Personal Finance

Buying a home is difficult at the best of times. Even if you’ve managed to pull together an enormous deposit, you still need to convince the lender that you’re worthy of a mortgage. The problem is that now more than ever, major banks and lenders scrutinise applicants’ credit reports and financial status in the finest detail. On the plus side, some of the more proactive and dynamic lenders on the market are acknowledging the imperfections in the system. Providing an...

Throughout the UK education system, smart card technology is providing schools, colleges and universities with a wide range of innovative solutions. The benefits it brings include reduced staff workloads, increased security and improvements to services. Here are six of the main advantages smart cards are delivering. Robust ID verification The carrying of visual identification by staff and students is now commonplace throughout the UK education system, enabling everyone to know the identity and role of the people they come across....

It’s no secret that going to university is expensive. Aside from the enormous loan taken out to cover tuition, you still need a way to pay for accommodation, food, travel,academic supplies and, if you’re lucky, the occasional social event. It doesn’t matter what course you’re studying, one of the biggest lessons you’re going to learn over the course of your degree will be how to stay afloat financially. You’ll need motivation, discipline and honesty with yourself if you’re going to...

With the next self assessment deadline looming on January 31, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have released a list of 'outlandish' excuses received over the past year

Selling your home can be a nerve-wracking time, to say the least. You might be moving to a different town, city or country, which will no doubt occupy a great deal of your thoughts. While you might be preoccupied with finding your new house and all the excitement and anxiety that can come with that, it’s important to spare a thought or two for your existing property. Even if you’re relatively happy with the current value of your house, there...

  The forex markets revolve around the daily happenings around the world. Geopolitical events, economical new releases, wars and natural disasters, all affect currency prices. And, when world leaders make important decisions, how can they not change at least the currency of their own country? This is why traders need to keep their fundamental analysis up to date, to be in a better position to make trading decisions. In an age of increasing social media connectivity, news about crucial decisions...

The highly controversial industry of PPI mis-selling is coming to an end, as the deadline for making PPI claims draws near. From 29th August 2019, any claims regarding mis sold PPI will no longer be permitted, meaning that anyone who purchased PPI before this date will not be able to make a claim which could be worth several thousand pounds. Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) emerged several years and was a typical add-on for mortgage brokers to help you cover any...

Whether you’re just starting out on your own or you’ve been making your own way for years, having a solid financial foundation is essential to your future. Healthy personal finances offer you security, comfort, and the opportunity to reach your goals, but achieving financial success can be tricky. In this article, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide to help you build your personal economy so that you can reach your financial goals. What is Personal Economy? When you decide to...

While high income households gain financially by switching to metering, a study suggests that less well off families are, on average, around £10 worse off