Archive for August, 2008
Beginners’ Guide To: Mortgages
What are the main different types of mortgage?
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Property viewed ’safer than cash’
A majority of British people believe buying property is now a safer place to put their money than saving it, BBC research discovers.
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Should I dissuade my sister from moving abroad?
Every week a Guardian cash reader submits a question, and it’s up to you to help him or her out - a selection of the best answers will appear in Saturday’s paper
More firms increase energy bills
Two more energy firms, Scottish Power and Npower, say they will raise prices, blaming more expensive wholesale costs.
OFT says bank charges are unfair
The main UK banks have been told by the Office of Fair Trading that their overdraft charges are probably unfair.
Carers ‘need more financial help’
The government must provide more cash for Britain’s six million unpaid carers, who save the taxpayer £87bn a year, MPs say.
A new plan to fight the fear of repossession
There is nothing new in an attempt by a government to boost its image by
giving householders help with their debts. In fact there is evidence of such
a strategy in AD117. A frieze in the British Museum’s Hadrian exhibition
shows the newly elected Roman emperor winning hearts and minds by burning
the wax tablets on which the tax [...]
Tool test: Stanley wood chisel set
In the early 1980s I worked for a year building stage sets and for another
making furniture. I learnt the value of good tools with a sharp edge and,
unlike many chippies, survived with all my digits intact - probably because
my spell wielding woodworking tools was comparatively brief.
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Upwardly mobile: John McCain
US presidential hopeful John McCain gave the Obama-loving American media a
good laugh this weekend after he failed to recall exactly how many
properties he officially owns. In an interview with Politico.com, the
Republican candidate, who turns 72 today, said that he would need to check
with his staff before revealing the exact number of homes that he and [...]
Brief encounter: I hate the BT box on my land
Q I have a green British Telecom telephone distribution box within the
boundary of my house. I cannot find any reference in the title deeds to
indicate that BT has any right for it to be situated there, and would like
it removed because I find it unsightly. Who should I contact at BT and what
are my rights [...]
