Personal Finance Articles

Owning versus renting; is there a choice? - Posted by Andrew Regan.

For many years renting used to be more expensive than buying a home. Now it is not only the other way round, but very many people have no choice and are forced to rent.

Housing now costs more than food in most British households - Posted by Adam Singleton.

A publication issued by the Office of National Statistics has compared household incomes and expenditure from 1957, when the government agency first started collecting information, to similar data in 2006 - with some surprising results.

The period of easy credit is well and truly over - Posted by Adam Singleton.

Due to the combined effects of the credit crunch, higher mortgage repayments, fuel bills and other domestic costs many more people are expected to seek professional debt advice during 2008.

Loyalty points v air miles – what’s best to collect? - Posted by Andrew Regan.

Many airlines, hotels, stores and credit cards offer loyalty programs where incentives are offered in return for spend. But, which scheme is best for you depends upon your individual circumstances, preferences and spending patterns.

Maxed Out: Hard Times, Easy Credit and the Era of Predatory Lenders - Posted by Andrew Regan.

Released in 2006, Maxed Out is a precautionary tale about the ubiquity of credit cards and increasingly predatory credit companies.

Bad credit rating? No problem. You can still buy a car or house! - Posted by Andrew Regan.

Credit ratings and scores are only used as indicators for prospective lenders. Just because you may have a bad credit rating doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get finance as there are plenty of lenders who assess applications on an individual merit basis and not just on credit agencies’ recommendations.

Self Certified Mortgage - Posted by Leon Lee.

Also know as a self certification mortgage or non status mortgage. This is where a mortgage will be taken out on the basis that there will be no proof of income or only a limited amount of proof required by the lender.

Debt consolidation drawbacks (Equity release capital rising) - Posted by Leon Lee.

To place all this debt on to a residential mortgage would mean converting shorter term unsecured debt into long term secured debt. This would reduce the equity within the property and weaken the borrowers position of financial stability because if the borrow was struggling to service the debt they could potentially lose their home.

Philanthropic Brits help loved-ones in times of need - Posted by Adam Singleton.

Britons are using their savings to help friends and family out of financial tight spots, it has been found, although a significant number don't have any savings at all.

Single life insurance offers better value for couples - Posted by Andrew Regan.

Concern is being expressed in the UK life insurance industry that couples are being advised to take out joint-life insurance cover in preference to single-life policies that often offer better benefits and more flexibility for policy holders.