Shane Hickey

London

Cash Editor at The Observer

Finance and news journalist. Cash editor of The Observer and reporting to Ireland from London.

Articles

Holiday cancellations: can you sell or transfer your trip if you can’t get a refund?

4 days ago | theguardian.com | Shane Hickey

Even the best-laid holiday plans can go awry. Illness, bereavements, break-ups, money problems, redundancy, pregnancy, jury duty, floods – all of these can throw a getaway into disarray. But while you may miss out on a break in the sun or relaxing city break, you do not necessarily have to lose all of your money as a result of problems at home that force you to cancel your trip.
Ryanair’s £79 membership scheme takes off - but Which? says ‘think twice’

5 days ago | theguardian.com | Shane Hickey

Ryanair has become the latest low-cost airline to offer a yearly membership scheme that promises benefits such as free reserved seats and cheap flights – but the consumer group Which? says you should look at the small print before you join. The low-cost carrier’s Prime membership costs £79 a person a year and promises 12 free seat reservations, travel insurance, and monthly access to a sale. However, the terms and conditions show a number of limitations.
What to do if your UK passport is lost or stolen: steps you need to take

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Shane Hickey

Your passport serves as a gateway to travel abroad and allows you to identify as a citizen of a country. So losing it or having it stolen provides a number of headaches, especially if you are travelling at the time. If it does go missing, the most important thing is to act fast. As soon as you find your passport is missing The first thing you must do is report it to the Home Office via Gov.uk so that it can be cancelled. Only then can you apply for a new one.
Do I (in the UK) need to worry about the US stock market?

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Shane Hickey

A trade war with China and suggestions Donald Trump will sack the head of the Federal Reserve have weighed heavily on the US stock market. It was already reeling after the president’s announcement of universal tariffs on the whole world, and, despite recovering some of its losses, remains down on the start of the year. In the UK, you may be wondering whether any of it matters to you. The short answer is that it could – without realising it, you may have exposure to the ups and downs of US shares.
could you join the phone users shunning bundles?

3 weeks ago | msn.com | Shane Hickey

Microsoft Cares About Your PrivacyMicrosoft and our third-party vendors use cookies to store and access information such as unique IDs to deliver, maintain and improve our services and ads. If you agree, MSN and Microsoft Bing will personalise the content and ads that you see. You can select ‘I Accept’ to consent to these uses or click on ‘Manage preferences’ to review your options and exercise your right to object to Legitimate Interest where used.
could you join the phone users shunning bundles?

3 weeks ago | msn.com | Shane Hickey

Microsoft Cares About Your PrivacyMicrosoft and our third-party vendors use cookies to store and access information such as unique IDs to deliver, maintain and improve our services and ads. If you agree, MSN and Microsoft Bing will personalise the content and ads that you see. You can select ‘I Accept’ to consent to these uses or click on ‘Manage preferences’ to review your options and exercise your right to object to Legitimate Interest where used.
Be a sim-only saver: could you join the phone users shunning bundles?

3 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Shane Hickey

People are rejecting mobile “bundles” that include a new phone and data contract, and are increasingly turning to sim-only deals that offer better value for money. A growing number of consumers are not getting a new phone when they change their mobile contract and are instead holding on to their existing handset or buying a secondhand one, according to analysts.
Cool runnings: how to cut time and waste by making the most of your freezer

1 month ago | theguardian.com | Shane Hickey

Plan aheadPreparing meals in advance and portioning out meat, fruit and vegetables to be frozen can save money, avoid waste and cut the time you spend cooking. Some foods freeze particularly well, says Lisa Marley, a chef. “Soups, stews, casseroles, and baked goods are great because they maintain their flavour and texture after freezing.”The key to making savings is to cook in large batches, Marley adds.
Car tax: green motoring just got more expensive as EVs lose exemption

1 month ago | theguardian.com | Shane Hickey

Tax rules introduced last week mean many drivers – especially owners of electric vehicles (EVs) and new high-end cars – face hefty bills to get on the road. Someone who is buying a new 1-litre Ford Puma, for example, now has to pay £440 tax for the first year – up from £220. An overhaul of the vehicle excise duty (VED) system came into effect on 1 April, introducing a number of new charges.
what scammers buy with the money they steal

1 month ago | msn.com | Shane Hickey

Microsoft Cares About Your PrivacyMicrosoft and our third-party vendors use cookies to store and access information such as unique IDs to deliver, maintain and improve our services and ads. If you agree, MSN and Microsoft Bing will personalise the content and ads that you see. You can select ‘I Accept’ to consent to these uses or click on ‘Manage preferences’ to review your options and exercise your right to object to Legitimate Interest where used.