As the financial crisis goes into its third year, here at Money Hospital we thought we’d take a breather from bad news.
We’ve had a look at some of the more positive things that have emerged from a time that by anyone’s thinking has been difficult for consumers and businesses alike.
Here are our five reasons to be cheerful.
Cars are cheaper
The governments cash for bangers scheme, whereby you can trade in a car that has been registered in your name for 10 years or more for a £2,000 discount (or more in some cases) has been an overwhelming success.
Car production is back to near normal levels and thousands of jobs have been saved as a direct result. Plus, you can pick up a nice new motor at a very nice price.
With loan approvals on the rise again for those with good credit histories, getting car finance may help you take advantage of the scheme.
House prices are affordable – if you’ve got a large cash deposit
House prices have dropped from their ludicrously high level back in 2007. This has caused problems for thousands of homeowners who bought near the top of the market and who are now in or close to negative equity.
But if you’re a first time buyer there is a silver lining. With industry experts pretty much agreed that the housing market has steadied, there has never been a better time to take that first step on the housing ladder, either as a new owner or as an investor. Meanwhile, it’s also a good time if you’re moving up the ladder and have built up equity in your home. Your property may be worth less than it was – but the bigger houses on the next rung are more likely to be within your reach.
Obviously you’ll need a mortgage and if you have a large cash deposit, say 25%, there are plenty of good deals that are available. Speak to an independent financial adviser to get access to the majority of the best deals on the market.
High street offers
Cash is king in our economy at the moment and if you’ve got the money to spend then there are some fantastic deals on the high street.
Retailers are falling over themselves to bring you tempting offers on a range of goods from garden furniture to household electricals.
And whether it’s your local pub offering credit crunch tastebud busting specials or restaurants offering a tasty treat for two for the price of one, there are enough great moneysaving deals on eating out to get anyone’s mouth watering.
There also seems to be a splurge of buy one get one free offers in supermarkets up and down the country, whether on household goods like bleach and washing powder or day to day grocery items such as apples and pears.
Competitive life insurance
Getting rid of an insurance policy is never really advisable.
But life insurance is often one of the first policies we dispose of in a recession as we begin to scrutinise our finances more closely and look to slash costs.
Insurance providers are more than aware of this and the pressure is on for them to keep premiums as low and as competitive as possible which is good for your pocket.
Speak to an adviser about life insurance now >>
Tracker mortgage rates at an all-time low
Mortgage products which track the Bank of England base rate are at all time lows.
With Bank of England base rate currently at 0.5% many homeowners on trackers have seen the immediate benefit. And in some cases the low base rate has meant lenders technically having to pay the borrower.
Andrew Montlake, director at London-based broker Coreco Group, says there are still some very good rates on the market at the moment.
“In light of the fact that interest rates are likely to stay low for a while yet, there are many clients who would suit the benefits of a tracker product,” he says.
But with interest rates unlikely to drop any further, bear in mind that the next move tracker products will make is likely to be up.
“As with anything it does depend on the clients individual circumstances and expectations of future interest rate changes so each case is treated differently,” says Montlake. “For some who need the payment security it will always be better advice to take a fixed rate although they are paying a higher price now.”
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
Need mortgage advice? Click here to speak to an adviser >>
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August 24th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
This all sounds wonderful, except if your income has, either been severely reduced or ceased completely. You may not actually be able to afford a new car, not considering moving, be one of many who pre-credit crunch took the advice of taking out a fixed rate, term mortgage, seen the value of their longer term savings fall, low returns on any savings and the ever increasing costs of such luxuries as petrol and water to name but a few. Have to say it is a little difficult to look on the bright side at the moment!
August 26th, 2009 at 10:35 am
But Richard, that’s always the case, even when we’re not in recession! The fact is that many millions of us are doing very nicely during this ‘crisis’. It’s hard for those who, through no fault of their own, aren’t, but that’s no reason not to see how others could benefit.
August 27th, 2009 at 8:05 am
Yes Robert. My Husband is a self employed builder.
He had his best year yet , last year end and has work booked in till well after Christmas !! He has an excellent reputation and people wait for him to fit them in. Hes on his 5th extension down the same street at the moment !!
August 29th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
For years now I have had a fixed rate with Chelsea BS. It expired and now stands on the standard variable rate which they have always compared to bank base rate. Apparently though it does not track base rate now and so SVA stands at arround 6%, and I am paying for their bad lending decisions, or as they would say fraudulent activity. Hey money tips, how about naming and shaming the gready lenders SVA’s.