On-line Savings accounts

Alliance and Leicester - Online Saver Issue 5 3.15% aer (rate includes bonus of at least 1.0% payable until 2nd August 2010)
Intelligent Finance - isaver 2.85% aer
Principality Building Society - e-Saver Issue 2 2.85% aer
ING Direct - Savings Account 3.00% aer (rate includes 1.47% bonus payable for 12 months)
Newcastle Building Society - Newcastle Online Saver 2.50% aer
Barnsley Building Society - Online Saver 2.50% aer

Cash ISAs

Ruffler Bank Cash ISA 3.15% 30 days notice for withdrawals
Newcastle Building Society Reward ISA 3.0% (includes 1% bonus payable on anniversary of account opening
Intelligent Finance Cash ISA 2.75% aer
Standard Life Cash ISA 2.65% aer

See moneyjungle.net for more on selecting the right savings account.

Please note that although we check rates regularly moneyjungle.net does not claim that the products listed above are the most appropriate for an individual investor and does not claim that the list is exhaustive. We exclude introductory offers that offer short term high interest rates that later fall or those that require the customer to open another account such as a current account. We always recommend thorough research, reading terms and conditions carefully and, where appropriate, consulting an independent financial advisor. See the moneyjungle.net independent advice page for further information.

We provide some great benefits to our customers:

- Unlimited, real time, online access to their Experian credit report
- The opportunity to review their credit history before applying for credit
- Email or text alerts notifying of any changes to their credit report which protects them from identity fraud
- The option to order an Experian Credit Score

Click here for your FREE trial sign up to CreditExpert

Nationwide reports that house prices have now risen in three of the last four months, suggesting that the improvement that began to show up in March represents more than just statistical noise.

However, the nationwide points out that the increase is against a background of fewer house available for sale and a low number of transactions. It is too early to be confident about a full-scale recovery of prices.

The Nationwide quarterly report was also published today. The second quarter saw a significant improvement in house price trends across all UK regions, but especially in London, the South East, East Anglia and Wales. Each UK region saw a moderation in the annual pace of decline, and in some cases these improvements were quite substantial. In addition, eight out of thirteen regions saw an increase in prices between the first and second quarter of the year. For the UK as whole, prices rose by 1.1% in the second quarter, leading to an improvement in the annual rate of change from -16.5% in the first quarter to -11.7%.

More about house prices

The Children’s Mutual also offers Sharia compliant Child Trust Funds.

Click here for more about Child Trust Funds

House prices fell most in the North East of England, down 4.3% in the month, 17.2% over one year. Prices rose by 1.2% in Wales making the annual rate of decline 13.2% and by 1% in the West Midlands, again an annual decline of 13.2%.

The Land Registry data is considered to be the most reliable index of house prices but the results lack behind the other main indexes published by Halifax and Nationwide.

More about house prices

The consumer champion estmates that current gas prices should be at least 7.4% cheaper (£60.10 annually), and electricity bills a minimum of 3.1% (£13.80) lower, if suppliers had fully passed on declining wholesale costs to consumers. The watchdog is calling on suppliers to pass on these savings immediately.

The research also suggests that additional price cuts of up to 8% (£65) for gas and 4% (£17.80) for electricity should be made by the end of the year, if market conditions do not substantially change. This, combined with an immediate cut, would save £157 on current prices by winter, which would make a huge difference to many cash-strapped consumers.

But as moneyjungle.net has often pointed out many, consumers could cut their energy bills immediately by switching to a different supplier or tariff. Anyone who has not switched supplier recently could do well to check what tariffs are available in their area. The quickest way to do this is through a comparison website such as Energy Helpline.

Click here for more ways to reduce household bills.

The Virgin Climate Change ISA is an environmental ISA with a difference, investing in all industry sectors, in businesses which combine the potential for outstanding profit growth with a lighter environmental footprint.

We believe environmentally aware companies may perform better. Customers prefer them, and they are not saddled with green taxes and penalties which will be increasingly levied on the heavier polluters.

The Virgin Climate Change Fund is an actively managed fund and carries more risk than, for example, a Tracker Fund. Please remember stock market investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back all you invest. To maximise your chance of a good return you should be looking to invest for at least 5 years.

Click here for details and to apply

More about green investments

Top 10 reasons why you should choose Columbus Direct:

* They GUARANTEE to beat new and existing like-for-like Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance quotes from banks and building societies (2)

* Cover from £1.76 per month (1)

* NO hidden admin fees, unlike other low-cost providers

* Unemployment benefit includes dismissal and probation period

* NO long excess periods

* Cover from £100 to £2,000 per month available

* Bereavement and Carer cover included

* Backache and stress cover

* Cover for dangerous occupations

* UK based call centres

Columbus have built their reputation as a company packaging the protection people want, and selling it to them directly, at the right price and when protecting an asset as dear to you as your home, you’ll want to deal with insurers that offer reassurance, professionalism and trust as standard.

Get a free quote today at Columbus Mortgage Protection

(1)Applicants must have a residential mortgage, be in full time employment for at least 6 consecutive months prior to the start date and be under 45 years of age. Offer available until 31st December 2008

(2) Per £100 of cover required, for accident or sickness only. Prices for unemployment are higher.

More about mortgages and MPPI

Click here for a fascinating article in the June issue of Tax Inside Lite.

For more about tax on rented property see Direct Gov. It is advisable to consult an accountant or tax adviser on how to minimise your tax liability. See also the UK Property Tax Portal.

Click here for more information for buy to let investors.

Click here for an interesting report from the BBC

A popular idea from America, it is thought the parties have been brought about by the economic climate and the high price of gold.

Click here for more about investing in gold