Jul 2, 2009 Comments Off
Jul 1, 2009 Comments Off
According to new research by Gocompare.com, 24.4 percent of Brits have been on the receiving end of a garden crime. Despite the average garden now containing an average £1,040 worth of possessions, a quarter of those surveyed confessed to their garden not being secure.
It was found that 12 percent of respondents have been the victim of a theft from their garden, 5 percent have been faced with the realisation that their belongings have been stolen and vandalised, and 8 percent have had items damaged. The most commonly stolen possession was revealed to be bicycles at 52 percent; second to which being valuable furniture, plants and garden tools at 13 percent. Furthermore, one in ten of those polled have had a barbeque unlawfully taken from them. Where damaged property is concerned, the top five items to be subject to this were recorded as being valuable plants at 29 percent, garden furniture at 27 percent, bicycles at 21 percent, trampolines at 20 percent and barbeques at 19 percent.
Chief Executive of Gocompare.com, Hayley Parsons, said, “A plethora of home and garden design programmes, have inspired us to see our gardens as an extension of our living space and furnish them with expensive patio furniture, barbeques, plants and children’s play equipment. With the value of possessions left outside averaging over £1,000 gardens provide rich-pickings for thieves.
“Most home insurance policies provide cover for gardens and their contents, but this can be limited, so it is best to check what cover you have and whether you need to extend it. If the contents of your garden are particularly valuable, you may need to consider a specialist garden insurance policy.”
In terms of garden security, over one third of those surveyed revealed that they have not spent any money on this in the past year, and 35 percent claimed to have spent less than £100. Of the respondents who have made an investment in the security of their garden, 58 percent have either had their gate security improved, or have put up higher boundaries. In addition, 31 percent have introduced security lighting, 10 percent have marked their belongings with a security pen, and just over 7 percent have opted for closed circuit television. Finally, 13.3 percent of those polled explained that they have purchased a dog for added security.
Security conscious homeowners, who are keen to deter opportunistic garden thieves, could consider taking out a secured loan to fund the required work to protect their home and surroundings from green fingered thieves. One of many options, a secured loan could enable the borrower to undertake a vast array of projects in and around the home. For example, high perimeter fences could be put up as a means to reduce visibility into the garden and to pose an obstacle for would-be thieves. In addition, the borrower may wish to introduce closed circuit television as an extra deterrent, and as a means to capture any future intruders on camera. Security lighting could also be invested in as a means to put off otherwise prospective thieves.
Related posts:
Jun 30, 2009 Comments Off
Jun 30, 2009 Comments Off
According to research by moneysupermarket.com, the nation is divided regarding the Government’s car scrappage scheme. It would seem that just 5 percent of respondents are intending to seize the opportunity, whilst 8 percent would consider doing so. In contrast, 13 percent are of the opinion that it would be more cost-effective for them to sell their car privately and then drive a hard bargain when purchasing their next car.
The price comparison website also revealed that 20 percent of respondents are not in a position to change their car for financial reasons, and 14 percent do not feel that they need to change their car. In relation to the car scrappage scheme, it was found that 33 percent do not qualify for it as their vehicle is less than ten years old. Finally, a further 6 percent of respondents admitted to not owning a car.
Head of motor insurance at moneysupermarket.com, Steve Sweeney, commented: “The Government’s £300 million scrappage scheme pot could have been considered by some a ‘flash in the pan’ solution to the UK’s ailing motor industry. While one in five of those who have bought new cars since the announcement have done so through the scrappage scheme, our research shows there are many who stand by other options available; selling a car privately and then negotiating on the next model.
“For motorists wanting to take advantage of the scheme I urge them not to waste any time - once the cash pot is dry the scheme will end, regardless of the March 2010 end date.”
Homeowners that are looking to purchase a new car, but are not currently in a position to do so due to stretched finances, could consider re-organising these finances with a debt consolidation loan. One of many finance options available, a debt consolidation loan could be used to tie up any existing credit cards and/or personal loans into one place. This could leave the borrower with just one, potentially lower, monthly repayment. However, when taking out a debt consolidation loan, it must be remembered that consolidating your debt may increase the amount you pay back overall and extend the repayment periods of your debts.
Related posts:
Jun 30, 2009 Comments Off
According to research by moneysupermarket.com, the nation is divided regarding the Government’s car scrappage scheme. It would seem that just 5 percent of respondents are intending to seize the opportunity, whilst 8 percent would consider doing so. In contrast, 13 percent are of the opinion that it would be more cost-effective for them to sell their car privately and then drive a hard bargain when purchasing their next car.
The price comparison website also revealed that 20 percent of respondents are not in a position to change their car for financial reasons, and 14 percent do not feel that they need to change their car. In relation to the car scrappage scheme, it was found that 33 percent do not qualify for it as their vehicle is less than ten years old. Finally, a further 6 percent of respondents admitted to not owning a car.
Head of motor insurance at moneysupermarket.com, Steve Sweeney, commented: “The Government’s £300 million scrappage scheme pot could have been considered by some a ‘flash in the pan’ solution to the UK’s ailing motor industry. While one in five of those who have bought new cars since the announcement have done so through the scrappage scheme, our research shows there are many who stand by other options available; selling a car privately and then negotiating on the next model.
“For motorists wanting to take advantage of the scheme I urge them not to waste any time - once the cash pot is dry the scheme will end, regardless of the March 2010 end date.”
Homeowners that are looking to purchase a new car, but are not currently in a position to do so due to stretched finances, could consider re-organising these finances with a debt consolidation loan. One of many finance options available, a debt consolidation loan could be used to tie up any existing credit cards and/or personal loans into one place. This could leave the borrower with just one, potentially lower, monthly repayment. However, when taking out a debt consolidation loan, it must be remembered that consolidating your debt may increase the amount you pay back overall and extend the repayment periods of your debts.
Related posts:
Jun 29, 2009 Comments Off
Jun 29, 2009 Comments Off
Jun 29, 2009 Comments Off
With the traditional home-buying season just around the corner, Tescocompare.com has offered some advice to assist people in avoiding expensive, lengthy and stressful ordeals:
• Get in touch with your insurance provider to query whether your current buildings insurance extends to your new home, as this may be covered from the exchange date up to completion. If this is the case, it should allow you extra time in which to shop around for a new insurance deal.
• In order to obtain a quote for buildings and contents cover, certain information will need to be provided such as the make of door locks and the value of contents. These details should be found out before moving.
• When totting up the amount of home contents insurance required, include the value of new, albeit smaller, purchases such as light fittings.
• Be aware that possessions worth more than £1,000 to £1,500 will tend to require individual cover under your policy. The cost will not be too much extra and will give you peace of mind.
• When it comes to home insurance, be sure to find a good deal as opposed to automatically renewing your existing policy. The latter is often thought to be the easiest option but it could leave you paying more than necessary.
• At the point of moving out, contact your existing energy supplier to inform them of your meter readings. This should avoid you from being liable for any gas and electricity used following your departure. Unless you have a good, guaranteed, ‘capped’ rate, that can be transferred across to your new property, then do not do carry it across without searching the market first.
• Once you are in your new home, do a little research on gas and electricity prices. If you are unsure who your inherited supplier is then get in touch with the local electricity distribution company to enquire.
• As soon as you are aware of your supplier, provide them with your details and meter readings. Also ask them how much gas and electricity has been used in the past 12 months to get an idea of the cost of future bills. This information can then be used to investigate other deals on the market.
• Every year or so, check on gas and electricity prices as these can be reduced as well as increased.
Debra Williams, from Tescocompare.com, commented: “Moving home is usually a stressful time, no matter whether you are a homeowner or renter. But there are many things you can do to take the stress out of moving and save yourself some money. Making sure you have the right home insurance in place for your new home can offer you peace of mind and shopping around for the most competitive policy can also save you money. The same applies to utilities, a new home often means different usage when it comes to gas and electricity and switching utility provider can prove to be a great money saving step.
“Homeowners who have recently moved into a new property, and who would like to put their personal stamp on it, could consider taking out a secured loan to finance any desired work. A secured loan could allow the borrower to turn their new home into a dream home. Projects could include anything from general re-decoration to the installation of a new bathroom, kitchen or bedroom suite. Homeowners that are keen to make the most of unused outdoor space could even utilise the money to embark upon a house extension, conservatory, or perhaps a landscaped garden. Secured loans are just on of many options to fund home improvements.
Related posts:
Jun 27, 2009 Comments Off
The American Trucking Associations’ advance seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose for the first time since February 2009, gaining 3.2 percent in May. May’s increase, which raised the SA index to 102.3, wasn’t large enough to offset the March through April cumulative reduction of 6.7 percent. ...
Compared with May 2008, tonnage contracted 11 percent, which was the best year-over-year result in three months. Despite the improvement from April’s 13.2 percent plunge, May’s decrease is still historically large.
ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said the month-to-month improvement was encouraging, but cautioned that tonnage is unlikely to surge anytime soon. “I am hopeful that the worst is behind us, but I just don’t see anything on the economic horizon that suggests freight transportation is ready to explode,” Costello said. “The consumer is still facing too many headwinds, including employment losses, tight credit, rising fuel prices, and falling home values, to name a few, that will make it very difficult for household spending to jump in the near term.” He also noted that he doesn’t expect tonnage to deteriorate much further and that any growth in tonnage over the next few months is likely to be modest.
Note on the impact of trucking company failures on the index: Each month, ATA asks its membership the amount of tonnage each carrier hauled, including all types of freight. The indexes are calculated based on those responses. The sample includes an array of trucking companies, ranging from small fleets to multi-billion dollar carriers. When a company in the sample fails, we include its final month of operation and zero it out for the following month, with the assumption that the remaining carriers pick up that freight. As a result, it is close to a net wash and does not end up in a false increase. Nevertheless, some carriers are picking up freight from failures, and it may have boosted the index. Due to our correction mentioned above, however, it should be limited.
Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing nearly 69 percent of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods ...repost from our favorite blog: Calculated Risk.
Expect to see good conforming and jumbo loan rates for the next six months at least. It will take some time for the inflation rate to budge and force rates higher.
Jun 26, 2009 Comments Off
According to research by Halifax Home Insurance, 60 percent of Brits have a strong sense of pride in their home region. The research, which involved a survey of 2,000 UK adults, was conducted to investigate where the most intense sense of pride in the country lies and the basis for this.
The reasons for respondents taking pride in their local areas were found to include five in particular. For 60 percent of respondents, this location is where they can find their home and their loved ones. A further 47 percent said that they feel safe in the area, and 37 percent can easily access good amenities. Finally, 24 percent take pride in the area’s history and tradition, while an equal percentage of respondents have a strong sense of community spirit.
Senior claims manager at Halifax Home Insurance, Martyn Foulds, commented: “In difficult times, it’s heartening to see the strength of pride that we have for where we live. Living in an area that is safe and has a great sense of community spirit, where everyone looks out for each other, are important reasons why people feel this sense of pride. Recent Government figures have shown a significant number of us do enjoy living in our local area and believe that our neighbours really do look out for each other, which is particularly positive and something we hope to see continue.”
On a regional basis, the strongest sense of pride was evident in the North East at 73 percent. Wales came in second at 71 percent, and Northern Ireland in third at 69 percent. The East Midlands was revealed to be the area in which there is the lowest sense of pride at 45 percent.
The research also shed light on the factors that are considered by prospective home buyers; concluding that the safety of an area takes the top spot at 36 percent. It was also discovered that 65 percent of respondents chose to remain in their homes at weekends as opposed to visiting neighbours, frequenting the local pub or going shopping.
Concludes Martyn Foulds: “Not only is safety in an area a top reason for feeling ‘regional pride’, it is also top on the priority for most people when deciding where to live. Being able to enjoy your home and surroundings is a hugely important factor, so we urge people to be aware of taking every step possible to ensure their homes and families are well protected.”
Homeowners that are not satisfied with the level of security in and around their property could consider implementing additional safety measures. Where the money is not at hand to facilitate this work, individuals could consider taking out a secured loan to fund it. This, one of many finance options could enable the borrower to embark upon a vast array of projects such as replacing weak doors and windows, or installing alarms and closed circuit television. With a home improvement loan the borrower could take any steps that they feel are necessary in order to attain that all-important peace of mind.
Related posts:
