Personal Finance

Traffic School: Where Smart People Go to Learn About Saving Money

Charli Radke | Posted 08.05.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Charli Radke

If you're eligible for traffic school, you could wind up saving yourself more money than you might think. Of course, you will have to pay the fine for breaking the law, but one of the benefits of taking an online traffic school course is that you will keep your insurance company from ever finding out about your little run-in with the law.

A Queen's Speech for Consumers?

Richard Lloyd | Posted 06.05.2013 | UK Politics
Richard Lloyd

Could Wednesday's Queen's Speech set out the most consumer-friendly parliamentary agenda in years? If it is, it won't be a moment too soon.

How to Keep Divorce Costs Down

Deborah Jeff | Posted 02.05.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Deborah Jeff

Divorce: nasty battles, in-fighting... watching friends or family members going through divorce paints an unenviable emotional, as well as an often ex...

Five Easy Ways to Save Money for the Future

Lauren Razavi | Posted 30.04.2013 | UK Lifestyle
Lauren Razavi

The future is a scary concept. Whether you're a school leaver, the family breadwinner in the prime of your career, or about to enter retirement, it's natural to have concerns about the years to come. Money is the primary area of worry for most people, but there are simple and painless ways to prepare without winning the lottery.

University Is Far From Accessible for All

Danielle Lowe | Posted 17.04.2013 | UK Universities & Education
Danielle Lowe

We are supposed to be proud of our universities, our student living providers and the support that people are given and yet when we need support and care they turn their backs, close their eyes and just put their hand out to collect money.

Brass Not Class - It's Understanding Your Money That Matters

David Royle | Posted 11.04.2013 | UK
David Royle

The British obsession with class has been revisited again, this week with the announcement that we no longer fit into three social classes. Instead we...

Whisky: The 'Alternative Alternative' Investment

David Robertson | Posted 27.03.2013 | UK Lifestyle
David Robertson

Investing in the top 10 performing whiskies from the beginning of 2008 to the end of 2012 would have seen returns of 508%, the top 100 - 306%. They call it liquid gold for a reason.

6 Super-Simple Ways To Stay On Top Of Your Finances (And Stay There)

Posted 18.02.2013 | UK Lifestyle

Whatever your income, staying on top of your finances and making sure every penny counts is an important part of getting your life under control. Whil...

Financial Education Should Be Part of the National Curriculum

Anthony Browne | Posted 08.04.2013 | UK Politics
Anthony Browne

Schools should equip children with intellectual learning and skills for life outside the school gates. One of the most important and practical skills throughout life - and one of the keys to a prosperous adulthood - is the ability to manage money competently.

Bailiff Legislation Is a Waste of Time - And a Mask

Eshaan Akbar | Posted 04.04.2013 | UK Politics
Eshaan Akbar

Enforcement law is notoriously complex, with powers differing on the debt in question and the types of creditors using enforcement officers.

Cost Of Raising Child Soars

PA | Posted 24.01.2013 | UK Lifestyle

The cost of raising a child to the age of 21 has reached £222,000 as parents pay 58% more than a decade ago, according to an annual study. Educati...

Women Better At Saving Then Men

PA | Posted 24.11.2012 | UK

Women are putting around double the proportion of their earnings away in savings compared with men, research has found. Female savers typically hav...

Jessica Elgot

'I Made £50 Profit From A Payday Loan'

HuffingtonPost.com | Jessica Elgot | Posted 13.11.2012 | UK

Payday loans companies charge high late payment fees, interest rates of around 4000% APR, and can push many people deeper into a spiral of debt which ...

Is There Really an Ethical Payday Lender?

Ben Hughes | Posted 29.12.2012 | UK Lifestyle
Ben Hughes

It does not surprise me that the number of people seeking help after getting into trouble with multiple payday loans is also growing. But there is an alternative.

Charlie Thomas

Will We Be Forced To Pay Even More For Banking?

HuffingtonPost.com | Charlie Thomas | Posted 29.08.2012 | UK

Part One of Huffington Post's special report into current accounts and free banking assessed why we had fallen for the fib that banking was free - in ...

Charlie Thomas

How Did A Cheesy Griffin Convince Us Free Banking Existed?

HuffingtonPost.com | Charlie Thomas | Posted 06.09.2012 | UK

Consumer lobbyists Which? hit the headlines this week with its report into what it called the “myth of free banking”. It stated some consumers ...

It's a Complete Myth That Banking is Free

Peter Vicary-Smith | Posted 15.10.2012 | UK
Peter Vicary-Smith

The time for action is now. There must be significant changes to the structure and culture of the banking industry. Only then can we start the long road to restoring public confidence and properly protect consumers from a repeat of the financial crisis.

Why You Can't Stick to a Budget

Julia Kukiewicz | Posted 12.09.2012 | UK Lifestyle
Julia Kukiewicz

We suck at sticking to budgets: I do, you do and so does your mum.

'I Am Very Sorry' Says Natwest Boss As Bank Opens To Sort Out Mess

Posted 24.06.2012 | UK

Branches of NatWest have opened across the country on Sunday for the first time as the bank attempts to clears a massive backlog of payments caused by...

Increasingly Cost and Value-Conscious Clients Will Lead to More Competitive Financial Services Fees

Roland Cross | Posted 24.07.2012 | UK
Roland Cross

'In a world of lower returns and reduced risk, shouldn't fees be lower too?' This was the question posed by Harry Morgan, Thomas Miller Investment, who acted as Chair of a highly distinguished panel of active investors and activist commentators at the Broadgate Mainland/Scottish Investment Operation's fourth breakfast briefing, recently held in the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh.

Escaping the Stigma of Personal Debt

Joanne Wright | Posted 30.05.2012 | UK
Joanne Wright

With the economy remaining sluggish, it is no longer a rarity to see news of closed shops, failed businesses and company administrations. But it isn't just businesses receiving final demands for payment - debt in the UK has become personal. It is said that most of us are only one or two pay packets from bankruptcy.

Government Action Needed to Stop the Squeeze on Parents

Ed Owen | Posted 27.04.2012 | UK Lifestyle
Ed Owen

It's official - childcare costs cripple family budgets and force parents to make impossible financial choices. For too long, the government - both this one and the previous government - have forced costs down onto parents, who are now at breaking point.

Teach School Kids How To Manage Money, MPs Urge

PA | Posted 12.12.2011 | UK Universities & Education

Every child should be taught personal finance as a compulsory part of the school curriculum, a cross-party group of MPs said. After an eight-month ...

Starting a Family? Start Saving Soon

Leeanne Boulton | Posted 31.01.2012 | UK Lifestyle
Leeanne Boulton

Whilst undoubtedly a bundle of joy, babies also require a bundle of cash. Common purchases before the arrival of a baby include a buggy, car seat and clothes which cost expectant parents an average of £2,700 before their child's first birthday.

Is the Mainstream Media Playing an Adequate Role in Informing us on Financial Responsibility?

Jack Peters | Posted 28.01.2012 | UK Lifestyle
Jack Peters

What should I be doing to prepare and reduce the effects of the recession? When I go to the coffee shop should I downgrade from a vente to a grande? Should I abandon the coffee shop altogether as an excessive pleasure and drink granulated coffee at home?