AIA Chiangmai

It’s hard to believe in this day and age where there are as many lenders as burger bars on our high streets, but the Competition Commission has revealed that there are still doorstep loan sharks preying on people that have no other way of getting credit. There are reports that they are charging up to 1,000% interest per year for loans - the average is 177% - still incredibly high. Thankfully, the Competition Commission is finally making moves to stop these practices.

It’s about time, as it is reported that as many as two million Britons are taking out loans with these companies, usually because they have a very low income and the high street lenders won’t give them a second glance. They are forced to get credit at extortionate interest rates because they have no other way of getting it, and in our opinion, there’s no way that rates of 177% can be justified.

The Commission has a few plans up its sleeve to bring the doorstep loan companies to justice. Firstly, they will force them to clearly state to the customer how much the loan will cost them. The idea is that if the borrower realises that the

Tags: interest, loan, sharksinterest, loan, sharks

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We all look forward to the day when we can give up work - but to ensure your retirement is comfortable you will need to prepare for it carefully.

Putting a proportion of your earnings towards a pension may seem like a drag right now, but realistically you will need to save for as long as possible to gain a decent income in later years. Not only this, but there are substantial benefits to saving into a pension - you’re not taxed on contributions and there may be additional extras such as life insurance or lump sums included in your scheme.

These days people are investing more and more in private pension schemes and long term savings - the state pension is likely to become negligible with an ageing national population.

State Pension

At present, the basic pension for a single person is

Tags: accounts, bank, Banking, charge, interest, isa, manager, pensions, retire, savings, tax, VATaccounts, bank, Banking, charge, interest, isa, manager, pensions, retire, savings, tax, VAT

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If you are considering the purchase of your first car or even your next vehicle if you’re not a first time car buyer, you may be concerned about the prospect of financing your vehicle. This concern is not totally unfounded. There are numerous pitfalls that can occur when financing a new vehicle, especially if you plan to use dealership financing. In order to avoid running into these problems, and possibly stalling your purchase read the tips below.

First, understand exactly how important your credit score is to your auto loan application. Even when working with a dealership loan department, be aware that your credit history will be run and your credit score will have a major impact on your ability to obtain an auto loan as well as the terms you are offered. Ideally, it is best to stay on top of things and get an idea of the condition of your credit history yourself before you even step foot into the dealership. Look to make sure there are no errors on there that could be dragging down your score. If your credit score is not in great condition and it is not due to errors, consider delaying the purchase of a vehicle until you can clean it up by paying down some other debts and improving your bill payment schedule; both of which will help to raise your credit score. Remember, a low credit score can prevent you from getting a better interest rate as well as the loan itself.

Many people make a list before they go shopping to ensure they won’t spend more than they intended. A similar technique can help to ensure you won’t spend more than you can afford while car shopping. Make a list of what you’re looking for in a vehicle, the features that are important to you and set a price range you can afford to spend. Keep in mind that you should not plan to spend more than 20% of your monthly income.

Take the time to do your research and understand current interest rates as well as the price range for the features you have determined are important to you. This will help you to be better educated and less likely to be taken advantage of when it comes time to discuss terms of the loan.

Be aware of your options. Find out whether any rebates or special offers are available for the cars that interest you.

Never, ever sign anything unless you have gone over the purchase contract with a fine tooth comb. Far too often, extraneous charges will be tacked on that may not be really necessary. If you’re not sure of the reason for a charge, ask before you agree to pay it.

Don’t allow yourself to be pressured into anything. If you need more time to think, take it. Walk out of the dealership, think about it and make your decision on your own time. Salesmen are excellent at driving up the pressure and creating an inflated sense of ‘time is of the essence’ but that doesn’t mean you have to fall for it.

By doing your research ahead of time, knowing what you want and what you can afford to pay for it while maintaining a cool head you will be in a better position to purchase the car you want without running into any pitfalls that could cost you big in the long run.

Joe Kenny writes for SelectLoans.co.uk, a UK personal loans comparison site, visit us today for information on all loan topics including secured loans and links to leading UK providers.
Our Site: http://www.selectloans.co.uk/

Tags: auto, borrow, car, cost, Finance, insurance, interest, lending, loan, personal, purchaseauto, borrow, car, cost, Finance, insurance, interest, lending, loan, personal, purchase

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