The AnswerBank Articles

Council Tax Report Backed

Calls for regular council tax revaluations made by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) are finding support among parties looking for greater transparency in the current council tax system. RICS recommends that council tax needs to be assessed and evaluated at regular intervals to ensure full transparen...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Home Insurance Vital To Home-Workers

For some of us it is the ideal situation, working from home. It can help save money on travelling costs and childcare. Working from home can give benefits as simple as being able to take deliveries during the day without having to slog down to the post office after work. Or being able to take the dog out for a walk in ...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Debt Prevalent Among The 'Friends' Generation

Debt is common amongst most age groups in the UK but it seems that some are more likely to have high debts than others. People aged around 30 carry the highest amount of debt, it has been claimed. The demographic - dubbed the Friends generation in Alliance & Leicester's research - has unsecured debts of over &poun...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Soft Commodity Costs 'Have Gone Up'

Most of us have noticed that the cost of our shopping has been steadily rising over the last few years. This is due to the price of so called ‘Soft Commodities’. These are everyday things such as wheat, sugar or even orange juice. According to recent research over the past few years the prices of these com...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Couples 'Indebted In Holy Matrimony'

We all know that weddings are an expensive business not to mention a nice honeymoon in a hot foreign country. However, it seems that the spiralling costs are affecting more and more newlyweds. The happiest day in the lives of couples may also be the most expensive, it has been reported. The average wedding costs aroun...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Holidaymakers 'Should Cover Themselves Against More Than Sun'

We all enjoy our annual two weeks away from work, but sometimes the worst happens and we arrive home to find that the house has been broken into and valuable possessions stolen. It seems this is becoming more of a problem to UK holidaymakers. A sufficient home insurance policy should see people holidaying abroad cover...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Pensions Debt 'Risked By The Self-Employed'

Although most of us work for other people there is a large number of the population who work for themselves. There are many reasons for this, perhaps they find it more fulfilling doing what they love on their own terms or perhaps they have always wanted the freedom to work by themselves. Whatever the reason there is no...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Most Landlords 'Keep The Tenants' Deposits'

Whilst many of us own our own homes there is still a large proportion of the population who do not and are in rented accommodation. This has its benefits as well as it detriments. Tenants and landlords both have legal rights in agreements set up and should make sure they know what they are as it seems some property-own...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Cost Of A Dad Calculated

Although sadly many households contain single parents with children, most in the UK, however, have the complete set of two – a Mother and a Father. Now, it seems, new research has found that having the father around can help with more than just looking after the kids. The price of having a father around the hous...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Financial Etiquette 'Lacking' In Britons

There are some individuals you know who always get in the first round or never do. But what is the correct balance. People in the UK have difficulty when it comes to when to pay and when not too according to recent research. A new survey has revealed that people in Britain are not fully aware of the correct financial ...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Holidaymakers Becoming Increasingly "Brave"

While the type of holiday varies enormously we all look forward to those two weeks that we have worked hard and saved for all year. Whether it is sun, sea, sand and sangria or skiing in the frozen Alps we all deserve a break. It seems in the UK that more and more people are now looking for a holiday which challenges th...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Consumers Urged To Consider Overseas Credit Card Charges

Most of us would not think twice about using our credit card abroad. It is convenient as we don’t have to carry much cash around and any purchases are usually covered by the card company in the event of any problems. However, we need to consider the down side to using our credit card out of the country. Many peo...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Are Robberies On The Increase

We all hope that it doesn’t happen to us; a robbery, mugging or burglary. Unfortunately, it seems that crime is still very much prevalent in the country. The British Crime Survey revealed that there are over 100,000 robberies in the country every year, although the Home Office stated that domestic burglary has ...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

University 'Waste Of Money And Time' For One In Four

We all want the best for our kids and that includes a good education. However, it seems many young people do not see the value of going to University and would rather get a job and earn some money instead. Close to a quarter of young Britons consider it a waste of time and money to go to university, it has been reveal...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Kids 'Will Withdraw From Bank Of Mum And Dad For Holidays'

We all enjoy our time off but we often do not expect to pay for a break we will not be going on. It seems the country's children are still relying on their parents to fund their lifestyle including holidays. Teenagers looking to head abroad for their holiday this year will do so in the knowledge that their parents wil...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Happiness Is Around £10,000 Per Year

Happiness is an elusive quality; some say it is free, some say it cannot be bought. It seems according to recent research from a high street bank that it can be bought, however, at around £10,000 per year. The bank has worked out that each day people spend an average of £29 on pursuits which make them happ...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

An Uncharted Past 'Leads To Future Without Credit'

Most people in the country have a credit card, personal loan, mortgage or other type of finance; we need this to live our lives. However, there are still many people out there who have none of these things, while that may seem ideal to those of us struggling to make repayments it may not be as great as it seems. New r...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

People In UK 'Will Shop Until They Holiday'

We all look forward to holidays. Whether it is a two week stretch in the sun or a weekend city break they cannot come soon enough for some of us. And you just know you have got nothing to wear in your wardrobe so you need to have a major shopping spree before you go. It seems that we are prepared to leave things to th...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Football Fans 'May Seek Debt Advice' After This Season's Live Game

In the ‘old days’ dads would take their kids to see the local football team at their local ground and the children would dream of becoming a famous footballer and scoring the winning goal in the final at the World Cup. It is called the beautiful game across the world but recently football has been more lik...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Children Given Financial Education

The reality as of the early 21st century is that in the UK (and probably elsewhere) the current young generation risks being in the unenviable position of growing up poorer than the previous generation. This is a bitter pill to swallow and could mean relying on parents for support for longer and a bleak retirement. Pa...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010