Updated 17 March 2025 Taking out a mortgage is a huge decision and it is worth taking time to do your research in order to get the best deal as the mortgage market can be a very complex minefield to wade through with many different types of deals on offer. What is a mortgage broker? […]
Whether you’ve been offered an annuity or you’ve heard the word mentioned and would like to know more about whether one would be right for you, this basic explanation may help you decide. What is an annuity? An annuity is a written agreement between you and an insurance provider that allows you to accumulate funds […]
Everyone has a different opinion on renting vs buying, but which one truly is the best route to take? That depends on so many different factors, it’s impossible to answer in general. But with the proper information, each individual can make an informed decision that best suits their current situation. Buying a home is a […]
Identity theft and credit card fraud is one of the fastest-growing threats to personal finance today. Latest figures for credit card fraud are estimated at around 39% of fraud cases in the UK for 2018 according to Which? magazine. It helps to know what credit fraud is and what you can do if it happens […]
Whilst you may currently be saving for a pension or even have more than one pension, you could be considering the possibility of combining them. If, over the years, you have accumulated more than one pension from different jobs, it can prove difficult in keeping track of them and their performance. When looking at combining […]
If you wanted to cut back the amount of money you are spending on home insurance fees, there are quite a few ways to do so from getting new quotes to changing your security. The lowest price should be your main focus so don’t sit on a plan just because you’ve had it for a […]
Whilst you may not have even thought about a pension, let alone started saving for one, fear not, there’s still plenty of time. No-one knows what the future will hold but what we do know is, if you have sufficient funds available then your options for the future will be open-ended. Life in your 30’s […]
Every year many people make New Year’s resolutions, whether they decide that this year they are going to get more exercise, lose weight or be more money savvy. The problem is that sticking to a New Years resolution can be quite tricky. Sticking to a budget, especially if you are not used to one, can […]
If you are self-employed and looking to make your first move onto the property ladder then you might be concerned that you won’t be able to get a good deal on a mortgage. Whilst it is true that with the removal of self-certification mortgages from the market, due to the number of people who abused […]
There is no denying that having a car can be expensive. However, for the majority of families, having access to a car is a necessity. They may need one to get to work, school, transport children to activities and even do the weekly shop. If you are a multi-car family, then these costs are even […]
When moving in with a new partner, there are lots of factors to take into consideration. One of the main things to talk about are your finances, and you must be both open about how you want to manage them. Moving in together will initially affect your finances as you will be sharing household costs. […]
How much money should you be saving each month? 50% of your wage? £50 a month or nothing until you can afford it? This is a common question that people often ask. It is not a surprise to say that it is wise to save money. However, it could be easier said than done. In an ideal […]
If you have got your eye on the newest hottest gadget available, are ready to upgrade a major appliance or are prepared to stock up on all the Christmas gifts for your deserving friends and family, it’s likely you’re not alone. But, the main question is, should we wait for the black Friday deals or […]
As we are approaching winter, we may start to think about all of the extra costs. These could include Christmas shopping, Christmas holidays, trips out and more. There is so much to fit into such a short time, and it all comes at a cost. Here, we are going to look at a few ways […]
Managed bank accounts are sometimes known as supported banking and they were designed specifically for people who have a poor credit history or for those who have difficulty in managing their money. What a managed bank account does is essentially to take over control of your finances – your incomings and outgoings. They can be […]
Are you suddenly finding it difficult to juggle your finances but are not sure why? Here are some of the warning signs you may have missed which tell you that debt is beginning to overwhelm you. No Money Left at the End of the Month This is a major red flag which should never be […]
Holidays can be pricey, so it is worthwhile beginning any budgeting early so that you have plenty of time to save. A carefully thought out budget that considers all of your day-to-day expenses will show you exactly what spare money you have each month and give you an indication of your ability to save. Price […]
When it comes to credit cards, people can get a little confused. Some people believe that you should really only have the one whilst there are other people who have a number of credit cards. So, which is right? Should you have more than one credit card? Here we take a look at the benefits, […]
You have looked at your income, worked out all your outgoings and carefully compiled a budget that gives you a very clear idea of exactly how much disposable income you have left each month. There is just one problem – you are just halfway through the month and already your careful budget planning seems to […]
If your mortgage is coming to the end of its rate, then before you start looking around there are a couple of things that you should consider doing so that you are fully prepared. Re-mortgaging can require a little work on your part. However, done properly, it can help you to unlock some extra disposable […]