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Savings & investments

Archives for January 2014

Investing in UK funds from abroad
Hello, I left the UK about 3 years ago to work abroad. I still have some money invested in funds with H&L and Bestinvest. I have seen they're both introducing new charges and was thinking to move my funds somewhere else cheaper. The problem is that many - if not - all other platforms seem to require that you are resident…
Selling US Shares, changing $ to £.
I have some US shares that are held in a US based nominee account, I wish to sell these shares and convert the $ to £. Historically I have sold some US shares, taken the proceeds as a $ cheque and then deposited the $ cheque into my sterling UK bank account. However this takes several weeks (typically 8 weeks) to change…
Funds and currency exchange rates
I have a very basic question about funds and exchange rates. I guess part of my problem is a lack of understanding and another part psychology... We all know that the pound is much weaker than it was a few years ago (although it has strengthened slightly recently). We can all argue (and disagree) about what the pound…
Disgraceful Halifax Conduct
MIL, who is 87 and not in the best memory condition, was told by phone that she had to call in and prove her residency status. She's been with Halifax for 20+ years at the same address. My OH told her that was likely a selling ploy as she has £25k+ in a saver and wants to keep that as it is, low interest or not. Duly…
actor £15,000 what do i do?
hey guys, i'm a young self employed actor who's just been given £15,000. what should i do with it. do i get a pension, or an ISA, or any other saving suggestions welcome. I have no need for property and already have one exisiting ISA which matures next year. HELP!!!
Short Term Saving
I am in the middle of moving house and once I do I will be living with the in laws for 4 months, I will then have 130k in equity. I need to know where's the best place to put the money for a half decent return??? I have a bank acc with Natwest
My head hurts post RDR - need help
I currently have a SIPP and an ISA with Hargreaves Lansdown and reading through this forum is getting me more and more confused as to what to do about moving or stopping with them. Snowmans spreedsheet is very informative but the more I look the more I get confused. I would appreciate any advice on what to do, below are my…
Should i cancel multiple empty savings accounts?
Currently i have multiple savings account with a Bank. There are empty in the sense they have £0 balance because i have used them up all. I no longer & don't plan to use these savings account any more. Would it be advisable/sensible to cancel all (most) of them? Would having many £0 balance savings account affect my credit…
information and documents for opening account
Need to move money to new accounts as bonuses come to and end. Found a fixed one year with UBL and IBB which offer a decent rate and are covered by the £85000 guarantee. Looked into application and at least one is asking for name address and telephone number of employer as well as gross salary. Also require original ID,…
Paying off Mortgage but fixed until 2016
Hi I have received some money to pay off my mortgage (£60k) but my fixed rate ends in 2016. I can pay off 10% now but am wondering if it is a) worth putting money into savings account fixed for two years and then paying off mortage OR b) pay the penalty of £3k now and pay off mortgage. How can I calculate which is the best…
Tax free savings while unemployed
Hi, I'm about to stop working in order to be a full time mum. Can I get tax free savings even though my other half is working if we put the savings just in my name or are we linked together for tax purposes (we are married). Thanks Sharon
Regular Investment In Investment Trusts
Hi Was hoping someone out there may have good (or bad) experiences of setting up regular investments in to Investment Trusts. The problem I am coming up against in the different platform providers is that either they don't offer ITs in their Regular Investment account (option) or the ITs they offer are fairly limited. Some…
Help buying an index tracker
Hi, I am investigating buying a tracker, but it's quite confusing. What I want is an index linked tracker that tracks the Ftse 100. The confusing parts I have is, is the service fee seperate from the TER? when I look at funds it also has a buy price and a sell price. How does this work with a tracker? Does anyone have a…
Convert Stocks & Shares ISA to Cash ISA
Hi all, this is my first post on here. I opened a Stocks and Shares ISA late last year so that I could transfer the volume of shares I had into the ISA and sell my shares so that I could utilise my ISA allowance and protect my shares from Capital Gains Tax. I have now sold my shares so I am wondering whether I can convert…
Best Invest announce RDR pricing structure
https://select.bestinvest.co.uk/media/1851771/final_ois_pricing_release.pdf 0.4%pa for ISAs and dealing accounts 0.3% pa for SIPPs Applies across investment types (funds and shares) £7.50 dealing cost for shares £0 dealing cost for funds (lower rate for investments in an account above 250K)
Premium Bonds Paperless
Is it possible to go paperless and continue to have your prizes re-invested into more certificates? Reason I ask, is when I choose paperless it prompts me to enter a bank account for prize payments. Thanks
Short term investment
We are selling our home for approx £300K and will be buying another for about £200K. We may have to rent while we are house hunting. Where should we invest safely to get the best rate with instant access in the meantime?
Stock Share Isa Credit Score
I recently applied for a loan which was well within an affordable amount for my current income and was rejected. I have twice the amount i was attempting to borrow in my stock share ISA so this confused me. At first i thought that the bank may have thought that i was attempting to extend my credit rather than consolidate…
That feel when..
you come to the end of your Santander 123 accounts 1 year period and FlexDirect accounts. This is a true first world problem. Already have BoS, TSB and Lloyds Vantage's maxed out and 2x FD Regular Savers maxed out. Looking at buying a house in the next year or so (or when something nice pops up) and feel a bit stumped on…
How to approach IT
Having looked about ,Ive finally decided to use Bailley Gifford Scottish Mortgage IT for the money Im investing (as an executor) , for my grandchild, in a bare trust. Seems to tick most of my boxes and a low charge . What Im not sure about is quite how to go about it for the best. 5k isnt a big amount ,so IFA would…

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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
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Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
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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
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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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