It’s getting towards the end of the month and there’s nothing left in the account. You still have some bills to pay and you don’t know how you’re going to meet them. Sound familiar? Then, as you’re watching TV, up pops an advert for a payday loan company. Hey presto, all you need to do is make a quick telephone call, or go online, and all your financial woes will be a thing of the past!
Investing? Or propping up?
According to research by peer-to-peer lending group, rebuildingsociety.com, the average SME business owner has invested £22,700 of their own personal money into their business in the last year. And the study shows that 37% of those planning to raise money outside traditional bank borrowing will use their personal credit cards (despite standard interest rates typically being around 18.9%, and often much higher).
Avoiding a Christmas debt hangover
Christmas is an expensive time of year. We all want to have a good time and give our loved ones the best that we possibly can. The cost of food, drink, entertainment and presents takes a toll on all our finances, and it’s an especially worrying time for those who struggle to make ends meet.