ABC Money

Rural broadband – connecting a community

Business

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18 January 2017

Rural broadband – connecting a community

We live in an age where, through the tap of a screen, we can share sepia-tinted photos of last night’s dinner with our friends. Whether at home on a laptop, or out and about on our phones, we are now more connected than ever before. With this in mind, it seems all the more unfair that children in some rural communities can’t get the broadband connection needed to complete their homework.

A child’s homework could entail anything from a research based task, to a project with an online learning resource. When slow internet stops them from accessing it, they’re left at a disadvantage to their urban counterparts. This is the reason that it is important to compare broadband and tv and then choose the provider wisely. Thanks to this, we’re left with regional inequalities that are hard to ignore.

Government plans to boost broadband

The Government hopes that by 2020, everyone will be legally entitled to broadband speed of at least 10mbps. To help make this possible, they’ve implemented a £60 million business rate relief at network providers. In exchange for their co-operation, the Government plans to strengthen connections in targeted areas. Alongside this, a scheme called Better Broadband has pledged £400 million to the cause.

Other initiatives include giving rural families hundreds of pounds towards community broadband ideas. One such scheme saw residents of a small town purchasing WiFi satellites which were then placed on church steeples. Through this, better connection rates will be established. These are just a few of the measures being taken, yet it’s estimated that a quarter of rural households are still left unconnected.

Brian Wilson, director of the charity Rural England, was quoted on thetelegraph.co.uk as saying, “Schools are increasingly using online learning materials, children are expected to do a lot of homework online.

“A slow connection at home makes it harder to do homework, particularly research based tasks, projects which involve trying to download attachments or large document.”

Draco2008, Creative Commons License (CC by 2.0)

Transport links in the country have been in the firing line of government cutbacks. Following this, a report by Rural England found that children in remote communities are often left at the mercy of unreliable public services.

The report also found that three fifths of students in rural populations can’t reach schools in reasonable travel time. When combined with already poor broadband speeds, children here are left further disadvantaged.

Looking ahead, how are rural children expected to make an informed decision on further education if they’re unable to conduct internet research?

Businesses affected by slow broadband

And it’s not just children from rural regions who are suffering. The internet is one of the most powerful marketing tools of all time, if not the most powerful. Without it, local farmers struggle to promote themselves and contact potential customers.

Farmers aren’t the only ones who suffer. Poor broadband speeds can set back other businesses based in rural areas. After all, how are they meant to know what is best for their business when they’re stuck on a loading page? This also affects market research. If a business is unable to assess the market as effectively as one with a fast connection, its unable to stay up to date with the latest developments and becomes less competitive. As well as restricting business growth, it’s a classic example of how areas with poor broadband are left disadvantaged.

Communication is key if any business is to prosper. By leaving a significant chunk of Britain’s economy plagued by slow landing pages, it restricts economic potential.

Some of these areas also lack mobile data to allow residents to connect to the internet. Without either laptop or mobile connectivity, regional broadband inequality is further entrenched.

The slowest broadband in the UK

A House of Commons report would suggest that certain rural areas, particularly in northern Scotland, have the lowest number of premises with access to super fast broadband. In some cases, less than 32% of premises have super-fast availability. This falls far below the governments 2020 basic target of 10mbps.

The damages this situation can do to a child’s education are catastrophic. As the child grows older they may experience feelings of isolation as connecting to social media becomes more of a challenge.

It’s hoped that new initiatives will help improve broadband speeds in the countryside. Along with Rural England’s report, they highlight key differences in living in modern Britain. With greater connectivity, people in the countryside will be able to prosper and no-one will be left disconnected.

Use Up Winter Veg and Save Cash

Finance

Elliot

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18 January 2017

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Opting for in season fruit and vegetables are a great way to save cash and cook up some tasty treats.

That’s according to money saving mum of two Kayleigh Hughes who blogs for PromotionalCodes.org.uk.

She claims using winter veggies means wholesome, nutrient, packed meals and at a fraction of the cost of using out of season, summery produce.

Kayleigh says cooking in batches and freezing the leftovers means you have meals to hand whenever you need them to see you through the chilly months.

And she says there’s no reason just to stick to traditional comfort foods with winter fruit and veg – instead cook up some spicy starters, hearty mains and fruity desserts to get your mouth watering.

Kayleigh said: “Winter vegetables aren’t the most inspiring, but they’re comforting, packed full of nutrients and with a few added ingredients you can make some great, low cost meals.

“One of my winter favourites is soup, perfect for using up vegetables slightly passed there sell by date and ideal for portioning up and popping in the freezer.

“Winter fruits like pears are ideal for making delicious fruit crumbles. If you want to give them a summery twist, try a yummy pear and apple fool with a piece of freshly baked shortbread.

“Just because its winter and a lot of things are gloomy there’s no reason your meals have to be. So adding a bit of colour, flavour and spice to any meal will help take away those winter blues. Get creative and see what you can come up with.”

Here are Kayleigh’s tips for saving cash and cooking up treats with winter fruit and veg.

Soups

Everyone loves soup in the winter and it’s perfect for using up vegetables that have seen better days. You can try any combination. A favourite of mine is butternut squash and sweet potato. It’s warming, creamy and filling and so easy to make.

You can easily bulk it up with some lentils, or add in leftover chicken or even turkey you have in the freezer from Christmas.

Batch cooking

On a cold, rainy day, why not cook a whole host of meals using your winter veggies, which can go straight in the freezer. Soup and casseroles are high on my list when it comes to batch cooking.

You can make a lovely chicken and vegetable casserole simply by adding a little bit of mustard to some cheap chicken portions and throwing in some celery, carrot, swede and anything else you may have in the bottom of the veg rack.

Looking out for yellow stickers

I’m a big fan of yellow stickered items and it’s always worth keeping an eye out to see what’s reduced in the fruit and veg aisles at the end of the day.

Use them up quickly and they’re just as good as using the full price items.

Making preserves

Autumn and winter fruits are delicious and almost all grown in the UK. Stew the fruit and freeze it for tasty puddings all year round.

Use pear and rhubarb to make some great crumbles and pies. Jams and compotes are another must from winter fruit and if you make enough it can last you into the summer season as well.

Creative meals

Winter food doesn’t just have to be comforting casseroles, soups and all our traditional favourites. Why not get creative at meal times.

Try making a delicious honeyed winter salad using roasted butternut squash, parsnips, red onion and a handful of spinach.

How to make your own make-up

Finance

Elliot

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18 January 2017

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Making your own highlighter from a broken shimmer eye shadow, boiling beeswax to make lip-gloss and using activated charcoal for eyeliner are all expert ways to make your own beauty products at home.

That’s according to the money saving team at PromotionalCodes.org.uk who have put together a list of beauty products that you can make yourself if you’re feeling cash strapped.

Whether you want a more natural remedy for makeup, make homemade batches for gifts, or simply save money, there is a recipe to suit all makeup lovers.

Using refined sugar and coconut oil to make a delicious lip scrub, making natural blush from arrowroot powder and cleansing your face with raw honey are also on the list.

A spokesperson for PromotionalCodes.org.uk said: “Whilst us beauty lovers may obsess over makeup on the daily, there comes a point when not even the best pay check can fund our habits.

“Making your own makeup is not only kind to your bank balance, but kind to your skin as well, as most of these products only contain natural ingredients.

“So get creative with our six fab recipes for makeup products and have a go yourself.”

1. Highlighter
One way to resurrect a broken shimmer eye shadow is by transforming it into highlighter. Simply pour a small amount of the broken eye shadow into a small container, and then squeeze two – three pumps of body lotion into the shadow before stirring together. This will make the eye shadow creamy and easy to apply to the cheekbones, cupids bow and the nose tip.

2. Lip gloss
If you need something to resurrect chapped lips in the winter, why not make your own rosy-tinted lip-gloss? Simply melt one tablespoon of chopped beeswax in a double boiler, and stir until its entirely melted and smooth. Then add one tablespoon of Shea butter, two tablespoons of sweet almond oil and five drops of vitamin E oil and stir until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Add a small chunk of an old red/pink lipstick and stir until the colour is absorbed into the gloss (at this part you can also add rose extract to give a scent). Then, pour the gloss into a container and leave to set overnight.

3. Eye liner
Eyeliner may seem like a tricky product to make but it is actually a lot easier than you think. The main ingredient you need is activated charcoal, which can be purchased at most health stores. This product is natural but still be extra careful not to get it in your eye. Break a few of these capsules into a container then mix with a bit of oil (you can use almond, coconut, or aloe vera). You can turn it into a liquid, or leave it as it is for a kohl liner effect.

4. Lip scrub
Lip scrubs are both natural and delicious. To make a lip scrub, you need one teaspoon of refined sugar and one teaspoon of coconut oil. Mix the two ingredients together to make a paste consistency and then add the essential oil for any flavour you want to achieve. Pour into a small container.

5. Natural blush
Arrowroot powder can be purchased from online health retailers and it’s the perfect ingredient to make blush, face powder and even powder foundations. To make a perfect rosy blush, simply add a red plant-based powder. For a darker blush you could use for contouring, simply add a small dash of cocoa powder or cinnamon. If you have a darker skin tone, using cocoa powder on its own would work well.

6. Skincare
Natural remedies make the perfect addition to your skincare routine and they are a lot more affordable than most brands. Raw honey is an amazing remedy for your skin. Simply spread across your face and leave for 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water. If you have acne, another great tip is to use one teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the raw honey, and leave on the face for an hour.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil makes is a great natural remedy to use as a makeup remover. It contains antioxidants like Vitamins A and E, and it won’t clog your pores. Simply add a small drop to a cotton pad and gently wipe over your face. Then rinse with warm water and follow with your usual skincare routine.

8 Things They Don’t Tell You About Horse Racing

Sports

Sam Allcock

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17 January 2017

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8 Things They Don’t Tell You About Horse Racing

If you are a horse racing fan and you’re confident that you know the sport inside out, allow this article to maybe knock you off your high horse with some trivia about this game that you may never have heard.

Horse racing action, hooves, legs and tails

Horse meat anyone?

Hackney r ace horses, unfortunately, don’t retire to some rural stable where they get to ruminate on the good old race days while watching the sun get down off its straddle. The darker truth, according to an animal right organisation in the UK, they get turned into doggy biscuits instead! That’s right; it’s the slaughterhouse for these (sadly) one-time reigning champs.

To flog a dead horse

is fitting seeing as the horse might probably collapse on the finish line from getting jabbed in the side by the frenzied kicking off its jockey. In addition to this, despite regulations by various bodies, the RSPCA, for instance, has forbidden this kind of sportsmanship on track. Sadly, though, it is a competitive sport with high stakes riding on wins so many of these regulations are not properly enforced much to the horse’s chagrin.

Get off that high horse

Apparently, horses do drugs, and we’re not talking hay here, but steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. Like in all performance sports, pressure is great; riders tend to boost the steeds output by getting in a shot or two. This is done to relieve pain and of course win the game, but the unfairness of this is that it’s the poor horse that has to deal with the nasty side effects of these drugs and not the rider.

Chariots of fire

A field of horses and jockeys during a race.

According to the popular nineties flick, no one died at the end of the race. But many racing fans have been treated to last gallops of steeds that reportedly died in the middle of a race or after. Crowds of major events, like the Grand National and the Cheltenham (see cheltenhamfestivaluk.com for more info) know this to be true. Unfortunately, this hasn’t dampened anyone’s spirit as recent bookings and ticket sales have never been better, again another loss for the stars of the show, the horses. Which brings us to our next factoid:

Horses are expendable?!

Group of Australian women celebrating the Melbourne cup in the office.

Ignore that sentimental Sea Biscuit and black stallion stuff that they put on the screens, the ugly truth is that jocks don’t give that much of a cuss whether they lose their steed or not. A horse is just as good as its next win appears to be the mantra with these athletes. Jockey Ruby Walsh received flak for insensitive remarks made over the death of his racing partner Our Conor, and this was at Cheltenham. And that is straight out of the horse’s mouth mark you.

Foal play

The old adage “get ‘em while they’re young” doesn’t apply to just Asian sweat shop workers anymore; horses are raced young too. The science here is that, due to the underdeveloped sinews and bones of the younger steeds, rough riding only wears them out more. So before they get to the age where peak performance is expected the animal is already too worn out to perform.

Money matters

Bookies and race horse betting is just one of the highlights of this beautiful game, but findings show that this might be the only attraction to this ancient game. Many of the owners of race horses in many major events seem to value the winnings more than the true winners of these races and that is the horses themselves.

Every horse’s nightmare

Every young jockey dreams of competing and with some luck winning a run at the prestigious Aintree of the Grand National. Apparently, this would be a neigh for the horses. Reputed as being one of the most dangerous tracks for Horses; reason here cited in the form of a hurdle called “Becker’s Brook” (chills), riders have tumbled to their deaths trying to jump their horse at this point of the race.

Reasonably, adjustments have been made to make it less dramatic, but it appears all the blood gore and mayhem of the gladiatorial games (in ancient days) is what causes the fans to line up and maybe hope to see a poor horse jock and all get wide-flung across the track and land in the dirt-grass track below.

Investing in horse racing shares allows enthusiasts to partake in the exhilarating world of thoroughbred racing while diversifying their investment portfolios.

Warning after new car sales reach an all time high for second year running

Finance

Elliot

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15 January 2017

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Warning after new car sales reach an all time high for second year running

Annual new car sales have hit an all-time high for a second consecutive year – but are expected to fall in 2017, according to an industry trade association.

Around 2.7 million cars were registered in the UK last year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

This is up by approximately 2.2% on 2015.

The Final figures will be published by the SMMT at 9am on Thursday.

The organisation’s chief executive, Mike Hawes, said growth was due to “very strong” consumer confidence, low interest finance packages and a raft of new models.

“People are obviously driven by new technologies,” he told reporters at a briefing in central London.

“Increasingly people do want to see connectivity. People are wedded to mobile phones. They expect equally to have that connectivity on the move.”

Mr Hawes predicted that registrations would decline by “between five or six per cent” in 2017, but said this was still “historically an incredibly high level” and insisted it would not represent “a collapse in the market”.

He said five consecutive years of increased sales has been fuelled by latent demand built up during the recession.

“We have to recognise that growth can’t be inexorable,” he said. “There is undoubtedly a levelling off.”

Over 85% of new cars bought in the UK are actually imported and their cost is “gradually going up” due to the reduction in the value of the pound, Mr Hawes explained.

Although manufacturers hedge against currency risk and absorb some of the additional costs, there have been price rises of “two or three per cent”, he added.

Mr Hawes expects 2017 car sales to be “lumpy”, adding that although the triggering of Article 50 for the UK to leave the EU would “probably not immediately” have an impact on purchasing patterns, he acknowledged that “we have not seen the full effects of Brexit”.

He went on: “The strength of the market does obviously depend on maintaining a good economy, maintaining the right trading conditions, which will obviously flow through to ensuring that the cost of vehicles remains as competitive as it currently is.

“We don’t want to see tariffs.

“The introduction of tariffs to imported cars could result in as much as a £1,500 increase per car.”

Jim Holder, editorial director of magazines Autocar and What Car?, described the 2016 figures as “very positive”, saying “the expected Brexit bump was mostly negated”.

He told the Press Association that some people within the automotive industry are warning that sales could drop by 10-15% this year, so manufacturers would be “very pleased” if the SMMT’s prediction of a five or six per cent drop off proved accurate.

He added: “When you’re at record levels and you bounce down, I think that’s reasonable.”

:: These are the UK’s new car registration figures for recent years:

2012: 2,044,609

2013: 2,264,737

2014: 2,476,435

2015: 2,633,503

2016: Approximately 2.7 million

The Future is Fintech

Business

ABC Staff

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13 January 2017

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FinTech, being short for financial technology is experiencing substantial growth worldwide. With substantial investments developing each year, FinTech is becoming more and more prominent.

Image provided by FinTech Compliance

FUEL POVERTY IN THE UK – SCOTTISH CITIES ARE BADLY HIT BUT WALES HAS THE WORST GAP

Finance

ABC Staff

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13 January 2017

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FUEL POVERTY IN THE UK – SCOTTISH CITIES ARE BADLY HIT BUT WALES HAS THE WORST GAP

Worst five cities for proportion in fuel poverty are all in Scotland

Wales has the highest fuel poverty gap at £557

Two new maps from MoneySuperMarket explore the fuel poverty gap and the wastage of energy across the UK

Parts of the UK are wasting as much as £115 on inefficient boilers, bulbs, and insulation, as well as by leaving household electronics on standby, according to new research by MoneySuperMarket.

Fuel poverty, where a household can’t afford adequate heating, is a major issue in the UK. With 10.8% of households classified as fuel poor, and an average fuel poverty gap – the amount needed per household to achieve the minimum standard – of £371, and temperatures dropping quickly, much of the UK may be at risk.

Cities such as Dudley have few concerns, being number 47 for energy wastage and 40th for the poverty gap. But Glasgow and Edinburgh are clearly suffering for their inefficiencies, making it into the top ten for both maps. High wastage potential and a wide gap mean they have the most to benefit from improving their energy efficiency and potentially switching energy provider.

Fuel Poverty
The gap in fuel poverty varies drastically across the country, reaching as much as £557 in areas of Wales and as little as £256 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Even more pronounced is the difference in proportion of residents considered fuel poor. The five worst afflicted cities are as follows:

Dundee – 28% of Dundee residents are considered fuel poor: they’re also 5th for energy waste, with a potential household wastage of £115.
Glasgow – 26% are below the requirements for paying for their heating.
Edinburgh – a quarter of residents of the Scottish capital are likely to be cold this winter.
Aberdeen – the coastal city is likely to suffer even more from the sea winds and being the northernmost city on the list, as well as 24% of residents being fuel poor.
Falkirk – the least proportion of fuel poor residents among the Scottish cities, but still 22% of the population are living in fuel poverty.

The most striking feature of the top five is that all of the cities are Scottish; those with the least problem tend to be those closer to the south of England. But Scotland’s average fuel gap is £437 – still less than several cities in the South West of England, including Bristol and Plymouth.

Stephen Murray, energy expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “It is upsetting to think of so many households in fuel poverty where some of the most significant ways of helping this are not being taken advantage of.

“Many of these households will still be on the most expensive tariffs and could save hundreds of pounds a year by switching, even to a tariff from the same supplier. For those most struggling, many suppliers have schemes and initiatives to help.

“So the advice has to be to do a comparison and switch to a cheaper tariff (get someone to help you if you are unsure what to do) and always keep in touch with your supplier on ways they can help you”

These high energy costs severely affect the quality of life for many people. To see how energy waste has an impact on fuel poverty, and get an insight into how you might be able to save on your energy bills, have a look at the maps here.

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/hubs/gas-and-electricity/fuel-poverty-impact/

Image source: MoneySuperMarket

Brits Parting With £300m A Year In Unused Gift Card And Voucher Credit

Business

Jack Peat

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13 January 2017

0

Brits Parting With £300m A Year In Unused Gift Card And Voucher Credit

Brits are parting with a massive £300 MILLION a year in unused gift card and voucher credit, new research has found.

A shocking 47% of Brits admit to have been on the receiving end of unwanted gift credit this Christmas, the majority of which often lays dormant and unused.

The vast majority of unwanted items received at Christmas, on the other hand, will be re-sold (23%) or re-gifted (33%).

This week, former EastEnders star Rita Simons swapped her market stall in Albert Square to launch a pop-up shop in Westfield, Stratford, which allows members of the public to exchange their unwanted gift cards for cash or donate the value to The Children’s Trust, a leading charity for children suffering from brain injury.

The gift card swap shop comes at the perfect time of year as the second week of January has been found to be the most popular week for returning unwanted items.

Rita Simons, who exited the popular BBC soap in an explosive storyline over New Year, opened the swap shop as eager shoppers got ready to exchange their unwanted gift cards.

Rita said: “I have a shrewd eye for a bargain –so receiving cash for a gift voucher which might go to waste is a win-win and even better if it can be donated to a good cause.

“It was heartening to see so many generous people kicking off 2017 with a good deed in aid of The Children’s Trust.”

Zeek CEO, Daniel Zelkind, added: “Every year millions of people receive unwanted gift cards that expire before they can be used or just end up in the bin.

The long haul destinations worth visiting in 2017

Holidays

ABC Staff

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12 January 2017

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The long haul destinations worth visiting in 2017

If you fancy an adventure this year, it might be worth thinking outside the box. If the idea of a long haul flight puts you off, consider the following. Far-flung destinations may be some distance by plane, but when you get there, it is often cheaper, there are fewer crowds and you’re guaranteed to experience something that you’ve never seen before.

Looking for inspiration, we spoke to Travelbag’s resident holiday expert, Paul Hopkinson to find out where in the world we should be looking to explore in 2017.

Singapore

If you thought Singapore was just a stopover to get to Australasia, think again. This country has a wealth of sights just waiting to be experienced. Singapore is where East meets West, as suited office workers rush by ancient, smoky temples on their way to work in the city.

The island of Singapore is a mixture of influences from neighbouring countries. Travel one way and you’re in little Hong Kong, head in another direction and you’re awash with Indian culture. Other areas of the island quickly surround you with Thai flavours and Chinese street scenes.

So, Singapore is like several holidays in one. The food is exceptional, the technology astounding and the rich culture and heritage spellbinding.

Cape Town

The Mother City has been a place of major historical importance for centuries. Now it’s famous for its food, outdoor activities and world famous art and design – all the while the magnificent Table Top Mountain looms over.

It is a town that beats the drum for life, and with its harmonious blend of beliefs, creeds, religions and culture, it is a city worth joining in with and celebrating.

Taiwan

Taiwan is a hundred worlds on one island. The Taiwanese have created a democratic and very liberal society – free press, gender equality and a focus on human rights has spread across the island which, with its dramatic landscape and tropical climes, is frankly jaw dropping.

And don’t forget the food. As the main greeting in Taiwanese translates as “Have you eaten?” it’s good to arrive with an empty belly. Steamed dumplings, shrimp rolls and oyster vermicelli can all be washed down with aromatic teas and local artisan beer – at any time of day. Taiwan is a welcome assault on every sense.

Sydney

Sydney is a place that doesn’t do things by halves. Prepare yourself for a city that, on the surface, is glitzy, in your face and brash. Dig deeper and you find a town where the best brains have gathered to create a place where food innovations are revered, art is exalted and locals are more than happy to show you a good time, Aussie-style.

And when you need a rest from the never-ending party, you’re never too far from a beach, so grab a book and relax.

Buenos Aires

When people visit South America, it is always Argentina that makes a lasting impression on them. Buenos Aires, in particular, is a place worth experiencing at least once in your lifetime.

This city mixes old Europe with fierce Latin passion. Whether its football, food or politics, Buenos Aireans are firm lovers of lively discussion – whether you agree with them or not.

Together with the colourful murals and faded architecture, the dancing, music and song of Buenos Aires never fail to draw people into what is a unique and seductive city.

The Shopping Crazed Nation? 35% of Brits find it hard to resist spending their whole wage each month

Finance

ABC Staff

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12 January 2017

0

The Shopping Crazed Nation? 35% of Brits find it hard to resist spending their whole wage each month

Waste not, Want not? The British consumer society waste an average of £180 a year on binned food, and that’s not all…

The data reveals:

The average weekly shop is £66 with Brits wasting 5% of that
The yearly cost of wasted food from a weekly shop is £180
Are women’s wardrobes full of old clothes begging to be sold? The average brit has three dresses which they never use sat in their very own wardrobe
12% of Brits are paying for subscriptions monthly without even using or knowing about it!
From those that have been paying a monthly subscription without knowing or using the product, it took an average of 4 ½ months for them to stop the direct debit
42% of Brits admit that they need to save more
18% of Brits are not sure about their monthly outgoings!
16% of Brits admit that money has left their accounts without them knowing about it
20% of Brits have purchased an item in the last month which they now regret
The average Brit spends £20 a month on takeaways and £40 on going out!

As a consumer society, we spend more than we need but do you really know how much money you pour down the drain? Do you regularly use that gym pass? Do you watch these 54 extra TV channels? How long has it been since you’ve worn these shirts?

The nationwide research carried out by Provident on around 2000 UK adults reveals how much the average Brit spends on food, water, unused satellite TV, among others. It also raises the question about how much British could be saving by simply being more careful when grocery shopping or by checking their account for any unusual debits.

Tackling the food industry, it is worth noting Brits spend on average £66 on their weekly shop, of which 5% will go to the bin, mainly because products have expired before they could actually be used. What’s more, despite the younger generations not earning executive wages and not being able to save considerably, they are the most likely to throw away food – almost 10%! Whereas the older generations have an average of 3.8%.

Retail-therapy has been proven right but one can ask if this is the ultimate solution when the research shows that women have at least three dresses which they never use sat in their very own wardrobe, along with two trousers, three t-shirts, two jumpers and four pairs of shoes!

Monthly subscriptions are a hard blow on one’s account and it needs a bit of an assessment to determine how indispensable delivery services, group memberships, cable and music streaming direct debits are. For those that have been paying a monthly subscription without knowing or using the product, it took an average of 4 ½ months for them to stop the direct debit

It is not even the end of the month and it already feels like the money on your account has dried down? You might be among the 16% of Brits for whom money has legitimately left their account without them knowing about it. Again, this may be because almost one in five does not know or is not sure about their monthly outgoings.

As the saying goes “if you find the cause, you find the cure”, Provident has created the following tool to find out how much you waste per year: https://www.providentpersonalcredit.com/waste-not-want-not/

Put in the details of your weekly routine to find out how much money you throw away each year without knowing it, and learn how you can turn things around!

​Government plans to boost broadband

​Businesses affected by slow broadband

​The slowest broadband in the UK

ABC Money 2025 - 1st Edition

Government plans to boost broadband

Businesses affected by slow broadband

The slowest broadband in the UK