Written by Payplan Ryan
We’re racing towards yuletide and all the joy that Christmas brings. If your excitement and anticipation of the big day is a little clouded by thoughts of a hefty grocery bill, why not take a look at our thrifty guide to keeping your costs down?Food prices fell by a measly…
Written by Tracey Davies
Christmas is just around the corner and Winter has definitely arrived.If you’re anything like me and do everything you can to keep to yourself as snug as a bug without your heating bill soaring, these tips should help.Don’t block the radiator: Arrange your furniture away from radiators so when the…
Written by Tracey Davies
I only got into financial difficulties when my relationship broke down and I had to take on more credit to make ends meet.I wasn’t happy in my relationship and I just turned to my credit cards for comfort. I got into the habit of just buying whatever I wanted on…
Written by Tracey Davies
Growing up, I’d always known that I wanted to be a hairdresser. I worked hard at college and was delighted to land a job as an apprentice for a local hairdresser.I was prepared for the hard graft and long hours but I wasn’t prepared for an apprentice’s wage, which wasn’t…
Written by Karl McKeever
We all like to think of ourselves as savvy shoppers, but how much do we really know about the art of retail psychology? If we know the techniques retailers are using to seduce us into spending, we’re less likely to be led astray and end up blowing our shopping budget.…
Written by Darren Beach
Five simple ways your credit report can help you.By Darren Beach from Experian Experts blogThe information held on your credit report summarises your credit history, and plays a major role in the decisions lenders make when you apply for all kinds of credit: whether it’s a mortgage, a credit card,…
Written by Tom Maplethorpe
For 99% of football fans, supporting your side is a tragic existence. Expectation and hope being the real killer – ‘This is our year for the league…’ ‘We’ll definitely stay up with this squad…’ ‘A new striker and we’ll turn it around.’ There are very few fans who have enjoyed…
Written by Tracey Davies
It’s only just gone eight in the morning but the day is already in full swing when I arrive at the document handling department for the next edition of our ‘day in the life’ series.With the exception of the archiving unit, staff work on a rotation basis, meaning they split…
Written by Tracey Davies
From the moment they’re born, children learn at a rapid pace. From learning to walk and talk to making their own bed and developing good manners, they are forever picking up new skills. But when it comes to being financially aware, children are often left in the dark by their…
Written by Anthony Hill
Kitting out the kids ready for the new school year can be an expensive process, especially if you have more than one child of school age.After an expensive six weeks of summer trying to keep the family entertained, you may be wondering how you’re going to afford those back-to-school essentials.Here…
Written by Tracey Davies
Weddings, and all the traditions and celebrations that go along with them, are no longer just an expense for the bride and groom – they can also make a sizeable dent in the guest’s pockets too.What with the gift, travel, and finding somewhere to stay (on top of attending a hen do,…
Written by Tracey Davies
All of those bottles under the kitchen sink can cost households some serious money when you add them all up.Bleaches, window cleaners, stain removers, polishes, you name it – buying branded cleaning products can be a costly business, especially when you don’t end up using the majority of them.So before…
Written by Matthew Brown
With all the stresses and strains of modern life, it’s no surprise that many of us get a bit lax when it comes to spending time with partners. Whether you’re one of the organised couples who regularly go out, or you need a change of scenery from the television, a…
Written by Tracey Davies
In the final article in our living life in debt series, we catch up with John Putland who is enjoying a debt free life after completing his plan in January 2014 after eight years.John got into financial difficulties when his relationship broke down and he took out more credit.“I wasn’t happy in…
Written by Tracey Davies
On Monday, we heard how Christine Nichol has just completed her first year in a debt management plan.Now we meet Katy Taylor as she describes what life is like 5 years into her plan with another 8 to go.Katy’s story Katy started getting into debt when she was 16 years old…
Written by Tracey Davies
This week, we are focusing on three PayPlan clients who are each at different stages of their debt plans as they share the highs and lows, surprises and challenges they have faced while paying back their debt through a debt management plan (DMP) Christine’s story Christine Nichol has recently completed her first year in…
Written by Tracey Davies
Kirsty Sumner – Bespoke Case Officer In the first of our ‘day in the life’ series, we take a closer look at what the role of a case officer in the Bespoke Solutions department entails, as Kirsty Sumner gives us a snapshot of her day.The department specialises in IVA’s for self-employed…
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You’re all packed and your holiday is paid for, but how do you make sure your spending doesn’t spiral out of control when you reach your destination?Once you’ve decided how much money you’re taking on your trip, set a budget so you know how much cash you have to spend per day.…
Written by Anthony Hill
(and in a way they’ll enjoy!)Children today face more distractions than ever before when it comes to studying outside of the school grounds. The World Wide Web especially provides an endless array of sites, games and social media that are battling to win the procrastination battle that comes with sitting…
Written by Tracey Davies
It’s never been tougher financially for families.The recent recession has meant many of us have had to cut back on our spending where we can and often that can lead to questions about whether to give your children pocket money.Is it an important part of growing up, or an additional…