Articles by James Mackreides

James Mackreides

James Mackreides

'Mac' is a short tempered former helicopter pilot, now a writer based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Loves dogs, the outdoors and staying far away from the ocean.

Millions could benefit from a state pension boost; learn how to fill in any gaps in your National Insurance record
Personal Finance

Millions could benefit from a state pension boost; learn how to fill in any gaps in your National Insurance record

According to new research, up to one in four pensioners are not aware that they could fill in gaps in their National Insurance record and...

How to obtain insurance for trips when you're over 70
Investment Advice

How to obtain insurance for trips when you're over 70

We describe how to obtain a href="https://mytspguide.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"travel insurance/a when you are in your seve...

With rising mortgage and rent costs, renters become less confident in the UK housing market
Investments

With rising mortgage and rent costs, renters become less confident in the UK housing market

According to new data from Barclays, spending on utilities rose by 2.2 percent in the year ending July 2025, while spending on rent and m...

Is it wise to make investments in Europe right now?
Investment Advice

Is it wise to make investments in Europe right now?

For years, Europe's stock market has been in a slump. Low growth and ongoing inflation have been problems for the EU. In the mean...

Revision of smart meter regulations: reasons why service providers might have to compensate you for subpar installation and service
Personal Finance

Revision of smart meter regulations: reasons why service providers might have to compensate you for subpar installation and service

After Ofgem proposed new regulations for energy suppliers, millions of customers might be eligible for compensation in the future if thei...

When it comes to retirement income, which is better, a pension or real estate?
Personal Finance

When it comes to retirement income, which is better, a pension or real estate?

But what happens to returns when the numbers are crunched? Do property or pensions win out? Purchasing a home or investing in a p...

Retail investors in the UK are permitted to purchase cryptocurrency ETNs
Investment Advice

Retail investors in the UK are permitted to purchase cryptocurrency ETNs

What are crypto ETNs and what do investors need to know about them? Later this year, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will i...

Are you making this easy mistake? An inheritance tax error costs families £350 million
Investment Advice

Are you making this easy mistake? An inheritance tax error costs families £350 million

However, the policy must be written in trust in order to avoid inheritance tax on the payout. According to recent data, thousands...

The banks may suffer a serious setback if car finance missells
Investment Advice

The banks may suffer a serious setback if car finance missells

On Monday, shares of Close Brothers increased by 20%. Lloyds saw a gain of nearly 8%. As shareholders rejoiced over the Supreme Court's r...

What is the cost of air conditioning in the UK?
Personal Finance

What is the cost of air conditioning in the UK?

The UK doesn't exactly have a reputation for having sweltering summers; instead, most people think of the country as having rainy, overca...

How Trump's pet deals will hurt international trade with the United States
Investment Advice

How Trump's pet deals will hurt international trade with the United States

Do they have it correct? The Trump-EU agreement will benefit blue-collar workers. "People can criticize Trump's character al...

Millions are lost in a stagnant housing market due to property down valuations
Investments

Millions are lost in a stagnant housing market due to property down valuations

As surveyors exercise caution in the face of stagnant home prices, real estate experts are warning of a spike in down valuations, which c...