We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More » This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Savings & investments

Archives for January 2009

dont know what to do with savings
Can anybody give any suggestions on what i can do with my savings? i have £50,000 but just dont know what to do for the best. i have a £100,000 mortgage and the goverment own 30% of my house. Is it best to buy the 30% or put a deposit down on my house when i remortgage? so confused?
Long term saving
I would like to know the best place to put away between 10-20 pounds a month for our children. Our daughter has turned eight and we would like to put this amount away, so in 10 years she will have enough cash to either go to uni or get a car. We have no idea where to put it for the safest and best results? Would appreciate…
Early closure of a Fixed Rate Bond .. Possible or Impossible???
I opened a 1 year fixed rate bond a couple of months ago ... Now I am finding, due to totally unforseen circumstances that I need that money. The terms and conditions state that the only time the money can be accessed within that year is due to the death of the holder of that bond. Im just wondering has anyone on this…
Barclays Regular Saver
Evening ladies and gentlemen I'm going to open a regular savers account as I've filled my ISA for this current year (got another regular saver that matures soon and I'll stick the money form that in next years ISA). I was reading the article about regular savers on this site and see that the Barclays account is currently…
Book Costs when buying shares at different prices? Help!
Dear all, I have search the site first but cannot find an answer to a question that is troubling me. 1. If I buy 100 shares at £1 each on day 1, and then buy 100 shares at £2 on day 2, is my book cost for the 200 shares in total £300? 2. If I sell 50 shares on day 3, what is my book cost relating to them? Is it: a. £50 (ie…
First Direct regular saver isa- 7% don't bother
I saw this and was tempted to save up to £300 pm at 7% but, on going to their website it took a little while to become aware that it's only available if you already hold a current account with them or want to open one putting in at least £1500 pm. This condition is not mentioned until you begin your online application.
Why are Alliance and Leicester so slow to clear
I did an electronic transfer on my A & L Account on the 28th Jan from my current account and on my bank statement is shows as going out on the 2nd Feb. I logged on today to the A & L site but this is not showing as pending yet. Is this OK. Is anyone else finding A & L to be very slow as another transfer I did on the 25th…
tesco internet saver application
Hiya everyone Anyone could let me know how long they have had to wait for a new tesco internet saver to open? I made the mistake to use a tesco prepaid envelope instead of my own recorded mail so I dont know if my application was received. I sent my application about 2 weeks ago and when i called them up today they said…
Simple savings question
Hi, Sorry if this is a really simple question, I have had a read at the website, a lot to take in! Basically I am student, I want to save some money up to buy things, a new laptop/PC. The catch is I would like instant access with no penalties on interest, also monthly interest payments instead of annual. Not really sure…
Please help my Dad
Please can you advise my dad he has some money to invest he keeps going round in circles,at the minute he's looking at Barclays,The Defined Returns Plan he has £20,000 to invest but is very worried and doesnt know who to trust.Is this a good investment ,PLEASE HELP HE KEEPS PESTERING ME ,i dont have a clue Thanks
stocks and shares newbie - buying shares online
I want to take a chance on some RBS shares at the moment while they are cheap. I know obviously if they nationalise then they will be worthless but its a gamble i will take. So - as i am new to all this, can someone help. If i set up an account with an online broker, is it quite easy to do. I was thinking of using Hoodless…
Investment ISA
I have an Investment ISA taken out in April 2002. It was taken out with Norwich Union, now Aviva for £7000. My half yearly statement, dated 31/12/2009, Cash in value is now £7234.19 ! My question is should I leave it in for possible market recovery, or cut my losses and take the money! My investments are in Aviva Investors…
Firstsave - any expereice of them
I'm thinking of opening a fixed rate bond but don't really know anything about this bank. Before I go ahead I'd like to hear your experience of them. Thanks in advance
Nationwide e-Savings Question
Hi Guys, I've had a Nationwide e-Savings account since back in July (when it paid a reasonable 5.05% AER). However, with it going down tomorrow to a paltry 1.45% AER, I've decided enough is enough and to move it elsewhere. My question is, since interest is paid annually on 31st March, will I still have to keep a nominal…
I've a stupid question - sorry
I am about to apply for an ISA with Northern Rock, fixed for 3 years 3.5%. I want to move the funds from the current ISA I have with A&L as that is only around 1.5%. I have just over £13500 to move. This includes this years allowance. I know about transferring it properly and have downloaded the correct forms from their…
Guaranteed Investment Account
I have some leaflets in the post today from the Yorkshire Building Society about their Guaranteed Investment Account It guarantees minimim growth of 7% at the end of the 5 year term and up to 50% growth based on potential growth of the FTSE 100 index. Now I've always (in better times) been sceptical of these types of…
Gift Certificate as Investment?
I came across this interesting gift certificate deal while shopping for art posters. At this website called EdgarEmdenGallery.com, one month after you make a purchase, they email you a 10% reward certificate. If it happens to be a gift certificate, and you don’t use it for 90 days, it is automatically canceled and your…
RBS Nationalisation?
I bought some RBS shares earlier this week, now having read some web based stuff and getting a bit confused can anyone tell me what happens to the shares if the govt nationalise RBS?
Advice on mortgage and savings please.
Hello everyone, I'm after some advice please regarding my mortgage and savings, finances etc. Okay, I have approx £13k in savings and have a £700 per month mortgage, I took the mortgage (£115k) out in August 2006 and at that time i thought taking a 5% fixed rate for 5 years was wise.... maybe not so today. Half of the £13k…
another rate cut due next week?
I just saw someone on TV saying there would probably be another rate cut of 1/2% next week. However I shouldn't think the banks would pass this on to savers by now as I should think deposit interest rates have gone as low as they can really.

★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

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.

View All

Savings & investments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free

Savings & investments

Discussion List

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free