This year’s A-Level results were released recently and with them came more record breaking statistics. The overall pass rate rose 0.3% from last year, up to 97.5, while 26.7% of entries were awarded A grades. These statistics however, spell uneasy times for students as the number of university applications are up 10% (60 000) from last year and it is expected that “there are roughly six applicants for every place available through clearing,” according to the BBC.

Meanwhile, a survey of employers suggests that “this year will be the worst time to graduate in two decades”. Therefore refreshing the view that we are experiencing very troubled times for both graduates and students alike.

If you’re in this position and find yourself short of money, it may seem logical to look towards a bank loan or student overdraft. A free student overdraft however, is only free of charges if you arrange it with your bank first and stick to the limit. Go over your limit or overdraw without approval and you’ll attract some pretty high charges. Furthermore, there’s the temptation to keep using an overdraft and worry about paying it off later. Soon enough, you’ve borrowed more than you can easily or quickly afford to repay and it’s another debt you’ll potentially be stuck with after graduating.

Bank loans usually offer low interest rates; however they’ll also want you to take out large amounts of cash over a long period of time, so as to make enough interest from you. A short-term loan will let you borrow what you need when you need - not on the bank’s terms. If you’re in the market for a quick, short-term loan, the banks cannot cater for your needs.

If you’re going through one of those odd times when you need some instant cash and know you can repay it soon, apply today and avoid a potential problem associated with banks.

Today I’ve decided to break away from the ball and chain that is my desk and head to the park. No doubt my pasty limbs are scaring my fellow park goers.

Sitting here in the park, loans, the recession and the credit crunch all seem so distant and trivial.  You can’t tell from their brown bag or store-bought lunches who in this park could be a user of payday loans online.

Payday loans aren’t just for single parents, layabouts or students; they are for people across all socio-economic backgrounds. Hard times see no distinction of income level, colour or education and there’s no telling when they may hit.

Payday loans are a resource to be accessed occasionally when a cash emergency arises. Regular use of payday loans can lead to dependency as you supplement your income with them. In the worst case scenario you’ll fall victim to the “payday loan trap”.

Borrow responsibly and you’ll have a quick cash option whenever the unexpected occurs.

Longer days, warmer nights and parks packed with sunbathers and barbeques are all signs that summer is fast approaching. With summer comes the sound of kids splashing in pools, the whizzing of Frisbees, bees buzzing and fast moving thunderstorms that have lovers and friends laughing and running for cover.

Barbequing is the quintessential summer activity. It gets you out of the house, eating home cooked grub and socializing with friends. Below are a few items to keep you looking cool in the summer heat as bbq season approaches:

BBQ Bucket:

You know you’re going to barbecue, so why not look cool when doing it?  The BBQ Bucket has a strong handle for easy portability and you can load it up with your coals or briquettes before heading off to the park or beach which means one less thing to pack and leaves a free hand for the beer cooler!

Carry-All:

Whether you are heading to the beach, the park or a friend’s garden, you’ll inevitably have a lot to carry, be it blankets, food, wine or the whole lot. This two-handled carry-all can be filled with ice and used as a cooler for drinks and food, or filled with toys, shovels and buckets and all the bits and pieces required for a fuss-free day out at the beach.

Bottle Openers:

• Key bottle opener
• Vintage bottle opener
• Pocket corkscrew

The corkscrew or bottle opener is an essential bbq item that when forgotten can lead to many inventive and sometimes dangerous ways to open bottles. Play it safe this summer with these handy openers that you can keep on your keychain.

Outdoor music:

These days it’s as common for people to have their iPod on them as their house keys. With an endless supply and array of music, this small, portable set of speakers will keep the party going long into the night.

Do you have any bbq tips or essential bbq items that wow your friends and make you the king or queen of the party?  Leave a comment and let us know, we’d love to share it with our readers!

Related articles by Zemanta

• Top 10 Happy Hour Hacks [Lifehacker Top 10] (lifehacker.com)
• Who needs a corkscrew? (heywinenot.wordpress.com)
• Top 10 Skills to Master Your Grill (lifehacker.com)

Exciting news for Blackberry owners – the Blackberry Apps World has gone live and is ready to download!  Will these apps compare to iPhone apps?  Only time will tell.

I’ve just downloaded BAW to my BB Bold.  It was quick and seamless, and in just five minutes I’m ready to roll.  Of the top downloads, the interesting ones, in my personal opinion, are:

• Shazam – music sharing etc

• Calorie Count Nutrition & vClinic mobile Health – health and diet management

• ITookThisOnMyPhone.com – photo upload and sharing

I’ve yet to actually download an application and give it a test drive; however the graphics are great, the information is sufficient and it feels like a real expansion of my smart phone capabilities.

I’m looking forward to scanning the blogs for all the reviews, but in the meantime I’ll dream about an online loan or payday loan application for my Blackberry.

Great news for UK consumers today as the court of appeal ruled that fees for unauthorised overdrafts and bounced cheques are subject to regulation by the OFT clearing the way for the watchdog to set a legal maximum on the fees that banks currently charge, the full article can be read at The Guardian’s website

Banks and building societies have been charging up to £39 in some cases for a bounced cheque, but the real cost incurred by institutions is closer to £2.

Here is a brief extract from the article:
 

The ruling follows a test case last year between the OFT and eight current account providers concerning fees for unauthorised borrowing and bounced cheques, which concluded they were covered by the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulation of 1999.

Since then many current account providers have adjusted their charging structure and reduced their fees. But many still charge more than £12, which the OFT set as a maximum default charge on credit cards and could introduce to the current account market.

This is a great win for consumers who have been unfairly charged over the years. MoneySavingExpert.com alongside Guardian Money have been campaigning for a reduction or charges and refunds where applicable since summer 2007, this rule could mean that banks and building societies could be forced to return billions of pounds to consumers.