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Jennifer Laird

Jennifer is a writer specialising in debt, personal banking, and small business finance.

Recent Articles

Young woman holding credit card for online shopping at home
Personal Finance

5 ways to spot a phishing email

| Jennifer Laird

Phishing emails are a worry, so it's crucial you know how to spot them. Here's how to spot phishing emails,…

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Personal Finance

6 reasons why credit cards are declined

| Jennifer Laird

Was your credit card declined? Don't panic - it happens. Here are the six most common reasons why a credit…

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Personal Finance

Investing mistakes 101: avoid buying shares in the wrong company!

| Jennifer Laird

Before you start investing, it pays to do your research. Here's a rundown of the most common investing mistakes and…

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Anxious young man biting his nails fingers
Personal Finance

The most common types of fraud in the UK and how to protect yourself

| Jennifer Laird

A rundown of the most common types of fraud in the UK, and what you can do to protect yourself…

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Sun setting over a traditional British neighbourhood.
Personal Finance

Cold Weather Payment: what is it, and can I get it?

| Jennifer Laird

Are you wondering whether you're eligible for the Cold Weather Payment? You might be if you're on certain benefits. Here's…

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Modern suburban family houses with car on driveway
Personal Finance

How do I find my Council Tax band?

| Jennifer Laird

What is your Council Tax band, and how much Council Tax should you be paying? Here's a breakdown of what…

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Personal Finance

Covid-19: what are my redundancy rights?

| Jennifer Laird

Have you been made redundant during Covid-19? Here's a look at your redundancy rights, and advice on where to go…

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Padlocked wooden door
Personal Finance

Statute barred debt: what it is and what it means for you in the UK

| Jennifer Laird

What you should know about statute barred debt, including what it means for your credit score and how to check…

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Sun setting over a traditional British neighbourhood.
Personal Finance

Are solar panels worth it?

| Jennifer Laird

Wondering whether buying solar panels for your home is worth it? Here's everything you need to know to help you…

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Cropped shot of an affectionate young couple posing with a bunch of flowers in their kitchen on their anniversary
Personal Finance

10 ideas to still make Valentine’s Day in lockdown great!

| Jennifer Laird

Make Valentine's Day in lockdown memorable for all the right reasons. We take a look at 10 ways to make…

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Entrepreneur on the phone.
Personal Finance

5 great franchise opportunities in the UK

| Jennifer Laird

Looking to start a franchise? Here's a rundown of five great franchise opportunities in the UK, and tips for getting…

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Red tape around a briefcase with European and British flags
Personal Finance

How to avoid falling foul of Brexit postage charges

| Jennifer Laird

Here's what you need to know about post-Brexit postage charges when you're buying goods from the EU, and how to…

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Young woman holding credit card for online shopping at home
Personal Finance

Why is Barclaycard increasing minimum payments?

| Jennifer Laird

If you have a Barclaycard, your minimum credit card repayments are on the rise – but why? Here's what you…

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Bold Street is deserted during coronavirus lock down, Liverpool, UK.
Personal Finance

When will the fourth Covid-19 SEISS grant be paid?

| Jennifer Laird

Are you self-employed and wondering if you're entitled to the fourth SEISS grant? Well, here's everything we know about the…

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Female friends enjoying a vacation.
Personal Finance

Covid-19: does a vaccine mean that I can keep my summer holiday 2021 plans?

| Jennifer Laird

With Covid-19 vaccines rolling out over the next few months, should you book a summer holiday in 2021? Let's take…

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Piggy bank next to a financial report
Personal Finance

How does a line of credit work?

| Jennifer Laird

Choosing between a line of credit and a loan? Here's everything you need to know about how lines of credit…

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Lady researching stocks
Personal Finance

How to register as a sole trader

| Jennifer Laird

Want to know how to register as a sole trader? Don't worry, it's quick and easy to get going. Here's…

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Scientist filling a needle
Personal Finance

When will I be offered the coronavirus vaccine?

| Jennifer Laird

Wondering when you will be offered the coronavirus vaccine? We take a look at where you might fit into the…

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An airplane on a runway
Personal Finance

Here’s what you need to know about the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

| Jennifer Laird

The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is replacing the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Here's what the changes could mean…

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Young lady working from home office during coronavirus pandemic.
Personal Finance

What is a sole trader?

| Jennifer Laird

What is a sole trader business, and how do you set one up? It's actually pretty simple – here's everything…

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Hedge shaped as the pound symbol inside a glass piggy bank
Personal Finance

Understanding equity

| Jennifer Laird

What is equity? Well, it depends on the context. Here's a guide to the most common types of equity and…

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Close-up Of A Piggybank With Eyeglasses And Calculator On Desk
Personal Finance

Big Energy Saving Week: 10 tips to reduce your fuel costs

| Jennifer Laird

To celebrate Big Energy Saving Week, here are 10 tips to help you cut your home energy bills without compromising…

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Little daughter and her mother watching educational program on digital tablet
Personal Finance

Homeschooling: BBC Bitesize free for BT and EE users

| Jennifer Laird

As homeschooling continues into 2021, here's how you can access free BBC Bitesize resources on your mobile to keep your…

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Business accounting concept, Business man using calculator with computer laptop, budget and loan paper in office.
Personal Finance

6 things entrepreneurs overlook when starting a small business

| Jennifer Laird

When you're starting a small business, it's easy to forget important details. Here's a rundown of the most commonly overlooked…

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Personal Finance

Coronavirus pandemic: how do I pay in a cheque?

| Jennifer Laird

Can you pay in a cheque during the coronavirus lockdown? Here's a rundown of the best ways to make your…

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Hand holding pound notes
Personal Finance

Is Peloton worth the money?

| Jennifer Laird

Peloton bikes are pretty popular, but are they worth the money? Well, maybe. Here's everything you need to know.

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Man reading green book
Personal Finance

Lockdown 3: are opticians open?

| Jennifer Laird

We take a look at whether opticians are open during lockdown 3 and offer tips on how to book an…

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A happy dog wearing a Foolish jester cap.
Personal Finance

Brexit: can I still take my pet abroad when travelling to Europe?

| Jennifer Laird

Pet travel rules have changed since Brexit. Let's take a look at the main changes and how they affect your…

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Padlocked wooden door
Personal Finance

What are the new lockdown rules in Scotland?

| Jennifer Laird

A look at the new lockdown rules in Scotland. We explore what they mean for you and how to protect…

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Female Owner Of Start Up Coffee Shop Or Restaurant Turning Round Open Sign On Door
Personal Finance

10 steps to starting a small business

| Jennifer Laird

Want to learn how to start a small business from scratch? From choosing an idea to funding options, here's everything…

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Man using credit card and smartphone for purchasing goods online.
Personal Finance

Can I use buy now, pay later apps like Klarna to improve my credit?

| Jennifer Laird

Looking to boost your credit score with a buy now, pay later app? Here's what you should know before you…

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Personal Finance

Coronavirus: should you choose Section 75 or chargeback right now?

| Jennifer Laird

What's the best option: a credit card chargeback, or a claim under Section 75? Here's everything you need to know.

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Young woman with face mask using mobile phone and buying groceries in the supermarket during virus pandemic.
Personal Finance

Northern Ireland post-Christmas lockdown: what you need to know

| Jennifer Laird

A look at what we can expect from Northern Ireland's lockdown, and how you can protect your finances as we…

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globe with a mask and text coronavirus
Personal Finance

Which tiers are dentists open in during the UK’s lockdown?

| Jennifer Laird

Are dentists open in your tier during the UK's Covid-19 lockdown? Here's everything you need to know about accessing dental…

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Young woman preparing takeaway healthy food inside restaurant during Coronavirus outbreak time
Personal Finance

December review: what areas have moved into tier 3?

| Jennifer Laird

A rundown of where tier 3 restrictions apply as we approach the new year, and what the changes mean for…

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Personal Finance

Rail fares: when will they increase, and by how much?

| Jennifer Laird

Rail fares are set to rise in England and Wales from 2021. Here's how the price hike may affect your…

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Young lady working from home office during coronavirus pandemic.
Personal Finance

Covid-19: how to save money working from home

| Jennifer Laird

Wondering how to save money working from home during Covid-19? Here's why you might be finding it tough right now…

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Female Owner Of Start Up Coffee Shop Or Restaurant Turning Round Open Sign On Door
Personal Finance

Are gyms, hairdressers and salons open in tier 3?

| Jennifer Laird

Can you visit gyms or hairdressers in tier 3 areas? Here's everything you need to know about using these venues…

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