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Starting a Business? Here is What You Need to Know

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If people entered into business with the thought they were going to fail, they wouldn’t do it. However, the majority of people do fail. Something trips them up along the way. It can be something that was unforeseen or just a series of catastrophic events. The good news is that this is common for those who eventually succeed. Still, if you don’t want to fail, consider what you’ll need to look for to avoid the pitfalls.

Cash Flow Problems

This is one of the biggest problems for businesses, and unfortunately, it’s hard to foresee global crisis if you’re not up on this information. It’s a good idea to read about things like national debt, inflation, the global market and so on to understand how one aspect affects another, but you are not going to outright forecast everything to come. This is why people recommend that you have money in reserve whenever you start out with a business. Profits help, but any starting business can’t rely solely on this. When you get to the moment you can no longer pay someone for their services, your business is pretty much on its way out. However, for a short-term solution, you can obtain a payday loan to keep things temporarily afloat. It’s not a long-term solution, but it’ll help out with immediate cash flow problems.

Employees Jumping Ship

Employee morale is a big deal. If many employees are happy, it creates a better environment for everyone else. However, once a few employees are upset about conditions, they will quickly leave, and everyone may follow behind. You’ve probably heard the advice that if one person calls you a donkey, you should ignore him, but if two people call you a donkey, you should buy a saddle. When there are problems in the workplace, it’s important to pay attention to how many employees leave. If one leaves, the issue could be with them, but if you have multiple employees leaving, it’s time to start asking what the problem is and how to fix it.

Your Business Fails to Adapt to the World Around It

Different businesses have different products and services, and this isn’t necessarily what makes them fail or succeed. What’s important is how relevant they remain in a changing world. Your business needs to be able to change with the times. Your products and services are important, but there are other issues you need to address. Your business needs to provide the public a way to buy and relate to the company. In the matter of technology, it means providing customers with valuable and usable resources. You need to consider whether you have the latest apps that will help your customers. You need to think about your response time to matters. Top-notch customer service is still important. The market will continually change. If your business cannot meet the needs of the market, it will fail. This requires that you will need to continually keep learning about the world around you and what customers want.

Research and Development

In the same way businesses need to stay relevant, they need to continually stay informed on issues, their customers and the world at large. Businesses need to think on whether their product or service is still valuable to their customers or whether it has become obsolete.

Dwindling Sales

If your sales start to reduce, there is a reason to be concerned. This is an indicator of how well your business is doing. It’s a reasonable predictor of your current and upcoming cash flow, in addition to other factors that affect it. You need to have adequate cash flow and be able to pay your creditors. You need to ensure that your sales are steady and increase too. Don’t be too alarmed if there is a dip every once in a while. This is normal, but you want to pay attention when there is an overall steady decline.

Brand Recognition

Here’s where it gets a little interesting. Remember when it was recommended that your product or service remain relevant to the world? Well, as it turns out, your business success is also dependent on brand recognition. How your product or service affects your customers’ feelings is important. Your product or service must make people feel good about using either one. They need to feel that by using your product or service, they are helping to improve the world in some way. Brand recognition leads to word of mouth, which is one of the best ways to advertise. You not only need to keep your current customers, you need to continually attract new customers to compete in today’s market.

You always want to know where your business is heading. This means you need to decide on where your business will be in three, six and twelve months into the future. You need to know an approximate amount of growth for the years ahead. Make sure your cash flow is good, and watch out for the other signs of failure.

Is Wine a Smart Investment to Boost Up Your Personal Finances?

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The business world is one in which huge revenues come from smart investments. Over time, various items or products have been the main point of attraction for investors interested in boosting their finances. Wine has always played an important role in this game and it looks like in the last two years it has managed to become the most luxurious investment for those interested in huge earnings in five to eight years from the moment of their initial investment. You may also experiment with investment opportunities such as purchasing casks as a whisky investment.

Wine Investments: No New Phenomenon

People have always invested in wine – it is no new phenomenon on the market. However, what is new is how much investors are willing to consider in terms of finances now during the initial investment stage so that their revenues might be big ones meant to boost up their personal finances. Moreover, the trend now is to invest in fine wine because it is way up in terms of financial value thus ensures nice earnings over time.

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Fine Wine Investments: Most Important Advantages

Fine wine starts maturing once it is bottled so it improves with age. Only a limited quantity is usually produced every year. As the bottles of fine wine are consumed the supply starts becoming smaller and smaller. Usually, as the supply starts diminishing, the demand starts rising. This is also influenced by the fact that most demands come for matured fine wine.

A great advantage of fine wine in the world of investments is represented by the fact that it is a finite product. This way, people invest in a tangible asset that has been properly improved and which is only produced in a limited editionfor which there is huge demand around the world. The initial supply is valuable. However, as the supply starts getting reduced, the value of the remaining supply usually rises way up.

Another reason why wine represents a smart investment item for you to consider if you want to increase your earnings is represented by the fact that you will be investing in a tangible asset. You know the value of your merchandise all the time. When your chosen wines for investment do not perform from a financial point of view, it is better to consume and enjoy them rather than sell them at a loss. However, this rarely happens. Usually, wine investors choose the best wine brands after serious research that ensures their success in the end.

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Important Aspects to Consider for Successful Wine Investments

The wine investment market is like any other from a general perspective with the price rising and going down and up. However, if you focus on fine wine that has proven its worth in the past, you cannot go wrong as long as all the steps are followed and all the important factors and requirements are considered.

Moreover, make sure you purchase good merchandise from established merchants only if you want to be certain of the value of your investment in the future. People who buy fine wine usually know very well what they want so if you get fooled this does not mean that others will follow your lead. Even if you may not be an expert in this field of activity, others are and it may not be a bad idea to ask for support before making a serious investment.

Furthermore, in terms of the best investment term to consider, it looks like this is not the short one. You can obtain certain fast earnings sometimes but the real gaining usually come from a mid to long-term process of wine investments. Five years is the minim standard norm that specialists advise to be considered for obtaining earnings but eight to ten years is the perfect period that will ensure increased revenues.

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Favorable Performance Over Time for Fine Wine

All in all, there is clear proof now that wine has performed more than favorably amongst the strongest choices of investments in the last few years. Moreover, fine wine tends to always remain more robust than numerous other major investments. Focus on choosing good wine to invest in, follow all the necessary steps to ensure it matures well to raise its value and never sell it to the lowest or fastest bidder. As your supply decreases, the value of your merchandise increases and you can make a fortune with fine Petrus wine and other brands.

CVS Business Rates saves over £700Million for UK businesses

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Founded in 1999, CVS Business Rates has become the UK’s leading business rent and rates specialists. Operating nationally from its three offices in Manchester, London and Bristol, CVS has to date, saved over £700Million in business rates and rent reductions for its clients throughout the UK.

Business rates, or non-domestic rates, are a tax on business or other organisations occupying commercial property. Business rates is an annual charge made payable for the services provided by the local authority and emergency services. How much a business pays annually depends entirely on the Rateable Value of the property, periodically assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).

Business rates are calculated against the Rateable Value, which represents the rental value of a property, at around 43 – 45% of the Rateable Value. Business rates are therefore one of the largest overheads any organisation will have to pay.

The 2017 Revaluation

It is just a matter of weeks since the VOA adjusted the Rateable Values of every business property in England and Wales to reflect changes in the property market. The new Rateable Value will be used to determine the basis of the tax calculation for rates next April and for the next 5 years.

The revaluation of business properties usually happens every 5 years but was controversially delayed by 2 years as a result of the economic downturn. The last revaluation came into effect on 1st April 2010 based on the property market as long ago as 1st April 2008.

Those whose properties have performed better than their peers – by dint of the quality of their property, location or business sector – since the previous revaluation can expect to see their bills rise. Equally, those whose properties have underperformed can expect to see their bills fall.

The Revaluation will create ‘winners’- like Heathrow Airport which is currently enjoying a reportedly controversial reduced Rateable Value – as well as ‘losers’ like Leicester City Football Club, whose rates will rise because of, amongst other factors, investment into the stadium.

Accuracy is king

The most efficient way to ensure that your new rates bill is as accurate as it should be for your individual property is to review the ‘Check. Challenge. Appeal.’ process, also known as CCA.

This is a new, Government-led process and it is understood that the CCA process will create barriers such as fees, fines for incorrectly submitted information and various technical requirements. This new process could disincentivise businesses to want to fully understand their individual rates bills.

Ensuring that a business is paying accurate and fair rates is entirely the individual ratepayers responsibility, but it’s important to remember, however, that with professional support from a RICS-regulated rating agent, it is possible to navigate this system and secure a fairer deal.

National coverage, local knowledge

CVS surveyors are based across the whole of the UK, with an unrivalled knowledge of both the rates and rent commercial marketplace.

CVS surveyors have, in the past 16 years, acted on behalf of business such as Ascot, GoApe, Argos, Holiday Inn Express, Sony and the NHS, to name a few.

Time is of the essence

With only 137 days until the latest Revalution comes into play, CVS is encouraging businesses throughout the UK to act now.

In April 2017, every commercial business will receive it’s annual rates payable bill which it will have to pay until 2022. Businesses can find out, ahead of time, what that amount will be and how they can first and foremost, Check to see if this is accurate and fair to their individual business.

Check your business rates bills today.

For all the latest business rates news, follow CVS Business Rates on Twitter and LinkedIn, or check out their Google Plus and YouTube sites.

BIG-HEARTED PEOPLE RAISE MONEY FOR RACIST ATTACK VICTIM

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Kind-hearted Scots have raised thousands of pounds to help a resettled refugee who was targeted in an alleged hate crime.

Able Miller, 62, was attacked outside his home with bricks and fireworks in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The dad-of-three, who came to Glasgow in 2002 as a refugee from Zimbabwe, was left so disgusted by what happened to him that he wants to leave Scotland immediately.

The shocking attack left him with burns to his hands and feet and he had to be treated at the city’s Royal Infirmary.

He was also subjected to alleged racist abuse throughout the attack, while his 13-year-old daughter, who has Down’s syndrome, was left cowering in her bedroom.

Earlier this week, Able, who stood as a member of parliament in his home country, revealed he was forced to leave after being shot twice in the leg by rivals.

He now hopes to move with his family to Sheffield and live among the city’s black community.

But now kind-hearted people from all over the country have come together to donate £2,500 for Able and his family through an online fundraiser.

Able said: “I have been so grateful for all the donations that have been given to us. I have been able to get my car fixed which I didn’t think I was going to be able to afford.

“The extra money will also be able to help my family and I resettle somewhere else, in that we will be able to look for a new home and cover our transport there.

“I would never have been able to go anywhere without the car, so again, I am so grateful for what these people are doing.

“I can’t thank them enough, and I hope this goes to show that racism can be overcome.”

Robina Qureshi , director of Positive Action in Housing, started the fundraiser in an effort to show that Scotland is against racism.

On the fundraiser’s website, it said: “We are gathering donations for the Miller family to help them move home and resettle.

“Please donate what you can and show Able Miller and his family that Scotland says no to racism and they have friends they have never met who care.”

The fundraiser has brought out the best of many people who have made donations of as much as £50.

One donator, Angela Murray, donated £20, and said: “So dreadfully sorry that this happened to you in Scotland, Able.

“There are many communities in Scotland were you would have been warmly welcomed. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy future.”

Another user of the fundraiser, Ruth Newman, said: “Best wishes to you, Able, and your family. Stay strong, you are welcome in Scotland.”

You can donate at https://mydonate.bt.com/events/ablemillerappeal.

FORMER MILITARY CLERK PRETENDED TO BE AN SAS VETERAN WITH CANCER

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A former military clerk scammed businesses out of thousands of pounds by pretending to be an SAS hero with cancer, a court heard.

Simon Buckden, 44, bragged about experiencing ‘frontline active service” in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, both Gulf Wars and Rwanda” to his girlfriends.

The former soldier, who genuinely helped raise funds for a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder charity, was also chosen to carry the Olympic Torch in 2012.

But in reality his military record did showed he had worked as a humble military clerk in the armed services.

Craig Hassall, prosecuting, told the Leeds Crown court: “He has told other veterans that he served with the SAS and has attended events wearing medals and an SAS beret”.

Buckden, who denies fraud, also ran several marathons for charities – including Help for Heroes – hitting national headlines in the process.

The veteran, who laimed to have held a dying child in his arms and to have worked undercover in Northern Ireland, had spoken and written of his time growing up in care and his career in the army and the SAS

Yesterday the court heard that in 2012 Buckden – who took part in the Olympic torch relay the same year – claimed he been diagnosed with cancer, either rectal or bowel, and when people heard about his cancer some of them gave him money.

Mr Halsall told the court: “In light of what he said about his diagnosis, people were, naturally, moved by his story and moved to try and help him.

“Here was a man making a valiant effort to raise funds for charity running a 100 marathons in a 100 weeks who had, in the middle of all that, been cruelly struck down with cancer.

“Many of the witnesses in the case provided either money or practical help to the defendant’s cause, as a result of hearing about his cancer diagnosis.”

The court heard Buckden had drawn up a document outlining what he had suffered and what he was trying to achieve, a proposal which would be shown to people moved by “the account the defendant was giving” and “was to get a lot of attention, partly for people who were suffering from PTSD, and partly for himself”.

Some of things he listed that he needed to help him reach his goals were sponsorship, branding, a mobile phone, a car and a holiday.

One businessman, Gareth Boot, having read his proposal gave Buckden £2,000 for a holiday so he could take a break from his fundraising.

Another businessman made a promotional film for free for Buckden, which the defendant decided was to upsetting to show.

Yet another businessman, upon hearing the “terrible things” Buckden had seen, and hearing about his marathon attempts, he raised over £1500 and donated it to Buckden to set up a social enterprise called Position Action for PTSD.

All in all Buckden is alleged to have scammed around £8,000 off various businesses, in both money and services.

Mr Hassall told the jury that police, having obtained Buckden’s medical records, could find “no mention whatsoever within them of being diagnosed with cancer”.

He said: “Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust have checked all of their systems and databases and have confirmed that there are no notes or information of the defendant “having ever been diagnosed, treated or received any sort of therapy in relation to cancer”.

Mr Hassall told the court Buckden, in his proposal, “asked for a car, and a mobile phone, a laptop and a holiday”.

He added: “It is blatantly clear what was behind these untruths about his medical situation”.

In relation to Buckden’s claims of serving with the SAS, Mr Hassall said: “The defendant’s army records have been obtained and the record indicates that the defendant was in fact a military clerk rather than a frontline soldier”

And there is no reference to him being involved with the SAS

The court heard Buckden, of Leeds, enlisted in 1989 and by 1993 had qualified as a military clerk, and by the time he was discharged in 2001 he had passed courses in regimental office finances and handling classified documents.

Mr Hassall said: “Within these record there is no suggestion he ever saw any active service on the front line.”

The jury heard Buckden completed one tour of duty in Bosnia but there is no record of service for Rwanda, either of the Gulf Wars or Northern Ireland.

The section on his record, which details the medals a soldier may wear, is blank.

Mr Hassall then told the jury “you have seen the photograph of medals proudly displayed while he wears his sand coloured beret”.The distinctive beret is worn by the SAS.

Buckden was arrested in August, 2014, after a former girlfriend challenged him about his health., and interviewed.

“He said he could not say what his role had been in Rwanda and said he had never served with the SAS or done any undercover work in the army.

“He could not explain why his army record had no reference to service in the Gulf, Rwanda, Cyprus of Northern Ireland.

“When asked if he had ever held a dying child in his arms he said “I don’t remember that at all”” said Mr Hassall.

Buckden also told police that a friend told him he had cancer, but he treated himself and received no treatment on the NHS.

He told police he lied about receiving radiotherapy.

The prosecution accepts Buckden does suffer with PTSD.

Buckden has pleaded not guilty to six counts of fraud.

The trail continues.

‘David and Goliath’ fight for finance to Downing Street – so they can stay open five days a week.

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A group of under-funded schools have taken their ‘David and Goliath’ fight for finance to Downing Street – so they can stay open five days a week.

Campaign group WorthLess? are looking for £20 million in transitional funding for West Sussex’s schools for the upcoming financial year after budget cuts left the county short for cash.

Led by Jules White, headteacher of Tanbridge House School in Horsham, students from West Sussex primary, secondary and special schools visited Downing Street on October 18 to deliver a letter to Theresa May.

Jules said: “Long before the national curriculum was a well worn educational policy, the story of David and Goliath was taught to children up and down the country.

“Adults of that vintage will remember how the boy king to be – David – slew the mighty warrior – Goliath – against all the odds.

“In helping to co-ordinate the Worth Less? campaign on behalf of school children, their families and schools across our county, the story that I enjoyed so much as a child has taken on renewed meaning and importance.

“Never more so, than when I joined heads, parents and pupils from Years 1 to 12 and travelled to the mighty pillars of Downing Street in order to make our case for desperately needed interim funding.

“We hope that this should tide us over until the delayed new school funding formula begins to take effect in 18 months time.

“The chances of success, as we faced the imposing buildings of government, seemed challenging and daunting to say the least.”

Head teachers from more than 250 schools across West Sussex claim that funding shortfalls could lead to cuts to services including reducing school hours, bigger class sizes, not replacing staff and making teachers redundant.

The schools say they receive £1,800 less in per pupil funding than schools in inner London, and are asking the government to spare an extra £200 per West Sussex student.

Jules added: “We cannot deliver a sustained ‘good education’ without the basic funding (and teacher supply) to enable us to deliver high quality provision to every child child in our care.

“To be clear then, we feel that if £500million was available for a wholesale academy programme – that has now been scrapped – then there must be funds available for West Sussex school children.

“Further, if each London borough was to have its per pupil funding reduced by just £200 per child (from £6,000 to £5,800) tens of millions would be raised.

“The money could go to West Sussex and other low-funded areas without any impact on the national debt.

“Incidentally, our pupils would still be funded way below even the national average of £4,600 per child.

“If the will is there, the solutions don’t seem that hard to find.”

City Investment Manager Faces Jail

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CITY INVESTMENT MANAGER FACES JAIL

A former Blackrock portfolio manager who traded whilst knowing of a proposed takeover and an oil discovery in Greenland faces up to seven years in jail for insider dealing.

Mark Lyttleton, 45, dealt in shares and call options in oil and energy between October and December 2011, while having the inside information.

At Southwark Crown Court today (wed), Lyttleton pleaded guilty to two counts of insider dealing.

Wearing a grey suit, white shirt and blue tie, he showed no emotion in the dock during the short hearing.

The maximum jail term for insider dealing is seven years, although the judge said he would give credit for his early pleas.

The first charge states that between October 1 and 13 2011, while being an individual who had information as an insider which related to a proposed takeover of a particular issuer of securities, namely Encore Oil Plc, he dealt in securities.

This involved 175,000 ordinary shares in Encore Oil Plc that were price affected securities in relation to that information.

The second count states that between November 4 2011 and December 17 2011, while being an individual who had information as an insider which related to the discovery of oil in Greenland, being a particular issuer of securities, namely Cairn Energy Plc, he dealt in securities.

This involved 120 Call Options in Cairn Energy Plc that were price affected securities in relation to that information.

Sentencing was adjourned until December 21 for psychological reports to be carried out into his “extraordinary behaviour”.

Patrick Gibbs QC, defending, told the court: “The court will be assisted, in our submission, into some insight into the psychology into this otherwise rather extraordinary behaviour.”

Prosecutor Zoe Johnson QC said it was not expected a confiscation hearing would be needed, as Lyttleton had offered a voluntary payment.

She said: “It is anticipated that once a document is put together by those instructing us, there will be a voluntary payment so confiscation proceedings will be avoided. That is the expectation.”

Lyttleton, of Hampstead, north west London, was granted conditional bail.

The terms includes a condition of residence at his London home, and permission to travel to France or Monaco provided he gives 24 hours notice to the FCA.

While Lyttleton lives in the UK, his wife and children live in France, Mr Gibbs said.

Judge Anthony Leonard QC told Lyttleton: “Your pleas at this early stage will be taken into account to your advantage when you are sentenced on the 21st of December.”

Lyttleton and his wife Delphine were first arrested at their home in 2013, but she was dropped from the inquiry last year, it was reported.

Last month, the FCA announced it had charged Lyttleton with three counts of insider dealing, but one was later dropped.

Lyttleton started his career in finance at Mercury Asset Management, which was acquired by Merrill Lynch & Co. in 1997, and was then sold to BlackRock for $9.4 billion in 2006.

Lyttleton was responsible for running equity funds for institutional pension funds before moving to the retail fund division in 1999, according to his LinkedIn page.

It states that while he was there, he ran the UK equity funds, and the UK Absolute Alpha fund.

He left BlackRock in March 2013, and is now a personal coach, mentor and angel investor, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Making Sound Pension Decisions in Uncertain Times

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Everyone was watching when the Brexit vote was taken. No one followed that historic vote more closely, or the after-effects, than people in retirement or those about to retire. Many feared that billions in pension savings would be wiped away in a flash after the vote. Those preparing to retire had a hard time maintaining confidence in their investments while watching interest rates and the rates on annuities plummet to all-time lows.

There are options

One ray of good news is the changes made to pension rules in April 2015. These changes gave retirees more options than they previously enjoyed. Those over 55 now can choose from multiple options when deciding what to do with their savings. These options include taking larger sums in cash, staying invested or rolling savings into buy-to-let.

Some retirees may be a bit intimidated by these newly-found freedoms. Many may have a difficult time deciding what to do with their pension pots. Before deciding how to manage your pension, consider the strategies available to you.

Stay invested

One option, known as “drawdown,” lets retirees draw an income from their pension. This income may be dependent on corporate bonds paying fixed amounts of interest or companies dolling out nice dividends. The retiree takes out the amount needed and leaves the rest invested. The strategy here is to ride out stock market fluctuations and give investments more chances to grow.

Any remaining funds can then be passed along to beneficiaries without fear of inheritance tax.

This strategy does not guarantee your income, however. If your lifespan extends longer than expected or you spend too much, you could run out of money. A severe hit to the stock market would also render a massive hit to your pension fund.

Cashing in

If you are aged 55 or over, cashing in your pension pot is one of your options. Doing this, however, will subject the majority to tax. You’re allowed to take a 25 percent lump sum tax-free, but after that the tax for withdrawing the rest is set at your personal rate.

The smart move here is to think about tax efficiency instead of thinking about a nice lump of cash tax-free. You would be able to do whatever you want with the money, of course, but it won’t be generating income for you. You also put yourself at risk of being bumped into a higher tax bracket with a large withdrawal.

Property investing

Some pensioners who prefer to have assets they can see, such as buy-to-let property. After the mortgage is paid off, the property may be able to generate retirement income. Property is not a tax-efficient retirement investment, however, and many predict that taxes here will grow in the future.

The amount of income generated can be undercut by mortgage costs, letting fees, maintenance and insurance costs, and there may be periods of no income when there are no tenants. Income generated by letting your property is taxable, too. That needs to be a serious consideration if you’re considering this option in these uncertain times.

 

 

Clinton Trumps Trump For British Punters

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US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has trumped her rival in the race for the White House – as far as British punters are concerned at least.

Research by novelty predictions site TheNominant.com in conjunction with Ladbrokes show that most major UK cities are backing former First lady Hillary to become the first ever female President.

She is way ahead of Donald Trump in Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Newcastle when it comes to bets placed.

Only Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester are putting more dosh on Donald.

Betting by city (percentage for Trump/Clinton)

Aberdeen 14/67
Birmingham 25/66
Bristol 18/43
Cardiff 36/37
Edinburgh 36/39
Glasgow 26/40
Leeds 45/40
Liverpool 41/39
London 33/54
Manchester 50/42
Newcastle 14/73

And despite the fact that UK voters do not have a voice in the election, many hold passionate views about both candidates.

In a survey of 750 UK adults by novelty predictions and news site TheNominant.com, 58 per cent said that if they were a US citizen they would vote for Clinton, compared to just 11 per cent for Trump.

The average UK Trump backer emerged as male, aged 55+, with an income of £70k+ and likely to live in Liverpool, while the average Clinton punter was female, aged 45+, with an income of £70k+ and based in Manchester.

Alexander Kostin, spokesman for TheNominant.com, said: “Our research reveals the same pattern as we observed with Brexit – betting companies were alarming about big number of bets placed on UK leaving the EU, polls and media were saying opposite, like it shall or will never happen.

“With the US election we see the same – Ladbrokes reporting that three cities in the UK bet mostly on Trump to win, but our survey showed opposite results.

“In my opinion when people put their money on something to happen, it shows they believe in it more than they may say they do publicly”.

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Seven Out Of Ten Brits Admit Their Finances “Are in a Mess”

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Seven out of ten Brits admit their finances are ‘in a mess’, research revealed yesterday.

A detailed study of 2,000 adults found a large percentage of us have forgotten about old accounts, have no idea how much interest we are paying on credit cards and have even lost track of all our outgoings.

A quarter of adults admit to being terrible with money, while 40 per cent say their outgoings are too high.

Consequently, 53 per cent of people are plagued with sleepless nights as they fret about their finances, and 26 per cent claim their relationship has suffered as a direct result of the mess they’re in.

Top money worries include not being able to ‘get through’ the month, as well as being unable to afford utility bills and basic necessities such as food and drink.

However, when it comes to getting financial help, only one in 10 people would consider approaching their bank.

Virraj Jatania, founder and CEO of Pockit, the world’s most inclusive bank, which conducted the poll said: “Sadly there are many people who struggle to make ends meet, either because they don’t earn enough money or because they have lost track of their personal finances.

“And in a climate where we know the value of the pound is dropping and the cost of basic living is going up, with shoppers being warned to expect price rises, this is very worrying.

“Our researchers found more than a third of people are choosing to not even look at their bank account, because they’re frightened of the consequences.  Often, there seems no way out for people who live on a tight budget.”

The study found six in 10 people constantly worry about being able to afford unexpected bills such as car repairs or home maintenance.

More than half panic knowing they’ll have to fork out for Christmas and Birthdays, and a quarter can’t make their wage packet last for the whole month.

Twenty two per cent of people say they can’t afford to go out socially, and 17 per cent are unhappy they’re unable to treat or spoil the children.

When it comes to knowledge of finances, a third of people admit they have lost track of old bank accounts such as ones they took out as a student years ago.

A fifth of those surveyed think they would be shocked if they were to learn exactly how much they owed on their credit cards. 14 per cent have no clue how deep into their overdraft they are.

Only 23 per cent of people polled know exactly how much money they have in their bank account, and only 14 per cent could say how much they owed on store cards and loans.

Sadly, four in 10 couples regularly have arguments about their finances, and one in 10 have ended a relationship because of money.

A further 13 per cent have had to take out a second job in order to boost their financial position, but one in 20 people have actually lost a job as a direct result of their worries.

Getting financial help has never been more difficult – according to a quarter of those polled.

Virraj Jatania, founder and CEO of Pockit continues: “Some people, through no real fault of their own, need a little help managing their finances, enabling them to get clever with their spending.

“We acknowledge there are millions of people who are frustrated by or shut out from traditional retail banks and the products and services they provide.

“Today this demographic face stark choices: stick to cash, which makes money management and saving all but impossible; use a friend or family member’s bank or credit card, which can be humiliating; or turn to pre-paid cards with their impenetrable small-print and hidden fees.

“However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. As a brand, Pockit can give anyone, even those with money troubles, access to a proper account, with a MasterCard and so on – without the usual credit checks and bureaucratic sign-up process.”

“This means that on occasions when an expected bill comes in, or a birthday is around the corner, people can budget or access the cash accordingly, because they’ll know exactly how much money they have available when they log into our app or online account.”

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  • tetherTether (USDT) $ 1.00 0.01%
  • xrpXRP (XRP) $ 2.32 0.98%
  • bnbBNB (BNB) $ 661.35 0.06%
  • solanaSolana (SOL) $ 152.30 1.55%
  • usd-coinUSDC (USDC) $ 0.999848 0%
  • tronTRON (TRX) $ 0.286752 0.11%
  • staked-etherLido Staked Ether (STETH) $ 2,610.85 2.7%
  • cardanoCardano (ADA) $ 0.589842 1.57%
  • avalanche-2Avalanche (AVAX) $ 18.37 1.99%
  • the-open-networkToncoin (TON) $ 2.79 0.66%
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