Branching out: But can the Post Office steal the high street's thunder?
The Post Office is launching three current accounts, but you could possibly do better
On shaky ground Dubai is the world’s second-most booming property market – but prices are still 35 per cent down on 2006 levels after a $10m bailout from neighbours Abu Dhabi
Exotic, obscure locations were the place to buy in 2006 but the game has changed. By Graham Norwood
Simon Read: Investors are being tempted by high returns, but new products are not as safe as they seem.
Fibre optic broadband is now widely available in the UK

Up to eight out of 10 broadband customers are confused about their contracts and feel trapped, new research shows.

Card providers are trying to lure customers with an increasing range of freebies and rewards EPA
Cashbacks, cut-price petrol and free flights can all be yours when you flash the plastic at the shops. Chiara Cavaglieri tells you how to benefit
Catherine Gagon, 26, is renting but wants to get on to the property ladder
Wealth Check: Catherine Gagon makes £35,000 a year but thinks she will have to move to cheaper accommodation to save up enough for a deposit
A protester is blocked in by police as he demonstrates against austerity measures in Greece
There's still money to be made from euro stocks, but investors remain wary of prospects.
Even elite schools such as Eton have schemes to help less wealthy parents
Education costs are soaring but bursars and product providers have new schemes that may help
Whether you have invested in Japanese technology, such as that used to grow these leaf lettuces under red LEDs in Hikari, gold or the stock exchange, it is good practice to review your holdings at least once a year
You have chosen your fund and invested your cash, so now you can relax?
Not a bit of it
Bill Jenkins, pictured at his newly built home in Staines, Surrey
Infrastructure levy exemption will make it cheaper for extreme DIYers
Online fashion market leader ASOS wasn't heard of 10 years ago
Simon Read: New research says investors could lose out if they ignore companies close to home.
Jobseekers can be prime targets for the scammers

Simon Read: More than 22,000 people reported scams to the Citizens Advice service in the last year, the charity reported this week.

Ensure you have the farewell you want, while protecting your loved ones
Your family will thank you for thinking ahead
Co-op's black box
A dashboard device can help motorists under 25 improve their safety and cut their premiums
Estate agents offer a valuable service for some, but will take more in commission than a private-sale website
Savvy Money: A change in government regulations may tempt more people away from using estate agents
Daniel and Laxmi Sweeting should focus more on their long-term finances
Wealth Check: The Sweetings may be overly ambitious, our panel of advisers warn, and they should first consider their protection policies and pensions
Retailers should make good any consumer goods problems that occur within two years

When you buy something under a contract, you'd expect it to last for the whole length of time you've signed up for. But that's not the case with mobile phones.

We all need a safe place to deposit cash but banks are not the only choice
Fed up with scandals? There are alternatives
High risers: Rental prices in London's Docklands recovered within a year of the market crash
Landlords have prospered as tenant numbers rise and mortgage rates fall. Alister Foye reports
A new set of wheels from the internet may seem like a good idea, but steer clear of the pitfalls
Hoping to snap up a bargain online, John Knight has instead become the latest victim of a sophisticated fraud
Emma was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2009. After her illness the 38-year-old lost half of her income while her bills rocketed, leaving her and her children 'financially crippled'
Cancer victims are being hit with a financial penalty because of their illness, research has revealed
Your Money
Shutting the door: Delivery firm DHL is winding up its final salary scheme to existing members
Julian Knight: People need to feel that their workplace and retirement savings are a vital life-long asset
Consumers are feeling more empowered to take on the high-street giants
Complaints have doubled with 250,000 new cases each year.
Shopping around and being sure to read the terms and conditions will help keep you on the right road
Savvy Money: Hiring a motor can suddenly cost more than you budgeted for. Here are the traps to steer clear of
Paul Bridges aims to grow his Dark Star Jiu-Jitsu training venture organically
Rob Griffin explains the best ways to earn money from favourite pastimes
Warnings about interest-only mortgages should not force first time buyers or potential landlords out of the market
Despite all those negative headlines, they still make sense for buy-to-lets and young hopefuls, says Julian Knight

Gary Shepherd: There's a strong chance that part of your pension or savings are held with at least one of the investment world's handful of star fund managers.?

To fully relax in retirement, pensioners may need the help of an adviser
Julian Knight: Many finances can be DIY, but retirement income needs an expert eye
Official figures show drop of 27% compared to this time last year
Despite near double-digit growth over a decade, India is still seen as an unloved investment
Rob Griffin: Contrarian investors put their cash where others dodge.
Barclaycard, one of the UK's largest credit-card providers, now reveals all its rates to potential customers
Julian Knight: After IoS revelation, provider now spells out the real costs to new credit card applicants
Scams offering a chance to invest in overseas crops are not covered by compensation schemes
As consumer champions gear up for Scams Awareness Month, Emma Dunkley looks at how you can spot a fraudulent investment
People who need to sell their homes in a hurry are at risk

Quick house sale companies must be regulated to protect homeowners from accepting a knock-down price for their property unnecessarily

Freephone numbers are great except if you use a mobile phone

If you live where flooding is possible, it is important your insurer will pay for alternative accommodation
Savvy Money: When it comes to renewing your home insurance cover, ensure it actually offers what you may need
A Government review of pension drawdown rules could leave many retired people out of pocket
New regulations are likely to hit hundreds of people on flexible incomes
Tipping is even more challenging abroad than in the UK

Knowing when to give someone extra money and how much to hand over can be awkward and embarrassing.

Ed Miliband’s call for an overhaul of planning laws to prevent payday lenders and others swamping high streets is overdue.

For the sake of a sales gimmick the Halifax is disrupting the lives of staff
Julian Knight: Late-night groceries are one thing, but Halifax staying open for the new tax year? Why?
Murray Dellow has been trying to sell his beach hut at Holland-on-Sea since summer 2010
Prices are sinking as our long-running love affair with them is being soured by rent rises, vandals and arsonists
Ten per cent of charging orders have been cancelled, leaving 700,000 householders still at risk of losing their home
Neasa MacErlean: New rules let lenders use property equity to get cash.
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