The Money Express

Are you a holiday home owner??

2010-08-27T03:46:00.000-07:00

Are you a holiday owner of an apartment, bed and breakfast, or villa?

Would you like us to promote your apartment for free?

Register at: www.holidayapartmentsandvillas.com your holiday home and we will give you six months listing for absolutely free.

What do we get out of it? Well, it's our new site and we are looking for content, so the more people that register their apartment the more chances are of people finding our site :)

So it's a complete win-win situation!!

Log on now!; www.holidayapartmentsandvillas.com

Benefits of U.K debt consolidation loans

2010-07-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

5 Benefits of U.K debt consolidation loans

One of the best things that you should do if you are overburdened with multiple credit card debts is to consolidate them. Consolidating your debts is certainly better than paying off multiple creditors. In the U.K, the best way of consolidating your unsecured debts is to obtain a debt consolidation loan. Other than a debt consolidation loan, a debt consolidation program can also help you pay off your debts in affordable monthly payments. Debt consolidation is quite common in the U.K and it has been considered as the best way to resolve your debt issues. Have a look at the 5 benefits of UK debt consolidation loans.

1. Single monthly payment:
The process of a debt consolidation loan involves taking out one loan in order to pay off all your other loans. Most debtors in the U.K have multiple credit cards and have huge balances on each of them. By using a debt consolidation loan, you can consolidate all your debts into a single monthly payment. Instead of multiple accounts and multiple deadlines, now you just have to concentrate on one single debt account. Collect all your savings and put it into this single debt account. Your debt consultant will disburse this account to your creditors.

2. Reduces interest rates:
A debt consolidation loan, like a debt consolidation program, reduces your interest rate on your loan. Credit cards generally have the highest interest rates and that is the main reason why credit card debts are the most common form of debt in the UK. By utilising a debt consolidation loan, you can save a considerable amount of money as you have to pay lower interest rate over the life of the loan.

3. Stops collection calls:
If you take a debt consolidation loan, you can easily pay off your debt with affordable monthly payments. Therefore if your creditor is satisfied with your payments, then he will not turn your account to collection agencies. This waives off the possibility of harassing creditor calls. These calls can be stressful and annoying. Taking out a consolidation loan will help you to get rid of collection calls.

4. Protects your credit score:
Paying off your debts by taking a debt consolidation loan often protects your credit score. Generally failure to make your credit card payments on time hurts your credit score. So, as you are now making timely and regular payments with the debt consolidation loan, your credit score will not be hurt to that extent.

5. Reduces stress:
Debtors who are overburdened with huge credit card debts are always in stress. Nothing can be more stressful than not being able to pay off your debts. So, a debt consolidation loan can reduce this unnecessary stress by helping you with your monthly payments.

Before taking a debt consolidation loan, it is very important to shop for debt consolidation quotes. Other than consolidation loans, a debt consolidation program can also help you with paying off your debts systematically and lead a debt-free life.

FREEBIES, money off vouchers, savings & more...!

2010-07-13T05:01:00.000-07:00

Are you the kind of person who enjoys freebies, money off product vouchers, saving on big names, getting samples through the post, not ever really paying the full price?
Then look no further than The Money Express. A money comparison site that also has a brilliant section on FREE stuff!!
So what are you waiting for - check it out NOW!!

Money Tips For Holidays

2010-07-08T07:50:00.001-07:00

Money tips for going abroad

A question that a lot of people ponder is how much money should I take on holiday? It’s a difficult question to answer because it depends where you are travelling to and the type of holiday you go for. Will you eat out and go drinking every night? Is the holiday half board or all inclusive?

Here is what I do;

• Research how much it will cost to eat and drink out at a reasonably priced restaurant every night
• Find out how much it will cost for entrances into tourist attractions I want to visit
• Find the general price for a taxi, or the local public transport
• Think about what activities I want to get involved in and how much it’ll cost.
• Ask questions on travel forums to find replies from holidaymakers who have visited the destination

This will give you some idea about how much to take.

Money matters

It’s always a good idea to have access to some emergency funds, with a debit or credit card. I recommend the Egg Visa credit card which has 0% interest until October 2010 on new purchases.
You could also purchase a pre-paid travel card where you can load money on to it prior to leaving the country, and then use it abroad. I’ve recently signed up for a Maestro 360 Quidity card which I find very useful.

Best exchange rates

From my own experience the best places to exchange currency are at the Post Office, Marks and Spencers and I read this week that American Express is offering great rates at the moment. Thomas Cook offer a VIP card which gives you a higher rate, but check the rate they offer before mentioning you have the card! The most expensive places are airports and hotels.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is a necessity if you’re planning a trip away. But with every man and his dog company offering travel insurance it’s often hard to know where to go. From my research the best companies to go with are; Aviva, Argos, Direct Travel Insurance, In Sure For and Columbus Direct Travel – any of those offer really good rates.

Fancy earning yourself some extra cash?

2010-07-07T07:18:00.000-07:00

Our new affiliate programme

Fancy earning some extra cash?

Then sign up today to Debtline Direct’s affiliate programme and earn yourself £10 for the sign up!

!!CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED!!

Our payouts are amongst the best in the industry - £50 is payable to you once we agree a plan with a client you refer.

Just send traffic to DebtLine-Direct.com - you'll be able to see who has filled a form out from your affiliate log in area. We'll then do all the hard work - contact the client and work out a plan with them. Once this has been done, you earn £50!

The website has many calls to action, meaning a high conversion rate (Typically 10%), meaning high payouts for you! We also offer a 60-day cookie life, so even if a client you refer doesn't get in touch today, you'll still earn if they do within 60 days!

To join, click on the link below; any questions do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks
Sarah

!!CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED!!

New Barclaycard payment system

2010-06-18T07:50:00.001-07:00

Consumers and retailers can look forward to taking advantage of the Barclaycard SmartPay system this summer.

The firm revealed that it will be launching the payment processing system at some point in the next three months.

It will feature fraud-protection tools and be PCI DSS compliant, according to the firm.

Managing director of global payment acceptance at Barclaycard Paul Cook hailed the significance of the new system.

"Barclaycard SmartPay will make it easy for businesses which operate across the EU to accept all types of payments online," he explained.

One of the key features of the new technology is that it will cover cross-border payments and offer the customer the opportunity to alter the language and currency settings of their transaction.

This month, Barclaycard revealed that the interest rate on its Platinum Simplicity product has been cut to 6.8 per cent, with this fee applying to purchases as well as balance transfers.

If you're experiencing debt issues - these are fantastic books to get you back on track of your finances.

Debt problems making new Mother's go back to work

2010-06-18T02:51:00.000-07:00

More than half of new mothers return to work due to financial pressures, a survey finds, with 56% admitting they were unprepared for the fiscal impact of having a child.
New mothers are being forced back to work by debt and financial worries, with many cutting short their maternity leave, according to research published today.
In contrast to the image of modern mothers "having it all", more than half (52%) of those returning to work after the birth of a child do so because of financial constraints, and one in 10 are doing so before the end of their planned maternity leave.
Only 22% choose to return because they want to continue their career, the survey by comparison website uSwitch found.
It found that the average net household income drops by 34% from £3,431 to £2,266 a month while on statutory maternity pay. But at the same time costs soar, with parents spending an average of £2,152 in the run up to the birth on baby items, and a further £2,521 – more than a month's reduced net household income – after the baby is born.
The average amount saved in anticipation of having a baby is £3,265, but 56% of the 1,000 mums questioned for the survey said they were not fully prepared for the impact of surviving on a reduced income.
Nearly a third of new mums were not aware of their company's maternity package when they decided to have a baby, and 30% decided to go ahead with getting pregnant even though the package was not ideal.
More than four in 10 mums have ended up in debt while on maternity leave, with an average £1,329 incurred.
However, although the financial impact forced 9% back to work early and another 9% to rethink their plans to be a stay-at-home mum, 40% take a pay-cut so they can work part time.
Worryingly, just 21% of new mothers returning to work believed their future progression and earning capacity had been unaffected by their maternity break.
Ann Robinson, consumer policy director at uSwitch, said: "Debt and financial considerations combine to be the biggest motivating factor behind new mothers returning to the workplace. Despite women being told that they can 'have it all' and can choose whether to be a working or stay-at-home mum, the fact is that most have this choice stripped away from them by the financial realities of modern life.
"With the new government planning to cut child trust funds and the impending budget causing concerns over pay freezes and redundancies, family finances are under more pressure than ever. The high cost of living coupled with the often crippling cost of a mortgage means that many households today need two incomes to get by. Unfortunately, new mothers are often paying the price for this by seeing their choices taken away."
If you’re a new mother and struggling in debt, visit DebtLine-Direct.com today and let us help you get your finances back under control.

Further reading;

Can a debt management company clear all my debts?

2010-06-15T07:49:00.000-07:00

* They can help you to consolidate all your unsecured personal credit. For example, loans, credit cards, store cards, overdrafts catalogues etc. If you have priority debts such as council tax, rent or mortgage arrears we shall make allowances within your monthly expenditure for the repayment of these.

How much will I have to repay each month?

* Your dedicated advisor will assess your finances and agree a repayment that you can afford. This could be much lower than you are currently paying.

Will I be repaying over a longer period?

* In the case of "Debt Management" the debt and the period over which it is repaid may increase. This is due to them negotiating reduced repayments on your accounts therefore, taking longer to repay. They could also be able to get your interest and charges frozen utilising an IVA, in which case the repayment period may be reduced.

Will they freeze interest and charges being applied?

* Due to the way they charge, clients benefit from the services of a debt management company like DebtLine Direct as they only charge a set fee. Not a percentage of your monthly repayment. This means more of your money is sent to your creditors each month which in turn reduces your balance in a shorter period of time.
* This helps them to get your interest and charges frozen or reduced drastically!
* There are no guarantees with unqualified financial advice.

Any person that states they can freeze interest and charges on personal debts immediately without entering a client into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is not being honest with you.

Debt Relief Order - DRO

2010-06-15T07:42:00.000-07:00

The Debt Relief Order (DRO) came into force on April 6th 2009, throughout England & Wales.

The following information is an explanation of a Debt Relief Order.
To qualify a for a Debt Relief Order a debtor must:

* Be unable to pay their debts
* Have total unsecured liabilities / debts of no more than £15,000
* Have total gross assets of less than £300
* Have a disposable income of less than £50 per month after household expenditure has been deducted
* Not have been subject to a Debt Relief Order in the previous 6 years of an application
* Not be subject to an IVA at the time of application for a Debt Relief Order
* Be domiciled in England or Wales

DRO's or Debt Relief Orders are to be applied for online and an approved intermediary would be able to help an individual complete the application, it will cost approximately £90. The £90 fee for a Debt Relief Order may be paid by installment before actually applying for the order.

The governments insolvency website has a more detailed information sheet on the DRO or Debt relief Order.

* A DRO or Debt Relief Order is not suitable for everyone and an IVA, Debt Management Plan or Bankruptcy may be a better option, contact our free debt helpline today in total confidence and find out what the best debt solution is to help you clear personal debts.

Further reading;

Ears and Bankruptcy: some early debtor treatment

2010-06-10T04:31:00.000-07:00

The penalty for declaring bankruptcy in Ancient Rome was slavery or being cut to pieces. The choice was left to the creditor. By the Middle Ages, the treatment of insolvent debtors had softened considerably. In Northern Italy, bankrupt debtors hit their naked backside against a rock three times before a jeering crowd and cried out, “I declare bankruptcy”. In French medieval cities, bankrupts were required to wear a green cap at all times, and anyone could throw stones at them. There are some interesting debtor treatments in the history of English law. From 1604 a debtor could be placed in the pillory for non-disclosure of his assets to the Commissioners in Bankruptcy. He would then have his ear nailed to the pillory and cut-off. Some early debtor ears have been kept for posterity (pictured below) at KLS. They also were thrown into prison.

Luckily, in 2010 we are more liberal! If you’re struggling with your debt and would like some bankruptcy advice, then visit Bankruptcy Help Online – a brilliant and informative website about what to expect upon declaring bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy Help Online was set up to assist people with debt problems to regain control of their finances and help to make sense of the Insolvency process. Deciding on bankruptcy as a debt solution can be an emotional, stressful and complicated decision - that's why we're here to provide support and assistance at every step of the way. There are many things to consider when deciding to go bankrupt. There are pros and cons of clearing your debt through bankruptcy and it is important that you are aware of all the implications it will have before you agree to anything. Here at Bankruptcy Help Online, we endeavour to give you all the information you could possibly need to know, including other debt relief solutions such as a debt management plans, IVA's, or Trust Deeds. Whether you need someone to provide you with a 'hand-holding' service to help you get your finances back on track, or if you just need to have an informal, confidential chat with a professional, give us a call on 0800 988 2939.

How rich is Victoria Beckham?

2010-06-07T02:16:00.000-07:00

Victoria Beckham may be dismissed by many as less talented than her superstar footballer husband David Beckham, but behind the big sunglasses lies a cute business brain.

No longer a wannabe: The posh ingredient in Brand Beckham

So how rich is Posh Spice? The short answer is 'very'.

As global power couple Posh and Becks, Victoria - and that footballer she's married to that you may have heard of - were estimated in the Sunday Times Rich List 2010 as having a joint fortune of £145m, up 16% from the previous year.

However, even before the pair realised the full financial potential of Brand Beckham, plain Victoria Adams, or Posh Spice if you prefer, had already acquired the knack of making money.

Described variously as a singer-songwriter, dancer, fashion designer, author, actress, model and businesswoman, it was as part of pop group the Spice Girls that Beckham first started to earn serious cash.

Although their first single was called 'Wannabe', the girls had no problem simply being right from the start.

They racked up more than 55m album sales worldwide from the mid 1990s, with their three studio albums producing nine number 1 UK singles alone.

Supplementing their touring and recording income, the Spice Girls cashed in on their fame through a number of high profile and lucrative merchandising deals, promoting everything from Pepsi (which earned the group over £5m) to their very own Spice Girls dolls.

And, despite a six year hiatus as a band, the Spice Girls were later oncen again able to take advantage of the public's nostalgia and harness the kind of earning potential that they enjoyed at the height of their fame.

Their reunion tour was the highest grossing tour of 2008, with revenues of around £16.5m just from the London leg, and with each member of the group believed to have earned £10m.

However, while her recording career may not have hit the same heights, Beckham's personal income stream continued during the break in the band.

A solo career spawned a number 2 hit with Out of your Mind and the Top 10 album Victoria Beckham, and two books (the autobiography Learn to Fly and the fashion advice guide That Extra Half an Inch: Hair, Heels and Everything In Between) sold around 1m copies. It was also believed that Beckham received £1m for the newspaper and magazine serialisation of Learn to Fly.

Victoria is also credited with being a driving force behind the creation of the Beckhams as perhaps the world's ultimate celebrity brand. It may be her husband's footballing vision, famous right foot, dedication and work rate that brought his success on the field, but much of the polishing of his brand off it is often credited to his wife.

But not to be outdone, most recently it has been as a bona fide fashionista that Victoria Beckham has kept herself firmly in the black. After designing a collection for high end denim brand Rock & Republic, she has launched her own fashion label, dVb, which makes dresses, quality denim and sunglasses.

As well as gaining a number of high profile and celebrity fans, her dVb dresses are stocked in outlets including Selfridges and Harrods, with her Graphic lace dress retailing for £3,887 on fashion website net-a-porter.com.

Victoria claimed in Now Magazine in 2008 that her fragrance company was worth £109m. Unfortunately, it is hard to pin point just how much Victoria is worth without including David Beckham as they are now seen as a joint entity and a lot of their business ventures are seen to reinforce the Beckham brand.

The recent announcement that she is set to feature on the cover of German Vogue – her fourth Vogue cover in total – only goes to highlight her influence, and therefore earning potential.

And while other celebrities of the past decade could be accused of simply creating fame out of doing very little, that allegation certainly can't be made at the industrious working mum Victoria Beckham.

**To read more celeb goss & stories about money PLUS find voucher codes and freebies, then simply visit www.themoneyexpress.co.uk today!**

Online budgeting tools may not cover fraud

2010-06-03T02:37:00.000-07:00

The tools, such as Egg Money, lovemoney.com and First Direct's Internet Plus service, require users to input their bank passwords to keep track of balances on all their accounts and make sure that they are not overdrawn.

These sites, known as aggregator services, have become increasingly popular with savers who are trying to make the most of their money in a low-interest rate environment by moving it around. Similar services are also being developed as 'apps' on customers' mobile phones.

However, several banks have now made it clear in their terms and conditions that customers would not be compensated if they are victims of fraud while using these sites.

A spokesman for Barclays said that customers would not be covered by the bank's online fraud guarantee, which ordinarily means that if the customer falls victim to online fraud on their account the loss will be covered.

"It's not for us to answer the question on whether these types of sites are safe, as we don't run any aggregator services," the spokesman said. "Some customers who may wish to use an account aggregation service need to be satisfied that they are receiving the same level of protection for their money as Barclays offers. Since Barclays has no control of these sites we are unable to provide our online fraud guarantee to customers who use these services."

NatWest has a similar clause in its terms and conditions. It states that "if you pass on your security details to an account aggregation service provider, you will be in breach of your terms and conditions and may be liable for any unauthorised transactions".

Confusingly other banks, such as Lloyds TSB, do not treat the use of aggregator sites as a breach of security, meaning that customers must check the small print before signing up to these tools.

First Direct, which owns its own aggregator site, said that it would consider fraud issues due to use of similar sites on a 'case by case' basis.

A spokesman for the British Bankers Association (BBA) said that all the banks had different stances when it came to use of the sites, and suggested that customers speak to their own providers before using the sites. "You need to check so that you don't find yourself out on a limb," a spokesman warned.

Dan Moore, senior researcher for Which? said that the confusion around the safety of aggregator sites was a particular problem for consumers. "People do not believe that they are being reckless with these sites and most believe they are perfectly safe," he said. "Some accord in the industry would be good on this point."

Egg Money, which is owned by Citibank, said that it was confident that customers' money was safe when using Egg Money Manager. "Egg guarantees to repay any money removed from a third party account aggregated via Money Manager, unless the customer hasn't followed our guidelines or terms & conditions," a spokesman said.

Ed Bowsher, head of consumer finance for Lovemoney, said that banks needed to change their stance on this issue. "We doubt that the banks' opposition is wholly due to security concerns," he said.

"These days banks want to 'own' customers, and personal finance management services on third party sites don't help them do this." He said that banks in the US, where these sites are extremely popular, have a far more sympathetic stance on their safety.

David Divitt, at fraud consultancy ACI Worldwide, warned that the technological advances in online banking were being outpaced by the speed and sophistication of password-stealing malware services and so-called 'Trojan' viruses.

He said that online banking customers were falling prey to 'man in the browser' attacks – where a Trojan virus embeds itself into an internet browser. When a user logs onto a banking site the Trojan intercepts and manipulates data as it is being communicated to an online banking system.

"These attacks are designed to circumvent even the strongest user authentication techniques," he warned.

He said that if banks were allowing their sites to be accessed by aggregator sites, they must be operating at a fairly basic level of security. "Although the risk to customers is pretty low in using these sites, a fraudster who wanted to do an ID attack could get quite a lot of information," he said.
Many of these sites download a password file onto your computer, rather than holding the data on their own site. Mr Divitt said that these files would be heavily encrypted so would be difficult for fraudsters to read.

The use of aggregator sites is just one of the seemingly safe actions that may invalidate fraud protection from your bank. Your bank requires you to take reasonable care of your security details.

However, recent Which? research shows that one in ten people are writing down their debit or credit card Pin number or passing it on to a family member, which could mean that they would not have money refunded if their card was stolen and used. Online banking users could also forfeit any refund if they forget to log off after online banking or leave their computer unattended while they are logged in.

The best 100 voucher code sites ON THE INTERNET!!

2010-05-21T02:48:00.000-07:00

We would like to proudly show you a fantastic site that has simply the best 100 voucher code sites there is on the internet...cool, huh?

Sounds great, TAKE ME TO IT!!!

Don't forget, while you're here, to have a look at our own site - it's a U.K money comparison site that compares products from credit cards to utility bills, so it's definitely worth having a gander, come on, five mins of your time? :)

GO ON THEN!!

Fancy earning some extra cash to become an affiliate?

2010-05-19T03:40:00.000-07:00

!!CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED!!

Our new affiliate programme

Fancy earning some extra cash?

Then sign up today to Debtline Direct’s affiliate programme and earn yourself £10 for the sign up!

Our payouts are amongst the best in the industry - £50 is payable to you once we agree a plan with a client you refer.

!!CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED!!

Just send traffic to www.Debtline-Direct.com- you'll be able to see who has filled a form out from your affiliate log in area. We'll then do all the hard work - contact the client and work out a plan with them. Once this has been done, you earn £50!

The website has many calls to action, meaning a high conversion rate (Typically 10%), meaning high payouts for you! We also offer a 60-day cookie life, so even if a client you refer doesn't get in touch today, you'll still earn if they do within 60 days!

To join, click on the link below; any questions do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks
Sarah

!!CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED!!

Extortionate mobile phone rates whilst abroad

2010-05-19T01:23:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine getting a mobile bill for £7,000? You'd just assume it was a mistake wouldn't you?

Unfortunately, it's what one traveller was charged by his mobile broadband provider after he listened to Radio 4 online whilst stranded abroad in the last round of volcanic disruptions.

UK mobile phone and broadband providers have put EU-stipulated measures in place to reduce the number of people that rack up horrendous bills while they're overseas. However, this just goes to show that it is still possible to slip up.

Don't Fall Victim to These 5 Costly Mistakes When You Use Your Mobile Abroad otherwise you could find an exorbitant bill waiting on your doormat when you get home from your next getaway.

If you're not careful you could end up with a mountainous mobile bill on your return. Here's how to keep your mobile costs in check while you're overseas.

If you're a slave to your mobile you'll need to be particularly careful when you leave the UK, here's why:

1. Don't assume your current tariff counts abroad

It's unlikely that any minutes, texts and data download limits included with your current contract will count outside the UK. Instead, overseas usage will usually be subject to separate, often significantly higher charges and you'll be billed accordingly. So, before you go away it's really important to check what your provider charges for overseas usage so you don't get caught out.

2. Check what you'll be charged

You'll need to check how much you'll be charged for:

* making and receiving calls
* sending texts
* data downloads
* using voicemail

The EU roaming rules that UK providers have to adhere to place a cap on the amount you'll pay for making (max 40p/min) and receiving calls (max 20p/min) and sending texts (max 11p) while you're in an EU country. However, this doesn't apply to non-EU countries and the cost of calls, texts and data could be significantly higher.

Your provider will have country by country call costs listed on their website so always check what you'll be charged before you travel.

3. Check that your usage limit is capped

In accordance with EU regulations your provider should place a monthly cap on data downloads while you're overseas. This will be approximately £40 but will vary from provider to provider.

You'll need to be careful as not all providers automatically enforce this limit, some require you to opt-in while you're still in the UK so you'll need to check. You also have the option to increase or decrease this limit should you wish.

With the cap in place you'll receive a warning when you get to 80% of the agreed limit and then have your connection severed once you reach it.

The amount of data you'll be able to download for £40 will depend very much on how much your provider charges for internet access overseas. You'll also need to check when their daily usage limits for data apply; some work on UK time instead of the time at your holiday destination!

So, it's well worth investigating prices and daily usage policies before you go to find out just how much checking your emails or watching a video on YouTube will cost you.

4. Turn off your voicemail

You'll be charged for picking up messages from your voicemail when you're overseas but you may also be charged when people leave them, even if your phone is off. For this reason it's really important to find out what your provider's policy is and what they charge.

If you aren't worried about using voicemail while you're away then the best thing to do is to simply turn it off while you're overseas. Your provider should have instructions on their website that explain how to do this.

5. Turn off your phones' data roaming facility

Smartphones that automatically pick up emails, like Blackberrys, constantly connect to the web even when you're overseas. This could prove very costly so it's a good idea to disable your phone's data connection facility before you go abroad.

6. Investigate cheaper alternatives

There are ways to cut the cost of calls and internet usage while you're overseas. As the difference can sometimes be significant it's worth investigating your options.

For instance, make the most of free wi-fi access offered by your hotel, consider adding an overseas bolt-on to your contract before you go or even look into getting a local or international roaming SIM to use while you're overseas (your phone will need to be unlocked for this).

For other tips & to compare cheap products to save money please visit our main website The Money Express.

Half A Million British Gas Customers Coming Off Fixed Price – Find A Cheaper Deal

2010-05-18T04:44:00.000-07:00

Around 460,000 British Gas customers are coming to the end of their five-year fixed price deal, and face a price shock. Since 2005, they have been paying as much as £473* a year less for their energy than the rest of us.

The average household energy bill is now £1,194 a year, and given these Price Protection 2010 customers have been paying £820 a year, this rise is going to hurt. But you can get a much better deal, whether you are coming to the end of a fixed deal or not, with our energy comparison service.

Big savings to be had by switching

For example, a couple living in a three-bedroom house in Kent with British Gas supplying both electricity and gas on the standard tariff would be paying £1,257 a year. But by switching to the Eon FixOnline v8 they would pay £987 – saving £270 on their annual energy bill.

The savings to be made will vary depending on where you are living. But for sure, you can save a packet by switching your electricity supplier, whether you are leaving a British Gas fixed rate now or not.

Change your habits to save money

There are other changes you can make which will all add up too, like only boiling enough water in your kettle to make the tea you want right now, and turning off items, such as TVs and DVD players, that are usually on standby. All of these can add up to significant savings over the year. But by far the quickest way to save is to switch energy suppliers.

* uSwitch

What's the Best Debt Management Program?

2010-05-14T08:35:00.001-07:00

If you're considering a debt management program, this article reviews a popular company that has helped many people.

What's the Best Debt Management Program?

It may be time to look into a debt management program if your debt has become more than you can handle. These services are available to help people in financial difficulty lower credit card payments by lowering the interest rate and outstanding balance. The debt is still paid off but it is done at a lower amount than the customer initially owed.

If are serious about reducing or eliminating your debt, and fast, visit this website for an effective and popular debt management program.

Debt relief programs are designed specifically for people who can no longer afford their minimum monthly payments. The programs work to reduce the total amount of the debt and consolidate it into a single affordable monthly payment. Debt management services are not for people who can afford their monthly payments but want to reduce payoffs so the credit can be paid off more quickly. They are not for people who are already in the throes of bankruptcy.

Debt management programs are usually handled through the creditors. The bank that holds the credit card in question will set the rate and the payoff amount. The client does not have any say in the agreement. Each bank will offer its own terms for debt management service and the terms are usually not negotiable. If the client is unable to manage the new monthly payment, he will usually be dropped from the program.

A debt relief program like this can be helpful for people who are no longer able to make monthly payments due to high interest charges or late fees. It is important to talk to the company first to see what sort of program they can offer you. In some cases, this may be all that is necessary to dig out of a financial hole. In other cases, other types of debt management credit counseling may be required.

DebtLine Direct is a company that provides assistance through debt settlement programs. This company will work with your lenders to lower your balances and consolidate your debt into a single affordable monthly payment. They will negotiate for you so you can get a better term and interest rate than you might on your own. They can also stop harassing phone calls in some situations so you can focus on the job of getting debt free.

Debt management companies help thousands every year get out of debt and regain financial help. If you feel as if you are drowning in monthly payments and interest and late charges, debt relief is available.

Debt consolidation in the U.K - Wise up

2010-05-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

You're sitting there one day, off from work due to the stress of your unsecured debts weighing heavily upon your shoulders. Suddenly, in the background noise from the TV you hear a fantastic deal - consolidate your existing debts into 'one easy affordable loan'. You think wow, just what I need to get my debts under control and you get the sales blurb.

Sounds great doesn't it?

Debt consolidation in the UK is not a new phenomena these days. It's been around a while. Lots of people have taken out debt busting consolidation loans. So why is the amount of debt in the UK still rising so fast? And why are bankruptcies, IVA's and debt counselling services stretched to their limits and running at all time high figures right now? Well people get sold on the advantages but I'd recommend thinking about the disadvantages too!

Advantages of debt consolidation UK

Well the interest rate normally comes down on the unsecured debt amount borrowed making the monthly payments easier to afford.

Your debts come under control quickly so the annoying telephone calls and letters from irate creditors stops.

Disadvantages of debt consolidation UK (this is the bit they don't want you to think too hard about)

To get a debt consolidation loan usually requires some form of property. By consolidating the unsecured debts to your home some of the equity has now been lost. So what was once an unsecured debt now forms part of a charge over your property. Every legal advert in the UK selling this type of service will point out in the small print that your home is at risk if you fail to keep up payments on (this now larger) secured loan. So you've put more risk onto your property. I regularly meet people who have bought their house maybe 20 years ago for figures like £80,000 on a house worth £110,000 to find that a decade on they have a house worth (say) £180,000 with a new debt consolidated mortgage of £150,000. So they still only have a similar amount of equity in the property but also have a mortgage now nearly double in size!

Another disadvantage is that the term of the borrowing is usually increased. Well sometimes the debt consolidation companies in the UK will sell that as a benefit with a line like 'you can take longer to pay your debt and allow yourself time to get on top of your borrowing over the coming years'. I find that an odd statement. You have doubled your mortgage in a decade and you have found yourself in debt but suddenly your spending habits will change and you'll be debt free at some point in the future. What are your thoughts as you read that? Another interesting point arises here. Because the term is often longer, you will possibly end up paying much more of your hard earned money for that unsecured borrowing by the time you pay off your new secured lending.

Did the debt consolidation company ask what your lifetime ambitions are? You see, you may have got out of the immediate debt issues but you may just also have signed away the possibility of that early retirement / new car / that holiday to see your family down under too. You see, if the amount you are paying back is higher than you had budgeted for then you may need to work longer to achieve your dreams. Was this discussed with you?

Did you consider at least 6 solutions for getting our of debt trouble before you decided on your debt consolidation loan? Can the company you speak to even name 6 solutions for getting out of debt trouble? If not then you have ignored several other options that may have been more suitable for the financial position you found yourself in. It's rare indeed to find loan and mortgage brokers that are fully trained in solutions to tackle insolvency and debt issues. They have their offering and will talk about the monthly repayment figures to demonstrate how you could be better off, but is it the best way forward? Well naturally, that depends on your situation.

A final word on debt consolidation in the UK

Now, I do believe that debt consolidation has its place but I also think that there could be more done to understand that there are other options for getting out of debt. Getting the right debt help and advice is essential. Look at the advantages and the disadvantages for each solution you consider for debt resolution and then make a more informed decision.

There are more options for getting out of debt trouble then most people realise, that includes debt consolidation but is not limited to just that course of action.

If you would like to know what the 6 solutions to debt in the UK are then you can get debt help and advice from Sarah at DebtLine Direct.

This article does not constitute regulated advice. Please remember that any action regarding financial advice should always be taken only after considering the specifics of your own situation.

To find out more about the business try, http://www.debtlinedirect.com

DebtLine Direct is a company that offers debt help and advice to individuals and small businesses across the UK.

How can I make money I'm 13 / 14/ 15 years old?

2010-05-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

I use Yahoo UK Answers quite frequently and one of the questions that come up in Finance quite frequently are teenagers from the ages of 13-15yrs old asking how they can make money considering they are too young to work.
Here is your answer.

- Dog walking - You must have a neighbour who goes to work every day but their beloved pup needs a walk, ask about.

- Baby sitting - This is the most common way that 13-15yr olds make their money.

- Paper round - Many teenagers have a paper round after school, and this is a very useful way to make money.

- Washing up - If you walk around your local village in cafes and restuarants and offer to be a washer upper, you may be employed!

- Waitressing - At your local cafe or restuarant.

- Washing windows - For your neighbours

- Gardening - For your neighbours

- Car Boot Sale - Collect all the things you don't want anymore that other people might and ask your parent/s to take you to a car boot sale.

- Milkman round - Helping the milkman with his round.

- Working in a shop - Try walking the streets of your village or nearest town and pop in each shop and ask if you can help in any way (you must tell them your age however).

- Working in a hairdressers - You might be the one serving tea, but a great way to get your foot in the door.

- Working in a riding stables - Ask about.

- Domestic work in hotels - Again, ask around.

There are many other small jobs you can do, the best thing is to just ask. As long as you're honest with your age as you are not allowed to legally work until you are 13.

Good luck. :)

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2010-04-30T02:11:00.000-07:00

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What is affecting my credit score?

2010-04-29T06:37:00.000-07:00

These are the Six Top Credit Score Killers...

1. Not on the Electoral Roll

If you are not on the electoral roll at the address on the application there is a high probability of rejection.

2. Bad Credit History

Past credit history usually counts for 35% of your credit score. It is not just having County Court Judgements (CCJs) or defaults on your credit report that has a negative impact. Missed and late payments will also dent your score. But whilst negative entries will stay on your credit file for 6 years, the impact of missed and late payments diminishes over time. If you have been making payments on time for at least the last 12 months those negative entries will begin to influence your score less.

3. At Current Address Less Than 3 Years

Lenders like continuity. A score will be higher if you have been at the same address for 3 years or more. There may be some impact if you have had two addresses in the last 3 years, but probably less if you are a homeowner.

Multiple addresses in the last 3 years will have the greatest impact. Likewise, your credit score may be effected if you have been at your current address for less than 6 months. This means that tenants are most likely to fall foul of this scoring criterion.

4. New Job

As with residency, when it comes to employment continuity is also paramount. Ideally, lenders are looking for someone who has had the same job for a number of years. Such applicants will benefit from the maximum score for this.

Having had two employers in 3 years need not be that detrimental. Changing jobs so as to get more pay will usually not cause any problems, though you really want to have been in your new job for a few months before applying for new credit. Remember, lenders often ask to see the last couple of months pay slips when applying for a loan.

Since continuous employment is what they like to see, having 3 or more jobs in the last 3 years will adversely effect your credit score. As will having had bouts of unemployment between jobs.

5. No or New Bank Account

Lenders will award maximum points if you have been with your bank for a number of years. Having only recently opened your current account will reduce the score. Not having a bank or current account will be most detrimental to your credit score.

6. Too Many Credit Applications

Every time you apply for credit a search is made and will be recorded on your credit file. Multiple credit applications in a short space of time will negatively impact your credit score. Such applications may be perceived as indicative of someone desperately trying to obtain credit.

It is commonly accepted that making one credit application every month or two should not have too much impact on your credit file.

However, if you have recently made a number of applications and been declined, it is advisable not to make any new applications for six months so as to give a good breathing space before applying again. It also gives you time to review your credit file and determine if there is anything on there which shouldn't be.

50 ways in which you can save money in the UK

2010-04-29T02:55:00.000-07:00

British credit card holders now owe an average of £2,200 on their plastic and with retailers reporting a slump in sales not seen for two decades, it is clear that shoppers are reining in their spending. In short, it's payback time.

To clear a debt of £2,200 on a card that attracts an interest rate of around 15% will take more than two years assuming a monthly repayment of £100.

There are, however, plenty of simple ways to make significant savings on your regular spending that could clear the debt many times over in less than a year.

Here are The Money Express' top 50 money-saving tips.

1. Change your attitude to your mortgage
The most expensive item you are ever likely to buy is your home. If you're not in the privileged position to pay cash, make sure the loan you use to finance it is the best available. For example, if you are paying your lender's full standard variable rate (SVR) you are probably paying hundreds of pounds a year more than you need to.

There are thousands of deals to choose from and while it is vital to check the small print for hidden catches, this is a relatively easy way to save a lot of money. Remember: loyalty to your bank benefits your bank, not you. Even better, if you can afford to make overpayments on your mortgage, you'll clear your debt several years early and make massive savings. For example, if you borrow £100,000 at 6% over 25 years, you'll pay it back at £643 a month. The total charge for credit will be £93,000. But if you can overpay by £100 a month you'll clear the loan in less than 19 years, giving you 6 years of mortgage-free living and saving a staggering £25,000 in interest.
Saving: £1,000s

2. Clear your credit card debt
One of the golden rules of financial planning is to clear your most expensive debts first, in other words your credit cards. OK, credit cards offer a convenient way to pay for goods and services but if you can't clear the balance every month, consider a low-cost loan as an alternative. Do the sums: a credit card debt (APR 15%) of £2,200 over three years will cost £545 in interest. A loan at 6% will cost £209. A saving of £336.
Saving: £100s

3. Cut the cost of your fuel bills
As the global demand for power threatens to outstrip supply, prices are rising. But that doesn't mean you need to be ripped off. The domestic market for fuel is a competitive one and you can change supplier with a few clicks of the mouse. Your new supplier will take care of the formalities - you just pay less every month.
Saving: £100

4. Consider installing a water meter
We take our tap water for granted. And why not? The companies behind the supply exist to make a profit, we pay them to supply water and have every right to expect it to flow from our taps. But if it doesn't rain, supply runs dry and the price goes up. So you may want to consider the possibility of installing a meter. If you have a big home with few occupants you may be surprised to learn you could halve your annual bill.
Saving: £100s

5. Cut your home phone bills
BT may seem to behave like a monopoly but it most definitely is not one. If you must use your phone there are scores of cheaper alternatives from cable companies that package your telephone, television and even broadband internet access to low-cost dial-up services that give you access to cheaper calls using your existing BT line.
Saving: £100

6. Consider a pay-as-you go mobile
Ask yourself this: is your mobile phone absolutely necessary? If the answer is yes, then ask yourself whether you really need all those minutes and texts that come as part of your package. If you hand over £50 a month to your mobile phone company, that's £600 a year – or around £1,000 of your gross salary. But you can buy a pay-as-you-go phone for as little as £30 and only pay for the odd call as and when you need to.
Saving: £100s

7. Make a shopping list
Food shopping forms a significant part of our monthly outgoings and the supermarket is where the bulk of the money is spent. Tesco takes £1 in every £8 spent by UK shoppers. But be warned, stores spend a small fortune studying ways of making us part with more of our money than we would otherwise intend to. Have you ever wondered why your favourite song is playing in the background as you navigate the aisles? Have you even noticed the background music? Possibly not, but you will have noticed at the checkout that the bill is often more than expected. To circumvent this, simply make a shopping list. Dig out the cookery books, plan a few meals and only buy what you need.
Saving: £10 a week = £520 a year

8. When was the last time you went to the market?
One way to beat the supermarkets - that is, to eat healthily for less - is to use your local market stall. Lower overheads should mean lower prices. At the time of writing, cherries were on sale in Asda for £2.99 for 400g, the equivalent at the local market was going for just over £1.
Saving: £100+

9. Consider own-brand goods
You can buy a tin of Asda own-brand baked beans for 14p and a loaf bread at Asda, Tesco or Sainsbury's for 19p. Enough said.
Saving: £100

10. Don't buy designer labels
Celebrities are given expensive clothes to wear. You're not. At the end of the day, and let's face it you may only wear the outfit once, can you justify paying hundreds of pounds over the odds because a top designer has had his or her name sewn on the label? And can you honestly say you can tell the difference at a distance between a £600 designer bag and a £9.99 one from the market? Think about it.
Saving: £100s

11. Sell your clutter on eBay
Take this quick test: You're at home. Open a cupboard. Look inside. If it's full of clothes you haven't worn, or 'good ideas a the time' you haven't used, for, let's say, three years - you don't need them. So why not sell them to someone else who does? Ebay, the online auction house, has opened individual sellers to a world of buyers. And you can flog anything for the cost of a small commission. Tip: you may want to buy a few items first to build up your rating as a respectable eBayer before you start selling.
Income: Will depend on what's in your cupboard

12. Use your talent to earn extra cash
Let's face it, if you're not a pop star by the time you reach your 20s you're never going to be. But you may be able to use your talent as a guitarist to teach other wannabes the rudiments of the 12-bar blues.
Income: It's not unreasonable to charge £20 an hour

13. Do DIY
We're a nation of obsessive DIYers and for around £100 you can take a course at your local adult education college to improve the skills needed to tackle most household repairs. If the college runs plumbing courses you could soon be on track to wiping out costly call-out charges and extra insurance policies once and for all.
Saving: £100+

14. Shop around for the cheapest household insurance
Unless you drive – car insurance is mandatory - you don't need insurance. But it's strongly advisable. Can you afford to foot the bill if your house burns down? Probably not. Similarly, can you afford to pay over the odds for the same policy available elsewhere because you can't be bothered to shop around? Possibly, but it's not advisable. The internet has made finding cheaper insurance easy and you can compare hundreds of policies in minutes.
Saving: £100s

15. Don't automatically renew annual travel insurance
If your annual holiday insurance policy is about to expire and you don't have a holiday booked, DON'T renew the policy. You're handing your money over to cover an eventuality that won't happen. You wouldn't have car insurance if you didn't own a car. Simply restart the cover again the next time you book a trip.
Saving: £50

16. Choose cheaper breakdown insurance
The breakdown sector is dominated by big names such as the AA and RAC. But being towed home if your car breaks down is just another form of insurance like any other and there are scores of cheaper alternatives.
Saving: Up to £100 a year

17. Are you paying too much for your life insurance?
We're living longer. As a result the cost of insuring the unthinkable is getting cheaper all the time. If you were sold a policy when you took out or mortgage you may have been under too much stress to shop around. You could be missing a trick.
Saving: £100

18. Book early
Low-cost airlines have created a market in holidays for people prepared to fly to any destination provided it's cheap. You can benefit from this too. Just remember, only a few seats on each flight are sold at bargain-basement prices and once they're sold, the prices rise. So book early.
Saving: £100

19. Book your own 'package' holiday online
The popularity of High Street travel agents is waning as more and more people warm to the benefits of researching and putting together their own holidays on the internet. If your holiday consists of flights, accommodation, transfers and possibly car hire, then take this test. Order a brochure from a leading holiday company and work out the price of your holiday including all the complicated supplements. Now go online and, starting with the flights, try to put the same package together.
Saving: £100+

20. Learn to say 'no'
It's easy to capitulate to the demands of a screaming child in a packed Woolworths on a Saturday afternoon. But don't do it. Similarly, how often does a 'swift half' after work turn into a £40 drinking session? Saying 'no' a few times a year will do wonders for your bank account.
Saving: £100

23. Don't pay full price for theatre or theme park tickets
If you are prepared to tolerate the unwieldy website and hit-and-miss customer service, lastminute.com regularly boasts some amazing deals for London's theatres and the nation's theme parks. At the time of writing you can see top West End show The Producers plus a two-course meal for less than £20 a head, a saving of £60 per person, and tickets for Chessington World of Adventures cost from £12, a saving of nearly £50 for a day out for a family of four.
Saving: £100s

24. Beat the ticket touts
Ticket touts earn their living by getting hold of tickets that are 'otherwise unavailable'. Well, here's the news: they are available to everyone when they first go on sale. You just need to know when they go on sale. Simply sign up to for the free ticket alert newsletters from the main agents to ensure that you're first in the queue.
Saving: £100s

25. Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses
Trying to keep up appearances is little more than a costly illness. Remember, you cannot judge someone by what they have because you don't know how they got it. Chances are they're in more debt than you are.
Saving: £1,000s

26. Trade down your car
So, you bought an American sports utility vehicle (SUV) that nets 15 miles to the gallon on a whim. Obviously we're all very impressed – especially by the personalised number plate. But can you honestly justify the ongoing expense? If not, get rid of it. Then visit a car supermarket, where you can choose from thousands of cars at knock-down prices. If you're a true money saver, consider an ex-rental model which you can pick up for a fraction of the cost of a new one.
Saving: £1,000s

27. Ask yourself: do I really need this?
Imagine the scenario. It's lunchtime and you've got an hour to kill. You find yourself in a department store and there's a sale on. You pick up a beautifully packaged selection of barbecue tools and associated garden paraphernalia. And it's half price. Now, stop! Ask yourself: Do I really need this? Exactly. Now, put it down and walk away.
Saving: £100

28. Walk/cycle to the station/work
It maybe a bit of hippie notion to many people but it's free.
Saving: £100

29. Get off the station before your usual stop and walk
We may be creatures of habit but isn't it worth tinkering with the routine if it's costing more than £50 a month in unnecessary fares?
Saving: £100

30. Cut down your drinking
A few beers after work a few nights a week is a financially debilitating state of affairs. Set limits and stick to them.
Saving: £100s

31. Pack up smoking
Never mind the health implications, the guilt and the smell, your 20-a-day habit is costing you nearly £2,000 a year. Pack it in.
Saving: Nearly £2,000

32. Cancel your gym membership
If you pay your £40 a month by direct debit and you use the gym three times a week, great. If not, cancel your membership immediately. You'll soon save enough to buy your own bike and, if you're so inclined, a rowing machine. Consider running home from work three times a week. It's free.
Saving: £100s

33. Use your library
The local library is a mecca for the money saver. You'll never need to buy another cookbook, guidebook or lifestyle manual again and if you can bear to wait a few weeks in the queue for the latest blockbuster, you never need to buy books again. CDs and videos are great value too.
Saving: £100

34. The three-for-two trick
Now, there's a lot to be said for buy-one-get-one-free deals, especially if they pass the 'Do I really need this?' test. Then there's three-for-twos; a particularly cynical way of stores to entice shoppers to buy an extra item they would not otherwise buy. The 'offer' is always priced into the deal so do your sums and shop around.
Saving: It's a principle at stake here

35. Buy clothes and presents in the sales
So you need a new suit and the one you like comes in at a cool £300. Wait! The chances are that you can pick it up in the sale – and there's always a sale just around the corner – for £150. The same applies for birthday and Christmas presents. Buy in bulk in the sales and you not only save money, but you enjoy stress-free pre-Christmases and no last-minute birthday worries.
Saving: £100s

37. The Christmas lottery
Instead of trying to buy a present for every relative in your family, consider getting together beforehand and picking one name from the hat. You then buy one thoughtful gift for that one person rather than attempting to please everyone at considerable cost. Everyone gets a present, everyone saves money.
Saving: £100

38. The National Lottery – it won't be you!
The odds of winning the Lotto jackpot are stacked 14m to 1 against each ticket. Some highly organised syndicates buy 14,000 tickets a week, which reduces the odds to 1,000 to 1 - but that's no guarantee of a win. For the rest of us, the difference to the odds between buying, say, 10 tickets and one is so insignificant that you should limit yourself to the one and save the extra money in a Cash mini Isa.
Saving: £100

39. Use your Isa allowances
If you're not already aware, you can save up to £3,000 a year in a tax-free savings account called an Isa (for the more financially savvy there's also a stocks and shares Isa). It means you don't pay any tax on the interest accrued so, if you have spare cash in your current account, this is the difference between earning next to no interest and up to £150 a year.
Saving: £100+

40. Claim your benefits and tax credits
There was once a certain stigma in Britain attached to claiming benefits. Well, not any more. The Government has put benefits at the heart of the family budget and it's your money so make sure you're claiming it. That includes Child Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and other employee-related tax benefits.
Saving: £100s

41. How saving £50 a month now can save you £120 next year
Do you pay your insurance premiums by monthly instalments? If you do, then consider this: you are probably being charged a premium of between 15% and 20% for the privilege. In other words, if your home and car insurance bill for the year is £600, you're paying up to £120 a year in interest by paying monthly. If you are in a position this year to save up for next year's premiums in advance, you can save money by paying the whole lot in one go.
Saving: £100+

42. Do you need all those TV channels?
Britain is switching to digital-only television and time is running out for you to choose your new digital TV provider. The choice is already bewildering and with telephone-based services now being launched it's going to get more complicated. Packages range from full the monty, including every sports and movie channel costing around £50 a month, down to Freeview, which is free. Choose wisely.
Saving: £100+

43. Bin the ready meals
If TV chefs such as Ainsley Harriott can knock up a meal from a bag of random groceries including an aubergine and a packet of sultanas – so can you. Ready meals may be convenient, but preparing your own food saves money. A visit to your library will reveal scores of books dedicated to cooking proper meals in minutes.
Saving: £100+

44. Take up a money-saving hobby
Hobbies not only open your mind to new experiences but they also take up your time – important if you would otherwise spend it in the pub drinking away your hard-earned money. If a painting takes 20 hours to complete, and you normally get through a pint an hour. That's a saving of a least 40 quid a picture. Think about it. Get painting. Go fishing.
Saving: £100+

45. Avoid the payment protection racket
Banks and other lenders are selling expensive insurance policies to cover loan repayments to people who don't need it. Don't be a victim of the hard-sell.
Saving: £100

46. Avoid extended warranties
Electrical goods are more reliable than ever. If your new radio won't last three years perhaps it's not worth buying in the first place. Think about it: how many times has your fridge broken down in the last five years? And do you really need the hassle of claiming for repairs to a £15 toaster?
Saving: £100

47. Shop online
The internet is gradually taking over. Online grocery shopping is getting better all the time and there are plenty of comparison websites to help find the best prices for bigger items. Give it a try, unless of course you like fighting your way through supermarket crowds.
Saving: Your sanity
Links: The Money Express - price comparison site

48. The Citizen's Advice Bureau is your friend
If your debts are out of control please seek help immediately from your local CAB – their advisers can help you work out a sensible strategy to get you back on your feet.
Saving: It could save your life

49. Have I missed any money-saving ideas?
Let me know!

50. Save this article or send it to a friend
Use the links at the bottom of the page to send these money-saving tips to a friend or save it for yourself for later.

Yahoo UK Answers for Debt and Finance

2010-04-29T02:44:00.000-07:00

We occasionally log onto Yahoo UK and Wiki Answers to see if we can assist in any way with a finance related question somebody may have. This will usually be asking what people's recommendations are for loans, credit cards, or debt issues. We never impose our site onto somebody implying it is the best one, what we do is give them a choice to come and visit our site mentioning that it is a money comparison site so they then can choose from a variety of different products. We do not get commission for most of the tabs so our aim is to simply help people and point them in the right direction :)
Some people completely abuse Yahoo UK Answers and Wiki Answers by copying and pasting their long drawn out promotion speel which does nothing but get them a 'thumbs down' from readers. We hope that we give good impartial advice, at the end of the day, we are simply answering people's questions the best way we know how.

Good mobile websites

2010-04-27T09:02:00.000-07:00

Good mobile comparison sites
E2SAVE
PHONES4U
MOBILES.CO.UK
THE LINK

Specific network sites
3 MOBILE
02 MOBILE
T-MOBILE
NOKIA
VODAFONE

For some ideas of good phones; maybe these brand new ones might interest you?

Good credit cards on the market

2010-04-27T07:08:00.000-07:00

For people with a good credit rating:
The AA Credit Card
The advantages of getting a AA credit card:

0% on balance transfers for 12 months (3% fee). To benefit your balance needs to be transferred within the first 90 days of your account opening
0% on card purchases of motoring, fuel and AA products for 12 months*
Earn AA Reward Points on your everyday card purchases, and earn double points on motoring, fuel and AA products
* 16.9% APR typical rate (variable)

The AA is the largest breakdown organisation in the UK, providing cover for millions of motorists. The AA also offers a range of financial services, including loans, insurance and credit cards, which come with a rewards scheme, earning 1 reward point for every £1 you spend. Customers can use their points to save on AA products or even to get cashback. The first purchase yields bonus points and more reward points are earned when you purchase fuel.

Or maybe you'd like another one;
The advantages of getting an Egg credit card:

Egg Credit Card

Great deals and discounts at selected retailers.

Paperless application process - faster, easier and hassle-free.

Online servicing 24 hours a day, every day.

No annual fee.

Savings on Egg Insurance Egg's insurance products already offer fantastic value for money, but once you've got an Egg Card, you can expect much more.

Interest-free grace period Pay your outstanding balance off in full each month and benefit from an interest-free period of up to 45 days on all purchases. For cash advances and balance transfers you'll be charged interest from the date the transaction is charged to your account.

Convenient balance transfers You can transfer balances online at any time from existing credit or store cards, loans or overdrafts, or balances that your second cardholder has elsewhere.