Money talks: house prices, lump sum to invest and buying a castle

The average house price in October was £189,333, the fifth month the price has stayed around that mark. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

Hello and welcome to this week’s Money Talks – a roundup of the week’s biggest stories and some things you may have missed.

Though the technology has existed for years, criminals have only recently begun using number spoofing to defraud. Photograph: Alamy

Money news

• House price growth rate slowing, says Nationwide
• TalkTalk announces sharp price rises
• Payday loan brokers regularly raiding bank accounts
• Right to buy must be reformed – National Housing Federation
  
• Warning over ‘number spoofing’ scam
• The UK’s best and worst hotel chains
• This passageway in south London just sold for £260,000

Feature

Investing a lump sum can pay off – if you know where to put it. Photograph: Ann Pickford/Rex Features

Where should you invest a lump sum of money?

Consumer champions

What’s the matter with EasyJet’s overbooking policy? Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

• EasyJet’s overbooking policy bumped wedding plans
• Relationship with the RAC went flat over the cost of a battery
• Budget booked a holiday hire car at non-existent pick-up point

In pictures

Lordscairnie Castle, Moonzie, Cupar, Fife Photograph: Smiths Gore

These castle homes will let you lord it up

In the spotlight

Children’s television presenter Floella Benjamin has added her voice to the campaign to unfreeze state pensions abroad. Photograph: Teri Pengilley

Many ethnic minorities have taken lower paid jobs. Now they are being hampered from retiring abroad by a freeze on state pensions, writes Floella Benjamin

Work advice

Career cares? Work woes? Out of love with the office? Our expert is on hand to help. Put your questions to Jeremy, and help other readers with their worries.

Money deals

Get unlimited data, unlimited texts and 2,000 minutes with this giffgaff sim only deal – perfect if you’re happy with your current phone and don’t want to be tied to a contract.

Looking for a better deal on your energy before the winter hits? Compare the latest deals and arrange your switch in minutes with the Guardian energy comparison service.