Families can find themselves uprooted for a short time, rent a cheap flat for them to live in temporarily, and hire the furniture they need rather than pay the exorbitant costs of moving their own furniture with them, only to have to take it back a few months later. There are companies that you find online which will rent you everything you need from a TV stand to a leather lounge suite, and everything in between.

Landlords are also turning to furniture rental companies, and the costs of the rental are far outweighed by the income they can generate by renting out their properties as furnished. Considering even kitchen appliances and cushions and throws can be hired, it makes sense for the landlord to hire rather than buy, and any damage incurred will be covered by the bond they ask for before their tenants move in.

Stores who don’t deal in furniture will also turn to hire companies if they want to set up a room setting to display their wares. A lounge setting will showcase wallpaper, curtains and electronic such as televisions so prospective buyers can get a better idea of how they will look in their homes. Likewise, a shop selling crockery and home wares may set up a dining room to show how good their products look in a home environment.

Hotels and offices are also areas where rental furniture is often found. Full makeovers are popular reasons for renting furniture in both these cases, as the owners/managers etc may have a vision in mind but aren’t sure whether it will work or not, so it makes perfect sense to hire the items first as a sort of a test run to see if they have the desired effect that they hoped they would.

The quality of rented furniture has massively improved over the years, and you can forget the cheap, flatpack low quality furniture that was hired out in the past and then promptly fell to bits. There is furniture to hire these days that encompass all tastes, styles and, importantly, budgets. With most companies hiring furniture out for any duration between a week and three years, there has never been a better time to head online and find the one that suits you best.

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But these consumers are only half right. It is true that electricity is essential to a fully functioning and comfortable home; in our modern society, no one can live without it. However, there are alternatives to paying power companies that continue to burn fossil fuels that exist in limited supply. Not only can you solve this problem by taking your energy needs into your own hands, but you can even help save the environment whilst you do so.

The solution to growing electricity demands lies in renewable energy. Technology and green developments have become so advanced that it is completely possible for homeowners to purchase and install–or even build–their own renewable energy systems.

Solar energy is a more than viable alternative to getting all of your power from a traditional energy company. Homeowners who install solar panels on their roofs, although they front the initial costs for materials and installation, usually find that they save enough money on their energy bills to cover the cost of installation within the first decade after installation. And after they break even, these homeowners are at an advantage; solar panels can last for decades, which means that their energy will be completely free for just as long.

If you’re not into solar, you could also consider the emerging alternative of wind power. Small turbines can be installed on the roof of a house or in the garden and connected to your home’s electricity system so that energy is produced whenever they are hit by strong winds. This kind of system, although less developed than home solar systems, is quickly catching on amongst UK homeowners.

However, with the economy still in a recovery, you may know before even reviewing your finances that you cannot afford to front the cost of a renewable energy system for your home at the moment. Consumers in a tight spot can still do their part for the environment by using green electricity, even if they don’t have solar panels or wind turbines.  This is because there are many renewable energy companies that provide electricity in the same way that traditional electricity providers do. The difference is that they get their power from renewable sources like industrial-sized wind turbines. So if you value green initiatives and clean energy, a simple phone call to switch energy providers can put you on the path to a renewable energy plan.

When it comes to sustainable energy, the important thing to remember is that not every dollar is equal. The money you spend in setting up a more sustainable energy plan and a healthier environment will ultimately be more powerful than any other investment you can in the future.

Article by Good Energy

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1.      Turn your lights off – This one really isn’t too hard to remember. When you leave a room, flick the switch! Turning lights off can be a plus in summer as it keeps the room cooler!

2.      Do NOT leave appliances and electrical on standby when they are not in use, this constantly requires electricity! It can also damage appliances such as a laptop, the battery should not be charged at all times, let it run out occasionally – the same goes for mobile phones.

3.      Consider switching your energy supply to a renewable energy source. Green Electricity is on the rise nowadays with electricity being sourced from renewable generators – basically getting natural power from the wind, water & sun. Good Energy supplies green electricity to homes and businesses across the UK using only renewable sources which means no fossil fuels, nuclear or carbon!

4.      Use energy saving light bulbs – Simple!

5.      Turn your thermostat down – Even reducing it by 1°C could reduce your heating bills dramatically.

6.      Fill up your dishwasher before turning it on, don’t use it half empty – it’s a waste!

7.      Turn off taps properly; make sure the tap isn’t dripping as this can waste thousands of litres of water per year!

8.      Get on draught patrol! It’s important not to let too much heat out of your home and let too much cold air get in, this can often be the route to a damp home! Make your home draught proof – start by closing your curtains in the evenings to prevent heat escaping.

9.      Refrain from using a tumble dryer too often in the home, especially in the summer months where you can hang clothes outside. The tumble dryer is the second biggest energy user in the home!

10.  Use rechargeable batteries! These save energy and prevent us from polluting the environment with our throw away batteries. Rechargeable batteries are cost effective in the long term and recharging costs are minimal.

Article courtesy of Goodenergy.co.uk

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Shop on the Internet

There are a host of bargains waiting to be discovered online. From clothes to electric toothbrushes, you will make substantial savings shopping online compared to the prices you’ll pay for when stepping foot in to a High Street store. This month I saved myself £20 when I bought my small son a collection of his favourite Thundercat films. Although they were second hand, they were in excellent condition and it meant I had money left over to put towards the food bill.

Say no to electricity!

Make your home look like a Victorian Christmas this year by turning off all your electric lights and replacing them with candles. This is not only great for the environment but if we were to do this just once a week, we would really reduce our utility bills and save ourselves some serious cash.

Create your own soft furnishings

Save extra money this year by making your own festive furnishings. I got out my needle and thread and created some festive foam cushions. I shopped online and bought some foam cut to size and then created beautiful winter wonderland designed cushions by sewing cloth around it.

Swap your turkey for rabbit!

Not only is rabbit really healthy and packed with nutrients, it’s also very cheap. This Christmas we are deciding to swap a turkey for two medium sized rabbits. At a fraction of the cost of a turkey and packed with nutritional goodness, rabbits are a great delicacy that many families are turning towards this year as a substitute for traditional turkey. Give it a go!

Farm your own vegetables

This year I am using my garden to harvest all the vegetables for my Christmas feast. I have grown potatoes, leeks, carrots and onions. Not only is this very satisfying but it has saved me a lot of money that I would have of spent in a supermarket on expensive vegetables. I may not be Alan Titchmarsh, but I am proud at being able to grow my own produce at the end of my garden nonetheless.

Article by Hillary who works for CutFoam

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Everyone’s heard the famous saying regarding this practice, which was popularised by the Dogs Trust, but it still seems to continue and this is why it is important that potential pet owners consider all of their options before getting a pet so that they can ensure that they have the means to look after them once they have taken the plunge.

This is not just restricted to choosing the right animals and breed, it is also about the way in which a pet owner is going to cover the costs and this is where pet insurance comes into play. By comparing pet insurance policies from various different companies pet owners can then provide their pet with the cover they need. Then, if the pet is suddenly taken ill or they find themselves at the brunt of an accident, the owner is not going to be faced with a life-changing veterinary bill.

Choosing to compare pet insurance policies is an important part of owning a pet and in doing so owners can find something at the right price and covers the right areas.

That way, when Christmas is over, the pet owners will be prepared to look after their cat or dog for the rest of their new companion’s life.

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Buying online is an environment that is particularly busy with scams and the most reported fraud is that companies are selling goods that have either been significantly misrepresented or that do not actually exist.

Another common scam is that a website will offer to sell you a product at a great price. Once you have gone ahead and made the order you will receive a phone call from a representative of the company and they will try to sell you additional items for it at a high cost. If you refuse these items you will get an e-mail saying that the item can no longer be supplied as it is out of stock. In other cases the company might just take your money and run.

If you want to protect yourself from online scams such as this then it is a good idea to pay with a credit card as it offers much greater protection than other forms of payment. You can make a charge back against the company and recover your money. This is not that is something is possible if you have paid with cash or a debit card.

It is also commonly seen that some dodgy retailers may attempt to charge card twice. If you fear this is something that might happen to you then using a pre-paid credit card can be a good option. With this type of card you only have to put the amount of money that you need to make the purchase onto the card. If the scammer tries to charge again they will find no money left.

Cheque fraud is something that is still common even though many scams have now moved on to the digital medium. A common scam still in existence is for someone to provide an opportunity for you to work from home, they will pay you in a fake cheque and once you have deposited it, but before it has cleared, they will ask you to transfer funds to pay arrangement fees. In order to avoid this you can make sure that all chequess have cleared before you make any payments.

A very popular scam is for people to get an e-mail instructing people to reveal their passwords. No reputable company will send you an e-mail asking for your password in full so never reveal it by e-mail, even if you think that the e-mail is legitimate. If the scammer does manage to get your passwords he will attempt to steal your identity and from here will be able to open up bank accounts in your name.

To add additional protection from this type of scan make sure that your antiphishing and antivirus software is up-to-date.

Another type of scam is operated over the phone and will be someone calling who claims to be a member of your family. Often the line will be bad so it can be difficult to tell and they will say that they have had an accident or there is an emergency that requires them to be sent money immediately.

Do not send money without confirming that the emergency is real by calling other members of your family. Always exercise scepticism when sending money anywhere.

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One of the biggest growths was seen in fashion sales. It is expected that the unusually warm weather that was seen in October spurred on people to buy summery clothes at the end of the season. Sales of accessories to go with clothing also saw significant growth in September and October.

The E Retail Sales Index is compiled by IMRG Capgemini and the chief information officer of this group is Tina Spooner who commented, “These figures were certainly above the growth figures which we expected to see in the market. They also suggest that the amount people are spending on low value items is increasing. In these hard economic times it seems that people are buying new accessories for their outfits rather than replacing their wardrobe.”

It was not good news for all sectors and online sales for travel did not grow to nearly the same extent as other areas. However, the people who were spending in the travel sector were spending more on average than in previous years. The average amount spent by a single consumer in October was over £900.

IMRG have recently announced their expectations of sales over the Christmas period, they stated that they expect around £8 billion to be spent over the Christmas period and over half of this will be spent in the first two weeks of December. This figure is for online sales only and is a small increase on last year. Many companies with a strong internet presence are looking forward to good Christmas sales and hope they will make up for a lack of performance on the high street.

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Most popular reason for replacing windows & doors is saving energy

The Double Glazing and Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme, or DGCOS recently commissioned a survey by Opinion Research , and this revealed that over 61% of homeowners now see  reducing energy bills as the most important reason for replacing their doors and windows

This indicates a radical change in the priorities of consumers. When similar surveys have been held over  the past 3 decades, the usual reasons given for installing double glazing were to improve the look or comfort of their homes, or as an improvement to their security.

Now  energy-saving is way ahead of the field, with the second most popular reason now trailing 18% behind. This is the 43% who say that making a more comfortable home is their top reason. In third place is making the home look better with 42%. The headlines all summer have been about soaring energy prices and this may well have prompted homeowners for making energy saving now their main reason for getting double glazing.

Tony Pickup (DGCOS Founder) says “Energy-saving used to be an accidental by-product of installing new windows and doors; it wasn’t even on the radar but suddenly it’s front of mind because of rocketing energy bills this summer: gas prices rose 22% and electricity prices rose 12%. People living in outlying areas are particularly hard-hit and almost being held to ransom by a price hike of 28% in heating oils since last September, so homeowners have grasped an important message that more energy-efficient windows and doors will help them cut fuel bills.”

In response to continuing consumer misery highlighted in TV programmes such as Rogue Traders and Cowboy Builders, Tony Pickup founded The Double Glazing and Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS) to help the industry clean up its image. DGCOS provides the most comprehensive consumer protection cover in the home improvement industry and has over 200 members nationwide who install double glazing products, conservatories, doors, porches, fascias, soffits, roofline products and orangeries.

The organisation’s ambassador is TV presenter and consumer champion Ross who fronted BBC Watchdog and Crimewatch for many years.

Tony observes “Even when energy price rises headlines fade, the need to reduce fuel bills long term remains strong because of the recession and squeezed incomes because even more energy price rises are expected.”

But before signing contracts with an installer, Tony recommends homeowners do their research into the strength of consumer protection being offered. He says ‘There are numerous trade bodies and organisations offering very different levels of consumer protection. You have to read the small print or, for genuine peace of mind, use DGCOS members who automatically offer full deposit protection and Insurance Backed Guarantees.”

Under DGCOS, in the unlikely event that an installer goes into liquidation or ceases trading, consumers are still protected unlike other schemes which may leave consumers stranded. DGCOS also provides a completely free dispute resolution service, whereas other schemes may charge for these services. Most importantly, the DGCOS Ombudsman has the authority to adjudicate and make legally binding awards backed up by a Compensation Fund so consumers are comprehensively protected.

Tony’s parting shot is ‘If you invest in new energy-efficient double glazing, you not only insulate your home but you future-proof your wallet against energy price increases as well! And if you use a DGCOS member, you are guaranteed a job completed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction!”

The online Omnibus survey of 2,014 nationally representative UK adults over 18 was carried out between 27th and 30th September 2011. Of these, 1,224 or 61% were homeowners.

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It is reasonable to say that almost everybody in the UK has been affected in some way by the current financial situation. Many analysts have blamed the economic downturn on the carefree attitude to credit that UK consumers, businesses and governments have had over recent years. Credit, it seems, has become a byword for chronic overspending.

That is, however, a somewhat uneven assessment of how credit is used. The most easily accessible manifestation of credit consumers have is the humble credit card and yet, it too has been demonised, with the current prime minister recently urging us to repay our card balances as part of his drive to make Britain more economically stable. While there are pitfalls to using credit cards, there are also a great many benefits and in this article, we seek to provide a balanced view of this much-maligned form of purchasing power.

The benefits of credit cards

They can be a totally free form of credit

If you pay off your monthly credit card bill in full then you do not pay interest on any balance you accrue, meaning you have completely free credit facilities at your disposal.

You can save money on high interest repayments by switching balances

Even if you do not pay off the balance in full, you can save money on high APRs by switching your balance to one of the advertised interest free credit cards. These cards (such as the Tesco Clubcard Credit Card) offer zero per cent APR on balance transfers for a set period of time, meaning what you pay into the account during this period comes off your balance and is not eaten up by interest repayments on the debt.

All purchases are automatically insured when bought by credit card

There is a reason many people opt to buy expensive items such as holidays via credit card, even if they have the money to pay for the trip in their account. This is because credit card providers automatically insure every purchase made with the card, a bonus that debit card providers do not offer.

They offer outstanding flexibility for payments globally

Nowadays, it is a rarity when an outlet or trader does not accept a credit card as a method of payment. Credit cards are used widely across the world and are a simple, secure and easy form of paying for items wherever you are in the world.

In some cases, credit cards can even make you money

If you opt for a credit card that offers its own cash-back scheme, and you pay off your bill in full each month then your credit card purchases can turn you a small profit. These schemes offer you cash-back for every purchase you make.

The pitfalls of credit cards

Overspending

Sadly, the major pitfall of credit card holders is overspending and assuming the credit card limit is what they should spend. Credit cards only become expensive because people overspend continually and start to pay less and less off their balance each month and more in interest repayments. By keeping a tight rein on your spending, you can avoid this trap.

Having too many cards

Another problem people have is owning too many credit cards with debit balances on them. In truth, the major pitfalls of credit cards are not actually down to the product itself; instead they are down to human frailties when dealing with credit cards and personal finances. On the other hand, if you use your credit card carefully, methodically and most importantly affordably, then you have a very good chance of enjoying the many benefits credit cards have to offer.

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Financial protection while you travel is of major importance, and a guide to such has been published in the website of Voyager Travel Direct. This online travel company are seeking to answer many of the questions that consumers ask regarding the protection of finances within the travel industry.

By publishing this guide for consumers, Voyager Travel are hoping to clear up both general confusion and misconceptions as to how best to safeguard their finances when travelling As travel costs have dropped repeatedly in recent times, more and more consumers are searching for  cheap holidays. This guide explains how to avoid that great cheap holiday turning into a financial nightmare due to hidden costs and complications.

The guide to financial protection in the travel agency from Voyager Travel  starts by explaining exactly what the Association of British Travel Agents, ABTA, are and the role they play in approving travel agencies to carry their symbol through their stringent code of conduct.

The travel guide from Voyager explains that those travel agents that have been accredited with the valuable ABTA seal of approval are considered to be reputable and above all trustworthy companies. Also explained in full are the workings of ATOL, the Air Travel Organisers Licensing, which is managed by the CAA, the Civil Aviation Authority, and how it ensures financial protection and repatriation for its members.
The consumers’ guide also discusses the recent trend of booking flights and accommodation separately, as opposed to the flight and accommodation packages offered in all inclusive holidays. Voyager Travel recommend that consumers use caution in this booking approach and make sure that both travel suppliers hold an ATOL or guarantee protection through supplier failure insurance. Alternative to the separate booking method, many consumers seek cheap holiday packages abroad and Voyager Travel recommends that they book such package holidays with an ABTA bonded travel agent.

Verity Eyre, the General Manager of Voyager Travel Direct, explained why the company has published this consumers’ guide, saying: “We’ve written this guide to Financial Protection because we feel it is sometimes unclear to consumers whether their travel arrangements are financially protected and simply paying by credit card isn’t always the best approach. We hope this guide will help to shed some light on the complexities of financial protection in the travel industry so that consumers can make informed decisions when booking their next trip.”

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