Starting university in September 2026? A practical first-term budget covering student loan instalments, rent, food and the traps that catch new students out.
The UK tax and savings allowances that reset every 5 April and can't be carried forward — ISA, dividend, CGT, gift and pension allowances — with a practical pre-deadline checklist.
How much UK couples typically spend on Valentine's Day, where the money really goes, and practical ways to budget for it without derailing the month's finances.
The VAT Flat Rate Scheme charges a fixed percentage of your gross turnover instead of tracking input and output VAT separately — and the percentage varies enormously by trade. Here is how it works and whether it still pays off in 2026/27.
How VCT tax relief works in 2026/27 — 30% income tax relief, tax-free dividends, and how VCTs differ from EIS and SEIS for investors weighing up early-stage tax-advantaged investing.
Regular stallholders at vintage, antiques and collectables fairs are usually running a taxable trade, not a hobby. How Self Assessment, the trading allowance and Capital Gains Tax on personal items interact in 2026/27.
Self-employed virtual assistants work entirely from home with software subscriptions as the main cost. Full worked example on £18,000 turnover and the simplified home-use-as-office deduction.
Self-employed voice-over artists working from a home studio face specific questions on equipment, agent fees and international royalties. How 2026/27 Self Assessment treats them.
How to check for gaps in your National Insurance record, what filling them with voluntary Class 3 contributions costs in 2026/27, and why the deadline matters for State Pension.
Welsh councils can charge up to 300% Council Tax premium on second homes. How the premium is set, which areas apply it hardest, and how to check before you buy in 2026/27.
Self-employed wedding band musicians and live performers travel with instruments and PA equipment, and are often paid through a bandleader. How 2026/27 Self Assessment treats them.
Self-employed wedding and event DJs carry significant equipment costs and specific insurance requirements many venues insist on. Here's how it works for tax on a typical £18,000-£35,000 turnover in 2026/27.
