M
McVittie
Guest
Useful advice from Brendan Burgess in this thread
Top ten suggestions in reviewing your financial affairs
1) You should not have savings and expensive borrowings at the same time. If you have money on deposit or other investments consider using it to pay expensive debt such as credit cards, car loans, credit union loans etc
2) In particular, it is a bad idea to have shares in a credit union earning interest of 3% while you have a loan with them costing you 9% or more.
3) If you have a repayment mortgage, consider extending the term or switching it to interest only if you cannot meet your monthy outgoings.
4) Have you got a competitive mortgage? Do you know what rate you are paying? Switch your mortgage, especially if you have a low loan to value. You will find the best home loan deals here
5) If you are simply spending too much for your current level of income, rearranging your finances won't solve the problem. You need to cut down your spending. You will find some useful tips hereCheck out the MABS website for advice or visit them. It's a free service.
6) In particular, you should not be borrowing for luxuries e.g. a large car or a second holiday if you are overborrowed already.
7) Most people find themselves struggling in the first few years after buying a house. Don't let this worry you unduly. Don't worry that you are not making pension contributions. After a few years, salary inflation will hopefully make the repayments easier to manage.
8) Review your house insurance, motor insurance, mortgage protection policy and travel insurance requirements on an annual basis (or more often if necessary) to ensure the premia are competitive. It's very easy now to get quotes for insurance online and this can help you to judge whether you are getting value for money or not.
9) Are you claiming all the tax reliefs due?
Top ten suggestions in reviewing your financial affairs
1) You should not have savings and expensive borrowings at the same time. If you have money on deposit or other investments consider using it to pay expensive debt such as credit cards, car loans, credit union loans etc
2) In particular, it is a bad idea to have shares in a credit union earning interest of 3% while you have a loan with them costing you 9% or more.
3) If you have a repayment mortgage, consider extending the term or switching it to interest only if you cannot meet your monthy outgoings.
4) Have you got a competitive mortgage? Do you know what rate you are paying? Switch your mortgage, especially if you have a low loan to value. You will find the best home loan deals here
5) If you are simply spending too much for your current level of income, rearranging your finances won't solve the problem. You need to cut down your spending. You will find some useful tips hereCheck out the MABS website for advice or visit them. It's a free service.
6) In particular, you should not be borrowing for luxuries e.g. a large car or a second holiday if you are overborrowed already.
7) Most people find themselves struggling in the first few years after buying a house. Don't let this worry you unduly. Don't worry that you are not making pension contributions. After a few years, salary inflation will hopefully make the repayments easier to manage.
8) Review your house insurance, motor insurance, mortgage protection policy and travel insurance requirements on an annual basis (or more often if necessary) to ensure the premia are competitive. It's very easy now to get quotes for insurance online and this can help you to judge whether you are getting value for money or not.
9) Are you claiming all the tax reliefs due?
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