Jack Daniel’s and Coke in a Can: What Are You Really Paying for Convenience?
I worked out the real cost per drink of a canned Jack Daniel’s and Coke versus mixing it myself, and the convenience premium comes to 63p a can.
Deep Dives
Longer, numbers-led deep dives into spending, inflation and the cost of living — from the Big Mac Test to real-world savings breakdowns.
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I Tried the 1p Savings Challenge. Here’s Why I Switched to a Standing Order Instead
I worked out what actually happens with the 1p Savings Challenge, why it falls apart in December, and why I ended up using a standing order instead. Plus, what would really happen if you doubled a penny every day for a year.
Vaping Just Overtook Smoking in the UK for the First Time. So I Did the Maths on What That Actually Means
Vaping just overtook smoking in the UK for the first time on record. I worked out what smoking and vaping actually cost in 2026, what’s about to change, and what we still don’t know about the health side.
Cycle to Work Scheme in Scotland: What You Actually Save by Tax Band
The Cycle to Work scheme works differently if you’re a Scottish taxpayer. With six income tax bands instead of three, the savings range from 27% to 50% depending on your salary, and there’s one band where it’s quietly the best deal in the country. Here’s the Scotland-specific breakdown, plus what happens if you leave your job before the hire period ends.
Does Drinking Coffee Black Save You Money?
Does drinking your coffee black actually save you money? I worked out what skipping the milk is worth at home (not much) versus at a coffee shop (quite a lot), four cups a day.
The Big Mac Test: What a £1.50 Burger Tells Us About 35 Years of Inflation
A Big Mac cost around £1.50 in 1990. If it had only risen with inflation, it would cost £3.75 today. So why are we paying £4.99? I did the maths.