Money Talk

10/01/2024

How to become a product tester

As part of my journalism work, I’m often testing different gadgets and accessories and giving my verdict. Some are absolutely brilliant, some are pretty good but don’t fit with my lifestyle and some are just not worth the money. One […]

09/01/2024

Money Rules: Have a fun fund

This is the first in a new limited series called Money Rules. In it, I’m asking different money bloggers and experts for the number one money rule that helps them manage their money in some way. It can range from […]

08/01/2024

Got buyer's remorse? Well, the latest Money Talk is all about your right to a refund

https://heymoneytalk.co.uk/knowledge-bank/consumer-rights-act-2015-and-your-right-to-a-refund/

08/01/2024

Social tariffs from broadband and mobile phone providers

A whole slew of broadband and phone providers put up their prices at the beginning of April as part of the big annual fee adjustment. While it used to be the case that you could leave the contract early when […]

07/01/2024

Money Rules: Always save on payday

Having a fun fund helps me make the most of my money while Sara Williams curbs her spending by asking a simple question before every purchase. For full-time blogger Victoria Sully, the key to managing her finances is having a […]

06/01/2024

Cheapest mobile networks and sim-only plans for travelling

This post was originally published in May 2022, but has been updated in July 2023 to reflect changing prices and offers. In summer 2021 all four of the UK’s mobile network providers updated their roaming policies in response to Brexit. […]

05/01/2024

Money Rules: Buy once

The single-use mentality can be hard to get out of, especially when single-use items are designed to offer the convenience that so many of us think we need as part of a busy lifestyle. But convenience is expensive, and often […]

04/01/2024

Savings accounts with a prize draw (updated October 2023)

This post was originally published in August 2021. It was last updated in October 2023 to reflect the products currently on the market. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, new products are being launched and modified all […]

03/01/2024

How to get financial help with your energy bills

The end of British Summer Time signals the start of the winter season. For those living in older and draughtier homes, your fingers have probably already been hovering over the on switch for the heating. Well, the good news is […]

02/01/2024

9 tips for filing your tax return for the first time

Confusing, time consuming and tedious – having to file a tax return is one of the least enjoyable things about being self employed. And if you’ve been putting it off all year, 31 January is the day you dread. But […]

01/01/2024

Money Rules: Track all your spending

Do you know how much you’re spending every month? And on what? I dare say that most of us don’t. It’s not a problem per se, except for when you’re trying to budget or cut back – or indeed, seeing […]

31/12/2023

Money Rules: Ask this question before buying anything

Before you buy anything, you should ask yourself: Does this fit in with my priorities? That’s the money rule that Sara Williams lives by. Williams has been a debt advisor for over 20 years and writes Debt Camel, a website […]

30/12/2023

Best savings accounts (updated July 2023)

This post was originally published in November 2022 but was updated in July 2023 to reflect new figures and the changing economy. The Bank of England Bank Rate has been raised to 5%, a high last seen in 2008. It’s […]

29/12/2023

Money Rules: Avoid lifestyle creep

When I talk to friends who make a lot more money than me, I’m always fascinated by what they consider as essentials. Monthly massages, weekly dinners out and regular sports sessions are all on the list. But then I think […]

28/12/2023

How to complain effectively

Brits love to complain – but usually only to their family and friends and not the people who can rectify the situation. I think part of it is down to embarrassment; we don’t want to be seen to be making […]

27/12/2023

Best current account switching offers (updated January 2023)

Below is a list of current account switching offers where a reward is offered – usually some free money. Almost all will require the use of the Current Account Switching Service (CASS), which closes your old bank account. And if […]

26/12/2023

Chip Prize Savings Account review: I saved £100 and won £25

Savings and investment app Chip has some of the best interest rates around at the moment. Their Instant Access Savings Account* for example currently offers a healthy rate of 4.84% AER. This is far above many high street banks, which […]

25/12/2023

Best financial products to help you save money and grow wealth

Originally published in March 2020, this list of financial products was last updated in November 2023. The financial products listed below are ones that I believe are the best on the market right now and ones that I would choose […]

24/12/2023

How salary sacrifice can increase your take-home pay

With inflation soaring and salaries stalling, many of us are feeling the squeeze. I, for one, am constantly feeling like I’m saving less and less every month, even though I haven’t even maxed out my Fun Fund. So what if […]

23/12/2023

How women can plan for financial freedom

The numbers are stacked against women when it comes to money. We typically take home less pay, work fewer years during the course of our lives due to caring responsibilities, and don’t contribute as much towards our pensions. Many of […]

22/12/2023

Travel insurance: what you should be looking for

Well, the school summer holidays have officially begun, which means it’s now peak travel season. You know what you need this year? Well sunscreen and a fan probably, but also travel insurance. I wrote about how to pick the right […]

21/12/2023

Money Rules: Make a spreadsheet

Last month, Shoestring Cottage’s Jane Berry shared how tracking her spending helped her to manage her finances. It’s a money rule that she started following in 2009, and one that she continues to follow. But Berry likes to do it […]

20/12/2023

Energy Price Cap: everything you need to know

I often mention the Energy Price Cap in passing when talking about energy prices but there’s a lot of confusion around how it actually works. There’s the fact that while a headline figure is given, this is not actually what […]

19/12/2023

Three ways to make money from your old clothes

I’ve got a confession to make: I’ve been doing a lot of clothes shopping recently. It’s a combination of shifting seasons, summer sales and of course lifestyle changes. More specifically, I mostly work from home these days, but need a […]

18/12/2023

Four things to do before the end of the tax year

The end of the tax year is coming up on 5 April.  Although for most people it’s just a reminder to top up their ISAs, there are plenty of other things you could do In my case, as a self […]

17/12/2023

Fallen victim to a scam? Here’s what to do next

Brits lose millions of pounds each year to fraud. And according to data released by the Office for National Statistics, financial fraud has been the fastest growing category since March 2021. The trend isn’t surprising given how our lives have […]