Vaishali Varu
Vaishali has a background in personal finance and a passion for helping people manage their finances. As a staff writer for MoneyWeek, Vaishali covers the latest news, trends and insights on property, savings and ISAs.
She also has bylines for the U.S. personal finance site Kiplinger.com and Ideal Home, GoodTo, inews, The Week and the Leicester Mercury.
Before joining MoneyWeek, Vaishali worked in marketing and copywriting for small businesses. Away from her desk, Vaishali likes to travel, socialise and cook homely favourites.
Latest articles by Vaishali Varu
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Santander to cut top 5.2% easy-access saver rate in weeks – where can you find a better rate?
Santander is to drop its 5.2% best buy rate on its easy-access saver this month. How does the new rate compare to the rest of the savings market and where are the best alternatives?
By Vaishali Varu Last updated
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Virgin Money launches 10% interest on current account - who can get it?
Virgin Money is offering 10% interest on cash via its current account for new customers. But, there are a few caveats - we look at who can get it and how
By Vaishali Varu Published
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May Premium Bond winners – did you become a millionaire?
Two lucky NS&I Premium Bond holders are now millionaires. Did you scoop the £1m jackpot in the May draw?
By Vaishali Varu Published
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IHT receipts hit record high – is it set to rise further?
HMRC is set to collect a historic number of IHT receipts between April 2023 and March 2024. We look at how you can stop the taxman eating into your inheritance.
By Vaishali Varu Published
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Early bird ISA investors flock to global funds, India and the US
There’s been an increase in investors maxing out their ISA at the start of the new tax year. But where are they putting their cash and why does it make sense to be an early bird investor?
By Vaishali Varu Published
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Rightmove: Asking prices edge closer to record peak
Asking prices have been driven up by the top-end of the market, Rightmove has found. But how does the situation look in your area?
By Vaishali Varu Published
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Coventry Building Society bids £780m for Co-operative Bank - what could it mean for customers?
Coventry Building Society has put in an offer of £780 million to buy Co-operative Bank. When will the potential deal happen and what could it mean for customers?
By Vaishali Varu Published
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Millions to pay tax on savings interest: how to pay less
Advice We will see a huge spike in the number of people paying tax on savings in 2024. We explain how much tax you could pay and what you can do to reduce your HMRC bill.
By Vaishali Varu Last updated
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Lloyds Bank unveils new pension service – is it any good?
Lloyds is the first high-street bank to launch a ready-made pension service. How does it work, is it any good and who can save in it?
By Vaishali Varu Published
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The most popular investments for ISAs
Tips As we enter the new tax year, we look at the most popular ISA funds, investment trusts and stocks over the past four months
By Vaishali Varu Last updated
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NS&I launches long-awaited British Savings Bonds – are they any good?
NS&I’s British Savings Bonds are on sale from today (3 April). What rate is it offering and how does it compare to the rest of the market?
By Vaishali Varu Last updated
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Chase introduces a bonus rate on its savings account – but do you qualify?
Chase’s easy-access savings account has become a best buy after the addition of its first-ever bonus rate. But with several restrictions, are you eligible – and why you may need to act fast
By Vaishali Varu Published
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10 ways to make use of your ISA tax allowance in the new tax year
Now that the new tax year is here, we've identified 10 ways to make the most of your ISA tax allowance.
By Vaishali Varu Last updated
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NatWest, RBS and Ulster Bank to close doors to 51 more branches in 2024
Banking group NatWest is set to shut 51 more branches this year. We have the full list of closures
By Vaishali Varu Published
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First Direct’s £175 switch bonus returns – should you move banks?
The £175 switching deal may not be the biggest on the market, but First Direct offers a host of perks including 7% on regular savings plus excellent customer service. We look at whether it’s worth taking advantage of the deal
By Vaishali Varu Last updated
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April 2024 NS&I Premium Bond winners – check now to see whether you've won
Premium Bond holders can check from today (3 April) to see if they have won a prize in NS&I’s April 2024 Premium Bond draw
By Vaishali Varu Published
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April 2024 Premium Bond winners – did you bag the £1m jackpot?
NS&I has unveiled two lucky millionaires in the April draw. Have you won any Premium Bonds and how can you check for prizes?
By Vaishali Varu Published
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What can we expect from the NS&I British Savings Bond?
NS&I’s new British Savings Bond will launch next month. What will it look like, what sort of interest rate could it pay, and how will it compare to the rest of the savings market?
By Vaishali Varu Published
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Hargreaves Lansdown bumps up cash ISA with £25 cashback - does it beat the wider ISA market?
Just days before the end of the tax year, Hargreaves Lansdown has launched a £25 bonus for those who open a cash ISA on its savings platform. Does the bonus make it a competitive rate, and are you eligible for the cashback?
By Vaishali Varu Published
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IHT receipts on track to hit a record high this financial year
The taxman is set to take £6.8 billion in inheritance tax between April 2023 and February 2024 after no reform was announced in the Spring Budget
By Vaishali Varu Published
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Over 1,000 ways to beat inflation: here’s where to put your cash now
As inflation falls to 3.4%, there are now more than 1,000 savings accounts that beat inflation giving you a stronger return on cash
By Vaishali Varu Published
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Santander brings back £185 bank switch bonus
Santander is the latest bank to join the switching incentives market with £185 on offer when you switch to its current account. Is it enough to entice new customers and are you eligible?
By Vaishali Varu Published
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4 ETFs for your stocks and shares ISA
As ETFs grow in popularity, here are four funds to add to your stocks and shares ISA before 5 April
By Vaishali Varu Published
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Rightmove: Asking prices show its biggest rise in 10 months
Asking prices continue to hike as more buyers take to the property market, amid a slow 2023
By Vaishali Varu Published