I just got sent the stats for which my top ten most read blogs were over the last year – and it’s intriguing reading, here’s the full rundown… Is it time to ban Christmas presents? Spam Spotter Rules: Its the bit before the .com that counts The Private Parking industry hits back Why are women too scared...

If you’ve got a job, be aware from 2012 EVERY employee will automatically start paying some of their earnings into a private pension (though you can opt out).  And today news is out that “2% of that contribution” to the new NEST pension scheme will be eaten up by charges – not a particularly cheap scheme… So...

I’ve just come back from the launch of compulsory financial education in schools, something to celebrate but also one of the most difficult ‘performances’ of my career. Along with Children’s Minister Ed Balls and Pfeg I was part of the first conference for teachers talking about how you talk about money. I must admit the sheer concept...

Full info in this now in the new Stamp Duty Calculator & Full Q&A guide As expected it was a relatively boring Budget (as a party that is, pre election, climbing back in the polls the last thing you do is rock the boat) yet the big question I was left asking is “what is a first...

It’s been a tough couple of days, but sitting in the GMTV green room at about 7.10am this morning, a ball of energy bounded in that could put a smile on a slab of granite… His name is Jack Norfolk, and he needs to be encountered to be believed. The four year old is the new star...

I noted a packet of caramelised onion and balsamic vinegar Walkers Sensations in the supermarket. Its sobriquet was: “Made with real ingredients” As opposed to what – fake ones? Of course the aim is to conjure an image of wholesome goods, ‘real’ onions, ‘real’ vinegar – whatever that is – but that means nothing. According to the...

The most important of my ‘cheap credit cards’ mantras is due to be turned upside down by the end of this year. I remember back in 2000 saying for the first time… “Never, ever, ever, ever spend on a card you’ve done a cheap balance transfer on” I said and wrote it so many times people would...

Last Thursday I was part of a News of the World panel interviewing George Osborne. Here’s the full Q&A transcript of my questions and his replies on savings, pensions, mortgages, financial education and more. Thanks to the News of the World for letting me use the transcript.  I was par of a panel of four, with my...

I went to meet Mrs MSE after she’d had a mother’s day lunch with the MSE-MIL. Afterwards Mrs MSE wanted to show her mum the new pound shop that’d opened nearby (that’s my girl). So with the boys trudging alongside we walked in (not that I don’t like a good pound shop of course, see my old...

Update 16 Mar 06… Read the full George Osborne Interview Transcript I went to Conservative party headquarters yesterday to interview George Osborne for the News of the World. You’ll be pleased to hear he was aware of my blog where I asked for people to suggest questions for George Osborne as people in his office had looked...