personal finance uk Archives - Page 2 of 2

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

Sprive vs Manual Overpaying: Which Method Pays Your Mortgage Off Faster?

Last updated: 13 October 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

I have been overpaying my mortgage since October 2021, with Nationwide and now Halifax, using Sprive's auto-save alongside manual payments, so this comparison is based on living with both approaches.

If you are trying to pay your mortgage off faster, you have got two realistic routes: use an app like Sprive to automate overpayments, or just do it yourself with a standing order. This guide compares Sprive vs manual overpaying honestly. It is not here to sell you on either option. It is here to help you pick the approach you will actually stick with, because consistency is what moves the numbers.

This article contains affiliate and referral links, which are paid links. If you click one and buy or sign up, I earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. Brands don't choose what I feature or what I say about them. 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.

Trying Sprive anyway?

If the app route wins you over, the live sign-up offer and the claim steps are listed on our referral page.

See the Sprive sign-up offer

App or standing order? The comparison is below. For every Sprive guide in one place, see our Sprive guides hub, kept current as the app changes.

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

Tags: mortgage overpayments, mortgage savings, Open Banking, pay off mortgage faster, personal finance, personal finance uk, remortgaging, Sprive, Sprive app, Sprive vs manual overpaying, UK mortgages

November 17, 2025 — Comments are off for this post.

Monzo Investments Review UK 2026: Honest Verdict for Beginners

Last updated: 7 October 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This is my own experience. I've invested in Monzo's Adventurous fund since November 2025, paying in £50 a month, with round-ups and my savings interest topping it up on the side.

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are my own and do not constitute professional advice.

Cool Factor: 4/5 Stone cold

This Monzo Investments review is based on real money I've had invested since late 2025, not a quick five-minute demo. I wanted to invest without downloading five apps, reading 19 Reddit threads, and accidentally becoming a part-time day trader. Monzo Investments keeps things simple on purpose. You pick a risk level, deposit from as little as £1, and let BlackRock-managed funds do the heavy lifting. No stock picking. No fiddling. No "should I buy Nvidia" spiral at 1am. And with the recent launch of Build Your Own portfolios, there's now more choice than ever without losing that trademark Monzo simplicity.

Before you read on: This article contains affiliate and referral links, which are paid links. If you click one and buy or sign up, I earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. Brands don't choose what I feature or what I say about them. This 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. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Want the Monzo current-account bonus?

There's no live Monzo Investments referral, but you need a current account to invest anyway, and that one does have a working offer (rewards from £5, up to £50, sometimes up to £100). For the full lowdown on the bank itself, read my Monzo review UK after four years of daily use. The latest terms are on my referral page.

Get the Monzo current-account bonus

New to Monzo as well as to investing? My Monzo guides hub covers the bank account, the paid plans and the savings pots alongside the investing side.

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

Tags: app investing UK, beginner investing UK, Cool Curation finance, Monzo investing, Monzo investments, Monzo referral, Monzo review, personal finance uk, stocks and shares isa, uk investing

November 14, 2025 — Comments are off for this post.

How to Start Investing UK: A Beginner’s Guide for 2026

Last updated: 7 October 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

Your savings account probably gives you a forgettable return while inflation slowly chews up the value of your cash. Plenty of us know we should look at the alternatives, yet investing can feel like a locked club where you need a pinstripe suit and a secret handshake to get past the door. So, this guide on how to start investing UK-side is here to open the door.

We will walk through the difference between saving and investing, explain what a Stocks and Shares ISA actually does, share what has worked for us starting with small amounts, and look at beginner-friendly apps including Freetrade, Lightyear, Robinhood UK, Monzo Investments and J.P. Morgan Personal Investing. So, let us get into it.

Important: This article is for information only and does not constitute financial advice or a personal recommendation. CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. This article contains affiliate and referral links, which are paid links. If you click one and buy or sign up, I earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. Brands don't choose what I feature or what I say about them.

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.

Published by Stiv in Apps, Finance, Investing, Services

Tags: beginner investing guide uk, best investment app uk, coolcuration finance, diy investing uk, freetrade review uk, how to start investing uk, investing uk, investing vs saving uk, jp morgan personal investing, lightyear investing app, Monzo investments, personal finance uk, Robinhood UK, robinhood uk review, start investing UK, start investing with £100, stocks and shares isa, uk investing for beginners

October 8, 2025 — Comments are off for this post.

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

Last updated: 24 October 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

I've used Sprive since October 2021, with Nationwide and now Halifax as my lender. This guide is based on the actual setup process and daily use since then.

How does the Sprive app work? You link a current account and your mortgage, then set a monthly saving range. Sprive collects money by direct debit into a safeguarded balance, based on your spending. With one tap, that balance goes to your lender as an overpayment. Cashback from gift cards bought in the app adds to the same pot.

The one thing to check first is your lender's overpayment allowance, usually 10% of the balance a year on a fixed rate. Go over it and you can pay an early repayment charge, so set the range with that limit in mind.

This article contains affiliate and referral links, which are paid links. If you click one and buy or sign up, I earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. Brands don't choose what I feature or what I say about them. This is information, not financial advice, and CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Just here for the sign-up bonus?

The current Sprive offer and the steps to claim it are always kept up to date on our referral page.

Get the Sprive sign-up bonus

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

Getting started with Sprive? This guide covers the basics. For everything else, from cashback to the prize draws, see our Sprive guides hub, all in one place.

Published by Stiv in Finance, Personal finance, Saving, Services

Tags: cashback apps, cool curation, finance app, how Sprive app works, mortgage helper, mortgage overpayment, mortgage saving, Open Banking apps UK, pay off mortgage faster, personal finance uk, referral app, smart money apps, Sprive app, uk money tools