Savings guides

Saving for your dream can be tough; our savings guides will help you determine the fastest route to your savings target by maximising the potential of your nest egg along the way.

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What are Premium Bonds prizes?

Premium bonds are a popular way to save, but unlike other methods of saving, they don’t pay any interest on the money you deposit. Instead, they offer you the chance of winning a prize each month with a maximum value of £1 million.

A piggy bank with "ISA" written on it surrounded by coins

What's the difference between an ISA and a savings account?

You could be forgiven for thinking there’s no real difference between a Cash ISA and a standard savings account. But even if they look and work in a similar way, ISAs have qualities that set them apart, as we explain here.

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What to do with a lump sum of money

It’s a happy thought, but not without its worries: what do you do if a lump sum of money lands in your lap? Here we explain your options.

What is a Help to Save account?

If you are on a low income you could benefit from a government-backed scheme called Help to Save that boosts your savings.

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What is a children's investment ISA?

You can open an Investment ISA for your child at any time. But why would you consider this type of account over any other? We investigate.

What is Plum?

Plum is a money management app that enables you to save, invest, budget and sort your household bills, all in one place. We explain what you need to know.

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What's the best Junior ISA?

Opening a Junior ISA will give your son or daughter a hugely-beneficial start in life. Here we explain all you need to know about Junior ISAs, and how to find the best savings and investment vehicle for your nippers.

Stocks & shares apps – which are good to have?

Find out how to choose the best stocks & shares apps and what you should know before you buy equities within an app.

Man and woman on a sofa with a piggy bank

Finding the best savings accounts

There’s no shortage of savings accounts if you’re keen to squirrel away some of your hard-earned cash for the future. But you don’t want to lose out by choosing the wrong one. Here we show the best savings accounts for various savings goals.

How can a financial advisor help?

There may be times in your life when it would be helpful to get some personal financial advice. A financial adviser can take an overall look at your finances and recommend different products and services which would be suitable for you. Find out more here.

Apps to save you money

Can money-saving apps really give your bank balance a boost? And just how safe is your hard-earned cash once you start allowing apps to access your bank accounts? Here’s what you need to know.

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How to transfer a child trust fund to a Junior ISA

If you want your child’s money to work hard for them you should consider transferring their Child Trust Fund to a Junior ISA. We explain why and how to proceed.

Setting up a savings goal

Having a predetermined savings goal is one of the best ways to motivate yourself to start saving money. We investigate the various options available and offer some tips on how to start saving to make your dreams come true.

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Is it worth opening a savings account?

A savings account is an excellent place to start if you want to save for the future – whether that’s a holiday six months from now or your first home in five years’ time. Find out more about your options with our five-minute guide.

Mother and daughter and money to a piggy bank

Best place to save money

Are you looking for a short-term deposit account, a place where your money can earn interest, or somewhere to save and invest for the long term? Whatever your savings needs, we can help you find the best way to save.

Man and woman lying on floor with a piggy bank

Bonds or Savings account?

When you are starting to save, you have several choices about where to put your money. You can save into a traditional savings account or choose a savings bond. We explain the pros and cons of both traditional savings accounts and bonds.

Teddy bear with its paws in a jar of money

How to open a child's bank account

You can start saving for children’s futures as soon as they are born. But what sort of account should you choose? This guide explains the different options available, including what you need to open savings accounts and – for older children – current accounts in a child’s name.

What is an ISA? How do ISAs work? | Savings Accounts

An ISA lets you earn interest without paying any income tax, but you are limited to how much you can put in. Here is everything you need to know to get started.

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.

The definitive guide to Sharia Banking & Islamic Finance in the UK

Islamic or Sharia banking follows set guidelines taken from Islamic teachings. Here's what you need to know about how it works and how it could help you bank ethically.

What is a Junior ISA?

You can save on behalf of your child with a tax free Junior ISA and build up a pot of money ready for their 18th birthday. Here is what you need to know before you apply.

What is a savings account? How do savings accounts work?

A savings account will help you grow your money, whether you need access to your cash or not. Here is how they work and what options you have.

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What is an offshore savings account?

An offshore savings account lets you save your money overseas, but they are not the tax haven you might think. Here is how they work.

How does savings interest and tax work?

Here is how interest works on your savings and how tax can affect what you get as a return.

How to manage your savings

Whether you have a savings account or an ISA, you need to manage them correctly or you could lose out on interest. Here is how each account works and how they can help your money grow.

What is a fixed bond?

You can usually find a better interest rate if you lock your money away in a fixed bond. Here is what you need to know before you apply.

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.

What are rotating savings and credit associations?

Find out how these informal savings and lending schemes work and what to think about before you choose to take part in one.

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Should you get a Lifetime ISA?

The Lifetime ISA lets you earn a 25% bonus on savings up to ¬£4,000 a year. Here is how they work.

Which savings account should you choose?

Choosing a savings account is not as simple as picking the one with the highest interest rate. Here is how you can get the best account to match your savings needs.

How can you actually invest your ISA?

While cash ISAs continue to offer poor interest rates, you could consider using your allowance in a stocks and shares ISA instead. Here's how to get started.

How a stocks and shares ISA works

If you are not put off by risk, you could get a higher rate of interest by using your ISA allowance to invest in stocks and shares. Here is how a stocks and shares ISA works.

More on how a stocks and shares ISAs work

Can you still get a decent return on your savings?

It is tougher than ever to make money from your savings, but you could get a better return if you expand your search for interest. Here are your options.

Business savings accounts explained | Savings Accounts

You could be making interest on your business's spare cash by moving it into a business savings account. Here is how they work and how to open one.

Are ISAs still worth it?

Whether you have a cash ISA or are thinking of getting one, you should consider if it's still a good place for your money. Here is how to work out if ISAs are still worth saving into.

What is the best way to save for your child?

You can save for your child's future in a number of ways, here is how to pick the right children's savings 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.

Smartphone apps that can help you save money

Whether it's setting budgets, monitoring your spending, or saving money, these apps can help you keep track of your finances and help you reach your financial goals.

A graphic which reads: The most in demand University degrees.

Degree Demand Report

Deciding whether to undertake a higher education qualification is a large financial and life decision made by many every year. But how has the coronavirus pandemic affected degree demand? And how do job prospects differ by degree discipline?

What is a Lifetime ISA

Lifetime ISAs can help you save for your first home or your retirement. Here's how they work.

Find out more about Lifetime ISAs

How do ISA transfers work?

If you move your ISA to another provider incorrectly you could end up losing your savings' tax free status. Here is how to transfer your ISA and continue building up your tax free savings.

What is a Help to Buy ISA?

The Help to Buy ISA scheme ended on 30th November 2019. You will no longer be able to open a Help to Buy ISA, but If you already have a Help to Buy ISA you will still get the 25% bonus when you withdraw the money to buy your first property.

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