Poll

Lots of sales started before Christmas. Many that didn’t went into full swing online from Christmas Day, and in stores from Boxing Day. Did you/will you take advantage, or are you avoiding them like the plague? Choose the option that’s closest to your situation…

It's Christmas, so for this week's poll, we're forgetting money and going for a bit of fun. We've selected some of the best-loved Christmas films – ones involving or about Christmas, rather than those usually on over the festive period – and we’d like you to pick your favourite. Please vote for your FAVOURITE (if yours is missing, feel free to vent in the forum discussion)

It's nearly here. For some it conjures a picture of smiling children, fun, family and festive frivolity; for others it means stress, present pressure, debts and chores. So if we had a big red CANCEL CHRISTMAS button that'd make the whole thing disappear (and just add the days to your holiday entitlement), would you press it?

Christmas and the holiday season is an expensive time of year. So how much do you plan to spend on presents, food, and transport to see friends and family?

The Scottish Government has launched its white paper ahead of the independence referendum due in 10 months’ time. The question that’ll be asked is: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" While only people in Scotland will vote, we wanted to see the answer from across the UK.

For about a year, the EU Cookie Directive's forced UK websites to ask if you’re willing to accept cookies (files that track what you do) on your computer. It’s to make websites more transparent, and to allow you to stop them tracking if you want to. But often, saying “no” means you sacrifice usability. Is the cookie directive taking the biscuit? Which of the following is nearest to your view on the cookie directive?

Barclays has just announced more bank closures. These days, many people access banking services online, via an app or by phone. So is the bank branch a dying need? How often do you typically use a branch – other than just to use an ATM/machine in there - for PERSONAL (non-business) banking?

Winter’s coming and energy companies are hiking their prices. So have you turned your heating on at home yet?

Digital TV, broadband, credit cards, insurance and more. It's possible to haggle with call centres across the UK – whether for cheaper prices, better deals or reduced interest. Which of these firms have you tried to haggle with IN THE LAST YEAR? (Select as many as you want from the major providers below.)

A TV licence costs £145.50 a year for any home with a colour TV, regardless of whether you watch the BBC or not (see TV Licence Saving). But all the money raised pays for the BBC - that's TV, radio, regional programmes, BBC Online and their associated costs (full details). Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps sent a warning shot to the BBC this week about the licence fee, saying he'd consider opening up the cash so other broadcasters could apply for some. Which of these is closest to your view?