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Show your ‘Loved One’ what they mean to you on Valentine’s Day

Posted by admin – February 13, 2012


February 14th is rapidly approaching, the time at which chocolates, flowers and various gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But one might wonder who exactly this mysterious saint is…

The history of Valentine’s Day, and the story of Saint Valentine is somewhat shrouded in mystery. It’s long been known that February has been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine’s Day, as we know him today, contains both Christian and ancient Roman traditions.

But the real question is what will you buy your loved one on this once-a-year occasion?

If you’re short of cash between now and Valentines Day, leading short-term loan provider Lending Stream might be able to help.

 

Lending Stream’s 365 24/7 payment system, can get funds in your hands…

The True Cost of Payday Loans

Posted by admin – January 9, 2012


It’s often asked why payday loans are so expensive; with huge annual interest rates sometimes quoted, implying that rich companies are profiting at their customers’ expense.

When investigating why short term loans cost what they do, it’s worth pointing out that it’s very misleading to talk of APR in relation to these kind of loans, as the loans are made over a much shorter period of time.The annualised interest rate is easily in the triple-digit range, but these astronomical figures really bear little relation to the actual cost of the loan products.

Using the same reasoning, you could quote the price of a taxi at £15,000 per 1,000 miles, or £50,000 for a ton of oysters,…

More Spending tips for planning and going on holiday

Posted by admin – December 19, 2011


This is the second blog post to help you consider careful budgeting if you’re planning on a winter getaway or considering seeking out a late summer last minute bargain.

1. Pre-budgeting for your holiday
When you’re planning your holiday destination, it’s worth sitting down and working out how your finances are this year compared to last year. If cash is tight, is it wise to splash out fourteen days in an exotic location, or would staying in the UK be a more sensible option? It’s also worth thinking back to how much you spent on your last holiday – that should help you to plan this year’s holiday budget.

 

2. Know your wonga
Before you go, set yourself a realistic holiday budget – think honestly how much cash you’re likely to need…

Will Christmas be a gift in 2011?

Posted by admin – December 16, 2011


Here at Lending Stream we’ve been doing some research into the practice of gift giving as we draw ever closer to the big day.

As far as gifting habits are concerned, according to a new survey by American Express shows that one-in-four people are planning a ‘Secret Santa‘ system – selecting just one member of their family or group of friends that they will be responsible for buying a gift for, which may be partly down to restricted budgets in the face of the economic downturn.

The same study found that 68% of those surveyed plan to agree on a financial limit on what they will spend on each other, while 38% of the population will be requesting specific gifts from loved ones to make sure they get what they want.

The survey also found that almost half…

Evidence shows Britons are planning for a very thrifty Christmas

Posted by admin – December 12, 2011


It’s no great surprise that Christmas is one of the most expensive times of the year, as we’re bombarded with advertising everywhere we look, we feel obliged to splash out on gifts for friends, family and sometimes co-workers, as well as facing the expenses that come with celebrating the season to be merry, with a short term loan being one possible solution to this seasonal cash shortfall.

 

But we predict that spending this year is likely to be down as the economic downturn is showing little signs of recovery until well into the New Year.

 

And this view seems to be supported by the majority of recent surveys that have been carried out with UK consumers. Retail research group Decipher forecast retail spending will fall 0.6 per cent year-on-year in December, or by about…

Some tips to help with budgeting your personal finances

Posted by admin – November 18, 2011


With stacks of numbers to remember; budgeting and saving can be a nightmare. It’s worth proper planning, because the state of your finances is tied into all your goals, hopes and dreams. If you are devoted to properly managing your finances and saving for the future, the following tools, though a bit geeky would probably make life easier for you.

Budget Planner

Most of us today are often guilty of over spending and getting into debt; and despite being aware of the consequences, our overspending habits remain. The debt advice foundation is one idea to consider, as it offers debt analysing, budget planning and also provides you with a practical guide to fund management.

 

If you require debt advice or would like to talk confidentially to someone about debt, there’s no need to wait or book…

Turn your kid into an Expert Money Manager

Posted by admin – November 18, 2011


“Sorry, I’m on a budget.” Does this statement often crop up, especially towards the end of the month? You are not alone. Many of us live ‘on-the-edge’ from time to time as the next payday draws close, and inevitably, our shopping habits need to reined in.

 

Parents, Kids & Money:

As the month comes to an end, parents often feel the need to keep their kids away from toy shops. “You already have too many toys,” “Do you know that most kids in Africa don’t have any toys?” “Wait for Santa“, and other excuses may come up. If you are one of those parents, it might be worth considering teaching your kids some essential money management skills.

Why train your kids now?

Research shows that early money management training has…

Pocket money survey reveals gender pay gap starts at an early age

Posted by admin – November 18, 2011


Despite the fact that many adults are still suffering from the after-effects of the financial downturn, it seems UK kids are better off than ever, according to research uncovered by the Halifax in their recent 2011 pocket money survey. Halifax polled 1,202 kids aged between eight and 15 from across the UK.

The research revealed that 2011 has shown the first increase in seven years, with the amount of money kids receive rising by 36 per cent, with the average weekly pocket money being a respectable £6.25. But the survey also revealed, perhaps unsurprisingly, that children in the south are paid more than those in the north, and that boys get an average 32p more a week than girls.

 

It makes you wonder what explains the differential between the amounts that boys and girls receive – at…