INSIDE

January 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 What will 2012 bring? 37 George Pitcher Middle England takes heed of the culture of greed 39 Jeff Prestridge Let’s raise a glass to an investment with class 98 That’s Life with Esther Rantzen Why debit cards are nothing to be scared of UPFRONT8YourShout 12 Steal of the Month 14 Housing Market Round-Up SORTED! 28 Money Makeover 32 Your Finances Fixed COMPETITION 30 WIN a two-night break in Colwick scam

Hall Hotel, Nottinghamshire

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Shake off the recessionary hangover and get your finances fighting fit and ready for the year ahead

22 The 2012 detox diet for personal finance

Whether you have unhealthy debt levels or want to plan for your retirement, take the time now to rethink your finances

40 Fighting the corner for the middle classes The UK’s squeezed middle is under attack and it’s high time the government sat up and took notice 45 Do comparison websites come at a price? Not many of us realise we’re paying about £650 million a year in commission for the privilege of ‘shopping around’

scam

49 A five-minute guide to mortgage overpayments Could paying more save you money in the long run? 50 The cost of untying the knot Understanding the financial implications of divorce

4 MONEYWISE | JANUARY 2012

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Why breaking up doesn’t have to be costly

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The pressures on middle-class families are pushing many to financial breaking point

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Times are tough but investment opportunities are out there – if you know where to look

53 Is Britain’s love affair with property over? Last year was bleak for the housing market; will 2012

be any better? Our experts reveal their predictions scam

56 Become more energy efficient this winter A few simple changes can significantly cut your bills 58 A generation of boom and bust Did the baby boomers drive Britain to the brink?

61 Cut the cost of your commute Travelling to work needn’t cost the earth 64 Are you being cheated work by the taxman? We investigate what’s going on at HMRC

71 Buy, Hold, Sell

Charles Luke of Aberdeen shares his top picks 72 The Briefing We take a look at the

European sector 74 Where to put your cash in 2012 The experts take their pick of investment opportunities for this year 78 Moneywise Children’s Savings Awards 2012 Our annual guide to the best products around to save and invest for your child’s future

83 Let’s lighten up on pensions We must radically rethink our approach to funding retirement if we are to manage financially in old age

69 Andrew Pitts

Funds that will survive a double dip 70 Investment News The new sector promising the Holy Grail

WWW.MONEYWISE.CO.UK

scam scam

87 The best products at your fingertips

Our pick of the top products and investments for consumers and investors

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