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Savings & investments

Archives for December 2009

Growing a Stagnant Deposit
I have tried to buy a house a couple of times this year and both times the purchase has fallen through. This has been obviously very frustrating and of course financially detrimental as the process as broken down, on both occasions very close to exchange. I have a deposit of about £25,000 but have lost about £2000 because…
Fund Dividends
Hi All, Hopefully someone in the know will be able to explain about dividends to me please? I'm invested in the Invesco Perptual Corporate Bond Inc (with income re-invested) and the income distribution date is 31 Dec (and 30 Jun) with the accounting period ending 31 Oct (and 30 Apr) - does this mean that I will receive…
2010 Who the phuque cares.
Hi peeps, and lurkers, and usual suspects, and shape shifting lizards. I'll even extend a new year best wishes to the goldbugs, even though I do that through gritted teeth. Mrs.D. has drawn down the hammer on me being on line when we have places to go. A happy golden New Year to you all. Much love from DiggerUK, aka…
Investing in the FTSE 100 question
Hi All, Just wanted a quick Sanity check. I've a £1,000 to invest and already filled my ISA. I wanted to invest £1,000 into a share ISA that tracks the FTSE 100. I've read the articles and Best Invest seems to allow £1,000. I need to choose a fund and wanted to check that this is the correct one: HALIFAX UK FTSE 100 INDEX…
How To Start My Investment Portfolio
Hi, I am looking to start my very first invement portfolio (funds inside a S&S ISA). But I am not sure what type of funds I should invest in first, to make the foundations of my porfolio. My main area of interest is BRIC emerging markets but it would make sense not to have 100% of my investment in this area? So what other…
Abbey alert
Has anyone else received this "alert" from Abbey. As yet i have not replied and am inclined not to do so Dear Valued Client Due to a recent security check on Abbey online banking,we require you to confirm your details by clicking on the logon link below LOGON Failure to do this within 48hrs will lead to access suspension…
Birmingham Midshires Tel Accs
I'm just curious to know if anyone has successfully been able to use the automated service without a hitch? I tried again last night to transfer money to my nominated account, and every time I am put through to an operator to make the transaction after indicating letter positions from my password. It may be that the…
Best Short Term Investment
Hi all, I've got a fixed rate bond of £7500 maturing in the next week and have an additional £2500-5000 to invest giving me a total possible of £12500. I'm topped up on my ISAS. I've got 2 or 3 regular savers at a pretty respectable 3-4% also maturing next year I need to have access to it during the 2nd half of 2010 and…
Selling a Sun Life Endowment Plan?
I have 3 years left on a 15 year plan. I'm currently paying in £25 a month (started at £20). But could do with the money now. My last statement (8/2/09) read: Surrender Value of Basic Plan: £2,581.39 Surrender Value of Reversionary Bonuses: £430.20 Total Surrender Value: £3011.59 Are there companies out there that will buy…
Money to invest - What to do??
Hi MSE-ers, Need a bit of advice from you guys as to what to do with some spare cash that I have. I've got around £2k to invest, but not sure where to invest. I'm looking at investing for the medium-term, hopefully 5 years and maybe even longer. The easy option would be an ISA. However, I've been increasingly interested in…
Recommendation for good internet friendly notice savings account
Hi all. Have decided that in 2010 I'm finally going to start saving some money to build up a deposit to buy a property in a year. So far, I've had instant access savings account attached to bank accounts, but have always found that not only were the rates of interest not great, it was far too easy to end up withdrawing the…
QUESTION: Allience and Leicester eSaver issue 2
I've just been trying to transfer money into this account for the first time. My other bank account requires the account number and sort code to transfer to this one. (presumably 8 digit) There's also a box for a ref number. I have: A Sortcode An 11 digit account number (which apparently goes in the ref number box) An 8…
Can I see all of my money in one place?
Hello all, I thought I'd ask everyone here as there's bound to be someone amongst all you knowledgeable folk who can help. Over the years I have attempted to maximise my meagre savings by investing or using ISAs, premium bonds etc and as you will know, it can get pretty damn confusing keeping tabs on where bits of cash are…
Abbey RS: You fixed your monthly contribution!
Hi, last December, I signed up for one of the RS from Abbey. I´ve been paying GBP 250 into the account since then. I made 12 payments of 250 only to realise that I needed to make 13 payments rather than 12. Yes, my fault, I had forgotten about the T&Cs. So I made a 13th payment of 25 (twenty five) quid last night. I went…
Personal long term savings
I am 24 and originally from Edinburgh, my plan had been to buy a flat within the £120-140K price range however because of job security uncertainty I moved to London this year in January. Fortunately in the process I took a huge pay rise. But, since moving here I have discovered that buying somewhere would require a lot…
savings for grandchildren resident in Europe
I want to open some sort of long-term savings account/fund/bond for my 2 little grandsons who live in Germany. (I don't care much what it is as long as the interest rate is good). It should be under my and my daughter's control but we don't need to be able to access it for the forseeable future. The boys are not eligible…
Nat West 2.1% on savings with their credit card
Hi All! Just come of the fone with NatWest call centre, trying to find a reasonable savings product, but with instant access. I've applied for their credit card, which, depending on their (confusing) monthly spend, can give a savings rate of 2.10%. Haven't seen all the 'small print' yet, so until it gets to me, wondered if…
Old Story - 5% gross - semi easy access account
There are quite a few savings account recommeded in this forum. However, I believe the best savings account was missed in 2009, which I mentioned in this forum before: Abbey (Now Santander) First Home Buyer's Saving Account (5%). This account pays 5%, which is better than any other savings account. This is a regular saving…
Investec High5 Account
Hi there, I've decided to invest my hard earned cash with these guys. Any reasons why I shouldn't before I click 'send'? And has anyone else got an account with them? Quite fancy getting my free £50 (am sure someone here will too!) :beer: Thanks, Adam
divorce settlement advise
my divorce will shortly be finalisied and am looking at having £200,000 cash. I have moved in with my new partner and share the costs of rent etc 50/50 we like his place and see no reason to move. any ideas what i should do with the cash settlement as we dont really want to move from his rented place?

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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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