Benjamin Taylor

Money Analyst – Banking and Insurance

Benjamin's experience

Benjamin joined MSE in June 2022 as an Editorial Assistant. In his pre-MSE days, he studied English at the University of Sheffield and worked an array of odd jobs.

A little more about Benjamin

He lives in London and enjoys going to Morrisons, seeing friends and family, and just generally walking about. He supports Norwich City Football Club.

Benjamin says...

"As a member of MSE's Money team, I cover everything from credit cards, ISAs, loans and car finance, to pet, cycle and home insurance. I joined MSE to try to help people claw back pounds from big business and love to read about MSE users' innovative successes each week on the MSE Forum."

Latest from Benjamin Taylor

Junior ISAs (JISAs) let you save or invest up to £9,000 in the 2025/26 tax year, with the cash locked away until the child turns 18. This guide has the pros and cons of junior ISAs, how to transfer in from a Child Trust Fund, plus the top paying accounts.

2 April 2026

A Lifetime ISA (LISA) can be opened by anyone aged between 18 and 39. You can use one to save up to £4,000 a year, towards either a first home costing up to £450,000 or for retirement, with the state adding a bonus of up to £1,000 a year on top. This guide takes you through how LISAs work, whether they're right for you, how you get the bonus and the best buys.

2 April 2026

Most credit cards are good for new spending OR cutting the cost of existing debt, but some offer cheap intro rates on both. We've full info and our top picks, plus our Balance Transfer & Spending Eligibility Calculator will show the cards you have the best odds of getting before you apply.

2 April 2026

Cheapest loan rates have finally started to creep down recently, though they're still close to double what they were a few years ago. If you NEED to borrow, this guide has full info on the cheapest loans – how to get them, and what to watch out for.

31 March 2026

Every adult has a £20,000 ISA allowance for 2025/26 and it's possible to use all or part of that ISA allowance to invest in the stock market. This guide runs through what you need to know before investing in a stocks & shares ISA.

31 March 2026

The personal savings allowance (PSA) lets most people earn up to £1,000 in interest without paying tax on it. At current savings rates, basic-rate taxpayers need around £20,000 in the top easy-access savings account to exceed the allowance. This guide has full details on the PSA and how it works...

31 March 2026

If you cycle, you don't always need bike insurance – but lack of cover could put a nasty spoke in your wheel if the worst happened. This guide is designed to help you decide if you should get insured, or ride without a financial safety helmet.

30 March 2026

If you've a poor credit history, using a credit card to show you can repay on time each month can help rebuild your creditworthiness. Our guide has full info on how to best manage a credit card, plus our Credit Card Eligibility Calculator will show your chances of acceptance before applying, reducing the risk of a failed application.

30 March 2026

Personal loans are one of the cheapest ways to buy a car – and that's even considering that their rates have doubled in the past two years.

25 March 2026

There are an increasing number of savings providers out there – with established banks and building societies often being outflanked by newer, smaller platforms. Most savings accounts offer interest rates – paying you to hold your money with them – so what do banks get in return?

25 March 2026

Payday loans are a financial nightmare, and you should avoid them entirely if possible. This guide explains alternative (and much cheaper) ways to borrow, and – if a payday loan is the only answer – what to watch out for.

25 March 2026

While the lowest loan rates have doubled over the past few years, that doesn't mean that you can't cut the cost of existing loans, especially if your credit rating meant you had to take out a high-rate loan in the past. If you're paying more than 6%, it's worth checking if you can save by getting a new loan to pay it off. This guide shows you how to find the best new deal, and has a unique loan-switching calculator so you can see if you'll save.

25 March 2026

There are regulations governing how APRs must be displayed. Below are loan providers' official examples of the cost of taking out a loan.

25 March 2026

Typically, the quicker you pay off a personal loan, the cheaper the overall cost of borrowing, as you'll pay less interest. Though you must follow the correct process to repay early and most lenders charge early repayment fees. This guide has full info.

25 March 2026

White piggybank on a white surface next to a white mobile phone. There is a blue background.

24 March 2026