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Authors>
Alicia Babaee

Author

Alicia Babaee

Consumer Finance Specialist

About the Author

Alicia Babaee is an award-winning communications specialist and journalist with a passion for simplifying complex information for consumer audiences.

What's the best place for your money?

Knowing what to do with savings can be difficult, especially when rates are so low. Here is what you can do if you have money to invest.

Are Premium Bonds a safe investment or waste of time?

Premium Bonds let you save money with the chance of winning cash prizes from monthly draws, but are they as straightforward as they seem? Here is how they work.

How to write a cheque

If you don’t know how to write a cheque already, that’s probably because it’s a dying art. But, now and then, the need arises. So here’s a simple guide to help you out.

How to pay your overdraft off

If you go into your overdraft every month or have been stuck in the red for a while, there are ways to pay off your overdraft for good.

child-calculator-piggy-bank-and-paperwork.

How to get a bank account for under 18s

Whether you’re interested in opening a bank account for a child or baby, we’ll help you choose and open the right account for your little one.

How does cheque clearing work?

We investigate the process behind clearing a cheque to find out exactly how it works - and why in a world of instant technology it can still take so long.

How to afford a career change

If you want to start a new career you need to prepare your finances before you leave your job. Here is how to make your career change affordable.

Young businessman working on his laptop in the office, select the icon security on the virtual display.

How to check if a company is legit, UK regulations, and how to avoid risking your money and data

Before you give a new company your business, it’s important to check that they are legitimate and that you aren’t risking your money or your data. Find out how with our guide.

5 ways to check a website is legit

If you're not sure a website is secure, there are quick and easy ways to check you aren't risking your personal information. Here are 5 ways to check if a website is legit.

What is an innovative finance ISA? How does an IFISA work?

It is the third type of ISA that exists alongside the cash ISA and the stocks and shares ISA. Here is how the innovative finance ISA works.

Cyber criminal with credit card hacking system at table, digital binary code on background

What to do if you get hacked

Having your accounts hacked can be frightening, especially if fraudsters get hold of your bank details or private data. Here is what you need to do if you think you have been hacked.

Symbolic representation growing your money through property investing.

How to invest in property

If you have grand designs on property investment, you'll need to get your finances into gear. We show you how to work out if property development is a realistic dream and how to make it happen.

Your refund rights explained

If you have been refused a refund for faulty or unwanted goods you are not alone. Here are your rights to help get your money back if a company is refusing to give you a refund.

Your redundancy rights

If the threat of redundancy is looming over you, it is important to know your rights. We explain exactly what you are entitled to if you have been made redundant.

How to rent out your house

When selling up seems impossible, letting your house can be a handy alternative. Here is what you need to consider if you're thinking of renting out your home.

NEST pensions - your questions answered

Here is what you need to know about the NEST pension scheme and how it could help you save for your retirement.

Read about NEST pensions

How do I gift money without being taxed?

You may be able to give away money without paying tax, but it depends on whom it goes to and how much you give. Here is what you need to know about gifting money without paying tax.

Everything you need to know about endowments

Here is everything you need to know about selling endowments, including how they work and how they may be taxed.

Find out more about endowments

What is business interruption insurance?

If you're working by yourself, or with only one or two staff, almost any absence could hold you back. The good news is protection is available. Find out how business interruption insurance works to see if it could be right for you.

When it pays out

Weighing scales with a pile of receipts on one side in the air and a piggy bank on the other weighing it down

What happens if you are unable to pay back your loan?

When you miss a payment on your loan, you'll be charged a fee. You may be issued with a County Court Judgement or have to declare yourself bankrupt if you continue to miss payments.

How to get a business loan

If you want to take your business to the next level but don’t have the funds to do so, you could consider getting a business loan.

Find out how to get a business loan

What is a bridging loan?

A bridging loan could help you buy a property while you wait for the sale of your existing home.

When should you use a credit card or debit card?

When it comes to credit cards vs. debit cards, is one better than the other? Each has its advantages, so it's useful to know when to use one over the other.

What is an air miles credit card?

You could earn free flights just by spending on an air miles credit card. Here is how they work and how to pick the right card.

Chargeback claims: how to get your money back

You could claim a refund if something goes wrong when you spend on your debit, prepaid or credit card. Here's how the Chargeback scheme can get your money back from your bank.

Black woman with boyfriend using credit card to shop online

Can you transfer money from a credit card to your bank account

If you want to borrow a small sum of cash to repay a debt, or clear an overdraft, you can use a money transfer credit card to move cash into your current account.

What is the difference between Visa and MasterCard?

MasterCard and Visa work very similarly to one another. They are payment networks, which process payments when you spend using your credit, debit or prepaid card.

How to get your first credit card

Here is how to prepare yourself for your first credit card application.

What is the Help to Buy scheme?

If you’re thinking of buying a home, you may have heard of the Government’s Help to buy scheme, which provides an interest free loan to people wishing to buy certain new build properties. Here’s everything you need to know.

Happy and young black family with newborn baby.

New parents: What benefits do you get when you have a baby?

Whether you want to stay home to look after your new child or return to work and arrange childcare, any help you can get is worth investigating. Here's a look at what benefits and other help you can find.

Young couple taking keys of their new house from broker.

How can I help my children buy their first house?

With first time buyers finding it harder than ever to get a mortgage, some parents are giving their children a helping hand onto the property ladder. But how does it all work and what are the potential pitfalls?

Young couple having fun driving electric scooters through the city.

What is electric scooter insurance?

Do you know all the rules around electric scooters for adults? And do you have the right electric scooter insurance in place? We’ll tell you everything you need to know.

What is indemnity insurance?

If you’re buying or selling a property, you might be encouraged to take out indemnity insurance. Indemnity insurance could protect you against some of the things that could go wrong with your property in the future.

20 things to do when moving house

Moving home is one of the most stressful and financially draining things you can do, so here are our top 12 things to arrange before moving day to make your life easier.

20 things to do when moving house

Moving home is one of the most stressful and financially draining things you can do, so here are our top 12 things to arrange before moving day to make your life easier.

Leasehold vs freehold: Which should you get?

If you’re looking to buy a property in England or Wales, you’ll notice that they’re either listed as leasehold or freehold. But what’s the difference? We’re here to explain the terms, and share what they might mean for you as a property owner.

How to build your own house

Many of us dream of building our own home, and while it is not the right option for everyone, self building could be an affordable way for you to get your ideal property. Yet fail to plan properly and you face the risk of financial ruin.

The 7 things you need to do if you get hacked

Having your accounts hacked can be frightening, especially if fraudsters get hold of your bank details or private data. Here is what you need to do if you think you have been hacked.