Personal Finance

We've never been in financial trouble or hardship, but have picked up some useful pointers in a few specialised areas.

Money Transfers

One of these is How to Wire Money Across the Atlantic. It certainly isn't straightforward, and don't expect anyone to help - even those you're paying for the service.

Tax Credits

We also hope to put up some pointers on Tax Credits, which were introduced in 2003 and have been criticised ever since. The biggest problem was initially getting through to the helpline, and later on the system managed to make mistakes if circumstances changed. All in all, a bit of a mess, with some people getting nothing when they needed it, and others getting far more than they were entitled to (but having to pay it back of course!).

Mortgages

We certainly aren't mortgage experts, but we are happy with our choices made and would like to explain the rationale behind our decisions.

Savings

Saving money is very important, but do we do it enough? Probably not. No channel data

Easy Access Childrens Accounts

[07 Dec 2011]

NB: This is about bank accounts that children can use themselves, not long-termsaving vehicles for babies, etc.
Let's look at our requirements ...

Junior ISA: yet another Piggy Bank for the Little Darlings

[19 Nov 2011]

Governments of recent years have fallen over themselves to "be seen" to encourage saving from a young age. Children's accounts have always ...

Next-Day Standard Bank Transfers from 2012

[20 Oct 2011]

Things are about to change when you make electronic payments.  These changes affect all sterling and foreign electronic payments within the ...

National Savings Index-Linked Certificates

[14 May 2011]

If you are a UK taxpayer then you will want to take a look at the new National Savings certificates that promise to match or beat the RPI (retail ...

Mis-sold PPI (Payment Protection Insurance)

[20 Jan 2005]

It is all to easy for a finance agreement to have payment protection insurance slipped into the figures without anyone noticing. In this repayment ...

Is there such a thing as a Free Credit Score?

[10 Apr 2011]

If you want to find out your credit score, you generally have to pay for it. Information about you, held by companies such as Experian, is used ...

Borrowing: Pay Monthly or Pay Lump Sum?

[26 Mar 2011]

The scenario is this: You need to buy a computer for £1000, but don't have the money. Somebody agrees to lend you the money, and you have ...

Is BP a safe investment?

[15 Jan 2011]

Now that BP is agreeing a share swap with Russian state-owned oil company Rosneft, should investors be worried? Russia has a checkered history ...

Check your Personal Credit Score

[23 Dec 2010]

If you are having trouble getting approved for a credit card, or had your application for a current account turned down, then you are probably ...

How to choose high-income stocks

[01 Dec 2010]

There are two key measures when calculating how suitable a company stock may be for income: Dividend yield: the % return a company pays out ...

Finance Companies: who's complaining?

[13 Sep 2010]

Here is a table of the banks and other financial institutions that most people are complaining to the financial onbudsman about. Read their ...

Green Shoots of Recovery

[07 May 2009]

This Bonsai went through a spell of complete neglect, and only a massive injection of water allowed it to start sprouting the smallest shoots ...

ING Direct Savings Deal

[16 Oct 2008]

ING Direct has agreed to take over the deposits and accounts of almost 200000 UK savers, from two banks: Kaupthing Edge and Heritable Bank. ...

An Inconvenient Financial Truth

[22 Sep 2008]

Peter Hargreaves, Chief Executive of discount broker firm Hargreaves Lansdown, has his say on who bears responsibility for the recent and sudden ...

Investing in Oil

[24 Jun 2008]

Where to invest for making the most of the surge in crude oil prices, and to mitigate the extra expense in buying home heating oil? Sectors ...

» 1 » 2

Recent Updates:

04 Feb : Dodgy connection? Don't just blame your ISP
01 Feb : Cold weather alerts: be prepared!
29 Jan : How to make a cat tree
27 Jan : Be careful what you view on Facebook
26 Jan : Kittens in pose mode
25 Jan : Let the kittens play!
24 Jan : 22 January 2012: Mistley Cross
19 Jan : Bike Mileage Readings for John's Cyclocross Rides
18 Jan : Mavic Ksyrium SL Wheels
18 Jan : Park Tool Mini Chain Tool
04 Feb : About Us: Julii & John Swindells
04 Feb : Internet Access
01 Feb : Domestic Heating Oil Prices: Know the Market!
29 Jan : Cats
27 Jan : The Social Web
24 Jan : Cycling
19 Jan : My Bike Miles
18 Jan : Sports Gear: Under Test
16 Jan : Road Safety and Motoring
25 Nov : Piano for the Amateur

Latest Comments

Popular Searches: