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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.

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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 switch your bank account

Switching to a new current account is easier than ever and could save you hundreds of pounds. Here is how to get a new bank account in just seven days.

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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 to find the best charity bank account

A current account for your charity, community group or voluntary organisation can offer a safe home for donations. Here is how manage your charity's money and pay its bills.

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 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.

Can I switch bank accounts if I'm in my overdraft?

Being in your overdraft does not have to mean you are tied to your bank account forever. Here is how it is still possible to switch to a better deal.

4 ATM scams you need to know about

Millions of pounds are stolen at UK cash machines each year; here are 4 scams you need to look out for when you withdraw cash at an ATM.

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.

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 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.

Should I get a pension?

Making sure you plan for retirement is essential, but how do you know if a pension is really worthwhile? We investigate the pros and cons of a traditional pension as well as some alternative ways to save for retirement.

Where to go for financial advice

Where you go for financial advice depends on what you would like to achieve with your money. Find out what sort of adviser you need with our guide.

What are my parental leave and pay rights?

Babies are expensive, but there are ways to make sure a newborn doesn’t break the bank. This guide explains what support you are entitled to and how to make sure you get it.

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How to invest in a SIPP

Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPP) let you plan for your retirement without the need for a workplace pension. Here is how they work and what you should look out for.

How to manage your pension fund

After you begin paying into your pension fund there are still things you can do to help it grow. Here is how to manage your pension and what you should do with it when you retire.

What are employer's pensions?

If you work for someone you could be savings towards your retirement through an employer's pension. Here is what they are and how they work.

What are defined contribution and defined benefit pensions?

Most 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.

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

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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

How is your pension taxed?

When you retire you could end up paying tax on any money you withdraw from your pension. Here is how tax will affect your pension.

Find out more on how your pension is taxed

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How to manage auto enrolment after your staging date

Once your workplace pension scheme is up and running the work does not stop there. Here is how to manage your pension after your staging date has passed.

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What is pension auto enrolment?

The law has changed and your employer must offer you a workplace pension to save for your future, here is how it will work.

Find out what pension auto enrolment is

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What is an annuity?

When you retire and get your hands on your pension, it is difficult to know how to use your money. Here is how an annuity can turn your pension funds into a guaranteed income for life.

What is a whole of life insurance policy?

If you take out a whole of life insurance policy, you are almost guaranteed to get a payout when you die. Here is how it works and what types you can choose from.

What is over 50s life insurance?

You may find it harder to get life insurance as you get older, but there are still policies available that could give you peace of mind. Here are your options if you are over 50.

The most important insurance you probably don't have

You may be used to sorting out cover for your car, home, pet, gadgets and more, but have you forgotten to sort out the most important insurance?

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How to insure your second home

If you own a second home in the UK, you may need specific home insurance to protect it. Here is how to cover your second home.

How to choose health insurance

The right health insurance policy can give you fast access to private treatment if you are unwell or suffer an injury. Here is how to find health insurance that covers everything you need.

How does private health insurance work?

Private health insurance can pay out for a range of treatments for illnesses and injuries. Here is how it works and what types you can get.

How to manage your home insurance policy

Once you have insured your home, you need to keep your cover up to date to make sure it stays valid. Here is how you can manage your home insurance policy.

What does contents insurance cover?

A contents insurance policy will protect your personal belongings, whether you own or rent your home. Here is what home contents cover can protect you against.

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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A guide for renters and during the coronavirus pandemic

If you’re in rented accommodation and facing financial difficulty there is help available. Check out the money.co.uk guide to help you understand your rental rights during the coronavirus lockdown.

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Should you get a fixed, tracker or variable rate mortgage?

Choosing a mortgage with the right type of interest rate can save you money and make sure you get a deal you can afford. Here are the differences between fixed, variable, tracker and capped mortgages.

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Value My Degree | Degree Valuation Calculator

What's the true value of a university degree and does having one impact on future earnings and happiness? The experts at money.co.uk have investigated and created a degree valuation calculator to reveal the results

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.

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As spending for Father's Day 2020 is set to fall by 30%, personal finance experts offer budgeting tips

After months of lockdown and with social distancing measures continuing, has the way we plan to celebrate changed? Research from money.co.uk reveals what a socially distanced Father's Day means for the UK.

Brand-a-Lust: Revealing The UK’s Top Lockdown Brands

The unexpected brands we’ve been loving the most during lockdown.

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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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

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A guide to consumer retail rights from personal finance experts

As more shops reopen, our personal finance experts outline your consumer rights in a handy to use guide

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A personal finance guide on how to defend yourself against coronavirus scams

This guide offers tips on how to protect your finances from scammers during COVID-19 lockdown

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The most popular cosmetic procedures in Europe, according to Google searches.

We analysed the most searched for cosmetic surgeries across 31 countries, to determine the most popular procedures in Europe.

Childhood Dream Job Calculator

Discover what you’d be earning now if you’d pursued your childhood dream job with money.co.uk’s Dream Job Calculator. Would you be better off? Find out here.

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Can you transfer your pension?

You can move your pension but there could be unexpected costs for doing so. Here is how to transfer your pension and what you should think about before you do.

Coronavirus: UK holidays and ‘Staycations’

Here are some cost-cutting tips if you’re considering a UK holiday this year. Is it worth getting travel insurance?

Coronavirus: Getting your retirement savings back on track

COVID-19 has created some turmoil in global financial markets, hitting many people’s pension pots. Here are some tips to help you work out what to do about your pension in these circumstances.

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How to manage your hay fever and plan a low-allergen garden

As parks reopen and people continue to take full advantage of their garden, money.co.uk has put together a guide to creating a low allergen garden and help hay fever suffers to manage allergy flare ups while enjoying the warm weather.

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An employee guide to going back to work during COVID-19

If you’re one of the people who need to work away from your home, there are a few things you can do to stay safe and keep your costs down.

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Going back to work: A guide for employers

As more workplaces are allowed to re-open, there are some things that you can do to help get your business up and running again safely.

Illustration of two couples. One with a baby in their arms and one with a pram and a dog.

Shared parental leave calculator

If you're a parent or a parent to be, it is important to work out your finances to see what maternity, paternity, or shared parental leave pay you may be entitled to. Use our shared parental leave calculator to find out how much time you can afford to take off based on your financial situation.

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