INSIDE

February 2012

REGULARS 7 Welcome 17 Savings Watch The best deals on the market this month 18 Fight for Your Rights Got a financial problem? We take up the fight

COLUMNISTS 21 Editor’s letter Energy price cuts are a shamble 35 George Pitcher People marry for love, not the tax breaks 37 Jeff Prestridge Saving the smart way 82 That’s Life with Esther Rantzen Calling all entrepreneurs UPFRONT8YourShout 11 Steal of the Month 16 Housing Market Round-Up SORTED! 26 Money Makeover 30 Your Finances Fixed COMPETITION 28 WIN a luxury two-night city break in Liverpool

38

The catchment system of placing kids in state schools is by no means a sweet deal for parents

22 Don’t let the Grim Reaper have the last laugh

Rip-off funeral fees mean we must plan for our final farewell if we don’t want relatives to be left shouldering the costs scam

38 Parents caught in the school catchment trap Part two in our series on Defending the British Family scam scam

42 Buy-to-let will lead the way in 2012 The residential property market remains on its knees but soaring rents mean buy-to-let is picking up steam 44 Our guide for first-time buyers Help and advice is on hand for those would-be homeowners getting ready to take the plunge

4 MONEYWISE | FEBRUARY 2012

56

Is a university degree still necessary or a bit old hat?

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