Monday 21 November 2011
That's Food and Drink: The perfect Free-Range Christmas Turkey Box with S...
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thinkbanking highlights the importance of a budget for Christmas and beyond
Christmas can be a big expense: from the turkey and all the trimmings, decorations and social occasions, to presents for friends and family. However, budgeting bank account provider thinkbanking is urging people to consider the importance of a well-planned budget to make sure they start the New Year in good financial shape.
Research from MoneySupermarket.com recently found that, though 21% of people will use savings to cover the festive spend, and 38% will have enough disposable income to finance costs over the Christmas period, 11% plan to use their credit or store card. As a result of 'paying on plastic', however, many people could still be paying for Christmas much further down the line.
Despite the convenience credit can offer for many people, it's not the cheapest way to cover the cost. A credit card with an APR of about 18% and a £500 balance could take nearly 12 years to pay off in total, if you only make the minimum repayments of 2.5% every month.
Having said that, with so many of us feeling our finances squeezed by falling disposable incomes and rising living costs, some people feel that borrowing is the only option -which makes it important they budget for their monthly repayments along with all their other outgoings.
One way of making Christmas more affordable is by spreading the cost over the year - which takes planning and commitment, but could make a real difference to the overall cost of Christmas. You could begin preparing for Christmas 2012 by taking advantage of the January sales: at the start of a New Year, many shops offer discounts on cards, wrapping paper, decorations and other festive items. Why not buy your presents throughout the year? It could save you money and help you avoid the last-minute rush nearer the time.
However, one of the most practical ways of looking after your finances is to draw up a well-planned budget, so you can set aside some money every month and watch it grow over the year - you may be surprised at how much you could have saved by next December!
A spokesperson for thinkbanking commented: "It's important for consumers to think about how they'll cover the cost of big occasions like Christmas. With many budgets really feeling the pinch at the moment, plenty of people don't have savings they can depend on, but there are still steps they could take to fund the festive season without taking on debt.
"Although some people feel that they have no option but to borrow, drawing up - and sticking to - a successful, well thought-out budget could make all the difference, and help them avoid turning to credit cards, overdrafts and other forms of debt.
"This Christmas may not be very far away, but there's still time to set some money aside, which could go towards presents and other expenses. For example, putting £20 a week into a savings pot between now and Christmas Eve could give you around £120 to spend - which could make a big difference to your overall festive bill.
"Plus, if you begin saving in the New Year, you could stand yourself in good stead for Christmas 2012 - which is certainly a New Year's resolution worth making."
FACTFILE:
thinkbanking provides access to a current bank account that makes it easier to budget, by ring-fencing money needed for regular commitments, including savings. The 'Money Manager' service helps customers to manage their accounts effectively. The account comes with predictive banking which can let customers know if they are running short for their necessary expenses. thinkbanking accounts don't require a credit check and are available to UK residents over the age of 18.
For more information, visit the thinkbanking website at www.thinkbanking.co.uk.
Research from MoneySupermarket.com recently found that, though 21% of people will use savings to cover the festive spend, and 38% will have enough disposable income to finance costs over the Christmas period, 11% plan to use their credit or store card. As a result of 'paying on plastic', however, many people could still be paying for Christmas much further down the line.
Despite the convenience credit can offer for many people, it's not the cheapest way to cover the cost. A credit card with an APR of about 18% and a £500 balance could take nearly 12 years to pay off in total, if you only make the minimum repayments of 2.5% every month.
Having said that, with so many of us feeling our finances squeezed by falling disposable incomes and rising living costs, some people feel that borrowing is the only option -which makes it important they budget for their monthly repayments along with all their other outgoings.
One way of making Christmas more affordable is by spreading the cost over the year - which takes planning and commitment, but could make a real difference to the overall cost of Christmas. You could begin preparing for Christmas 2012 by taking advantage of the January sales: at the start of a New Year, many shops offer discounts on cards, wrapping paper, decorations and other festive items. Why not buy your presents throughout the year? It could save you money and help you avoid the last-minute rush nearer the time.
However, one of the most practical ways of looking after your finances is to draw up a well-planned budget, so you can set aside some money every month and watch it grow over the year - you may be surprised at how much you could have saved by next December!
A spokesperson for thinkbanking commented: "It's important for consumers to think about how they'll cover the cost of big occasions like Christmas. With many budgets really feeling the pinch at the moment, plenty of people don't have savings they can depend on, but there are still steps they could take to fund the festive season without taking on debt.
"Although some people feel that they have no option but to borrow, drawing up - and sticking to - a successful, well thought-out budget could make all the difference, and help them avoid turning to credit cards, overdrafts and other forms of debt.
"This Christmas may not be very far away, but there's still time to set some money aside, which could go towards presents and other expenses. For example, putting £20 a week into a savings pot between now and Christmas Eve could give you around £120 to spend - which could make a big difference to your overall festive bill.
"Plus, if you begin saving in the New Year, you could stand yourself in good stead for Christmas 2012 - which is certainly a New Year's resolution worth making."
FACTFILE:
thinkbanking provides access to a current bank account that makes it easier to budget, by ring-fencing money needed for regular commitments, including savings. The 'Money Manager' service helps customers to manage their accounts effectively. The account comes with predictive banking which can let customers know if they are running short for their necessary expenses. thinkbanking accounts don't require a credit check and are available to UK residents over the age of 18.
For more information, visit the thinkbanking website at www.thinkbanking.co.uk.
Saturday 19 November 2011
That's Food and Drink: The Blue Nun Sparkling Gold ... For Life’s Golden ...
That's Food and Drink: The Blue Nun Sparkling Gold ... For Life’s Golden ...: It may be a little early for some, but the party season is just around the corner and that means plenty of sparkle and a glass or two of ...
Friday 18 November 2011
Firebox announces its Top 10 ‘WTF?!’ Gifts: Pure opulence with a price tag to match for billionaires
Ever fantasised about what you’d buy if you won the lottery? Perhaps you need a bit of inspiration? Firebox, the world’s greatest retailer, has - for the first time ever - developed a Top 10 WTF?! (What The Firebox?!) gift list aimed at the mega-rich and the incredibly famous.
Curated by Firebox from its super high-end WTF?! range, this Top 10 gob-smacking list is the defining wish list of what to ask for this Christmas if money was no object.
Ben Fowler, WTF?! Curator at Firebox, said: “Firebox is well known for its crazy, fun and entertaining gifts and gadgets but we wanted to bring attention to our most ridiculous, fantastical products that would make your eyes pop. Earlier this year we launched the WTF?! range – a range of Firebox products but gonzo. More insane, more quirky, more expensive and more unique, they will make you to cry out WTF?!”
Continuing, Ben said: “If I were rich and famous these are the kind of products I’d want for Christmas – they’re amazing, astounding and brilliant fun.”
Surveying Firebox’s Facebook Fans it was discovered that if money was no object its customers would opt for an island, world peace or never ending happiness. But perhaps they’ll settle for one of these instead?
1 DeLorean DMCEV - £70,000
What do you mean we’re going Back to the Future? The DeLorean, made famous in “that” movie is back and this time it’s electric. Retaining the unique gull-wing design and silver exterior, the word ‘iconic’ doesn’t even do it justice.
2 Triumph Bonneville Steve McQueen Edition – £7,700
Based on the classic T100 and inspired by the Trophy TR6 McQueen rode during the stunt scene from The Great Escape, the Triumph Bonneville T100 is limited to just 1,100 bikes, and features a super cool matt khaki green paint job and the late actor's signature on the side covers – it also arrives individually numbered, with a plaque on the handlebar clamp and a certificate of authenticity. Now that’s cool!
3 Project Utopia - £100m+
You want a man-made island-like cruise liner? Done. How about one that is almost identical to Stromberg’s Atlantis hideout in the classic Bond film, The Spy Who Loved Me? Done. Spanning eleven decks yet still coming with full climate control, this is an architectural maritime masterpiece.
4 Caran D’Ache 1010 Diamonds Fountain Pen - £850,000
In white gold with more than 850 exceptionally pure diamonds (totalling approximately 24.61 carats) this dazzling writing instrument brings together the Swiss expertise of leading jewellers, goldsmiths and master craftsmen and is in fact the world’s most expensive pen, ever. This Pen is certainly mightier than the sword.
5 Blue Forest Tree House - from £20,000
If you want a tree house then why not go all out – Blue Forest will design amazing houses ranging from fantasy to functional just for you, high up in the canopy of your trees. Or, in your office; wherever you like really.
6 One Degree of Turntable - 1£00,000
It’s gold, it’s beautiful, it’s a record turntable and it is for the biggest audiophiles of audiophiles. NASA engineers designed it, Firebox loves it.
7 F5 Custom Luxury Golf Cart - £20,500
For the seasoned golfer, looking the part is as important as the playing handicap. You drove a Ferrari to the club, you wanna drive a Ferrari in ‘da club too. Behold the F5 Italian Sports Car Custom Golf Cart. Complete with headlights, turn signals, electric horn and 15” wheel rims this awe inspiring luxury vehicle looks every bit the real deal, albeit in miniature form. And with a top speed of almost 20mph, it is sure to burn off every other cart on the course.
8 Agility Saietta R Bike - £13,750
Designed for urban living, the Agility Saietta R Bike combines powerful performance with Hollywood looks. As the specs show, this isn’t simply an exercise in style. Thanks to the Saietta R’s electric motor, the engineers have stripped out all of the bulk that once dictated how a bike should look – letting the design evolve beyond the traditional petrol-driven motorbike shape.
9 JetLev Flyer - £115,000
Messing about on the water is great fun, but jetting about above the water is like, totally awesome, especially when you’re strapped to the jaw-droppingly impressive JetLev Flyer. The result of years of painstaking R&D, the precision-made design allows you to achieve stable, controlled flight as you soar 10 metres above the water at speeds of up to 30 mph.
10 Marchi Mobile EleMMent RV - £1.9 Million
Littlest Hobo syndrome? The EleMMent RV has its own roof terrace, expanding living space, a rainfall shower and of course a bar. This really is a mansion on wheels.
And, if all this looks a bit pricey for you, Firebox has created a budget Top 10 stocking filler gift list for those with smaller purses than the average billionnaire.
Get Your Christmas Presents With Free Delivery at SportsDirect.com on Facebook!
Whether it’s running shoes for mum, football boots for your brother or some new golf clubs for granddad; SportsDirect.com not only offer them at great prices, but if you’re a fan of theirs on Facebook you can be in with a chance of winning free delivery- leaving your loved ones and your wallet happy come Christmas morning.
So how does it work? Simple; every day from the 17th November 2011 through to the 22nd December 2011 fans can tell SportsDirect.com what’s on this year’s Christmas list via their official Facebook page. One lucky winner per day will receive free standard UK mainland delivery on their Christmas order! The competition runs up to the final delivery date for Christmas, making it ideal for those last minute shoppers too!
Whatever you want this Christmas, find it for less this year. Log onto www.sportsdirect.com today to choose what would look great wrapped up under the tree! Full terms and conditions for the competition are available on the official Facebook page. You can also keep up to date with the latest offers and sports news on Twitter!
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