A new study has highlighted the risks some motorists may be taking with their vehicles and personal safety. Research conducted by esure indicates that more than half of all drivers without breakdown cover... read more

Most women would prefer to take their motor vehicles to female-only garages, according to a new poll. Research conducted by insurance specialist Diamond indicated that 52 per cent of women drivers feel... read more

Credit card users should be aware of foreign usage charges, it has been claimed. According to Moneyfacts analyst Michelle Slade, such fees can be as high as 2.99 per cent for both purchases and cash transactions. She... read more

The need for consumers to seek the best credit card deals may be set to increase, following the findings of a recent study into UK charges. According to research conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers PwC,... read more

Reckless or dangerous driving is not caused by the age of drivers, but the novelty of having a new car and trying to impress peers, it has been claimed. According to Andrew Howard, head of road safety... read more

Stability is the key to ensuring a good credit record, according to one industry expert. Writing for the Times, James Jones of credit reference agency Experian explained what is necessary for consumers... read more

Consumers seeking the best credit card deals this Christmas should exercise caution, it has been claimed. According to David Black of Defaqto, applying for every single deal – especially those which... read more

The annual cost of running a vehicle has increased yet again during 2009, Sainsbury's Finance has reported. According to the firm, the costs of motoring have risen by 2.68 per cent on last year, excluding... read more

The UK Cards Association is again running its online safety campaign - Be Card Smart Online - helping to protect consumers against the risk of credit fraud. It claims that more than 32 million consumers... read more

Existing Nationwide customers are being offered the chance to win one of two VIP trips for two to the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Credit card customers who make more than eight Nationwide Visa credit... read more

Insurance companies need to do more to look after their young drivers, it has been claimed. Nigel Lacy, from cover specialist Young Marmalade, said that too many claims are being made by people who have... read more

Motorhome owners should take great care on the roads during the autumn and winter, it has been claimed. According to RoadSafe director Adrian Walsh, it is essential to allow longer for journeys as the... read more

The popularity of debit and credit cards mean that small businesses must allow their customers to pay using them, it has been claimed. According to Merchant Accounts, many smaller enterprises such as restaurants,... read more

Innovation may be one way of improving the credit card business model, it has been claimed. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers' PwC Precious Plastic report, the industry is currently unsustainable,... read more

A rise in personal insolvency rates will be seen if fixed fees and higher annual percentage rates become a feature of credit provision, it has been claimed. David Rodgers, managing director of Debt Advice... read more

Lenders should be more sympathetic when it comes to managing consumer debt, it has been claimed. David Rodgers, managing director of the Debt Advice Foundation, said solutions which aim to return some... read more

Lenders should be more sympathetic when it comes to managing consumer debt, it has been claimed. David Rodgers, managing director of the Debt Advice Foundation, said solutions which aim to return some... read more

Households in Britain will spend an average of £5,000 over the coming year, simply paying off the interest on loans, it has been reported. According to the Precious Plastic report, published by professional... read more

Consumers who have used up their cash ISA allowance for the year but wish to continue saving have a number of options, it has been claimed. Writing for the BBC, Bestinvest financial adviser Adrian Lowcock... read more

It is no wonder more people are seeking help with debt, as credit has been too readily available in the past, it has been claimed. Insolvency practitioner Nick O'Reilly, a director at Vantis business recovery,... read more

Consumers should consider switching accounts as they bid to access the best interest rates on savings, it has been claimed. According to James Daley, money editor at consumer group Which?, the Bank of... read more

People should be seeking help with debt problems as quickly as possible, according to one finance expert. Jessica Bown, of Talk About Debt, said it is "essential" for people to get the right... read more

A new study has highlighted a 28.2 per cent like-for-like rise in individual insolvencies during the third quarter of the year. According to research conducted by free debt advice service Talk About Debt,... read more

People must take steps to avoid running into problem debt when they take a major loan out, it has been suggested. Steven Baillie, head of loans at Sainsbury's Finance, made the comment after his firm estimated... read more

Principality Building Society has introduced a new two-year fixed rate bond offering a guaranteed 4.25 per cent AER. The firm says the bond makes "a great home" for people's capital if they are... read more

Nationwide Building Society has announced details of a new four-year Stepped Rate Bond, which offers fixed annual or monthly interest options. The annual option pays 3.75 per cent gross AER in year one,... read more

Consumers should celebrate the New Year when it arrives, but then get down to the business of improving their personal finances, it has been claimed. According to Directgov, the government's public services... read more

The Child Trust Fund CTF is the most successful savings scheme in the UK, according to one provider. Families are far more engaged with this product than other long-term savings alternatives, The Children's... read more

Consumer group Which? has backed the Office of Fair Trading's OFT decision to launch a review of UK debt management practices. The review – the OFT's first into the industry since 2003 - will look... read more

Consumers who can only afford to make minimum monthly repayments on credit cards may have debt problems, it has been suggested. Writing for lovemoney.com, Rachel Ronson said these are set at "ridiculously... read more

Consumers should be getting the most out of savings rather than speculating on short-term capital gains, it has been claimed. Independent pensions expert Stewart Ritchie was commenting after an Aegon study... read more

A new study has identified worryingly low levels of short-term saving among Scottish consumers. Research conducted by independent pensions expert Stewart Ritchie, on behalf of Aegon, indicates that 42... read more

Cheshire Building Society has unveiled a new 30 Day Postal Saver Account offering a bonus rate of three per cent gross/AER. The account offers a variable conditional bonus on a minimum deposit of £1,000... read more

A home is being repossessed every 11 and a half minutes in the UK, it has been reported. Latest figures from Credit Action show that the recession is starting to affect more households, with an increase... read more

More and more people are looking to rely on the state pension when they retire, it has been reported. According to research conducted by Axa, 64 per cent of UK employees are not saving into any scheme... read more

It is now more difficult for consumers to run up huge plastic card debts unchecked, according to Credit Action. Chris Tapp, director of the money education charity, said it is harder now to get a credit... read more

The government must make every effort to deliver a clear message about the benefits of long-term saving, it has been claimed. Richard Saunders, chief executive of the Investment Management Association,... read more

Many consumers are still as reliant upon credit cards and borrowing money as they have been in the past, it has been claimed. Commenting after the Bank of England reported that lending to consumers increased... read more

Scots often pride themselves on being careful with money and not being profligate with it, but debt is not something that is unknown in Scotland and many people do find that debt is something that starts to take hold of their lives and then can easily get out of control. If you consider that the average Scot owes something like £31,000 per head, then it becomes clear that debt is not something that happens to other people it can happen to anyone and everyone.... read more

British consumers are increasingly entertaining themselves in their homes as they bid to reduce expenditure, it has been claimed. According to Abbey Savings, by cutting back on entertainment costs such... read more

The whole concept of debt advice in Tunbridge Wells may be an anathema to many people: Debt advice, Tunbridge Wells? No, there is no need for that! After all, Tunbridge Wells has long been associated with being part of Middle England, not fabulously wealthy, but comfortably off. It has also enjoyed a real reputation for being very solidly middle class. The concept of Mrs Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells who would always write in to TV stations after something mildly risqu had been shown on TV is still etched in many peoples minds.... read more

New government regulations on credit cards could help reduce the number of people seeking debt advice, it has been suggested. According to a spokesperson for the Consumer Credit Counselling Service CCCS,... read more

The government has announced plans to tackle 'unfair' credit card practices and charges. According to the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, such charges could be outlawed under new proposals,... read more

Many people may shy away from seeking out professional help with their debts, not because they are ashamed or embarrassed about their debts, but because they think that they will have to pay for advice and of course, when you are in debt, the last thing that you want to do is to have to pay for advice about how to get out of debt, since this would only make things worse.... read more

Personal loan rates are rising as the banks attempt to shore up the losses they have made over the last two years, it has been claimed. According to journalist and author Jasmine Birtles, the founder of... read more

Many people associate Torquay with the good times, after all it is part Of the English Riviera, so where better place to go to and relax, have a good time and enjoy the most of the English sunshine. But for many people who live in Torquay, life can be a little tough. Although there are a lot of jobs around in the form of holiday related jobs, these are traditionally not very well paid and people can often struggle to get on the property ladder: and that was before the credit crunch!... read more

National Savings and Investments NS&I has released new Issues of its Guaranteed Growth Bonds and Guaranteed Income Bonds. Rates of up to 4.60 per cent AER will be available, while the interest rates... read more

Savers who fail to use their annual ISA allowance are simply giving money away, it has been claimed. Paul Kennedy, director of tax wrapper and trust planning at Fidelity International, said consumers who... read more

Cardiff is undoubtedly a city that ahs embraced the 21st Century. It is a city that is vibrant with a real caf culture and a student population that certainly helps make it feel an exciting and buzzing place. But for some people, life in Cardiff can be depressing and stressful, especially for people who are living in debt.... read more

Consumers who save in an ISA could increase their investment returns by as much as 126 per cent, it has been claimed. According to Fidelity International, the extended annual allowance for over 50s has... read more

Families wishing to take holidays during the October half-term break can avoid running up debts by using the Santander Zero credit card, it has been claimed. Commenting after the bank reported that the... read more

High levels of personal debt in the UK may be hindering the nation's ability to recover from the global economic downturn, it has been suggested. Commenting after gross domestic product figures for the... read more

Many parents are raiding their savings accounts to help their children take advantage of the housing market slump, it has been reported. According to Lloyds TSB, some 23 per cent of parents have, or plan... read more

British consumers are increasingly attempting to limit their spending by socialising at home rather than going out, it has been reported. Research conducted by Friends Provident indicates that 35 per cent... read more

Whether it comes from problems in keeping up with monthly loan payments, falling behind on utility bills or defaulting on credit cards, those who have accumulated significant debts are likely to find themselves under major pressure.And those who are unable to clear their debt in full will find interest accumulating, increasing the overall amount they owe.... read more

Consumers may be better off seeking free debt advice than using claims management firms, it has been suggested. According to myfinances.co.uk, there has been a rapid rise in the number of companies claiming... read more

Consumers seeking to avoid running in to debt at Christmas time should ensure they budget for the festive period, it has been claimed. According to goodtoknow.co.uk, it is crucial for people to be realistic... read more

Whether people are saving up to fund a specific purchase or are just putting money away for a rainy day, consumers should look to take steps to make the most of their cash. The most effective way to do this is to obtain an account that offers the best savings rate. In doing so, people will be able to benefit from an attractive interest rate. And regardless of the manner in which they choose to invest - whether it is via a one-off lump sum upon opening an account or making regular repayments - consumers could soon find that they have generated a tidy sum of cash.... read more

Edinburgh is an affluent city. It is the home to the Scottish Parliament, the former home of the financial sector of Scotland a place where the wealthy send their offspring to be educated. Although Edinburgh has been hit by the recession and of course, the financial sector was crippled by the banking crisis of 2008-2009, it still remains a place that has pockets of great wealth and affluence. Indeed many people have been largely unaffected by the recession in terms of their quality of life.... read more

Consumers do not need to save a small fortune in an ISA account to yield a valuable return, it has been suggested. According to Danny Cox, head of advice at Hargreaves Lansdown, underestimating the value... read more

National Savings & Investments NS&I has announced changes to the way customers can invest in its Guaranteed Growth Bonds and Guaranteed Income Bonds. From Monday October 26th, these products... read more

The number of calls being made for free debt advice to the Insolvency Helpline has increased, it has been claimed. According to a spokesperson for the service, the number of calls has risen by 30 per cent... read more

Savers can use tax-free offshore bonds to maximise their income, one money expert has suggested. According to Peter McGahan, managing director at Worldwide Financial Planning, this simple investment opportunity... read more

A 46 per cent rise in the number of consumers with fuel debts has been seen during the first two quarters of 2009, it has been reported. According to the Citizens Advice Bureau, this latest surge continues... read more

Frome is a picture postcard little market town in Somerset. With a long history, vibrant atmosphere, relatively affluent population of less than 30,000 and a good tourism industry, you may well think that Frome is completely oblivious to any problems of the 21st Century.... read more

Scottish Widows Bank has launched a new Internet Saver Account for personal funds, which may be of interest to consumers seeking the best interest rates on savings. The online account has a variable interest... read more

The Financial Services Authority FSA is proposing that mortgage lenders will have to carry out more comprehensive credit checks on potential borrowers. Increased credit checks will need to be carried... read more

Falling into serious debt can affect the quality of your life, a new study has indicated. Research conducted by talkaboutdebt.co.uk indicates that 27 per cent of those with major financial concerns believe... read more

Many people find themselves in debt through no fault of their own. In other words, they have not led a lifestyle that was beyond their means, they have not tried to keep up with the Jones at all costs, but they may be in debt because they have loaned someone money, or they have entered into some kind of financial transaction that has, to whatever degree gone wrong.... read more

Glasgow has emerged as something of a Celtic tiger in the last few years. It has, to a large extent, dropped its image of being a poor, violent city that is full of people who are heavy drinkers and a large population of drug takers. Now Glasgow has a caf culture, a culture of people socially drinking, earning good money, enjoying fine food, with an enhanced quality of life and a great deal of economic freedom, to spend as they wish in the fine shops that are now commonplace in Glasgow.... read more

Debt advice in Northampton is widely available and the really good thing is that debt advice in Northampton can be obtained completely free of charge! Many people wrongly assume that debt advice is so specialised that it is something that you have to pay for, but this simply isnt true.... read more

Many people are simply unaware that the Government does indeed provide debt advice to people who have got themselves into difficulty and need debt advice, to be able to sort out their finances and get back on track.... read more

Debt advice is available on a national level, so in some instances it is possible to access national debt advice, but you should be aware that if you live in Scotland then you may need different debt advice than if you lived in Northern Ireland or Wales.... read more

Many people wrongly think that debt advice is something that only exists in England and that there is little available for people who live in Scotland or other parts of the UK. However, this is simply not true, there are lots of Government and state funded agencies that exist in Scotland to help provide debt advice to people from all walks of life and all geographical locations in Scotland.... read more

London has been hard hit by the recession, with jobs disappearing, businesses being taken over and people are generally finding that life is not as it once was. Sometimes people lose their job very quickly, going into work one day only to find out that their company has gone bankrupt or hearing one week that the company is fine, only for it to go belly up the next week. So it is little wonder that so many people have found themselves in debt.... read more

While the budget deficit is worse in the UK than in other countries, its overall level of debt is smaller, it has been claimed. David Kern, economic advisor at the British Chambers of Commerce BCC, was... read more

The Cheshire, Derbyshire and Dunfermline building societies have launched a new account designed to offer the best interest rates with high investment flexibility. A new monthly saver account offering... read more

Getting advice on debt is something that can very easily be done. You can find lots of information available on line, or you can seek out specialist help and assistance via a Citizens Advice Bureau or a debt agency there are literally hundreds, all across the country.... read more

If you live in the South West of England, then you may well feel that there is little available in terms of debt advice, since towns and cities tend to have more problems with debt. However, this could hardly be further from the truth. In the South West of the UK there is a great deal of debt/dispute advice available, free of charge!... read more

Although many people think of Cornwall as being a haven for holidaymakers and a really beautiful place in which to live, work and play, there is actually a real problem with regard to debt because many people who live in Cornwall are not paid brilliantly, but the cost of living there is relatively high. So many people are forced to get into debt, simply to survive, which makes life even more difficult for them: yet they dont actually know where they can get help from!... read more

More needs to be done in terms of offering free debt advice to problem gamblers, it has been reported. Speaking after UK charity Gamrcare reported that debts of up to £60,000 might be common among... read more

More than a fifth of people plan to increase the amount they save during the next six months, it has been reported. The Nationwide Savings Index reported that 21 per cent of consumers intend to put more... read more

A savings gap is caused by women going on maternity leave, one expert has claimed. Anna Sofat, director of ADIDDI Wealth, claims that the majority of female professionals cease paying into a retirement... read more

If you are in debt then the first thing you have to do is to seek help. That help needs to come in the form of reliable and professional debt advice, relevant to the UK laws pertaining to debt and debt solutions. If you live in Scotland then you need to get Scottish debt advice, not debt advice for the UK as a whole. Debt advice UK based agencies can only provide Scottish people with rudimentary advice, you are better off contacting a Scottish debt advice agency, not a UK generic one.... read more

The West Midlands has certainly felt the brunt of the recession. For a long time, the economy was dependent on mining, industries, such as pottery and manufacturing as well as car production. Yet the mines have long since closed, the pottery industry has suffered with Wedgwood, Royal Doulton etc being forced into administration and the car industry literally teetering on the edge of complete collapse.... read more

Over 60s are increasingly taking note of debt advice to reduce the amount they owe, it has been reported. According to Key Retirement Solutions, more senior homeowners are using equity release to settle... read more

Over half of UK kids believe they will save enough money to become a millionaire in the future, it has been reported. According to a survey of 3,000 six to ten-year-olds carried out by Tesco Savings, 51... read more

Too few women are saving enough towards their retirement, a new study has indicated. According to Scottish Widows, just 47 per cent are putting enough money aside for when they finish working, compared... read more

London has been hard hit by the recession and for many people who used to lead a very busy and wealthy lifestyle, things have certainly changed. Many people who once had lots of money are now fairly poor and for these people it can be hard to manage. Other people may have led a simpler lifestyle, but then they lost their jobs as a result of the recession.... read more

Debt is not the preserve of the English. Scotland has also been badly hit by the economic downturn that has happened over recent years and as a result debt levels are rising almost on a daily basis. Debt management in Scotland has been an issue for many years though, almost since the start of the last Century.... read more

Despite the fact that Shropshire is largely a rural county, affluent for centuries on the grounds of farming, like anywhere else, Shropshire has indeed been hit by the credit crunch and recession. Debt management services in Shropshire are wide ranging but all have the central goal of helping people to access a debt management service that will assist and ease the strain of being in debt.... read more

Leeds is in the heart of Yorkshire and Yorkshire people often have a reputation as being careful with money. Historically, people from Yorkshire were seen as prudent, careful, not profligate with money and then of course, the credit crunch came and even the most careful and prudent Yorkshire people found that their savings had all but disappeared, that life was much tougher than it had been, all at a time when businesses were going bankrupt and small businesses were suffering from other companies not paying their bills.... read more

A lack of expert advice and financial literacy is to blame for a savings gap in the UK, according to the shadow work and pensions secretary. Speaking to the Association of British Insurers, Theresa May... read more

Consumers seeking to avoid running out of money should keep a fund set aside for emergencies, it has been claimed. Speaking to the Australian, Lisa Montgomery, head of consumer advocacy at Resi Mortgage... read more

A debt advice bureau is an agency that exists with only one purpose, namely to help people rid themselves of debt. A debt advice bureau offers people a chance to tackle the problem of debt and to give their financial situation a good shake up, ensuring that control is seized and that people do not simply sink ever further into more and more debt.... read more

A couple are giving away their luxury home in a free competition, as they bid to raise money to settle their business debts. The Daily Telegraph reports how Michelle and Paul Wood of Allerton, West Yorkshire,... read more

As everyone knows, some from very bitter experience, it is really easy to get into credit card debt. One day it feels like you get a credit card, you spend a little on it, then you have to make a couple of bigger purchases, then you find that the interest rate increases and then before you know where you are, you suddenly end up owing thousands on your credit card.... read more

Years ago debt management companies had a poor reputation. They were often seen as preying on vulnerable people, getting them to sign things they didnt quite understand and basically making a lot of money out of people who were in debt. But my, how times have changed!... read more

Debt consolidation advice can really help turn around any financial problems or debts, but many people are unaware of just what debt consolidation is, or where they can get debt consolidation advice. Debt consolidation is about making sure that all the debts that you have get bundled up into one big sum and then you pay off this debt by making regular payments.... read more

If you are in debt and you are finding that life is quite difficult and you dont know where to turn for help then do not fear, there is lots of help out there and the great news is that it is free! You may see some companies offer to sort out your finances for a minimal fee, or they encourage you to take out a consolidating loan, so that you end up paying them back a certain amount of money each week.... read more