29 November 2011

Keen to Cut Your Petrol Bills? Here’s How!

The price of petrol at the moment is enough to make anyone flinch at the pump. Whether you just want to save money, or are more concerned about the environment, there are some things you can do to cut down on the amount you spend on filling up the tank without cutting back on the amount you drive.

Here are a few simple tips that anyone can follow. They might seem like small changes, but if you stick to them, you’ll notice your petrol bills going down.

1. Find the cheapest place to buy petrol and forward plan to fill up there. Many of us try to buy petrol at cheaper garages, but make sure you do it every time. Larger supermarkets often have the lowest prices.

2. Drive slower on the motorway. You might not think that driving at 70mph instead of 80mph will make a difference, you save in excess of £10 depending on the length of your journey.

3. Empty your boot of things you don’t need. If you car is very heavy, you will be paying more in fuel to move it.

4. Drive in as higher a gear as possible! This will mean your engine will run more efficiently and you will save some cash today!



22 November 2011

What is a Payday Loan?

Since the economic crisis and the recession, banks have been more and more reluctant to lend money. All types of borrowing have become more difficult to get approval for, from small personal loans to mortgages. This has however opened up the loan market to a range of private loan companies which now offer a new range of loans for your convenience.

One loan that has become very popular over the last few years is the payday loan. As the name implies, these loans allow you to borrow smallish amounts of cash to tide you over until your next payday. The loan amounts are relatively small, ranging from £100 to £1000, and the loan lengths are short, normally 2 weeks to a month.

As the nature of the loan means that you need it quickly, you can often have the money put into your bank account on the same day as you apply. In some cases, you can even have the cash within 15 minutes. This feature of the loans is helped by the fact that credit checks are rarely carries out, making approval instant.

You have to be over the age of 18, be a UK citizen, have a bank account and you may have to provide proof of employment. As the loan amounts are small and for short periods of time, the interest rates are quite high. But if you are stuck for cash, need to pay the rent, for emergency dental treatment or a car repair, then a payday loan could come in very handy.

16 November 2011

Want to Save on Your Heating Bill This Winter? Here’s How!

With the big 6 energy companies hiking up their prices by up to 18% this winter, more people across the UK will be in fuel poverty than over the last few years. Fuel poverty is when more than 10% of a household’s income goes on heating their home. Although things may not be that bad, we all could do with reducing the amount of money we spend on our gas bills.

Just as with saving money on anything, it’s not always easy and old bad habits must be broken in order to save. If you are serious about reducing your bills, helping the environment and saving yourself some cash. There are various small changes you can make, and bigger ones too, to save money today! Just follow these tips.

1. Insulate your home! Lagging your boiler and insulating the attic will save you more than you might think.

2. Turn it down. Have your heating on a lower heat to save money.

3. Turn it off. If you put your heating on a timer, you can often get away with having it on for just a couple of hours in the morning and a few hours at night.

4. Invest in double glazing! This costs money initially, but will save you in the long run.

5. Layer up. Put more clothes on, drink hot drinks and make a hot water bottle before you reach for the thermostat.

11 November 2011

Keen to Start Saving? Here Some Tips to Get you Started!

Saving money is not an easy thing to do at the best of times, let alone at a time when borrowing has become expensive, pay freezes are common and prices are rising. Saving money is not something that happens by itself; it takes planning and some effort.

The main thing you can do to make a difference is to stop spending! This is the only real way you will be able to add to your savings accounts. Here are some tips to help you pin point the areas you can save on today!

1. Keep a diary of all your outgoings. This is a great place to start to get a clear picture of your bad spending habits.

2. Cook at home, avoid eating out in restaurants and buying take aways. You’ll be surprised how much money you’ll save.

3. Keep a copy of your bank statement on the fridge to keep your finances on your mind so you’ll be more careful with your money!