SavvyWoman : Money Basics : Taking Control

If you get behind with loan or credit card payments your bank can help itself to money you have in other accounts.

If you’ve never heard of ‘right of set-off’ you’re not alone, but every year thousands of people have money taken from accounts to pay credit card and loan debts.

The rise of payday loans – how to find cheaper loans than payday loans or doorstep credit.

Payday loans can be expensive, but what can you do if you can't pay your bills and you need some cash?

High street banks have until today to publish details of how many complaints they’ve received.

New rules from the FSA mean many financial companies have to publish complaints data and some banks get hundreds a day.

It's National Complaints Day - tips on how to complain effectively.

Complaining is the easy bit. It’s getting the company to deal with it that can be hard. What are the tips for effective complaining?

The authorities are getting tough with claims management companies which promise to write off debts.

Dozens of claims management companies have been closed down and thousands of people have paid money to have debts written off – with no guarantee of success.

Conquering debt; facing up to what you owe.

Women tend to owe less than men but worry about their debts more. How can you repay yours?

How to pay off your debts double quick

If you owe money and you’re trying to pay it off, make sure you get the maximum out of every pound you pay

Credit card protection; how you're protected if you pay by credit card or Visa debit card.

Section 75 and chargeback – how you can get your money back if you pay by credit or Visa debit card and there's a problem.

New rules take effect from today which should mean clearer energy bills, making it easier to shop around.

With hundreds of confusing tariffs and bills that are hard to understand, the regulator, OFGEM, is forcing companies to make it easier for us to work out exactly what we're paying for.

Cashback websites are very popular, but how do they work and is there a catch?

How do you like the idea of getting money back when you shop online? There are dozens of cashback sites that let you do this.

There’s a new credit card balance transfer deal – 0% for 16 months. Is it as good as it looks?

For the last two years 0% credit card balance transfer deals have been a little thin on the ground; is this a sign that competition is returning?

Some energy firms are being criticised for rolling customers onto new fixed price tariffs when their old one expires.

If you've taken out a fixed price deal from British Gas, you may have been on a rolling contract without realising it. What are your rights?

The Office of Fair Trading won't continue its investigation into unauthorised bank charges. But you can still complain.

With the OFT acknowledging that it can’t force the banks to reduce their charges, it may be down to voluntary change. In the meantime, should you switch banks?

If you’re thinking of selling your old gold jewellery, beware. You may only get a fraction of what it’s worth.

Turning your gold into cash may sound like a great idea, but Trading Standards have criticised some firms for offering far too little.

Saving money seems to have become a national sport, but are the money off deals as good as they look?

With dozens of cashback, comparison and voucher code sites, where do you start if you want to get a good deal?

Consumer law should be simplified, according to the Law Commission, which believes the current rules are confusing.

The EU is currently looking at changing consumer protection law. The Law Commission says consumers’ rights in the UK must not be weakened.

Why shopping around for credit can damage your credit score

We’re always being told to shop around to get the best deal, but it may leave a ‘footprint’ on your credit file. And that could be bad news.

The Office of Fair Trading has launched a study into tactics used by price comparison sites

Price comparison sites are a multi-million pound industry, but the OFT is concerned that some consumers may be misled

What do lenders take into account? How banks and credit card companies work out your credit risk.

The current climate means that credit card companies and banks look at credit history information very carefully when working out whether or not to give you credit.

How to improve your credit score so you pay less for loans and credit.

Your credit score is a number that lenders use to assess how good a credit risk you are. The lower your score, the harder it will be to get credit.

If you have a joint debts with someone who has a bad credit record, it could affect your rating.

Joint debts with your ex; how to break the link so that your credit rating isn't damaged by your partner's credit record.

What to do if there’s a mistake on your credit file - how you can get your credit file corrected.

Mortgage lenders, banks and credit card providers are scrutinising credit files more carefully than ever before. Make sure you’re not penalised because of an error.

Your credit file; what's on your credit file and why it matters

You may not have seen your credit file, but you can guarantee that many different companies will have used it to work out if you’re a good credit risk

What affects your credit score; how lenders see you when assessing risk.

Your credit score affects how much you pay for credit, but lenders are notoriously secretive about how they work it out

If you’ve spent hours on the phone after you've complained to a company, can you get compensation for your time?

British Gas paid £2,000 to a customer who complained about his wasted time. Does this open the floodgates for compensation claims?

It's being in control of your money – rather than money itself - that can make you happy, according to a new report.

The report also found that more women than men worry about their finances and more say they don’t understand complex financial products.

Taking control of your wardrobe - how to buy better and save money.

Many women have no shortage of clothes, the problem is they’re not always the right ones. A radical wardrobe rethink can save you money and time.

Credit card companies have agreed to give consumers a better deal over interest rates and credit limits.

Last year credit card companies raised interest rates on over 6 million cards for existing customers and most maximise their profits by paying off the cheapest debt first.

Credit card interest rates are at a 12 year high and card companies raised rates for millions of existing customers.

With credit card rates so high, what can you do to save money and cut your credit card bill?

Transferring your balance to a 0% credit card; when it makes sense and when you should avoid it.

It is still possible to get a 0% balance transfer deal, but debt experts warn it’s important to pay the balance off.

Could you have money in dormant and forgotten bank accounts, pension policies or unclaimed Premium Bonds?

If you have money in a lost or forgotten bank account, insurance policy or unclaimed lottery prizes, you could be in line for a windfall.

If you're shopping from home - buying online, from a catalogue or over the phone - make sure you know your rights.

Many people think they have fewer rights if they buy online, but in fact you have more protection.

Bank customers are protected by new FSA rules from November. What do they mean for you?

If you've been the victim of fraud or been charged too much a hotel or car hire firm, you're protected by FSA rules.

Store cards basics; why the high interest rates charged by store cards mean they're not a girl's best friend

A store card gives you perks and discounts, but it's only worth having if you pay it off in full.

Tips from the experts - good money habits to help you spend less and save more.

Making better money decisions is something we can all do – and it doesn’t have to take a lot of time or effort.

Spring clean your finances; easy ways to make your money go further.

It's easy to start the year with good intentions only to ignore your finances after a few months, but a regular check up can help you keep the pounds.

How to keep on top of your finances in 2010; good money habits that will last all year.

If you want to save money and take control of your finances, the start of a new year is an ideal time to do it.

Are you happy with your relationship with money or do you wish you could make better decisions?

Research shows our relationship with money can be complex. Before you can get better at managing your money, it helps if you can understand why you handle money in the way you do.

Using a spending diary; how to spend less and save money.

If you don’t know where your money disappears to, it may be time to start a spending diary

How to save money and keep the pounds - finding a money diet that works for you.

Getting into financial shape doesn’t have to be painful and it could take the pressure off your purse over the summer.

Tips to get started on the path to paying off your debts

When you’re in debt, the hardest part is often working out where to start paying them off.

Are you good at handling money or does it slip through your fingers?

If you don’t know how you handle your money, try this quiz.

Paying bills by direct debit; your rights if a mistake has been made.

Millions of us choose to pay our bills by direct debit and standing order, but what happens if there's a problem or mistake?

Saving money; how to pay off your debts, spend less money and start to save.

Getting to grips with your money, simple steps to help you save more and spend less.

Getting to grips with budgeting - how to draw up a budget.

A budget is the best way to work out what you can - and can't - spend each month

Transferring to a 0% credit card

An easy way to save money if you have a credit card debt is to transfer to a 0% deal. But you’ll need a good credit record to do it.

Tracking down a 0% credit card

If you don't pay off your credit card in full every month, find a card with the lowest rate.