Interest rates are now lower than they have been for decades. That sounds like good news. But the truth is that when it comes to most of our mortgages, personal debt and credit cards, it …
Why interest-rate cuts won’t affect your mortgage
Category: Personal Finance
How to make your loyalty points go further
Most of us have a loyalty card of one form or another that gives us points to spend on purchases. But if you always use these points in store, “stop now and consider whether you …
How to boost your pension
If you’re one of the 85% of private-sector workers who pensions specialist Dr Ros Altman reckons are in ‘defined contribution’ or ‘money purchase’ pension plans, your prospects for a comfy retirement aren’t looking too good …
How to get your hands on some amazing bargains
Most of those of us who fancy a new car this year are just not getting one. A survey out this week showed that 77% of buyers expect the current financial climate to “drastically change …
Get married without breaking the bank
Weddings can be expensive – but they don’t have to be. There are loads of simple ways to cut costs without ruining your big day, says Tessa Williams in The Sunday Telegraph. Cut the cost …
Saving: keep it simple
It’s natural to hate insurers. If we don’t need to call on them, it annoys us that they get to keep our premiums anyway. And if we do need them, we never think they pay …
Why the housing slump could make inheritance tax bills worse
The housing slump could “leave those who inherit property facing huge tax bills”, says Liz Phillips on Thisismoney.co.uk. HM Customs & Excise expects inheritance tax (IHT) due on any “death estate” – the assets of …
Why pension changes will do nothing for most women
Amid the unremitting gloom of collapsing house prices, collapsing currencies and collapsing markets, the government announced some good news last week. Or rather, it said it announced some good news. From now on, said the …
What your job’s worth
The spectre of the dole queue, long forgotten as a feature of British life, has returned to the front pages. Last week we learned that the UK jobless numbers rose at their fastest rate in …
Seven ways to prune your outgoings
Get thrifty in your garden If you buy a large plant for your garden, split it in three “so that you get two or more plants for the price of one in order to fill …