Over the past few years secured loans have become increasingly popular amongst homeowners in the UK, and this rising popularity has been partly fuelled by rising property prices, which have left homeowners with higher levels of equity in their homes. This increased equity has provided homeowners with far more financial leverage when it comes to borrowing money, and for many a secured loan has become the most affordable and effective way of...more
Over recent months getting credit has become increasingly difficult for many people, as the effects of the credit crunch in the UK have resulted in far tighter credit conditions, with many lenders increasing stringency when it comes to their lending criteria. You will find that getting credit these days may not be as easy as in the past because lenders are getting increasingly cautious in light of the financial turmoil, and funding has become...more
Credit cards offer a high level of security and flexibility to customers, and this is why so many people use their credit cards for day to day purchases as well as for special purchases. However, in order to make the most of your credit card you need to make sure that you use it and repay it sensibly and responsibly. If abused credit cards can result in high levels of debt, which can create huge financial problems for the future. It is therefore worthwhile remembering some valuable tips in order to make the most of your credit card whilst reducing the risk of falling into unmanageable levels of debt:1. Always try and repay the balance in full when it comes to your credit card repayments, as this will enable you to avoid paying interest on your borrowing, and will also help you to avoid being charged for late or missed repayments.2. If you cannot repay the balance in full on your credit card, always try and pay more than the minimum requested repayments. If you only every pay the minimum it could take you years to clear a relatively small balance, and it could cost you a fortune in interest.3. Make sure that you compare credit cards in order to find the best one for your needs....more
One of the most stressful things that many people have to deal with these days is money problems, and financial strains have been identified as one of the major stress factors amongst consumers, along with relationship problems, moving home, etc. Whilst you may not be able to do much about the other problems in your life that are causing you...more
After Christmas and New Year celebrations have finished many of us find that we are left feeling tired, drained of energy, and worse still drained of money. The Christmas period can be a very financially demanding one, and once the festive season is over many of us take stock of our finances only to discover that we have spent far more than we...more
There are a number of financing options available to those looking to purchase a new car, with methods and sources available to suit a wide range of needs and circumstances. It is important that you look at the options that are open to you before you start looking for a car, as the methods for which you are eligible may determine where you have to get your car from and what sort of price range you should be looking at.Some methods of finance are more expensive than others, and your credit rating and circumstances will determine which finance options are open to you. Below you will find five popular methods of financing the purchase of a car:1. Bank loan: A number of banks offer specialist car loans to those with decent credit, and in some cases you can enjoy extra benefits with these loans, such as free HPI checks, discounts on insurance cover, and free or cheap breakdown cover. In most cases you will need to have good credit to get a bank loan for your car purchase. The amount that you will be able to borrow will depend on a number of factors, including your income, employment status, and credit rating.2. Homeowner loan: If you are a homeowner, do not have a good enough credit...more
Store cards are a form of credit card where a consumers can spend on the card and then either repay the balance in full at the end of each month in order to avoid interest, or can spread the repayments on the card over a period of time, in which case...more
Managing your debts can be a difficult and frustrating task if you have a wide range of debts and a variety of creditors to deal with. Unfortunately, many of us now have a range of debts that we have to make repayments on each month, and as well as...more
When you have a wide range of debts to deal with dealing with your finances and keeping up with repayments can become increasingly difficult. Many of us find ourselves having to deal with high debt levels these days, and having to keep up with a...more
With the New Year having past us by, many of us are starting to think now about our New Year's financial resolutions, one of the major issues that most of us always promise to address it finances. Most of us find that we could make a number of...more
In this day and age it is crucial that you do your research when applying for any sort of finance, particularly given the tighter lending conditions and higher borrowing costs that have stemmed from the global credit crunch. However, this is all the...more
For most people that tend to travel abroad from the UK taking a credit card with you is a natural thing to do, as it is important that when you are far away from home you have the means to make purchases or cash withdrawals in the event that you run...more