Published in December 2008

Self-Employment: How To Get Started

by Serena Cowdy | Are you considering becoming self-employed? Find out everything you need to get started.

Hopes For 2009

by Donna Ferguson | What are Fools hoping for in 2009?

Winners From The Credit Crunch

by Harvey Jones | The credit crunch isn't bad news for everybody......

Sell Your Youth To Survive The Recession!

by Serena Cowdy | Do you have hidden treasure lying forgotten in your attic? Find out if your childhood purchases could make you a grown-up fortune!

UK Households Are £1.2 Trillion Worse Off

by Stuart J. Watson | How much have we really lost this year? The net worth of UK households may have shrunk by an astonishing £1.2 trillion, or £50,000 per household, in just twelve months.

How To Make Yourself More Employable

by Serena Cowdy | How can you make yourself more employable? Whether you're a new graduate or an experienced employee, the current economic turmoil means the competition for new jobs is growing fiercer every day.

The dangers of deflation

by Emma Davies | You might think falling prices are good news, but Emma Davies discovers that deflation could be disastrous.

How To Succeed At Interview

by Serena Cowdy | Are you job hunting at the moment? Here's how to knock spots off the competition.

Base Rate Slashed To 2%

by Cliff D'Arcy | The Bank of England has slashed its base rate to 2%, matching the lowest level in its 314-year history. This is good news for borrowers, but bad for savers.

Banks To Avoid Big Fines

by Neil Faulkner | One writer shares his views on the Government's decision to make a legally-binding code of behaviour for banks.

How Does Your Wage Measure Up?

by Cliff D'Arcy | According to new figures from Halifax, the average salary has increased by 21% in the past five years. We reveal where the fat cats work.

Published in November 2008

Beware The Recession Vultures!

by Laura Starkey | There are companies out there who will prey on your financial fears. Beware these recession vultures.

Two Lessons From Big Financial Companies

by Neil Faulkner | One big financial company is selling alternatives to shares, and another wants those of us with above-average earnings to do a tax-saving deal with our employers.

The Chancellor's Winners And Losers

by Cliff D'Arcy | Alistair Darling's Pre-Budget Report offers short-term gain, but long-term pain. We list the winners and losers from his tax changes.

Darling Moves In Right Direction

by Ed Bowsher | Alistair Darling has cut VAT and other taxes to try and boost the economy. Government debt will rise to a shockingly high level. But tax cuts are the right move nonetheless.

The Great Recession Survival Guide of 2008-9

by Bruce Jackson | We are already in recession, and things are set to get worse. But we have survived recessions before, and by following these 6 simple steps, we'll survive again.

Banks vs. Building Societies: Which Are Safer?

by Szu Ping Chan | How do banks and building societies size up against each other? We examine the differences - and safety of the two models here.

Don't Let Sickness Destroy Your Finances

by Serena Cowdy | How would your finances hold up if you were off work sick? Take steps now to avoid the debt spiral.

Five Green Ways To Cut Your Car Costs

by Rachel Wait | Petrol prices may finally be coming down, but owning a car is still expensive. So here are some green tips to help cut your car costs.

Inflation Looks Set To Fall Fast

by Ed Bowsher | UK inflation looks set to fall fast over the next year. House prices too. That's good in some ways, but it also suggests that we're entering a bad recession.

The Small Business Survival Guide

by Serena Cowdy | Do you have a small business that's been affected by the crunch? Here are five things you can do to keep your firm afloat.

3% Base Rate - What Does It Mean?

by Ed Bowsher | The Bank of England has cut the base rate to 3%. It's already affecting the mortgage market. What else does it mean for Fools?

Seven Things To Fix Please, President Obama

by Bruce Jackson | Congratulations Barack Obama on your historic election victory. It has given hope to millions around the globe. Change is here.

Turn Global Recession Into Personal Gain

by Neil Faulkner | One writer shows us how we can make money when others are frightened and panicking.

Published in October 2008

Reasons To Be Cheerful

by Laura Starkey | With the economy unstable, recession looming large and credit still hard to come by, it's no wonder many Brits are feeling blue. But there are still reasons to think positively. Here are six.

More Trouble To Come

by Ed Bowsher | The Bank of England says that global losses on `toxic' assets have now soared to $2.8 trillion. There could be more financial instability to come.

The Safety Of Insurers And With-Profits Policies

by Jane Baker | How financially stable are our insurance companies and could they be the next victims of the global liquidity crisis?

The Crisis Continues

by Ed Bowsher | Shares have fallen to a new low for 2008 as the economic outlook looks grim.

How To Deal With Redundancy

by Serena Cowdy | The threat of redundancy can make us feel vulnerable, miserable and helpless. But in fact, there are plenty of things you can do. Take control with this step-by-step guide.

Is The Grass Really Greener Overseas?

by Harvey Jones | Going to the dogs? We're not the only ones.

The USA Is A Massive Communist Council-House Estate

by Neil Faulkner | In the past week, Fool readers have written some especially well-argued, witty and interesting messages on a variety of subjects. Here are some of them.

Crisis Update: More Good News Than Bad

by Ed Bowsher | The banking crisis may be past its worst point. But we still live in troubled times.

What The Banking Bailout Means For You

by Donna Ferguson | What difference will the bail-out make to your life? Will it make you richer or poorer?

The Big British Banking Bailout

by Stuart J Watson | The government rescues the banking sector, announcing a huge £37bn investment programme to restore confidence in the financial system.

The Credit Crisis Survival Guide

by Bruce Jackson | The stock market and global economies are spiralling out of control. Banks are failing, people are worried about their finances, their job, and their house. Are you worried? Welcome to the Fool's 8 point credit crisis survival guide!

Who's to blame for the credit crunch?

by Donna Werbner | Is the Government, the banks or the borrowers to blame for the credit crunch? What do Fool experts think? Donna Werbner investigates.

ING Is Safe

by Szu Ping Chan | ING now owns both Kaupthing Edge and Heritable Bank. We tell you why it is safer than both RBS and HBOS.

Will Bank Rescues Kill Off Free Banking?

by Cliff D'Arcy | Another day, another banking crisis. Will the fall in the number of British banks lead to worse current accounts?

The £50 Billion British Bank Bailout

by Cliff D'Arcy | What has the government done? How much extra cash will banks get? At £2,000 per household, will it steady the banking ship?

Interest Rates Cut

by Donna Ferguson | The Bank of England has cut interest rates by 0.5%, bringing the Bank of England Base Rate down to 4.5% - the lowest it's been for more than two years.

What The Government Bail-Out Means For You

by Donna Ferguson | How will the Government's decision to hand billions of pounds over to banks affect you? Will it make you richer or poorer?

52 days to financial disaster

by Laura Starkey | With unemployment rising and the economy drifting towards recession, some people's nerves are now just as stretched as their budgets.

Bail Me Out Please Mr Bush

by Bruce Jackson | The great US bail-out has passed, yet the pain continues. We are in recession now, and no amount of dollars, euros and pounds is going to stop it. Yet there is hope. Growth always follows recession.

The Dark Art Of Prophecy

by Harvey Jones | Should you put your faith in financial prophets - or are most predictions a load of tosh?

Good News For A Million Workers

by Cliff D'Arcy | Despite the doom and gloom in financial markets, more than 1m employees can look forward to a guaranteed pay rise on 1 October.

This Game Of Financial Russian Roulette Could Ruin Our Life Savings

by Bruce Jackson | US markets surge, but the credit crisis problems still remain. Whatever happens, we all have a heavy price to pay, whether we like it or not. And that may include losing your house.

Published in September 2008

Credit Market Carnage

by Ed Bowsher | The credit market is in turmoil after the US Congress rejected the bail-out plan. That's bad news for all of us.

What Does Bradford & Bingley's Collapse Mean To You?

by Ed Bowsher | Bradford and Bingley's collapse will affect most of us. Here's how.

Wave Goodbye To Cheques!

by Emma Lunn | Cheques are becoming increasingly unpopular. But what will replace them? Emma Lunn thinks she knows...

The Next Bank To Go Bust?

by Szu Ping Chan | If the share price is anything to go by, it could be Bradford and Bingley... What does this mean for customers?

Cut Your Small Business Costs In Five Steps

by James Thomas Ramsay | A five-step guide to help entrepreneurs reduce their costs.

10 Ways The Credit Crunch Changed The World

by Harvey Jones | The credit crunch has changed the way we live our lives.

Beat Inflation With These Beautiful Bonds!

by Cliff D'Arcy | With the official rate of inflation (rising prices) hitting an all-time high, the higher cost of living is hitting our savings hard. Here's a powerful way to fight back.

The Financial Crash In Plain English

by Cliff D'Arcy | Credit crunch. Northern Rock. Bear Stearns. Fannie and Freddie. Lehman Brothers. AIG. HBOS. Here's what the financial crash means to you.

How Lehman's Collapse Could Affect You

by Ed Bowsher | You may not own shares in any company - let alone Lehman Brothers - but the financial turmoil could affect you nonetheless. Here's how.

Five Ways To Beat The Credit Crunch

by Cliff D'Arcy | As stock markets and house prices lurch downwards, we suggest some simple steps to strengthen your finances.

Nationwide Takes Over Cheshire And Derbyshire

by Cliff D'Arcy | The UK's biggest building society is to merge with two smaller rivals. However, members are being rescued, rather than rewarded...

The Biggest Bailout In History!

by Cliff D'Arcy | The US has taken its two biggest mortgage lenders, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, into public ownership. Think of it as 33 Northern Rock rescues at once.

Published in August 2008

The Credit Crunch One Year On

by Jane Baker | For the last year there's been no getting away from the credit crunch. But what has it meant for you?

Earn An Inflation Busting 12% On Your Savings!

by Jane Baker | Fancy a fantastic double digit return on your savings? Here's how to get it.

The Five Essential Rules Of Business

by James Thomas Ramsay | Have you got what it takes to set up your own business?

Published in July 2008

Five Bullets For The Banks!

by Cliff D'Arcy | We come up with five fears to trouble both customers and shareholders of British banks.

Credit Crunch Winners

by Harvey Jones | Cheer up everybody, things aren't really that bad, are they? True, the credit crunch is dismal for some, but it doesn't spell financial disaster for everybody.

Another Banking Brand Bites The Dust

by Stuart J Watson | Alliance & Leicester will soon be bought by the Spanish owner of Abbey. Will this mean the end of its table-topping current and savings accounts?

Fix Your Cash ISA And Beat Inflation

by Martin Morris | How to stay one step ahead of inflation with a fixed rate cash ISA.

Fools Say Inflation Is 9%

by Kate O'Raghallaigh | A recent Foolish survey shows that your living costs are rising by a whopping 9.3%.

How Much Redundancy Pay Would You Get?

by Cliff D'Arcy | As the economy weakens and unemployment rises, it's worth working out how much you'd get if your job were axed.

ISAs Beat The Credit Crunch

by Stuart J Watson | In the last two quarters we've put almost 20% more into ISAs than we did in the previous year.

How Much Is Your Wage Really Worth?

by Cliff D'Arcy | When you weigh up the value of your existing job or a new one, remember to take these valuable benefits into account!

Published in June 2008

Seven Ways To Beat The Inflation Beast!

by Laura Starkey | With household bills going up and hopes of salary increases dashed, what can Fools do to keep more cash in their pockets?

Inflation Means Rates Won't Fall Soon

by Ed Bowsher | Inflation hit an eleven-year high today and is expected to rise above 4% later this year.

Bradford & Bingley & Broken?

by Cliff D'Arcy | Disaster hits B&B as it makes a loss and raises emergency cash from an investment fund. What next for its shareholders, customers and staff?

Published in May 2008

Super Savings Accounts That Slaughter Inflation

by Cliff D'Arcy | Are you struggling with the rising cost of living? Find out which savings accounts and ISAs will help you beat inflation.

Bad News For Banks And Borrowers

by Cliff D'Arcy | British banks have blown up billions in the credit crunch. However, customers are set to suffer even more for two different reasons.

How To Get A Pay Rise

by Serena Cowdy | Do you feel underpaid and undervalued at work? Here's how to successfully negotiate that pay rise.

Interest Rate Cut Looks Very Unlikely

by Ed Bowsher | Inflation has unexpectedly jumped to 3%. A near-term cut in interest rates now looks very unlikely.

Published in April 2008

Five Ways To Make Voters Happy!

by Cliff D'Arcy | Ahead of the local elections on 1 May, we suggest five new laws to help consumers to hang onto more money.

The Chilling Consequences Of The Credit Crunch

by Neil Faulkner | More on the credit crunch.

What Is A Recession?

by Serena Cowdy | Just what is a recession? And can we predict what's going to happen in the UK by looking at recessions around the world? Serena Cowdy finds out.

The Chilling Consequences Of The Credit Crunch

by Neil Faulkner | More on the credit crunch.

Published in March 2008

6 Ways To Ride Out A Recession

by Jane Baker | Read these six great tips for protecting your finances in the face of a recession.

Students: How To Protect Against Recession

by Serena Cowdy | If you're a student, how can you prepare for the recession that may be on the cards?

No Need To Plan For Recessions

by Neil Faulkner | One Fool explains why there is no need to plan for recessions, provided we're managing our money properly.

How Green Is Your Green Tariff?

by Donna Ferguson | Green tariffs have got a lot cheaper recently. But are they really as green as they seem - or is it all just another rip-off?

Will Rate Cuts Save America?

by Cliff D'Arcy | The Federal Reserve has cut its funds rate for the third time in 2008. But will this be enough to stave off a recession?

New Inflation Basket Revealed

by Szu Ping Chan | Broccoli replaces Brussels sprouts in the latest shake-up of the Consumer Prices Index basket of goods. With the latest inflation figures revealed today, what else is in store for UK consumers?

7 Ways To Recession-Proof Your Job

by Jane Baker | If a recession hits this year, you may be concerned by job security. Here are seven great ways to protect your postition.

The Budget: Winners And Losers

by Donna Ferguson | Who were the winners and losers in this year's Budget?

How To Crack The Credit Crunch

by Jane Baker | Take a look at this great advice for coping with the credit crunch and the threat of a recession.

Published in February 2008

The Truth About 'Green' Cars

by Szu Ping Chan | 'Green' cars are all the rage in some parts of the country. But behind the gimmicks and slick advertising, do they really provide value for money?

Published in January 2008

New Green Rules Won't Stop Cheap Flights

by Neil Faulkner | As of next year, aviation is added to the industries that must trade a limited number of carbon emissions credits. However, we believe that the scheme will continue to have no effect.

New Green Rules Won't Stop Cheap Flights

by Neil Faulkner | As of next year, aviation is added to the industries that must trade a limited number of carbon emissions credits. However, we believe that the scheme will continue to have no effect.

This Week's Market Mayhem

by Szu Ping Chan | Bedlam hit the financial markets this week, as recession fears, US interest rate cuts and fraud panic turned it into one of the most volatile weeks in years.