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Savings & investments

Archives for September 2019

Best digital investment apps for small-time investors
I,m considering using one of the digital platforms to start investing in a small way. Can anyone advise on what I need to consider when choosing one? To date I have been looking at Nutmeg , Plum and Money Box
£350K down the swanny
Here's a sad tale about someone who thought they should DIY their investment, even though they had no prior investment knowledge. https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/money/scam-money-back-clone-fraud-350000-lost-remedy-637910
CityIndex - claim FCA won't allow my account?
Tried to reactivate a dormant spread betting account with CityIndex. Filled in their online form for such and have been told it cannot be done because the FCA have rejected the application. Background: Had a FinSpreads account for many years. Put 1k in it. Haven't done many trades in that time and only for small money but…
HSBC Stocks & Shares Tracker ISA - Are fees too high?
Hi everyone, Can one of you knowledgeable people help explain the fees I am currently being charged by HSBC for my Account Type: Investment Funds ISA HSBC FTSE 250 Index Fund C (A) and also in the same package HSBC FTSE 250 Index Fund C (I). I am paying in £350 pcm and the current value on paper is about £60,000. I…
Educate Me
Hello everyone, I am in my mid 30s with a family of 3 young kids. I have a paid off house; and guaranteed living costs for the next 3 years. I have 50K in the bank that is doing nothing, and I would like it to work for me in a high risk/ high return fund for at least 5 years. I haven’t sweated that much to save this, so it…
Woodford suspension
Hi all Can anyone explain what might happen when the Woodford suspended funds re-open (if thats the right terminology) - do you think lots of investors will cash in or transfer funds? Will this mean the price drops suddenly or what? I am completely new to this happening so not quite sure what to expect. Many thanks
Enhanced Index Fund vs Index Fund
The worry I have with index funds (passive) is when the index is rebalanced eg the SP500, the mass selling/buying of relegated/promoted stocks into the SP500 "club", could cause some weird stock prices in my opinion. Therefore I'm looking at "enhanced" index funds but the fees are a little bit more expensive. Does anyone…
My passive investment experiment
I have been DIY investing for around ten years and always used predominantly active investments. About 18months ago I decided to give passives a go and potentially save myself some fees. I converted my isa to mainly passives with smaller amounts a few active investment trusts in areas I wasn’t convinced passives made…
Bond Certificates
I am the executor for my late Aunts will and have come across 2 bond certificates : 1 for the London Borough of Hackney the other for Greenwich corporation , which were issued in the late 70's . I am at a loss to know what do do with them or if they are indeed still worth anything. One is for £2000 the other £3000. Can…
Transfer Existing Isa half Way Through Year
I have an existing isa with NSI currently earning 0.95% interest a year paid annually in April. I want to transfer to a fixed isa for 2 years earning 1.75%. if I transfer it now at the end of the year in April will I still get interest from NS&I or will I lose it. if I do is there a right time to transfer so I can get this…
MSE News: Got a Marcus savings account? Your interest rate may drop soon...
Savers who opened a Marcus account this time last year are starting to see their interest rate drop - but you can limit the impact through a neat little trick that lets you grab another year's bonus... Read the full story: 'Got a Marcus savings account? Your interest rate may drop soon - but there's a trick to up it again'…
Savings interest and Tax code
Hi, i've noticed today that my tax code has been reduced by £3 to 12497. I'm on a low income of £8400 and only have savings in an ISA so i don't understand why the tax office have deducted an amount for tax on savings interest off my tax code? The tax office have said that this is correct as i won't earn over the £12500…
Intermediary or not?
I currently have investments held with Close Brothers self-directed intermediary services. Close Brothers use the Aegon platform actually to hold the investments. Close Brothers have announced they are getting out of this service and propose to transfer customers to an equivalent self-directed intermediary, Elson, and that…
Platform & Fund Switch
I'm looking for some advise please. My mum will probably open a Vanguard SIPP when it's finally released but until then she's looking to transfer platforms from Old Mutual Wealth to Fidelity and switch a single fund to a VLS. Can anyone tell me please if there are any benefits to switching the platform first or the fund…
ATS/II customers: minimising fees after II takeover
I thought it might be good to have a thread about minimising fees for customers of Alliance Trust Savings who are about to be transferred to Interactive Investor on 14 Oct and who already have an II service plan. If you already have an II account, you might save on fees, because you will no longer be paying ATS and there…
CASS and H2B Acc
Hey, I'm currently looking to take advantage of the Current Account Switching service. The Bank I am currently with (Bank of Scotland / Halifax) I hold a Help to Buy Isa with. If I switch my Current account (I'm looking to move to First Direct) what would happen to the Help to Buy ISA I hold? Cheers, Prentice
What Happens To Shares When A Business Goes Bust?
What happens if I buy shares in a business that then goes bust? If it's bought by another business, do I still own the shares?
First State Global Infrastructure Fund
I want to include a small percentage of my portfolio (about 5%) into a infrastructure fund or IT. At the moment the First State fund mentioned above seems to fit. However, if anybody else has any suggestions for alternatives for me to research it would be appreciated before I make a final decision.
Funds vs Investment Trusts, Liquidity.
I am looking at: Baillie Gifford American Acc (Open End Fund) and The Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust plc (Investment Trust) They have very similar performance and holdings. However I'm thinking that it would be easier to sell the fund in say 20 years. Assume each fund/trust holds 50 stocks each. When selling the…
bank account wfor child with restricted access untill aged 18
Hi my daughter aged 15 has been left a pension in her dads will. The pension firm have requested i open an account in her name with 2 surerties. I have tried various banks but to no availa as most stop at 16. Then the child has access. They have requested she has restricted access until age of 18. Any ideas!

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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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