Jump to main content

Jump to navigation

CompareNow Blog CompareNow Blog

Archive for the 'Budgeting' Category

Treat your Dad to a free meal at Ha Ha this Father’s Day

Friday, May 29th, 2009

pestoTreat your Dad to a slap-up meal this Father’s Day with a two-for-one offer at Ha Ha Bar and Grill.

Buy one main meal at Ha Ha Bar and Grill on Sunday 21st June when you visit with your Dad and receive a second one free. Simply visit your nearest restaurant this Father’s Day and take your Dad along to claim the offer. The full menu can be found here.

You and a friend can also treat yourself to a bottle of Hardy’s wine when you spend £20 or more on a meal between Monday and Friday. To receive your complimentary bottle of wine, download the voucher here. The free bottle of wine offer is valid until 12th June 2009. One voucher is permitted per visit, subject to availability.

50% of UK adults have no pension provision

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

retirementA survey has found that half of British adults between 20 and 60 years of age are not setting aside any money for their pension.

Of the 1,358 people surveys, under-30s fared the worst, with only one in three putting anything in a scheme. This figure rose to 55% of 41 to 60-year-olds.

The most common barrier for young people is affordability, with many saying they want to pay off debts before enrolling on a scheme. Others felt that retirement was too far away to be worth planning for. Those in the 41 plus age bracket gave a variety of reasons for not putting away money in a pension scheme, including being made redundant and leaving full-time work to have and care for children.

(more…)

Over-50s face “recession double whammy”

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

over-50sWorkers over the age of 50 are facing a “recession double whammy”, with fears of redundancy coupled with uncertainty about how much their pensions will be worth, two charities have warned.

A survey by Age Concern and Help the Aged has revealed that 28% of over 50’s fear that they could be made redundant because of their age, as cost-cutting employers take on younger and cheaper workers. The two charities said that these concerns are backed by government figures which show that the number of unemployed people over 50 has risen by almost 50% in a year.

Nearly half of those surveyed said that they were less confident that their pension and savings would be sufficient to live comfortably during retirement than this time six months ago, while 60% were considering postponing retirement because of financial worries.

(more…)

Homeowners ‘overestimating property values’

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

home-for-sale-signHomeowners could have problems selling or remortgaging their property in the future because they have overestimated its value, new research from Abbey suggests.

Many Britons are estimating the value of their home at over £35,000 more than it is actually worth, making it extremely difficult to sell or remortgage the house at a later date.

According to a new study by Abbey, the average price of a home as valued by UK homeowners is £190,175. However, this is £37,280 too high when compared with Land Registry figures, which estimate the average cost of a UK home as being £152,895.

“Homeowners looking to remortgage or sell their homes in the near future need to make sure that the value of their home is accurate and has been valued by professionals to avoid problems or disappointment further down the line,” warned Nici Audhlam-Gardiner, director of mortgages at Abbey.

(more…)

Young people ‘pessimistic about financial future’

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

young-peopleYoung people are significantly more pessimistic about the state of Britain’s finances than their parents’ generation, Post Office figures reveal.

According to a report published today by Post Office Financial Services, almost one in four 18-24 year olds in Britain believe that living standards will take over a decade to return to pre-recession levels. A further 34% of people in this age group believe that the UK will not experience economic recovery for another five years. The survey found that the younger generation is more pessimistic about Britain’s economic outlook than any other age group.

In comparison, only 5% of 45-54 year olds believe that the recession would go on longer than a decade, possibly because that generation has already lived through a recession and seen Britain’s economy grow since.

(more…)

Drivers switching to motorbikes to save money

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

harleyUp to 4.8 million UK drivers would be prepared to switch from four wheels to two during the recession, according to a new survey by the Post Office.

The majority of these cited reduced costs as a reason for ditching their car in favour of a moped or motorcycle, with 31% of drivers attracted by fuel efficiency. A further 27% of drivers believe that riding on two wheels is an easier way of getting around.

Whilst UK car sales are in stark decline during the recession, registrations of motorbikes and mopeds are increasing year-on-year, with a 24% increase in these types of vehicles on the road this spring. This trend is hardly surprising when you consider the benefits of riding a motorised two-wheel vehicle. As well as halving their fuel consumption in miles per gallon on a moped or lightweight motorcycle, motorists can benefit from road tax starting from just £15 a year, free parking in the majority of British towns and cities, no congestion charges and lower insurance premiums.

(more…)

Car scrappage scheme launched today

Monday, May 18th, 2009

mandyToday sees the launch of the government’s “cash-for-bangers” car scrappage scheme, which allows owners of a car or van over 10 years old to receive £2,000 off the price of a brand new vehicle when they trade in their old one. It is hoped that the scheme will breathe new life into Britain’s ailing motor industry.

So far 38 manufacturers have signed up to the voluntary scheme, which is being jointly funded by the government and manufacturers. The scheme will last until the end of February 2010, or until the government’s £300 million in funding runs out.

Under the scheme, those who scrap their old car will receive £1000 from the government to put towards the cost of a new vehicle, as well as a similar discount from the manufacturer. Similar tactics have been tried in other European countries, including Germany, where sales of new cars have increased by 40% since the scrappage scheme was introduced.

(more…)

Budget 2009: Darling announces record £175 billion budget deficit

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

darlingChancellor Alistair Darling has announced a new top tax rate of 50% which will come into effect in April 2010 - a year earlier than predicted. The 50p tax rate replaces the planned 45p new top rate announced in November’s pre-budget report and will apply only to the 2% earning over £150,000 a year, who will also see tax relief on their pension contributions curbed.

The chancellor attempted to draw a clear line between Labour and the Conservatives as he announced the 50p income tax band for the highest earners after unveiling a stark Budget report on the state of the UK economy.

(more…)

Darling to unveil gloomy budget

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

Alistair DarlingChancellor Alistair Darling will today set out his view of Britain’s prospects for economic recovery as he delivers one of the most anxiously awaited budgets of recent years.

He is expected to reveal soaring public borrowing and confirm that Britain is in the most savage recession since the Second World War.

Meanwhile, tax increases and spending cuts from 2011 are likely, as Mr Darling announces plans to restore public finances.

Mr Darling admitted weeks ago that he had underestimated the impact of the recession. In November he said the economy was expected to contract between 0.75% and 1.25%. But economists now forecast a 3% drop in GDP, while the International Monetary Fund has predicted a fall of 3.8% in the U.K. economy this year, which would make this the worst recession since 1945.

(more…)

Recession prompts pet owners to skimp on insurance

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

yorkshire-terrierOur pets are among the first things to be neglected as the recession puts pressure on consumers’ finances, according to a new study.

Research for insurance provider More Than found that 69% of pet owners would not give up luxuries such as meals out or short breaks in order to stump up for unexpected visits to the vet. According to the study, only 31% of pet owners have taken out pet insurance, while the majority trust that their animal will continue in good health.

10% of pet owners said they would prefer to self-diagnose and administer human medicine to their cat or dog, rather than paying a qualified vet to offer a diagnosis.

(more…)