Personal finance

  • Don't be bullied by credit card companies

    By Ruth Jackson, 17 November, 2009

    cashier swiping a credit card © Bloomberg

    Credit card companies are using people's fear of a bad credit rating to sell products. But don't let them bully you. Ruth Jackson explains how your credit report works, where to get a copy of it for free, and three simple ways to improve your credit rating.

  • Five ways to cut your car insurance premiums

    By Ruth Jackson, 13 November, 2009

    With the cost of car insurance premiums climbing higher year on year, it's more important than ever to get a good deal. Ruth Jackson explains the five ways to ensure you get covered without breaking the bank.

  • Three rules for safe internet shopping

    By Ruth Jackson, 10 November, 2009

    British shoppers spent £4.6bn online in the run-up to Christmas last year. But a third of internet users are still too worried about scams to shop online. But there's no need to be worried, says Ruth Jackson. Just follow these three simple rules for hassle-free online shopping.

More Personal finance articles

  • Tax advice of the week: get IHT right

    20 November, 2009

    Valuing property for inheritance-tax purposes is far from straghtforward. Get it wrong and you face extra tax - and a penalty.

  • How to make sure your savings beat inflation

    By Ruth Jackson, 20 November, 2009

    Inflation is up to 1.5% but the average savings account pays less than 1% interest - so most savings accounts are actually costing you money. Ruth Jackson explains what you should do to make sure you don't lose out.

  • Tax advice of the week: Thirteen CGT-free assets

    13 November, 2009

    Don't forget that some assets escape capital-gains tax, says The Schmidt Report. Here's a reminder of thirteen of the main ones.

  • Which mortgage is best?

    By Ruth Jackson, 06 November, 2009

    Competition in the mortgage market is hotting up, with market-beating new deals from Nationwide and Northern Rock. So should you take advantage? Ruth Jackson looks at the best mortgage deals.

  • Tax advice of the week: Claim pre-incorporation expenses

    06 November, 2009

    If you spend money setting up a business before you have formed a company, the person who runs up the expenses must be the one to claim the tax relief. That's a problem if your company wasn't formed when the expenses were incurred. So what's the solution?

  • The best one-year savings product

    By Ruth Jackson, 03 November, 2009

    There's good news for savers with the launch of a market-beating one-year fixed-rate savings bond from NS&. Plus, Ruth Jackson explains where to find the best Isa rate for your money.

  • How the credit-card changes will affect you

    By Ruth Jackson, 30 October, 2009

    The government is considering tighter rules for credit-card companies in an effort to tackle the nation's £53.9bn of debt. Ruth Jackson looks at the latest proposals and explains how they will affect you.

  • Tax advice of the week: Get a business partner

    30 October, 2009

    If your business is run as a partnership between un-related individuals, you could double the amount of profits that attract corporation tax at just 21%.

  • Watch out – your overdraft rate may be about to rocket

    By Ruth Jackson, 27 October, 2009

    Some bank customers could soon be paying up to 36,500% a year interest on their authorised overdrafts. But there's absolutely no reason to. Ruth Jackson finds the best current accounts, and explains how to reclaim unauthorised bank charges.

  • Tax advice of the week: Claim back VAT on business costs

    23 October, 2009

    If you are VAT-registered, and making VAT-rated sales, then you can claim VAT back on most business-related expenses.

  • Should you switch energy suppliers?

    By Ruth Jackson, 23 October, 2009

    With the clocks going back, winter is only round the corner. That inevitably means higher energy bills. So can switching save you money, and which suppliers offer the best deal? Ruth Jackson investigates.

  • How to beat supermarket savings deals

    By Ruth Jackson, 20 October, 2009

    Britain's supermarkets have begun their assault on the high street banks by rebranding and expanding their financial arms. But are their products any good? Ruth Jackson investigates what supermarket banks have to offer, and how to beat their savings deals.

  • Homeowners may be due a windfall

    By Ruth Jackson, 16 October, 2009

    Over a million homeowners may be due a mini-windfall after the Financial Services Authority ruled that banks and insurers had acted unfairly over mortgage insurance policies.

  • Tax advice of the week: Go freelance

    16 October, 2009

    With the advent of the new 50% top rate of income tax, there are good reasons for becoming self-employed.

  • Time to top up your pension

    By Ruth Jackson, 16 October, 2009

    Pensions hit the headlines again recently when the Shadow Chancellor announced that a Tory government would raise the state pension age. Those still planning to retire at 65 will need to act soon if the Conservatives have their way. Here's what to do.

  • Three easy ways to improve your finances

    By Ruth Jackson, 13 October, 2009

    Finding the time and energy to sort out your personal finances can be hard work. But managing your money needn't be a struggle. Ruth Jackson explains how you can tackle your finances in just one week by taking ten minutes a day out of your lunch hour.

  • Tax advice of the week: Shield more with a bare trust

    09 October, 2009

    If you have children under 18 and are expecting to make capital gains on any investments, consider setting up a bare trust.

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