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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

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! How the biggest FTSE 100 companies performed in 2021

| Karl Talbot

The FTSE 100 is up over 11% since the turn of the year. So how have its biggest members performed…

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Personal Finance

Is the savings tide turning? NS&I boosts interest rate on three accounts

| Karl Talbot

NS&I has increased the savings rate on three of its accounts. So how do the new rates stack up? And…

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Businessman touching on number 2022 for preparation
Personal Finance

Will the base rate rise again in 2022?

| Karl Talbot

The Bank of England recently upped its base rate from 0.1% to 0.25%. But will there be further rises in…

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Personal Finance

Keen for an income boost? Check out these side hustle ideas for 2022

| Karl Talbot

Having a side hustle is now commonplace, with almost half of Brits earning a second income. So what are some…

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A retired couple review their investing portfolio
Personal Finance

These FTSE 100 companies are set to pay big dividends in 2022

| Karl Talbot

FTSE 100 members returned £82 billion in share dividends in 2021, and 2022 is set to be an even better…

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Portrait of worried woman standing beside window
Personal Finance

HSBC bank customer? Don’t get caught out by this app change!

| Karl Talbot

HSBC has made a significant change to its mobile banking app, leaving many of its customers unhappy. Here's what you…

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Man putting a coin into a pink piggy bank
Personal Finance

Inflation is soaring: will savings rates increase in 2022?

| Karl Talbot

Savings rates remain low, but could a Bank of England base rate rise finally give savers hope in 2022? Karl…

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Young man shopping with credit card and laptop computer
Personal Finance

The way I use credit cards has changed in 2021 (and I’m better off for it)

| Karl Talbot

Since the pandemic began, my credit card usage has changed significantly. Interestingly, I've found myself better off as a result!…

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Inflation in newspapers
Personal Finance

Inflation surges to 5.1%: what does it mean for investors?

| Karl Talbot

Inflation is now at 5.1%, meaning the prices of everyday goods continue to rise. So what can investors do to…

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Piggy bank rocketing skywards
Personal Finance

Worried about retirement? Follow these 4 tips to boost your pension pot

| Karl Talbot

New research reveals that a large percentage of Brits worry about the size of their pension pots. So how can…

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

These were the biggest FTSE 100 risers last week

| Karl Talbot

Which stocks were the biggest risers in the FTSE 100 last week? And which stocks suffered the biggest falls? Karl…

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Hand holding pound notes
Uncategorized

Bank of England warning: do you have a £20 note that’s set to expire?

| Karl Talbot

The Bank of England has issued a fresh warning that two banknotes will no longer be spendable next year. Here's…

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Personal Finance

£200 BILLION!? Why 2021 was a huge year for mortgage lending

| Karl Talbot

New data reveals that mortgage lending jumped in 2021 – a clear sign the booming housing market is unlikely to…

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Man putting a coin into a pink piggy bank
Personal Finance

Are you saving enough into a pension? These groups are officially ‘under-pensioned’

| Karl Talbot

A new report highlights that many in the UK are 'under-pensioned' and are consequently facing a grim retirement. So are…

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Modern suburban family houses with car on driveway
Personal Finance

House prices rising by £1,700 a month: when will they (finally) crash?

| Karl Talbot

House prices are rising by a staggering £1,700 a month. So with the average home now costing £272,992, surely house…

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A couple hug having moved into their new home
Live: Coronavirus Market Crash Coverage

Revealed! How first-time buyers receive £30k towards buying a home

| Karl Talbot

According to new research, first-time buyers are beating record house prices by accessing an average of £30k from a particular…

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Little girl kissing her granddad at christmastime
Personal Finance

Are you eligible for the government’s £10 Christmas bonus? Here’s how to check

| Karl Talbot

The government is paying a £10 Christmas bonus this year. But how can you check whether you're eligible for the…

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Aerial Houses Residential British England Drone Above View Summer Blue Sky Estate Agent
Personal Finance

Revealed! How homeowners are cashing in on rising house prices

| Karl Talbot

Soaring house prices mean many homeowners have hit the housing equity jackpot. So what are they doing with their newfound…

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Smiling diverse couple holding Christmas presents while walking through a winter forest
Personal Finance

Are you making this big mistake with your Christmas savings?

| Karl Talbot

Christmas is almost here, but are you making this big mistake with your festive savings? Here's everything you need to…

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For sale sign outside a home in an affluent suburb of London
Personal Finance

The rise of the 40-year mortgage: what does it mean for house prices?

| Karl Talbot

House prices are soaring. To help with affordability, some lenders now offer ultra-long mortgage terms. But does this simply inflate…

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Sold sign displayed outside a terraced house
Personal Finance

Homeownership plummets: will house prices crash in 2022?

| Karl Talbot

As house prices soar, levels of homeownership have plummeted among younger generations. So will house prices crash in 2022 to…

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Piggy bank being carried by balloon
Personal Finance

Can you inflation-proof your savings?

| Karl Talbot

With prices officially rising by 4.2%, is there a way to protect your savings from inflation? Karl Talbot takes a…

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

Are you guilty of believing these two credit card myths?

| Karl Talbot

A new survey reveals that two myths persistently abound about credit cards. What are they and what else does the…

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Road trip. Father and son travelling together by car
Personal Finance

Grants galore! Why there’s never been a better time to buy an electric car

| Karl Talbot

The government is encouraging the move to electric vehicles by offering grants left, right and centre. Here's everything you need…

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Piggy bank group pastel color background
Personal Finance

Got a Barclays bank account? Here’s why you may want to switch

| Karl Talbot

Barclays will soon make a number of changes to its Blue Rewards scheme, all of which are bad news for…

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

Revealed: The 3 best-performing FTSE 100 stocks of 2021 (so far)

| Karl Talbot

The FTSE 100 has had a decent 2021 so far, but what about individual stocks within the index? Karl Talbot…

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Mature woman with headache at home
Personal Finance

The UK has 50,000 mortgage prisoners: are you one of them?

| Karl Talbot

The FCA has released its 'Mortgage Prisoners Review' that claims 50,000 homeowners are unable to switch deals. So how can…

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Image of person checking their shares portfolio on mobile phone and computer
Personal Finance

These were the most popular stocks among UK investors last week

| Karl Talbot

Stock markets slumped last week following the discovery of a new Covid-19 variant. So which shares have UK investors been…

Read more »

'For Sale' sign outside of a terraced house in the UK
Personal Finance

Mortgage approvals plummet: are house prices set to crash?

| Karl Talbot

The number of new mortgage approvals fell sharply in October. So does this mean house prices are set to crash?…

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Hands of woman with many shopping bags
Personal Finance

UK debt crisis? 1 in 10 Brits to use ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ to fund Christmas

| Karl Talbot

Almost one in 10 Brits plan to use 'buy now pay later' services to fund their Christmas shopping. So does…

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Young woman wearing face mask while walking in the streets of London
Personal Finance

FTSE 100 plummets amid new Covid-19 variant. Will the stock market crash?

| Karl Talbot

The FTSE 100 plunged on Friday following the discovery of a new Covid-19 variant, raising fears of a stock market…

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Female couple paying bills online at home, laughing
Personal Finance

How to beat easy access savings rates AND grab £50 cashback

| Karl Talbot

Savings rates aren't great right now, but did you know that there is a way to beat easy access rates…

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

Is the UK on the cusp of a recession?

| Karl Talbot

A recession is bad news for everyone. But what are the chances the UK economy is heading for another? Karl…

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

NS&I boosts Income Bond interest rate: how does it stack up?

| Karl Talbot

NS&I has upped the interest rate on its Income Bonds. So how does its new 0.15% rate compare with the…

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Man sat at laptop computer using credit card to pay online using mobile phone
Personal Finance

Amazon shopper? You can now get 3% cashback with this current account

| Karl Talbot

Amazon shoppers are expected to spend billions in the run-up to Christmas. If you use Amazon, here's how you can…

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Father working from home and taking care of baby
Personal Finance

Will you pocket the average pay rise in 2022?

| Karl Talbot

The average private sector worker is set to bag a 2.5% pay rise next year. But is it enough in…

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Stack of one pound coins falling over
Personal Finance

Inflation surges to 4.2%: here’s what it means for you

| Karl Talbot

Inflation is rocketing, with the Consumer Prices Index reporting prices are now rising at a rate of 4.2%. So how…

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Sale agent deal to car loan contract with customer.
Personal Finance

Car insurance prices are falling: can you save at renewal?

| Karl Talbot

Car insurance is getting cheaper, with typical policies costing £54 less than they did a year ago. Here's how to…

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Senior woman wearing glasses using laptop at home
Personal Finance

Why Premium Bonds may now be a better bet than normal savings accounts

| Karl Talbot

Premium Bonds have a payout rate of 1%. So with savings rates so low, is it worth chancing your luck…

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Sixed group of millennial aged friends discuss investing
Personal Finance

What were the five most popular stocks among UK investors last week?

| Karl Talbot

Tesla remains a hugely popular stock to both buy and sell. But which other stocks have UK investors been buying…

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