May 19, 2012

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Plan your finances and update your living space

January 31, 2012 By Riley Jenkins

People tend to put up with furniture in their homes for far longer than they actually like it, particularly if they’re worried about how much it’s going to cost to replace it all. You get accustomed to your lumpy sofa in the pattern that you no longer like. Even though it sags when the family sit on it, you’ve all got used to it, so you put up with it. However, go round and see someone’s smart new living room and it might get you thinking.

Have a little look online and you’ll see that some new furniture doesn’t necessarily mean blowing the monthly budget either, especially if you only buy a couple of things at a time. For instance, there are so many different styles of sofa to choose from now, and they come at all different prices. It depends on the shape and size of your living room what kind of sofa you might want to buy. If you’ve got the room for them, recliners can be great for relaxing on. However, remember that you’ll need space both behind and in front of them when they’re in the reclined positions, so measure up before you buy.

Corner sofas are also very popular today – every furniture store stocks them and they fit in virtually any living room. Some people are put off by them, thinking they’ll take up too much space, but often one corner sofa takes less room than two traditional sofas.

You can make a big impact with changing furniture in the dining room, too. If you often have guests over for dinner and it’s a bit of a squeeze around your existing table – why not get an extending dining table? These are perfect as you can extend them when you need the extra space, but reduce them back down when it’s just you and your family at home – so you can pass the salt with ease! As for the chairs you can often get folding dining chairs that will go well with your permanent ones – and just store them in the garage or in the cupboard under the stairs until you next need to extend the table.

A few new pieces of furniture will make a huge difference to how you feel about your home, and the process of choosing them should be fun, too.

 

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Whether or not to buy a new car

January 28, 2012 By Riley Jenkins

At this time of year, especially if you’ve had a difficult winter with a car that has had lots of problems on cold winter mornings; it can be tempting to think that the best solution is to buy a brand new car.

There are plenty of enticing new car offers around at the moment, giving you great incentives to set up those easy-to-afford monthly payments in return for trouble free motoring, in a car the colour and trim level of your choice. However, try not to fall for the salesman’s patter, and remember that the monthly payments will go on for years and years. In fact, you’ll probably never own your new car, as you’ll be tempted to trade it in in a few years’ time and increase the monthly payments ‘just a little bit’.

The alternative – which many people choose – is to make a far more sensible choice and buy a cheap and reliable used car. For a start you don’t have to pay the VAT you’d have to pay on a new car, and you won’t suffer the immediate drop in the car’s value that you get when you drive a new car off a salesroom forecourt.

And if you’re thinking that a new car is better for the environment, you’re probably right. Almost every car rolling off the production lines this year is far more fuel efficient (and therefore eco-friendly) than its predecessors; yet this has been the case for a number of years now, so you can still get some really fuel-efficient conventional cars and even hybrids on the second hand market now.

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that a new car makes economic sense – do some thorough research and find a used car that will not tie you into crippling payments, yet still offer you reasonable running costs.

 

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End of the road for the whiplash fraudsters?

January 16, 2012 By Riley Jenkins

I’m sure we all know people who have made claims for whiplash injuries following motor accidents when their car has been hit from behind.

I was once hit from behind gently. My Honda suffered no damage, nor did I, but I was “surprised” by my passenger’s whiplash injury!

The whiplash injury has become the shame of the insurance world with a few headline-grabbing cases whereby people have been involved in an unfeasibly high number of rear end collisions – always with themselves as the victims. Some of the crazier cases have made all the newspapers and little wonder.

But at last, it seems the government has decided to take action to actually do something about it – and about time too. Fraudulent insurance claims aren’t only immoral – they push up the costs of insurance for the vast majority of ordinary people who play by the rules – and they limit the pay-outs for those people whose claims due to physical injury and incapacity are perfectly genuine.

This, in turn, has a negative impact on the whole industry. The costs of motoring in general are far higher than they need to be – which has a deleterious knock-on effect in all sorts of ways. For example, people who may otherwise choose eco cars for the sake of the environment, or classic cars for the sheer love of driving – are deterred from doing so because the insurance cost just pushes things out of financial reach.

But now the report by the House of Commons Transport Committee says high insurance costs are partly the result of bogus whiplash claims and it says some insurers even sell motorists’ details to lawyers – who then encourage claims. Apparently, there was a 70% increase in the quantity of such claims over the past six years alone!

The Transport Committee recommends that the government changes the law in a way that people must then prove an injury, and prove that it’s having a major negative impact on their life.

 

Filed Under: Car Insurance Tagged With: , , , , ,

High yielders do the business

January 13, 2012 By Riley Jenkins

If you’re a saver, it can hardly have escaped your notice that there’s barely any point bothering in these days of 0.5% interest rates – with no reversal in sight, for the time being at least.

But if your rely on your savings and investments to provide you with at least some if your living expenses – and you’ve understandably lost trust in the overall finance industry to advise you in that process – then a high yield portfolio might be right for you.

A high yield portfolio is designed to provide investors with a decent income in a hands-off style so they don’t need to continually be trading shares to achieve the income.

Quite a few well-respected providers of essential goods and services which are listed on the UK stock market (or other international markets for that matter, though these may be a little harder to research for UK-based investors) pay yields around three times the best possible interest rates.

These may be through the companies’ ordinary shares or via the companies’ preference shares or corporate bonds.

The simplest way for individual investors to get a yield is to invest in a well-diversified portfolio of defensive stocks; these are shares which provide essential “can’t do without” goods and services and which present reasonably good value.

Examples include utilities providers (gas, water, electricity etc, supermarkets and big oil companies). At the time of writing, to give you a few examples, SSE plc should be providing a dividend yield of around 5.65%, Sainsbury’s around the same, United Utilities a smidgeon lower, whilst big insurers RSA and Aviva are around 7.5%.

These are just a few examples as things stand today. And as you buy the shares “today” then the yield is locked in at today’s prices ad infinitum – unless something unforeseen happens, of course.

This is why it’s best to select your high yield portfolio across a range of companies in different sectors. And if you feel out of your depth, try and get some advice first on which shares to invest in from someone who understands these things, who has no axe to grind – and whom you trust.

Good luck.

This article was written by David, a financial blogger who writes about anything ranging from Payday Loans to debt problems.

 

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Britain’s drivers getting greener

January 9, 2012 By Riley Jenkins

The number of people buying environmentally friendly cars in the UK is on the rise. While the number of hybrids and eco cars UK consumers are buying is miniscule compared to conventional cars, nonetheless it is gradually growing.

In November 2011, 1.6% of the new cars sold in the UK were neither petrol nor diesel fuelled.  It’s a tiny amount but with the focus at the world’s motor shows on alternative fuels, hybrids and electric vehicles, this figure only has one way to go.  The world’s car consumers are demanding better fuel economy and an escape from our reliance on oil.

Buying any new car offers drivers better fuel economy than from a model five or even three years ago. An average new car today can achieve more than 52 miles per gallon, an increase of 29.3% on 2001 figures. More and more cars are being fitted with stop-start technology, so that the vehicle no longer idles at traffic lights or in queues.  Instead, the engine cuts out when the brake pedal is applied, and starts again automatically and seamlessly when the driver releases the brake.  Stop-start technology can significantly improve fuel economy and is great for reducing air pollution in urban environments.

Driving is getting greener by default through improved fuel economy, because of the lower emissions that new cars today produce. Manufacturers such as Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen, among others, are putting increasing emphasis on greening their models. The less fuel you burn, the fewer emissions are produced, and car manufacturers are under constant pressure to reduce emissions on all new car models.

Some drivers are making a conscious decision to be even greener by choosing to drive a hybrid or electric vehicle, which have low or zero carbon dioxide emissions when being driven.  However, it is important to remember that emissions are still created in the production of cars and in the production of electricity to fuel electric cars.

 

Filed Under: Car Insurance Tagged With: , , , ,

The all-new Civic is here

January 4, 2012 By Riley Jenkins

The all-new Civic is here and it’s better than ever. The Civic is surely the car to which Honda owes its reputation for innovation more than any other. And the new honda civic 2012 certainly continues that proud tradition.

The new model’s petrol engines have Honda’s latest i-VTEC system, as well as a completely redesigned cylinder head. The car is also made up of generally lighter components than its predecessor and the diesel 2.2 litre i-DTEC model has a range of new components which combine to make the new engine both lighter and stronger and reduce engine friction.

Meanwhile, all the Civic 2012 manual versions include the new “Idle Stop” whereby the engine shuts down when the car comes to a halt, starting automatically an instantly when the driver is ready to pull off again – and so making substantial fuel savings.

Also helping minimize fuel consumption are all round sharper aerodynamics. The rear spoiler gas been reshaped and new panelling improves the airflow at higher speeds. Also, the automatic grille shutter in diesel models works on information including water and air temperature, and speed, which thus optimizes cooling and reduces drag to a minimum.

Also, Honda’s “ECO assist” system can better fuel economy by anything up to 15%. This system tells you when to change gear for optimal fuel performance, changing the colour of the speedometer to let the driver know. And drivers can also choose to hit the “ECON” switch which automatically changes settings such as the air conditioning and throttle mapping to make sure the car is as mean as possible on its fuel consumption.

In any ways, the brand new Civic is the culmination of 40 years’ continual development on Honda’s favourite car – and the new version looks like becoming just as popular as its eight predecessors.

Filed Under: Personal Finances Tagged With: , , , ,

How coupons can help you save money

January 3, 2012 By Riley Jenkins

In the current economic times, saving money is a priority for the vast majority of us. Modern life can be expensive, especially if you have a family, and it can often be a real struggle trying to find any more ways to cut down on spending.

There are simple steps you can take to save money however. And one of the most effective steps is to make the most of coupons. By using Printable Coupons, you will find you can save money on quick meals, clothing, household goods and even restaurant meals out. So saving money doesn’t have to mean not having a life.

A good tip when trying to cut back on the spending and save your money is to not always stick to the same brands. Experiment by buying different brands using your money-off coupons; you might actually find that you get to like new products as a result. And you’ll be saving money at the same time, so it’s a win-win situation.

Meals out can be expensive and seem unrealistic for those on a very tight budget, but printable coupons can make a big difference to the price. Search for coupons that give you two for one offers and you and a friend or loved one can treat yourself to a well-deserved night out for half the price every once in a while.

If you have a family, money-off coupons can be a real godsend when it comes to those everyday essentials that seem to mop up money, such as nappies, baby formula, school clothes, cleaning products and toiletries.

For days out, money-off vouchers can mean you and your family are able to take that theme park trip or even go on a little break; it’s all about hunting down the best bargains and making the most of those money-off coupons.

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How to save money at home

December 20, 2011 By Riley Jenkins

In the current economic climate saving money has never been more of a concern, especially for families. Managing family finance has never been more important and yet, for many, has never been more difficult.

However, there are plenty of small changes you can make to your daily lives that, put together, can make a real difference to the amount of spare money you and your family has.

Look for bargains. At the end of each day supermarkets will vastly reduce the price of items that are not out of date yet but which need to be sold that day. If you can get to the shops an hour or two before closing time you are bound to pick up some amazing bargains and will find yourself spending pence on something you would have spent pounds on earlier in the day.

Freeze any food you think you won’t eat in time so that it doesn’t go off, and if you make large portions of meals, save the leftovers for another day rather than chucking them in the bin. Use money off coupons. You will find these in many magazines as well as on product packaging and online money-saving sites. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to use them. The manufacturers make them to be used, after all, so take advantage of them!

Save on your energy bills by wearing jumpers and making hot water bottles before automatically putting the heating on. Wash your clothes on as low a cycle as possible and save them up until you’ve really got a full load; the same applies to the dishes and dishwasher.

Invest in energy-saving light bulbs to save money in the long run and make sure you switch lights off when you leave the room. When you leave the house, make sure all plugs are off at the switch and the television is fully off; being on standby will still drain energy.

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Invest in property – are you mad!?

December 15, 2011 By Riley Jenkins

The words investing and property have become rather sullied in recent years and I’m not for one moment going to suggest that you should take a contrarian approach and try and buck the trend in the UK at today’s prices.

The fact is that house prices in particular, still make little or no sense in relation to average earnings figures but are still being propped up by a combination of the property boom hangover and artificially low interest rates. Buy yourself a home if you need one – but not as an investment; not just yet anyway.

Instead, I’m going to suggest two entirely different ways you can invest in property, today in the UK and still make money.

First off, there are lots of Real Estate Investment trusts (REITs) listed on the London Stock Exchange which stand at very healthy discounts to their net asset values, have high yields and are in no danger of going under; their valuations have simply been trashed along with everything else – so do yourself a favour and buy wisely at a discount in the time-honoured tradition of well-known real estate shrewdies like David Lichtenstein.

Just be careful to pick investments with low loan to value (LTV) covenants which aren’t in any real danger of being breached – and which also have deep discounts to their net asset values, a good yield and a decent commercial property portfolio which isn’t dependent on declining industries like High St retail etc.

The alternative is to buy a home which is also going to be a business – or can be turned into one via your own had work – as a guest house, small hotel, B&B or home for holiday letting etc.

If you can live in a nice home whilst simultaneously making it pay its way – it’s an ideal way to invest in property.

Better yet; do both!

 

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Finding the best insurance cover

December 14, 2011 By Riley Jenkins

Car insurance is one of those things that we all have to have – even if our car just sits on the driveway. Since June 2011 it has become a legal requirement to have insurance for every vehicle registered under your name, unless you have filled in a SORN application to declare it as legally off the road.

And with the ever increasing incidences of car insurance scams, the price for cover creeps up every year. Most people stay with the same insurers for years, never thinking to question the renewal when it comes up each year.  This is the business model that insurers rely on.  So it’s always worth your while checking that you’re not missing out on a better deal elsewhere.

The cost of your vehicle insurance depends on a number of factors, including what insurance group your car falls into – there are fifty of them in the UK.  The lowest group has the cheapest insurance – economic runarounds with small engines. The highest group includes expensive sports cars with huge ticket values. They represent a greater risk of being stolen or involved in a high speed crash, and replacement and repair costs are high.

Some cars don’t always fall into the category you’d expect, though. For example, the Honda CR-V is an incredibly safe vehicle that will offer lots of protection to its driver and passengers in case of an accident, but its premium is quite high because of the damage its solid body might do to another car.

Different types of car also fall into different insurance brackets. If you drive one of the eco cars UK consumers are buying in increasing numbers, you may find it’s better to find an insurer that targets the greener customer.  Often they will give discounts for cars with low carbon dioxide emissions and high fuel-efficiency. Drivers of environmentally friendly cars also benefit from lower road tax and cheaper fuel bills, so they’re in a win-win position.

But whatever vehicle you have, it’s worth shopping around for the best deal every time your renewal letter lands on your doormat.

 

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