AK Management- How Much Can You Save on Fuel

It is official AK Management blog readers. Fuel is the lowest it has been in three years. So with this where are you saving money and what other tips and tricks can you use to save money on fuel?

Everybody always complains about the price of fuel, but the thing is, according to the Automobile Association, AA, fuel has fallen to its lowest price in three years. So what are the specifics of the situation?

Fuel Prices: What You Need to Know

It turns out the AA are right, fuel prices really are the lowest they are in three years and it’ the same way across the entire country. According to the Association, fuel prices currently average 129.46p per litre; they were 138.42p per litre a year ago.

However prices aren’t uniform and if you’re the sort of person who commutes across regions for their work, you’ll need to know where you should be filling up if you want to save money on fuel.

Yorkshire and the Humber is the clear winner in general. However if you drive diesel, then London and the Midlands are the cheapest, with a lire of diesel setting you back only 136.3p per lire. Scotland was the most expensive for diesel, costing 137.3p per litre.

These may seem like little savings, but the really add up. With current average fuel prices you are currently saving 8.96p. Per 20 litres you’re saving 179.2 p. Say you get 20 litres a week, this means you are saving £7.16. This is money that can be used to give a little extra room for your budget.

Other Petrol Saving Tips

However this isn’t the only way you can save money on the price of petrol. You can obviously start by not driving as much. This makes the fuel you do buy last longer and if you walk instead you’ll get a little fitter as well; win/win.

Alternatively, you can shop around. The thing is that the figure quoted by the AA is the average fuel price, but prices tend to vary from petrol station to petrol station. Do your research on the internet and find out where you can get the cheapest petrol so you don’t fall into this trap. A good site to use is www.petrolprices.com

Another way to think about petrol is to think about the car you have. How efficiently does it use petrol? It isn’t a uniform thing, and it really can affect how much fuel you need to buy. Try trading yours in for a more fuel efficient model and watch the petrol bill fall.

You also need to think about how much weight is in your car. The more you have in there, the harder your car has to work to move, the more fuel you are using to do so. Don’t carry your whole life around with you.

A Helping Hand

Sometimes doing all of this still won’t help you in the short term, it takes time for these types of savings to kick in and you’re going to need something to tide you over until then. In this case, invest in a small loan.

With a small loan if you make sure you secure a solid repayment plan and great interest rates, you’ll be able to pay it back out of the savings you make on your petrol bill.  If you need help finding this loan, come to AK Management, the specialist loan finder. Get on the blower and one of the team will use your circumstances to find the best deal for you.

Fuel prices are at their lowest in three years. Make money here while you can and take full advantage of this to lower the burden of your petrol bill on the monthly budget. 

Why not find out more about AK Management on our About.Me page, our Google Sites page or our Facebook page.

AK Management’s Guide to the UK’s Cheapest Property Markets

With the housing market finally looking sunny again, it’s a great time to get proactive and climb the first rung of the property ladder. Saying this, what are the UK’s cheapest property markets?

When you’re looking for a new home you need to remember that the mortgage will be the biggest part of your budget. Therefore, if you’re looking to save money, the mortgage is the first place to start.

It’s not always easy to shave money off a mortgage; however one way to do it is to make sure that you’re buying a cheap house in the first place. You have to be careful where you buy; did you know that the average property price for the UK has actually grown recently by 5%. It now stands at £184,215. This means that it’s 5.8 times your average earning (P.E Ratio).

However this isn’t the same across the country. For example you’re going to be paying more on London because it’s the capital of the country and everyone wants to live there. So which are the best cities to make a killing in the housing market? We use P.E Ratio to find this out.

Stirling, Scotland

By far and away the place with the best P.E Ratio is Stirling, Scotland; it stands at 3.30. It’s a lovely place to live and the great thing about it is that that area of Scotland is known for its cheap prices.  Buy a house here and not only will you save money on your mortgage, you’ll save money on your bills as well!

Londonderry, Northern Ireland

If you want somewhere a little more metropolitan then why not try Londonderry, Northern Ireland. With a P.E Ratio of 3.56 it’s cheaper than neighbouring Belfast (4.12) and it’s a much more beautiful city with that classic Irish scenery as the perfect backdrop for your new home.

Bradford, Yorkshire

If you’re a northern stalwart and you love all things Yorkshire, then the best place to get a cheap new home is Bradford. Bradford is probably the most multicultural city in this country so if you want new experiences then this really is the place to go. With a P.E Ratio of 4.15 you’re getting a really cheap home and you’re in the perfect position to take advantage of those infamously cheap prices up in the north!

Lancaster, North West

If you’re looking for a home in the North West, then Lancaster is the perfect place with a P.E Ratio of 4.28. A University town, it’s only an hour away from Manchester for the commute, it has a series of great boutiques and cafes that are cheap due to the student crowd and you’re only 20 minutes away from the coast.

Get the Mortgage

So now you know where you want to live, you’re going to need a mortgage, the biggest loan you’ll ever need in your lifetime. There are so many concerns for a mortgage and it’s so hard to find one with a decent repayment plan and interest rates that work for you.

This is why you should come to AK Management, the professional loan finding service. Talk to a member of the team and tell them what you need then they’ll do the hard work and find the perfect option for you.

Setting up a new home is exciting; however it’s also a financial commitment. The good thing is that property prices in an area usually stay low in comparison to the rest of the country when they’re low now. Find that perfect area and then buy your new home. 

Why not find out more about AK Management on our About.Me page, our Google Sites page or our Facebook page.

AK Management Helps You Save Money On Your Broadband

The internet is something that AK Management knows that in this day and age, everybody needs. However people really can end up paying through the nose for it and they really don’t have to. Saying this how can you save money on your broadband?

Broadband is a reality of life; you need it to keep in contact with old friends, to do your banking, your shopping, to search for jobs etc. The list of things we need the internet for today is endless and the internet providers know this which is why you often end up paying an arm and a leg for it.

Broadband: The Facts

Deals may sound cheap when you first hear about them but that’s hardly ever really the case. A deal that may be advertised as £5 a month won’t ever really be that cheap.

First, most of the time you have to get out a line rental as well, which considering that more and more people rely only on mobile phones these days, is an extra cost that people don’t have any use for. It usually sets you back an extra £15 as well.

Then you have to think about download limits; these cheaper deals usually come with fairly small download limits and then you have to pay extra on top. Downloads is everything, even when a new page uploads, so you’re bound to get through this limit pretty quickly.

Save Money on Your Broadband

So as we’ve seen the broadband costs really can pile up, however it’s still very possible to save money on your broadband. You just have to know how.

First you have to shop around; the thing about broadband is that it’s so versatile, it isn’t a one size fits all kind of thing. If you want to put in a landline you’ll need one with line rental but if you want one with satellite TV then you’ll need another deal. Prices vary and you need to do your research if you’re going to find real value for money.

Also make sure that when you are negotiating your deal that you get one with a MAC code for your usage. This code allows you to switch providers quickly and smoothly, which means that if you need to save money you can do it. Also it makes them think you are leaving, which means they might knock down the price a bit.

Also think about download limits; it may seem appealing to get a cheaper deal with a lower download limit but you will pay, quite literally, for it in the long run. Make sure you get a strong download limit so you aren’t hit with any unexpected charges.

5GB is a good measure for most people when it comes to download limits. However if you do a lot of streaming then you’re going to need a larger download limit. Check with your provider for further details.

Covering the Cost

However before you switch to a cheaper broadband provider or get broadband in the first place, it’s always a good idea to make sure that you’ve got no bills playing on your mind. Get peace of mind by handling it in the short term with a small loan.

Get a loan with a good repayment plan and interest rates that are affordable and your budget will easily be able to take it. If you can’t find this loan come to AK Management, the service dedicated to finding the right loan for you. Get in touch and the team will find it for you.

We all need the internet but this doesn’t mean that you should be letting it be a drain on your budget. Follow these tips and get broadband cheaper today!

Why not find out more about AK Management on our About.Me page, our Google Sites page or our Facebook page.

Save Money on your Takeaway with AK Management

AK Management is taking this opportunity to look at everyone’s favourite luxury; the takeaway. However much is it costing you and is it possible to save money on your takeaway?

In the cold of winter people have to put certain things first. It’s so cold that people naturally have less energy and feel less happy when the winds are blustering and the nights come early.

As such it’s more important than ever to get yourself the odd treat in winter. Mental health can be a serious issue when it’s chilly and you need something to look forward to.

There’s nothing better for cheering you up than a takeaway. They’re filled with all the stuff you want to eat and the fact that you don’t have to cook for a night means that you get the chance to actually relax when you eat, rather than being tired from cooking and stressing about the pile of washing up you’ve left in your wake.

It's Hitting Your Budget

However as we’re sure you know, you don’t get anything in life for free. When you get a takeaway you’re paying for quality ingredients as well as the time and energy it takes to cook, delivery and extra costs. It’s adds up.

Say for example that you’re a huge pizza fan, and you get one from the local takeaway maybe twice a week. Now say that it costs £10 per pizza, maybe you’re paying £5 for sides, drinks and any other extras. That’s £30 a week you’re spending on takeaways and £120 a month.

This really eats into your budget and takes money that you can use for other things away, leaving you cash strapped. However the truth is that there are plenty of ways you can enjoy a nice takeaway and not have to cut corners in other areas.

Get Smart with your Takeaway

Start by doing your research.  Takeaways vary in price and if you want to get that extra treat for a cost that won’t leave you strapped, you’re going to need to look around. Don’t let laziness get the better of you; you’ll only end up paying.

Also takeaways want to find any way they can to make money. This is why they use cash saving vouchers to hook people in. Take advantage of them; play them at their own game. Use these vouchers to get your meal for less.

Another way to cut the cost of a takeaway is to pick it up yourself rather than wait for it to be delivered. Takeaways tack on charges as high as £5 just for delivery and by picking it up yourself not only are you saving this money, you are working off all those delicious calories you’re about to take in.

Expand the Takeaway Pool

Sometimes however the budget is too stretched to spring for takeaways. In the winter especially you shouldn’t let this stop you; you need to give yourself a treat to get through the cold months.

Get a small loan so that you can inject some extra cash into your budget. This will give you the wriggle room you need to get it balanced. Make sure you find a loan with a steady repayment plan and low interest rate and it’ll slot in nicely.

If you need a little help finding this loan come to AK Management, the loan finder dedicated to matching you to the perfect loan. Get in touch and one of our team would be happy to use your circumstances and how much you need to find the right loan for you.

A takeaway is the treat you need to make it through the winter. Don’t deprive yourself of this one luxury; just get smart about how you indulge!

Why not find out more about AK Management on our About.Me page, our Google Sites page or our Facebook page.

Manage Your Finances With Ease: The Basic Bank Account

If you have had money worries in the past, you know that it can be hard to get a bank account and enjoy life when you’ve got a bit of a record.

Getting what you want out of life without a bank account is near impossible - nowhere for wages to be paid into, nowhere to cash cheques, nowhere to pay household bills like rent from and no cash card to use in-store or online.

Trying to run a modern life without a bank account adds stress that you just don’t need.

Unfortunately, the current economic climate means that it can be a bit harder for most people to manage their money these days. Sometimes this can leave you without a bank account.

The kicker is that this is an issue a lot of people have to deal with, it isn't just those who have experienced financial difficulty that find banks less than easy to deal with.

Anyone on a low wage or managing on a shoe string budget may have experienced problems with their bank. If you accidentally go overdrawn even once, or miscalculate how much money you had left in your account, the chances are that you will be slapped with a painful fine, which could be as much as £30. And this isn't a one-off charge; you could receive more than one in every month, if you repeat the misdemeanor.

This of course doesn't help anything as it leaves you with even less money than you started with, leaving you needing a way to keep tighter control of your money. Enter the basic bank account.

The Basic Bank Account

The basic bank account is pretty much what it says on the tin, a basic account. It’s a place to simply put your money.  No overdraft, no credit card, just an account and a cash card. It’s a great way to make sure you only spend the money you have and don’t run up any more bills.

It doesn’t matter your credit history, you will qualify. It can be restrictive when it comes to certain types of spending, but this means you can more closely watch your budget. Most banks won’t advertise that they have this option; it can lose them money; this is why you need to ask for it yourself.

However before you start watching your money more closely you might want a little piece of mind, you might want to start getting some bills paid off.

Get Everything in Order

In this case it might be a good idea to get them paid off; why not take out a short loan. This means you can cover the bills and give yourself a little breathing room to take advantage of the basic bank account.

There really is a loan for everyone out there. You just need to find it. This is where AK Management comes in. AK is a service which you can use to find the loan that’s best for you. Simple make contact and a member of the team will ask you about what you need. Then they’ll let you know which loan is best for you.

A basic bank account is a great way to keep your money in order; take advantage today and watch your bills become so much easier to deal with.

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Does the Cost of Fruit Send You Bananas?

Everyone knows that they need to eat fresh fruit and vegetables, but with the price of food rising quicker than inflation, crafting a healthy dinner can be a real drain on the bank balance.

Consumer watchdog Which? agrees with the British public and in recent years criticised some of the pricing practices employed by supermarkets, which make it difficult to tell whether pre-packaged or loose fruit is cheaper.

With household budgets stretched to breaking point all over the country, shoppers are on the lookout for a bargain, in order to save money and live more comfortable lives, but according to Which? it is difficult to know how to get the best price.

In supermarkets, we often have the choice of buying fruit either loose, packed in bags or in punnets, or sometimes peeled, sliced or served in chunks. But the differences in the way that the supermarket breaks down the cost of each item, makes it impossible without the use of equations, to tell which is the cheapest purchase to make.

A punnet of plums in ASDA was one of the examples given by Which? A 400g punnet would cost a shopper £2.50 per kilogram, yet a punnet of six was priced at 25p per plum. Do you know how much a single plum weighs…?

Which? has highlighted the difficulties facing thrifty shoppers who are trying to make their pennies go as far as possible. Legislation means supermarkets must display a breakdown of the price. They get out of this though because it does not stipulate how this must be calculated. This means shops are free to use whatever unit prices they please, just to make it harder for all of us.

Shops are also not required to display a unit price when they are offering special deals, such as 'buy one get one free'. This can make it very challenging to work out whether the special offer is cheaper than buying an alternative brand.

The British Retail Consortium has denied the claims made by Which? and said that in some cases, the number in the pack matters more than how much it weighs.

However, according to the report from Which? it is the inability to compare the goods on a like-by-like basis which is at the heart of the problem.

Food inflation has caused problems in many households, with the cost of feeding a family increasing sharply. In some cases parents are even going without meals in order to feed their children, whilst others have had to cut corners just to meet the cost of bills.

Spend and Eat!

This really isn’t the way to go about getting your bills paid off; we all need to eat fruit and veg to stay healthy and live long lives. Why not try taking out a loan to ease money worries instead?

The great thing is that you won’t need a big loan for this, just a bit to cover your costs and ease your mind a bit. Loads of providers offer small loans at great repayment rates and great interest rates. However it isn’t always easy to find the best deal.

If you don’t know where to begin looking, let AK Management, a loan matchmaker, do the heavy lifting for you. Give us a call, talk to a professional on our team who’ll run through with you what you need and your circumstances. Then they’ll point out which loan is right for you. Nice and easy!

Don’t let a few bills take away from you the great feeling you get when you’ve eaten some fruit and veg. In this world we need to make sure we stay healthy, and that we enjoy it too!

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. For other hints and tips from AK Management, why not visit our sister site Here.

How can Over 50’s Keep Working and Keep Earning?

Despite these being your golden years, figures show that a large number of over 50’s workers are swamping the market, snapping up jobs such as cleaning, property development and taxi driving, in an effort to ease the financial worries that carry on through their golden years.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that the number of workers over state pension age is now twice the level recorded in 1993. Furthermore this research found that the number of older people still working rising faster than the population as a whole.

It’s a far cry from the previous generation. However the new trend for over 50’s is to restructure their job, either reducing their hours or starting up a new endeavour. Self-employment is particularly popular.

Put Your Wisdom and Lease on Life to Good Use

It makes sense for over 50’s to branch out on their own and become self-employed, or engage in some other independent venture. After all, if you want to be successful when striking out on your own, you have to have experience. No age group has the wisdom and experience as those in their golden years.

Furthermore, whilst extra costs play a part in the decision to keep working, some sources have suggested that improving health is also a fundamental factor. Many older workers are in far better health than in the past, a large number feel that pension age is simply too young to retire.

How Can You Make This Transition?

So you’ve got the experience and you want to keep working .It’s the best time of your life. How can you make sure that it’s not a drain on your finances?

Firstly, don’t dip into your pension. It will seem tempting; after all you’ve spent years earning all this money, why shouldn’t you use it? Because you need a safety net. You are going to retire eventually, don’t play around with your retirement funds.

Also, you need to do your research. Striking out on your own is no easy feat. You may have the experience but you don’t know everything. Make sure you do all the research, speak to all the experts. That way you are sure to make money, rather than lose it.

Also, make sure you have a good amount of cash to make the venture a success. Branching out on your own costs, you need money to make money. If you’re not in the position to provide the cash yourself, why not try a business loan?

How Can You Find a Business Loan?

These days there are so many loan providers out there ready and waiting to provide you with a business loan. It’s all about picking what’s best for you.

Make sure you can afford to pay all the money back comfortably. This means you should look for a loan with a healthy interest rate and a reasonable repayment plan. If you don’t know where to begin looking, why not get a little help.

AK Management is a company there to help you find the right loan for your circumstances. All you have to do is get in touch, speak with a member of the AK team. They’ll run you through a few questions on you, your circumstances and what you need. Then they’ll find the loan that’s best for you.

Your golden years may be years that these days you need to keep working, but they’re also the years you get the chance to brave it on your own. Take this chance to make sure they really are the best years of your life!

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. For other hints and tips from AK Management, why not visit our sister site Here.