If you know someone who’s a post-Christmas bargain hunter, one of the best gifts you can give them is a prepaid gift card. They’re safer than cash, and let them take advantage of all those post-Christmas bargains, even those online. Of course, the person you may want to give a prepaid card to may be yourself, for those same reasons!

The best prepaid cards are the ones that are accepted most widely and that keep fees to a minimum. Some, but not all, prepaid cards charge an activation fee of up to £12.50. Other fees include monthly fees, reload fees, and ATM fees. Some cards do not charge monthly and reload fees, but the majority charge ATM fees, which range from 75p to £1.75 for domestic ATM withdrawals, and flat £1.50 to 3.5% for ATM withdrawals abroad.

It’s important that you compare prepaid cards and choose one with the fee structure that will make the smallest dent in the balance based on spending habits. For example, if you know the card won’t be reloaded, or will be used and discarded within a month, monthly and reload fees won’t matter.

When choosing a prepaid card for trips abroad, selecting a prepaid card designed specifically for travel can save substantially on overseas spending. These too vary in terms of fees, so do compare before choosing to get the most from your prepaid plastic.

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If you are committed to using credit wisely, cash back credit cards can be a great way to finance your Christmas shopping. If you do it right, using a cash back card can help you stretch your Christmas money. Here are 3 reasons why:

1. Cashback rewards are calculated as a percentage of your spending.

Since you’re probably doing more shopping than at any other time of year, you’ll amass the most cash back during the Christmas shopping season.

2. If you’re a new customer, the cashback rewards are sometimes even greater.

Now is a good time to get a cashback card if you don’t already have one, because new customers often get perks like higher cashback percentages for the first three to six months.

3. If you pay off your balance in full, you’ll make money, actually cutting the cost of those Christmas gifts.

Cashback cards really only make sense if you pay off the balance in full because interest rates will quickly overtake any rewards you might earn. But, with many cashback credit cards offering 0% purchases for the first six months, you can still take advantage of paying off your balance over time, paying no interest, and getting cash back. Just make sure it’s all paid off before that 0% teaser rate ends, because interest rates take a sharp jump afterwards!

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We all want to spread the financial burden of Christmas shopping so that we’re not faced with huge bills due at the beginning of the New Year, and to prevent interest charges accumulating. Try these three tips, and you can make it easier to spread the cost of your holiday purchases.

1. Use a 0% purchase credit card for your holiday spending.

There are a number of credit cards you can obtain at no annual fee that have introductory 0% purchase offers. The 0% time period varies among issuers, so choose one with the longest introductory 0% period. Don’t go crazy with it though! You still have to pay off the charges; you just have a longer time to do so without paying interest.

2. Take advantage of 0% credit cards with balance transfer offers.

Choose a 0% balance transfer card, transfer your balances and don’t use it for other spending. That way you keep it simple by starting with a certain balance and paying it down without adding other charges to confuse things.

3. Most importantly, pay off those balances before the 0% interest period ends.

If you don’t pay these cards off before the 0% interest period ends, you could be in for a shock when the interest rates jump and suddenly you owe far more than you thought.

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While pet insurance can be a great investment for keeping your beloved pets healthy and happy, you can do many things right at home to keep vet visits to a minimum. For example, did you know that chocolate is bad for your pets? Most of us like to share the occasional treat with our cat or dog, but some “people food” is particularly dangerous.

Chocolate contains a chemical that is similar to caffeine called theobromine and pets are quite sensitive to it. The amount of theobromine varies depending on the quality and the type of chocolate (milk or dark, for example). But, don’t take chances. Even a small amount of dark chocolate (a variety particularly high in theobromine) can cause your pet to experience tremors, agitation, excitability, and even convulsions and heart problems.

All in all, it’s best to reserve treats for special occasions, and to choose treats that are formulated for pets to avoid problems. For those times when your pet is ill or injured despite your best love and care, you can make vet visits less financially painful by having a pet insurance policy. They are affordable and can really help you out if your pet acquires a serious illness or needs surgery. Always compare pet insurance policies before buying so you you’ll choose the best pet insurance for your pet, based on his or her species, age, breed, and other characteristics.

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If you have a comprehensive home contents insurance policy then your Christmas gifts will most likely be insured, as standard, by your current cover. Many insurers automatically increase your possessions cover at Christmas, knowing you will have more things in your house as the holidays approach.

Malcolm Tarling of the Association of British Insurers has stated that, in most cases, your Christmas gifts are covered but if you want to be absolutely certain, you should call up your insurer or read the fine print of your policy.

Insurers do, however, encourage you to take sensible steps during the holiday season (just as at any other time of year) to minimise the chances of theft, such as storing presents where they can’t be seen from windows and doors. It is also wise to leave lights on when out for the evening (not very energy efficient, but in this case it’s justified) and to make use of your window and door locks and deadbolts. Installation of porch lights with sensors that turn them on automatically when motion is detected adds another layer of security.

Plus, don’t forget to protect Christmas gifts before you get them home. Store them securely in the boot of your car rather than on the seats or floor to minimise temptation for passing thieves.

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Christmas is an expensive time.  The BBC found that the average family in Wales spent £784 on their Christmas in 2009, with a quarter of people spending between £1,000 and £5,000 on their Yuletide celebrations.

So, if you are looking for a way to spread the cost of Christmas this year, why not consider personal loans?

Personal loans can help with the cost of Christmas

A personal loan can provide you with the cash you need to pay for your Christmas dinner, gifts and party. While credit cards can help with some aspects of your spending, they often carry interest rates as high as 15 or 20 per cent.  A personal loan can be cheaper and you can pay it over a period of your choosing.

Help with buying the latest ‘must have’ toys

Recent research from the Toy Retailers Association (TRA) has found that the cost of this year’s ‘Dream Dozen’ must-have children’s toys has risen by 51 per cent compared to 2009.  According to the TRA, ‘parents are faced with higher price tags this Christmas as predicted best-sellers go high-tech in a bid to keep the nation’s children entertained.’

The average cost of 2010’s leading toys is £39.41 compared to just £26.16 in 2009.

Compare loans to get the best deal

With Christmas gifts likely to cost several hundred pounds, you want to make sure your cash is being spent on a Buzz Lightyear toy, not on high interest payments.  So, it is vital that you compare loans to find the best personal loan deal for you.

Head online and use a comparison service to find the most competitive loan rates.  Failure to shop around for personal loans means that the total cost of your Christmas will be significantly higher – and you could end up paying for your gifts for years to come.

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Savings accounts are almost always better than Christmas savings clubs. The goal with Christmas clubs is to save money during the year, and then withdraw it in time for Christmas shopping. But, even with Christmas clubs in banks, you typically won’t get a good savings rate. It definitely pays to shop around and compare savings accounts when you want to stash away a little extra for Christmas.

Banks often make the minimum donations very low for Christmas savings clubs, but they also make the interest rates very low too. You’ll often do best putting your money into a Cash ISA instead. Christmas savings clubs sponsored by stores may seem like a good idea, but often the bonuses they pay you for saving your money with them amount to a very low interest rate. Additionally, store-sponsored Christmas clubs require you to do your shopping at that store, limiting your ability to compare prices and possibly limiting your ability to find what you want to buy.

For many people, the advantage of Christmas savings clubs is that the money is locked away and nobody can drain the account ahead of time and spend all the money elsewhere. But for those who are self disciplined and are able to save regularly, a traditional savings account that pays you a nice rate of interest will likely be far better than a Christmas savings club.

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If you are planning on acquiring or giving a pet for Christmas, remember that pets are for life – not just the holiday season, so plan carefully. Whether you already have a pet or plan to add one to your family, pet insurance can add greatly to your peace of mind, and this is truer than ever at Christmas.

Many of us are guilty of overspending at Christmas, even when we don’t intend to, and if our pet experiences an illness or injury it can add considerably to the financial stress that is common at this time of year.

Pet insurance can make it far easier for you to cope with unexpected veterinary bills, and can ensure that you don’t put off necessary treatment.

Another reason pet insurance is particularly useful around the holidays is that our lives often become more chaotic than usual. Relatives and friends may come and go, people may be tempted to “treat” pets to foods that are not good for them, and extra children in the house can mean extra hazards to small pets. Obviously, prevention is the best cure, but pet health insurance can help you deal with problems quickly and with less financial hardship.

Pet insurance is well worth your consideration, particularly in difficult economic times. Knowing that your pet has health coverage will ensure that you provide your best friend with the timely and necessary care he needs and deserves. Compare pet insurance and make sure your beloved pet has what he needs for a long, healthy, and happy life.

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Rare is the person who doesn’t like receiving money as a gift. While some may think of giving money as an “impersonal” gift, it could also be thought of as the most personal gift option available, since the recipient can use it toward something they really want.

Prepaid cards take the gift of money one step further, offering safety features and shopping options that aren’t available with cash. Plus, finding the best prepaid cards is a quick and simple process. Here are 3 good reasons prepaid cards make great gifts.

First is safety. Almost all prepaid cards can be replaced if they are lost or stolen (for a small fee), and many of them provide purchase protections similar to those offered with debit and credit cards.

Second is flexibility. Not only can your gift recipient use their prepaid cards at the high street shops, they can also use them to shop online, opening up a world of shopping options.

Third is choice. Prepaid cards can be chosen for their utility in specific situations. For example, travel prepaid cards charge lower transaction fees abroad than typical credit cards. In some cases, exchange rates can be locked in by the user.

Prepaid cards make great gifts, but do be sure to compare prepaid cards before choosing, because fees vary, particularly if you are considering giving a prepaid travel card as a gift.

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According to a study by Saga Pet Insurance, 53% of cat and dog owners will buy gifts for their pets during the festive period.

If you are planning to buy your pet a Christmas present this year but don’t currently have a pet insurance policy, why not consider this as a gift option?

It sounds really boring, and it’s true that your pet can’t eat/play with/wear a pet insurance policy, but the protection it offers them may one day prove to be the best gift you ever bought your pet.

In the event your much-loved pet goes missing, some pet insurers will provide cover for a sum of money you can offer up as a reward to anyone who helps you find your pet. This sometimes also covers the cost of flyers or other advertising to get your pet home as soon as possible.

What’s more, some insurers will offer cover towards alternative treatments which can be less stressful for both you and your pet.

Plus, having pet insurance will ensure that your pet can get the care it needs when it gets sick or injured without having to put you in financial hardship.

So, before you go and splash out on toys and other gifts your pet could probably live without, consider whether a pet insurance policy would be better for them in the long run.

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