Adele Cooke

Welcome to the brave new world of banking, where, at the flick of a wrist it will be possible to apply for a mortgage agreement in principle in ten minutes.

When Mike Wagner began babysitting his grandchildren shortly after the first was born nine years ago, he never dreamed it would also boost his state pension income by nearly £20,000.

Specified Adult Childcare credits can be claimed if a parent on child benefit is paying NI and can work because a relative is looking after a child.

Village with 247 short-term lets where locals are forced to live in vans

The protections mean that customers must tick a box to say they have viewed what they are buying before they can make an online payment.

More than 1.4m parents will receive a reminder asking them to renew their child benefit payments if their teenager is continuing full time education.

In February, HM Courts and Tribunals Service cut the opening times on its phone line in half, reducing them to between 9am and 1pm Monday to Friday.

More than one in four motorists say they would rather drive a car in poor condition than risk a high or inflated bill, according to car service expert Fixter.

Georgina Joaquim, 17 (pictured), has been learning to drive since March but has only been able to book a test for July at a centre 30 miles away.

Last week, we revealed a surge in the number of people who claim they have been forced to pay a £5 penalty to receive post sent using stamps that Royal Mail say are ‘counterfeit’.

HSBC has reduced the rates on its two, three and five-year deals with a deposit of less than 10%, while also hiking rates for those with larger deposits.

Money Mail has heard from dozens of readers stung with the £5 penalty

HSBC said that only 38% of adults invested some of their cash, with stocks and shares the most popular way to do it.

What’s your secret to a happy retirement? Email adele.cooke@mailonsunday.co.uk

Savers and investors face another tax raid this year, making it even more important that they make the most of their Isa allowance. This is what you need to know.

Peter West (pictured) has been trying to apply for probate for his brother-in-law Graham’s affairs since December 2022.

Investors can own their own piece of performance history - whilst also enjoying a link to their favourite singer or band.

Fewer than half of credit card users regularly pay off their balance in full, with the average credit card debt now reaching £1,160.

Thomas and Agnes Woods (pictured) are desperate to draw a line under the timeshare nightmare that has cost them £48,000 over the past 24 years.

Travellers who are forced to cancel a flight are facing a refund lottery as some airlines repay in full while others won’t hand back a penny. It is left to the airline to decide its own cancellation policy.