29/01/2010 by bill.

According to the latest Nationwide House Price Report, UK house prices have made a strong start to 2010.

The report shows that house prices rose by 1.2% in January and are up 8.6% year-on-year.

The Nationwide reports that the 3 month on 3 month rate of change – usually a smoother indicator of the near term trend – dipped slightly from 2.3% in December to 2.1% in January, but this primarily reflects the smaller price increases recorded in November and December. Unless there is a fall in property values in February, annual house price inflation is likely to move into double-digit territory next month for the first time since May 2007.

More about house prices

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26/01/2010 by bill.

GO Travel Insurance have a fantastic competition running until the 15th of February. This gives the chance for any visitor to the GO Travel Insurance website to win a £200 skiwear voucher.

GO Travel Insurance has teamed up with the Dare2b.com to offer this limited time opportunity and there are 10 vouchers to win!

Click here to enter the competition.

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26/01/2010 by bill.

The AA team searches a panel of over 20 leading insurers to get you the best deal they can

You could save up to £200*

Reasons to choose AA car insurance:

Up to 90 days car insurance cover across EU countries

24 hour Claimline, available 365 days a year

Up to £500 to replace car locks if your keys are lost or stolen

A courtesy car while yours is being repaired**

If you are stuck after an accident the AA will help towards travel costs or overnight accommodation

Windscreen cover

Replacement child car seats

Unlimited cover for manufacturer-fitted audio equipment

(These key benefits are based on the AA comprehensive car insurance policy. Terms and conditions apply)

* 25% of people could save £200 by switching to the AA (survey of new business quotes based on a comparison of 26 of our competitors, December 08)

** Subject to the repair being carried out by your insurer?s approved repairer and subject to availability.

Nore

Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Click here for more information about finding the best motor insurance deal.

Posted in Motor Insurance, Car insurance | Print | No Comments »

07/01/2010 by bill.

The latest Halifax House Price Index Report indicates that house prices increased by 1.0% in December. Prices increased for the sixth successive month with December’s rise slightly below the average for the preceding five months (1.2%).

Prices in the final three months of 2009 were 3.5% higher than in the third quarter. This is the biggest quarterly increase since 2006 quarter 4.

Prices have increased by 9.4% since reaching a low in April 2009; an increase in the average price of £14,552 over this period. This follows a decline of 23% between August 2007 and April 2009. The average house price is now £169,042.

House prices in December were 1.1% higher on an annual basis. This is the first increase in the annual rate of change - measured by the average for the latest three months against the same period a year earlier – since March 2008. The annual rate has turned around markedly from a low of -17.7% in April.

The Halifax reports that the housing market continues to pick up and that higher demand combined with low supply is driving the price increase, however thew Halifax view is that view is that house prices will be flat during 2010.

More about house prices.

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06/01/2010 by bill.

Want to start afresh this year, but don’t fancy the high loan rates on the High Street? If you want to cut up the credit cards for good, invest in a new motor, or even want to give your home a fresh look, why not try Zopa? If you have a good credit rating, the lending and borrowing marketplace can offer you some of the best personal loan rates around.

More than 300,000 people have joined the UK’s only social lending website, and with rates up to 40% cheaper than the High Street banks, it’s clear why. Plus, you’re borrowing from real people, not lining the pockets of the banks.

And if your circumstances change and you want to pay off your loan early, no problem! There are no early repayment charges so you can repay as much as you want, when you like. Why be penalised for paying off your debts?

Get your free, no obligation quote (that won’t affect your credit rating) here!

See moneyjungle.net for more about managing your personal finances in 2010.

Posted in Personal loans, Finance | Print | No Comments »

06/01/2010 by bill.

holiday autos are kicking off January with a bang with a fantastic 20% off worldwide car hire sale! This is for key destinations and each destination will be on sale for 48 hours from 10am on the specified date. This is for all car groups, for all rental periods at all pick up locations for the specified sale destination (as below) for pick ups until 31st October 2010. This includes holiday autos UK & Ireland. The sale ends 20th January.

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Campaign dates and times are from 10am on 6th January until 10am on 20th January
Each promotion starts at 10am for 48 hours:

Wednesday 6 Jan: 20% off Spain
Friday 8 Jan: 20% off UK
Sunday 10 Jan: 20% off France
Tuesday 12 Jan: 20% off USA
Thursday 14 Jan: 20% off Italy
Saturday 16 Jan: 20% off Ireland
Monday 18 Jan: 20% off Portugal

Terms and conditions apply to offers.

Posted in Car Hire | Print | No Comments »

06/01/2010 by bill.

Many people are getting concerned about the cost of heating their homes during the current freezing conditions and are upset that the energy companies have failed to reduce their bills to reflect lower costs.

But there is a difference of £378 between the highest standard and lowest tariff for the average user. So now is a good time to check how much you could save by switching to a different supplier or tariff.

Save up to £378 on your energy bills with Energyhelpline!

Click here for more advice on reducing your energy bills.

Posted in Energy bills | Print | No Comments »

05/01/2010 by bill.

Direct Line Car Insurance customers get 52 days worth of FREE car insurance cover. Vandalism cover as standard with comprehensive cover. Named drivers can also earn their own Named Driver No Claims Discount.

Direct Line Car insurance customers also receive a further 10% off home insurance and 25% off breakdown cover.

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More about choosing car insurance cover

Posted in Motor Insurance, Car insurance | Print | No Comments »

05/01/2010 by bill.

Direct Line Home Insurance customers can now get 12 months home insurance for the price of 9 and free home emergency cover, plus an extra 25% online discount.

Home insurance customers also receive a further 10% off car insurance and 5% off pet insurance.

More

Click here for more on choosing a home insurance policy

Posted in Home insurance | Print | No Comments »

05/01/2010 by bill.

The UK Government is offering up to 125,000 households £400 towards the cost of upgrading their boiler (if G-rated or equivalent or worse) to a high efficiency A-rated one or a renewable heating technology.

The scheme is open to 125,000 householders in England living in an owned or privately rented home.

Please note:

i) If you are a householder (including tenants) under 60 you can only apply for the scheme if the boiler you are scrapping is in working order and is the main boiler used to heat the home.
ii) If you are a householder (including tenants)and 60 or over you can apply for the scheme regardless of whether the boiler you are scrapping is in working order. However, it still needs to be the main boiler used to heat the home.

Only householders and landlords who privately own and rent dwellings are eligible to apply for a voucher. Boiler installers and manufacturers, local authority registered social landlords, and housing associations are not eligible to apply.

For further details and to check whether your boiler is eligible see the Energy Saving Trust website.

Posted in Central Heating Boiler, Energy bills | Print | No Comments »