Refinance Home – Bad Credit Loans

Some 1.54 million people sought advice from free debt counselling services in 2011, up from 1.4 million the previous year, according to the Money Advice Trust.

A survey carried out on behalf of the debt advice charity by the University of Nottingham suggested that nearly a quarter of the UK adult population is in a “constant struggle” to manage their debts. The study found that some 2.5 million people are in arrears on at least one consumer credit product, household bill or payment.

The report predicts a sharp rise in the number of people seeking free advice about their financial situation as rising inflation, higher levels of unemployment and slow wage growth put pressure on consumers’ incomes.

Joanna Elson OBE, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, said: “2011 was a tough financial year for many families across the UK; unfortunately more people are likely to struggle in 2012.

“With unemployment rising and wage growth relatively flat, while prices are going up, it’s going to take a greater proportion of household income to heat your home, put food on your… Continue To Read This Post..

Buying a home is now cheaper than renting in all but three of the UK’s largest towns, according to zoopla.co.uk.

Demand for privately rented properties from first-time buyers and record low interest rates have helped to make renting an average of 15% more expensive than owning a home, up from 10% this time last year.

It is now more expensive to rent a home in 47 of Britain’s biggest towns. This time last year the figure stood at 40 out of 50.

Private tenants in Swansea, Plymouth and Bournemouth are the only renters in the country who are paying less than their property-owning neighbours for their housing costs.

Landlords have enjoyed soaring rents over the last few years after mortgage lenders tightened their lending criteria and raised the average deposit required to secure a home loan. A study published last month by the international estate agent Savills predicted that rents will rise by a further 20.5% by the end of 2016.

Average rents across the country reached a new high of £720 in October, 0.2% up from the previous month… Continue To Read This Post..

The number of couples getting divorced has risen in the UK for the first time in nearly a decade, according to figures published today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Both the ONS and a number of relationship and marriage experts suggested the country’s perilous economic situation could have been a major contributor to the number of break-ups, as couples face unprecedented financial pressures.

Divorces in England and Wales rose from 113,949 in 2009 to 119,589 in 2010, an increase of 4.9%. Divorce rates last rose in 2003 when 153,065 couples broke up, a rise from 147,735 in the previous year.

The equivalent of 11.1 people per thousand of the married population got divorced in 2010, up from 10.5 in 2009. The increase follows several years of decline in the number of divorces in the UK. Last year’s figures were the lowest on record since 1974.

The report said: “The figures show that divorce rates continued their downward trend during 2008 and 2009 but increased in 2010.

“This could be consistent with the theory that recession is associated with… Continue To Read This Post..

… Continue To Read This Post..

… Continue To Read This Post..

The prospect of spending half a lifetime paying off tuition fees could be putting teenagers off taking a gap year before starting university, a new survey suggests.

A poll by Post Office Travel Insurance found that only 19% of students are currently considering a gap year or extended break this year, compared to a quarter of the over-55s.

Over-55 travellers, who the Post Office has dubbed “grey gappers”, are also spending considerably more on their exotic extended breaks than younger travellers.

While the over-55s will take a shorter trip compared to those under 35 – just over three and a half months compared to just under five months respectively – they will spend £4,136 in total on their trip – the equivalent of £53.03 per day – compared to the under 35s who will spend £3,100, the equivalent of £30.10 per day.

The five most popular destinations for the over-55s were Australia, New Zealand, United States of America, Singapore and Spain, according to the research.

Whatever their age, the Post Office study suggests that gap year travellers are under-prepared… Continue To Read This Post..

Students who enrol on university courses next year can expect to graduate with average debts of £53,400, according to a new study.

The findings, published today by the independent student guide Push, indicate that the introduction of higher tuition fees for courses starting next year will more than double the amount of debt graduates leave university with.

Those starting a course this year can expect to graduate owing £26,100, according to the survey. This figure is 6.4% up from last year – outstripping inflation – to £5,680. Those who started studying in 2008 will have graduated with a total debt of £22,000.

Undergraduates beginning their studies in England, where fees are estimated to average £8,630 from next year, should expect to finish university with debts of almost £60,000.

Push asked 2,808 students currently at 115 UK universities how much they owed banks, their parents and to the Student Loans Company and then projected future debt levels taking the fee hike, interest and inflation into account.

The results have been published just a week before A-level students are due to receive… Continue To Read This Post..