Phoenix Life initially insisted Fred Ford provide proof he had consulted a financial adviser about his pension, which came with a valuable guaranteed annuity rate, but then backed down. Many savers have complained about having to get expensive or unnecessary financial advice to access their own money, among other gripes including red tape and high charges, prompting the Government to review the rules surrounding its flagship pension freedom reforms. Some of these were intended to protect retirees from making bad decisions or being defrauded, but can also mean more hoops to jump through before cash is released.

China's move to devalue its currency by around 4 per cent has caused convulsions on global financial markets. Stock markets around the world have plunged into the red as confidence has been knocked by the sudden move. We look at what's going on and what it means for investors.

Holidays are an expensive treat, but while you're splashing out on margaritas and dinners,
your empty house could be earning you some serious cash. The average home is worth £69 a night to a holiday renter, quickly mounting up over a two week break.

The pensioners will be kicked out of the three-bedroom coachhouse they have lived in for 15 years - the victims of a horrifying mis-selling scandal that has left them £376,000 in debt. The Financial Ombudsman Service found in their favour but, as the investment they were duped into taking out is so complicated, nothing can be done to help them.

I have been toying with the idea of buying an ordinary garden shed and converting it into an old English style pub, complete with beer tap and dartboard. Would creating one in my garden add value to my house or would people be put off by my creation when I come to sell in the future? Steve Worallo (pictured) converted his shed into a complete pub.

Built in 1937 in the hamlet of Dunkirk, Kent, the RAF radar tower once provided an early-warning system for incoming German attacks throughout World War II. Today the tower, which was listed in 2002, is at the heart of a new fight - between locals who want to keep the radar station as it is, and high-tech computer firms who want to use it to make billions in the stock market.

The price of oil - which is measured in dollars per barrel - is well down on its peak. Back in 2008 it was around $140, and today it's around the $50 mark. But that doesn't mean it's a good investment -when the price first dipped in February, some people predicted it would bounce back to $100 a barrel, but it hasn't.

Peer-to-peer lenders work a bit like an old-fashioned building society. They get money from savers by offering them a rate of interest, and then use that cash to offer loans to borrowers who pay a rate of interest for it. The difference is your savings go directly to a borrower.

The security giant was left reeling after a string of scandals which included bungling its Olympic contract and overcharging the taxpayer over a prisoner-monitoring contract. Now, Ashley Almanza - who took charge of the business after it had been battered by these revelations and has been dismantling the sprawling empire built by eccentric predecessor Nick Buckles - said there was still 'more to do'.

A holding company called Alphabet will house two main divisions. One holds the older revenue-generating parts of Google such as search, advertising, mobile and YouTube.
The second arm, which will be run by Page and Sergey Brin, will house the plethora of ambitious, enterprising or plain wacko ventures that the company is pursuing.

There are some regions where, however, this does not apply, with London's most valuable properties on 'streets' and Scotland's homes in 'closes' carrying the highest prices. Across the UK as a whole, homes on lanes are priced on average at £245,906, which is 22 per cent or £44,600 more than the typical UK house price, at £201,246, according to research for Barclays Mortgages.

Thuggish behaviour behind the wheel is rife, particularly among the drivers of commercial vans, construction industry vehicles and HGVs, which make normal life - in which people do not crash around in metal boxes - a misery in cities, towns and villages across the country on a daily basis. Surely with GPS, SatNav and sensor technology, the capability exists to restrict HGVs to certain routes and roads?

Just as the demand for PPI compensation finally starts to trail off, an even greater mis-selling scandal threatens to engulf Britain's biggest banks. So what have banks done wrong this time, why has it emerged now and will you receive a windfall? Experts have warned the latest twist to the misseling saga could be even greater than PPI.

I've been asked to be an executor - should I do it, what will it entail and am I liable if something goes wrong? Emma Myers, head of wills, probate and lifetime planning for Saga Legal Services, explains the responsibilities of an executor.

'It feels slightly unromantic buying a first home that it's really very hard to get excited about, but it's actually proved very useful.' Our first-time buyer has finally had an offer accepted on a house - a mildewed terraced in a slightly dodgy part of London with an extension that's falling down and assorted rubbish in the garden.

Tim Price reveals why he thinks Asia beats the UK, US and Europe and stands out from the emerging markets, in the latest episode of the Investing Show. This fortnight's show also features Richard Hunter's answers on five questions investors are asking and a look at why the gold price has taken a tumble.

The baby boomer generation needs no introduction but what about those following behind? For the astute investor, tapping into these different generations' behaviours, habits and preferences could open up enticing investment opportunities. Fidelity's Maike Currie takes a look.

Expensive executive and luxury cars packed with sophisticated hi-tech electronic gizmos are being overtaken in the reliability stakes by simpler 'back to basics' budget models from the likes of Skoda and Kia. We reveal the most and least reliable makes.

To clear the average national household debt of £13,000 at 6% interest with a monthly repayment of £100 will take around 17 years. There are, however, plenty of simple ways to make significant savings on your regular spending that could clear your debt - or boost your savings - in less than a year. This is Money's top 50 - updated - money-saving tips may appear light-hearted but are deadly serious.

Choosing the right DIY platform is crucial but a wealth of choice and changes to charges have left many investors scratching their heads. We pick some of the best. We also highlight why investing in an Isa makes sense, as it should protect your hopefully growing investments from tax forever.

Unemployment has increased for the second month in a row, adding weight to the arguments of ratesetters in the lower for longer camp. This follows the outlook for when interest rates will rise shifting forwards slightly to about February 2016 in the recent inflation report.

For many buy-to-let looks an attractive income investment in a time of low rates and stock market volatility. Climbing house prices, rising rents and improving mortgage deals are tempting investors - although they will need a big deposit. Read This is Money's top ten buy-to-let tips

The influence of financial services on the economy is spelled out again as City brokers steal top spot in this year's official list of highest earners. According to the detailed 2014 annual salaries survey, brokers pocketed around 40 times more this year than those at the bottom of the list - the people responsible for keeping children safe on the way to school. Lollipop crossing patrols earned around £3,400.