Hello,

I am currently putting together my next podcast - a savings special - and I need some case studies. Are you wondering where to put your child's university fund? Have you put off buying your home and need to stash the deposit you've saved? Are you going into retirement and want an easy access account that still pays a decent amount? Do you have a young child trying to find their first account?

Well, bring your queries to me. I don't promise I'll be able to include everyone who responds but I will pick several and then hunt down some expert opinion in response.

Of course, you'll have to be willing to speak to me on the phone (I'm very friendly!) and be recorded for my podcast. Don't leave your number on the forum, simply drop me an email (address in my sig) or leave a message here outlining your query and I will get in touch if I'm considering using you.

Thanks in advance,

Felicity

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Felicity King-Evans, Deputy Site Editor

felicity.king-evans @ moneysupermarket.com

Hi,

If we can get 5% on our saveings by locking them away for a fixed time, why can't we get the same rates on pensions held in cash.

Thank you

Peter Keen

Hi Felicity - I'm pretty disappointed with savings rates currently available for children. I have 2 boys (aged 13 and nearly 11) who have done well over the years to save their pocket money, but at around £1500 each in a Halifax Child Saver account earning a paltry rate of interest, there must be something better for them to allow a mix of growth and accessibility for their occasional luxuries. Whilst that money is theirs to do with as they see fit, we also have a Jupiter Unit Trust in each of their names currently worth around £2500 and £1500 which was intended to help pay for their university costs; the recent news of increasing tuition fees and prospective graduation debts of up to £20000 mean I'll have to re-think the current plans. What would you recommend?

Felicity,

I have recently sold a house in Spain and want to place £50000.00 where it will be fairly safe and do most good. At the moment I am intending to retire in Sept 2011 when I will be 60. My wife and I bought two £6000.00 PEPs in 1998 and were not exactly thrilled with the return after 10 years. Consequently we are a little wary of stocks and shares without good advice. I have been reading various websites about Cash ISAs and even considered Premium Bonds. I am expecting my bank, HSBC, to contact me for a financial advice appointment next week but realise they will only be able to discuss their own products. It looks to me like the HSBC Cash ISA is not providing the best interest rate.

I would be very grateful for any advice you can provide.

Thank you.

Ian Kane

Hi offshore. Unfortunately there seems nobody that you can absolutely depend on, to advise you for your benefit. There must be somebody you can trust!! The least you should do is to get advice from a guy, or gal. who is paid by you. This may cost a few hundrede £s. There is so much evidence around of self serving'advisers' that the utmost caution needs to be exercised. I do not know how you tap into the 'fee' advisers. Best of luck

Offshor075,

Depends where you are currently based for residence and tax purposes. If still residing in the UK it looks like savings rates are going to stay low for the next year or two (worse luck) so you could compare 2 Year Fixed Rate Bonds with UK Banks or Building Societies.

If however you are Non-resident then you choices could be more limited regarding opening accounts with other UK banks, in fact it would be nigh on impossible without proof of a UK address. If going through an advisor for offshore products be a little careful of the Deposit Guarantee Scheme operating in the jurisdiction where your money would be placed.

When I jacked in work and went Non-Res in 2008, I only asked one IFA about what types of tax-friendly investments were available for myself and he tried to sell me an offshore bond invested through an insurance company with KSF on Isle of Man, their depositors have not seen any money back yet.

If you are still UK Tax Resident, just click through the money link at the top of this webpage and have a look at the fixed rate bonds and ISA's available bearing in mind that the limit for Cash ISA's is something like £5,100 per person per year since the changes came into effect this month.