uk finance Archives - COOLCURATION

April 16, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

When Should You Remortgage UK? Timing, Tips and What to Watch For (2026)

Last updated: 13 October 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

I remortgaged from Nationwide to Halifax in June 2026 and have overpaid my own mortgage through Sprive every month since October 2021. This guide draws on that real experience alongside verified market data.

Knowing when to remortgage UK is one of the most valuable financial moves you can make as a homeowner. Get it right and you could save thousands over the life of your deal. Get it wrong and you risk haemorrhaging money to your lender's standard variable rate while you scramble to sort a new deal. A surprising number of homeowners either leave it too late or jump too early and pay penalties they did not need to. Several of us on the CoolCuration team have remortgaged in the last couple of years, so this guide draws on real experience alongside verified market data.

This article contains affiliate and referral links, which are paid links. If you click one and buy or sign up, I earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. Brands don't choose what I feature or what I say about them.

Important: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or mortgage advice. CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and does not provide regulated mortgage advice. Always consult a qualified mortgage adviser before making decisions about your mortgage. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Sprive welcome offer

Once the new deal is sorted and you turn to overpaying, the latest sign-up bonus is kept up to date on our referral page.

Check the current Sprive bonus

Published by Stiv in Money, Money saving, Mortgage, Personal finance

Tags: fixed rate, homeowner tips, mortgage, mortgage broker, overpayments, personal finance, remortgage, Sprive, SVR, uk finance

March 31, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Dividend Tax Rise 2026 UK: New Rates, Who Pays More and How to Shelter

Last updated: 9 June 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Tax rules can change and their effects vary based on individual circumstances. Always do your own research or speak to a qualified tax adviser or accountant before making decisions.

This article contains affiliate and referral links, which are paid links. If you click one and buy or sign up, I earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. Brands don't choose what I feature or what I say about them.

Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

From 6 April 2026, UK dividend tax rates are rising by 2 percentage points at the basic and higher rates. If you receive dividends on shares or funds held outside an ISA or pension, your tax bill is going up. Here is what has changed, who is affected, and what you can do about it.

Published by Stiv in Finance, Investing

Tags: dividend allowance, dividend tax rise 2026, dividend tax UK, investing, stocks and shares isa, tax planning, uk finance

March 30, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Tax Year End Checklist UK: 7 Things to Do Before 5 April 2026

Last updated: 9 June 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This checklist covered the 2025/26 tax year, which ended at midnight on 5 April 2026. The deadlines and allowances described below applied to that tax year.

CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Tax rules can change and their effects vary based on individual circumstances. Always do your own research or consult a qualified financial adviser or accountant before making decisions.

This article contains affiliate and referral links, which are paid links. If you click one and buy or sign up, I earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. Brands don't choose what I feature or what I say about them.

Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

The 2025/26 tax year ends at midnight on 5 April 2026. Once it does, several valuable allowances and reliefs disappear for good. Whether you are an investor, a saver, a homeowner, or self-employed, there are practical steps worth ticking off before the deadline. This tax year end checklist covers the seven most important ones.

Published by Stiv in Finance, Investing

Tags: capital gains allowance, ISA deadline, pension tax relief, tax planning, tax year end checklist, tax year end UK, uk finance

March 16, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Best Investment ISA 2026 – Top Picks Before the Deadline

Last updated: 6 September 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

Best investment ISA2026 Edit

The best investment ISA for every kind of UK investor

Finding the best investment ISA in 2026 really comes down to one question: what kind of investor are you? So instead of crowning a single winner, this guide matches the main UK stocks and shares ISA platforms to the people they actually suit, then compares them on the things that move the needle: fees, FX costs, choice of investments and how easy each one is to use.

This article contains affiliate and referral links, which are paid links. If you click one and buy or sign up, I earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. Brands don't choose what I feature or what I say about them.

Not financial advice. This article is for information only and reflects personal experience, not a recommendation. Because investing carries risk, always do your own research or speak to a qualified financial adviser before you act.

Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

The low-cost ISA we track most

For transparency, Lightyear is the low-cost Stocks and Shares ISA we use and follow most closely, so you will see it referenced throughout. It is also the account behind our living can AI turn £1,000 into £10,000 experiment. You can check its current ISA details and any live offer on our referral page before you decide anything.

See Lightyear ISA details

Published by Stiv in Apps, Finance, Investing, Reviews, Services

Tags: best investment ISA, Freetrade, invest tax free, investing, isa allowance 2026, ISA deadline, isa deadline 2026, JPMorgan Personal Investing, junior isa, lifetime isa, Lightyear, nutmeg investment review, nutmeg isa, robo advisor uk, stocks and shares isa, Trading 212, uk finance

February 16, 2026 — Comments are off for this post.

Best Investment Referral Deals in the UK (2026): Free Shares, Fee-Free Months, Easy Bonuses

Last updated: 12 October 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

Looking for the best investment referral deals in the UK? This guide rounds up the top offers right now, from free shares to fee-free months. Each platform has its own rules and quirks, so we link to the correct CoolCuration detail page for every offer. That way, you always get the latest referral terms instead of a dead link from 2022.

Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate and referral links, which are paid links. If you click one and buy or sign up, I earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. Brands don't choose what I feature or what I say about them.

Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Heads up: This is not financial advice. Investing involves risk and you can lose money. Offers and eligibility can change at any time. Always read the provider's terms before signing up, and only invest what you can afford to leave invested (and potentially lose).

Published by Stiv in Investing, Services

Tags: free shares, investing, investing apps, money saving, referrals, stocks and shares isa, uk finance

March 20, 2025 — Comments are off for this post.

ISA Allowance Deadline: Use Your £20,000 Before April 5th

Last updated: 22 August 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This post covered the 2025/26 ISA allowance deadline of 5 April 2026, which has now passed. The information below applied to that tax year.

This article contains affiliate and referral links, which are paid links. If you click one and buy or sign up, I earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. Brands don't choose what I feature or what I say about them.

CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Investing involves risk and you can lose money. Tax rules can change and their effects vary based on individual circumstances. Always do your own research or speak to a qualified financial adviser before making decisions about your money.

Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

The ISA allowance deadline falls on 5 April every year, and once it passes, any unused portion of your £20,000 tax-free allowance is gone for good. Whether you are looking at a Stocks and Shares ISA, a Cash ISA, or a personal pension, the clock is ticking on the 2025/26 tax year.

This year, there are extra reasons to pay attention. Dividend tax rates are rising from 6 April 2026, and the Cash ISA allowance is being cut from 2027. Here is how to make the most of your allowance before the reset.

Published by Stiv in Finance, Investing, Saving, Services