Latest articles by Nicole García Mérida
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When will interest rates fall?
Briefings The Bank of England has hiked interest rates to a fresh 15-year high of 5.25%, but could the end of the hiking cycle be in sight?
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Best savings accounts – August 2023
Features Interest rates have been creeping up - we look at the best savings accounts on the market right now.
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The best one-year fixed savings accounts – August 2023
Savings You can now earn 6% on one-year fixed savings accounts – the best rate seen in 14 years. We have all the best deals available now.
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Will NS&I hike rates as competition heats up?
News The government-backed bank saw significant outflows in June, which could encourage it to hike rates as it competes for business.
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£250bn sitting in low interest rate savings accounts
Advice Data from the Bank of England showed billions of pounds are sitting on accounts earning no interest as the biggest lenders fail to pass rates on to consumers. Better rates may not stick around for long, so this is why you need to act fast.
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FCA: Banks with lowest savings rates to face “robust action”
The regulator has unveiled a new 14 point plan that will force savings providers to justify low interest rates on easy access savings accounts - will your savings get a boost?
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£1.7bn sitting in unclaimed Child Trust Funds – here’s how to get your money back
Features Millions of pounds are sitting in languishing in unclaimed child trust funds. We look at how to track them down and how to make the most of your child’s savings
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Where will house prices go in 2023?
News The latest data shows house prices are falling as rising interest rates take a toll on the property market. Will prices begin to recover any time soon?
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How much money will you need to retire comfortably?
Advice Most people under-save for later life, but how much should you save for retirement to live comfortably, what should you pay into your pension pot and do you need a midlife MOT?
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How to boost your pension pot by over £100,000
Tips Even a small increase to your monthly pension contributions could add tens of thousands of pounds to your retirement pot
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Inheritance tax receipts hit record high – how can you reduce your IHT bill?
Advice The Treasury is receiving record sums in IHT payments. We look into ways you can cut your IHT bill.
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18 investment trusts for income investors
Tips The Association of Investment Companies’ Dividend Heroes list highlights 18 trusts that have increased their dividends over the last 20 years, eight of which have done so for half a century
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Best debit and credit cards to use while travelling abroad
Advice If you’re going on holiday or travel abroad regularly, it’s worth knowing what the best card is to avoid hefty fees. We weigh up the charges and any perks like cashback to reveal the best credit and debit cards for spending abroad.
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State pension errors: underpayments could be worth thousands
News Many older women could be missing out on their full state pension, and now HMRC plans to contact some of them directly. We explain how you can check if you’re missing out and how to claim.
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Flying the Flexjet way
Nicole García Mérida takes a private jet and helicopter to Prestonfield House in Scotland
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Buy the builders of the blockchain – the future of financial technology
A professional investor tells us where he’d put his money. This week: Bradley Duke, manager of the ETC Group Digital Assets and Blockchain Equity UCITS ETF.
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What is inflation and how will it affect you?
Briefings Inflation has remained stubbornly high, with a predicted fall not materialising. What is inflation and what does high inflation mean for you and your finances?
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NS&I hikes Premium Bond prize rate again to hit the highest level in 15 years
NS&I has increased the prize rate on its Premium Bonds again. We look at what it means for prizes from August
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HSBC and First Direct to boost savings rates as pressure mounts on banks to pass on betters rates to savers
HSBC and First Direct plan to boost the rate on to their savings accounts today, as consumers call on high street banks to do more to give savers a better deals as the base rates hits 5%.
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Where to invest in the metals that will engineer the energy transition
A professional investor tells us where he’d put his money. This week: John Ciampaglia, manager of the Sprott Energy Transition Materials UCITS ETF.
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Should you overpay your mortgage?
Advice As interest rates rise, should you overpay your mortgage or could you put extra cash to better use?
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Is now a good time to sell a house?
Tips With property prices on a downward trajectory, it’s looking more like a buyers market - but if you’re a seller, is now a good time to sell a house?
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Is it time to give up on buy-to-let?
Analysis Buy-to-let mortgage rates are rising in response to rising interest rates. Is buy-to-let still a good investment?
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Property market flatlines as average mortgage rate rises to 6%
Two-year mortgage rates have risen to above 6% for the first time since September.
