Finance Roadmap » Earnings

Public sector facing job cuts

David Allen — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:38:00 +0000

There was a time when working in public services was probably one of the safest positions that anyone could go for. To make that career choice even better careers in public services are very diverse too.

However, this sector is set to be hit with cutbacks; in fact around 350,000 jobs are likely to be lost over the next five years, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

This is mainly down to the current financial crisis that is still taking its toll on the country’s finances. As companies struggle to survive the prospect of job cuts becomes more likely, but in order to counter this Unions are likely to fight back with strikes.

These elements create a situation where the economy is in danger because of the cut in tax revenues.

Source [BBC]

Older workers worst in financial crisis

David Allen — Mon, 18 May 2009 04:46:12 +0000

It was not that long ago when the older more experienced worker was being hailed as the saviour of many businesses. This was especially so in the retail sector, who were only too quick to announce what a good these older people were doing.

But now it seems as the financial crisis continues, companies are having to think about cutting costs and therefore that usually means job losses.

Now everything has changed and those workers aged sixty or over, who only last year chose to work rather than claiming benefits are now turning up at the benefits offices around the country wanting to sign on.

This claim is bolstered by the latest figures on unemployment that show in April over twenty thousand people aged over sixty signed on, that is an increase of around sixty five per cent.

Source [Telegraph]

Bee’s contribution to the UK economy

David Allen — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 04:42:36 +0000

There has been a lot of talk about the reduction in the honeybee population, not just here in the UK but around the world. Somehow, the significance of this has been overlooked after all; the honeybee is just an insect and therefore would not be missed.

Yet recent research has shown that the humble honey bee actually contributes more to the UK economy than a lot of people originally thought.

Not only is there the reduction in the production of honey, honeybees are also responsible for pollinating a wide variety of the UK’s fruit and vegetables. It is estimated that this work is valued at around £200 million per year, but it could be as high as £1 billion per year if the true retail value is applied.

Source [BBC]

Twitter can save you money

David Allen — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 06:09:43 +0000

Twitter used to be laughed at as being a waste of time, after all who can bothered with sending and reading short messages? Well as it turns out quite a lot of people and the information, being sent around the Twitters can be very useful indeed.

Money matters has become one of the hot topics on Twitter, which is no surprise considering that this topic concerns everyone. This is because people are finding that for the first time money and personal finances are the in topic.

However sometimes things are hard to find on Twitter, but this is made simple with the http://search.twitter.com/ URL, once this page is displayed the by using the hash tag, there are some great posts. Use these tags to see for yourself: #frugaltip, #bargains and #coupon.

Source [Twitip]

Wasting energy will cost consumers pounds

David Allen — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:28:27 +0000

This time last year most people in the UK were celebrating their good fortune of living in a booming economy which in turn fuelled foreign holidays, cars and just about anything else that you could think of, then all of sudden it stopped.

Almost over night things began to crash around us, but as people tighten their purse strings one habit could end up costing some people a lot and that is wasted energy, households have become used to leaving the lights on and TV’s on standby etc.

However, this habit could end up costing millions of energy customers thousands of pounds, for many households they have been drifting along paying a direct debit for their power and heat that they could be building a huge bill, which at some stage will need to be paid.

Source [UK Net Guide]

Creative’s overtake finance workers

David Allen — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:51:45 +0000

At one time the finance industry was one of the largest employers in the UK and in the world as a whole, but according to research carried out by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) this is all about to change.

The creative sector is growing and to such an extent that NESTA believe by 2013 there will be more people employed within the creative sector than there will be in the financial services sector.

The creative sector is made up of people working in the film, music, fashion, TV and video games production sectors; it is growing at a rate of four per cent per year and will by 2013, employ around 1.3 million people in the UK, which is estimate to be a 100,000 more than the finance industry.

Source [PSFK]

Managing your finances in a credit crisis

David Allen — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:49:00 +0000

Getting a grip on your finances is hard enough, but with a full blown credit crisis creating all sorts of problems for many people there is an extra pressure on people to get a grip on their finances in order to be ready should the worst happen.

The problem for ordinary people is that they have little influence in their future, as this is in the hands of their employers, but what they can do is work on their finances and get them into some short of order.

This can be done by following the tips below:

Make it a habit to check your bank account on a regular basis
Try to reduce your daily expenses as much as you can
Credit cards increase debts
Avoid borrowing money from anyone
Continue to pay the premiums
You should look for extra sources of income other than your ongoing one

Source [Personal Finance Coach]

Recession played out in games

David Allen — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 07:01:25 +0000

The cause of the current financial situation can be seen in the type and style of computer games that have been available over the years, but not just any old games what we are talking about are the business and world development games.

These games like the Sims, Tycoon, SimCity 2000 and 3000, SimTower, Capitalism, even Theme Hospital and Pizza Tycoon, these all replying on the user building an empire with no regards for people or places.

The games have now been reflected in real life where everything has been pushed to the limit and now it has all come tumbling down around our collective ears, most of us helpless to watch the lives of our families and friends end up totally ruined, but this is no game, there is no restart in the real world.

Source [Tumeroks]

Spend or save in the credit crunch

David Allen — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 07:31:11 +0000

There are two different ideas here, the first is to save and cut back on all expenditure, this would seem to be sensible as the current financial climate is unsure and in some cases very fragile.

Therefore, by saving money this could make sure that if the worse happens then you have something to fall back on.

But the other side of the coin is completely different, in order for the economy to recover the is a need for people to go out and spend in the stores and buy services etc, if this does not happen, then the economy will just get worse.

This is a serious matter, but at the end of the day, it is better to have money to fall back on, rather than having none at all.

Source [Free Online Advisor]

Fixing your finances

David Allen — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:14:28 +0000

There are plenty of websites which will tell how where you are going wrong with your finances, but are nay of these sites any good and do they really offer the sort of service that will help people to get on top of their finances.

Essentially the best way to get to keep on top your finances is to simply be organised and have everything out in the open, that way you know exactly what it going where and why.

There is help on line; you may wish to check out the following sites for help:

Thrive
Rudder
Mint.com
Yodlee’s MoneyCenter
SmartyPig.com
Bankrate.com
Kiplinger.com
MSN Money
SmartMoney
CNNMoney
LowCards.com

Most of these services are free and very helpful but there is a need to be out in open as to where you stand with your finances, only you know that.

Source [PC World]