How to find the best ISA for you
The best ISA for you depends on a number of factors such as how much you have to invest, how much access you’d like to your money and the level of risk you’re willing to take in order to get the best returns. An investment management company such as Nutmeg…
Eat for Less: Oven Baked Risotto
Where do you stand on ‘one-pot’ dishes? I used to sniff at one-pot dishes. I used to be like Sally in ‘When Harry Met Sally’ – liked things ‘on the side’. Now, simplifying cooking and minimising preparation time (without loss of quality) is a matter of survival. How otherwise can…
Quince Jam Made in the Breadmaking Machine: eat for less
When was the last time you tried to buy Quince Jam? Okay, if you really don’t know that, let me try something easier: do you know what is a quince? For the ones amongst you who have not come across quince, take a good look at the fruit on the…
Why Cinderella Doesn’t Need Insurance?
Most people are preoccupied with getting ready for Christmas and don’t want to think about whether they need insurance. I’m finished with these preparations. So, I’m sitting here making an inventory of our insurance arrangements. Yep, I was right: our car and house insurance need to be renewed in…
Are You in Your Employer’s Pension Scheme?
If you aren’t, you better join; and soon. Where I come from opting in or out of a pension scheme was not an issue. Making pension contributions was not discussed and having a pension, albeit in some cases a very modest one, was taken as a given. What was…
Do You Have Too Much Debt: the six rules of debt busting
Yesterday I read the story of a guy who took loads of pills and booze trying to kill himself because he had too much debt. He survived and was left with sore tum, a hurting head, and the embarrassment of failure. Embarrassment for which his parents were very, very…
Eat for less: roast chicken and rice
I know. Put like this the meal we had tonight sounds as boring as yesterday’s salad. But my house smells so great that I’ll stop writing now and go have dinner first; see you in thirty minutes. Now, this is better. My tummy is full and my family replete. I…
10 Money Actions You Need to Take in Your 50s
I’ve already reached the age when mentioning numbers is impolite. But I’d like to share a secret: I couldn’t care less. I’m 52 and I’m proud. More importantly, I’m 52 and I have come to realise that there are some urgent money actions I ought to take if I don’t…
Eat for less: make beignets so delicious, you could open shop in New Orleans
This picture was taken in New Orleans last September when my buddies took me to try the local specialty: beignet. Yes, we have had rather a lot to drink when I tried them; you see, I had already discovered that New Orleans is a city where it is very difficult…
Take these seven steps and watch your income grow
When was the last time you saw your income grow? My income didn’t grow for years. I even believed I’d reached my earning peak and that was that. I believed this until we found ourselves in a lot of debt. Then I realised three important things: You can get…
Better be Sorry than Safe: about experience, learning and dreams
Do you dream about the day when all your debt will be paid off? Or when you’ll have enough money so you’ll never have to worry again? Are you racing against time to pay off your very low interest mortgage? Are you chasing the dream of feeling completely safe? I…
Misplaced concerns: your pension is not about how much you put in, it is…
…about how much the fund management industry takes out. At least this is what a documentary – How to Win the Loser’s Game – going online tomorrow has concluded. Why do I care? Why I decided to tell you about this documentary? I’ve told you that I am concerned about…