As we head towards 2008 retailers are reporting one of their strongest Christmas periods for some time and online shopping is up by almost two hundred percent. So why were all of the doom and gloom merchants so wrong? Are we really heading for a recession?

The sad truth is that Christmas spending has, and continues, to go against all reason as people get caught up in the festive spirit. The option to buy now and pay later seems so easy for many, although they seem to put the issue of actually finding money to pay to one side. It is true that Christmas is a time for family, a time for friends and a time to enjoy but many people will not be enjoying the other 364 days of next year when the credit card and bank overdraft statements come falling through the door.

Be honest, have you over spent at Christmas? Have you blown your budget and more?

Rest assured that you will not be alone, and you will not be alone when you are still paying this Christmas off this time next year! Such is the financial hardship that many feel as the New Year approaches that we see a major rise in debt counselling programs, IVAs and bankruptcies. It seems that while many can maybe afford to pay off their spending over time, there are also a significant number who know that 2008 will see them in serious financial trouble, and seem intent on going out with a bang.

Unfortunately for the more reckless spenders of society, the option of IVAs and bankruptcy may not be as simple as they thought with many creditors taking into account recent spending patterns before deciding what to do. Can you really expect the finance companies to sit back and let you rack up more debt in the knowledge that you can’t actually afford to pay it back?

As we move into 2008 analysts are also expecting a further 50,000 homes to be reprocessed this year, hundreds of thousands of people to be moving from cheap discount mortgage rate offers onto rates which could be double what they were on, and many jobs put at risk by falling consumer demand. Many people are asking themselves if they would be able to survive in such an environment without professional debt counselling – would you?

You may need professional advice when arranging your mortgage loan, unless you are a competent financial advisor or broker. UK mortgages are financed exclusively by banks or financial organisations. There is no market interference by government bodies. Hence, the mortgage market in UK is highly competitive. Also, you can choose from a variety of mortgages, the type that suits you the best.

Most mortgages offered by UK companies work on a variable interest rate. Normally, the variable rate is fixed by the Bank of England. As the market is competitive, the lenders are keen to offer a rate that is somewhat lesser than the variable rate. Also, some companies offer a discount rate on mortgage loans. The discount rates may be applied for first few years of the mortgage. So, this makes the initial mortgage payments lesser than the payments made later. Even some lenders proffer capped rates. This thoroughly benefits the borrower, as the capped rate will be the maximum rate that the borrower will be paying even when the variable interest rates increases to a larger extent.

Some lenders give a cash-back incentive on the mortgages. These cash-back incentives are calculated with respect to the principal borrowed amount. The borrower will receive a certain percentage of the borrowed amount at the end of the mortgage. If a borrower wishes to close his mortgages earlier than the fixed term, then he has to pay pre-payment penalties. That is, he will be charged an additional amount along with the total amount to be paid towards the mortgages. Normally, the pre-payment penalty is calculated as some percentage of the outstanding amount.

There is another type of UK mortgage – a self certification mortgage. Mostly self employed persons who have no means to prove their income opt for this mortgage. If the borrower borrows an amount less than the value of the house and he makes a down payment, then the lender will offer him the self-cert mortgage. But, these mortgages carry higher rate of interest due to the risks involved for the lender.

In a fixed interest mortgage, you will get a fixed interest rate for the whole period of the mortgage or for some years. Normally, 2 to 5 years is the period for fixed interest mortgages. The borrowers can rest assured that the interest rates will not fluctuate and they have to pay only a fixed monthly payment. But, the fixed interest rate is offered at a slightly higher rate of interest and hence if the interest rate falls, then the borrower may feel sorry for his decision.

So, while getting a mortgage for your home, evaluate the risks involved and your repayment capacity. If you can repay the monthly installments without any delay, then only you will have peace of mind. Otherwise, you may get a bad credit history. So, you should thoroughly study every detail before getting mortgage. Also, if you feel that your rate of interest on your mortgage offered by the company is higher than the prevailing market rate, you can refinance your mortgage from some other company.

In recent years, arranging a loan has become very popular in UK as it has now become easier to borrow money. Consumer finance has become very popular, aided by variety of loans available with low interest rates. Secured loans are widely accepted as they suit the needs of the people who own property. Secured finance provides excellent value for the money and also affordability by all classes of people. A variety of lenders offer secured loans to consumers providing wide choice in selecting secure loans and applying for them.

The amount to be borrowed with the help of secured loans is based on the value of equity which is available on the property. In other words, market value minus outstanding mortgage or any loan is the amount available. Secured loan provide plenty of benefits. They are the best available cost effective options to arrange for finance. Unlike other unsecured and standard loans, secured loans carry lower interest rate as the risk involved and borne by the lender is less as the loan is arranged against a security or asset.

Compared to unsecured loans, secured loans have high borrowing levels though the amount to be borrowed depends on equity. Thousand of pounds or even much larger amount of finance can be borrowed with the help of secured loans to meet any purpose or need. Under the secured loan the repayment period is very lengthy as compared to unsecured loans, resulting in low monthly repayments.

Secured loans are easily accessible even for the people with bad or poor credit unlike unsecured standard loan. Lenders face less risk with secured loans as the loans are arranged against a security or asset. Lenders do not mind bad credit for sanctioning finance. People with even tarnished credit history can still manage to enjoy lower rate of repayment as bad credit loans are easily available at reasonable rates.

Most people choose secured loans for consolidation of their loans and credit. Usually, for most people, large amounts of pay outs go for high credit loans and credit cards. Secured loans convert all expensive credit loans into single convenient consolidated loan, making it easier to repay in one single repayment ever month and just pay settle for a single interest rate. Bad credit secured loans can be used to pay off debts and thereby repair and improve the credit score.

All the major lending companies provide secure loans easily available through online. Just by booking through the internet and browsing the loan information a best deal can be clinched at competitive and affordable rates of interest. It is always wise to read the terms and conditions as well as interest rates by comparing between various available loan deals in the market to get a cheap and best deal of secured loan and an affordable rate of interest.

Secured loans make the life more comfortable by making available finance for funding or purchasing or to consolidate loans and credit. The loan repayments are on the lower side with reduce rate of interest. By harnessing the internet power it is very easy to find, compare and apply secured loans in a simple and straight forward manner, speedily at total ease and convenience. Competitive deals of loans are possible over internet giving better choice for greater value of borrowed finance.

Home equity loan also known as a second mortgage is a loan that allows the house owners to refinance their first mortgage. If you have taken fixed rate mortgage on your house property few years back, then the interest rates may be higher than the prevailing rates. So, you may want to get rid of the loans within a shorter period in order to save some money and also due to the desire of getting some extra cash to meet your financial problems.

If you are availing an equity loan, there are two options available – you can get a second mortgage or you can get a line of credit. The choice has to be made by you and also it depends on the way you will be spending your money. If you are opting for a second mortgage, then you will get a huge amount with a fixed rate of interest and you have to repay the loan in installments for a fixed period. You can also use the extra money you get out of your second mortgage for home renovation, education, vacation etc.

Line of credit is just like getting money out of your credit card. You will get approval for a certain sum and you can draw the cash whenever you felt the need and the current interest rate will be charged. A home equity loan is an easy source of cash for those who are tired of facing financial crunch now and then. Sometimes, the interest rates charged on your equity loan is slightly higher than your first mortgage, but they are much lesser than the interest rates charged on personal loans or credit card. If you are consolidating your debts through home equity, then this will also provide you with some extra savings on the monthly installments. You can collect this money to pay a part of your principal in order to reduce your mortgage burden.

You will be also benefited with the tax deductibility that comes along with the home equity loan. So, you can opt for equity loan for some major expenditure like education, consumer goods and trips. But, those who are spendthrift should not opt for home equity loan because it also carries some risks. If they are unable to pay their monthly dues, they may have to lose their home or they have to face big penalties. Also, some equity loans come with a mandatory lump sum payment to be made at the end of the mortgage term. Though a home equity loan is a great tool to finance your urgent needs, you should not fall into the bait of easy money and should plan before hand to avoid bad credit history.

A credit card is a significant tool in planning your finance. There are thousands of offers available with these cards and you may want to get the best and cheap deal while availing a credit card. You have to make sure that the credit cards that you are getting will meet your requirements in the best manner.

Look for the hidden costs

Many credit card companies nowadays offer low annual rates of interest to lure customers. But, in order to compensate, they increase the fees of annual membership. So, you have to consider the fees charged on various credit cards and should apply for the one that suits you the best. Also, you can compare the rate of interest and fees charged by different credit card companies to get the best deal. If you feel that your credit card’s APR is less than others and the fees are also reasonable, then only you should get the card. If you have selected a credit card with a little higher APR and no fees, then also you will be paying the same or less amount when compared to the credit cards of lower APR and higher fees.

Interest free credit days

Nowadays, different credit card providers offer different interest free credit days. It is not the same in all the credit cards. So, you need to look for the number of interest free days. Normally, the credit cards carry 36 to 54 interest free credit days. So, you should choose the one which offers you more interest free credit days. But, if the interest rate is higher and they offer more interest free credit days, then there is no point in getting such a credit card. You should take into consideration both the rate of interest and interest free days to decide on the credit card.

Reward programs

If your credit card gives you cash-back rewards on every purchase you made and charges a little higher APR, then will you accept it as the best credit card available in the market? What if another credit card gives you nothing as reward, but charges low APR? It entirely depends on your repayment habit. If you repay the expenses made every month promptly, then there is no need to worry on the higher APR as you will pay the amount within the interest free credit days. But, you only make payments in installments, and then the credit card with lower APR suits you the best. So, plan your strategy before opting for a credit card.

Interest rates on credit cards keeps on changing and some companies even hike them without any prior notice. If you ignore the change in the interest rate, then later you have to pay much more than what you have estimated. Therefore, you need to research before purchasing a credit card and also you should shop smartly to avoid bulk payments. Also you should make it a habit to pay the due amount of your credit cards within the interest free days to save your hard earned money.

UK credit card holders may locate that their credit limits are considerably reduced in this Christmas season. Many financial institutions are focusing on lessening the exposure to poor debt by improving the quality of their lending, subsequent to the worldwide financial markets credit disaster. Many lenders are facing difficulties in US due to the collapse of the sub-prime market. So, now the companies are thinking about the quality of their lending and hence are slashing the credit limits of their customers considerably. Also, they are not accepting new applications and as a result many people are compelled to reduce their Christmas spending plans.

Many credit card companies in UK are suffering from declining profits and also due to the mounting bad debt histories. Credit card companies are still being broadly advertised however many companies are currently picking their fresh customers with great care, and they are taking in only those who have first-rate credit ratings so as to enhance the quality of their consumer base. Few years back, the customers are the king and they can compare the rates offered by various credit cards before selecting the best deal. But, now the credit card companies are choosing their customers carefully from the numerous applications they are getting every day.

Whatever the market situation may be, Britains are not worried about the changes in the market when they need finance for their Christmas spending. The tapering loan conditions and elevated interest rates are not deterring their spirits of the merry season. According to a survey, they are likely to spend more on shopping than the last year.

Many people opt for personal loans to meet their Christmas spending. But, one should make it a habit to get personal loans to meet the expenditure. If they have taken loans higher than what they can actually afford, then they have to suffer from bad debt. So, Christmas spending should be done with proper planning and budgeting.

A borrower may find the deals difficult to understand as there are so many types of loans with diverse rate of interests available in the market. Different companies offer different rate of interest and terms and conditions on their personal loans. So, the borrower should have some idea of the market before availing loan for his Christmas spending. They can get information from the internet or they can even consult a local financial advisor.

Many households are struggling under growing debt and also due to the increased mortgage payments. They are stretching their borrowing limit beyond their capacity. This may result in bad credit history resulting in mental agony and difficult life pattern. So, the Christmas spending should be done wisely and the gifts should be chosen with care and precaution. If they can defy the temptation to overspend during the festive period, then they can even save a small fortune in their bank account. So, choose the Christmas gifts wisely and spend your hard earned money after thoroughly analyzing your credit limit to enjoy the festive time with great peace of mind.

As we start to leave the Christmas period behind, January will see further financial pressure for many in the UK with credit cards statements dropping through the door in the New Year. Maybe you should have saved a little more throughout the year? Maybe you should have gone a little easier on the presents? But it’s all too late now…….or is it.

While the credit crunch has affected much of the financial industry, with many mortgage and credit card offers being pulled, there are still some alternatives out there if you look around. Why pay sky high credit card interest rates when you can take out a longer term loan on payment terms which you can afford?

While the credit card companies would much rather that you kept your credit card balance high, thereby giving them a long term income stream and ensuring that you are in their grasp, the banks may have something to say about this. As interest rates in the UK start to fall we are seeing many of the credit card companies refusing to pass these on to customers, opening the door for the banks to step in.

While it may scare many people to actually look at the extent of their credit card debt, you need to attack these issues head on before they get out of control. Would a more structured long term approach not suit you better? A situation where you could actually see your balance coming down rather than just covering the debt interest each month?

Getting yourself back on the road to financial recovery may take a little time, it may be difficult at first but rest assured it will be a whole lot worse the longer that you leave it. Do not pay high interest rates where there is no need, do not bury your head in the sand and hope it will come right, look up, look forward and be sensible.

Irrational spending is impossible to predict, but a more structured debt repayment plan can give you peace of mind, reduce the pressure on you and ensure that you do not fall into the same trap again. Or at least that is the plan!

After reporting annual profits of over £2.5 billion earlier this year there must surely come a time when the giant that is Tesco will simply run out of markets to dominate? Not yet say the management……

While the supermarket business is obviously the core area of profitability and where they get their reputation from, it has spawned a vast array of new and potentially very lucrative business ventures. The Tesco brand has now broken into areas such as Tesco loans, Tesco insurance and just lately Tesco diets to name but a few.

These are not small markets, these are markets which have major players already, they have been around for years but Tesco has still managed to take a major foothold. The beauty of the Tesco business model is the fact that their customers are very loyal, the majority have signed up to their club card service and they actually trust the Company. This has opened the door to direct mail shots, telephone sales and heavy promotions in store.

A trip to the supermarket now may not be all about food and drink, it can see you come home with credit cards applications, a new bank account and even cover for your next holiday. There is also immense speculation that Tesco are looking to break into the property market and potentially take on a role similar to that of an estate agent. So where will it all stop?

The fact that Tesco have started to expand into the United States and a whole host of other overseas markets is a sign of their intent. It may also have something to do with the fact that they have come under increased pressure from UK regulators who are concerned at their strangle hold on a number of areas of the UK market.

At this moment in time it seems that Tesco can do no wrong, how long that lasts remains to be seen, but if their future plans come to fruition, their profits will be growing for some time yet!

As the international world of finance finally comes to terms with the fact that the 2007 credit crunch is not yet over, more and more people are going to be in the situation of rising debts and falling income, so what can they do?

The first thing about debt problems is to ensure that you face them head on and try in some way to either lower payments or lower you expenses. There are a number of ways to do this including cutting out some of the luxuries of life while you get yourself back on your feet. One other way is to approach a non-profit debt relief agency that will be able to give you the advice, contacts and information which you need to resolve your situation.

Why are so many people in serious financial trouble?

The main problem with debt is the fact that unless you face it head on it will get worse and worse until it is out of control. It is at this point where you are in serious trouble and many people risk losing their homes and assets.

If you are sensible and take advice as soon as possible there is no reason why you cannot work your way through your situation. There is no reason for debt troubles to make you physically ill, the pressure can stop and you can get your life back again.

It may not be easy to face your troubles head on, but it is a lot more difficult when they are taken out of your hands!

Over the last few years we have heard about the massive profits which many people have earned in the property markets, the continuous price rises and the forecast for further growth. While this is coming to an end with the onset of the worldwide credit crunch and impending recession in areas such as the UK and US, what can you do if you are sitting on a large paper profit on your property, but maybe have other debts you need to pay back? Or maybe you are having trouble with your mortgage payments?

Many people are now looking at the sell and rent back market, a market which can allow you to live in your home and release potentially enormous amounts of cash from your assets to maybe settlement debts elsewhere. For those who thought that the property market may well dig them out of a financial hole, but wanted to remain in their property, can there be a better solution?

As well as raising cash from the sale of your home, you will also be able to sign up to a legal tenancy agreement to live in your home for months or years, paying a rent which is commercial and enables you to pay off other debts. It will also give you the opportunity to bide your time and maybe readdress your financial situation before you venture into the property market again. As markets start to fall back would you really want to rush back in?

This is just one of many options open to those looking to balance their finances, but it is one which more and more people are seeing as a viable alternative.