Some of the biggest, and most avoidable, charges are those incurred by the dreaded foreign transfer; simply sending money from an account in one country to an account in another.

If you’ve transferred money abroad in the past then there’s a good chance you were charged for it. Most banks charge between £10 and £40 per transfer! So if your bank was to charge you £25 for a monthly transfer you’d be paying £300 a year just for the privilege of moving your money around. With Barclays it could cost up to £540.

This creates a problem for all sorts of people. Studying abroad and receiving an allowance from home? That’ll cost your parents or guardians. Sending some birthday money to a relative? That’ll cost you. You have a holiday home which you rent out and you need to transfer money to and from your foreign account on a regular basis? Expect big charges.

But the worst thing about this is how unnecessary the charges are. Essentially you’re paying a lot of money so that someone in an office can press some buttons on a computer. But it’s fine because you know the charges are inevitable, so you just get on with it!

But whilst Barclays charge £25 (plus ‘overseas delivery charges’) for a standard transfer or £45 (plus ‘overseas delivery charges’) for a priority transfer, and whilst Halifax charge between £9.50 and £19.50, there are companies who’ll charge you nothing.

Companies such as Currencies Direct say that you shouldn’t have to pay for the privilege of transferring your money abroad, and we agree. All they charge is the rate of currency exchange, the same rate that you’d pay when changing your holiday money, on which they offer the best rates. Smaller transfers may be subject to tourist rates, but if you make regular payments then they’ll give you commercial exchange rates to make the most of your money. They’re a reputable company and one of the few who still offer free foreign money transfers.

It’s surprising how many people pay their banks huge fees to transfer their money abroad without realising they can avoid it. Whether you’re a student studying abroad or a holiday home owner, transfer charges can be a thing of the past.

Emerging markets are a wise investment because, in the simplest of terms, they are still growing and expanding. In 2010 the UK’s annual growth in GDP was 1.5%, whilst the two biggest emerging markets, China and India, saw 10% and 8.75% respectively. It is this growth that means the markets are emerging, and as they emerge (or grow) their economies grow with them. Since the 2008 recession established markets have struggled to recover, whilst the emerging markets have recovered at a much faster rate, and are now in a period of sustained growth.

So you may be wondering whether investing in emerging markets is the right step for you. If you already have an investment portfolio then an investment in emerging markets is a good way to diversify your existing collection of investments and inject some capital into an area which could see larger growth than the equivalent investments in established countries would see.

If you’re unsure about exactly what such an investment may entail then you can check out more detailed information with the investors themselves, as you’ll need a company to invest on your behalf. You can search online for companies that offer an easy to understand service for investing in emerging markets. You can invest as little as a £500 lump sum or spread your investment over monthly instalments from £50 per month to suit your particular needs.

You should bear in mind that no investment is risk free and that an investment in emerging markets will act like an ISA, and therefore you should see such an investment as a long term thing. The potential to make good profit is there, but don’t expect to see £1 turn into £1000 overnight! And of course the investments will, as they’re abroad, be in non UK currency. This means that if the strength of the pound falls then your investment may lose value as it will be converted back to UK currency when you withdraw your final balance. Other than that the signs are exciting as emerging markets continue to grow and grow, meaning if you’re interested there really is no time like the present.

Fixed mortgages are often more optimal when the rates are stable or low and when they go up to help protect lenders. Keep in mind that fixed mortgages will only be this way for whatever the specified amount of time in the mortgage agreement is. After this period it will be up to you to find a different type of financing or stick with the variable rate mortgage. The truth of the matter is that the type of mortgage you opt for is going to depend greatly on your circumstances and your preferences.

The best way to determine the right kind of mortgage for you is to contact a mortgage advisor and sit down to discuss all of your options. An advisor can help you to understand the difference between the varieties of different loan options. Educating yourself before taking out a mortgage is never a bad idea. If you walk into any venture at all with your eyes closed or lacking knowledge it can result in undesirable consequences. When it comes to something as important as a commitment you make for a half a century it is even that much more important that you know the ropes and that you can distinguish between what will be ideal for you and what will not.

Any family member can help loved ones by investing in a funeral plan as early as possible. By making this sort of investment, a family member is showing others that they care. While it may seem morbid, this sort of insurance plan is the best way to show loved ones that they are protected, loved, and cared for in even the worst circumstances.

Funerals in Australia have become increasingly expensive over the last few years. Expenses for a funeral can be thousands of dollars. In a tough economy, many family members are not in the financial position to spend a few extra thousand dollars to cover such expenses. This is where a funeral plan can truly provide for a family and cover all of the necessary expenses. A funeral plan will cover everything from the cost of a casket to the hiring of someone to officiate the ceremony. In addition, venue expenses are also covered in this sort of life insurance plan as well. Overall, this type of insurance is a smart investment