D Collins's Profile
D Collins's articles
One of the most common types of holiday to take in Florida is a fly-drive excursion. This popular method of getting around the Sunshine State allows you to explore the theme parks and other attractions at your own convenience, giving you the chance to visit the vast range of attractions on offer.
Posted: 2008-11-10
Category: Travel & Leisure
‘Credit tart’ is a term used to describe someone who constantly changes bank or credit card accounts in order to take advantage of the 0% interest deals to save money. Whilst it may seem a good idea at the time, the process of hopping from one deal to another could have serious implications on your credit rating.
Posted: 2008-08-18
Category: Credit Cards
There is growing uncertainty in the energy markets, with many of us facing tough times ahead - due to rising costs and situations around the world that could potentially affect supplies. However, there are a number of handy little gadgets on the market that can help you save money on your bill during these times of rising gas and electricity prices:
Posted: 2008-08-15
Category: Home & Family
For many, getting a foot on the first rung of the property ladder can be a long and frustrating process. With the credit crunch in full swing, first-time buyers are facing difficult times as housing markets around the world are feeling the pinch. According to figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) – the number of home loans that are granted to first-time buyers has fallen by 8 percent, compared to figures from this time last year.
Posted: 2008-08-14
Category: Loans
The majority of our electricity is generated through power stations that utilise coal as a fuel source. However, recent concerns about the condition of the planet - as well as rising energy bills - have sparked an interest in alternative energy.
Posted: 2008-08-13
Category: Finance
With the ongoing credit crunch affecting everything from our bank accounts to our utility bills, many are struggling to keep their finances in order. With rising gas, petrol and now water prices putting more of a squeeze on our monthly finances, sometimes we have to look to other sources in order to raise some of that much needed money. There are, however, a few things you can do to help yourself (as well as your monetary reputation) in the search for secured loans.
Posted: 2008-08-11
Category: Arts & Entertainment
For those looking to get their foot on the first rung of the property ladder, the process can be long and difficult. However, there are a few things you can do to try and increase your chances of securing a decision in an unstable market:
Posted: 2008-08-11
Category: Mortgages
Accidents while on holiday do happen, but accidents abroad can be a costly business if you don’t have some holiday insurance cover before you travel. Whether you’re going away for a weekend break, a week in the country or travelling the world, travel insurance is an essential item to ensure you’ve packed in preparation for your trip.
Posted: 2008-08-08
Category: Insurance
Bio-diesel has seen a rise in sales in recent times, with some disillusioned drivers investing in kits with which to generate their own fuel from products such as vegetable oil. Indeed, many more car enthusiasts are spending money on converting their vehicle engines in order to successfully burn biofuel, however, with the new technology there will be risks involved, and these can have an effect on your insurance policy.
Posted: 2008-08-08
Category: Insurance
Sleek, elegant and rather expensive – high performance vehicles have become associated with groups ranging from millionaire business to boy racers – who are as eager to show off how fast they can go as how much they’ve spent on the vehicle itself. However, such vehicles come with expensive insurance premiums.
Posted: 2008-08-06
Category: Insurance
As we move away from the world of CDs and film reels into an age where music and photographs are stored and shared digitally, so the value of the data we keep on our computers is on the increase. As a result, the risk of loss and theft has also increased, many now leave the house with packed music players and laptops - which may contain music files that run into thousands of pounds and priceless personal photographs and images for business purposes.
Posted: 2008-08-06
Category: Insurance
Hotels in New York range from the small and simplistic to the glamorous, so whether you’re after a motel in the suburbs of the city or a penthouse suite in the hotels of the Downtown region – you’re bound to find it in the Big Apple.
Posted: 2008-07-30
Category: Destinations
Remember when you took your driving test? The months of preparation, the nervous feeling of the test itself and the feeling of relief on being told that you’ve passed. But what if you want to take your driving further? There are now a range of courses that specialise in advanced driving techniques.
Posted: 2008-07-29
Category: Recreation & Sports
With a multitude of different holiday destinations on every continent, there has never been more of a choice for tourists and backpackers who are looking to satisfy their inner adrenaline junkies. From surfing to sky-diving, kayaking to kite-surfing and any kind of activity you use a board for. Extreme sports holidays offer the chance to do something a little different during your trip abroad.
Posted: 2008-07-25
Category: Destinations
With an abundance of last minute holidays available around this time of year, it can be tempting to hop on a plane and take off to a sunny destination. So, you’ve selected the destination for your holidays, gotten yourself one of the many cheap holidays available and are all set to jet off for a week in the sunshine. However, there are a number of things you should be checking before leaving, some of which are useful if you want to save money on your holidays:
Posted: 2008-07-25
Category: Travel Tips
Most people would think of Spain as one of the most popular destinations to set up home. However, what about their neighbours to the West? Many choose to take advantage of cheap flights and head further east to Portugal for their holidays, particularly the coastal areas along the edge of the Algarve region.
Posted: 2008-07-24
Category: Destinations
Car rental holidays allow you that little bit more freedom to explore your destination, particularly if you’re heading to countries like France, Spain and Portugal. With the ongoing credit crunch forcing many holidaymakers to search for cheap car hire closer to home, the roads of the Iberian coast prove popular with both drivers and water sports enthusiasts seeking adrenaline rushes in the clear blue waters.
Posted: 2008-07-24
Category: Destinations
For many of us, with spiralling food prices and rising costs of bills, the last thing we can afford to think about is a holiday. However, with an abundance of late deals available to destinations at home and abroad, you can still potentially have an enjoyable holiday on a budget.
Posted: 2008-07-22
Category: Travel Tips
Every year, thousands of tourists of all ages flock to Florida to take in the sights and sounds of theme parks. There are also a variety of different sights to enjoy for those wanting to make the drive out of Orlando and take in some more of the Sunshine State.
Posted: 2008-07-22
Category: Destinations
As banks struggle to find finances, they become more reluctant to lend to just anybody. As a result, many who apply for loans and mortgages find themselves with rather the stumbling block.
Posted: 2008-07-18
Category: Arts & Entertainment
It may seem a bit paranoid at first, but keeping an eye on your energy levels can be beneficial for keeping an eye on the cost of your utilities – as well as saving you some money in the process. One of the most popular appliances are units which will calculate the level of energy used by taking readings from your meter, and warning you when you’re using too much.
Posted: 2008-07-18
Category: Home & Family
Going to university is supposed to be a chance for young people to study hard, party harder and in the process gain skills and knowledge to help them further future careers. However, for many students, the financial implications can be tough to take. As levels of student debt have risen over the past few years, many find themselves with large debts at the end of their studies.
Posted: 2008-07-16
Category: Loans
For some, energy saving devices can be a godsend when it comes to the utility bills. There are now devices to help us all around the house - from adaptors that will time out and stop current if appliances have been left for a long time and even kettles that will boil exact amounts of water.
Posted: 2008-07-16
Category: Home & Family
From October, savers will have the opportunity to transfer final-salary pensions into what are known as SIPP schemes (Self-invested personal pension), rather than having to be held in life insurance policies.
Posted: 2008-07-10
Category: Insurance
Despite the rising cost of petrol and car insurance premiums, car ownership has risen since 1988, and running costs for cars in general have shown to be cheaper than 20 years ago - according to a recent survey.
Posted: 2008-07-09
Category: Insurance
Hollywood movies and video games have helped to glamorize car customisation – combining performance-enhancing technology with snazzy car designs. But whilst it may look cool at first, it could have implications for your car insurance if you’re not careful about it.
Posted: 2008-07-08
Category: Insurance
Nowadays people have access to mobile phones, and use this as their main method of communication – including on their holidays. Sending a text to your mates – usually accompanied by a picture of yourself on a sunny beach – has seemingly replaced the concept of sending a postcard.
Posted: 2008-07-03
Category: Mobile Phones
Recently, an internet security company recruited 50 people around the world to turn off their junk mail filters in an attempt to find out the scale of the spam problem, and the results were rather shocking.
Posted: 2008-07-01
Category: Broadband Internet
The emergence of bigger and better mp3 players has led to a surge in music downloads, even going so far as to shape the way music charts are compiled. More of us now have access to a broadband connection, and many bands are now tapping into the online market in order to get their voices heard and records sold.
Posted: 2008-06-30
Category: Broadband Internet
Let’s face it, junk e-mails are extremely annoying. Promising us everything from medication for larger body parts to free software, these irritating little messages are usually just deleted and cast back into cyberspace. Broadband providers are now coming under increasing pressure to take action and do more to stop these spam messages getting through in the first place, with anti-spam groups calling for tougher regulations on providers in order to prevent malicious messages getting through.
Posted: 2008-06-30
Category: Broadband Internet
Tariffs on mobile phones are vast and varied – which can affect how much you fork out on calls and texts each month if you’re phoning across networks. You and your friends are most likely going to be on different plans on different networks – and thus will have to pay varying rates to phone each other. Cross network calls can be an expensive part of owning mobile phones, but now there are plans to help reduce the costs of cross-network calls.
Posted: 2008-06-30
Category: Mobile Phones
During the 1970’s, the island of Ibiza became a hotspot for British holidaymakers, soon sleepy fishing villages were being transformed into bustling tourist destinations, with the presence of hotels and holiday villas springing up to meet demand. The third largest island in the Balearics – Ibiza has become synonymous for summer parties, thriving club scene and the world famous sunsets associated with chilled-out music.
Posted: 2008-06-27
Category: Travel & Leisure
Consumers are now subject to rising levels of debt on every aspect of everyday life. From the cost of food to rising petrol prices which have left some with no alternative than to cycle to work in order to save money. And yet, many of us are still relying on our credit cards to get us through everyday life. Payments can be spread over time, but it can be a risky business if you don’t keep track of your finances.
Posted: 2008-06-26
Category: Credit Cards
Let’s face it, being a student can be the best experience of your life. You get to move away from home, meet lots of new friends and of course, study for a future career. Financial planning and preparation can be a key part of your university life. In order to try and reduce your debt levels you should try and bear a few things in mind during your studies:
Posted: 2008-06-25
Category: Debt Consolidation
The idea of growing your own produce had appeared to lose its appeal for the next generation. Allotments around the country became derelict, abandoned in favour of big brand supermarkets who could offer crops in mass quantities. However, as we sit in the grasp of a credit crunch – with more and more of us seeking debt management advice, many of us are now turning to growing our own food in order to save on our food bills.
Posted: 2008-06-24
Category: Finance
Everybody has a favourite automobile. Whether it’s something you’ve seen in the movies, a vehicle you remember from your past or a newer, sportier model you see in showrooms across the country. For those who have the time and money to invest in their passion, restoring an old classic car to its former glory can be a very rewarding experience.
Posted: 2008-06-16
Category: Insurance
Research is crucial when it comes to finding mortgages in other countries. If you’re looking to relocate it can be worth taking some time to shop around for the best deal.
Posted: 2008-06-16
Category: Mortgages
Many revellers now have a range of cheap mobile phones, with models that utilise constantly developing camera technology in order to ensure that your festival memories can be captured with the click of a button. For those who still want to carry their mobile phones with them, the main problem is when the battery runs out – for where are you going to find a power supply in the middle of a muddy field surrounded by several thousand fellow festival-goers?
Posted: 2008-06-16
Category: Mobile
For some, owning a classic car can be a way of re-visiting their memories of starting out driving, whilst others prefer the pride (as well as the nostalgia) involved with driving a classic vehicle. As most owners of classic cars will probably tell you, when it comes to areas such as car insurance and finding spare parts, it can be a tricky business unless you know where to look.
Posted: 2008-06-13
Category: Arts & Entertainment
Before you travel it’s important to ensure you have some form of cover in case anything should happen to yourself or your family whilst abroad. As well as arranging some travel insurance, you may need other paperwork depending on where you are holidaying to, as well as covering yourself for any additional activities you want to participate in – including winter sports.
Posted: 2008-06-13
Category: Travel & Leisure
For many young drivers, the feeling you get when you pass your driving test can be a memory to treasure. After months of nervously taking lessons, with many stalls and emergency stops along the way, many young drivers will no doubt experience a sense of elation upon passing their test after all that hard work. Indeed, owning their first car can be a major step in the right direction for a young person. Finding affordable car insurance on the other hand can be a frustrating and expensive process
Posted: 2008-06-11
Category: Insurance
As summertime approaches (well, when it wants to) many more of us are maybe thinking about spending some time in our gardens – be it pruning that overgrown hedge or setting up a nice little barbeque bay for those sunny days. But before you rush out to the DIY store and spend a lot of money on expensive garden tools and barbeque equipment, you may want to check just how safe they could be…
Posted: 2008-06-11
Category: Insurance
Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) is used as a sort of safety net for those who take out credit cards and other financial commitments. These additional policies are small monthly payments that are paid to your provider, and are supposed to provide a level of protection should you find yourself in financial difficulty due to sudden unemployment or ill health. However, PPIs have come under much media scrutiny as of late, and the Competition Commission has recently published a report about the policies.
Posted: 2008-06-06
Category: Loans
Greece is well known amongst tourists for its Mediterranean climate and laid back lifestyle. There are many islands along the country’s coastline, many of which are popular with tourists. One of the largest island groups is the Ionian archipelago, each island has its’ own unique landscape, sights and appeal with varying types of tourist.
Posted: 2008-06-06
Category: Destinations
If there’s one location in the world that has become synonymous with the world of dance music, it’s the island of Ibiza. Films have portrayed it, bands have sung about it, television crews have filmed documentries on it (or rather what goes on there) and there’ve even been movies made around and about it. Every year, thousands of revellers head for the island, tempted by the cheap hotels, warm climate and abundance of pubs, bars and clubs that pump out the basslines.
Posted: 2008-06-05
Category: Arts & Entertainment
If you’re looking to buy a property in Spain, research is essential in order to ensure that the property is able to be built and that there are no hidden catches, which could potentially leave you out of pocket. There are a range of companies, offering Spanish property tips for a range of different sized properties - from hillside villas to apartments. Once you’ve decided on the property of your choice it’s advisable to check a few things before rushing into any deal.
Posted: 2008-06-04
Category: Travel & Leisure
There are a wide range of methods for harvesting natural energy – such as wind power, with some even converting their car engines to run off reprocessed vegetable oil, or biofuel. Choosing to generate power from natural resources is by no means cheap, however the long term benefits still attract many to the idea in many ways – from setting up turbines at their homes to recycling materials.
Posted: 2008-06-04
Category: Home & Family
The island of Jersey is famous for a number of culturally familiar symbols, particularly in the culinary world – including Jersey Royal new potatoes and the small tan-coloured cows which produce the rich gold-top milk that has become synonymous with the island. Situated off the coast of France, Jersey is one half of the Channel Islands and a popular destination for those looking to experience both British and French cultures on holiday.
Posted: 2008-06-03
Category: Travel & Leisure
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean region. The mountainous landscape and miles of sandy beaches attract many tourists – young and old - throughout the year.
Posted: 2008-06-03
Category: Travel & Leisure
Sharm El Sheikh is known as City Of Peace, located in the area known as the Red Sea Riviera. Tourists flock to the resort attracted by some of the most exhilarating dive sites in the Red Sea.
Posted: 2008-06-03
Category: Travel & Leisure
You know what it’s like, you’re watching television and there’s always some programme on about someone who’s left their old life in the dreary old UK to start a new life in Spain. There are a wide variety of resorts to choose from when it comes to choosing a destination to move to. Many have holidayed to the region on a number of occasions – most of these for the purpose of researching the local area and the properties available.
Posted: 2008-06-02
Category: Travel & Leisure
With many high street stores advertising constant BOGOF (buy one get one free) deals, the choice on the cheap can be seen as being wide and varied. Indeed, some of these offers can work to your advantage if you’re shopping on a budget – such as lunchtime meal deals – but there are a number of different ways you can save yourself some money by getting a few things for free and help reduce your levels of debt.
Posted: 2008-05-29
Category: Finance
Described by Mustafa Ataturk – the first president of Turkey – as the most beautiful place in the world, the coastal city of Antalya is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Surrounded by mountains on the Mediterranean coast, the city has a rich mix of culture - both Turkish and Greek – which can be seen in the architecture surrounding the narrow cobbled streets.
Posted: 2008-05-28
Category: Travel & Leisure
A popular region for tourists is the Costa Del Sol. Located on the Mediterranean coast, many are drawn to the region for the increasing number of golf courses that are springing up. However, away from the tees and the rolling greens, the port town of Malaga – known as the Capital of the Costa Del Sol – remains a popular destination for those looking to combine history with relaxation.
Posted: 2008-05-27
Category: Travel & Leisure
Many Britons head to Spain during the holiday season to escape the dreary weather and soak up a bit of sun. One of the most popular destinations for tourists looking to soak up the sun is the island of Lanzarote; the fourth largest island in the Canaries. With mile upon mile of beautiful white beaches, great caverns within volcanic rock and a multitude of cheap hotels, this tiny island - just 80 miles from the African coast – attracts thousands of tourists each year.
Posted: 2008-05-23
Category: Travel & Leisure
With prices of fuel, food and energy soaring with inflation in recent times, the cost of living has increased for many of us. It can be rather the struggle to try and balance the bills even on two salaries, but new statistics have shown that it could be singletons that are finding it more difficult to get affordable deals on services such as loans and insurance.
Posted: 2008-05-23
Category: Loans
When we think of skiing; images of hurtling down a snowy slope (and the bumps that often follow) often spring to mind. There are many methods of transport available to tourists – from sled dogs to snowmobiles, but if you’re looking to explore the snow whilst getting one heck of a workout, then it’s worth looking into taking a cross-country skiing excursion.
Posted: 2008-05-22
Category: Vacations
With the credit crunch hitting the UK affecting the daily lives of many – with rising food and fuel prices contributing to higher outgoings – there has also been a substantial increase in the number of fraud cases. Fraud prevention services in the UK have reported a rise of 24% in the past three years. Many of these focus on fraudulent applications for loans and mortgages.
Posted: 2008-05-21
Category: Loans
What’s your idea of the perfect holiday for when you retire? Do you envision yourself enjoying your new freedom on a sandy beach or perhaps a nice leisurely stroll with newly encountered groups of friends? For those who’ve retired, going abroad and making the most of the free time they now have can be a rewarding experience.
Posted: 2008-05-21
Category: Travel & Leisure
What springs to mind when you think of Italy? From pasta to poetry, Roman architecture to the roar from within a football stadium, there’s something for everyone. With a rich cultural history and a variety of hotels to cater for all tastes, thousands choose to head to Italy for their holidays each year.
Posted: 2008-05-20
Category: Travel & Leisure
So you’ve spotted that new motor you’ve been after for a while. But before rushing in to purchase the vehicle, it’s worth giving yourself a little financial check-up. Paying by cash would be the ideal situation, but for many of us this just isn’t possible – particularly if you’re looking to buy a brand new vehicle. However, car loans can be useful in helping you afford the vehicle. If you’re unable to pay by cash it can be worth looking into this option.
Posted: 2008-05-19
Category: Loans
With all this talk of climate change, global warming and climbing energy prices, many are now rather concerned about how much they are paying towards their energy bills. But what if you could use nature’s power to generate a small amount of energy for your home? As gas and electricity prices continue to fluctuate as the credit crunch grips the nation, many are now turning to home turbine kits to help them save a little extra on their electricity bills.
Posted: 2008-05-19
Category: Home & Family
As we know, nothing in this world is truly certain, and it’s the unexpected events that can take their toll on individuals and their families. It may be hard to think about, and you may not want to, but eventually you’ll have to consider taking out some life insurance cover. Ensuring that those closest to you will be financially stable should something unexpected happen can be a necessary decision for many. Having a safety net in place can give peace of mind to yourself and your family.
Posted: 2008-05-16
Category: Insurance
Every year, thousands of us take to the roads and drive abroad for our holidays. Whether it’s a fly-drive holiday in the US or a ferry journey over to France or Holland, many of us choose to escape to and drive on foreign soil. Indeed, familiarity with our own vehicles has seen many tourists prefer to take their own car abroad on holiday. However, many who run into difficulties whilst abroad find themselves stranded when it comes to car insurance cover.
Posted: 2008-05-16
Category: Insurance
Performance cars are popular amongst those with a bit more cash to spend on their vehicles. But finding suitable insurance for such vehicles can be a long and expensive process. Because of their power and the cost of parts needed to fix them, most owners find themselves paying a considerable amount just to have them insured.
Posted: 2008-05-16
Category: Insurance
The technology and design of automobiles nowadays has made huge forward advances over the years. Vehicles are now focusing on fuel economy and their impact on the environment. However, it is technology that can be transferred in and out of the vehicle that could make a difference to how much you pay.
Posted: 2008-05-14
Category: Insurance
As we all know, the first few years after you pass your driving test can be the hardest on your wallet. Under 25’s often find themselves with the highest insurance quotes, which can be rather frustrating for those who wish to use their vehicle to get to and from work. However, there are a few steps they can take in order to save themselves some money on their policy, which could very well help ease the financial burden experienced at this early age.
Posted: 2008-05-13
Category: Insurance
Passing your driving test is a great feeling, with drivers young (and in some cases old) breathing a sigh of relief after months of hard work, concentration and studying. However, when it comes to car insurance it becomes a whole different ball game. As young drivers are considered ‘at risk’ shortly after passing their driving tests, they face hefty car insurance costs on their first vehicle.
Posted: 2008-05-12
Category: Insurance
Ask most users of mobile phones about the games on their phones and the response will most likely involve some kind of virtual reptile or puzzle game involving falling blocks. But as technology of mobile phones continues to improve, avid gamers could soon find themselves with access to graphics normally associated with console gaming, but on a much smaller scale.
Posted: 2008-05-12
Category: Mobile Phones
As services such as online gaming, online video messaging and DVD-quality downloads help to fuel demand for super-fast, cheap broadband connections, providers find themselves having to think of new ways to upgrade their networks and increase connectivity for their customers. One such idea is to thread a new network of cables through the sewers beneath our feet.
Posted: 2008-05-08
Category: Broadband
For years we’ve relied on the telephone in order to keep in contact with one another, which is particularly useful for those with family in other countries or serving in the forces. Now as technology moves on, so does our method of communicating with each other. Now the trend of communication appears to be switching to the online world, with handsets slowly being phased out by headsets and microphones.
Posted: 2008-05-08
Category: Broadband
Advertising is a wonderful thing is it not? Everywhere we go we are presented with some form of campaign to convince us to buy a product. In the world of mobile phones this is most certainly true, utilising both film and television to attract us to purchase their latest handsets, usually through showcasing it to heroes in spy movies.
Posted: 2008-05-08
Category: Mobile
For those with something to say, many are turning to the web, in particular blogging, in order to share their views, reviews and opinions on a wide range of subjects with many more who may share similar interests. A blog is basically an online diary, with a wide variety of clients out there offering different features for different groups – be it cute and cartoony or professional looking, there’s a style out there to suit everyone.
Posted: 2008-05-08
Category: Broadband
When most of us think of an internet connection, many a tangled wire springs to mind. Cable upon cable at the back of our machines, linked to socket after socket in an attempt to connect ourselves to the World Wide Web. However, over recent years the use of cables has been pretty much eradicated through use of wireless routers – allowing us to establish broadband internet connections without tangling the back of our machines up.
Posted: 2008-05-07
Category: Broadband Internet
Every year, thousands of eager adrenaline junkies, young and old, choose to go abroad to partake in adventure holidays. From up north to down under, many head to exotic locations for the experience of a lifetime. Finding suitable travel insurance before embarking on such trips is a vital part of the planning process. It’s all very well finding the highest peak to base jump from, or the biggest waves to ride – but what happens if something goes wrong?
Posted: 2008-05-06
Category: Insurance
