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Sarah Coles


  • Don't be fooled by online fakes
    Sarah Coles
    01.10.09
    Have you ever been a victim of purchasing fake goods online from websites that pass them off as the genuine article? Sarah Coles investigates.
  • Could your will be fake?
    Sarah Coles
    11.09.09
    Will writers do not have to be qualified and aren't regulated. No wonder many people end up getting scammed, says Sarah Coles.
  • Should you move location for better education?
    Sarah Coles
    25.08.09
    Parents will go to almost any lengths to get their child into their choice of schools - including moving house. But is moving really the answer or would you be better going private, ask Sarah Coles.
  • Give your family a helping hand
    Sarah Coles
    04.08.09
    The number of people providing invaluable support 
for their grandchildren, from financial help to childcare, is growing rapidly. Sarah Coles looks at the ways you can give your family a helping hand.
  • Get the broadband speed you pay for
    Sarah Coles
    28.07.09
    Broadband speeds are still failing to live up to expectations. Sarah Coles explains how you can ensure you are getting the speed you're paying for.
  • Beware 'we will buy your debt' scam
    Sarah Coles
    27.07.09
    Companies that offer to buy your debts in return for a smaller monthly repayment are acting illegally, says Sarah Coles. And, worryingly, such plans could leave your worse off.
  • Redundancy: what state help is available?
    Sarah Coles
    03.07.09
    With unemployment set to hit three million this year, more of us may find ourselves relying on the state for our income. So, as Sarah Coles shows, it pays to know where to turn when you need help.
  • Should you invest in gold?
    Sarah Coles
    15.06.09
    Hold onto your hats, we're in a gold rush. But before you stock up on gold bars and mining shares, be aware it's not a one-way bet, warns Sarah Coles.
  • Are packaged bank accounts a gimmick?
    Sarah Coles
    26.05.09
    Banks are increasingly pushing out packaged current accounts offering exciting incentives to customers. But are they really worth it, asks Sarah Coles?
  • Searching for income during the storm
    Sarah Coles
    15.05.09
    What do you do, in these days of nearly 0% interest, if you need an income from your savings but are worried that the alternatives to bank accounts are too risky? Sarah Coles reviews the options.
  • Get the broadband speed you pay for
    Sarah Coles
    08.05.09
    Broadband speeds are still failing to live up to expectations. Sarah Coles explains how you can ensure you are getting the speed you're paying for.
  • Investment tips from the opposite sex

    Sarah Coles
    20.04.09
    Men and women often display a different approach to money. But, Sarah Coles says, each could benefit from adopting aspects of the other's investment style.
  • Is your gym taking you for a ride?
    Sarah Coles
    31.03.09
    Cancelling gym membership - or making a complaint against fee hikes - can be notoriously hard. Sarah Coles explains what your rights are and how to handle your gym when disputes arise.
  • Tax breaks from cradle to grave
    Sarah Coles
    23.03.09
    Tax breaks on savings and investments come in various guises; and are available from birth until you draw a pension, explains Sarah Coles.
  • Manage your own ISA
    Sarah Coles
    10.03.09
    If you fancy yourself as a bit of a fund manager or you can't find a fund you like for your stocks and shares ISA, you could always go down the self-select ISA route. Sarah Coles explains what you need to know before taking the plunge.
  • Perfect the investment balancing act
    Sarah Coles
    10.03.09
    Whether you plump for a fund-based stocks and shares ISA or you decide to go down the self-select route, you need to consider how your investment portfolio shapes up. Sarah Coles explains how to achieve a balanced portfolio with a spread of different assets.
  • Piece together a brighter ISA
    Sarah Coles
    26.02.09
    Sarah Coles looks at how to build a robust and balanced portfolio that will survive the economic weather, come rain or come shine.
  • Pick'n'mix your own healthcare
    Sarah Coles
    23.02.09
    The Government will now allow you to buy top-up treatment while you are still using the NHS. Sarah Coles examines whether this is really as good as it sounds.
  • Beware the rise in estate agent fees
    Sarah Coles
    20.02.09
    Estate agents are hitting their customers with extra charges as they try to recoup their losses from the property downturn. Sarah Coles investigates.
  • Survive the sandwich years
    Sarah Coles
    27.01.09
    More couples have found themselves being squeezed by the need to support grown-up children and elderly parents. Sarah Coles shows how to survive those sandwich years
  • The true cost of being British
    Sarah Coles
    12.01.09
    The spiralling cost of living is hitting us all, but are we suffering more than people in other countries? Sarah Coles investigates how hard we really have it in the UK.
  • Don't be conned by festive sales scams
    Sarah Coles
    09.12.08
    Despite it being the season of goodwill, scammers will do anything to part you from your cash. Sarah Coles investigates the latest Christmas shopping scams.
  • How healthy is your bank?
    Sarah Coles
    01.12.08
    As savers worry over the security of bank deposits, Sarah Coles highlights the factors you need to be aware of to assess the health of the banks holding your cash.
  • Beat the MOT cowboys
    Sarah Coles
    21.11.08
    Shoddy car servicing costs drivers £4 billion a year as garages take advantage of the fact many of us don't know what's going on underneath our bonnets. Sarah Coles explains how you can beat the MOT cowboys.
  • Take control of your finances
    Sarah Coles
    14.11.08
    Putting off those nagging financial chores can be a costly mistake. As money worries mount, Sarah Coles reveals how a financial review can save you money now and in the future.
  • Don't pay for the taxman's blunders
    Sarah Coles
    24.10.08
    Is the taxman charging you too much? Sarah Coles investigates what happens when HMRC gets it wrong, and explains how you can get your money back.
  • Do you invest with your head or your heart?
    Sarah Coles
    13.10.08
    It's easy to become attached to shares and funds for the wrong reasons. Sarah Coles points out some of the warning signs of a sentimental investor and offers some tips for a return to reason.
  • How can you cut the cost of childcare?
    Sarah Coles
    12.09.08
    As childcare becomes more expensive, Sarah Coles shows how, with a little flexibility, parents can reduce the cost without compromising the quality of care.
  • Why is switching ISP such a pain?
    Sarah Coles
    04.09.08
    With tariffs for broadband suppliers varying wildly, why is it so difficult to change your internet provider? Sarah Coles investigates.
  • A guide to investing for your children
    Sarah Coles
    19.08.08
    CTFs are a great way to save for your child's future, but there are plenty of other ways you can invest for their future. Sarah Coles looks at some of the different options for parents.
  • Home-swap holidays
    Sarah Coles
    17.06.08
    You can reduce hassle and cut hundreds of pounds out of your holiday costs by making use of a home-swap scheme, reports Sarah Coles.
  • Get set and go for retirement
    Sarah Coles
    29.05.08
    Taking the time to choose the right annuity for you could give your income a big boost. Sarah Coles explains what to do.
  • Don't be conned by sales scams
    Sarah Coles
    26.05.08
    Scammers will do anything to part you from your cash. Sarah Coles investigates the latest shopping scams.
  • Green taxes to hit family cars
    Sarah Coles
    19.05.08
    This year's Budget introduced green taxes as a step towards cutting carbon dioxide emissions. But, Sarah Cole reports, drivers of family cars will be hit hardest.
  • Breakdown cover breaks down
    Sarah Coles
    17.04.08
    Breaking down far from home can be a nightmare - whatever your cover. Sarah Coles investigates the roadside recovery business.
  • Sell your home in a slow market
    Sarah Coles
    10.04.08
    As the housing market continues to slow Sarah Coles reveals the tricks to ensure your home doesn't get left on the shelf.
  • A matter of choice
    Sarah Coles
    05.03.08
    If you want the freedom to move your money to where the action is, then a self-select ISA could be for you, says Sarah Coles.
  • Know your risks, reap the rewards
    Sarah Coles
    05.03.08
    Once you calculate the risks, you could reap exciting rewards with a stocks and shares ISA, writes Sarah Coles.
  • Striking a fine balance
    Sarah Coles
    05.03.08
    Find the perfect balance of funds for your portfolio, then stand back and watch your ISA allowance blossom, says Sarah Coles.
  • ISAs: The basics
    Sarah Coles
    04.03.08
    Cut through the jargon and you will discover that ISAs could be a vital part of your saving and investment strategy.
  • Keep your money from the taxman
    Sarah Coles
    04.03.08
    Cash ISAs are as simple as ordinary savings accounts, but they have one big advantage: they keep your money safe from the taxman.
  • Dental patients feel the pain
    Sarah Coles
    21.02.08
    Since the Government's decision to make patients register with an NHS dentist, numbers have fallen and there has been a steady increase in charges, reports Sarah Coles.
  • All the thrills, without the spills
    Sarah Coles
    31.01.08
    Structured products claim to offer investors stockmarket returns without the risk. Sarah Coles asks whether they really can give the best of both worlds.
  • Beware Christmas charity gifts
    Sarah Coles
    07.12.07
    Charity-giving has become synonymous with Christmas. But, as Sarah Coles reports, the deals on offer may not be as they seem.
  • Deliver us from temptation
    Sarah Coles
    28.11.07
    Does your festive spending always spiral out of control? Sarah Coles finds out how to beat the retailers' tricks this Christmas and fight the urge to splurge.
  • How to pick a winning property
    Sarah Coles
    07.11.07
    As the property market starts to slow, it's more important than ever for investors seeking good returns to spot those up-and-coming areas. Sarah Coles finds out what to look for.
  • Why aren't you investing?
    Sarah Coles
    25.09.07
    Our quiz will help you banish your investment fears and start a healthy savings habit. Sarah Coles shows how to lay the foundations for a more secure future.
  • Sneaky insurance sales
    Sarah Coles
    23.08.07
    Keep your eyes peeled when you book online. Sarah Coles looks at the practice of 'inertia selling'.
  • Football fan rip-offs
    Sarah Coles
    10.08.07
    The beautiful game is big business. So it comes as little surprise that devotees are treated as fair game by corporate-minded clubs. Sarah Coles investigates.