When you’re stuck at home all the time the opportunities to spend money are vastly reduced. As a result, many of us have been saving more this year. Prior to lockdown the average household saved just under 10% of their income, but this rocketed to 29.1% in the first lockdown, according to the Office for National Statistics.
While many of us have more money in our savings accounts, the banks are not rewarding us. The record-low Bank of England base rate means that the average easy-access savings account pays just 0.23%, according to Moneyfacts. The best possible rate is a paltry 1.65% from AgriBank and you’d have to lock your money up for five years. So, what else could you do with your money?
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Keep an eye on charges
-
What is Rachel Reeves’s plan for growth?The UK’s modern industrial strategy was published this week. How does chancellor Rachel Reeves hope it will grow the UK economy, and how successful will it be?
-
The best cities to live in for quality of life, salary and rentThe best city to live in is difficult to determine, but using myriad measurements it looks like it is certainly not London or New York. We find out what it is.
-
A new wealth tax is a terrible idea. The rich are already being hit by sneaky taxes – Merryn Somerset WebbOpinion Ideologues want to squeeze more tax out of the rich with a wealth tax. They’re already wrung dry, says Merryn Somerset Webb
-
What MoneyWeek writers read and watched in 2024Here's a roundup of MoneyWeek's favourite books, films and TV shows in 2024
-
Parents face £1,000 'nanny tax' – how to afford itHiring a nanny is about to become even more of an expensive hassle for families, especially those in London. Here's how to cut costs
-
Is it cheaper to be a sole trader?It might be cheaper to be a sole trader due to changes to the tax system
-
The best fintech apps on the marketFrom digital banking to investment platforms, here are the top fintech apps on the market right now, according to David C. Stevenson
-
What pension providers don't tell you about your retirement moneyCheck the small print from your pension provider or risk losing thousands.
-
Britain’s stifling tax burdenChancellor Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement will see the tax burden rise in each of the next 5 years.
-
Brace for a year of tax risesThe government is strapped for cash, so prepare for tax rises. But it’s unlikely to be able to squeeze much more out of us.
