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Savings & investments

Archives for February 2011

AA Internet Saver - bad experience
Thought I'd just warn anyone a touch less wary than myself so no-one gets caught in the bonus trap where rates are ramped up with a bonus - in the case of Internet Extra 2 launched in Jan 2010 a 2.5% bonus on top of 0.5% making 3.0% in total. I opened this in Feb. I admit I wasn't sure, nor was it clarified whether the 12…
Savings account for newborn baby
Hi all, I am looking to start a savings account for my newborn, and add £20/30 a month. What are the accounts with the best interest rates at the moment? What do you recommend?
Child Trust Fund £50
Hi all, Just received a CTF £50 voucher for my newborn. Looking to put this into an account as soon as possible so that it starts gaining interest. What are the best options out there at the moment?
need information about savings accounts on a low income.
I'm after some advice about open a savings account, im the mother of 2 young children, on a low income, and would like to start saving, basically put in what i can, when i can and i want to save for about a year.
Saving for the future - advice
Evening all. I've come to a point in my life where I need to consider saving for the future. I finished uni a year ago and have been in my job for around a year and a half. Within the next 6 months or so the gf and I will hopefully be getting a house together. One of the things we've had to consider is how much money to…
best regular saver
i have just changed from part time to full time and want to put some of the extra money into a regular savings account but am unsure of the best one, or whether there is anything else which would be better. I am looking at putting £400 per month into it. I don't want to tie it up as i would like to get to it incase of…
How do I work the interest rate out
Hi I bought £10000 worth of NSI index linked bonds (the ones that are now not for sale) I bought them in Nov 28 2008 ,They are now worth £10867 .Is this a good return .Also what is the average interest per year in %,so I can compare it to whats arround at the moment Thanks:beer:
HL Loyalty Bonus A/c & Vantage
A couple of weeks ago I noticed I had over £500 in my Loyalty Bonus A/c but when I tried to use it they pointed out that they take out their management fee for holding stocks and shares in an ISA (Max £200 pa). I really only have approx £300. As I have been with them for years I don't feel inclined to check it out. This…
Endowment policy - sell or hold?
My wife has a low start endowment policy - With AVIVA. It has 4 years 7 months to run and has a surrender value (at present) of some £17,000. She pays £60 a month. We don't need the money to pay off a mortgage, and we don't need the life insurance element. For years financial advisers have advised holding because there was…
MSE News: Investment fund sectors to be renamed
This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story: "Funds will no longer be labelled as 'cautious' or 'balanced' as consumers find the terms confusing ..." Read the full story: Investment fund sectors to be renamed
Santander Online Banking down???
Is anybody able to log in to Santander online banking at the moment? I'm finding that when I enter my card number and hit the 'Continue' button it just hangs (eventually followed by an 'Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage'). Is it just me? Thanks
Child Investments - Doomed to a draw full of savings books!
Yet again I am trying to make sense of the Children's Savings market and I can't help feeling that I am going to end up with sooo many different accounts that I am going to lose track of them! The problem is, the top paying accounts don't allow you to deposit more than a small amount on opening the account. Halifax have…
frankfurt stock exchange
If you are looking for a team that can take you public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange contact FSE Listings Inc,and ask for more information. Why should you list on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange? Other than the ability to raise money from a liquid market place, these are some other top reasons: - Increased international…
Commfreefunds.com
anyone invested with this comany? http://www.commfreefunds.com/ sounds good compared to HL for fund investing. DAK think HL will review its commission rebate offers? (i am going to email them and see)
Offset my mortgage or in vest somewhere else?
Hi I am 51 and will soon see one of my endowments mature. Fortunately the shortfall is miniscule and we will receive a cheque for about £41k (out of the expected £43k). My current mortgage will need to be paid off in 4 years so my question is: do I put this £41k against the 3.95% Virgin One mortgage now, thus reducing my…
Trading in Oil - Pennies to Pounds
Hi all, so I started trading in Oil last night (I feel a bit dirty saying that), but it's extremely exciting! I have never done anything like this before but I thought I would give it a go to see how I got on. I've started with a small outlay of just £20.00, enough to cover the deposit and give me enough margin for…
Wedding Savings - Best savings account
I need to save £4000 in 12 months - which is doable (just!!) for our wedding in April 2012. Which is the best savings account with instant access with a high interest? Help?
Retired - Asset 'rich' - Inflation Worries - Advice please
Having raised a couple of general posts I thought it might be better if I spell out my circumstances in detail in the hope that advice might be easier to give. I'm 65, single with no dependants, retired with an 'Index Linked' Company Pension worth £17.5K per year. I'm also in receipt of a State Pension of £5K per year. I…
Just inherited some money ... what to do with it?
Hi! My nan died just over 10 years ago and left me and my sister £10,000. My parents put the money in different accounts and after a 5 year bond 2 years ago put it in premium bonds. Now im 18 I've decided that i wanted control over it myself and seen as the money (which was in my dads name with mine and my sisters money…
To close Tesco Internet Saver
Close by letter or phone? Cant do it online I dont think can you? Need to close my present one and then re apply to get the new 2.70% rate. Has it got to be done by tel, or will they need it in writing? Ill BACS out the bulk of the money first .I cant find anything in the terms and conditions on the Tesco account as to how…

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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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