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About: jo-robinson

Jo is the consumers’ connoisseur. Editor at Money Magpie and writer at Wallet Pop, Jo knows her bank accounts, bargains and budgets. She’s also a dab hand at cooking on the cheap too. Jo’s not only focused on money matters; she also covers sport for The Sunday Times.

jo_robinson@fsmail.net

Cycling to work: how much can you save?

In an ideal world, I’d love to cycle to work. I enjoy cycling, but unfortunately I don’t enjoy taking my life in my hands every morning in the London rush hour, so I opt out. Probably I’m just being a wimp; thousands of people do weave their way through London traffic every day on bicycle,… Read more »


5 eco-friendly ways to drive

No matter how environmentally-friendly you might want to be, for some people driving is an absolute necessity and there is no reasonable alternative. It doesn’t have to be entirely bad for the environment though. In fact a bit of clever re-thinking about how and when you use your car can make a huge difference. 1…. Read more »


My mortgage – a first time buyer’s tale

Buying your first home can be a complicated and daunting experience, not to mention expensive. And getting the whole process of the ground – by getting a mortgage – is far from straightforward in the current climate. It is not impossible though, and as I found out two years ago, patience and perseverance are the… Read more »


Data protection: your rights explained

It’s an unfortunate fact about the technologically advanced world we live in – hundreds of companies hold information about us, and plenty more can get access to this information. Even when you simply visit a website, that company can collect personal information about you. Remember the first time Amazon recommended you a selection of products… Read more »


Cheap indoor fun for the kids

Since it looks like the coming Bank Holiday is set to be a wet one, you’re probably trying to plan some activities that don’t involve the whole family getting drenched, and don’t leave you out of pocket. Then look no further – hopefully this list of ideas will help you on your way to Bank… Read more »


Tax relief – what’s all the fuss about?

The government has been facing an onslaught of criticism in the last few weeks after all the revelations from their Budget. One of the most controversial measures is the charity tax relief cap –  a change in the amount of tax relief that people can receive when donating money to charity. The Charities Aid Foundation… Read more »


Makeover your home without the DIY

There’s something quite satisfying about the thought of DIY, painting over the cracks, putting up some new shelves… until you realise it’s hard work, incredibly messy and never goes as smoothly as you imagine it will. So in an attempt to save myself all the hassle (and the cost of paying someone to do it… Read more »


10 ways to help the environment and save money in the kitchen

It’s probably the room in the house where we use the most energy. The kitchen is filled with energy sapping appliances: boiling the kettle, baking in the oven, using the dishwasher, constantly running a fridge-freezer, and usually, doing a few loads of washing in the machine each week. Obviously these are all pretty essential appliances,… Read more »


5 eco gadgets that save you money

It’s easy to see why helping the environment and saving money go hand-in-hand; remembering to turn off lights and TVs, swapping baths for showers and using the washing machine at lower temperatures are all well and good, but sometimes you need the help of a few clever gadgets to realise your money saving and eco-friendly potential. 1…. Read more »


5 ways to look after your pet for less

Dogs might be man’s best friend but they, along with their furry pals of all shapes and sizes, cost a serious amount of money to look after. Since it’s National Pet Month, instead of putting you off getting a pet I thought I’d give you a few tips on how to look after one for… Read more »