News

With the season of goodwill to our credit card companies just around the corner, many of us are looking for ways to save a little extra cash and to even earn a little extra. However, saving is easier said than done and finding a first job can be hard enough at the moment, never mind a second. So what are the easiest ways to save and just how can you pile on the pounds before Christmas?

Small Scale Savings

While many people have struggled in the last few years to learn the dark arts of “make do and mend”, those familiar with living on fixed incomes, particularly pensioners, have long faced the challenge of making ends meet. As winter spreads it’s icy, but mainly damp, fingers across the UK, finding ways to stay warm and active in the colder months are essential for everyone. High energy prices mean that whatever your age, finding ways to make the money stretch and not break the bank (or the boiler) this winter are a priority.

Trusting Advisors

Well let’s face it; normally is all about the kids. If it’s not their birthday it’s one of their friend's birthdays and if it’s not a birthday, it’s Halloween, or Bonfire night, or some sporting thing at school, or a performance; the list goes on. If you’re not attending a child-orientated event the chances are you’ll be providing taxi services, so it’s no surprise that most of us relish the opportunity that Christmas brings to let our hair down and let it all hang out around the photocopier at the Christmas party. Hopefully at quite a few Christmas parties!

Well, let’s face it; we didn’t get much in the way of it over the summer. The good news is that the “bargain basement” season for short breaks is rushing upon us. Whether it’s a holiday at home, or a more adventurous break, the low season bonanza is here.

The UK Low Season

With the nation’s larger supermarkets reporting on their trading results, two things stand out about consumer behaviour and both suggest that it’s not just the phones that are smart these days. When it comes to our food shopping it seems that the recession has brought out the frugal make do and mend gene. Supermarkets have reported that while consumers continue to do the ‘big shop’ at out of town stores once a month or so, the trend seems to be for shoppers to focus their smaller, daily shops using either online suppliers or local stores.

The grant, the loan and fees loan are in the bank and it’s a bright new academic year. Hopefully some of that grant and loan are still actually in the bank account as term is already underway. If you’re starting out as one of the UK’s new higher fee paying students then managing money will be on your mind (only for about forty years or so), while for those moving into private accommodation for the first time, budgeting and money management will be also a priority.

Taxing Times

Although parts of the UK have seen some of the “not rain” this year, many of us have seen nothing but. The bad news is that when I asked an elderly relative if they could remember a summer so wet, the said yes; 1946. That was the summer before one of the worst winters in living memory. Ho, hum. Hopefully the elderly relative in question is wrong, but for drivers the question has to be, could this be another winter of “commuting on ice”? If so, it'll pay to have your rescue and recovery cover up to date.

Very Nervous Breakdowns

With DIY, renovation and home improvement the recessionary answer to moving home, finding the best deals on tools of the DIY trade is essential. There are a good range of DIY suppliers across the country operating both on and off-line. With planning rules being relaxed to allow homeowners greater flexibility in adding that extra space finding cost effective ways to stock up your tool shed is essential. The good news is that with the construction industry sluggish many of the best suppliers are offering excellent discounts.

Professional Builder’s Favourite

Most people have experienced that sinking feeling as pay day floats on a distant horizon and yet another bill lands on a doormat much closer to home. With whole countries experiencing difficulties in paying the gas bill, the electricity bill, the public sector wage bill and the multi-trillion overdraft, you are certainly not alone but it may well feel that way. One hugely popular solution to the discrepancy between the final demand date and pay day, is the short term loan.

Whether it’s a birthday, wedding or a little planning ahead for Christmas, jewellery can make an excellent gift; however, with all our belts well and truly tightened, finding good value jewellery is essential. It can be costly but a good piece of jewellery can not only brighten up somebody’s life considerably, a great piece will prove the perfect accessory for all manner of occasions and it can also make a limited number of outfits stretch that little bit further! As a gift jewellery can say so much more, and precious stones often become family heirlooms. But where and how to buy?