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

Can my age reduce my car insurance costs?

Age is one of a number of factors that insurers look at when calculating your premium – which is usually bad news for younger drivers who can be hit with much higher prices. Though as age is often a proxy for experience, premiums generally do come down the longer you've been driving (and driving well). Read on for more about how this works...

8 April 2026

7 April 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

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

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

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24 March 2026

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

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

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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