Money Matters Archives - Options Skills

Making Tax Digital – what do you need to know?

Laptop screen displaying the text "Making Tax Digital Ready"

The UK government has announced plans to make tax administration as simple as possible in recent years. The goal is to simplify tax administration and make it more efficient. What does Making Tax Digital mean for your business? Ben Dyer, CEO at Powered Now, explains everything you need to know and how to get started to comply with this new legislation. What does MTD mean for businesses? Every UK business will be affected by MTD in the

Heating | Energy Saving Tips

Gas engineer and director of compliance at Options Skills, Dave Judge, shares how you can reduce your heating usage and bills this winter. With the ever-increasing rise in energy prices (Source: The Independent), it is prudent that everyone takes the time to ensure they are as energy conscious as possible. Heating your home can be a considerable expense, and with prices rising, now more than ever, we need to be thinking about and making an effort to

Tradespeople Earn More Than University Graduates

Trainee gas engineer working on a boiler in the workshop

A survey undertaken by Selco Builders Warehouse has revealed tradespeople are happier and earn more than university graduates. Surveying over 500 tradespeople, Selco wanted to determine how their experiences differ from those who attended and graduated university. Higher education doesn’t necessarily guarantee high earnings and security like it once did. So with many people considering other routes, could a career in the trades be a better option? Finances There’s no denying that earnings can play a big

6 Benefits Of Upskilling Employees

Two students in an electrical bay working on a socket board

With industries, technology and workplaces ever-evolving, you must stay up to date with the latest developments as a business owner, which may result in upskilling employees. There’s no avoiding change, and the recent national lockdown has proven this. With businesses asking workers to work from home, extra measures taken to ensure safety and risks to job security, upskilling employees benefits the employee and your business. Upskilling allows staff members to learn additional skills, perform their job better

Investing In Your Career – Cost Of Training Explained

Illustration of a women tending to flowers growing money alongside the text "the cost of training explained"

No matter what you’re paying for or buying, you will want to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth – particularly when investing in your career. With continuing uncertainty and lack of job security, now more than ever, it’s essential to do what you can to future-proof yourself, your career and your earnings. For some, that means upskilling in their current field. For others, it means learning something new altogether. You never know what life may throw at you,

What Should You Include In A Quote?

Gas trainee and student looking at a gas boiler

A quote is a formal document that details a job breakdown and the amount it will cost. When well written and presented, it demonstrates professionalism and further instils confidence and trust between yourself and the customer. The Homeowners Alliance believe that quotes are a good way of helping homeowners avoid cowboy tradespeople. If a customer asks for a quote, you’ve either been recommended or your marketing efforts have paid off. It’s a great position to be in, but

Passion Or Money, What Should Influence Your Career?

Electrical trainee assisting two trainees as they test wiring

We’ve already covered the common decision most school-leavers have to make, as well as many people later in life; University Vs. Vocational Training. Now, we’re looking at whether you should choose your career based on your passion or money. It’s not a decision to take lightly, and there are several factors to consider before making this decision. Will your passion pay you enough? Is following the money the more straightforward option? Is life too short to do anything

Save Electricity And Money With These Simple Tips

Electrician holding illuminated light bulb

A recent report from MORE TH>N found that 28% of people spend more on their monthly bills than their mortgage. On average, the annual cost of gas and electricity in a household is £1,345.20, so it’s worth looking at how you could save electricity. Using less electricity means more money in your pocket at the end of each month and a significant annual saving. As well as that, the less electricity you use, the better it is for

10 Simple Ways To Save Water In Your Home

Making small changes that will soon become habits is an easy way to save water. Water is something we cannot live without, but there is no doubt that we each use more than our fair share. As a result, there has been a dramatic increase in water used in the western world. We’re showering more often than ever before and relying on our dishwashers to clean our plates and cups daily. As a result, the average person

Get Paid On Time | Avoid Late Or Non-Payment

When you’re self-employed, you don’t have a guaranteed wage going into your bank on the same day every month. Working for yourself means it’s up to you to make sure you get paid. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to deal with late or even non-payments. Customers not paying can be incredibly problematic, with time wasted chasing payment and the possibility of being unable to cover your bills. Tradespeople such as electricians and gas engineers are hit harder than most

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