Signing up to an annual direct debit payment plan from your energy supplier is supposed to help prevent bill shock as your payments are spread equally throughout the year. But it might not work like that...
Olympic Games spark dash for cash
The Olympics sparked a dash for cash as withdrawals from Link ATMs saw an uplift, figures have shown.
Link said August is normally a quiet month for ATM withdrawals but so far 2012 had proved the exception
The Olympics sparked a dash for cash as withdrawals from Link ATMs saw an uplift, figures have shown.
Link, the UK cash machine network, said that its ATMs dispensed more than a quarter of a billion pounds more to people over the period of the Games compared with a year ago.
It said the summer boost had been fuelled by the sporting events and recent improvements in the weather.
Link's cash withdrawals between July 27 and last Sunday increased by £270 million or 4.6% from £5.8 billion to £6.1 billion when compared with the same period in 2011.
John Howells, Link scheme CEO, said: "August is normally a quiet month for ATM withdrawals but so far 2012 has proved the exception.
"This extra cash should boost spending which should prove a valuable bonus to retailers."
Link's figures cover about 70% of cash withdrawals made and do not include transactions people make at their own banks or building societies.
The figures do not include the vast majority of overseas card withdrawals or ATMs within the Olympic venues.
Just over half (55%) of all consumer payments are made in cash.
related stories on msn
0Comments
latest money videos
more on msn money
The iconic Cotchford Farm in East Sussex goes up for sale for £2 million.
We look at which option will bag you a nicer home in a better neighbourhood.
Whether you have credit card debts or an overdraft or a stack of store credit, you can get back in the black for very little cost.
Because the sun has to shine eventually...
Nearly half of UK households say that they would struggle to cope if their monthly outgoings rose by £99. We look at how you can create some financial 'breathing space' to help you out if you lose your job or become ill.
Avoid these mistakes if you want to lead a richer life!
Save regularly to nab a leading easy access ISA rate from Newcastle Building Society and the chance to earn up to £1,000 cashback.
Barclaycard is now offering a record 27 interest-free months to pay off your debts.
The taxman says three and a half million people are due a refund, but two million will have to fork out for underpaid tax.
Fed up with low savings rates and high borrowing rates? As Dave Fishwick and his Bank of Dave has demonstrated, there are other options out there.
If you want to find a unique property bargain, there is plenty of help available online - you just need to know where to look.
