thinkmoney logo

Bills & Payments

Inflation hit 2.9% in July - but electricity bills are getting cheaper in October

Inflation hit 2.9% in July - but electricity bills are getting cheaper in October

UK inflation rose to 2.9% in July 2026 driven by the energy cap rise, but VAT on electricity bills falls to zero on 1 October, saving the average household £45 a year. Here's what it all means.

Read more
Tagged in:
Cost of livingBills & Payments
Mortgage rates rising: Halifax, HSBC and Barclays among lenders raising deals - should homeowners fix now?

Mortgage rates rising: Halifax, HSBC and Barclays among lenders raising deals - should homeowners fix now?

Major mortgage lenders are hiking rates in a blow to anyone buying a home or re-mortgaging. getting a new deal. We look at how much higher rates could go and what it means for homebuyers.

Read more
Tagged in:
Bills & PaymentsCost of living
Housebuilders face £4.5bn legal claim over alleged new-build price inflation

Housebuilders face £4.5bn legal claim over alleged new-build price inflation

Legal action worth up to £4.5 billion could be launched against some of Britain's biggest housebuilders over claims that homebuyers paid inflated prices for new-build properties. More than 700,00 people could be in line for compensation.

Read more
Tagged in:
Bills & Payments
Shock app bills: how to stop in-app purchases adding up

Shock app bills: how to stop in-app purchases adding up

In-app purchases, forgotten subscriptions and free trials can quickly turn into shock app bills. Find out how to spot unexpected charges and stop app spending from adding up.

Read more
Tagged in:
Bills & Payments
Council Tax reductions UK 2026: are you paying too much?

Council Tax reductions UK 2026: are you paying too much?

Millions of UK households overpay Council Tax. Here are the discounts, exemptions and reductions available in 2026, who qualifies, and how to apply.

Read more
Tagged in:
Cost of livingBills & Payments
Child Benefit 2026; who qualifies, how much you get, and why it is almost always worth claiming

Child Benefit 2026; who qualifies, how much you get, and why it is almost always worth claiming

Child Benefit pays £27.05 a week for your first child in 2026/27. Even if you earn over £60,000, it is usually still worth claiming. Here's everything you need to know.

Read more
Tagged in:
Bills & PaymentsBenefits
 Car insurance costs in 2026; why bills could rise again and how to pay less

Car insurance costs in 2026; why bills could rise again and how to pay less

The average UK car insurance premium is £560 in 2026, but rising repair costs mean prices are expected to climb again. Here's how to cut what you pay at renewal without losing cover.

Read more
Tagged in:
Cost of livingBills & Payments
 PIP reviews are being extended from today; what the new rules mean for your award

PIP reviews are being extended from today; what the new rules mean for your award

New regulations in force from 2 June 2026 allow the DWP to extend PIP award periods for most claimants aged 25 and over. Here's what changes, what doesn't, and what to do if your needs have changed

Read more
Tagged in:
Cost of livingBills & Payments
Can't pay your bills? Here's exactly what to do and where to get help

Can't pay your bills? Here's exactly what to do and where to get help

If you're struggling to pay bills in 2026, you're not alone and you do have options. Here's a practical guide to what to pay first, what to say to creditors, and where to get free help.

Read more
Tagged in:
Bills & Payments
Energy bills are rising 13% in July: what the new price cap means and what to do now

Energy bills are rising 13% in July: what the new price cap means and what to do now

Ofgem has announced the July 2026 energy price cap and bills will be going up. Here's how to cut what you use at home and find a better deal.

Read more
Tagged in:
Cost of livingBills & Payments
Energy scams are surging ahead of tomorrow's price cap announcement: how to spot one and what to do

Energy scams are surging ahead of tomorrow's price cap announcement: how to spot one and what to do

Fraudsters send fake Ofgem emails and texts every time energy prices are in the news. With the July price cap announced tomorrow, here is how to spot a scam and protect yourself.

Read more
Tagged in:
Cost of livingBills & Payments
DWP benefit payment dates: why your money arrives early this bank holiday

DWP benefit payment dates: why your money arrives early this bank holiday

If your DWP benefit payment usually arrives on a Monday, it is coming on Friday 22 May 2026 instead. Here’s who is affected and what to check before the weekend.

Read more
Tagged in:
Bills & PaymentsCost of living
Carer's Allowance overpayments: thousands of debts are being cancelled -- here's what to do if you're affected

Carer's Allowance overpayments: thousands of debts are being cancelled -- here's what to do if you're affected

The DWP is reviewing over 200,000 Carer's Allowance cases. Around 25,000 carers could have debts cancelled, reduced or refunded. Here's who is affected and what to do

Read more
Tagged in:
Cost of livingBills & Payments
 E.ON is buying OVO Energy: here's what it means if you're an OVO customer

E.ON is buying OVO Energy: here's what it means if you're an OVO customer

E.ON has announced plans to buy OVO Energy, creating the UK's biggest energy supplier. Here's what OVO customers need to know and what, if anything, to do right now.

Read more
Tagged in:
Cost of livingBills & Payments
Borrowing costs are rising in the UK – but households are taking on more debt

Borrowing costs are rising in the UK – but households are taking on more debt

Borrowing is getting more expensive - but people are still taking on debt. Here’s what’s happening and how it could impact your finances.

Read more
Tagged in:
Cost of livingBills & Payments
Two-child limit removed: how much extra will you get and when?

Two-child limit removed: how much extra will you get and when?

The two-child limit ended 6 April 2026; Families with 3+ children can now get £303.94 per extra child per month. Here's what you're owed and when to expect it.

Read more
Tagged in:
Bills & PaymentsCost of living
The Real Cost of Living Alone in the UK – and How to Cope When an Unexpected Bill Hits

The Real Cost of Living Alone in the UK – and How to Cope When an Unexpected Bill Hits

Living alone costs over £1,200 a month in fixed bills before any fun spending. New Aviva research reveals the financial pressure on single-person households - and what you can actually do about it.

Read more
Tagged in:
TopicalBills & Payments
UK Food Prices Are Up 50% Since 2021 – Here's How to Fight Back at the Checkout

UK Food Prices Are Up 50% Since 2021 – Here's How to Fight Back at the Checkout

New research shows UK food prices are on track to be 50% higher than 2021 levels by November 2026. Here's what's driving the rise, and 7 practical ways to cut your grocery bill right now.

Read more
Tagged in:
Bills & PaymentsCost of living