Well I must admit that the news that the Labour party are considering compulsory liability insurance for dogs brought a smile to my face - its not the concept - that seems fairly sound - its exactly how it would be implemented that got me thinking..
Remember the hunting ban and the protests that led to? Personally I think the dog legislation could be 100 times worse. And I really don't think the politicians have given a moments thought as to how they plan to enforce the plans!
It won't be Aunt Mildred and her poodle that will be the problem - although politically she and her friends will make a lot of noise about it. It will be owners of dogs that can't get cover, or find it prohibitively expensive that will be the issue. Owners of such pets will see their dogs as misunderstood victims of an unfair policy. Can you picture the scene as dog wardens and police arrive to remove dogs that do not have valid insurance? Whether from high rise blocks in London or Leeds, or nice semi detached houses in the leafy suburbs of Edinburgh or Exeter its not going to be a popular event!
And what happens then - prison overcrowding is a hot issue at the moment, but will be nothing compared to kennel overcrowding as uninsured dogs are locked away!
Can't wait for the next big idea as things hot up before the election - still saves talking about the economy....
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Monday, 25 January 2010
Good news from Barclaycard - but otherwise its time to keep you eye on your cash!
Today sees the launch of Barclaycard Freedom - a cashback scheme offering 1% back on purchases, and providing there a wide take up by retailers it looks like money for nothing for holders of most of their cards - read more through the link above.
But thats about the only good news around - fuel bills up as a result of the cold weather, Skipton Building Society's SVR (Standard Variable Rate) is increased despite what their customers thought was a promise to link it to Base Rate, car insurance rates rise at the fastest rate since the AA started their monitoring system - I could go on - but it gets depressing!
However there is a noticably positive move - feedback from customers indicates more and more of us we are clearly getting the hang of negociating (or haggling!). Mobile phone companies are a prime example of where there is definitely a margin built in - and that means lots of satisfaction when a good deal is done.!
We will be offering our top tips when it comes to negociating in an article on moneymaxim later this week.
Pop into the site and have a browse!
But thats about the only good news around - fuel bills up as a result of the cold weather, Skipton Building Society's SVR (Standard Variable Rate) is increased despite what their customers thought was a promise to link it to Base Rate, car insurance rates rise at the fastest rate since the AA started their monitoring system - I could go on - but it gets depressing!
However there is a noticably positive move - feedback from customers indicates more and more of us we are clearly getting the hang of negociating (or haggling!). Mobile phone companies are a prime example of where there is definitely a margin built in - and that means lots of satisfaction when a good deal is done.!
We will be offering our top tips when it comes to negociating in an article on moneymaxim later this week.
Pop into the site and have a browse!
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
moneymaxim energy monitor service launched at right time for cold weather
Ever since we launched moneymaxim we have spoken to many clients who have not been aware of quite how much they could save by reviewing their gas and electricity costs. Over the past six months market rates have fallen considerably and even customers who compared their spend last summer are finding it better to pay early redemption premiums and move to new tariffs.
However one thing our customers have said is that they find monitoring whether they are on the best tariff time consuming and irksome - so we have created the free moneymaxim energy monitor service - where customers can tell us the tariff and consumption and we will check periodically whether its worth them changing.
Simple, easy, free and straightforward - why now sign up today at moneymaxims energy monitor service
If you would like more information visit our article covering the free energy monitoring service launch
However one thing our customers have said is that they find monitoring whether they are on the best tariff time consuming and irksome - so we have created the free moneymaxim energy monitor service - where customers can tell us the tariff and consumption and we will check periodically whether its worth them changing.
Simple, easy, free and straightforward - why now sign up today at moneymaxims energy monitor service
If you would like more information visit our article covering the free energy monitoring service launch
Thursday, 10 December 2009
Beat the Budget Special - put more in your pocket than the Chancellor is taking out!
So the Chancellors done his worst and increased National Savings, VAT and more- at least until after the next election! And theres not a lot we can do about it - or is there?
Here at moneymaxim we are seeing customers make real and substantial changes in their outgoings through a few small changes - check out our Beat the Budget article on our website today, and see where our customers are saving most. We have a growing number of customers in our £1000 savers club - could you be the next!
Finally remember a pound not spent is worth a lot more than a pound earned - especially with National Insurance rates rising!
Here at moneymaxim we are seeing customers make real and substantial changes in their outgoings through a few small changes - check out our Beat the Budget article on our website today, and see where our customers are saving most. We have a growing number of customers in our £1000 savers club - could you be the next!
Finally remember a pound not spent is worth a lot more than a pound earned - especially with National Insurance rates rising!
Monday, 7 December 2009
British Gas lead prices down - will others follow?
After a period of relative calm on the energy price front British Gas has revised its Websaver product resulting in it being the price leader in almost half the countries distribution areas. Good news for customers at this stage of the winter, as those moving now will get the reduction during the coldest time of the year.
However is this a cynical move on the day Ofgem tasked the energy companies with reducing prices to reflect the lower prices they have been paying for wholesale fuel recently? Well the tariff does have pretty high cancellation fees at £30 a fuel if you want to cancel - although these only apply until June, whilst the discounts last until February 2011. And whilst it is cheaper in some areas it in not that competitive in others. But overall we feel its a step in the right direction, and further evidence that the lumbering giant of the energy world has woken up to the fact that it does need to be competitive on price as well as relying on its brand!
Will others move down too? Ofgem demanded action in the New Year, and it would not surprise us if others dug their heels in until February, well knowing that by then the biggest energy spend of the year has been done, and any reductions will have far less impact on our pockets - and their income!
We suggest looking now at the savings on offer and move now if you want to maximise your winter savings. Check now on our energy calculator pages
However is this a cynical move on the day Ofgem tasked the energy companies with reducing prices to reflect the lower prices they have been paying for wholesale fuel recently? Well the tariff does have pretty high cancellation fees at £30 a fuel if you want to cancel - although these only apply until June, whilst the discounts last until February 2011. And whilst it is cheaper in some areas it in not that competitive in others. But overall we feel its a step in the right direction, and further evidence that the lumbering giant of the energy world has woken up to the fact that it does need to be competitive on price as well as relying on its brand!
Will others move down too? Ofgem demanded action in the New Year, and it would not surprise us if others dug their heels in until February, well knowing that by then the biggest energy spend of the year has been done, and any reductions will have far less impact on our pockets - and their income!
We suggest looking now at the savings on offer and move now if you want to maximise your winter savings. Check now on our energy calculator pages
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Ryanair card fees - change for the better or another moneymaking scam!
So Michael O'Learys latest move is to ditch Electron cards in favour of Prepaid Mastercard Credit Cards as the only fee free way to pay for flights on Ryanair - is this a good move for the consumer or just a way of increasing the companies income at a time of economic hardship?
On the face of it there is little to applaud in the move.
Giving a months notice does let those who are aware of Ryanairs plans time to apply for an alternative card, but there will be many who won't take action quickly enough, especially at Christmas - and as a third of Ryanairs 60 million tickets are currently bought using Electron I am pretty sure that Ryanairs income from this area will rise in the early months of 2010.
Then there is the lack of consumer protection - Prepaid cards basically offer the same protection when buying something as cash - none - so consumers will loose the ability to look to their card provider if the airline fails (and unlike bank accounts these cards are not part of the depositors protection schemes).
Then there are the under 18s - cardholders need to be 18 to hold a Prepaid mastercard.
Then there are fees - even our recommended card - the CaxtonFX Global Traveller charges £1.50 for a UK transaction (although unlike the next best ICE card does not charge a 2% loading fee). The CaxtonFX card also has no annual fees, or application costs. For our full article please read our 'Beat the Ryanair surcharge article' in moneymaxim articles section.
Also the minimum amount you can credit a card is £100, which means you may well be left with a surplus balance on the card earning no interest.
So is there an upside?
The only ones we can think of is that the personal checks carried out before a card is issued looks more at anti fraud than credit rating, the cards are easy to get hold of, and the card is a reasonable back up when abroad (but not as good as a prepaid card in Euros or US dollars if thats where you are travelling to)..buts thats pretty small consolation. (See our travel money abroad article for more details)
However they are certainly a better option that paying Ryanair £10 per round trip ticket, and as part of the O'Leary strategy is probably to make us wonder if its just easier to pay them the fee....
That makes it worth it on its own - and we are applying for ours today!
CaxtonFX Prepaid Mastercard
On the face of it there is little to applaud in the move.
Giving a months notice does let those who are aware of Ryanairs plans time to apply for an alternative card, but there will be many who won't take action quickly enough, especially at Christmas - and as a third of Ryanairs 60 million tickets are currently bought using Electron I am pretty sure that Ryanairs income from this area will rise in the early months of 2010.
Then there is the lack of consumer protection - Prepaid cards basically offer the same protection when buying something as cash - none - so consumers will loose the ability to look to their card provider if the airline fails (and unlike bank accounts these cards are not part of the depositors protection schemes).
Then there are the under 18s - cardholders need to be 18 to hold a Prepaid mastercard.
Then there are fees - even our recommended card - the CaxtonFX Global Traveller charges £1.50 for a UK transaction (although unlike the next best ICE card does not charge a 2% loading fee). The CaxtonFX card also has no annual fees, or application costs. For our full article please read our 'Beat the Ryanair surcharge article' in moneymaxim articles section.
Also the minimum amount you can credit a card is £100, which means you may well be left with a surplus balance on the card earning no interest.
So is there an upside?
The only ones we can think of is that the personal checks carried out before a card is issued looks more at anti fraud than credit rating, the cards are easy to get hold of, and the card is a reasonable back up when abroad (but not as good as a prepaid card in Euros or US dollars if thats where you are travelling to)..buts thats pretty small consolation. (See our travel money abroad article for more details)
However they are certainly a better option that paying Ryanair £10 per round trip ticket, and as part of the O'Leary strategy is probably to make us wonder if its just easier to pay them the fee....
That makes it worth it on its own - and we are applying for ours today!
CaxtonFX Prepaid Mastercard
Monday, 2 November 2009
Great to see National Savings back
Great to see National Savings back at the fore in world of bonds - many traditional savers like the security and reliability of NS&I, especially in the current climate, so its fantastic to them offering the best rate around for one year money.
We are seeing many savers reluctant to tie up their savings for longer periods, not knowing exactly whats around the corner, so I expect this bond to be very attractive. Probably a good idea to get in quick if its one for you!
Read the full moneymaxim article: National Savings back to the fore in short term bonds
We are seeing many savers reluctant to tie up their savings for longer periods, not knowing exactly whats around the corner, so I expect this bond to be very attractive. Probably a good idea to get in quick if its one for you!
Read the full moneymaxim article: National Savings back to the fore in short term bonds
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