Jim Kersey

A home improvement loan can fund any work you need to carry out on your property, whether you want to increase its value or simply improve your living situation.

Discover the ways that you can quickly pay off your overdraft, to help you better manage your short-term borrowing. If you’re finding that you’re dipping into it at the end of every month, these tips could help you manage your spending.

If you are considering taking out a short-term loan, make sure you check whether a longer-term loan might make more sense, or vice-versa. Here, we take a look at both these options in more detail.

Taking out a debt consolidation loan allows you to turn multiple debt payments into one ‘consolidated’ loan and monthly payment. This could save you money, but you need to factor in all the costs and risks involved.

Banks and other lenders use your debt-to-income ratio to evaluate your suitability as a borrower. This means comparing your monthly debt payments to your income before they approve a loan for you. Use our simple calculator to get your results instantly.

How much deposit you need to buy a house will depend on your financial situation and the value of the property you want to buy. Having a larger deposit might help secure a lower mortgage rate, but a house deposit of 5% is often enough to help you onto the property ladder.

If you’re self-employed and are planning to get a mortgage, you’ll need your accounts to be in order and you may need to jump through a few extra hoops. Proof you have regular work, a deposit and a good credit history are usually important too.

It can be incredibly difficult to choose the right mortgage to suit your needs. From the basics of the loan, to the technical details involved in the process, to the provider, there’s a lot to get straight when you look at how to choose a mortgage.

Making the shift from regular employment and a PAYE salary at the end of every month to working for yourself is a big decision no matter what your circumstances. Here are the essentials to consider carefully before taking that leap into self-employment.