Thea has previously worked in the banking industry, with 8 years experience working for both a high street and private bank. She has gained a wealth of helpful knowledge from dealing with personal and business accounts, trusts, and foreign currency accounts.
Based in Sheffield, Thea currently works as an SEO executive. Pairing her current role with her previous one, she can write informative guides that can help the reader understand the subject and often select critical elements that would be important to the reader based on her first-hand experience.
Thea enjoys being able to help readers understand the banking sector and likes to keep up to date with new developments. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, photography and gardening.
When you borrow using a secured loan (such as a home equity or second charge loan) your property is used as collateral. That means if repayments are missed, the lender has the legal ability to repossess and sell your home to recover the debt.
Read more
Generally, you can use secured loan funds for most legal financial needs, though some lenders may prohibit specific uses like gambling, speculative investments, or illegal activities. Most secured loans offer considerable flexibility in how you use the funds, with few restrictions on legitimate purposes.
Read more
-4ebbc6.jpg)
For every reason to borrow money, there’s a different way to borrow it. There are so many forms of credit out there, many obtainable with just a few clicks online, that it can be difficult to make an informed choice. Here are the important factors to consider before you take the plunge.
Read more-b1e737.jpg)
We all want to give our children the best start in life. That wish naturally focuses on their well-being. We also hope they will successfully manage their money and make smart financial choices. Much of this can be down to what we teach them about money from an early age.
Read more-5e4c31.jpg)
Online banking makes it possible for people to manage their finances from the comfort of their own homes, or even on the go, without the need to visit a local branch. Opening an online bank account can be daunting with so many available. To help you get started here are five benefits that can come with having an online only bank account.
Read more-7fc680.jpg)
Most of us are thinking more about saving money during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. While some people focus on locking down spending, statistics from the Financial Conduct Authority show that 12.9 million people in the UK have low financial resilience. That means one in four people could already be in financial difficulty, and may need help with money management. We’ve created this guide to suggest a few ways you may be able to improve your situation.
Read more-b4a632.jpg)
We all know how crucial it is to focus on our health for longevity and happiness. But being in control of your money is just as important. Taking the time to review your income and spending can also improve your wellbeing in the long term. Here’s how to get started.
Read more-ab3585.jpg)
While the memory of Christmas may be fading fast, some of us may still be feeling the financial impact of the holidays. If you went into debt during the holidays, don’t worry, you’re not alone. The good news is there are steps you can take right now to get help and start getting back on track.
Read more-0f1199.jpg)
We all know the feeling. One minute you are scrolling on Instagram, and a few photographs later the sensation of missing out on something exciting hits hard. Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) is very real. But did you know it has been shown to fuel overspending too?
If trying to keep up with others is pushing you into debt, let’s take a closer look at how to protect cash while still enjoying a social life.
Read more-b25d9b.jpg)
At this time of year, it's hard not to daydream about holidays. The call for sunshine, sea and relaxation is strong as we endure the last few weeks of winter. But with the cost-of-living crisis, saving money is the key consideration on everybody’s minds. Here are some ways you can keep the cost of holidays down this year.
Read more-f83cf5.jpg)
Protection in emergencies, preparation for financing large expenses, and the ability to plan ahead. These are just three of the advantages that saving money can provide. But it can be tricky to get started - so we’ve put together this expert guide on how to save money to get your new savings pot off the ground.
Read more-0ad667.jpg)
-ad8513.jpg)
They call it the most wonderful time of the year…but The Bank of England has confirmed many people overspend at Christmas. The bank also found that the typical UK household spends £2,500 a month. In December, that rises by £700, or 29 per cent.
Read more-784c74.jpg)
As a result of the surge in new banking services, exciting features such as higher interest rates and other rewards can all tempt customers to move their personal account.In our guide, we discuss five bank account features and examples of the types of bank accounts you may want to consider depending on your needs.
Read more (1)-21e133.jpg)
Understanding how to manage money is a vital life skill for children to learn. And they can start this financial education young, from earning pocket money to saving up for new toys. Parents who want to give their youngsters some financial independence can now do that even earlier with a wide range of prepaid debit cards.
Read more (1)-e03428.jpg)
"Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.” The wise words of writer Josh Billings may date back to the 19th century, but they are even more true today in the boom era of Buy Now, Pay Later borrowing.
Read more-f93541.jpg)
Over the last six months, you’ll be aware of the energy crisis. Sadly, people having to choose to heat their homes or eat is nothing new. But a perfect storm of global factors has pushed millions more into fuel poverty in the UK in the last year. More on this later.
Read more-78314b.jpg)
Has your credit score gone down and you’ve been unsure why? Perhaps you’ve applied for credit and decided against borrowing, without realising this could still have an impact on your credit history. It’s important to understand the checks lenders will do against you and how they can affect your credit score.
Read more
Are you and your partner looking to move in together and thinking about how to manage your finances? Or perhaps you're looking for a way to reassess how you currently manage your joint outgoings? We’ve put together this quick guide to help you manage your shared finances effectively.
Read more
Whether your teenager already has a childhood bank account or if it’s their first time, opening a bank account for a 16-year-old is actually straightforward. That’s because, in many ways, it’s not that different from a basic bank account. But there are added perks and features you may want to think about …
Read more
Whether you’re a start-up or are looking to grow your current business, having the funds available to achieve this is crucial. There are many options available when it comes to financing your business, from government-backed schemes and council investment to crowdfunding and private investors, however a business loan is a common option that many consider first.
Read more
With fears increasing over rising interest rates in the current economic climate, it can be worrying for individuals with existing personal loans or those looking to take out a loan, for a number of reasons. In this article, we look at what you need to know about personal loan interest rates.
Read more
Having your application for a loan or a particular type of credit rejected can be disheartening, leaving you feeling deflated or otherwise defeated.
However, it is more common than you may think and there are many proactive steps that you can take after your application has been denied, and they will form the focal point of this guide.
Read more
From time to time we all need some extra financial help, whether it be a car loan when the car runs into trouble, a personal loan for when an emergency arises, or a consolidation loan to consolidate current debt. There are steps to take when you take out a loan, such as research into the type of loan you need, comparing and finding the best deal, and then gathering all of the required information and submitting it to the lender. But what are the mistakes that you should avoid?
Read more
Having healthy competition is good for consumers and businesses alike. It can help to ensure the prices of goods and services can be driven down and give people a wider choice rather than minimal options. For many years, this competition was held within retail banking between the four major corporations of Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, and Royal Bank of Scotland Group.
Read more
We appreciate that sometimes the landscape of payday loans can be confusing and difficult to navigate. There are many lenders, payment structures, varying APR rates and terms and conditions, all of which can be difficult to understand. This guide is designed to help you know how a payday loan works, the risks and allow you to make a balanced choice.
Read more
Budgeting shouldn’t feel like a chore. Apps can be an excellent way to make your budgeting more fun and easier too! We have collated five of our favourite budgeting apps that you can use to build healthier financial habits.
Read more
In this guide, we are going to be outlining for you the difference between a business loan and a personal loan. We will also be defining each loan type, and then provide a comparison of each loan product. You should not enter into any loan or credit agreement without first understanding the terms and conditions of your loan. Furthermore, you should never take out a loan unless you are fully prepared and financially able to pay it back in full, inclusive of interest. Failure to repay a loan in full or missing a loan repayment can have a negative impact upon your credit score which could, in turn, affect future credit applications.
Read more
The global pandemic has forced thousands of small businesses to close over the past year and the businesses that have survived have had to learn to adapt. However, whilst it’s been a difficult time for many, others have taken the opportunity to go from unemployed or furloughed to entrepreneurs, taking that small business idea, and turning it into a source of income.
Read more
Picture this: your beloved car is now beyond repair and it’s time to start thinking of purchasing a new one. But how should you finance it? There are a variety of options available when it comes to buying a new car, whether you finance it yourself from your savings, get a financing scheme through the dealership or take out a car loan, and it can sometimes become overwhelming, to say the least. But what do you need to consider before taking out a car loan?
Read more
In the first national lockdown, it was estimated that household spending decreased by almost a third. Some people lost their jobs (if you were one of them, read our guide to what to do if you have lost your job), some were put on furlough, and others simply no longer had leisure or travel plans to spend money on. This, combined with a financially uncertain future may have transformed many of us into a population of savers.
Read more
Credit ratings, or credit scores, are measured differently depending on which credit rating agency or bureau you use to get your report. As a result, credit scores differ from provider to provider. So, how do you know what's a good credit score or rating to have?
Read more
Being able to budget and manage your finances while studying is not easy. Having a student bank account bank account can help keep you on top of your spending pay bill and more. So, how can you find the best student bank account for your circumstances, and how do you apply for one?
Read more
In the past, switching bank accounts would have been a struggle or, at the very least, an inconvenience. And, there was always a danger of missing crucial payments like council tax or mortgages. This all changed with legislation introduced in September 2013.
Read more
Credit cards work a little differently from debit cards. Instead of using the money you already have saved in your bank account, the money you pay with when you use a credit card is effectively borrowed. You run up a bill throughout the month, much like you might run up a tab during an evening at a restaurant. Typically, most credit cards will give you around a month to pay back what you have used. However, if you fail to do so, you will be charged interest.
Read more
Losing your phone can send you into a frenzy of panic and worry - most of us have been there. However, panicking can make it harder to think and focus. The first step is to recover your phone quickly and think back to when you last had it to see if it is still there. You need a clear head to find your phone, so try not to panic excessively.
Read more