I’ve often been offered a ‘penny for my thoughts’ and given that I’m quite forthcoming with my view for nothing, that has to be considered a generous offer. Not as generous, however, as the prize for entering the Moneyfacts Consumer Survey, which is currently in full swing. By telling us how you feel about the…

September’s inflation announcement – what it means for you Inflation figures have made pretty grim reading of late. In September, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) went up to 5.2%, with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) rising to 5.6%. Inflation has remained persistently high due to a number of factors – not least because of the…

After another month of market mayhem, most investors are surely thinking about putting their money under the mattress. Few pension pots and investments, if any, will have escaped unscathed, with the losses totalling up into the billions. So what if there was a type of fund which said it would deliver you a positive return,…

Moody’s, the credit rating agency, downgraded 12 UK banks and building societies on Friday in a widely anticipated move. Here’s which banks and building societies suffered a cut to their rating: Lloyds TSB (Aa3 down to A1) Nationwide BS (Aa3 down to A2) RBS (Aa3 down to A2) Santander (Aa3 down to A1) The Co-operative…

Perhaps it’s because I work in financial services. Maybe it’s because I can’t abide not getting the best deal. But I think it’s absolutely bonkers that more people don’t try to get the best income they can in retirement. I mean, why wouldn’t you shop around? You’re not penalised for doing so and it’s a…