Chewing the fat, shooting the breeze, having a natter - call it what you like, talking to people is darn important and everyone should do it as often as they can (except in libraries). We talk to our members as much as possible, through our blog and discussion board and by getting people to email contactus@zopa.com if anything's on their mind.

Having an expensive water feature in your glass-fronted, white marble lobby may make you feel good in the morning, but chances are it doesn't help the people who actually use your company. That's why the Zopa head office is pretty low-key, and the closest thing we have to a water feature is a tap.

Dec 17 2007

People should clear Christmas debts “as quickly as possible”

People in debt following the festive season "should be thinking about clearing that debt as quickly as possible", according to AWD Chase de Vere.

A savings manager from the company, Susan Hannums, said that the interest rates on debt will be higher than the annual interest rates on people's savings.

Ms Hannums added that forward planning for the next year would help people work out how much they owed and the quickest way to get out of debt.

"If you can afford to put a little bit aside like, say, for forward planning for Christmas, it doesn't hurt – even if it's just ten, twenty pounds.

"It all helps for next year, and obviously it will stop you from needing to get into debt next year," she continued.

According to research from Credit Action, released in January this year, UK personal debt has exceeded £1.25 trillion.

© Adfero Ltd

This entry is filed under Personal finance - stories of the day.

« Brits urged to “protect their homes over Christmas”

Mortgage lenders target “better qualified people” »