We’ve all seen the adverts talking about how expensive funerals are nowadays. As we get older, many of us may start to worry about whether we can afford one, or if our loved ones are going to get saddled with the bill. It’s not something we want to think about, but we have to consider funeral costs. How Much Does a Funeral Cost? According to SunLife’s Cost of Dying Report, the average cost of a basic funeral is now £4,141. This is an increase of 4.7% since the past year, though it's still not as high as funeral costs in 2021. 2021 was the highest funeral costs had ever been, …
Buy Now, Pay Later: Is It Worth It?
With the current cost of living crisis driving up prices, we all want to stretch our finances as far as we can. When a purchase becomes necessary, but money is tight, you might be tempted to try a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) plan. These are finance plans that allow you to make a purchase without immediately paying the full amount. But are they worth it? What is a Buy Now, Pay Later Plan? Several companies offer to lend money as part of BNPL plans. These are short-term finance schemes that allow you to make a purchase and pay for it at a later date, often in instalments. They are …
Energy Efficiency: Save On Your Winter Energy Bill
Energy efficiency is a hot topic, particularly during the colder months of the year. The additional cost of heating can be a strain on your winter energy bill if you don't clamp down on it. Keeping a warm, dry home is also really important for your health in the winter. Here are some ideas on how to make your home more energy efficient, and ways to help you save on your bill. Do-It-Yourself Energy Savers There are some very easy, small things you can do yourself to improve the overall energy efficiency of your home. While they may be small changes to your daily routine, …
How to Borrow Responsibly and Avoid Loan Sharks
Many of us worry about bills, and the recent increases in the cost of living have made covering these costs even more of a challenge. Sometimes, we may decide that loans are necessary to get us through the toughest months. However, it is important to borrow responsibly, as the world of money lending can be a dangerous one. As much as we like to think that people are happy to help each other, there are people who prey on the vulnerable. They may offer to cover the costs of your bills, only to demand you pay them back with interest. A failure to pay them back may result in threats. …
Best Value Groceries: Where Should You Be Shopping?
We're all feeling the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis. Amongst the bills that are going up are our food bills. As a result, many of us will be wondering how we can make savings or whether we need to be changing where we shop. To help you decide where you should do your food shopping, here's how to find the best value groceries. Why is Food Getting More Expensive? Several factors are coming together to drive up food prices in the UK, which are, naturally, making that food bill higher every week. Energy costs, the war in Ukraine, and fallout from Covid-19 lockdowns are just …
Earth Day 2022: Affordable Ways to Reduce Waste
In recent years, the effects of climate change have become increasingly apparent. In fact, in 2019 the UK government announced we are facing a climate emergency. Friday 22nd April marks Earth Day 2022. This is a time for us to think about our habits and how we can change them for the good of the planet. In recognition of this important message, we have compiled a list of affordable ways to reduce waste. Why Reduce Waste? According to a 2020 report, the UK sends 14 million tonnes of waste to landfill every year. Of all the waste we produce, this comes to roughly 55%. When …
