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

If you want to take more control of the money you're saving for retirement, a self-invested personal pension (SIPP) might be right for you. SIPPs are DIY or personal pensions which allow you to choose your own investments. Our guide looks at the key need-to-knows plus platforms you could try.

12 November 2025

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.

11 November 2025

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.

11 November 2025

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Accessing credit can be tricky for those with limited credit history. If you're saving for a house deposit or considering a large purchase, using a credit builder card can make your mortgage or loan application look more appealing to lenders. This guide runs through who's eligible for a credit builder card, and how you can use them to boost your credit score.

11 November 2025

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.

21 October 2025

A 0% money transfer allows you to shift cash from a card to your bank account to clear your overdraft or give yourself a 0% cash loan for up to 14 months. This guide has full info and the best deals, though not many cards offer these transfers any more.

21 October 2025

With mortgage, rent, energy and food costs soaring, it's easy to cut or forgo a spend such as pet insurance. But this can lead to difficult choices for many if treatment is needed, as there's no NHS for pets, and treatment costs can be £100s or £1,000s. This guide explains what pet insurance covers, what to watch out for and how to find a cheap policy.

21 October 2025

A car insurance quote can often feel like a figure plucked from nowhere, but there are a number of factors that come into play when insurers give you a price. In this short guide we run through the key metrics that could affect what you pay.

14 October 2025

If you have an older car that's considered classic or vintage, you'll likely need a specialist insurance policy to provide the cover you need. Here, we run through the basics of classic car insurance, including what it covers and the things you should consider when buying a policy.

18 September 2025

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.

18 September 2025

Some specialist cards allow others to spend on your behalf while you stay in control – for example, by setting spending limits. These can be useful if you rely on others to shop for you, or if you assist a vulnerable person and want them to be able to spend safely.

18 September 2025

If you need a new car but don't have the cash to buy it outright, Hire Purchase (HP) is one of the most popular ways to pay for it. It's been used to buy cars almost since there have been cars, but just because it's an oldie, doesn't mean it's a goodie, and will be right for you. Here we break down the basics of HP so you can decide if it might suit you.

29 August 2025

22 August 2025

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?

21 August 2025

With fewer using cash to spend abroad, it’s tougher to give children spending money. Kids’ overseas prepaid cards let you, or them, load up money to spend (many also let you set spending limits and monitor via apps too). Better still, some of them offer near-perfect exchange rates on the day you spend.

21 August 2025

If you need a new car, but don't have the cash to pay for it, then car finance could be a way to get behind the wheel of one – though it's a big commitment. Here we've broken down the basics of Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) car finance, so you can work out whether it's right for you.

7 August 2025