Independent - Money

Insurers warned they must offer fair settlements when cars are written off

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 11:38:36 +0200

The Financial Conduct Authority has seen evidence some people are being offered a price lower than the vehicle’s fair market value.

Which life stages are children at their ‘costliest’ for parents?

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 10:00:32 +0200

From kitting out growing tots to the hefty costs of teenage years, navigating ‘pinchpoint years’ can strain family finances. By Vicky Shaw.

The top 10 ways people are cutting back in the cost-of-living crisis

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 09:30:19 +0200

From using less energy to slashing Christmas shopping, Vicky Shaw finds out how people are changing their spending habits.

‘Average UK house price fell by 1.4% month on month in November’

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 09:43:54 +0200

The fallout from the mini-budget continued to affect the market, Nationwide Building Society said.

Motor insurance policy fraud cases jump as households squeezed by living costs

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 12:16:57 +0200

Aviva is warning drivers to think twice if they are tempted to lie in an attempt to save money on their policy.

First Direct is launching a 7% rate on a savings account from Thursday

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 19:24:45 +0200

The bank is doubling the interest rate on its Regular Saver Account from 3.5% to 7%.

£209m handed back to retirees owed state pension payments

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 17:28:51 +0200

The amount paid back so far is a ‘drop in the ocean’ when compared to the nearly £1.5 billion estimated to have been underpaid, one expert said.

Number of mortgage approvals for house purchase falls to lowest level since 2020

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 12:41:42 +0200

The number of mortgage approvals made to home buyers in October was the lowest since June 2020.

Do Martin Lewis’s money-saving tips really work? We tested them to find out

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 10:27:18 +0200

Laura Hampson, Saman Javed and Kate Ng have investigated whether the consumer champion’s advice on everything from train tickets to groceries made a difference to their individual bank balances

HSBC raises rate on savings account from 1% to 5%

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 14:21:05 +0200

The Regular Saver rate is fixed for a year after opening, but HSBC said the increase will apply to all live Regular Saver accounts.

Drivers with keyless vehicles ‘twice as likely to make a theft claim’

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 12:31:42 +0200

Some simple, traditional devices can be effective in deterring car thieves, Aviva said.

Homes ‘selling for 3% below asking price on average’

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 02:01:00 +0200

Zoopla expects discounts to increase further in 2023 as the housing market adjusts to new mortgage rates.

Rare banknotes going under the hammer to help raise money for food banks

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 12:26:22 +0200

NatWest is putting some of its rare banknotes up for auction and it is hoped the sales could raise more than £400,000.

Surge in renters as would-be homebuyers put purchases on hold

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 11:06:04 +0200

Inquiries about rentals up 23 per cent in October compared with the same month in 2021, Rightmove says

Struggling to keep up with pet costs? Here’s what experts want you to know

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 10:00:55 +0200

With the cost of living crisis leaving households squeezed, Vicky Shaw finds out how it’s affecting pet owners.

Identity fraud attempts expected to peak during Christmas shopping season

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 02:01:00 +0200

It is likely the trend in fraudulent attempts will only become more pronounced over the coming months, Experian said.

Nearly half of people ‘concerned about how their family will afford Christmas’

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 02:01:00 +0200

Almost three-quarters of people would be happy to receive fewer or no gifts this year, according to credit provider Vanquis.

Demand ‘shifting to rental homes as would-be buyers wait for more certainty’

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 02:01:00 +0200

The number of people inquiring about homes to rent was 23% higher in October compared with the same month in 2021, Rightmove said.

Martin Lewis reveals the 50p Tesco Clubcard loophole to boost points

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 19:14:41 +0200

The Money Saving Expert advised Clubcard users to try the little-known hack to avoid losing out on vouchers set to expire

What can households do to offset soaring energy costs?

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 12:48:03 +0200

Homeowners can take steps to cut back on energy use to lessen the impact of rocketing costs.