Spending Habits | Finance

How to avoid the bill-paying battle

Are you the sort of person who always trying to prevent World War III every time your friends go out for dinner? Doug orders a dessert as well as a main, Amy’s driving and won’t pay for booze and the waitress is getting impatient. Dividing the bill can make the night end on a sour note.

Young face highest rate of inflation for first time in six years

This month's official inflation report showed that the headline rate of inflation fell from 1.6% to 1.1% in September. Alliance Trust's monthly study of inflation rates facing different age groups reveals that each group faces a rate of inflation higher than the official rate, but that these have fallen sharply this month. In addition, retired households no longer face the greatest price pressures. For the first time in the history of our study, it is the youngest age group which is facing the highest rate of inflation, at 1.5%. This is 36% higher than the official rate, and 7% higher than the inflation rate being faced by the over 75s. The sharp decline in the inflation rate facing the elderly is due to falling prices for both utilities and food.

Elderly still face higher inflation despite falling food prices

This month's official inflation report showed that the headline rate of inflation fell from 1.8% to 1.6% in August. Alliance Trust's monthly study of age-related inflation rates reveals that retired households continue to face greater price pressures. The 65-74 year olds face an inflation rate of 1.9%, which is 19% higher than the official rate, while the over 75 year olds face an inflation rate of 2.2%, 37% higher than the official rate. The gap between inflation rates facing the young and old has narrowed to the lowest since April 2008, helped by lower food and utility price inflation.

Over 50s still spending

New research from Sainsbury's Loans reveals that there are currently just four lenders, of which it is one, offering an APR of less than 8% on unsecured loans on loan amounts between £5,000 and £15,000.

More students working to fund university

New research from Halifax reveals that almost three-quarters (73%) of university students work to help fund their studies - up from (66%) in 2008.

UK recession a 'one year wonder' according consumers

As Japan, France and Germany finally break free from the clutches of recession, UK consumers are still being bombarded with conflicting reports about the severity and length of our current economic climate. Despite this, research from uSwitch.com shows a surprising level of optimism and reveals that 6 million (13%) consumers predict that that the UK economy will emerge from recession before the end of 2009, and a further 44% expect a return to positive growth at some point in 2010.

Retail sales 3.3 per cent higher than in July 2008

The volume of retail sales in July 2009 rose by 3.3 per cent compared with the same month in 2008, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Train passengers not getting fare price

Poor advice from rail staff means that some passengers could be paying more than double the cheapest train fare, reveals an investigation by Which?

ASDA wins market share

ASDA has announced that it has continued to grow its market share, through increased sales volumes. This growth has been driven by attracting more customers by lowering prices and improving product quality.

Are you getting good service?

Do you feel your service providers treat you with respect? Is your insurance company or bank looking after the bottom line at your expense rather than looking after you? New research shows that Brits who feel there is more ‘give’ than ‘take’ are starting to vote with their feet.

Company claims endanger market for green products

People in Britain cannot tell which products are better for the environment amid the array of companies' green advertising claims. Many think companies pretend to be green as an excuse to hike their prices, a major new study by Consumer Focus reveals today.

Inflation rate facing elderly drops to 3.6%

This month's official inflation report showed that the headline rate of inflation fell by less than expected, to a rate of 2.2%. Alliance Trust's monthly study of age related inflation rates also reveals a drop in the inflation rate facing all age groups, with the rate of inflation facing the elderly decreasing the most, by 0.3%. However, in spite of this drop, this still leaves the oldest age group facing the highest rate of inflation, at 3.6%. This is because households in this age group spend the highest proportion of their budgets on basic goods and services, such as utilities and food; where price inflation remains high. The over-75s face an inflation rate that is now 64% above the headline rate and 71% higher than the inflation rate facing the under 30 year olds. The 65-74 year old age group faces the second highest rate of inflation, at 3.0%.

moneysupermarket.com: April RPI and CPI figures

Commenting on the RPI and CPI figures announced today, Kevin Mountford, head of banking at moneysupermarket.com, said: "The RPI fell to minus 1.2 per cent in April, its lowest rate in over 50 years, but not everyone will feel the benefit of a falling cost of living.

Inflation facing elderly drops sharply to 3.9%

This month's official inflation report showed that the headline rate of inflation fell to 2.3%. Although Alliance Trust's ongoing monthly study of age related inflation reveals a drop in the inflation rate facing all age groups, it is the two oldest age groups which have benefited most this month. This is because these groups spend the highest proportion of their budgets on basic goods and services, such as utilities, food and petrol; where price inflation has fallen this month. However, although their rate of inflation has fallen, the over 75 year olds continue to face an inflation rate which is much higher than the official rate, at 3.9%, though down from 4.6% the previous month. The gap between this rate of inflation and the headline rate has widened. The over-75s face an inflation rate that is now 70% above the headline rate and 77% higher than the inflation rate facing the under 30 year olds. The 65-74 year old age group faces a rate of inflation of 3.2%.

Soap star, saver star... Who pays less in the battle of the soaps

They are often criticised for painting a sensational and depressing picture of British life. But the trials and tribulations, that draw millions of viewers to the likes of Eastenders and Coronation Street, provide an interesting reflection of how ‘family matters' can affect the pockets of households across the UK.

35 million Brits now barter for a bargain

New research amongst uSwitch.com's Consumer Opinion Panel reveals that, in the current belt-tightening climate, just under three-quarters (73%) of UK adults are increasingly loathed to pay full price and are casting off their British reserve to haggle for a better deal on consumer goods. Of those consumers' striving to perfect the art of bartering, just under one in ten (9%) admitted they always try their luck no matter what they are purchasing, whilst others (64%) exercise a more discretionary approach, only haggling on certain items in certain shopping outlets. Only 12% are too embarrassed to haggle, and just 7% would rather go without and cut down on their purchasing, rather than pluck up the courage to drive a hard bargain with a retailer.

Hospital car parking fees top the list of life’s biggest injustices

Having to pay and display whilst visiting loved ones in hospital is life's biggest injustice payment according to research by The Co-operative ISA's.

Recycling right could save taxpayers millions

Council tax bills could be cut by millions of pounds if councils and households improved the way they recycle, according to which.co.uk.

PayPal: IMRG Capgemini E-retail Sales Index

Commenting on the latest figures from the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, which show that online sales are up by 19% compared to March last year and 9% month on month growth was recorded for March, Cameron McLean, PayPal's general manager for UK merchant services, said: "IMRG Capgemini's March figures confirm our own experience at PayPal - Britain's online retailers continue to enjoy business success. For many e-retailers, the dramatic fall in the value of the pound against the euro and other major currencies represents a big export opportunity. eBay recently reported a 136% increase in exports by UK online businesses to Eurozone countries during 2008 and PayPal UK has seen a significant increase in cross border payments over the last year."

Inflation facing elderly remains stubbornly high

This month's official inflation report showed a welcome reduction in headline inflation to 2.9%, but Alliance Trust's ongoing monthly study of age related inflation reveals that over 75 year olds still face an inflation rate which is much higher than the official rate, at 4.6%. Although this age group is beginning to benefit from the decline in gas and electricity price inflation, this is slow to come through and the elderly currently face an inflation rate which is 59% higher than the official headline rate and 77% higher than the inflation rate facing 30-49 year olds.

The simple life is back as Brits say no frills, no problem

Britons are adopting a ‘no frills' lifestyle to combat the credit crunch and shunning flashy or complicated purchases to make their money go further, new research from Abbey Credit Cards has revealed.

Recession hits Britain's pockets town by town

uSwitch.com's regional recession index reveals that the global economic meltdown is not a level playing field in Britain as every location has a different story to tell. Swindon has been ranked the hardest hit area in the country with unemployment soaring by 197% following the closure of several large manufacturing plants in the area. In stark contrast, Brent is ranked the number one recession proof area with a 12% increase in earnings from £22,506 to £25,220 and council tax increases of just 1.9%.