A newly launched UK-based service gives cash-conscious consumers greater control over their finances, by-passing the banks with their often hefty overdraft charges and fees.

The Speed-e-card (a prepaid MasterCard) and e-bank account, gives the consumer many of the benefits of a traditional bank account and debit card - but with no interest charges or late fees - and no credit checks:

• The card can be used online or in shops, just like a normal credit or debit card, including abroad, meaning no more worries about having to change up Travellers Cheques.

• Once you have loaded funds into your speed-e-card account, you can then use the card to access this balance from either ATMs, or to make payments Online, via the free e-bank account and even set up standing orders from it, making it a viable alternative to running a traditional bank account.

• Because consumers can only spend the money they have on their card, they should never go overdrawn, enabling greater control over their money and no nasty overdraft fees!

• There is also the option to receive an SMS every time the prepaid card is used, so card-holders will know straight away if it is being used fraudulently.

Gary Miller-Cheevers from Speed-e-card says: “The Speed-e-card with its free e-bank account gives consumers greater control over their money, and the re-assurance that they will never pay charges and fees due to being overdrawn.

We believe that in these credit-crunching times and with lots of media coverage over unfair bank charges and hidden costs, this service provides a transparent and ethical way to manage your finances. Why give the money to the banks when you can spend it yourself!”

The Speed-e-card is also unique in that once it is activated, it can be loaded with a Speed-e-loans Payday Loan - a form of cash advance, which is repaid on your next payday.

For more detailed information, please visit the Speed-e-Card website

For savers and spenders alike, the New Year is a great time to give personal finances a workout.

Lloyds TSB has established a range of services offering advice on money management, with a wide range of financial advice, guidance and products - all designed to help make your money work harder:

Create a Budget
The best way to get finances in shape and keep them that way is to take a long hard look at incomings and outgoings and create a budget.

Lloyds TSB has a range of experts in its branches across the country that can help customers with day to day budgeting, to make sure they start the year on the right footing.

A wide range of hints and tips on money management are also available at Lloyds TSB online.

Get a Current Account that gives more.
Customers who pay in at least £1,000 a month can make their money work harder by adding Vantage to their Lloyds TSB Classic Account or Added Value current account.

Vantage offers competitive interest rates of up to 4% AER so the bigger the balance the better the interest.

Lloyds TSB also offers a full range of Added Value accounts, which come with benefits such as travel insurance, car breakdown cover and interest free overdrafts.

Savings
Make sure your investments and savings are working hard.
The bank has a useful Savings Tool to help compare savings to reach any savings goals.

Mortgages
Compare mortgage rates to see the best deals. Those with a tracker mortgage or standard variable rate mortgage, may be enjoying a low interest rate due to the fall in Bank of England Base Rate.

Make the most of this saving, by considering whether it is cost-effective to reduce the size of your loan, by switching from interest only to capital repayment or by making regular overpayments.

Cheltenham & Gloucester and Lloyds TSB mortgage customers can overpay their loan by up to 10 per cent a year without incurring charges.

Peter Jackson, managing director, consumer banking, Lloyds Banking Group said: “Making a resolution to tackle your finances is one of the simplest but potentially most rewarding things you can do in the New Year.”

Visit the Lloyds TSB Savvy website for more financial hints and tips.

Aaran Brown, (30 years old) who works at a gym in a prison, and Stephanie Hampstead, a 22-year-old nursery nurse, are a prime example:

“We were renting an apartment in Blyth Bridge and didn’t see buying as financially friendly enough to be an option for us,” Aaron said.

“It was only after Steph discovered she was expecting in December last year that– we could no longer ignore that we needed a larger home to accommodate our growing brood.

Like an increasing number of homebuyers across the UK, Steph and Aaran were able to purchase a property fit for their growing family, through the latest government shared equity scheme,
HomeBuy Direct – a three-bedroom townhouse at Miller Homes The Willows in Stone.

We came to view The Willows and fell in love with both the development and the townhouse.

With HomeBuy Direct being available we were able to move in sooner than we originally thought,” Steph added.

HomeBuy Direct is continuing to help many first time buyers, by offering the opportunity to purchase100 percent of a brand new home by paying from just 70 percent of its value.

The remaining 30 percent equity loan is co-funded by the Government and Miller Homes, meaning that a smaller deposit is required.

The loan then only becomes repayable after 25 years, with no interest for the first 5 years.

Aaran and Steph’s home is in the Tolkien style layout, an attractive three bedroom townhouse that offers the extra space, including the garden, that they were looking for. Picture by Steve Duttine Photography.

Linda Androlia, regional sales director for Miller Homes West Midlands, said: “HomeBuy Direct is continuing to assist those like Aaran and Stephanie onto the property ladder showing that new homes can be affordable and a much better option to renting.”

To find out more about the Stone based development or the properties available nearest to you, visit www.millerhomes.co.uk.

Sales Office Tel: (0800) 840 8695.

When you apply for credit with a company, it will (with your consent) check your credit score through a credit reference agency, of which the three main ones are Experian, Equifax and Call Credit.

These companies hold your credit report, which shows how you have repaid credit in the past and lenders take it as an indication, of how you will repay credit in the future.

A poor credit history will limit your choice and usually means you’ll have to borrow at higher rates, but your credit history can be improved over time.

Here are five steps you can take to improve your credit rating:

1: Register on the electoral roll.
To register on the electoral roll you will generally need to complete a voter registration form and return it to your local authority. It is vital you do this every time you move house.

2: Stop applying for credit you won’t get.
Every time you apply for credit the ensuing credit search is noted on your credit report; if you have applied and been rejected several times, your credit history may be getting worse and worse.

3: Check your credit report.
This will show you the areas that you can improve on and also means you can check for any errors that might be on your report and get them changed. You may be able to obtain a copy of your credit report for free from Credit Expert.

4: Open a higher interest credit card.
You are more likely to be accepted for one of these if you have a poor credit rating. Make sure you manage it properly, through repaying every month in full, spending a little each month for six to twelve months.

Here are some examples of higher interest cards that can be used to repair bad credit:

• - aqua Card: Typical 35.9% APR variable

• - Vanquis: Typical 39.9% APR variable

• - Monument Visa Card: Typical 34.9% APR variable

 
• 5: Curb your card spending.
• This is the most obvious step of all, try to minimise any debt on your cards. As a rule of thumb, you should try to keep the debt on a card under 30% of your credit limit.

For more information please visit these websites:

Electoral registration.
Credit Expert.
Repair bad credit.

Step aside Hyacinth Bucket. Turning stereotypes on their head, research reveals that 18-24 year olds are turning into a nation of CHAPS…that’s Cautious Hosts Against Party Stress.

Twenty-six per cent of the house-proud and overly cautious young hosts, make guests remove their shoes to safeguard their floors, almost double that of those aged 65+ (14%) who may have been expected to be the most mishap-minded.

The survey of 2,014 adults from Greenbee Home Insurance (part of the John Lewis Partnership) finds almost a quarter (23%) of 18-24 year olds, don’t like entertaining at home, for fear of potential party accidents - almost three times more than those aged 65+, with just 8% worrying about damage, and more than double 55-64 year olds (10%).

Across the UK it appears people don’t trust their friends not to damage their property, with 14% on average saying they don’t like hosting parties at home, as they fear something will get damaged or broken if they do.

Almost one in five (19%) is so keen to keep their houses spic-and-span, they’ll ensure guests remain shoe-less, to avoid muddy carpets or high-heels scuffing their wooden floors.

However the seeming paranoia around home dramas may well be justified, as 14% reveal they’re more worried about household accidents or breakages than ever before, as in the current economic climate they can’t afford to replace any damaged items - rising to one in five (20%) of 45-54 year olds and 17% of women (compared to 11% of men).

With just 23% of those surveyed believing they’re covered for any home accidents through insurance (yet only 13% of products on the market offer this cover as standard) and industry data revealing a significant increase in related claims this year, it’s clear that the financial implications of a potential sofa spillage, or kitchen calamity should be kept in mind.

James Furse, managing director, greenbee.com said, “While those without cover are understandably concerned about the cost of an unfortunate accident while entertaining, even those with home insurance may want to consider checking their policy small print, to make sure they’re covered for all eventualities.”
For further information please visit:

Web: http://www.greenbee.com
Tel: (0800) 916 6800.

Did you know you could be making money from the electricity generated by your renewable technology installation?

If you have installed, or are thinking about installing, a renewable technology, which produces electricity, such as a Solar Electricity (PV) system, you may be able to receive payment for the electricity produced.

The most common way to do this, is to sign up to a buy back scheme with an energy supplier. There are two main tariffs available to do this:

Export tariffs: You are only paid for the electricity that is exported back to the electricity network.
Generation tariffs: You are paid for all of the electricity that your system has generated, even if you use it in your own home.

There are also some Set Price Tariffs available, where the energy supplier, based on the type or capacity of your installation, pays you a fixed amount.

You can also use the Energy Saving Trust’s ‘buy back tariff search tool’, to help you find the right tariff more easily.

Using this tool will allow you to see details of all the tariffs currently being offered by the energy suppliers.

Advice regarding choosing the right tariff is available on the website:

Web: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Sell-your-own-energy

Tel: (0800) 512 012

Valerie Singleton OBE, Nigel Houghton (Managing Director) and a small group of colleagues, have launched www.discount-age.co.uk, a new money saving website for all the 60-pluses in the UK.

With the UK economy on its way into recession, 60-pluses are likely to be badly hit; not only because they are living on fixed pensions, but also the drop in share prices has actually cut the value of many pensions by up to 25%.

With over 12 million people in the UK over 60, many already suffering the effects of the downturn, the new website offers a one-stop shop for this diverse and growing market, offering hundreds of ways to save money through information, advice, discounts and comment.

Some of the many topics covered on the website include, Mind and Body, Travel, Hotels, Holidays, Insurance, Entertainment, Food and Drink, Home and Garden, Money and Work.

Valerie welcomes visitors to the new website, with her monthly webcast on the homepage.

The website is free to all - however, for an annual fee of just £10, visitors can become members and enjoy a growing number of exclusive additional benefits and discounts, negotiated especially for discount-age members with international, national and regional organisations.

The cost of membership can be easily recovered from these discounts.

Launch discounts include holidays, wine, a car club, food, flowers and even spectacles.

All members will receive a monthly e-newsletter, to keep them up to date with new offers, discounts and developments; the aim for the year is to find and negotiate up to £2,500 of discounts for members.

The first crop of discounts is worth about £350.

60-pluses, discover how to get the best deals here:

Web: http://www.discount-age.co.uk.

According to new research from Legal & General, 93% of people in Britain are making major financial cutbacks in the home, in order to survive the current economic turmoil.

At a time of market uncertainty, when UK homes have been hit by a string of major cost of living hikes, the new research suggests that the majority of British families are responding, by taking practical action to combat the financial pressures.

Legal & General’s ‘Changing Face of British Homes research’, points to widespread action being taken to tackle the market downturn head on, across all age groups and all regions.

The survey of over 4,200 people, asked Brits what steps they are taking to keep home and living costs down.

The top 10 ways being taken to beat the downturn across the UK:

• 1. Buying cheaper food – 65%.
  2. Initiatives to keep fuel bills down – 65%.
  3. Cutting down on takeaways / eating out / ready meals – 50%.
  4. Switching to cheaper utility/energy provider – 39%.
  5. Shopping around for cheaper home insurance – 32%.
  6. Walking or cycling more – 29%.
  7. Putting off home improvement projects – 27%.
  8. Having a car boot/ eBay sale – 22%.
  9. Making energy saving/ home improvements – 22%.
  10. Growing own fruit and vegetables – 20%

Legal & General has developed an online calculator, www.legalandgeneral.com/contentscalculator to help people determine the amount of household insurance cover they should consider having in place.

It is hoped that by using this service, customers will be able to place a more accurate valuation on their contents, to ensure they have a realistic and cost effective level of household contents insurance cover in place.

Web: http://www.legalandgeneral.com
Tel: (0800) 02 77 156

http://www.changingfaceofbritishhomes.co.uk

The main difference between a self-build mortgage and a house purchase mortgage is that with a self-build mortgage, money is released in stages as the build progresses, rather than as a single amount.
Some lenders will lend you money to purchase land, typically 75% of the purchase price or value, which ever is lowest.

During the build you can borrow typically 75% of the cost of the value of the house as the project progresses, depending on the chosen lender.

There are two methods by which the money can be released during the build, known as arrears stage payments and advance stage payments respectively.

In the arrears stage payment method, the money is released after the stage has been completed and a valuer has visited the site; this can cause cash flow difficulties.

BuildStore developed the advance stage payment method, so that the money required is released, at the start of the stage before work begins.

This advance payment mortgage has become very popular, as it gives positive cash flow during the build.

Also the high percentage lending of 95% of the cost of the build with BuildStore’s Accelerator Self Build Mortgage, makes it is easier to stay in your current house, while the build progresses.

You can borrow up to 95% of land costs, up to 95% of build costs and up to 95% of the end value of your new home

To give self-builders the sort of choice available to house purchasers, a range of different mortgages are available through the Accelerator Self Build Mortgage.

For more detailed information visit:

Web: http://www.buildstore.co.uk/finance

Legal & General’s general insurance business annual online survey, ‘Safe as Houses’, which asks people for feedback and their views on home security and safety, is now live.

The survey aims to provide an understanding of home-owner’s security and safety concerns and what, if any, precautions they are taking.

The survey is running for a month until Friday 10 October 2008 and those people who complete the survey will be entered into a draw, to win John Lewis vouchers up to the value of £500.

Why not complete the short online survey today and you could win £500 John Lewis vouchers?

Research from L&G’s Changing Face of British Homes report, revealed that 34% of Brits said that they wouldn’t open a door to strangers, 37% have security lighting and 20% rely on a dog for their home security.

The company wants to know what you think, as your views and experience will help them to get a clearer picture of ‘home life’ and to understand customer needs for the future.

Your answer will be treated in confidence and the answers only used collectively, not individually to ensure your response is anonymous.

Elaine Parkes, Head of technical services for Legal & General’s general insurance business said: “As a household insurer who is concerned that our customers understand their insurance cover, we believe it is important to improve consumer awareness of home safety and security measures.”

Web: http://www.legalandgeneral.com/safeashouses
Tel: (0800) 02 77 156