Pulling A Sickie For Savings: Brits Plan To 'Catch A Cold' Or 'Food Poisoning' On Black Friday To Snag Deals

Some Brits are reportedly planning to fake illnesses like colds or food poisoning on Black Friday to skip work and grab deals. The trend highlights the lengths people will go to for savings during the annual shopping event. Also, find out Warren Buffett's crucial advice is for parents (no matter their financial status) when it comes to family wealth in today's Money Making Moves: 

> As Black Friday nears, a survey reveals that one in ten Britons plans to call in sick to focus on shopping, with many faking common illnesses to secure the day off. Shoppers are expected to spend over £9 billion nationally, with popular purchases including electronics, clothing, and household essentials, while savvy buyers prepare with saved vouchers and cashback strategies. Experts recommend pre-planning with price comparison tools, wish lists, and membership perks to maximise savings, though scepticism remains about the authenticity of many Black Friday discounts. Reports indicate that most deals may not be as unique as advertised, urging shoppers to stay informed and avoid impulsive spending.

> A ransomware attack on a Starbucks software vendor has disrupted the platform baristas use to view schedules and track hours worked. While the company is addressing the issue with the vendor, store leaders are managing schedules manually, and employees are assured they will be paid for all hours worked. The incident has not impacted customers, and Starbucks cafes remain operational. This comes amid a surge in ransomware attacks in 2024, with over 2,300 incidents reported by mid-year, marking it as one of the worst years for such cybercrimes.

> An Australian Senate committee has supported a bill to ban social media for children under 16 but emphasized that platforms should not require sensitive personal data like passports for age verification. The government plans to trial an age-verification system using biometrics or government IDs, aiming to enforce strict controls, with a progress report due by September 2025. Critics, including independent lawmakers and major tech companies like Google, Meta, TikTok, and X, have raised concerns about rushed legislation, lack of consultation, and potential human rights issues. Despite these criticisms, the Labor government is pushing to pass the bill, backed by the opposition, before the parliamentary year ends.

Katie Charrier turned her personal challenge of finding comfortable, braless loungewear into a unique business idea, creating Jia Loungewear during the pandemic. Combining style and practicality, her designs offer cup coverage without elastic or underwire, making them ideal for anyone seeking both comfort and confidence in shared spaces or quick errands. Beyond product innovation, Charrier is exploring a direct-sales model to empower customers as independent distributors, expanding the brand's reach. Drawing inspiration from her own product, mentorship, and her mother’s resilience, Charrier continues to navigate the demands of family, business growth, and personal development with determination.

Becoming a sports official for local or high school leagues can be a lucrative side gig, with earnings of $500-$600 a month for just two evening games a week. While night shifts can be challenging, weekend leagues provide additional opportunities to officiate. With officials in high demand, the only upfront cost is usually a uniform, and most organizations offer training. This makes it an accessible and rewarding option for sports enthusiasts looking to earn extra income.

> With over a billion hours of YouTube content watched on TVs daily, creators have a major opportunity to engage this growing audience. To optimize for the big screen, creators should analyze TV-specific performance metrics like watch time and average view duration via YouTube Analytics, as TV viewers tend to watch longer sessions. Enhancing video quality with 4K resolution, polished thumbnails, and episodic formats can attract and retain TV viewers, while organizing episodes into playlists encourages binge-watching. Finally, refining the channel page with a clean layout and high-resolution visuals ensures an appealing and professional presentation on large screens. For more tips, check here. 

> Des Healey, a Brighton-based kitchen fitter, lost £75,000 in a sophisticated AI-based crypto scam that misused personal finance expert Martin Lewis’s image and voice to promote a fake Bitcoin investment scheme. The fraudsters used deepfake technology to make the scam appear as a legitimate TV interview, luring Healey through a Facebook ad and manipulating him into investing his entire savings and taking out loans. Healey shared his experience in a BBC interview with Lewis, who expressed distress over scammers exploiting his reputation and highlighted how organized crime targets victims with psychological manipulation. While Healey managed to have some loans canceled after police intervention, he still owes £26,000 and is working with financial authorities to address the fallout.

> Warren Buffett advises parents to let their children read their will before signing it to ensure they understand the logic behind the decisions and responsibilities involved. He emphasizes that discussing estate plans can prevent confusion, jealousy, or family disputes after death. Financial planners agree, noting that these tough but meaningful conversations can strengthen relationships and set realistic expectations about inheritances. However, experts caution that in some cases, withholding certain details may be wiser, particularly if a child has shown financial irresponsibility or immaturity.