| In the 80's endowment policies were all the rage, | | | | exchange rate is also less than favourable as the |
| for first time buyers and home-owners alike, they | | | | pound hits a record low against the euro. So why |
| promised massive returns by combining | | | | is the UK's economy moribund when the |
| investment growth with life insurance. In theory | | | | remaining G7 nations are looking forward to slow |
| the endowment policy should grow over a period | | | | but steady growth? And is there anything the fair |
| of 25 years so that the policy holder has a large | | | | citizens of this country can do to claim back the |
| lump sum that is capable of repaying the original | | | | money they were promised during the prosperity |
| loan and leaving some excess to play with. | | | | 20 years ago? |
| However, now in 2008 the reality is quite | | | | Presently house prices are falling at 2500 pounds |
| different. | | | | per month and of course with the syndicated |
| We shouldn't be shocked at the current state of | | | | credit crunch people are struggling to pay off their |
| Britain's property market, the same happened in | | | | soaring mortgages or see any return on their |
| the early 90's. If you can recall back to the late | | | | original investment. Panic sweeps through the |
| 80's everything was peachy in regards to housing, | | | | nation swiftly but we shouldn't wave the white |
| with plenty of property available to buy or sell and | | | | flag just yet, rather than surrender, sell. It's a |
| the rise of the infamous property developer | | | | good time for all those with endowment policies |
| began. However what goes up must come down | | | | to put them into practise before the recession |
| and as the crest of the property wave peaked it | | | | sucks that capital into its black-hole entirely. Given |
| inevitably came crashing down on all those riding it. | | | | our current predicament it is unlikely your |
| This vicious cycle has been repeated over the last | | | | endowment will ever pay off your mortgage, |
| 15 years so why is it that victims are surprised | | | | contrary to what you were told when you took |
| by their financial fate? Perhaps the government | | | | the loan out all those years ago. So instead of |
| warnings should have been clearer? There could | | | | trading your endowment policy with your insurer, |
| have been better advice made more available for | | | | shop around the open market and see if you |
| how to deal with the impending doom and what | | | | can't get a better price. There are some very |
| the public should be doing with their money, other | | | | well established companies out there that will buy |
| than hysterical consumer spending. | | | | and sell your endowment policy. You can verify |
| The doom and gloom continues as food and oil | | | | their reliability by checking they're a member of |
| prices veer skyward, the cost of bread rising | | | | APMM and regulated by the Financial Services |
| 15% over the past 12 months and the increase | | | | Authority. Endeavouring down this route may |
| of fuel prices have the potential to reach 113 | | | | save you tens of thousands of pounds and keep |
| pounds per barrel in a couple of years. The | | | | you afloat of repaying your mortgage. |