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Claer Barrett

Consumer Editor

Claer Barrett is the consumer editor. She writes the weekly Serious Money column and presents the FT's Money Clinic podcast and Business Clinic video series. Claer frequently appears as a commentator on radio and TV, talking about personal finance, consumer and small business issues, and she is a regular guest on Eddie Mair's Drive show on LBC Radio.

You can sign up for her six-week newsletter series, "Sort your financial life out with Claer Barrett" here.

Email Claer Barrett @claerb  on Twitter (link opens in a new browser window)
  • Tuesday, 27 May, 2025
    Consumer trends
    Would you say ‘I do’ to Tesco’s bog standard wedding gifts?

    The cost of living crisis means Brits are walking down the supermarket aisles looking for presents for the happy couple

    Wedding presents
  • Saturday, 24 May, 2025
    Marks & Spencer Group PLC
    This is not just any cyber meltdown: will shoppers forgive M&S?

    Customer loyalty is the magic ingredient that should see Marks and Spencer bounce back from this crisis

    A woman shops in an M&S store
  • Wednesday, 21 May, 2025
    FT Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign
    Meet the 30-year-old accountant teaching seven-year-olds about money

    Abigail Foster says we must start young to ensure the next generation is financially savvy

    Abigail Foster
  • Thursday, 15 May, 2025
    Serious MoneyInsight & Comment
    Don’t make Isas a great British failure 

    Mandating UK equities in tax-free accounts would destroy any culture of investing we already have

    Illustration of a Union Jack umbrella with rips and tears on a grid background
  • Friday, 2 May, 2025
    Serious MoneyInsight & Comment
    How can we choose the best pathway through retirement?

    Plans to introduce ‘default’ pathways sound risky, but the risk of doing nothing is even greater

    Illustration of a person stood on a compass with two paths ahead towards the sunset
  • Friday, 2 May, 2025
    Retail & Consumer industry
    Soaring gold price tempts customers to cash in coins and old jewellery

    Pawnbrokers report rise in new clients as Trump’s trade war boosts potential loan amounts and scrap value

    The Royal Mint’s gold Britannia bullion minted bar range
  • Friday, 2 May, 2025
    Q&APersonal Finance
    The rise of deepfake scams — and how not to fall for one

    Many social media promotions appear to be hosted by senior finance figures, but they’re fake

    Example of deepfake avatars of Martin Wolf promoted in adverts on Facebook and Instagram
  • Friday, 25 April, 2025
    UK economy
    We’re not spending cash, so why are we hoarding it?

    The value of UK bank notes in circulation has hit a record high, but it may all be under the proverbial mattress

    British bank notes
  • Friday, 18 April, 2025
    Serious MoneyPersonal Finance
    How I’m staying calm when markets are uncertain

    Are you buying the dip, battening down the hatches or carrying on as normal?

    Illustration of a small sailboat approaching a big wave made of arrows
  • Friday, 4 April, 2025
    Serious MoneyFirst-time buyers
    Should young people raid their pensions to buy a property?

    Allowing Gen Z early access to retirement savings is not going to build more houses

    Illustration of a hand smashing a piggy bank with a hammer with a house
  • Tuesday, 1 April, 2025
    Money Clinic with Claer Barrett podcast35 min listen
    Investment Clinic: Should I keep betting on Warren Buffett?

    Margo’s done well following the famous investor’s lead, but it may be time to diversify

  • Saturday, 29 March, 2025
    UK Spring Statement 2025
    Spring Statement: what the next six months has in store for your money

    Where will the cards fall before the autumn Budget?

  • Friday, 28 March, 2025
    Personal Finance
    Rachel Reeves’ Isa reforms must be designed with Gen Z in mind

    The chancellor’s plan to revolutionise retail investment needs young investors

    Parents with a  young baby pore over papers next to an open laptop on a table
  • Wednesday, 26 March, 2025
    Serious MoneyTax
    Should Brits brace for tax rises in the Autumn Budget?

    No tax changes in the Spring Statement, but if the search for growth proves fruitless they’ll soon be back on the agenda

    Illustration of hands holding shears cutting flowers still in bud against a darkening sky
  • Tuesday, 25 March, 2025
    Money Clinic with Claer Barrett podcast29 min listen
    Investment Clinic: I’m 29 – should I still be taking stock tips from my dad?

    Some of Matt’s stock picks have struggled, and he’s questioning his strategy

  • Friday, 21 March, 2025
    Personal Finance
    What to do if you’re caught up in Heathrow disruption

    Your rights as the flight cancellations and disruption mount

    Stranded passengers outside Heathrow’s Terminal 5
  • Friday, 21 March, 2025
    Personal Finance
    The madness of the £100,000 childcare tax trap

    With some parents requiring a 50 per cent pay rise to mitigate the effects of the threshold, the trap is zapping productivity

    Illustration of an impossible loop with people running, baby bottles and toys, and work objects like a laptop and headphones
  • Tuesday, 18 March, 2025
    Money Clinic with Claer Barrett podcast33 min listen
    Investment Clinic: I’m almost 50 – is it too late to start investing?

    Jane is sitting on a six-figure cash sum, and doesn’t know what to do next

  • Thursday, 13 March, 2025
    FT Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign
    ‘Gender numeracy gap’ is hitting women’s earnings power

    One in three UK women say they would not apply for jobs that require working with numbers or data

    Montage of calculator and numeracy symbols
  • Tuesday, 11 March, 2025
    Money Clinic with Claer Barrett podcast25 min listen
    Investment Clinic: I'm 67 - will US stocks crash my retirement?

    Paul profited from investing in the US. Now he feels he needs to revisit his risk strategy.

  • Friday, 7 March, 2025
    Isa Guide 2025
    Maxed-out Junior Isas up nearly 50% in a year

    Latest figures show strong rebound in numbers filling up the £9,000 annual limit

    A small girl playing with toy money
  • Friday, 7 March, 2025
    Serious MoneyIsas
    The ‘Reeves effect’ turbo charges Isa season

    Palpable fear of future restrictions shows the chancellor should meddle with Isas at her peril

    Illustration of Rachel Reeves with flying cash and bar charts
  • Tuesday, 4 March, 2025
    Money Clinic with Claer Barrett podcast30 min listen
    Investment Clinic: the high earner taking stock tips from ChatGPT

    This City worker has maxed out her tax-free allowances – what’s her next move?

  • Tuesday, 4 March, 2025
    Money Clinic with Claer Barrett podcast30 min listen
    Investment Clinic: I’m an ethical investor – but I can’t kick crypto

    The crypto rally has made Stephan some money – but also raises questions

  • Friday, 28 February, 2025
    Mobile devices
    Will the police really try to find your stolen iPhone?

    Even with the resources to chase after all our stolen handsets, let’s not kid ourselves it would solve the problem

    Thief snatching a mobile phone
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