Top insurance tips for first-time buyers
Moneywise, April 2011
Taking that first step onto the property ladder can be pretty daunting. With lenders now demanding borrowers jump through all kinds of hoops to secure a mortgage, first-time buyers could be forgiven for devoting all their energy to the task of simply getting a loan
Make sure delayed charges don't damage your credit rating
Moneywise, October 2010
At a recent meeting with my mortgage adviser, she described me as "squeaky clean" on the credit front. And she was right - I've never missed a payment and have never gone over my credit limit
The Site, December 2009
Christmas may be one of the best times of year, but its also one of the most expensive. Budget for the festive season now and avoid panicking when January's credit card bill arrives
Should we really challenge bank charges?
Moneywise, October 2008
Britain is one of the few countries where banking is still free. But the legal battle over banks charges is putting free banking at risk. Maybe we should be careful what we wish for
Don't rely on plastic to keep you afloat abroad
Moneywise, August 2008
We were down to our last few Thai baht when I saw a cash machine. Without a second thought, I put in my card, punched in my pin and waited for the cash to come out. Except it didn't. And neither did my card. My frantic button pushing produced nothing more than a message on the screen telling me to contact my card issuer
So relieved we didn't buy last year
The Guardian, April 5 2008
Like many young couples, my husband and I have spent the past few years saving madly for our first house - and watching prices escalate ever further out of reach. But now we are counting our blessings that our offer we made last year on a one-bed, ex-council flat fell through
Fresh Direction, September 2007
If you're about to start university, you've probably already taken a good hard look at your finances. Hopefully, you'll have organised your loans and bank account, worked out a budget and planned how you're going to stretch your limited funds over the year
guardianweekly.co.uk, April 26 2007
If you're one of the many Britons planning to emigrate, you might assume you'll be glad to leave behind the