AUTHOR
Ruth Jackson-Kirby
Ruth Jackson-Kirby is a freelance personal finance journalist with 17 years’ experience, writing about everything from savings and credit cards to pensions, property and pet insurance.
Ruth started her career at MoneyWeek after graduating with an MA from the University of St Andrews, and she continues to contribute regular articles to our personal finance section. After leaving MoneyWeek she went on to become deputy editor of Moneywise before becoming a freelance journalist.
Ruth writes regularly for national publications including The Sunday Times, The Times, The Mail on Sunday and Good Housekeeping among many other titles both online and offline.
Lost pensions, savings or investments? Here’s how to find them
Personal finance
Lost pensions, savings or investments? Here’s how to find them
More than two in five savers lose track of tens of thousands of pounds in pensions, Isas and savings accounts. We explain how to trace lost pensions a…
28 Apr 2023
Should you fix your mortgage? Here are the best rates available now
Mortgages
Should you fix your mortgage? Here are the best rates available now
Standard Variable Rate Mortgages are nearing highs not seen since 2008, while the rates on fixed-term products are falling. Should you fix your mortga…
3 Apr 2023
Understanding winter fuel payments
Personal finance
Understanding winter fuel payments
As winter sets in and temperatures plunge, many of us are worried about our rising energy bills. But the government’s winter fuel payment could help e…
14 Dec 2022
How the mini-Budget tax cuts will affect you
Tax
How the mini-Budget tax cuts will affect you
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng's mini-Budget was full of tax cuts that will change your take-home pay
28 Sep 2022
The best student bank accounts
Personal finance
The best student bank accounts
As we approach the start of an academic year, Ruth Jackson-Kirby rounds up what you should look for when choosing a student bank account and outlines …
27 Sep 2022
Section 75 refunds: protection for your credit card purchases
Credit cards
Section 75 refunds: protection for your credit card purchases
Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, your credit card can give you extra protection when the goods or services you buy fall short of your…
23 Sep 2022
What the interest rate rise means for your mortgage
Mortgages
What the interest rate rise means for your mortgage
As mortgage interest rates rise, extending home loans is starting to become eye-wateringly expensive. Ruth Jackson-Kirby explains what you can do abou…
15 Sep 2022
Why you should consider an offset mortgage – and what the best deals are
Mortgages
Why you should consider an offset mortgage – and what the best deals are
Interest rates on savings are pitifully low at the moment. But you can still put your money to work: get an offset mortgage. Ruth Jackson-Kirby explai…
26 Aug 2022
How to cut the hidden costs of holiday car hire
Personal finance
How to cut the hidden costs of holiday car hire
There are several ways to trim your holiday car hire bill and pre-empt unpleasant surprises. Ruth Jackson-Kirby outlines some of the best.
23 Aug 2022
How to cut your energy bill
Personal finance
How to cut your energy bill
The energy-price cap will almost double in the autumn. What does this mean for your money, and how can you alleviate the squeeze? Ruth Jackson-Kirby h…
17 Aug 2022
How solar panels could lower your energy bill
Energy
How solar panels could lower your energy bill
Solar-panel installation firms are reporting a four-fold increase in orders this year compared with 2021. Ruth Jackson-Kirby explains how solar can he…
14 Aug 2022
Can you beat rising interest rates with a green mortgage?
Mortgages
Can you beat rising interest rates with a green mortgage?
Mortgage payments are rising, but there are ways to mitigate the worst of the effects, says Ruth Jackson Kirby, including getting a “green mortgage”.
21 Jul 2022
How to cut the cost of childcare
Personal finance
How to cut the cost of childcare
Childcare is expensive, yet few people are drawing upon all the government support they are entitled to. Ruth Jackson-Kirby explains what help is avai…
6 Jul 2022
How to claim compensation for travel delays
Personal finance
How to claim compensation for travel delays
It promises to be a summer of chaos at airports, with thousands of flights cancelled and huge queues, while strikes on the railways haven't helped eit…
5 Jul 2022
Don’t be tempted by cashback mortgage deals
Mortgages
Don’t be tempted by cashback mortgage deals
Many lenders are now offering “cashback mortgages” that can return up to £1,000 to you on completion. But beware, says Ruth Jackson-Kirby. Cashback of…
21 Jun 2022
Why you shouldn’t rush to fix your energy tariff
Personal finance
Why you shouldn’t rush to fix your energy tariff
Fixed-tariff energy deals are becoming more tempting, but not all households can benefit, says Ruth Jackson-Kirby.
16 Jun 2022
Why you should consider abandoning your cash Isa
Cash ISAs
Why you should consider abandoning your cash Isa
Standard savings accounts are paying better rates than their tax-free cash Isa counterparts, says Ruth Jackson-Kirby.
13 Jun 2022
The best current account switch deals
Bank accounts
The best current account switch deals
Banks are offering attractive cash incentives to entice new customers, but Ruth-Jackson Kirby explains why it’s important to read the small print befo…
2 Jun 2022
How to cut the cost of living
Personal finance
How to cut the cost of living
Culling your direct debits, lowering your boiler’s temperature and signing up for loyalty cards are all strategies to help combat the rising cost of l…
23 May 2022
Calculate your personal inflation rate
Personal finance
Calculate your personal inflation rate
This useful calculator lets you see the effect of price rises on your budget, to calculate your own personal inflation rate.
12 May 2022
How to make your child a financial whizz
Personal finance
How to make your child a financial whizz
Money skills aren’t always taught at school. You need to take matters into your own hands, says Ruth Jackson-Kirby.
11 May 2022
Should you buy pet insurance or “self insure” your pet?
Insurance
Should you buy pet insurance or “self insure” your pet?
Veterinary costs are soaring, but many pet insurance policies provide a poor level of cover, says Ruth Jackson-Kirby.
27 Apr 2022
Don't buy pre-paid funeral plans, save for death instead
Personal finance
Don't buy pre-paid funeral plans, save for death instead
Funerals are costly, but pre-paid plans have not been a reliable way to prepare for them. Set up your own savings instead, says Ruth Jackson Kirby.
13 Apr 2022
The best long-term fixed-rate mortgages available now
Personal finance
The best long-term fixed-rate mortgages available now
Rising interest rates will increase your mortgage costs. This could be a good time to lock in a five-year or ten-year fixed-rate mortgage deal, says R…
25 Mar 2022
Ethical savings accounts: make your cash green
Savings
Ethical savings accounts: make your cash green
NS&I’s Green Savings Bond helps fund environmentally sound projects, but there are better eco-friendly options for your money, says Ruth Jackson-Kirby…
22 Mar 2022
The best credit card for collecting air miles
Credit cards
The best credit card for collecting air miles
The Barclaycard Avios and Avios Plus are more widely accepted than Amex, says Ruth Jackson-Kirby.
15 Mar 2022
Split your money into pots with Zopa's new savings account
Savings
Split your money into pots with Zopa's new savings account
A new account from Zopa lets you tailor your savings to your needs by putting your money in separate pots. Ruth Jackson-Kirby explains how it works an…
9 Mar 2022
Should you use your savings to overpay your mortgage?
Mortgages
Should you use your savings to overpay your mortgage?
Early mortgage repayments could be a better way to save in a low interest-rate environment, says Ruth Jackson-Kirby.
2 Mar 2022
Get paid to switch your current account
Bank accounts
Get paid to switch your current account
Santander and NatWest are offering bonuses if you switch to their current accounts, but make sure you choose the right service.
16 Feb 2022
How to keep your mortgage payments low as interest rates rise
Mortgages
How to keep your mortgage payments low as interest rates rise
Rising interest rates pose a threat to your mortgage, but it’s not all bad news. Here are some ways to secure a better rate.
11 Feb 2022
Tax return deadline extended – but don't forget to file
Income tax
Tax return deadline extended – but don't forget to file
HMRC is being slightly more lenient about tax returns this year, but falling behind will still incur hefty fines.
25 Jan 2022
Wills aren’t set in stone – change them with a deed of variation
Personal finance
Wills aren’t set in stone – change them with a deed of variation
If all executors and beneficiaries of a deceased’s will agree, they can change who benefits. Ruth Jackson-Kirby explains how.
2 May 2021
Should you join in on the dash for digital banks?
Bank accounts
Should you join in on the dash for digital banks?
App-based financial-services providers are proving efficient and popular
21 Apr 2021
Does part of the £50bn lying forgotten in dormant accounts belong to you?
Personal finance
Does part of the £50bn lying forgotten in dormant accounts belong to you?
Around £50bn of our money is just sitting in dormant bank, savings and pension accounts. Make sure none of it's yours, says Ruth Jackson Kirby.
20 Apr 2021
How to navigate the child-benefit maze
Personal finance
How to navigate the child-benefit maze
The child benefit system is infernally complicated and rife with potential pitfalls.
13 Apr 2021
Not been driving much? Here's how to save money on costly car insurance
Insurance
Not been driving much? Here's how to save money on costly car insurance
If you've not been driving your car much lately, it’s important to shop around for a better car insurance package, says Ruth Jackson-Kirby.
31 Mar 2021