Doing your research can save you money!

There’s been a lot of talk recently about the government’s ‘austerity measures’. They’ve been encouraging us to do the same. It’s easier said than done though!

One way we can all make ourselves some real savings is to look at our utility and service providers. Take some time this week to make sure you are getting the best deal available for your electricity, gas, telephone, mobile, broadband, weekly supermarket shop, television subscription. The list is endless, and the savings you could make are massive!

All you need to do is invest a little time into carefully researching all the options available to you. It is not as lengthy or difficult a task as you may think.

The economy is in a double-dip recession and businesses are suffering. But you can use that to your advantage! There are so many companies out there who are offering reduced rates in order to attract customers.

Don’t just jump at the first seemingly good offer you come across though. Read the small print! Research the company, check for hidden costs or clauses that may result in higher costs.

Competition is a good thing, especially if it gives us the opportunity to shop around and find the best money saving deals.

So, whether you are looking to change your utility providers access a short term loan or change your mobile provider, follow the golden rules:

Shop around, find the option best for you, try to save yourself as much money as possible, read the terms and conditions, and finally, don’t commit until you are sure it is the right service for you!

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Online shopping – the new addiction.

We’ve all made a spur of the moment purchase online and then regretted it the following morning. Online shopping is full of the temptations that are just too easy to give in to. It’s so easy to make a purchase now, with PayPal and one-click purchases. Before we know it, we’ve over spent.

The fashion conscious shopper is particularly susceptible to the temptations of online shopping. It’s so easy to see a ‘bargain’ and think, ‘Oh, if it doesn’t fit I’ll send it back.’ But how often do we ever send anything back?

Online shopping really is too easy and it gets people into real financial problems very quickly, especially if they are using credit facilities to make their purchases.

The important thing to remember is that while we can all make mistakes, we are the one who are responsible for our financial health. Thoughtless spending can lead to real financial difficulties. While there are options employed people can use to help them through an emergency, like payday loans, it is never wise to borrow money to pay off existing debt. This is how the spiral of debt grows and can get out of hand.

Before you press buy, or add another item to your basket, stop! Ask yourself if you really need it, whether you can really afford it and, if you are using borrowed money be very careful indeed.

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Saving feels good!

Have you noticed an increase in adverts, news items and articles about saving money? We have.

It seems at the moment, Savings accounts, ISAs and other types of investment opportunity are flooding the information super-highway. The main reason is the more we save money with the big financial institutions, the better off they will be and the banks really do see increasing investment as a way out of this double recession.

It’s not all cynical though. Saving is the most powerful and easiest way to give yourself the financial freedom you deserve. Savings give you economic power to live your life, stress and debt free.

It is never a bad idea to save. But we all know how tempting spending is! Here are some of our top tips to help you save.

Give yourself a long-term goal. For example, do you dream of a new kitchen or car? Well, break it down and set yourself the goal of saving toward it. Even a goal of saving 50% of the total will result in an achievement! Imagine, after a year you’re half way to a new car, where-as, if you hadn’t saved at all, the car would still be a dreamed for item.

It’s OK to spend a little. We’re not robots. Life is for living and we should always leave a little of our disposable income for something fun or a little luxury. When we all work as hard as we do, and life is tough as it is, treating ourselves is essential.

By being good to yourself in a controlled way, sticking to your savings plan and being committed to staying in control of your money, you will save a significant sum much faster than you imagined.

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Spring In Our Steps?

Here we are half way through April and the weather still remains as gloomy as the economy. It feels as though the whole of the UK is stuck in a rut it can’t get out of.

Even the news has underlined how difficult things are. Remember the 1st of April, when this year’s political ‘April Fool’ suggested he could survive on £53 per week?

The ensuing press and media furore did nothing to appease the nation’s worries over their economic future.

However, despite all the doom mongers’ depressing predictions, we think there are some very real silver linings to what is going on in the economy today.

More and more people are saving. That has to be a good thing! While financial emergencies can and do still crop up, people are relying less on the banks for help and relying on their own hard work and dedication to see them through.

People are reducing their outgoings, curbing spending and paying off their debts as quickly as they can.

These are all signs that the fear and worry the recession has brought is turning into positive action.

Applications for pay day loans have been steadily increasing year on year. This is because they are a simple and stress free option for employed people who need some financial help but do not want to get bogged down in long-term debt or lengthy applications.

Short term loans are offering the empowered consumer the ability to access the funds they need, use the money as required, repay the loan and get on with their lives. No drama.

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Will the UK population ever get out of this recession and seemingly endless cycle of debt?

Yes, the bad news is continuing. The cost of living keeps growing, and so does inflation. Every day households are coming under increasingly more pressure to make ends meet. Even families with two wage earners are struggling to meet all their bills and expenses.

The UK’s Office for National Statistics recently published a report saying that the total household debt in the UK between 2008 and 2010 had mounted to over £94 billion!

It would not be unrealistic to imagine this figure is even higher now, three years later. Or is it?

People are cutting back on their spending and borrowing in every way they can. We think of the the reasons people are turning to PayDay loans as a solution is because they are quick and simple to access, yes, but more importantly, the debt is paid of much more quickly!

Loans are not taken out for months or even years. The cash is borrowed for a matter of weeks then it is cleared. Customers are telling us the ability to access help, if needed, and clear it quickly is what they want. It gives them the control.

AS always, you must seriously consider your options when applying for any type of loan. Payday loans are designed to be short term only. Please do not rush into anything and carefully consider a PayDay loan. If you feel you have longer term financial problems that may require a longer term solution, a short term loan may not provide the financial relief you need.

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Brits Are Cutting Back On Their Spending And Making Savings Wherever They Can

In Britain today, the average household has to spend over a quarter of all income on essentials like food! Thereafter a significant chunk is used for utility bills like fuel or communications and then on top of that there is council tax, and rent or mortgage. These added financial pressures are leaving families with less and less spare cash at the end of the month.

Many families are now seriously cutting back on their spending in every way they can. They are not spending as much cash on leisure activities and when shopping, going for the cheaper alternatives or essential items only.

Reducing bills is also a way of reducing monthly outgoings. Put those lights off if no one is in the room. Even simple things like leaving your electrical appliances constantly on stand-by can really have an impact on your electricity bill, so switch everything off when it’s not in use. You will see a marked decrease in your bill very quickly.

Consider all the ways, you could save money and reduce your spending and you will soon see that the money you earn can go much further than you thought it could.

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Simple Ways To Boost Your Savings Every Month

It’s likely that at one time or another, we have all wished we had saved some money. Whether an emergency crops up or we suddenly wish we had that extra cash to treat ourselves.

Whatever the reason, saving money is always a good idea.

It can seem like an almost impossible task for most of though. Bills, living expenses, items for the family, these can all mount up and leave very little, if anything, at the end of the month. It is the same for most of us.

However, saving each month, even a small amount, is much easier than you might think. And the amount you save, if you are determined and don’t touch it, your savings will grow much quicker than you think they will. Time flies and those little amounts will swiftly grow into a substantial nest egg.

Here are some saving tips that will make the whole job of saving successfully much easier for you:

Give yourself a long-term goal. Don’t let it overwhelm you. Just set yourself a goal or target to work towards. Keep it simple to start with, for example. As soon as you return form a holiday, make a plan to save a little each month for a whole year for the next annual holiday. You will be amazed how giving yourself a rewarding goal at the end of your savings will motivate you to keep saving!

Don’t be too strict with yourself. Be good to yourself! If you decide you can save £150 per month, then every couple of months, only save £130 and then use the remaining £20 to treat yourself a little. It seems like a tiny thin but rewarding yourself along the journey will make saving feel much easier and far less of a sacrifice.

The biggest key to successful saving is to stay strong! Don’t be tempted to dip into your savings. Put them somewhere where they are safe and not too easily accessed. Then, if you really need the money, you have time to really think if you want to reduce your savings. By being strong and not using your savings, they will grow more significantly and you will reap more rewards. Don’t deny yourself the things you need, but always be strong and stay sensible. It’s your money after all so you are doing this for your own benefit.

Sometimes when saving is not an option, or you don’t have savings, you can consider a short term pay day loan. Certainly it is an excellent method of borrowing money for a short period of time which can get you out of a financial crisis.

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Making the decision to borrow money

Borrowing money, whether long or short term, is not a decision to be taken lightly or to be rushed into.

The nature of short term pay day loans usually means that the borrowers are experiencing a financial emergency and need to access funds very quickly. However, we still always recommend that borrowers look around at their choice of lenders and consider all their options before applying for and committing to a pay day loan.

One of the most important things to consider is how much you can afford to borrow. Only borrow what you know you can comfortably afford to pay back when you receive your next wage. Borrowing more than you can afford can easily cause more problems for you and perpetuate your financial difficulties.

Talk through your options with your partner or a trusted family member. This can also help you arrive at the best decision for you.

Once you have decided to go ahead and apply for a short term loan, as long as you choose a reputable lender and make sure you understand their repayment terms and conditions, you will be able to access emergency cash quickly and simply. Then, on your next pay day, you can repay the loan just as easily.

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Dealing With Banks Can Be Difficult And Extremely Stressful, But It Does Not Have To Be.

Dealing with banks can be difficult and extremely stressful, but it does not have to be.
Every day I receive emails from customers who are dismayed by how difficult it is to deal with their banks or building societies!

Why is this? We all need to have a bank account; banks are mean to be there to help us. And yet, people seem to struggle to get the best from their banks.

Admittedly, the current economic climate in the UK is not helping; however, here are a few simple tips which will help you get the best from your bank.

Keep it in writing.

Although it is possible now to deal with banks via online banking and telephone centres, it is always wise, especially with regard to mortgages, savings or borrowing, to keep a written record of all your communications with the bank. Keep written notes of times, dates and names of conversations, confirm discussions in writing and ask for information from the bank in writing too.

By keeping everything recorded in writing, if there is any dispute or misunderstanding in the future, you will have a record to go back and check on. It is a brilliant way to remind yourself of financial agreements made with your bank, and will help you protect your own interests.

Keep all the paperwork – letters, statements – carefully filed in date order so that you have a chronological set off all documentation.

The most important thing to remember is to communicate with your bank, or any financial institution. If you are struggling financially, don’t be tempted to brush your problems under the carpet and hope they will go away. By communicating with the financial organisations you are involved with, solutions, help and information will be there which could help you.

Always remember, banks need you! You are their customer and they will want to keep you, so use that knowledge to your advantage.

Even if you have good relations with your own bank, it can still be an almost impossible task to access emergency cash when you need it. In these circumstances, if you know you can afford it, an instant cash pay day loan can be a possible option.

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Having a regular source of income from secure employment is so important.

We all need money. Whether we like it or not, money really does make the world go around.

Having secure employment which brings in regular income ensures we have a home, food, warmth and all the things we and our families need to survive.

The main source of a family’s income is particularly important because this is what creates the foundations for their quality of life.

In the current economy, jobs are hard to come by. Particularly secure permanent work. While you may wish you had a higher salary or a job with much better future prospects, if you have a permanent job you are one of the lucky ones.

Think carefully before you give up a solid and secure job, especially at the moment when security in the employment sector is so hard to come by.

Moving around jobs or choosing self-employment can affect your chances of getting a mortgage, buying a car and borrowing money.

If an emergency happened and you suddenly needed to access cash on a short term basis, won’t you feel better knowing you can apply for the money you need and pay it back because you have a good, secure job?

Yes. And that’s exactly what our customers think too. All our customers who come to us for help if they need cash urgently have one thing in common – they have a steady, secure job which provides regular income for them and their family.

Money certainly doesn’t make you happy. But, it does go a long way to reducing your stress, helping you live the life you want and keeping you in control, and that’s what leads to happiness!

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