accepted.co.uk - the loans search engine

Consumer confidence fell by four points in December, dropping from 51 to 47, according to a report.

News of troubled retailers and redundancies has dealt a blow to the economic expectations of Britons, Nationwide reveals.

Cash-strapped consumers did point out that now could be a good time to buy items such as fridges and television while the high street continues its discounting frenzy.

As such, taking out a small loan to cover the costs of home renovations and DIY could be an option that households wish to consider while materials and equipment might be cheaper.

Nationwide's chief economist Fionnuala Earley states that there are signs that individuals are taking steps to prepare for the financial challenges of 2009 "and this is likely to become more evident in the coming months as people take stock of how current and future economic conditions may impact on their personal circumstances".

Indeed, borrowing cash via secured loans could be one idea that people take into consideration when organising their financial situation.

However, Borro.com claims that going to a modern pawnbroker for a short-term loan is a viable option for struggling households.

The cost of Christmas could hit the pockets of consumers this January but people searching for credit may find that the banks have restricted their lending.

Such are the claims of Borro.com, which states that a modern day pawnbroker is one avenue which individuals might consider to help with their household cash flow.

Indeed, the online pawnbroker believes that it could become a mainstream service for people looking to obtain a short-term loan, secured against the value of goods they own and intend to keep.

"This year with the credit crisis and banks continuing to trim consumers' credit card limits, there will be fewer options than at any time in the last 30 years," claims Paul Aitken, founder and chief executive officer of Borro.com.

January is the month when access to personal credit is at its most restricted, he adds.

But cash-strapped consumers may also like to consider secured loans against their home, which could not only be more easily available, but may also be in a person's bank account within the same day.

Meanwhile, NS&I recently stated that falling costs in areas such as petrol and food could mean that more disposable income can be placed into a savings account.

Home improvements could help prevent people having to put in pricey claims for weather-damaged property, one sector organisation has advised.

As a cold snap sweeps Britain, Lloyds TSB Insurance has announced that it has seen a 15 per cent increase of claims for burst pipes, although this is expected to rise.

Indeed, the average cost of a claim for this incident occurring is £1,400, the insurer states, which may highlight the importance of weather-proofing a home and having a home insurance policy in place.

Homeowners may want to take out a loan to cover the cost of having heating appliances serviced and insulating outside taps, lag pipes and loft tanks, action which the firm says could avoid unnecessary damage.

"A little bit of preparation now could save you from having to deal with escaping water from burst pipes or a broken boiler," suggests managing director of Lloyds TSB Insurance Phil Loney.

As such, using credit such as secured loans to make extensive home improvements could avoid costly consequences further down the line.

Taking out secured loans may be an attractive financial option for many after uSwitch.com revealed that over a fifth of adults believe they will miss out on a pay rise this year.

More Britons will be able to boost their household coffers as price rises on everyday items start to ease.

Such is the claim of an NS&I spokesperson, who says that prices of utility bills, petrol and food may even reduce in cost, although some cash-strapped consumers still may need to rely on the financial crutch of a loan to cover any big new year ventures.

Indeed, over 50 per cent of UK adults claim they do not have enough money left from their income to put in a savings account.

"There are very few people in a position where they don't need to put some saving away to put them in a better position," the spokesperson continues.

He adds that 12 per cent of people claim that they do not need to save, or do not have the time.

As such, individuals looking for a quick cash injection may find secured loans to be an attractive choice, especially since the money could be paid into an account on the same day.

The amount of disposable income households saved, rather than spent, in the first quarter of 2008 stood at -1.1 per cent, although this improved to 0.4 per cent in the second quarter.

With over 20 per cent of adults in the UK believing that they will miss out on a wage increase this year, taking out a loan to cover 2009 ventures may be a plan of action that many have to take.

Furthermore, over nine million of workers are unsure whether they could find employment should they be made unemployed from their current job, uSwitch.com reveals.

And the total of such missed pay rises would total £3.1 billion this year, the website claims.

Indeed, such individuals looking for ways to finance a new car or home improvements may have to rely on secured loans instead, although these may be secured against a current property as protection for the lender.

"The onset of the recession can not be stopped and the threat of unemployment is still a very real fear," warns personal finance expert at uSwitch.com Louise Bond.

However, the website recently claimed that home heating bills can be slashed if people insulated their lofts to at least ten inches - a move which could be covered with a small personal loan.

Now could be the right time for Britons to take out a loan and start work on any home renovations that they may have been promising to do.

Indeed, a recent report by the Land Registry has noted that the average UK house price in November represents a 12.2 per cent decline from the same period in 2007 and a 1.9 per cent drop since October.

And while secured loans are potentially tied against a current property, such borrowing may be needed to cover the costs of home improvements to boost the value of a house once the market recovers.

This type of credit could not only be easier to obtain, but may also have a lower annual payment rate than other borrowing methods.

Furthermore, the Land Registry discovered that the value of homes have declined in every region in England and Wales.

Meanwhile, taking out a loan may be a necessity for some after David Kuo, head of personal finance at Fool.co.uk, said banks are going to cut available overdraft limits in 2009.

A financial freeze due to climbing energy bills can be thawed out if people follow the advice of one consumer website.

Such is the assertion of uSwitch.com, which states that switching from a standard to an online payment plan could see new customers save an average of £170.

Home improvements such as loft insulation with a depth of at least ten inches is another way that people can slash their home heating bills, the website claims.

But taking out a loan to pay for work on a property could be a wise move for those without the household coffers to cut their bills in the long term.

Secured loans - which could be paid into an account the same day - could provide the cash boost for those looking to get underway with their home improvements.

"You should also talk to your supplier to see if they can help you with a grant or funding towards more expensive energy efficiency steps such as insulating your home or getting an energy-efficient boiler," advises Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com.

Meanwhile, the Land Registry recently discovered that November's average house price of £161,883 represents a 1.9 per cent drop from October.

Britons looking to enjoy adventures during their retirement may find that the state pension is not enough to live on.

According to research by Friends Provident, £832 is the typical monthly amount that people believe will provide them with a comfortable retirement.

Over 50 per cent of individuals claim they will live partly or fully off the state pension - despite it currently standing at £439 for a single person.

"When the state pension was first paid in 1909, those people who qualified for it would have been delighted at the extra support it gave them in their retirement," comments Martin Palmer, head of corporate pensions marketing at Friends Provident .

As such, people who are looking to treat themselves to trips abroad or a new car may find that a loan is one way to provide the extra cash to fund such ventures.

Such an option may be a wise move after it was recently warned that credit card companies are going to become stricter about how much they lend, according to David Kuo, head of personal finance at the Motley Fool.

With an annual payment rate that could be lower than other loans, secured loans could be the financial solution for many people in their retirement.

Britons looking to take out a loan may find that banks are much stricter in what credit they let consumers have, a claim suggests.

People looking for money to cover the costs of new year ventures may also find that credit cards could start cutting the numbers they accept for their products, says David Kuo, head of personal finance at Fool.co.uk.

As such, individuals may find that their spending limits on the plastic have been reduced, he continues.

Commenting on the issue, Mr Kuo says that "you will find that whatever you have on your credit card will be over the limit if you are not very careful".

He adds that banks may also reduce overdrafts, which could mean that taking out credit such as secured loans is one way to obtain a cash boost in 2009.

Indeed, secured loans could be paid into an account on the same day with a low annual payment rate.

However, Sainsbury's Finance recently reported that competitive credit card deals are one reason why people are turning away from using debit cards.

The majority of Britons staying in to celebrate this new year's eve are doing so in order to shore up some cash for 2009.

Such is the assertion of NS&I, which found that 81 per cent of people surveyed are staying in because they believe there are better things they can spend their money on.

Indeed, people struggling to save money to fund a trip abroad, a home extension or a new car could boost their finances with a loan until their disposable income improves.

And of those who are set to go out, 59 per cent are hoping to attend free events to make the night as cheap as possible.

"It is good to see that people are finding creative and less expensive ways to celebrate in an attempt to avoid a new year hangover," says senior savings strategist from NS&I Dax Harkins.

As such, individuals needing a cash boost in the form of a loan may want to consider secured loans, which could see the money in their account within days.

But with 44 per cent of people surveyed by Lloyds TSB expecting prices to rise next year, a loan could indeed provide a much-needed cash injection to cover the cost of large ventures.