Can savings deliver returns and real impact?
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How to earn more on savings - and help the planet
Is it possible to save with returns of up to 4.15 per cent and also make a positive impact on the planet? We’ve reviewed a new app, Shoal, that says it can deliver both.
Shoal, created by Algbra – a certified B Corp - is a new FSCS-protected savings app that lets you put money aside with confidence while supporting projects like renewable energy, clean water, healthcare and green transport.
Behind the scenes, deposits are held with ClearBank and Standard Chartered. For every pound you save, Standard Chartered commits an equivalent amount from its own balance sheet to its sustainable finance portfolio.
You can open a Savings Pot with as little as £1, fix your money for three, six or 12 months, and earn a guaranteed rate (currently up to 4.15 per cent). Through the app’s “impact space,” you can also track the measurable outcomes linked to your deposits – from CO₂ avoided to litres of clean water generated.
We’ve looked into the plus points, drawbacks and sustainability credentials in our full review.
The hidden cost of menopause
Menopause has finally entered mainstream conversation, but its financial impact is still often overlooked.
The gender pay gap and career breaks already leave many women with smaller savings and pensions than men. Rising health costs only add to the pressure, and research from AJ Bell shows one in 25 women reduce their hours because of menopause, while one in 20 stop working altogether.
That loss of income can hit just as women reach their peak earning years. So how can you prepare?
Financial planner Jeannie Boyle at EQ Investors suggests building three pots: short-term cash savings, long-term pensions, and a flexible medium-term fund – often an ISA. That middle pot, she says, is crucial for women in their 40s and 50s, giving more choice if income drops or you need time out.
Menopause may finally be visible in public life. Now it’s time we gave its financial implications the same attention.
Which financial providers are 'Good Eggs'?
When it comes to money, the big question is changing. It’s no longer just about how much you earn in returns – but what difference your money makes along the way. More people want their savings, pensions and investments to help build a fairer, greener world, not just line their own pockets.
That’s where the Good Egg mark comes in.
Created by Good With Money, the Good Egg is a seal of approval for financial providers that go beyond business as usual. To earn it, companies undergo a rigorous independent assessment of how they serve both people and planet. It’s proof they’re not just making promises - they’re delivering on them.
So far, the Good Egg has been awarded to organisations including business bank Unity Trust, online pensions provider PensionBee, sustainable bank Triodos, Ecology Building Society, clean energy investment firm Thrive Renewables, and ethical financial advisers EQ Investors, Path Financial and Switchfoot Wealth.
Curious what it takes to be a Good Egg – or whether your company could join them? Find out more here.
Featured guide:
The Good Guide to Financial Wellbeing for Women 2025
For women, money often has to work harder. Lower average pay, smaller pensions, and time out of the workforce to care for others all add up, leaving many with less security just when they need it most.
But the picture isn’t all negative. Studies show that when women invest, they often achieve better long-term results than men. With the right tools, it’s possible to turn those strengths into greater financial freedom.
That’s why we’ve teamed up with EQ Investors to create the Good Guide to Financial Wellbeing for Women - a practical resource to help you build confidence, grow your wealth and take control of your future.
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