30/01/2010 by bill.

We always recommend anyone thinking of opening a savings account to shop around for the best deals. Interest rates can change quickly in this highly competitive market even though it seems unlikely that the Bank of England will cut rates below the current record low of 0.5%. Interest rates may be variable at short notice or fixed for a specified period. However, we have identified the following Internet accounts as good deals available on-line on 15th January 2010.

On-line Savings accounts

The AA - AA Internet Extra (Issue 1) Account 3.00% aer (rate includes 2.50% bonus payable for 12 months)
Scottish Widows Bank - Internet Saver 3.01% aer (rate includes 1.00% bonus payable for 12 months)
Principality Building Society - e-Saver Issue 2 2.85% aer (rate includes 1.2% bonus paid for 12 months)
Halifax - Web Saver Extra 2.80% aer (1 withdrawal a year without loss of interest, further withdrawals with loss of 30 days interest)
Alliance and Leicester - Online Saver Issue 7 2.75% aer (rate includes a variable rate bonus payable for at least 12 months) Minimum deposit £1000

Cash ISAs

Standard Life Cash ISA 2.65% aer
Aldermore Cash ISA 2.65% 30 days notice for withdrawals
Barclays Golden ISA 2.58% aer
Intelligent Finance Cash ISA 2.50% aer
National Savings and Investments Direct ISA 2.50% aer

See moneyjungle.net for more on selecting the right savings account.

Please note that although we check rates regularly moneyjungle.net does not claim that the products listed above are the most appropriate for an individual investor and does not claim that the list is exhaustive. We exclude introductory offers that offer short term high interest rates that later fall or those that require the customer to open another account such as a current account. We always recommend thorough research, reading terms and conditions carefully and, where appropriate, consulting an independent financial advisor. See the moneyjungle.net independent advice page for further information.

Posted in Personal Finance, Savings, Investments | Print | 1 Comment »

29/01/2010 by bill.

Buy Legal & General home insurance before 28/02/2010 and you’ll receive a free M&S gift voucher:
£20 M&S voucher for a combined buildings and contents policy
£10 M&S voucher for a single policy – buildings or contents
To get the vouchers enter the voucher code VC11-1.

Click here for more details and to find out how to get your voucher.

More about Home Insurance Policies

Posted in Home insurance | Print | No Comments »

29/01/2010 by bill.

According to the latest Nationwide House Price Report, UK house prices have made a strong start to 2010.

The report shows that house prices rose by 1.2% in January and are up 8.6% year-on-year.

The Nationwide reports that the 3 month on 3 month rate of change – usually a smoother indicator of the near term trend – dipped slightly from 2.3% in December to 2.1% in January, but this primarily reflects the smaller price increases recorded in November and December. Unless there is a fall in property values in February, annual house price inflation is likely to move into double-digit territory next month for the first time since May 2007.

More about house prices

Posted in buying a home, House Prices | Print | No Comments »

28/01/2010 by bill.

On Monday 1st February 2010 Kwik Fit Insurance are offering increased online discounts on car insurance policies. Get up to 28% online discount on car insurance when you get a car insurance quote on the 1st February 2010.

You also get a free MOT with every valid car insurance policy taken out and benefit from 0% deposit when paying for your policy by installments. Click here for more information.

More about car insurance

Posted in Motor Insurance, Car insurance | Print | No Comments »

26/01/2010 by bill.

GO Travel Insurance have a fantastic competition running until the 15th of February. This gives the chance for any visitor to the GO Travel Insurance website to win a £200 skiwear voucher.

GO Travel Insurance has teamed up with the Dare2b.com to offer this limited time opportunity and there are 10 vouchers to win!

Click here to enter the competition.

More about travel insurance

Posted in Travel Insurance | Print | No Comments »

26/01/2010 by bill.

The AA team searches a panel of over 20 leading insurers to get you the best deal they can

You could save up to £200*

Reasons to choose AA car insurance:

Up to 90 days car insurance cover across EU countries

24 hour Claimline, available 365 days a year

Up to £500 to replace car locks if your keys are lost or stolen

A courtesy car while yours is being repaired**

If you are stuck after an accident the AA will help towards travel costs or overnight accommodation

Windscreen cover

Replacement child car seats

Unlimited cover for manufacturer-fitted audio equipment

(These key benefits are based on the AA comprehensive car insurance policy. Terms and conditions apply)

* 25% of people could save £200 by switching to the AA (survey of new business quotes based on a comparison of 26 of our competitors, December 08)

** Subject to the repair being carried out by your insurer?s approved repairer and subject to availability.

Nore

Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Click here for more information about finding the best motor insurance deal.

Posted in Motor Insurance, Car insurance | Print | No Comments »

14/01/2010 by bill.

The severity of the cold snap is predicted to have pushed the average January fuel bill up by almost 50% to £227. “This is going to have a significant impact, because if the cold weather lasts a month we’re talking about an extra £70 on people’s gas bills, and that’s an increase which is going to make a big dent in most household budgets,” says Mark Todd of energyhelpline.com.

If you are looking to avoid an expensive energy bill the quickest way is to ensure you are on the cheapest deal by comparing all the deals available and switching to an online dual fuel tariff which many suppliers offer. Typical savings are £200-400 a year.

Compare available tariffs at energyhelpline now.

Posted in Household bills, Energy bills | Print | No Comments »

11/01/2010 by bill.

Alliance & Leicester is offering a £100 cashback incentive for customers who switch their current account to an Alliance and Leicester Premier Current Account.

The A&L Premier Current Account offers:

- Free annual multi-trip European travel insurance worth up to £60 (upper age limit of 65 applies).
- 0% EAR Typical overdraft. No usage fees on arranged overdrafts for 12 months from when you open the account (new customers only). A usage fee of 50p a day (up to £5 a month) applies after that. Maximum overdraft limit is £2,000.
- Credit interest rate of 0.50% AER (variable) on balances up to £2,500 and 0.10% AER (variable) on balances over that amount
- You must be over 21. You’ll need to pay in at least £500 every month.

The £100 cashback offer will only be available for a limited period.

Apply Now

More about Bank Accounts

Posted in Bank accounts, Current accounts | Print | No Comments »

07/01/2010 by bill.

The latest Halifax House Price Index Report indicates that house prices increased by 1.0% in December. Prices increased for the sixth successive month with December’s rise slightly below the average for the preceding five months (1.2%).

Prices in the final three months of 2009 were 3.5% higher than in the third quarter. This is the biggest quarterly increase since 2006 quarter 4.

Prices have increased by 9.4% since reaching a low in April 2009; an increase in the average price of £14,552 over this period. This follows a decline of 23% between August 2007 and April 2009. The average house price is now £169,042.

House prices in December were 1.1% higher on an annual basis. This is the first increase in the annual rate of change - measured by the average for the latest three months against the same period a year earlier – since March 2008. The annual rate has turned around markedly from a low of -17.7% in April.

The Halifax reports that the housing market continues to pick up and that higher demand combined with low supply is driving the price increase, however thew Halifax view is that view is that house prices will be flat during 2010.

More about house prices.

Posted in buying a home, House Prices | Print | No Comments »

06/01/2010 by bill.

Want to start afresh this year, but don’t fancy the high loan rates on the High Street? If you want to cut up the credit cards for good, invest in a new motor, or even want to give your home a fresh look, why not try Zopa? If you have a good credit rating, the lending and borrowing marketplace can offer you some of the best personal loan rates around.

More than 300,000 people have joined the UK’s only social lending website, and with rates up to 40% cheaper than the High Street banks, it’s clear why. Plus, you’re borrowing from real people, not lining the pockets of the banks.

And if your circumstances change and you want to pay off your loan early, no problem! There are no early repayment charges so you can repay as much as you want, when you like. Why be penalised for paying off your debts?

Get your free, no obligation quote (that won’t affect your credit rating) here!

See moneyjungle.net for more about managing your personal finances in 2010.

Posted in Personal loans, Finance | Print | No Comments »