Finance Money News

Net searches for pay as you go mobile phone offers have risen 40% in the last two months. Moneysupermarket have suggested that because of this data, PAYG phones are at the top of people's Chritsmas lists this year. Apparently, the number of cool deals at the moment, and the affordability are making PAYG pones a perfect buy this Xmas, especially for youngsters after their first phone. It is also a sign that people are trying their best to manage their finances, opting for top up phones rather than contract ones.

The most searched for phones in the time period were:

• Apple iPhone
• LG Viewty and the
• Samsung Tocco

Apparently, broadband provider, Virgin Meida, may begin their 50mbps internet service later this month.

The service will be delivered via fibre optics, and will be the fastest connection available in the UK.

BT have also recently announced to deliver super-fast broadband to 10 million homes by 2012 - a service which will include 100mbps internet delivery.

Even 1000mbps may be available in the future.

Halifax have announced that average earnings in the UK have risen in the last five years - an average of 21% more than they were earning five years ago. The average wage is now £31,500 - £5,561 more than 5 years ago, when it was £25,939.

Retail prices have also risen in the 5 year period, by 18%. This suggests that there has been an increase in disposable income and also, a rise in living standards.

Some regions of the UK have seen higher than average increases in salaries - e.g. those living in Kent have seen a rise in income of 60% compared to 2003. Those working in London, unsurpsingly, saw the highest average salaries - £82,084 - two and a half times the British national average.

However, when you take into account the cost of living, the average earnings have grown about 3% since 2003.

Or don't - it's not the best thing to choose to do. But, if it does happen when skiing on the French Alps for example, Tesco are there to help.

They are offering their travel insurance now, with free winter sports cover for all customers who take out a yearly policy between now and January.

The free cover covers 22 days, across 14 activities, so is ieal for people planning to jet off for a ski holiday or similar.

City analysts have predicted that by 2010, there will be 3million unemployed people in the UK, as the economy takes it's toll on businesses. About 5000 jobs have been lost up to now because of the crunch, and things are predicted to only get worse.

There are a number of issues regarding a rise in unemployment, especially the facts that UK revenue from teaxes will fall sharply and increased costs for social services will soon hit home. This reduced income and increased outgoings will weaken the balance sheet, despite the need to turn the economy around as soon as possible.

Esure, the insurance company, have warned that in-store insurance policies should be avoided by customers, if they want to save money.

They found that 23% of Brits buy extra insurance for products they had bought from high street stores. However, of this number, 3.3million already have home contents insurance - rendering the insurance they had shelled our for, useless.

They also gave some tips on how to avoid doubling up on policies, including:

• Remember that the shop assistant will more than likely receive a commission if they sell the policy to you
  
• Check what your existing home insurance covers

It has been revealed that 3/4 of UK drivers have admitted to speeding on a regular basis, as they are confident that they won't get caught. If only the car insurance providers knew what their policy holders were up to!

• 23% claimed they speed a few times a week
• 19% said they speed every day
• 27% said they had never broken the speed limit

It was also exposed that on UK roads, 244,770 people were injured or killed in road accidents - many of these will be due, in part or full, to speeding. What's even more worrying, is that those who do speed, don't worry about it, because 43% of them slow down when they know a speed camera is approaching, and speed up as soon as they pass it! Maybe the regulations should be changed, so that the position of speed cameras are made unknown?

I love Picasso. If I had the money, I'd most definately be the proud owner of many of his pieces. A Picasso Cubist painting was meant to be in an auction next week, and it has been withdrawn from sale. It was expected to fetch over £19.1m at Sotheby's in New York and was the highlight of the upcoming sale.

It seems that many autumn auctions have failed to meet expectations and seem to be struggling amidst the current economic downturn. With less money flying around, and the art market being a confidence-based one, it's no surprise.

I'd buy something like the Picasso auction piece in a flash, I just very much doubt I will ever have the money.

The contents of an average woman's handbag could put them at serious risk of having their identity stolen.

According to Sheila's Wheels, women are carrying around way too much personal information with them.

Two thirds of women have at least one item which could put them at risk, in their bags. These can include a diary containing personal info, a cheque book or even utility bills. 7% of women admit to carrying their passport on a regular basis.

The average contents of a handbag are worth as much as £290, including mobiles, make up, MP3 players and money.

Women have been advised to change their bag habits - only carry around whats essential. Also, get a credit report to check your finances.

Good job I don't have a bag really!

At 96, Millvine Dean is the last remaining survivor of the Titanic, which sank in the North Atlantic in 1912. She was just 9 weeks old when her and her mother were rescued after the ship plummeted.

But now, due to the costs of nursing homes and the credit crunch, she is having to sell her possessions which she has kept since that day. She hopes to raise £3,000 by selling items such as a suitcase full of clothes given to her after her rescue and several rare prints of the Titanic.

The auction is in Wiltshire, and the profits from the sale are to go towards her care at a private nursing home in Hampshire. Just shows how much nursing care costs, and what lengths people have to go to to be able to afford to pay for their healthcare. The credit crunch can't be helping either.

Men who grow up believing that women should stay at home may be labelled old-fashioned, but they could end up well ahead in the salary stakes.

A US study, found in the Journal of Applied Psychology, suggests that they will consistently out-earn the more modern man - On average meaning an extra £4,722 a year.

Most of the big lenders, including Halifax, Woolwich, RBOS and Lloyds TSB have passed on yesterdays rate cut. Nationwide and Abbey were still considering their reaction to the BofE's move while HSBC said it never responds immediately to base rate changes.

NS&I reacted immediately, by passing on the 0.5% cut to holders of its Direct Cash ISA.

Perhaps it's the early decision that has caught the lenders off guard? Hence why they are taking their time responding to it?

Car insurance policyholders have been warned about the growing trend for petrol being stolen as a result of the credit crunch and the rising cost of fuel. Four-wheel drives are being targeted inparticular due to their larger tanks and height from the ground - this makes it easier for thieves to siphon petrol.

Criminals are now even resorting to drilling into petrol tanks - especially on newer cars, which are more difficult to siphone petrol.

UK homes are throwing away £6.8bn each year, because they aren't shopping around for their fuel provider. Nearly 14m homes are wasting, on average, £490 a year because they haven't taken the initiative to switch energy provider.

Confused.com has reported that since the start of the year, customers who have switched provider have saved £296.23 each. Consumers should check that they are on the right tariff for their usage - one that reflects their household consumption.

Just switching to an online tariff and paying via direct debt could save you £490 a year.

Northern Rock have withdrawn a number of savings deals to new customers, to ensure it doesn't abuse any competitive advantage. The nationalised bank is one of the few places that has 100% guarantee that the customers' savings are safe, as it is government backed. It must now cap its market share of UK retail deposit balances at 1.5%, as part of a commitment made during the nationalisation deal.

They have cut its Silver Savings, Silver Savings 30, Business Reserve and a range of fixed rate bonds, following a recent withdrawal of its Fixed Rate Asser Bond and E-Saver products.

The increase in the national minimum wage, from £5.52 to £5.73 an hour for adult workers has come into force. The hourly rate for 18-22 year olds has also been increase from £4.60 to £4.77 and for 16/17 year olds, it has risen from £3.40 to £3.53.

The government is planning to introduce new regulations in April, which will impose a £5,000 automatic fine on any boss who fails to pay the minimum rate. Serious cases could lead to prosecution which could subject the employer to an unlimited fine.

It may sound a bit daft, but it's true. When the weather takes a turn for the worse and the rain and wind arrives, cats and dogs are suffering as well as us humans. Why? Because of the slugs and snails. According to the PDSA, slugs and snails thrive in these conditions and as our moggies and doggies aren't really that picky about what they eat, a lot of these pests make a tasty treat. But, they can cause respiratory and circulatory problems and some even carry larvae that can cause lungworm.

It's therefore vital that you choose to pay for pet insurance - it's not much each month and can save thousands if and when your pet has to go in for treatment.

Easyjet will be cutting the number of flights over winter, to balance witht eh economic climate and the high fuel prices.

They said that their annual fuel costs have risen by about £185m and as a result, its annual earnings will be less than expected.

They are going to cut capacity at Stansted by 12% over winter and shares fell 3% after the news was announced. But, amidst fears that people will be cutting down on holidays because of the crunch, Easyjet's total number of passengers have continued to increase, with strong growth at Gatwick and on routes to France and Italy. Total revenue increased by 32% and passenger numbers rose aswell, by 16%, in Easyjet's third quarter. Despite this, they are cutting flights, as are Ryanair, who had previously announced they are going to cut 250 Stansted flights.

I understand some people really enjoy gardening. I probably wouldn't mind it either, if I had a garden...

But I was reading on a site somewhere about the cost of gardening, and how you could save pounds by just having a look at these tips:

• Use cuttings of your favourite plants and flowers rather than going to the garden centre and paying through your teeth for the full plant. Obviously, ask first!
  
• Register with a gardening club or society
  • Members often swap plants and seeds
  • Forums are great for advice and support
    
  • Use this one, or this one, for swaps
• Make seeding pots from newspaper. A useful demo is here.
  
• Make your own compost
  
• Make your own weedkiller

Tesco are offering 25% or more off Wine and Champagne, until the 6th July.

Take a look for one that may suit you!

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says 24,000 claims, worth £260m, were found to be dishonest last year. That equates to £5m a week in fraudulent claims.

These claims included one driver, who pushed his vehicle off a cliff and claimed it had been stolen, and an owner of a Rolls Royce who claimed £10,000 for the alleged theft of the front grill, hubcaps, steering wheel, seats and mascot on the bonnet, only for the items to be later found in his house. In another case, a woman claimed her foot slipped off the brake of a Land Rover, causing the vehicle to hit the front of the house, found later to be deliberate, as a result of a row with her partner.

These fraudulent claims led to honest motorists having to fork out an extra £40 a year on average for their premiums. It was also told that dishonest motor claims ahd risen by 70% over the past three years.

Asda and Tesco seem to have began a price war... and now, Asda has stated it's intention to sell certain staple foods for 50p an item.

Thats bread, eggs, butter, fruit and veg. For 50p each.

The offers will be available in 329 of their supermarkets, from Friday to Sunday inclusive. So how much are you saving? Take a look...