Ask Jasmine 4: “Should I claim a breach of contract?”

Isobel Lawrance 13th Aug 2022 One Comment

Reading Time: 5 minutes

 

Welcome to Ask Jasmine, the column where I round up some of the questions I have received from readers each week. This week, I answer questions about passive income, breaches in a contract and credit allowance.

I hope these answers can help you with any questions you may have. Don’t forget to leave any questions you have in the comments below or email me on [email protected].

 

• How can I utilise passive income?
• Can I claim a breach of contract?
• Do savings affect credit allowance?

 

how can i utilise passive income?

question:

Hello Jasmine, 

Just been reading your fab column again. Yesterday, I learnt the term ‘passive income’ from a friend. Unsure if you are aware of this term?

I am currently in a fortunate position to save money every week; (I work as an agency social worker and get paid weekly). The money goes into my Nationwide savings account. Can you recommend a small investment I can utilise please or another way of saving?

Thanks

answer

Thank you,

Yes, I am aware of the term ‘passive income’. In fact, we have a lot of articles on how you can get a passive income (make money without much effort) on my website MoneyMagpie.com. Take a look at the ‘make money’ section to see what we write about.

Good idea to get into some investing with your money.

Legally I’m not allowed to give you advice over this, but I do suggest you read up about it a bit yourself. Have a look at the ‘Manage your money’ section on Moneymagpie.com and you’ll see that we have lots of articles on how to invest, how to put more money into your pension, how to open an ISA (ideally a stocks and shares one) and lots more.

It’s always a good idea to put your money into different things, so now that you have a savings account it’s worth thinking about putting more money into your pension and also about setting up a stocks and shares ISA.

You could go and visit a few independent financial advisors and get their thoughts. The first session with a financial advisor is free so you could get some handy thoughts just by visiting them. Find some good ones at VouchedFor here https://offers.vouchedfor.co.uk/free-financial-health-check/money-magpie

Hope that helps. All best, Jasmine.

 

can i claim a breach of contract?

question:

Dear Jasmine,

I took out a Sky broadband package almost a year ago, part of the deal I was to receive a £100 gift card, either a physical or online use card to be used after three months. Eventually I was notified that my gift card was now available to use!

But it was not supplied by Sky themselves, rather a USA based company, this seemed to be straightforward until I followed the information given. After trying unsuccessfully and emailing the company, who told me to try again, eventually my email was returned as undeliverable.

A few months ago, I called Sky and eventually managed to speak to a very hostile young man who I eventually asked, “Who do think you’re talking to? “, because of his condescending attitude

I was told that Sky did not have any free gift card offers running at the present, and if they did then they would be managed by a promotions agency and have nothing to do with Sky, when I reminded him that the card offer was part of the contract, I was basically told I had to deal with an agency that was uncontactable.

Can I claim breach of contract? I feel that I’m being taken for a ride by Sky and they could be doing this to thousands. If you can help/advise. Thanking you.

answer:

Hello,

Thanks for your email. This does sound very annoying!

I suggest that your next step would be to take your complaint to Recover.com. They have direct access to complaints departments in many companies including Sky and I think you would have a decent chance of getting this sorted out if you do it through them. Give it a go anyway. If it doesn’t work, then come back to me.

All the best, Jasmine

 

do savings affect credit allowance?

question:

Dear Jasmine, 

[My wife and I] do not have private pensions or employment and live on the Governments state pension handout. I have not applied for credit allowance because of the means test and I have savings that we are living on. We have our own house which was the only one I could find after two years of searching with a granny flat downstairs because my wife cannot walk. It had to be close to a hospital and I was informed that Addenbrookes was the best. So, we upped sticks and boy have we suffered.

Anyway, if one has savings does that effect asking for the credit allowance? There does not seem to be any gas or electric concessions. Will the fact that we cannot use the upstairs have any balance on requests for council leniency?

We have been locked in for the last seven years and married for fifty. We are managing but can’t get out and about. I am aware of the council and the local guest homes that want £7,500 a month it’s ridiculous, and most of the council helpers that volunteer for home assistance/help, are older than me.

Best Regards.

answer:

Hi there,

Great to hear from you and I’m so sorry that you are having such problems at the moment. Now, I contacted Age UK https://www.ageuk.org.uk/ because they’re very good on this sort of thing. In fact, I suggest that you give them a call on 0800 055 6112. They are open 8am to 7pm every day of the year.

They also emailed me about your situation and said:

• They can check entitlement to Pension Credit using the Age UK benefit calculator
• There is information about government support on the Cost of living payments on the Age UK website
• We have information on Finding and arranging social care on the Age UK website

I hope that helps. All the very best to you and your lovely wife. Keep caring for each other. You’re doing a great job! All the best, Jasmine

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Do you have a question for me? Leave it in the comments below, or email me your question on [email protected]. I may just answer it in next week’s Ask Jasmine column.

Speak next week!

 

Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.