Debt driven by fuel prices

I went to see some relatives in Scunthorpe recently and a story in the local paper – The Scunthorpe Telegraph – caught my eye.  It said that tourist attractions around the country are suffering low visitor numbers because of the rising cost of fuel.  Quite simply, motorists cannot afford to take their children out for Read the rest… [Read More]

The fabulous Easter weather has left us wondering when the next rainy day will appear and, unfortunately, that is something that too many of us are considering these days, according to a host of different surveys. The old adage of ‘putting something away for a rainy day’ is something that has been lost on most Read the rest… [Read More]

Until a few years ago, the thought of a pensioner being in debt was almost unheard of, yet today, figures show that an increasing number of pensioners are retiring in what is officially termed as poverty. As pensioners struggle to maintain their lifestyle, many will fall into debt and it is fair to say that Read the rest… [Read More]

My friend is really fretting about her forthcoming redundancy and the impact on her finances. She has been told she can have a job, but would need to take a £12,000 a year pay cut and not be able to claim any business mileage back. Given that she travels about 70 miles a day, this Read the rest… [Read More]

I recently posted here about a friend who was in two minds about whether to tell his new girlfriend about his £20,000 worth of debt. I spoke to him last night about it, he was telling me that he tried to summon up the courage to tell his girlfriend about his debts, but apparently just Read the rest… [Read More]

This is a question that’s been bothering a friend of mine and I’m guessing he’s not alone. He’s got debts amounting to over £20,000 and has just started a new relationship. He doesn’t know whether to tell his new girlfriend, or regard it as his private business – after all, he’s not known her very Read the rest… [Read More]

Millions of UK pensioners stand to lose up to £200 in what is being described as a ‘penny pinching raid’ on the elderly. Crucial top-ups to the basic state pension are in line to be frozen after the Government discreetly dropped its pledge to increase them in line with inflation each year. Those who stand Read the rest… [Read More]

UK households have spiralled into further debt with their energy suppliers. An average of £132 is now owed by customers to their suppliers, says price comparison website, Uswitch. According to the study, 21 per cent of households (5.5m) owe a total £728m. The study also found the number of households owing money has actually dropped Read the rest… [Read More]

An official report by the Payments Council has suggested cash will be used in fewer than half of all transactions by 2015, suggesting notes and coins are being rapidly overtaken by plastic in consumers’ pockets. Out of the 37 billion transactions carried out last year, 59% were done with cash, a sharp decline from the Read the rest… [Read More]

Energy bills are set to get even more expensive in the coming months, householders are being warned. Wholesale gas and electricity prices had been falling for the past two years, however they have started rising again and the increase in price will be passed onto customers. The first energy company to enrage their customers was Read the rest… [Read More]