Money

This is the lie that keeps the middle class broke

They told you to chase money, to save, to invest — but never to question what money really is. The truth is, money isn’t wealth; it’s a control system. While ordinary people obsess over numbers in an account, the elite quietly accumulate real resources — land, power, and ownership. This video exposes how the obsession with money blinds men to the real game being played, and why the rich want you distracted chasing illusions.

Annuity rates hit 17-year high – how to lock in a deal now

Annuities provide a guaranteed income in retirement and are proving popular

How to start investing: A beginner’s guide

Getting started in investing is a great way to make your money work harder for you over the long term, as investments tend to outperform cash savings

US tax refunds to rise $675 on average next year; nearly 50% of Americans plan to use them for bills

Enhanced tax breaks under US President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act are expected to boost federal income tax refunds next year by hundreds of dollars, according to tax experts. Christian Floro from Principal Asset Management stated that tax refunds could increase by approximately $675 (£505), raising the average refund to nearly $3,800...

SpaceX plans to go public with $1.5 trillion valuation, reports say

SpaceX plans to go public with $1.5 trillion valuation, reports say - Elon Musk’s company is planning to use funds from the IPO to develop space-based data centres

BBC's £3k alert to anyone using 'pay later' schemes as accounts 'drained'

Louise Minchin said 'persistent' attempts are being made at Brits shop online in the lead-up to Christmas - but there are some red flags to easily spot crooks

How good are public sector pensions - and should they be cut? This is Money podcast

Public sector pensions deliver a far better deal than the retirement funds most people in the private sector save into - how can we fill that gulf?

The 21 celebrity billionaires, ranked by riches

From iconic actors to legendary musicians, meet the world's billionaire celebrities.

How the Rich Profit From Your Mortgage

In today’s economy, every loan creates money - and every piece of money creates debt. When you take a mortgage, your debt becomes someone else’s asset. The banks don’t just lend money; they create it by tying your future labor to their balance sheet. The result? The rich hold the credit, the middle class holds the debt, and the house is just the illusion that keeps you working for them...

US dollar tumbles after Fed cuts rates, Powell comments

By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss, Chibuike Oguh and Laura Matthews NEW YORK, Dec 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. dollar fell against major peers including the euro, Swiss franc, and Japanese yen on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates in a widely-expected move, but indicated it will likely pause its easing cycle at the next policy meeting in January. The greenback was further weighed

Tax on rental income: What is it, calculations and how to pay

In the same way that workers must pay tax on their earnings, landlords also have to pay tax on the income they receive from tenants. From April 2027, this will get even more expensive, as the Government unveiled plans in the 2025 Budget to increase rental income tax by two percentage points. While buy-to-let investors used to pay tax on rental inco...

HMRC 'get your tax right' alert to anyone with a side hustle

With Christmas around the corner, extra income from side gigs is a welcome gift. But, some people might have crossed a line that can't be ignored.

The best one-year fixed savings accounts – earn up to 4.55%

One-year fixed savings accounts are now offering inflation-beating rates of up to 4.55%. We've rounded up the best deals available on the market now

IG is paying up to £1,000 when you transfer your investments - and that's not its only cashback deal

Investment platform IG is running yet another cashback deal, paying 1% on investments transferred to its platform from another provider - but only for the next few days.

£5,000 to invest? Consider 5 no-brainer dividend shares with over 20 years of growth

These UK dividend shares have some of the longest track records of consistent growth, making them a dream for passive income. The post £5,000 to invest? Consider 5 no-brainer dividend shares with over 20 years of growth appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

China's trade surplus hits record $1.08 trillion after just 11 months

China exported over $1 trillion worth of goods more than it imported for January through November, a record amount that is increasingly seen as untenable by the country's Western trading partners. We take a closer look. Also in this edition: Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. faces regulatory hurdles and pushback from Hollywood unions.

FirstGroup wins $4 billion London Overground rail contract, shares rise

Dec 10 (Reuters) - Britain's FirstGroup has been named the preferred operator for London's Overground suburban rail network in a contract worth around 3 billion pounds ($4 billion), the company said on Wednesday, sending its shares up more than 5%. Subsidiary First Rail London will take over operations from Arriva Rail London in May 2026 for an initial term of eight years, with public body

Bank of England: Rachel Reeves's budget will cut inflation by up to 0.5%

The Bank of England deputy governor has told MPs that Rachel Reeves's November Budget is set to push down price rises. Clare Lombardelli appeared before the Treasury committee, where she said the Chancellor's fiscal measures would reduce inflation by between 0.4 per cent and 0.5 per cent from the second quarter of 2026. She said the fall would be d...

Amazon to pay more than $580 million to settle tax probe in Italy

By Emilio Parodi MILAN, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Amazon has agreed with Italy's tax collection agency to pay 510 million euros ($582 million) to settle a tax dispute, two sources close to the matter said on Wednesday, in one of a number of cases involving the company in Italy. However, in an unusual development, Milan's prosecutors are in disagreement with the accord between the revenue agency and the

Mortgage boost: Homebuyers can make huge savings this month ahead of Bank of England rate decision

Homeowners preparing to renew a fixed rate mortgage could save hundreds of pounds by acting before the end of December. Richard Moring, director of RM Mortgage Solutions, said December is a strong month for arranging a new deal because activity in the mortgage market typically slows. He said: "It's not a time of year that you tend to think about re...

Dollar recovers ground vs yen; euro steadies after inflation data

By Saqib Iqbal Ahmed NEW YORK, Dec 2 (Reuters) - The dollar regained ground against the yen, recovering from Monday's selloff, even as expectations for a December rate hike by the Bank of Japan lingered, while the euro edged up after data on Tuesday showed euro zone inflation was slightly hotter-than-expected. The greenback rose 0.3% against the yen to 156.00, after hitting a two-week low on

Money poll: Have you won prize money from Premium Bonds? Vote now

Two lucky Britons have won £1million from National Savings and Investments' (NS&I) Premium Bonds prize draw with thousands of others winning smaller amounts of cash for December 2025. According to figures published by NS&I, more than 6.1 million cash prizes worth over £403million have been won in December as savers look for non-traditional savings ...

The BBC claims that Charles is the first billionaire king. Is it right?

“How is the Royal family making more money than ever?” asks David Dimbleby, in his new BBC documentary on the monarchy. “And are they worth it?” The programme claims that for the first time, the British monarch has private wealth exceeding £1bn, citing estimates by the Guardian that King Charles’s personal assets are worth around £1.8bn. Such claim...

How the Budget impacts homeowners’ plans to downsize as mortgages fall

How homeowners’ plans to downsize could be impacted by Budget as mortgage rates fall - A new mansion tax and falling interest rates for mortgage deals might have older homeowners considering a move

What will be the real impact of £16bn of projects for Wales confirmed at the investment summit?

This week’s Wales Investment Summit arrives with a striking headline namely more than £16bn of investment and 10,000 jobs linked to projects being showcased to global investors. At first glance, it creates the impression of a transformative moment f

Why This One Mechanism Keeps Pushing the Middle Class Into Debt

Most people don’t realise that rent, interest and profits are simply different faces of the same financial engine. Whether you’re paying a landlord, a bank or a corporation, the money ultimately flows to those who already own assets. This breakdown shows how everyday spending quietly transfers wealth upward, leaving ordinary families with less room to breathe. It also explains why the system naturally widens inequality over time. Once you see the pattern, the broader economic picture becomes impossible to ignore.

London housing market to strengthen as wages rise and rates fall, Berkeley says

London housing market to strengthen as wages rise and rates fall, Berkeley says - The company, which specialises in building homes in London, said the long-term outlook is ‘more positive’ particularly in the UK capital.

Why the rich get richer while everyone else falls behind

Wealth inequality doesn’t just mean some people have more than others—it reshapes the entire economy from top to bottom. When ownership concentrates in a small elite, ordinary workers lose the financial security that comes from holding assets, while the wealthy accumulate passive income far beyond what they could ever spend. That imbalance forces millions to rent, borrow, and pay transfer after transfer to asset-owners, even as wages stagnate and essential goods like housing and energy climb in price. Over time, spending power shifts upward to a group that barely spends, pushing industries to collapse in poorer regions and cluster around the few places rich consumers live. The result is a self-reinforcing cycle: low wages, high asset prices, mass insecurity, and a shrinking middle class struggling to survive in an economy built for someone else.

Security analysis of major global banknotes

Find out which countries have the most and least counterfeited currencies, and the measures banks take to stop fake cash entering circulation.

How I manage my Christmas budget: Millionaire spending £15,000 on gifts

Top 3 investments that will save you $100+ every month

Saving money doesn’t have to be complicated, and this video breaks down the top three investments that can immediately cut over $100 from your monthly expenses. Each option is explained in simple terms so you can see exactly how it pays off over time. The focus is on practical upgrades that reduce bills without sacrificing comfort or convenience. You’ll learn how small changes can lead to big financial wins. It’s a straightforward guide to smarter spending and long-term savings.

Martin Lewis issues £3,790 warning to anyone with savings in bank account

Martin Lewis explained how top paying savings accounts have actually been 'top losings' over the past decade.

Mixed day for global stocks as market digest huge Netflix deal

World stock markets gave a mixed picture on Friday, with sentiment underpinned by hopes for sustained US central bank rate cuts, but nagging inflationary worries limiting the gains in bourses that advanced. Earlier Friday in Asia, Mumbai equities won a boost from a rate cut by the Indian central bank.

I paid off £85k of debt by getting money-savvy – here are my 13 golden rules

After June war with Israel, Iranians seek portable wealth as hedge against falling currency

After June war with Israel, Iranians seek portable wealth as hedge against falling currency - Iranians are turning to gold as a trusted hedge against inflation, sanctions and a weakening rial currency

New fraud checker tool launched after 800,000 people scammed

New online fraud checker tool launched after 800,000 people fall victim to scammers - The FCA want people to ensure companies they are planning to send money to are legitimate

Hairspray makes money fly?

A wild visual trick where a banknote seems to jump or float from one hand to the other after being sprayed with hairspray. The effect looks impossible and reacts just like real magic—perfect for fooling friends and grabbing attention in seconds.

NI councils banked £75m windfall before agreeing inflation-busting rates hikes

An unpublicised one-off payment to councils from HMRC failed to prevent rates bills soaring

Lloyds Bank warning for customers over £50 account payments

A representative from Lloyds Bank has issued an update on the scheme.

Schneider Electric unveils $4 billion share buyback, pumps up margin forecast

Dec 11 (Reuters) - Schneider Electric will carry out a share buyback programme of up to 3.5 billion euros ($4.1 billion) through 2030, its first in nearly three years, and aims to increase its adjusted core profit margin, the French industrial group said on Thursday. Ahead of its Capital Markets Day event in London, the company said it expected its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes and

Gulf central banks follow US Fed in key rate cuts

Central banks across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have cut their key interest rates by a quarter point, following the US Federal Reserve’s move. The GCC bloc generally mirrors the Fed, given that most regional currencies are pegged to the US dollar. The Kuwaiti dinar is pegged to a basket of currencies, including the […]

Ranking the world's richest people

The combined net worth of the top ten individuals totals £1.829 trillion.

Tax alert: Rachel Reeves preps £15bn raid on savers and investors - 'Get your house in order!'

Savers and investors are set to be slapped with a £15.5billion tax bill from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) thanks to Chancellor Rachel Reeves's Budget reforms. analysts warn. The largest revenue generators include restrictions on pension salary sacrifice arrangements and a significant increase to dividend taxation, which are set to be implemented i...

Etoro launches paid subscription: With a debit card and cashback paid in shares is it worth joining?

The new subscription gives access to features that were previously only available to those with a balance of $25,000 or more.

EU Commission aims to make Europe's financial markets more attractive

The European Commission plans to fundamentally streamline and modernize the complex financial market rules for European Union countries. The planned reforms aim to improve the competitiveness of the EU's financial markets by harmonizing regulations for trading venues and streamlining supervisory processes. This includes plans to transfer supervisor...

33p penny stock Made Tech could be set for huge gains in 2026, if City analysts are right

This penny stock just experienced a sharp move higher. However, analysts reckon that there are plenty more gains to come in the next year or so. The post 33p penny stock Made Tech could be set for huge gains in 2026, if City analysts are right appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Fashion retailer Club L London reports record £14m profit with £3.7m dividend

Accounts follow acquisition of Lavish Alice earlier this year

How I generated a 25.9% return in my SIPP in 2025 (and my strategy for 2026!)

Zaven Boyrazian managed to achieve market-beating double-digit returns in his SIPP so far in 2025. Here, he explains how and reveals his strategy for 2026. The post How I generated a 25.9% return in my SIPP in 2025 (and my strategy for 2026!) appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Small business owners in Bulgaria brace for switch from lev to euro in 2026

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Has 2025 made you richer or poorer?

A look a who is finishing the year in a strong position and who has had 12 months to forget.