Archive for the 'Finance' Category

June 21st 2010

How to Shop the Right Way

Many of us love to shop for the things we like to have in our home and in our lives. Perhaps, it’s even safe to assume that human instinct plays a major role in a person’s shopping habit. With the numerous items being offered today in the market, who wouldn’t be tempted to buy some of them that catch our attention?

But did you know that it’s not all the time that we’re doing the right action when we shop? Experts say consumers need to observe the right way of shopping and avoid the common mistakes.  This is regardless whether you’re a big spender or buy things only when you need them. Shopping right means getting the best value for your money.  It means not having to regret later the item that you bought because it was not worth your money.

So what then are the ideal shopping habits that people should develop? Find out below and make sure to keep them in mind moving forward to enjoy savings and not face debt.

Shop around first. A lot of consumers who are eager to buy their favorite item often don’t shop around and compare prices. As long as they can easily buy what they want, they could decide to purchase the item right away from the first store they visit, whether online or offline. A research by InvisibleHand has found that 68 percent of customers admitted to not shopping around first and ended up paying 10 pounds more for the item they bought. For those who love to shop online, they can rely on the shopbots or shopping robots to help them find the best price for the product they want.

Use voucher codes. People often want to buy what they want in a fast manner without thinking of ways that could save them money. By using the voucher codes, you get discounts in a number of items. Even one code is already good enough to avail of lower prices in a wide range of items from clothes, shoes to furniture and groceries.

Opt for the cashback websites. Unknown to some of you, there is such a website that offers cashback rewards when you shop online. This type of website is easy to use. You just need to register first after which you can check the retailers you’re buying from if they’re listed in your chosen cashback website. It they are listed, you can earn cash rebates every time you shop from that particular online retailer.

Use a cashback credit card. This type of card lets you earn cash rebates every time you use it for your purchases. You can even use this when shopping both online and offline, in a traditional store. Ideally, this will benefit consumers who are able to pay off their bill in full each month. It’s a great way to spend and being rewarded for it by getting part of your money back.

Finally, never underestimate the value of the short term personal loans for your emergency financial needs. They’re better than using your credit cards with outstanding balance and they have an easy repayment terms if you know how to negotiate well.

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June 14th 2010

Ways to Check your Financial Status

People may be too preoccupied with their daily routines whether at home or in the office or even in their businesses but it’s very important that they invest some time to check their finances on a regular basis. Are you one of these folks who sometimes forget about assessing their cashflow and expenses? If you are, then you should think twice about setting a specific time each week or perhaps twice a month to know how much money is coming in and how much you’re spending on certain things.

There are simple steps you can take to start on this process. When you begin on this endeavor, you will soon gain confidence knowing that you’re in control of your finances and you’re saving little by little for your future and that of your children.

Save for your children. How do you this? In the U.K., the government gives two vouchers of 250 sterling pounds each for children born after September 2002 and who belong to low income families. The first voucher is given after birth while the second is given when the child reaches the age of 7. The vouchers can be converted to cash or invested in the Child Trust Fund (CTF). Interests on savings accumulated through the CTF are tax free and there’s guarantee that this will grow until the child reaches his 18th year, the age which allows him or her to access the fund.

Manage your debts. Find ways to lower household bills to include those for your utilities. Once you cut down on them, you’ll in a better position to pay for your other important debts. Experts suggest moving your debt to a balance transfer card that provides a zero percent incentive. Make sure to pay your bills on time whether they’re from your credit cards or personal loans such as payday and cash advance loans that you took out.

Change your energy provider. Remember that electricity bills contribute largely to household bills. Heating costs continue to burden homeowners but if you transfer to a better energy supplier that charges lower rates, you’ll be able to save going forward. Experts recommend using direct debit when paying your bills and using a single provider for your gas and electricity needs to cut costs.

Eat at home instead of dining out. Frequent dining at restaurants and other commercial establishments can be quite expensive. Try to be patient and learn to cook for your food at home and you’ll be surprised at how much you can save. You can also join certain websites that offer reward points for online bookings and discounts on set menu deals.

Join the group savings trend. Did you know that you can save money through groups? This is known as group savings and you can benefit from this when traveling to other cities in groups. There are certain websites that offer special deals and discounts depending on the number of people that will purchase a service. If you’re planning to spend a holiday in a certain place, for instance, some online tour companies and even airlines offer a free ticket or free accommodation for every group of five or more people who use their service.

These are just some of the ways you can do to ensure that your financial status is healthy and you’re saving money for the long term.

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June 7th 2010

Top Practical Ways to Cut on Debt

Cutting down on debt has always been a top priority for people conscious of their finances. This is also foremost in the minds of those who want to avoid financial troubles in their lives. Indeed, this is ideal if you want to have your peace of mind moving forward and not be bothered by money matters than can only stress you out.

There are many ways by which consumers can avoid going into debt. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that when one starts on taking those steps, they have to be done consistently so that there’s no chance for your debt to accumulate. The problem with some people is that they’re only good at the start and then forget about their responsibilities going forward. Financial obligations are somehow tied to life the reason why it’s always best to be conscious of your responsibilities.

Here then are some the ideal ways you can do to eliminate debt. They’re very simple to do yet the keyword is consistency to help you achieve success in this important endeavor.

Look for a new energy supplier. Why should you do this? It is because energy costs in the home make up a huge chunk of people’s bills. Home heating alone already consumes a lot of energy. This is a common problem for homeowners hence, you may want to reconsider your standard tariff and then switch to a new energy provider. According to experts, this will help you save some 350 sterling pounds each year.

But before you do this, make sure that you do a little research to determine what company provides a better deal. Do your assignment online for more convenience. Other suggestions include paying your bills through direct debit means and using a single provider for your gas and electricity needs.

Find better mobile deals. It’s a fact that the mobile phone is one of the basic necessities of people today. They always bring this device wherever they go and use it often to communicate with business partners, colleagues and family members. However, this is also one of the most common sources of debt for people who are not able to properly manage their finances. Sometimes, monthly mobile phone bills are not paid on time or worse, they’re not paid for a month or so.

But a good solution is to look for a better deal. Use the internet for this purpose as there are some websites that cater to helping consumers calculate their monthly usage of mobile phones in terms of texts and minutes of calls.

Pay your debts on time. This is very important whatever your status in life is. Debts can be a source of stress and anxieties so make sure to pay what you owe in a timely fashion.  Whether it’s your electricity, telephone and mobile phone bills or short term personal loans you’ve taken out, you have to be responsible for paying them on or before the due date. Payday and cash advance loans are indeed helpful to so many people but after you’ve availed of them, keep in mind to pay them back without fail.

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May 31st 2010

Why Approach a Lender and not a Bank?

When in need of money, there are various financial options available to consumers today. The two major resources are the bank and a lending institution. However, not all consumers can avail of the services of both institutions. Even with good credit history, not every aspiring borrower can be approved of his or her loan application most especially from a bank.

It’s unfortunate that in the U.K., banks have given their thumbs down to people in the low income segment. This is despite the fact that they have favorable credit records. There have been cases of personal loan applicants who approached a bank but were turned down. Some of them were even employed and were regular savers. The only issue was that they had no real credit history.

After being declined by banks, those borrowers approached the lenders which accommodated them. Those approved never missed paying back their monthly dues which earned them a good credit score from lenders.

Receiving a positive credit rating from a lender, however, does not guarantee bank approval of another loan application. This issue has bothered many consumers saying they don’t get the point why banks turn them down when they have proven to lenders that they are able to repay their loan well.

To enlighten you on this matter, according to banks, they don’t apparently trust borrowers who have turned to short term personal loan providers. They point to their computer system as the main judge when it concerns loan applicants who were clients of short term lenders. They see people, particularly the low income earners, who have availed of those types of loans as not reliable as they are likely to default.

On the part of the consumers, many have been greatly discouraged in approaching banks for loans. Apart from the long list of requirements, banks have strict policies such as they easily apply charges to even just one late or missed payment and one bounced direct debit. Additionally, borrowers don’t like the way banks deal with them being not friendly and not flexible enough to adapt to their clients’ needs.

On the other hand, short term lenders are very accommodating, friendly, flexible and easily accessible. With many personal loan providers now on the internet, consumers can apply conveniently and easily even the comfort of their homes. All they have to do is just fill up the online registration form, submit a few requirements, pay the fee, and wait for a few hours to be approved. Loans can be released in a matter of several hours.

Sadly, the banking industry in the U.K. has not acted on the government’s advice to get credit moving. So if you are a low income earner wanting to borrow money for your immediate needs, the better alternative is go to a short term lender instead and apply for a payday or cash advance loan. It may be worth going directly to these personal loan providers rather than waste your time consulting with a bank when in the end, you’ll just be turned down.  Just keep in mind to be responsible enough and pay your loans on time to establish a good credit record moving forward.

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May 24th 2010

Which to Prioritize – Saving Money or Paying Debt?

It’s not always that people have enough money to spend for their daily needs. This is true even for men and women whether single or married who are earning a living. Sometimes, the monthly income one receives from his or her work is just not enough to make both ends meet.

What happens often is that borrowing money and availing of credit becomes a necessity. Sadly, this habit is also a major contributor to people’s going into debt. When loans and credit card bills are not paid on time, this can lead to a higher balance already difficult to pay and eventually debt when not settled immediately.

Research by the Office of Fair Trading revealed that in the U.K., one in three people are pressured to avail of credit when presented to them and one in five sign credit agreements which they actually regret. It’s been found as well that majority of consumers don’t always read the terms and conditions when signing credit agreements.

With this kind of financial situation facing them, borrowers eventually get confused about their priorities by the time they have enough money. Those who are eager to save money for their future and those who want to pay their debts right away often ask a common question about which they should give utmost attention.

Many people in the U.K. today are overpaying for their loans. According to an analysis by Chase de Vere, this has put the overspend on debt amounting to as much as 35 million sterling pounds each year. These usually come from personal unsecured loans including payday and cash advance, credit cards and mortgages which otherwise could already have allowed each household to save some 2,700 pounds.

The firm further pointed out that consumers could have saved much if only they were better educated about the loans and other forms of credit they availed of from various providers. For instance, those who took out loans on variable interest rates can actually move to the fixed and discount rates to enjoy savings. For people fond of using the credit card, instead of going for the plastic that charges from 10 to 16 percent interest rates on outstanding balances, they can move to one that charges zero rates. For the unsecured personal loans, a better way to save money is to transact with online providers rather than the traditional firms. By choosing short term lenders that do business on the internet, applying for loans and getting approval is faster and easier these days.

Financial experts strongly believe that people are better off paying their debts for now. This should be their priority above anything else if they want to lead a worry free life in the long run. This is also due to the fact that outstanding debts can easily accumulate interest over time which could make it difficult for average income earners to pay if they continue to ignore them. Another major reason is that savings earn little interest at this point in time especially with banks offering very low rates that are not attractive at all. With savings rates ranging from only four to five percent a year offered on 100 pounds, for instance, many people would think twice about putting their money in a bank.

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May 10th 2010

Don’t be a Victim of Online Fraud

There have just been so many cases of online fraud in the recent years. In fact, a fraud prevention agency in Great Britain has confirmed that there’s been an increase in the number of people falling victim to identity fraud. The figure has risen by almost 25 percent.

According to Cifas, the agency that looks into cases of identity fraud, close to 27,000 people have become victims of this illegal act from January to March of this year. This figure is higher by 23 percent or 6,000 compared to 2009. Additionally, cases where the fraud was discovered late went up as well by 45 percent. In these instances, the money has already been stolen by these fraudsters.

Identity fraud normally happens on the internet when people doing financial transactions use their credit cards. Those behind this illicit work are indeed skillful in that they can find the means and the most advanced tools to do their criminal act. The latest trend that consumers should be aware of is that the people behind this scam are now able to use not only a person’s identity but even his or her present address.

Every year, the British economy loses some 30 billion in sterling pounds just because of these fraudulent acts online. Researchers pointed to social media such as Facebook as a potential place where criminal elements go to these days to obtain personal details including a person’s address.

Normally, credit cards are what people use to do their transactions on the internet. Today, though, debit cards are also being used which allow people to pay for their purchases using money deducted directly from their savings account. When purchasing items or availing of services online, most companies and organizations ask for their customer’s credit card details or account number from their debit cards if they’re using that. Unfortunately, when a site does not have the right security features, there’s a risk that these details can be stolen or obtained by fraudulent people.

So for those who often do financial transactions on the internet such as banking, buying and selling and even those availing of short term unsecured loans, experts emphasize to be very vigilant and careful when revealing their personal details.  An important step to do is to first ensure that the company or institution you’re dealing with is trustworthy and guarantees a secure use of their website. This is crucial especially when you’re banking online or applying for short term loans such as the payday and cash advance.

In terms of the unsecured loans which are very popular these days, customers can first determine from the lender’s support staff regarding security on their website. Remember that you’ll be providing details of your current bank account so it’s always best to be sure. Taking the time to choose the right lending institution from where to avail your cash advance or payday loan is again very vital. This will help you find not only the lowest interest rates but it will also enable you to select the most trusted and well established company that won’t take advantage of you.

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May 3rd 2010

Is Declaring Bankruptcy a Way Out of Debt?

Numerous people, probably in the millions, are facing different kinds of debts at the moment. This may be caused by various factors but mostly due to the use of credit such as in the form of credit card and loans. So many people have somehow gone overboard in their use of the plastic and in taking out loans that led them to suffer from debt.

Financial troubles can indeed cause headaches, stress and anxiety to people generally affecting not only their mental health but even their physical health.  Sometimes the negative effects on a person’s overall health can lead them to decide to just declare bankruptcy as a way to get out of their problem. But is this action really the fastest solution available to people facing huge debt?

Debt advisers in the U.K. don’t think so. To them, declaring bankruptcy should be considered as the last option. This is because making the move would mean letting go of all your personal possessions, income and properties including your beloved home. In addition to that, it will also have a big impact on your credit history.

In the U.K., bankruptcy rules state that is a person has gone bankrupt and eventually earns money, it could still be taken away from him or her in order to pay past debts. Winning a huge sum of money such as from a lottery does not mean the debtor can keep even a certain amount from the winnings. This applies to people facing huge debts but not to those who owe only a small amount.

In terms of your credit rating, declaring bankruptcy can mean you being blacklisted for up to 15 years. What happens then is that you can no longer apply for new credit within that period. Again, this applies to those who owe a huge sum of money from banks and lenders. Those facing debts that are small and continue to earn a regular monthly income, there is a possibility that the court will agree to set up an administration order requiring debtors to pay their creditors on a monthly basis.

So just in case you want to declare bankruptcy, what then are your options after that? Do you have limitations when it comes to employment and obtaining new credit?

For those bankrupt people, a major requirement is to declare their financial status whenever they apply for new credit notably when the amount involved is more than 250 sterling pounds. You have to do this even if you are applying together with a friend or another person for that matter. If you’re planning to put up a new business using another name, this should also be done. In other words, you have to inform those you partner with about your previous issue.

So the big lesson to learn here is to always repay your debts on time. Never wait for the due date or delay payment if you have the necessary funds. Loans including the short term unsecured ones such as the cash advance and payday no matter how small the amount involved should also be paid on a timely manner.

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April 19th 2010

How to Start a Business Online

Numerous enterprising people have started their own business in the recent years. Even with little capital, they were confident of applying their ideas and skills in order to gain profit. Their business could be just an addition to their regular work as a way to earn extra income or it could be their main source of income. But whatever it is, they have set their minds to starting a business that they think would meet the needs of people.

Most businesses today are done on the internet. Many owners have recognized the need to establish an online presence for the convenience of their potential customers and to reach a wider target market. Additionally, setting up an online business is more cost effective compared to setting up a new office in a separate area and hiring staff.

Those who want to start their own business should also follow the same path. With an online business, you can manage every aspect from the comfort of your home. From answering phone inquiries, responding to emails, providing quotes, scheduling deliveries and issuing invoices, all these can be easily done via the internet. There may be challenges along the way but at least because you’re starting small, everything will hopefully become manageable.

One important part of this, however, is the initial filing of business documents required in your specific location. Get to know about what’s needed and accomplish them as early as possible if you want to start your business right away. This should not be forgotten to legitimize your business operation and eventually gain the trust of your potential clients. Web users are very particular about the products and services they avail of online and as much as possible, they want to stay away from fraudulent companies and you wouldn’t want to fall in this category.

From there, you have to think about your starting capital as well. Managing your funds from the start until your business has taken off is very important. If you’re doing it online, though, you may not need a huge capital to launch your business.

If you don’t have enough personal funds available, you may want to consider several financing options when starting up. Since you’re just starting small, you may not need to approach a bank but you can opt for personal borrowing. You can even approach short term lenders to avail of unsecured personal loans such as the cash advance and payday types. These normally entail a one-time fee hence is considered to be more affordable and one which you can pay at your own terms.

One option that you must avoid is to use your credit card’s cash advance feature. This is a costly alternative and if you want to avoid getting into huge debt later on, then this is not the one to choose.

Finally, never forget to do a proper accounting of your cash flow. This will let you determine where your money goes and how much is coming in in terms of gains. You’re in business to gain profits, right? So make sure that you manage your cash flow properly on a consistent basis.

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April 12th 2010

More Adults in the U.K. Face Debt

One of the challenges that adults must face in life is how to properly handle their money. This is especially true if they start working on their own and as they start a family or even a business.

Budget management is, however, a task that not all people or specifically not all adults are skilled at. And so while some are able to manage their money well, some unfortunately have difficulty in this aspect. This can be traced to how a person was raised by his or her parents. Those who were taught the value of saving when they were small and were exposed to how their parents handled the family finances grow up to have a better idea of money management. On the other hand, those who were spoiled as kids such that they often got the things they wanted may have a hard time handling their funds when they grow up to become adults.

In the U.K., latest reports say that the number of adults experiencing extreme debt has risen. In fact, the figure has doubled in two years. A main factor was the global recession last year that resulted in pay cuts and lesser working hours for many people. Considered to be extreme debt is if the ratio of a person’s debt to his income is more than 66:1. According to the Consumer Credit Counseling Service, there were more than 8,000 men and women who were facing this debt ratio in 2009.

In addition to this, people who filed for insolvency last year also reached its high point. These included those who declared bankruptcies, had debt relief orders (DROs) and those who were into debt plans known as individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs).

Fortunately, there’s help available for people who are experiencing extreme debt. The Ministry of Justice earlier announced a government program that will assist people in debt to pay only a very minimal amount of one sterling pound for a period of six months. After this period, they can then start repaying their debts in full to help them improve their financial situation.

This program should not, however, be seen by those in debt as just a temporary means to settle their financial troubles. They should learn from what they’ve been through and as much as possible, should commit to not go into debt again in the future for the sake of their children and their family as a whole. Sometimes there are people who continue with their old habits after they’ve surpassed one trial in their lives. The others are just too stubborn that they keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

Take for instance the use of credit cards. The credit card has been confirmed as a major cause of debt for many people but some adults just ignore this until they accumulate a high balance and can no longer afford to pay.

A good alternative to this issue is obtaining an affordable short term loan instead such as the payday and cash advance. This does not entail a variety of charges and can be paid back according to the schedule most suited to the borrower’s financial situation. What counts as always is to be conscious of one’s financial obligations and pay what you owe on time.

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April 5th 2010

Save Early for Your Retirement

Let’s face it, every one of us will grow old and will need to retire from work. This is a reality which we will all have to face. For this reason, it’s best to prepare for the future rather than splurge most of the time and then just regret later.

As early as possible, it is very essential to save money for your retirement days. There are many factors that you should take into account. Firstly, retirement means you will have to leave your work and become unemployed for good or for only a specific period of time that is, if you still desire to continue working in another field.  Being out of work then translates to no income and no regular cash flow.

Secondly, you will have to think about your expenses and your budget. This area will need careful planning considering that you’re no longer earning a regular income every month. In other words, huge spending should be avoided at all costs if you want to continue living the life that you so desire.

Unfortunately, a new survey has found that only less than half or 48 percent of Britons are actively saving for their retirement. Data from the Department for Work and Pensions showed that 17 percent do not believe that saving money into a pension is the most effective method of saving for their retirement later on.

The survey also confirmed that it’s mostly the young people who are not into the habit of saving today.  Of these young folks, 80 percent belong to the 18-24 age bracket while 50 percent belong to the 25-34 age group.

Because of this, experts point out that the British government should take the lead in encouraging its citizens to save money for their future in the same way that it promotes healthy attitudes. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says that a strong savings culture is very important. ABI, in its separate survey, also found that most people believe they won’t benefit much from setting aside money in the present time. Six out of 10 people belong to this category while even those who save or about 54 percent of them feel the same way as well.

But despite this difference in opinions, saving money is still a good move whether you’re young or old. It doesn’t matter if the economy is stable or not because in the end, having funds is a vital part of life. By having enough savings, people can lead the life they’ve always dreamed of. They can have the number of children they want, travel to their favorite destinations together with the entire family and send their children to the best school.

Starting little is a good start and when you’re consistent in this area, you’ll be surprised at how much savings you can gain. It does not even matter if you’re obtaining short term unsecured loans such as the payday and cash advance types as long as you pay them on time. You can continue to avail of such affordable loans even while you’re saving. This you can do if you allow your bank to automatically put into your savings whatever amount that’s left in your monthly salary.

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