Spending Habits
Inflation rises in February to 2.8%
CPI annual inflation – the Government's target measure – was 2.8 per cent in February, up from 2.7 per cent in January, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Switch with Which? Energy-efficient household products
If consumers are to take energy efficiency of appliances seriously, they should also consider whether their electricity supply is green.
Spring clean your finances and save £5,000 in a year
With bank holidays around the corner, many people will be busily contemplating their next home improvements and how to fund them.
Brits not switched on to digital switchover
Last week saw two significant announcements in the run up to the nation’s switchover from analogue to digital TV: Ofcom unveiled its latest Digital Progress Report and Digital UK announced the date that the first region would be switched.
Job security reaches 18-month high
UK consumers feel more secure in their jobs then they have done for 18 months, according to the Consumer Barometer from Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets.
Make sure it’s a charity and not a bank that profits from donations
With Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day just around the corner (Friday 16th March), UK consumers may be feeling at their most charitable and keen to find a way to make regular donations to a favourite charity. One such way is through an affinity credit card that donates money to a given charity every time they spend. However, leading impartial price comparison and switching website, uSwitch.com, warns that consumers and their chosen charity could be getting a lot less than they bargained for.
Reluctant retirees turn ‘Interpreneurs’ for fortunes in later life
The Internet is offering an important financial lifeline to reluctant retirees according to a new report from Birmingham Midshires’ Life 2 campaign. The latest report has found that one in ten over-45s is now self employed and that this group is increasingly turning to the Internet to grow their businesses.
Bundled’ Britain already saving £1.1 billion
Consumers are already saving a whopping £124 per year by opting for a ‘bundle’, a package consisting of at least two of either broadband, home phone, digital TV and mobile phone products, according to research by uSwitch.com.
Consumers respond to rate rises
The Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index was broadly stable in February after its recent volatility; however its path suggests that consumers are responding to the three rates hikes since August.
Give to charity by just going about your day-to-day finances
It’s that time of year again when we’ll have Lenny Henry leading the Red Nose Day activities on our TV screens, asking us to dig deep, participate in silly fundraising activities and support our favourite celebrities as they embark on reality TV shows.
Abuse of powers by bailiffs set to get much worse
An unpaid credit card bill could soon be all the excuse a bailiff needs to break into your home and seize belongings – with the full blessing of the law – Citizens Advice warned
NCC demands action on dispute between Virgin Media and BSkyB
Commenting on the dispute between Virgin Media and BSkyB, NCC’s Deputy Chief Executive, Philip Cullum, said, “The fallout from the dispute between Virgin Media and BSkyB is bad news for consumers.
Brits see finances as greatest threat to quality of life
Despite the major issues that are dominating the news agenda, such as the environment, crime and terrorism, new research from Abbey reveals that finances are perceived as the biggest threat to quality of life.
Waitrose is king of virtual supermarkets
Waitrose.com and Ocado have come top of the table in a recent which.co.uk satisfaction survey of online supermarkets.
Number of household bills on the rise
Household bill payments are on the rise, from 159 per household in 2000 to 166 in 2005, according to a report by APACS, the UK payments association. Consumers handle these numerous commitments in a variety of ways, with direct debits particularly favoured - direct debits accounted for over half of all regular bill payments in 2005.