Rebecca Goodman
Rebecca Goodman is a freelance journalist who has spent the past 10 years working across personal finance publications. Regularly writing for The Guardian, The Sun, The Telegraph, and The Independent.
Articles by Rebecca Goodman:
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Can you get a mortgage with bad credit?
Yes, but your options will be limited. Expect to put down a larger deposit and pay higher interest rates if you want to get a mortgage with bad credit.
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Can I get a loan for a wedding?
Taking out a wedding loan is just one way you can fund your big day if you don’t have the money to pay for it all yourself.
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How to repay a personal loan early
Paying off a loan early can be a huge weight lifted from your shoulders, but there may be penalty fees and interest charges to pay.
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What are joint loans and how do they work?
Joint loans can be taken out for several reasons, from mortgages to overdrafts and each person is fully liable for the debt being repaid.
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How Do Costs of The UK's Most Popular Cars Stack Up Against Leading Electric Vehicles?
Our NerdWallet research has discovered the cheapest car to run, that you could make savings of up to £76,420 over five years by switching to electric vehicles, and that fossil fuel cars lose their value much quicker than electric cars. Learn how popular cars stack up against electric vehicles.
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How to Apply for a Credit Card
Applying for a credit card is pretty straightforward, but you might need a little help finding the right card and knowing how applying can impact your credit score. We’ll explain the steps and what you need to know.
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Can you get a mortgage with a CCJ?
A county court judgment (CCJ) is issued if you’ve been unable to pay a debt back and while it can make it harder to take out loans in the future, it’s not impossible to get a mortgage with a CCJ.
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What is a mortgage default and how does it affect your mortgage?
Mortgage defaults occur when you fail to make a series of repayments on your mortgage. Not only can this have a severe impact on your credit rating and limit your potential to borrow in the future, but, in a worst-case scenario, it could cost you your home.
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Can you get a mortgage with an IVA, DMP or bankruptcy?
It’s possible but difficult. Your mortgage options will be limited after an Individual Voluntary Arrangement, debt management plan or bankruptcy.
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Is car finance worth it?
Car finance is a popular way to pay for a new motor, but how do you decide if it is the right decision for you? We look at some points to help you work out if car finance is really worth it, or if an alternative might be better.
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Should I use car finance or a loan to buy a car?
There are lots of ways to pay for a new car and they all work slightly differently. It can be confusing trying to decide which is best for you, so here we will look at the difference between buying with car finance or a bank loan.
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Should I lease or buy a car?
Leasing a car can be a flexible way to drive a car and upgrade to different models every few years. However, you won’t ever be the owner of the car, unlike if you buy it outright. Read on to see if leasing or buying a car is most suitable for you.
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What is the best way to buy a car?
You can buy a car outright, use finance to pay for it, take out a loan, or even lease one, but the best way to pay for your new set of wheels will depend on how much you can afford and the type of model you’re after.
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Can I use a personal loan to finance an expensive purchase?
Personal loans are often used for big ticket expenses such as a new car and can be one of the cheapest ways to borrow money.
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How to use a personal loan to buy a new car
If you want a new car but don’t have the cash to buy it outright, a personal loan is one way to pay for it.
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Should you take out a loan to pay for your next holiday?
Dreaming of a holiday in the sun? A personal loan could be one way to pay for your next trip.
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How to apply for a child benefit loan
If you receive child benefit, you may be able to apply for a loan to pay for a one-off cost or something unexpected.
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How to get a loan if you are receiving disability benefits
Disability benefits are classed as income and like salary, so you will need to show a steady history and forthcoming payments, along with any other income you receive.
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Can I get car finance on benefits?
If you’re receiving benefits, this shouldn’t mean you’re not able to access car finance. Lenders will look at your overall income and individual situation to decide whether you can afford the car finance payments.
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Can I get car finance with a CCJ?
If you have a CCJ, car finance will be harder to find. However, lenders will look at your overall affordability, not just your credit score, and there are specialist options that could help you get finance to buy a car.
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Can I get car finance with an IVA?
An IVA affects your credit score, so it can make it more difficult to get approved for car finance. Find out what impact an IVA could have on your car finance application and what you can do to improve your chances of approval.
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Can I get car finance with bad credit?
Bad credit car finance can help those with poorer credit scores buy a car if they can’t pay for it upfront. Learn more about how to improve your chances of getting approved for car finance if you have a bad credit history.
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How to get a loan when you’re on benefits
If you need money to pay for something, or you’re struggling to pay for living costs, you may be able to get an interest-free loan from the government.
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What to know about budgeting loans and budgeting advances
Budgeting loans and advances are available if you’re receiving benefits and in need of some extra cash.
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How to reclaim a guarantor loan
You may be due a guarantor loan refund if you were approved for one and a provider didn’t check your finances properly.
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What to do if you are turned down for a personal loan
There are many reasons why you may not get a loan and it’s important to understand why you’re being turned down before you make any other credit applications.
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How to refinance a personal loan
By choosing to refinance a loan, you could lower your interest payments and the length of the loan.
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How fixed interest rate borrowing works
A fixed interest rate is an interest rate that doesn’t change, making payments predictable.
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What is Universal Credit and How Can I Apply?
Universal credit is a means-tested benefit for people without an income or for those on a low income. Read on to learn who is eligible for the benefit, how much the payment will be and how to apply.
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How National Insurance Works
National Insurance is a tax paid by most UK workers. Read on to learn about National Insurance including what it pays for, how to find your National insurance number, where to check how much you’ve paid, and how contributions could impact your State Pension.
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How to Get Help Filing Your Tax Return
If you’re having problems with your tax return it can be very stressful. Read on to learn who can help if you’re having tax return issues, what the most common tax problems are, how to appeal a tax decision and what to do if you can’t pay your tax.
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Tax Services: What You Need to Know About Filing Your Taxes
If you are self-employed, earn income from an additional revenue stream, or claim some benefits then you may need to file your taxes. Read on to understand when the tax season is, how to prepare your taxes and how long it could take to complete them.
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Using a Tax Advisor or Accountant For Your Tax Return
A tax advisor or accountant can file your tax return for you, taking a lot of stress out of the process, but using them can come at a price. Learn the benefits and cost of using one.
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How do Credit Cards Work? What You Need to Know
A credit card can be a cost-effective way to borrow money, giving you the flexibility to pay for things you otherwise might not be able to afford at the time. However, debts can quickly mount up. Discover how credit cards work, including the main types and how much a credit card could cost you.
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How to Transfer Your Cash ISA
A cash ISA transfer lets you move your tax-free savings into a new account with a higher interest rate. By following the right process you can transfer your money from one cash ISA into another, or move your money into a stocks and shares ISA.
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Is a Regular Saver ISA the Best Type of Savings Account for You?
A regular saver ISA lets you put away money each month, up to a limit, and earn tax-free interest on the cash.
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What You Need to Know About Fixed Rate Cash ISAs
A fixed rate cash ISA is a tax-free savings account where you are paid a set rate of interest for locking your money away over a fixed period.
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What is an Easy Access ISA?
An easy access cash ISA lets you earn interest without paying any tax and you can withdraw the money whenever you need to without penalty.
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Leaving a Job or Starting a New One? Make Sure You Understand the P45 Form
When you leave a job you will be given a P45 form which shows how much you have earned and how much tax and national insurance you have paid.
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What Self-Employed Taxpayers Should Know About the SA100 Self Assessment Tax Form
The SA100 form is filled in by those who are self-employed or have more complex finances and need to report their income to HMRC and calculate their tax bill. You may more commonly hear form SA100 referred to as a tax return or self-assessment form.
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What is a P60 Form and How do I Get One?
One of the most common tax forms is a P60 and it shows how much you have earned and how much tax you have paid in the previous year.
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Everything You Need to Know About Tax Forms
To pay income tax in the UK you may need to fill out a tax form, either online, by post, or in person.
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CHAPS Payments: How They Work
CHAPS is the UK payment system used for transferring large sums of money which are cleared on the same day. We explain how it works and when to use the service.
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International Money Transfer: How To Quickly Send Money Abroad
There are several different ways you can send money to a person or business overseas including using your high street bank, a foreign exchange broker, or a money transfer firm.
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Bacs: What It Is And How To Make a Payment
A Bacs payment, also known as Bankers Automated Clearing Services, is one of the most well-known types of bank transfer in the UK.
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Faster Payments: What You Need To Know
The faster payments service speeds up the process of transferring money from one account to another, so it can be available in another bank account in a few hours.
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How to Use a Credit Card Abroad
Using a credit card can be one of the cheapest ways to spend money overseas, as long as you pick a card with no fees and clear the balance each month.
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How an Air Miles Card Can Cut Your Flight Costs
Using a travel credit card is one of the cheapest ways to spend money abroad because it shouldn’t charge extra fees for transactions or withdrawals.
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