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Karl Talbot

Karl is a writer specialising in investing and personal finance content. He regularly contributes articles on savings, bank accounts, mortgages, and loans. He was previously a Personal Finance Writer for MoneySavingExpert.

Recent Articles

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Personal Finance

What is the best stocks and shares ISA for beginners?

| Karl Talbot

If you're an investing beginner, you may not know the best Stocks and Shares ISA to open. This guides details…

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Businessman looking at a red arrow crashing through the floor
Personal Finance

Will the stock market crash in 2021?

| Karl Talbot

The stock market has rallied in 2021. Does this mean now is a good time to buy stocks? Or is…

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Note paper with question mark on orange background
Personal Finance

If you had Jeff Bezos’s billions, what would you do?

| Karl Talbot

Jeff Bezos has almost unimaginable wealth. So what does Jeff Bezos own? How is he so rich? And what would…

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Man using credit card and smartphone for purchasing goods online.
Personal Finance

Can I check my chances of getting a credit card before applying?

| Karl Talbot

Every credit card application marks your credit file. But did you know it's possible to check your chances of acceptance…

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Twenty pound notes in back pocket of jeans
Personal Finance

Which bank accounts will give you money for opening an account?

| Karl Talbot

Switching bank accounts is an easy way to earn free cash. So which bank accounts give you money for opening…

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Woman traveller walking alone with suitcase bag.
Personal Finance

UK travel news: Which green list countries can I visit?

| Karl Talbot

More countries have been added to the UK's green list this week. Here's a list of the countries that are…

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woman sitting in wheelchair at the table and looking at computer monitor while talking on mobile phone and drinking coffee at home
Personal Finance

What are the latest UK quarantine rules?

| Karl Talbot

UK quarantine rules are due to change later this month. So will you still have to self-isolate? And what will…

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Blue question mark background and dark space
Personal Finance

How has Dogecoin performed in 2021 so far?

| Karl Talbot

Dogecoin is a popular cryptocurrency. But how has it fared in 2021? What are the reasons behind Dogecoin's volatility? Let's…

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Man drinking coffee and working on laptop
Personal Finance

How has Bitcoin performed in 2021 so far?

| Karl Talbot

Bitcoin is a term that often seems to be on everybody's lips. But what is Bitcoin? And how has it…

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Personal Finance

How can I protect my savings from inflation?

| Karl Talbot

Inflation can erode the value of your money. So how can you protect your savings from inflation? Is it better…

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Hedge shaped as the pound symbol inside a glass piggy bank
Personal Finance

What’s the highest interest rate I can get on my savings?

| Karl Talbot

If you have savings, finding a decent home for your cash can be a challenge. So how can you earn…

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For sale sign outside a home in an affluent suburb of London
Personal Finance

What causes high house prices?

| Karl Talbot

Rising house prices mean that buying the average home will now cost over a quarter of a million pounds. So…

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Partnership of business concept.
Personal Finance

How many unicorn companies are in the UK?

| Karl Talbot

The number of unicorns in the UK is growing. But how many companies valued at $1 billion are from the…

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Modern brick houses, built to traditional designs on a housing development in Northern England.
Personal Finance

Does quantitative easing increase house prices?

| Karl Talbot

With house prices are at record levels, we take a look at whether the Bank of England's quantitative easing programme…

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Working from home due to social distancing
Personal Finance

What is working from home tax relief?

| Karl Talbot

The number of people claiming working from home tax relief has grown significantly due to Covid-19. But how do you…

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Image of person checking their shares portfolio on mobile phone and computer
Personal Finance

How did robo advisors do in 2020?

| Karl Talbot

It's common for new investors to use the services of a robo advisor to get started in the market. But…

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Jar filled with coins
Personal Finance

NS&I: the pros and cons

| Karl Talbot

If you have savings, is it a good idea to put your money into an NS&I savings account? Or should…

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Woman pulling baffled face
Personal Finance

Why is my car insurance so high with no accidents?

| Karl Talbot

We all know car insurance can be costly. But why are some car insurance policies so expensive, even if you've…

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Image of person checking their shares portfolio on mobile phone and computer
Personal Finance

Is robo-investing good?

| Karl Talbot

Robo-investing is growing in popularity. But is it good to use a robo-investor? Or is it better to invest your…

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Two women in the home office
Personal Finance

Can robo-advisors replace financial advisors?

| Karl Talbot

A robo-advisor can automatically invest your wealth. But will automatic investing solutions kill off the need for human financial advisors?…

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Personal Finance

What are the benefits of a robo-advisor?

| Karl Talbot

A robo-advisor allows inexperienced investors to invest their money in the stock market. But is signing up to a robo-advisor…

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Cartoon Male Customer and Agent Shaking Hands over Huge Safe Contract Agreement.
Personal Finance

How much should I be paying for car insurance?

| Karl Talbot

Car insurance can be costly, but how much should you be paying for it? How can you find a cheaper…

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Sale agent deal to car loan contract with customer.
Personal Finance

How can I get cheaper car insurance in the UK?

| Karl Talbot

If you're looking for cheaper car insurance, how can you get a competitive quote and cut your costs? We take…

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Business man on stock market crash financial trade indicator background.
Personal Finance

Why do stocks go down on Friday?

| Karl Talbot

Why does the stock market go down on Friday? Is it a sign that you should invest on a Friday…

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Image of person checking their shares portfolio on mobile phone and computer
Personal Finance

Should I invest in a Stocks and Shares ISA?

| Karl Talbot

Is it a good idea to invest in a Stocks and Shares ISA? What is it, and what are the…

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Sixed group of millennial aged friends discuss investing
Personal Finance

Can you lose all your money in a stocks and shares ISA?

| Karl Talbot

Can you lose all your money investing in a Stocks and Shares ISA? Is opening a Stocks and Shares ISA…

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Retirement saving and pension planning
Personal Finance

Lifetime ISA (LISA) vs pension

| Karl Talbot

A Lifetime ISA and a pension are two different ways to save for your retirement. But which is the best…

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Woman looking sideways at credit card
Personal Finance

Have a balance transfer card? Avoid this common mistake

| Karl Talbot

A 0% balance transfer credit card can help you to avoid paying interest on your debt. But you'll need to…

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For Sale sign displayed outside a terraced house
Mortgages

Is the UK in a property bubble?

| Karl Talbot

Is the UK property market in a bubble and set to crash? Or is now a good time to buy?…

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Close up of credit cards over grey background
Personal Finance

10 dos and don’ts of a 0% balance transfer card

| Karl Talbot

Shifting your credit card balance to a 0% balance transfer credit card can ensure that you pay no interest. Here's…

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potted green plant grows up in arrow shape
Personal Finance

Interest rates are slowly rising. If you have savings, it’s a good time to move your money!

| Karl Talbot

Interest rates on savings accounts have been at historically low levels, but are heading upwards, so there may be light…

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