Nothing says I love you more than the topic of tax – this weekend’s papers

Picture the scene: it’s Valentine’s Day, the chocolates are out and the wine is flowing, you sit down with your loved one… to sort out your finances? Yes, here at MRM we are equally dubious about the place of personal finance in the middle of a romantic Valentine’s Day but the Observer, Sunday Mirror and Telegraph did not agree. While the Sunday Mirror focused on couples’ financial ground rules (pre-nups and ISAs), the Telegraph Money section concentrated on the ultra romantic topic of tax, making the serious point that the cost of weddings (averaged at £20,000), which is non-tax deductable, could be a reason behind the current falling marriage rate.  Meanwhile, the Observer went all out with a V-day special and the financial implications of popping the question.

Otherwise scams featured prominently this weekend with Miles Brignall in the Guardian urging us to check the small print before signing up to shopper discounts and rewards. Whereas Simon Read in the Independent focused on the courts cracking down on dangerous drivers that put in dodgy insurance claims, Laura Whateley at the Times looked at clever ways to try and keep personal banking data safe from hackers while taking advantage of the latest offering from the banks; banking from mobiles.

Pensions and the ‘grey market’ was another theme to come out of the papers. The Guardian focused its money splash on the launch of Saga’s independent living service and the annual report of the Care Quality Commission.  Aviva’s Real Retirement Report on older people highlighting the growing gap between rich and poor also featured. The Independent took a slightly different path, focusing on pensioners upping sticks and moving themselves, along with any pensions, to warmer climates.

Scores on the doors for this weekend’s money section topics are as follows:

Charity                 0%

Credit cards        3%      

Fraud/scams      8%  

IFAs                       0%                      

Insurance            11%           

Investment        42%      

Mortgages          9%         

Pensions              6%           

Property              2%       

Regulation          3%        

Savings                 3%             

Tax                         5%                  

Technology         5%

Utilities                 3%