August borrowing came in £3.5bn above forecast with debt interest at its highest August level since 1997, leaving the chancellor with a narrower set of options before the October Budget and households with plenty to think about.
Supermarkets are quietly swapping traditional mackerel for a cheaper, less nutritious species, and consumer campaigners say it is a textbook case of "skimpflation" hitting UK shoppers.
A practical look at how planned budgeting, separate accounts and a little deliberate friction let you enjoy hobbies and digital entertainment without derailing your finances.
