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Karl Talbot

Karl is a writer specialising in investing and personal finance content. He regularly contributes articles on savings, bank accounts, mortgages, and loans. He was previously a Personal Finance Writer for MoneySavingExpert.

Recent Articles

Sixed group of millennial aged friends discuss investing
Personal Finance

Why the stocks and shares ISA deadline matters even if you don’t have lots to invest

| Karl Talbot

The stocks and shares ISA deadline is days away. But does the deadline actually matter if you don't have a…

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A person holding onto a fan of twenty pound notes
Personal Finance

Revealed! The FTSE 100 stocks with the highest dividend yields

| Karl Talbot

Dividends can offer a way to supplement your passive income. So, which FTSE 100 stocks have the highest dividend yields?

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New Ways of Investing - Hands Only Using Smart Phone
Personal Finance

If the outlook for the UK economy is ‘weak’, why hasn’t the FTSE crashed?

| Karl Talbot

The outlook for the UK economy was recently described as 'weak.' So, why hasn't the FTSE 100 crashed in 2022?…

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Sixed group of millennial aged friends discuss investing
Personal Finance

Stocks and shares ISA deadline: is it wise to invest a lump sum?

| Karl Talbot

With the stocks and shares ISA deadline just around the corner, is it sensible to invest a lump sum all…

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A stack of credit cards piled on top of each other
Personal Finance

5 million people would struggle to get a top credit card: is your credit history invisible?

| Karl Talbot

New research reveals more than five million people would struggle to get a top-rated credit card deal. So, is your…

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Concentrated young african american black guy sitting on heated floor at modern coffee table in living room, looking at laptop screen
Personal Finance

ISA warning: don’t lose your tax-free allowance by making this rookie mistake

| Karl Talbot

With the end of the tax year edging nearer, did you know your ISA could lose its entire tax-free status…

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Inflation in newspapers
Personal Finance

Inflation climbs to 6.2%: here’s what it means for the stock market

| Karl Talbot

The UK's inflation rate now stands at 6.2%, which is the highest figure since 1992. So, how will rising inflation…

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Business man on stock market crash financial trade indicator background.
Personal Finance

Oil and gas stocks are booming: will they go higher or have they peaked?

| Karl Talbot

UK oil and gas stocks have risen in 2022 in stark contrast to the wider FTSE 100. So, is the…

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Scene depicting the City of London, home of the FTSE 100
Personal Finance

How has the FTSE 100 performed in the 2 years since its pandemic low?

| Karl Talbot

On the second anniversary of the FTSE 100's post-pandemic low, here's a look at how the UK's largest share index…

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Young man shopping with credit card and laptop computer
Personal Finance

Here’s why I have THREE credit cards in my wallet

| Karl Talbot

Credit cards can be very useful as long as they are used correctly. Here's the reason why I have not…

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Two women in the home office
Personal Finance

Number of women investors rises: but are they outperforming men?

| Karl Talbot

According to new research, the number of women investors is rising. So, how are their portfolios performing compared to those…

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Economic Uncertainty Ahead Sign With Stormy Background
Personal Finance

Gold vs silver: which precious metal is a good choice right now?

| Karl Talbot

The value of both gold and silver are up since the year began, as investors flock to precious metals during…

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Trader on video call from his home office
Personal Finance

Revealed! How experienced investors are preparing for the end of the tax year

| Karl Talbot

Pensions and stocks and shares ISAs provide ways to invest in a tax-efficient manner. But did you know there are…

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Golden piggy bank
Personal Finance

Mixed fortunes: how individual bank shares have performed so far this year

| Karl Talbot

Banking is one of the few sectors that can benefit from higher interest rates. So, how have bank shares performed…

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A young woman sitting on a couch looking at a book in a quiet library space.
Personal Finance

Got a lifetime ISA? Pay attention to the end of the tax year

| Karl Talbot

Do you have a lifetime ISA? If so, here's why you should consider maxing the amount you pay in before…

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Social media and digital online concept, woman using smartphone
Personal Finance

Metaverse stocks plummet in 2022: is now a good time to buy?

| Karl Talbot

Some metaverse stocks have fallen by as much as 50% this year. So, is now a good time to invest…

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Smiling young man sitting in cafe and checking messages, with his laptop in front of him.
Personal Finance

Is now a good time to pick up stock market bargains?

| Karl Talbot

The stock market hasn't performed particularly well so far in 2022. So, could now be a good time to pick…

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A stack of credit cards piled on top of each other
Personal Finance

0% credit card deals evaporate: how to improve your chances of getting the top deals

| Karl Talbot

0% credit card deals are vanishing. So, if you need a 0% card but have a poor credit score, how…

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Businessman looking at a red arrow crashing through the floor
Personal Finance

Stock market warning: investor behaviour echoing that during the 2008 financial crash

| Karl Talbot

New research reveals investors are mirroring behaviours seen during the 2008 financial crash. So, should we be worried about another…

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Couple thinking with idea lightbulbs
Personal Finance

Stocks and shares ISAs typically outperform cash ISAs: should you open one?

| Karl Talbot

Time is running out to use up your 2021/22 tax-free ISA allowance. So, if you're thinking of opening an ISA,…

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Working from home due to social distancing
Personal Finance

Stocks and shares ISA warning: why it’s important to avoid the last-minute rush

| Karl Talbot

Are you thinking of opening a stocks and shares ISA? Here are 3 reasons why you shouldn't leave it until…

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Businessman pulling out wooden brick from toppling stack
Personal Finance

Will the stock market crash, fall, rise or rally? 4 things to keep an eye on

| Karl Talbot

The stock market has been volatile in 2022 due to various events impacting the world economy. So, what could impact…

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A young couple take use a laptop together in their living room
Personal Finance

Revealed! This is when you should review your investing portfolio

| Karl Talbot

Meddling with your investments too often can be a bad idea. But there are three circumstances in which it could…

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Scene depicting the City of London, home of the FTSE 100
Personal Finance

Base rate rises to 0.75%: here’s why higher interest rates aren’t spooking investors

| Karl Talbot

The Bank of England has hiked its base rate from 0.5% to 0.75%. So, why hasn't the stock market taken…

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Hispanic man using laptop in home office and drinking coffee
Personal Finance

Why has the FTSE 250 fallen more than the FTSE 100 in 2022?

| Karl Talbot

The FTSE 250 is down by more than 12% since the year began, far worse than the performance of the…

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Entrepreneur on the phone.
Personal Finance

80% of young people now invest: here’s where Gen Z are stashing their wealth

| Karl Talbot

A new report reveals that eight in 10 young people are investing in their futures. So, what type of assets…

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Close up of credit cards over grey background
Personal Finance

Fall in number of 0% credit card deals: if you need one, act now (before it’s too late)

| Karl Talbot

New research reveals the number of 0% credit card deals available is falling. Karl Talbot explores why this is significant…

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Family in protective face masks in airport
Personal Finance

UK to remove all travel restrictions: do you have a top-rated travel credit card?

| Karl Talbot

As travel restrictions are removed, if you're heading away, a top-rated travel credit card could make your trip significantly cheaper.…

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Sixed group of millennial aged friends discuss investing
Personal Finance

Stocks and shares ISAs: don’t take your tax-free allowance for granted

| Karl Talbot

If you have a stocks and shares ISA but haven't used your tax-free allowance, time is running out. Here's why…

Read more »

EU and UK flag on broken wall
Personal Finance

How has the FTSE 100 performed in 2022 vs other European indexes?

| Karl Talbot

The FTSE 100 is down by more than 5% since the year began. So how does the performance of the…

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

Why I’m not worried about recent stock market falls

| Karl Talbot

Due to a struggling stock market, my portfolio is down roughly 5% since the year began. But here's why recent…

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Working from home due to social distancing
Personal Finance

Should you sell stocks in spring before the summer lull?

| Karl Talbot

Spring is almost here. So, should you sell your stocks before the 'summer lull' approaches? Karl Talbot explores the popular…

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A stack of credit cards piled on top of each other
Personal Finance

Credit card warning: 0% purchase lengths could get SHORTER for this one reason

| Karl Talbot

Interest-free deals on 0% credit cards are still very generous. But there is one reason why 0% lengths may soon…

Read more »

Bus waiting in front of the London Stock Exchange on a sunny day.
Personal Finance

If the base rate rises this week, how will it impact the stock market?

| Karl Talbot

Investors expect interest rates to rise again this week. So, how will the stock market respond to higher borrowing costs?…

Read more »

Businessman using laptop for analyzing data stock market, forex trading graph, stock exchange trading online, financial investment concept. All on laptop screen are design up.
Personal Finance

Revealed! These 3 events could send the stock market soaring

| Karl Talbot

The stock market has tumbled since the turn of the year. Karl Talbot takes a look at three events that…

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Smiling young man sitting in cafe and checking messages, with his laptop in front of him.
Personal Finance

Stocks and shares ISA warning: think twice before withdrawing shares right now

| Karl Talbot

If you invest in a stocks and shares ISA, then there are two things to take into account before you…

Read more »

Young man shopping with credit card and laptop computer
Personal Finance

Got a credit card? Rule changes are coming – take action NOW to avoid failed payments

| Karl Talbot

Credit card rule changes are just around the corner. So, if you regularly use plastic to make online payments, now's…

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Hands holding up a sign saying Earn Points
Personal Finance

Amazon credit cards to be axed: here are other ways to earn cashback at Amazon

| Karl Talbot

Amazon credit cards are set to be axed. So, if you're an Amazon shopper, here's how to continue earning points…

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Concentrated young african american black guy sitting on heated floor at modern coffee table in living room, looking at laptop screen
Personal Finance

The FTSE 100 is volatile right now: when will calm return to the stock market?

| Karl Talbot

The FTSE 100 is very unpredictable right now. Here's a look at what's causing the uncertainty and when calm might…

Read more »

Jar filled with coins
Personal Finance

Savings rates: Santander 123 rate rises to 0.5% – how does it compare?

| Karl Talbot

Santander has joined other providers by upping its savings rates. So, how does the new rate on its 123 account…

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