Personal Finance

A lopsided canal boat in Hackney Wick

'Some really nice ones go under' - why are narrow boats being left to sink?

Thousands of graduates feel student loan repayments are unfair and worse than expected (Image: PA)

Thousands of graduates feel student loan repayments are unfair and worse than expected (Image: PA)

Student loans “worse than expected” for most graduates

Joe Bartlett on the left, known as the homebuyer coach, and Rob Horne, marketing executive at Southern Housing with a guest on the podcast

Joe Bartlett on the left, known as the homebuyer coach, and Rob Horne, marketing executive at Southern Housing with a guest on the podcast

Personal Finance

House buyers can get answers to shared ownership questions at live podcast event

Thomas Fairchild Primary School in Hoxton., one of three Hackney primary schools hosting breakfast clubs until July as part of the government’s new pilot programme

Thomas Fairchild Primary School in Hoxton., one of three Hackney primary schools hosting breakfast clubs until July as part of the government’s new pilot programme

The primary schools offering free breakfast clubs in government-backed trial

Admiral Nurse Ruby Guild...

Admiral Nurse Ruby Guild...

Dementia clinics give practical and emotional advice

REVEALED: The London boroughs with the highest unpaid council tax

REVEALED: The London boroughs with the highest unpaid council tax

Hackney Council

REVEALED: The London boroughs with the highest unpaid council tax

Fun adventure for Mandeville pupils at the seaside in 2024

Fun adventure for Mandeville pupils at the seaside in 2024

‘Please help our children go on summer camp’

Hackney Food Bank's Christmas cards put a twist on festive imagery

Hackney Food Bank's Christmas cards put a twist on festive imagery

Hackney Foodbank

Foodbank's Christmas cards offer clever twist on festive cliches

Mum Isa Perez has organised the giveaway event

Mum Isa Perez has organised the giveaway event

Struggling parents to be helped with free school uniform giveaway

Cllr Mete Coban said the new solar panels 'will cut bills for council tenants'

Cllr Mete Coban said the new solar panels 'will cut bills for council tenants'

Hackney Council

Energy bills on four council estates to be slashed by solar panels

Mayor Caroline Woodley said the move would encourage owners to use empty properties as 'much-needed homes'

Mayor Caroline Woodley said the move would encourage owners to use empty properties as 'much-needed homes'

Council tax to be doubled for empty properties and second homes

Dwight Henry's van was seized by bailiffs over a parking fine that he should never have been given

Dwight Henry's van was seized by bailiffs over a parking fine that he should never have been given

Hackney Council

'Bailiffs seized my van over wrongly issued parking ticket - now I'm almost bankrupt'

A disabled Ukrainian national has won £13,000 in Pension Credit after the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) “ignored” his application

A disabled Ukrainian national has won £13,000 in Pension Credit after the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) “ignored” his application

Department for Works and Pensions

Disabled Ukrainian man wins £13,000 in Pension Credit after DWP 'ignored' application

Homerton Library workers Hamida Mulla and Amina Pirbhai, library user Michelle Moseley and Dalston Library worker Wendy Edwards on the picket line (Image: Newsquest)

Homerton Library workers Hamida Mulla and Amina Pirbhai, library user Michelle Moseley and Dalston Library worker Wendy Edwards on the picket line (Image: Newsquest)

Library strike suspended as union members review proposal

Financial expert Peter Sharkey says equity release is a great way to afford bucket list items during retirement

Financial expert Peter Sharkey says equity release is a great way to afford bucket list items during retirement

OPINION: Using equity release to achieve life goals

Hackney Food Bank volunteer Edward Smerdon at the Dalston distribution centre. Photo: Julia Gregory/LDRS

Hackney Food Bank volunteer Edward Smerdon at the Dalston distribution centre. Photo: Julia Gregory/LDRS

Cost of living crisis

How Hackney people can get help 'as soon as possible' with cost of living crisis

Equity Release offers a potential route back to normality, argues Peter Sharkey

Equity Release offers a potential route back to normality, argues Peter Sharkey

OPINION: Decimated pension? There’s a possible solution

Renegogiating monthly subscriptions and switching off energy-consuming devices could help you save money, says financial expert Peter Sharkey

Renegogiating monthly subscriptions and switching off energy-consuming devices could help you save money, says financial expert Peter Sharkey

OPINION: Switching on to switching off

Second-hand car prices have risen dramatically since the pandemic due to microchip shortages

Second-hand car prices have risen dramatically since the pandemic due to microchip shortages

OPINION: How to save money as used car values surge

Financial expert Peter Sharkey looks at rising energy bills including how much it will now cost to run a fridge-freezer

Financial expert Peter Sharkey looks at rising energy bills including how much it will now cost to run a fridge-freezer

OPINION: Look after the pennies...

Financial expert Peter Sharkey explains how you can pay off credit card in debt with equity release from smartER

Financial expert Peter Sharkey explains how you can pay off credit card in debt with equity release from smartER

OPINION: Consolidating debt? Consider the 'smartER' option

Financial expert Peter Sharkey explains how you could save on your car insurance

Financial expert Peter Sharkey explains how you could save on your car insurance

OPINION: How motorists can save £300+ on car insurance

Equity release has become a popular method for property owners aged 55+ to release tax-free funds from their property and effectively reduce future Inheritance Tax liability for their children

Equity release has become a popular method for property owners aged 55+ to release tax-free funds from their property and effectively reduce future Inheritance Tax liability for their children

How to avoid a 40pc tax on your home

Financial expert Peter Sharkey examines if it is worth investing in dividends from a number of high-performing companies

Financial expert Peter Sharkey examines if it is worth investing in dividends from a number of high-performing companies

OPINION: Are average dividend returns of 7pc worth pursuing?

Financial expert Peter Sharkey argues nuclear reactors could ensure the UK becomes self-sufficient in energy production by 2035

Financial expert Peter Sharkey argues nuclear reactors could ensure the UK becomes self-sufficient in energy production by 2035

OPINION: Dramatic action needed on UK fuel security

Not searching for alternative car and home insurance options is costing people hundreds of pounds a year

Not searching for alternative car and home insurance options is costing people hundreds of pounds a year

OPINION: Car insurance savings could reach £319

Financial expert Peter Sharkey argues that getting active about your finances can save you thousands

Financial expert Peter Sharkey argues that getting active about your finances can save you thousands

OPINION: Jettison inertia and save money

Financial expert Peter Sharkey says there are options for those wishing to get the most out of their home without draining their savings

Financial expert Peter Sharkey says there are options for those wishing to get the most out of their home without draining their savings

OPINION: Using equity release for home improvements

Financial expert Peter Sharkey discusses why a broker's advice can be invaluable for saving on mortgages and car insurance

Financial expert Peter Sharkey discusses why a broker's advice can be invaluable for saving on mortgages and car insurance

OPINION: Broker’s advice remains invaluable

St Bene't's Church is the oldest building in Cambridge

St Bene't's Church is the oldest building in Cambridge

OPINION: Cost of insuring Victorian homes surges by almost 12pc

Financial expert Peter Sharkey argues that newly-constructed properties offer opportunities for an immediate uplift in value.

Financial expert Peter Sharkey argues that newly-constructed properties offer opportunities for an immediate uplift in value.

OPINION: Property investment has never been an easy option

The Institute for Economic Affairs called the demographic changes highlighted in the census “an economic time bomb

The Institute for Economic Affairs called the demographic changes highlighted in the census “an economic time bomb

OPINION: Defusing the economic time bomb

Financial expert Peter Sharkey says you should make sure your home insurance policy covers accidental damage

Financial expert Peter Sharkey says you should make sure your home insurance policy covers accidental damage

OPINION: New wave of DIY expected as property values stall

Financial expert Peter Sharkey explains why your home might be at risk of under-insurance

Financial expert Peter Sharkey explains why your home might be at risk of under-insurance

OPINION: Homeowners risk being under-insured

Financial expert Peter Sharkey explores how motorists can save cash with Moneymapp.com

Financial expert Peter Sharkey explores how motorists can save cash with Moneymapp.com

OPINION: How 'under the cosh' motorists can save cash

Financial expert Peter Sharkey offers an easy way to save on your car insurance

Financial expert Peter Sharkey offers an easy way to save on your car insurance

OPINION: How to save £290 on your car insurance

The knowledge that your family will be looked after should something untoward happen is undoubtedly comforting, says financial expert Peter Sharkey

The knowledge that your family will be looked after should something untoward happen is undoubtedly comforting, says financial expert Peter Sharkey

OPINION: The price of happiness and contentment

Those living on fixed incomes, including pensioners, are facing a cost of living squeeze, says financial expert Peter Sharkey

Those living on fixed incomes, including pensioners, are facing a cost of living squeeze, says financial expert Peter Sharkey

OPINION: Inflationary pressure mounts

Financial expert Peter Sharkey argues that sorting out a self-invested personal pension could be an excellent Bank Holiday project to save you money

Financial expert Peter Sharkey argues that sorting out a self-invested personal pension could be an excellent Bank Holiday project to save you money

OPINION: A potentially profitable Bank Holiday plan

Increases in life expectancy will have implications for state-funded pension schemes, argues financial expert Peter Sharkey

Increases in life expectancy will have implications for state-funded pension schemes, argues financial expert Peter Sharkey

OPINION: Increased life expectancy requires better state pensions

Financial expert Peter Sharkey argues that a second property offers the opportunity for peaceful staycations rather than travel disruption

Financial expert Peter Sharkey argues that a second property offers the opportunity for peaceful staycations rather than travel disruption

OPINION: How staycations help you avoid travel bedlam

Financial expert Peter Sharkey explains why a simple domestic task like building a fence exposes global shortages and the cost of living

Financial expert Peter Sharkey explains why a simple domestic task like building a fence exposes global shortages and the cost of living

OPINION: Fence building highlights impact of global shortages

Financial expert Peter Sharkey explores why people have re-evaluated their attitude towards wealth during the past two years

Financial expert Peter Sharkey explores why people have re-evaluated their attitude towards wealth during the past two years

OPINION: Our post-pandemic attitude towards wealth

Financial expert Peter Sharkey outlines the six different types of pension savers and their investment priorities

Financial expert Peter Sharkey outlines the six different types of pension savers and their investment priorities

OPINION: The six types of investor

Older investors should be mindful of risk in their investment strategy and future planning, argues financial expert Peter Sharkey.

Older investors should be mindful of risk in their investment strategy and future planning, argues financial expert Peter Sharkey.

Three steps to avoid excess financial risk

With interest rates on the rise, financial expert Peter Sharkey says it is important to secure a low-cost mortgage while it is still possible

With interest rates on the rise, financial expert Peter Sharkey says it is important to secure a low-cost mortgage while it is still possible

OPINION: Secure a low-cost mortgage while you can

Increased life expectancy is something to be factored in when planning your retirement, argues financial expert Peter Sharkey

Increased life expectancy is something to be factored in when planning your retirement, argues financial expert Peter Sharkey

OPINION: Another conundrum for the middle aged

Financial expert Peter Sharkey explains why a proper pension plan is essential

Financial expert Peter Sharkey explains why a proper pension plan is essential

OPINION: Considering a good retirement

Make sure you are making the right comparisons for equity release, says financial expert Peter Sharkey

Make sure you are making the right comparisons for equity release, says financial expert Peter Sharkey

OPINION: How to save £3,800 a year

Financial expert Peter Sharkey explores how financial planning can help you achieve your life goals

Financial expert Peter Sharkey explores how financial planning can help you achieve your life goals

OPINION: Financial planning can help you achieve life goals

Financial expert Peter Sharkey argues that if property values plateau this year, we could see more private landlords

Financial expert Peter Sharkey argues that if property values plateau this year, we could see more private landlords

OPINION: Do the numbers still stack up for private landlords?

A new partnership between Lowell and the Centre for Social Justice aims to improve financial literacy

A new partnership between Lowell and the Centre for Social Justice aims to improve financial literacy

OPINION: Improving levels of financial literacy is essential

Financial expert Peter Sharkey discusses resolutions that might ensure next year's Blue Monday isn't quite so blue

Financial expert Peter Sharkey discusses resolutions that might ensure next year's Blue Monday isn't quite so blue

OPINION: How to maintain New Year's resolutions

Finance expert Peter Sharkey discusses the effects of inflation on retirement savings

Finance expert Peter Sharkey discusses the effects of inflation on retirement savings

OPINION: Do not underestimate inflation’s insidious effects