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

You may have noticed when looking for an ISA that some banks offer ‘flexible’ ISAs, and others don’t. This short guide – a spin off from our main cash ISA guide – explains what a ‘flexible’ cash ISA is and whether it's right for you.

13 March 2026

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.

18 February 2026

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.

18 February 2026

Don't just stick with your student bank account after uni – loyalty can cost! Some banks let you switch even if you've not had their student account and you can get 0% overdrafts for up to three years. If you've graduated recently, see if you can ditch and switch your account to save £100s in interest.

22 January 2026

Best banks if you have Power of Attorney.

If you have Power of Attorney and manage somebody else's finances, choosing the best bank for day-to-day use and any savings can be a challenge. We've full bank-by-bank help on how to register for access to existing accounts, plus the easiest banks to deal with if you're looking to open a new account.

7 January 2026

When you get a home buildings insurance quote, you'll be asked for your home's rebuild value, which is how much it would cost to repair your home if it were completely destroyed, not how much it's worth. It will often provide an estimate for you, but it's always worth checking this (and regularly throughout the policy) to ensure you have the right amount of cover – this short guide shows you how.

19 December 2025

Help to Buy ISAs are now closed to new applicants. Didn't get one in time? Lifetime ISAs also offer a 25% bonus for first-time buyers. But if you do have a Help to Buy ISA, here's everything you need to know, including how to claim the 25% bonus, whether it's worth transferring to a Lifetime ISA and how to get a better rate by changing provider.

11 December 2025

2 December 2025

Joint savings accounts can be a useful way for two people to share responsibility for a pot of money or reach shared savings goals. Both account holders will have access to the cash though, so you should only open one with someone you trust. This short guide runs you through the options.

17 November 2025

Opening a joint bank account with someone lets you both manage it, which can be useful for household bills or pooling your cash. However, any money you pay in will then belong to you both, so only do it with someone you trust. This short guide runs through it all, including how sharing an account can let you double up on free cash and other perks.

13 November 2025

hero-homepage-reclaim-child-trust-fund-kids-teenagers-students.png

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

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

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

A brand new car is never MoneySaving, but if your heart is set on one and you're comfortable renting it for a set period (without the chance to own it), then car leasing – also known as Personal Contract Hire or PCH – is worth considering. Here we've broken down the basics so you can work out whether car leasing is right for you.

16 July 2025

If your property is classed as a non-standard construction, or has characteristics that mean it isn't seen as 'standard', you might need specialist insurance – and your choice of insurers could be limited. This short guide explains what counts as 'non-standard' and how to find the right home insurance policy.

9 July 2025

If you're struggling with multiple debts such as loans, credit cards and overdrafts, it may seem logical to consolidate them into one place – taking out a new loan to pay it all off, so you make one monthly payment instead. However it's often not that simple and can lead to even more debt. This short guide takes you through what to watch out for, alternatives and how to decide if it's right for you.

22 May 2025