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The brain is the body’s command centre. Keeping it healthy and in good condition is vital for many of our daily activities.
When we eat, we do not pay attention to it, but a good diet can improve its capabilities and functioning. 60% of the brain is fat, and fat is necessary for properly-functioning synapses, i.e. communication between brain cells. Fat also has another function: to preserve the brain cells from external damage.

We are all exposed to different sources of stress over the course of the day. Sometimes, that stress gives us the energy we need to undertake a project or activity. That is positive stress, called eustress, which gives us the level of activation and concentration necessary to do our daily tasks. When that stress is excessive and continues over time, it can have negative consequences on our health: irritability and sudden changes in mood, sleeping problems, anxiety, muscle pains and headaches, digestive disorders…

As is often the case when it comes to finance, the world of loans seems to have its own language and can get complicated, very quickly.

Here we aim to explain some of the language and answer some of the common questions about loans, to help you if the need to borrow money ever arises.

What is a loan?

Loans come in all shapes and sizes; from a friend lending you £5, to a mortgage to buy a home. However, the principle of all loans is the same. A loan is an agreement between you and a lender where they give you money, and you agree to pay it back.

Second part of Reducing the cost of debt post.
 

Tip 5: Re-mortgaging to pay off debt

Secured debt, such as a mortgage, tends to offer the cheapest form of borrowing. You could consider borrowing more on your mortgage to pay off expensive unsecured debt such as credit cards, unsecured loans, and overdrafts.

Whilst most people will have some sort of debt to manage their finances, the aim with debt should always be to repay it as quickly as possible whilst paying the least amount of interest along the way.

Here are eight tips to help reduce the cost of your debt.

How your identity can be stolen?

Traditionally, criminals needed physical information to steal someone’s identity. They got this by:

• Stealing a purse/wallet/bag.
• Rummaging through a bin for documents.
• “Skimming” a bank or credit card at a cash machine or card terminal.
• Stealing post.

However, because we now live in a digitally connected world, physical access to documents and information is no longer essential for a criminal to steal someone’s identity. Technology means they can get what they need via:

Protecting Your Identity

Identity Theft and Identity Fraud are the fastest growing crimes in Europe and the US with around 1 in 10 of us falling victim to these crimes each year. Criminals are using increasingly sophisticated and convincing methods to separate us from our hard-earned cash, and the money they are stealing is also helping fund terrorism and the illegal drugs trade.

So, what can you do to avoid becoming a victim of Identity Theft and Identity Fraud?

1. Get to grips with how much you owe

The first thing to do is to understand the full extent of your debts. For each debt you have, try writing down how much you owe, the minimum payment you need to pay each month, the interest rate you’re paying on the debt and when you need to pay it by. It may seem scary at first but putting your debts down on paper will be the first step in taking control and working out a plan of what to do.

2. Prioritise your debts