Sara Benwell is a freelance journalist, consultant and editor, specialising in personal finance, pensions and investments, and consumer affairs, where she focussed on helping people understand their personal finances. Sara is also the editor of Insurance Investor and Fund Operator, for professional asset managers and investors.
Prior to this, Sara was the consumer finance editor at Good Housekeeping, the most widely read women’s magazine in the UK. She has also previously worked as the editor of both Pensions Insight and Reward Magazines and as the Digital Editor of Engaged Investor.
Sara has been a guest speaker at InvestOps and the Law Business Research Network.
Mortgages
Pensions
Investments
BA (Hons) in Philosophy, University of Cambridge
A step-by-step guide to the best strategies for paying off your credit card and clearing your debts quickly.
Read MoreBecoming bankrupt is one way of dealing with debts, but it will affect your credit rating. Here we explain everything you need to know.
It does clear eventuallyThere are lots of things that can cause a credit score to drop. Here we explain the most common reasons and how to rectify them.
Read MoreIf you fail to make debt payments on time, you could be issued with a default. Here’s what you need to know about them and what to do next
What to do after a defaultMany lenders require a strong business plan before approving a loan. Learn what to include to boost your chances of success.
Read moreThe financial forecast is a crucial part of every business plan. Learn how to create one and the key details you need to include.
Read MoreDiscover the main factors that determine how much your business insurance costs and how you can lower your premiums
Read MoreIf your company has more than one director, you need to set up your banking so that the right people have access. Find out how in this complete guide.
Read MoreUsing a personal credit card for business spending is legal, but creates challenges. This guide explains why business credit cards may be a better option.
Read MorePrepaid travel cards are a handy and cost-effective way to manage your holiday money. Find out more, including how to choose the right card for your needs.
Read MoreLearn how the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) can help you secure funding to grow your small business.
Read MorePay less for your next holiday by bagging a bargain on your hotel room. Our guide reveals essential tips to let you unlock the best room rates with ease.
Tricks to saving money and finding cheap hotel accommodationFrom exchanging foreign currency back to pounds to gifting it to charity, we explain all the options available for dealing with leftover foreign currency.
Read more about dealing with leftover currencyThe Financial Services Compensation Scheme protects you if a bank or financial institution goes bust. This guide explains whether your business banking is protected
Read MoreKnowing what to do with savings can be difficult, especially with inflation so high. Here is what you can do if you have money to invest.
Read MoreDo you need to pay tax on interest from your savings accounts? Find out when tax is due and how to make sure you’re not paying more than necessary.
Read MoreFind out how to recover lost assets and trace lost savings and dormant bank accounts quickly and free of charge with our step-by-step guide.
Read MoreThe annual percentage rate of charge is a useful tool for comparing mortgage and loan products. Here’s how to use it effectively.
Read MoreTake control of your outstanding debts by reducing the monthly costs of unsecured loan repayments.
Read MoreMost people have either a defined contribution or a defined benefit pension, but do you know which is which and understand the difference between them? Here’s what you need to know.
Read more about defined contribution and benefit pensionsPension taxation seems complicated, but knowing the rules is crucial so you don’t overpay. This guide explains everything you need to know.
Find out more on how your pension is taxedStarting a business doesn’t always require huge amounts of money. Here are the best ways to get your company up and running without cash.
Read MoreThere are plenty of options for small business funding, from bank loans and government grants to angel investors and crowdfunding. We explain the benefits and pitfalls of each approach.
Read MoreIf you’ve been rejected for a business loan, there are lots of finance options to consider. We run through the options from invoice finance and angel investors to bootstrapping and business grants.
Read MoreFind out everything you need to know about starting a business from scratch, including tax, finances, insurance, market research and advertising.
Read MoreProtect your business’s critical brand elements like slogans, logos and product names with this step-by-step process for registering your trademark.
Read MoreA personal guarantee can help you get a business loan and grow your business, but you need to understand the risks involved before acting.
Read MoreThe right financial adviser can help you grow your business and ensure it is profitable in the long term. Learn how to pick the right adviser for your company.
Read MoreDeciding whether to operate as a sole trader or a limited company is a key decision for a small business owner. Here are the pros and cons of each approach.
Read MoreShould you borrow against your house? Find out if taking out a secured loan against your home is sensible or something to avoid.
More on borrowing against your homeRegistering to vote doesn’t just mean you can exercise your rights and get a say in who runs the country – it has fairly hefty financial benefits too. Here’s what you need to know
How to check the electoral rollIf you miss repayments on a credit card or loan, you could end up with a default. This marker goes on your credit file and impacts your score. Here’s everything you need to know.
Read MoreHere’s everything you need to know to make sure your side hustle is legitimate including the difference between being a sole trader and a limited partnership, which might be right for you, and the deadlines and paperwork you need to consider
What you need to get ready nowWhat's involved in turning a business idea into a going concern - and should you bother in the first place Here we explain how to tell if you idea for a business is actually a good one in reality, and what the next steps to making it happen.
How to tell if a business idea is any goodThe UK has strict laws around how much holiday you have a right to take each year - but when it comes to exactly which days you can take off things get a little murkier.
Your rights to take holidayGetting access to an airport lounge doesn’t have to mean frequent flights or paying more for first-class tickets. Here’s how to get in cheaply or even for free.
What's on offer and what airport lounge access costsFrom tuition fees to maintenance payments, we explain all the different types of student finance on offer and who can access them.
Read MoreStudent loans are the most cost-effective way to pay for university for almost everyone, but how much can you borrow? Here we explain everything you need to know.
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