Savings archive

Published in December 2009

Get the best savings account

by Neil Faulkner | How to get the best savings account, whatever your needs.

Be a savvy saver in 2010!

by Jane Baker | The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to get your savings back into great shape. Find out how to get a headstart here.

1,700 cheated Lehman savers will receive compensation

by Malcolm Wheatley | 1,700 cheated Lehman savers are to get their money back! Malcolm Wheatley reveals when, and how, and what it means for savers everywhere.

The must-have regular saver

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons reviews the most flexible regular saver around

10 top ways to get the best return on your cash

by Jane Baker | Savings rates have stayed stubbornly low all year. Find out the secret to better returns here.

The top five savings bonds

by Neil Faulkner | The best savings bonds are now paying as much as 5.25% - more than ten times the base rate! Neil Faulkner rounds up the top five short and long-term bonds.

I love this savings account!

by Alison Hunt | This savings account offers the best of all worlds - a high fixed rate of 4.25%, an incentive to save regularly and the flexibility to access your savings whenever you need to.

The top 11 regular savings accounts

by John Fitzsimons | You can still earn 4.5% on your savings if you know where to look. John Fitzsimons rounds up the best regular savings accounts - which are, after all, the best way to get into the saving habit and build up a cash safety cushion.

The best savings bond of the year

by Jane Baker | Earn a top guaranteed return of up to 5% every year until 2012, and still get access to your savings.

The best savings account you’ve never heard of

by John Fitzsimons | Everybody is searching for the best place to put their savings, but this account may just have slipped off your radar...

Get the best savings bond of the year

by Jane Baker | Find out how to earn a top guaranteed return of up to 5% every year until 2012, and still get access to your savings.

Published in November 2009

Earn up to 8% on your savings

by Rachel Wait | Some savers are managing to earn a fantastic 8% return on their money - find out how.

The best place for your nest egg

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons rounds up the best places to put your savings nest egg.

Earn six times as much interest

by Cliff D'Arcy | Though the base rate is at a record low, here's a rock-solid way for smart savers to inflate their interest.

Six ways to get the best rate on your savings

by Rachel Wait | Savings rates might be low, but there are plenty of ways to fight back and ensure you’re getting the best rate possible...

The best place for your life savings

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons highlights the best savings accounts for significant sums of money.

Great savings rates with 100% security

by Cliff D'Arcy | How safe are your savings? These new accounts combine absolute security with table-topping rates of interest!

The top 16 savings bonds

by Alison Hunt | Fancy earning a straightforward, guaranteed rate of interest on your cash? Then a fixed rate savings bond may be for you - check out the best ones here.

Get the top regular savings account

by Serena Cowdy | Variable savings rates are falling - use these savings accounts to avoid being dragged down!

6 steps to saving big

by Alison Hunt | Want to dramatically increase your savings but don't know how? Check out these six easy steps.

The terrifying truth about your future

by Neil Faulkner | Take steps now to protect yourself from this financial nightmare.

The top 18 savings accounts!

by Rachel Wait | If you’re looking for a new home for your savings, check out these top 18 savings accounts...

Foreign banks are just as safe!

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons explains why there’s nothing to worry about by going with a foreign bank.

Published in October 2009

The 12 best savings accounts

by Alison Hunt | In a bumper savings guide, Alison Hunt rounds up the best Cash ISAs, the best bonds, the best instant access accounts and the best places for your children's savings.

A market-leading bond that you shouldn’t touch

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons explains why this table-topping savings bond is not worth going for

Top cash ISAs for every pocket

by Serena Cowdy | Have you made the most of your ISA allowance? Find your perfect ISA here!

Justice at last for savers

by Malcolm Wheatley | Cheated and mis-sold Lehman savers have received welcome news of an FSA compensation scheme, says Malcolm Wheatley.

Brilliant bonds for all savers

by Serena Cowdy | No matter how long you want to stash your cash away, we round-up the best savings bonds.

Beat low rates with these top savings accounts

by Mark Adams | Savings rates have been rubbish for months. But find out how you can still make the most of your spare cash.

Make your child a millionaire

by Harvey Jones | More than half of UK children believe they will become a millionaire one day. Here's how to make sure your child doesn't grow up with the crushing disappointment!

Love it or loathe it? - The best savings account on the market

by Jane Baker | The new Citibank flexible savings account has thrown a much-needed lifeline to savers.

Online versus in-branch savings accounts

by Serena Cowdy | Whether you want face-to-face service or the ease of internet banking, we’ve found the best savings accounts for you.

Britain's worst with-profits providers

by Malcolm Wheatley | Ten million savers have a stake in Britain's £300 billion with-profits industry -- but some giant providers stand accused of 'getting it completely wrong', says Malcolm Wheatley.

Earn the top rate on savings from £1 to £25,000+

by Jane Baker | Find out how you can earn the top rate on your savings, whether you're stashing away just £1 or more than £25,000.

Saving is fashionable again

by Harvey Jones | Saving used to be for dullards. Slow, dependable folk, who calculated that they probably wouldn't be run over by a bus tomorrow, and sensibly insisted on saving for the future instead. But now, saving is fashionable again...

The top three savings accounts you should avoid

by Jane Baker | Some of the top savings accounts may look like best buys, but scratch below the surface and you'll see they're not everything they're cracked up to be.

When a bonus isn't a bonus

by Rachel Wait | Most of the top savings accounts offer bonuses nowadays. Should you go for them? Rachel Robson finds out.

Ten tips for smarter saving

by Cliff D'Arcy | With over 4,000 different accounts to choose from, saving can be hard work. Here’s your map to the savings minefield.

Published in September 2009

My top five instant access savings accounts

by Serena Cowdy | We scour the market for the very best instant access accounts on offer.

How to earn 5%+ on your savings

by Jane Baker | If you're after the best possible return on your savings, fixed rate bonds are the place to look.

Get the top rate on your savings

by John Fitzsimons | There's a new market-leading savings account out - and it's a good 'un, says John Fitzsimons.

Four million savings accounts at risk!

by Cliff D’Arcy | Over four million children have a Child Trust Fund. Alas, with the nation's finances in a complete mess, these savings accounts could soon be axed...

Britain's worst savings accounts!

by Cliff D’Arcy | With the base rate stuck at 0.5%, times are tough for savers. Even so, these 60 savings accounts are a disgrace and savers should scarper at once!

Ten ways to get a better return on your savings

by Jane Baker | Savings rates are looking pretty unattractive right now. If you've got some spare cash, check out these ten ways to make your money work harder.

Why banks aren't playing fair

by Neil Faulkner | In the past six months we've seen the cost of borrowing rise and the interest earned on our savings fall even though the base rate has stayed at an all-time low.

Free money for your kids!

by Harvey Jones | Here's some free money for your children....What do you mean, no thanks?

Seven ways to boost your child's savings

by Jane Baker | Did you know this week marks the seventh anniversary of child trust funds? Check out these tips to make sure you're making the most of yours.

My favourite savings account

by Rachel Wait | Rachel Robson's favourite easy access savings account just got even better. Find out what makes it stand out from the crowd.

Wave goodbye to 6% on your savings

by John Fitzsimons | If you want to get 6% on both your current account AND regular savings account, you'd better hurry up - this deal is about to disappear!

Published in August 2009

Why savings rates are better this year

by Jane Baker | Jane Baker explains why today's seemingly ultra low rates on savings accounts aren't as bad as they look.

Eight smashing savings accounts

by Alison Hunt | Got some cash? Want to save it? Then here are eight excellent options for you - no matter how much cash you have or how much you plan to save.

Avoid these rubbish savings accounts

by Serena Cowdy | We look at what's hot - and what's not - in the world of accessible savings accounts.

The top five places to stash your child's cash

by Alison Hunt | If you're struggling to find a home for your child's money, here are the five best places to stash that cash!

Love it or loathe it: Steer clear of this rotten account!

by Ed Bowsher | Ethical saving is fine in principle, but a 0.1% savings rate just isn’t good enough, says Ed Bowsher

The top 10 fixed rate bonds

by Alison Hunt | With the base rate now predicted to stay low for a long time, is it worth tying your money up for a year (or more) in order to earn a great rate?

Avoid this terrible savings account

by Jane Baker | Jane Baker warns against a terrible savings provider that is supposed to be the best in Britain

No need to keep moving your savings around

by Szu Ping Chan | Here's five places to stash your cash if you're fed up with temporary bonus rates which force you to move your savings after a year...

Love it or loathe it? - The clever way to earn 6% on your savings

by Jane Baker | Find out how to get a great return on your cash without locking your money away.

The best savings accounts for regular savers

by Szu Ping Chan | A raft of new regular savings accounts have recently flooded the market. Szu Ping Chan reveals her pick of best accounts.

The best home for your savings

by Alison Hunt | With savings accounts getting more complicated and bonuses rife, we look at the top paying savings accounts for that hard-earned cash.

Savings war hots up!

by Szu Ping Chan | Egg has upped its savings rates for both new and existing customers. Find out who you should be saving with at the moment...

Make a wad from your windfall

by John Fitzsimons | What should you do with a lump sum? For those of you with a stash of cash but no idea of how to make it grow, help is at hand...

Love it or loathe it? - The best bond around

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons reviews a bond from Barnsley Building Society paying a whopping 5.4% - but it’s not for everyone

Published in July 2009

Watch out for this savings trap!

by Szu Ping Chan | We show you why in the savings market, loyalty never pays...

Avoid the top two savings accounts!

by Szu Ping Chan | These two savings accounts pay the highest rates, but we think you should avoid them like the plague. Szu Ping Chan explains why.

Love it or loathe it? - ING Savings Account has all the answers!

by Jane Baker | If you’re looking for a decent fixed rate on your savings and easy access, look no further than ING!

An innovative way to earn 8.2% on your cash!

by Szu Ping Chan | With savings rates still very low, it's time to think outside the savings box. Szu Ping Chan assesses two sexy alternatives to the traditional savings account.

Ditch these 'best buy' savings accounts - quick!

by Rachel Wait | If you took out one of these best-buy easy access savings accounts, be careful: you may find it's now one of the worst accounts in town...

Get a better rate on your fixed-rate savings

by Jane Baker | Many of last year's best-buy fixed rate bonds are about to mature. Find out what you should do with these savings now.

How to choose a savings account

by Neil Faulkner | We go through the different types of savings products to help you choose the right one for you. We also include our top recommendations.

Top savings accounts to suit everyone

by Serena Cowdy | Start building your safety net today with one of these great accounts.

Earn 5.4% on your savings!

by Szu Ping Chan | Can't stand instant access accounts with darn bonus rates? Perhaps it's time to fix for the longer term, and earn 5%+ while you're at it...

Watch out for these savings accounts!

by Rachel Wait | So many savings accounts come with catches these days... Here’s what you need to look out for.

Earn 5% on your savings - but hurry up!

by Neil Faulkner | This offer of 5% interest on your savings will last just a few hours or days!

Soapbox - The best way to save in 2009

by Ed Bowsher | Ed Bowsher thinks that easy access savings accounts are the best way to save in 2009.

Get the best rate on your savings

by Szu Ping Chan | Savings rates are finally rising! Here's the lowdown on the top two market-leaders launched just this month...

July's top seven savings accounts

by Alison Hunt | With savings rates starting to rise, here's a roundup of some of the best places to stash your hard-earned cash this month.

Give your kids a £10,000 nest egg

by Jane Baker | Find out how to give your kids a nest egg of almost £10,000 on their 18th birthday - without it costing you a fortune!

Beware of bonus rates on your savings!

by Jane Baker | There are lots of new market-leading savings accounts around with big bonuses, which sounds great - but Jane Baker thinks it pays to beware.

Why it's still worth saving

by Szu Ping Chan | Paltry interest rates may put you off saving. But according to one survey, we're putting away more cash than ever. Here's why you should join the savings bandwagon...

Savings rates are finally rising!

by Serena Cowdy | Serena Cowdy looks at the pros and cons of the new market-leading accounts.

Published in June 2009

Love it or loathe it? - Halifax savings account

by John Fitzsimons | Savers are struggling to get a good return on their money. Find out why this saving account is unlikely to be the answer.

Avoid these scandalous savings accounts!

by Jane Baker | Why you should always steer clear of simple savings accounts which are combined with risky investment plans.

Make sure your money is safe

by Laura Howard | Cash was supposed to be the easy way to look after our financial futures. But post-credit crunch, even the safety of straightforward saving takes some research, says Laura Howard

The best savings accounts for your emergency stash

by Serena Cowdy | Serena Cowdy rounds up the best easy access accounts out there.

Get a better return on your savings

by Neil Faulkner | Neil Faulkner rounds up eight top savings accounts, bonds and ISAs that beat the REAL rate of inflation - because, for most of us, prices are going up!

The five juiciest savings accounts!

by Szu Ping Chan | Here’s the current cream of the crop when it comes to savings accounts…

Soapbox - Savers aren't being smashed by the recession

by Ed Bowsher | Ed Bowsher thinks the recession has been pretty good for savers.

Love it or loathe it? - The new Skipton fixed rate bond

by Jane Baker | Want a high interest rate and access to your savings? Skipton Building Society could have the answer...

Published in May 2009

Dodge these three savings pitfalls!

by Serena Cowdy | When is a great savings account not all it's cracked up to be? When it has a host of hidden catches...

A bunch of brilliant bonds!

by Szu Ping Chan | Banks have been launching fixed rate bonds left, right and centre. We sort the good from the bad, and ask that all important question...how long should you fix for?

Savings rip-offs

by Ed Bowsher | Ed Bowsher gets on his soapbox to shout about savings rip-offs.

Love it or loathe it? - Investec High 5 account

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons assesses the pros and cons of Investec's High 5 account.

Ditch your rubbish savings rate

by Jane Baker | Believe it or not, some savings accounts are now paying a real return of minus 1.77%! Find out how to get a better account today.

Love it or loathe it? - Rotten savings accounts

by Ed Bowsher | Ed Bowsher looks at some loathsome savings accounts that give you a terrible return on your money.

Earn 6% and more on your monthly savings!

by Jane Baker | Regular saver accounts can offer some really fantastic rates. Jane Baker reveals her top pick.

I loathe these savings accounts!

by Rachel Wait | Rachel Robson reveals five savings accounts you should avoid at all costs…

Good news for Lehmans victims

by Malcolm Wheatley | Around 6,000 people lost their life savings when Lehman Brothers collapsed - despite being told repeatedly that their investment was "100% capital secure". Finally, the FSA is fighting back...

Top 20 savings accounts and ISAs

by Neil Faulkner | Here are the top 20 places to put your savings, from across the entire market.

Published in April 2009

Online savings accounts versus the rest!

by Rachel Wait | Are you better off stashing your savings in an internet account or a more traditional one?

Ten of the best savings rates in town

by Rachel Wait | We reveal the ten best places for savvy savers to stash their cash…

The best possible place for your savings

by Cliff D’Arcy | Where can your savings work hardest, while being completely safe? Bizarrely, the answer isn’t in any kind of savings account at all...

Three terrific savings accounts for kids!

by Rachel Wait | If you’re looking for a new home for your child’s savings, you’ve come to the right place…

Building societies still make sense

by Ed Bowsher | It’s been a mixed week for building societies; credit ratings for several societies have been cut, but the mutuals are still an attractive option for many savers.

Savers can still get 4%

by Ed Bowsher | Savers have had a rotten year, but they got a smidgen of good news last week.

How to squeeze extra cash from your salary

by Rachel Wait | If you’re struggling to put aside some spare cash each month, just follow these simple tips…

Love it or loathe it? - Newcastle BS Fixed Rate E-Bond

by Jane Baker | Another week, another fixed rate account blazes onto the market. But how will it fare in the battle of the bonds?

Get motivated to save!

by Serena Cowdy | Are you being left behind in the race to save? Here's how to kick-start your squirreling habit!

Savers stung by Tesco

by Rachel Wait | If you’ve opened a Tesco Internet Saver account this year, chances are it’s been a nightmare…

Offshore Vs. UK Savings Accounts

by Neil Faulkner | We compare offshore savings accounts with those available to residents of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The best savings rates for first time buyers

by Rachel Wait | If you’re planning to save up for a deposit on a house, here’s where to stash your cash…

Why we're all starting to save

by Cliff D’Arcy | After years of spend, spend, spending, we Brits are rediscovering the joy of saving. Indeed, the savings rate almost tripled at the end of 2008.

Love it or loathe it? - cahoot 2 year fixed rate bond

by Jane Baker | Jane Baker reviews the latest fixed rate bond to hit the market and finds out how it stacks up against the competition.

Published in March 2009

Six thousand people lose their life savings

by Donna Ferguson | When Lehmans went bust, thousands of ordinary people lost their life savings - even though they thought their money was safe.

Why your savings really are safer at the bank!

by Serena Cowdy | If you're looking for a safe place to stash your cash, Serena Cowdy can help.

Twelve seriously sexy savings accounts

by Rachel Wait | Looking for a better home for your savings? Then look no further than these 12 seriously sexy savings accounts….

Why NS&I isn't a good home for your savings

by Jane Baker | Treasury backing and 100% security for your money might sound tempting, but that's all National Savings & Investments has got to offer.

Why some savings accounts make me mad

by Cliff D’Arcy | With savings interest rates at all-time lows, watch out for sneaky tricks which can turn a Best Buy savings account into a Don’t Buy!

Where to stash your cash in 2009

by Szu Ping Chan | We reveal a snapshot of Britain's typical saver, the savviest parts of the country, and most importantly, where you should be stashing your cash...

The best savings accounts for big savers

by Rachel Wait | Get the lowdown on whether you can still get a good savings rate if you've got a large lump sum to invest…

My favourite savings accounts

by Szu Ping Chan | If you're looking for somewhere to put your savings, you'd do well to choose one of these accounts...

Top savings accounts for the new financial age

by Serena Cowdy | How to build up your savings pot - plus a round-up of the best regular savings accounts on offer.

Published in February 2009

What your bank doesn't want you to know

by Donna Ferguson | If you’ve got an instant access savings account, your bank could be hiding a nasty secret from you. Find out what it is.

Secure a great savings rate now!

by Rachel Wait | With interest rates on savings accounts continuing to plummet, now is the perfect time to fix your savings.

Meeting the cost of private education

by Emma Lunn | School fees usually run to a pretty hefty annual bill. Emma Lunn explains how to keep on top of the cost.

Why a rainy day fund is more important than ever

by Rachel Wait | With heavy debts and rising job losses affecting many of us, Rachel Robson tells us why we shouldn’t sacrifice our savings…

There's still hope for savers

by Szu Ping Chan | Savers may still be bearing the brunt of the credit crunch, but we tell you why it's more important than ever to fix your savings.

Why your mattress makes a bad bank

by Cliff D’Arcy | With banks collapsing across the world, you might be tempted to keep your cash under your bed. Here are five reasons why this is a big mistake!

Can you bank on the FSCS?

by Rachel Wait | You thought your savings were protected by the FSCS. Now you’ve discovered that’s no longer the case. Here’s why you shouldn’t panic...

Get the best return on your savings

by Jane Baker | How has the recent swathe of rates cuts affected our attitudes toward saving, and can savers still secure a decent rate of return? Jane Baker investigates.

Kaupthing Savers Face New Dilemma

by Szu Ping Chan | Ex-Kaupthing savers have been given two new choices regarding their savings. What are they? And more importantly, which is better?

Five Ways You Can Still Earn 6%+ On Your Savings

by Jane Baker | Are you struggling to get a decent return on your savings? Here are five not-so-obvious ways of beating low interest rates.

Five Top Instant Access Savings Accounts

by Alison Hunt | With the base rate at the lowest it’s ever been, where's the best place to stash that cash?

A Splendid Savings Scheme

by Cliff D'Arcy | Imagine a savings plan which more than triples your money by buying shares with government help. The good news is that it already exists!

How To Keep Your Savings In A High Interest Home

by Jane Baker | What happens to your savings once your great fixed rate has disappeared? Find out here.

Get Your Hands On Some Extra Cash!

by Rachel Wait | Millions of pounds are knocking about in forgotten accounts and some of it might be yours! Here’s how to reclaim it…

Beware Of Accounts With Nasty Catches

by Jane Baker | Watch out for these high-interest savings accounts with a sting in the tail.

Beat This Savings Rate Killer!

by Szu Ping Chan | With two-thirds of instant access accounts paying less than inflation, we show you the accounts which guarantee your cash will really grow.