RewardRate social

Written By Cathleen Malone

I served as the Scrum master for RewardRate’s social and marketing teams. One of our key objectives here was to increase brand trust and awareness through free financial education. We worked in an Agile way using our clear social and SEO strategies as guides; we focused on TikTok and Instagram to bring stacks of financial hints, tips and tricks to the folks who need it most. Our brand tone of voice was optimistic yet straight talking, with a clued-up handful of ‘big sister energy’.

Instagram

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For lots of people at the moment we know that #moneysavinghacks will only get them so far when it comes to making ends meet. If this sounds familiar know that there is some support out there. Citizen Advice have summarised it really well over at https://bit.ly/3wN3MmE

If typing links isn't your thing then search 'Citizens Advice grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills'

If this proves useful please let us know 🙏🏽💷

#costoflivinghelp #RewardRate #energyprices #energypricecap #energyprice #costofliving #costoflivinguk #financetips #financialliteracy #financialmobility #budgeting #energycrisis #rewardrate

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Being unable to afford your debt repayments can feel so very stressful. If you have problem debt that's overwhelming you, beyond what you can handle, then please consider reaching out to one of these charities:

@mhealthuk
@mindcharity
@samaritanscharity
@calmzone

@papyrus_uk and @crusesupport can lend an ear and offer advice, if you're readjusting to life after a loved one's suicide.

For problem debt advice and support head to:

@stepchangecharity and citizensadvice.org.uk

#suicideprevention #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #depression #mentalhealthmatters #anxiety #suicide #suicideawareness
#mentalillness #debt #moneymatters #problemdebt #rewardrate

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We're absolutely thrilled to announce that we've been shortlisted for three awards at Credit Strategy’s #LendingAwards 2022! RewardRate is in the running for:


🏆 Best Brand
🏆 Gamechanger
🏆 Innovation


Wishing all of the luck and congratulations to this year's other Lending Award finalists!

#bestbrand #innovation #gamechanger #lendingawards #creditstrategy #rewardrate #financialmobility #financialservices #creditrepair #financialeducation

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RewardRate is coming T.O.G.E.T.H.E.R. You know that feeling when you find someone who shares your values, is unshakeably reliable and makes you feel like anything is possible? We've got more than one of these people (and this is only a snapshot of the team)! #RewardRate #customerdriven #lending #financialservices #creditrepair #moneymanagement #personalfinance #creditscore #financialeducation #moneytalks #financialmobility

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Keeping your mind palace flourishing is probably one of the greatest things you can do for yourself. It's easy to let the daily grind of life to distract us from putting the time and work into maintaining our mental health, but it sure can pay off when we do! Why don't you join the RewardRate team in adopting one of these daily, for a week? At the end of it tune into how you're feeling in yourself; have they made you feel even more 'you'?

🧠 Wait until after your morning routine (enjoying a hot cuppa, getting washed and dressed, etc) to check your phone and other devices. Last look at your phone at least an hour before bed.
🧠 Drop a message to one of your pals. Bonus points if it's one who you haven't connected with in a while!
🧠 Have a think about anything that's been causing you discomfort or anxiety. Got debt that's weighing you down? Make a #debt plan of action to gain some control over this (@stepchangecharity are great for this). Something else been bothering you? Think solutions and make steps towards positive change, where you can.
🧠 Move your body in a way that makes your heart sing. Whether it's swimming, a leisurely walk or shaking it off in a kitchen disco - the happy hormones these can bring you are all the same!
🧠 Take a pause before each meal of the day to take five slow, deep breaths. With each one think of something you're grateful for.
🧠 Keep that brain engaged; keep a book, audiobook or podcast handy. If you're tempted to slip into a dopamine-chasing, social media wormhole try swapping it for this, a few times a day, instead.
🧠 Be a little more intentional with your sleep routine (good 💤 can be really transformative). Hit the hay half an hour earlier. Do whatever you can to improve your snooze.
💡
We hope that these enhance your mental wellbeing during this week, and beyond. If you could do with a little more support for your mental health then the friendly folks at the following charities are ready to help:
💡
@mhealthuk
@mindcharity
@samaritanscharity
@calmzone
💡
#WorldMentalHealthDay #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #rewardrate

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APR sure can feel confusing. If you still have questions pop them below and we'll do our best to explain it further!

#whatisAPR #annualpercentagerate #costofborrowing #moneymatters #financetips #financialliteracy #borrowingmoney #financialmobility #RewardRate

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Autumn date night ideas (budget edition) 🍂

1. Have a romantic bonfire in your garden, a local beach or park (if allowed!)🔥Bring cosy blankets, hot chocolate and marshmallows!

2. Hit up the pumpkin patch. Find some chunky ones and have a carving competition 🎃

3. Knock up an autumnal snack platter (we're talking toffee apples and pecan pie-vibes). Nestle up with a spooky film and indulge 👻

4. Create some seasonal art or decorations using pine cones and fiery amber leaves 🍁

5. Fancy an at-home spa day? Massages with a little clove and orange oil will be sure to heat things up 🧖‍♀️

6. Throw yourselves into a hilarious evening of board games and moreish mulled drinks 🍎

7. Wrap up, team up and crash your local pub quiz! 🍻

#autumndates #budgetfriendly #financialmobility #financialwellness #rewardrate

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🌻 Martin Luther King Jr. had a vision of equality for people everywhere. His work leading the civil rights movement left a legacy that continues to propel global civil rights efforts to this day.

🌻 Frederick Douglass: 1817 saw this social reformer, statesman, abolitionist and powerful linguist enter the world. He escaped from slavery and went on to become a leader in the US abolitionist movement, amongst many other things.

🌻 Rosa Parks: an icon of resistance to racial segregation. Her work and legacy span way beyond refusing to give up her seat to a white person on the Cleveland Avenue bus.

🌻 Harriet Tubman; a brave woman and driver of liberation for many. Harriet risked everything to guide hundreds of enslaved people to the freedom they should always have had.

🌻 Malcolm X! A host of Black empowerment movements can trace their roots back to what was born from Malcolm's life and work.

🌻 Madam C. J. Walker is reported to have been the first US, female self-made millionaire. Profits from her Black hair products earned her enough to further many important political and social causes.

🌻 Muhammad Ali, a professional boxer and activist, was one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century.

🌻 Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. When he was signed to the Dodgers it kickstarted the end of racial segregation in the sport.

🌻 Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid activist who served as the first president of South Africa. His government focused on breaking down the legacy of apartheid.

🌻 Marsha P.Johnson was a kaleidoscopic New York character who commanded the attention of everyone around, for her stunning authenticity. Marsha was an activist and entertainer, with a kind heart and an exceptional outlook on life.

📚 Read 'Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!: The Story of the Trans Women of Color Who Made LGBTQ+ History'
📚 Read 'The Road To Freedom', by Harriet Tubman
📚 Read 'The Autobiography of Malcolm X' and 'By Any Means Necessary'
📺 Watch Self Made about Madam C. J. Walker
📚 Check out Frederick Douglass' three (yes, three!) beautifully-written autobiographies

#BHM2022

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It's #pensionawarenessday. Get your ducks in a row and work your way through this checklist!💰 Work out how much you'll likely need each month to live the lifestyle you want

💰 Check your state pension entitlement
💰 Track down your old pensions from previous jobs
💰 Merge all of your old pension pots (if you want to)
💰 Check your current workplace pension
💰 Do the math! Does what you have match what you want to retire with? Are you on track with your savings?
💰 If necessary, make a plan to increase your pension contributions between now and retirement
💰 Take stock of anything else you own of value and count that, e.g. property
💰 Chat to a pension expert, if you need to

Citizens Advice have a great article titled 'Preparing your finances for retirement' to help you out with all of this!

#pension #financialplanning #money #investment #finance #retirementplanning #pensions #stock #jobs #retirement

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There are various ways to mitigate the pension pay gap. Increase your retirement savings by:

🍯 enrolling into a workplace pension, as early in your working life as possible. This can give you extra money from whoever you're working for, as well as tax relief from the government;

🍯 overpaying into your workplace pension before leaving for parental leave, or a career break. Stay opted-in to your pension if you're on maternity leave, as your employer will keep paying into this while you receive statutory maternity pay;

🍯 paying in on no, or a low income. If you're earning between £0-£3600 per year you can still pay £2,880 a year into a pension scheme. For every £8 saved, HMRC will add £2 in tax relief (£720);

🍯 getting those child benefits! You'll only get the full state pension if you’ve paid, or been credited with, National Insurance contributions for 35 years. If you're not in paid work until your kid's 12, you’ll still receive National Insurance credits when you claim Child Benefit.

There's a brilliant Aegon article titled 'Why’s there a gender pay gap in pensions?' that gives the full lowdown on all of this. Find it! Please read and let us know of any pension-optimising changes you plan to make!

🗣️ The suggestions above are likely to change as legislation, taxation law and HMRC practise evolves.

#pensionpaygap #paygap #financialwellness #pension #financialplanning #money #investment #finance #retirementplanning #pensions #stock #jobs #retirementplan #feminism

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Do you find yourself getting caught up in the rush of a cheeky cash-splash? We feel you, and we have your back. When you feel the happy hormones rising as you pull that payment method from your pocket, take a breath and ask yourself these questions before indulging... 🛍️

#RewardRate #financialmobility #spendinghabits #financialhealth #spendingmoneyidonthave #spendinghabits

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Hanukkah sameach - happy Hanukkah! May your celebration be brimming with light, delicious treats and even better company 🕎 #happyhanukkah #chagsameach

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'Tis the season to respect your financial boundaries!
🎄💸
The promise of yuletide cheer sure can be expensive, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be this way. There are plenty of ways to still have a brilliant Christmas, without the hangover of a hefty overdraft or maxed out credit cards. Get clued up on how to throw a thrifty Christmas dinner, gift perfectly affordable presents and enjoy a world of inexpensive festive fun with our merry little blog.
🎄💸
Head to the link in our bio 👉 blog 👉 'How to do Christmas on a budget'. #thriftychristmas #christmasonabudget #budgetchristmas #rewardrate

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Happy New Year! What do your 2023 financial goals look like? Follow us for a wealth of financial wellness tips that could help make your 2023 tops. #RewardRate #financialmobility #moneytalks #personalfinance #financialgoals

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That breezy change felt after making budget home improvements is just 👌

#thriftyhome #homeimprovements #homedecor #interiordesign #onabudget #diy #styleathome #simplehomestyle #rewardrate #budgethomeimprovement #budgethomestyling

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Hands up who gets carried away with their spending sometimes ✋. Here are a bunch of tactics to help you stay that little bit more in control of your cash. #RewardRate #financialeducation #moneymatters #moneytips #financialmobility

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Being self-employed means that you're responsible for paying the right amount of tax and National Insurance for yourself each year. It's super important you submit your tax return and payment on time if you want to avoid HMRC penalties. #Selfemployed folks, how are you getting on with this year's tax return? #selfemployedlife #selfemployedwomen #selfemployment #selfemployedtips #selfemployedtaxes

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We're here to help you get your head around personal finance that little bit more! Follow us for friendly doses of financial education, and let us know what 💷 knowledge you're keen to brush up on 🧠 #RewardRate #creditrepair #moneymanagement #personalfinance #creditscore #financialeducation #moneytalks #financialmobility

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Do you know what financial abuse looks like? Here are some red flags to look out for, and support options if you're experiencing any of them yourself.

#financialabuse #redflags #economicabuse #moneytalks #moneymanagement #personalfinance #creditscore #financialeducation #financialmobility #RewardRate

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Xīnnián kuàilè! Happy Chinese New Year everyone 🐰. If you're celebrating then we hope that it's everything you want it to be and more 🧧. We're willing in a prosperous year ahead, for all of you. #chinesenewyear #lunarnewyear #yearoftherabbit

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Those infatuation butterflies are fluttering all up in your tummy. You're picking playlists that leave you dreaming about where this could go. You're glowing, pal. This feeling's so good that you've brushed off a romance scam red flag, or three.

Late last year, serial romance fraudster, Emmanuel Scotts scammed over £324,000 from four victims in an investment scam. Chances are that something like this won't happen to you, but it's wise to know the signs of a romance fraudster if you're in the dating game.

#financialabuse #scam #financialscam #romancescam #romancefraud #moneytalks #moneymanagement #personalfinance #financialeducation #RewardRate

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Spoiler alert: APR doesn't stand for 'annual price reduction'. 😮 Clue up on a handful of common credit terms with our loan jargon breakdown.

#personalfinanceuk #interest #compoundinterest #APR #loans #consolidation #rewardrate #moneytalks #debt #moneymanagement #financialeducation #moneytipsuk #financialmobility

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Cupid called! He says don't spend more than you can afford today please 💸💕. It sure feels great showing that you care though, whether it's through displays of self, platonic or romantic love. Here are some our finance-friendly Valentine’s ideas to help you have the most heart-busting day. 🫶🏻

#rewardrate #love #budgetvalentines #budgetdateideas #valentinesday #galentines #matedate #selflove #dateideas #nightin #dayout #illustration #pig #pink #hearts #financialeducation #financialmobility

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Here's to the women here (and everywhere else) who fight to make the world a fairer and more equitable place. 💪

🏋️‍♀️ Amelia Earhart was brimming with confidence in her own abilities and potential. She rose above tech issues and prejudice to become the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. Watch ‘Amelia’ with @hilaryswank.

🏋️‍♀️ Ruth Bader Ginsburg worked hard to do the things her mum never had the chance to. She graduated uni as a law professor and spent her life fighting against gender discrimination in the US Supreme Court. Watch the film ‘RBG’ to learn more about this icon.

🏋️‍♀️ Artist, Frida Kahlo is the epitome of authenticity, resilience and living on your own terms. Watch the 2002 ‘Frida’ film with @salmahayek.

🏋️‍♀️ Joy Harjo is an immensely talented musician, performer and writer of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. She said that ‘all poems are little houses. I figure if I can build it nice enough, a spirit will come and live in it’. Read her powerful words in ‘An American Sunrise’.

🏋️‍♀️ Greta Thunberg is a Swedish environmental activist. She challenges world leaders to take action for climate change reduction. She’s also known to many as an autism activist. Watch the moving documentary, ‘I Am Greta’.

🏋️‍♀️ Sally Ride became the third woman to fly into space, in 1983 with NASA. She's the first astronaut known to have openly identified as LGBTQ+. Watch ‘Honoring Sally: Tam O'Shaughnessy Aboard the R/V Sally Ride’ on YouTube.

🏋️‍♀️ Marie Curie was a Polish-French woman with a thirst for learning. This helped her to transform the treatment of cancer, with her discovery of polonium and radium. Her work continues to save lives today. Watch ‘The Genius of Marie Curie: The Woman Who Lit Up the World'.

🏋️‍♀️ Rosa Parks’ boldness in refusing to give up her seat on that bus in 1955 inspired people to stand up for themselves, at a time when it wasn’t very safe to do so. Read the Little People, BIG DREAMS book on Rosa Parks with your kids.

🏋️‍♀️ Malala Yousafzai is an activist for girls’ right to education. She advocates for girls to be able to learn and, in turn, influence the world. Watch the documentary, ‘He Named Me Malala’.

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When you apply for credit, reputable lenders will request to run an affordability check.

💷 What is an affordability check? 💷

An affordability check gives the lender a secure, read-only view of your bank statements. This helps them to understand your finances and whether the loan repayments are affordable for you. This process is sometimes referred to as 'Open Banking'.

#RewardRate #financialwellness #financialmobility #financialeducation #budgeting #personalfinanceuk #moneymanagement #financialeducation #moneytipsuk #loan #openbanking #affordabilitycheck

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Massive ‘high five' to all of you who’ve been upping your recycling game this year; keep it up! We have our own personal recycling initiatives (as well as wider business ones) here at RewardRate HQ. Here’s a mix of recycling improvements we’ve been making between us (feel free to pinch them for yourself):

♻️ Buying products with minimal packaging whenever possible.
♻️ Reusing plastic containers. It’s spring and we have our kitchen counter seedlings in pre-loved yoghurt pots 🌱.
♻️ Actually remembering our reusable plastic bags when hitting up the supermarket (at least most of the time).
♻️ Using reusable cups for hot drinks. We massively approve of bringing a great mug from home and using that at work. Tea tastes better in a cup you love (straight fact). ☕
♻️ We’ve found out where to recycle tyres, oil, paint, lightbulbs and batteries locally and in safe ways.
♻️ Our writer has taken her composting to the next level with a worm farm. She was counting them at first, but they multiplied fast and she had to give up. 🐛

Hit us with your own recycling improvements in the comments!

@‌globalrecyclingday

#globalrecyclingday #recycling #recyclingideas #rewardrate #plasticrecycling

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If you've ever been in a place where debt has started to overwhelm you then you might understand the temptation to ignore it altogether. This can eventually make it harder in the longer run to manage your debt. We've pulled together a little list of things to consider if you're feeling this way, so you don't have to.

#personalfinanceuk #loans #consolidation #debtconsolidation #rewardrate #moneytalks #debt #moneymanagement #financialeducation #moneytipsuk #financialmobility #moneymatters #creditscore #debtmanagement #debtawarenessweek

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It’s been such a joy sharing educational financial information and support with you. Thanks
for being part of our budding RewardRate community.

#RewardRate #financialmobility #financialeducation @claerb @stepchangecharity @turn2us_org











Cathleen Malone
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