 Don't pay the tax code penalty
10 May 2008
How much you pay the taxman is governed by a tax code. If you are given the wrong one, it can cost you dear – and could leave you facing a demand from the taxman to make good what you owe with interest. Business editor PAUL HILL reports on how to crack the tax code.
|
|
Norfolk homes repossessions soar
10 May 2008
Hundreds of Norfolk homeowners face losing their property as the threat of repossession soared by a fifth to a peak not seen since the recession.
|
|
Time to rein in spending
03 May 2008
The number of people declared insolvent rose for the first time in more than a year during the first quarter of 2008. The latest piece of gloomy economic news comes the day after prime minster Gordon Brown's party took a battering at the polls, with Labour insisting that the economic downturn played a part in encouraging a protest vote against the governing party.
|
|
The start of a mortgage U-turn?
03 May 2008
Mortgage rates have remained stubbornly high despite the efforts of the Bank of England to pump more liquidity into the money markets. But this week there was a little bit of better news, as NICKY BURRIDGE reports.
|
|
Help ease the pain of vet's bills
26 April 2008
Taking out pet insurance for just a few pounds a week means you can ease the pain of vet's fees. ADAM AIKEN reports.
|
|
Out with the charges, in with the fees
25 April 2008
As far as most people are concerned, the good guys have won the first skirmish in the great banking-charges battle. Yesterday's High Court ruling means that the pressure will now grow on banks and building societies to slash the charges they impose on their customers and start to repay millions of pounds to people who have been hit by extortionate fees - in some cases of about £30 - over the past few years.
|
|
Card users are paying the price for capping
19 April 2008
It is two years since credit card issuers were told to slash the charges they imposed on customers for late payments or bounced cheques.
|
|
Buy-to-let is still buoyed up
19 April 2008
There were fears that falling house prices would lead to a rush of house sales by landlords desperate to offload their properties – thus making the problem worse. But that does not seem to be happening.
|
|
New tax year, new round of confusion
12 April 2008
The new tax year brings an unusually large number of confusing changes to both personal and business taxes. LAURA DEVLIN wades through the figures to see how it affects our purses and pockets.
|
|
Enough to make you 'do a Naomi'
05 April 2008
It has been a week of frustration at Heathrow airport, with supermodel Naomi Campbell the most high-profile of the thousands of passengers who have suffered baggage problems during the first few days of operations at Terminal 5.
|
|
Who charges extra? The Halifax...
05 April 2008
Halifax ended a turbulent week for the mortgage market with the announcement that it was repricing its mortgage range. Britain's biggest mortgage lender is increasing rates for people with smaller deposits, although those with larger ones will pay less.
|
|
Time running out for tax-free Isa allowances
29 March 2008
There are only a few days left for people to take advantage of this year's tax-free Isa allowance.
The tax year ends next weekend, and if you haven't used your allowance by then, it will be lost for good.
|
|
Borrowers feeling the crunch
29 March 2008
The credit crunch has made an impact on the personal loans market - with rates increased by an average of 1.7pc over the past year. Consumers seeking credit are also warned that lenders have made significant changes to the way they offer their products, with a general clamp down on those who borrow more.
|
|
Unlock cash that's tied up in your house
29 March 2008
Money worries mean that many older people are putting off retirement. There is also an increase in the number of people unlocking equity from their homes.
|
|
DIY - Don't Involve Yourself
22 March 2008
The bank holiday weekend is traditionally a time when DIY enthusiasts spring into action, with the Easter break giving keen amateurs a chance to put up that shelf that has been hanging around for months or replace that squeaky door.
|
|
Brits dip into their savings
20 March 2008
The rising cost of living is forcing Britons to dip into their savings in order to make ends meet, according to new figures. The proportion of people who save money on a regular basis has steadily increased from 61pc in October 2004 to 69pc at the start of this year, according to Birmingham Midshires.
|
|
Will a fixed deal cost you or leave you quids in?
15 March 2008
Mortgage deals designed to last for the lifetime of the loans were back in the news this week, with Alistair Darling promising to hold a consultation process into 25-year products.
|
|
Help is at hand for those struggling to pay fuel bill
15 March 2008
The chancellor did little during his budget to ease the pain being felt by millions of households struggling under the growing mountain of consumer debt, but one area he did address was that of fuel poverty.
|
|
Are you ready for tax-year end?
14 March 2008
Spring is the season of growth. But are your finances growing in the most tax-efficient way?
April 5 is the last day of the 2007-08 tax year, and this date is fast approaching.
|
|
Budget: Not much action to help people tackle debt
13 March 2008
The chancellor gave a nod during the budget to some of the problems facing the millions of households struggling with debt.
|
|
Buy-to-let landlords face crackdown
09 March 2008
A crackdown on the tax affairs of buy-to-let landlords has started alarm bells ringing.
HM Revenue & Customs is running a campaign to identify landlords who have either claimed too much tax relief or failed to declare either the rent received or a capital gain when a property is sold.
|
|
You’ll save a packet if you pack it in
09 March 2008
As well as living a healthier life, you could save a packet by giving up the dreaded weed. Personal finance writer ADAM AIKEN reports.
|
|
Easing the pain of a break-up
01 March 2008
Almost half of all marriages end in failure. But couples that break up don’t have to end up in a confrontational court case.
|
|
Unhappy with your bills? Get switching
23 February 2008
The message certainly isn't a new one, but it's as important today as it has ever been.
Switching to find the cheapest utility bills is something that all householders should consider - unless, of course, you are happy to pay well over the odds for the fuel you use.
|
|
 Floods not sole reason for premium hike
23 February 2008
A report this week said home insurance premiums would rise because of last year's floods, but the industry says it is not as simple as that. ADAM AIKEN and IAN McNEAL report.
|
|
Don't lose sleep over mortgage nightmare
16 February 2008
Amongst all the economic doom and gloom that is around at the moment, one of the biggest concerns facing millions of people is a big jump in their mortgage repayments as their fixed-rate deals come to an end.
|
|
News
