AUTHOR

Nicole García Mérida
Nic studied for a BA in journalism at Cardiff University, and has an MA in magazine journalism from City University. She joined MoneyWeek in 2019.
Bank of England raises interest rate to 4%
Economy
Bank of England raises interest rate to 4%
The Bank of England raised rates by 0.5%, marking the base rate’s 10th consecutive increase.
2 Feb 2023
NS&I brings back one-year fixed bonds with highest rates since 2010
Personal finance
NS&I brings back one-year fixed bonds with highest rates since 2010
NS&I’s one-year fixed bonds are back on sale after being pulled off the market in 2019 - but is the rate any good?
1 Feb 2023
Nationwide: UK house prices fall for the fifth consecutive month
House prices
Nationwide: UK house prices fall for the fifth consecutive month
Nationwide’s latest house price index reveals house price growth slowed again to 1.1% in January from 2.8% in December
1 Feb 2023
Top 10 up and coming property areas in the UK
Property
Top 10 up and coming property areas in the UK
New research shows rural areas make for the best investment, while London boroughs dominated the bottom 10
31 Jan 2023
Fund platform launches low cost £4.99 a month service for small investors - we see how it compares
Investments
Fund platform launches low cost £4.99 a month service for small investors - we see how it compares
Aimed at investors with small investment pots of £30k or less, fund platform interactive investors has launched a low costs service - but is it any go…
31 Jan 2023
Zoopla: house prices stalled at the end of 2022
House prices
Zoopla: house prices stalled at the end of 2022
The property market looks primed for a slow burn start, and buyers are turning towards flats instead of homes as they prioritise affordability, latest…
30 Jan 2023
Best savings accounts – January 2023
Savings
Best savings accounts – January 2023
Interest rates on cash savings are making a comeback. We look at the best savings accounts on the market now
27 Jan 2023
Rents across the UK rise to record highs
Personal finance
Rents across the UK rise to record highs
Rightmove’s latest rental trends tracker shows tenants are facing record price increases
27 Jan 2023
The best one-year fixed savings accounts – January 2023
Savings
The best one-year fixed savings accounts – January 2023
Earn almost 5% on one-year fixed savings accounts.
26 Jan 2023
How to check your council tax band
Economy
How to check your council tax band
With council tax bills set to rise this year by an average 5%, make sure you’re not paying any more than you have to by checking you’re in the right c…
26 Jan 2023
State pension age could rise to 68 as early as 2035 – what it means for you
State pensions
State pension age could rise to 68 as early as 2035 – what it means for you
State pension age increases could be accelerated, with the change to 68 coming in as early as 2035, affecting those who are 54 and under today.
25 Jan 2023
What are the UK’s most expensive postcodes to buy a house in?
Economy
What are the UK’s most expensive postcodes to buy a house in?
Data from estate agent comparison site GetAgent reveals the UK’s priciest and cheapest postcodes to buy a property in
25 Jan 2023
IHT payments rise by £700m - how to reduce your inheritance tax bill
Inheritance tax
IHT payments rise by £700m - how to reduce your inheritance tax bill
The inheritance tax threshold has been frozen until 2028, resulting in higher tax bills for many - we look at how to keep your inheritance tax bill to…
24 Jan 2023
National Grid could pay you to use less electricity from today
Personal finance
National Grid could pay you to use less electricity from today
The National Grid is paying customers to cut energy use today as the cold weather places a strain on supply margins - find out who will get the paymen…
24 Jan 2023
Two boiler tricks to slash hundreds off your energy bill
Personal finance
Two boiler tricks to slash hundreds off your energy bill
As temperatures drop, you may have tried a few tricks to help keep energy bills low, but could these two boiler tricks slash hundreds off your costs?
23 Jan 2023
Council tax increases 2023 – how much more will you pay?
Tax
Council tax increases 2023 – how much more will you pay?
Your council tax bill will go up in April - we reveal the councils that have confirmed what this year’s increase will be.
23 Jan 2023
Best easy access savings accounts – January 2023
Savings
Best easy access savings accounts – January 2023
Rising interest rates have boosted the returns on instant-access savings accounts. We look at the top rates available on the market now.
20 Jan 2023
Best areas for buy-to-let in the UK
Buy to let
Best areas for buy-to-let in the UK
If you’re thinking of getting a buy-to-let property you’ll want to know the areas in the country with the highest rental yields
20 Jan 2023
Where will house prices go in 2023?
House prices
Where will house prices go in 2023?
Halifax expects house prices to fall next year due to higher interest rates and the rising cost of living. We explore what could happen to house price…
20 Jan 2023
Active investing vs passive investing: which is best?
Investment strategy
Active investing vs passive investing: which is best?
Active investing strategies didn’t do well in 2023 as passive investing continued to draw in new assets.
20 Jan 2023
Best debit and credit cards to use while travelling
Personal finance
Best debit and credit cards to use while travelling
If you’re going on holiday or travel regularly, it’s worth knowing what the best possible card is to avoid hefty fees while abroad
19 Jan 2023
ONS: House prices up 10.3% in November
House prices
ONS: House prices up 10.3% in November
Official data shows house prices went up in November 2022, but a slowdown is still on thee cards
18 Jan 2023
UK inflation slows to 10.5%
Inflation
UK inflation slows to 10.5%
Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed the decrease was largely due to falling fuel prices
18 Jan 2023
The pros and cons of smart meters – should you switch?
Personal finance
The pros and cons of smart meters – should you switch?
A smart meter can help you keep tabs on your energy usage, but is it better than a regular meter? We take a look at smart meters vs regular meters.
9 Jan 2023
Should you file a diesel emissions claim and how?
Personal finance
Should you file a diesel emissions claim and how?
Those who owned a diesel vehicle between 2007 and 2020 might be able to claim over the emissions
6 Jan 2023
Is it cheaper to leave the heating on low all day?
Personal finance
Is it cheaper to leave the heating on low all day?
The weather is getting colder and energy bills are rising, but is it really cheaper to leave the heating on low all day or should you only turn it on …
23 Dec 2022
Demand for new homes down 50% as property market continues to cool
House prices
Demand for new homes down 50% as property market continues to cool
Zoopla’s latest house price index revealed quarterly house price growth has slowed and is likely to turn negative in the first quarter of 2023.
22 Dec 2022
Why you need to act fast to get the best deals on savings accounts
Savings
Why you need to act fast to get the best deals on savings accounts
Savings rates are at their highest levels in over a decade, according to data from Moneyfacts
20 Dec 2022
Government extends mortgage guarantee scheme to help first-time buyers
Mortgages
Government extends mortgage guarantee scheme to help first-time buyers
The mortgage guarantee scheme helps those with 5% deposits secure high loan-to-value mortgages.
20 Dec 2022
What is an index fund?
Funds
What is an index fund?
We outline everything you need to know about index funds, from what they are and how to buy them, to the things to consider before you do so.
20 Dec 2022
How much does it cost to run a dishwasher?
Personal finance
How much does it cost to run a dishwasher?
We look into how much it costs to run a dishwasher and what you can do to reduce your energy bill.
19 Dec 2022
The best credit cards for cashback – December 2022
Personal finance
The best credit cards for cashback – December 2022
If you’re looking for a credit card that gives you cash back on your spending, here are the best deals around at the moment.
14 Dec 2022
UK house prices rose 12.6% in October says the ONS
House prices
UK house prices rose 12.6% in October says the ONS
House prices have continued to rise according to data from the ONS, but all is not what it seems with the data.
14 Dec 2022
5 things you didn’t realise were affecting your credit score
Personal finance
5 things you didn’t realise were affecting your credit score
Make sure you’re keeping your credit score in top shape by avoiding these five mistakes.
14 Dec 2022
UK inflation falls to 10.7% but cost of living pressures remain
Inflation
UK inflation falls to 10.7% but cost of living pressures remain
CPI is down to 10.7% from last month’s 41-year-high of 11.1%
14 Dec 2022
NS&I interest rates hit highest levels in a decade
Savings
NS&I interest rates hit highest levels in a decade
The savings bank has increased the interest rates on its products to their highest levels in years.
13 Dec 2022