Saving tips and Finances

I have just taken out a 3 year bond with NS&I. 2.17% with interest paid monthly. Seems a good rate these days

We only tend to do one year isa now , have gone with Virgin money this time,we may put some more in later as our joint current account balance keeps going up with my company pension and our state pensions going in even though its where all our bills are paid from

Over past years I have moved money into ISA type products. A lot of those products permitted withdrawal at  penalty and monthly income. I get more income than I need with such returns, pension and now state pension. Not a problem as the excess is taken up by a couple of regular savers which I can adjust as necessary. 

Our bank keeps saying we need to move some out of our current account ,but we like a decent "buffer" as was the case just now when my accident has needed a change of car without the need for loan

Over the years I have staggered OH's bonds etc and mine such that we have probably 4 bonds each running to end of term in every year. 

I usually take longer term savings as in the past a 5 year ISA etc could earn twice the rate of a 1 year and if the money was needed the extra interest would cover the 4 extra months loss of interest. 

If I need money however I have a number of investment ISAs that I can take money from without penalty

One of the best investments we have is a few shares I was given. Always seem to pay about 5% of their value in dividend every year. However, not being the gambling type, I have never fancied investing further in shares. 

Case in point, a news alert just popped up Toys R Us have just gone into administration.  

I have 3 ISA'a that are now out of their period and only earning 0.01% so have to decide what to do with them.  Favourite is to build an extension to the kitchen which will add even more value to the bricks and mortar.

Best investment by far is our solar panels. Paid off the capital in 6 years now looking forward to another 19 years of tax free income which will total over £30k.  Solar panel on the roof of my van won't nett me anything.

The last of my long term ISA's matured at the end of November. The re-investment rate was so poor I decided to split the money between our sons, they may as well have it now while they and there children are young, rather than later when they won't need it.

We do still have other investments but not bringing in much in interest. I have recently switched one of my current accounts to gain from that.

We both have a 5% regular savings account with Nationwide but they have dropped the amount per month you can save from £500 to £250 still every little helps. Thanks to Martin Lewis I have re gigged a few accounts and now happy that they are working for me rather than the bank. Have passed on these tips to sons who hopefully will do likewise.

I see the term of of credit card interest free periods has started to shrink, this could be bad news for those that are maxed out paying the minimum payments😢

Finding a decent return on savings is a rather tedious task these days. Mind you, now that they've turned off the QE tap, we might see some improvement in interest rates for savers.