A survey of ten European developed countries has ranked the UK as the worst place to live in Europe whilst France reigns supreme on the top spot.

According to the uSwitch quality of life index, the UK has the second lowest hours of sunshine per year, the forth highest retirement age, the third lowest spend on health, 5.5 fewer days holiday per year than the European average.

To add insult to injury, the UK also have the highest diesel prices in Europe, alcohol, unleaded petrol and cigarettes costing more than the European average and a below average government spend on education.

With all things considered it is no surprise that around 12% of Brits say that they would seriously consider emigrating to another country in which they could work less and live more.

The survey revealed that 59% of people are worried about living in a ‘broken society’, 49% are concerned about the cost of living, 47% are worried about crime and violence, and only a minuscule 5% of those surveyed said they were actually happy living in Britain.

16 factors were taken into consideration when determining the position of each country, including VAT, the cost of essential goods, net income, hours of sunshine, working hours, holiday entitlement and life expectancy. Despite the UK average income being among the highest in Europe, the fact that Britain scored so terribly in the majority of other areas meant it was pushed to the very bottom of the list, one place worse than last year.

Ann Robinson, a spokeswomen from uSwitch commented that even though we may have the fourth highest household income in Europe, the high cost of living means we are living to work not working to live.

View the original Guardian article.

A survey by RSM Tenon shows that the number of women who are declaring themselves as bankrupt or insolvent has reached worrying levels.

By the second quarter of 2011, there were 14,827 females who were either declared as bankrupt or had entered into a voluntary debt arrangement. The number of personal insolvencies amongst women made up 48%, which means it has reached the highest level since 2007.

There are many reasons which could be contributing to these record numbers. As the debt crisis continues to spiral to worrying levels, many females are having to make personal sacrifices. As more women than men are being made redundant, many are struggling to cope with the costs of living. There are also more women than men who work part time hours, and these appear to be the first types of jobs to be cut. Women are more concerned than ever about the security of jobs, and the effects job losses are having on individual finances.

A separate survey by the popular magazine Red, found that financial issues are causing more women to reconsider trying for a baby or at least, delaying it until the situation improves. The survey discovered that 10% of women are holding off on having a baby due to the recession, while 15% are not trying to have a baby at all. Women are also spending less money on trying to conceive, with a reduction from £15,000 to £12,000. This means that in the last 12 months, there has been a decrease of 20%.

The National Fertility Report which is also issued by Red, found that the decline is fundamentally down to the effects of the recession. Many women can simply not afford the high costs which are associated with having a child any more.

View the original Guardian article.

Back at the start of the recession, calls to Relate’s relationship helpline increased dramatically, rising by 59 per cent during October and November 2008 when compared to just a year earlier. This steep increase indicates that financial strife can play a large role in relationship dissatisfaction and if that is the case for you then it is time to start taking action.

Read on for some useful tips which could help to prevent your relationship from going bust:

Don’t keep secrets

If you have been keeping a large credit card bill a secret with no way of paying it off then it is time to come clean. If you have a gut feeling that your partner is hiding a financial issue from you then be open about the fact you are willing to share responsibility and don’t expect them to handle things all on their own.

Set a budget

If you both put the same amount of money into a joint account each month but one of you is spending more than your fair share down the pub or on manicures then you need to sit down and work out a strategy, starting with identifying the essentials in your life and then moving on to eliminate anything which you don’t really need to spend money on.

Share happy memories

Back before the dawn of cinema and restaurants or even as children or teens with very little disposable income, relationships were exciting enough without package holidays and fine dining. You don’t have to spend money to be romantic so take a nice stroll, have a picnic in the park, cook a romantic meal at home or run your partner a nice bubble bath.

Don’t blame one another

If you are arguing about money then try really hard not to place the blame on the other person or refer to specific incidences such as ‘you spent too much money on your mothers birthday present’ or ‘your spending is out of control’. Instead try to adopt a more positive and helpful attitude by saying something like ‘we seem to have overspent this month so let’s sit down together and figure out a solution so this doesn’t happen again’.

If you are struggling to effectively manage your finances and would like top talk to a financial coach, please visit our fact-sheet for further information.

View the original All About You article.

We all know that a nutritious diet and an active lifestyle are essential for a healthy well-being, but keeping the fridge stocked with fresh produce and paying an expensive monthly gym membership often mean that that staying well comes at a price that some of us simply can’t afford. If you are looking to stay fit and healthy without busting the bank balance then read on for some useful tips.

Exercise is free

Yes, exercise is completely free, it is the treadmills, exercise bikes, heated pools and air conditioning that we pay for at the gym and these are things we can do without. It may seem like a case of stating the obvious but you really don’t have to go to the gym to experience the benefits of exercise.

Try to fit in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a week. This could be something as simple as doing the housework and taking your dog for a daily brisk stroll to going for a jog or developing your own exercise programme. The NHS have recommended that we do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days per week. If you don’t fancy doing your half an hour all in one go then do it in three short ten minute bursts instead.

Tip: Bear in mind that exercise gear can be fairly inexpensive if you shop around. Try an exercise ball, stretch bands or even a fitness DVD for variety.

Think outside the box with your food choices

You by no means have to order a weekly organic box of fresh produce from a local farm shop to eat a healthy and nutritious diet. In fact, some of the healthiest foods around are actually very inexpensive. For example, tinned beans and pulses are nutrition rich and can be added to casseroles, soups, salads, stews and pasta, and frozen fruit, vegetables and some meat and fish are just as nutritious as fresh produce, are far cheaper and obviously don’t perish as quickly. If you are feeling adventurous you could also have a crack at growing your own fruit and veg.

Tip: A great way to save money is to buy in bulk and then cook up big batches of casseroles, chillies, stew, soup etc to pop in the freezer for a later date.

Since the recession has set in we have been inundated with special offers and savings vouchers from restaurants trying to entice us to spend money with them. Eating out is fantastic when it is for the occasional treat but don’t get tricked into thinking your getting a great deal on a meal out when you are spending money you wouldn’t be spending otherwise and consuming far more calories on average than you would eating a home cooked meal.

Next time your friends or family ask you out for a meal why not suggest eating in instead? Have a hearty roast dinner or a chilli night and split the cost of ingredients equally between you.

Stick to your medication

Unfortunately there is no denying the fact that paying for regular medication can be expensive. However, even if you are feeling the pinch it is really important that you continue to take it.

According to research, up to 50% of older people in the UK do not take their recommended dose of medication and are especially likely to cease taking it if their symptoms are not visible. This means that thousands of individuals with high blood pressure and cholesterol or diabetes are not taking medication which is vital and sometimes life saving.

If you are struggling to pay for your medication then you must visit your GP before making any changes and they will also be able to fill you in on your rights. Those living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are entitled to free NHS prescriptions and in England you qualify for free prescriptions if you:

• are 60 or over

• are under 16

• are 16-18 and in full-time education

• are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)

• have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx)

• have a continuing physical disability that prevents you from going out without help from another person and have a valid MedEx

• hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability

• are an NHS in-patient

For information about financial coaching and how it could help you overcome your money woes please visit our fact-sheet to find out more.

View the original WebMD article.

Health experts have used data from the World Health Organisation to compare suicide rates across 10 European countries, concluding that the financial crisis has played a role in the rising numbers.

Both UK and US researchers identified a rise in the number of suicides among those of a working age between 2007 and 2009, in nine out of the 10 nations studied.

The increases ranged from 5 per cent to 17 per cent for under 65s and correlated with falling rates of unemployment (which reduced by a third during the same period).

Researcher Dr David Stuckler said that suicide rates were falling before the recession, then began increasing in almost all of the European countries studied.

Of the countries studied, Greece experienced the largest increase in rates whilst the UK saw a rise of 10 per cent.

Deputy chief executive of the Centre for Mental Health, Andy Bell, has said that unemployment and a fear of unemployment are huge risk factors for poor mental health and more should be done to help not just those who are out of work, but also those who are insecure in their job roles.

If your financial situation has become too much and you are feeling extremely low or are having suicidal thoughts then it is essential you contact your GP as soon as possible as they will be able to provide appropriate support. The Samaritans also offer 24 hour, confidential and free of charge support for anyone in despair (please visit www.samaritans.org for further information or call their 24/7 hotline on 08457 909090).

If you are struggling either financially or in your career, consulting a life coach could help you to move forward. A life coach specialising in finances can help you to understand your current debt situation, how you reached that point, and what can be done to ensure it does not happen again.

Similarly, a life coach may also help you to move forward in your career. Whether you feel unconfident and wish to become more assertive, or unsure about what you require for job satisfaction and fulfilment, a life coach will help you to investigate your feelings towards you career and will help you to formulate a plan of action to help you to get where you want to be.

For further information about financial coaching or career coaching please visit our fact-sheets to find out more.

View the original BBC News article.

According to a recent study conducted by the Everyman Campaign, the average Brit spends 36 minutes worrying everyday, amounting to 9 days each year.

The survey of 2,000 adults aged between 18 and 65 found that the cost of living, feeling like you’re stuck in a rut and gaining weight were the top three worries, coming in above concerns over debt, job security and health.

Researchers found that extreme anxiety has resulted in many individuals losing sleep, feeling unable to concentrate at work and having arguments with their partners.

One in ten also admitted to feeling stressed for more than two hours per day, whilst one in two said their extreme worries were affecting their health.

The study suggested that if individuals ignore their stress without dealing with the root cause, this can lead to the more serious issue of depression. According to the results, worrying became so bad for three in ten that it led to depression. Furthermore, one in ten admitted it had impacted their relationship with their children and one in 20 lost friends because of it.

A spokesman from the Everyman Campaign said that people are spending too much time worrying about things.

‘A whole raft of worries affect different areas of adults’ lives, but it’s interesting to see that health concerns are quite far down the list.’ He said.

If your worries and anxieties are becoming so extreme that they are having a negative impact on your life then it may be time to seek help. A qualified life coach will be able to help you explore the areas of your life which are making you unhappy and will assist you in identifying how you wish to move forward. To find out more about specific areas of life coaching such as career coaching, health coaching, stress coaching and financial coaching please view our fact-sheets for further information.

View the original Daily Mail article.

The Department for Work and Pensions has recently released figures suggesting that over a quarter of under 16′s will live to see their 100th birthday.

The same statistics also revealed that approximately 11 million individuals who are alive now will eventually live to be centenarians. These 11 million are made up of the following:

-3.3 million are 16 and under.

-5.4 million are between 17 and 50.

-1.4 million are between 51 and 65.

-90,000 are over 65.

These figures have resulted in many demographic experts calling for a rethink of pensions and work-life balance in order to tackle certain problems associated with an increased life expectancy.

According to the pensions minister, Steve Webb, if individuals are likely to be spending more than a third of their lives in retirement then the state pension system needs to be made ‘fair and sustainable for future generations”.

Head of policy and research at the International Longevity Centre, David Sinclair, has said that if these projections of increased life expectancy are true then there is going to be a huge impact on service provisions.

“The pressures on local authorities and central government will have a very, very significant impact – as will the knock-on impact on other ages and other generations. If the older population demands more and more resources, then it has to come from their own wealth and assets – or from someone else.” He said.

If you are approaching retirement and are unsure about the best way to handle your finances and your time when you finally give up work, then it may be worth considering either retirement coaching or financial coaching.

A retirement coach will help you to consider and plan for all aspects of retirement, meaning that as well as the financial implications a coach will also help a retiree to consider other aspects such as social and relationship factors.

A financial coach on the other hand, will simply help an individual to get a handle of their finances, often developing a finance plan or model which will help retirees to effectively manage their incomings and outgoings etc.

For more information about financial coaching please visit our fact-sheet.

View the original article.

BBC Lab UK’s Big Money Test explores the relationship between personality and money behaviour in a bid to find out if financial decisions are governed by emotion.

According to psychologist Adrian Furnham, creator of the Big Money Test, the following emotions are the ones most frequently associated with money (in ranked order): anxiety, depression, anger, helplessness, happiness, excitement, envy, resentment.

Brian Capon, an assistant manager at Midland bank branches back in the 1970s, has said that in the UK our emotions do tend to affect the way we think about money.

“Someone who has just found the car or house of their dreams can be so focused on borrowing the cash to buy it that they might not be too bothered about the interest rate they pay, or how accurate the information is.” He said.

According to Capon, who now works for the British Bankers’ Association, many individuals get so caught up in actually borrowing the money that they don’t give enough consideration to whether they can afford to make the repayments.

Personal debt levels started to balloon in the 1980s when rules were relaxed making lending and borrowing much easier than before. However, despite the debt mountain rising and now sitting at an enormous £1.46tn, the majority still remain uneducated in the ways of best managing their money.

Today, schools have begun to teach pupils how to read bank statements and decipher certain financial jargon. Editor of Which? consumer magazine, James Daley, has said that those who were schooled before these changes in the curriculum were introduced rarely seek advice, unless they reach crisis point.

He has suggested that the government introduce shock tactic campaigns which educate people to the dangers of debt.

“I’m surprised we don’t have public safety films about over-spending and debt like the ones for smoking. That would break through to the older generations.” He said.
For further information about the Big Money Test and it’s mission, and to take the test yourself visit the site here.

If you are struggling to get a handle on your financial situation and would like to find out more about financial coaching and how it could help, please visit our fact-sheet.

View the original article.

They may sound a little stereotypical but nonetheless these common relationship problems can often cause far more upset than they need to, especially when they can be easily fixed:

In-Laws

Couples may have difficulty adjusting to having in-laws around and there may be friction between certain family members. A common horror story is trouble between the wife and her husbands mother but it seems the myth is not unfounded. Marriage researcher John Gottman, PhD explains that conflict can sometimes arise because both women are competing for the attention of the husband.

Solidarity is a huge part of a successful marriage so it is important that even if a husband believes his wife is in the wrong, they still present a united front as a couple. This will speak volumes to a mum, showing her that her sons most important job is now to be a good husband.

Finances

Even if you have been with your partner years and years, getting married, moving in together and sharing your finances can come as a huge shock. If you are arguing over who is spending what then make a financial plan as a team.

Set out some goals you both want to achieve such as home, cars, holidays and retirement and review them once a month. A good idea may be to open a joint account where you both deposit a percentage of your salary (a percentage sometimes works better than a set amount as if one is earning more or less than the other it still works out relatively), for shared bills and outgoings, then deposit the remaining amount into personal accounts for you to spend on whatever you wish.

Cleaning

According to a US study conducted by the University of Michigan, having a husband creates an extra 7 hours per week of housework for women, whilst having a wife reduces the amount of time spent cleaning etc by an hour for men.

Wives often feel that their husbands do not pitch in equally in terms of the housework but if they were brought up in a home where their mother carried out most of the domestic activities then it is plain to see where their habits come from.

If you are feeling disheartened and unappreciated by your other half not pitching in around the house then tell them how important it is to you that they make more of an effort.

If they still need some motivation then tell them that Marriage researcher John Gottman, PhD has found that husbands who reported pitching in frequently around the house recorded more satisfying sex lives than those who did not.

Sex

As our relationships develop and turn from months to years it is understandable that some of the initial attraction and sexual desire begins to fade a little. However, it still remains an important relationship factor. If you are feeling rejected or like your desires are unfulfilled then try to be open and honest about the way you are feeling without fear of embarrassment. If something is wrong then it’s likely the other person has noticed and has been afraid to speak up.

View the original article.

Almost two-thirds of the mums who took part in the survey admitted to fibbing about the amount of TV their children watched and one in five said they spent longer playing with their children than they actually did.

In addition, two-thirds of those surveyed said they had not been honest with other parents about how well they were coping with parenthood and almost half covered up financial worries.

The study also revealed that it was peer pressure from other mothers on the school run and at the nursery etc that made them feel compelled to lie in the first place, with nine out of ten comparing themselves to other mothers.

In response to these findings Netmums is launching ‘The Real Parenting Revolution’ a campaign which hopes to encourage parents to accept the reality of their circumstances and how they live, as opposed to feeling disappointed for not achieving perfecting.

To find out more about Netmums campaign for a more honest approach to family life, visit the website here and to view the original article please click here.