Nic Cicutti

I’m a big fan of German discount supermarkets. They offer superb value for money, as long as you’re willing to compromise on a reduced product choice and occasional wobbles over the quality of its fresh fruit and veg. Nic Cicutti – Illustration by Dan Murrell One of the best things my preferred store has is an app that you open as you go in. It tells you about the additional discounts on offer during that visit.

How is it that whenever you think Labour Treasury ministers couldn’t possibly come up with a more stupid idea than the previous time they opened their mouths, they go and prove you wrong? Nic Cicutti – Illustration by Dan Murrell Yes, I know this sounds harsh. And, ironically, most Money Marketing readers who initially read the opening paragraph with a sense of glee at yet another potential dissection of Labour’s many faults will actually agree with ministers on the subject raised in this column.

Over many years of working as a financial writer, the one lesson I’ve learned is never to tout any investment as the best thing since sliced bread. It will only come back to bite you on the bum. I wonder of the same applies in reverse, for example to those of us who from time to time warn about the dangers of investing in cryptocurrencies – and then watch from the sidelines as they continue to rise exponentially in value, albeit with occasional reversals.