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The Autumn half term break is almost at an end. Prior to the start of the break Post Office Travel Services carried out research which found that 4.8 million people were planning to go abroad during the time off school. Many of those planning to go away said that they would leave planning and buying holiday essentials until the last minute.

 

According to Post Office Travel Services, whilst many plan to get a last minute holiday deal, it is not a good idea to get holiday cash at the last minute. Fees and poorer exchange rates could lead to an increased currency cost of as much as ten percent.

 

Seven percent of those surveyed said that they leave buying their foreign currency until 24 hours before their departure, collecting it up the day before their holiday or on the day of travel. Four percent of people actually buy their foreign currency once they have reached their destination point.

 

Another holiday essential, travel insurance, is left off the list for one in five holidaymakers before they leave the UK. Regionally it is those living in East Anglia who are most likely to go away without travel insurance.  Also left until the last minute is packing. Over a third of those surveyed said that they don’t commence packing until the day before they leave.

 

According to the research from The Post Office, the habit of doing everything last minute is common across the whole of the UK. Londoners are the worst at buying foreign currency and as many as ten percent wait until the day they travel to make the purchase.

 

Sarah Munro, head of Post Office Travel Services, said: “With the half term holiday looming it’s a great time to escape for a relaxing break, but those who leave their planning to the last minute are creating stress for themselves and more worryingly putting themselves at risk.  Buying foreign currency at the last minute can leave you with less cash to spend while you’re away due to hidden fees and poorer rates.  We also urge consumers not to leave their travel insurance to the last minute either to ensure they are covered for cancellation should an illness or an emergency happen before they travel.”

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Homeowners who opt for a half term staycation rather than a vacation, might consider making some home improvements. Those looking to fund their home improvements could consider taking out a secured loan. A secured loan is one of many options to fund home improvements and can be used for an array of projects. For example, homeowners may want to increase their living space by means of an extension or conservatory. A secured loan could also be used to fund extending upwards into loft space or downwards into the basement.

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This chart is very troubling. Things are only accelerating. 4.5% of mortgages in the 4 trillion portfolio are over 90 days late. From Calculated Risk.

Rather surprisingly a courier just delivered an unsolicited box of 48 four-fingered Kit Kats to the office. It was sent by Frank PR, who does its public relations – it seems my KitKat Crunching Crime blog must’ve come up in their search. The chocolate has been distributed around the team – though I will be sending [...]

Halifax Home Insurance is advising homeowners to take steps in order to reduce the risk of burglary. There has been an 8.5% increase in burglary claims and the recession is among the reasons given for this rise.

Darker nights give opportunists great cover and so Halifax Home Insurance are encouraging homeowners to make things rather more challenging in order to evade turning prey. Over 8000 burglary claims were processed by Halifax in 2008.

Senior claims manager Martyn Foulds says; “Most burglars are looking for an easy target, and the cover of darkness makes life simpler for them. It is not only the financial loss that we want to protect people from, but also the distress caused by knowing a stranger invaded the home. The good news is that with a few simple and cost effective measures, homeowners can greatly reduce the risk of becoming a victim.”

Halifax suggest several top tips to prevent burglary and make their homes less enticing to burglars. Firstly, windows and doors should be kept locked, even when at home. If security lighting is installed, then this can provide an alert when a property is approached, as can gravelled driveways. British standard approved alarms should be installed and they should always be set when leaving a property unoccupied and at night. According to Halifax, those which are linked to the Police are a good idea. Barking dogs also deter burglars, and signs which say ‘beware of the dog’ can also be off putting.

The perimeter around a property can also make it more tricky to break in – high walls, pointy railings and sharp bushes can all be arduous to overcome. Ladders and tools which can be used to force entry into a property should be locked away. Timer switches will suggest someone is at home, and good neighbours should be asked to keep an eye on things whilst away. Property should be marked with a UV pen or etched on so there is a better possibility of it being retrieved by police. Keys should not be left hidden anywhere as burglars know where to find them!

Halifax Home Insurance claims data has revealed the top ten hotspots for burglary last year. London was in first place, followed by Manchester and Leeds. Also in the top ten, were Enfield and Barnett, Grimsby. Harrow, Uxbridge and Bexley took sixth place. Bromley and Bexley came in at number 7, followed by Bradford, Bristol and at number 10, Solihull and South East Birmingham.

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Homeowners who would like to make home improvements in order to increase security of, and around their property, could consider a secured loan. A secured loan for home improvements could be used to replace existing windows and doors, with newer upvc versions which have multi locking mechanisms making it harder to break in. One of many options to fund home improvements, a secured loan can also be used to replace broken or low perimeter fences with something which is more challenging to get past.

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According to research conducted by The Children’s Mutual, there has been a rise in the number of fathers staying at home to look after their children, as opposed to going out to work.  In fact, it was found that 26 percent of fathers commenced part-time hours following the birth of their children.  Further findings revealed that 24 percent embarked upon flexible working patterns, and 14 percent put a complete end to working outside the home.

In relation to the recession, 43 percent of fathers have reportedly responded to it by increasing the amount of time they spend helping around the house.  Furthermore, only 27 percent feel that they now need to focus more of their attention on earning money.

The research uncovered that stay-at-home fathers spend the largest proportion of their time each week tending to their children.  In fact, it was found that 4 hours and 22 minutes is spent on this.  In addition, 3 hours and 50 minutes is spent cooking, and 3 hours and 45 minutes is spent organising the family finances.  Compared to fathers that work full-time, stay-at-home fathers have more time with their children and yet the research revealed that they wish they could spend an extra hour a day with them.

Further findings included a comparison between the perceptions of ‘traditional’ fathers and more ‘modern’ fathers.  In response to being asked to describe both groups, stay-at-home fathers felt that the top three responsibilities of a modern father involve contributing to childcare, domestic tasks and family finances.  In contrast, they felt that the top three responsibilities of a traditional father involve being the main breadwinner, contributing to family finances and holding a full-time job.

With regard to the preferred option, 40 percent said that they are ‘happy being a mix of traditional and modern’; whilst 65 percent said that they are ‘satisfied with the role they play as stay-at-home dads’.  Among the latter, 53 percent admitted that they are faced with ‘challenges and even prejudice’ for their choice to be a stay-at-home father.

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Homeowners who have recently started a family, and could do with some extra living space, could consider taking out a secured loan for home improvements.  One of many finance options available, a secured loan could pave the way to that ideal property without the upheaval of moving.  For example, borrowers could add an extension or conservatory to their home in order to create more space.  Furthermore, an unused room or attic could be converted into a useful nursery or office.  Some borrowers may also wish to have their garden landscaped to create the perfect outdoor area for their family to enjoy.

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According to new research by Energy Saving Trust, the British public has more knowledge of climate change than the French, Spanish or Germans.  The European research, which involved surveying 6,000 adults and children, was revealed to mark the start of Energy Saving Week.

The results of the ‘Climate Change IQ Test’, which covered topics such as the causes and effects of climate change, showed that 68 percent of Brits answered correctly.  This represented the highest proportion of correct answers across the four European countries studied.

However, despite British adults knowing more about climate change, British children are falling behind their European counterparts in relation to their ‘green actions’.  With regard to energy wasting behaviour, the research revealed that British children ranked above France, Spain and Germany at 36 percent.  A breakdown of the results uncovered that 44 percent of British children fail to switch lights off when leaving a room, and 40 percent use the greatest number of electrical items in their family.

Further findings include the fact that British fathers are the most knowledgeable family members when it comes to climate change, at 74 percent.  Nevertheless, at 77 percent, it is British mothers who reportedly possess the ‘pester power’ required to encourage their families to act in a ‘green’ manner.  It was also discovered that 39 percent of British children admitted to being the most wasteful family members.

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Homeowners who would like to adopt a greener approach to their home life, but do not have the funds required to implement the initial measures required, could consider taking out a secured loan.  One of many finance options available, a secured loan for home improvements could allow the borrower to embark upon a range of energy-saving projects.  For example, draughty doors and windows could be replaced to improve heat retention, and solar panels could be fitted to utilise natural resources.  In addition to helping the environment, such projects funded with a secured loan for home improvements could ultimately lead to lower energy bills in future years.

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I meant to get to this last week, but the day it came out, I was mostly enjoying the sites and vino of Italy. Largely without 3G access(everything is slower in Italy), and I somehow missed it:

“Despite some tentative signs of recovery, the U.S. housing market remains vulnerable to further price drops—especially in areas where large numbers of mortgages are headed toward foreclosure over the next few years.

The Wall Street Journal’s quarterly survey of housing-market data in 28 major metro areas shows sharp drops in the number of homes listed for sale across the country. But the potential supply of homes is far larger because banks are likely to acquire significant numbers of foreclosed homes in some areas, notably Las Vegas, Atlanta, Detroit, Phoenix, Miami and other parts of Florida, and Sacramento, Calif., over the next few years.

Sales of those homes may depress prices further. By contrast, metro areas with relatively low foreclosure and mortgage-delinquency rates include Boston, Denver, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Seattle, Raleigh, N.C., and Portland, Ore., making them less vulnerable.

Homeowners and potential buyers have been whipsawed by conflicting signals about the state of the market in recent months. Ulani and Mike Thiessen found the market surprisingly hot when they went shopping for their first home in Las Vegas during the summer. With the help of Kim Kelly-Reed, an agent from One Source Realty & Management, the Thiessens finally bought a foreclosed house in September for about $136,000—but only after being outbid on three other houses.”

chart courtesy of WSJ

According to research conducted by Aviva, 65 percent of people who have made lifestyle changes to combat the effects of the recession will revert back to life as it was.  This means that 40 million individuals are set to increase the amount of money that they spend on ‘at least one unhealthy activity’. 

The research uncovered that 30 percent will dine out as opposed to cooking at home; 24 percent will take ‘beach holidays’ rather than holidaying in the UK; 21 percent will increase expenditure when it comes to socialising in pubs and bars; 15 percent will spend more on takeaways; and 15 percent will go out for lunch as opposed to making it at home. 

In relation to meals, it was found that 18 percent have been eating more healthily since the recession struck.  The most widely adopted approach, taken by 52 percent, has been to prepare home cooked meals instead of relying on takeaways and restaurants.

Furthermore, the recession is thought to have resulted in increased levels of exercise among 17 percent.  In fact, 21 percent are avoiding taxis or driving in favour of walking or cycling, and many are exercising for entertainment.  For example, 26 percent are opting for free outdoor activities as opposed to visiting amusement parks; 21 percent are holidaying in Britain rather than venturing abroad; and 12 percent are choosing to exercise with their friends instead of joining a class.

The research also uncovered that 50 percent make lunch as opposed to going out for it; 20 percent grow their own vegetables instead of purchasing them; 19 percent are either losing weight or maintaining their current weight in order to avoid buying new clothes; and 2 percent are keeping chickens as a source of eggs.

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Homeowners who would like to reorganise their finances in the current economic climate, could consider a debt consolidation loan.  One of many finance options available, a debt consolidation loan could allow the borrower to tie up any existing debts, such as personal loans and credit cards.  In taking this approach the borrower could eliminate multiple monthly repayments, replacing them with a single monthly repayment.  This new monthly repayment could even be less than current outgoings.  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.

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While this may sound trivial, and indeed is, I need to admit horror at something my friend Richard did at our house over the weekend. He had a Kit Kat two finger packet, and instead of breaking it into fingers, simply bit across both fingers as if it was a single bar, entirely ignoring the Kit [...]

Ok, mini blog, but tomorrow I’m giving evidence at the Treasury Select Committee on the Credit Application Trap, using a lot of the credit application trap feedback from the forum. Now the other day for an informal meeting with the PM’s special advisors at number 10 (see my No. 10 blog for a pic) I wore [...]