofgem.
Default tariffs are subject to the Ofgem price cap.
Switching, billing and complaint handling rules all apply.
Customers can escalate unresolved complaints to the Energy Ombudsman.
If Octopus ever failed, the Supplier of Last Resort (SoLR) process would protect your supply and credit balance.

If you're reviewing suppliers and want to see how switching works in practice, start here: Octopus Energy switch process.

Reassured and ready to switch?

The current Octopus new-customer credit is listed on our referral page, kept up to date.

See the live Octopus credit

Published by Stiv in Discount, Energy, Saving, Services, UK Made

Tags: consumer protection, energy switching, octopus energy, Ofgem, price cap, UK energy regulation

March 1, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Mobbin New Apps (March 2026): Tesla Robotaxi, Viator + More

Last updated: 01 March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Tracking Mobbin new apps each month is one of the fastest ways to spot where real product UX is heading without scrolling app stores for sport. March's batch is a proper mix: mobility, travel, kids UX, investing and ecommerce. Below, we break down which flows are worth studying and which patterns you can borrow for your own work.

If you are new to Mobbin, start here first: Mobbin review: is it worth it? If you already know you want it and just want the cheaper route: Mobbin promo code.

What changed this month

More consumer-facing flows with real-world constraints: age-gated experiences, regulated money journeys and high-trust booking funnels. In other words, less "pretty UI" and more "this has to work". That shift matters because it is where most real design challenges live.

New apps added (March)

The Mobbin new apps for March include Tesla Robotaxi, Alias (sneakers and apparel), Viator (tours and attractions), Zesty, Stake (stocks) and Spotify Kids. Each one brings flows worth studying, whether you are designing consumer products, fintech or family-friendly experiences.

Three standout flows

1. Booking and confidence-building (Viator)

What to copy: Clear "what happens next" steps before payment. Travel bookings are anxiety machines, so reassurance reduces drop-off. Transparent inclusions and exclusions also help users commit.

What to avoid: Overloading users with options too early (dates, group size, add-ons) before they have committed emotionally.

When it works: Travel, events, services, appointments. Anything time-based where the user needs confidence, not just a price.

2. Kid-safe UX without being annoying (Spotify Kids)

What to copy: Simple navigation that still feels like choice. Clear parental control boundaries that do not require a PhD to set up.

What to avoid: Tiny tap targets and dense text. If your UI assumes adult dexterity, you will get rage taps and "it's broken".

When it works: Any dual-audience product where two user types share one interface. Think kids and parents, users and admins, or juniors and managers. It is permissions UX in a nicer outfit.

3. Regulated onboarding (Stake stocks)

What to copy: Step-by-step identity and eligibility prompts that feel like progress, not punishment. Microcopy that explains why information is required builds trust.

What to avoid: Dumping all compliance questions in one slab. People abandon out of spite, even when they intended to finish.

When it works: Fintech, investing, crypto, credit. If KYC is unavoidable, pacing is the whole game. The FCA's Consumer Duty guidance reinforces this: regulated journeys should be designed so customers can make informed decisions without friction that harms understanding.

Pattern of the month: trust scaffolding

The repeated pattern across these apps is trust scaffolding. Small, frequent signals that tell the user: you are safe, this is normal, you are not about to mess up. Examples include "You can edit this later" around personal details, "This is required by regulation" around identity checks, "Free cancellation / what's included" around bookings, and clear boundaries and guardrails in kids modes.

If you want to see how other apps handle trust scaffolding across onboarding, checkout and subscription flows, Mobbin's flow browser is exactly where to start. For the full breakdown on plans and pricing: Mobbin pricing UK.

Quick swipe file: five UI micro-patterns to borrow

CTA labelling that reduces fear: swap "Continue" for "Review booking" or "Confirm details".

Progress that feels honest: steps should reflect real tasks, not fake "Step 2 of 3" nonsense.

Error copy that explains the fix: "Your postcode needs a space" beats "Something went wrong".

Soft guardrails for upgrades: show what changes and what stays the same when a user moves between tiers.

Review screens that catch real mistakes: a final review should prevent errors, not just repeat inputs the user already entered.

Next month watchlist

Keep an eye on more "real-world products" where UI has to handle logistics, rules and safety. Also worth watching: better patterns for choosing between similar options (bookings, variants, bundles), how brands ship AI features without turning the product into a tool demo, subscription journeys that do not feel like a trap, and parent-admin experiences like family accounts and team permission models.

If you want to follow along with access to the full library, our referral link typically saves 10-20% on Pro or Team:

Get the Mobbin promo code

Mobbin new apps FAQs

What are "Mobbin new apps"?

It is the list of newly added apps and fresh screen libraries inside Mobbin. Tracking them monthly is a quick way to spot emerging UX patterns in real products before they become common.

Is this page a Mobbin discount code page?

No. This is a monthly "what's new" post. If you want the discount route, use our Mobbin promo code page instead.

Where should I start if I am new to Mobbin?

Read the full verdict here: Mobbin review: is it worth it? For a factual overview of the tool, try our Mobbin service guide. If you already know you want it, go straight to the promo code page.

Why do you do this monthly?

Because it is the easiest way to keep a current swipe file of real product patterns. It also helps you avoid designing based on outdated "best practice" screenshots from 2019.

What should I do with the app list?

Pick one flow you are designing right now (onboarding, checkout, subscription, search, settings), then pull five to ten examples across the new apps and compare the patterns. That is where the practical value lives.

What's trending

What Is Sprive, and How Does the App Work? (UK Guide 2026)

Exhale Coffee Review UK - Is It Worth the Hype?

Monzo Investments Review UK 2026: Honest Verdict for Beginners

Sprive Mortgage App Review UK: Honest Verdict After 4 Years (2026)

Back Market Review UK: Honest Verdict on Refurbished Tech

Best Father's Day Tech Gifts UK 2026: The Beyond-Obvious Edit

Wype sale: stack bundle discounts with an extra £5 off

Last checked: 28 February 2026 (prices and promos can change).

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

If you’ve been waiting for a good moment to try Wype, the Wype sale is it. Wype is running live bundle discounts (often up to around 25% off, and sometimes higher on specific sets), and you can stack that with an extra £5 off via our referral link when you spend £10+.

Quick win: pick a discounted bundle, then use our referral link to take an extra £5 off your first £10+ order.

Get an extra £5 off via our Wype referral link

What’s discounted right now?

On Wype’s sale page, bundles are showing reduced prices (for example, the Starter Bundle is listed at £22.99 down from £33, and the Discovery Set is listed at £32.99 down from £49.99). Exact percentages vary by bundle, so always trust the live checkout total.

Check Wype’s current sale bundles

How to stack the sale discount with the extra £5 off

Open Wype’s sale page and choose your bundle.
Make sure your basket is £10+ (most bundles are).
Click through our Wype referral link so the extra £5 off applies for new customers.
At checkout, confirm you see the sale price plus the referral saving (promos can change).

Best starting point: the Starter Bundle is usually the easiest first purchase because it gives you the core setup plus on-the-go minis, and it often appears in Wype’s bundle promos.

Published by Stiv in Carbon conscious, Discount, UK Made

Tags: bathroom essentials, discount stacking, eco alternatives, shopping tips, sustainable swaps, uk deals, wype, wype sale

February 8, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Sprive overpayment rules: limits, fees & what to check (UK)

Last updated: 10 June 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

I have been overpaying my Nationwide mortgage since October 2021, using both Sprive and manual payments, so the notes below reflect what I have actually needed to check along the way.

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view. This is information, not financial advice, and CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

New to Sprive?

Here for the sign-up bonus rather than the rules? The current welcome offer and the exact claim steps are kept current on our referral page.

Get the Sprive referral bonus

Quick summary: Most UK mortgages allow overpayments, but there are limits. This guide explains typical overpayment rules, early repayment charges, and how apps like Sprive fit into those rules.

Overpaying your mortgage can save you a lot of interest, but it is important to understand your lender's rules before you start. This is true whether you are using Sprive or making overpayments manually.

How mortgage overpayments work in the UK

Most UK mortgage products allow you to overpay by a certain amount each year without penalty. This allowance is often expressed as a percentage of your outstanding balance.

According to MoneyHelper, many lenders allow overpayments of up to 10% of the outstanding balance per year without penalty. The Sprive FAQ confirms the same threshold. However, both sources note this varies by lender and by product. Some mortgages calculate the allowance based on the original balance at a fixed date (such as 1 January), while others use the current outstanding balance or the anniversary of when the mortgage started.

Early repayment charges (ERCs)

Early repayment charges usually apply if you overpay beyond your allowed limit, or if you repay a large chunk of your mortgage during a fixed-rate period.

ERCs are typically highest in the early years of a fixed deal and reduce over time. If you overpay above your lender's annual allowance, the charge can be a percentage of the excess amount, sometimes 1% to 5% of the amount overpaid. In some cases this can cost more than the interest you would have saved. Always check:

Your annual overpayment allowance and when it resets
Whether the allowance is based on the original or current balance
How your lender defines an overpayment
What triggers an ERC on your specific product

How Sprive fits into overpayment rules

Sprive does not change your lender's rules. It helps you build up money via its e-money wallet and automated saving features, which you can then send to your lender as an overpayment. The app lets you set an overpayment limit and will alert you if you approach it.

That means:

You are still responsible for staying within your annual limit
Overpayments made via Sprive are subject to the same ERC rules as manual payments
If you also run a standing order to your lender, the combined total counts towards your allowance
You should always check your mortgage terms before sending large amounts

If you are unsure how much room you have left in a given year, check your lender's app, your mortgage statement, or call your lender directly before making additional payments.

The Bank of England base rate and your overpayment decisions

The Bank of England held the base rate at 3.75% at its meeting on 30 April 2026 (8 to 1 vote), with the next decision due on 18 June 2026. The rate environment affects whether overpaying makes more financial sense than keeping money in savings. This is a trade-off, not a universal rule: it depends on your mortgage rate, your savings rate, and your personal circumstances. See our mortgage overpayment UK guide for a fuller look at when overpaying suits different situations.

What to check before you overpay

Are you on a fixed-rate deal? If yes, double-check ERC rules before overpaying.
How much have you already overpaid this year? Track the running total, not just individual payments.
Does your lender apply overpayments immediately or at statement dates?
Will the payment reduce your term or your monthly payment? If your goal is to clear the mortgage sooner, reducing the term is usually more effective.

Sprive regulation and wallet protection

Sprive Limited (FRN 919863) is an appointed representative of Connect IFA Ltd (FRN 441505) for mortgage services, both regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Money held in the Sprive wallet is an e-money account managed via PrePay Technologies Ltd (FRN 900010). This money is safeguarded, meaning it is kept separate from Sprive's own operating funds. Safeguarding is not the same as FSCS protection: the Financial Services Compensation Scheme does not cover e-money balances.

Is Sprive safe?

This page focuses on mortgage overpayment rules and lender limits, not the broader regulation and security context. For the FCA context, Open Banking explanation, and safeguarding vs FSCS breakdown, read the full guide here:

Is Sprive safe? FCA checks, Open Banking, and what to verify

Want the current sign-up bonus?

To avoid duplicating offers and steps across the site, all bonus details live on one page:

Sprive referral code (UK): how to claim the bonus

More from CoolCuration

How to pay off your mortgage faster: the seven-step strategy that puts overpayment rules into a wider plan.
When to remortgage UK: timing your switch so an expensive SVR never catches you out.
Mortgage overpayment calculator: model how much interest your overpayments could save.
Emma app premium trial: spot spending leaks you could redirect into overpayments.
Gifts for new homeowners: curated picks for people settling into a new place.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Mortgage overpayment rules and early repayment charges vary between lenders and products. Always check your own mortgage offer, terms, and lender documentation before making overpayments or changes to your repayment plan. CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. CoolCuration may receive a commission when you use referral links, at no extra cost to you.

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Mobbin review: is it worth it?

Last updated: 27 March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Cool Factor: 4/5

This Mobbin review answers the one question most designers have before paying: is Mobbin actually worth it, or is it just a shinier version of screenshots in a folder? After months of daily use across real client work and personal projects, we can say it earns its keep. However, it is not for everyone, and the free tier has clear limits. Read on for the full verdict.

Want the Mobbin promo code?

Our referral page keeps the current discount and the cheapest sign-up route up to date.

Get the Mobbin promo code

Published by Stiv in Designers, Discount, Reviews

Tags: app flows, design patterns, design research, mobbin review, product design, ui inspiration, ui references, ux design tools

February 8, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Sprive Mortgage App Review UK: Honest Verdict After 4 Years (2026)

Last updated: 9 June 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

I've been using Sprive with my Nationwide mortgage since October 2021, making £100 monthly overpayments through the app's auto-save feature. In that time I've overpaid a total of £3,294.55, including cashback from Shop with Sprive on our weekly shops. This review is based on over four years of real, daily use.

If you're looking for a realistic way to make progress on your mortgage without committing to rigid overpayments, the Sprive mortgage app is one of the better-known tools in the UK. This Sprive mortgage app review focuses on what actually matters: how it works in day-to-day use, who it's good for, and where it falls short. It's not a sales pitch, and it's not a deep dive into regulation or bonuses. If you're mainly concerned about security and FCA regulation, we cover that separately: Is Sprive safe?

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view. CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, and this is an opinion, not financial advice.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Short on time?

The current Sprive sign-up bonus and how to claim it are kept up to date on one page.

Claim the Sprive referral bonus

Cool Factor

★★★★☆

4 out of 5

Published by Stiv in Discount, Saving, Services

Tags: cashback apps, cashback apps UK, home finance UK, mortgage app, mortgage overpayments, Open Banking, pay off mortgage, pay off mortgage faster, personal finance tools, Sprive, Sprive app, Sprive mortgage app review, Sprive review, UK finance apps

Our pick for grocery cashback

Want money off your first TrainPal trip?

Reassured and ready to switch?

What changed this month

New apps added (March)

Three standout flows

1. Booking and confidence-building (Viator)

2. Kid-safe UX without being annoying (Spotify Kids)

3. Regulated onboarding (Stake stocks)

Pattern of the month: trust scaffolding

Quick swipe file: five UI micro-patterns to borrow

Next month watchlist

Mobbin new apps FAQs

What are "Mobbin new apps"?

Is this page a Mobbin discount code page?

Where should I start if I am new to Mobbin?

Why do you do this monthly?

What should I do with the app list?

More useful reads on CoolCuration

What's trending

Recent posts

What’s discounted right now?

How to stack the sale discount with the extra £5 off

New to Sprive?

How mortgage overpayments work in the UK

Early repayment charges (ERCs)

How Sprive fits into overpayment rules

The Bank of England base rate and your overpayment decisions

What to check before you overpay

Sprive regulation and wallet protection

Is Sprive safe?

Want the current sign-up bonus?

More from CoolCuration

What's trending

Recent posts

Want the Mobbin promo code?

Short on time?