Having a child and starting a family is one of the most exciting and scary experiences that people can have, so being prepared is vital. Of course, there’s no way to be truly prepared for having and raising a baby, but you can prepared for practica ...
Having a child and starting a family is one of the most exciting and scary experiences that people can have, so being prepared is vital. Of course, there’s no way to be truly prepared for having and raising a baby, but you can prepared for practica ...
Research from Trades Union Congress (TUC) has revealed that around 40%* of women over 50 are keen to cut down their working hours to enable them to care for children, grandchildren and parents. The TUC argued that the need for quality flexible, part-time ...
The UK may have narrowly avoided a triple dip recession, but Brits up and down the country are still feeling the financial pinch. There is still a widespread distrust of banks and financial institutions as a result of the credit crunch; but one ban ...
We’ve all heard of the mid-life crisis, when reflecting on your career or life achievements results in the purchase of a new car, a home overseas or a new direction with regards to your career. But it seems your 60s is the new age where this mid-li ...
For those Brits looking to up their happiness quota in 2013 and beyond it seems that heading on a direct course for Harrogate is our best bet, with the popular spa town recently taking top spot in a ranking of the top 10 Happiest Places to live in the UK* ...
Putting a life insurance policy in place is essential to ensuring the financial needs of your dependents are met should the worst happen. However, with a number of life insurance policies on the market, it can be difficult for consumers to identify which ...
Are you fabulous at fifty? According to a recent study, people are at their happiest when they hit the landmark birthday, with an improvement in overall sense of wellbeing offering a new lease of life as we hit the half a century mark. The research found ...
For many of those approaching retirement, their twilight years present the perfect opportunity to sample a different pace of life amid sunnier climes, with an added bonus that their pension pots could be stretched further in countries where the pound offe ...
The cost of basic essentials has risen to account for more than half of consumers’ monthly expenditure, new research has revealed. The soaring cost of living over the last ten years has seen households spending more than ever on basic goods and se ...
It used to be seen as a routine element of everyday life, but it seems the modern way of life has got the better of the family meal. Sitting down together at mealtimes as a family is set to become a thing of the past, with lack of time pushing the ...
Reaching the grand age of 50 is a landmark birthday – and not just in terms of age. Research has found that a huge 92% of women over 50 are happier than they’ve ever been as stress, worry and anger give way to pleasure and contentment.* They say that life ...
It is important to have a few good ideas up your sleeve during half term to make sure that you can keep the kids occupied. It may become a bit of a battle to tear them away from their video games, but we have looked at a few different activities t ...
As we get older and take on more responsibilities, many of us think about taking out a life insurance policy to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Things like financial commitments, such as a mortgage, and raising a family mean it is important ...
New research suggests that Brits are failing to make the most of the savings benefits that are offered by cash ISAs, with 34% of those questioned failing to take full advantage of their yearly allowance. 15.1% of those questioned stated that they ...
A new survey suggests that the most popular New Year’s resolution in 2013 involves getting fit and healthy. 69% of people surveyed in the research stated that this was their principle objective for 2013.* In an all-too-clear sign of the times, spe ...
It goes without saying that it’s not been a great year for the UK in financial terms. Rising interest rates, savings rates at an all-time low and a series of price hikes have left families across the nation strapped for cash and struggling to m ...
Millions of over-50s are planning to get into the Christmas spirit by visiting a festive market this year, according to research. With their friendly atmosphere, tasty drinks/treats and great gift ideas, Christmas markets have become more popula ...
The festive season is upon us, and while this is largely a time of merriment and joviality, it can also leave an enormous Christmas-shaped hole in many bank accounts. Rather than being touched by a hint of the Scrooge this month, the festive spirit has cl ...
What do you think of when someone says the word Christmas? Family and friends sat around a warm fire? The tearing of wrapping paper? The winter holiday is seen as a time of happiness and relaxation – a time to forget your worries and everyday st ...
Planning for the arrival of your newborn can take months of detailed preparation, including the process of ensuring your nursery has everything it needs. Many families will need to give their neglected spare rooms a complete overhaul to kit them out with ...
New figures suggest that a growing number of elderly people are turning to alternative care resources other than council-funding care. According to the Labour party, the total number of people using state-funded elderly care has fallen by 11% in the last ...
For many people, settling down and starting a family with someone they love is a goal they strive to achieve. Many of us tend to see it as the end goal. But as any parent will tell you, settling down with someone and starting a family is just the beginni ...
The struggling UK economy might be forcing many of us to tighten our belts, but it seems some Brits are taking it a step further. Research has revealed that three out of ten UK adults are uninsured against situations such as death, critical illness or re ...
Getting older doesn’t necessarily have to mean feeling older and there is a wide range of activities that could help you to stay fit and healthy later in life. A number of over 50s have demanding and busy lifestyles with financial responsibilities for c ...
Chancellor George Osborne has today offered two million Brits tax relief, as the government plans on increasing the income tax threshold to over £9,000. This means that two million more Brits will not have to pay any tax as of April 2013. This is the lar ...
Millions of Brits go on cruises every year to soak up the sun, the sights and spend some hard earned cash. Once the exclusive preserve of aristocrats and high rollers, cruises can now be enjoyed by people from all walks of life and can be tailored to suit ...
Hitting a certain birthday or even making that grunting noise when you get out of your chair are both signs that you might have reached an age you never thought could be possible. However, don’t despair at the grey hairs or wince at the wrinkles, there ar ...
It could have been a while since you had a baby or younger children in your home and there are a number of items, which could pose a hazard for youngsters. Here are a few simple ways to baby-proof your home if you have children or take care of grandchildr ...
According to the latest figures from the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the majority of people in their late 50s and early 60s worked harder, for longer, in 2011 than they did in 2001. At a time when mass unemployment is edging close to the 3 million mark, ...
Becoming a parent for the first time is one of the most exciting experiences in a person’s life, and also one of the most daunting. UK ‘parents-to-be’ spend a collective £425 million every year in preparation for their first baby, but the majority fail t ...
Proposing to your partner should involve careful planning, immaculate timing and a large dose of consideration. Everyone is different though and many like to take up the challenge in a unique way, from massive displays of public embarrassment to small i ...
Taking out a mortgage is one of life’s big moments. For many people, it symbolises finally growing up and taking on responsibilities. A mortgage is a big responsibility, no matter what your age, and is a big decision to make. So it is not something to be ...
Life is allegedly supposed to get easier as you get older, but for many it’s a new world of financial aches and pains. As pension pots take a huge hit against rising inflation, half of Brits are now considering retiring in a cheaper country to enjoy bett ...
Going through a divorce can be a painful experience which may drain you emotionally and physically, but it can also have a huge strain on your finances. Here are a few ways your finances will take a hit from divorce: Legal fees The average cost of a ...
UK adults face the most expensive period of their lives once they hit the 50 mark, according to new research. According to a new study, 50 year olds are set to be stuck with high mortgage payments, the burden of supporting teenage children and increasi ...
Celebrities are people too and sometimes they pass away just like us normal folk. Those who spend a lifetime in the spotlight are remembered for their greatest achievements. For example, Frank Sinatra is remembered for his incredible voice in the same w ...
The already steep cost of marriages and funerals is set to rise further with the Church of England’s decision to raise the costs of these services significantly. Church members have voted to raise the average cost of a wedding from £296 to £415, and for ...
UK unemployment figures have jumped significantly in the three months up to November last year, by a staggering 118,000. This pushes up the total jobless figure to a massive 2.685 million, the highest level since August 1994. Figures from the Office f ...
An increasing number of elderly Brits have little or no care support at home, AGE UK has revealed. Spending cuts across a range of services mean that elderly people in the UK face a ‘crisis’ in social care. Research from the Kings Fund revealed the nu ...
Becoming a parent is one of the biggest milestones which you can reach in a lifetime. A large amount of what we learn as parents is gleaned as we get older, but this doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways in which we can prepare beforehand. 1. Encourage rea ...
According to the Council for Mortgage Lenders (CML), the number of mortgages purchased at the end of last year increased as customers took advantage of favourable rates. November was highlighted as a key month for mortgage lending as the number of homeo ...
With the New Year underway, now is the perfect time to put new practices into place, helping you to embrace a healthy start to 2012. With the Olympic Games set to hit our shores in a few months, some of us may feel that there will be enough physical exe ...
It’s that time of year again when new beginnings are on the horizon, a chance to start afresh and make changes. Whilst the surge of New Year momentum typically only lasts for a few weeks, you can take advantage of it now with these simple steps. Weight ...
With an estimated 150,000 divorces in the UK each year, understanding your rights in these situations is vitally important. Whilst some divorces may start out amicably, tensions might become strained when finances become involved. Understanding your enti ...
The Bank of England has been holding down interest rates at an all time historic low for almost 3 years. In an attempt to stabilise the crumbling UK economy, the Bank of England has maintained interest rates at 0.5% for 33 consecutive months. The situ ...
Having children is an expensive undertaking, and at no time is this felt more than at Christmas. The festive season is a toy company’s dream. In many cases, all they have to do is advertise something and children will immediately ask Santa for it. But wi ...
The holiday season is known for being expensive, leading most households to look for ways to make extra cash. With everyone from The Guardian to The Mirror suggesting ways to achieve this, here are five ways you can make extra cash this Christmas; Sell u ...
Technology has been advancing at a rapid rate over the past two decades. TVs have got bigger, computers have got smaller, and mobile phones have got thinner. We have also seen what is widely considered the most important advance of all – the internet. Th ...
Saving for your child’s future can be difficult, especially during these bleak economic times. There are some attractive and effective options available to safeguard your child’s future though. Here is a quick way you could save money for your teenager’s ...
Whilst the cost of living is spiralling out of control, you can take comfort in the fact that some things in life are now cheaper than they were 20 years ago. Holidays International travel is as normal as brushing your teeth nowadays, with more and mor ...
It is that time of year once again: a time for buying gifts, writing cards, filling your house with shiny decorations and enjoying time with friends. It is also a time of year for families to come together. This is a different experience for everyone, an ...
It is one of the many joys of having a baby – getting to choose the name. Some people opt for tradition and choose the name of someone in their family; others go with what’s ‘on trend’ and choose a name of the moment. It is certainly a tough decision, as ...
It may seem like celebrities have it all at times, with numerous fast cars and eccentric showbiz parties representing a lifestyle of luxury. However, it all comes at a price. Whilst you may be feeling glum about the state of your personal finances, you a ...
If you celebrate Christmas, there are a number of activities that kids will be eager to take part in over the festive period. To make sure your little ones have the best possible holiday, here are five things which just HAVE to be done during the festiv ...
Children up and down the country will undoubtedly be reminding their parents of the gifts they want to receive this Christmas on a daily basis. However, if you are not lucky enough to have children with specific tastes, do not panic. The Toy Retailers A ...
Whether you give them a monthly allowance or some weekly pocket money, children can learn a lot from having a small amount of their own money. They can learn how to save up for something they really want, how to budget, and how to generally become more f ...
Christmas, in case you have not already noticed, is just around the corner. That means it is time to get ready for lights, sparkling tinsel and miles of paper chains. But even though they are often referred to as ‘the Christmas holidays’, the vast majori ...
Aside from when you may be suffering with a genuine medical ailment, there are times when many of us will have had to call in to work with a range of inventive (and not always entirely plausible) reasons for not being able to show up. Below is a select ...
While the festive season may have us all merrily singing along to Christmas tunes, it also carries a number of hidden risks. Unfortunately, the winter season is a common time for accidents and health risks – so what are the five most common of these and h ...
The older you get, the more expensive things seem to become. Below are 5 drains on personal finances for over 50 year olds. Children Children are a huge drain on households and individuals over the age of 50. Having children in the house later in life c ...
If you were born within approximately 20 years of the immediate post-war period (between 1945 and 1965) then you can call yourself a Baby Boomer. This period saw a boom in the number of births in Britain, as couples quickly began to settle down after the ...
As both mobile phone technology and fitness levels become more popular, health apps are likely to become an area of prime growth for these industries. So what health apps are already available? And what are the best ones? Health apps are designed to help ...
Anyone can become their own personal financial adviser these days, providing they have the right tools to do so. With cash being tight for many right now in the UK, it could be the perfect time to review your finances and make the most out of your money. ...
Thanks to the latest medical and scientific advances, the overall life expectancy around the world has increased to unexpected levels recently. Below is a brief look at the three oldest living people on Earth right now. Besse Berry Cooper Born on the 2 ...
The cost of living is spiralling out of control as thousands of UK households struggle to cope with the squeeze on personal finances. Whilst inflation rates recently decreased by 0.2%, the Consumer Price index (CPI) still remained at a staggering 5% d ...
New research suggests that the average pensioner is short by over £6,000 in order to live comfortably in retirement. A number of financially unstable pensioners are £6,200 short of the figure required to live comfortably in later life, according to a sur ...
Whilst children can bring joy to your lives, they might not bring that same level of happiness to your wallet. The cost of raising a family is now more expensive than ever within the current economic climate, and many parents are unaware of how much it ac ...
While most people do not embrace the idea of their own mortality, deciding what we want loved ones to do with our remains following our death is something we will all have to consider one day. A number of people find the idea of having their remains bur ...
Dealing with grief and the daunting prospect of funding a funeral can be both difficult and stressful. You will always wish to give your loved one the send off they deserve without cutting corners. However, a recent investigation by The Times highlighted ...
Income protection is typically designed to safeguard your finances in case of unemployment, sickness or in the event of an accident which prevents you from working. It ensures that any outstanding payments on loans or credit cards are taken care of if y ...
“Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.” Famous words from John Lennon, who packed a lot into his 40 years of life; proof if ever were needed that it’s what you do, not how long you live, that matters most. Below we take a look at 10 ...
Have you ever heard (or even used) the phrase ’50 is the new 40’? There are numerous celebrities out there having the time of their life at 50. Here are just a few notable figures who have reached the half century that you wouldn’t necessarily have know ...
Accepting our mortality is something which nobody is particularly fond of, with a large number of people not even wanting to broach the subject with their loved ones. The thought of leaving friends and family can be upsetting, but is there a way to live f ...
Private schools, in some ways, characterise certain aspects of the UK’s history. These schools are typically established institutions which educate a large volume of pupils each year. It is also worth noting that the fees incurred when sending your child ...
Getting married is an exciting, but expensive, business. Getting a grip on money matters is therefore vital – but what should you know about your finances before making your proposal? 1. What money do you have? Financial assets such as properties and sa ...
