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Jay Tillotson - EzineArticles.com Expert Author
J Tillotson is an author based in the UK. Her specialist areas are Energy and Efficency, and Insurance.
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- Home on the Range Part 2
[Home-Improvement:Remodeling] How can you avoid the cowboys when you're looking to get work done on your home? Part 1 covered finding a reputable building firm and part 2 will show you how to ensure you get the best work done for your money.
- Home on the Range Part 1
[Home-Improvement:Remodeling] As the mortgage market sinks further, householders are thinking twice about moving home. Instead, homes are given a new lease of life by fresh decorating, new furniture and even remodelling. But renovating your home can bring a whole new set of problems.
- Cheap Hotels - Just How Cheap Are They?
[Travel-and-Leisure:Hotels-Accommodations] With the price of holidays on the rise, more of us are seeking out cheaper deals on flights, hotels and car hire. But thousands of out-of-pocket holiday makers are coming to the realisation that cheap doesn't always mean cheap. You can avoid paying more than you expected for your so-called 'cheap' hotel if you know what to look for.
- Airports - Consider Yourself Cleaned Out
[Travel-and-Leisure:Airline-Travel] An airport is typically a busy place; thousands of people milling around, queuing, shopping, checking through luggage; it's no wonder that scammers use airports to find their victims. This is a quick guide to the more common airport scams and how to spot and avoid them.
- The Cost of Dying
[Home-and-Family:Death-Dying] More people are turning to prepayment funerals, also known quite flippantly in the trade as 'buy-now-die-later' schemes. You consult with a funeral director, choose a funeral plan, and arrange to pay the cost in installments; the idea being that when you die, the whole thing will be paid for, leaving your family without the worry of meeting the high funeral costs.
- Family Fun in Florida
[Travel-and-Leisure] What do you want from a holiday? Fun and excitement, or peace and relaxation? Perhaps you love nothing more than a week-long retail therapy session, or you just want somewhere you can go to keep the kids happy? No matter what type of holiday you're after, you're almost guaranteed to find it in Florida.
- Walk Good in Jamaica
[Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] As holiday destinations go, you can't go far wrong with a trip to Jamaica. The combination of lush tropical scenery, hot sun and cheerful, friendly locals makes for an unforgettable break.
- Car Hire Scams - Damage Control
[Travel-and-Leisure:Car-Rentals] When you arrive at your holiday destination, you're usually tired from the flight, bogged down with luggage and just wanting to get to your hotel. If you've hired a car, you want to get in it and go as soon as you can.
- Car Hire Scams - Don't Be a Fuel
[Travel-and-Leisure:Car-Rentals] Renting a car on holiday is a good way to explore your destination as a native would, avoiding the busy tourist traps and making the most of your break. But, like many other tourist industries, the car hire sector is plagued with hidden fees and little surcharges which can relieve the unsuspecting tourist of a lot more money than they expected.
- Hot Air Rises
[Home-Improvement:Energy-Efficiency] It stands to reason that fuel bills tend to be more expensive during the winter months; the shorter days mean lights are on for longer, the cold weather means that heating is turned on more frequently. But watchdogs are advising people to check their bills very carefully in the run-up to winter.
- An Interesting Look at Loans
[Finance:Personal-Loans] Almost everyone will, at some time during their adult life, take out a loan. The current economy in the UK makes it difficult to get a loan with a competitive interest rate, but there is something to be said for shopping around, rather than taking the first one you see in desperation.
- Insurance - Can You Live Without It?
[Insurance:Life-Annuities] Almost a quarter of adults in the UK confess to having no life insurance policy. In addition, people are also going without insurance on their home, holidays and even their health because of a need to tighten purse strings.
- Learning to Drive - A Step-by-Step Guide to the Theory and Practice
[Automotive] Learning to drive in the UK is a costly exercise. This guide outlines some of the most common expenses a young driver will face as they work up to passing their tests, how to reduce some of these costs, and other hints and tips to gaining a full driving license.
- Car Insurance - Safety Net Or Last Resort?
[Insurance:Car-Auto] If you have an accident in your car, even a minor one, you probably think the first thing you need to do is inform your insurance company so they can start processing a claim. But this isn't necessarily the case.
- The Cost of a Credit Card
[Finance:Credit] As Christmas approaches, stores everywhere are preparing their festive displays and taking on more staff to cope with the anticipated crowds. But one store has gone a step further in their preparations.
- Debt Management - Beware the Birds of Prey
[Finance:Debt-Management] You may have seen the advertisements in your local paper; a claims management company (CMC) offers to get all your debts written off on a no-win, no-fee basis. Sounds too good to be true? It probably is.
- Refused a Loan in Error
[Finance:Personal-Loans] If you've ever been refused for a loan, HP or any other type of financial credit, you may be left wondering why. If you're one of the thousands in the UK who never check their credit file, it may be worth doing so as soon as you can.
- Mortgage Has Broken
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] The current state of the economy means that it's more difficult than ever to get a mortgage. More and more people are turning to so-called experts to help them find a good, yet affordable, mortgage deal during this tough time.
- Mortgages - It's a Buyers Market
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] Economists in the UK are expecting the average price of a house to plummet by a staggering 65,000 in the next 12 months. The 35% drop is the worst ever seen in the UK, and looks set to plunge thousands of homeowners into negative equity.
- In Floods Because of Excessive Insurance
[Insurance:Home-Owners-Renters] Extreme weather doesn't happen very often in the UK but when it does, it's an insurer's perfect excuse to put the prices up. After a flood, hurricane or any other bout of extreme bad weather and premiums rise quicker than a farmhouse in a twister.
- Crediting Your Insurance Policy
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Have you ever wondered just why you seem to pay more insurance than your friends and family? Why is it that you can buy a cheap car, with no modifications, yet your insurance is through the roof? The answer may surprise you.
- Claiming on Your Insurance Part 3 - Travel Insurance
[Insurance:Travel] Everyone knows what insurance is, and how to get it. But what do you do with when you've got it? If you had to make a claim, would you know what to do? This 3 part guide covers what to do in the event of a claim, finishing with travel insurance.
- Claiming on Your Insurance Part 2 - Home Insurance
[Insurance:Home-Owners-Renters] Everyone knows what insurance is, and how to get it. But what do you do with when you've got it? If you had to make a claim, would you know what to do? This 3 part guide covers what to do in the event of a claim, continuing with home insurance.
- Claiming on Your Insurance Part 1 - Car Insurance
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Everyone knows what insurance is, and how to get it. But what do you do with when you've got it? If you had to make a claim, would you know what to do? This 3 part guide covers what to do in the event of a claim, starting with car insurance.
- Sick of Travel Insurance
[Insurance:Travel] Most people after an illness want a holiday to help them recuperate. Depending on the nature of the illness, this could work out expensive. So what do you do if you want a cheap travel insurance policy after an illness?
- A Guide to Buying Used Vehicles
[Automotive] It used to be the case that, when you wanted to buy a new vehicle from a private seller, you looked in your local paper. Because of the limited range of people a newspaper reaches, anyone using this source to find their new vehicle could miss out on several bargains outside the area.
- A Mean, Green Road Machine
[Automotive] 'Green' is no longer just a colour; it's a way of life. In these days of high fuel prices and global warming, offsetting your carbon footprint and reducing the damage to the environment is high on many people's priorities.
- Home Insurance - It's a Rat Race
[Insurance:Home-Owners-Renters] What is a rat? Is it a cute, furry animal which makes a good pet, or a vile disgusting vermin? Or is it just yet another insurance risk?
- Oh I Do Like to B&B Beside the Seaside
[Travel-and-Leisure:Bed-Breakfast-Inns] Forget holidays abroad, some of the best destinations for a well-deserved break can be found right here on our doorsteps. Sure, the weather in the UK might not be up to much, but when you consider the benefits of staying in your own country, a bit of rain or overcast sky doesn't seem so bad.
- Perth - Worth the Long Flight
[Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] The capital of Western Australia, the wonderfully diverse Perth offers a bouncing nightlife, sun drenched beaches, maritime adventures and much more. It's the ideal holiday destination for any age, no matter what you're into. If you can bear the long flight - 12 hours from the UK to Singapore, then 5 more hours onward to Perth - you'll find a beautiful city and a fantastic holiday waiting to greet you.
- A Parisian Christmas
[Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] Now the summer is behind us, most of us are beginning to think about the Christmas season. For many, Christmas is a time for panic, last-minute shopping and fights for the last pack of Christmas lights on the shelf. This year, why not be ahead of the game, treat yourself at the same time, and do your Christmas shopping in another country?
- School Holidays on the Cheap
[Travel-and-Leisure:Budget-Travel] With summer drawing to a close for another year, some people are already beginning to plan next year's holiday. Naturally, for those with a family, the school holidays are the favourite time of year for a week or two in the sun. The problem is, holiday companies take advantage of the fact that the months of July and August are the most sought-after and raise their prices accordingly.
- Holidays With Mummy
[Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] If you're looking for a winter holiday with a difference, why not consider the Egyptian city of Luxor? Once known as Thebes, the capital of Ancient Egypt, Luxor is one of the most popular and well-known of all the Egyptian destinations, and with good reason.
- Personal Loans More Popular Than a Higher Purchase
[Finance:Personal-Loans] These days you can buy almost anything on Hire Purchase; cars, electrical equipment, furniture etc. The 'Buy Now, Pay Later' tag line hooks us into paying an often extortionate interest rate just to get some new goodies. But is HP really the best way to buy?
- Heating Or Eating? How to Combat Fuel Poverty
[Home-Improvement:Energy-Efficiency] Fuel poverty sounds like something from a Dickensian novel, conjuring up images of a family in rags and tatters, huddled around a sparse coal fire trying in vain to keep warm. In actual fact, fuel poverty is a harsh reality for millions of Britons today. Faced with rising prices for both gas and electricity, many people are dreading the colder months because they know they can't afford to adequately heat their homes.
- Don't Be Blue, Get Your Motor Running
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Most of us listen to music while in our cars. In fact, according to a recent survey, almost 80% of us like some kind of background noise while driving. But what does this have to do with car insurance?
- Mobile Luxury Holidays
[Travel-and-Leisure] There's nothing people like more than their holidays. Getting away from your everyday life for a week or two is often the highlight of the year, and there are an infinite amount of options to look at when you come to plan your breaks.
- A Loan and Loving It
[Finance:Loans] Personal and secured loans have had a bad press in recent years with the credit crunch but, in truth, there are some plus sides to borrowing money. Provided you are sensible and only take out what you know you can pay back, a loan can be a good way to pay for those things you may otherwise not be able to afford without saving for a long time.
- Life Isn't Always Perfect
[Insurance:Life-Annuities] Nobody's perfect, yet one in 14 of us seem to think we can convince insurance companies that we are. A recent survey showed that approximately 7% of Britons have deliberately provided false information on their life insurance applications in order to get a cheaper premium.
- An Assured Life
[Insurance:Life-Annuities] Everyone's heard of life insurance, but term assurance may not be a phrase heard as much. While life insurance is an umbrella term for all types of life cover policies, term assurance itself is a specific type of policy which in turn encompasses a couple of different varieties.
- A Look at Loan Scams
[Finance:Loans] If you've ever applied for and been refused credit during your adult life, the chances are you've had mail through your letterbox informing you that you've been pre-approved for a loan. At first glance these offers seem legitimate, but are they?
- Is Car Insurance Gender-Biased For a Reason?
[Insurance:Car-Auto] It's public knowledge that car insurance is often cheaper for women than it is for men, but just why is this? The old joke is that women cannot drive as well as men, but this simply isn't the case. It's based on a number of sound facts which have been proven time and again by expert statisticians and psychologists.
- Insurance For Your Best Friend
[Insurance:Pet] We have insurance for our cars, our homes, our lives and even our debts; but what about the furry members of our family? Because no NHS type scheme exists for animals, the cost of vet fees and medications can skyrocket if adequate precautions aren't taken in the form of pet insurance.
- Car Insurance - Is it Comprehensive?
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Comprehensive. Defined in the dictionary as 'something including all or most'. This definition used to apply to fully comprehensive car insurance policies, but it seems that insurers use a different dictionary to the rest of us.
- Everything You Needed to Know About Gas and Electricity Part 3
[News-and-Society:Energy] So far this guide has covered what your bill means and what might cause it to be faulty. In this final part we'll look at ways of reducing a bill if it's just a matter of too much energy being used.
- Everything You Needed to Know About Gas and Electricity Part 2
[News-and-Society:Energy] Part 1 offered some advice about checking your utilities bill. This second part gives some reasons why it may be higher than you expect.
- Everything You Needed to Know About Gas and Electricity Part 1
[Home-Improvement:Energy-Efficiency] A comprehensive guide about the fascinating (!) subject of home utilities. Includes advice on your bills, suggestions on how to use less energy, and how to find the most energy-efficient appliances.
- Choosing a Mobile Phone Tariff Part 1
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] Choosing a mobile phone used to be an easy feat - you'd have a plain choice between pay-as-you-go or monthly contract, and either a standard brick or a standard brick with a keypad flap. But nothing stays simple for long.
- Choosing a Mobile Phone Tariff Part 2
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] Part 1 covered the differences between monthly contracts and PAYG deals. This second part will expand on that, and give handy tips on how to compare and switch packages.
- LLU Broadband Switch
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] Switching your cable broadband provider is relatively easy; but if you're on an LLU service it's a different story. Thousands are flocking 'back to BT', but not necessarily because they want to...
- Every Debt Problem Has a Solution
[Finance:Debt-Relief] With so many of Britain's population in debt, it stands to reason that one single solution will not suit everyone. There are many ways to solve debt problems, and this is a quick guide to the most common.
- Debt Panic - A Practical Solution
[Finance:Debt-Relief] Anyone who's experienced being in debt will understand the sheer panic that threatens to overwhelm you whenever the post arrives or the phone rings. The knowledge that you usually only have yourself to blame just exacerbates this feeling, and you may be tempted to resort to desperate measures to stop the seemingly endless spiral of money problems.
- Relieve Yourself of Your Debt Online
[Finance:Debt-Relief] Debt is a big problem facing much of Britain's population. The credit crunch aside, the general consensus is that people are heading towards a tendency to live beyond their means and follow a lifestyle unmatched by their budget. This is resulting in a spiralling debt which threatens to cause an upsurge in bankruptcies all over the nation.
- Cheque Your Credit Cards
[Finance:Credit] A new type of credit card fraud has swept the nation; credit conjuring. This magic trick is costing banks thousands of pounds, and swindled consumers face heartache and debt worries when targeted.
- Credit - Dread It
[Finance:Credit] Credit is a lovely word. It conjures up images of free money, goods which you haven't paid for, and reckless spending. Debt isn't such a nice word. It makes you think of shivering around a Calor gas fire in a dark living room, unable to pay your electricity bill because all your money is being taken up with debt repayments. Endless red letters and phone calls demanding money you haven't got. But the two terms often go hand-in-hand.
- An A - Z (Almost) Of Mortgages, Part 1
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] 100% Mortgage - This is when you borrow the full property value from a mortgage broker. This type of mortgage requires no deposit or down payment, and is therefore popular with first-time buyers. However, because of the credit crunch, 100% mortgages are hard to come by.
- An A - Z (Almost) Of Mortgages, Part 2
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] Investment Mortgage - More commonly known as a buy-to-let mortgage, this type of deal involves getting a mortgage on a property which you intend to rent out to someone else. Instead of being calculated according to your income, an investment mortgage is calculated based on the projected income from your investment, for example a house being rented out as student accommodation. A BTL mortgage deposit is typically 10%, and is available is a repayment or interest-only option.
- Don't Raise Your Spirits on Holiday
[Insurance:Travel] Every year, thousands of Britons go on holiday abroad, for either sun and relaxation, beach partying or adrenaline-fueled trips such as skiing or rafting. And every year, these thousands of Brits between them consume around 4.5 billion worth of alcohol while on holiday.
- Insurance - Don't Leave Home Without It
[Insurance:Home-Owners-Renters] For a young person about to move out of their parent's home and into university student housing, this is often their first taste of freedom and independence. There's a sense of 'growing up' about having your own place and being responsible for your own finances, bills and everything else.
- Home Insurance - DIY SOS
[Home-Improvement:DIY] The Credit Crunch. It's a phrase that most of us are all to familiar with as it continues to affect almost every aspect of our daily lives. Our homes, our cars, even our kitchen cupboards are all victims of the current financial crisis sweeping Britain like a plague.
- Massaging Your Car Insurance
[Insurance:Car-Auto] What's the difference between a solicitor and a lawyer? In the case of car insurance, 140 Euro. That's the average price difference found by solicitors who initially entered their job description as 'lawyer' when obtaining a quote for their insurance.
- Travel Insurance - Off the Beaten Track
[Insurance:Travel] Britons are getting more adventurous; at least when it comes to their holiday destinations. While at one point, Brits would flock to 'traditional' European hotspots such as Spain and France, now the average British tourist is seeking something a little out of the ordinary from their holiday.
- How to Reduce Your Car Insurance Quote
[Insurance:Car-Auto] The price of a car insurance policy can vary greatly, and there are many things which can influence the price you pay. Fortunately, there are also many things which you can do to reduce this.
- A Generation of Harnessing
[Home-Improvement:Energy-Efficiency] In these dark days of rising prices, it's becoming more and more difficult to make ends meet. The cost of our day to day necessities like petrol and food are all inflating at an alarming rate. The popularity of money-saving measures such as hybrid cars and discount supermarkets has risen almost as fast as the prices, and more and more people are now coming round to the idea that they can not only save on their weekly groceries and petrol, but also their gas and electricity.
- A Law-Abiding Package Holiday
[Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] A package holiday is, by definition, a pre-arranged holiday comprising of at least two components booked together, such as the flight to the destination and the accommodation itself. While package holidays can sometimes be more expensive than booking each part individually yourself, there are more safeguards in place should anything go wrong.
- Go Long on Your Loan
[Finance:Loans] Because of the recent credit crunch, borrowers are choosing to pay more interest on their loans and mortgages in a bid to keep repayments at an affordable level. Borrowing is now being done over a much longer average term than in previous years.
- Discover a Malaysian Borneo Paradise
[Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] Located within the Malay archipelago, Borneo is made up of three different regions: Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Perhaps the most frequently visited of these is Malaysia, dived into two distinct regions by the South China Sea.
- Tied to Your Electricity Meter?
[Home-Improvement:Energy-Efficiency] It's widely known that missing payments on things like loans, credit cards and your mortgage can have an adverse effect on your credit rating, but did you know that missing a payment to your utility supplier could have an adverse effect on which tariff you're on? In these days of rising living costs, all but the most affluent of us are trying to find the elusive cheaper deal. .
- The Power of Puppy Love
[Pets:Dogs] It's important that any prospective dog owner chooses a dog to fit in with their lifestyle. If you're elderly, or disabled, it's no good having a large, boisterous breed which needs walkies 3 times a day. Likewise if you are an active person and plan on long walks or runs, don't go for a small dog with short legs which may not be able to keep up with you. Think about how big the puppy will grow - do you have the space? Do you have a garden or will you need to take the puppy to a local dog-walking area to do its business? Can you afford vets fees, dog food, obedience classes? All these factors should be taken into account to help you decide which breed to go for.
- Trust Your Life Insurance
[Insurance:Life-Annuities] The subject of life insurance is a complicated one at best, and with Inheritance Tax to consider it makes things even more confusing. But should the thought of IHT put you off taking out a life insurance policy?
- Car Insurance - Don't Mix New and Old
[Insurance:Car-Auto] It's a widely known fact that the majority of road accidents are caused by drivers who have only recently passed their test; but it's unclear as to whether this is actually due to reckless driving or if there's another, less obvious cause. Everybody looks upon a newly-passed driver as a speed demon who can't wait to show off to friends and put foot to the floor. But in reality, a young driver is often more likely to be cautious when venturing out alone for the first time behind the wheel.
- Broadband - The Gamer's Friend
[Gaming:Online-Gaming] As if having websites opening quickly, and downloading files at a high speed wasn't enough, there is another reason to get a good broadband connection; games. Specifically, online games which you play in real-time against other people located around the world, playing at the same time as you. Games like World of Warcraft have revolutionised the world of online gaming, featuring a massive virtual 'universe' consisting of many realms where players from all over the world can log in to chat, exchange items and spells, and battle computer controlled (or NPC) monsters.
- Highlighting Mobile Internet
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] Once upon a time a mobile phone was simply a small (or not so small) device used for storing phone numbers, sending short text messages and calling people while you were on the move. With modern technology it's hard for us to remember a time when a mobile phone wasn't an all-singing, all-dancing multimedia centre that fits in your pocket.
- Broadband - Behind the Screen
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] Almost every home now has internet access in one form or another, be it dial-up connection or broadband. If you have a family, your children may find the internet useful for keeping up with friends or doing their homework; but what else is happening behind the screens?
- Broadband - Full Throttle
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] There are many things which can affect the speed of your broadband service; the type of wires your signal comes through, the distance you live from the exchange, the speed of the package you initially signed up for. But there's one factor which isn't widely known but can adversely affect your speed a great deal; bandwidth hogs.
- Mobile Phones - Sun, Sangria, and SMS Sorrows
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone-SMS] Picture it; you're relaxing on a beach in the Costa del Sol, you're sipping your sangria and listening to the strains of OBK's Tu sigue asi emanating from the nearest bar when suddenly, a tell-tale beeping makes your heart sink. No, it's not a large truck reversing towards you and forcing you into shade; it's your mobile phone receiving a text message from your well-meaning friends back home, stating that they wish they were with you and bemoaning the fact that you'll make them look like ghosts when you get back.
- Reclaiming Charges on Your Credit Card
[Finance:Credit] You may have heard about the thousands of customers who have been reclaiming unfair charges levied by their banks, but what about the charges imposed by your card issuer? The principles for claiming back credit card charges is the same as bank charges.
- Are You Harassed by Debt?
[Finance:Debt-Management] It's often unclear just how far a creditor can go to retrieve their money from you. Because the lines between reasonable pressure and harassment are so blurred, many debtors who claim to have been harassed have simply been subject to a creditor who knows how far they can go. Likewise, some debtors may be victims of harassment by a creditor and not be aware of their rights.
- Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Bailiff? Part 2
[Finance:Debt-Management] As mentioned in part 1, there are certain goods a bailiff cannot seize to repay your debts. These include anything necessary for a debtor's occupation, such a vehicle, books or perhaps a laptop computer. They cannot take anything which belongs to someone else, including goods on hire purchase, as these will not legally belong to you until the final payment is made. For the same reason, they cannot take anything which is rented. They also must not seize anything belonging to a child.
- Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Bailiff? Part 1
[Finance:Debt-Management] The word Bailiff strikes fear into the hearts of many, and conjures up images of burly men breaking into people's houses and taking valuable goods to sell on to recover debts. Sadly, the reality is almost as scary, mainly because not everyone is aware of the ins and outs of bailiff jurisdiction.
- No Single Solution to Britain's Debt
[Finance:Debt-Management] The papers and news broadcasts are full of the Government's plans to help the elderly, the disabled or the unemployed, but those who are living on the breadline aren't being considered because they still pay their taxes. It seems to be assumed that as long as you can pay the things the Government demand you pay, nothing else - like food, clothing and heating - matters.
- Give Your Credit Card a Holiday
[Finance:Credit] Summer is the time of year when everything seems to rise; temperatures, parent's tempers - and interest rates. Specifically, the interest rates on credit cards. Card issuers have cottoned on to the fact that most Britons take their credit cards on holiday with them to avoid carrying cash around in a foreign country, but although you get added protection on purchases over £100 made with a card, it's not necessarily the ideal travel accessory.
- Payday Loans to Subsidize Income
[Finance:PayDay-Loans] The cost of living has risen an astronomical amount over recent years, and is pegged to rise even more. Gas and electricity prices alone are expected to rise by up to 40%, yet salaries are looking at an increase of a meager 3.7%.
- Stamping Out Excess Mortgage Fees For First-Time Buyers
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors are pushing for a change in the current regime governing house buying, deeming it 'unfair' and 'inefficient'. If they are successful, it could mean that first-time buyers and less affluent pensioners will be exempt from paying stamp duty, and those buying houses priced at under £1m will pay significantly less tax.
- Is Finding a Car Loan Driving You Mad?
[Finance:Auto-Loans] It's coming to the time for the new '58' number plates to be brought out in the UK. Motorists everywhere will be clamouring for the latest models, and forecourts will be swamped.
- Let Your Mortgage Earn You Money
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] House prices have gone through a period of wild fluctuation recently, with the result that many people are wary of buying or selling property. Because of reluctance, or financial inability, to take out a mortgage on a new property, the rental market has soared.
- Does Your Insurance Exclude You? Part 3
[Insurance] Final part of a three-part guide on the various exclusions encountered within insurance policies. Never be refused a claim again!
- Does Your Insurance Exclude You? Part 2
[Insurance] Part 2 of a three-part guide on the various exclusions encountered within insurance policies. Never be refused a claim again!
- Does Your Insurance Exclude You? Part 1
[Insurance] Part 1 of a three-part guide on the various exclusions encountered within insurance policies. Never be refused a claim again!
- Home Insurance - Jargon Busted Part 2
[Insurance:Home-Owners-Renters] Part 2 of the guide to the most common terminology used by insurers. High risk to Underwriters.
- Home Insurance - Jargon Busted Part 1
[Insurance:Home-Owners-Renters] If you've ever tried to read through the terms and conditions of a home insurance policy, only to come away feeling more confused than ever, then this guide is for you. It covers the most common terminology used by insurers.
- Airport Security and Flight Safety
[Travel-and-Leisure:Airline-Travel] You know you're on your holidays when you arrive at the airport with your luggage and join the endless queues for checking in. But what would you do if you got to the security desk, only to be told your hand luggage is outside the safety guidelines?
- What's in a Mortgage?
[Real-Estate:Buying] More is involved in moving house than the average first-time buyer might think. A mortgage isn't just a large loan which you happen to spend on a place to live; there are many different fees and charges which need to be taken into account when looking for a new home.
- Loan Sharks - Don't Go in the Water
[Finance:Loans] If you've been refused credit through your bank or a licensed lender, you may be tempted to go down the more dangerous route of borrowing from a loan shark or rogue lender. While it can be a good way to get money fast if your loan applications aren't accepted elsewhere, getting a loan from a loan shark could be the worst financial decision you could make.
- An Eye on London
[Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] London, the capital of the UK, is actually a combination of two cities; The City (or The City of London to give it the full title), and Westminster. The West End is classed as the centre of London and is famous for its many theatres and museums, while the East End is populated, in the main, by the working class and also contains the main industrial sectors.
- How Dated is Your Mobile Phone?
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] Single people have had the option of personal ads in newspapers, dating agencies, dating websites and even speed dating; and now finding that special someone can even be done on the move. Dating agencies are increasingly waking up to the fact that the mobile phone is perhaps the most common method of communication today, and offering services which will utilize this medium as much as possible. In its simplest form, mobile dating involves using your mobile phone browser to access a profile site, and sending a text message to a profile you'd be interested in.
- A Sneak Peek at Car Insurance
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Car insurance is a compulsory thing for every driver, and this can leave consumers open to getting ripped off. Studies have shown that some insurance firms are sneaking in unnecessarily high 'admin charges' for relatively simple tasks such as changing an address.
- A Gem Of An Insurance Policy
[Insurance:Home-Owners-Renters] When you think of home insurance, what comes to mind? Perhaps you think it's just in case of a fire, or to cover those DIY disasters? Well, while it's always good to be insured for those things, there's much more to home insurance than simply safeguarding against damage to your property.
- Broadband Vs Broaderband
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] Almost 90% of internet users in the UK use a broadband connection, with average speeds of 2-8 Mbps. But because of technology becoming more and more advanced, such speeds may soon be too slow. Fortunately, there are new systems being developed which could deliver super-fast broadband to our homes.
- The Easy Rider Of Mobile Phones
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone-Reviews] Remember having a mobile phone so bulky it had to be kept in the car? Back when mobile phones were called car phones they were big grey monstrosities which only business people could afford, and were far too heavy and cumbersome to carry around. Thankfully, due to modern technology, they were phased out.
- Have Broadband?
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] The music download giant Napster has recently launched an online music store, where internet users can download individual MP3's for a price of around 60p each, or 5 for a full album. It's estimated at over 6 million tracks will be available to purchase, and be in the standard MP3 format, meaning they can be played on iPods, MP3 players, or burnt onto audio CD's. The new store by Napster is a direct competitor for Amazon and iTunes, which is currently the largest music retailer in the US.
- Leaving Your Holiday Till The Last Minute
[Travel-and-Leisure:Budget-Travel] Often the cheapest holidays are the ones you book at the last minute. You may not know where you'll end up, but isn't that half the fun? This is a brief guide to last minute holidays.
- Debt On Your Doorstep
[Finance:Debt-Management] Although banks are, in theory, clamping down on the amount of credit applications they approve, in actual fact they are doing little to reduce the problem for many Britons by offering them a chance to get into further debt. Despite those with poor credit histories finding it nigh-on impossible to get any sort of credit, the banks and credit card lenders are falling over themselves to offer it to those who they judge can 'just' afford the repayments.
- Credit Card Fraud Part 2 - What To Do
[Finance:Credit] Despite the introduction of Chip and PIN in the UK, credit card fraud is on the rise. Millions of Britons fall victim to some form of card fraud every year, but there are steps you can take to prevent it.
- Credit Card Fraud Part 1 - How It Happens
[Finance:Credit] Credit card fraud has been around as long as credit cards have. The majority of incidents occur through the internet when a consumer falls foul of phishing scams or less-than-honest websites.
- Go Surfing For Cheaper Utilities
[Finance:Personal-Finance] Gas and electricity prices are on the up and up, with no signs of stopping. More and more consumers are finding themselves in debt to their suppliers as they find the increased charges harder to cope with.
- How Interesting is Your Mortgage?
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] Interest rates affect almost every part of our lives, and one of the biggest things affected by rising rates is the mortgage. The type of mortgage you take out will determine which interest rate you pay, which can be high or low depending on the base rate at the time.
- No More Identikit Mortgages
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] A mortgage which is perfect for one person may be completely wrong for another. What type of mortgage you're best suited to depends on your circumstances and how you want to manage your repayments. Therefore, there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes to mortgages.
- Nomophobia - The Mobile Phobia for the 21st Century
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] It's long been understood that getting married, getting divorced and moving house are three of the most stressful things in anyone's lifetime, but now it appears they are matched by a new affliction - Nomophobia. Nomophobia is literally 'no mobile phobia' - the fear of being without your mobile phone. Approximately 53% of people suffer with this fear, their stress levels rising if they misplace their phone, lose network signal or find the battery dead with no charger to hand.
- The Beginner's Guide to Broadband
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] Nearly every home in the UK has access to the internet, and most of those now have a broadband connection. But for the uninitiated, what exactly is broadband all about?
- Overdrafts - The New Loan
[Finance:Loans] Because lenders are cutting back on the amount of loans and credit cards they approve, would-be borrowers are turning instead to their overdrafts. Instead of applying for dozens of loans and risking damage to their credit rating, consumers are relying on their banks to extend their overdrafts and give them the extra cash.
- Chased By Debt
[Finance:Debt-Management] Debt collection agency - the words guaranteed to strike fear into a debtor's heart. These companies will buy your debt from your bank or credit card lender, and relentlessly pursue you for the money owed. Approximately £6.5 billion in unpaid debts were sold to collection agencies in the UK during 2007, and it's estimated that this figure will increase to £8 billion in 2008.
- Personal Finance And The Credit Crunch
[Finance:Personal-Finance] Anyone wishing to apply for personal credit may find that their choices are becoming increasingly limited, not to mention more expensive as the average APR rises. Due to the recent 'credit crunch', consumers are finding that not only is it more difficult to get credit, but that the credit they do get is costing them more in interest repayments. This goes for most kinds of credit; mortgages, loans and credit cards.
- Mobile Phones - The Paranoid Android
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] As if Google didn't control enough of the internet, they have now branched out into the portable market. The Google-owned Android, which is an open-source Linux-based platform, is coming to a mobile phone near you.
- Mortgage Moans
[Finance:Home-Equity-Loans] If you're looking to get your foot on the property ladder, you may want to save for a while first. The recent credit crunch in the UK has led to mortgage lenders withdrawing many of their cheaper deals in an attempt to discourage all but the most affluent from taking out a mortgage.
- Negative Equity and the 125% Mortgage
[Finance:Home-Equity-Loans] Back in 2007, a new mortgage appeared on the market which seemed like a godsend for first-time buyers - the 125% mortgage. The idea was that you could borrow the full cost of the property, plus 25% more to give you some spare cash. Therefore, a mortgage on a £200,000 house would give you an extra £50,000 to spend.
- Meter Your Electricity Bills
[News-and-Society:Energy] When your utility bill drops though your letterbox, what do you do? Pay it without thinking, trusting your provider implicitly, or do you ignore it altogether, knowing that it's paid by direct debit so you don't have to worry? Or do you pore over it, checking every detail?
- Credit Cards - Strategic Applications
[Finance:Credit] Although filling in a credit card application doesn't take long, you can still feel as if you've wasted your time if you get refused. Sadly, because lenders are clamping down, this is a reality which is facing approximately 1 in 14 people in Britain every day. So what can you do if your application is refused?
- Can Your Credit Card Hold Your Interest?
[Finance:Credit] The past two years have seen credit card companies imposing major interest rate hikes, leaving householders desperately trying to balance their books. The average rate has risen from 14.9% to 16.4% in this time, seemingly as a direct result of companies being ordered to stop demanding unfair penalty charges on late or missed payments.
- Credit Cards - Your Perfect Plastic Partner
[Finance:Credit] According to a report from the Office of Fair Trading, interest is calculated on credit cards in several different ways, depending on the company. This means that when comparing credit cards to find the best one for you, you can't just go by one single factor.
- Weighing Up Your Life Insurance
[Insurance:Life-Annuities] Britain, as a nation, is getting bigger. Obesity costs the UK an average of £20 billion per annum in disability pay and lost tax payments, and around £15 billion per year for NHS fees, as obese people tend to visit the doctor more frequently. The Government estimates that by 2025 33% of girls and 25% of boys will be of a weight which is hazardous to their health, or clinically obese.
- Travel Insurance - Sun, Sand and Sickness
[Insurance:Travel] Travel insurance is probably one of the most confusing types of insurance around. Numerous clauses, sub-clauses and a myriad of little stipulations make for a very complicated policy, which nevertheless is very important for any holiday-maker.
- Life Insurance - Don't Fear the Reaper
[Insurance:Life-Annuities] Death is a part of life, yet many people don't consider the fact that when the Reaper comes knocking, their loved ones will be left behind. Providing support for your family in the form of life assurance can help in the most difficult times by easing any financial worries they may otherwise have.
- Home Insurance - There Goes the Neighbourhood
[Insurance:Home-Owners-Renters] The home insurance market is competitive, with many companies now offering dedicated insurance policies to cover both your home and the contents within it. While insurance isn't a legal requirement for your home, it's certainly a good idea to take out a policy...particularly if your neighbours are DIY enthusiasts.
- Flights of Fancy - Timeshare
[Travel-and-Leisure:Timeshare] Timeshare basically means you purchase the right to use a particular property for a particular week each year. This is useful if you enjoy visiting the same place over and over but can't afford to - or don't want to - buy your own property there. Timeshares are typically in villas or apartments but can also be in caravans or country cottages as well.
- Flights of Fancy - Holiday Clubs
[Travel-and-Leisure:Timeshare] Holiday clubs typically have a worse reputation than timeshare, yet still many people fall for the bogus club scams every year. The reason for this is due mostly to the glossy sales technique used to present the benefits of buying into a holiday club; the high-pressure way the sale is presented leaves you signing the contract before you can think.
- Hell House Hotels
[Travel-and-Leisure:Hotels-Accommodations] For the lucky majority of holiday-makers, their stay in a hotel will pass without a hitch, leaving long lasting, happy memories. But for some, they're left feeling like they may as well have booked a stay in a war zone or damp-ridden basement - for that's what some hotel rooms resemble.
- Cheap Flights Home
[Travel-and-Leisure:Airline-Travel] Many Britons dream of a home in the sun, which is why more and more are deciding to make the most of property developments abroad and buying villas and apartments in foreign climes. Some live there permanently, others prefer to use it as a second home, flying over when British life - and weather - just gets too dreary.
- The Four Seasons of New York
[Travel-and-Leisure:Hotels-Accommodations] There's no right or wrong time to visit this well-known US city. Each season sees something happening in New York, whether it be parades, festivals or sporting events.
- Car Insurance - Calculating Your Premium
[Insurance:Car-Auto] There is no fixed standard when it comes to car insurance. The price you pay depends on a myriad of different things, from past driving history to your current marital status. The underwriters from any insurance company look at all the different factors when deciding your premium, making each insurance quote unique to the driver.
- Common Sense with Car Insurance
[Insurance:Car-Auto] We've all heard the horror stories of people trying to claim on their motor insurance, only to have their claim refused due to a technicality, or some detail that has been forgotten. The higher your claim, the harder the insurer will work to find some reason not to pay out. Some of the steps you can take to avoid this issue are just a matter of diligence and common sense.
- Car Insurance Bullies
[Insurance:Car-Auto] If you have an accident in your car, it's reasonable to expect your insurer to pay out for damages. And if the car is a write-off (meaning it would cost more to repair than the car is worth - if repairable at all), then your insurer is expected to pay you the current retail value of your car in its pre-accident state.
- Portable Holidays
[Travel-and-Leisure:Camping] There's nothing quite like a holiday in a tent or caravan. You don't have to worry about room service, check-in times or hiding things away from nosey maids; you're self-contained, free to eat when and where you like, and aren't (usually) bothered by fellow guests stomping past your room at all hours.
- One Foot In The Algarve
[Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] Portugal lies between Spain and the Atlantic Ocean. While small in land mass, the country is growing in terms of popularity since joining the EU in 1986, and is now a much-loved holiday destination for the British. The Algarve region has probably the best climate for sun-seekers, with the majority of the year averaging around 20 degrees C and higher.
- Holiday Parks on Your Doorstep
[Travel-and-Leisure] For some, the ideal holiday is a luxury hotel on a foreign coast. Others choose to sail the seven seas - or at least one of them - on a cruise liner. Still others prefer to stay in their home country and sample the delights to be found on their own doorstep.
- Mobile Phones - In the Sun
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] If you travel a lot, chances are you'll spend quite a bit on mobile phone roaming charges. Like almost everything else in the UK, international roaming charges are expensive, but there are ways to reduce the amount you spend.
- Mobile Phones - Spoiled for Choice
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] Three out of four people in the UK now own at least one mobile phone. They've become so much a part of everyday life we wonder how we ever managed without them. But with so many different handsets, networks and features available, how do you choose which is for you?
- Broadband - The Small Print
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] Over half of us don't bother to read the small print when signing a contract with a broadband provider. We trust in the company we are signing with, and assume that nothing will go wrong. Perhaps it won't; you may be one of the lucky ones who never fall foul of a cleverly worded clause. But for the rest of us, it's important to know what we're signing. So read the terms and conditions carefully and watch out for the following:
- Broadband - Into the VoIP
[Communications:VOIP] VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a complicated term for the fairly simple process of using your internet PC to make phone calls. VoIP has expanded in popularity recently and is now seen as a viable alternative to the humble telephone call.
- Broadband - How to Switch
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] Nowadays, there are so many different choices of broadband provider there's no need to stay with one that's making you unhappy. Thousands of people switch their providers every week, and most find they get a better deal for their troubles.
- Debt Management and Credit Repair Myths
[Finance:Debt-Management] There have been many adverts on the television in recent years, of companies offering to 'repair your credit history' and naturally, many people are being taken in by them. While some of these companies are legitimate and can guide you through the process of clearing your debts, there are some who will claim to be able to remove debts from your file within 12 months.
- Does Choosing A Loan Make You Groan?
[Finance:Loans] Almost everyone will need to take out a loan of one form or another in their life. It's a lump sum which you borrow from a lending company, and pay back in monthly instalments over a number of years, with a little extra to cover the interest.
- The Fashion For 2008
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Fashion-Style] Every year fashion changes. Sometimes a style from years back gets re-vamped with a modern twist - remember puffball skirts? - or a popular style gets updated. It can be difficult keeping up with what's hot and what's not, which is where blogs come in handy, keeping you in the know as to what's going on in the world of celebrity fashion.
- Get Yourself Out Of Debt
[Finance:Debt-Management] Most of the nation is in debt to some degree. There's nothing shameful in it, but it can be emotionally crippling to be several thousand pounds in debt and feeling like there's no way out. But there is a way out, if you have the strength to help yourself.
- Things To Do With A Mobile Phone
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] Mobile phone deals change all the time, and new handsets are appearing at a rate of knots. If you're a gadget freak, you'll feel the impulse to get the latest shiny new phone with the latest technology...but what could you do with your old phone?
- Don't Be A Fuel Fool - Save On Gas And Electricity
[News-and-Society:Energy] Even though energy costs in the UK have been rising, you can still save yourself pounds each year by following simple yet effective energy-saving advice. Most of the hints outlined here are just common sense when you stop to consider them; but few do. And remember, they won't just save you money, but they'll go towards reducing your carbon footprint too.
- Student Loans
[Finance:Student-Loans] More and more school-leavers are heading to further education, and realising for the first time what it's like to cope with your own finances. With the banks throwing student loans and interest-free overdrafts their way, it's no wonder that the average student graduates with over £10,000 worth of debt.
- Boiler Breakdown - Is Your Heating Covered?
[Home-Improvement:Heating-and-Air-Conditioning] Heating your home isn't so much of a problem in the summer, but unless you're in the habit of only taking cold showers and boiling the kettle every time you wash up, you could be left high and dry if your boiler breaks down. The boiler is a part of the home which is rarely, if ever, thought of, until it stops working. Suddenly it becomes a very prominent and rather expensive piece of essential equipment.
- Credit Card Mistakes
[Finance:Credit] Having a credit card can be helpful, provided you are careful, and pay off as much of your balance as possible each month. But there are some seemingly harmless things which you should avoid using your credit card for; things that ensure the lender makes as much money out of you as possible.
- Set Off Your Mortgage
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] One phrase you may have heard bounced around in financial or property circles is 'offset mortgage'. The word 'mortgage' alone can be daunting to some, yet an offset mortgage can mean financial freedom at a much quicker rate for some homeowners.
- Mortgages - What Goes Up Must Come Down
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] House prices have increased to almost quadruple in the last 20 years. In 1987 the average house price was less than 50,000. In 2007 it was over 200,000. That's a scary realisation for any buyer, but for a couple looking to buy their first home it may be just too daunting a prospect to face.
- Symbian Mobile Phones
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] A phone using the Symbian operating system is able to integrate several software applications at once, such as word processors, internet browser and email. The first phone on the Symbian OS was the Nokia 9210. It was launched in 2000 and was a fairly ordinary-looking handset with the old style black-on-green screen and simple keypad...at first glance.
- Gap Year Travel
[Travel-and-Leisure] A gap year is defined as a 12 month period between school and higher education, which is usually spent working, travelling, or a combination of the two. A gap year will provide an opportunity for developing valuable skills, both socially and personally.
- Stay Safe On Holiday
[Insurance:Travel] Approximately a third of holidaymakers place themselves and their belongings at unnecessary risk while on holiday. This "It can't happen to me" attitude means that thousands of British tourists travel without insurance or an awareness of basic safety guidelines.
- Concept Phones - The Nokia Morph
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] Technology is getting so far advanced now, that manufacturers have been able to begin design on a mobile phone which folds, turns into a bracelet and even changes colour completely. Sounds like the stuff of Sci-Fi, right?
- MP3 Mobile Phones
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] A few years ago, the craze was for the iPod and the MP3 player, portable digital devices which replaced the portable CD player. At around the same time, mobile phone manufacturers must have started thinking "There's a new market here"...thus the birth of the MP3 Mobile Phone.
- Life Happens to Everyone
[Insurance:Life-Annuities] Nobody likes to think they may be too ill to work and pay bills, or leave a family behind, struggling financially after a death. Yet it's a fact of life that things like this happen whether we're prepared for them or not. While you can't cover all contingencies, there are steps you can take to aid peace of mind, both for yourself and your family.
- Have Insurance, Will Travel
[Insurance:Travel] It's easy to forget something as mundane as insurance in the excitement of planning a trip, but travel insurance is something no self-respecting holidaymaker should be without. If you book a package deal, the travel agent will invariably try to sell you insurance, but don't be hasty; you can usually get it cheaper by yourself.
- Home Safe
[Insurance:Home-Owners-Renters] There are two types of home insurance which owners should have for ultimate peace of mind. They are available as separate policies but it's often cheaper to get two-in-one policies which will cover everything. Having said that, you still need to be vigilant when choosing a policy; not all of them will have exactly the cover you need.
- Tying the Knot in Italy
[Relationships:Wedding] One of the most popular destinations this decade for weddings and honeymoons is Italy. This is due, in part, to the warm climate, stunning landscapes and fantastic cuisine, all amidst romantic, European surroundings. For brides on a budget, a wedding in Italy can be done relatively cheaply if you do your research and plan carefully.
- Fuerteventura Tourist Tips
[Travel-and-Leisure] Fuerteventura is the second largest of the Canary Islands, located off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. It's a popular holiday destination with the British, because of the year-round good weather and the tourist-friendly atmosphere.
- Things to Do in Australia
[Travel-and-Leisure] Australia's Northern Territory is the ideal state for an active, yet cultural, break. With dramatic scenery and Aboriginal art from hundreds of native artists, the region is perhaps best known for the incredible Ayers Rock and the town of Alice Springs in the outback.
- When Is A Hotel Not A Hotel?
[Travel-and-Leisure] When it's a crane, or a fish tank, or a sewer pipe...The trend for unusual hotels has increased in the last decade, and nowadays you can find holiday accommodation almost anywhere imaginable. The general rule seems to be if you can stand there, you can build a hotel there.
- Love Is In The Air - Cheap Flights For Weekend Breaks
[Travel-and-Leisure:Airline-Travel] Valentines Day may be behind us for another year, but who says you can't still have a romantic break abroad whenever you feel like it? A holiday doesn't have to be a week long affair; it's perfectly possible to get a short break in another country if you fly there.
- Myths and Legends of Car Insurance
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Urban legends exist about almost every aspect of life from weddings to kitchen appliances to household pets. Each country has its own urban legends and on the face of it, most sound plausible. Myths that exist purely as entertainment or to send a moral message are in themselves harmless, but what if the myth you believe could cost you quite a lot of money?
- A Good Performance from Car Insurance
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Everyone has an idea of the type of car they'd ideally like. You've probably plotted out exactly which car, or cars, you'd buy if your numbers came up on the Lottery. Maybe you stand and gape in open-mouthed admiration and envy as someone drives past in your dream car.
- Cheap Car Insurance For Younger Drivers
[Insurance:Car-Auto] The title is a bit of a contradiction in terms, as insurance is never going to be all that cheap for young drivers! But there are steps a driver in the high-risk group can take to save themselves a little cash on their premiums.
- European Car Hire Part 3
[Travel-and-Leisure] It's been many years now since the Channel Tunnel was built, yet the novelty of driving to Europe hasn't worn off for many of us. But not everyone wants to drive halfway across Britain to keep on driving in a different country, which is where car hire firms come in useful. This is the final part of our guide to some of the more popular driving destinations throughout Europe.
- Holidays and Everyday Life in Japan
[Travel-and-Leisure] Few countries could be more different to our way of life than Japan. The distinctive language, interesting food and instantly recognizable decor gives westerners on holiday to Japan an experience which cannot be rivaled.
- European Car Hire Part 2
[Travel-and-Leisure:Vacation-Rentals] It's been many years now since the Channel Tunnel was built, yet the novelty of driving to Europe hasn't worn off for many of us. But not everyone wants to drive halfway across Britain to keep on driving in a different country, which is where car hire firms come in useful. This continues our guide to some of the more popular driving destinations throughout Europe.
- European Car Hire Part 1
[Travel-and-Leisure:Vacation-Rentals] It's been many years now since the Channel Tunnel was built, yet the novelty of driving to Europe hasn't worn off for many of us. But not everyone wants to drive halfway across Britain to keep on driving in a different country, which is where car hire firms come in useful. Hiring a car abroad is a great way of exploring a foreign country without being hassled by other tourists or holiday reps. This is a brief guide to some of the more popular driving destinations throughout Europe.
- Ski Holidays - A Resort Guide Part 3
[Travel-and-Leisure:Ski-Resorts] In Britain, we don't get an abundance of either sun or snow, so it stands to reason we'll go elsewhere for it. Ski resorts are a popular holiday choice amongst the British, and while not as great a variety as there is with sunspots, there's still plenty of choice to suit any taste. This is the final part of our brief guide to the various ski resorts.
- Ski Holidays - A Resort Guide Part 2
[Travel-and-Leisure:Ski-Resorts] In Britain, we don't get an abundance of either sun or snow, so it stands to reason we'll go elsewhere for it. Ski resorts are a popular holiday choice amongst the British, and while not as great a variety as there is with sunspots, there's still plenty of choice to suit any taste. This continues our brief guide to the various ski resorts.
- Ski Holidays - A Resort Guide Part 1
[Travel-and-Leisure:Ski-Resorts] In Britain, we don't get an abundance of either sun or snow, so it stands to reason we'll go elsewhere for it. Ski resorts are a popular holiday choice amongst the British, and while not as great a variety as there is with sunspots, there's still plenty of choice to suit any taste.
- Holidays in Malta
[Travel-and-Leisure] Anyone who has seen the Robin Williams film version of Popeye will be at least a little familiar with the Mediterranean island of Malta. The term 'good things come in small packages' certainly can be applied to this small yet beautiful land. Malta is only 17 miles long end to end and 9 miles across at its widest point, yet has some of the most spectacular views in the Mediterranean.
- Holidays in Cyprus
[Travel-and-Leisure] What do you look for in a holiday? Are you a sun-worshipper, preferring to spend your days on the beach with a book, soaking up the rays and showing your friends back home a tan to envy? Or are you the more adventurous type who just can't sit still, and needs to be out doing energetic things every day? Or perhaps you have a young family and find your days filled with soggy socks, sandy nappies and sunburnt noses?
- Fun, Games and Holidays in Beijing
[Travel-and-Leisure] Beijing is the place to be in 2008 if you're a sports fan. A very auspicious year for the Chinese people, this is the year in which Beijing will host the 29th Olympic games. The games will start with the lighting of the Olympic Flame at eight minutes to 8 on August 8th.
- Flights of Fancy in Barcelona
[Travel-and-Leisure:Airline-Travel] You'd be forgiven for thinking you'd stepped into another world when you set foot in Spain's second largest city, Barcelona. The historic Mediterranean city still bears signs of its Roman beginnings which contrast beautifully with the later 19th century Gothic architecture located in the heart of the city.
- Cheap Broadband, Or Is It?
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] Choosing your broadband package isn't a decision to be taken lightly. With so many different offers floating around it's sometimes easier to just head for the cheapest and hope for the best. But the cheapest isn't necessarily the best, as many dissatisfied broadband customers have already found out.
- Bundle up Your Broadband
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] There are many things to be taken into consideration when choosing a broadband provider, but one of the most common is the extra features you can get with it. Getting broadband on its own is no longer necessary; instead you can receive your phone, TV and mobile phone from the same company.
- Broadband is the Business
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] There aren't many businesses nowadays who don't utilise the internet in one form or another. Large corporations may use it to communicate with their many members of staff, and a smaller business might use it for market research purposes.
- Finding The Best Broadband Deals
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] Dial-up internet is slowly but surely being phased out with more and more households turning to a broadband connection instead. But with so many providers around, each offering a different package, finding the right one for you may seem like an uphill struggle.
- Post Off Your Broadband
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] The Post Office has been a mainstay of the British community for as long as any of us can remember. While they may have their problems with postal strikes and the like, the GPO remains an institution looked upon fondly by many of us.
- Mobile Phones Through the Ages
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] The first mobile phones introduced in the UK could only just be called 'mobile'. They resembled a house brick, if not in colour then certainly in size, and cost more than the car you used them in. The only accessory was the extraordinary briefcase-sized battery and receiver pack you had to cart around with it, and an integrated camera was just the stuff of dreams.
- Accessorise Your Mobile Phone
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone-Accessories] The mobile phone is the fashion accessory of the 21st century, so it stands to reason the accessory will have accessories. There are almost as many phone accessories as there are phones to use them with, and this quick guide will cover just a few.
- Mobile Phones for Everyone
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] Whatever your circumstances, tastes, needs and budget, there'll be a mobile phone and tariff to suit you. There's such a wide variety of handsets around now, everyone can have a phone which they're happy with.
- PDA Mobile Phones
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] The PDA, or Personal Digital Assistant, is the most technologically advanced type of mobile phone to date. It's a combination of phone, computer, games console, MP3 player...basically, it can do anything your desktop PC can.
- For and Against Car Insurance
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Being in a car accident can be painful, stressful and financially crippling. Depending on the severity of it, the costs can be extremely high. Inevitably there will also be repercussions of varying seriousness, some of which will affect your premiums.
- Top 10 Reasons Loans Are Refused - Part 2
[Finance:Loans] Loans can be refused for a variety of reasons, some of which are obvious: Illegibility, omitting important details, or just not filling in the application fully. But some reasons aren't as obvious, and people often don't realise they're putting their credit score in jeopardy by repeatedly making the same mistakes.
- Top 10 Reasons Loans Are Refused - Part 1
[Finance:Loans] Getting a loan in the UK Is proving harder and harder. Even applicants with good credit scores are finding banks less willing to lend them money, and interest rates are rising, seemingly to put potential borrowers off. The numbers of loans refused is at an all-time high, because lenders are becoming more choosy about who they accept. Here are some of the reasons why your application may have been refused.
- For Richer, For Poorer - The Perfect Secured Loans For The Perfect Day
[Finance:Loans] "I'm getting married" are the words every parent both longs and dreads to hear come from their daughter's lips. The news that their precious little darling is now a grown woman is usually met with surprise, then mild sadness or nostalgia - maybe tinged with a little relief - and finally happiness and excitement as you set to work planning the Big Day.
- Extreme Debt Management - Administration Orders
[Finance:Debt-Management] Debt is a big problem in the UK. The TV channels are flooded with advertisements for debt consolidation loans and companies offering to manage your debts for you, but what if you don't want to, or can't, do this?
- Loans - Lend Yourself a Day in the Sun
[Finance:Loans] Everybody needs their day in the sun now and again. It's been proven that the body and mind benefit from sunlight, as it causes the body to produce vitamin D, which promotes healthy bones and can even help to prevent coronary disease. It's also a natural mood elevator - hence why some sufferers of depression can benefit from light therapy.
- Don't Be A Victim Of Loan Companies
[Finance:Loans] There are many different types of loan available, and the latest ones to appear seem to be too good to be true for people with bad credit ratings who can't get a regular loan. Unfortunately, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
- Bankruptcy - Extreme Debt Management
[Finance:Bankruptcy] Bankruptcy is a scary word with a major stigma attached to it, but the fact of the matter is, it can help some people in certain circumstances. If your debts are of an insurmountable level and you genuinely cannot see another way out, then you may have to go down this road.
- Loans - Personal vs Secured
[Finance:Loans] If you need a lump sum fast, perhaps to pay for this years holiday, a wedding, car or home improvements, you may need a loan. If your credit score is good enough, getting a loan is relatively easy. But which loan do you go for? This guide quickly compares the two most common types, personal loans and secured loans, to help you decide which one is best for you.
- Be Debt Free in 2008
[Finance:Debt-Consolidation] If one of your new years resolutions is to get your finances in order this year, then this brief guide may be able to help you. Debt is a big problem in the UK, with around two-thirds of the nation in some form of financial difficulty. There is no quick and easy solution, but there are ways you can help ease the burden.
- Payday Loans - A Little Help When You Need It
[Finance:PayDay-Loans] Question - when is a high interest, high-repayment loan a good idea? Answer - when it's a payday loan.
- Console Yourself With Debt Consolidation
[Finance:Debt-Consolidation] The figures keep fluctuating year upon year, but the sad fact remains that the average household in the UK is in debt to the tune of 9000 - 11,000, and that's excluding the mortgage. What's worse is that it seems to be spiraling out of control, with more and more people getting into debt every day.
- Cost Of Living Increases Need For Debt Management
[Finance:Debt-Management] In Britain, the cost of living seems to be steadily on the rise. More and more people are struggling to make ends meet and subsequently the nation's debt is spiraling out of control.
- British Car Hire and Driving For Visitors
[Travel-and-Leisure] For residents of 66% of the world, a driving holiday in the United Kingdom is a completely different experience. The UK is the 7th largest country (in terms of population) which drives on the left hand side of the road, which can cause some confusion for holiday makers from one of the 166 countries that uses the right-hand side.
- Movie Rental or Car Rental?
[Automotive] It's hard for anyone living in Britain to say they truly love driving. Almost all the pleasure has been taken out of it by the sheer number of rules, regulations and ramps that clutter UK roads. Films like Thelma and Louise or Easy Rider just serve to point out the huge difference between American interstates and British carriageways, and make many of us long for that kind of freedom.
- Hire a Car and Fly Away
[Travel-and-Leisure] If you need to get away but want something a little bit different, why not think about a Fly-Drive holiday? It's a great way to experience a country at its best, and see some amazing scenery that may not otherwise be accessible.
- Loans Can Lend You a Hand
[Finance:Loans] What do you do when you look at your household paperwork one day and realise you're up to your eyeballs in plastic? Credit cards, debit cards, store cards...It's just all too confusing!
- Finding Bad Credit Mortgages
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] With much of the nation in debt, many lenders are now offering something called a 'bad credit mortgage'. There are even lenders who specialise in these types of mortgages, which often have much higher interest rates.
- Holiday Loans and Moans
[Finance:Loans] Now the holiday season is well and truly over, thousands of people are facing the reality of just how much they spent during it. The credit card bills are rolling in, and coping with those as well as the regular bills mean that many households are starting the new year in debt.
- Buy To Let Mortgages - A Guide To Buying A Home For Someone Else
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] A buy-to-let mortgage is a form of investment which can offer more security than the less predictable stock market. It comes with no guarantees, but as the nation gets more in debt and standard mortgage applications are being turned down, people are looking more at renting properties as opposed to climbing the property ladder themselves.
- Buy To Let Mortgages For The First Time Landlord
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] If you live in a university town such as Stafford, Bradford, Cambridge etc and you're looking to make a few investments, why not consider a buy to let mortgage? Not only will you be helping out the students in your city, you can also make money out of it!
- Don't Become A Victim of Credit Card Fraud
[Legal:Identity-Theft] Hundreds of people each year are victims of fraud, and many of these relate to their credit cards. There are many ways for identity thieves to obtain your credit card details but likewise, there are many ways to avoid them.
- The Credit Card Aftermath
[Finance:Credit] Christmas 2007 was a hard time for many. With a large percentage of the UK population in varying degrees of debt, a significant number of families had their Christmas on credit.
- Play The Gas Lottery With Your Postcode
[News-and-Society] With Npower and EDF's announcements of energy price increases, Britain is set to pay on average over £1000 per year for their gas and electricity. Unfortunately, it's not just down to how big your house is, but also where it is, that can dictate your costs.
- Heating Cover - The Basics
[Insurance:Home-Owners-Renters] Nowadays we have insurance for everything - the car, the home, the family dog, even our lives. But there's one type of insurance that often gets forgotten - heating insurance.
- Getting A Car Cheap Across The Pond
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Car prices are becoming unpredictable in the UK, so many car enthusiasts are opting to look over the waters instead. Importing a car can be a good way of getting yourself a bargain car, often one that is unique or rarely seen in the UK.
- Car Insurance N to Z
[Insurance:Car-Auto] No claims - Going for a year or more without making an insurance claim can get you varying discounts on your premiums. Some insurers also offer protected no claims, meaning you can make so many claims per year without your discount being affected.
- Car Insurance A to M
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Age - Your age can affect the price of your insurance. The age group 25 - 70 tend to get the lowest premiums.
- Honesty Is The Best (Car Insurance) Policy
[Insurance:Car-Auto] "Has the car been modified or adapted from the manufacturers specification in any way?"...the words every modified car driver dreads. But lying about it is more trouble than it's worth.
- The Road To Lower Car Insurance Part 2
[Insurance:Car-Auto] This is a continued list of tips and tricks about car insurance. Some are obvious, some aren't, some are just common sense. All can help you lower your premiums.
- The Road To Lower Car Insurance Part 1
[Insurance:Car-Auto] This is a list of tips and tricks about car insurance. Some are obvious, some aren't, some are just common sense. All can help you lower your premiums.
- Temporary Car Insurance
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Traditionally, a car insurance policy lasts for a year at a time. But what if you won't have the car for that length of time? Perhaps you're just looking after a car while a friend is on holiday, and you need to be insured to drive it. You don't want to take out a full years premium for a car you'll only have for a fortnight, and your current insurance policy doesn't cover driving other cars.
- Pay As You Go - Car Insurance?
[Insurance:Car-Auto] We're all used to the concept of a pay as you go mobile phone, but now there is the option to apply the same principle to your car insurance. This latest type of insurance is a step to cut costs for younger drivers.
- Be a Car Insurance Groupie
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Every car in the UK falls into one of 20 insurance groups. This, along with several other factors, helps insurance firms calculate your premium.
- Car Insurance Gives You Extra
[Insurance:Car-Auto] There are many additional features available with your car insurance policy; some you'll need, others you won't. This brief guide outlines the most common ones offered by insurers, and anything to be aware of.
- When Car Insurance Lets You Down
[Insurance:Car-Auto] You've got your renewal quote through, you've switched providers and you're now happy with your new, lower premium. Then you have an accident, through no fault of your own, and suddenly the wonderful premium doesn't seem so great after all.
- Car Hire Abroad - What To Look Out For
[Travel-and-Leisure] Car hire companies have a bad reputation for over-charging customers and piling on extra surcharges for damages, fuel consumption and mileage that has nothing to do with the renter. Hopefully, this quick guide will let you know what to look out for when renting a car abroad.
- Pass Plus And The Impact On Your Car Insurance
[Insurance:Car-Auto] It's long been established that the highest car insurance premiums go to the under 25's, with new drivers sometimes being quoted in excess of £2000 for a yearly premium. There are ways in which a new driver can reduce their premiums. Some of these relate to the car they drive: generally the smaller the car and less powerful the engine, the cheaper the premium.
- A Guide To Finding Cheap Holidays
[Travel-and-Leisure] Going on holiday can be expensive, which is why many people prefer to shop around for the best deals, and book everything themselves as opposed to using a travel agent. But while this may be the cheaper option, is it really the best?
- The Hottest Holidays of 2008
[Travel-and-Leisure] If you're stuck for somewhere to spend your holiday this year, this brief guide may give you some ideas. It lists the top 10 'hottest' destinations for the coming year.
- Hybrid Car Hire - Save the Environment Abroad
[Travel-and-Leisure] If you're planning to travel to the United States this year, you may be given a green option with your car hire. Some of the largest rental companies are buying in hybrid cars in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint.
- How to Claim on Your Car Insurance
[Insurance:Car-Auto] If you're unlucky enough to be in a car accident, your first thought probably won't be your car insurance. You'll be more concerned with any injuries you've sustained, and any legal ramifications if the accident was your fault.
- Buying a New Car, Insurance and All
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Buying a new car is a daunting experience even for those who've done it before but for the novice, it can be hellish. Tales of demonic salesmen ready to strip you of your last penny and sell you something that should have been condemned last decade swim around in your head, made worse by the fact that once on the forecourt, they watch you with the intensity of a spider eyeing up its next fly.
- Modifying Your Car Insurance
[Insurance:Car-Auto] For some, a car is not just a way of getting from A to B. It is a way of life, a hobby which can reap great rewards and increase your social standing. Car modification is more popular now than it's ever been, but what are the hidden costs?
- The Car Insurance That's Right for You - Part 2
[Insurance:Car-Auto] We've covered the most common factors that will affect the price of your premium, but they are by no means the only factors. The type of car you drive will have a big bearing on the cost.
- The Car Insurance That's Right For You - Part 1
[Insurance:Car-Auto] With so many different options for car insurance around, it can be confusing finding the one you need. Often, drivers will go with the same company that their family or friends go with, simply because they don't want to brave the spaghetti junction of car insurance policies.
- Give Your Car Insurance A Holiday
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Driving holidays are always popular, especially in Europe, and with cross-channel ferries and the Channel Tunnel being relatively cheap, holiday makers are going for this option instead of flights. The sense of freedom that comes with going on a foreign holiday in your own car is one that appeals to the more adventurous of us.
- No Insurance, No Car
[Insurance:Car-Auto] In the past, the penalties in this country for driving without insurance have been quite modest, with a fine of just £173 on average. But as the amount of uninsured drivers increased, the police are clamping down.
- Don't be Upfront About Your Car Insurance
[Insurance:Car-Auto] It's long been recognised as a way to get a young driver insured cheaply, yet most people aren't aware that it's a form of fraud. I'm talking about Fronting Up - the practice of a parent insuring themselves on their teenager's car, and listing the teenager as a named driver only.
- Holiday Homes Are Where The Heart Is
[Travel-and-Leisure:Hotels-Accommodations] This is the time of year when people start thinking about their summer holidays. Some have already booked a holiday, either abroad or in the UK, but for those of you who haven't, here's a few things to consider.
- Hotels With a Difference
[Travel-and-Leisure:Hotels-Accommodations] At one time, a hotel was just a regular building with lots of rooms, a dining room, bar and perhaps a gym and swimming pool. But as more and more people are demanding something different from their holidays, hotels are becoming increasingly more elaborate and extraordinary.
- Ways to Cut Down on Your Car Insurance
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Not many drivers know this, but there are many ways to shave pounds off your car insurance premium. It's all a matter of knowing what the insurers look for.
- Hackers Target New Wave of Mobile Phones
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] Now the long-awaited iPhone is finally available on our shores, it's set to be the most popular Christmas gift of 2007. But it has sparked a little controversy, as any new gadget will do.
- Broadband - Who Needs Wires?
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] Years ago, a wireless was a radio. Now, having a wireless doesn't mean you sit around listening to a box and trying to imagine pictures. It means wireless internet.
- Mobile Phones - You Can't Take Them With You
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] New guidelines mean that drivers caught using a mobile phone handset while driving risk up to two years in jail. This has come about after it was announced in September 2007 that too many drivers are ignoring the ban on phone usage while on the move.
- Mobile Phones and the Dodgy Cashback Deal
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] The latest rip-off to come to light in Britain is the cashback deal offered by mobile phone companies. An investigation carried out by Which? has found that a worrying number of consumers are being made to 'jump through hoops' in order to get the cashback they signed up for.
- Broadband Gets the Whip
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] In light of new guidelines due to be brought into force early in 2008, broadband providers could face legal action if they do not give accurate information to customers when they sign up. This welcome ruling was put into motion by Ofcom, the technology watchdog.
- Working for Cheaper Car Insurance
[Insurance:Car-Auto] A survey carried out last month has highlighted a correlation between careers and speeding fines. Statistically, workers with better paid, professional jobs such as barristers, footballers and doctors are more likely to beak the speed limit because they can afford the penalties easier.
- Broadband - The Digital Divide
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] When broadband first appeared, it seemed that it would be available to everyone in the country. Sadly, as the years have gone by it's proved that this is not the case.
- Broadband and the Mystery of the Hidden Charges
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] Our story begins with the dawn of the Golden Age of Free Broadband. Providers offer free, unlimited, always-on fast internet access with your phone line. But there is more to this than meets the eye...
- Mobile Phones - Not Just A Phone Anymore
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] Stereo, camera, TV, video recorder, computer, console, satellite navigator...No, this isn't a Christmas wish list, it's the features on a mobile phone. There seems to be no limit to the things a chunk of plastic and microchips can do.
- Broadband - Are You Content With Your Contention?
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] It's not a term most of us are familiar with, but the contention ratio is something that is quite important when looking for a broadband service. Taken into account with the stated top speed, it's a good indicator of how fast you can expect your connection to be.
- The Mobile Phone Story
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] Once upon a time, there was a little gadget called a mobile phone. This phone thought it was great because it could let its owner talk to anyone, anywhere, without wires getting in the way. But what the gadget didn't know was that a new, younger model was approaching, and that this new model was only the beginning...
- Phones - Mobile Status Symbols
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] It's been around for probably longer than people realise but the mobile phone has evolved into one of the most popular status symbols since the sports car. Your position in society seems directly linked to the make, model, colour and style of your phone, while your choice in ringtones and attachments can give away your age and personality.
- Is Your Broadband Up to Speed?
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] When you signed up for your broadband package, the chances are you were told you would get speeds of up to 8MB, 16MB, or 24MB. You were probably also told that this speed may not be achievable due to the distance you live from the exchange. You probably weren't told that this speed is nigh on impossible to get, regardless of where you live.
- IVA - Good Form of Debt Management?
[Finance:Debt-Management] Over 21 million people in Britain do not know exactly what an IVA - or Individual Voluntary Arrangement - is. Many believe it's a fail-safe way of alleviating debt, and think it should be more widely available for people with mounting debts.
- The Best Secured Loan For You
[Finance:Loans] If you've been paying off a mortgage for some time, and would love to be able to get that cash back, even temporarily, there is a way. You can release the equity in your home and use it to pay for remodelling, a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, or anything else that would otherwise be unaffordable.
- Switch on Your Broadband
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] Almost 90% of the UK population now has broadband internet in favour of dial-up. But how many of those people are happy with their service?
- Upgrading To Broadband
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] Essentially, broadband is a faster connection to the internet. There are different types of broadband, but the main ones are ADSL and Cable. ADSL uses your existing phone line and converts it into a high speed connecting line. Cable broadband uses a different line and can also run cable TV on the same wires.
- Personal Loans - Are You Typical?
[Finance:Personal-Loans] When looking around for a personal loan, most people will first look at the APR. If you have a perfect credit history then this is a good indicator for you, but if you're one of the millions in Britain with a less than perfect score, it may be misleading.
- Loans - This Time It's Personal
[Finance:Loans] You don't need to be a homeowner to get a loan. Personal loans are unsecured, meaning you don't need to have property as collateral. With a personal loan you don't have the immediate risk of losing your home hanging over your head.
- Secured Loans Explained
[Finance:Loans] You've no doubt heard the term 'homeowner loan' mentioned on television adverts. Maybe you've seen leaflets in your bank. But what is a homeowner loan?
- Secured Loans - A Basic Guide
[Finance:Loans] If you're planning on redecorating in the new year, or fancy a holiday after putting up with the in-laws during the festive season, you may be wondering how to afford it after all the Christmas presents you've had to buy. If you're a homeowner, you may want to consider a secured loan to raise the funds.
- Why a Secured Loan?
[Finance:Loans] What makes a secured loan better than one of the other types available? Why would anyone in their right mind put up their home as collateral?
- Save Yourself With Debt Management
[Finance:Debt-Management] Britain is a nation of debtors. The average debt amount per household in the UK now is over 30,000 GBP, compared to an average 17,000 GBP ten years ago. In recent years, loans have been more easily accessible and yet, with the cost of living rising, the repayments are harder to meet.
- How To Get A Personal Loan
[Finance:Personal-Loans] If you need a loan and are a tenant, or don't wish to risk your home taking out a secured loan, then why not apply for a personal loan instead? The rates and repayments may be higher, but it's less risky if you've got good credit.
- Using Credit Cards During The Holidays
[Finance:Credit] This time of year, it's worth knowing that using your credit card to pay for goods costing over 100 will give you automatic protection in case something goes wrong with a transaction. This means that both the card issuer and the trader have equal liability, and can have action taken against either if necessary. This also applies to purchases that are part-paid for, and things bought online.
- Do's And Don'ts Of Personal Loans
[Finance:Personal-Loans] If you need a lump sum of cash and don't have time to save up, you may need to take out a loan. Here's a rough guide of what to consider and look for when thinking about a loan.
- Payday Loans - Santa Claus Is Coming
[Finance:PayDay-Loans] Are you one of those people who always have their Christmas presents bought months in advance, or do you run around at the last minute on Christmas Eve trying to buy presents for 20 people? Or perhaps you bought all your presents but another expense has cropped up and there's no money left over to pay for it?
- Secured Loans - Lend Your Credit File A Helping Hand
[Finance:Loans] Having a bad credit history can make you look like an inferior citizen in the eyes of money-lenders. Usually this is because of a history of payment arrears, defaulting on payments, maybe even having CCJ's against your name.
- Debt Consolidation Loans - Can They Help You?
[Finance:Debt-Consolidation] If you're finding it hard to budget for multiple payments for different loans each month, a consolidation loan may be your answer. It will transform all those payments into one single payment which is much easier to keep track of.
- Debt Consolidation - The Facts
[Finance:Debt-Consolidation] Debt is a big problem in the UK, with most people having a combination of loans, overdrafts and credit cards needing to be paid. Is it any wonder that with the nation in debt, consolidation companies are breeding like rabbits?
- Debt Management - Get Out Of The Debt Trap
[Finance:Debt-Management] The amount of people in the UK living in debt is sky-high. The average amount of debt for a person in Britain is £33,000. This is almost double the average level of £17,000 in 2000.
- Give Yourself Credit
[Finance:Credit] If you've never had a credit card before, give yourself a pat on the back. Much of the UK is now living on credit, so if you've managed to avoid it, well done!
- Make Your Secured Loan Work For You
[Finance:Loans] People borrow money for various reasons, and there are various ways in which to do it. The reasons for borrowing can be split into two broad categories: expenditure and investment purchases.
- Plastic Fantastic - The Prepaid Way
[Finance:Credit] The new thing taking the personal finance world by storm is the pre-paid credit card. It's the best way to pay for goods with plastic if you've got a bad, or no, credit history, or if you simply don't trust yourself with a credit card.
- Credit Card vs Store Card
[Finance:Credit] You've battled through the crowds, you've fought with the obnoxious fellow customer and got hold of the dress you both wanted. You've tried it on in the changing room with the fun house mirror that makes you look like the blimp from hell. Now you've reached the cashier to buy the dress after waiting in a pushing, thronging queue for 20 minutes. You're hot and bothered, and just want to pay and get home. So when the assistant offers you the inevitable store card, you're so flustered you agree to it without thinking.
- Pet Insurance - Vet Your Provider
[Insurance:Pet] Vet bills can mount up when it comes to your furry friend being ill. If you're lucky, you'll be able to pay for each illness as it comes - and it will, especially with an older pet. But what can you do if you can't afford expensive treatments on an ad-hoc basis?
- Winter - It's Snow Joke For Your Car Insurance!
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Have you ever woken up on a cold winters morning, having slept through your alarm clock, realised you've got 20 minutes until you're due at work, and looked out the window to see a lovely layer of frost on your car? Most people, when faced with this situation, would go outside, start their car, and leave it to warm up while they get ready inside. This also rings true if - like me - you've got an older car that won't run properly when it's cold.
- Pink Car Insurance - Is It Really Cheaper?
[Insurance:Car-Auto] No doubt you've seen the adverts of ladies in pink singing about how they get cheaper insurance - with the car they drive they'll need it - or a hairdressing salon spontaneously bursting into song and dance at a clients amazing deal...but is the new wave of women-only car insurance really as good as it sounds?
- Watch Out, Grandad's About! Car Insurance For The Over 60's
[Insurance:Car-Auto] The older generation typically get discounts on a lot of things. Car insurance isn't one of them. Statistically, older drivers are the safest, yet once a driver hits 60, their premiums start to creep up.
- Old Needn't Mean Cold - Save On Your Gas And Electricity This Winter
[News-and-Society:Energy] After the dubious summer we've had in 2007, we're now having an even more dubious winter. There has been a sharp drop in temperatures and set to go even lower. The MET office's prediction is that temperatures will fall to below 4.3C (40F), compared to last years average of 5.6C (42F). To put that in perspective, the average temperature this summer was 26C (79F). Whichever way you look at it, it's cold!
- Health Insurance - Sorry, You're Not Covered!
[Insurance:Health] The words everybody dreads hearing. This quick guide to the different pitfalls in health insurance will help you ensure you never have to hear these words again!
- Overpaying Your Mortgage
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] Homeowners are being warned by their banks that mortgage costs may be rising due to the credit crisis experienced by Northern Rock recently. One solution that financial experts have been suggesting is overpaying your mortgage, thus owning your home outright and mortgage free earlier than originally planned.
- Is Your Mortgage Well Endowed?
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] An endowment mortgage is a form of interest-only mortgage. Instead of paying off a certain amount each month and gradually whittling down your debt, it means you only pay the interest on your mortgage, so you need to pay off the capital at the end of the term through a savings plan.
- Have Your Hip done
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] If you're planning on selling your home in the new year, you'll need a Home Information Pack. This will inform potential buyers of certain elements of your home such as the energy consumption and efficiency, planning permissions, guarantees on any work or repairs carried out, and numerous other things that would originally have been in a local authority search.
- First Rung Of The Property Ladder
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] Buying your first home is both an exciting and daunting experience. You feel the thrill of finally getting on the property ladder, as perhaps a part of you actually feels like you're finally an adult. But where do you start?
- Live Fast, Drive Young
[Insurance:Car-Auto] Young drivers are almost always penalised by insurance companies, as they are seen as a higher risk than older drivers. Add penalty points, a penchant for high-performance vehicles and car body modifications, and finding a competitive quote for a young driver becomes more difficult than finding a needle in a haystack.
- Will You Be Poisoned By Rising Gas?
[News-and-Society:Energy] With gas prices set to rise by around 15% in 2008, many householders in the UK are wondering where they're going to get the extra money from. It may be reassuring to know that you might not have to. There are alternatives.
- Breaking Into Car Insurance
[Insurance:Car-Auto] It's something we all need to drive legally in this country, yet many people don't have the right level of cover, or are paying too much for their needs. Confusion is a major factor in this, as there is an overwhelming amount of things to consider, and companies to compare. Often people will just take the first quote they find, or go with a company that their friend or relative is with, simply to avoid further hassle.
- How To Be A White Van Man
[Automotive] Perhaps you've just started on a new business endeavour, or the new addition to your family means you can no longer fit everyone into your old faithful hatchback. Whatever the reason, buying a van is a decision which needs to be looked into carefully.
- Life Insurance - The Who, Why, What, Where And When
[Insurance:Life-Annuities] Anyone in dangerous jobs and those with large and/or young families, gain more from being insured than anyone else. Young, single folk with no obligations or dependants may not require as much cover, and therefore may decide to wait until they have a family or commitments such as a mortgage.
- The Life Insurance Money Pit
[Insurance:Life-Annuities] We've all seen the adverts on television - life insurance offered to people above a certain age, with no medical needed, attractively low premiums, cover for the rest of your life, and a lump sum paid out on your death. They always have well-known daytime TV celebrities advertising them from a nice cosy home, and offer a lovely free gift that you never knew you wanted until you saw the advert. These policies began to appear in the late 1980's and early 1990's, and are still being sold today, although not in such vast quantities.
- Is Your Gas Supplier Causing A Stink?
[News-and-Society:Energy] Many people take their gas supply for granted. It's there, it gives you heat, you can cook with it, and that's it. They often pay no heed to how much they're actually using.
- Shocking Service From Your Electricity Supplier?
[Home-Improvement:Electrical] Over 2.8 million UK households have switched their energy supplier this year. It is likely that all of them have saved money by doing so. Direct debit and credit payment options can save between £60 and £90 per year, and those with a pre-payment meter can expect to save over £100 per year.
- Insurance Is For Life - Not Just For Christmas
[Insurance:Life-Annuities] It's something that nobody likes to think about, but the fact is that life insurance will ensure your family is looked after should something happen to you. Like all types of insurance, life insurance has different policies for different needs.
- Senior Kittizens - Pet Insurance for Your Geri-Cat-Ric
[Insurance:Pet] Pets get older just like people do. They can suffer from forgetfulness, appetite loss, muscle tone reduction, stiffening joints... the kind of symptoms that humans also suffer from.
- Declawing Pet Insurance
[Insurance:Pet] Bringing home a new pet is always a stressful time - both for the owner and the animal. A new addition to the family will feel lost, bewildered, and wondering where that big furry milk-machine disappeared to.
- Travel Insurance Is For Wimps! Or, How To Be A Wimp On Holiday
[Travel-and-Leisure] You've got your suitcase packed, someone to look after the dog and feed the fish, you've dug your passport out from the back of the cutlery drawer. In other words, you are ready to go on that holiday of a lifetime! Or are you?
- Home Insurance - Is Your Policy Structurally Sound?
[Insurance:Home-Owners-Renters] Think how long you've been with your current insurance company. The chances are that if you have been with one insurer for more than five years, you can probably get a better deal. New companies are opening up all the time, each offering a competitive rate compared to the ones before it.
- Time to Switch? Get the Best Deal From Your Gas or Electricity Supplier
[Home-Improvement:Electrical] With so many gas and electricity companies now available, it's no wonder most people choose to stay with the same one they've had for years. Finding a new supplier is scary, time-consuming, and above all, confusing. So how can you find one that's right for you?
- Mission Impossible - Saving Money On Your Heating Bills In Winter
[Home-Improvement:Heating-and-Air-Conditioning] It's much easier to save money on your gas and electricity bills in summer, isn't it? You don't need to keep your heating on, the long days provide more natural light, and cold food is so much more appealing in hot weather.
- Going Green
[News-and-Society:Environmental] Ever wondered what the world would be like without electricity, gas, water on tap and heat? Sounds like a nightmare, the stuff of Hollywood, right? Wrong. It is a world we could be facing in the not-too-distant future, if we don't do something about it.
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