Latest articles by Sam Walker
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England’s friendliest neighbourhoods – and how much it costs to live thereThere’s more to buying a home than transport links and school catchment areas. Where is the friendliest neighbourhood in England and how much is the average house price there?
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NS&I to boost Premium Bonds prize fund rate and raises interest rates on four savings accountsThe government-backed savings provider NS&I is boosting its Premium Bonds prize fund rate from July, as well as increasing interest rates on four other savings accounts
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Why is it taking so long to sell my home? How to boost chances of getting an offerHomeowners overvaluing their properties could find it takes years to sell. Here’s how to set the right price and why it could speed up the selling process
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Are you one of 12 million people at risk of retirement poverty?A third of adults in the UK aren’t on track for a minimum lifestyle in retirement, new data shows. How can you boost your pension pot?
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Top investment scams to beware of – and what to do if you’re targetedFraudsters are finding ever more sophisticated ways of stealing your hard-earned money. Before parting with a penny, read our guide on the top investment scams and how to avoid them
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Can you make money from ‘flipping’ houses? Hotspots and alternativesThe number of homes being flipped has halved over the last 10 years. But there are still some areas where profits can be made – we reveal the hotspots where ‘flipping’ could still make you money.
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Tony Blair’s think tank proposes replacing state pension with flexible ‘Lifespan Fund’Former prime minister Tony Blair’s think tank has called for a change as the cost of the state pension grows higher.
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The best UK regions for buy-to-let landlordsBuy-to-lets have become increasingly unattractive in recent years, but there are still some areas where landlords can realise high rental yields. We look at the UK’s buy-to-let hotspots.
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London house prices: Is the capital's property boom over?Buyers and investors have always been drawn towards the capital’s property market. But as house prices stall, is the market as lucrative as it once was and are buyers and investors still interested?
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UK interest rates: Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75%The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee’s latest bank rate decision was announced today
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NS&I hikes interest rates on savings accounts – are they best buys?NS&I has boosted interest rates on nine of its savings accounts – but savers can get better rates elsewhere.
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How heat pumps work – and how to get up to £9,000 off the cost of installationTips The government wants Britain to install more heat pumps as part of its drive to decarbonise the UK economy – but how do they work and can you get help paying for them?
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The best countries to retire abroad rankedMoving to a country just a stone’s throw from the United Kingdom for retirement could be ideal if you’ve got wealth to protect
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HMRC cracks down on property valuations in inheritance tax returns – how to reduce risk of a disputeThousands more beneficiaries are being challenged on property valuations in inheritance tax returns. Here’s how you can do your best to avoid making any mistakes.
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How to boost your chances of getting the Winter Fuel PaymentMillions of pensioners will get the Winter Fuel Payment this year but you’ll need to pay it back if your income is over £35,000. We reveal some tips and tricks to ensure you’re eligible and can keep the payment
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What National Insurance contributions are – and how much you will payMost people in the UK pay National Insurance contributions but few really understand them. We explain what National Insurance is and how to work out how much you will pay.
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Looking for cheap home insurance? Don’t buy a period homeIt costs significantly more to insure a property built before the First World War than one built after 2000, analysis suggests. How can you reduce home insurance costs?
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How to keep your dividends safe from the taxmanAdvice Following successive cuts to the dividend tax allowance and a hike to dividend tax rates, we reveal the ways you can keep more of your dividend income.
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Buy-to-let repossessions rise by 10% as landlords face ‘tough times’ ahead – what you can do nowLandlords face being financially squeezed over the coming months, but there are ways to protect your portfolio
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Is NS&I’s new green savings bond worth it?NS&I has released a new issue of its green savings bond – but how does the interest rate compare to other products on the market?
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Marriage Allowance: are you missing out on £252 a 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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UK’s best and worst banks for current accounts revealed – the winners and losersMonzo has been crowned the UK’s best bank for customer satisfaction, but which current account provider sits at the bottom of the list and how does your bank compare?
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HMRC to start clawing back Winter Fuel Payments from certain pensioners – do you owe the taxman money?More than one million pensioners will see a change in their tax code from April as HMRC starts taking back Winter Fuel Payments from retirees with higher incomes
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Tens of thousands of unpaid carers affected by ‘unclear’ guidance to have debts cut or cancelledRoughly 25,000 unpaid carers who were overpaid Carer’s Allowance are expected to have their debts reduced, cancelled or refunded, under a government reassessment.
