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Sean LaPointe

Sean is a personal finance writer with a strong passion for helping others become more financially literate and make better financial decisions. He covers everything from credit cards to savings to investing.

Recent Articles

happy senior couple using a laptop in their living room to look at their financial budgets
Personal Finance

Can I get good value for money from buying and selling on Gumtree?

| Sean LaPointe

Gumtree is a leading classified ad posting site in the UK. But can you actually get good value for money…

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Typical street lined with terraced houses and parked cars
Personal Finance

Did you know that choosing a black car can decrease its resale value by 68%?

| Sean LaPointe

A car's colour affects its resale value. The colour you choose could decrease its value when it's time to sell.…

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Stack of new one pound coins
Personal Finance

Why sterling is rising, and what it means for you

| Sean LaPointe

The pound has continued its recent surge against the dollar, hitting highs of over $1.39. We look at why sterling…

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Note paper with question mark on orange background
Personal Finance

Who is Neil Woodford?

| Sean LaPointe

Who is Neil Woodford and why is he in the news again? We tell you everything you need to know…

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Modern suburban family houses with car on driveway
Personal Finance

Covid-19: Help to Buy scheme deadline extended

| Sean LaPointe

The government is extending the Help to Buy deadline, giving homebuyers more time to complete their purchases. Here's everything you…

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Shocked young woman looking at a store receipt
Personal Finance

Sainsbury’s follows Tesco in Aldi price-matching

| Sean LaPointe

Sainsbury's will start price matching Aldi on hundreds of grocery items. Here are the implications on consumers and tips to…

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

What does flood insurance cover?

| Sean LaPointe

Flood insurance covers the costs of repairing your home and replacing damaged property caused by flooding. We take a look…

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Woman traveller walking alone with suitcase bag.
Personal Finance

Coronavirus: will travel insurance protect me from cancelled summer holidays?

| Sean LaPointe

Wondering whether your travel insurance policy can protect you if your summer holiday is cancelled because of coronavirus? Here's what…

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Man reading green book
Personal Finance

What is facial recognition payment?

| Sean LaPointe

Facial recognition payment is a new way of paying that's becoming popular in some parts of the world. We take…

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Typical street lined with terraced houses and parked cars
Personal Finance

A quarter of UK drivers believe electric cars are more expensive to run – but they’re wrong

| Sean LaPointe

Research shows that many UK drivers believe electric cars are more expensive to run than fuel-powered cars. They're wrong -…

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Young couple going for holidays with colorful suitcases
Personal Finance

A quarter of UK adults are saving for a dream holiday in 2021

| Sean LaPointe

New research shows a quarter of UK adults are saving for a dream holiday in 2021. Here are a few…

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happy senior couple using a laptop in their living room to look at their financial budgets
Personal Finance

What is the ‘Bed and Spouse’ tax strategy?

| Sean LaPointe

A 'bed and spouse' strategy can help reduce your Capital Gains Tax bill and retain ownership of an asset. Here's…

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Portrait of worried woman standing beside window
Personal Finance

Why has my credit score dropped? Five reasons why

| Sean LaPointe

Has your credit score dropped recently and you're wondering why? Here are five reasons your credit score might drop and…

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Aerial View of Neighborhood
Personal Finance

Here’s what you need to know about the new Help To Buy: Equity Loan scheme

| Sean LaPointe

For first-time homebuyers struggling to save for a deposit, help is now available via the new Help to Buy: Equity…

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Road sign indicating essential travel only due to the Covid-19 lockdown
Personal Finance

UK has no plans for ‘vaccine passports’

| Sean LaPointe

There will be no vaccine passport to allow Brits who've had the Covid-19 jab to travel or go on holiday.…

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Blue question mark background and dark space
Personal Finance

What is a direct listing and why did Roblox choose it over an IPO?

| Sean LaPointe

We take a look at what a direct listing is, how it's different from an IPO and why Roblox chose…

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

Can I buy shares in Cellular Goods’ flotation?

| Sean LaPointe

Cellular Goods, a medicinal cannabis firm, is set to float shares on the London Stock Exchange. Here's everything you need…

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Supermarket aisle with empty green trolley
Personal Finance

Are you wasting money by not buying in bulk?

| Sean LaPointe

We all like to save money on our grocery shop. We take a look at how you could make savings…

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happy senior couple using a laptop in their living room to look at their financial budgets
Personal Finance

Can I have more than one life insurance policy?

| Sean LaPointe

A life insurance policy ensures that your loved ones' financial needs are taken care of if you pass away. But…

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

Should I downsize my house if I’m nearing retirement?

| Sean LaPointe

We look at reasons you might consider downsizing your house and the pros and cons of doing so to help…

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Woman in superhero costume
Personal Finance

What to give up for Lent

| Sean LaPointe

With Lent approaching, we take a look at a few things you might give up to improve your health, finances…

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New normal sign on desk
Personal Finance

Covid-19: Welsh NHS app users can apply for £500 payment to self-isolate

| Sean LaPointe

Welsh users of the NHS Covid-19 app will be eligible to apply for a £500 payment if asked to self-isolate…

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Cheerful mature couple sitting and managing expenses at home.
Personal Finance

Is £219,063 the ideal amount of money to retire on?

| Sean LaPointe

We take a look at the average amount of money you need to retire happy and some useful ways to…

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Woman looking at a jar of pennies
Personal Finance

Can I claim a refund if Brexit has increased postage prices?

| Sean LaPointe

We take a look at whether you can get refund for goods bought from the EU if they come with…

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Father working from home and taking care of baby
Personal Finance

Here’s what you need to know about the proposed Targeted Income Grant Scheme (TIGS)

| Sean LaPointe

TIGS has been proposed to help self-employed workers currently excluded from current government support. We take a look at what's…

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Woman traveller walking alone with suitcase bag.
Personal Finance

What are the new UK travel restrictions?

| Sean LaPointe

Need to travel outside the UK? Here's what you need to know about the new travel restrictions for those entering…

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Close up of credit cards over grey background
Personal Finance

Mastercard increases merchant fees by 5x for UK purchases from the EU

| Sean LaPointe

Mastercard is to impose a five-fold increase on merchant fees for EU purchases made from the UK. We take a…

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

4 things to look out for when buying a used car

| Sean LaPointe

If you're looking to save some money by buying a used car instead of a new one, here's a list…

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Note paper with question mark on orange background
Personal Finance

How much will my first car cost me?

| Sean LaPointe

Wondering how much your firsts set of wheels will cost you? Here's a breakdown of how much you'll have to…

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No Essential Journeys (English) Road to beauty spot closed due to Covid 19 lock down rules
Personal Finance

When will driving tests resume?

| Sean LaPointe

Driving lessons and tests are currently suspended across the UK because of lockdown restrictions. We take a look at when…

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globe with a mask and text coronavirus
Personal Finance

Coronavirus: England set for £800-£6,400 house party fines

| Sean LaPointe

We take a look at England's new £800-£6,400 fines for those found breaking coronavirus rules by attending illegal house parties.

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Blue question mark background and dark space
Personal Finance

How does a franchise work?

| Sean LaPointe

An overview of the basics of how a franchise works in the UK, the pros and cons, the type investment…

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Portrait of worried woman standing beside window
Personal Finance

Can I be made to take holiday while on furlough?

| Sean LaPointe

We take a look at everything you need to know about your holiday rights while on furlough, including whether your…

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Aircraft wind on the sunrise sky background.
Personal Finance

What is vaccine tourism?

| Sean LaPointe

Vaccine tourism is helping some people beat the wait for the potentially lifesaving Covid vaccine. Here's everything you need to…

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

What are the rules around touching food in supermarkets?

| Sean LaPointe

We all want to feel as safe when we shop. We take a look at the rules around touching food…

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Woman looking at a jar of pennies
Personal Finance

Over a third of households set for January financial struggle

| Sean LaPointe

More than a third of UK households will face a financial struggle in January 2021. We've got a few tips…

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Couple thinking with idea lightbulbs
Personal Finance

How do business incubators work?

| Sean LaPointe

A business incubator can foster the growth and success of your startup by providing resources you otherwise couldn't access. Here's…

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A retired couple review their investing portfolio
Personal Finance

How do global equity funds work?

| Sean LaPointe

Here's everything you need to know about global equity funds, including how they work, the risks involved and whether they…

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

Nasdaq vs Nasdaq 100: what’s the difference and should I invest?

| Sean LaPointe

You've probably heard of the Nasdaq and the Nasdaq 100. We take a look at the differences between them and…

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Question mark on post-it notes
Personal Finance

Do I need pay as you go car insurance?

| Sean LaPointe

If you don't drive frequently, pay as you go car insurance could lower your insurance costs. Find out if it's…

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