Spending Habits
Secret shame of Britain’s shopaholics
It is a truth universally acknowledged that women love to shop, but how much is too much? How do we know when we’ve tipped over the edge and are spending more than we can afford? uSwitch.com, the impartial price comparison and switching service, has surveyed women across Britain to understand their shopping and spending habits and linked with Jay Hunt, spending and style expert from BBC3’s Spendaholics, to develop a guide to responsible shopping.
We are a nation of misled gamblers
The Government is allowing many of us to unwittingly fall for get-rich-quick schemes according to an online survey by Fool.co.uk.
Pensioners embrace plastic fantastic
The stigma surrounding plastic surgery is vanishing with over 230,000 UK pensioners admitting to cosmetic enhancement, according to research by AXA.
Give up spending for Lent – and beyond
As Lent approaches people should consider giving up spending and take up saving instead.
2007 starts with 15% more debt problems than 2006
National charity Citizens Advice says a survey of bureaux has revealed they were approached for help with 15% more debt problems in January 2007 than in January 2006. The number includes debt problems relating to everyday living expenses such as fuel and council tax, which have increased more sharply.
Online shopping to account for 40% of retail sales by 2020
It took a while coming, but Britain is at last riding high on the wave of the broadband revolution, with hundreds of consumers signing up to faster speeds and lower prices every day. Inspired by the new capabilities of the internet, broadband has become a way of life for over 13 million people and online sales reached £3.7bn in the four weeks up to Christmas, a 50% increase on 2005.
Virgin Media takes on competitors with new TV sports offer
For just £26 a month, Virgin Media is offering sports fans Sky Sports 1, 2, 3 and Xtra, together with 39 other digital TV channels including E4, CBeebies and ITV2.
Retail sales growth slows in January
Underlying growth in retail sales volume slowed in January as sales fell back after a strong December, but remained robust when compared with the long-run average, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Who gets what when love turns sour?
Nine out of ten (87%) people make major purchases with their partner but only 4% have agreed what happens if they split, research from Alliance & Leicester Personal Loans.
Consumers could claim up to £48k in compensation after FSCS steps in
Consumers can claim compensation of up to £48,000 if they have lost money as a result of their dealings with any one of 28 firms that the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has recently declared in default.
Society’s two most vulnerable groups hit hardest by inflation
As everyday costs for the UK’s over-75s stay disproportionately high, new study spotlights poorest families facing biggest inflation rises.
Inflation slows in January to 2.7%
CPI annual inflation – the Government's target measure – was 2.7 per cent in January, down from 3.0 per cent in December.
Maverick, Sceptic or Perfectionist – what’s your financial type?
Scottish Widows launches psychological tool in bid to help UK with its financial behaviour.
Parents ill prepared for half term holiday spending spree
Millions of British families heading off on holiday for half term this week could find themselves out of pocket, because of poor budgeting and lax security, according to a new report from Lloyds TSB.
Pets replace partners in our affections
Romance fans expecting a card from a secret admirer may be disappointed as Cupid’s arrow has singled out our pets over our partners as the object of Brits’ affections this Valentine’s Day.