Laura Howard Laura Howard is author of A Girl's Guide to Money – a financial self-help book for young women. Having started out in personal finance and property journalism in 1999, Laura now freelances for a range of national newspapers, magazines and websites. She is a regular contributor to the Independent on Sunday and Guardian Unlimited and writes a monthly economy column for Estate Agency Times. Laura was shortlisted in headlinemoney's Best Mortgage Writer and Best Freelance Journalist categories in 2006 and 2007 respectively and in both categories in 2008.   Annie Shaw A highly-respected industry figure with 20 years' journalism experience, Annie Shaw is the former editor of the Sunday Telegraph's property section and has been a staff journalist for The Times and financial agony aunt for the Independent on Sunday. Annie is currently a freelance personal finance writer for a range of national newspapers, and is a frequent broadcaster on personal finance and the credit crunch on radio and television. She writes the Money Matters section for the Daily Express. She holds a full Financial Planning Certificate and, in 2007, was shortlisted for headlinemoney's Consumer Champion of the Year award.   Simon Read Simon Read, site editor, is a freelance journalist specialising in a range of consumer financial issues including tax, pensions, and investments. He is money editor of The People newspaper and also writes regularly for the Daily Mirror, What Mortgage and various specialist titles including Financial Planner and FT Business's Financial Adviser. With nearly 20 years' experience in the world of personal finance, Simon is a renowned and respected industry figure. Tag this article :

 

Got a question? Ask our panel of financial experts » Click here