News Turn the tide on rising water costs
22/09/2008
Many water customers will see the second water bill of the year arrive shortly, and with some water companies announcing that they would like to raise prices further, there may be ways to reduce what seem to be ever growing household costs, says water independent watchdog, the Consumer Council for Water.
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If you're splashing cash abroad, keep your credit card in your pocket
Taking cash out abroad is never going to be cheap. But the high interest rates applied means that it's advisable never withdraw cash on a credit card either at home or abroad unless it is an absolute emergency, says MT's Debt Doctor Russell Cavanagh.
Millions forking out £80 a year for insurance they don't need
Older people could be forking out over £80 a year for mobile phone insurance when their phones could already be covered under their home and contents insurance policy.
Inflation surges for older people
The headline inflation rate of 4.5 may be causing concern in the City and in Downing Street - but millions of older people would willingly accept that instead of the 6.3% that many of them are suffering.
Why should licence fee payers pay for BBC mistakes?
The news that Ofcom has fined the BBC £400,000 for deceiving listeners and viewers in a string of radio and television programmes is nonsensical and wrong, says Voice of the Listener & Viewer.
British Gas pile on the pain with 35% price hike
Consumers have been dealt another hammer blow today as British Gas, Britain’s biggest energy supplier, announces its second price increase in six months. The increase – 35% for gas and for electricity - comes into effect today. The price hikes could trigger more rises from other suppliers and push millions more households into fuel poverty.
The hidden cost of using your cards abroad
Going abroad? Then be careful how much you use your debit and credit cards - as the cost of splashing the cash can vary by as much as 250% for credit cards and even more for debit cards.
Inflation threat to older people
Older people are facing spiralling inflation on basic goods and services - fast outstripping any increases in their wages or pension. By Mature Times editor Tony Watts.
Cashing in on foreign exchange
How you choose to transfer money overseas can make a big difference to your bank balance. Mark O’Sullivan, director dealing at foreign exchange specialist Currencies Direct offers advice to retirement-age Brits planning a move abroad.
You're right: pensioners face mountain of debt
The National Pensioners' Convention interpretation of the Scottish Widows survey that "one in three can't afford to save for retirement" will surely become more apparent as the credit crunch continues. Your article elsewhere about those "closer to retirement" being deeper in mortgage debt is also alarming.
Vulnerable pensioners feel the pinch as petrol prices rocket
Rising petrol prices are having a significant impact on older drivers as thousands are at risk of being cut off and isolated, according to new research published today by Intune Motor Insurance. Many others are having to cut back their spending on other items to keep themselves mobile.
Energy consumer “Bill of Rights” could be ditched by EC
Consumer watchdog 'energywatch' says that The European Commission is quietly shelving plans for consumer protection following intense lobbying by powerful energy groups, energywatch warned today.
Energy price rises "will push another 1.6m pensioners into fuel poverty"
Cash strapped Brits could face an average total energy bill increase of £555 this year, and Britain's biggest older people's organisation, the National Pensioners Convention, has claimed that the threat that energy bills may rise later in the year by 40% will push another 1.6m older people into fuel poverty.
Inflation hits older people hardest
The inflation rate facing the over 75 year olds surged to 4.8% in May - 45% higher than the official rate of inflation of 3.3%.
Closer to retirement - and deeper in (mortgage) debt
A third of the UK population in, or nearing retirement, owe a whopping £207 billion in outstanding mortgage debt, averaging £37,316 per head - according to a new report from Key Retirement Solutions.
