crazy rewards

And why? To get away from the recession. More than 400,000 Brits above the age of 50 are choosing to turn their backs on the UK, in a quest to find happiness and financial security further afield.

RIAS found that one in ten Brits over the age of 50 were seriously considering jetting off overseas, on top of the 400,000 already planning to do so. Not to mention the other advantages of moving abroad:

• Cheaper property

• Better climate

• Lower cost of living

• Health benefits of the new pace of life

I know I’d be gone in a flash if I had the money. I’ll definitely be gone by the time I reach retirement.

According to Gordon Brown, that's exactly what we need. He has called on international leaders to introduces tax cuts to try and save global economy.

He is hoping that meeting the G20 group will generate support for his plans in providing a global solution.

The G20 group includes finance ministers and governors from 20 of the most powerful nations in the world, and Gordon Brown is hoping to get them on his side with regard to his plans.

The Competition Commission plans to ban the sale of payment protection insurance to consumers has been criticsed by banks and insurance providers alike.

The Competition Commission's recommendations were to ban single premium policies, as well as preventing providers from offering PPI within 14 days of selling the loan. Their aim is to prevent consumers from feeling pressured into buying the PPI policies when they don't necessarily need them - the fortnight giving them time to evaluate their needs.

However, banks and the Association of British Insurers alike have criticised the recommendations, noting that it would be irresponsible to provide a loan to a borrower without offering the insurance to cover the payments in the event of unemployment. They also noted that this is a valid concern, as claims due to unemployment have risen 69% over the last year.

Borrowers have been urged to shop around for the best deal when it comes to secured loans and also when their current mortgage comes to an end.

The advice is particularly important at the moment, as the interest rate was slashed by the Bank of England last week, which means that many lenders are introducing new mortgage packages.

It's been advised as well that some lenders may be able to save money by using their current lender's standard variable rate mortgage, whereas those on a fixed rate may benefit from shopping around.

In most cases, a parking fine is due to something that is our fault. In some cases, it's plain unfair. Mistakes happen, such as unclear signs, technology faults or human error. These, you can try and reclaim. Trying to reclaim parking charges because you parked on double yellow lines, parking in places where it isn't safe to do so, or blatantly ignoring obvious signs just won't work.

If you have a ticket that you think has been issued unfairly, you need to act as sono as possible. If you are intending to appeal, don't pay the fine. Paying the fine admits that you're liable. So, what to do:

• Gather Evidence - Take photographs, including the signs, markings (or lack of), your car and the meter - whichever are relevant to your case.
  
• Keep Your Ticket - If you are parked in a paid-for bay
• Gather the Paperwork - Anything that proves your story
  • Proof of mitigating circumstances
  • Crime Reference numbers
  • Witness statements
  • Copies of all correspondence

To begin an appeal, you need to know which appeal process applies - have a read through this article first. Chances are, you will have to pay - You need to provide every thread of evidence to be able to have a good go at appealing, but if you think you are in the right, there is no reason why you souldn't fight your corner.

The British pound has dropped against the dollar and the euro after the Bank of England said that the economic landscape has worsened dramatically.

Sterling fell to $1.5226 from $1.5426 and fell to a record low vs. the euro, at 82.15 pence.

The average credit card interest rate has risen from 17.2% to 17.6% during the same period as UK base rates fall from 5% to 3%.

Store cards are even more of a concern, as we see dome rates peaking at 25% over the last few weeks.

For those of us who have the necessary funds, it could definately be a buyer's market at the moment. People looking to buy a property could get a lot more for their money at the moment - as long as they had enough money behind them to afford the deposit and mortgage repayments.

Firstrungnow.com have said that as many people are looking to sell quickly, they wil be more willing to negotiate their price. For people who are prepared to take the risk and buy a property now, they could be on to a winner.

Research by RICS found that from September this year, the average hose was selling for 9% less than the asking price. The north of the UK saw the biggest gap in asking/selling prices, at 12.5%, followed by London, with a gap of 8.5%.

The average asking price of a home is now £229,691 and people are more likely to agree on a price less than this at the moment.

A credit card, encrusted with a 0.02 carat diamond and laced with gold, has been unveiled by a bank in Kazakhstan. It will cost £620 a year and has a personal manager, available 24 hours a day, and is quite simply called, the Diamond (not the personal manager, the actual card...).

The card will feature a picture of a wingeed horse for men, and a peacock for women and will be launched later this month. It has been reported to not be intended for people who are suffering from the credit crunch. No kidding!