The latest Tesco Finance report on green activity shows that 53 percent of homeowners were driven by the chance to save money when it came to assessing energy efficient improvements in their homes.
Rising fuel costs have also driven around 54 percent of respondents to change aspects of their home to make them more eco friendly said Tesco Finance. Money is not the only driver though as some 56 percent of people said their concerns regarding the environment had influenced their decisions to some extent.
With so many demands on consumers pockets now and seemingly getting worse by the day it is no surprise to see people seeking ways to save money said a Tesco Finance spokesperson. The fact that these changes can also help the environment is an additional benefit for everyone.
The Abbey National is aiming to help smokers kick the habit by encouraging them to save the money they would normally spend on cigarettes.
The typical 20 cigarettes a day smoker spends around GBP170 each month that could be used for many different and ultimately far better uses. Over the period of just a year a smoker who gives up and puts the money they would have spent into a monthly savings account such as the Abbey National Fixed Rate Monthly Saver would have a balance just 12 months later of almost GBP2,120.
An Abbey National spokesman urged smokers to think seriously about their options and consider the benefits of using a savings account to put money to one side. It can quickly build up into a tidy sum and the person becomes healthier into the bargain.
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.
