04/07/2009 by bill.

We always recommend anyone thinking of opening a savings account to shop around for the best deals. Interest rates can change quickly in this highly competitive market even though it seems unlikely that the Bank of England will cut rates below the current record low of 0.5%. Interest rates may be variable at short notice or fixed for a specified period. However, we have identified the following Internet accounts as good deals available on-line on 2nd July 2009:

On-line Savings accounts

Alliance and Leicester - Online Saver Issue 5 3.15% aer (rate includes bonus of at least 1.0% payable until 2nd August 2010)
Intelligent Finance - isaver 2.85% aer
Principality Building Society - e-Saver Issue 2 2.85% aer
ING Direct - Savings Account 3.00% aer (rate includes 1.47% bonus payable for 12 months)
Newcastle Building Society - Newcastle Online Saver 2.50% aer
Barnsley Building Society - Online Saver 2.50% aer

Cash ISAs

Ruffler Bank Cash ISA 3.15% 30 days notice for withdrawals
Newcastle Building Society Reward ISA 3.0% (includes 1% bonus payable on anniversary of account opening
Intelligent Finance Cash ISA 2.75% aer
Standard Life Cash ISA 2.65% aer

See moneyjungle.net for more on selecting the right savings account.

Please note that although we check rates regularly moneyjungle.net does not claim that the products listed above are the most appropriate for an individual investor and does not claim that the list is exhaustive. We exclude introductory offers that offer short term high interest rates that later fall or those that require the customer to open another account such as a current account. We always recommend thorough research, reading terms and conditions carefully and, where appropriate, consulting an independent financial advisor. See the moneyjungle.net independent advice page for further information.

Posted in Personal Finance, Savings, Investments | Print | 1 Comment »

01/07/2009 by bill.

CreditExpert is the UK number one online credit monitoring and ID theft protection service from Experian, offering people the opportunity to see what lenders see and take control of their personal finances.

We provide some great benefits to our customers:

- Unlimited, real time, online access to their Experian credit report
- The opportunity to review their credit history before applying for credit
- Email or text alerts notifying of any changes to their credit report which protects them from identity fraud
- The option to order an Experian Credit Score

Click here for your FREE trial sign up to CreditExpert

Posted in Credit report, Credit and Debt | Print | No Comments »

30/06/2009 by bill.

The latest house price index report from the Nationwide shows house prices rose by 0.9% in June with the annual fall now down to -9.3%, the first time since July 2008 that the year-on-year fall has been in single digits.

Nationwide reports that house prices have now risen in three of the last four months, suggesting that the improvement that began to show up in March represents more than just statistical noise.

However, the nationwide points out that the increase is against a background of fewer house available for sale and a low number of transactions. It is too early to be confident about a full-scale recovery of prices.

The Nationwide quarterly report was also published today. The second quarter saw a significant improvement in house price trends across all UK regions, but especially in London, the South East, East Anglia and Wales. Each UK region saw a moderation in the annual pace of decline, and in some cases these improvements were quite substantial. In addition, eight out of thirteen regions saw an increase in prices between the first and second quarter of the year. For the UK as whole, prices rose by 1.1% in the second quarter, leading to an improvement in the annual rate of change from -16.5% in the first quarter to -11.7%.

More about house prices

Posted in House Prices | Print | No Comments »

26/06/2009 by bill.

The Government is giving each newborn child a voucher worth £250 when their parents register for Child Benefit. This must be used to open an account – called a Child Trust Fund (CTF) account – on the child’s behalf. You, your family and friends can all then add to this account. The Government will make a second contribution when the child is seven and is considering a third in the teenage years. The idea is that the account grows into a lump sum for the child to use when they are 18. Baby Bond is The Children’s Mutual’s simple and straightforward stakeholder CTF account. Such accounts are the Government’s preferred way of growing your child’s savings. In 2006 The Children’s Mutual was named Best CTF Provider by independent financial magazine Moneyfacts Life & Pensions.

The Children’s Mutual also offers Sharia compliant Child Trust Funds.

Click here for more about Child Trust Funds

Posted in Child Trust Funds, Savings | Print | No Comments »

26/06/2009 by bill.

The latest Land Registry House Price Report indicates that the average price of a house in England and Wales fell by 0.2% in May and 15.9% compared to May 2008. But, while monthly house price change remains negative, the rate of decline is easing.

House prices fell most in the North East of England, down 4.3% in the month, 17.2% over one year. Prices rose by 1.2% in Wales making the annual rate of decline 13.2% and by 1% in the West Midlands, again an annual decline of 13.2%.

The Land Registry data is considered to be the most reliable index of house prices but the results lack behind the other main indexes published by Halifax and Nationwide.

More about house prices

Posted in House Prices | Print | No Comments »

25/06/2009 by bill.

New research by Consumer Focus indicates that energy customers are being overcharged by an average of £74 per household, as declining wholesale costs have not been fully passed on by suppliers.

The consumer champion estmates that current gas prices should be at least 7.4% cheaper (£60.10 annually), and electricity bills a minimum of 3.1% (£13.80) lower, if suppliers had fully passed on declining wholesale costs to consumers. The watchdog is calling on suppliers to pass on these savings immediately.

The research also suggests that additional price cuts of up to 8% (£65) for gas and 4% (£17.80) for electricity should be made by the end of the year, if market conditions do not substantially change. This, combined with an immediate cut, would save £157 on current prices by winter, which would make a huge difference to many cash-strapped consumers.

But as moneyjungle.net has often pointed out many, consumers could cut their energy bills immediately by switching to a different supplier or tariff. Anyone who has not switched supplier recently could do well to check what tariffs are available in their area. The quickest way to do this is through a comparison website such as Energy Helpline.

Click here for more ways to reduce household bills.

Posted in household bills, Energy bills | Print | No Comments »

22/06/2009 by bill.

Climate change caused by carbon emissions and other green house gases is one of the biggest issues facing the world today. Investors may feel that companies offering low carbon and green technology and solutions could perform well over coming years.

The Virgin Climate Change ISA is an environmental ISA with a difference, investing in all industry sectors, in businesses which combine the potential for outstanding profit growth with a lighter environmental footprint.

We believe environmentally aware companies may perform better. Customers prefer them, and they are not saddled with green taxes and penalties which will be increasingly levied on the heavier polluters.

The Virgin Climate Change Fund is an actively managed fund and carries more risk than, for example, a Tracker Fund. Please remember stock market investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back all you invest. To maximise your chance of a good return you should be looking to invest for at least 5 years.

Click here for details and to apply

More about green investments

Posted in Green investments, Individual savings accounts, ISAs, Climate Change, Investments | Print | No Comments »

21/06/2009 by bill.

Columbus Direct believes in offering high quality, comprehensive Mortgage Payment Protection at low prices so you can ensure your home is protected should the worse happen and you are made unemployed or unable to work due to an accident or illness. And with their instant online quote coverage is easy to arrange.

Top 10 reasons why you should choose Columbus Direct:

* They GUARANTEE to beat new and existing like-for-like Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance quotes from banks and building societies (2)

* Cover from £1.76 per month (1)

* NO hidden admin fees, unlike other low-cost providers

* Unemployment benefit includes dismissal and probation period

* NO long excess periods

* Cover from £100 to £2,000 per month available

* Bereavement and Carer cover included

* Backache and stress cover

* Cover for dangerous occupations

* UK based call centres

Columbus have built their reputation as a company packaging the protection people want, and selling it to them directly, at the right price and when protecting an asset as dear to you as your home, you’ll want to deal with insurers that offer reassurance, professionalism and trust as standard.

Get a free quote today at Columbus Mortgage Protection

(1)Applicants must have a residential mortgage, be in full time employment for at least 6 consecutive months prior to the start date and be under 45 years of age. Offer available until 31st December 2008

(2) Per £100 of cover required, for accident or sickness only. Prices for unemployment are higher.

More about mortgages and MPPI

Posted in payment protection insurance, Mortgages | Print | No Comments »

18/06/2009 by bill.

We have all read about MPs “flipping” their properties in order to avoid capital gains tax on selling their second homes, but most people do not realise that it is perfectly legal for anyone with a second home or buy to let property to do so.

Click here for a fascinating article in the June issue of Tax Inside Lite.

For more about tax on rented property see Direct Gov. It is advisable to consult an accountant or tax adviser on how to minimise your tax liability. See also the UK Property Tax Portal.

Click here for more information for buy to let investors.

Posted in Tax, Buy to Let | Print | No Comments »

17/06/2009 by bill.

A new kind of party plan is sprouting, where rather than buying make-up or Tupperware, guests are bringing and selling their gold.

Click here for an interesting report from the BBC

A popular idea from America, it is thought the parties have been brought about by the economic climate and the high price of gold.

Click here for more about investing in gold

Posted in Gold | Print | 1 Comment »