Friday 30 December 2011

Best Foreign Exchange Rates from Independent Brokers


It can be difficult to know where to look for the best foreign exchange rates, but independent brokers can help. Some people choose to benefit from profit opportunities created by market voltality with Forex trading.

There’s a lot to think about when you travel abroad, particularly if you’re going on holiday with the family and need to organise flights, hotels and car hire as well as foreign currency. You’ll want to make the most of each pound you spend, and that’s hard when sterling is weak against other major currencies, which is why you need to look for the best foreign exchange rates.

Being Sure of the Best Foreign Exchange Rates

Of course, it’s very difficult to be sure that you’re buying at the best possible rate, but if you keep hanging around waiting for rates to improve, you could end up leaving your currency purchase until the last minute – and then you have to take whatever exchange rate is being offered. Try to find the best foreign exchange rates by using services that are independent. That means:

  • Not tied to any bank or big company – just like you would use an independent financial adviser to organise your pension or healthcare plan, you should use an independent broker to get you the best foreign exchange rates. Being independent allows these brokers to give you the deal that is right for you – without having to meet big corporate targets or working within a restrictive system.

  • Buying in advance – sometimes the best foreign exchange rates can be secured when you buy your currency well in advance. That’s because brokers manage their currency on a long-term basis, allowing them to offer you more competitive deals. What’s more, by organising your currency ahead of time, you can cross another thing of your “to do” list.

  • Direct contact – using an independent broker means that you have direct access to the people handling your account. There’s no need to speak to call centres if you have a problem or you’d like to change anything.

Tuesday 20 December 2011

Foreign Currency Exchange – Trusting the Professionals

Alpari Forex
Foreign currency exchange deals are often handled by a broker but more and more people are turning to Alpari forex trading platforms and the professional advice behind them in order to make the most of their currency.


The foreign currency exchange markets can look like great places to make money, and you may even have been approached by people offering to help you make a fortune by dealing in foreign currency. Don’t be tempted though, as these offers are often scams. It’s always best to trust the professionals.

Avoid Foreign Currency Exchange Scams

The thing about good scams is that they never look like a scam. Instead, they seem genuine, interesting and potentially very rewarding. Good scams are well marketed, well worded and often make promises that seem too good to be true. You may receive an email, see an internet advert, or read an advert in a paper or a magazine, and it will nearly always be enough to make you read it a couple of times and wonder whether the scheme would be worth following up. Whether you’re a business looking for the best way to make the most of foreign currency exchange transactions or an individual who’d like to make your money go further, the advice is the same: always deal with a professional:

  • Established business – if you need to make foreign currency exchange payments, or you have a sum to invest and you’re thinking of investing overseas, always use an established foreign currency broker, rather than relying on an unknown firm – even if the deal seems better. Whilst transferring your money to the unknown company is easy, getting it back again may be impossible, so always deal with a business that you can prove exists.

  • HMRC registered – all foreign currency exchange brokers in the UK need to be registered as Money Service Businesses with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. If you can’t see this registration information on the broker’s website, ask for their registration number and check them out with HMRC before you commit any money.

  • Dedicated advice – if you’re buying a property, making an investment or doing business overseas, you need to have the same sort of relationship with your foreign currency exchange broker as you have with your solicitor and accountant. Choosing a reliable broker will give you access to individual advice that’s designed to help you make the most of your transaction.

So, if you have some money to spare and you think that the smart investment is overseas, don’t fall for a foreign currency exchange scam. Instead, do the smart thing and speak to a trustworthy, professional currency broker who can help you achieve your goals without losing your cash.

Car Insurance Quotes Northern Ireland – Save Time and Money


For cheap car insurance for Northern Ireland, brokers can help.

car insurance for northern ireland
Looking for the best car insurance quotes? Northern Ireland drivers have more choice now than ever before when it comes to getting quality and value from their insurance policies. At a time when everyone is trying to cut their costs, it can be tempting to reduce your insurance cover so that you pay a lower premium, but if you come to the right source for your car insurance quotes, you could find that you can keep the level of cover and pay less.

Finding Car Insurance Quotes

Northern Ireland customers know they can look at cost comparison websites, but it can take time to go through each result that’s returned and decide which policy is right for you. Choosing on price alone can be dangerous – you know that you will be paying less, but do you know what you’re covered for? If you’re used to getting a courtesy car with your car insurance policy, for example, you may be stuck when you discover that the cheaper policy doesn’t provide one. Think about the things that are important to you and make sure you compare what you’re actually getting from the policy before you commit. A more reliable and time-saving way to get great car insurance quotes in Northern Ireland is to speak to a dedicated insurance broker.

How a Car Insurance Broker can Save Time and Money

Instead of spending your time sitting in front of your computer waiting for results and checking out all the policy details, why not let someone do it for you? The beauty of getting an independent car insurance quote is that by using an experienced broker, you’re getting access to a wider range of car insurance quotes. Northern Ireland policies are often specific to the province, so you want to be sure you’re getting the right cover, and who better to help than someone who knows the insurance industry inside-out? All you need to do is ask for a quick quote online, call the brokers if you’d like to talk through your needs, or pop into one of their offices to talk to an expert. They’ll do the work for you, looking for car insurance quotes and Northern Ireland-based policies that will allow you to drive with peace of mind. They could also help you to find a policy that costs less than you think.

Debt Management – Making sure you stay out of debt

UK debt management services
Finding yourself in debt is becoming increasingly commonplace in the UK and many are turning to debt management plans. The key to financial security, however, is to ensure that you stay out of debt when debts are consolidated with UK debt management services.

The credit crunch has had a profound effect on the finances of many people across the UK and many find themselves in a seemingly irrevocable spiral of debt. A debt management plan is increasingly being employed by those in financial difficulty to resolve their money problems and, whilst this method of debt repayment is very successful, it remains of paramount importance to stay clear of debt once finances are returned to an even keel.

Debt Management – Top 5 Tips for Steering Clear of Debt

A debt management proposal is often the first step to putting the brakes on spiralling debts but there are a number of other factors to consider when it comes to ensuring that you remain debt free. Those embarking on a debt management plan should bear in mind the following:

  • Understanding debt problem – It is of vital importance for those in debt to be honest with themselves and provide an accurate depiction of their debt situation. Providing a clear indicator of the extent of debt is key to a successful debt management plan.
  • Avoid saving whilst in debt – Whilst it’s obviously a good idea to set aside a small amount each month, it is generally not a smart move for those in debt management plans to save up large amounts each month. This is because savings only attract interest of around 4% whereas borrowings can have interest anywhere between 15-20%.
  • Be frugal – This would seem obvious but many in debt continue to spend lavishly despite their financial predicament. In order for a debt management plan to be a success, an individual will have to take responsibility for their spending and start to live considerably within their means.
  • Position your debt – Make a breakdown of your debt situation and rank your debt in order of urgency. This will hope focus you and ensure that you know what your debt management plan will entail. For example, debts that could lead to the repossession of your home are high priority whereas those arising from store cards etc can be seen as less of a priority.

Compensation Solicitor: Do You Need One?


How do you know when you need a compensation solicitor?


Industrial Deafness Compensation Claim Solicitors
If you have had an accident that has resulted in damage or loss and you think that you could be entitled to compensation, then you may want to consult a compensation solicitor. Before choosing your solicitor though, take the time to go over the incident, to see whether or not you may have a case. Look for compensation solicitors that specialise in your specific claim area for example Industrial Deafness Compensation Claim Solicitors.

When was the accident?

In most cases, you will have a limit of 3 years after the accident in which to submit your claim. There are exceptions to this limit; for children under 18 years old, and for claims where the damage does not become obvious for a longer period, for example. If you had an accident a year ago, and are still suffering the after-effects, then you may have a case for compensation.

Was the accident your fault?

Compensation cases are built on the negligence or culpability of others. If you were warned or trained and failed to observe or follow instructions you were given, you are less likely to have a case for compensation, unless you can show that the guidelines or warnings you were given were inadequate or faulty. It is your job to prove the negligence of others.

Have you received medical treatment?

If you have an injury or other physical or mental problem that you believe is as a direct cause of your accident, then you may be entitled to compensation. It’s important that you can show that you have received some medical advice, attention or treatment. If you have not, and your compensation solicitor believes you have a case, he or she may send you for a medical examination.

Are you prepared for a compensation case?

Legal action to recover damages is a lengthy process, with no guarantee of success. You should be sure that you are prepared to spend time with your solicitor, to provide as much information as possible, and to be patient as the process runs its course. If your claim is disputed and you decide to take the case to court, you will be extending the length of time you have to wait for a result, and increasing the potential legal costs. Before you embark on a compensation case, you should be sure that you can see it through to a conclusion.