The summer may be over in the UK but that doesn’t mean you can’t escape the rainy gloom and jet off to a new destination or look forward to your next summer holiday. If finding the cheapest destination, which can also give you all the holiday fun, is a priority then we have just the places.
Data from GoCompare helps us to see which destination is the most expensive for UK travellers and which are the cheapest, so we know where to plan for next.
India – For UK holidaymakers India ranked as the cheapest with an average price per night of £62.73. This is equal to £878 for two weeks in India, this does not account for the price of the flights which may make this a more difficult destination to afford. A country with great history and culture, there are various areas that draw in the travellers. The Taj Mahal, a pearl-white marble monument is often high on the list, but there is even more to see. The city of Mumbai offers a bustling modern feel as the home to Bollywood stars and a selection of great street food. You can stick around and find an excursion to the Sanjay Ghandi National Park and try to spot the wildlife that lives there. The South of India is where you will find the luscious greens and a laid-back style of travel away from the busy cities.
The best time to visit is between October – March when there is little rain, and you can avoid the extreme heat which begins around April. From January to March, you can get lucky and witness some of India’s best festivals. If you plan to travel to the Himalayas, then you should plan this from June to November as the monsoon season hits the beaches, the mountains can offer you refuge within a resort.
Poland – The cheapest destination in Europe for UK travellers was found to be Poland by Go Compare data. The average price per night was £72.02, equaling £1,008.34 for two weeks. Visit cities like Warsaw and Krakow for restaurants, bars and more entertainment. Learn about the history and culture through visits to Auschwitz - a day to reflect and truly see the history Poland. Warsaw, the city you see today, was built mostly after 1945 and so has a modern feel with a pretty Old Town too. You can find various museums in the city as well as great restaurants and bars for the evening. Krakow, this city again was rebuilt after 1945 but maintains its culture and architecture. During December you will find their Christmas Markets bustling with traditional food stalls as well as handmade souvenirs to take home. You can also find cheap flights in the winter months, and you will experience a snowy winter here, so pack your gloves.
A trip to Poland isn’t complete without a trip to the mountains. No matter what time of year you visit, the scenes will impress. The mountain village of Zakopane is around 2 hours from Krakov with the option to go for a day or to stay over in a B&B or chalet. In the Winter you will see the Ski lifts and jumps in action and the town covered in white snow. Take a walk through the mountain valleys before heading to the thermal baths to warm up.
Turkey – The third cheapest country for UK holidaymakers at £85.51 per night and using Skyscanner you can find flights for under £100 per person. As we head into our colder months, the temperature in Turkey is perfect for city exploring at around 20 degrees Celsius in November on average. This is perfect to escape the cold here and be able to go sightseeing in Turkey without struggling too much with the heat. Turkey has beautiful coastlines as well as great mountain regions. The famous activity – the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride, a romantic and fun way to witness Turkey from above.
It might not surprise you to learn that the Scandinavian countries are named the most expensive destinations to visit on holiday. Iceland ranked as the most expensive with the average price per night being £200 and £2,890 for two weeks. Iceland is a popular destination with amazing natural sights; however, it may take some saving to get there.
Switzerland was ranked the most expensive destination outside of the Nordic region. Here, the average expenditure is £173,56 per night.
These destinations are harder to do on a budget, due to the high costs within the country.
TikTok has become one of the most popular and valuable social media platforms globally owned by the Chinese tech giant Bytedance. TikTok is estimated to be worth around $100 billion as of 2023 and contributes significantly to the value of Bytedance at over $220 billion.
Despite its growing value and influence, TikTok is not directly accessible for individual investors yet.
You can’t invest directly in TikTok because it is a privately held company owned by ByteDance. Since ByteDance hasn’t gone public, there’s no TikTok stock available on exchanges like the NYSE or NASDAQ. ByteDance, based in China, remains privately owned and controls TikTok globally, meaning its shares are not publicly traded.
For now, TikTok remains part of ByteDance’s privately held portfolio. Until ByteDance goes public or spins off TikTok as its own publicly traded company, direct investments are off the table. But there are still ways to gain exposure to TikTok’s success.
There are ways to indirectly invest in TikTok through 2 prominent global investment firms, KKR and SoftBank which hold significant stakes in ByteDance. These firms are publicly traded, giving investors the opportunity to gain exposure to ByteDance—and by extension, TikTok—through their shares.
Both of these firms are publicly listed meaning you can buy their shares through most brokerage platforms.
Learn more about trading platforms.
A major development looming over TikTok is the U.S. government's mandate that ByteDance divests its ownership of the app by January 2025. If ByteDance doesn’t sell TikTok to a U.S.-based or approved company, TikTok could face a ban in the U.S. This would mean it could no longer be offered in U.S. app stores, and internet service providers might block access to the platform entirely.
If TikTok is sold to a public company before the deadline, this could create a significant opportunity for investors. Should a public U.S. company acquire TikTok, investors may have the chance to buy shares in the acquirer and gain direct exposure to TikTok’s business. While the situation remains fluid, investors should keep an eye on developments regarding the potential sale of TikTok.
TikTok has over 7000 employees just in the US. Employees have been granted company stock as part of a compensation package.
In certain cases, these employees are given the opportunity to sell their shares during private equity deals or funding rounds, potentially generating significant returns.
For employees, this can be a lucrative opportunity, especially as ByteDance continues to grow in value. However, for outside investors, the options remain limited to indirect investments until a broader IPO or sale occurs.
Both Pinterest and Meta offer strong potential for growth and are already publicly traded, giving investors easy access to social media stocks.
Are you an investor beginner? Learn how to start here.
As an investor it could pay to keep an eye on the future of TikTok as the 2025 deadline for a U.S. sale of TikTok approaches, there could be new investment opportunities. For now, indirect investing and exploring other social media stocks provide viable strategies to tap into the sector’s growth.
Founded in 2000, ASOS (As Seen On Screen) emerged as one of the leading online fashion retailers in the UK, catering to a global audience with its wide selection of clothing, accessories, and beauty products. Initially launched as a platform where customers could buy outfits similar to those worn by celebrities, ASOS quickly grew in popularity, particularly among younger, fashion-conscious shoppers looking for affordable and trendy options.
Over the years, ASOS expanded its offerings and developed its own in-house clothing line alongside the 1,000 brands available on its platform currently. The company capitalised on the e-commerce boom in the early 2000s, building a reputation for fast fashion, variety, and customer service. ASOS became a fashion powerhouse in the 2010s serving millions of global customers, innovating through their app, free returns policy and influence partnerships which are continually more important.
However, despite its early success, ASOS has recently faced significant challenges.
In 2023, ASOS reported its first-ever operating loss of £248 million. This was a significant blow, as it came after years of impressive financial growth.
Revenue for the year totalled £3.54 billion, which marked a 9.9% decrease compared to 2022.
One of the main factors behind the financial decline was the decrease in active customer engagement. ASOS had 23 million active buyers in 2023, with around 40% of these coming from the UK. While this is still a large customer base, the overall number of orders placed dropped dramatically, from 98.3 million in 2022 to 83.7 million in 2023. This decline in consumer activity highlights the difficulties faced by online retailers amid changing market conditions.
The average basket value increased during this period, rising to £40.88 in 2023 from £38.21 the previous year. This suggests that while fewer orders were placed, customers who did shop at ASOS were spending more per transaction. However, this was not enough to offset the overall decline in order volume.
Several factors contributed to ASOS’s struggles in 2023. Inflation and the cost of living has reduced consumer spending across various sectors including fashion. Households have less disposable income for non-essentials. The rise in competitors and an increase in retailer apps makes it harder for ASOS to maintain its dominant position. Many shoppers are starting to increase their sustainability when finding new items, this includes finding second hand options or shopping less often. This could impact the amount of orders placed with ASOS in 2023.
ASOS share price is constantly changing however, there have been hints of recovery of late, climbing 7.98% over the past year. This is still a long way from the historical highs of over £57 in 2021.
Despite these challenges, there are several strategies that online retailers like ASOS can employ to maintain or regain popularity in a highly competitive marketplace. First, customer experience remains paramount. Offering features like free and easy returns, fast delivery, and personalised recommendations can encourage customer loyalty. ASOS, the user-friendly app with a vast range of brands, already has a strong foundation in this area, but continual investment in enhancing the online shopping experience will be key to staying ahead.
ASOS is also known for its ability to offer the newest styles and trends at affordable prices to keep up the fast changing landscape of fashion as well as keep up with other fast fashion competitors. Online retailers must balance being trend-responsive with sustainability—an area where consumer expectations are shifting. As more shoppers become conscious of the environmental impact of fast fashion, offering sustainable options and transparent business practices can be a powerful differentiator.
Another crucial factor is adapting to new marketing strategies. The rise of social media and influencer culture has significantly changed how consumers engage with brands. ASOS has a history of successful influencer collaborations, but as digital marketing evolves, it needs to embrace new platforms like TikTok and leverage the power of short-form content to reach younger audiences.
When inflations rises with the cost of living it can be difficult to make your savings count, there are ways to keep on top it the changes and protect your funds.
Inflation measures the rate at which prices for goods and services increase, leading to a decline in the real value of money. For example, if inflation in the UK is 3% annually, what costs £100 today will cost £103 next year. While this increase may seem small, over time, it can significantly erode your savings.
Inflation is currently at 2.2% after the latest rise in August, the first rise of the year.
Inflation is predicted to rise further before falling again. The Bank of England is set to make their announcement on the base rate later this week and with inflation rising, could this mean another increase since their latest drop to 5%?
Consider a UK savings account offering a 1% interest rate. If inflation is 3%, your real return is actually negative—your money is losing 2% of its value each year (1% interest - 3% inflation = -2% real return).
Even though your bank balance might grow slightly, the purchasing power of your savings decreases, meaning your money buys less.
Find out more about how inflation works and what it means.
Use this money saving help to protect your savings from inflation and make your money go further.
There are 3 main credit reference agencies which have different calculations to produce your credit score so it could vary by which agency your use. It can take some time to build a good credit score and you shouldn’t worry about trying to do this quickly. There are some ways to speed up the process and build a good credit score if you are on a time crunch. You can also start building your credit score without having a credit card and they could be things you are already doing, like paying your monthly bills on time.
Data shows that the average credit score is at its lowest between the ages of 21-45 and dips further between 31-35 years old. This is when most people have a greater need for loans and as the average age of the first time home buyer is 33 this could cause the credit score to lower as checks are carried out and debt accumulates.
We have found all three agencies scores so you can see them in on place.
The score with Experian ranges from 0-999 and they report the average score of 797. So is this a good score?
Good = 881-960
Average = 721-880
You can sign up with Experian to check your credit score for free so you know if you need to improve this before you apply for a loan or mortgage.
Their score ranges from 300-850 with the average score being 644.
Excellent = 800-850
Very Good = 740-799
Good = 670-739
Fair = 580-669
Poor = 300-579
Their range is between 300-850 with the average score in the UK being 573.
They advise to keep your utilisation rate below 30% which is how much of your credit limit you’re using. The lower your rate the better your score will be as you will appear as a low-risk borrower.
Excellent = 781-850
Good = 721 -780
Fair =661-720
Poor = 601-660
Very poor = 300-600
The cost of living has affected all areas including phone bills, leaving many consumers questioning what they can do to manage these rising costs. Understanding why phone bills are increasing, how much you should be paying, and what steps you can take to manage your expenses can help you stay on top of your finances.
Most major UK mobile networks increase their prices once a year, typically attaching these rises to inflation indicators such as the Retail Price Index (RPI) or the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
On top of this, networks often add an additional 3-4% to cover the increasing costs of upgrades, maintenance, and service delivery.
For example, a price increase linked to RPI, which in the UK stood at around 8-10% in 2023, would see a considerable hike in phone bills. If your phone bill was £30 a month, a 10% RPI increase plus a 3% network addition could result in your monthly cost rising by almost £4.
This may seem like a small change, but it amounts to nearly £50 more over the course of a year.
Moreover, the potential merger between Vodafone and Three could have further implications for mobile users. If this deal goes through, it could reduce competition, leading to even higher prices for millions of customers as the newly-merged unit may raise prices to consolidate its market position. This would add pressure on consumers already struggling with higher costs.
One of the most important things you can do to manage your mobile bill is to assess whether you're paying a fair price for your service. According to Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, the average cost for a basic mobile phone contract that includes 100 minutes of calls, 75 text messages, and 5GB of data is £11.51 per month, excluding the cost of the handset. A contract ideal for those who don’t use their mobile phone too often.
On the other hand, heavier users—those who might need 500 minutes of calls, 150 SMS, and 15GB of data—will see their average bill rise to £15.53 per month. While these figures represent the typical costs for consumers, it’s essential to remember that additional charges can apply, especially if you exceed your contract limits or need extra services like international calling.
In addition to understanding average costs, it’s important to recognise how much you're paying for the handset itself. If your phone is included in your contract, you may be paying significantly more than the cost of service alone. Often, users continue paying the same monthly amount even after the handset cost is fully paid off, which means they end up overpaying. If you're in this situation, it may be worth switching to a SIM-only deal.
When your receive notice that your phone bill is increasing your don’t have to accept this, you can take these steps to try and lower the price.
If your current provider is unwilling to negotiate a better deal, you should start comparing alternatives. Below are examples of three mobile networks in the UK that offer competitive pricing:
Balance transfer credit cards are used to move your outstanding debt from one card onto a new one, typically with lower interest rates. They are useful if you need more time to pay off a big purchase and want to avoid interest rate payments. When used effectively they can be a great financial tool, but learning how to manage them correctly is vital or you may end up in a worse situation.
Your eligibility will be dependent on your credit history and how you have managed your finances in the past.
You can view the pros and cons here.
These Credit cards have long promotional periods where you will face 0% interest rates. If you pay off your debt within this time you will have avoided extra charges and this is the best way to use a balance transfer credit card.
Balance transfer credit cards are used to move your outstanding debt from one card onto a new one, typically with lower interest rates. They are useful if you need more time to pay off a big purchase and want to avoid interest rate payments. When used effectively they can be a great financial tool, but learning how to manage them correctly is vital or you may end up in a worse situation.
This is the biggest benefit of a balance transfer Credit card and they typically come with a low or 0% interest promotional period so you can transfer your amounts at a much lower rate.
You can move from multiple accounts and multiple due dates to a single payment, often with a lower interest rate. This can give you time to save money so you can pay off your debt and technically still be on time and avoid big late payments.
Paying less interest on credit card debt can allow you to pay down the principal more quickly so you can get out of debt sooner. When your amount is not building up you can be sure you can come up with the funds and not increase your debt, when used correctly.
There is typically a balance transfer fee of 3-5% of the amount transferred. There is usually a minimum amount for the fee and your account will give you the lowest % when you are a new holder for a set period of time before the transfer fee can increase.
When using these cards, you will have to be disciplined and follow your financial plan. Otherwise, you could lead yourself into more debt by continuing to use your cards that were paid off in the transfer. Don’t be tempted and stay on track to avoid this.
Your account won’t give you a low interest rate forever and if you do not pay off the balance transfer by the end of the promotional period, your APR will shift to a higher rate. The promotional period on balance transfer cards typically ranges from 12 to 21 months.
Credit Limits
Your new balance transfer credit card may not offer you a high enough limit for your high-interest debt you want to move. The amount of credit offered is based on a variety of factors and could differ between issuers. You may need more than on transfer card or only transfer a portion of your debt.
In April 2025, the UK state pension could see a significant increase, potentially rising by £460 annually. The potential rise is possible due to the triple lock system which allows for the state pension to cover higher living costs as inflation and wages rise.
If the state pension does increase by £460 annually, this would translate to a rise of about £8.85 per week for those on the full state pension. As of 2024, the full new state pension stands at £203.85 per week, meaning the weekly amount could increase to around £212.70. Over the course of a year, this would add up to an extra £460, assuming pensioners receive 52 payments.
Those who reached state pension age before 2016 will see a smaller increase than those who reached the age after 2016 and are receiving the full state pension. The basic state pension currently sits at £156.20 per week. There are currently over 12 million people receiving the state pension.
The Triple Lock system guarantees that the UK state pension will rise each year based on the highest of three factors:
This system was designed to protect pensioners from the negative effects of economic declines, ensuring that their income does not lose value in real terms. In times of high inflation or wage growth, the Triple Lock ensures that pensioners' incomes rise to meet the challenges of higher living costs.
See more about the triple lock plus pension.
Another pension rise is forecast to be triggered as inflation remains elevated at 2.2% with prediction to continue increasing. Wages have also increased over the past year due to inflation. The state pension rose by 10.1% in April 2024, reflecting inflation figures from the previous year.
If inflation or wage growth is lower than anticipated, the Triple Lock’s 2.5% minimum guarantee would still ensure an increase, although a smaller one.
For many pensioners, even a relatively modest increase in the state pension can make a considerable difference. The additional £460 could help cover rising living expenses, particularly in areas like food, energy, and healthcare costs, which disproportionately affect older people.
Energy bills remain a major concern for pensioners, especially in the colder months and with the possibility of a cut to winter fuel payments coming. For those on a fixed income, the extra money from a state pension increase could be crucial in helping them heat their homes without cutting back on other necessities.
Similarly, the rising cost of groceries, which has surged due to inflation, could become more manageable with a higher weekly income.
Healthcare expenses also tend to rise as people age, with many pensioners requiring additional support for prescriptions, mobility aids, or care services.
Additionally, with the increasing life expectancy of the population, pensioners are likely to need sustained financial support over a longer period. A higher pension not only provides immediate relief from current economic challenges but also contributes to a more secure future for millions of retirees.
From January 2025 private schools will face a 20% tax which they have previously been able to claim business rate relief as independent schools. The new VAT is a policy introduced by the Labour government to help lower income students and schools to provide quality education to all. This
Data from Pepper Money has found that the average cost of a child attending private school in the UK is £5,718 a term totalling £17,128 per year for one child. From 2025, with the added VAT adding £3,468 to the total bill a year this means parents are paying £17,340 for 5 years of secondary school education per child.
There are 2500 independent schools which are educating 7% of all UK pupils.
The VAT on private schools is expected to raise £1.3-1.5 billion a year which will be funding the state school system to improve conditions for students and teachers.
Despite the amount predicted to be generated from a 20% VAT there are also some challenges which will come from this. Not only to the schools or the parents sending their schools to private schools but also to the taxpayers and state schools too. The impact of a tax on private schools could disrupt those pupils in state schools too.
The Guardian reports that with the rising cost of private education, an estimated 100,000 families are expected to be priced out of private schooling. This shift is projected to lead to a surge in applications to already stretched state schools. Currently, about 18% of state-funded schools are operating at or above capacity, a figure that is expected to rise significantly as students transition from private schools to the state sector.
The effects of these changes are already being felt, as private school enrolment has dropped by 2.7% in the past year alone. The Institute for Fiscal Studies projects a further enrolment decline of between 3-7% in the coming years. In response to this, many private schools are being advised to prepare their budget for a potential 25% drop by 2030. This decline in student intake will significantly reduce the revenue generated from tuition fees, leaving private schools in an uncertain financial situation. In anticipation of this downturn, many schools are turning to the recruitment of wealthier international students to offset the shortfall in domestic enrolments.
The impact of this will also be felt by taxpayers. For every student that leaves a private school and enters the state-funded education system, an estimated £8,000 per pupil will need to be provided by the government to cover the cost of their education. This increased burden on public finances comes at a time when the state education sector is already struggling with limited resources, overcrowded classrooms, and rising operational costs. Taxing private schools could, therefore, indirectly place further strain on the public system, not only in terms of capacity but also in terms of funding.
This scenario presents a difficult balancing act for policymakers. While increased taxation on private schools may seem like a way to ensure fairness and generate revenue, the broader implications, such as the influx of students into an already overburdened public system and the subsequent rise in taxpayer costs, must be carefully considered. It raises critical questions about how to equitably support education without unintentionally deepening the crisis in both the state and independent school sectors.
The overall average tuition price for private schools in the UK comes to £17,128 a year according to Pepper Money data. However, this total is subject to change depending on the area of the school
The most expensive region for private school tuition is the East of England with the average being £20,658 a year. In 2025 this area will face an average increase of £4,644 a year.
The Most expensive county is Redcar and Cleveland which has an average term fee of £14,333 and annual fees of £43,000. This area is set to see a rise of £8,600 in January.
So, how will state schools cope with the added student enrolment and will private schools handle to decline?
Keeping an eye on your pension pot is a smart financial move at any age, making sure that you are saving and prepared for the future. Your pension pot is invested across various sectors including, stocks, bonds, property and more. This means the value can go up and down depending on the value of the stocks that day. The important value is how it grows over time and checking this is stable and growing ready for your retirement age will help you when you need it most.
Pension pots are typically invested in a variety of sectors such as:
Because pensions are invested in various markets, their value can fluctuate. For example, a stock market downturn can lead to temporary dips in pension value because shares in the portfolio lose value. Similarly, a slump in property values or lower yields from bonds can negatively impact your pot.
However, pension funds are long-term investments, and dips are expected to recover. If you are discovering a loss of value in your pension, you shouldn’t worry as this should only be short term. This is why it’s a great idea to check on your pension pot occasionally, so you can make sure everything is on track.
Almost every pension provider offers online access to track your pension savings, check performance, and project future value.
If you've worked for several companies, you may have pensions spread across different providers. Keeping track of multiple pension pots can be challenging, but it’s essential to consolidate this information.
Different pension providers have different processes for accessing your pension information. The most common providers in the UK include:
If you're unsure of who your provider is, check with your employer, or use the government’s tracing service.
Annual percentage rate.
APR is the official rate to help you understand the cost of borrowing any amount. Your lender should always disclose the APR before you sign any agreement.
APR can be a good way to compare credit cards to see which would work out cheaper for you.
APR includes both the standard fees and interest you’ll have to pay on your borrowing over the course of the year. It’s usually added to the amount you owe on a monthly basis.
If the APR on your credit card is 17% this means you will owe 17% of the total amount owed to them in interest, on top of the total amount.
Often the interest rate isn’t the only cost of a credit card. To account for this, APR considers both a card’s interest rate and any other standard fees. This means that the APR percentage offers a more complete picture of how much borrowing will cost.
The APR you are offered will often be dependent on your credit score, the less of a risk you appear to be to lender’s then your APR could be lower too.
Credit card rates can vary, typically between 5% to 30% APR.
The lower the APR, usually the lower the cost of borrowing will be and this will make your payments cheaper if you are late or miss any amounts.
Fixed – If you have borrowed a fixed amount then such a loan or mortgage, having a fixed APR will make your payments more predictable as the APR won’t change.
Variable – The lender or bank can change the APR at any time and is often tied to the interest rates. This can make it harder to financially plan.
Representative APR – This is the advertised rate and means that a majority of applicants will get a APR of the same or lower than the representative.
