Personal Finance Articles

After being largely ignored by mainstream savers in recent years, with-profits funds are threatening to make a comeback following much improved returns in 2007.

The Abbey went through some tough times at the turn of the century, but following the appointment of a new chief in 2004 the organisation has not looked back, and is now setting its sights on stealing business from the 'Big Five' UK banks.

The amount of interest owed on UK credit cards and loans exceeds the amount that the UK population earned in total during January and February leading many experts to believe we are on the verge of a massive debt crisis.

With an uncertain economy, stock market and housing market, you never know when you may fall on hard times financially. A good way to safeguard against inclement changes in the economy is to practice smart money management - starting now.

Millions of British adults are predicted to squander millions of pounds in unnecessary tax in 2008, in what will be the biggest tax waste on record, with a rise of almost £1.5 billion from 2007.

It doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom if you don’t have good credit. The trick is to know how to approach the situation.

According to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau almost a third more people are seeking help managing their debt - mainly mortgage arrears - than last year.

Ex-pats need to think about how to maximise the extra 43 per cent which relocating abroad adds to their salary.

No one likes to think about it, but it’s important to make sure we make provisions to ensure that when we die no one is left with any major problems.

We all have a vague idea that we should have a pension to provide for our needs in retirement, but very few of us actually look at the figures involved. Here’s why we should.

When it comes to deciding who will get your assets when you die, it’s a common mistake to think only of the cash and the property. But there is a lot more to consider than that.

Retirement can be hard to imagine for many of us. But it’s essential to pay it due attention so that we can prepare financially.

It’s not just how much you earn but what you do with it that counts. Discover the benefits of being better informed.

Men are more likely than women to hoard money in a savings account - but there are still not enough people taking advantage of their ISA allowance.

Given the uncertainty surrounding global financial markets now is a good time to review your financial situation, and start by ordering a copy of your credit report online.

We all know how expensive kids can be, having either been one, or had one; but when they're adults, they should start fending for themselves, right? Wrong.

Your endowment could be worth more than you think. After selling endowment look in to the endowment claim market to see if you are a victim of misselling. Many who sold their policies in the last few years are finding that they can still make a claim for thousands, you could well be one of them.

This could be a difficult decision to make and may depend on many factors both economic and personal.

THE RIGHT FINANCIAL ADVISORS


There is an old saying in the financial service industry that financial advisors and financial planners earn their money in down markets when their clients' natural tendencies are to make emotional decisions that damage their financial futures. Your financial advisor should help you to make rational decisions and avoid emotional decisions that will reduce your future results. Is your advisor helping you to really create wealth?

For many retired homeowners equity release can provide a source of extra money with which to fully enjoy those retirement years. However, equity release is also a huge financial commitment which should be fully explored beforehand.