This Tuesday (1 September) is a big day for the 4.4 million children in Britain who have a child trust fund (CTF) account, designed to give them a financial head start in life. From that date, children turning seven will receive a government top-up payment into their CTF. Most will get £250, though about three in 10 (those from low-income families, broadly on less than £16,000 a year) will receive double that amount.

  Read more »

Ringtones, text alerts and multimedia messaging are becoming more and more popular. But before you know it, the costs can start adding up and you'll end up with a mobile phone bill that could push you into debt. Here are 5 key saving tips to consider in order to avoid this.

1. Choosing the right tariff Read more »

With most degree ceremonies having taken place and a new influx of students ready to take up university places from their A level results today, it's time for those who have just graduated to take stock and make sure that they make the best of their degree and any job opportunities that they've been fortunate enough to land.

  Read more »

Many parents are confused over exactly what they are entitled to when a new baby arrives and as their family grows up. To help you, this article summarises three of the most common benefits available to parents.

Child Benefit is the only State benefit that's given to every family in the UK, regardless of individual circumstances. At current rates, you'll receive weekly payments of £20 for your oldest child and £13.20 for each of your other children.

  Read more »

Most people have heard about Capital Gains Tax (CGT) but many are unclear on exactly what is and when they are liable for it. This short note summarises the basics of CGT.

CGT is a tax on the profit or gain you make when you sell, give away, transfer or exchange ('dispose of') something of value - 'an asset'. You don't pay CGT on some assets, for example personal possessions worth £6,000 or less, or in most cases, your main home.

  Read more »

More and more people during the recession are finding themselves with issues over debt. This can emerge in various ways, for example Read more »

If you invest or save money, unfortunately you will normally have to pay tax on the interest or income you get, but there are some savings and investments that give you a tax-free return. This article summarises the most common tax efficient vehicles that everyone should consider before deciding how to save. Saving tax means saving money!

  Read more »

Students may be poor, but they often own a lot of expensive items, from laptops, iPods and mobile phones to TVs and cameras - often with a total value of more than £2,000. But they stay in temporary accommodation where security is often lax and live a typical student lifestyle.

This makes students one of the groups most likely to become victims of crime, yet according to findings from the Home Office, many don't bother to insure their belongings at all. One in three students become a victim of crime, but many are ignoring the risk. Read more »

Pensions can of course be a complex subject, but the most straightforward type, stakeholder pensions  are a low cost, flexible and secure option for people who haven't set up a pension arrangement yet. The Government introduced them in 2001 to encourage people saving money for their retirement. They are available to most employed people, and those who are not working but can still afford to make contributions, fixed contract workers and if you are self-employed. Read more »

Official figures show that unemployment in the UK is now at 2.38m, the highest level since 1995. As every day passes, further announcements are made of redundancies in virtually every sector. If you haven't been affected yet, you may be in the future and it's vital that you understand your rights. Here are 10 ways to help you deal with redundancy.

1. Know Your Rights Read more »