February 5, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Is Sprive Safe? UK Security, FCA Status and Your Money (2026)

Last updated: 9 June 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

I've had Sprive connected to my Nationwide bank account and mortgage since October 2021. Everything in this guide is informed by over four years of using the app with my own money.

Connecting a new app to your bank account and mortgage feels risky. I had the same reaction the first time I looked at Sprive: "wait, you want access to my bank so you can pay off my mortgage faster?" It sounded clever but also slightly terrifying. So before trusting it with my own accounts, I did a proper deep-dive into whether Sprive is safe, covering everything from FCA regulation and Open Banking security to how your money is actually held. Here's what I found.

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 does not give financial advice.

Already convinced and just want the bonus?

The live Sprive sign-up offer and the claiming steps are on our referral page.

See the current Sprive offer

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

Published by Stiv in Finance, Reviews, Saving, Services

Tags: best mortgage apps UK, How does Sprive make money, How does Sprive work, Is Sprive legit, Is Sprive safe, mortgage overpayment app, Open Banking apps UK, pay off mortgage faster, Sprive app, Sprive app review UK, Sprive cashback, Sprive FCA, sprive referral code, Sprive review, Sprive vs standing order, UK fintech review

February 2, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Lightyear review UK (2026): honest pros, cons and fees

Last updated: 9 June 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This is an independent opinion piece based on my own testing of the Lightyear app and current market research. Views expressed are my own and do not constitute professional or financial advice.

Cool Factor: 4/5 (Stone cold)

In this independent Lightyear review UK, I take a proper look at one of the most talked-about investing apps in Britain right now. Lightyear has spent the past year cutting costs hard, so UK personal accounts now get free share and ETF dealing and a flat 0.1% FX fee. As a result, it sits firmly among the cheapest platforms available to UK investors today.

Affiliate disclosure: 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.

Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Want the Lightyear sign-up offer?

The current new-customer offer and full terms are always kept up to date on our Lightyear referral page.

See the latest Lightyear offer

Throughout this Lightyear review UK, I cover what Lightyear is, what you can invest in, fees, ISAs, Vaults, pros and cons, and how it compares to Freetrade, Trading 212, AJ Bell Dodl, Moneybox and Finimize. So, if you want a no-nonsense view before opening an account, read on. If you only want the sign-up offer and terms, head to our Lightyear referral page instead.

Published by Stiv in Finance, Investing, Reviews, Saving, Services, UK Made

Tags: cash ISA, ETF investing, Freetrade alternative, FX fees, Investing apps UK, investing for beginners, Lightyear, lightyear review, money market funds, stocks and shares isa, Vaults

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

Best Vegan Meal Kits UK 2026: Honest Comparison

Last updated: 26 March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

Best Vegan Meal Kits in the UK

Finding the best vegan meal kits in the UK takes more effort than it should. Prices shift, vegan credentials are often vague, and some boxes demand far more time than you expect. This guide compares the main UK options honestly, covering cost, taste, convenience and ethics so you can pick the right one.

This article contains affiliate links. If you sign up through one of our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our editorial independence.

Published by Stiv in Carbon conscious, Discount, Foodie, Reviews, Self-care Champion, Services, UK Made

Tags: Grubby review, meal kit comparison, plant based eating, vegan food delivery UK, vegan meal kits

January 2, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Last Minute Tax Return UK – How to File Fast and Avoid Fines

Last updated: 9 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.

If you're rushing to file a last minute tax return in the UK, you're far from alone. According to HMRC, 475,722 people filed on the very last day of the January 2026 deadline. Whether you've been putting it off, waiting on missing paperwork, or only just realised you need to file, this guide walks you through how to get your self assessment sorted quickly and avoid penalties that stack up fast.

Need your return filed fast?

The latest TaxFix new-customer discount is on our referral page, ready when you are.

Get the TaxFix offer

Published by Stiv in Finance, Saving, Services, UK Made

Tags: file online tax return uk, file tax return online UK, HMRC tax deadline, hmrc tax return help, last minute tax filing, last minute tax return, self assessment uk, tax deadline uk, tax return penalties, TaxFix referral, taxfix review

December 31, 2025 — Comments are off for this post.

Best Referral Offers UK 2026: £400+ in Rewards (Stacking Guide)

Last updated: 10 June 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

I've been stacking UK referral offers for over four years, including using Sprive with my Nationwide mortgage since October 2021. This guide is based on what's actually landed in my own accounts.

Looking for the best referral offers UK can earn you in 2026? Honest answer: most people grab one sign-up bonus, forget the rest, and leave easy money sitting on the table. This guide is different. It's a practical stacking plan you can work through in an afternoon, with every UK referral offer we trust organised by category so you know exactly what to tackle first.

We've personally tested these offers across banking bonuses, free shares, energy switching credit, broadband deals, cashback layers and mortgage overpayment tricks. Done properly, you're looking at £400+ in total rewards without doing anything sketchy. Furthermore, several of these keep paying month after month.

Affiliate note: 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.

Financial disclaimer: Anything involving investing is not financial advice. Capital at risk: the value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invested. Offers can change without notice, so always do your own research before signing up to any product.

Start with the biggest single win

If you only do one this week, the Octopus Energy switch is the easiest one to claim: real bill credit, no shares and no lock-in.

Switch to Octopus Energy

Published by Stiv in Discount, Finance, Money, Money saving, Referral Guides, Saving, Services, UK Deals

Tags: 2026, bank bonuses 2026, cashback, cashback deals, energy switching, free money UK, free shares, investment bonuses, money saving, referral codes UK, referral offers, referrals, sign up bonuses, sign-up bonuses, uk fintech

December 10, 2025 — Comments are off for this post.

Veganuary Ideas UK: How to Do Veganuary the Easy Way

Last updated: 26 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.

Every January, millions of people across the UK try going plant-based for a month. If you're searching for Veganuary ideas that actually work, this guide has you covered. From practical meal plans to a brilliant shortcut using a Grubby vegan meal kit, you'll find everything you need to make Veganuary feel easy, affordable and genuinely enjoyable. No willpower required.

Published by Stiv in Carbon conscious, Discount, Foodie, Services, UK Made

Tags: easy vegan meals, grubby, healthy eating, how to do veganuary, plant based january, plant-based, uk meal kits, vegan, vegan boxes uk, vegan food delivery, vegan lifestyle, vegan meal kits, vegan recipes, vegan recipes uk, veganuary, veganuary ideas, veganuary tips

December 7, 2025 — Comments are off for this post.

Farewill Review 2026: Best Online Will Writing Service UK?

Last updated: 10 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.

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 — Stone cold

If you're reading this Farewill review, you've probably hit that stage of adulting where you've accepted two awkward truths. First, you are — unfortunately — mortal. Second, you'd quite like to decide who gets your things instead of leaving it up to chance or your cousin who still owes you £40.

Farewill is the UK's biggest online will writer, with over 20,000 Trustpilot reviews and a 4.9-star rating. So let's dig into whether it lives up to the hype, whether it's genuinely legit, and whether you should use it over a solicitor.

Published by Stiv in Discount, Finance, Reviews, Self-care Champion, Services, UK Made

Tags: best online wills UK, end of life planning, Farewill discount, Farewill review, Farewill vs solicitors, is Farewill legit, online will writing UK, probate services UK, will writing services

December 3, 2025 — Comments are off for this post.

Last updated: 9 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.

Filing your end of year tax return in the UK can feel overwhelming, but getting it done early saves you stress, money, and a potential run-in with HMRC. Whether you need to report self-employment income, a side hustle, rental earnings, or investment gains, this guide walks you through every deadline, explains how to file, and shows you how to save 35% on your return with TaxFix.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Always check official guidance on GOV.UK or speak to a qualified accountant.

Filing this year's return with TaxFix?

Our referral page always carries the current new-customer saving and the steps to use it.

Claim the TaxFix saving

Published by Stiv in Finance, Services

Tags: coolcuration, end of year tax return, fast tax return, hmrc tax deadlines, january tax deadline, online tax filing, self assessment uk, tax tips uk, taxfix, taxfix review, uk tax return

November 26, 2025 — Comments are off for this post.

Is Zopa Biscuit Safe? UK Safety and FSCS Guide 2026

Last updated: 9 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.

Happy with the safety answer already?

No referral bonus is running at the moment, but any current Zopa Biscuit offer is listed on our referral page, together with how to open the account.

Check the Zopa Biscuit page

Zopa's Biscuit bank account has made waves with its 2% interest, cashback on bills and a 7.10% AER Regular Saver. But before handing over your money, you probably want to know: is Zopa Biscuit safe? The short answer is yes. Zopa is a fully licensed UK bank, regulated by the FCA and PRA, and your deposits are protected up to £120,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Below, we break down exactly what that means and what you should know before opening an account.

Published by Stiv in Apps, Finance, Saving, Services

Tags: Biscuit Account, Cashback Accounts, digital banking, fintech, FSCS Protection, High Interest Accounts, money saving, uk banking, UK Current Accounts, zopa bank, Zopa Biscuit

November 26, 2025 — Comments are off for this post.

UK Energy Price Cap January 2026: What Happened and What to Do Now

Last updated: 9 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 energy price cap in January 2026 rose by 0.2% to £1,758 per year for a typical dual-fuel household. At the time, that small rise was enough of a nudge to make switching to a fixed tariff worthwhile. Since then, the picture has moved on considerably. Ofgem has confirmed the April 2026 cap will fall to £1,641, which changes the calculation again — though the case for switching to Octopus Energy remains strong.

Update — March 2026: The April 2026 cap has been confirmed. We have published a full breakdown of what the new figure means and whether now is the right time to switch.

Read: April 2026 energy price cap — the drop, the risk, and the £50 switch offer

Get £50 credit when you switch to Octopus Read more

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

Tags: energy price cap, energy switching, fixed tariff, January 2026, octopus energy, Ofgem, UK households