i* Managing Finances * Pause for thought * Opening A Bank Account * Banks / ATM's * Using Your Plastic * 5 Tips against ATM fraud * 12 ways your credit card cheats you * The best and worst ways to get foreign money * Scholarship Table * Scholarships & Awards * Housing * Abbey (San tander Group) My Money - Two-thirds of UK teeneagers demand better financial education *
Managing Finances.
For most moving away from home, or starting work, handling personal finances is a first-time experience. Look after your money and keep it safe. Budget (plan) for the amount you have available, divided by the number of weeks it has to last.
Student Finance Advisers in the UK suggest the following as ways of helping you keep your finances under control and in balance. In the same way that you would if you were working, they suggest that you adopt an attitude of 'Paying Yourself' within the budget you have available. Think carefully about unwanted or unnecessary things that can be turned into cash. Also, do you have 'forgotten money' or a talent that you can use.
In the beginning, it is worth keeping a notebook of everything you spend. It's very easy, especially when you have a lot of money for the first time, to lose track of what you have spent, and where you spent it.
First, make allowances for essentials such as; travel, rent, food, and books, making sure that you keep enough money in reserve to get home at the end of the semester / term. If you need to, or want to, find a part-time job that doesn't interfere with your study time or disrupt too much, the time you have for social activities. Part-time work has 3 benefits; the money is useful, it gives you a feeling of ndependence and it widens your area of social contact.
Beware of wonderful...spend now...pay later offers of credit from banks, and don't borrow long-term from other students. They probably are facing similar problems to you. Above all else, remember... that loans have to be repaid.
Finally, if you have problems or require more information, please don't hesitate to contact our enquiries line by e-mail at the top of the page.
Pause for thought... Wise sayings are sometimes handed down from one generation to another over hundrds of years. This one from the 18th century is a suitable reflection on managing money.
'Rags make paper; paper makes money; money makes banks; banks make loans; loans make beggers; beggers make rags!'
OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT
If you are studying abroad you will definitely need to open a bank account for personal use. It can take longer than opening an account in China .
It is essential that you take enough money in the currency of your destination, Eg:GBP pounds sterling ( UK ) Euros for most other European Countries and $ for USA , Canada and Australia .
In most countries, RMB is not a listed currency and it is extremely difficult and expensive to exchange.
Most universities will have either:
- banks on site. In the UK the big 4 are Natwest, HSBC Barclays & Lloyds TSB or
- banks close to the university which will handle student accounts or
- visiting banks to the university for registration/opening an account.
If none of these are available, you will have to make your own arrangements.
You will have to complete a Personal Account Application Form and a card for your specimen signature.
You will probably have to produce;
-your passport
-your student card or
-evidence that you are a student at a particular university
-evidence of your rescdeutial address
Banks in the UK offer all kinds of in countries to attract students; free gifts, low rates for charges, free over-draft facilities to a certain limit (you can spend even money than you don't have).
There are different types of accounts as well. My best advice is to look for an ordinary, no frills, no gimmicks, electronic use only account, which you can use with ATM's.
You do not have an over-draft facility, so you can't spend money you don't have, and will have to budget your everyday living costs and needs.
You can use ATM's at banks and and many shops and supermarkets in towns and cities.
As in China most ATM bank cards can be used at other banks which than your own but, there are sometimes charges or a fee for the using the facility.
The Bank of China has few branches in the UK . In England there are only 3; two in London and one in Manchester. They do not operate the same systems as Bank of China , in China. There are no ATM's, and bank cards issued in China will not give you access to your account whilst you are abroad.
Banks / ATM's Using your plastic
THE fued between banks and ATM users over customers' right to use any ATM without being charged has been resolved. The National Development and Reform Commission announced that bank card users will be allowed to make four cross-bank inquiries in one month at any ATM. Any subsequent cross-bank inquiries will be charged 0.2 yuan per inquiry, reported China Securities Journal on Tuesday. The issue of cross-bank inquiry fees was first proposed this July by commercial banks, but it met fierce protest from the public. 2007.11.07.
5 tips to protect yourself from ATM fraud
By Donna Werbner
Card skimming scammers managed to steal £80 million in the past year. Here's how to protect yourself from ATM fraud.
Ever heard of skimming? If you think it involves removing the floaty bits from a hot chocolate, think again. Skimming is a form of ATM fraud and last year the method was so successful fraudsters managed to steal £80 million from us. And in some parts of the country, the scam is more prevalent than others – according to card protection firm CPP, a staggering 37% of people in Cardiff have fallen victim to card crime in the past year.
So what is skimming and how does it work? And most importantly, how can you protect yourself?
How card skimming works
The most common form of skimming occurs when you go to use an ATM (automatic teller machine) and don't realise that a false front has been attached to the card reader - where you insert your card. This then captures your card number and transmits it wirelessly to someone waiting nearby.
A hidden camera will also be attached to the machine - perhaps in a leaflet holder, a loose wire or a loose fitting - and this will capture your PIN as you enter it.
Alternatively, criminals will use a keypad overlay that matches up with the buttons of the legitimate keypad below it, recording what is pressed and transmitting it to the fraudsters via a wireless device.
Criminals will then be able to make a copy of your card and use it, along with the PIN, to withdraw funds and buy goods. So the next time you check your bank account, it's likely to be empty.
Another technique used is where your card gets stuck in the machine and a kind passer-by offers to try your PIN for you. When this doesn’t work, the same passer-by then offers to stand guard while you report the problem to the bank. The fraudster than takes the card and uses the PIN you gave him or her to withdraw your cash.
Here are five ways to protect yourself from ATM fraud:
1) Protect your PIN
It goes without saying that you should never carry your PIN on you, in case you get mugged. That includes putting your PIN in your mobile phone as a contact under the name of your bank or an obvious entry like ‘Pin’.
Similarly, protect your pin while you’re at the ATM. Cover it with your hand when you enter it, and don’t ever give it to anyone, especially if there’s a problem with the machine. Some fraudsters have been known to dress in bank uniforms and hang out by the machine, so even official-seeming offers to help should be rejected.
2) Pick your ATMs carefully
Try to only use ATMs inside a bank or those you are familiar with, as you are more likely to spot whether there’s something different about the keypad or the card insert device.
If you must use an ATM at night, avoid dimly-lit areas and opt for ATMs protected by CCTV.
3) Get cashback from shops instead
Each visit to an ATM involves potential risk – so try to make as few trips as you can.
Instead, try to get cashback from a reputable retailer when you make a purchase. Most supermarkets offer cashback and you don’t need to make a large purchase to get your cash.
Remember to protect your pin from prying eyes again, and don’t let the card out of your sight or even your hands, if possible.
4) Keep track of your accounts
Under the UK’s Banking Code, banks are obliged to compensate you if you are a victim of card fraud.
However, if a large amount of time goes by before you notice it, the bank could argue you did not take reasonable care and potentially legitimately refuse to compensate you on that basis.
In other words, the sooner you notice and report a fraud, the more likely it is that your bank will deal with your claim for compensation quickly and fairly.
So it’s wise to regularly check all your bank accounts to ensure everything is correct. Earlier this year, lovemoney.com launched a free online banking service that allows you to check all your bank accounts and credit cards with a single log-in. So whenever you visit lovemoney.com to read an article, it’s easy to pop over to online banking and quickly check everything is as it should be. You can even set yourself a budget and categorise your transactions if you want to.
Always open your bank and credit card statements promptly as well to ensure nothing is amiss.
5) Be suspicious
Always check the ATM to see whether anything looks suspicious - if anything has been added or changed, either go to a different ATM or, if you're outside a bank, go inside to ask about the changes.
Check the card reader before inserting your card. If you feel a small prong, then it’s a false front – don’t use it. Tell the bank.
Some modern ATMs run a picture of what the slot and keypad are supposed to look like, so keep an eye out for these and check whether anything looks different from the picture displayed.
What to do if you’re a victim
1) Report the fraud - and any theft – to your bank immediately.
2) Report the fraud to the police.
3) Check your credit report to ensure the fraudsters haven’t also stolen your identity. Consider buying protective registration from CIFAS. It only costs £14.10 and will force anyone applying for credit in your name to undergo extra identity checks.
Note: This feature from' Lovemoney' refers specifically to banks in the UK. However, it generally applies to the banking systems of other countries. Only the scale or aadministration of charges may vary.
In towns and cities up and down the country, you won’t have to venture far to find a cash machine. They’re just about everywhere and very convenient they are too. Imagine what a nightmare it would be if you had no choice but to visit a bank branch and queue every time you needed some ready money.
Cash machines certainly play a very useful role in modern life, but the trouble is they’re not always free, especially if you’re somewhere slightly off the beaten track. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in out of the way locations, or at small shops, will likely charge you a fee for withdrawing cash, and this fee can run as high as £3.
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This may probably seems extortionate, especially if you’re only taking out a relatively small quantity of cash. But then again, I bet you've never stopped to think about the service that machine is providing you with - and how much that might be costing your bank.
Why do some cash machines charge?
Where cash machines are free for you to use, the company issuing your card pays a small fee to the ATM operator each time it is used to cover the machine’s running costs.
Smaller banks and building societies can take part by joining the LINK scheme which allows their customers to draw cash from larger banks’ cash machines. Again the costs are covered by charges banks have to pay to each other known as an interchange fee.
But that still doesn’t explain why some machines charge us to withdraw money, while others don’t.
It’s all do with location, location, location, or, more specifically, how busy a particular location is. If an ATM is installed in an area where the amount of withdrawal transactions carried out is generally pretty low - such as in a rural village - the running costs can’t be met by charges paid by the card issuers alone.
According to research by Associated Newspapers, running cash machines is actually a lot more expensive than you might imagine. There are significant expenses to be met - namely, the installation of the machine, and ensuring it’s securely topped up with notes on a regular basis.
Avoiding cash machines fees
Don’t forget, no matter where you’re using a cash machine in the UK, you’ll always get an upfront warning if a fee is going to be applied to your withdrawal, giving you an opportunity to cancel the transaction and get cash for free elsewhere.
You can avoid ATM charges completely by using your debit card to pay for items instead. You could even use your credit card and earn a little cashback on your purchases as long as you pay off your bill in full every month. Alternatively, why not get cashback from the supermarket when you’re doing your weekly food shop which will give you ready money without applying a charge? Or, make a point of planning in advance and only ever using ATMs at a bank branch which never charge users fees either.
Credit cards and cash machines
It’s absolutely fine to use your debit card in a cash machine as long as you always avoid paying a fee. But, take it from me, most credit cards and cash machines are like oil and water - they don’t mix. Otherwise, you can expect to find whacking great extra interest charges for the withdrawal on your next credit card bill.
The popular Virgin Credit Card, for example, charges an interest rate of 27.9% APR on cash advances. Worse still, each time you take cash out of a cash machine using your card, you’ll also get charged a 3% handling fee, with a minimum charge of £3.
These charges are fairly typical and are applied by most card issuers. So you can see it’s always best to steer clear of withdrawing cash from an ATM using your credit card, or the transaction will cost you far more than you might realise.
If you normally take a credit card with you when you travel abroad, it may be a little more difficult to avoid ATM charges as this is a convenient way to obtain local currency in many overseas destinations. But again these types of transactions often come with a whole host of hidden charges. There’s no question that most debit and credit cards are expensive to use overseas but some are more cost effective than others.
The Sainsbury’s Gold Credit Card, for example, doesn’t charge a fee for ATM withdrawals whether you’re at home or abroad. You won’t even be charged interest on the amount you take out as long as you clear your balance in full before the end of the month. That said, the card offers a range of extra benefits for travellers but all this comes with a £5 a month price tag. To find out more, take a look at A new credit card to use abroad.
Alternatively, if the monthly fee puts you off, the Halifax Clarity Credit Card is a good choice which doesn’t charge you fees anywhere in the world for cash withdrawals. Meanwhile, the Santander Zero Credit Card is another option which doesn’t slap on painful ATM charges. Check out The best and worst ways to get foreign cash to learn more.
The modern credit card comes with a dozen devious and costly tricks. Read this to avoid them!
Watch out for these nasty credit card rip-offs!
You wouldn't believe how many ways credit-card companies take money off you. Even sensible card users can find themselves being stung. Here are 12 booby traps to watch out for:
1. The £5 credit card trick
Some credit cards now set the minimum monthly repayment at the monthly interest, plus £5. The upshot is that a debt of £2,000 will take over 33 years to clear, and with a typical APR of 15.9% you'll pay a horrendous £4,976 in interest along the way!
So don't pay the minimum. Instead, set a payment of perhaps 4% a month, or £40 per £1,000 of debt, to clear it at a sensible rate.
Rachel Robson explains how negative order of payment works and how to avoid it.
2. Negative order of payment hoax
As Rachel explains in our video: Don't get caught out by negative order of payment, under this system (which most credit card providers operate), the least expensive debt is paid off first, meaning that the more expensive ones continue to accrue more debt interest for longer.
The best way to avoid this is to never use your credit card for more than one purpose, i.e, don't use it for both balance transfers and purchases.
Watch out for lenders that class balance-transfer fees (typically 2-3%) as a purchase on 0% balance-transfer deals. This means the fee will not come under the 0% deal, but will instead be subject to interest at the purchase rate, which is usually about 15.9%.
4. Too-good-to-be-true typical APRs
Only the most creditworthy applicants will ever get the lowest advertised interest rates. Although current rules state that two out of three borrowers must be offered the typical APR, this only applies to approved borrowers, not the number of people who apply.
5. Congratulations! We've upped your credit limit
The greater your access to credit, the greater may be the temptation to spend. But you mustn't see your credit limit as a target!
6. The insurance maze
Insurance comes in various guises, not just the high profile dodgy ones. Steer clear of rip-off payment protection insurance (PPI) and credit card repayment protection (CCRP).
Late payers not only face penalty fees but banks can also rescind any 0% deals you may have signed up to, costing you a fortune in interest. So don't pay late! Set up a direct debit.
8. Monthly interest-rates ruse
Don't be fooled by monthly rates: a monthly rate of 1.5% might not sound high, but it compounds up to a whopping 19.6% APR.
9. Annual-fee manoeuvre
Credit card fees are making a comeback, with fees from £10 to £275, usually in exchange for extra benefits, e.g. travel insurance. But it's very rare that a credit card is worth the cost of these fees.
If you like some of the extra features, you're probably better off buying them separately, so shop around.
10. Cash-withdrawals wheeze
A typical charge is 2.5% of the withdrawal amount and a minimum charge of £2.50. So, if you withdraw a tenner, you'll be charged £2.50, which is equivalent to a 25% charge. Withdrawals also attract interest at even higher than standard rates for purchases, with no interest-free period.
Do not use your credit card for cash withdrawals!
11. Credit-card cheques trap
Cheques sent to you by credit-card companies attract interest at the standard rate for cash withdrawals, plus a handling fee of up to £50. Also, like cash withdrawals, you don't get an interest-free period.
So don't use credit-card cheques either!
12. Gambling-fee fleece
Card firms are increasingly cracking down on punters who use their plastic to make online wagers. Previously, credit-card issuers treated these transactions as purchases, but you're likely to find that they're now treated as cash withdrawals.
The odds are against you being a successful gambler as it is, without deducting these extra charges!
This article has been updated from an earlier version published in 2007.
The best and worst ways to get foreign cash
By Neil Faulkner
We compare and rank the seven ways that you can get foreign cash or spend money abroad. It's the most comprehensive analysis yet!
The Telegraph recently reported a travel money rip-off, saying we pay £16 extra at airport exchange bureaux based on the average £286 foreign-exchange transaction compared with Post Office prices.
However, the savings available are even greater, because The Post Office doesn't even offer the top foreign exchange prices.
From dearest to cheapest, here are the best and worst ways to get foreign cash or pay for things abroad.
7. Foreign exchange at airports Costly airport currency hits the news frequently, yet people still buy there. We're not kidding when we say it's expensive. You're throwing away £20+ for every £300 you exchange. If you lost a £20 note, you'd be peeved all day.
6. Foreign exchange from banks, Marks & Spencer and the Post Office Banks are expensive for foreign exchange. M&S and the Post Office fit roughly in this price bracket, although they're sometimes a bit cheaper.
5. Foreign exchange from the internet Travelex Online offers much better rates than its airport bureaux, or banks. Conveniently you can order the currency online and pick it up at the airport.
However, several other internet providers are normally cheaper, particularly if you make bigger orders for free delivery. Try Interchange FX, Thomas Exchange Global and Online FX.
4. High street bureaux Online bureaux, such as all those mentioned above, tend to have high street bureaux too, with the same or better deals. When checking online prices, get the number of the nearest branch and call up to see its rates. In any case, you can save on delivery for smaller orders if you order online and collect the cash in person.
3. Exchange bureaux overseas This method I know least about, as I'm relying here largely on reports from readers over the years. Many readers have written in saying they find high street bureaux in foreign countries cheaper than buying in the UK. If they're right, this is number three.
2. Cards for cash withdrawals The best type of card to use for cash withdrawals is a prepaid currency card. Unlike the majority of credit cards and debit cards, the best prepaid currency cards won’t penalise you with any fees or interest charges overseas. You also won’t always be charged a foreign transaction fee either when you use the cards in shops and restaurants.
You can simply load up your card with funds and away you go. Then, if your funds run out, you can simply reload the card.
You can find out more about pre-paid cards in The best cards for shopping abroad right here at lovemoney.com.
1. Cards for overseas purchases A small number of debit and credit cards (when used for purchases overseas) offer the cheapest way to go about this whole foreign money business.
Most cards are expensive, but these four credit cards shine: - Santander Zero credit card - Halifax Clarity credit card - Post Office Classic credit card - SAGA credit card
These cards charge nothing whatsoever for making purchases abroad, so long as you clear your entire credit card bill the next month.
Nationwide's card is no longer in the top four, because, when you're outside the EEA, Turkey and Israel, it'll usually charge 1%. Inside those countries it matches the other cards. When paying by card overseas, the vendor may offer to let you pay in pounds. Say no for a better deal.
Student Loans.
A number of problems have arisen concerning student learns.
Students are able to borrow up to 6,000RMB for each year of study from China' s major banks. The total amount of the loan is repayable after either 4 years when a student studies for their first degree or 6 years if they continue to post-graduate studies. The interest rate is currently 5.5% on the capital borrowed.
However, Dicky Yip, Executive Vice President of the Bank of Communications, says that up to 60% of students are failing in their commitment to repay their debts. Although students are required to register their contact address for a new job and telephone numbers, with their college, the system is breaking down due to mobility, transfers with the company, changing jobs and working overseas.
In banking terms, the amount of individual loans in relatively small, compared to buying a house, for example. They are often un-secured, which means that someoneelse, usually your parents, undertake to repay the loan if you default (don't repay the loan). The total amount owed to the 4 major banks is huge. The same situation exists in the banking sector overseas.
Be warned. There is a downside to this. If you fail to repay the loan, you may find that you have a poor credit rating or are blacklisted. That will make it difficult to obtain credit in the future for a car or house, or it may result in you having to pay higher than normal interest charges.
If you have a problem with repayments, for example your salary in low or your rent very high, go and talk to your bank about your situation. They will give advice and you will be able make arrangement to suit your circumstances.
Don't ignore the problem because it won't go away. Worrying about money problems can affect your health, your family life, and your performance at work.
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Scholarships
The table below shows the scholarships offers by the government and local educational institutions, which are open to international students.
Organization
Scholarship
Nationality
A*STAR Agency for Science Technology and Research
A*STAR Graduate Scholarship
Open to people from ASEAN countries
Micron
Micron scholarship
Open to students of any nationality
Ministry of Education
ASEAN Pre-University Scholarships
Open to people from ASEAN countries(except Singapore)
Ministry of Education NUS NTU
ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship
Open to citizens or permanent residents of ASEAN countries(except from Singapore )
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Education Teaching Award
Open to any nationality
NTU
Nanyang Scholarship
Open to any nationality
NTU
Alumni Scholarship
Open to NTU undergraduates
NTU (administered)
Indeco Scholarship
Open to NTU students of any nationality, if indicated
NTU (administered)
Molex Scholarship
Open to NTU students of any nationality, if indicated
NTU (administered)
Isetan Scholarship
Open to NTU students of any nationality, if indicated
NTU (administered)
Daimlerchrysler Scholarship
Open to NTU students of any nationality ,if indicated
NTU (administered)
Dorothy Cheung Scholarship
Open to NTU students of any nationality ,if indicated
NTU (administered)
SMBC Global Foundation Scholarship
Open to NTU students of any nationality ,if indicated
NTU (administered)
Tan Sir(Dr) Tan Chin Tuan Scholarship
Open to NTU students of any nationality ,if indicated
NUS
Donated Scholarships
Open to students of any nationality (who have been offered a place in NUS)
NUS
NUS Undergraduate Scholarship
Open to freshmen regardless of nationality. Based on academic merit.
NUS
NUS Bursary
Open to any nationality
NUS
NUS Students¡¦ Fund Bursary
Open to any nationality
Singapore Institute of Management
SIM International Scholarship
Open to all international students enrolling full time at diploma and undergraduate levels at SIM
Scholarships & Awards.
Scholarships for Study in Britain
I think I said elsewhere that scholarship are not available in Britain. It appears that I was wrong. The Chevening Scholarships, for postgraduate research or studies are the flagship of the British Government. The scheme is funded by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO).
Each year more than 2000 students from 150 countries come to the UK to study; about 150 from China. It is a very highly competitive business. Scholars are chosen on the basis that they will become opinion formers and decision-makers. Successful applicants will have qualities of ambition, drive, leadership, a commitment to change, innovation, creativity and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances in technical, profession and cultural fields.
The FCO offers successful applicants scholarships of up to GBP12,000 covering tuition fees, return flights and living expenses.
FCO/CSC Chevening Scholarships are jointly run by FCO and China Scholarship Council, launched in the academic year 2008-2009, cover up to 15 scholarships per year. They provide help to suitably qualified students for 3 years who undertake a Master's programme, except MBA's at any university in the UK.
Scotland International Scholarships are open to permanent residents of the People's Republic of China. Funded by the Scottish Government & The British Council, priority will be given to creative industries, science and technology and financial services.
China Education Development Foundation.see above for information about awards from the foundation of 6,000RMB to students from families facing financial hardship. Don't be embarrassed about applying for this if you think you qualify - it is your right, and it could make all the difference to your future. http://news.chinacars.com/kuaixun/129236/shtml for more information.
Scholarship programme offers some hope.
This article is from Macquarie's online newspaper 'The Macquarie Globe from Macquarie University.
The Macquarie University International Scholarship (MUIS) programme covers tuition for some international students. The funding is based on academic merit and covers tuition for an entire academic programme, which can run for up to three years. Students need to cover their own living expenses.
Scholarship Officer, Shobana Joshua said, 'We get application from all countries. We like to offer scholarships to students from a range of different backgrounds.' Scholarships are offered each semester (twice each year) to postgraducate and undergraducate students. Students who are not able to get a Macquarie University Scholarship can still apply for an Academic Merit Prize. Each semester an average of 20 top international students receive prize of A$5,000 (30,000yuan) for outstanding academic achievement.
The China Education Development Foundation, chaired by Zhang Baoqing, is a new organmisation set up to provide help for students who need help financing their studies. Students Subsidies from The China Educational Development Foundation are now available to students who suffer from financial hard-ship.
The organisation has received in excess of 200 million RMB. Students should apply direct to the foundation for subsidies. Each successful applicant will receive 6,000RMB.
To avoid the possibility of corruption, payments will be madae direct to students rather than through intermediaries.
Some of the main factors that you should consider before deciding whether to buy rent:
Employment: If you work in a field that requires relocation every two years, then you're better off renting.
Behavioural patterns:
Do you become easily bored by your living environment?
Do you move every year?
Do you consider leaving town often? If you do, you might want to hold off on buying a home. Purchasing a home indicates that you are ready to stop moving around.
Finances:
Do you have the available cash necessary to make the down payment?
2)It brings a sense of community, stability and security.
3)You are free to change decorations and furnishings.
Disadvantages:
1)Rising interest rates can increase the financial burden.
2)You may have less money to travel or pursue further studies.
3)Not as easy to quit or change jobs, because you must ensure a stable income.
Renting a home
Advantages:
1)Little or no responsibility for maintenance.
2)It¡¦s easier to move house.
3)You don¡¦t have to pay interest to the bank on a loan.
Disadvantages:
1)You are getting on return on the money you pay in rent.
2)No control over rent increases.
3)Possibility of eviction.
About Abbey Abbey is part of the Santander Group (Banking) 2009.03.06.
Community
Two thirds of teenagers demand better financial education
Abbey and Citizenship Foundation launch guide to advise teenagers on financial and consumer rights
65% of teenagers think further education is not necessarily worth getting into debt for
Leading high street bank Abbey has joined up with educational charity, Citizenship Foundation to call for greater education for 14 -18 year olds on how to manage their money. The call to action comes after a poll revealed over two thirds of teenagers (70%) would like to be taught more about finance at school. With 57% of respondents worrying about money and 41% unaware as to the consequences of being overdrawn, there is a clear need for greater financial education in UK schools. As a result, Abbey has partnered with the Citizenship Foundation to create the ‘My Money, My Rights’ guide for teenagers which contains simple tips and advice on organising finances.
The national poll of 3,000 14 to 18 year olds reveals that 65% of 14 to 18 year olds feel that additional qualifications are not necessarily worth getting into debt for. However, further education finance is one of the three topics that respondents said they would like to learn more on at school (37%) – in addition to budgeting (48%) and tax (41%) indicating that students want to hear more in these areas and to make more informed decisions.
John Thorpe, RetailDirector, Abbey, commented: “It’s no surprise that this age group is calling for more education in this area and as a bank, we recognise the importance of providing financial information which will enable people to make informed choices about how they manage their money. It's never been more important for young people to have a grasp of financial and economic matters and it’s a real worry that four out of five 14 to 18 year olds have little or no understanding of the current economic crisis.”
Tony Breslin, Chief Executive, Citizenship Foundation: “Having a grasp of our economic and financial rights and responsibilities has never been more important. It is vital to build a broader understanding of the world around us, and to lay the foundations for greater participation and better decision-making or as we put it, effective citizenship.”
The research also reveals a gender divide. Girls are more likely to ask family members for guidance on their finances (65% vs. 46%) whereas boys are happier to approach a teacher (20% vs. 6%). Teenagers from Swansea and Glasgow are most likely to recognise they need financial education, with 87% and 84% stating they would like to learn more about managing their finances at school. This is compared to Dublin, with only 28% of teenagers highlighting that they would like greater understanding in this area.
The ‘My Money, My Rights’ guide has been inspired by the Citizenship Foundation’s award winning Young Citizen’s Passport. It covers a range of issues that impact teenagers’ lives, including banks and building societies, consumer law and student finance, providing concise, easy to use advice on everything from what to do if you get into debt to avoiding internet scams. Two lesson plans have been developed alongside the guide to help teachers introduce managing money and the guide effectively into the classroom.
Financial inclusion and capability is one of seven priorities for the Abbey Corporate Social Responsibility programme which funds financial education and money advice in the communities in which Abbey operates. This work, alongside staff volunteering programmes to run one-day learning experiences in schools, is helping to raise levels of numeracy and combat financial exclusion.
Abbey and the flame logo are registered trademarks.
For further information on the My Money, My Rights Guide please contact the Abbey Team at the Red Consultancy: abbeyteam@redconsultancy.com or call 00 + 44 (0) 207 025 6500.
Notes to Editors
Abbey and Santander
Founded in 1857, Santander has 80 million customers, over 13,000 branches, 170,000 employees and operates in 40 countries.
In the UK, Santander operates three retail businesses – Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and the savings business of Bradford & Bingley. Together they have over 1300 branches, around 4,500 cash machines and they provide a full range of retail and corporate banking services to 24 million customers.
About Abbey’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme
Abbey takes its duty to act in a socially responsible manner very seriously. Abbey is committed to being a good corporate citizen, taking into account how it deals with customers and employees, how it manages its ethical and environmental responsibilities, and how it supports the communities of which it is part.
Abbey’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme prioritises seven areas – financial exclusion, employee diversity, volunteering, corporate donations, environmental impacts, climate change and supplier engagement. An employee volunteering scheme – Abbey Community Events – assists local charities in the communities in which Abbey operates.
About the Citizenship Foundation
The Citizenship Foundation is an independent charity (no.801360) that aims to empower individuals to engage in the wider community through education about the law, democracy and society, Founded in 1989, it focuses on developing young people’s citizenship skills, knowledge and understanding. Its work includes resources, training, active learning programmes, community projects and research. www.citizenshipfoundation.org.uk
8 Steps to Get Your Financial Life in Order
Jane Bryant Quinn Tuesday, March 22, 2011. This article doesn't apply to everyone as circumstances are different. However, it provides some valuable guidance towards keeping your finances under control.
Do you have "frugal fatigue?" You're not alone. Pinching pennies becomes exhausting, year after year. You dream of breaking free and buying everything in sight.
But tiresome as budgets are, consumers haven't quit them yet. You threw some money around in December, when credit card use bumped up for the first time since the 2008 financial collapse. Then remorse set in. Consumers slashed their credit-card spending in January by 6.4 percent at an annualized rate, the Federal Reserve reported this week.
That fits with what the National Foundation for Credit Counseling is seeing on the ground. In a recent NFCC survey, two-thirds of consumers said that they're sick of having to question every dollar they spend, but have no choice. Incomes are virtually flat, employers aren't calling the long-term jobless back to work, and the cost of critical purchases such as health insurance and gasoline are leaping up. Only 5 percent of the people questioned said that they couldn't stand to keep living under fiscal restraint, and intended to spend more. About 8 percent said they didn't need to be particularly frugal. They hadn't cut spending and were doing fine.
The rest -- about 20 percent of the consumers -- overcame their frugality stress in the old fashioned way: they changed their lifestyles so they could live comfortably within the incomes they had. They found this new life so positive that they said they'd never go back, reports Gail Cunningham, a spokesperson for NFCC.
If you're sure that your financial troubles are temporary, it pays to pinch the pennies until the dollars start rolling back in. But the story is different if you see little hope of raising your income by enough to make your current expenses each to cover. Emotionally, making big changes is hard to do. But the faster you reinvent your life, the more money you'll have in your pocket and the sooner you'll be able to save again.
Your two largest expenses are probably your home and your consumer debt (plus health insurance, if you're not on a company plan). Your first step is to quit adding to debt -- put your credit cards on deep freeze and pay bills with cash or a debit card. Then follow these steps:
1. If you live in an apartment, check comparable rents in your neighborhood.
They've dropped in many parts of the country. If you find that you're paying more than the market requires, show your landlord proof and ask for a rent reduction. If the answer is no, move.
2. If you own a home and it's salable, sell.
Put any net gain into savings and investments, and find an apartment to rent. You'll be saving the high cost of maintaining a house, as well as tax and insurance bills.
Don't hold onto a house because you think you "need" the mortgage interest deduction. Financially, you're far better off without it. As an example, say that you're paying $1,000 in interest, in the 25 percent tax bracket. The taxpayers cover $250, leaving $750 as your net cost. Now imagine that you have no mortgage and $1,000 in income. You'll pay $250 in taxes, leaving you with $750 in your checking account. Losing the mortgage gives you more money to spend.
3. Restructure your credit card debt.
Move some of it to a new card with a zero-rate promotional offer. Don't use that card for purchases right away. Instead, concentrate on repaying this debt within the promotional period. You might also move debt from a high-rate card to one that's charging a lower rate.
4. Start a debt-repayment avalanche.
Get the latest bill for each of your credit cards, to see which one is charging you the highest rate (some cards have two rates, one higher than the other). Pay the minimum on the lower-rate cards and put all the rest of the money toward knocking off the high-rate debt. When that card is clean, move on to the next one.
Some people prefer to start by repaying the card with the smallest debt, even if its interest rate is low, for the pure pleasure of eliminating an annoying bill. Do whatever works. But you'll get the most bang for the buck by tackling the high-rate card first.
5. If you have savings, put all but a token amount against credit card debt.
Keep only $500 or $1,000 for unforeseen expenses. Consumers often don't realize the enormous return on investment they get from cleaning up their credit cards. For example, say that you're paying interest at a rate of 18 percent. Every payment you make against that debt gives you a guaranteed 18 percent return on your money. If you're paying a penalty interest rate of 24 percent, every payment equals a 24 percent investment gain. Where else could you get a yield like that, and totally safe?
6. If you have money in a 401(k) retirement plan and your job is safe, consider borrowing against it.
In theory, I consider these plans inviolable -- never to be touched. In practice, it makes sense to use them if they can help you rightsize your life. The transaction will look like this:
You'll borrow from the plan at 1 to 3 percentage points over the bank prime rate, which is currently 3.25 percent. So the loan might cost you 5.25 percent. You'll repay credit card debt at 18.25 percent, for a 13 percent gain. Typically, you'll have to repay the 401(k) loan over five years, with the payments deducted from your paycheck automatically. The interest you pay goes right back into your account, so you're paying t to yourself.
There are two financial downsides. First, you're repaying the loan with after-tax dollars. When you eventually take money out of the 401(k), those dollars are taxed again. But you're probably still ahead, thanks to the savings on your credit card bills. Second, you'll lose any appreciation that would have accrued to the money you borrowed. You can minimize this risk, however, by arranging to borrow against only the bond portion of your plan, leaving the stock portion exposed to any gains.
If you leave your job, and part of the loan is still outstanding, you'll have to repay it right away, in full. If you can't, the remaining loan will be treated as a withdrawal. You'll own income taxes on the money and a 10 percent penalty if you're younger than 59 1/2. So this loan is for someone who is pretty sure that his or her job is safe.
But the argument isn't as compelling as it is for loans against 401(k)s. Ideally, you're aiming for a paid-up home when you retire. That will cut your cost of living, give you access to a reverse mortgage for extra cash, and provide money needed for long-term care. A home equity loan might make that impossible.
8. If you don't have health insurance, any major illness could put you into bankruptcy.
Try for a high-deductible policy, or see if you (or your kids) qualify for Medicaid or the children's program, Schip. If insurance companies won't take you because of a medical condition, try for a place in the high-risk pools set up by the new health reform act. We're a long way from equal access to medical care, let alone care at an affordable price. But if you cut other expenses, you just might be able to afford good health.
This article is part of a series related to being Financially Fit
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About Abbey Abbey is part of the Santander Group (Banking) 2009.03.06.
