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Jessica Bown

Jess Bown 2024

Jessica Bown

Contributing Writer

About the Author

Jessica Bown is an award-winning freelance journalist and editor with decades of experience writing personal finance and business news and features.

She started her career on a trade magazine in 2000, before moving to the Daily Express where she honed her personal finance and business writing skills on the City and Money desks. She then spent two years at The Sunday Times as a Money writer and editor before becoming a freelance journalist.

Jessica has appeared on BBC News and various BBC radio stations as an expert personal finance commentator. Her writing has appeared in national newspapers, such as The Telegraph and The Guardian, as well as a variety of magazines, and websites including the BBC, Forbes UK, and – of course – money.co.uk.

Expertise

Credit cards
Mortgages
Savings
Insurance
Investing
Business finance

Education

BA (hons) Russian and History, University of Birmingham
Post-graduate certificate in periodical journalism, London College of Printing

Florist reviews her options on a laptop.

Working capital loans explained: a practical guide for SMEs

A working capital loan can help to cover the day-to-day running costs of your business. Find out more with our five-minute guide.

How To Start Your Emergency Fund

An emergency savings fund can be a godsend when life sends you a curve ball. Here’s how to start an emergency fund for those urgent unexpected bills.

Understanding Interest Rates for Savings

Find out what you need to know about interest rates with this comprehensive guide and watch your savings pot grow.

Is It A Good Time To Invest In Stocks And Shares?

Predicting the best time to invest in stocks and shares is almost impossible. It's more about your appetite for risk and reward.

Find out how are investments taxed

Are ISAs still worth it?

Whether you have a cash ISA or are thinking of getting one, you need to know if it's still a good place to invest your money. Here is how to work out if ISAs are worth it for you.

What are Regular Savings Accounts?

A regular savings account can be a great place to save for a big purchase. This guide explains what you need to know about regular savings accounts.

Pen poised to fill out a tax form.

How much should I save for taxes? A practical guide

Whether you’re self-employed, a sole trader or run a limited company, it’s vital to save enough money to pay your annual tax bill. Here’s how.

Are Stocks And Shares ISAs Worth It?

A stocks and shares ISA can be a great way to grow your savings – especially over the longer term. Find out if they’re right for you with our quick guide.

Find out how are investments taxed

What Is Compound Interest?

Compound interest can significantly increase your saving and investment returns. Find out more with our five-minute guide to compounding interest.

Find out how are investments taxed

How To Get Accepted For A Credit Card

It's easy to apply for a credit card. But how can you increase your chances of getting your credit card application approved?

Casually dressed colleages collaborate on work plans.

The next 6 steps: an essential checklist for new limited companies

Registering with Companies House is just the start. Explore the key steps every new limited company needs to take to get up and running.

The Average Business Loan Interest Rates For 2025

Does a low interest rate always mean you’re getting the best deal on a business loan? Find out with our 2025 business loan interest rate guide.

10 Small Business Ideas

An older businessman shakes the hand of a young entrepreneur. Two colleagues applaud from the sidelines.

Angel investors: how to secure funding for your startup

Angel investors, wealthy individuals investing in startups, offer vital funding opportunities for new businesses. Here’s what you need to know.

A potter calculates the costs of running a business.

Startup costs: how much money will you need for your business?

Startup costs vary widely depending on the type of business you want to set up. Here’s how to work out how much money you need to fund your business plans.

Man studying paperwork

Sources of funding for your business: top options explained

There are plenty of sources for business finance around if you know where to look. Explore all the available options with our complete guide.

Paper houses, a magnifying glass and a calculator on a table looking down from above.

What Is A Homeowner Loan?

A homeowner loan lets you borrow money against the value of a house or flat you own. Find out if a homeowner loan is right for you with our quick guide.

Florist shop owner wondering whether she is eligible for a loan

Am I eligible for a business loan? Key criteria and how to qualify

What do you need to do to get a business loan? Find out with our comprehensive guide to business loan eligibility.

Young professional checking paperwork

How to get a loan to buy a business: a step-by-step guide

Taking out a loan to buy an existing business can be easier than financing a startup. Find out how to secure a business-acquisition loan.

How Many Credit Cards Should You Have?

The number of credit cards you should have will depend on how you use them. Here, we weigh up the pros and cons of having multiple credit cards.

Woman working on a laptop scrutinising paperwork.

How to define the target market in your business plan

All businesses need a target market. But how do you work out who your target market is? Find out with our comprehensive guide.

"Cashflow projections" written on a piece of paper

What is a cash flow forecast and how can you create one?

Discover our 4-step plan for creating a cash flow projection for your business plan.

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Public vs employers' liability insurance: key differences explained

Do you need both public liability and employers’ liability insurance? Find out how they differ and which your business needs in this no-nonsense guide.

A businessman on a laptop reviewing company finances.

How To Use a Business Savings Account Effectively

Find out how to use a business savings account to build a savings pot for your company with our five-minute guide.

A businessman working on a laptop, considering what's on his screen.

Your Guide to Business Bank Account Charges

Understand the one-off fees due when opening a business bank account and how to minimise them to keep your costs low.

How to Find and Nurture Relationships With Angel Investors

Angel investors can provide crucial funding for small businesses. Here’s what you need to know to secure angel investor funding in the UK.

Woman handing over a paper bag of veg to a customer at a fruit and veg stall

How to Get a Business Credit Card With Bad Credit

Business credit cards are useful financial tools for businesses of all sizes. But can you get one with bad credit? Find out with our short guide.

How to Avoid Tourist Scams When You Travel

It’s easy to fall prey to tourist scams in an unfamiliar country. Protect yourself and your loved ones by reading up on holiday scams before you go.

Read more about getting a travel money deal

How to Budget as a Plumber

Running a successful plumbing business requires sound financial planning. Find out more with our guide to budgeting for plumbers.

How to Save and Plan for Retirement as a Plumber

Discover the best way you can save for retirement as a plumber so you can enjoy a comfortable life once you stop working.

Getting a Business Overdraft

Business overdrafts are useful if you face unexpected expenses or have a short-term cash flow crisis. Here’s how to get one.

How To Manage Your Business Accounts

Having the right business bank account and managing your accounts properly can help your start-up or established SME thrive. Find out more with our short guide.

What To Do If You’ve Been Rejected For a Business Bank Account

Banks carry out various checks before offering you a business bank account. Here’s what to do if your business bank account application is rejected.

Calculating Your Move into Accounting

Interested in becoming an accountant? This five-minute guide shows you how to get started in accounting.

Do You Need Business Interruption Insurance?

Business interruption insurance could save your company if an unexpected event, such as a fire or a burglary, stops you from trading.

When it pays out

Repaying Your Business Loan and Managing Debt

Defaulting on business loan repayments can have serious consequences for you and your company. Find out more with our quick guide to repaying your business loan.

10 Small Business Ideas

How To Access Emergency Business Funding

Many small businesses need an urgent cash injection at some point. Find out how to get emergency business funding with our five-minute guide.

10 Small Business Ideas

Is It Worth Getting A Loan To Start Your Business?

Is a start-up loan the best way to fund a new business? What are the pros and cons? Find out what you need to know before taking out a business start-up loan.

Strategies to Make Your Small Business More Efficient

Making your small business more efficient can save you money and time. Our short guide to improving business efficiency shows you how.

Managing Mental Health in the Workplace

Boost productivity and cut costs with these five strategies to improve mental health in the workplace.

Can you really write of your debts - worried couple with bills

Can you really just write off your debts?

You can’t just borrow money and not pay it back. But while writing off your debts for free is not an option, there is help available if you’re struggling to pay back what you owe.