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Rachel Wait

Rachel 2024

Rachel Wait

Contributing writer

About the Author

Rachel Wait is a regular contributing writer at Money.co.uk. She uses her personal finance expertise to help our readers understand their financial needs and options.

Rachel has spent the majority of her career writing about personal finance for leading price comparison sites and the national press, beginning as a reporter for Shares Magazine in 2007, although she started out writing business newsletters before that, in 2004.

She was Editor and then Managing Editor at Moneysupermarket for over eight years and since 2020, has written extensively on credit cards, pensions, insurance and mortgages for the Mail on Sunday, The Observer, The Spectator, the Evening Standard, Forbes UK, The Sun, as well as other publications.

Expertise

Insurance
Credit cards
Pensions
Mortgages

Education

BA (Hons) English, University of Exeter

Are Premium Bonds a safe investment or a waste of time?

We explore whether investing in Premium Bonds is worth it or whether you’re better off looking elsewhere.

Loans for Peer to peer lending January 2026

Peer to peer lending is also known as P2P or crowdfunding. It matches savers wanting a high return with borrowers needing a low interest rate. Peer to peer is closer to investing than it is to saving.

woman-on-laptop-with-credit-card

Is debit card protection the same as for credit cards?

Purchases made on your credit card offer you some protection, but the rules for debit cards are different. Here is how the Chargeback scheme provides protection for your debit card.

A picture of two credit cards on top of a laptop keyboard

What is a credit record?

A credit score is a record of your financial history, including details of when you have borrowed money and the repayments you have made. Here is what else it shows.

Business insurance claims: a guide for UK small businesses

Follow our step-by-step guide to making a successful business insurance claim.

Business woman working on laptop

Income or accumulation funds: which is the right choice for you?

This is how income and accumulation funds work.

hand writing notes and using a calculator

How to Apply for a Loan

Follow this comprehensive step-by-step guide to boost your chances of being approved for a loan.

Read more about how to apply for a loan

Three man in a meeting, 1 on the phone

How are investments taxed?

Learn more about the types of tax you might need to pay on your investments.

Find out how are investments taxed

Person on a zoom call on their laptop

What is an Investment Trust?

Find out how investment trusts work, the benefits of using one, and what to watch out for. v

Find out more about investment trusts

The word loan is spelt over four wooden blocs, with two male figurines placed next to them.

How to borrow money with bad credit

You can get a personal loan with bad credit, but the rates will likely be high. It can be harder to get a loan with bad credit, and it may be worth trying to improve your score before you apply for a loan.

More on borrowing with bad credit

Visa and Mastercard

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.

What's the best way to cash-in spare change?

Whether you have recently unearthed a mine of coppers from the back of your sofa or have been saving loose change for years, cashing it in can give your wallet a welcome boost. Find out the best way to switch your pennies for pounds.

Read more about spare change

Concerned couple with advisor

What to do if you are refused a bank account

It's hard to imagine life without a current account, but this is the stark reality for thousands of Brits. We look at what alternatives are out there if you can't get a bank account.

Man on sofa looking at a credit card

How to understand credit card charges

Here are the credit card charges you need to know about and how to avoid them.

Man investing using mobile phone and large monitor

How to start investing in shares

Has your savings rate got you looking for alternative ways to use your hard-earned money? Whether it's for long term growth or to generate income, investing in shares can be a profitable way to use your savings!

More about how to start investing in shares

A picture of a person holding a credit card, reading the long card number

Which Credit Card Is Best For Me? - Choose a card

Choosing the right type of credit card could save you money in interest, earn you rewards or help you get accepted. Here is how to pick the right one and where to find it.

Couple with debts

What's the cheapest way to borrow money?

There are hundreds of reasons why you might need to borrow, but unless you're on the ball you could end up pouring your money away on beefy interest rates and bank charges. Here are the best ways to borrow whatever you need the money for.

Can buying a repossessed property save you money?

If you can put aside the emotive mental images conjured up by the words 'repossessed property', then there are some real bargains to be had. You just need to know where to look and how to go about buying.