Dear listener,

Why don't journalists give us any good financial news? I was asked that this morning just before I went on BBC TV's Breakfast programme to talk about managing our money during the recession (now officially here). You see there I go again, almost sounding pleased that there really is a recession! Isn't there any GOOD news? Mmm. Let's see. People with mortgages where the interest rate is linked – however loosely – to the Bank rate have seen their monthly payments fall, plummet in some cases. If you are one of that happy band please please please use the money you save on the interest to pay down the debt. That will put you in a better position to cope with any future financial difficulties. Some first time buyers are finding house prices have fallen far enough that they can begin to hope to afford one – if the banks will lend them the money. And is it churlish to point out that accountants who specialise in administration when companies go bust are not short of work? But there I dried up. Any more examples of good news from the recession welcomed – moneybox@bbc.co.uk. Put "recession" in the subject line.

*** ON MONEY BOX THIS SATURDAY ***

Three days after Standard Life told Money Box "we do not believe that there is a case of compensation" for 96,000 customers with money in its Pension Sterling Fund, it announced that it would compensate – or what it calls "remediate" – some of them. Customers thought their money was safe in the fund which was protected from stock market volatility. But many were shocked after it fell by 5%. Find out who may get compensated – sorry "remediated" – and the latest from Standard Life.

Recession, what recession? That may be what you will be able to say after listening to our guide to recession-proofing your finances.

How fast is faster? Pretty slow if our survey of the new "faster payments" offered by many banks. Promised for years, implemented last May. Now stuck in treacle.

Can't get a loan? Never mind, try the Bank of Brum. Are municipal banks the way out of the financial crisis for small businesses?

If you have to file a self assessment return you probably know that 31 January is the deadline for filing it. But don't delay. Before you can file online you have to ask for a PIN – which actually consists of numbers and letters – to log onto the government gateway. And since 21 January the Revenue will not guarantee it will get that back to you in time. So do it now! And it may still arrive by the end of the week. And if you haven't claimed the Children's Tax Credit for 2002/03 time ends for that on 31st too. But you don’t need a pin for that. Just write to HMRC with your details BY FRIDAY.

Money Box. Saturday at noon, Sunday at nine pm or on the web anytime. And of course you can download or subscribe to the podcast through our website bbc.co.uk/moneybox where there is lots of exciting stuff including videos.

Best wishes

Paul

PS Don't forget the programme taster on BBC Breakfast between quarter to nine and nine o'clock. If you miss it, you can watch it on our website.

e-mail Paul Lewis