9 out of 10 Brits believe it is important to save according to a study carried out by the Nationwide Building Society.
Although it is good to see so many people recognising the importance of having a fund of money to call upon should it be needed only around 55 percent of people actually put money aside on a regular basis. Approximately 25 percent of people save money occasionally whilst almost 20 percent do not have savings at all.
This situation is not through choice in many instances though,as a Nationwide Building Society spokesman explained. With the cost of simply paying bills, buying food and running a car stampeding ever higher it becomes financially impossible for many people to save regularly, if at all. This is a shame since some of the best savings rates for many years are now available to customers.
See how Nationwide Building Society savings accounts compare at Moneygossip.co.uk
The Nationwide Building Society informs us that people are losing around GBP248 million through expired or unpaid Child Trust Fund vouchers.
According to data gathered by them a quarter if the vouchers have expired while over 40 percent of the valid ones have not been used so far this year. In financial terms this, said the Nationwide Building Society, means almost GBP13 million each year is being lost in interest earnings alone.
A further word of caution came from a Nationwide Building Society spokesman who explained that if a suitable provider is not chosen by the parents then the government can allocate one for them, though this may not be in the best interests of the child. Child Trust Fund Vouchers are an excellent tax efficient savings vehicle and it is a shame more people are not using them.
The Alliance and Leicester has just announced a new savings account that pays interest at 9 percent gross per annum. It is a one year fixed rate account open to customers who invest in their Balanced Savings and Investment Plan.
The Balanced Savings and Investment Plan is made up of a portfolio bond and a savings account. The minimum deposit for the bond is GBP5,000 and at least GBP1,000 for the savings account. Before leaping in investors are advised by the Alliance and Leicester that the recommended term for the bond should be at least 5 years, meaning any money placed here should be left alone for a period of time.
An Alliance and Leicester spokesman said the offer combined a mix of short and medium term savings with the potential for excellent returns, much better than a regular savings account.
