Finance

Earn airmiles on your HMRC tax bills

2023Finance
You’re losing money if you don’t have a credit card that rewards you in some way (typically cash or airmiles). Which is very straightforward for groceries and restaurants and so on. What about HMRC bills? If...

What to do about Amex Platinum's 90 day travel insurance cap?

2021Finance
The Platinum Card from American Express comes with excellent travel insurance (among other things) that has served me very well over the years. But it only covers you for trips up to 90 days. The only...

All about pensions

2021Finance
It’s great for tax The reason it’s often worth locking your money away until retirement is that the government gives huge tax breaks when you do. A basic rate taxpayer can ‘swap’ £80 of regular money...

Why I invest in the HSBC FTSE All-World index fund

2021Finance
A reader was about to start investing in index funds, and emailed to ask whether I still believe in the HSBC FTSE All-World or whether there’s a better option. My answer: I do still stick to...

Investing in index funds

2021Finance
If you have money that you don’t need to touch for several years, you should invest it. “But investing is risky, isn’t it? A high interest savings account at my bank gives me a guaranteed return.”...

Government support for UK startups during coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

2020BusinessFinance
This is a rundown of my understanding of the UK’s coronavirus (COVID-19) support as it relates to startups and freelancers in the UK. While I’ve spent a long time reading through the guidance and legislation so...