Moneynet adds weight to intelligent finance with new personal finance product guides
Moneynet.co.uk, the UK’s longest established online personal finance information website, has recently published three online product guides to help consumers get to grips with the increasing complexity of personal finance products.
With a strong stance on ethical finance, the company felt it was important to be proactive on educating consumers about the different aspects of credit related products to get the best deal. This is crucial, as a recent report by Credit Action indicates that less than the half of adults are financially literate, which drops to a third for young adults aged between 21 and 24.
According to the National Statistics website, 91% of men and 90% of women in the UK have at least one credit card, collectively accumulating over £54.3 billion of debt. Credit Action, a national money education charity, states that 50% of the people who take out credit in shops, hadn’t planned to do so
when they left home. This is particularly serious as store cards often present the highest rate of interest, indicating either a lack of awareness or understanding on the part of the consumer, or worse a lack of concern about the possible consequences. A survey published last year by the Office of Fair
Trading showed that whilst 60% of cardholders thought they had a good understanding of credit cards, they were unable to answer specific questions or extract key information, such as the APR, fees for late payment or cash withdrawal.
There are currently three guides available on http://www.moneynet.co.uk, covering credit cards, mortgages and loans. In addition to explaining the different aspects of credit application, moneynet also offer a glossary of key terms in the resources section to help visitors gain a complete
understanding of the best product for their needs. Further guides are due to be published later this year.
About the Author
Moneynet.co.uk is the UK's longest established, online personal finance research and data website.
E-mail: INFO@MONEYNET.CO.UK
Telephone: 020 8313 9030
Website: http://www.moneynet.co.uk
ADDRESS: Moneynet
Sussex House
8-10 Homesdale Road
Bromley
Kent
BR2 9LZ
Written by: moneynet
Friday, May 15, 2009
Money Doesn't Finance Dreams
Are you putting off your dreams until you have money? Well, each day that you put off your dreams, you lose a little bit of time for that dream.
Have you made choices that although made everyone else happy, left you feeling empty and incomplete? Maybe you used your lack of money as an excuse, so that you wouldn't feel bad about not pursuing your dreams. But the truth is money is never a hindrance. It is used as a crutch because it is much easier to say money is the problem, than to admit that you are the only obstacle standing in the way of your dreams.
The beauty of dreams is that they are free. When you hold off on your dreams, it costs so much more. You live wondering what if you had made those choices, how would your life be if you had achieved those goals? Right now, think of the one dream that you are holding on to for dear life; what is your #1 excuse for not doing it?
If you want to go back to school, you can look for scholarships and financial aid. You can even take distant learning courses, so you don't even have to leave home. If you want to start a business, there are many free resources online that show you how you can start with no money involved. If you want to pursue a hobby full-time, you can research to find others that are doing the same thing and ask them for help.
Money is not the real obstacle or the driving force to your dreams. The excuses you make just covers up what lies deep within, which is fear and doubt. You anticipate failure or challenges, so you don't bother pursuing your dreams. You let go of your dreams and give up.
You can not feel fulfilled in life unless you are living a self- actualized life. Living your dreams makes your life authentic. Stop using money as a reason for you not to be where you were meant to be in your life. Why settle for small accomplishments, when you can live a life of greatness? You can do a lot of things with money, but you can't buy your dreams. Take one step today towards your dreams; don't worry it won't cost you a thing.
About the Author
Marie Magdala Roker is a Personal Development Coach an Author of Successful Thinking for a Successful Life: How to Banish the Unhealthy Thoughts and Habits That Limit Your Success.
You can find out her ebook and coaching program at http://www.thinkandbesuccessful.com>http://www.thinkandbesuccessful.com
Written by: Marie Magdala Roker
Men, Women and Their Finance
What do you worry about most when it comes to your finances and debt or your credit card repayments? It seems that men and women have different outlooks and think differently about their finances. A survey was carried out to see whether men and women thought differently or the same about their finances.
Women tend to look at their current levels of debt while men tend to look to the future and are more likely to plan ahead when it comes to their finances. Women worry more about how they are going to pay off all their current credit card bills, store cards and loans along with their mortgage, shopping and living expenses with three quarters of women doing so, meanwhile less than 50% of men worry about the same thing. Only 13% of men know what their current debt levels are.
While men are laid back about their current debt levels they are better prepared for the future. Men are better at investing their money with half of all men investing in an ISA while only 35% of women are doing the same. Only five out of ten of women have a savings account with men in the lead with six out of every ten. Three quarters of men are paying into a pension for when they retire while only half of women are preparing for their retirement.
The only things that were found to be very little difference in when it came to our finances was the fact that both men and women have little knowledge of credit reports and how they work, although we think we do. Three quarters of men and women said they new what affected credit scores and how companies make their decision but nearly all got at least one question wrong when asked about credit reports. Only 5% of men and women have inspected their credit report in the last year.
1 in 4 of people asked did not realize that late payments affected your score; just over 40% of people did not know that if you have asked for credit regularly then this can also affect your credit score. Three quarters of people wrongly thought that if you had unpaid household bills that this would affect a decision made by lenders. Unbelievably, 60% of men and 67% of women thought that credit reference agencies make the decisions about credit applications, whereas it is the credit card companies, banks and other lenders that make the decision.
Knowing your credit score and understanding how credit scoring works is the only way to fully know where you stand financially and help you make better decisions about how and when you apply for credit.
About the Author
Joseph Kenny is the webmaster of the UK credit card comparison site http://www.creditcards121.com/, where you can find a selection of interest free credit cards. For US visitors there is also the comparison site http://www.credit-cards-info.com
Written by: Joseph Kenny
Women tend to look at their current levels of debt while men tend to look to the future and are more likely to plan ahead when it comes to their finances. Women worry more about how they are going to pay off all their current credit card bills, store cards and loans along with their mortgage, shopping and living expenses with three quarters of women doing so, meanwhile less than 50% of men worry about the same thing. Only 13% of men know what their current debt levels are.
While men are laid back about their current debt levels they are better prepared for the future. Men are better at investing their money with half of all men investing in an ISA while only 35% of women are doing the same. Only five out of ten of women have a savings account with men in the lead with six out of every ten. Three quarters of men are paying into a pension for when they retire while only half of women are preparing for their retirement.
The only things that were found to be very little difference in when it came to our finances was the fact that both men and women have little knowledge of credit reports and how they work, although we think we do. Three quarters of men and women said they new what affected credit scores and how companies make their decision but nearly all got at least one question wrong when asked about credit reports. Only 5% of men and women have inspected their credit report in the last year.
1 in 4 of people asked did not realize that late payments affected your score; just over 40% of people did not know that if you have asked for credit regularly then this can also affect your credit score. Three quarters of people wrongly thought that if you had unpaid household bills that this would affect a decision made by lenders. Unbelievably, 60% of men and 67% of women thought that credit reference agencies make the decisions about credit applications, whereas it is the credit card companies, banks and other lenders that make the decision.
Knowing your credit score and understanding how credit scoring works is the only way to fully know where you stand financially and help you make better decisions about how and when you apply for credit.
About the Author
Joseph Kenny is the webmaster of the UK credit card comparison site http://www.creditcards121.com/, where you can find a selection of interest free credit cards. For US visitors there is also the comparison site http://www.credit-cards-info.com
Written by: Joseph Kenny
Marriage Finance 101
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Marriage is a wonderful thing, but planning the wedding is a difficult task. The coming together leaves many things as an afterthought to the wedding. Each has their own credit cards, checking accounts, and utility bills. Hopefully, neither has a lot of debt.
Most people do not think about finances when they are getting married. It takes the romance out of it. But it is necessary to make some sort of arrangements, or at least a plan of how to get things consolidated.
Let’s start with checking accounts. There are a couple ways to go about it. Many financial experts believe that you should keep your individual accounts. It will be easier to manage and keep track of transactions with only one hand in the cookie jar.
Open up a joint account for your expenditures. Each should deposit a certain percent into the joint account to cover your allotted expenditure budget. What is left over can be deposited into your separate accounts and savings account.
Credit cards are a different story. Each of you will probably have numerous cards of your own. Take an evening and call all of the issuing banks. Tell them that you just got married and are eliminating some of your accounts. Whichever card issuers give you the best rates are the ones you keep. They will add your spouse onto the account with a phone call and send out your new cards.
Settling your accounts is easy it just takes a little time. It is best to take care of these matters quickly, as time will not make it any easier. Some of the institutions may ask for your marriage license, and be prepared to send it. They will send it back if you provide a self addressed stamped envelope.
About the Author
Robb Ksiazek is a successful author and publisher for http://www.checks-4u.com>Checks-4U.com. He has researched and written hundreds of articles and can simplify your online search by recommending merchants for the best value and selections in http://www.checks-4u.com/Personal%20Checks.htm>business or personal checks, address labels, rubber stamps and envelopes.
Written by: Robb Ksiazek
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