Deep-freeze winter costs insurers £650m
Insurers paid out £650 million in weather-related claims as the UK suffered
the coldest winter for 30 years, a trade body said today.
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:28:09 +0000 Insurers pay out £2.85m a month in pothole claims
Insurers paid out an estimated £2.85m in claims last month to people whose
cars were damaged by potholes.
Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Npower cuts gas prices
Energy firm npower today became the fourth major UK provider to cut gas prices
as it announced a reduction of up to 7% in standard bills.
Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:44:22 +0000 Interest on fixed rate mortgages at six-year low
The interest charged on two-year fixed rate mortgages fell to a
six-and-a-half-year low during February in a further sign that competition
was slowly returning to the market, figures showed today.
Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:58:29 +0000 State-owned lenders 'in loan rates rip-off'
State-owned banks were accused yesterday of ripping off borrowers by charging over the odds on mortgages. Analysts said the majority of lenders rescued by the Government in the banking bailout charged more than average for home loans. Only Royal Bank of Scotland bucked the trend.
Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Massive rise in interest rates on personal loans
Banks have massively hiked interest rates on personal loans during the slump, raising the cost of finance for cars, sofas, and other major purchases by hundreds of pounds, new research for The Independent shows today.
Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Trade soars for new lending website
One football-loving would-be borrower needed a loan to buy two season tickets for Newcastle United. A 30-year-old woman wanted funds to pay off the solicitor who arranged her divorce. Another more romantic soul simply needed money to whisk his girlfriend to Paris to propose marriage.
Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Surviving the death of a breadwinner
These may be modern times, but millions of families are still relying on a
sole breadwinner to keep their finances afloat.
Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 The more the merrier ? and it can save money on days out
Strength in numbers is the theory behind a new website, Group- ola.com. It says it harnesses the power of collective buying to give its users the best possible deal on a range of leisure treats.
Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Don't get left in the broadband slow lane
As far as home broadband is concerned, the UK is racing to catch up with other leading economies in Europe and the Far East. For years, Briton has lagged behind, offering users speeds which would not pass muster in other developed countries. But the Government has made increasing speeds a central target and providers have cottoned on to the fact that supplying noticeable faster broadband to the public could turn into a money spinner.
Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Tesco expands into estate agency business with online service
Tesco has taken the first tentative steps into the estate agency market. The supermarket giant will offer customers the chance to employ estate agents Spicerhaart for £999 to help them to sell their homes.
Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Julian Knight: Don't panic. Take these 'shock' house price statistics with a large pinch of salt
There are lies, damned lies and house price statistics.
Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Olympic house lettings under starter's orders
With the Winter Olympics over, the world's gaze turns to London which will host the summer games in two years' time. Concerns over transportation, ticket allocation and security aside, many Londoners ? and those outside the capital but near major events ? are thinking one thing: how can I make extra cash when the Olympics come? The most obvious answer is to rent out their homes to some of the millions who will be visiting during Olympics fortnight, or take in a lodger.
Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 
Consumer rights: Bogus tenant is making life a misery
A few months ago we rented out a house through a letting agent. He found us
a tenant and assured us that all the necessary checks had been done into her
credit worthiness. But things didn't work out: she didn't pay the rent and
we're fairly sure she's broken the agreement by subletting rooms. We're in
the process of having her evicted but in the meantime we've managed to find
someone else who rented a property to her. It seems she has done the same
thing in the past. What come back do we have against the letting agent who
obviously didn't check her out when he said he had? This episode is costing
us a fortune in lost rent and court costs. We let because we couldn't sell
but we'd be worried about letting again.
CN
West London
Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Consuming Issues: Anyone for laser-guided scissors?
Years ago a small supplement would tumble from national newspaper magazines offering a diverse range of time-saving and futuristic gadgets which were distinguished by their pointlessness. Could there really be a market for bath ladders for spiders or heated eyelash curlers? Apparently not, given that the Innovations Catalogue folded seven years ago.
Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Mark Dampier: Equity income funds must be canny
I have highlighted several UK equity income funds in my column over recent months. It is a sector I have always liked, partly because it is home to some very experienced managers and partly because it has served investors well over the longer-term. Sadly, some dismiss it as too boring and are instead seduced by more exciting areas. However, while chasing the latest investment fad can sometimes be successful, it more often than not disappoints.
Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Alice-Azania Jarvis: 'I'm getting ready to jumble again ? and this time I mean business'
Istill haven't decided what to do for my birthday. But, not to worry. For now, at least, I have a temporary distraction: tomorrow I'm taking part in another jumble sale to raise money for my Save The Rhino marathon fund. Actually, I can't quite believe that this one ? my second ? has come round so quickly. I'm sticking with the same hosts ? Let's Get Ready To Jumble, at Bar Music Hall in Shoreditch ? since last time it was perfect: the exact right combination of not-too-much-pressure and plenty of foot traffic. I raised just over £140, which I was thrilled with, since very little that I sold broke the £2 threshold.
Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Money Insider: Base rate refuses to budge
On 5 March 2009 base rate was chopped to just 0.5 per cent, the last of six consecutive monthly cuts which had seen it tumble rapidly from 5 per cent to the record low where it has remained ever since.
Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Time to invest in the best of British
I t is easy to be gloomy about the prospects for the UK economy. There are still 2.4 million unemployed, sterling is painfully low against rival currencies, and the residential property market remains mired in misery.
Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 Derek Pain: Small shareholders are treated disgracefully
It is widely accepted that small shareholders get a raw deal. They are regarded as third-rate investors, unworthy to clean the shoes of the powerful institutions which dominate proceedings in the City.
Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:01 +0000 
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