Previous articles in Money
Best deals on tax-free ISAs
Savers have less than three weeks to use their Isa allowances before the end of the tax year on 5 April; those who have already taken out a tax-free account for 2009/10 should also consider switching older Isas to improve returns.March 2010
Offsetting your mortgage
With the base rate at 0.5 per cent for a year, offset mortgages are a tax-efficient way to squeeze more value from savings.March 2010
Money saving deals
Free house price tools - value a property; new restaurant vouchers including: two-for-one offers at Strada, Caffe Uno and Ha Ha, plus 50 per cent off at La Tasca; 5.9% savings equivalent for basic rate taxpayers; get a £15 iTunes giftcard for £10; Loft insulation: £5 for three DIY rolls, £99 per house installed.March 2010
Cut household water bills
Household water bills in the capital will generally rise by a few pounds from 1 April 2010, with Thames Water's 2010/11 charges up an average of 1.3 per cent to £303.March 2010
Cheaper home insurance
Home insurance premiums have risen 10 per cent in a year, so it’s more important than ever to shop around when renewing policies.February 2010
Protect against fuel price hikes
Worried about the rising cost of petrol or home heating oil? A new "risk management" service offers protection against price hikes.Read more...
February 2010
Comparing the comparison sites
If it is big-ticket bargains in homeware you are after, then there are a number of money -saving and price comparison sites you should know about that will save you time and money.Read more...
February 2010
Playing the 0-per-cent game
Still in debt from Christmas? Switching your debt to a nought per cent card could save up to hundreds of pounds in interest charges.Read more...
February 2010
Keeping energy costs down
The recent big freeze added an estimated £100-plus to the average home’s winter fuel bill. You may be able to save hundreds of pounds in future by switching to a cheaper energy supplier.Read more...
January 2010
Keep tax down
With the 31 January deadline for filing 2008-9 tax returns fast approaching, landlords and the self-employed can cut their tax bills with a range of property expenses.Read more...
January 2010
£400 to scrap your old boiler
Hurry if you want the £400 off a new boiler under the boiler scrappage scheme: four million homes could qualify but there is only enough cash for 125,000, so you have to register early.Read more...
January 2010
Keep mortgage costs down
Many thousands of existing borrowers will see their standard variable rates (SVRs) rise, brokers predict. Lenders can change their SVRs at any time, and some have already increased them. More attractive remortgage deals are emerging which could offer savings of hundreds of pounds a month.Read more...
December 2009
Property recovery funds
With buy-to-let finance harder to obtain these days, investors looking to take advantage of reduced house prices may be tempted by property “recovery” funds.Read more...
December 2009
Credit-crunch Christmas
Credit cards generally give a few weeks to clear the bill for new purchases before starting to charge interest - but some offer interest-free for up to a year: a great help at Christmas.Read more...
November 2009
Beating the winter budget
High-end homebuyers and second-property owners may be able to sidestep potential tax threats in the pre-Budget report in December by taking action now.Read more...
November 2009
Home emergency insurance cover
A domestic boiler breaks down every 20 seconds in the UK, often leaving their owners stressed and facing a big unexpected bill.Read more...
November 2009
Make cash from recycling
Turn unwanted or broken electrical items into hard cash by recycling.Read more...
November 2009
Benefit charity in your will
London solicitors are offering to draw up wills for free in return for a donation to charity as part of the annual Will Aid campaign.Read more...
October 2009
Letting your parking space
London homes with off-street parking can earn hundreds of pounds a month letting the space.Read more...
October 2009
Stamp duty holiday ends soon
Homebuyers should move quickly if they want to take advantage of the current stamp duty “holiday” on properties costing between £125,000 and £175,000.Read more...
October 2009
Variable or fixed-rate loan
Borrowers looking for a new mortgage may be better off going for a variable-rate or tracker-style loan rather than a fixed-rate deal, despite the record 0.5 per cent low in Bank of England interest costs.Read more...
October 2009
Turn eco-power into money
Summer may be all but over but saving money can always give you a warm glow. Solar power is becoming more attractive thanks to a new grant of up to £2,500 and "clean energy cashback" scheme.Read more...
September 2009
Cash transfers
Owners and buyers of overseas properties should look to specialist currency transfer services, rather than banks, for competitive exchange rates and savings on a range of other charges.Read more...
September 2009
Ground rents as an investment
Auction firms report brisk sales of “ground rents” - freeholds which pay an annual income and can provide a future windfall.Read more...
September 2009
Students and their money
London remains the most expensive place in the UK to be a university student, underlining the value of seeking out savings wherever possible.Read more...
September 2009
Switching fixed energy tariffs
Summer may seem a strange time to worry about heating and power bills, but experts warn that many thousands of households currently should waste no time in shopping around for a cheaper plan.Read more...
August 2009
Offset mortgages and how they work
This type of mortgage allows homeowners to use their savings to reduce monthly loan costs while keeping full access to their spare money.Read more...
June 2009
How to ‘flip’ like a pro
“Flipping” a home may be at the core of the MPs’ expenses scandal, but remains a good tax wheeze for people who own more than one property.Read more...
June 2009
New ways to help your children buy a home
Take advantage of new mortgage deals designed to help your children buy a home, without having to make a substantial cash gift.Read more...
June 2009
Earn five per cent while saving for your home deposit
With mortgage lenders now commonly requiring large deposits, first-time buyers looking to take advantage of lower property prices need all the help they can get to build up their savings.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
New cheapest line rental; fight back against the banks and get compensation; new restaurant vouchers; top kid’s savings rates; and more.Read more...
March 2010
You are never too old to get a mortgage
Many homeowners are reaching 65 without paying off their mortgages. So what is the maximum age you can remain a borrower?Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
New 50% off home insurance deals: see if you can beat them; earn 5% interest if you save EVERY month: three new top hidden ‘regular savers’ launched; and more.Read more...
March 2010
Cutting the cost of credit
Credit card rates remain high at 18 per cent on average, so it pays to find ways of cutting their cost.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
This week: new cheapest energy tariff for many: £250 cheaper than the average bill; yet another savings boost: now 3.3 per cent AER easy access (min. £1,000); and more.Read more...
March 2010
Euro-homes tax rebate
Britons who own holiday homes on the Continent, which they let out, could be eligible for thousands of pounds in tax rebates.Read more...
March 2010
Profiting from your mortgage
Low borrowing rates mean it could be better to put spare cash in a savings account rather than pay off your mortgage.Read more...
March 2010
Cash in your clutter
Declutterers who give their unwanted goods to certain charity shops can boost the value of these donations, at no cost to themselves, with Gift Aid tax relief.Read more...
March 2010
Online mortgages
Borrowers can pocket commission rebates worth hundreds of pounds by taking out their mortgages through some online brokers.Read more...
March 2010
Home insurance savings
Buying home insurance through a cashback website can give extra savings - you can even get paid up to £100 simply for taking out a policy.Read more...
March 2010
Beat the 0870 phone rip-offs
Packages that include 0870 and 0845 codes for free could take a welcome slice off your monthly bill.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
This week: the top paying instant access savings accounts, find the cheapest rates for travel money, and get 40 per cent off at Yo! Sushi.Read more...
March 2010
How to avoid stamp duty
There are legal ways to avoid stamp duty - and you don’t have to be a “flipping” MP.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
This week: 50% off 200 Hilton hotels worldwide; new discount vouchers at London restaurants; get free ID fraud protection; and more.Read more...
March 2010
How to get cash back when you spend
Credit cards that offer cashback pay shoppers when they spend on their plastic.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
This week: £10 off groceries at Tesco online; meal and wine for two at Brown's for £29; new top 3.26% cash ISA; 50% off contents insurance; plus more.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
This week: new summer sales including Ikea & Debenhams with up to 50% off; new top 2.85% instant access savings; hidden savings on the new iphone; totally free web calls via a 3G mobile; and more.Read more...
March 2010
How to reduce your water bill
Many thousands of homes in the capital could save £100 or more a year by installing a water meter.Read more...
March 2010
How to cut your council tax bill
Many households could help themselves to substantial savings by checking their council tax banding and claiming discounts.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
This week: new top rate fixed savings, lock in at 4.35 per cent for 2 years; free Sky+ and £25 cashback; call home from mobiles at UK call costs when in Europe or Australia this summer; and more.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
Massive new top Cash ISA - minimum 3.5% tax-free; cheapest netbooks: sub-£200 mini laptops; free directory enquiries and trick so it's free from mobiles too; new: Pizza Hut 2for1 and Gordon Ramsay pubs 2 courses for £18; car insurance price war: from £25 auto-cashback to 17% off.March 2010
Money saving deals
New free tool: the ultimate mortgage calculator; cheapest ever broadband - £4 per month; new top cash ISA: 2.75% guaranteed for 18 months; more free cash for bank account switching - up to £100 available.March 2010
Money saving deals
New top deal for shifting debts; code for extra £20 off BA and Virgin; fight unfair parking tickets and clamping; cheapest delivered Valentine's roses £19; with rates diving, are cash ISAs still worth it?Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
Huge cash ISA boost: get 3% AER on past years' money; B&Q 15% off voucher, ASOS and Debenhams 20% codes including sale items; new: instantly compare cheapest MP3 album prices against CDs; De Vere hotels £29: UK 3,000 spring room sale; home insurance price war: battle to give you 'free' contents cover.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
New fee-free 0% for 12 months balance transfer card; get paid £8 to check your credit file; new credit card freebies include £30 M&S, HMV, Boots vouchers; free £10 eye test at Tesco; new rights to fight energy direct debit overcharges; free BT line installation (worth £125).Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
Cheap/free flights, packages, insurance and more; new cheap car insurance system; free £60 three-month WeightWatchers online package; cut credit card costs in four steps and save £100s: January debt special.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
New top online 0% for 15 months on existing debts; American Airlines, BA and Virgin flight sales; flog your old mobile for maximum cash - £100s possible; £15 Moet champers; feed the starving everyday without it costing a penny.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
Amazon's secret bargain basement and other tricks including hidden links with 75-99 per cent OFF bargains; £300-plus saving on gas and electricity is possible now; new shopping discount codes.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
New FREE 40-page MSE remortgage booklet; half-price Champagne; halve the price of Christmas perfume/aftershave; home phone, line rental, broadband £15 per month code.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
Cheapest superfast broadband £11 a month; check if your fixed rate savings are ending; sub-£100 high specification Philips Blu-Ray player; new top FREE antivirus software.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
Get a solicitor-drafted will at low or no cost; Tiscali Sky+ style box, digital TV, broadband and phone line rental for £16.66 per month; free £100, zero per cent overdraft and travel insurance with best-buy account; annual travel insurance with basic winter sports for £28; Pension Credit increase for 100,000s this week.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
Broadband £4 per month the cheapest has got even cheaper; beauty treats including freebies and discounts; new cheapest 7.9% loan; slash cinema costs; £10 half term Travelodge rooms plus Alton Towers 2-for-1, 1p bowling and more.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
Free Amazon £15 gift voucher; plus other credit card freebies; get UK parcels delivered for £7 and beat the postal strikes; new autumn sales including House of Fraser up to 50% off; boiler repairs, parts and labour for £6 per month.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
New top 3.5% fixed cash ISA, plus limit boosted to £5,100 per year for over 50s; one year’s AA cover for £7; or RAC for £8; supermarket savings loophole: boost your Christmas food budget by up to 5%; new cheapest energy tariff - price war rages, a saving of £250 over average price now possible.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
Free sofas, beds, furniture, baby clothes and more: try Freecycle and other giveaway sites; totally free £5 House of Fraser Home giftcard and £5 Ikea voucher; and code for 25% off Family and Friends Railcard - then get 1/3 off rail travel.Read more...
March 2010
More tax-free interest on savings
Millions of savers aged 50 or over can earn extra tax-free interest from next week, following an increase to Individual Savings Account (ISA) limits.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
New top 3.3% AER easy-access savings: highest since base rate dropped to 0.5%; last chance: Direct Line’s car and home insurance sale ends 30 September - quotes last 90 days; plus more.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
The best new bank account deals offer a cash bonus and free travel insurance; the top deal for balance transfers; and cheap broadband.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
Reduce MOT costs; get over five per cent interest on your savings; child trust fund payouts start this week; and savings on petrol prices.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
New 100% safe top savings: get 3.75% FIXED for a year; new negative interest rates on student loans and how to gain; the hidden energy price war: two new tariffs push prices lower.Read more...
March 2010
Letting a room to a lodger
Households across the UK have taken in an extra 600,000 lodgers in the past year to help pay the bills.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
New instant 15% off at B&Q for one week only; new Argos Clearance Bargain Finder: eg £250 off an HD TV; grant grabbing: £1,000s of free cash; and more.Read more...
March 2010
Foreign banks seek British borrowers
Foreign banks, which have already shaken up the UK savings market, are offering mortgage rates as low as 2.5 per cent to British homeowners.Read more...
March 2010
Money saving deals
Repossessed property buying: up to 30% off market values - top sites, auctions and tricks; £150 off Virgin TV, line rental and broadband (effectively £11); savings rates boosted: new top payers - get 3.25% AER easy access or 3.9% fixed for a year.Read more...
March 2010
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