Paulo has worked in the financial services sector for more than 15 years, helping multiple FinTechs and small startups successfully launch their brands and connect with their audiences. He has extensive hands-on experience working with insurance services, e-money accounts and consumer credit products.
Based in London, Paulo currently works as an independent marketing consultant and brand designer for UK based clients. His skills include branding, design, content creation, blogging and writing. He has a customer focused approach to design and communication, so he is particularly passionate about understanding challenges and barriers customers face, and how these can be overcome.
Paulo is also part of the specialist writing team at MustCompare. The subjects he covers include prepaid cards, everyday money matters, consumer credit products such as loans, budgeting and money saving tips. Much like his design approach, his guides focus on subjects that are important to the reader while keeping things informal and clear.
He enjoys sharing knowledge and experience that not only helps create awareness, but has the potential to improve lives. Paulo's personal interest include reading, gym, art, design and traveling.
The UK economy grew faster than expected in the first quarter of 2025. In July, the International Monetary Fund predicted growth of 1.2% for the full year based on recent figures. Sounds like relatively good news, right? So why does it still feel like we’re worse off?
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Did you know as a MustCompare.co.uk reader, you can apply for the £2,500 Accidental Death Cover from NowSure at no cost? As long as you’re a UK resident aged 18-69, you can get this exciting deal from NowSure.
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When comparing financial products like credit cards, loans, and other consumer credit options in the UK, there are plenty of platforms to choose from, like MoneySuperMarket, Compare the Market, and GoCompare, which dominate the space. So why would you use MustCompare?
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Managing money abroad can be tricky with fluctuating exchange rates, hidden fees, and the hassle of carrying cash—especially when visiting multiple countries with different currencies. That’s where a UK prepaid travel money card could be handy.
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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is a crucial regulatory body in the UK that protects consumers by ensuring financial services organisations operate fairly and transparently. It also helps create confidence and stability within the industry and promotes competition. But how did it all start?
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If a financial services firm you use has gone bust, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) can step in to pay compensation if you’re eligible. This includes deposits in a bank, building society, or credit union. But not all UK financial firms are covered, and not all products either.
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Getting the right bank account can help take the stress out of organising your business' finances. It can also make it easier to track and control expenses and cash flow. However, not all bank accounts are suitable for small or medium size businesses.
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We all love a good deal and want the best value for our money. Sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday are commonly hyped to offer exactly that. But there's a danger of getting carried away with what seems to be great deals, particularly during the festive season.
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Understanding and weighing up your credit options, whether for the long or short-term, can help you make a smart, informed decision and avoid financial headaches. In this guide, we explain the difference between loans and overdrafts, the pros and cons.
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Due to no fault of their own, many families are seeing their budgets squeezed by the cost of living crisis - meaning many do not have enough money to see them through to the end of the month. Some are resorting to short-term credit, but is this a realistic, risk-free borrowing solution?
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There has always been a high demand for quick loans and other forms of credit that are easy to obtain. Perhaps it is the idea of completing lengthy forms that are off-putting. Or maybe it is the long wait for checks and searches to be completed without knowing whether you will be approved or not. Such terms like "loans with no credit checks", "guaranteed approval", and "short term loans for bad credit" may look appealing - but there is a danger.
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Credit cards, when used correctly, offer convenience. They also provide purchase protection and perks like cashback and rewards points. But, as with so many credit products, there are risks. And a less well-known "risk" is using credit cards for cash advance. If you have a credit card and you're not sure what's a cash advance, you may want to read on.
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Understanding your electricity bill will make it easy to control your energy use and save money. Knowing where you need to cut back on energy consumption and what appliances are costing you more to run has become increasingly crucial as bills rise. According to Ofgem, the average energy bill is estimated to increase by a further 42% in October 2022.
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Have you noticed the enormous difference in your electricity bill? If yes, it's likely you have been affected by the April 2022 energy price cap change resulting in a 54% increase. Currently, it's estimated a household on default or tracker tariffs, paying by direct debit, could see energy bills rise to £1,971 per year. That's an average increase of £693. And it is predicted to increase again later this year!
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Prepaid cards are similar to bank debit cards, and that's why some people refer to prepaid cards as "prepaid debit cards". But did you notice we said bank debit cards? That's because regular debit cards are linked directly to bank accounts, meaning when you use your debit card to pay for something, you are spending the money in your bank account.
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Car finance can make getting your dream car a reality; however, there are also risks. The truth is most of us spend more time looking at potential new cars, researching specs and options than we do looking at car finance options or even our finances. And that's the danger.
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Higher interest rates mean it's more expensive to borrow money on things such as personal loans, car loans and mortgages. The recent rise is affecting credit card interest charges too. On the flip side, it should mean you get better interest rates on your savings.
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Before deciding whether a credit or prepaid card is best for you, you'll need to have a good idea of how the two work. In a nutshell, to use a prepaid card, it must be preloaded, while with credit cards, you're essentially using borrowed money. Plus, there are pros and cons to both. For example, prepaid cards might be easier to get, but card fees can quickly add up. While credit cards can provide protection on your purchases, excessive spending may make it hard to pay back borrowed money.
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What makes prepaid cards so appealing is they're easy to obtain, especially when compared to other payment card types like credit cards. They're also easy to use. Before making payments, you pre-load money to your prepaid card account. If you don't have money on your card account, you won't be able to use it as there's no credit or overdraft available.
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According to The Facts 2021 Report by UK Finance Fraud, losses due to fraudulent activities on UK issued cards reached £574.2 million in 2020. In the same year, a total of £983 million in card fraud was detected and stopped by card issuers and banks. Credit card fraud is a real problem; it's necessary to be aware of different types of fraud and take steps to protect yourself.
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If you are thinking of getting a credit product, such as a personal loan or a credit card, your credit report and score will be taken into account. Having a poor credit score and history will increase your chances of being rejected. On the other hand, having a good score means you’re more likely to be accepted for credit and be offered better deals, including lower interest rates.
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With the current challenging economic times, no doubt, you’ll want to cut costs and reduce your household bills. Imagine you could find a cheaper energy tariff right now, and you could automatically make the necessary change without doing a thing. That’s the idea behind Switchd.
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With international travel opening up, some of us may be planning holidays abroad. Even if you book your accommodation and a hire car before heading overseas, additional money will be needed for everyday costs. Most will use their credit cards or bank debit cards overseas to save time and hassle, while others may obtain foreign currency in cash and try to find a decent exchange rate before flying out. But are these the best and most convenient options for you?
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A short term loan is usually a small amount of money borrowed over a short period (between one to 12 months). This type of credit is designed to be used on a one-off emergency occasion when you quickly need a bit of cash. But there is a catch…
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Prepaid cards work in a similar way to debit cards, except there is no direct link to your bank account and to use it you have to put money into your prepaid account first. Prepaid cards have become increasingly popular, mainly due to their easy application processes and convenience. However, recent events, such as prepaid card providers Loot going into administration and the collapse of electronic payment services provider Wirecard, may have raised some concerns.
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When you're suddenly confronted with an unexpected cost and don’t have the funds to cover it, you may be tempted to rush to find a quick loan solution. One option you might consider is a short term loan or a payday loan, as most of these loans have a relatively straightforward application process. However, payday loans are also a costly way to borrow money, and it's essential to make sure you can afford the required monthly payments on time.
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Short term loans are an option for those one-off occasions where you have an emergency and need an extra bit of cash quickly. Usually, applying for a short term loan online is straightforward. But, it is also an expensive way to borrow money. Taking out any form of credit that is not right for you or that you cannot afford to pay back can have a severe financial impact. There may be a more cost-effective alternative available instead. So, how do you know if a short term loan is right for you?
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With online scams and financial fraud on the rise, it's essential to be aware of growing trends to protect your finances. Criminals use events and fear to scam their victims - one example of this was the Coronavirus outbreak. However, there is also a lot we can learn.
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In part 1 of the MustCompare series ‘Protect your finances’, we look at how you can identify an online scam. Being able to recognise telltale signs of a potential scam or a fraud attempt is the first step to protecting yourself.
But, are online scams really a problem?
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Statistics show we are frequent travellers. According to the Office for National Statistics, just in the first quarter of 2023, 15.3 million visits were made abroad, and £5.6 billion was spent overseas. However, many holidaymakers are being caught out by hidden card fees.
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Prepaid cards are mostly used for everyday shopping, and in many ways, they are similar to debit cards. A significant difference is you only spend what you have loaded to your prepaid card account. Some come with added benefits, including cashback, ways to improve your credit rating and competitive exchange rates for overseas currencies.
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