Interest Rates

Fixed or variable mortgage: how to decide without being caught out by the Euribor

July 9, 2026

Choosing between a fixed and variable mortgage is one of the most important financial decisions most people make. Not because it is technically complicated, but because the consequences extend over decades and the interest rate environment changes constantly throughout that time.

The good news is that there is no universally correct answer. There is, however, a way of thinking through the decision that lets anyone make it with confidence, without needing to be an economist.

mortgage Euribor personal finance housing interest rates

How to Tell if a Savings Account Really Delivers What It Promises: Understanding APY vs. Nominal Interest

April 30, 2026

When a bank advertises a savings account at “4% interest,” that 4% is almost never what you actually earn on your money over a year. Or rather: it depends on what kind of interest rate that 4% is.

The confusion between the nominal interest rate and the annual percentage yield (APY) is one of the most common pitfalls in personal finance, and the one banks exploit the most in their advertising. Understanding the difference doesn’t require an economics degree; it just takes someone explaining it clearly once.

personal finance savings APY savings accounts interest rates