Thinking Money | Free Financial Advice and Tips

Confusion over tax credit leaflet

Posted on 18. Sep, 2009.

A new leaflet explaining how tax credits would work was withdrawn by HM Revenue & Customs because of an error.

The HMRC leaflet published in April this year on its website on the causes of overpayments became an issue of confusion and criticism by the British public. (more…)

Continue Reading

Personal Inflation Calculator

Posted on 14. Jul, 2009.

So are prices going up or going down? Inflation as measured by the Retail Price Index has fallen to -1.6%, while the Consumer Price Index has fallen below the government’s target of 2% for the first time since September 2007. But how does this all affect you? Follow the link below to find out exactly how you’re affected.

(more…)

Continue Reading

Helping Charities with Falling Incomes: 10 Ways to Donate at No Cost

Posted on 02. Jul, 2009.

In the present economy, charities are suffering because people don’t have enough extra money to donate. However, there are several ways you can donate to charities at no cost to your pocketbook:

(more…)

Continue Reading

Ireland’s New Credit Card: Ryanair 0% Balance Transfer

Posted on 23. Jun, 2009.

Ryanair & MBNA Ireland, giants in their respective fields

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low fare airline, emerged in June 2009 as Europe’s biggest airline in terms of passenger numbers, having overtaken major rivals such as Air France, British Airways and Lufthansa.

Ryanair operates on more than 830 routes across 26 countries, connecting 148 destinations.

Thinking Money expects Ryanair to maintain its traffic growth by 15 percent to fly 67 million passengers during 2009/2010.

Thinking Money notes that MBNA Ireland is the Republic of Ireland’s third largest credit card provider, endorsed by almost 90 organisations as diverse as EBS Building Society, Irish Heart Foundation and Munster Rugby. Knowing the popularity of Ryan Air in Ireland, Thinking Money believes this will become one of the most popular affinity cards on the market.

Unbeatable fee-free period and appetising rewards

Ryanair/MBNA’s recent online credit card offer of 0% interest for the first 10 months on balance transfers is four months longer than any other credit card available in Ireland.

Thinking Money highlights the increasingly competitive credit card industry, where 0% balance transfers and reward credit cards are becoming the only way to compete. The surging growth of MBNA credit cards in the UK and Europe is a testament to such a theory.

Customers who use the card within 90 days of opening the account will receive a bonus return flight of their choice from a selection of top European destinations. Buying five return flights using the Ryanair/MBNA credit card will earn users an additional bonus return flight.

For every €2,000 spent on the Ryanair/MBNA credit card in a calendar quarter, users receive one bonus return flight, while €5,000 spent will earn users a pair of return flights.

Offer allows customers extra time to pay off balances

Stephen McNamara said the new offer was aimed at allowing customers extra time to pay off their credit or store card balances.

McNamara states that:

Those taking advantage of our latest offer can also jet away to a host of European destinations as a reward for taking the first step in reorganising their finances

Kevin Power, Head of Partnerships at MBNA Ireland, added that since the launch of the MBNA/Ryanair credit card in 2002, customers have benefited from earning bonus return flights offered on the Ryanair Credit Card.

Power states:

This benefit provides new customers with more choice when shopping around…

Thinking Money warns customers moving to Ireland of a hidden cost unrelated to credit card companies – the annual government stamp duty on credit cards is currently €30. In many instances though, customers can recoup this saving and more by carrying a credit card balance transfer. Although a relatively new product to the Irish credit cards market, balance transfers can certainly provide savings for consumers in these troubled times.

Continue Reading

The Top 5 Advantages of Credit Cards

Posted on 04. Jun, 2009.

Do you think credit cards can have a positive or negative effect within an individual’s or business’s life? While credit cards can earn negative press, they actually offer a variety of advantages for both businesses and individuals. Credit cards can offer convenience, can improve credit scores, can help to manage a monthly or annual budget, can provide short term leverage and can provide rewards benefits.

(more…)

Continue Reading

10 Ways to Cut Travel Costs

Posted on 16. May, 2009.

In the current recessionary environment, vacations are taking a back seat for most people. However, if you do want to have a mini-break or a getaway, here are 10 ways to cut your travel costs. The amount you’re able to save in terms of travel costs may lead itself to more spending money for when you are there.

(more…)

Continue Reading

What Advantages Will Financial Planning Give You?

Posted on 05. May, 2009.

For many people, money is a little tighter than it was just a few months ago. This means that you have to watch more closely and many need to try and stretch it further. Good financial planning can provide you with the control you need to make your money go further – and be there when you need it.

(more…)

Continue Reading

Economic Downturn Hits Super-Rich

Posted on 27. Apr, 2009.

The Sunday Times Rich List 2009 reveals that Britain’s wealthiest individuals have lost £155 billion in the last year. The top 1,000 richest people in the country now have £258 billion between them, down from 2008′s record of £413 billion.

(more…)

Continue Reading

Getting a Web Design Quote & Saving Money

Posted on 26. Apr, 2009.

Getting a web design quote for a new website, or for a redesigned website, is a very challenging process. People are often concerned about the cost of a new website but so too the quality of the website design itself. Requesting a web design quote therefore becomes quite a worry!

The Website Design Quote

A web design quote will typically break-down the scope of the design work and provide a focus on what will be achieved at what expense / resources. There’s typically a range of services that can be paid for when designing a website, but the quote should consider a great deal of facets, this might include:

• A quote for a website CMS – bespoke or standard.
• Prices of fixed costs – imagery, photography.
• An element that includes branding design and logo design.
• A quote for further offline development – leaflets, brochures, etc.
• Quotes for creative used for adverts – banners, etc.
• Variable design elements on the site: icons and adverts.
• Quote for design consultation time.
• And of course a quote for the overall design – coding and aesthetics.

A Quote for Web Design Work often requires a Request for Proposal

Completing the website’s request for proposal is a very important part of requesting a quote for a website’s redesign. The request for a web design proposal lays the foundation for directing the creativity and scoping-out what resources are needed to meet or exceed the proposal.

Top tips in Requesting a Web Design Quotes

To help you request a web design quote and understand what the process entails, here are some top tips in helping you through this process:

• Know what you want to achieve – have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, both the aesthetics and/or the function, and communicate this clearly to the web designer.
• When deciding on the function of the website (ecommerce, information, hub, comparison web site, etc) then try to picture the structure of the website.
• Regarding aesthetics, know the kind of style you want to achieve – meet and talk with your web designer or design team as part of the proposal / quote process.
• How will the content be organised? What sections will be on the website?
• What information will be provided on the homepage of similarly important pages?
• What information will be accessible from the footer, header or navigation bar?
• Choose a designer from their portfolio and testimonials. Maybe even ask how much they charge? Or what the average cost of a website design and development is?

All in all, if you’re looking for a web design quote, the better your understanding of the process, your design aspirations and the costings, the better your relationship will be and the better the outcomes. Requesting quotes for web design needn’t be stab in the dark, and of course by not getting the process wrong, can save you a great deal of time and money!!

greensplash design, a Cheshire web design consultancy is free to provide quotes to both small and large companies in the North West. Prices of design work needn’t be misunderstood any more.

Continue Reading

How Are People Saving Money in Current Recessionary Economy?

Posted on 10. Apr, 2009.

The present economic recession is prompting people to take a closer look at ways to save money and reduce debt. Take a page from wise savers’ books and consider implementing the following saving strategies:

(more…)

Continue Reading