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Savings & investments

Archives for December 2017

How much savings interest and cashback have you earned in 2017?
Hey guys I haven't posted on here in a looong time, but today I was trawling and couldn't find any similar posts so thought I'd start a new thread. How much has everyone managed to accumulate from savings interest, cashback, etc this year? I would be curious to know as I've o my recently start paying attention to my own…
Investing over four years...
So my total investment 'pot' is just under 200,000, and in about four years time I will need to pay off an interest-only mortgage of 55,000. Do I (a) maintain a highly diversified portfolio of equity investments, given that it is likely that at least some sectors will be up when I need the money so that selling to get what…
Bitcoin
Perhaps its stretching this forums title a little; but Bitcoin? I like a gamble, but know nothing about it. Is it all legitimate? Am I supporting the black economy if I buy into it
Rawr_'s Saving Diary
Complex Instruments Appropriateness Test
I have been asked by Jarvis Investment Management Ltd (I have a X-O ISA) to complete a "Complex Instruments Appropriateness Test"(CIAT) because I hold an "investment deemed a complex instrument". This is due to Mifid 11 regulations coming into force on 3/1/18. Jarvis do not explicitly say what my "complex" investment is…
Compound interest conundrum
I could really do with some help if anyone would be so kind... Some savings have matured and I am left with the following options unless I'm missing something else. I have £16500 which could go in a Halifax fixed for 2 years at 1.65 or leave it in the accounts it is currently in (spread across 6 current accounts earning…
31 Dec Annual Rebalance
Anyone else doing their annual review, market risk assessment and rebalance planning today? I decided to stick with VLS80 in my SIPP for another year (partly due to the Halifax VLS trading issue) and have just placed instructions to adjust my workplace scheme (no trade costs and very cheap to hold gilts) so my overall…
Best place for cash?
I am getting my AVC in January. It's about £13000 and I intend to put about £9000 in my two TSB and Tesco accounts to earn 3% from that. Not sure where to put the rest. Possible choices are in my existing S&S ISA or perhaps premium bonds? Any other ideas? Cheers!
child trust fund / ISA
How do child trust funds/ISAs work when the child becomes 18 and can access the money. If I set one up for my son but didn't tell him about it, when he is 18 could I monitor how much he had access to and when? I want to set up some kind of saving account for him if he decides to go to university etc. He has some problems…
iWeb vs Halifax Share Dealing Costs
Hi. I wonder if someone could confirm a couple of points about the costs of using iWeb and Halifax Share Dealing. 1) iWeb costs £5 per trade. I assume - if buying units in (OIECs) funds - this means each time you purchase additional units whether in a fund you already own or a new fund? 2) Halifax costs £12.50 per trade,…
Fidelity Fundsnetwork (through Cavendish) vs Close Brothers Platform
Hi Anyone using/used the Close Brothers platform? Any positive/negative experience dealing with Close Brothers? Is it any good compared to Fidelity's platform...choice of funds, ETFs, ITs...? (Fidelity has 1866 OEIC, 593 UT, 179 IT/ETF, 434 Offshore) In two minds for setting up SIPP. Close Brothers won't even let you view…
VLS not on Halifax SD?
Hi, This has stumped me. A while ago I performed an in-specie transfer of VLS units to Halifax SD. I have so far avoided trading but today I had a look and noticed that VLS series is not in the list of funds available to trade despite them offering the similar VTR series. As such when I click on my holding to sell their…
Bonds when will they be 'normal' again?
Global bonds markets are a traditional component of a portfolio, many of us have moved to cash because of the compression of yield consequent upon various large scale asset purchase programmes (and not just Sovereign debt consider GM, Freddie Mac etc). What are the indictaors that suggest a move back to normalcy? Which…
Investment planning - advice needed (IFA vs DIY)
Towards year end, start reviewing our investment for the New Year. Would like to get some advice from experts! thanks in advance! Background: professional couple mid 30s with good income, three kids under 5 living in London. Our main outgoing is mortgage and childcare, which add up half of our total monthly income. We have…
Bitstamp - Is it Safe?
Hi, I was hoping to buy some Cryptocurrency and Bitstamp was recommended to me. I went to sign up and there are a lot of documents required. Is bitstamp safe and effective to use?
Save for emergency fund or buy new mattress
Our expensive matress has gone mouldy and in reality I'd prefer to buy a new one. I don't have any emergencyfund saved at all and oew my fiancee a lot of money already. Should i put money away in Emergency Fund and try to manage 3 months to save £300+ or buy a new matress then save? How would you do it
Bad time to invest ISA Allowance with high Footsie?
Normally invest my full ISA Allowance at the beginning of the tax year but couldn,t do so until now when the FOOTSIE has closed the year at its high level. Do I just take a punt and go for it , or take out a cash ISA temporarily to use the allowance rather than lose it, and transfer to equities later. With a bigger iSA…
If you had only £1000 spare to invest what would you do?
I have around £1000 I can spare at the moment to start some sort of investment/savings scheme not much I know but plan to add to it over time. What would make decent gains without massive amounts of risk?
Going with Bonkers The Pedigree Pooch or Muttley The Unloved Runt ?
A little while ago on this forum, I came across the term "Bonkers Portfolio" (I can't find the post), which linked through to this article. Long story short, I've found a "spare" £1000 and invested/gambled/thrown away into [FONT=&quot]First State Japan Focus B Hedged Acc GBP (the top performer when I decided to have a…
Small amount for invesment - should i stay with funds or more to shares?
Hello All, I hope everyone's Christmas was great! Just a quick question, i have a small amount invested with HL (£6k at the moment but i will add more over the coming months) in a mixture of funds and i have been told from a friend a friend that i should be moving these into individual stocks (IE HSBC, barclays etc) for a…

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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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