by admin on January 19, 2012
Franking mail started in the UK around 1660. It was a way for members of the government to mail letters without having to pay for a stamp. Frank comes from the Latin word francus, meaning “for free”. They would sign their name to it and that would act as the stamp. As the system got older more and more people would abuse it. Now companies use a franking machine. A franking machine prints an ink version of a stamp. They can print them either directly onto the envelope or they can print them onto labels that they can also use as stamps. The way it works is, you take the machine in to the post office and get it credited with a pre-paid amount of postage. Or if the company has a franking machine with a modem you can call in or top it off via internet. When using the franking machine you would type the amount of postage you would like on the package or envelope then feed the envelope of label through. The amount would then be taken out of the pre-paid amount that was loaded in to the machine. This saves companies from having to go out to a post office every time they had to mail something out.
by admin on November 23, 2011
People repaying unsecured debts generally fall into two groups. On the one hand, there are people who are repaying their credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts, etc., generally well, and find that their budget can cover their monthly payments with little worry.
On the other hand, there are some people who find that their debts are getting on top of them – particularly in the current climate, when rising inflation and dipping disposable incomes are putting many people’s finances under significant strain.
And let’s not forget that even people who are dealing with their debts well could face a sudden change in their circumstances that may lead to problems. Let’s look at what signs you should look out for that may signal you need debt advice.
What are the debt ‘warning signs’?
The good news about problem debts is that, as long as you take action sooner rather than later, it could be easier than you think to find a way of getting on top of the problem and taking the pressure off your situation.
You should get professional debt help if:
- You’re regularly missing your repayments, or making them late
- You’re using your overdraft to repay your credit card
- You’re repaying your debts using money you need for your monthly bills
- You’re worrying about keeping on top of your debts.
If you recognise any of these ‘warning signs’, you should get debt advice as soon as you can. You can visit debtadvicenow.co.uk for professional help.
What happens next?
Speaking to a debt adviser – someone used to dealing with people’s debt problems every day – could help you get your worries off your chest, and find a suitable approach to the problem. There are many solutions that could lower your monthly repayments, and a debt adviser could point you in the right direction.
