As the long winter evenings draw in no doubt the chillier weather will soon have us turning to the boiler for comfort. But with the credit crunch continuing to bite, it might pay to consider your options when it comes to saving energy. So we've come up with a few pointers on where and how to save money by insulating your home.

Top insulation searches:

1. Grants for insulation
2. Home insulation
3. Hot water boiler
4. Cavity wall insulation
5. Buy loft insulation
6. Roof insulation grants
7. Window insulation
8. Cavity wall materials
9. Loft insulation installers
10. Hot water heating system

Around a third of all the heat lost in the home is through un-insulated walls. If your home has cavity walls then filling the gaps can insulate your home and, according to the Energy Saving Trust, save you around £115 a year on your fuel bills. For solid walls, try insulating under floorboards and sealing any chilly gaps and cracks around skirting boards yourself.

Similarly, loft insulation will keep the cold out and the warmth in. Even if your loft is already insulated, it might just pay to top up what's already there. Loft insulation is effective for at least 40 years, so the yearly savings will soon pay for the installation.

Check your pipe and water tank insulation. Fitting a new 75mm hot water cylinder jacket will save you more than double what it costs, while insulating hot water pipes will cost around £10... a seriously cost effective way to cut heat loss by a whopping 75%.

On the costlier side, double glazing will create an insulating barrier where it is much needed. When shopping around, look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo to ensure the best energy efficiency. For those on a budget, secondary glazing can prove a less expensive option. You'll enjoy not only reduced heat loss, but also a quieter evening in.

The best news if you're looking to insulate your home is that government grants are available so make sure you check what you're entitled to... you could ultimately save yourself a bundle.

Sometimes the worst does happen and that's when you feel glad you got your car or home insurance policy. But what would you do if something, god forbid, happened to your dog's ears, or to your moustache or even your guitar carved from a pumpkin? These people all made sure they were prepared for the unexpected.

Top insurance searches:

1. Insurance quote comparisons
2. Life insurance quotes
3. Contents insurance
4. House insurance
5. Pet insurance
6. Health insurance
7. Car insurance
8. Cheap travel insurance
9. Pensions insurance
10. Dental insurance

Ever insured something unusual? Leave a comment and tell us about it.

With the recession continuing to bite and confidence in the banks at an all time low, it will come as no surprise that many customers are switching service providers. But according to the results of a new survey, service is higher on our list of priorities than rates when it comes to banking. In fact, 21 per cent of those polled said they had changed bank during the past two years due to bad customer service.

Top banking searches:

1. Branch banking
2. Lloyds
3. Barclays home banking
4. Phone bank
5. High street bank
6. Compare bank accounts UK
7. Bank branch locator
8. Banking customer service
9. Bank website
10. Natwest

The news comes just as Alistair Darling is set to announce the break up of Lloyds Banking Group in a bid to boost competition within the banking sector. The survey, conducted by business advice group Deloitte, also revealed that 66 per cent hold a current account with the bank that provides the best service, compared with only 30 per cent opting for the highest interest rate offered.

Face-to-face advice and access to a local branch were also important to consumers, despite online and telephone banking being offered by the majority of banks. Over half of people said they would only open a savings account with a bank that they could visit, while 65 per cent were persuaded to take out a mortgage after speaking face-to-face with an advisor. Six out of 10 people confirmed that they were more likely to bank with those that had branches opening at weekends and during the evening.

Neil Tomlinson, head of retail banking consulting at Deloitte, said: "The importance of branches in the banking sector must not be underestimated. Branches remain the primary channel through which banks interact with many of their customers and any businesses considering expanding their remit to include banking services will need to incorporate a branch network."

Have you changed banks because of poor customer service? Or is it the best interest rates that you look for? Tell us about it by leaving a comment.

The Government has told credit card companies that they must "get their act together" and has brought forward plans to prevent consumers being lumbered with unsustainable debts. A consultation document has been launched on changes to industry practices and aims ultimately to secure a better deal for borrowers.

Top credit card searches:

1. Credit card issuer
2. Raise credit limit
3. Interest rates forecast
4. Credit card payment calculators
5. Eliminate credit card debt
6. Managing finance
7. Store card
8. Monthly interest calculator
9. Credit card rights
10. Credit card debt elimination

Currently credit and store cards often make customers pay off the cheapest debt first, while expensive borrowing, such as cash withdrawn on a credit card, is left until last. The Government will consider rules that would change that so that the most expensive debt is the first to be paid off, as well as raising minimum monthly repayments so that customers are not saddled with decades of debt.

Kevin Brennan, the Consumer Minister, said: "Card companies have to get their act together and do more for consumers. My opinion is clear, the current relationship between card companies and consumers cannot go unchallenged. We need to put the customer back in the driving seat."

Unexplained rises in interest rates and increasing credit limits without customer consent are also under consideration.

Mr Brennan added: "It is not acceptable for card companies to impose complex and confusing terms and conditions that can leave people baffled, or to increase interest rates without a proper explanation. Consumers have a real responsibility to manage their finances properly, but they also have a right to clear information to enable them to do that. Consumers should not feel each month as if they've been exploited or disadvantaged."

Fiona Hoyle, head of consumer finance at the Finance and Leasing Association, insisted: "We will be working closely with the Government on the practical implications of their proposals to ensure a fair deal for all."

The consultation will run until January 19.

They're the bane of many an evening in, but today the government has unveiled new plans to clamp down on the companies that plague customers with silent calls.

Top call centre searches:

1. Stop cold calling
2. Stop nuisance phone calls
3. Call centres
4. Call centre agents
5. Ofcom
6. Ex directory phone numbers
7. Telephone call screening
8. Call display
9. Nuisance phone calls
10. Call blocking

The calls occur when call centres using automated machine systems generate more calls than the agents are able to deal with. All too often the customer is never connected to a call centre agent and is instead greeted only by silence.

Communications regulator, Ofcom, receives around 400 complaints a month and carried out research earlier this year that revealed 49% of adults were "very inconvenienced" by silent calls.

Over 35% of over-65s, for whom silent calls can be worrying, said they had received such calls.

Currently, companies that persist in making silent calls can be fined up to £50,000 but the government's proposal means that the fine could be increased to a maximum of £2m.

Treasury minister Stephen Timms, who is implementing the Digital Britain plan, said: "Silent calls can cause a great deal of annoyance and distress, particularly to the elderly and vulnerable when their phone rings but no one is on the end of the line.

"Often the caller's number is withheld so the individual who has been dialled has no idea who is calling them.

"We want to send a clear message to those companies that are persistently abusing these automated calling systems that this will not be tolerated and there is a price to pay."

Paper tax returns have to be completed by the 31st October. They're a pain to fill in but a necessary evil for self-employed, high earners and certain other people. The good thing about them is they make you pay attention to how much you're being taxed - very often people are taxed more than they should be. Research has shown that this year over £10billion of avoidable tax will be paid. Read on for some tips on how to pay less tax.

Top tax searches:

1. Tax rebate calculator
2. Filing a tax return
3. Paying too much tax
4. AOL Money's tax page
   
5. Self employed tax calculation
6. Late tax returns
7. Free online tax calculator
8. How long to keep tax records
9. Tax record keeping
10. Business tax return

For more tax information, read AOL Money's articles about the tax handbook, unclaimed children's tax allowances and filing tax returns.

If you're employed, your company probably does your tax deduction for you. Make sure you check your payslip carefully. If your tax code is wrong you could be paying too much tax. The revenue and customs website explains all about tax codes, as does the government website Directgov.

Many people are unaware they are entitled to tax credits, which are available to low earners and families with children. Find out if you are entitled to tax credits by taking a questionnaire at the HMRC website.

Your savings won't be taxed if you earn less than the personal allowance, which is £6,035 for those under 65. Your bank can give you a form R85 which will prevent tax being deducted from your savings, rather than waiting for a rebate. If you open an ISA for your savings, this will be tax free up to £3,600 a year in cash. If you have children, the R85 form can be useful again since most likely your child will not use their personal allowance with earnings and can save more without being taxed.

A final way to get some of your tax back is by checking your council tax banding. If your house is in the wrong band then one phone call could rectify this and also land a fat cheque in your lap.
Do you think we pay too much tax in the UK? Do you know of any good tips for cutting your tax payments? - legit ones please! Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Being made redundant, especially if it's unexpected, can be daunting and distressing news, but it needn't be such a terrible thing if you look at it as a new opportunity or change of direction in life. If you've been made redundant or think you will be, check out our top web searches for advice and tips.

Top redundancy searches:

1. Coping with redundancy
2. Find a new job
3. Voluntary redundancy
4. Employment search
5. Redundancy entitlements
6. Job agencies
7. Redundancy advice
8. Job vacancies
9. How to find a good job
10. Information on redundancy

And for more advice, read AOL Money's articles about coping with redundancy, top tips and how to survive losing your job. Before you accept your redundancy, if you're not happy about it you should be aware of your rights. For example, your employer should give you 30 day's notice and if there are more than 100 jobs being cut they should give 100 day's notice. Also employers are required to try to find an alternative role in the company if possible and you should receive notice pay or redundancy pay depending on how long you've had your job. Read your contract carefully to see what you're entitled to. In some cases, it's possible to take your employer to a tribunal and contest their decision.

Once you've been made redundant you will have to make sure your finances are in order. You need to assume you won't have any income indefinitely and budget accordingly. Make sure you receive all the benefits you are entitled to from your company and from your benefits office.

The next step of course is to find a new job. In the meantime you could think about retraining and starting a new career. You could take a career break - many people take gap years later in their lives. There are lots of careers advice services available online and at your local job centre that can help you polish your CV and practice your interview skills.

Have you been made redundant or are you facing the prospect? Is it good or bad news and how do you plan to cope? Leave a comment and share your experiences.

It's a tough time financially for most people at the moment so any extra ways of making cash are very welcome. Television programmes about making money from hidden treasures found in your house are still popular and it's no surprise since it's just possible that you could make a lot of money from your home. The BBC's 'Cash in the attic' experts claim that, "Anywhere between £100 and £500 worth of junk is stored in the average three-bedroom semi-detached attic." The secret to making money is recognising items of value and selling them in the right places. Check out our top related web searches.

Top cash in your attic searches:

1. Antique appraisers
2. Old book values
3. Internet auctions
4. Sell your jewellery
5. Declutter my home
6. Selling collectibles
7. LP record value
8. Auction website
9. Sell your stuff
10. Value of collectibles

If your home is packed to the rafters with stuff, there's a chance that something of value will be lurking there so the first thing you have to do is declutter and sort. Separating items into boxes labelled 'keep', 'car boot' and 'auction' will make the process more organised. Items that belong in the 'auction' box will be things like ceramics - brands like Royal Doulton, books - although they need to be rare or first editions, comics - anything old and in good condition, old toys especially things like Thunderbirds and Star Wars, figurines made by Beswick are highly collectable, rare records and computers, such as 1970s games consoles like Sinclairs and Ataris. Everything has to be in excellent condition and being boxed will make them worth between 20% and 50% more.

To value items you can look on online auction sites and compare what similar items are selling for. At the same time you could list your item for sale. If you want to have your items valued professionally, this will cost you so make sure the item's value will cover your loss.

Next you need a place to sell your stuff. The best place is probably an online auction because you can set a reserve so you don't let your figurine go for a pittance. Car boot sales are also a great place to get rid of lots of stuff but be prepared for some hardened hagglers to batter down your prices. Also bring plenty of change with you. If you have an item which is of real value you may want to take it to an auction house. These places often offer free appraisals and have specialist sales for furniture or toys and will have very particular buyers.

Do you think you have cash in your attic? Ever found something valuable in your home?Leave a comment and share your experiences.

For all of you who are under the age of 60 - bad luck, you're going to have to work more years than your elders. That's what the new rules concerning the age at which you get your state pension means. The reasons for increasing the pensionable age is that the average life expectancy is rising and also the average population is rising. These two factors combined mean that if nothing is done, there will be more pensioners than people paying National Insurance and therefore there will be no pension fund left for people to receive. If you will be relying on your company pension, read about defined contribution company pension schemes here. Check out some top pension related searches and then read on to find out how the pensions changes will affect you.

Top pension searches:

1. UK state pension age
2. Pension calculator
3. Pension providers
4. Pensions advice
5. Compare pensions
6. Pensions insurance
7. Company pensions
8. Best pension
9. Pension transfers
10. Pensions management

So how many more years can you expect to wait for your state pension? If you are a man it stays the same - you receive your pension aged 65. For women the age will gradually increase from 60 to 65 between 2010 and 2020. Then we can expect to see the age increase from 65 to 68 for both men and women. This will take place between 2024 and 2046. So if you were born in 1960 you would have to wait until you're 66 years old before you receive your pension. And if you're born after 1980 you'll have to wait until you're 68.

These changes to the pension age suggest a future in which many of us will be working into our old age, investing in private pensions or finding other investment opportunities to support ourselves in retirement. Will you be affected by the change to the pension age? Does it worry you that you'll have to wait longer to receive your state pension of did you not think you would have to rely on it anyway? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Starting out with the cheaper options and moving up to the big guns, here are 10 ways you can increase the value of your home that will impress potential buyers so much, they won't know what hit them. Check out AOL Property for more tips and Zoopla to value your property.

1. Keep it clean- this is something that is so simple and affordable to do but makes a huge difference. Even though people know the house they'll be buying won't contain all your stuff, sometimes it is hard to see past any clutter to what the house has to offer. So make sure you de-clutter and tidy your home and keep pets out of sight.


2. Brighten things up - introducing strategically placed lamps and lighting will create a pleasant atmosphere and if a house hunter 'falls in love' with your home then you're bound to make money.


3. Energy efficiency - being green could certainly improve your property's value and you needn't go so far as to install solar panels or composting toilets. Cavity wall and loft insulation are relatively cheap to install in your house (about £200 each) and they will make yearly savings on heating bills.


4. Roofs and gutters - make sure you have no missing roof tiles and your gutters and drains are clear. You can get new guttering at a reasonable price and when the potential buyer has the survey done, your house will pass with flying colours.


5. Garden - if you have a garden then make the most of it because it's bound to add value to your property. Try to work out who your target demographic is - would your potential buyer prefer decking or a lawn or landscaping? Although it could work out more profitable for you to spruce it up yourself rather than spend a lot of money on something you don't plan to keep.


6. Period features - if you have covered-up fireplaces then uncover and restore them as period fireplaces are very attractive to house hunters. Or perhaps you have some original wood flooring hiding beneath your carpet?


7. Creating space - many younger buyers are attracted to open-plan living and it could be worthwhile opening up smaller rooms into a larger space. However, this would be an ambitious project to embark on without getting expert advice first


8. Garages - if it's possible you might consider adding a garage to your property. They are very desirable since they create extra storage space and can reduce insurance premiums for car owners. A new garage could cost up to £25,000 but might increase your home's value by 10%


9. New kitchen - if your kitchen is a little old-fashioned then the best big project you could do to raise your house's value is to get it refitted.


10. Extensions - adding extra space to a house whether it's an extension on the side or a loft conversion will greatly increase the value of your house. This project will require a big outlay but the return should make it all worthwhile.

The future of energy bills seems pretty grim with suppliers bumping up their prices as the cost of gas and electricity continues to increase. While you can't negotiate with your supplier about the cost per unit of energy, there are various things you can do to be energy efficient and help reduce your bills. Firstly, check out the top searches in energy bills.
Top energy searches:

1. Compare gas prices
2. Compare electricity prices
3. Gas and electricity supplier
4. Renewable energy
5. Save money on bills
6. Energy efficiency
7. Solar electricity
8. Energy management solutions
9. Fuel bills
10. Green electricity

In the kitchen there are many ways you can cut down the amount of energy you use. If you use a gas hob, make sure that the flames do not lick the sides of the pan - if they do then the hob is too high. Electric toasters and kettles are more energy efficient than using the grill or a hot plate, and if you're looking for a new cooker, get a fan assisted oven as these do not need much preheating and they cook faster. When doing your washing up, you can rinse the dishes in cold water instead of hot, and when doing the laundry - as you've no doubt heard before - you can wash at 30º, make sure you do a full load every time and then dry your clothes outdoors or on a rack.

Around the house you can cut down on energy by wrapping up warm! If you turn down your heating during the winter as much as you can bear and wear warm clothes you could reduce your heating bill by 10%. Using the time controller on your heating is good way to make sure your house is only heated when you need it to be and if you usually have your heating on at night, switch it off and get a thicker duvet! Putting reflective panels behind your radiators (these can even be tin foil) will increase their efficency, and if you make sure your curtains are closed at dusk, they will help keep heat from escaping.

Getting your house properly insulated - walls, loft, gaps in the skirting board, double glazing - all these things will make huge savings on your heating bills. And of course there are all the little things you've probably already done or are meaning to do such as using energy saving bulbs, switching off lights if you don't need them, showering instead of bathing, defrosting your fridge and freezer regularly and letting hot foods cool before putting them in the fridge.

Do you have any tips for saving on your energy bills? Pass them on by leaving a comment here.

Top overseas property searches:

1. French property
2. Morocco properties
3. Villas abroad
4. Buying property abroad
5. Overseas mortgages
6. Cyprus property
7. Moving abroad
8. Overseas property
9. Property investors
10. Apartments abroad

How many times have you dreamt of winning the lottery and moving to a hotter country? Buying a house abroad doesn't have to involve millions of pounds and it can be a great investment - whether you use the house to rent out for extra income and as your holiday home, or if you intend to retire there.

When deciding on your perfect location, have a good think about what you prefer - towns, countryside, beaches, mountains. Check out where the nearest shops and attractions are - especially if it will be a rental property. How convenient is it to reach from the airport, what's the electricity supply like? You'll have to visit the area to get a good idea of it. The most important thing about buying property abroad is to a lot of detective work. If you were buying a hous in the UK you would want to find out as much as you can before doing so. The same applies even more so for a foreign investment. Speak to estate agents and property developers, check out online forums for advice.

It is possible to buy an overseas property with a mortgage of up to 75-80 percent of the property's value. You can do this through a UK mortgage broker or with a bank in the country that your house is located in. If you plan to rent the property and would be paid rent in another currency it might be best to take out the mortgage in the same currency - this can also be useful if the exchange rates are favourable. When planning your finances to buy an overseas property, bear in mind there are other fees you'll have to pay: notaries, estate agents, solicitors and taxes. Do your homework before making any offers!

There's a lot of legal work involved with buying abroad, and foreign laws can be confusing and frustrating so make sure you seek appropriate advice. For example, if you buy in Spain and decide to live there for more than six months, you'll need to apply for a 'residencia' to become a resident. Doing this can be advantageous as you'll pay lower taxes. Make sure when the contracts are drawn up you read them carefully - and that you can understand the language!

If owning a home abroad is your dream, remember that it's not a simple process but it is definitely achievable. Do you own a foreign property or are you planning to buy one? Leave a comment and tell us what you think.

Top pension searches:

1. Best pension provider
2. How to retire early
3. Retirement planners
4. Stakeholder pensions
5. Stock investment
6. Cash advances for retired
7. Pension protection
8. Private pensions
9. SIPP pension
10. Retirement abroad

When you're young and carefree, the last thing on your mind is how you will provide for yourself financially in your old age. Then as you get older and financial security becomes more of a priority, you're faced with so many different investment options it's hard to know where to put your money. But if you don't plan carefully, you could end up relying on the state pension of around £100 a week, and this amount is likely to decrease over time - and if retirement is a long way off for you, who knows if it will still be available by then?

Investing in a private pension used to be considered an excellent plan because the money you put aside in your youth should grow to a considerable size by the time you retire. But with the current grim economic climate, people are rapidly losing faith in pension providers. They are having to consider ways of protecting their savings as well as knowing how best to invest, and are seeking alternative means of investment such as ISAs, bonds, shares and property. Although, these alternatives aren't necessarily secure either. Also, by investing in a private pension you could jeopardise your chances of means-tested benefits in the future.

Nobody wants to work beyond retirement age or lose money through unsecured investments. Perhaps the answer is to have your fingers in many different pies - if you're able. But whatever you do, plan as early as possible!

Are pensions worthwhile these days? Please leave a comment and share your advice and experiences.

If you're a homeowner you're probably feeling more than a little concerned with the current economic climate and it's effect on the housing market. Property prices have been plummeting and many people fear they are losing money. Over the course of this year it will be difficult to make any price predictions due to the volatile market. However, most likely we won't see an improvement for some time - maybe not until 2010 or 2011 - and in the meantime prices may decline further.

To get an idea of how much your house is worth, you can check online for estimates of property prices. This will also give you an idea of how much similiar properties have sold for and are being advertised at so you can guage what a buyer might be prepared to spend. For more in depth information such as viewings to sales ratios and the valuation service used by surveyors and mortgage lenders, you can use Hometrack's website, if you don't mind spending some money for their services.

Even during this current property slump many people are keen to sell their homes. Sales are being completed, although not at the inflated prices of the last couple of years and not as speedily either. Properties are being snapped up by European buyers who are in a prime position to buy since the euro is getting stronger against the pound. So if you are keen to sell your house at the moment, aiming for the European market might well be in your interest! Another option for those eager to sell is to do so independently, without going through an agent. Although this can be risky, you can save a lot of money in fees. Be sure to look up tips on improving your house's chances of selling and property advice.

The alternative, of course, is to stay put and wait until the market improves but this may not be a viable option for some people. Are you worried about your property devaluing or are you happy to ride the storm? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Top property searches:

1. Property price valuation
2. House mortgages
3. Estate agent
4. Overseas property
5. Sell property
6. Private house sales
7. Compare house prices
8. Find a house
9. Sell my house
10. Home worth

The hot topic online today is Alistair Darling's Budget. The outcome of his report seems to indicate that the country's higher earners are to be penalised, but there is some good news for savers and pensioners. Here is the Hot Search brief Budget breakdown:

• Alcohol: spirits up 13p a bottle, wine up 4p a bottle, beer up 1p a pint
• Petrol up 2p a litre from September
• Cigarettes up 7p for a packet of 20
• Pension up 2.5%
• Income tax up to 50% for those paid over £150k
• ISA limit increase from £7,200 to £10,200
• Drivers given £2000 off a new car when trading in old
• Stamp duty holiday extended for properties under £175,000
• £500m goes to housing projects inc £100m for energy efficient homes
• £50m goes to armed forces housing
• £50b to boost mortgage lending
• Airport taxes to increase
• Increase in national debt will cause the pound to weaken making travelling more expensive
• £1.7b to Job Centres, guaranteed jobs for under 25s who are out of work for a year

These are some of the key changes that will affect our everyday lives. And of course there was the unsurprising news that the economy will take longer to recover than previously forecast. So it seems as though we'll all have to try to look on the bright side - which is a little easier to do in the current pleasant climate. Apart from Budget searches, the weather has been a popular search over the past few days as everyone is desperately hoping this warm spell will continue. Unfortunately, judging by the BBC, the weekend is looking rather damp, so enjoy the sun while it lasts!

Top searches for April 23rd, 2009:

1. Budget 2009 - some unsurprising measures revealed
   
2. Coleen Nolan - reveals her tragic childhood
   
3. Susan Boyle - reports of a movie biopic
4. M1 wrong way crash - victims of accident named
   
5. Hell's Kitchen - Bruce Grobbelaar quits
6. Over counter diet pill - 'Alli' available without this prescription this week
7. Bonjela ban - may cause deadly disease in under 16s
8. UK weather - so far so good!
9. Andrei Arshavin - scored four goals against Liverpool in a league game
10. London Marathon - taking place this Sunday