Personal Finance Articles From MoneyHighStreet.com
Personal finance articles from MoneyHighStreet.com

• APR - What does it really mean?
  If you are taking out any form of credit, the first thing you will look at is the APR of the loan. What does APR really mean? And does it give a true reflection of the cost of the loan? We provide some answers.
• Are the credit crunch problems coming to an end?
  The second half of 2007 has been a rough ride for British consumers. Falling house prices, the rising cost of credit and the threat of a recession has dented consumer confidence significantly. However some recent news gives us cause for optimism.
• Be wary of store cards this Christmas
  Store cards are costing British consumers almost £1 billion more in interest than other types of credit cards. So if you must rely on credit to meet your Christmas costs, make sure you find the cheapest finance available.
• How to budget for Christmas
  For many of us, the joys of Christmas can be overshadowed by financial worries, when we should be relaxing and enjoying time with family and friends. We show you how to budget for the festive season in this article.
• Will the Bank of England cut interest rates?
  Evidence is mounting that the Bank of England will cut interest rates by quarter of a percent on Thursday. Read this article to see how this could affect you.
• Don't fall victim to fraud this Christmas
  Identity fraud is on the rise in Britain and Christmas provides ample opportunity for fraudsters to compromise your identity. Read our tips to help protect your identity.
• Consumers feeling the pinch as Christmas approaches
  British consumers are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet over the Christmas period. Are you going to struggle to make ends meet this Christmas?
• How to take control of your finances
  An alarming number of British consumers are taking the 'head in the sand approach' to their personal finances. Failing to keep track of your cash flow can do serious damage to your financial well being. Read out tips to help you manage your money more effectively.
• Are Home Information Packs (HIPs) really an unnecessary evil?
  From next month, Home Information Packs (HIPs) will be required for the sale of all homes. While they have been roundly criticised by many in the housing industry, we ask if HIPs are really such a bad thing?
• Child benefit breach leaves millions exposed to identity fraud
  It has emerged today that every adult that receives child benefit in Britain has had their identity compromised. If you are one of these, you need to take immediate precautions to protect yourself against identity fraud. Here are some tips on how to safeguard your identity.
• Are your home and contents properly insured for Christmas?
  With Christmas fast approaching, now is a good time to check that your home and its contents are properly covered by your home insurance policy.
• A cut in interest rates could be on the way
  There was good news for British consumers this week as a top investment bank speculated that the Bank of England could reduce interest rates in the coming months.
• How to improve your chances of getting a loan
  New evidence has emerged that it is becoming increasingly difficult for British consumers to get loans. As financial institutions toughen their lending criteria, even consumers with clean credit ratings are having loan applications turned down. We advise you on how you can increase your chances of having your loan application accepted.
• Cutting the costs of flood damage
  The recent tidal surge along the east coast served as a stark warning that we all need to be aware of the risks of flooding. In this article we advise you on how to protect your home and minimise the costs of flooding.
• Treat your kids to a secure future this Christmas
  For most of us Christmas is a time of spending. Savings accounts are emptied and credit cards go into overdrive. However, it can also be a great time to save for your kids' futures. We show you how.
• Are we heading for a recession?
  There is little doubt that the fallout from the sub-prime mortgage crisis in the US will, in one way or another, affect us all. But is this a temporary glitch or a signal of hard times to come? We look at whether the UK may face an economic recession.
• Mortgage market slowdown means tougher times for homeowners
  Figures released by the Bank of England have confirmed what most of us already knew – the cost of credit is going up, and house price inflation is down. In this article we look at how these latest trends affect you.
• Consider your pension options before it is too late
  British consumers are spending too much and saving too little. If you have not already started preparing for your retirement, now is the time to start. We look at the pension options available to you.
• Plan your pension now to avoid a bleak future
  A quarter of British consumers believe that they will have to work beyond the age of 65. And the reality is that they are probably right. If you wish to live out your later years in comfort, you need to plan your pension now.
• Cutting the cost of Christmas credit
  As Christmas approaches, now is the time to get your finances in order ahead of the seasonal shopping spree. Most of us rely on some form of credit to get us through the big Christmas spend. We look at ways to keep this credit as cheap as possible.