Updates & articles
Articles on UK borrowing, credit, debt and money decisions. For in-depth guidance, start with the main guides.
Before signing a car finance deal, six questions can help you understand the real cost and what you are committing to.
The government cut VAT on domestic electricity from 5% to 0% for six months. Here is what that means for your bill and how the saving shows up.
The energy price cap rose to £1,723 a year for a typical dual-fuel household from 1 October 2026. Around 35% of households on fixed tariffs are unaffected.
Council tax bills rose again in 2026/27. Here is what the cap means in England, why some areas pay more, and how Scotland and Wales work differently.
In 2026, the FCA's consultation paper CP26/7 proposed a list of Designated Credit Reference Agencies (DCCRAs). Here is what that means in plain English, and why it could matter if…
The FCA's CP26/7 proposes two big changes to how credit data is shared and corrected. Here is what borrowers with thin files or disputed records need to know.
Being a loan guarantor is a serious legal commitment. Here is what to weigh up before you agree.
When you buy on impulse using a credit card, BNPL, or overdraft, interest turns a small purchase into a larger debt. Here is what that actually costs.
Thinking about borrowing to renovate or extend your home? This guide explains the main borrowing options, which ones put your property at risk, and why the total cost can matter…
When debt feels unmanageable, free professional advice is usually the safest first step. This update covers what options exist in the UK, what the risks of delaying are, and where…
Where UK borrowers can get free debt advice and cost-of-living support, who to contact first, and how each charity differs.
FCA regulation of buy now, pay later is coming. This note sets out what will not change for borrowers when the rules arrive, and what to check now.
UK student loans work differently from personal loans. Repayments are income-linked, interest is added throughout, and the total you repay can be much more than what you borrowed.…
With Christmas costs adding up fast, it can be worth pausing before reaching for credit. This article walks through total cost, BNPL risks, and practical alternatives to help you…
A practical September 2026 round-up of what UK borrowers can do this month to check their credit file and keep their credit record in good shape.
How to spot consumer-finance scams and dishonest claims-firm approaches, how to verify a firm using the FCA register, and where to report concerns.
The UK tax year ends on 5 April each year. Here is what that means for your borrowing decisions, allowances, and the total cost of any loans you are considering.
From booking fees to foreign transaction charges, hidden travel costs can quietly push a trip well over budget. Here is what to look out for and how to plan more accurately.
When teenagers earn their first wages from a summer job, it is a good moment to introduce one of the most useful money lessons: the difference between a monthly payment and what…
APR, total amount repayable, representative rate, fixed vs variable, the key loan terms explained in plain English, with a note on what to watch before you borrow.
A practical look at four steps that can help improve a poor credit history in the UK, covering credit file accuracy, the electoral roll, soft searches, and responsible use of…
Lenders assess self-employed borrowers differently from employees. Understanding what they look for, and how total cost compares to monthly payments, can help you prepare before…
A practical look at the main ways UK travellers pay abroad, covering card fees, cash, and travel money, with tips on keeping costs down.
Buy now, pay later is coming under FCA regulation on 15 July 2026. Here is what the change means for shoppers and what to check before then.
A plain-English refresh of what separates secured and unsecured borrowing in the UK, with a focus on total amount repayable rather than monthly payment.
Being refused a loan or credit product can feel like a dead end. This update sets out seven practical steps UK borrowers can take to understand what went wrong and improve their…
Summer spending on holidays, flights and activities can leave people carrying more debt than expected. This update explains what to be aware of, who tends to be affected, and…
Practical, UK-specific steps to save up for a holiday without stretching your budget too thin or reaching for a loan you do not need.
Booking a holiday well in advance can reduce the amount you need to borrow, lower the total interest you pay, and give you more time to save. This update explains the connection…
Building a savings habit does not require a big income or a perfect month. These nine practical tips help you start small, stay consistent, and make your money work a little…
UK student loans work differently from personal loans, but the total you repay can still be much larger than the amount you borrowed. This update explains the key numbers to focus…
A practical monthly checklist for UK borrowers: what to look at on your credit file in June 2026, and why two recent events make it a good time to check.
If a personal loan is on your holiday shortlist, the monthly payment is only part of the story. Here is what the total amount repayable actually tells you.
Four practical, UK-focused money resolutions worth making, and keeping, this year, with pointers to free tools and guidance from MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and StepChange.
Saving money is straightforward in theory but hard in practice. This update looks at three practical, UK-grounded ways to keep going when motivation dips.
When comparing loans, the monthly payment figure can be misleading. This update explains why the total amount repayable is the number to focus on, with a plain-English worked…
Money management apps can help you track spending and spot shortfalls, but they rarely show you the full cost of borrowing. Here is what to check beyond the monthly payment figure.
Many people believe you need a credit card to travel abroad safely. Some of those beliefs are accurate. Others are not. This update sets out what is true, what is not, and what…
When you apply for a loan, lenders run a credit check. Understanding the difference between a soft search and a hard search, and knowing which UK credit reference agencies are…
A refreshed guide to what sits inside a UK credit report, which agencies hold your data, and what a hard search actually does to your file.
A practical overview of how UK credit scores work, which agencies hold your data, and the steps that can help improve a poor credit rating over time.
If you are thinking of taking out a personal loan to help with energy costs, the monthly payment is not the number that matters most. This update explains why the total amount…
Buy now, pay later products move under formal FCA regulation on 15 July 2026. Here is what that means for shoppers before the deadline arrives.
What lenders typically look for in a guarantor, what responsibilities come with the role, and why the total amount repayable matters more than the monthly figure.
Debt can creep up gradually. These five warning signs can help you recognise when borrowing has moved from manageable to something that needs attention.
If you use credit to fund clothing purchases, the total you repay matters far more than the monthly payment. Here are three practical steps to keep fashion spending in check.
The FCA has raised concerns about claims management companies making debt situations worse, and opened new regulatory support for financial firms. Here is what UK borrowers under…
Christmas costs more than most people plan for. Here is a practical, UK-focused look at what to save for, how much to set aside, and what to do if last year's spending is still…
The FCA's latest consumer alerts and claims-management firm warnings for the week of 21 May 2026, covering investment scams, clone firms, and unauthorised claims operators.
Christmas costs add up quickly. This update covers practical, UK-specific steps to plan your spending before it gets away from you, including how to use free tools to set a…
Christmas Day does not have to cost a fortune. This update rounds up practical, UK-specific steps to keep your spending realistic without sacrificing the day.
Having a baby changes your income and your outgoings at the same time. Here are three practical steps to help you plan your finances before your due date.
Debt consolidation loans can simplify repayments, but the total amount you repay matters more than the monthly figure. Here is what to check before applying.
Family mini-breaks cost noticeably more than they did in 2019, and borrowing to fund one now comes with higher interest rates than many families have seen before. Here are three…
A practical UK-focused refresh on how to set a budget that reflects real life, not a perfect month. Updated with current sources and a clear first step.
The Bank of England base rate has been falling from its 2023 peak, but personal loan rates remain higher than they were a few years ago. Here is what that means for how much you…
The Treasury has published its policy statement on Consumer Credit Act reform, a key step on the road to buy now, pay later coming under FCA regulation on 15 July 2026. Here is…
Certain home improvements are commonly associated with higher property valuations. This update looks at which projects tend to come up most often, how buyers and lenders view them…
If a loan payment is looking impossible this month, acting quickly and contacting your lender is usually the safest first step. Here is what UK borrowers should know.
Wedding costs in the UK have risen sharply. This update looks at what borrowers should weigh up before taking out a loan to pay for a wedding, and where to find clear guidance.
Before applying for a bad credit loan, there are several things worth checking first. Understanding the costs, your options, and how applying affects your credit file can help you…
Thinking about taking out a loan to pay for a holiday? Here is what to weigh up before you do, including the real cost, the risks, and what MoneyHelper and the FCA suggest you…
Bad credit is not a single score or a permanent label. This update explains what the term actually covers in the UK, which lenders check, and what a bad credit record can mean for…
What APR really means, why monthly payments don't show the full cost of borrowing, and how to compare loans fairly.
The FCA is bringing buy now, pay later products under formal regulation. Here is what the changes mean for shoppers who use BNPL at the checkout.
A refreshed look at six saving habits that tend to quietly work against you, from ignoring high-interest debt to saving without a clear purpose.
A refresh of our practical guide to keeping home renovation costs under control, with a check on what has changed around borrowing costs, energy scheme availability, and how to…
Weddings in the UK can cost tens of thousands of pounds. Here are six practical ways to bring that figure down without losing what matters most about the day.
A refreshed look at free and low-cost ideas for keeping families busy over summer, with practical tips on planning ahead so the school holidays do not strain your budget.
Festival season can stretch your money further than you expect. Here are five practical ways to keep your spending under control before and during a festival.
Four commonly overlooked costs, from annual bills to rising motoring charges, that can catch households off guard when they are not included in a monthly budget.
If your pay varies month to month, standard budgeting advice often doesn't fit. Here are three practical approaches that work when income is unpredictable.
The Bank of England has held Bank Rate at 3.75% in May 2026. Here is what staying put means in practice for personal-loan rates, mortgages and savers.
BNPL comes under FCA regulation from 15 July 2026. What's confirmed, what's still uncertain, and what shoppers may want to check before then.
A short, practical checklist for the half-hour before you click 'apply', what to look at, what to write down, and when to pause.
Black Friday is one of the most attractive shopping events of the year - but to make the most of the bargains on the market, it's best to start planning early. When it comes to…
We’re offering up some wallet-friendly and green budgeting tips to show you how to save money while - all importantly - cutting back on your plastic. After all, simple little…