The AnswerBank Articles

Over 50 And Still Fighting Fit

The older people become, the younger they feel and the more likely they are to see “old age” as a time occurring later in life, according to a national survey on aging. It seems, that with the average age of the population ever increasing, we are seeing more and more older people still living as if they wer...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Metrosexual Types Underinsured

It used to be that only women carried around large quantities of ‘stuff’ in their handbags, nowadays however, increasing numbers of men are taking to the country’s streets with more gadgets than an electrical retailer. And what a lot of choice of gadgets there are out there. Starting with your simple...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Consumer Watchdog Gives Rights Warning

Many of us spend all year dreaming of those two precious weeks away and most of us will have no problems apart from a few hangovers and some dodgy meals. However, there are a significant number of holiday makers who's time away does not go according to plan and we should be more clued up as to what to do when things go...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Scotland Launches Fire Awareness Campaign

Scotland is launching a major campaign on fire awareness amid fears that increasing numbers of people will be drinking and smoking at home now that smoking is banned in public places. A recent report by the Scottish fire services revealed that matches and cigarettes started 46 per cent of all house fires in the countr...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Sisters DIYing It For Themselves

In any normal UK home there are always a few DIY jobs that need to be done. It may be that a wall needs painting, or a shelf needs to be put up or maybe a light-fitting has to be changed. DIY, like barbequing, has traditionally been seen to be in the domain of the man of the house. However, now it seems that women want...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Security Warning Over Untrimmed Gardens

For most of us the summer months mean endless mowing the lawn and weeding and never seeming to get time to just sit in the garden and enjoy it. However, for many people in the UK their garden is where they spend most of their time, forever trimming and pruning and planting to create the perfect green space. With an in...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Store Cards Overcharging By 20%

Britons who choose to put spending onto store cards are routinely paying 20 per cent too much in interest, the Competition Commission has said. The finding is part of a major survey that the watchdog has carried out into the cards, concluding that by choosing store cards over low interest credit cards consumers are col...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Home Insurance Costs UK Billions On Direct Debit

Those of us who have a car dread the yearly renewal of our insurance policy. It's endless checking and rechecking of details and working out which is right for us. However, it is worth doing as it could be saving us pounds every year. Unfortunately we spend all that time getting the right policy for the right price the...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Foreign Office (FO) Warns Badly Behaved Brits Not To Expect Jail Aid

Many of us have been tempted by the excess on holiday and have risked trouble by having a few too many to drink. It seems, however, that we should think before we get ourselves into trouble as we may not get the help we expect. The Foreign Office (FO) has warned boozy and badly behaved Britons not to expect British Em...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Thatched Cottage Owners Warned On Fire Risks

Many of us have seen picturesque little hamlets whilst driving through our glorious countryside. Mostly made up of ancient, tiny cottages often with thatch on the roof and roses round the door. This may seem like a bucolic ideal by many in the UK, but you can end up paying a sharp premium for the privilege without the ...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Half Of All Company Cars May Not Be Road Worthy

More than half of all company vehicles may be officially considered un-roadworthy due to faults serious enough to sink an MOT says recent research by the RAC. More than 3,000 vehicles were checked over a four month period throughout the survey, with 53 per cent failing basic tyre, coolant, oil and screen wash tests - ...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Half Of UK Drivers Not Prepared For Foreign Roads

Many people now take their cars on holiday with them. It can be more convenient to have your own transport at your destination plus there is no luggage allowance. However, many do not realise that some preparation is required when driving abroad, even in Europe. Over half of all drivers in the UK fail to prepare for t...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

DIY Spending Rockets

As many of us are feeling the pinch perhaps moving to a new home is not an option. So more and more of us are fixing up our existing homes to make them a nicer place to live. As a nation of DIY lovers it is no surprise then that we are spending more on our homes than ever before. Spending on DIY in the UK has rocketed ...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Drunken Holiday Makers Should Foot The Bill For Consulate Care

With the rise of cheap flights there has been a massive increase in the number of people travelling from the UK to European cities for weekend breaks. Stag and hen dos are a fashionable reason for travelling and can make the experience of your last ‘fling’ as a singleton extra special. Places such as Barcel...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Millions Of Holidaymakers Could Face Disaster

Millions of holidaymakers planning on cutting out the middle man by booking their holiday online this summer could be facing financial disaster when abroad. Over the summer months, over 11 million people are estimated to bypass travel agents and book their own accommodation, flights and hire cars for their holidays. ...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

School Holiday Breaks Can Cost Up To Two Thirds More

We all look forward to our annual two weeks away with the family. However, many of us rankle at the thought that we are penalised on price because we have children of school age and have to take our breaks during the school holidays. It seems we are right to be annoyed by the price hike. Family holidays taken while sc...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Green Fingers Can Put Thousands On the Value Of Your Home

Tidying up a scruffy garden can add as much as £8,600 to the value of your home claims new research, but most people are missing out by failing to exercise their green fingers. Two thirds of homeowners missed out on the premium when they moved home last year, passing up a potential £5.9 billion in total. Th...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Holidaymakers Warned About Hire Car Dangers

Tourists have been warned to carefully inspect any hire cars they may take abroad while on holiday. New research has warned of the hidden charges, death-trap defects and insurance rip-offs waiting to ensnare the unwary traveller. Threadbare tyres, worn brake pads, barely road worthy vehicles with 200,000 km on the cl...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

The Blessing Of Busybody Neighbours

For those of us who live in suburban streets it is a familiar site when we drive down the road, the ‘curtain twitch’. We have all done it and it is usually driven by curiosity to see who is coming. However, it seems that having busybody neighbours may not be at the top of everybody's wish-list but while awa...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010

RICS Issues Subsidence Advice

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has issued advice to homeowners who fear that their homes may be at risk of subsidence. It has also warned homeowners to watch out for the first signs of subsidence, which causes the most expensive home insurance claims. Subsidence is caused by a combination of dry we...16:36 Mon 24th May 2010