Don’t panic-sell your bonds. Really, don’t. They’re still a fine place for your emergency fund. You can’t lose the capital, and you can withdraw in a day. But stop pretending they’re a great savings account. They’re a lottery ticket with a tax-free prize pool. And the house just slightly changed the odds in its favour.
Are you maxed out at £50,000? Honestly, unless you love the monthly ritual (and Sarah does), you might be better off spreading some cash into a 5% easy-access account while they still exist. But check the small print—easy access rates can vanish overnight.
A final, slightly ironic thought
Sarah will still shake the box. I’ll still check the app. Because the dream of a win is a stubborn thing. And honestly, the odds were always bad. But there was a moment—last summer—when they felt a little less bad. Now? It’s back to the quiet, monthly disappointment. But hey, at least it’s free disappointment. And you can’t put a price on that. (Or, actually, you can—£50,000 at 3.8%.)
Keep your bonds. Enjoy the tiny thrill. But maybe start looking at other options for that £10,000 you have just sitting there. Because April is coming, and the prize pool is shrinking. And Sarah’s maraca might need a retirement plan.
