Is a Packaged Bank Account Worth the Cost?

Is a Packaged Bank Account Worth the Cost?

Millions of people paying for bank accounts with attractive extras like travel insurance and streaming subscriptions might be facing higher costs now due to increased fees. These packaged accounts typically charge monthly fees ranging from £10 to £40, offering perks that can save hundreds of pounds annually if utilized effectively. However, recent data from Fairer…

Navigating Complexities After Securing Power of Attorney: A Real-Life Experience

Navigating Complexities After Securing Power of Attorney: A Real-Life Experience

Alison Guthrie diligently planned for her mother Daphne’s future care, establishing a power of attorney (PoA) with her brother, Greg, back in 2007. Despite their foresight, when Daphne, now 99, moved into a care home and could no longer handle her finances, Alison and Greg encountered an overwhelming amount of bureaucratic procedures. A power of…

Top 5 Strategies to Enhance Your Investment Portfolio While on Vacation

Top 5 Strategies to Enhance Your Investment Portfolio While on Vacation

During a recent financial summit, the chief financial planning director at Evelyn Partners noted that summer is increasingly a crucial period for advisors. Clients often take advantage of their time off to review their Isas and pensions, she explained. I’ve been known to keep financial experts busy during holidays. During our Easter break, I left…

Eddie Jordan Takes Legal Action Against HSBC Over £5 Million Investment Loss

Eddie Jordan Takes Legal Action Against HSBC Over £5 Million Investment Loss

Former Formula 1 team principal Eddie Jordan is suing HSBC, claiming the bank persuaded him to borrow £47 million to invest in a ‘low-risk’ fund, which resulted in a £5 million loss. Jordan’s investment firm, Pendragon Investment Holdings, alleges that HSBC’s private banking advisers pressured it into investing in the HSBC GIF Global Credit Floating…

Are You Prepared for Your Dream Retirement?

Are You Prepared for Your Dream Retirement?

Caroline Dabney-Rourke envisions her retirement filled with yearly international vacations and several UK getaways. However, at 59, the café owner’s minimal pension—expected to yield approximately £350 annually at age 67—falls short of supporting her desired lifestyle, even when combined with the state pension. She may need to sell her rental property to clear its £250,000…

Why National Savings & Investments (NS&I) is Losing Popularity

Why National Savings & Investments (NS&I) is Losing Popularity

National Savings & Investments (NS&I), a Treasury-owned bank, is facing increased dissatisfaction due to poor customer service and outdated technology. Managing the savings of 24 million people and holding £231.3 billion in savings, NS&I has seen a surge in complaints from disappointed customers. NS&I has missed its customer satisfaction targets for three of the past…

Can I Offset Capital Gains Tax While Selling My Buy-to-Let Property?

Can I Offset Capital Gains Tax While Selling My Buy-to-Let Property?

Q. I am in the process of selling my vacant buy-to-let flat. Is it possible to offset utilities and local rates against my capital gains tax? Antony, 70 When owning property, landlords incur different types of expenses, each subject to specific tax regulations depending on their nature. Unfortunately, utility costs and local rates do not…

Maximize Your Retirement Savings: Top Companies with the Most Generous Pension Plans

Maximize Your Retirement Savings: Top Companies with the Most Generous Pension Plans

You could gain an extra £1 million in your retirement fund by choosing the right company to work for, as revealed by a Money investigation. The Sunday Times reached out to every company on the FTSE 100, the index of the largest firms on the UK stock market, to compare pension schemes for UK-based employees….

Troubles With Booking.com Cost Me Over £500; A Lack of Support

Troubles With Booking.com Cost Me Over £500; A Lack of Support

A friend and I experienced a series of issues during our three-week trip to India in February, with multiple components booked through Booking.com. Through the travel site, we reserved a connecting flight from Delhi to Ranchi. However, when I attempted to check in online, Vistara, the airline, claimed I had cancelled the booking, which was…