The beginning of term is always a busy time. If you are moving into a new house you will already have unpacking, registration, and getting to grips with paying bills to contend with. On top that you have to make time to catch up with old friends, or make sure you meet new ones. Searching around for the broadband package that most suits your needs may seem like a low priority, but you will find there are significant rewards to be gained through very little effort, so read on and find out why it’s actually really easy.
 
The search for the best broadband package can be a confusing one. Providers are aware of this and will most likely try and push their most expensive package your way, but this package may not suit the needs of a student. Taking a few minutes to ensure you’re getting the deal that is right for you can save you money, as well as granting you peace of mind.
 
To simplify the process, we have created a step-by-step guide to getting the best student broadband deal:
 
Step One – Isolate the aspect of the broadband deal that is most essential to you
 
1. The Contract: Broadband contracts are likely to be 12 months or more, which is great if you’re going to be in your residence for this long, but perhaps not ideal for the nomadic lifestyle of a student. If you are likely to move around a lot, for example visiting friends on the weekends or spending long holidays at home, a non contractual option may be best for you.
 
2. Heavy Downloading: Many companies offer unlimited downloads, however it is worth noting this is just an industry term. Fair usage policies will apply, and the cost of breaking them can be considerable. Make sure you check your providers’ policy, and download the free
www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/broadband-download-monitor.html to monitor your downloads and keep you inside your limits.
 
3. TV, Broadband and Phone: If you want digital TV and/or a landline phone in your house, then getting a package that bundles them together with your internet could be the best decision. Sky’s See, Speak and Surf includes all three services for £19 a month, with the option of adding more channels at an extra cost.
 
4. Speed: If fast download speeds are your bag, go for a provider that consistently delivers a high speed connection. According to the latest Broadband Choices speed tests, Karoo, O2 and Virgin Media all fared well in the speed department. To test how fast your internet is working, download the free broadband choices speed test tool. www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/speed-test.asp.
 
5. Do you want a wireless broadband option? – If so, look for a deal with a free wireless router!
 
Now you know what you need, you must find out which ISPs operate on your street. This is simple. Log on to www.broadbandchoices.co.uk (you may have to do this on a laptop from a WiFi hotspot) and enter your postcode into their search box. In a few seconds all the providers and packages available will be on your screen. Apply the criteria that you and your housemates have set out and you should be able to pick out the deal that is right for you. Signing up online can also get you a discount with some service providers, so if this is the case, take advantage and use the money you have saved for a congratulatory drink!

 
Step 2 – Consider Going Mobile
 
Getting yourself a “dongle” or mobile USB connection has both positives and negatives. The dongle provides highly portable broadband connectivity and eliminates the need for a landline, but mobile packages have tight restrictions in download limits and big penalties for those who exceed them. 3 Mobile’s broadband offers 1GB, 3GB or 7GB download capacities, but the financial hit for exceeding these limits is considerable. You will also find that taking a mobile broadband deal will invariably involve signing a long contract of 18 – 24 months, so if you are not happy or your needs change, you may find yourself stuck. One month mobile contracts are available however, and serve as a halfway house between long term fixed contracts and pay as you go options.
 
Step 3 – Be future proof with fibre optic
 
Fibre-optic is the new method used by Virgin Media to deliver their broadband internet. With Virgin Media, broadband connectivity is delivered through glass fibres the width of a human hair, as opposed to the traditional transportation method of broadband through copper wires. Virgin Media plan to roll out 50Mbps broadband connections by the end of the year, which will make them the fastest broadband provider in the UK. BT hope to counter this move by introducing 100Mbps connections in 2012.
 
Any Advice on which one to go for?
 
You want broadband with a contract…
 
• Plusnet (www.plus.net) – £9.99 per month for 8Mb, with a free wireless router and free connection for 12 months.
 
• Madasafish (www.madasafish.com) – £9.99 pm for 6 months and £14.99 after that for 8Mb, free connection and free wireless networking kit for 12 months.
 
• O2 (www.o2.co.uk) – £12.99 pm a month for 8Mb with unlimited downloads for 12 months.
 
No contract would be better…
 
• Be Broadband (www.bethere.co.uk) – £18 pm for 24Mb and unlimited usage. Connection is £24 and must provide notice 3 months in advance for cancellation.
 
• Plusnet (www.plus.net) – £14.99 pm gives you 8Mb and unlimited downloads in the evenings, but you will have to pay £40 for connection.
 
• Eclipse (www.eclipse.net) – £14.99 can get a one month contract with 8Mbs, there will be a £47 connection charge though.
 

I want to go mobile…
 
• If you open a student bank account with Natwest before October you can get £50 off 3’s mobile broadband. This will include a free dongle and a 50% discount on line rental if you are an existing customer. On top of this you can get a free Microsoft webcam and 5 year rail pass and even £100 off Asus laptops, making the banks student bank account very attractive.
 

 
A poll from BroadbandChoices.co.uk shows that ignorance amongst British broadband users means that many of us are unnecessarily terrified of going wireless – shying away from the advantages it offers many consumers.
 
BroadbandChoices.co.uk believes that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are causing much of this confusion. They should stop marketing ‘wireless broadband’, or WiFi, as if it is a unique service, separate from the fixed-line packages many users are more familiar with. Anyone with broadband can have a wireless connection – they just need the right router.
 
“It would appear that ISP’s are helping to create these misconceptions that stop customers from taking advantage of the benefits of wireless – especially during the summer months when they could be online while topping up their tan in the garden,” says Michael Phillips, product director of BroadbandChoices.co.uk.
 
“The industry really needs to make this clearer to their customers. Consumers should have more choice about how they use their broadband package,” continues Phillips.
 
Once installed, WiFi allows users to get rid of their unsightly wires and Ethernet cables. They can then connect multiple PCs, laptops, PDAs and consoles to a single broadband connection, and work or surf the Internet from any room in the house, on multiple PCs owned by various members of the family, or even from the garden.
 
96 per cent of poll respondents cited unfounded reasons for not having wireless broadband due to their misconceptions of WiFi. The top three reasons for not having wireless broadband were:
 
‘I am worried about dealing with the technicalities of wireless broadband’ – 44%
‘I am worried that my bank details may be at risk’ – 27%
‘My supplier does not offer a wireless broadband package’ – 25%
 
Exploding technical myths of WiFi
Not feeling confident about installing a wireless router in the home was the biggest reason for not going wireless.
 
Phillips advises: “Wireless routers are easy to set up. Also, if you get one direct from your Internet Service Provider, which most of us will, it will arrive preconfigured with all the right settings. Going wireless is not at all complex – it’s as easy as plugging your phone cable in when using a traditional fixed-line broadband service.
 
Bank details are safe
“Neither is there any more risk of bank details going astray with wireless than with a fixed service. People must assume that because it’s ‘wireless’ that data just floats off into the ether which simply isn’t the case. People shouldn’t be scared of WiFi – they just need to set up the right security, which is easy to do and most routers now have inbuilt encryption which is far harder to hack into than the older services,” continued Phillips.
 
Providers don’t offer wireless packages
Respondents also seem very confused about what wireless is, thinking that they had to take out a special wireless package when in reality the service from the ISP is the same whether fixed-line or WiFi. It’s up to the end user how they connect to a broadband service – whether via the fixed phone line, through a wireless router or card.
 
“This misconception could be down to ISPs giving the impression that they are offering a ‘wireless package’ when they are just providing a normal broadband connection with a wireless router as part of the deal. Anyone with broadband can have a wireless connection – they just need the right router, and you can either get this from your provider or from any computer hardware retailer,” concludes Phillips.
 
About BroadbandChoices.co.uk: http://www.BroadbandChoices.co.uk
BroadbandChoices.co.uk is the second biggest broadband comparison service in the UK. Unlike other comparison sites, BroadbandChoices.co.uk doesn’t just focus on price but total package value. Consumers can now refer to this impartial Website to access the latest broadband advice and deals, to help them make the right choice.
 
What makes BroadbandChoices.co.uk different:
Most comprehensive range of consumer guides and advice
Emphasis on value rather than cost alone
Variety of ways to rank products according to individual priorities
Detailed product information
A community of like minded people where you can read reviews or share your thoughts
Up-to-date information regarding key industry developments
Access to bespoke interactive tools (speed tester & download monitor)

Energy bills are rising, sharply. The strained geopolitical horizon, volatile commodities market and dire predictions from the boffins suggest this is the start of a trend and not just a brief blip from the norm. It’s no surprise that customers are looking to reduce or limit their energy costs whilst still keeping the house warm.
 
Fixed price energy tariffs are one way for consumers to save and with prices soaring by up to 35% the time to act is now.
 
With a fixed price plan you can budget for the agreed term of the contract knowing that no price increases are lurking around the corner. Many of the contracts cover one or two year periods. In the current energy climate, stability and affordability are winning over many new customers.
When you compare energy prices and agreements the two main considerations should be; What period the agreement covers. Know when the agreement begins and ends, after completion you may find price increases the norm. Just as important, some providers of fixed price energy may drop the capped price of their energy if there is a reduction in worldwide prices, other providers see fixed price as just that. Check the details before you sign the agreement.
 
Being able to forecast your energy costs is increasingly attractive and becoming more pressing as the latest round of price rises bites into the global market. It is no longer just one supplier affected, both gas and electricity charges show marked increases in cost to the provider and the consumer.
 
So while the providers queue up to be the market leaders no is the time to hunt down the best deals. Unless you are very fond of reading small print and enjoy hours on the phone to a call centre, compare gas and electricity prices using online resources that take your consumption, postcode and budget and give you the most favourable options so that you can get the best deal.
 
When using a comparison site, make sure you use one like www.energychoices.co.uk unlike some sites energy choices is regularly updated with the latest information and the newest deals so with one click you know you’re getting the best deal in troubled times.

 
Borrowing on a credit card can prove expensive over time. To save hundreds of pounds in interest charges many of us take advantage of some lenders offers for 0% balance transfers. Is it just that simple, or can there be unexpected costs to the unwary? Most of the fees are fairly straightforward, but you need to look at all the terms.
 
Many lenders will levy a charge relating to the transfer of the balance, even if the deal is a 0% transfer. This could be a flat fee or a percentage of the balance switched. Some lenders will cap the fee amount on large transfers.
 

So What Is Hidden?

 
What many of us do not realise is that the cost of our balance transfer is apparent on the rate of interest on new purchases. The existing transfer is indeed 0%, but the interest on new purchases may exceed the rate of our old card. Less obvious and potentially more expensive is the ‘negative order of payments’ system. Here we would be obliged to clear the transfer sum before our repayments would reduce the new purchase balance. During this time interest will be charged on new purchases.
This model is not used by all lenders; some are very keen to show borrowers they can take advantage of 0% on the transfer and purchases.
This shows the importance of comparing credit card terms so you can select the most appropriate offer for your needs.
 
The offer might shout ‘0% balance & 0% on new purchases’ but what is the time limit; and most importantly, when the 0% period has run out what is the exact interest rate. This will then apply to the transfer balance and new purchases. It is well worth noting that the interest rates on 0% credit cards will be significantly higher than a standard card. It is not unheard of that after the 0% period the rate could climb to 16%. If you don’t realise this you could be left with unexpected charges six months down the line.
 
How do you know you have avoided the pitfalls and got the best deal? Get the information and compare the competition. Many of the comparison sites such as http://www.creditchoices.co.uk will put all the deals side by side as well as hosting many articles exploding the myths and explaining the small print. These are the resources that will give you the knowledge to get the deal that best suits your needs without any nasty suprises.

 
It is pretty safe to say that a high % of the population of the UK spend a considerable amount of money in supermarkets, so would taking out a credit card with these companies make sense? We investigate.
 

Supermarket Credit Cards – What Are They?

 
Most of the larger supermarkets offer a credit card these days. They work in pretty much the same way as any other reward based credit card. Some even offer the card holder interest free periods, either on balance transfers, or on purchases – Rarely on the two!
 

Are Supermarket Cards Worth It?

 
If you spend money in a supermarket as a part of your shopping routine, then probably! – Look out for offers on fuel related to these cards also!
 

So, How Do I Decide Which Supermarket Credit Card To Choose?

 
There are a few things to think about here:
 
Considering the whole idea of supermarket credit cards is to save cash, whilst spending on your shopping in the way would already do, more often than not, the best supermarket card for you is the one from the supermarket you use the most!
 
Do bear in mind when trying to compare the offers of various stores, that the points systems they use are not as easy to understand as you may at first think!
 
Make sure you are aware of all the specifics of the offers also, such as the length of any 0% periods, and exactly what is covered by that period.
 
One really great way of comparing the various supermarket credit card offers is to use a comparison site that covers these types of cards. Http://www.creditchoices.co.uk is a great example of such a site. They have information on most supermarket’s offers all on one page, allowing easy comparison of the cards.
 
 
 
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Energy bills are soaring, so now customers are looking for ways to save money with their household energy bills.
 
This is not surprising, what with all the news on the about adverse geopolitical situations and the soaring commodity market, and with British Gas prices recently rising by 35%, and Electricity prices rising by 9%!
 
Fixed price energy tariffs are one way that consumers can save money on their bills.
 
The good thing about Fixed Price tariffs is that you know where you are for the agreed term of the contract and can plan accordingly with no price increases above and beyond the agreed amounts. More often than not, this period is 1 to 2 yrs.
 
In the present climate of high energy prices , these deals are certainly more enticing and affordable.
 
When you are considering these types of agreements then, there are two basic points to consider.
 
1. At all times understand where and when the agreement both starts and ends and the possibility of price increases after termination of the agreement.
 
2. Some suppliers of the fixed price energy deals may reduce your capped Unit price if there is a drop in their standard prices, whereas other providers may not do this. -Make sure you know which is the case with your energy provider!
 
The main benefit of fixed price tariffs is being able to accurately forecast your charges and costs well in advance.
 
This has become more and more vital as the price hikes have taken effect. It is worth noting that it’s not just British Gas that are having to increase their gas prices. EDF Energy are also increasing their prices, as are many other energy providers.
 
So it would seem that now is a better time than any to check the deals on fixed price energy that are available in your area. It has to a bit of a no brainer really to use the various online price comparison sites to help you with your research to get the most favourable options available to you.
 
Where possible use a website that has the ability to drill down data via the use of a post code to help you get a more accurate idea of what is applicable and available to your area.
 
One such site is www.energychoices.co.uk. Unlike some comparison sites, energychoices has a high amount of frequently updated information about the latest twists and turns in the energy market, thus being a one stop shop’ consumers can go visit to find out how they can get the best deals in this turbulent climate.
 
 
 
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