Personal Finance

7 ways to know you’re financially thriving (despite how it might feel)

Train drivers demand pay rise five times higher than inflation to end strikes

State pension triple lock rises to cost every taxpayer extra £1,200

The state pension “triple lock” will cost each worker an extra £1,200 in tax within five years, analysis shows. Labour has pledged to maintain the annual uplift introduced by the Tories, which means the state pension rises each year by the highest of inflation, average earnings or 2.5pc. The cost of the state pension stood at £124bn in 2023 to 2024...

Money can really buy you happiness, especially if you’re a billionaire

Money can really buy you happiness, especially if you’re a billionaire - Researchers find that a correlation between money and happiness extended to people making at least $500,000 a year

Britain sets out next leg of post-Brexit City shake-up

By Huw Jones LONDON (Reuters) -Britain set out on Friday the next leg of its post-Brexit shake up of the City in a bid to attract more investment to a cash-strapped economy by making it cheaper and easier for companies to tap shareholder funds. Britain has already begun easing its financial rules under the "Edinburgh Reforms" to compete better with New York, and with European Union financial

Analysts rate Legal & General shares as either a 'hold' or a 'buy'

The £13.69billion FTSE 100 company, which takes care of £1trillion worth of retirement and other savings, is being revamped under chief executive Antonio Simoes.

Use these tips to turn £1 a day into a £165,000 savings pot

That's money in the bank.

The Power of Merchandise

With great merchandise comes great power - in everything from politics to sprits.

I Looked Through 10,000 Coins, Here's What I Found

this is not financial advice

Petrol stations ‘rip off’ drivers by £1.6bn with supermarkets worst offenders

Petrol stations have been branded “outrageous” after overcharging motorists by £1.6bn last year. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that petrol stations’ fuel margins – the difference between what a retailer pays for its fuel and what price it sells it at – remain significantly above pre-pandemic levels. The regulator said the price ...

Hungary's billion-euro loan from China: Secrecy and strategic ties

This spring, Hungary secretly borrowed one billion euros from Chinese banks. This information was relayed by journalists from "Politico." The agreement allows the public debt-to-GDP ratio to be maintained at 28.9 percent. Budapest had not previously disclosed its fiscal challenges. Hungary borrowed 1 billion euros this spring, marking the largest l...

LVMH's luxury wares earn top billing at Olympics opening

PARIS (Reuters) - Bernard Arnault, France's wealthiest man and chief executive of luxury group LVMH, paid some 150 million euros ($163 million) to be the premium sponsor of the Paris Olympics'. At the Games' opening ceremony, his wares were placed front and centre of an extravaganza viewed by a global audience. Grammy-winner Lady Gaga delivered an energetic performance of Renee 'Zizi' Jeanmaire's

You'll soon be able to buy restaurant reservations in London — but at what cost?

You'll soon be able to buy restaurant reservations in London — but at what cost? - A new app could get you a table at a fully booked spot, says Joanna Taylor

The annual salary you need to earn to be in the top 1% in every US state

UK shares: a once-in-a-decade chance to bag sky-high passive income

The FTSE 250 is offering up incredible passive income opportunities right now. Our writer takes a look at one stock carrying a double-digit yield. The post UK shares: a once-in-a-decade chance to bag sky-high passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Foreign investor that loaded Thames Water with debt takes control of UK gas network

The former owner of Thames Water is to take full control of Britain’s gas network in a £700m deal. Australian investment giant Macquarie is to buy the 20pc of Britain’s National Gas that it does not already own, handing it full control of a piece of critical national infrastructure. Macquarie is best known in the UK for buying Thames Water in 2006 ...

I'm about to inherit £200,000, what should I do with it?

In a few months I'm due an inheritance of £200,000 from my dad's estate and I have no idea what to do with it.

Man Group: Hedge fund sees over £8bn gains as it starts off 2024 ‘strongly’

Hedge fund Man Group revealed that it generated investment performance of $11.1bn (£8.6bn) over the first six months of 2024, as it started the year off "strongly".

I saved £30,000 in 2 years - all while working a minimum wage job

I set myself a goal of becoming a millionaire in 10 years.

Drax Group shares surge as power generation firm scores higher profits

The power generation business revealed its pre-tax profits climbed by 36.6 per cent to £463.2million in the opening six months of 2024.

Trump's Dollar Rhetoric Diminishing, Says HSBC's Maher

HSBC Head of Research in Americas and FX Strategy Daragh Maher says that former US President Donald Trump's dollar rhetoric is diminishing adding that this week witnessed an exaggerated response in the currency market. He spoke with Dani Burger on Bloomberg Brief.

Four things you must do before you go on holiday to save money on bills

Energy bills are at their lowest since 2022 - however, they are still much more expensive than they once were - here are just a few things you should check to help save you money before leaving your home for your holiday

Unlocking $12 Trillion: How Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Can Transform the Global Economy By 2025

Currently, only about 30 per cent of businesses in Europe are owned by women, and the World Economic Forum's 2020 Global Gender Gap Report estimates that it will take nearly 95 years to close the gender gap globally. According to a McKinsey Global Institute report, increasing women's equality could boost the global economy by $12 trillion (£9.5 tri...

The median wealth per adult in European countries (Spain does not fare badly)

On this map, we can see how much personal wealth the average European adult has. Wealth is shown in US Dollars and includes both financial and non-financial wealth. Non-financial wealth mostly consists of land and real estate. The reason this map shows the median and not the average is that an average is usually skewed by the extremely wealthy. This results is an amount that is far higher than the wealth of most adults. In the case of the...

How to buy the freehold of a leasehold – and how much it costs

Even if you’ve bought your property and have become its legal owner, you might only own the bricks and mortar, not the land it’s built on. Most flats in England and Wales are sold on this leasehold basis, but until a change of rules in 2019, many new build houses were sold in this way too. For some homeowners, the arrangement isn’t ideal – you don’...

Millions of UK public sector workers set for above-inflation pay rise

Millions of public sector workers are set for an above-inflation pay rise due to be announced by Rachel Reeves next week after more than a decade of austerity. The chancellor is expected to accept the recommendations of public sector pay bodies for pay rises on Monday – a move economists believe could cost up to £10bn. The NHS and teaching pay bodies are reported to have recommended a 5.5% rise, and similar advice is likely to have been given by...

What would 30% flat rate pension tax relief mean for YOUR retirement fund?

Tom Selby, of AJ Bell, explains whether a shake-up is likely under Labour and how it might affect pension savers.

The simple ways to save money on airport car parking – and the cheapest places to park

Research carried out by Telegraph Travel has shown airport parking can end up costing you more than your flight. With the cost of leaving your vehicle for a week exceeding £120 at half of the airports we surveyed, it’s important to be sure that you not only get the best price, but make sure your car is left in safe hands. Here are four key points t...

Starmer accused of U-turning on pledge to scrap his own pension tax perk

Sir Keir Starmer has been accused by the Tories of performing a U-turn on a pledge to scrap a “special tax perk” he enjoyed on his pension. The Prime Minister has his own law, from his time as Director of Public Prosecutions, which exempted him from the £1 million lifetime allowance. He had pledged to repeal the law as part of plans to reinstate th...

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ is already breaking box office records, with more possible soon

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ is already breaking box office records, with more possible soon - “Deadpool & Wolverine” has gotten off to a supercharged start at the box office, breaking the Thursday preview record for an R-rated movie

Above-inflation pay rises for public sector workers expected to be agreed

The government is expected to agree to above-inflation pay rises for public sector workers in the coming days, amid concerns over the costs of not settling, Sky News understands.

What business expenses can self-employed people write off against tax? HEATHER ROGERS explains

All tax practitioners have at some point had a client who happily asserts that someone they know claims 'everything', and then had the unenviable task of putting the increasingly crestfallen client straight.

£9,000 of savings? Here’s how I’d aim to turn that into £530 of monthly passive income

Christopher Ruane explains how and why he would spend some spare money to build passive income streams by buying dividend shares. The post £9,000 of savings? Here’s how I’d aim to turn that into £530 of monthly passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

The cost of later life care and how to fund it

Social care costs are rising – here is how much you could end up paying

Your food is more expensive – is it driven by US corporate profits?

As inflation shot to its peak around mid-2022, Chipotle’s prices also rose, pushing up what customers paid for burritos and bowls by as much as several dollars. Since then, the fast casual restaurant’s costs have broadly fallen. Prices have not. Chipotle’s decision to maintain high prices helped boost profits 110% in recent years, while its executives boasted to investors that they raised prices higher than inflationary costs. Chipotle’s...

Cash stuffing: how this viral budgeting method works

If you have been anywhere near social media sites like TikTok or Instagram (and even if you haven’t), you may well have heard of a budgeting technique called “cash stuffing”. With the past few years categorised by a cost of living crisis and squeezed salaries, it is no surprise that people across the country are keen to find ways to save money. One...

Kimberly Palmer: 5 ways to calm financial stress

Kimberly Palmer: 5 ways to calm financial stress - Realizing that financial stress is common can be the first step toward reducing it, money experts say

When will you retire? The dream age is 62 - but reality is grim for many savers

An additional 1.2million adults are now NOT on track for even a basic standard of living in retirement compared with last year, according to the Scottish Widows study.

UK ticket-holder wins £24 million EuroMillions jackpot

UK ticket-holder wins £24 million EuroMillions jackpot - The ticket holder matched all five number and the two Lucky Star numbers.

As the NatWest share price jumps 7% on H1 results, here’s what you need to know

The NatWest share price had already reached a 52-week high before Friday's H1 results report. And it's now set a new one. The post As the NatWest share price jumps 7% on H1 results, here’s what you need to know appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Interest Rates Surge: The Looming Decrease in Wages and Scarcity of Jobs in the UK

Interest rates are impacting all sectors, and as a result, wages might decrease soon. At the same time, job seekers may notice jobs becoming all the more scarce. Here are some of the challenges the UK faces. Defining Economic Inactivity The Office for National Statistics defines economic inactivity as unemployed people who have not managed ... Read more

1 Warren Buffett tip that’s helped me build wealth

People travel across the world to hear Warren Buffett give out tips on investing at his company’s meetings. Here’s perhaps my favourite bit of advice. The post 1 Warren Buffett tip that’s helped me build wealth appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Pensioners face shock tax bills within weeks

Some 140,000 pensioners will be hit with tax bills in the next six weeks as a stealth raid on retirement incomes bites. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is issuing issue tax demands to pensioners whose income exceeds the £12,570 personal allowance threshold which has been frozen until 2027-28. It will be the first time these pensioners have received a t...

First Bank of England rate cut since 2020 hangs on knife edge

By David Milliken LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England's first interest rate cut since 2020 hangs in the balance next week, with greater uncertainty than usual as key policymakers have not spoken publicly for more than two months due to rules in the run-up to July 4's election. Investors are left guessing whether recent higher-than-expected services prices are enough to prevent the central

‘Why is it so hard to spend a £10 note in central London?’

I have a confession to make. Despite writing regularly about how important cash is for many, I rarely use notes and coins. I’ve become so accustomed to paying by card or my phone app, I don’t even carry “emergency” cash with me. My idea of an emergency backstop is the debit card buried somewhere at the bottom of my bag. I’m certainly not alone in t...

Broadband and phone bills set to soar AGAIN as firms eye poll tax-style price rises

The cost of millions of mobile phone and broadband deals is set to soar, with the least well-off customers seeing the biggest price hikes of up to 11%.

From joint accounts to wealthier friends – why is money so hard to talk about?

The one item you will never see in a currency exchange table is what money so often stands in for. It can take the place of things like love, thought, safety, attention or fairness. And the inverse is also true; you often don’t need to spend a lot of money to make someone feel loved, or cared for. Ask any parent who has been the recipient of a homemade birthday card or present. When I speak to divorce lawyers and mediators, they say that money...

With trials pushed back, Trump sees first big dip in legal bills

WASHINGTON (AP) — As former President Donald Trump faces a supercharged Democratic fundraising effort, a persistent drag on his campaign’s coffers may be easing: legal expenses. A new report shows that the Save America political action committee paid about $827,000 in June for Trump's legal bills — the first time a monthly total has dipped below $1 million in two years. The Trump-aligned PAC has shelled out an average of nearly $4 million a...

Seven banks share data with UK law enforcement in 'dirty money' crackdown

By Kirstin Ridley and Sinead Cruise LONDON (Reuters) - Barclays, NatWest and Lloyds are among seven banks to share customer data with the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the largest project of its kind worldwide to tackle criminal gangs, money laundering and "dirty money" flowing through the country. Reuters revealed one year ago that more than six banks, including NatWest and Lloyds, were part

First-time buyer nil-rate stamp duty threshold should be retained – Rightmove

First-time buyer nil-rate stamp duty threshold should be retained – Rightmove - The nil-rate threshold for first-time buyers is temporarily set at £425,000 and this is due to revert to £300,000 in spring 2025.