Latest articles by Ruth Emery
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Are regular savings accounts worth it?
A 7% interest rate is eye-catching, but how much can you save in a regular saver account and how does the interest rate work exactly?
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10 years of pension freedoms: what choices have pension savers made?
Since April 2015, older savers have been able to take money directly from their pension, rather than buying an annuity. We look at the impact of pension freedoms - and how savers have spent their cash
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Hargreaves Lansdown takeover: what it means for your money
Britain’s biggest investment platform has agreed a £5.4 billion takeover. What does it mean for shareholders and customers?
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Could Labour introduce a 2% wealth tax?
As the chancellor puts the final touches to next week’s Spring Statement, there are growing calls for a 2% wealth tax to be introduced. Campaigners say it would tackle economic inequality and raise billions of pounds in revenue
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Who will miss out on the state pension triple lock?
Not all pensioners have their state pensions increased each year in line with the triple lock. We explain who misses out
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Six reasons not to top up your state pension
A deadline to buy National Insurance credits and top up your state pension is fast approaching. Here’s why it may not be worth it for some people
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Spring Statement: what could Rachel Reeves say about pensions?
The chancellor will deliver her Spring Statement on 26 March. We look at whether there will be any announcements on pensions that could affect savers or retirees
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Couples urged to apply for the marriage allowance before end of tax year
News Married couples and civil partners could save up to £252 a year in tax by claiming the allowance - and receive a backdated lump-sum payment worth more than £1,000.
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RICS: UK housing market starts to lose momentum
The latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors reveals that housing market activity is slowing due to the upcoming stamp duty hike, as well as “international economic uncertainties”
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Best investing apps
Looking for an easy-to-use app to help you start investing, keep track of your portfolio or make trades on the go? We round up the best investing apps
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ISA guide: everything you need to know for the 2024/25 tax year
In our ISA guide, we explain everything you need to know about ISAs: how they work, how much you can pay in, what investments you can hold, and how to transfer one.
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Are you eligible for a £25 cold weather payment?
Millions of people are eligible for cold weather payments from the Department for Work and Pensions. With the scheme finishing for this winter on 31 March, we explain who qualifies and how to check if a payment is due
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Why you should write a will — and how to do it for free
Most of us haven’t written a will. But it's one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your loved ones
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Nationwide to pull its £175 switching bonus - act now to get offer
The building society is withdrawing its bank switching offer at the end of the month, after gaining thousands of customers last year. We explain how to qualify for the current account switching bonus
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Zoopla: price gap between houses and flats reaches 30-year high
The average house value is now 67% higher than the average value of a flat, property portal Zoopla has found
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My 8% Nationwide regular saver has matured - what are my options?
Nationwide’s popular 8% account has matured for savers. Should you stick with the building society or move to a competitor?
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State pension could rise to £12,600 next year - dragging millions into paying tax
The triple lock could trigger a 5.5% increase to the state pension in April 2026, economists suggest. This means the full state pension will breach the tax-free personal allowance
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Stocks and shares ISAs beat cash ISAs – is it time to start investing?
The average stocks and shares ISA returned almost 12% over the past 12 months, versus 3.8% for the average cash ISA. As Rachel Reeves considers cutting the cash ISA limit, is it time you started investing?
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UK house prices rose 4.6% last year – where did property prices grow most?
House prices increased by 4.6% in 2024, giving an average property price of £268,000. Where did property prices grow the most and will they continue to rise this year?
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Most affordable cities for single homebuyers revealed
Buying a home by yourself? Analysis by Zoopla reveals the most affordable cities in the UK
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Will China thrive during the Year of the Snake - or will Trump’s tariffs bite?
As the Chinese lunar new year begins, investors will be wondering whether allocating to the world’s second-largest economy will “rattle” up some big returns, or whether Trump’s tariffs will take a “venomous bite” out of investment performance
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Average rents drop for first time since 2019 - what does it mean for buy-to-let landlords?
The rental market is starting to cool, with more supply and less demand, says Rightmove. That’s good news for tenants, but where does it leave landlords?
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The 8% pension rule: what is it and is it enough to retire on?
You are probably saving this amount into a pension each month without even realising. But what is the 8% rule and is it enough to give you a comfortable retirement?
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HMRC vows to tackle overtaxed pension scandal as pensioners reclaim millions
Pensioners claimed almost £50 million in pension tax overpayment refunds in the past three months. Now, HMRC says it wants to improve the system so pension savers “pay the right amount of tax from the outset”. We explain what’s changing
