Money Central - Times Online - WBLG

An ‘Ethical’ New Year’s Resolution

Thinking of turning over a new leaf for 2007? Striving for a clear conscious is a popular pledge for those not content with giving up fags or cutting their cake intake. Fifteen million of us planned to buy ethical Christmas presents this year, according to Friends Provident. So why not join the crowd and give ethical finance a go for this annum’s oath?

Shouldering the cost of a skilled Britain

For the dewy-eyed recent graduate, standing out from the crowd in today’s jobs market is daunting, if not downright impossible. Competition for employment is intense - more than 630,000 students completed a higher education qualification in 2004 -05. No longer does a bachelor’s degree guarantee twenty-somethings a career and money aplenty

Where are house prices heading in 2007?

It’s crystal ball time again: when the experts put their necks on the line by predicting what’s going to happen to house prices next year.

Hot air from British Gas

Today British Gas pledged to give customers price cuts on energy bills for the first time in five years. Problem is, the cuts won’t be made for months and we don’t know how big they’ll be.

Gordon Brown..the new Vicki Pollard?

Uninspiring, gimmicky and shallow – and those behind it would appear to have forgotten all about its true meaning. Yes, you know the silly season has truly arrived when the chancellor proudly unveils his pre-budget report to the public at large.

Brown the beautiful

At the risk of having my head bitten off by our band of ferocious Times Online Gordon Brown haters, I would like to put in a good word for our poor beleaguered Chancellor and, indeed, politicians in general. I realise this is not fashionable, but I wonder if fashion, or at least a lack of perspective, is what motivates many of Mr Brown's critics?

Who is your Scrooge of the year?

We want to name and shame the most Scrooge-like company of 2006. To help us decide we want to hear from you. We need you to tell us about the rudest or most penny-pinching companies you have come across this year.

Brilliant or Bland?

Gordon Brown, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has delivered his final Pre Budget Report. He announced an increase in fuel tax and said air duty would double from February.

"Ten years ago Britain was seventh in the G7, bottom of the league for national income per head. In the last two years Britain has been second only to the USA," he said.

ING - please don't insult our intelligence

ING Direct, the Dutch Bank, which launched its UK savings account amid a huge fanfare in 2003 appears to be trying to mislead customers about the current competitiveness of the account.

Beware of 0871 numbers

You’ve probably been door stepped by people carrying out a customer survey questionnaire, but probably not been charged for the privilege.  Some of our readers however have been complaining of exactly that - but rather than having someone at their door, an answer phone message is left urging them to call a high rate number to receive an “important message.”

Has your insurer denied your claim?

Insurance is supposed to provide peace of mind - a much needed financial payout at time of distress, be that a death in the family or the diagnosis of a serious illness.

Fishing for investment wisdom

There is nothing more annoying than a rich, smug, American telling you how you can become as rich as them. Few Americans can be as rich and smug as Ken Fisher, the chief executive of Fisher Investments, whose success has been built advising the wealthy on how to become even wealthier. The first few pages of his new book, The Only Three Questions that Count: Investing by Knowing What Others Don't, due to be published next month, sent my hackles skywards.