What Is a CCJ? County Court Judgments Explained
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a court order to repay a debt, and it can seriously affect your credit. This UK guide explains what a CCJ…
Rachel Stone
Rachel Stone
Personal Finance Editor
Rachel Stone writes about borrowing, budgeting, credit and consumer rights, with a focus on clear, practical guidance and pointing readers to trustworthy help.
Soft vs Hard Credit Checks
Soft and hard credit checks both look at your credit file, but only one is visible to lenders and can affect your score. This UK guide…
Rachel Stone
What Is a Balance Transfer Card?
A balance transfer card lets you move existing credit card debt onto a new card, often with a 0% interest period. This UK guide explains…
Rachel Stone
What Are IBAN and SWIFT?
IBAN and SWIFT are the codes that make international bank payments work. This UK guide explains what an IBAN and a SWIFT/BIC code are, how…
Rachel Stone
What Is a Sort Code?
A sort code is the six-digit number that identifies the UK bank and branch holding an account. This guide explains what a sort code is, how…
Rachel Stone
Direct Debit vs Standing Order
Direct debits and standing orders both make automatic payments from your bank account, but they work very differently and offer different…
Rachel Stone
What Is a Standing Order?
A standing order is an instruction you give your bank to pay a fixed amount to someone on a regular schedule. This UK guide explains how…
Rachel Stone
What Is the Personal Savings Allowance?
The Personal Savings Allowance lets most people earn a chunk of savings interest tax-free each year. This UK guide explains how much you…
Rachel Stone
Cash ISA vs Stocks and Shares ISA
Both ISAs shelter your money from tax, but one holds cash and the other holds investments. This UK guide compares risk, return, access and…
Rachel Stone