Bowsher's Blog
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on 02 May 2013Hargreaves Lansdown will cut fees for investors
Hargreaves Lansdown is set to cut its charges following the regulator's new rules on commission for fund supermarkets. -
on 29 January 2013Why the pound is falling and how it will affect you
2013 will probably be a bad year for the pound. And that will affect pretty much all of us. -
on 14 January 2013Miliband's mistake pushes up energy prices
Energy prices have more than doubled since 2004 when Tony Blair was Prime Minister. The last Labour government deserve some of the blame - even for the most recent rises. -
on 14 December 2012Losing our AAA rating will make little difference to the UK
One of the ratings agencies has put the UK on `negative outlook' and may cut the country's AAA rating at some point over the next two years. -
on 03 October 2012I'm avoiding Castle Trust's house price tracker
Castle Trust may appeal to a small number of people, but it doesn't make sense for most people. -
on 02 October 2012A scary new twist on phishing
I'm now getting phishing emails from an address that used to a be a legitimate NatWest address. -
on 18 September 2012Cameron makes pension mistake
David Cameron is demanding a rethink on plans to introduce a £140 universal pension. This is a mistake. -
on 12 September 2012One million Brits use payday loans every month
A million people take out a payday loan each month to help pay the cost of household bills. That's shockingly high. -
on 11 September 2012General public desert PPI claims firms
Half of all PPI claims are now being filed directly by consumers rather than claims management firms. This is fantastic news! -
on 11 July 2012Social care problem is far from solved
Andrew Lansley's announcement on social care is better than nothing, but more could be done. -
on 04 July 2012
Four thoughts about the Libor scandal
The Libor scandal is a watershed moment in the ongoing financial crisis. Here are four thoughts for policymakers to chew on as they decide how to respond. -
on 28 June 2012
Barclays Libor scandal: what should happen now
We need stable profitable banks that can boost the economy via lending. It's just possible that this latest scandal could help the UK reach that target more quickly. -
on 11 June 2012What does the Spanish bailout mean for you?
The Spanish bailout is better than nothing but there are still plenty of things to worry about in the Eurozone. -
on 11 June 2012
Metro Bank expansion is great news
Metro Bank has raised £126 million from investors to support further expansion. -
on 08 June 2012Scotland set to abolish 'slab tax'
The Scottish government is consulting on a plan to make stamp duty a fairer tax. Let's hope that the Westminster follows Holyrood's lead and abolishes the 'slab tax.' -
on 04 May 2012
Tell us about your bank!
If you're fed up with your bank, tell us about it! -
on 27 February 2012
A new idea to boost annuities
Here's a new idea that could boost annuity payouts for many new retirees. -
on 16 February 2012
Why pensions are better than an ISA
Many people loathe pensions as a way to save for retirement, but pensions have a couple of advantages over ISAs. -
on 14 February 2012Debt downgrade isn't a disaster
Moody's has said that it may downgrade the UK Government's debt during the next 18 months. Is this bad news for the likes of you and me? -
on 13 February 2012Index tracker sales jump
Sales of low-cost tracker funds reached a record high in 2011 which is great news. However, 'funds of funds' still remain far too popular. -
on 07 February 2012
Tesco won't launch current account until 2013
Tesco's decision to delay the launch of its current account is a big disappointment. -
on 04 January 2012The absolute wrong way to invest in the stock market
Don't be tempted to put your money in an absolute return fund. They're an absolute rip-off. -
on 14 December 2011
A great day for all bank customers
Lloyds has entered exclusive talks with Co-op to sell 632 branches. This should boost competition in the UK market and is good news for all of us. -
on 13 December 2011Ignorance could halve your pension
If you don't know what an annuity is, find out quickly. Otherwise your pension could be a lot smaller than you expect. -
on 06 December 2011I'm going to win £15,000!
I've entered a free fantasy fund manager game. If you want to win, you have to believe in yourself, so I know I'm going to come top and walk away with £15,000. -
on 29 November 2011Government delays crucial pension reform
Many people will end up with smaller pensions thanks to a dumb delay by the government. -
on 29 November 2011Four things the Chancellor got right
George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced several sensible moves in his autumn statement. But he's still constrained by the mistake he made when he took office. -
on 28 November 2011Hargreaves Lansdown is hitting my pension
Hargreaves Lansdown is going to charge higher fees on my pension. -
on 21 November 2011
Lloyds crisis is bad news for all of us
Lloyds Bank is in crisis mode as it struggles to keep a top level management team in place. -
on 04 November 2011
Why the City takes stupid risks
It's arguably better to have women in charge of banks because they'll be more rational. Trouble is, most women are too rational to take on such a crazy job. -
on 03 November 2011
You can still get £100
Co-op is no longer offering £200 for switching your current account. -
on 02 November 2011
I agree with the FSA!
The FSA is worried another mis-selling scandal may be brewing. -
on 02 November 2011Setting goals will make a massive difference to your savings
If you set yourself regular savings goals, you'll probably end up saving more cash. -
on 06 October 2011Printing more money won't help
The Bank of England is going to create a further £75 billion in fresh money to try and boost our sluggish economy. -
on 13 September 2011Brits don't budget for summer breaks
40% of Brits didn't budget for their holiday breaks this summer. -
on 25 August 2011Average Brit only has £98 to spare at end of the month
Your average Brit doesn't have enough money to build a big enough savings pot. -
on 08 July 2011What's going to happen to interest rates?
Interest rates look set to stay low for some time to come. -
on 04 July 2011
Don't rule out the death tax
The new social care proposals make a lot of sense, but funding is still a problem. The so-called 'death tax' could be the answer. -
on 23 May 2011Payday loans still suck
The payday loans industry is working hard to secure better press coverage, but the loans still suck. -
on 04 May 2011
All votes are equal!
Don't listen to the propaganda. All votes - and voters - are equal under AV. -
on 02 May 2011
How I'm voting in the referendum, part 2
Read how Ed Bowsher plans to vote in the referendum. -
on 28 April 2011
How I'm voting in the referendum
Ed Bowsher gives a personal view on how he'll vote in the referendum on electoral reform. -
on 14 April 2011
Don't let your pension crash just before you retire
New research shows that those closest to retirement are most in danger of losing substantial pension income. -
on 31 March 2011
How to persuade your boss to give you a pension
Pensions are a cheap way for employers to reward their staff. -
on 11 March 2011
The best argument against trackers
Two fund stars argue that investing in UK index trackers carries more risk than many people realise. -
on 03 March 2011A massive pension dilemma for men
This week's bizarre European Court ruling on the insurance industry means that men should consider buying an annuity sooner rather than later. -
on 01 March 2011Political correctness gone mad
Today's European Court ruling on alleged discrimination by the insurance industry is bonkers. -
on 28 February 2011Four and a half million people are turning down free money
4.5 million individuals miss out on an average of £1271 in free money each year. -
on 25 February 2011
Free banking looks safe
I'm delighted Barclaycard has extended the 0% period on its balance transfer card to 18 months. This news makes me all the more certain that free banking is here to stay. -
on 25 February 2011I'm scared about the economy
The economic outlook is bleak. -
on 18 February 2011Barclays stoops to a new low
Barclays was fined £7.7 million last month for giving poor investment advice to some customers. In spite of this poor track record, Barclays is arguing that new rules on financial advice shouldn't apply to the bank. -
on 14 February 2011Good news for debtors
Vince Cable has announced some welcome good news for the debt advice sector. -
on 04 February 2011Male pensions could be cut by 13%
A European court ruling may cut annuity rates for men by 13%. -
on 03 February 2011Nudge people towards a better pension
Plans to change people's behaviour when they buy an annuity make a lot of sense. -
on 02 February 2011Cameron's debt society
Plans to cut government funding for 500 debt advisers is a mistake. -
on 25 January 2011Osborne's big mistake
The UK economy has gone into reverse. George Osborne's austerity budget was a big mistake. -
on 19 January 2011The most idiotic Texan politician ever
This quote really takes the biscuit. -
on 18 January 2011
Interest rate rise looks ever more likely
The latest inflation figures show that prices are rising even faster than expected. That means rising interest rate rises look more likely. -
on 09 January 2011
My favourite Sunday articles
I thought I'd highlight a couple of articles I particularly liked in today's papers. -
on 07 January 2011'Universal' pension won't be universal
The Coalition's plans to introduce a universal pension may do more harm than good. -
on 20 December 2010The financial virgin birth
Virgin Money will open its first branches next year. -
on 26 November 2010
Why energy firms are hiking prices
Energy companies have boosted their profit margins massively in the last couple of months. Here's one reason why. -
on 23 November 2010
Eleven days out of the office, only three days off work
Thanks to William and Kate's engagement, you can take a nice long break whilst only taking three days off work. -
on 18 November 2010
End pensions apartheid
Let's end discrimination against ordinary staff! -
on 10 November 2010
Compulsory pensions don't have to hurt small firms
Small businesses claim that the new compulsory pensions scheme will impose extortionate costs. I reckon targeted tax cuts are the solution to this problem. -
on 09 November 2010
A better way to build a pension
A better way to build your pension pot may be coming to the UK. -
on 18 October 2010
The rate-jacking rip-off
When the base rate is at a record low, you might think that credit card interest rates would be falling. But for too many people, the reverse has happened. Check out the results of our recent lovemoney.com poll. -
on 18 October 2010
Interest rate isn't everything
When it comes to savings, the interest rate is important but lovemoney.com readers are also very focused on security. -
on 07 October 2010
Don't forget the big picture
You can find my latest view on house prices over on our 'Big Picture' blog. -
on 30 September 2010
Ofgem starts energy shake-up but much more is needed
I said a week ago that Ofgem should shake up the energy market. Today it's a welcome first step. -
on 28 September 2010
Dodgy debt clampdown is great news
The Office of Fair Trading is clamping down on dodgy debt companies. We now know that many commercial debt companies provide a poor service. -
on 24 September 2010
Can Santander sort itself out?
Santander is trying to improve its reputation for rotten customer service. Can it turn things around? -
on 24 September 2010
Ofgem should shake up energy market
Too many people are getting a poor deal from their energy supplier. -
on 14 September 2010
A fund that matches inflation
Returns on savings have been rotten for the last two years. One fund management companythinks it can help.
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on 10 September 2010
Why hedge fund tycoons are so horrible
Find out why the ultra-rich are selfish and snobby. -
on 07 September 2010
£50,000 a year is still the happiest wage
If your boss offers you a salary higher than £50,000, maybe you should say no.... -
on 26 August 2010
Barclays cuts mortgage rate for existing customers
Barclays is about to launch a new range of cheaper Woolwich mortgages for existing customers only. -
on 25 August 2010
Jon Stewart skewers Fox News
Fox News attacks the '9/11 mosque' because it's funded by the second-largest shareholder in Fox News. -
on 24 August 2010
Don't pay for debt advice
If you've got serious debt problems, go to charity for advice, not a commercial company. -
on 20 August 2010
The management consultancy scam
Do management consultants offer a useful service? -
on 19 August 2010
Sexy A-levels
It's A-level results day. When you look at the newspapers, they only seem to have pictures of female students..... -
on 17 August 2010
A tunnel on tracks
This is so cool! -
on 04 August 2010
Smartphones could battle credit cards
Barclays is apparently working with several US phone companies to test technology that enables people to buy things simply by waving their phone at a reader. -
on 03 August 2010
Egg is for sale
Citigroup is putting internet bank, Egg up for sale. -
on 30 June 2010
Has the World Cup hit the housing market?
I still think house prices are due for a fall. -
on 09 June 2010
Budget stuff
I've been blogging about this month's emergency budget over on our 'Big Picture' blog. -
on 27 May 2010
Know your online rights
49% of people don't know or understand their rights when shopping online. That's a shame as online shoppers actually have more consumer rights than buyers on the high street. -
on 27 April 2010
£1000 for best volcano stories
If your travel plans were affected by the volcano, you might be able to win £1000! -
on 26 April 2010
Split mortgage isn't my favourite
HSBC's new Split Loan Mortgage will appeal to borrowers who can't decide whether to go for ultra-low trackers or the security of a fixed-rate deal. -
on 21 April 2010
Five year fixes look good
Rates for five year fixed-rate mortgages have come down, so now could be a good time to go for a longer fix. -
on 15 April 2010
Fox "News" strikes again
The logo for Barack Obama's Nuclear Security Summit looks a bit like a Muslim crescent. Apparently this is evidence that Obama is a weak President. -
on 14 April 2010
My take on the Lib Dems
Check out what I think about the Lib Dem manifesto. -
on 13 April 2010
How many accounts do you have?
Do you have loads of savings accounts and credit cards? -
on 13 April 2010
My take on the Tories
Check out what I think about the personal finance proposals in the Tory manifesto. -
on 09 April 2010
Some crazy people out there
Some right-wing US bloggers have really lost the plot... -
on 08 April 2010
Over on the big picture
I've posted on tax over on the big picture blog -
on 06 April 2010
Go for the credit card clampdown Gordon!
I've seen speculation that Labour will announce a cap on credit card interest rates in its manifesto. Good idea! -
on 01 April 2010
Five April Fools for 2010
If you were busy this morning, here's a round-up of the best and worst April Fools I saw today. -
on 31 March 2010
Isas still make sense
A super-complaint has been launched today about the ISA market. The move is understandable because the ISA market is far from perfect. But it's still well worth taking out an ISA. -
on 30 March 2010
Lending to friends - the results are in
Earlier this year, we did a reader survey on lending money to friends. Thanks to everyone who took part in the poll. I thought you might be interested in the results. -
on 30 March 2010
In defence of George Osborne
I've posted about George Osborne over on our 'Big Picture' blog. -
on 29 March 2010
People's bank is welcome, but be careful on 90% mortgages
I'm pleased the Post Office is moving more aggressively into banking, but the new 'People's Bank' mustn't get carried away. -
on 24 March 2010
Is Obama a genius?
Obama stands back and watches his opponents tire themselves out. -
on 23 March 2010
A change to my blog
Going forward, I'm going to write about the economy on our 'The big picture' blog. -
on 11 March 2010
Women are more careful with money than men
Our research shows that when it comes to cash, women are the more sensible sex. -
on 11 March 2010
HSBC's 1.99% mortgage deals isn't best deal for many borrowers
HSBC's decision to relaunch its 1.99% mortgage will deliver a welcome boost to the mortgage market. But it won't be the best deal for many borrowers. -
on 05 March 2010
Don't let HSBC bully you!
HSBC is refusing to provide a simple service to its customers until they've seen an HSBC mortgage advisor. This is monstrous behaviour! -
on 02 March 2010
Have you ever been punished for complaining?
Have you ever complained to a retailer and then been put on a 'blacklist' by that retailer afterwards? -
on 26 February 2010
Economy still looks very shaky
A legendary investor thinks we could see another Lehman-style collapse later this year. -
on 26 February 2010
Mortgage borrowers switching to variable rates
A rising percentage of mortgage borrowers are going for variable rate mortgages. This is a risky move. -
on 18 February 2010
Spice Girls still rule
The headline says it all..... -
on 18 February 2010
Don't panic about inflation
The recession is a bigger threat. -
on 17 February 2010
Job figures show recession could return
Today's unexpectedly poor job numbers show that the threat of a double-dip recession is still real. -
on 10 February 2010
Northern Rock savers shouldn't worry
The unlimited guarantee for Northern Rock savers may end soon, but account holders shouldn't worry. -
on 10 February 2010
Financial talk not welcome on Facebook
Check out the results of our survey on what people use Facebook for.... -
on 10 February 2010
Interest rates will stay low
The Bank of England's latest inflation report just strengthens my view that interest rates will probably stay low for some time to come. -
on 05 February 2010
Structured products get some deserved stick
One highly successful investment professional has called for structured products to be banned. -
on 04 February 2010
Printing money was the right thing to do
It's fashionable to knock the Bank of England's money-printing programme, but I still think it was a positive move. Expect the base rate to stay low this year. -
on 03 February 2010
Osborne is wrong on stamp duty
George Osborne is focusing on the wrong problem when it comes to stamp duty. -
on 19 January 2010
Inflation is up but base rate won't move just yet
Inflation has jumped 1% which is bad news for savers. But the news isn't a huge surprise and I suspect the base rate won't rise in the very near future. -
on 19 January 2010
Credit card companies announce backdown
The banks have offered to reform the biggest credit card rip-off. It's a welcome move, but they could do more. -
on 14 January 2010
Private vs. State
Here's why private schools are rarely just a little bit better than state schools. -
on 14 January 2010
Mortgage multiples could rise
Nationwide is changing the way it decides how much it's willing to lend to a borrower. Some people will be able to borrow more as a result. -
on 14 January 2010
Obama's smart bank tax
Barack Obama's planned bank tax is very smart. It will encourage banks to stick to their knitting and might even boost rates on savings accounts. -
on 12 January 2010
Top 50 TV dramas ever
The Guardian has published a list of the 50 greatest TV dramas ever. And 'I Claudius' isn't there. Ridiculous! -
on 08 January 2010
Virgin must focus on customer service
Today's move by Virgin Money to launch a full range of financial products is welcome. But Virgin needs to improve its customer service if it wants to become a major player in the UK market. -
on 05 January 2010
I feel sorry for Iceland
Iceland's president is refusing to compensate Britain and the Netherlands for last year's payouts to Icesave savers. I can understand why the President feels that way, but Iceland will have to back down in the end. -
on 24 December 2009
Britain isn't ruined
One lovemoney.com user thinks Britain is `ruined.' I strongly disagree. The UK still has many strong points. -
on 23 December 2009
The scariest thing of all
If the banks collapse again, the man on the street will be very reluctant to fund another bailout. -
on 23 December 2009
What will happen in 2010?
Here are my financial predictions for 2010. -
on 22 December 2009
MPs must make next move on bank charges
The Office of Fair Trading has decided to end its legal fight on unfair bank charges. It's now up to MPs to continue the fight. -
on 09 December 2009
Darling gambles for growth
The Chancellor has put off big deficit cuts until 2011. Understandably he doesn't want to choke off recovery, but he's risking a debt downgrade. -
on 09 December 2009
Big increase in jobs tax
The 'jobs tax' will effectively rise by 2 per cent from 2011. It'll raise plenty of revenue for the government but won't help people trying to get back into work. -
on 07 December 2009
Get live commentary on Darling's speech
I'll be tweeting live during the Chancellor's pre-budget report on Wednesday. -
on 04 December 2009
Tax the banks' windfall!
I share the anger about bonuses. A windfall profits tax is the best way to lance this boil. -
on 04 December 2009
50% income tax is a mistake
The government shouldn't introduce a 50% tax rate. -
on 01 December 2009
Co-op's excellent mortgage move
Co-operative Bank is allowing borrowers to pay off more of their mortgage - an excellent move. -
on 27 November 2009
Should you claim for bank charges?
I can't see any harm in putting in a bank charges claim now. If you do so, please let us know how you get on. -
on 26 November 2009
Text message rip-off
You can now borrow via a text message. Trouble is, you'll pay 994% for the loan. -
on 25 November 2009
Bank charges decision is opportunity for new banks
Today's Supreme Court verdict on overdraft charges is very disappointing. Now it's up to the newer banks to differentiate themselves by offering a fair charging structure for unauthorised overdrafts. -
on 25 November 2009
Where now for bank charges?
The bank charges saga isn't necessarily over. The Supreme Court has suggested a new line of attack for the Office of Fair Trading. And MPs could do something too. -
on 25 November 2009
You can restart your bank charges claim
The bank charges saga hasn't finished. You can restart your claim and it might succeed. -
on 23 November 2009
Free banking can survive
If the banks are forced to pay out compensation for unfair overdraft charges, they may introduce fees to make up the lost revenue. But I reckon savvy consumers will still be able to get free banking. -
on 20 November 2009
Pussy Galore's pensions campaign
Former Bond girl, Honor Blackman, is campaigning for justice for Equitable Life policyholders. I hope she succeeds. -
on 19 November 2009
Spanish launch current account shake-up
Santander is launching a highly attractive current account in January. The only catch is you'll have to have a mortgage with the bank. -
on 18 November 2009
Northern Rock ups mortgage rates
Northern Rock has had some very competitive mortgage deals in the last couple of months. Some of them are now being withdrawn. -
on 18 November 2009
Queen's Speech is mixed bag
Today's Queen's Speech is a mixed bag. Tougher regulations on credit cards are welcome but don't go far enough. The so-called Fiscal Responsibility Bill is a waste of MPs' time. -
on 17 November 2009
I'm a Beeny fan
Sarah Beeny is a good egg. -
on 13 November 2009
I like inheritance tax
Inheritance tax is the second most hated tax in Britain, according to our latest lovemoney.com poll, but I disagree. -
on 10 November 2009
Five big debt myths
Don't fall for these debt myths. -
on 06 November 2009
Estate agents talking rubbish
I'd welcome a 'pause' in the housing market in January. -
on 05 November 2009
Base rate must stay low for a while yet
The Bank of England is only going to print a further £25 billion in its Quantitative Easing programme. At least for now. With that background, the Bank mustn't increase the base rate too soon. -
on 03 November 2009
EU should have gone for bigger break-up
It's good that the EU is cutting Lloyds and RBS down to size. It's just a shame that the forced disposals aren't going to be bigger. -
on 27 October 2009
Credit card shake-up doesn't go far enough
The government is slowly making progress on clamping down on some credit card rip-offs. But ministers should be moving more quickly, and their proposals don't go far enough. -
on 27 October 2009
Don't miss out on HSBC's 1.99% mortgage
HSBC says its 1.99% mortgage will be withdrawn on Saturday. So get your skates on and apply now! If you miss the deadline, look at deals from Woolwich and Northern Rock. -
on 26 October 2009
It's a good time to buy
The base rate is going to stay low. There's a mortgage war going on with rate cuts from Northern Rock leading the way. Now is good time to buy - even if house prices may fall some more next year. -
on 23 October 2009
The recession isn't over
Today's economic numbers were much worse than expected. They show the Tories are wrong to plan to cut public spending immediately. -
on 22 October 2009
Beat the Halifax overdraft rip-off!
Halifax's new structure for overdraft fees will hit some customers very hard. Find out how Halifax customers could save as much as £465 a year. -
on 21 October 2009
King sounds relaxed on inflation
Mervyn King doesn't appear to be too worried about inflation. That suggests the base rate will stay low next year. -
on 21 October 2009
Too big to fail
How can we stop bankrupt banks dragging down the rest of the economy? -
on 19 October 2009
Good riddance to liar loans
This clampdown by the regulator means you can no longer lie about your income and get a mortgage. But the FSA hasn't got everything right. -
on 16 October 2009
PPI judgement is a setback not a disaster
The Competition Commission must stick to its guns. The point-of-sale ban on PPI should be implemented as soon as possible. -
on 15 October 2009
Let's keep stamp duty
Estate agents want the government to suspend stamp duty. What nonsense! -
on 15 October 2009
Bash the bankers
A bunch of bankers got lucky. Very lucky. They should now pay a dividend to the people who made that good fortune possible. You and me. The ordinary taxpayers. -
on 09 October 2009
Finance guru gloomy about UK banks
The UK's best investor is gloomy about our banks. That's bad news for all of us - even if you never plan to invest in the stock market. -
on 08 October 2009
Base rate to stay low in 2010
The base rate looks set to stay low for some time to come. That means tracker mortgages look attractive. -
on 06 October 2009
Woolwich rate cut boosts mortgage market
Woolwich has announced a cracking 2.79% tracker mortgage. This is the best variable deal for those with a 30% deposit. Today's move is a further sign that the mortgage market is gradually thawing. -
on 06 October 2009
Tory pension plan is good move
The Conservatives' plan to raise the state retirement age to 66 in 2016 is sensible. -
on 06 October 2009
House prices will probably fall in 2010
Halifax said house prices rose by 1.6% in September but I still reckon prices could go into reverse next year. -
on 02 October 2009
The return of the 100% mortgage
Clydesdale Bank is offering a 100% mortgage! But it's only for a very small number of people. I don't think this is a good idea. -
on 29 September 2009
HSBC lends more to first-time buyers but be careful!
HSBC has made more money available for lending to first-time buyers, but I think that mortgage market newcomers should go elsewhere. -
on 28 September 2009
How Libor has changed
Rates on variable mortgages used to be closely linked to Libor, but things have changed since the credit crunch. -
on 23 September 2009
Why I like the 'mansion tax'
I support Vince Cable's plan to tax homes worth more than £1m. -
on 22 September 2009
Lloyds bond sale could boost first-time buyers
Lloyds' plan to sell a major slug of mortgage-backed bonds may lead to a significant thaw in the mortgage market. -
on 21 September 2009
Car scrappage scheme still makes my blood boil
Claims that the car scrappage scheme pays for itself are self-serving nonsense. -
on 15 September 2009
Which taxes should go up?
Nobody likes tax rises. But the rotten state of the government's finances mean that rises are almost inevitable. I thought I'd run through some of the obvious tax-raising options for the next government. -
on 15 September 2009
Hope for first time buyers
First-time buyers are gradually being offered better mortgage deals. I especially like a 5-year fixed rate deal from RBS. Coventry Building Society has today launched a good deal too. -
on 14 September 2009
Another sneaky credit card trick
I've spotted a sneaky credit card trick by MBNA. -
on 14 September 2009
Lessons from Lehmans
It's a year since Lehman Brothers collapsed.... -
on 11 September 2009
Barclaycard's new debt trick
I dislike Barclaycard's new cashback offer on interest payments. -
on 08 September 2009
Mobile phone merger is bad news
I fear the proposed merger between T Mobile and Orange will lead to higher charges. -
on 08 September 2009
Mobile phone merger - the opposing view
Supporters of the Orange/T-Mobile merger say it will be good for consumers. -
on 08 September 2009
My Vic Reeves moment
How I ended up interviewing Vic Reeves. -
on 07 September 2009
Who will be the new Chris Evans?
Chris Evans will replace Terry Wogan on the Radio 2 breakfast show. So who will replace Evans in the early evening? -
on 07 September 2009
RBS climbdown should go further
I'm delighted to see that RBS/Natwest has decided to slash its charges for unauthorised overdrafts. But the bank should go further. -
on 03 September 2009
A warning sign for inflation
I'm becoming slightly less sanguine about the threat of inflation. -
on 02 September 2009
HSBC launches 1.99% mortgage!
HSBC has given the mortgage market a big shake by launching a 1.99% mortgage. -
on 02 September 2009
EU could push up insurance premiums
New EU proposals on the insurance industry could lead to dramatic increases in premiums for all of us. -
on 27 August 2009
The worst dad
I bet your dad isn't as bad as this guy... -
on 24 August 2009
Interest rates will stay low
Central bankers are telling the FT that interest rates will stay low. -
on 24 August 2009
Damned if they do and damned if they don't
Economic policymakers face a really tough decision. When should they turn off the fiscal and monetary stimulus taps? It's tough, but there's not much that most of us can do. So we might as well sit back and enjoy a bitchy contretemps between two denizens of the op-ed pages. -
on 16 August 2009
Who destroys the marriage?
Should we feel sympathy to a middle-aged man when he has an affair? -
on 16 August 2009
Check your hearing
Check out this hearing test...... -
on 12 August 2009
Base rate will stay low for a while yet
It looks like the Bank of England's base rate will stay low for some time to come. And if the base rate is going to stay low, variable rate products such as tracker mortgages become more attractive. -
on 11 August 2009
The best way to carry holiday cash
Pre-paid travel cards are great! -
on 06 August 2009
Recession is a bigger threat than inflation
The Bank of England is going to carry on 'printing money.' It's still worried about the threat of a long recession. -
on 04 August 2009
Commodity surge could choke off recovery
Rising commodity prices aren't good news. They mean that strong economic growth is even less likely in the next few years. -
on 31 July 2009
My predictions for 2009
At the end of last year I made six predictions for 2009. Let's see how they're doing. -
on 29 July 2009
'Tesco Bank' will grow slowly
Tesco's personal finance business may not grow as fast as some people think. -
on 29 July 2009
FSA gets it wrong - again!
The FSA has made a spineless decision on with-profits funds. -
on 27 July 2009
Interest rates may rise in 2010
Could the Bank of England raise the base rate next summer? -
on 26 July 2009
Too few banks means too few loans
The reduced level of competition in the banking market is going to be a big financial issue for the next few years. -
on 20 July 2009
The science of speed dating
Find out why men tend to give more 'ticks' at speed dating than women. -
on 09 July 2009
Bank of England may stop printing money
It looks like the Bank of England is about to stop 'printing money' - for now at least. That could be a sign that inflation is now our No.1 economic problem. -
on 07 July 2009
Take That and party!
lovemoney.com took six lucky ladies to see Take That on Sunday night. -
on 07 July 2009
People spend more money on affairs than pensions
Your average extra-maritial cheater spends £291 a month on sustaining an affair compared to just £59 a month on saving for a pension. -
on 05 July 2009
Become a pensions expert in five days - the final part
Here's the last part of my introductory guide to pensions. -
on 02 July 2009
A credit card revolution
It looks like the government is set to ban the biggest credit card rip-off of them all. -
on 02 July 2009
Credit card revolution - take 2
A new review of credit card regulation has been announced. That's a good move. I just hope the talking doesn't go on too long. We need to ban the most devious credit card trick of them all. -
on 02 July 2009
Become a pensions expert in five days - don't panic!
Even if you're 50 years old, it's not too late to save for your retirement. My top tip? Don't have a pensions panic! -
on 01 July 2009
Become a pensions expert in five days - day 3
Here's my lowdown on annuities. -
on 30 June 2009
Become a pensions expert in five days - day two
Today I'm looking at defined contribution pensions. They're simpler than they sound. -
on 29 June 2009
Become a pensions expert in five days
Here's the first part of my guide on how to become a pensions expert in five days. -
on 28 June 2009
Britain's massive pensions timebomb
The government faces a long-term pensions crisis. -
on 26 June 2009
Jacko's finest hour
Remember the 'King of Pop' at his best. -
on 26 June 2009
MPs - do something useful and ban these credit card tricks!
UK politicians should follow Barack Obama's lead and clamp down on the credit card industry's dodgy practices. -
on 26 June 2009
Somebody doesn't like us
One of our readers really doesn't like us. -
on 24 June 2009
Stop milking us for everything we've got
Minimum payments for credit cards are too low. -
on 24 June 2009
The next big mis-selling scandal?
George Osborne thinks the government's personal account pension scheme could trigger a new mis-selling scandal. I disagree. -
on 23 June 2009
Two more credit card rip-offs
Here the lowdown on two more credit card rip-offs we want to clamp down on. -
on 22 June 2009
When the ruins began to sing
A fire alarm in a reposessed home can cause problems. -
on 22 June 2009
The biggest credit card rip-off of them all
I really dislike this devious credit card trick. -
on 22 June 2009
Iran: what if McCain was president?
The recent history of Iran might have been very different if John McCain had been elected president last year. -
on 21 June 2009
The lovemoney.com charter for credit card justice
The credit card industry needs radical reform. I've written a charter for credit card justice. -
on 19 June 2009
How to avoid stamp duty
Wealthy people can use a loophole to avoid stamp duty. -
on 18 June 2009
Big banks will make you poorer
Big banks can hold a government to ransom. They can also make you poorer. -
on 18 June 2009
Because it's not Google
Google is losing market share to search upstart, Bing. But I'm going to carry on using the search colossus. -
on 18 June 2009
Get a 7% real return on your cash
Here's a really cheap way to invest in the stock market. -
on 18 June 2009
Recession Watch: public sector cuts will stunt recovery
Job cuts in the public sector will hold the economy back. -
on 17 June 2009
Don't forget the consumer, chancellor!
Alistair Darling needs to protect bank customers as well as shareholders. -
on 16 June 2009
Base rate may rise sooner than expected
Today's inflation numbers mean that interest rates may rise earlier than expected. -
on 15 June 2009
The ownership of pensions
Pension savers should only be taxed once on their pension. -
on 11 June 2009
Things are looking up. Or are they?
We've seen several bits of positive economic news in the last few days. That's made me slightly more optimistic about things, but only slightly. -
on 11 June 2009
Bring back Tony Gubba!
Gary Lineker is ridiculously overpaid. Let's replace him with Tony Gubba. I reckon he'd do the job for much less money. -
on 11 June 2009
Why I like blogs
Blogs are great! Let me tell you why..... -
on 11 June 2009
My favourite blogs
Find out about five top quality blogs. Some could help you boost your finances. Others could provide thought food for your brain to chew on. -
on 11 June 2009
Tax the winter fuel payment?
A House of Commons committee wants to cut back on the winter fuel payment for pensioners. Is this a good move? -
on 09 June 2009
2 Porsches scrapped for Kias
Be careful what you crunch -
on 08 June 2009
Is the recession over?
A majority of City economists think the recession is about to end. -
on 08 June 2009
Time to act on the pensions timebomb
The government should withdraw final salary pensions from younger public sector workers. -
on 07 June 2009
Final pizza post
A pizza restaurant advertises on paper used in the classroom. -
on 04 June 2009
House prices up but this is a blip
Halifax says house prices rose in May but I reckon it's a blip. -
on 04 June 2009
Finance guru is gloomy
The downturn has a hell of a lot further to go. -
on 04 June 2009
More pizza stuff
My 'pizza week' continues. -
on 04 June 2009
Bad news for final salary pensions
If you're an employee with a final salary pension, I have bad news. Two more companies are downgrading their schemes. More may follow. The government should help out. -
on 03 June 2009
How to really change Westminster
The UK's political system needs radical change. Cabinet reshuffles aren't enough. -
on 03 June 2009
Pizza week continues
I've found another great pizza deal. -
on 02 June 2009
Why is the pound rising?
The rising pound is good news for holidaymakers, but why is our currency on the up? -
on 02 June 2009
Pizza week at The Bowsher Blog
You can get a starter, a pizza and a drink for just £10 at Pizza Express -
on 01 June 2009
Get free pizza!
Join up with LOVEFiLM and get a free £15 voucher to spend at Domino's Pizza. -
on 01 June 2009
Nationwide jacks up rates on overdrafts
Nationwide is increasing the rate on its overdrafts for the third time in a year. -
on 01 June 2009
Still bearish about house prices
Harvey Jones and I are at daggers drawn. Harvey reckons the house price crash is over. I disagree. -
on 30 May 2009
Obama pressures Israel
Barack Obama gets it right again. -
on 29 May 2009
Fight back against £1 petrol
The price of petrol will hit £1 a litre today. Find out ways to fight back. -
on 29 May 2009
House price bust is not over
Could house prices have reached bottom? -
on 28 May 2009
Save £5 at Waitrose
I'll be saving money at Waitrose this weekend. -
on 27 May 2009
Mum, I didn't swear!
I'm worried that my mother will disown me. -
on 27 May 2009
Picking the right pension
I've decided how I'm going to invest my next pension contribution. -
on 27 May 2009
My latest money moment
This money moment literally took sixty seconds. But it was time well spent! -
on 26 May 2009
Recovery may peter out
An economic recovery could be quickly followed by another slowdown. -
on 22 May 2009
£100 for free? No thanks.......
Alliance & Leicester's offer of £100 to open a current account is due to end next Thursday. -
on 22 May 2009
When should we have an election?
Ed Bowsher thinks the election should come in October. -
on 22 May 2009
Frugal Food
I'm going to eat burgers and pizza next week...... -
on 21 May 2009
Stock up on tea bags before 15% rise!
The price of PG Tips is set to rise 15% next month. -
on 20 May 2009
We'll have another housing boom
Eventually house prices will soar again. -
on 20 May 2009
Another money moment
A nice simple money moment today that took no more than a minute. -
on 19 May 2009
Even car dealers don't like scrappage scheme
Car buyers are keen to get cheap new cars thanks to the government's car scrappage scheme, but some dealers aren't so happy. -
on 19 May 2009
Good news for half term
If you're planning a half-term break abroad, we have some good news for you. -
on 19 May 2009
My first money moment
Read about Ed Bowsher's first 'money moment.' -
on 18 May 2009
Car scrappage should be scrapped
The government's car scrappage scheme is a big mistake. -
on 18 May 2009
The Money Moment
Take a moment for your money! -
on 15 May 2009
MPs ARE worse than journalists
I've always rather admired Ann Widdecombe. -
on 15 May 2009
Recovery will be sluggish
The economy will eventually recover. But it will be a slow, sluggish recovery. It'll be a long time before we have another economic boom. -
on 14 May 2009
The World Tonight
I'm going to be on 'The World Tonight' on Radio 4 this evening at 10PM. -
on 13 May 2009
Welcome to my blog!
I've been nagging the lovemoney.com techies to get me a blog for months. And now finally the day has arrived! I'm a happy chappie. -
on 13 May 2009
Marks & Spencer boobs again
Marks & Spencer is launching a new £10-a-month `Premium Club' tomorrow. It's great if your two biggest passions are travelling and drinking coffee in M&S.
About this blog
I'm Ed Bowsher and I'm a writer at lovemoney.com. In this blog, I tend to focus on the economy, investment, pensions and politics. But I write about other stuff too.