Mums Finance

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Those of you who have been on shaky ground recently with regards to your account with Northern Rock had better read this article…warning: your blood may boil.

There now, how does that make you feel?.

Their customers may be worrying about their life savings but at least the bank are looking after themselves!.

Merry Xmas from Northern Rock?…

Popularity: 4% [?]

Many women find it difficult to ask for a rise in salary, well, I would say this applies to most people. You instantly find yourself in ‘grovelling’ mode and wonder how to go about addressing the issue with your employer. It is interesing to point out that most people, rather than ask for a pay rise, simply resign and change jobs to get that extra increase in cash.

If you enjoy your job and find it suits you and your lifestyle then rather than take the option of going elsewhere take the time to present your case to your employer. Good employers value their staff and should be open and willing to communicate when an employee wants to discuss their wages. But bear in mind that your boss does not want to hear about how you cannot pay your bills, afford a holiday in Ibiza, or reduce your overdraft; it pays to take the positive approach.

Organise a meeting with your boss with the focus being a ‘performance overview’ of your work. Make clear any concerns you have job-wise and that you would welcome more challenging tasks. Be positive about your role in the workplace and how future services to the company and more responsibilty on your behalf would make you a more valued employee and thus would pay your employer to increase your salary.

Under no circumstances resort to blackmail or sob stories, in such cases you would be quickly shown the door.  The idea is to refresh your employers view of your position in the workplace with the realisation that keeping your services would financially benefit them in the future.

Good luck!.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Property prices will plummet over the next 12 months across the UK according to financial experts. With figures of a plunge of 10% being predicted homeowners expecting to utilise the equity in their property may find themselves in a position of having ‘negative’ equity before long.  This has two effects: those looking to get onto the property ladder may find the chance to purchase a home during the slump, secondly, those homeowners depending on the stability of property values could find themselves at a disadvantage.

Many independent women today hold property portfolios of their own as part of their retirement plan for the future so if you fall into this category what should you do?. Obviously there would be no sense in selling; but if you are in the position it may pay to keep an eye on the market if you are looking to add another property to your investment plan.  Bear in mind though that along with this drop in house prices, inflation along with interest rates also look set to rise.

Popularity: 3% [?]