Articles by Rhiannon Philps:
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The Ultimate Guide to the FIRE Movement
The Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement has gained traction over the years as more individuals look to save enough money to be able to take early retirement. But what does it involve and how accessible are its aims?
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How to optimise your finances during a recession
A recession can be a worrying time for many, but you can take a number of precautionary measures to prepare you for any future difficulties. From cutting spending to paying off debt to building up an emergency fund, find out how you can start to protect your money in a recession.
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Graduating into a recession: How to find a job in a recession
How can recent graduates looking for work in the midst of a recession improve their chances of securing a job? Read on to find out how you can adapt to the challenges posed by the economic situation and boost your job prospects.
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How do I rent out my house?
If you have a residential mortgage on your property and are thinking of renting it out, there are lots of factors to consider. How can you get your property ready to rent and what do you need to do before advertising for tenants?
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Should I Move House or Make Home Improvements?
If your house no longer suits your needs you have two choices: renovate or move. Both of these options can cost a lot of money, so we discuss when you might consider them and how you can fund your decision.
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The Ultimate Guide to Moving Out of London Post Lockdown
As the country tries to recover from coronavirus, increasing numbers of buyers and renters are showing interest in moving out of London and other big cities. We look at why this is happening and what people considering a move will need to think about.
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What is Stamp Duty? And How Will the Stamp Duty Holiday Affect Me?
Stamp duty is a tax you pay when purchasing a new property. The government has temporarily reduced the rates of paying this tax, but what are the new thresholds and how will they impact buyers?
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Mini-Budget 2020: How the Summer Statement Will Affect Consumers
As the UK emerges from lockdown, many people are worried about money, employment opportunities, and the future for businesses. The Summer Statement aimed to address these concerns and announced some measures to try to minimise the adverse economic effects brought on by coronavirus.
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Summer Statement 2020: What the Mini-Budget Means for Businesses
As restrictions ease and places start opening, businesses are trying to get back on their feet. To help businesses in their recovery and to try to stimulate the economy, a host of new government measures were announced in the Summer Statement.
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Car maintenance checklist: 13 tips to look after your car
Cars need regular care to make sure they perform at their best, particularly if you’re not driving them as often. Disuse can create problems for your vehicle, but with just a few checks and actions you can minimise the risk of these issues happening.
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What are the 2020 Budget changes to entrepreneurs’ relief?
Entrepreneurs’ relief has been criticised in recent years, and the recent Budget addressed these concerns by reducing the lifetime limit on qualifying gains. Find out more about the change and the wider impact it will have.
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How to Apply For a Coronavirus Mortgage Payment Holiday
For those struggling to pay their mortgage because of the effect of COVID-19 on their finances, providers are offering a mortgage payment holiday to help relieve the strain.
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How do I Apply For a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan?
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme is a government-backed scheme that aims to encourage lenders to approve credit applications from businesses that are affected by COVID-19.
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Top Small Business Grants in the UK
Are you a start-up or small business searching for funding? Discover grants for different regions and industries to see what you are eligible for.
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The True Cost of Homelessness
Homelessness is a debt that we all pay for as a society, but you don’t find it on a balance sheet – let’s explore some of the costs associated with homelessness.
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What is the cost of going vegan?
Many people regard veganism as an expensive lifestyle choice, but is there any truth in that claim?
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The Business Insurance Expert: 5 Business Insurance Myths
In the first of our Expert Insights series, Joe Howard, a business insurance specialist discusses the common misconceptions that cause problem for SMEs.
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What is GAP insurance? And what does it cover?
GAP insurance is an optional cover that can protect you against depreciation if your car is stolen or written off. Find out more about what GAP insurance covers, how it works and how it could help you.
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Car Essentials: Things to Keep in Your Car in Case of Emergency
Keeping some essential items in your car, such as a map, a high-vis jacket, warm clothes, warning triangles and more, can help you to stay safe and comfortable when you drive, especially if you break down.
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Financial Cautionary Tales from the Big and Small Screen
From The Simpsons to Rick and Morty to Downton Abbey, characters in film and television can teach us some valuable lessons about investing and financial risks. Their successes can inspire us, but their mistakes can also show us some things to avoid.
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What is Business Breakdown Cover and Who Needs It?
Business breakdown cover can provide specialist protection for company fleets, delivery drivers and the self-employed, although standard cover may be sufficient for some people’s needs. Find out what commercial breakdown cover includes and if you need it.
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How Will Brexit Affect Me and My Finances?
Leaving the EU has resulted in many changes to online deliveries, travel, and mobile roaming charges, with potential impacts on other areas of the UK economy. In this guide we look at how Brexit may affect you and your personal finances.
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Travelling to Europe After Brexit
For UK citizens there are a number of key changes to European travel after Brexit, including new rules for passports, visas, and pet travel, as well as new restrictions on what goods can be taken in and out of the UK and the EU.
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Does GAP Insurance Cover Negative Equity?
GAP insurance covers the negative equity on a car finance deal if you owe more than the car is worth at the time of write-off. However, you may need to buy an extra policy if you want to cover negative equity carried over from a previous contract.
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Broken Down with No Cover? What to Do Next
If you have an emergency breakdown and no cover, you can call a breakdown provider to get cover and immediate assistance, contact a nearby garage, or use an emergency phone if you’re on a major road. However, these can all be expensive options.
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Buying GAP Insurance: Your Essential Guide
You can buy GAP insurance from an online insurer or from a dealership, but there are certain rules about when dealers can sell you a policy. Depending on the policy you choose, you may also need to get cover within a number of days of buying your car.
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What Are the Main Types of GAP Insurance? Which Type Do You Need?
There are different types of GAP insurance that are suitable for different situations. The best GAP insurance for you will depend on when you buy the policy, how you bought your car, and what you want to get from your policy.
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Is GAP Insurance Worth it?
A GAP insurance policy can be a useful product for some drivers, particularly those with brand new cars or cars on finance. However, it may not be necessary for those with older cars as any benefits would be minimal.
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28 Top Small Business Apps
The best small business apps offer many helpful tools, but what are some of the most useful apps for businesses and what features do they offer?
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Fitbit Comparison: Which Fitbit Activity Tracker is Best for You?
Whatever your age and fitness level, an activity tracker or smartwatch can be useful. But what Fitbit tracker suits you will depend on your budget and desired features.
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Where to Exchange Currency Near Me Without Paying Huge Fees
It is best to exchange currency in the UK through a major bank, post office or online foreign exchange specialist, for example, before you embark on your journey and not last-minute at an airport.
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Driving in Europe after Brexit
British drivers visiting Europe should bear in mind the new changes that came into force from January 2021, after the UK left the EU. Read on to find out how driving in Europe will change post-Brexit.
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Three in Ten Businesses Expect to Collapse in The Next 12 Months, Study Finds
In this article, we look at which financial support schemes businesses have used, what business leaders think of how the government has handled the crisis and what their plans are for 2021.
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Job Support Scheme: What is the furlough scheme replacement?
As COVID-19 continues to cause disruption and difficulties across the economy, what measures have the government introduced to help businesses navigate their way through this period?
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Do I Need Breakdown Cover? Is Breakdown Cover Worth it?
Just because breakdown cover isn’t a legal requirement doesn’t mean it’s an unnecessary expense. Breakdown cover may be worth getting as it ensures you can get help if your car breaks down, without paying high call-out fees.
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The Dangers of Buy Now Pay Later Schemes
Buy now pay later schemes can be a handy way of instantly purchasing an essential item, but look a little deeper and you might find some nasty interest rates. Read on to find out the dangers of these schemes, the associated charges, when they can be useful and the alternatives to these schemes.
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How to become a business consultant
A business consultant is a diverse role that offers many opportunities to specialise, but what exactly is a business consultant and what skills do you need for the role?
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Choosing a coworking space: A comparison of coworking offices
Coworking spaces are growing in popularity across the UK, with the number of flexible office centres increasing by nearly 10% in 2017. But why are more businesses making use of them and how do you choose the right coworking space for your needs?
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Budget 2021 – How Will it Affect you?
The 2021 Budget extended the furlough scheme, VAT and business rate reliefs, and the universal credit top-up, and also launched new schemes like Restart Grants, Recovery Loans and the mortgage guarantee.
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Top tips for finding your first office space
Moving into a new office space is an exciting time for any business, but finding your perfect office set-up that’s the right size, cost, and location can be difficult. We discuss the different workspaces available and offer five tips on how to find the best office space for your business.
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Pros and cons of bank loans for small businesses
Businesses in search of additional finance may consider taking out a bank loan. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of this funding source?
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Debt and Mental Health: How Mental Health Affects your Finances
Work absenteeism as a result of mental health problems is a massively underrepresented issue which costs both businesses and employees. In this article, we explore the relationship between mental health problems and your finances.
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The 5 main types of breakdown cover explained
There are a number of different types of breakdown cover to choose from. You can find cover tailored to your needs, whether you just want basic assistance in case of emergency or comprehensive onward travel cover to help you continue your journey.
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Should your business choose green web hosting?
Many environmentally-conscious businesses are taking steps towards reducing the impact of their online infrastructure. We take a look at the issues surrounding green web hosting in the UK.
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Top finance blogs
We shortlist a number of UK financial blogs that cover a range of interesting consumer finance topics.
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Broken Down Car: What Should I Do, What Are the Rules?
When your car breaks down, you should pull over on the left of the road, switch on your hazard warning lights, and follow the rules to stay safe until help arrives. If you break down on a motorway there are extra rules you need to observe.
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What is Breakdown Cover and What Does it Include?
Breakdown cover can act as a safety net in case your car breaks down, whether you’re several hours into a long journey or you’re commuting to work. In this guide we discuss the protection that breakdown cover offers and what exclusions may apply.
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