What is the economy going to do to you? - 24/01/2008
The UK economy is changing, Inflation is back as a real threat, the current account deficit is climbing to new records, the credit crunch is evolving into a painful squeeze and may get worse. The hidden message is that we the consumer will have to react correctly in order to rebalance the economy.
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Inflationary Squeeze - 14/01/2008
Inflation may still be low but many costs are increasing fast, and worse is still to come. The UK appears to be sliding into stagflation as the economy slows and the pound falls we are importing Inflation with the cost of Energy, Food, Clothes and Manufactured items increasing faster than ever.
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New Year Resolution – Life without Debt - 07/01/2008
Getting out of debt is a great way to improve your life and future opportunities. It’s not easy but it is very rewarding.
If you’re thinking, “Why bother? Debt’s ok, everyone else does it.” You’re half right: About half the UK gets debt wrong and about half of them are already paying a very high price for it.
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Will our life style be saved by interest rate cuts? - 12/12/2007
The Bank of England cut the interest rate, not because inflation has gone away, rather because other risks to the economy are increasing fast. I’m unsure if I should congratulate them on finding wiggle room or cry “Foul!” More important will this softening of monetary policy solve or fuel our problems?
Signs that the UK is starting to slow were visible in the high street, with retailers, estate agents and restaurants feeling the impact of credit tightening. Yet we have also seen the highest increase in factory gate prices for sixteen years. Pressure to hold pay rates is already challenging the resolve of employers facing
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Is the Bank of England escape route becoming blocked? - 13/11/2007
Is rising inflation, now above target at 2.1%, forcing the Bank to hold interest rates dangerously high when the economy needs more flexibility?
After several years of high consumer spending funded by growing consumer debt underpinned by rising house prices it is probable that many consumers will start to retrench as house prices stagnate or even fall.
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Good Credit History becoming even more Crucial - 07/11/2007
People with near-spotless credit records, are finding it harder to get credit cards and personal loans as providers become more ruthless about whom they will lend to. Many blemishes that would now almost guarantee a rejection would have been overlooked just months ago.
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Bank Mortgages slowing dramatically - 26/10/2007
The British Bankers' Association (BBA) said that new mortgage approvals for house purchase stood at 52,685, down by 27% on September last year, and the lowest since September 2000.
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Could House Prices Fall? - 18/10/2007
 The headlong rise in House values has begun to slow, the interest rate hikes are beginning to bite, but could houses fall as the credit crunch damages confidence.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says that Britain may be facing a fall in house prices similar to that being suffered in the US, and other European nations are also vulnerable to a price correction.
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High street consumption still Booming. - 18/10/2007
Septembers retail sales surprised experts, increasing year on year despite the interest rate hikes. UK retail sales rose by  the strongest annual rate in three years in September, official figures show.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said sales were up 6.3% from the same month a year earlier, the biggest gain since September 2004. Consumers bought big in household goods and other non food items.
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BBC News Extract - 13/06/2007
 Interest-free deals explained
The phrase 'interest-free' is often seen on store bill boards can be very tempting if money is tight. But is the offer of an interest free loan all that it appears?
Any such “buy now pay latter” deal will have detailed terms, which could contain pitfalls you should make yourself aware of.
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