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.

When will online orders be accepted by MandS again?
Personal Finance

When will online orders be accepted by MandS again?

When will normalcy return? Customers are still unable to place orders on the Marks & Spencer website, and the retailer has disclo...

Labour maintains that the Winter Fuel Payment policy will not be altered
Personal Finance

Labour maintains that the Winter Fuel Payment policy will not be altered

Even though there have been repeated calls for a review of the Winter Fuel Payment, Labour has maintained that it will not undo the cuts....

Would May 2025 be a good time to sell?
Investments

Would May 2025 be a good time to sell?

Does this still hold true? Selling in May and moving on is an old investment adage. Don't return until September, when St. Legers...

Are you among the 15 million people who could end up in poverty in retirement?
Personal Finance

Are you among the 15 million people who could end up in poverty in retirement?

Are there any actions you can take to increase your pension? The number of people in the UK at risk of retirement poverty has inc...

Lower interest rate investment trusts
Investment Advice

Lower interest rate investment trusts

Is now the right time to invest in one of these abandoned industries, given that interest rates are predicted to decline by the end of th...

Landlords are required to improve the energy efficiency of rental properties by 2030
Investments

Landlords are required to improve the energy efficiency of rental properties by 2030

We outline the costs for landlords looking to expand their buy-to-let holdings. The government's plans to make rental properties ...

Here are five things I've learned since installing a heat pump in my house
Investments

Here are five things I've learned since installing a heat pump in my house

We welcomed a new member into our home six months ago, along with my spouse. That is, to our garden specifically. A small brick outhouse ...

Pension benefits: tax thresholds and their operation
Personal Finance

Pension benefits: tax thresholds and their operation

Because the tax laws pertaining to retirement savings are intricate and have undergone numerous changes as governments have altered them ...

When I sell my home, will I have to pay taxes?
Personal Finance

When I sell my home, will I have to pay taxes?

When buying a property, buyers must account for stamp duty costs, but sellers may question if they must pay taxes when listing their hous...

There are two strategies to profit from airport monopolies
Investments

There are two strategies to profit from airport monopolies

You can do this in two ways. If an airport is strategically located, it can be a significant investment. Despite their less than ...

Where does your area rank in terms of the fastest and slowest places to sell a home?
Investments

Where does your area rank in terms of the fastest and slowest places to sell a home?

The best time to list a home is in the spring, but depending on where you live in the UK, you may have a long wait for buyers or a speedy...

Is it better to have a variable rate or a fixed mortgage?
Personal Finance

Is it better to have a variable rate or a fixed mortgage?

Some of the lowest mortgage rates ever offered in the UK will be gone as millions of homeowners finish their fixed rate mortgages this ye...