Personal finance

  • Just how much is financial advice worth?

    By Merryn Somerset Webb, 06 February, 2012

    A pile of pennies © Shutterstock

    Financial advisers are shocked at how little the public thinks they're worth. But do they do enough to prove it? Merryn Somerset Webb investigates.

  • Equity release is a very pricey subprime loan

    By Merryn Somerset Webb, 27 January, 2012

    Equity release may sound like a great way to unlock some of the value tied-up in your home. But it's far more expensive than you may have realised, says Merryn Somerset Webb - especially when there's a cheaper way of doing it.

  • Should you switch energy suppliers?

    By Merryn Somerset Webb, 20 January, 2012

    Energy suppliers may have taken a chunk out of our bills recently - but we're still paying far more than a year ago, says Merryn Somerset Webb. So, how can you get the best deal?

More Personal finance articles

  • Tax advice of the week: Give your grandchild a bare trust

    06 February, 2012

    A bare trust allows you to earn up to £250,000 tax free for your grandchild through any investment.

  • Tax advice of the week: Take out an offset mortgage

    27 January, 2012

    Offsetting your savings against your mortgage could save you hundreds of pounds in mortgage repayments.

  • Tax advice of the week: Transfer to a foreign bank account

    20 January, 2012

    Capital gains from foreign currency bank accounts will soon be tax free. That's good news for non-doms and holiday home owners.

  • What to consider before you divorce

    By Merryn Somerset Webb, 13 January, 2012

    More divorces are initiated after the Christmas holidays than at any other time of year. And while there’s no such thing as a good divorce, there are ways to make your break up unpleasant rather than downright nasty. Merryn Somerset Webb explains how.

  • Tax advice of the week: Reclaim higher-rate pension tax relief

    13 January, 2012

    Higher-rate taxpayers contributing to pensions should ensure they reclaim the full pension tax relief they’re due.

  • Tax advice of the week: Do away with expense claims

    06 January, 2012

    Avoid all the hassle of reimbursing mountains of employees' expenses receipts by using a 'scale rate payment' instead.

  • How to achieve your New Year resolutions

    By Merryn Somerset Webb, 06 January, 2012

    Another New Year. Another resolution. What should it be this time? Merryn Somerset Webb explains the best way to make sure you stick to your financial resolutions.

  • Tax advice of the week: Plant a seed

    23 December, 2011

    Take advantage of the new seed enterprise investment scheme (SEIS) to save thousands of pounds in capital gains tax.

  • Five last-minute Christmas presents

    By Merryn Somerset Webb, 23 December, 2011

    If you still don't know what to get for that special someone this Christmas, don't panic. Merryn Somerset Webb tips five ideas for last-minute gifts that keep on giving.

  • Should you switch to a fixed-rate mortgage?

    By David Stevenson, 20 December, 2011

    Mortgage interest rates have been steadily climbing in recent months. So, is it time to switch to a fixed-rate mortgage? David Stevenson reports.

  • Tax advice of the week: Donate your art to the nation

    20 December, 2011

    If you're looking to take a chunk out of your income tax bill, consider donating great works of art to the nation.

  • Tax advice of the week: What to transfer to your spouse

    09 December, 2011

    Although many people know that transfers to spouses are tax-free, they often don’t consider how much to transfer. Here’s why they should.

  • The big problem with your pension contributions

    By Bengt Saelensminde, 05 December, 2011

    Delaying starting a pension could cost you a fortune, says Bengt Saelensminde. Here, he gives three tips to help you get the most out of your pension plan.

  • An 'astonishing' new scheme for start-ups

    By James McKeigue, 02 December, 2011

    There weren’t many winners from George Osborne’s autumn statement. Yet hidden among the bad news is an 'astonishing' new tax break for investors - the 'seed enterprise investment scheme'. James McKeigue explains.

  • Tax advice of the week: Beef up your pension

    02 December, 2011

    New guidance on HMRC’s interpretation of the three year ‘carry forward’ pension rule provides an opportunity for investors to make significant additional contributions to their pension scheme.

  • Tax advice of the week: Don’t overlook R&D relief

    25 November, 2011

    Research and development (R&D) relief is often overlooked, but the R&D tax break is worth twice as much as other tax reliefs.

  • Act fast to grab the best bank rates

    By Gemma Swinglehurst, 25 November, 2011

    Gemma Swinglehurst rounds up the week's personal finance news, including the best savings rates around at the moment.

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