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Our guides

Our guides

Our guides show you the best ways to make your money go further and work harder. They contain all the latest financial information and are set out clearly to help you make smart decisions.

How to get a mortgage if you are an older borrower

Getting a mortgage can be more difficult when you get closer to retirement. Here is how to find one whether you want to move house or remortgage your current home.

How much does it cost to buy a home?

Your home could be the most expensive purchase you ever make. Here is how much you might spend and how to make sure you can afford a mortgage and all of the other costs.

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.

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.

Should I overpay on my mortgage?

If you have extra money to spare, you could make overpayments on your mortgage. This can reduce the amount you pay and shorten your mortgage term, but is it right for you?

How does Help to Buy work?

The Help to Buy scheme could make it easier for you to get your first home with help from the government. Here is how it works and how to use it.

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What is a guarantor mortgage?

If you are unable to buy the home you want with a normal mortgage, a guarantor could help you get accepted or borrow more. Here is how they work and how to get one.

10 steps to becoming debt free

We explain, step by step, how you can work towards clearing your debts and becoming debt free.

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Prepaid bank accounts explained

You could be accepted for a prepaid current account without a credit check, but they can be expensive. Here are the advantages, disadvantages, costs and what you can use them for.

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What are direct debits and standing orders?

They are automatic payments from your bank account. They can stop you missing a payment and take away the hassle of paying manually. Here is how they work and when you can use them.

How to keep your bank account secure

Here is how to keep your bank account, debit card and personal details safe when you use them online or in person.

How to pay with contactless and Paym

You can use contactless payments to quickly and easily buy things with your debit card, credit card or mobile phone. You can use Paym to send and receive payments to and from other bank accounts with your mobile phone. Here is how they work.

How do overdrafts work?

A good overdraft can let you borrow money for free, but overspending on the wrong account could cost you money. Here is how to use an overdraft and how to find the right one.

How does online banking work?

Internet banking helps you keep track of your balance and make payments 24 hours a day without going to a branch. Here is how to bank online on your computer, phone or tablet.

How do joint bank accounts work?

You can get a joint current account to help you share expenses or bills with your partner, housemate or a family member. Here is how they work, their risks and how to choose the right one.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

What are pensions?

You can use a pension as an income during your retirement, but there are several types and many rely on how much money you put into them. Here is how they work.

Read about what pensions are

How are investments taxed?

You may have to pay extra types of tax if you make money from your investments. Here is how your investments are taxed and how your tax band can affect what you pay.

Find out how are investments taxed

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What does auto enrolment mean for your business?

All employers are legally required to enrol eligible employees into their workplace pension scheme automatically - here is what this could mean for your business.

Find out what auto enrolment means for your business

What is a unit trust?

A unit trust puts your money in the hands of an expert fund manager together with other investors. Here is what you need to know about unit trusts before you invest.

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.

How new pension and annuity rules affect you

Here is where you can find the latest pension and annuity changes in the UK and how they will affect your retirement.

Find out more on the new pension and annuity rules

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How to choose the right pension scheme for your business

Choosing the right pension scheme for your business can help make your employees feel valued and financially secure. Here is how to pick a business pension scheme.

How to prepare for redundancy

The possibility of redundancy is something most workers fear. But preparing for the worst and knowing your rights beforehand, can go a long way in helping you get through the tough times.

Should you get a long or short term mortgage?

When you get a mortgage you have to decide how long you need to pay it all off. Here is how to work out which is cheapest and how to make sure you can afford the term you choose.

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10 things you could be doing that invalidate your home insurance

Money.co.uk reveals 10 simple things that could actually stop you from being able to claim on your home insurance.

A first time buyer guide to buildings insurance

There are a lot of costs to consider when buying your first home, but buildings insurance is one you can’t ignore.

How do buy to let mortgages work?

If you want to invest in property and rent it out to someone else, you will need a buy to let mortgage. Here is everything you need to know about them.

Will I ever be able to afford a house?

You might be ready to buy your first home sooner than you think, but if you need a leg up onto the property ladder there are lots of ways you can find help. Here is how to get started before you buy and how to check you can afford it. 6

What loans can you apply for when you're self employed?

Getting a loan when you're self-employed can be tricky. But there are still plenty of options. Here's what you need to know to get a loan when you're self-employed.

What is a bridging loan?

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

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

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.

Travel money: should I get a travel credit card?

Using the best credit card for travel can solve a lot of holiday problems. You don’t need to think “how much money can I travel with?” or worry about where to find the best exchange rate.

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.

How to get your first credit card

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

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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 interest?

Borrowing costs money. A lender will usually charge a borrower a percentage of the money lent, rather than a flat fee. This is called interest. This guide covers the basics of how interest works, what it is and what it means for your finances.

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Last minute holiday checklist

Last minute holidays can be a great way to bag a top deal, but there are still a few things you cannot afford to forget. Here is what you need for a safe last minute trip that won’t break the bank.

Read our last minute holiday checklist

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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.

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How to get your home valued for free

With a bit of detective work it is possible to get a good idea of your home's worth for free, thanks to information now available online.

What the new stamp duty holiday means for you

The chancellor has extended the temporary changes to stamp duty to help cut costs for anyone buying a home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's what it means for you.

Coronavirus: Improve your mortgage chances

While COVID-19 has caused enormous disruption for those trying to get on the housing ladder, money.co.uk has outlined some simple things you can do to boost your chances of getting a mortgage.

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.

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Coronavirus: Money saving tips for students

If you’re about to start university this September, money.co.uk has drawn up some useful tips to make your money go further.

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.

A picture of a restaurant with cutlery and condiments on a table.

Coronavirus: A restaurant owners’ guide to the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme

The Government-backed discount scheme aims to support the restaurant and leisure sector. Money.co.uk has put together this helpful guide to show you how your restaurant business could benefit.

Photograph of a gloved hand holding keys in front of a house

A guide to the impact of coronavirus on selling your house in 2021

Personal finance expert outlines the things you need to know when thinking about selling your house in 2021

What is the cost of death?

The costs associated with dying are not a lot of fun to think about, but planning ahead could save you and your loved ones thousands when the time comes.

Amazon Prime Day 2019: 6 tips for getting the best deals

Looking for a bargain on your next electronics purchase? Follow these tips and you could save big on Amazon's biggest shopping event of the year.

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A personal finance guide to student budgeting

If you’re starting or returning to university in September, here are some tips to help you keep your costs down before, during and after your studies.

How much does a pet cost?

Getting a pet is an emotional decision, but it’s important not to forget about the cost. Here are some key costs to think about so that you can make sure looking after your pet properly won’t be too expensive.

How to find the right classic car insurance

The right classic car insurance can significantly cut your annual premiums. Whether your vehicle is a vintage classic or a trusty labour of love you can’t bear to replace, this guide has you covered.

How to get a remortgage

Getting a new mortgage deal could cut the interest you pay and save thousands of pounds. Here is how to remortgage to a better deal, avoid fees and reduce what you pay each month.

Image of blackboard with text reading "know your rights"

Understand your rights if you are made redundant during the coronavirus pandemic

The personal finance experts at money.co.uk explain the rights of employees made redundant during the coronavirus pandemic

A guide for employers and making redundancies

The personal finance experts have created a guide for employers facing the difficult process of redundancies

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