Learning the
friendly way

We’ve all been here: you land that dream job or get a nice raise, and suddenly your old budget feels unnecessarily restrictive. A few premium subscriptions here, some fancy dinners there, maybe a nicer apartment – before you know it, your higher income somehow feels tighter than before. 

Welcome to lifestyle creep, the subtle way our spending habits expand to match (or exceed) our growing income. It’s real, and it’s out there. Here’s how you can fight back. 

Why it happens

Lifestyle creep isn't just about splurging. Often, it's a series of small, seemingly reasonable upgrades. That €15 lunch delivery doesn't feel extravagant when you're having a hard day, and those €20 fitness classes are justified as a worthwhile investment in your health. 

The problem isn't any single expense, it's how these small changes compound over time, transforming from luxuries into what feel like necessities. And those small expenses can add up dramatically: an extra €50 per week on conveniences means €2,600 per year that could have gone toward retirement, a dream vacation, or your emergency fund. That’s a chunk of change in the end. 

Breaking the cycle

1. Find your motivation

Before making changes, identify why you want to control your spending. Maybe you want to switch careers, start a business, or build an emergency fund. Having a concrete “why” makes it easier to resist those immediate gratifications.

2. Audit your joy

Review your recent expenses and honestly assess which ones truly enhance your life. That streaming service you barely use? The subscription box that sits unopened? These are easy cuts. But don't stop at the obvious – examine everything, including your "necessary" expenses. Sometimes what we think we need is just habit in disguise.

Start doing this weekly, eventually moving up to monthly, until your inner accountant is completely satisfied with where your money is going. The idea here isn’t to strip all joy from your life, it’s merely to streamline it. 

3. Create friction

Make impulse spending harder:

• Remove saved payment information from shopping sites and phone settings
• Unsubscribe from marketing emails
• Establish a 48-hour waiting period for non-essential purchases

4. Address your triggers

Our spending habits are heavily influenced by our environment. Consider:

• Unfollowing social media accounts that trigger spending urges
• Finding free or low-cost alternatives to expensive social activities
• Being honest with friends about your financial situation and goals
• Planning social activities that don't revolve around spending

5. Regular check-ins

Schedule monthly "money dates" with yourself. Review your spending, celebrate wins, and adjust your strategy. Make it enjoyable – pour yourself a drink and put on your favourite record. This isn't about punishment, it's about alignment with your goals.

The mindset shift

Remember that reducing expenses isn't about deprivation, it's about choice and control. You might find that some lifestyle upgrades are worth keeping because they genuinely improve your quality of life. Others might be easy to let go once you realise they're not adding that much value.

The goal isn't to return to living like a college student. Instead, aim to be intentional about which upgrades you keep and which you can live without. This mindful approach to spending helps steer your money toward things that truly matter to you, rather than disappearing into a series of forgettable purchases.

By taking control of lifestyle creep, you're not just saving money – you're buying yourself options, flexibility, and peace of mind. And those are luxuries worth keeping.

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Paying off multiple debts have you feeling like you're swimming upstream? We’re here to change that and help you understand more about strategies like paying off high-interest debt first. 

The first lesson in changing the direction of the current is something many people don't realise: not all debts are created equal. High-interest debts, like credit card balances, can grow quickly and gradually drain your funds. 

In this article, we’ll explore why focusing on high-interest debts first can be a smart move and how it might save you money, helping you become debt-free faster. Whether you’re handling credit cards, personal loans, or other debts, understanding this approach can make a meaningful difference in your financial journey.

Remember, everyone’s finances are different—what works for others may not work for you. While this strategy helps many with debt, consider how it aligns with your own situation. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out to a financial advisor who can offer you a more personalised plan.

Why pay off high-interest debt first?

Understanding high-interest debt and why it’s problematic

High-interest debt includes obligations like credit cards, personal loans, and payday loans. These types of debt tend to carry much higher interest rates than other forms of borrowing, which makes them more costly to manage over time. 

The reason why high-interest debt is such a challenge to many is largely because of the compounding nature of interest. With compounding, interest charges are continually added to the balance, so the debt grows faster than it might seem, even if you're making regular payments.

Imagine you’re dealing with a credit card balance. Every month you don’t pay it off entirely, interest is added not just on the original amount but also on previous interest charges. Similarly, if you have a bank account with fees or overdrafts, those can compound as well. This compounding effect can make debt snowball quickly, which is why high-interest debt can become overwhelming and expensive if not managed carefully.

Benefits of paying off high-interest debt early

1. You could save money on interest payments

One of the biggest advantages of focusing on paying off high-interest debt first is the potential to save money on interest costs. By paying down this debt early, you reduce the amount of time that interest has to build up, which can lead to significant savings. 

Imagine being able to put that saved money toward something meaningful instead, like a vacation or a home improvement project, or just giving your savings a boost.

2. You could free up cash flow

As high-interest debt diminishes, so do your monthly payments. This means you’ll have more flexibility in your budget to direct funds toward other goals, like building an emergency fund, investing, or saving for a major purchase. 

Freeing up cash flow provides you with more control and can help bring your financial goals closer.

3. You could reduce stress and improve your financial well-being

High-interest debt can add a lot of stress, weighing on you each month as the balance seems to accumulate exponentially. By paying it down, you’re not just improving your finances, you’re also giving yourself a much-deserved peace of mind. 

Being proactive about reducing debt can also positively impact your overall well-being, making it easier to focus on the future instead of worrying about the present.

Exploring debt repayment strategies

Now, let's explore two popular methods for tackling multiple debts. While each has its own approach, understanding both can help you make informed decisions about which might align with your specific situation and preferences.

The debt avalanche method

This strategy involves focusing extra payments on the debt with the highest interest rate while maintaining minimum payments on other debts. Once the highest-interest debt is cleared, the focus shifts to the next highest, and so on.

The maths behind this method tends to result in less money paid in interest over time. However, if the highest-interest debts also have large balances, it might take longer to see visible progress, which some find challenging for maintaining momentum.

The debt snowball method

This approach focuses on paying off the smallest debt balance first, regardless of interest rates, while maintaining minimum payments on other debts. As each small debt is cleared, the freed-up money goes toward the next smallest balance.

Many people find this method motivating because it can provide quick wins. Seeing debts disappear entirely, even if they're small, creates a sense of progress that can help maintain enthusiasm for debt repayment. 

While this doesn’t focus on paying off high-interest debt, many people are drawn to (and motivated by) the psychological boost it provides.

Comparing different approaches

Consider this example:

Someone has three debts:

Credit card: £5,000 at 20% interest

Personal loan: £2,000 at 12% interest

Store card: £800 at 15% interest

The avalanche method would target the credit card first (highest interest), while the snowball method would start with the store card (smallest balance).

The avalanche method might save more money in interest payments, but the snowball method could provide faster visible results by eliminating the smaller debts more quickly.

Some find that combining elements of both methods works best for their situation - perhaps focusing on a small, high-interest debt first to experience both the mathematical and psychological benefits.

Remember, choosing a debt repayment strategy is a personal decision that depends on various factors, including financial circumstances and personal motivation style. It’s not a one-size-fits-all type of situation. 

Important factors when considering debt repayment

Remember how we said in the beginning “not all debts are created equal”? Well here’s what we mean: when mapping out your debt repayment plan, there are several key factors that can influence how you choose to prioritise what. Let's explore these elements to better understand how they might affect different financial situations.

Understanding different types of debt 

Debts generally fall into two categories: secured and unsecured: 

• Secured debts, like mortgages and car loans, are tied to specific assets and typically carry lower interest rates. 
• Unsecured debts, such as credit cards and personal loans, usually have higher interest rates because they're not backed by assets.

While a mortgage might have a 5% interest rate compared to a credit card's 20%, this doesn't automatically make it the priority. The secured nature of mortgages and car loans means different considerations come into play, like protecting essential assets that provide housing and transportation.

Looking at personal financial circumstances 

Several factors can influence debt repayment priorities:

• Monthly income stability
• Essential living expenses
• Emergency savings availability
• Other financial obligations

For instance, someone with variable income might prioritise differently than someone with a steady paycheck. Available cash flow after essential expenses also plays a significant role in determining realistic repayment amounts.

Credit score considerations 

Paying off debt can impact your credit score in a few ways: how much credit you use (credit utilisation) and how you manage accounts after repayment. Keeping up with payments, using credit wisely, and making smart account decisions are key to navigating this territory. Since everyone's situation is different, it’s a good idea to get advice from a professional for your best approach.

Making informed choices about debt repayment

High-interest debt can feel like an uphill challenge, but understanding how interest compounds and affects different types of debt can help make repayment feel more manageable. 

Additionally, recognising the weight of high-interest debt gives you a clearer sense of why certain debts may deserve more focus, allowing you to choose a strategy that aligns with both your financial situation and personal approach, whether that means a steady, structured method or motivating quick wins.

Remember, what matters most is taking those first steps and staying consistent with a plan. Everyone’s debt journey is unique, so the key is finding a sustainable plan that helps you move toward greater financial flexibility and peace of mind.

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Ever heard of the "Santa Claus Rally"? Coined by Yale Hirsch and borrowed from traditional market terminology, this phenomenon describes a year-end increase in asset prices, more specifically the last 5 trading days of December and first 2 of January. In the crypto market, there have been 5 Santa Claus Rallies in the last 10 years, while 8 rallies were recorded in the pre-Christmas period from 19 - 25 December. During these rallies, total crypto market capitalisation has seen gains ranging from 0.2% to an impressive 11%.

Let’s explore the validity of this concept, and how it pertains to the crypto markets. 

Pre-Christmas vs. post-Christmas trends

The term "Santa Claus Rally" might sound like wishful thinking, but the numbers tell a more nuanced story. Over the past ten years, the crypto market has demonstrated an interesting pattern of performance during the holiday season, with market capitalisations showing unexpected movements that defy simple predictions.

Interestingly, pre-Christmas Bitcoin rallies (19 to 25 December) were the most frequent, with gains ranging from a modest 0.2% to 13%. 

However, when the BTC market turned bearish, pullbacks were typically more severe after Christmas than before. The largest dip, a wild 21%, occurred in 2017 following the ICO boom. Pre-Christmas declines, meanwhile, were more moderate, with decreases of 6% in 2017 and 1% in 2019.

Years with double rallies

Bitcoin, typically illustrating broader market trends, has delivered equally compelling year-end performances. Over the past decade, it recorded pre-Christmas rallies 8 times, with its standout surge occurring in 2016, with a 13% increase in the week leading up to Christmas and 10% gains post-Christmas.

On the flip side, 2017 marked a dramatic downturn, with Bitcoin's price plunging 21%, highlighting the market's inherent volatility.

Interestingly, only three years (2016, 2020, and 2023) witnessed consistent crypto market gains both before and after Christmas as well as overall in the month of December. Similarly, in 2023, while slight, the crypto market rebounded from bearish territory with gains of 1% before Christmas and 4% after, making a total of 12% gains over the entire month. 

The broader December effect

Zooming out, the month of December paints a more dynamic picture. Half of the past decade saw December-wide market increases ranging from 12% (2023) to a dramatic 47% (2020). 

On the flip side, during bearish Decembers, losses ranged between 4% and 17%.

Bitcoin and the Santa Claus effect

Looking over the numbers, from 2014 to 2023, Bitcoin has seen 5 Santa Claus rallies, peaking at 11% in 2020. However, Bitcoin also faced notable declines, including a dramatic 21% drop in 2017 during the post-Christmas period.

On average, speculating on Bitcoin during Santa Claus rally periods would have yielded modest returns of about 1.3% pre- and post-Christmas. In comparison, holding Bitcoin throughout December delivered a much higher average return of 9.5%, illustrating the variability and inconsistency of the Santa Claus effect.

Takeaway: a mixed bag of opportunities

The Santa Claus Rally remains an inconsistent occurrence in the crypto space. While historical data provides intriguing patterns, traders should approach this trend with cautious optimism, as past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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As the meme coin culture flares, Solana memecoins are stealing the spotlight in the 2024 bull cycle, blending internet culture with fast, low-cost blockchain. These quirky tokens have taken the crypto community by storm, with some skyrocketing almost overnight. 

But their rise isn’t just entertaining, it’s also a testament to the growing influence of community-driven projects and the unique ecosystem Solana offers. Love them or laugh at them, Solana memecoins are proving they’re more than just a joke. Here are the top 10 Solana meme coins of 2024, ranked according to market cap.

1. Bonk (BONK)

Bonk burst onto the scene as Solana's answer to Shiba Inu, timing its launch perfectly during a Solana upswing. With clever airdrops to the community and partnerships across DeFi protocols and NFT projects, Bonk quickly became a sensation, resulting in its hungry Shiba Inu mascot now being a firm icon of the ecosystem. 

Bonk didn’t just join the meme coin craze, it helped define it for Solana, with its success going on to spark a wave of Solana-based meme coins.

2. Dogwifhat (WIF)

Dogwifhat won over the crypto world with its quirky charm: a Shiba Inu in a winter hat. Unlike typical meme coins, it grew organically, fueled by genuine community engagement, with listings on major exchanges cementing its status. 

Considered a cultural sensation with endless memes and spinoffs, its success proves that a relatable concept paired with strong community ties can create real impact (a $2.2b type of impact).

3. Fartcoin (FARTCOIN)

Despite the interestingly-chosen name, Fartcoin has shown pretty impressive market performance as well as significant growth. What began as a joke has grown into a community-driven project with real utility, offering governance and staking features alongside quirky charm and resilience during market dips. 

Drawing on serious investors looking for diversification in the meme coin space, Fartcoin proves that even the most unconventional concepts can find success - when paired with innovative features and, of course, solid community support.

4. Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT)

PNUT, inspired by a heartfelt tribute to Peanut (a beloved pet squirrel lost under controversial circumstances) has seen a meteoric rise. In the last few months of the year, the coin surged by 280% after its Binance listing and the buzz surrounding Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential victory. 

Combining this backstory with its clever branding, solid tokenomics and community rewards programs, the project has seen strong performance and managed to maintain investor confidence. 

5. ai16z (AI16Z)

ai16z cleverly combines two of the hottest trends in crypto - artificial intelligence and meme coins. The project's name plays on the famous venture capital firm a16z, adding a layer of crypto-cultural relevance. 

Its success comes from tapping into the AI buzz while keeping its community engaged with regular updates and developments. By blending humour with a touch of tech relevance, the project has carved out a unique spot in the crowded meme coin market.

6. Popcat (POPCAT)

Popcat rose to fame by tapping into the viral internet meme it's named after. With creative marketing and active social media engagement, it quickly built a loyal community. What makes Popcat unique is its growing ecosystem, featuring NFT integrations and gaming elements. 

Regular updates and strong community involvement from the development team have kept the token relevant and valuable, even during market ups and downs.

7. Baby Doge Coin (BABYDOGE)

Baby Doge Coin capitalised on the success of earlier dog-themed cryptocurrencies while adding its own twist: a "puppy" spin-off of the popular Dogecoin with charitable initiatives. With its adorable branding and mission to spread joy, BABYDOGE focuses on community-driven growth and rewards holders with a deflationary token model. 

Known for supporting dog rescue organisations, it combines playful crypto culture with a cause, appealing to investors and animal lovers alike.

8. Cat In A Dogs World (MEW)

MEW brought a fresh perspective to the meme coin space by playing on the eternal cats versus dogs rivalry in a dog-dominated market. 

The project's clever marketing and positioning helped it stand out among the numerous dog-themed tokens, while its success stems from strong community engagement and a well-executed social media strategy. The project has maintained momentum through regular community events and creative marketing campaigns that play on its unique positioning in the market.

9. Goatseus Maximus (GOAT)

​​Goatseus Maximus, the first AI-generated meme coin, blends classical mythology with meme culture to create a unique identity in the space. Its value is influenced by advancements in AI, offering unique speculative opportunities. 

The project has built a strong following through creative storytelling, solid tokenomics, and active community engagement. With consistent updates, well-executed marketing, and a focus on delivering promised features, the development team has maintained investor confidence and strong community trust.

10. BOOK OF MEME (BOME)

Book of Meme combines the cultural power of memes with blockchain technology, creating a unique "digital meme book." It allows users to contribute to and access a growing archive of memes while fostering an interactive, community-driven ecosystem. 

Its success comes from blending meme culture with token utility, creating a sense of historical significance and building a strong, engaged community. Regular content creation and community involvement have helped maintain interest and value in the token.

That’s a wrap

The success of Solana's top meme coins in 2024 marks a shift in the crypto landscape. Projects like BONK and dogwifhat have shown that meme coins are more than just trends. The key to their success lies in strong community engagement, creative branding, and Solana's technical strengths. 

From charity-driven Baby Doge Coin to AI-powered Goatseus Maximus and unique projects like Cat In A Dogs World, these coins are proving that meme culture and blockchain technology can create lasting value.

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In the Investments’ world, there are winners, and then there are game-changers. Bitcoin has proven to be nothing short of a financial revolution, transforming the dreams of early investors into a staggering reality that has left traditional assets in the dust.

Imagine turning $100 into $26,931 in just a decade. It sounds like a fairy tale, but for some Bitcoin investors, it's been their reality. This digital upstart has not just entered the financial arena – it has completely rewritten the rules of investment.

A look at the numbers

Let's break down the decade-long financial journey:

Traditional assets have followed a predictable path. The S&P 500 delivered a respectable 193.3% return. Gold, the timeless store of value, grew by 125.8%. Government bonds and crude oil? They barely managed to keep pace, with treasuries offering modest returns and oil crawling to a mere 4.3% gain.

Then there's Bitcoin. A digital maverick that laughs in the face of conventional wisdom, delivering a mind-boggling 26,931.1% return. To put this into perspective, every $100 invested in Bitcoin in 2014 would be worth nearly $27,000 today – a return that would make even the most aggressive investors do a double-take.

The rollercoaster of volatility

But this isn't a story of smooth sailing. Bitcoin's journey has been a wild ride of extreme highs and gut-wrenching lows. Its price has wigwagged between $172.15 and $103,679, with dramatic 70% crashes that would admittedly send most investors running for the hills. 

Despite their rocky nature, these four-year cycles, coinciding with Bitcoin halving events, have become legendary in financial circles.

A new asset class dominates

What's truly fascinating is how Bitcoin has defied traditional market correlations. Unlike stocks or gold, which often move in predictable patterns, Bitcoin has danced to its own tune. For years, it moved independently of the S&P 500, only beginning to show some correlation during major economic events like the pandemic.

The performance breakdown:

1. Bitcoin: 26,931.1%
2. S&P 500: 193.3%
3. Gold: 125.8%
4. 10-Year Treasuries: 86.8%
5. Crude Oil: 4.3%

A word of caution

While the numbers are eye-popping, this isn't a call to go all-in on Bitcoin. The asset's volatility is a double-edged sword. Its smaller market cap has allowed for explosive growth, but it also means higher risk. While Bitcoin’s results have been eye-popping, traditional assets like stocks, bonds, and gold continue to offer more stable, predictable returns.

Bitcoin drops the mic

What Bitcoin represents is more than just a financial asset.: it's a testament to the power of innovation, a digital rebellion against traditional financial systems. It challenges our understanding of value, currency, and investment.

As we look to the future, one thing is clear: the investment landscape will never be the same again. Bitcoin has proven that in the world of finance, sometimes the most unlikely contenders can become the most powerful players.

Note: This analysis is based on historical performance data from CoinGecko, tracking Bitcoin and traditional assets from December 2014 to December 2024.

At Tap, adaptability and innovation define everything we do. Operating across the EU, EEA, and the UK, we’ve built a reputation for offering cutting-edge fintech and crypto solutions while continually striving to adapt and innovate in response to evolving regulations. But the road isn’t always smooth—sometimes, regulatory changes demand that we rethink, adapt, and find creative solutions to stay true to our mission.

Today, we’re thrilled to announce the return of XTP token locking for Premium accounts in the UK—a journey that wasn’t without its challenges, but one that reflects our unwavering commitment to our users.

A Challenge Worth Tackling

Last October, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced new regulations aimed at tightening the promotion and distribution of cryptocurrency services. These rules, while important for safeguarding the sector, directly impacted the structure of our Premium accounts. 

For our EU and EEA users, accessing Premium perks like lower fees, higher card spending limits, cashback rewards, and VIP support is as simple as locking a specific amount of XTP tokens for 12 months. For our UK users, regulatory requirements led us to suspend this system to ensure compliance. Determined to continue offering UK users access to our Premium perks, in its place, we introduced a new structure : Premium upgrades through a fixed annual fee paid in GBP.

This interim solution allowed us to continue offering UK users the perks they loved, but it wasn’t the ideal experience we wanted for our community. Restoring XTP locking for the UK became a top priority.

Behind the Scenes: A Year of Dedication and Perseverance

When the change rolled out, many users understandably voiced frustration. Some felt we weren’t doing enough, unaware of the monumental effort happening behind the scenes. The reality? Our team embarked on a year-long journey deeply immersed in research, consultations, and legal review to align our XTP locking system with the regulatory requirements in order to craft a compliant yet user-centric solution.

This wasn’t a quick fix. Every step of the process—from analysing legal frameworks to liaising coordinating with relevant stakeholders required time, expertise, and meticulous attention to detail. We don’t take shortcuts, and we don’t settle for half measures. At Tap, we focus on outcomes, not just promises, we channel our energy into quietly, diligently achieving results.

A Moment of Triumph: The Return of XTP Locking

After a year of hard work, we’re delighted to reintroduce XTP locking for Premium accounts in the UK. This marks a return to the system our users value—one that aligns perfectly with our broader offering across the EU and EEA.

For those who upgraded to Premium with the GBP annual fee, our dedicated support team will personally reach out to personally guide you through your options and ensure a seamless transition. We’re committed to making this process as smooth and rewarding as possible. We’re committed to ensuring this transition is smooth, positive, and tailored to your needs, giving you the best experience possible.

The Road Ahead

This journey is a reminder of what makes Tap unique. We don’t just adapt in the face of complex challenges; we embrace them as opportunities to grow and innovate. We’re proud to bring back a feature that resonates deeply with our community, and we’re more excited than ever about what lies ahead.

We’re proud to bring this chapter full circle and thank every one of our users for their patience and trust. Here’s to the next step forward—together.