Wednesday 21 September 2011

Is It All Doom and Gloom for the UK Economy?

There's been much talk this week, and more depressing news that another recession is potentially looming in Europe and the US, and with borrowing figures the highest that they've ever been, and with Nick Clegg delivering in his speech today at the Liberal Democrats conference that is a "long hard road ahead". The picture hasn't been helped with the International Monetary Fund warning that Europe and the US could slip back into recession unless economic problems aren't combated, with the IMF slashing its growth forecasts for Great Britain, people are left wondering if there's any hope. Interest Rates are at a record low of 0.5%, the only saviour will come next month if the Bank of England decides to pump more money into the UK economy. Unfortunately, for those of us that thought things were looking up for the UK, it looks like the worst could still be yet to come.

Sunday 21 August 2011

The Latest Scandal - Taxpayer Gold Card Spree

Still in the wake of the big MPs expense scandals that broke a few years ago, this article today from the Daily Mail couldn't escape my attention:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2028425/New-taxpayer-gold-card-spree--spending-watchdog-raking-hundreds-thousands-prizes-staff.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

For me this comes as no surprise, but it seems the MPs scandal has opened the floodgates to scrutinies other civil servant bodies and organisations. When will it stop? Whilst, I agree using the taxpayers money and spending in such a frivolous manner, will further ostracise government bodies and increase the growing sentiment of 'them' and 'us', but it seems to me in this day and age every single action is under public scrutiny and the media become the judge, jury and executioner.

Negotiate and Settle Your Debts: A Debt Settlement StrategyFor the Love of Money: The Nine Steps I Took to Beat Credit Card Debt



Wednesday 20 July 2011

Ways of Saving This Summer

With the Summer Holidays for many of us fast approaching, and many of us leaving it until the last minute to book a holiday there are still some great deals available even in the peak summer times. I was very surprised to learn that actually the average cost of a cruising holiday in Summer 2011 has actually fallen compared to the average cost in Summer 2010. Pretty amazing eh. However, I don't think the same could be said if you plan on booking a flight and hotel in mainland Europe. Having checked quite a few prices myself, for most dates in August the prices are pretty high.

However, there are ways to save still this summer. Consider not going abroad and taking a holiday at home, many people shall still be thinking about the year ahead and with the UK not in the best of condition as far economy goes it could be a good idea. You'd certainly save a bucket and get to visit places you may have never heard even existed before. A popular choice is for holidaymakers choosing a UK holiday is of course the West Coast of England, with Devon and Cornwall attracting thousands of holidaymakers each summer. But why not consider other areas such as Scotland and Ireland, both offering great scenery and fantastic outdoor activities to keep the kids happier.

But by far the best savings for this Summer are cruises! Get searching now for the best deals!

Friday 17 June 2011

HSBC new security card

Whilst other countries have been offering this secure key forbe/card for sometime now for Internet Banking it seems the UK is somewhat lagging in offering this extra level of security. It is 2011 after all, and if other "less developed" countries can offer this service, I don't see why the UK is lagging. In many asian countries, you go and open a HSBC advance account and the same day they hand over the security forbe and get you set up on it. Now, UK HSBC customers have to wait another 2-3 months to start using the UK version: 'Secure Key' far bigger and ugglier than the one I was given in Taiwan.
The information on the website is very vague as well: http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/security-centre/secure-key?HBEU_dyn_lnk=SecurityCentre_Overview_BannerSlotA_LearnMore_Button

Here's the one I got from Taiwan HSBC:
small like the taiwanese

And the one they plan on offering in the UK:



By and large im pretty indifferent to HSBC, they're no better or worse than most high street banks these days, but I can't say Ive been too impressed with HSBCs UK operations since being back in the UK, and their delay in providing this vital security service to UK customers. Rant over, but if you too have some vented frustrations against this here seems a suitable outlet: http://fuckyouhsbc.com/

Thursday 17 March 2011

News about the UK's growth forecast

I have to say the news I hear on the UK economy has seemed quite bleak in recent months, but when the forecast for this year was indicating that the overall picture for the UK as looking up with a tiny percentage of growth I did have some hope. However, now the OECD has reduced the growth forecast by 0.2 and expects the UK economy to grow by 1.5% in 2011. Still better than nothing eh?

For the full article read here: UK growth forecast reduced