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Over 50s MoneySaving
Archives for December 2013
Discussion List
Computer language.
This computer talk is driving me nuts.:j Memory was something you lost with age. An application was something you completed when looking for a job. A programme was a TV show. A cursor was someone who used foul language. A keyboard was a piano. A web was a spider’s home. A virus was the Flu. A CD was something written on…
Equity release for elderly parent care
Long story so will keep the question short! Parents live in a house worth c£500,000. Father has dementia and now mother very frail following stroke. Need to get 24/7 carers to live in and possibly convert upstairs into a flat. Can we release equity to pay for their care until they die? We are four siblings and this is…
what to write on a christmas card
My SiL has just lost a nephew under in exceptional circumstances and very sudden, I am not sure what to put on her Christmas card. I do not normally send Christmas card to them but have spoken to her many times recently due to other illness in the family. Not even sure that I should send a Christmas card. Any help please.…
Urgent : Gift aid
A note to everyone! A friend was persuaded last year to sign up to gift aid by several local charity shops as she was clearing her house and donating a lot of books and clothes in their stores. Thinking she paid tax, as tax debits showed up on her various share dividends she signed up for several charity shops as being a…
Telephone Con?
On Friday I took a telephone call from a David Wilson, he asked for me personally and said he was working for Tulip Communications. The number he called from was 0030157256231204. He said he was just confirming my recent request to stop all unsolicited calls and that £47 would be taken from my card account shortly and that…
Mortgage ending. Cannot pay the balance
Hi, I have a friend who has a house where he has lived for many years. When his mother died he inherited a half share but in order to remain in the house he had to buy his sibling's share. He took out a mortgage with the Woolwich. There is still £60k outstanding. The house is worth about £170k. The mortgage is to be repaid…
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MSE News
Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.
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