Guides

Know more before you spend

Plain-English guides to the costs people forget — so the numbers hold up in real life.

Most lenders lend around four to four and a half times income — roughly £180,000 to £202,500 on £45,000. Here is what that means each month.

The rent is only part of it. Here is the upfront cash and the monthly costs to plan for before you sign.

Many people aim to keep total motoring costs to around 15–20% of take-home pay. Here is what that buys, with the running costs added in.

The finance figure is only the start. Here are the costs that turn an affordable car into a stretch.

A music direct debit you forgot about. A £1.99 app. Individually nothing — together, a real chunk of your month.