Having recently experienced its worst times for over 20 years, the UK’s economy is still in an unstable state and many households are still feeling the effects of this. While the cost of living is continuously rising household incomes are a stagnating and in some cases even shrinking. This has meant that the pressure on household budgets has increased dramatically.In situations like this when finances are tight, any unexpected costs such as broken down cars or electrical appliances could break the budget leaving important bills unpaid. Each provider will deal with missed payments in different ways; some will prompt payment prior to contacting the credit reference agency, others will simply go straight to the agency.A credit reference agency (such as Equifax, Experian and Call Credit) is a company which holds the details of each item of credit you’ve ever had. If you miss a payment on a credit commitment and it is reported to a credit reference agency this will show as black mark on your credit file; consistent missed payment or inability to be contactable could lead to defaults and in extreme cases CCJs.In today’s economic climate, mainstream lenders and high street banks require applicants to have immaculate credit history, anything less than this will result in them declining the application. Having things like missed payments and defaults will make you immediately ineligible for a high street loan.Someone with lots of missed payments and defaults will be said to have a poor credit history and will therefore be deemed as a high credit risk. Those with a spotless credit history will be low credit risk.High street lenders are able to offer the cheapest rates due to the credit risk of the customers that they are dealing with. Unfortunately those with less than perfect credit history will have to pay higher rates for their finance.One particular type of personal loan that is bridging the gap between the low rate high street loans and the high rate payday loans is the guarantor loan.Guarantor loan lenders are able to offer up to £7,500 at reasonable interest rates. These loans are designed for those who have been declined by their mainstream lender and are readily available on the basis that the applicant can find a friend or family member to support the application; and stand as guarantor.Often finding a guarantor can be tough, but we’ve got some top tips on how to approach your friends or relatives.The first rule is; always let them know the facts. As a guarantor your role in the application is to simply support the application and guarantee to pay the monthly repayment if the borrower ever fails to do so. If the applicant never misses a payment, the guarantor will never be contacted.Being a guarantor in itself does not affect your credit history, the only way your credit history will be affected is; if the applicant fails to make a payment, and as guarantor you also fail to do so when prompted – this can result in a missed payment on both the applicant and the guarantor’s credit file.Providing you apply with a responsible lender they will carry out a number of checks on the guarantor (and applicant) in order to assess their suitability for the role. Unlike the applicant, the guarantor must have good credit; most lenders will also require the guarantor to be a homeowner who is receiving a regular income.Always checks the lenders criteria prior to applying to ensure that the guarantor you have in mind will be eligible. Providing an illegible guarantor will simply slow down the process and indeed your chances of getting the finance you need.Most guarantor loan lenders have now implemented an online process which means they are able to offer a same day decision and payout providing the application is successful.
Key Features Of An E-Commerce Website
An E-commerce website differs in function from a regular website offering informative articles and news write-ups for public viewing. It offers products and services for sale. As a result, there are a few design features that are exclusive to the former. If you’re thinking of setting up an E-commerce site, here are tips to get you started. These tips will ensure you have an attractive business web portal up and running soon.1. Ease of Use: Categorizing products and services under appropriate titles will promote ease of use. It allows customers to find an item easily and in the least time. A search tool makes it better. Create short titles for each category.2. Concise Descriptive text: Product descriptions list the essential features at a glance. Product descriptions are a tricky aspect of an E-commerce web design. It should be of a perfect length; neither too detailed neither too brief. If there is any more information about the product or service you would like to provide, you can provide a link to direct them to another page. The length of the description is also important for the page layout.3. Page Layout: After you have the necessary categories, you can sit down to plan the layout of the site. Planning the layout includes deciding placement of web page components such as headers, footers, navigation, content and products. Item listings might include a title, picture and short description. We would like to offer a tip here. Avoid including too many items on one page. It looks cluttered and confusing. An About Us page, Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy and Contact page are necessary documents to include on an E-commerce site. it provides information about your company and its policies.4. Simple template: In the E-Commerce web design process, choosing an appropriate template includes a careful selection of design components and color scheme. It may seem a mere beautification process, but it is a functional aspect of your E-commerce site. Complicated designs take very long to load often annoying customers. A colorful website engages ones attention, but excessively bright colors strain the eyes. Choose colors that complement each other.5. Payment Options: There are varied payment methods. Most E-commerce site owners setup a PayPal shopping account to trade. Other websites set up a merchant account at a bank for trading purposes. You should also consider security features for your site given that there will be an exchange of private financial information.6. Testing: Test your E-commerce web design with a group of people. Record their feedback with regards to its design, color schemes, ease of finding products and layout. Use useful comments to modify your site.Finding a Qualified Web Designer A trained and competent web designer understands exactly the requirements of an E-commerce site. Therefore, working with one will save time and money. The Internet is a good place to locate firms and individuals offering website design services. There are online business directories and yellow pages.Most designers maintain a website. Here they display samples of past for clients to view. Review a few samples and on the basis of it make a list. Contact the company. It could be a phone call, an email or a personal meeting. Request a detailed explanation of their services and payment schemes.
Travelling Tips for the Disabled
Unlike in the past, today people with disabilities have been recognized, and are less discriminated against. In many countries there are legislations that protect them and make their life a little easier. Also many public buildings have been designed or renovated in order to accommodate people with disabilities.With all these improvements, people with disabilities are now able to travel for vacation or a business trip to places far away from their home. However, with all these improvements we have made, travelling for people with disabilities is still a challenge for them, especially when they are travelling alone or, they are travelling to an unknown destination. Below is a guide to help people with all forms of disabilities to travel safely.1. Plan well in advance
Planning is key to any form of success. This is very important because it reduces chances of getting stranded and being inconvenienced. Booking flights and hotel rooms are the top priorities, however if you are going to stay at a friend’s or a relative’s house; notifying them in advance is very important. Then they can be prepared and even pick you up from the airport.2. Book hotels that are disabled friendly
Hotels with disabled friendly structures are very convenient as they allow disabled individuals to move freely with minimal effort. Most of these hotels also have special emergency protocols that ensure disabled individuals are not left behind in case of an emergency, unlike some hotels where these issues are over looked.3. Use a travel agent that offers travel packages for disabled travelers
Booking flights and hotel rooms with travel agents that offer travel solutions to disabled people is advantageous in a number of ways. They ensure they book for their disabled clients airlines and hotels that are disabled friendly. They strive to offer services and suggestions that will ensure their clients travel comfortably.4. Understand and know your rights when at the airport
Travelling, for people with disabilities, is very hectic, especially when they arrive at the airport. They face the challenge of getting proper information and directions. This is further aggravated by the huge number of people traveling and long queues. In airports, there are attendants that are supposed to attend to the needs of those travelling with disabilities.Disabled travelers should not, and are not, treated differently when they go through security measures. They are also protected from any form of discrimination from any airline. Disabled travelers are advised to be very conversant with their rights to avoid and report any form of discrimination when travelling.5. Bring extra medication
There is no harm in carrying an extra dose of medication when travelling. People do lose their luggage as they travel so, having an extra dose will act as a backup when one dose gets lost. This also ensures that when travelling, a disabled person does not run out of their medicine forcing them to start looking for a drug store when travelling. These medications should be stored properly to ensure their safety.6. Take a doctor’s note and contact information when travelling
A doctor’s note contains important information about a condition that a disabled person is facing and this will help doctors save a lot of time on tests in case of an emergency. Contact information for your doctor allows other doctors to get important information from your doctor should the need arise. This small, but vital, information can save lives.7. Use direct flights
It is very hectic and tiresome for a disabled traveler to use connecting flights. Using connecting flights exposes them to loss of their luggage and even injury as they get in and out of a plane. Using a direct flight cuts all these risks down and saves a lot time and energy when travelling. Direct flights also ensure that those travelling with disabilities are not stranded in an airport as they wait for a connecting flight.8. Disabled travelers are advised to have some knowledge about where they are travelling to
There is nothing more difficult than looking for directions to a place you do not know about. This is even harder for disabled travelers so, it is advisable to have at least some knowledge and understanding about their destination. This will give them an upper hand when moving around and the knowledge to know where to go and where not to go. This will be very helpful when they are stranded or experience an emergency situation and need urgent assistance.9. Carry the appropriate luggage
Disabled travelers are advised to carry luggage that they can manage when they are travelling. Unless they have company, travelling with a huge amount of luggage is not easy. Traveling lightly enables disabled travelers to be more flexible to situations that arise besides, a large amount of luggage can also easily get lost.10. Enjoy travelling
Many disabled people do not travel often because of a lot of limitations which discourages them. However modern technology ensures safe travel for all regardless of their condition. Travelling should be enjoyed by all since it is a chance to experience new things that are different than what they are used to.