Personal Finance
10 years on - the best and worst of Brown
Published: 06 May 2007
They're regular, but these special savings accounts don't always run like clockwork
Published: 06 May 2007
So when did you last use one? Cheques head for the shredder
Published: 06 May 2007
Is it all take and no give at your bank?
Published: 06 May 2007
Current accounts have barely been out of the headlines recently as hundreds of thousands of people have challenged their banks over "unfair" charges.
Wealth Check: 'We want to save for tomorrow and live for today'
Published: 06 May 2007
The problem:: Stretching the cash to enjoy family life
Esther Shaw: We need more help to kick the store card habit
Published: 06 May 2007
Money News: Final salary plans on way out
Published: 06 May 2007
Half of the generous final salary pension schemes offered by UK companies could close to existing members by 2011, according to new findings from Aon Consulting.
Amateurs too good for the professionals again
Published: 05 May 2007
Barclays works with Oyster's inventors to launch first swipe-only credit card
Published: 05 May 2007
The first "contactless" credit cards will be introduced in Britain later this year, allowing consumers to make payments of £10 or less without having to even remove the card from their wallet.
Questions Of Cash: 'Free policy, but we can't quit the old one'
Published: 05 May 2007
Q. My family has an annual travel insurance policy with Direct Line. Less than a month after we renewed our £136 policy in early February, we received a "free travel insurance policy" as a reward for renewing our home and contents policy. I rang to cancel our existing travel policy and get a pro rata rebate to benefit from the free cover. Direct Line said this was not possible because travel insurance is sold as an annual policy and as we had been away for six days we were not entitled to a rebate. JN, by email
Save money and the environment by taking up cycling
Published: 05 May 2007
Compensation can come at a price
Published: 05 May 2007
Though it's been good to see the bad, old banks getting their comeuppance over extortionate charges during the past few weeks, it's been sad to witness just how quickly the claims farming industry has managed to mobilise itself - ever-enthusiastic at the thought of another financial services "scandal".
How to make a mint from a mouldering Mac
Published: 05 May 2007
Rosie Millard: Thrifty Living
Published: 05 May 2007
Private Investor: They won't hire cars, but they still have to eat
Published: 05 May 2007
The spring clean continues, also known as my "spot the dog" exercise as I clear the portfolio of underperforming shares. When I say "underperforming", I mean stuff that not only hasn't fulfilled expectations, but which also shows no sign of ever doing so.
No Pain, No Gain: New owners tow caravans in promising direction
Published: 05 May 2007
Caravanning can be enjoyable, though I would be surprised if many investors have gained much pleasure from this £1.6bn-a-year activity. Even so, the City's rather indifferent attitude towards the industry, said to be selling around 30,000 caravans and nearly 9,000 motorhomes a year, could be about to change. If it does, the little-known Discover Leisure could claim much of the credit. It only achieved its present shape last year. Yet it already ranks as one of the nation's leading caravan retailers.
Takeover activity has investors flocking in search of windfalls
Published: 05 May 2007
Secrets Of Success: Dismiss hedge funds at your peril
Published: 05 May 2007
In a recent consultation paper, the Financial Services Authority appeared to be opening the way for hedge funds, or more specifically "funds of hedge funds", to become available directly to the private investor. Is this good news, or are investors going to be put at greater risk from possible mis-selling?
Wealth Check: How can I save and stop sinking further into debt?
Published: 05 May 2007
Sarah Jones, from Pinner in north-west London, has been working as a trainee accountant for the last six months. She lives in a shared flat but is finding her income of £19,190 per year only just sufficient to keep her head above water. She is looking forward to a pay increase in September but would like to accumulate some savings before then and avoid sinking further into debt. She expects to purchase her first property in about five years' time and is worried about getting a poor credit rating.
The Week In Review: A perfect marriage for Mothercare
Published: 05 May 2007
The completion of Mothercare's £91m acquisition of Chelsea Stores, whose primary asset is the Early Learning Centre, looks a no-brainer. By the time ELC is making a full contribution in 2008, total group earnings should rise by at least 50 per cent. Despite many benefits of the deal appearing to be in the price already, there is scope to beat forecasts through aggressive expansion.
Esther Shaw: The OFT can growl, but banks will bite back
Published: 29 April 2007
As the Office of Fair Trading announces a formal investigation into current account pricing, the question on everyone's lips is: is this the end of free banking as we know it?
Ask Sindie: How can I find who's king of the investment funds?
Published: 29 April 2007
At last young workers get a better deal
Published: 29 April 2007
High-street banks may be fighting for our current account business, but one group of customers often overlooked is school-leavers heading straight into employment.
Will your cash fill the gap when you see the world?
Published: 29 April 2007
Paid to shop: is that your idea of retail therapy?
Published: 29 April 2007
