Ask an Expert Archives

Why taking ‘pension sprints’ is the key to a comfortable retirement

08/17/2026 by Anne Tyler

Under the current system you save a fixed percentage of your earnings into a workplace pension, meaning millions will end up with retirement savings riddled with holes

The way in which millions of us are told to save for retirement is setting us up for failure – and a frugal old age. I fear that unless we change the current model now, few will be able to afford the kind of retirement they want. We live under the delusion that pension saving … Read more

I paid £77 for first class upgrade on Avanti train but was denied a hot breakfast due to lack of staff: CRANE ON THE CASE

08/11/2026 by Anne Tyler

Missing out: This traveller upgraded to first class on Avanti, but didn't receive the cooked breakfast which supposedly came with the ticket

In June, I travelled by train with Avanti West Coast from Edinburgh to Birmingham which took four hours and 15 minutes. I had initially booked a ‘standard premium’ ticket which gets you a more comfortable seat than standard class and a guaranteed table, but later paid £77 for an upgrade to first class so I … Read more