Today's press report a 14% rise in the sale of sewing machines. And a 40% rise in the sale of buttons!
Cue last year's coat shortened, puffballed, with a funky belt and shiny new buttons.
Saturday, 15 November 2008
Friday, 14 November 2008
Recessionista-hood
Her shares have gone down the pan and her mortgage through the roof, but the girl in the office still seems to wear something new every day. You’re looking at a fully fledged recessionista.
That’s the word on everyone’s lips for the woman who spots a good deal from a mile away and manages to look a million dollars on a shoestring. While you’re holding the phone line trying to get through to the bank for a loan she’s probably deftly remodelling last year’s wardrobe item into a swish new look.
Apparently the secret of the recessionista is making good use of what you’ve got and unearthing bargains. And saying ‘vintage’ not ‘second hand’.
That’s the word on everyone’s lips for the woman who spots a good deal from a mile away and manages to look a million dollars on a shoestring. While you’re holding the phone line trying to get through to the bank for a loan she’s probably deftly remodelling last year’s wardrobe item into a swish new look.
Apparently the secret of the recessionista is making good use of what you’ve got and unearthing bargains. And saying ‘vintage’ not ‘second hand’.
Sunday, 9 November 2008
Free love
Good news for the single Sheconomist everywhere; stingy men are off the market for a while.
According to survey results just released by Skipton Building Society, almost half of single men say they’ll survive the credit crunch by staying unattached. Apparently they don’t want to waste money on romancing.
So while they’re staying at home counting their bits of leftover string, single girls can have fun with the guys who don’t see romance as a waste of money! Anyway, surely the most romantic things in life are free?
According to survey results just released by Skipton Building Society, almost half of single men say they’ll survive the credit crunch by staying unattached. Apparently they don’t want to waste money on romancing.
So while they’re staying at home counting their bits of leftover string, single girls can have fun with the guys who don’t see romance as a waste of money! Anyway, surely the most romantic things in life are free?
Thursday, 6 November 2008
3% Interest Rate
Breaking news about the Bank of England cutting its interest rate to 3% has prompted me to blog again. That’s the lowest rate for 53 years. Reactions are mixed.
Will mortgage lenders pass on the low rate to borrowers? Is it a panic move? The risk of lending has been so high of late that lenders are demanding higher rates for offering credit.
If you’re on a tracker mortgage a rate cut of around 1.5% should follow through (unless there's a minimum rate clause). Fixed rate mortgages, as the name suggests won't change. Discount/Standard Variable Rate mortgages may see a 0.5 or 1% cut, but it's at the lender's discretion.
Now's the time to review the rate you’re getting on savings. Because if borrowing is cheaper then savings won’t attract high interest rates. If you can get a fixed rate that's good, go for it.But only if you can afford to tie up your money for a while.
Will mortgage lenders pass on the low rate to borrowers? Is it a panic move? The risk of lending has been so high of late that lenders are demanding higher rates for offering credit.
If you’re on a tracker mortgage a rate cut of around 1.5% should follow through (unless there's a minimum rate clause). Fixed rate mortgages, as the name suggests won't change. Discount/Standard Variable Rate mortgages may see a 0.5 or 1% cut, but it's at the lender's discretion.
Now's the time to review the rate you’re getting on savings. Because if borrowing is cheaper then savings won’t attract high interest rates. If you can get a fixed rate that's good, go for it.But only if you can afford to tie up your money for a while.
The Obama Bounce
They’re calling it the Obama bounce – a small surge in investor confidence that comes from having a new hand at the helm. Obama plans to invest billions in renewable energy and that's helped green stocks to soar. Bound to have a knock-on effect for the rest of the economy too.
We may have all got sick of all the coverage of the US election, but at least it’s given a much-needed boost at this critical time for the economy.
We may have all got sick of all the coverage of the US election, but at least it’s given a much-needed boost at this critical time for the economy.
Sunday, 26 October 2008
Pensions plug
At last the government has woken up to that fact that very few women clock up a working life of 39 years. That’s how many qualifying years are currently needed for a full basic state pension. But taking career breaks to have children make it impossible for many women in the UK. In fact, only one-third manage it.
So the Department of Work and Pensions said this week that women can buy back the missing years at a reduced rate. Over half a million women will benefit from the change if they act quickly. It won’t plug the female pension gap completely but at least it’s a step in the right direction.
Find out more here.
So the Department of Work and Pensions said this week that women can buy back the missing years at a reduced rate. Over half a million women will benefit from the change if they act quickly. It won’t plug the female pension gap completely but at least it’s a step in the right direction.
Find out more here.
Thursday, 23 October 2008
Simonne says:
Did you know that it’s National Energy Saving Week this week?
What better time to look at ways of saving energy (and, of course, money!).
Have a play with the energy saving clock on this site to give you some inspiring ideas: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/.
Simonne Gnessen
What better time to look at ways of saving energy (and, of course, money!).
Have a play with the energy saving clock on this site to give you some inspiring ideas: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/.
Simonne Gnessen
Monday, 20 October 2008
Trouble, strife and stilettos
Women, apparently, are donning their battle gear against the economic crisis. And it consists of higher than ever heels. An international shoe designer was reported saying at the weekend that heels rise in proportion to economic downturn. So if we are in recession we’ll see more 3, 4 and even 5-inch heels.
Women are known to cope well in a crisis. So I predict that we’ll see, literally, the rise of the Sheconomist in coming months as more and more women handle changes in family income and bring their budgeting skills to the fore.
After all, as they say, Fred Astaire was a fantastic dancer but Ginger Rogers did everything Fred did. Backwards. And in high heels.
Women are known to cope well in a crisis. So I predict that we’ll see, literally, the rise of the Sheconomist in coming months as more and more women handle changes in family income and bring their budgeting skills to the fore.
After all, as they say, Fred Astaire was a fantastic dancer but Ginger Rogers did everything Fred did. Backwards. And in high heels.
Monday, 13 October 2008
Simonne on having our resilience tested
It’s a pretty turbulent time in the world of finance (keeping me busy with lots of calls from panicky clients). But don't get hypnotised by all this bad news and make decisions that are just knee-jerk reactions. Don’t forget that emotions can highjack common sense. So perhaps seek advice before making big decisions. And try to avoid the mistake that can often be made when fear strikes - of selling stocks and shares at the bottom of the market or closing down accounts and stuffing money under the mattress.
If you want to know where’s a safe place to put your savings, have a read of the following article: http://www.fool.co.uk/news/your-money/savings/2008/10/09/big-banks-for-safe-savings.aspx?source=uemfoleml0010038. Or for a view on what to do with your investments: http://www.h-l.co.uk/news/Feature-articles/articles/795/rq/article.
If you want to know where’s a safe place to put your savings, have a read of the following article: http://www.fool.co.uk/news/your-money/savings/2008/10/09/big-banks-for-safe-savings.aspx?source=uemfoleml0010038. Or for a view on what to do with your investments: http://www.h-l.co.uk/news/Feature-articles/articles/795/rq/article.
Friday, 3 October 2008
Keeping one eye on the credit-crunch
It's quite scary isn't it? All this credit-crunch crisis and talk about cutting back.
Where do we start, I'm sure many women will ask themselves, particularly those who fear their face will fall off if they stop using expensive beauty products.
They could try my friend V's experiment.
Worried about eye-wrinkles V decided she had reached that eye-cream stage of life. The adviser in her local store recommended one for £95. So V persuaded the girl to part with a sample size for free.
Then she applied the cream religiously every night. To her left eye.
Two weeks later V and hubbie are having dinner.
V asks: Does one of my eyes look brighter, more youthful and less wrinkled than the other?
Hubbie: Yes, now you come to mention it, it does.
V: Which one?
H: Your right one.
Where do we start, I'm sure many women will ask themselves, particularly those who fear their face will fall off if they stop using expensive beauty products.
They could try my friend V's experiment.
Worried about eye-wrinkles V decided she had reached that eye-cream stage of life. The adviser in her local store recommended one for £95. So V persuaded the girl to part with a sample size for free.
Then she applied the cream religiously every night. To her left eye.
Two weeks later V and hubbie are having dinner.
V asks: Does one of my eyes look brighter, more youthful and less wrinkled than the other?
Hubbie: Yes, now you come to mention it, it does.
V: Which one?
H: Your right one.
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