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Savings & investments

Archives for May 2013

Save £5k in 5 months?
Hi all, I am a regular on the Old Style Board and pride myself on the ability to make meals etc out of nothing, but I really need to concentrate the mind now as I would really like to be able to be in the position to buy a house at the end of the year. We have a good income each month but somehow, any savings on the…
£74000 savings
Hello, We have £74k in savings across various standard bank accounts. However the interest rates are pretty poor. I recently lost my job and although the wife works we are looking at ways to make this money work for us. It was meant to be a deposit for a new house but due to the current job situation we are going to stay…
Lloyds TSB sent RS payments too early
Although I set up my own RS payments to go out on 1st June, they have already gone through today 31st May, which means 2 payments in a month. Anyone else discovered the same has happened to them?
Invest a lump sum - should I just jump in?
I had a windfall and want to invest it. I read Tim Hale’s book Smarter Investing and want to put it into action. I am going for 75% in equities and 25% split between Commercial Property, Commodities, and Corporate Bonds. One thing the book did not cover was how to start a diversified portfolio with a lump sum. Is it better…
investing in ratesetter and selling out question
Hi I am wanting to invest about a grand in ratesetter but I dont know if I will need the money inthe near future for an unexpected bill, my question is do I invest it in the monthly, 3 year or 5 year market. I know I will be charged 1% by ratesetter to cash out the loans, and I am alson am aware that there is a minimum £10…
I have £55000 to invest...but don't know where/how
Hi, I have £55,000 to invest but am unsure where/how to do this to get a good return. I'm aware investments are risky and am prepared to tie the money up for several (five) years maximum. Can any one recommend any options please? thanks.
Beating inflation by saving overseas
I was just thinking about how low interest rates are at the moment here in the UK and it got me thinking. My other half is from South America and I noticed that the interest rates on savings over there are quite high (circa 9-10 percent). The rate of Inflation over there would eat considerably into the real value of…
TD investing and transfer out
So I opened a TD investing account to get cheap vanguard funds. I opened the account over 14 days ago and it has taken this long and still no direct debit set up. It also appears that vanguard funds are currently unavailable for regular investing. I know this as I have spent much of yesterday and today on the phone trying…
So What's Happened???
FTSE Down another 0.83% as I write this. Down latter part of last week - a big pull up on Monday to be smashed up by a downturn Tuesday. Is this the end of the Bull?:eek: But the Chairman of NG. Buying £150,000 worth of shares after a sharp drop in NG. prices? Why would he do that? Hmmm!
Santander eSaver
My acceptable introductory rate for the eSaver account is ending and will shortly be a derisory 0.5% in a few weeks. I'm due for a meeting shortly with them to see what they suggest - anyone in a similar situation, what did Santander suggest?
buy2let cars
any thoughts on this investment ? http://www.buy2letcars.com/
Stock brokers' fees
Hi I’ve been advised to sign up with a particular stock broker for an execution-only service. Their management fees are 0.25% of the portfolio value annually, plus dealing charges of 1% for a consideration up to £20,000, 0.75% for the next £40,000 and 0.5% thereafter (minimum charge £40). I'm assuming this means that…
HL gone downhill since going public
Since HL listed on the stockmarket the service has gone downhill. Now when I ring up I get surly staff who think they know better. One day I queried why my dividend was not showing at 2pm on the day of payment only to be told that I bought the shares so recently that I didn't qualify for that dividend, I took great delight…
Best account for £60k
Hi all, Need some advice. I have £60k set aside for home improvements and living costs for the next 5yrs. I need to be able to get at this money anytime but also need a decent interest rate (3%+). Any thoughts much appreciated, Cheers :)
R40 refund delay
I am dealing with an R40 refund (tax on savings and investments) for someone. HMRC wrote stating they are awaiting pay and tax details from a Prudential annuity. A P60 has been sent, but not to HMRC as Prudential now use Real Time Information (RTI) every time a payment is made. Has anyone else experienced delays as a…
Experian Down 59%
I was quite shocked this morning to see Experian Down so much together with a number of other equities
NS&I certs maturing
Just got the letter, not got long to think about it. Basically can chuck them away for another 3 years but it's something like RPI (or is it now CPI?) + 0.2% or something.... I don't even know what the current rate is, I'm totally out of touch. Basically.. has anybody gone ahead and renewed theirs - worth it? Put £11k in 3…
National Grid and Utility companies
National Grid was one of the biggest losers on the market today. It's been a strong performing share all year and it's approaching ex-dividend next Wednesday usually a time when shares rise or stay solid. Tonight new legislation was announced with immediate effect regarding the tax rules of companies predominantly in the…
What age?
I was just wondering at what age did everyone start saving? I've been reading posts trying to gain knowledge and I see that some people have,what I would consider as, huge savings. My husband and I aren't exactly old but we're no spring chickens either so I just feel a bit stupid for not thinking about it earlier when I…
Investment Advice Please
I have roughly £20k in savings which i'm hoping will help me make my next step up the property ladder in the next 1-3 years. I currently have some in an ISA and some in a savings account. I'm looking to get the most out of my money while i'm still saving, and if I could get some income and some capital growth that would be…

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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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