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Savings & investments

Archives for December 2013

Investing up to £3000 - Please Help
Hi I have around £3000 I would like to invest and am undecided as to where the best place would be invest it. I am prepared to take a bit of a risk and have heard of stocks and shares ISA's but dont know enough about them. I would really appreciate some help and advice as that would be much appreciated. Thanks
Short-ish term £70k investment
Hello I would be really grateful for some advice. We have recently sold our house. We have around £60k in equity, currently in cash in a current account. We also have £11k in shares from a previous employer, £10k in savings, in an straightforward savings account, £750 (at time of issue) of Royal Mail shares, and probably…
Pay rise - what to do with it?
Hi all, I've been a lurker on these forums for ages, and have finally created an account to ask a question that has been bothering me for the last few months! I'm in my late twenties, and I'm not great with money but over the last two years I've been getting better. I'm slowly paying off a credit card bill of around £4000…
Nationwide Current Account
Hi, I'm new to this and want to throw this question open to the floor. My daughter has £3000 saved for Uni but does not need the money for 12 months. I want to maximise her savings and have seen that the Nationwide is offering 5% on £2500 for a 1 yr term providing £1000 is paid in each month. My question is - is it ok to…
Analysts' opinions
I've always avoided buying when an equity is bogged down with buy ratings, and similarly feel mildly encouraged when I see ranks of the wise shrieking "sell!" Meta analysis (analysis of analysts) shows that this is a reasonable attitude to adopt. http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/12/13/wallstpicks.aspx
Santander - Using as savings account ??
Hi All I know i need to pay in £500 month and have two DD. I also plan on keeping balance at £20,000. (limit for 3% AER int) Can i just set up a standing order from my main Nationwide account for £500 each month (say 27th), THEN as soon as it goes in just log in and transfer it back with faster payments ? Also could i open…
Saving in Australia - Best way to get back to the UK?
Hi All, I am currently on assignment working in Australia and will be leaving at the end of 2014. At this point I will have a good amount of savings to bring back to the UK. My question though is what is the best way to transfer it and when? I am concerned by the exchange rate and the predictions for 2014. The way the…
What should we do with £30k
Hi can anybody advise what to do with £30k We have a joint nationwide current account and savings account We intend to pay credit cards off with £5k And use the rest for a house deposit but any ideas on where to put it until we want to use for a deposit ? Thanks in advance
Why would anyone buy a unit trust?
Hi I am researching funds and had a couple in mind. Fund 1 is the Jupiter European (which is a unit trust and has a sell price of 1257.72 pence and a buy price of 1325.07 pence. Fund 2 is the Threadneedle European Select (which is an OEIC and has the same buy and price of 201.39 pence). My question is, why would anybody…
Managed Fund help please
Dear All, Just looking for some help interpreting Investment Fund info as I look to go down this road for the first time. A hypothetical fund I am interested in is available on my share platform. It is listed as a share with a buy/sell price (which I don't fully understand in itself - why isn't a cash investment just…
Fund advice needed for newbie!
Hi All I am new to investing in funds and have bought the HSBC FTSE 250 tracker fund as my first one. The next fund I plan to buy will also invest mainly in UK shares. My objective for this fund is for it to grow steadily over the next 10-15 years. My attitude to risk is actually high but I think this next one I buy should…
Alliance Trust increasing SIPP fee
A heads-up for anyone who has their SIPP with ATS; From next year, their annual fee is increasing from £162 p.a. to £186 p.a. (although apparently they will no longer be making additional specific charges for ad-hoc events... but there's precious few of those for those who carry funds anyway! :) I seem to remember that the…
Shares Isa investment help
Hello, I'm pretty new to all this. I'm husband has been badgering my to use my isa allowance. I want to buy some shares, but I want to buy them in a shares isa. However I also want a fund managed shares isa too. Is it possible to have both? I would like to have control over my own shares, but not have to pay capital gains…
A (really quite long) question about how to structure investments ...
Firstly, Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, and I hope the festive season is treating all you MSE-ers out there well. :beer: Secondly, I have a question about investments, about which I’m hoping people can offer me their thoughts. :) It might initially seem like a query about pensions or retirement planning, but it…
HL platform fees question
Hi, I have a quick question that I'm hoping someone here knows the answer to. I have been investing with Hargreves Lansdown for a little under a year in 1 fund. The platform fee is £2 per month. If I look at the fees options it says I can pay £18 worth of fees via a debit card. Will these fees just continue to accumulate,…
Help with halifax branch only children's savings account
Hi all, My 2 children currently have Passbook Saver accounts with Halifax and the rate is abysmal! I would like to move the money to a Kids Regular Saver but the only problem is my family are currently posted to Cyprus and you can only do this in branch. My question is: would my mum be able to go in branch with their…
£1500 saving..help from a non saver needed
I'm new to this forum...hello :-) and seeking some saving advice. I'm 38, a terrible saver predominantly due to health issues requiring finance, divorce, fairly low paid government wages. I'm remarried with a young daughter whom i save over 100 pound a month for her for when she gets of an age when she is able to make use…
sell or buy to let?
My siblings and I have been left a flat in my father's will. It is worth £160,000 with a £30,000 mortgage left to pay. We decided to sell the flat and invest/save the money until we each reach 25 years of age. Our ages are 24, 21 and 17. The property has been under offer since August. We have just been informed from the…
Saving tips
Hey guys, Can anyone give me any tips on how to save properly and not touch it? We want to start saving for our own house and obviously inbetween things like Christmas, kids birthdays and cars. Any tips welcome. Thank you. xx
Do I borrow or use savings?
Hi not sure if this thread is in the right place moderators please move if need be thanks !. I need a bit of advice. I've been offered a really good deal, husband is a car sales and has taken a part x. Value 16k, can buy for 11k. My car value 6k so need 5k to make up. I have the savings, (have 20k saved) I also have 20k…

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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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