Frugal Finance Blog

15May/12Off

How to save money on decorating

When it comes to decorating we want it too look nice and not cost a small fortune some people find it hard due too the fact that what they want can be expensive. I am going to show a few ways in which you can decorate and not have to pay a fortune to do it.

the first thing you will want to see is if you want wall paper or paint.Wallpaper has been found to be a huge price difference to paint due to the fact that all the tools you need to have to put it up and if you aren't happy with it then trying to remove it can be a very hard task to do.As paint is the cheaper option we would advice doing that and you will then need to pick the colour you would like we would advice having a neutral colour that way you can benefit from the light coming into the room as dark colour have a tendency to absorb the light making the room looking darker than normal.

Then it comes to furnishing the place many people start with the couches so for this you have to do a bit of bargain hunting for the right price for what you want. If you are looking for a sofa then maybe looking in charity shops due too you can get some good quality sofas for bottom price. If charity shops aren't your thing then maybe looking into reduced items and furniture stores or in some cases the local Friday ad or ebay can be what you are looking for.

Then when it comes to spicing up the place a bit then maybe looking getting some blind or curtains or drapes to help the place lighten up. Indoor plants can be a great way to brighten the place up as it gives some more colour into the room without looking out of place.

Now that you know a few more ways to decorate without the need to get a loan out you can start when your ready.

 

8May/12Off

Fraudulent Telemarketing and Payment Protection Insurance

Payment protection insurance is one of the most controversial financial fiascoes in history. What was supposed to be a beneficial product to consumers morphed into a burdensome add-on to credit card billing statements and loan agreements.  Sadly, the benefit of having a payment protection insurance was reduced because of the selling methods of banks and lenders. Even world-renowned banks are guilty of fraudulent selling tactics. It is definitely hard to believe that reputable banks will resort to dirty and unfair sales. But the whopping 80% increase in profits from PPI sales are enough for banks and lenders to turn to these methods just to earn.

A common way of misselling payment protection insurance is through deceptive telemarketing. A certain bank (name will be withheld for privacy purposes) is facing charges for allegedly utilizing telemarketing as a means to mislead customers into purchasing PPI products. The image of PPI is glorified, especially in the times of economic and financial crisis. It seems so good to know that this type of insurance can cover certain payments during unemployment due to an accident, disability, or sickness. However, dubious selling methods by banks and lenders fail to reveal the complete details that come with the PPI purchase. The complainants of this bank reported instances where they were made to give an affirmative response to a sugar-coated but vague explanation. Telemarketers leave out the key terms, alter the terms, or read them in an incomprehensible manner. Some disguise the phone call as simply asking for authorization to mail bills and products. What the customer is unaware of is that the PPI is already included in the agreement or statement.

This bank has an advantage over the customer because since they are the source of the credit card, they already know the credit card number of the customer. They simply disguise their sale of payment protection insurance as an update of account details. The telemarketers of these banks sell the policies in a sneaky yet very aggressive manner. Worse, they alter or omit important information. So by the time the policy holders find out about the real costs and terms of PPI, they have already been paying for it. Patrons of this certain bank have launched complaints but because the customers have agreed and have given an affirmative response, the bank refuses to acknowledge the complaint.

The sad thing here is that people trust banks for highly valuable property (money) and information (credit card number, account number, etc.). But with the emergence of payment protection insurance, even highly-rated banks and lenders are led to trick their customers into buying payment protection insurance without full knowledge and consent.

PPI policies are really good insurance packages but not everyone needs them and not everyone is qualified. An insurance product that can significantly lift the burden of someone who finds himself or herself suddenly unemployed due to undesirable circumstances is not easy to secure. For one, people with pre-existing medical conditions are excluded from this policy. Those who are self-employed and unemployed during the time they took out the policy are ineligible policy holders as well. Only those who are fully employed can take out the policy. Unfortunately, banks and lenders still sell to the people who are ineligible without even giving them the full terms. These banks and lenders claim that it is the responsibility of the consumers to make sure they are qualified. They simply play around with the rules to earn more, at the expense of their so-called valuable consumers.

So the next time a telemarketer from a bank calls you and asks you if you can authorize a delivery of some sort, be careful. If he or she constantly blurts out over sensationalized but vague statements and aggressively asks for a response, be wary. That could be a fraudulent tactic of selling payment protection insurance.

For advice on how to claim back ppi, visit www.UKPPIClaims.Org.UK

19Apr/12Off

Simple Money Saving Tips

checking account

Saving money is tough for many people, especially when so many external parties try to get you to keep spending. From aggressive store promotions to sale catalogs and constant TV ads, you must use discipline to avoid buying each day.

Get a checking account that benefits you better. Most individuals use the same checking account they've had for lots of years, although that account charges them big monthly fees. Figure out what the bank is charging you in fees and think about finding a bank that has less fees. This will allow you to save yourself a lot of money in the long run.

Put money into your IRA on a consistent basis. It will allow you to be more financially secure in the future. Anyone interested can open an individual retirement account with a bank, brokerage firm, or credit union. Regular contributions will make sure that your retirement is comfortable and secure.

It is possible to live without using credit cards. Take the time to learn how. Furthermore, find ways to pay off your loans that are charging you interest on a monthly basis. You are basically pouring money down the drain if you are paying interest, live debt free!

Help manage your personal finances with a good insurance policy. Unfortunately, everyone falls ill at one time or another. High-quality, well-priced health insurance will protect you from financial harm in the event that you do become sick. Doctor, hospital and prescription medication costs can total thousands upon thousands of dollars. This will leave a huge hole in your pocket if you do not have insurance.

As you should know, it can be hard to save money. Amassing any degree of savings can be difficult because so many things seem to require money to be spent. With the saving and spending tips above, you may find your savings account balance growing higher than you ever thought possible.

19Apr/12Off

Being Smart With Your Credit Card Usage

Credit Cards

Ever since they were introduced, credit cards are the cause of problems for many people. If you are uninformed, credit cards can be very complicated. Featured below is a collection of tips that will increase your knowledge of credit cards.

Avoid exaggerated income statements when applying for a card, just to get a higher limit. There are companies that will not do an income verification, which often leads to higher limits that are difficult to control.

Don't have any new credit cards sent to you if you have a mailbox that is not locked at all times. Many people have admitted they have stolen credit cards out of unlocked mailboxes.

Every time you receive your monthly statement, make sure to thoroughly check it for inconsistencies. Try to complete this on a regular basis. If you put it off, you are more likely to forget to check or forget the transactions in question. If you wait, you may also forfeit your chance to resolve any problems that arise.

The moment you receive a letter or email regarding your credit card, be sure to read it right then. Credit card lenders can, and often will, make changes to their terms but they must inform consumers of these changes in writing. Remember, if you don't like any of the changes, you can legally demand that your credit card account is closed.

To give an appearance of zero debt, many choose not to have credit cards. It's important to have, at the very least, one card, so you are able to build your credit. Use this and pay it off every month. When your credit is non-existent, your score will be lower and lenders are less likely to advance credit to an unknown risk.

As mentioned earlier, credit cards may be frustrating and complex for many people to handle. However, with the right knowledge and some helpful tips, it can be easier to manage credit cards than you ever realized. Use the advice in the article to help you deal with credit cards more effectively.

28Mar/12Off

How to File PPI Claims Correctly to Ensure Success

If you have purchased a PPI when you are beyond the age as stipulated in the contract of a PPI policy, then you are a victim of PPI mis selling because you should not be sold of a PPI if you are disqualified to purchase a PPI. However, this can be prevented if you were aware at first about the use of a PPI. When you purchase a PPI policy, understand the contract or agreement attached to it. If you were not made aware of the contents of the contract then you are most likely a victim of PPI mis selling and there for can be entitled to file for PPI claims and deserves to get PPI refunds.

A Payment protection Insurance or PPI is normally sold to people who are taking out a loan. However, a client can refuse to buy a PPI policy and may even purchase it separately. Many people who have availed of a PPI just end up paying for it but were not able to make use of it. Some have even availed of a PPI where they were already finish paying their loan but are still paying for the policy. This way, they have acquired a mis sold PPI and therefore they are entitled to apply for PPI refunds.

A PPI can be sold alongside a bank loan, mortgages and even in credit card purchases. Acquiring a PPI can be beneficial because of its purpose wherein it protects a loan whenever the policy holder is unable to make regular payments. If the policy holder will suddenly be ill, his debt repayments will be covered by the PPI policy that he has purchased. However, if he does not know that he was sold of  a PPI and only then that he realized that he have acquired of a PPI when he saw it in his charges or statement of account, then he can qualify to file for a PPI reclaim.

Here are other reasons that you could be mis sold of a PPI. If you have not been informed that you do not qualify of the PPI because of your age, there is a certain age range to qualify in the acquisition of a PPI. If you are unemployed yet you were sold of the PPI and if you have pre-existing illness yet you were sold the PPI, then you can file for PPI compensation.

If you are planning to start the PPI claim, start by gathering all receipts of the payments you have made wherein the additional amount of the PPI was indicated, then review the copy of the PPI contract, it might contain information that you can use as legal grounds for the claim. It is advisable that you hire a compensation solicitor. Most claim cases are won because of this lawyer’s help. He will have to mediate to the bank that provided you the PPI.