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Unsung heroes

Some investment groups are natural headline grabbers while others shun the limelight

Roaming still a rip off

I don’t understand why people still pay so much for their mobile phones.  In the past month I’ve been talking to five different mobile firms offering cheap or even free calls to may places around the world – so why are we just accepting huge call prices?

Lies, damned lies and statistics

The person who coined the phrase “there are lies, damned lies and statistics” had a point. It’s all too easy to use a particular set of figures to prove a point.

Money down the drain

My last bank statement was a shocker. A case of "I think they’ve left off a zero". Which got me thinking about my expenditure – and all the things I waste money on. Below are some of the less sensible purchases I’ve made, and some I keep on making. Tell us about your bad buys.

Banks still getting fat on PPI...

You might remember a few months back that a number of lenders were accused of running a “protection racket” by the consumer watchdog Citizens Advice. It made an official “super complaint” to the Office of Fair Trading about the way lenders were selling, or mis-selling, payment protection insurance (PPI), the cover tacked on to loans.

How much help are broadband 'helplines'?

Consumers spend £31 million a year calling technical helplines for broadband services, according to uSwitch.com, the comparison website. The shocking statistic is that they spend six minutes of the average 17 minute call on hold - £11.15 million is wasted.

How are you coping with the stock market turmoil?

What a summer it’s been for investors: shares have plunged nearly 10 per cent over the past month (although the markets are thankfully up again today); popular property funds have been forced to impose exit charges to stem a wave of selling by disappointed investors; even supposedly “safe” bonds have been losing money.

Market's bungee-jumping spree

The UK stock market has been on a summer bungee-jumping spree in recent weeks. Since the start of July it has rocketed to a seven-year high of 6716, and then plunged 10 per cent to today’s closing level of 6038.

Made a will yet? Not me

Have you made a will? I haven't. And research from AXA Sun Life Direct indicates that I'm far from alone. In fact, just 45 per cent of respondents had made that essential but morbid provision.

When should your savings rate rise?

Is it just me, or do you expect your savings rates to go up if there is an increase in the Bank rate? I think my savings rate should go up, just as I accept my mortgage rate will go up. Similarly, if the Bank rate is cut, I wouldn't be surprised if the amount of interest I earn on my savings to goes down. However, it appears as though not all banks and building societies think in the same way.

Broadband speed scam

I recently decided to upgrade my broadband speed from 2Mb to a 10Mb.  You’d think a five fold increase in speed would make things better, but as it turned out, my broadband wasn’t very different at all – if anything, it seemed to slow down.

Every dog has its day

Each year a number of financial experts produce a list of ‘dog’ funds, which have performed consistently poorly over a number of years when compared with their peers.

Treat your men like your money

This is my last blog for Money and the time is right for a confession.