If you have found yourself in that unenviable position of having to decide whether an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) or bankruptcy is right for you, it is highly likely that you would have already sought expert advice through a company that should be able to help you. One such may well be David Burnell Financial Services.

Whichever of these two options you choose, or are forced to choose, you must note that a degree of your autonomy to decide of personal financial matters will be taken away from you. However, bankruptcy would present the biggest restrictions being placed upon you.

Bankruptcy does appeal to many people as a way of literally wiping the slate clean, so to speak. But it is important to know that it really is not necessarily as simple as that. Your finances would be under the watchful eye of an individual who will have the duty of raising as much of your money as possible in order to pay off your creditors. Further, your home and other assets will be lost if you go through with bankruptcy. (more...)

If you have never had any form of credit in your life before, it is important to note that it can be quite difficult to obtain credit cards, loans and other agreements that involve any form of borrowing money. You see, whenever a person takes out a form of credit, this leaves what is known as a footprint on their credit record and this, in turn, is available to view for companies that you approach in the future with things like credit card applications.

If there are no details available on how well you manage money and pay-off your credit agreements, these companies can have no way of ascertaining whether or not you will prove to be a trustworthy customer. Also, since the recent banking crisis, these companies are now even more cautious before they part with a chunky credit card limit.

Is this the end of the matter, then? I hear you ask. No; there are steps that you can take to build your credit history and prove that you are not a risk to any company you approach for credit. (more...)

It would appear that even when we are struggling to get our own back yard in order, we are still responsible for bailing out other countries when they hit broke. Yes, this is completely unfair, and the reason behind it is the fact that the totally inept previous Labour Government joined us up to such an arbitrary commitment, just before they handed power over to the coalition. Bless them, wasn’t that really sweet of them!

Unfortunately, the uk money market is now completely bound into this agreement and there is absolutely no way the new Government will be able to overturn this arrangement. This means that as the EU countries fall - one by one - we have to foot a share of the bill to bail them out.

This is totally disastrous as far as the UK economy is concerned. Even though we are not a part of the Euro, we still have to pay billions of pounds each and every time one of the EU nations falls. As the UK has one of the largest and strongest economies in the EU (I know, surprising, hey!), you can bet your bottom dollar (or Euro) that our share is not exactly light each time. (more...)

Have you noticed how car insurance quotes have increased exponentially all across Ireland in recent years? That renewal notice lands on your doormat and the same company you have remained faithful to in the past, and indeed have never even placed a claim, now have the audacity to charge you an extra EUR 80 for the coming year - flipping cheek!

Of course, they are hoping that you will be far too busy to investigate the possibility of other quotes - in fact, this is where many car insurance companies make their money. This, in turn, allows them to reduce premiums to brand new customers and therefore the very concept of loyalty in this industry is null and void.

The bad news for these insurance companies has to be that you will not be too busy after all! Especially when there are oodles of companies in Ireland that are able to furnish you with quotes that would make your quote from your existing provider look as though you were insuring an entire motorway full of cars. Get online and take a look at companies such as Naas Insurance History so that you can call the greedy company you are already with, and basically - tell them where to go! (more...)

Until such time as money becomes obsolete on this planet, it is unfortunately a commodity that rules us all. We all need some money to be able to put a roof over our heads, feed our children and put clothes on our backs. Money is also something that can cause a lot of worry and frustration, particularly for those who have a distinct lack of it.

Some of the Western world is now stuck in a terrible recession which means that we have had to tighten the purse strings. For many of us this means that we cannot afford extra luxuries and may even be struggling to repay our debts. Yes, many of us profited financially with the amount of loans and credit cards that we were offered during the good times but we are now paying the price.

If you do have a substantial amount of debt, it can be tempting to bury your head in the sand when it comes to keeping on top of your finances. But this is just asking for trouble as your problems will likely only get worse. Instead it pays to use something like a finance guide which can be found on many internet websites to help you. (more...)

If you are retired or are nearing retirement age, you may be a little worried about how you are going to manage on a pension – let's face it, it is not a princely sum and unless you are very frugal it is not going to be enough to live on comfortably.

One option considered by many is equity release which basically means taking out a loan against your house. This is then paid off, with interest, when the house is sold after your death. It can be a good way of raising money to enjoy life, after so many years of saving to pay off the mortgage.

This type of scheme is not for everyone, and some people prefer it is the last resort as they want to leave their house to their children. But most children would agree that they would prefer mum and dad to enjoy the last twenty or thirty years of their life than go without in order to leave them a house and they are happy to stand on their own two feet in life. (more...)

Many of us would love to be able to retire at a far earlier age than sixty five but it is a pipe dream to all but a few. If you are serious about retiring early, you need to do your sums to determine if you can manage it financially as, since most of us are living longer, we have to support ourselves for many years of retirement.

Early retirement does take careful planning and it is something you should be thinking about in your thirties or forties. A sizeable nest egg is needed, one that will grow through careful and prudent investment in the ever expansing finance world.

It may be tempting to put your money in a high interest but risky venture, but this can ultimately mean that you lose all or part of it. Don't forget your wife or partner too – does he or she want to retire at the same age or do they want to carry on working? (more...)

If you own a house or apartment and are nearing retirement age then you may have considered an equity release scheme. If you have not, and are not familiar with this term, equity release is a way of raising capital from your home without having to sell it up front.

The advantages? You get to live in your home for the rest of your life and have a substantial amount of income to live on. The money borrowed goes back to the equity release company after your death, so you don't have to worry about paying back the money in your lifetime.

This means you have the funds to go on holiday, splash out on meals and can just enjoy your retirement instead of having to worry over every nickel and dime. Relax, have a glass of chilled wine and really enjoy yourself for the first time in your life. (more...)

For those school leavers who do not want to go to university, a career in finance is a very tempting option, especially for those with a good grade at mathematics A level.

Finance offers a good starting salary and it is relatively easy to progress quite quickly through the ranks. Of course, finance covers all types of jobs from banking and investment through to annuity , accounting and pensions, so it pays to do some research on which area you want to work in.

Many firms are happy to take on bright school leavers and train them on the job but it is also possible to work towards external qualifications which will help you to progress even further and which are often sponsored by the employer. (more...)

If you haven't started thinking about retirement or pensions, then the time is definately now! Choosing how, when and what you will retire with is perhaps the most important financial decision that you will ever make.

There are many different pension schemes available, and also, there are many options about how to access the 'pension pot' when the time comes. One such way, is to take out an annuity. This will guarantee a set income for life, and so determining the best annuity rates available is extremely important.

There are many different rates available, and this is due to the fact that everyone's circumstances are unique. For example, it might make sense for a heavy smoker to take out one sort of annuity payment, whilst for people who consider themselves fit and healthy, another sort may be better. (more...)

The current financial crisis has brought into sharper focus the dilemma that most people face. Namely, how to prepare for their retirement and what is the best option for them. There is no one, simple answer unfortunately, as everyone's circumstances are different. However, it does make sense to familiarise yourself with as many options as possible.

Assuming that you have built up a pension pot, the next step is how to use it. One option is to take out an annuity using the money, and therefore guaranteeing an income for life. If taking this route, it is important to make sure that you seek out the best annuity rates .

This is not as straightforward as it might at first sound, because there are many different factors involved. These include where you live, your health, your marital status and much more besides. (more...)

There are many ways to plan for your financial future, some more obvious than others. It goes without saying that one should plan for their retirement by taking out some form of pension, but there are also some less obvious things, such as taking out private health insurance .

"What has taking out private health insurance got to do with financial planning?" you might ask. Well, the unfortunate reality is that as we get older, we are more likely to suffer some form of injury or illness. This can have an impact on work and income, especially if some form of extensive treatment is needed.

By taking out a private insurance policy, you will be able to avoid some of the notorious queues of the NHS, and have instant access to quality medical assistance. This can mean that any return to work will likely be quicker and less stressful. (more...)

An annuity is a way of guaranteeing an income from a pension pot that you have built up over many years. It only stands to reason that you will want the best rates possible in order to make the most of the money that you have saved so hard for.

One way to do this is to see if you are entitled to some form of enhanced annuity . This means that you will be able to receive a higher pay-out per month than you would normally be able to do. An enhanced annuity is paid out on a number of factors, some of which are listed below.

Basically, the companies that offer annuities pay out higher rates for those people with shorter life expectancies. This might seem a little harsh, but it is important to understand. This means that if you are a smoker, have a medical condition or even live in certain areas you will be entitled to a higher pay out. (more...)

Retirement can be a stressful time when it comes to finances, especially if you have outstanding debts which need to be paid off each month. However, if you own your own home, there are products available such as the Stonehaven equity release which will enable you to use your home to raise cash and consolidate your debts.

In a nutshell, you can borrow a lump sum against your house to consolidate any debts and leave a little left over in the pot for enjoying your retirement. You only pay interest each month, which means that you can easily budget for one interest payment instead of the larger individual payments which you used to make for the credit cards and unsecured loans.

As you are paying off interest only, the lump sum is only paid off when you die and the house is sold, with any remaining money going to your estate and children. The kids still get most of the inheritance – and you get to stop worrying. (more...)

If you have always yearned for a luxury overseas property then now is a good time to start looking into it. Maybe you want a second home or even a main home for your retirement although that is twenty years or more away?

One option is to look at a buy to let type of mortgage, called 'In Fine' in France. How does this work? Well, in theory, the house or apartment pays for itself as it is a buy to let mortgage, but the downside is that you have little or no personal use until the mortgage is paid off.

The finance is calculated on how much rent you can get for the property each year, which then covers the mortgage payments each month. You must choose your property wisely as you have to find a property which has good letting potential, so make sure it is near transport links and is in a reasonable condition rather than a renovation job. (more...)

Australia has proven to be, time and again, one of the most popular places in the world for British backpackers to visit. Drawn by the good weather and laid-back lifestyle, Brits in their tens of thousands every year head to the land down under.

If you are planning yourself to take some time out in Australia, then there are a few things to keep in mind, especially when it comes to organising your finances and other practical considerations. Firstly, you will need travel insurance for the duration of your stay. The insurance should be adequate to cover your individual circumstances, including replacing valuables, passport or even repatriation in the event of an accident.

Money should be your next consideration. You will need enough for the duration of your stay, even if you are planning on working during your trip. Money can disappear very fast, especially if you intend to party every night! (more...)

Today, careful money management is the watchword for responsible living, and as a result taking out a loan has become something of a difficulty. In the past, banks were all too willing to lend money to people, and now, in recompense for this mistake, they aren't fond of the idea at all.

Unfortunately, for most people, borrowing money remains a necessity in order to pay for unforeseen expenses and big projects like home renovation. Whether you are looking for contracting advice or some money to help you to repair your broken car, you will, doubtless, have to go through a long bureaucratic process before you get it.

To start with, you will need to determine how much money you need. This will help you to narrow the field of possibilities somewhat: certain kinds of loan won't exceed a certain amount of money, and others have a minimum borrow sum. (more...)

When you reach retirement age, it is usually after forty or fifty years of hard work and putting aside the pennies for precisely this time of your life. The idea is that you can finally relax a little and enjoy life – hopefully without having to worry about money too much.

If you are in a fortunate position you will have been able to save for this time of your life by putting money regularly aside into some sort of pension pot. The question is that when you finally have access to this pension pot, how do you make the most of it?

You may think it is cut and dried and intend to use the same pension company that you have used all your life, but in fact by doing so you could be missing out on the best annuity rates. (more...)

No matter what business you are in, insurance could be vital to its survival. If your business operates out of an office it is crucial that you have some sort of insurance to cover you if your computers are stolen. If you have a business that is not primarily based in an office there are other options available that should be considered.

Locum insurance is vitally important for doctors surgeries. This type of insurance covers the hiring of staff in the eventuality that a member of staff is absent or ill. Locum insurance safeguards the welfare and health of patients helping surgeries maintain a full rota of staff.

Even if your business is small, insurance should still be at the top of the list of things to acquire because you will never know when you will need it.

It seems that every year, some new word or catch phrase enters into common usage, and the financial world seems to introduce them at a bewildering rate. Whether it is quantitative easing, equity release or special liquidity schemes, it seems at first glance that one needs to be a combination of an English professor and a nuclear scientist to understand it all!

However, it is important to keep abreast of what is happening in the financial world, as sooner or later it will affect you, whether by how mortgages are given out, taxation or even just plain old price rises for food and other grocery items.

One way to keep track, is to visit a financial website or two every week. This way, you will be kept informed of the latest things that are happening which may affect your finances. For example, if you hear that interest rates may rise, it could be a good idea to try and lock in the current interest rates on your mortgage for a year or two. (more...)

Finances can be a tricky business. You want to make sure that you save enough money for retirement so that you can retire comfortably and have everything you need. No one wants to have their standard of living lowered when they retire.

Aside from retirement, there is also having investments and finance planning for every day life too. When there is an unexpected problem or an occurrence that takes place, we want to be prepared for it and make sure that our loved ones are covered.

Part of the planning process is a pension annuity as well as other pension plans and more. There needs to be multiple investments and streams of income available to make sure that all the bases are covered and available when they are needed. (more...)

Whether you are keen to take on payments for a new diabetes life insurance policy, or you just want to know if you can afford a new car this year, it is important that you take some time out to sit down with your financial paperwork and determine how much money you make and how much you spend every month.

In order to do this effectively, you will need to draw up a budget. While this may sound fairly easy, it is important to remember to approach the task systematically, and to try to be as accurate as you can.

To begin with, you will need to work out your total income, after tax. Write this figure down at the head of a piece of paper. Next, make a list of all the major expenses that come out of your account automatically; these debits ordinarily include things like car payments, insurance and rent or the mortgage. (more...)

Unless you work in the industry with the appco group or a similar establishment, you will more than likely find financial jargon and terminology a little alienating and confusing. Likewise, the more complex conceptual systems that structure money management leave most people a little dazed and confused, and these are issues that should be rectified in the interest of financial security and responsibility.

In this day and age, especially in the post-recession climate, it is more important than ever to have a firm grasp on all things money-related. If we don't understand the banking policies and the financial language, we won't be bale to take full control of our funds.

If you are keen to become more money-savvy, there are several different avenues down which you might go. To begin with, you could begin a programme of self-study. This will require motivation and a little supplementary research, but you should be able to achieve success in the end. Simply head for the nearest library or bookshop and pick up a good introduction to finance. (more...)

If your problems with debt have got to the point where you don't think you'll ever be able to repay your debts in full, an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) could help .

Basically, an IVA is designed to make all your debt payments easier to afford, and it does that by changing the way you repay your unsecured debts. During an IVA, the amount you pay towards your unsecured debts each month will be reduced to an affordable level. This article goes into more detail on what types of debt you can include in an IVA.

Your secured debt repayments won't change, but they should become affordable again - because your other debt repayments will be smaller. (more...)

As finance is tight at the moment with the credit crunch upon us, I was on the lookout for a week end derniere minute away and it didn't take me long to find one, and I had a great time. Just make sure they have good bed bug control You don't have to spend loads to have a good time.

I was having a last minute weekend away and as my finance was tight I was quite restricted. But after having a good look around I found what I was looking for, and I had a wonderful time. I found it much more fun comparing the prices to find the best deal.

I was desperate for a weekend away, but my money was tight and finance wasn't as flexible as it has been in the past. After looking around and doing a few searches on the Internet, I found a great deal, and had a fantastic weekend break. (more...)

Your money is important to you, as it is to anyone. There is no reason to pay more for anything if you do not have to. You always want the best deals and options when it comes to your finances, which makes perfect sense.

This is true too when it comes to credit card rates. There are many credit cards available, however, they are not all the same. Some have great offers on them, but may have a rate that is less than desirable.

There are also others that might have a great rate, but come with no other features or charge a yearly membership cost. These are just to name a few, there are many more with introductory offers, short term and long term deals and more. (more...)

Before you make any financial moves it is always advisable to seek independent professional advice. Having advice from someone who is not trying to sell you a particular product is extremely beneficial as it will help you understand what is in your best interests in the long-run and not just opt for what seems the most attractive option. Often financial products that seem too good to be true at the outset can indeed be a mistake to commit to.

Specialist financial advisers can be found across the UK. If you live in the Nottingham area simply type financial advice Nottingham into Google search engine or look up the local yellow pages and you will quickly find a reputable financial adviser.

If you require a mortgage there are literally hundreds of providers offering thousands of different mortgages. You can have an interest-only mortgage, a bad credit mortgage and even a retirement mortgage. No matter what type of mortgage you think you require it is always a good idea to understand all of your options. (more...)

Military kit insurance is an often overlooked part of every serving member of the armed forces necessary equipment. The key necessity of military kit insurance is that individuals are responsible for their own kit and that if it is damaged or lost an individual is responsible for financing its replacement. This means that you can potentially lose substantial parts of your pay should anything happen to your equipment. In this article we're going to look at the costs and benefits of military kit insurance so that you can determine whether it is suitable for you.

Initially then it should be defined as to what constitutes personal kit. As a soldier your personal kit includes clothing, equipment and any specialist equipment you are personally responsible for. If any of this becomes lost or stolen as a result of your negligence or from an unforeseeable accident you are held responsible for this. Whilst you may think that this is unlikely to happen you need to be aware that accidents can and often do happen and that you are likely to be in hostile and extreme environments where there is no guarantee that your kit won't be lost damaged, stolen or in fact destroyed. Whilst you as an individual may exercise every vigilance in maintaining the quality and safety of your equipment you have to realise that in hostile and extreme environments there are a great many things that will often be more pressing to mind than the wellbeing of your kit.

When it comes to the wellbeing of your kit you should of course take every precaution possible and you should always exercise care and vigilance over your kit. The most common of all issues involve improper care of equipment, its damage through misuse and its loss. Taking proper care of you equipment is essential to avoiding pecuniary losses associated with damaged equipment. Whilst you should be fairly trained to take full care of all your equipment and should take the time to maintain it this may not always be possible. If you are not familiar with any part of maintaining your equipment seek immediate advice and/or assistance. When it comes to using your equipment in the correct way you should of course stick to the set parameters of use you received upon training. Misuse of equipment in any way is often likely to damage it and can cause you yourself undue risk should you need to rely on it in any situation. Loss, however, is the most common of all reasons for having to pay for kit and whilst steps can be taken to avoid it is still easy to misplace or lose vital equipment whilst discharging your duty. Before any excursion check that your kit is all in place and that any securing straps are tight and not damaged. When returning from an excursion check that everything is still in place and functioning correctly before stripping and cleaning it. (more...)

At the moment, buying and selling gold is one of the most profitable investments around. With the price of gold only gradually increasing, it makes sense to attempt to invest in gold now, as the price is only going to increase, especially if its price over the past few years is anything to go by.

However, the thing that can stop most potential buyers is the problem of Where to Buy Gold. It can be difficult to know all the ins and outs of buying gold, and which places are trustworthy or not. However, so long as you are careful, gold buying can be an incredible thing to increase your current finances, both currently and in the future.

Luckily there are a lot of websites that specialise in buying and selling gold, and you can go to them for relatively impartial advice on the best way to get your slice of the current boom in the precious metals markets. (more...)

If you are working out the costs of a holiday, you will be very familiar with the fact that there is a lot to budget for. It is important that, along with the exciting things like accommodation and activities, you remember to focus some attention on the practicalities as well.

Perhaps the most important of these is travel insurance. Journeying overseas without cover is a risky thing to do. Unless you have bought a good, solid policy, you could end up quite seriously out of pocket.

A basic travel insurance product should suffice for most people. This kind of policy usually covers things like lost or stolen baggage, cancelled flights and illness and injury up to a certain extent. If, however, you find that your budget doesn't quite stretch to accommodate such a comprehensive package, you will be pleased to know that there is a wide variation available and each is tailored to suit a certain level of budget. (more...)

If you are new to the industry of forex trading, you may well be wondering how best to go about financing your endeavours. No doubt you have read review after review that claims that people have made their millions in this game, and are therefore keen to grab a slice of this very lucrative pie for yourself.

If you can relate to this, stop right there! If you are looking to trade forex, you have to realise that this industry is usually very false.

It is a fact that some people can become extremely expert traders - we cannot deny that. However, these people are an exception, rather than the rule. (more...)

There are several different types of equity release schemes that allow you to release cash from your home. It is very important to understand how equity release works before considering it as an option.

One common type of equity release is the lifetime mortgage which allows you to take a loan against the value of your property. This loan entitles you to a cash lump sum which you can use to finance your needs. The interest and the loan total are only repaid when the property is sold. This normally occurs upon your death or the death of your partner.

A similar equity release scheme to the lifetime mortgage is the draw down lifetime mortgage. The difference between the draw down lifetime mortgage and the lifetime mortgage is that with the draw down lifetime mortgage, you only receive the cash when you need it instead of receiving a lump sum cash amount. (more...)

Many businesses do not know how to increase there revenues. They will stick with the client base that they have at the moment because they feel safe. The business manager may not be aware that some of his or her clients may be considering going to another business because another business may be offering them something more. In order for a business to grow, they need to get more clients.

By going to the Financial Network Website, a business manager can find out how to increase there revenues. One way to increase revenues is to advertise your services to international clients on the Internet. In order to get international clients, there Web page can show international people how they can be contacted. A business manager may be surprised at how many international clients they can get.

Once a business manager starts taking in international clients, the manager has to be able to communicate with them since many international people do not speak English. The business manager needs to consider hiring a translator who can translate for him or her. You may even want to have your services or products translated in several languages on your site, so that international customers will know what the product or service is about. (more...)

A remortgage allows you to gain access to cash that you can use to go on that once-in-a-lifetime vacation that you have been longing to go on but just did not have sufficient cash to finance it. In many cases, while you are making the current mortgage payments for your property, the value of your property will be increasing. This provides you with equity.

Equity is the difference between the amount that you owe and the current value of your property. Equity increases as the value of your property increases which makes it possible for you to remortgage your home.

It is very important to maintain a clean credit report by paying your mortgage on time. This will be of great assistance when applying for a remortgage . You will be viewed as a prime candidate and will be eligible for the best deal. (more...)