Ashley Park Financial Solutions on new Paym Software

Ashley Park Financial Solutions were intrigued by a recent article describing new mobile software that will allow users to transfer money quickly and easily using nothing more than a telephone number. The service, known as Paym (pronounced “pay ‘em”) will be made available to 30 million people when it goes live on the 29^th of April.

People who bank with TSB, Bank of Scotland, Barclays and Halifax amongst others, will be able to register their mobile numbers from today in anticipation of the full service at the end of the month. They can then transfer cash payments to their contacts without needing to know their bank details.

Users wishing to receive payments must actively register their number alongside the current account that they wish to use. Users only wishing to send money do not have to register for Pym, but their bank must be taking part in the scheme. You will be asked to confirm the name of the recipient and the amount you want to transfer before going ahead.

The software has been developed following research carried out by the Payments Council, who found that on average, people rack up around £256 in informal loans and IOUs amongst their family, friends and acquaintances. Annually this adds up to a whopping £12.6 billion!

This research is based on the idea that adults in the UK are lending just under £5 every week to someone they know. This could be for a sandwich, bus fare or a can of pop. These amounts tend to add up over time and we never see the returns. With Paym, recipients will immediately be able to pay back their lenders.

While it is mostly intended to aid small payments, users will be able to transfer at least £250 a day if they want to. It is up to the banks themselves whether they want to place a higher cap on day to day payments.

People can find out more about registering for Paym by visiting paym.co.uk or ask their bank or building society. Here at Ashley Park Financial Solutions we think this is a great idea and the perfect means of getting your money back without nagging friends or feeling awkward.

If you’re worried about money, check out our website for our full range of services. You can also follow us on Twitter for regular updates. 

How Much Is Your Toaster Costing You?

At Ashley Park Financial Solutions, we;re all about saving money. Take a look around your home - the chances are that every room will be crammed with electrical appliances. From the TV and set top box in your living room, to games consoles for the children, cooker in the kitchen, alarm clock in the bedroom, the list is almost endless.

The cost of buying the appliance is only half the story, the amount of electricity each item gobbles up can make a significant difference to how much you have to pay out to your energy supplier. And there's a whole lot more being wasted just by leaving your appliances on standby. 

Experts now believe as much as 16% of electricity used is from appliances on standby, a total of £86 on an annual bill of £530. This means that by simply getting better at switching things off, it should be possible to slice a sixth off your electricity bill.

As well as measuring the cost of not switching appliances off, researchers investigated how much every item cost to run per year, based on average costs. The study took into account 250 households and was based on an electricity cost of 14.5p per kWh.

So, what did the study reveal to be the most expensive electrical item to run?

You could be forgiven for thinking that a large item such as a freezer, which is left running permanently, would eat up the most electricity. However, in actual fact a luxury item which costs a lot of money to purchase is also one of the biggest culprits for hiking up the bill.

A plasma flat screen TV might look fabulous but the running costs will leave a dent in your bank balance. Calculations suggest that a plasma TV costs a whopping £96 per year to run, a third more than an upright fridge freezer, which came in at £62. It also costs more than three times the running cost of an LCD TV which costs just £29 per year, or more than five times more than an old-style CRT TV, which is just £17 to run per year. And though you might well complain about the amount of time the children spend on their games console, studies have shown the running costs were between just £6 and £9 per annum.

The second piece of equipment that has the most expensive running costs is a dehumidifier, which cost £76 per year to run, far more than an oven and a hob, which works out at just £46, despite being an essential item of equipment used on most days.

Smaller electrical items such as clock radios and hairdryers eat up just £3 per year each. Hair straighteners and baby monitors were amongst the cheapest appliances to run, costing £1 apiece per annum.

And the humble toaster? Well, for a years’ worth of golden brown deliciously tasty toast, you can expect to pay £3.18.

Understanding how you can cut back on your utility bill expenditure can be very helpful if you are struggling to keep up with ever increasing household bills.

However, if you are finding it harder to keep up with all your monthly bills, it could be worth seeking professional help.

By consolidating debts such as credit cards, catalogue accounts, overdrafts and payday loans into one easier to manage monthly repayment, you could have a little more in your pocket to cover the costs of sky rocketing utility bills. If you're struggling with money troubles, contact Ashley Park Financial Solutions for details of our services. You can also follow us on Twitter for regular updates. 

Ashley Park Financial Solutions on IVAs

IVA: Getting rid of interest, bank charges and annoying creditor phone calls.

At Ashley ParkFinancial Solutions, we know that debt is common-place in the modern world. From student loans, to bills, to payday loans, credit cards and mortgage payments, debt is something we might all face at some point. Knowing the extent and gravity of your debt situation and how to manage it is the first step towards clearing it.

With the growing number of student loan debts and the increase in short-term “pay day loans”, serious debt issues are rising quickly. Many people don’t know how to deal with the situation and simply ignore the consequences and the constant stream of creditor phone calls. But it’s important to be aware that there are a number of debt solutions and help available – the weight of mounting debt needn’t be a life-changing occurrence.

One of the many ways to manage debt – where repayments cannot be met -  is through an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), which, in essence, gives you some space and time to make reduced payments towards your debt without the added pressures of increasing interest, account charges and contact with pushy creditors.

More Information on IVAs

·         - Setting up an IVA is beneficial both to you and your creditors as it is relatively inexpensive compared to a bankruptcy petition. 

·         - They spread a reduced debt over a certain amount of time (normally 5 years).

·         - They cover unsecured debts from personal loans, credit cards, store cards, overdrafts, bank charges, medical bills, VAT and those from Inland Revenue.

·         - You only make a single payment each month including any fees payable.

·        - Your credit rating will be affected in the short term and may be affected in the medium and long term.

·         - Up to 70% of your debt can be written off and all interest and charges  frozen subject to your Creditors approval.

·         - Homeowners may be required to release equity in their property in the final year of the IVA.

 - Although an IVA offers a much needed respite and way out of debt, there are still certain criteria that users must meet, including debts over £7000 or more, proof of employment or regular income, and debts that are unsecured (listed above).

For more advice, information, and details about debt management, and in particular, about Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVA) and other debt solutions, Ashley ParkFinancial Solutions are always happy to help.

Call 0800 043 3535 or visit www.ashleypark.co.uk now. 

Money Saving Tips for Over-60s

Saving money at any age can be tough, but if you’re on the brink of leaving work or have already retired, it can feel like there’s a lot more pressure to save for your old age. Here at Ashley Park Financial Solutions we understand the worries that can come towards the end of your working life and beyond. So we decided to give you some top tips to help you along the way.

Pensions

Pensions can be complicated if you’re not sure what you’re signing up to. If you’ve saved into a pension throughout your working life, you’ll more than likely have to purchase an annuity. You trade in your pension lump sum for a regular income that usually lasts for the rest of your life. It’s always best to shop around before you buy an annuity, to find the best rates of return for you. If you’re not sure, you should speak to an Independent Financial Adviser, who can tell you where your money is best placed.

Pension Credits

If you’re claiming a weekly individual state pension, you may be entitled to a pension credit top-up. Millions of pensioners on low incomes are entitled to this but don’t claim it because they’re unaware of it. If your total income is under £137 a week, it’s likely that you’re eligible; you can call the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234 to check.

Pension Boosts

Claiming a state pension doesn’t mean that you’re not in control of your income; there simple are ways to improve your returns that can make a big difference. For example, if you have any outstanding National Insurance payments, then it’s certainly worth paying a few hundred pounds as it can add thousands onto your pension packet over the years. And, if you’re in a position to do it, deferral of a state pension is a good idea. Your future weekly income increases by 1% for every five weeks you delay.

Travel Insurance

When you leave work, you may well decide that you’d like to spend some of your later years seeing the world. Pensioners can secure travel insurance for as little as £23 a year for Europe and £35 worldwide. As you get older, these prices will go up, so be sure to shop around.

You should also be sure to get a free European Health Insurance Card, which will afford you treatment in state-run hospitals at the same price the locals pay. Click here for more information.  

Extra Cash

If you decide you’d like to make a few extra pounds during your retirement, then you have every right to try. House-sitting might be something to consider. You can look after homes for people while their at work, particularly if they have pets and make a bit of extra cash every week.

You may also be able to claim cash from your home by installing loft or cavity wall insulation. For more information, visit the Energy Saving Trust’s website.

Study

Seems like an odd suggestion, but university isn’t just for fresh-faced teenagers! If you don’t already have a degree and would like to study for one, your tuition fees will be paid for you. They’re only repayable if you earn over £21,000 or more a year. So no need to worry about making repayments!

If you're struggling with money issues, visit the Ashley Park Financial Solutions website for our full range of services. You can also follow us on Twitter for regular updates.

Ashley Park Financial Solutions: Ways to Save on Travel

In the modern age of commuter travel and migration from home towns, transport is an important part of our lives. It can however be an extremely expensive commodity. Ashley Park Financial Solutions have compiled a few top tips to help you get a great deal on your chosen mode of transport.

Train travel

You can save literally hundreds of pounds on train travel by booking in advance. If you know you have a trip coming up, aim to book exactly 12 weeks in advance. This is when the tickets go on sale for your date of travel. You should also split your journey and pay the cost of 2 singles, rather than one full return.

There are tons of companies online offering cheap rail travel when you book in advance. In particular, thetrainline.com offers great online discounts. Be aware though that there are many other canny travellers who will be looking for these discounts, so speed and planning are key!

You may also want to try split-ticketing. If, for example, you’re travelling from London to Newcastle, you could break your journey at Grantham and Leeds and get separate tickets for each part of the journey. You can potentially save hundreds of pounds with this method and it’s perfectly legal – just make sure the train actually stops at the stations you’re breaking the ticket at!

Car Travel

If you’re in the market for a new motor, you should strongly consider purchasing a nearly-new car, rather than a brand new one. Look at car’s that are around a year old, then head to the showroom and tell them you’re looking for a nearly-new car with most of the original warranty still intact. Be prepared to haggle on the price they give you. You can save thousands of pounds buying this way.

You can also save money by reviewing your driving habits. A few easy changes can make your fuel consumption much more efficient. Driving smoothly and changing gear when you reach 2500 revs per minute in a petrol car and 2000 in diesel. If you cut your motorway speed from 85mph to 70mph you can save almost a litre of petrol every 20 miles. Add that up over a year and it’s a saving of almost £100!

Bike Travel

Thanks to the Government’s Cycle to Work Scheme, you can now purchase a bicycle sans tax. Speak to the HR department at work to find out if your company has opted in. You can easily save around £100 on the price of a £250 bike. A more expensive bike can offer considerable savings. You also need to make sure that you purchase your bike from a store that is participating in the scheme. Click here for more information on that.

Hopefully you’ve got some great ideas for ways to save now and can start cutting your bills right away! You can follow us on Twitter for regular tips and updates.

If you’re struggling to cope with money worries, visit the Ashley Park Financial Solutions website for the full range of our services. 

How To Get A Cheap Holiday With A Unique Twist

Summer – us Brits love it! Well, we love it when we actually get to enjoy glorious sunshine on a beautiful summer’s day. With the warm weather fast approaching, AshleyPark Financial Solutions have decided to give you a few tips for ways to find a cheap holiday.

Over the last few years you could easily confuse our summer wardrobe with our winter one – big coats, wellies and umbrellas – the weather has certainly not been on our side.

Although the British tourist board fought valiantly to endorse holidaying on our own fair isle, the sun worshipers that we are headed for the nearest cheapest deal for a dose of sun, sea and sangria!

 However, what happens when funds are low and we can’t afford to get away to exotic destination?

Well, house swapping has been around for decades but, until recently, it was a niche market. The economic climate has changed all of that, forcing many families to reconsider their options in order to have a holiday without breaking the bank.

The scheme involves allowing a stranger to stay in your home for a weekend, week or fortnight and in return, you stay in their home during the same period. There is no cost involved – other than the plane tickets – and both parties agree in advance what will be included in the price. For example, you may negotiate to borrow each other's cars, but if you are uncomfortable with that arrangement, you simply have to specify what is excluded.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, you might be wondering how you get started and no, you don't have to find random strangers yourself to swap homes with! There are several agencies who offer the service, the majority of which charge a membership to join. However, in many cases, the fee is just nominal and charities such as the National Childbirth Trust even have a house swap scheme, which has been running since 1976.

To register your home on the site, you need to take photos so any prospective guest will know exactly what your property looks like and where it is. If successful, you will need to be prepared to clear some of your personal belongings away temporarily, to make space for your guests' stuff when they arrive.

UK home insurers as a general rule are very supportive of the initiative, as it prevents properties being left unoccupied during the holiday season, but the majority will ask to be kept informed.

This could be a totally new holidaying experience for you – you could end up somewhere you ordinarily wouldn’t have chosen as a holiday destination and love it!

The best idea is to stick with affordable destinations if you’re desperate to get away – just make sure that you can really afford it.

If you have any money worries, please visit the Ashley Park Financial Solutions website for our full range of services. For regular updates, follow us on Twitter. 

Ashley Park Financial Solutions on Swap Parties

In the current climate, keeping fashion fresh can be costly. But never fear! These days it’s perfectly acceptable to hold what’s known as a Swap Party. Swap Parties are a great way to mix and mingle with friends and loved ones, and acquire a few new numbers for your wardrobe. Ashley Park Financial Solutions are here with the lowdown on how to host your own!

Decide on a date

Make sure you start planning well in advance. If you don’t let people know in good time, you might end up on your lonesome, surrounded by bags of your own clothes! It’s a good idea to create a Facebook event, especially if you’re going to invite a lot of people. They will be automatically reminded of it as the time draws nearer, and you can keep all the details in one place. This is an especially good idea if you’re inviting lots of people from different friendship groups – they have the opportunity to converse with one another on the group page and maybe even swap fashion tips!

Who to Invite

Get a good mix of people with fairly similar fashion tastes so no one is going to go home empty handed. And bear in mind that people come in all different shapes and sizes! If you invite a shorter person to a party made up entirely of taller people, they probably won’t feel great and vice versa.

Make value tickets

While the main purpose of the event is to swap clothing, you may not want to part with something that was once very expensive, in exchange for a cheaper item. Make value stickers with rough estimates of how much the item is worth and suggest that your guests do the same thing.

Designate value spots

There should be three types: inexpensive; mid-price and expensive. You can sort your garments into these categories and ask your guests to do the same before they arrive.

Arrange the room

Obviously you don’t have to turn your living room into a stylish boutique, but it’s fun to create an atmosphere. If you can get your hands on some clothing racks that would really help to organise the clothes. You can also utilise coffee tables as folding spaces for trousers and bulky sweaters.

Bags

Remind your guests to bring along some carrier or tote bags for taking their items home – this will save you from having to rush around finding a bag for everyone at the end of the party!

Food

You might want to prepare for snacks for everyone to enjoy, but obviously the aim of the game is to save money, so don’t go too overboard. You can advise people to eat before they come. Snacks to start are a great way to mix and mingle though, so if you’re inviting lots of people who don’t know one another it’s usually a good plan to offer something.

Make Suggestions

As host, you can pick out items and suggest them to your guests. This will help to get things started if people are a little shy to get going!

At the end

When everyone is swapped out and has headed home, you’re left with your pick of the spoils. You may already have acquired a ton of great new clothes, but there’s nothing to stop you from picking out something else – this could be the perfect time to try a new style! After that you can head the leftover items to a local charity shop and be satisfied that you’ve done a good deed. 

So there you have it! Remember, if you throw a great swap party, you're bound to be invited to others - make it an annual event and you could make some huge yearly savings on your clothing budget! 

If you're struggling with money worries, visit the Ashley Park Financial Solutions website, where you'll find our full range of services. 

Money Saving Tips for Expectant Parents

Ashley Park Financial Solutions: What to expect when you're expecting:

Finding out you’re going to be a parent can hit you like a freight train. Suddenly there are a million concerns and one of them is how you’re going to pay for everything once your little one comes into this world. Ashley Park Financial Solutions reckon it's best for expectant parents to start saving as soon as possible.

Raising children can be an expensive business. Experts say that supporting a child until they’re 21 and ready to leave the nest will set you back a total of £201, 809 exactly. Estimates suggest that it costs £9,610 a year to feed, clothe and educate a child. It can be stressful to think about where you might get this extra cash, especially if this is an unexpected pregnancy, but where there's a will there's a way. 

You can start saving while you're pregnant. That way by the time your child is born you’ll be able to provide them with everything they need right from the get go.

Budgeting is definitely the way forward here. Everybody needs to budget at some point and it’s a great way to make sure you can save up some extra for your new arrival. Simply look at the money you have going in and coming out and think about where you can make cuts. Do you need to drive everywhere? Could you save on the food budget? For more tips, click here. 

It’s also worth checking out charity shops. The reality is that you don’t need to go out and buy designer threads for your baby - they really won't notice the difference! Charity shops check all their products so only the ones in decent condition make the shop floor and you can find some top quality bargains. 

You could also ask family and friends who already have children. Babies grow so quickly what fits them one month probably won't the next, so you're constantly updating their wardrobes. People you know will have gone through the same thing, which means they might be willing to give you their old stuff. It’s quite common actually, especially among family members and it saves a lot of money.

Think about making your own baby food. It’s surprisingly easy to do, just cook vegetables then toss them in a blender with a little liquid. You can cook a big batch and freeze it so you've got ready meals for weeks ahead of time. A lot cheaper than baby food!

If you're worried about money or mounting debts, give the team at Ashley Park Financial Solutions a call or check out our website for the full range of our services. You can also follow us on Twitter for regular updates and tips. 

Money Saving Tips when Buying a Car

Here at Ashley Park Financial Solutions we know how difficult it can be to get around without your own car. But we also realise how expensive it can be to purchase and run a car, especially when money is tight. That’s why we’ve decided to bring you some money saving tips to help you save when you spend on a run-around.

Research

Before you head out to make a purchase, be sure to do a bit of digging so you know what you’re dealing with. Look for cars that hold their value. For example, the Fiat 500 is one of the best new petrol cars for retaining value. A 69bhp 1.2l model in Sport trim is worth £6,275 after 3 years, which is an incredible 66.7% of its original £9,410 price tag. Lasting value is important in case you ever need to sell the car on yourself.

Most for your Money

You should also be aware of cars with good safety records and mileage per gallon. There’s not a lot of point in buying a car that will fall to bits or cost you twice as much in petrol. It’s a good idea to shop with a model in mind and a price that you’re willing to pay.

Stand Your Ground

When you’re actually at the garage, don’t feel badgered by the salesperson. If you know what you want you can stick to your guns without being dissuaded. And don’t be made to feel like a cheapskate! Some dealers will try to intimidate you into spending more, but don’t fall for it.

Deals and Trade-ins

Try to time your purchase to coincide with a showroom deal. Dealers often offer discounts on a quarterly basis to meet their targets. Aim towards late March or late December and you might just bag a bargain! If you’re hoping to trade in your current car, talk to several dealers then compare their offers. The best thing to do is consider the amount of money you’ll pay after the trade. This is the true cost of the deal.

Internet Brokers

For those of you that are clear about the make and model you want, internet purchasing can be an option. Internet car brokers bulk-buy popular models then pass part of the savings on to their customers. There are a number of online brokers including Honest John and Drive the Deal.

The main thing to bear in mind is that this is a big purchase and you should take a lot of time about making the right decision. If you have any other tips or advice, we’d love to hear from you! Comment below, or follow Ashley Park Financial Solutions on Twitter.

Tips for Job Hunters

Ashley Park Financial Solutions offer job hunting tips

The unemployment rate in the UK has recently fallen to 7.6%, which is the lowest it’s been for four years. Ashley Park Financial Solutions think that’s great, but we realise there are still lots of people struggling to find suitable employment. We thought we’d bring you a few tips to help you out if you’re currently looking for work.

If you’re on the hunt for a job, remember that word of mouth is a powerful ally. Tell your family and friends that you’re looking for work. But don’t stop there! Mention it to everyone – you never know when your name might crop up in conversation with someone who’s looking for a hard worker like you.

Make the most of the resources you have available. The internet is filled with thousands of websites advertising jobs. Upload your CV to all of them and if there’s an option to allow employers to review your credentials, make sure you check the box. www.trud.co.uk is a great place to search and filter jobs according to your preferences.

Get a professional-sounding email address. Employers are much less likely to reply to an email from a ridiculous sounding address. If you still have the same email handle you made when you were 15, it’s probably wise to make a new, more sensible one now you’re an adult.

Set up a LinkedIn profile. Employers who are interested in you CV are highly likely to search for you online nowadays, so it’s important to have a strong, well-presented online presence. If you haven’t heard of LinkedIn, it’s basically an online CV service through which you can connect with potential employers and recruitment agencies who may be able to find work for you. You can list your education and employment history as well as your hobbies and interests. Your connections can then endorse your personal and professional skills to give anyone viewing your profile a well-rounded view of your attributes.

Similarly you should be aware that potential employers might look for you on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Obviously these sites are more personal than LinkedIn so if there is anything you’d rather a boss or colleague didn’t see, be sure to set your profiles to private.

Have several different CVs. If you’re applying to a range of industries that require different skill sets, it’s always best to tailor your resume to the job description. Save copies of different cover letters too so all you have to do is tweak them to suit the role you’re applying for.

Finally, have a list of referees at the ready. If you’re called for interview, take them with you so your employer won’t have to ask at a later date. Give their names, addresses, contact numbers and email handles. And make sure your chosen people know that you intend to use them as referees!

We’d love to hear from you if you have any other advice for job hunters. You can comment before or follow Ashley Park Financial Solutions on Twitter. 

Christmas Dinner on a Budget

According to the annual Christmas survey from Good Housekeeping you can treat your family to a fantastic festive dinner this year for as little as £21.85 for a family of eight, which works out at just £2.73 per person! Here at Ashley Park Financial Solutions, we think that’s an absolute bargain, so we thought we’d share where and how to shop to get the best Christmas deal this year.

The full Christmas dinner, according to Good Housekeeping, includes turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce, sprouts, carrots, potatoes, mince pies and brandy butter. For the best one-stop shop, bargain hunters are best to head for Lidl, where you can get everything for £27.33. Morrisons offers it all for £30.54, with Aldi coming a close third at £31.30. Tesco, who have struggled to compete with budget supermarkets this year came in fifth at £34.03, after Asda at £33.12.

Surprisingly Iceland, usually included in the list of budget shops has a slightly more expensive Christmas dinner priced at £35.75, though it’s still far cheaper than Marks & Spencer and Waitrose, who top the bill at £51.29 and £53.15 respectively.

Anyone aiming for that awesome price of £21.85 will need to shop around though, heading to a number of different supermarkets to pick up the components separately. For more information, click here.

Bear in mind though, if you’re going for a budget bird, you should be careful. Sometimes during the cooking process the meat can “shrink”, which means you’ll actually get more meat for your money with a better quality, slightly more expensive bird. You could also think about making your own mince pies. There are some fantastic recipes available online, and a bit of Christmas baking is bound to get you in the festive spirit! Similarly, you might like to try whipping up a Christmas cake. You could even get the kids in to help you decorate. Check the cupboards to see if you have any leftover dried fruit, nuts and marzipan before you start and save even more!

Personal Finance Course from the Open University

Last week it was announced that the Open University Business School has opened a new personal finance research centre, which will offer three free open-access modules to help people get to grips with managing their day-to-day finances. The team here at Ashley Park Financial Solutions think this is fantastic news and the course could benefit thousands of people across the UK.

The first modules, Personal Finance: Understanding the Basics, will be available from spring 2014 and is primarily concerned with household budgeting. Students will also cover borrowing and debt management; insurance cover; starting/managing a pension and smart savings and investments.

The second and third modules have yet to be fully defined, but will offer teaching on investment and risk, consumer rights and the financial industry in general. These modules will be available later in 2014 and 2015.
Each module has been put together by academics and industry experts who have in-depth knowledge of the financial system and the emotional effects that the mismanagement of money can cause.

At a time when so many people in Britain are struggling to pay their bills with no means of saving for the future, it is vitally important that everyone is as educated as possible when it comes to their personal finances. This announcement along with the fact that school children in England will be taught about personal finance through “financial mathematics” as of September next year, are certainly steps in the right direction towards educating the nation on sensible money management.

Making the right decisions in terms of your finances can be a daunting process with many complex things to think about. A course like this one is suitable for everyone and Ashley Park Financial Solutions certainly think it will allow the nation to feel much more confident in their financial choices, which can only be a good thing!

If you’re worried about money, visit our website for the full range of our services.

How to save money on your holiday

Going on holiday can be a big expense, especially when things are tight. But here at Ashley Park Financial Solutions, we think that getting away from it all can be the perfect way to relax and unwind, leaving your troubles behind you. So if you’re struggling to figure out how to pay for a holiday next year, we’ve got some great advice that should see you towards the perfect break.

If you’re thinking about a summer holiday, start planning now. With Christmas and the New Year coming up, you’ll need to keep a careful eye on your finances to make sure you have enough to see you through. If you’re thinking about a big family holiday in the warm weather, it might be a good idea to scale down your Christmas plans and add the savings to your holiday fund. For families with children, you can explain that the holiday will count as part of their Christmas gift.

Think about destinations you might be interested and do your research early, so you know exactly how much it’s likely to cost and where you’ll get the best value for money. Remember, the further you decide to go, the more expensive the holiday will be. You might like to consider a staycation and holiday here in the UK. There are some fantastic attractions right on your doorstep for a fraction of the price.

If the draw of somewhere overseas is too strong though, choose somewhere with a good exchange rate. Also, don’t buy your spending money from the airports, stations or hotels because it’s likely you’ll end up paying commission. Buy in advance from somewhere like the Post Office.

Be flexible over your dates. Try to avoid peak seasons, because holidays are almost always more expensive during those times. If you have children, obviously school holidays hit all peak payment times, so perhaps think about taking them out of school at a different time. You shouldn’t really do this more than once though, and you need to make it really clear to the kids that they’ll have to catch up on the work they miss.

Go for discount airlines and book online to avoid agency fees. Book as far in advance as possible to get the cheapest deals. If you can, fly mid-week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) when the prices are much more reasonable – the weekends are very popular so usually the cost goes up accordingly.

Look out for good package deals, as it’s usually cheaper to buy everything together. To really save on your accommodation, consider going for a hostel options, or even a holiday home. If you favour the latter, it means you can cook your own meals instead of eating out every night and even do your own laundry if you need to. You might even want to check out house swap programmes, where you go and stay in someone else’s house while they stay in yours – what a great way to get to know the community you’re visiting!

For more great money saving tips, be sure to find us on Twitter and Facebook. 

Money Saving Tips for Students from Ashley Park Financial Solutions

Anyone considering higher education now will have to be very careful about their spending patterns to make sure they avoid falling into unnecessary debt. Now that Fresher’s Week is out of the way, you might be looking at your bank balance and wondering how you’ll make it through to January, and you’re not alone!

But don’t worry too much; Ashley Park Financial Solutions have put together some money saving tips that should keep your bills in check.

Sample sales events

Most students are keen to keep their wardrobes well-stocked with so many different occasions to consider. With various clubs and societies, sports teams, nights out and end of term balls, some people may find themselves struggling to pay for it all. But! If you can bring yourself to get out of bed early and join the queue, a sample sale could be perfect for you. You can find some amazing bargains, often with up to 70% off.

Designer brands like Reiss and Paul Smith often run events from their warehouses to sell off-season clothing. Though most events happen in London, it’s a good idea to check out what’s going on in your local area.

Keep up with your favourite brands online

Following your favourite retailers online can prove to be very fruitful. With everyone vying for your attention, lots of companies are offering incentives to gain custom. Sign up to newsletters and follow companies on Facebook or Twitter to stay abreast of any on-the-day offers.

Shop in the sales

You’re a student, which means you can get away with being off-season when it comes to your wardrobe, and it’s okay to set up camp in the “whoopsie” aisle of the supermarket. You’ll certainly appreciate a 10p bread roll if it means you can buy an extra pint at the weekend. And remember where possible, buy unbranded foods! For the most part they taste the same but come with a much lower price tag.

Avoid big cash blowouts

Though it might be tempting to splurge when your loan comes in, don’t do it! Save towards the end of term and celebrate then instead.

Get the best deal on your overdraft

If you’re going to allow yourself an overdraft, make sure it’s at 0% interest. Try not to go anywhere near the overdraft limit because if you do go over it the charges are huge and you’ll end up in a vicious cycle as you try to pay them back. Also, don’t choose your bank based on who offers the best free gift at sign up! These are just gimmicks. Look into who has the best banking deals for you.

Invest in a Student Discount Card

These days you need an NUS Extra card to indulge in money-off at certain stores. It costs £12 per year, but over 160 retailers offer discount with it, and these savings can really add up. It also includes 10% off groceries at the Co-Op, so if for example you spend at least £120 there in a year, you’ll more than make your money back (and trust us, you’ll certainly spend on groceries!).

Look at free computer software

Instead of MS Office you can download LibreOffice, which you can use for documents, presentations, spreadsheets and databases. And anyone in need of image editing software that can’t afford Photoshop might like to try Gimp, another free-to-download program that offers fairly advanced tools and great add-ons.

Get a 16-25 railcard

You’ll get a third off rail travel, which can make going home for the weekend that bit less painful. If you’re a mature student never fear! You can still get a student railcard if you take along proof of your course. Railcards currently cost £30 and can be purchased online or at your local train station.

Pre-Drinks

Not that we’re going to encourage binge drinking in any way, but if you’re planning a night out, enjoy a few drinks before you leave the house to save paying for booze in the pub.

Check out our previous blog for more general budgeting tips, or visit our website for details of our services. Feel free to follow us on Twitter for regular updates!