ISAs

Is my money safe with an Icelandic bank?

Rebecca Atkinson — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:46:32 +0100

Following the run on Northern Rock in 2007, concerns about the financial stability of banks have been at the forefront of many savers' minds. In the past 12 months, the UK has seen the banking sector undergo some massive changes, inluding two players becoming nationalised, and Alliance & Leicester and HBOS being bought up by rival firms.

Find the right savings account for you

bill — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:02:47 +0100

When it comes to picking a savings account, if you don't get the right deal you might as well keep your coppers in a piggy bank. But with so much choice out there, it can be hard to know which is the right account for you. Rebecca Atkinson looks at your options and reveals some hidden catches to watch out for.

Five saving account catches to watch out for

Rebecca Atkinson — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:56:44 +0100

Nearly 50% of people now use the internet to make financial decisions such as searching for a new savings account, according to research by Nationwide. Yet, despite many of these savers relying on search comparison websites to help them find the top deals, 45% think it is unacceptable that not all the product information (beyond interest rates and terms) are shown.

How do Post Office savings shape up?

Rebecca Atkinson — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:20:24 +0100

Moves by the Irish government to increase the depositor guarantee from economic turmoil will see Post Office savers receive nearly £80,000 of their money protected.

Deal of the week

Rebecca Atkinson — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:31:49 +0100

People with ISA savings from previous years languishing in low interest accounts could cash in with a new variable-rate ISA from Royal Bank of Scotland.

The instant access ISA pays up to 7.25% AER tax-free – but only on balances over £24,000.

Nationwide suspends ISA transfers

Rebecca Atkinson — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:17:04 +0100

Nationwide has temporarily stopped accepting transfers into its cash ISA after a 400% increase in the number of requests.

How to ditch debt and quit borrowing for good

Chris Thomas — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:18:12 +0100

One lesson we’ve learnt from the credit crunch has been how reliant we’ve become on cheap credit - whether a mortgage, overdraft, personal loan, credit or store card. Total UK personal debt hit £1.4 trillion in 2008, according to charity Credit Action, with the average household shouldering £9,052 worth of debt - or £56,708 if you include mortgages.

Juggling saving for a home and an adventure

Chris Thomas — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:56:54 +0100

The Profile

Sally Clayton works as a nurse in a hospital A&E department in London. The 29-year-old earns a salary of £29,000 and takes home £2,000 a month after tax. She lives in nurses’ accommodation and pays £426 a month rent, including council tax and all bills.

Protect your savings from rising inflation

Rebecca Atkinson — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:05:57 +0100

Inflation hit 4.7% in August - more than double its official target - meaning savers face seeing the value of their nest eggs eroded.

High inflation is bad news for consumers, as it has a corrosive impact on buying power. And for savers it means that every pound you put away will not go as far as it once did.

Brits waste £9.3 billion in unnecessary tax

Rebecca Atkinson — Tue, 27 May 2008 17:02:15 +0100

Around £9.3 billion is wasted each year in unnecessary tax, costing each of us an average of £183, new figures reveal.

Analysis of Inland Revenue and other official data – by research firm RAKM – shows that the amount we pay in unnecessary tax has risen by 14% from last year, with 82% of people admitting they have done nothing to reduce their tax payments.