Personal Loans Booming as Cost of Living Drives Australians to Borrow Record Amounts
Record personal loan issuance in Australia hit A$5.1 bn (≈US$3.4 bn) in the first quarter of 2026, the highest level on record. The surge is tied to soaring living costs, higher interest rates and tighter regulation of buy‑now‑pay‑later firms, pushing consumers toward unsecured credit. New personal loans carried an average 9% rate, well above the 5.9% mortgage benchmark, while major banks now hold over A$16 bn (≈US$10.6 bn) in consumer loan books. Consumer‑counselors warn that frictionless, automated approvals are deepening financial stress and driving more calls to debt‑help helplines.
‘I’m Down to One Option’: Bank Customers Left Frustrated by Latest Closures
Lloyds Banking Group announced the permanent closure of its Staines branch, one of nearly 150 UK outlets slated to shut by March 2027. The shutdown follows a wave of closures that has seen 6,795 branches disappear since 2015, eroding 69% of...
City & Guilds Faces Legal and Industrial Action over Plans to Cut Hundreds of Jobs
City & Guilds, now owned by PeopleCert, faces legal and industrial action after the Unite union accused the private owner of withholding key information and advertising new hires while planning to cut roughly 400 UK jobs, with an initial 75...
How to Invest £50 a Month: Tips for People at Different Ages
Investing as little as £50 a month (about $64) can be viable at any age with the right strategy. Experts advise building a three‑to‑six‑month emergency fund first, then choosing funds—cash ISAs, global equity trackers, multi‑asset or bond funds—that match your...
Many of Us Aren’t Saving Enough for Retirement. But There Are Ways to Fix This
A recent Gallup poll shows 69% of American workers fear they aren’t saving enough for retirement, highlighting a widening savings gap driven by stagnant wages and rising living costs. The article argues that the solution lies in two simple levers:...
Gluten-Free Basics ‘Now a Luxury’ as Price of a Small Branded Loaf Nears £4
Gluten‑free staples in the UK are edging into luxury territory, with a small 550 g loaf now priced around £4 (≈ $5.10) and branded versions like Promise reaching £3.90 (≈ $5.00). Prices for gluten‑free bread have risen 6% year‑on‑year, while flour and cereals...
Young First-Time Buyers Face Toughest Time Since Financial Crisis, Says UK Housebuilder
Barratt Redrow chief David Thomas warned that today’s first‑time buyers face the toughest conditions since the 2008 financial crisis, as rising interest rates, higher student‑loan repayments and stagnant wages squeeze mortgage affordability. The average home targeted by newcomers now costs...
‘This Can Be a Group Project’: A Podcaster’s Plan to Make Her Daughter a Millionaire
Latina podcaster Jannese Torres is building a multimillion‑dollar nest egg for her 15‑month‑old daughter by combining a 529 college plan, a brokerage account and a Roth IRA. At age 15 months the child already has about $13,000 saved, including a...
Ofgem Should Tell It Straight: Electricity Prices Are Set to Stay High for Years | Nils Pratley
Ofgem is set to keep the UK electricity price cap high, with the typical household bill expected to reach about £1,850 ($2,350) – a £209 ($265) rise from the previous quarter. While wholesale gas prices influence only a third of...
‘If Your Financial Adviser Is Earning a Commission, I Say, Run’: An Investing Expert’s Advice
Jeremy Schneider, a former tech entrepreneur who sold Rentlinx for $5 million, founded Nectarine to offer flat‑fee financial planning that eliminates commissions and asset‑under‑management incentives. He argues that investing is simple—most people need only a target‑date index fund—while complex life decisions...
Art Deco and Modernist Flats in England and Scotland for Sale – in Pictures
A new roundup showcases art‑deco and modernist apartments for sale across England and Scotland, from a converted 1938 hotel in Glasgow to a brutalist unit in London’s Barbican. Prices range from about $182,000 for a one‑bedroom flat in Glasgow to...
UK Savings: Six Traps to Avoid when You’re Finding a New Deal
Around £90 bn (~$115 bn) of UK fixed‑rate savings are set to mature between April and June, joining an estimated £329 bn (~$418 bn) in zero‑interest current accounts and £99 bn (~$126 bn) earning 1 % or less. The article flags six common traps—irregular contribution limits, temporary...
Renters’ Rights Act Could Worsen Court Delays without Proper Funding | Letters
The Guardian letter warns that the new Renters’ Rights Act, which ends no‑fault evictions in England, will likely trigger a surge in contested repossession cases. Law Society President Mark Evans stresses that without dedicated funding for courts and housing legal...
Trump Tariff Refunds Are Actually Happening – and Businesses Should Pay Attention
The Supreme Court’s overturning of Trump’s tariffs has activated a refund process for the roughly 330,000 importers who paid over $166 billion in duties. Federal agencies now allow original customs brokers to file electronic claims through the ACE portal, with refunds...
‘Everyone Was in Tears’: The Tenants Given Eviction Notices Just Before Ban in England
The UK government banned no‑fault "section 21" evictions on 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Right Act, but landlords rushed to serve hundreds of notices in the hours before the deadline. Tenants in Brighton, Birmingham, London and elsewhere received sudden eviction letters, often...