Motor Insurance: Careful planning is needed

People should take their time when searching for a new motor.

Buying a first car can be one of the most thrilling experiences in a young person's life, but there is one aspect of the process that requires serious consideration.

Motor insurance is a necessity for any driver and the challenge of finding a suitable deal can be a tough endeavour, especially for today's adolescents with the 'boy racer' tag often bestowed upon new male motorists.

And it seems this premonition is affecting the insurance deals young lads are able to obtain, making choosing the right policy all the more essential.

New research from moneysupermarket.com has found juvenile male drivers are paying an average of 79 per cent more for their car cover than their female counterparts.

The study revealed the cheapest premium for an 18-year-old guy driving a 1.4 litre Ford Fiesta is £4,897, but the average premium stands at a whopping £7,917 for a young bloke.

This is markedly more than the average amount paid by girls of the same age - £3,494 more in fact - as the usual premium for 18-year-old ladies is £4,422.

Chaps may rest assured that these prices will drop with the more experience they have on the road, but such variances suggest lads need to think long and hard about what cover to opt for.

Steve Sweeney, head of car insurance at the price comparison website, noted: "Many insurance companies view women as safer and more mature motorists and this is why their premiums are cheaper."

And boys will want to ensure they remain safe drivers once they get behind the wheel, as the portal warned a speeding conviction can add around eight per cent onto the average policy for a young adult.

What's more, offenders may also be hit with additional penalties of six points on their licence and on-the-spot fines.

And this warning is especially relevant in the light of new research from Admiral.

The car insurance expert revealed more than one-in-ten drivers in the UK have a speeding conviction to their name.

Moreover, the study found a mammoth 87 per cent of people admit to disobeying the speeding laws, while 69 per cent said they think the limit on the motorway should be upped to 80 mph or more.

Admiral managing director Sue Longthorn commented: "Our statistics show a worrying trend that people see the speed limit as simply a guide rather than a speed that's appropriate for that road."

So, individuals looking to gain and maintain cheap cover should be thoughtful in deciding what options to go for before purchasing a vehicle and should remain sensible when on the road to prevent being in breach of driving violations.

But what they shouldn't do is lie to get cheaper deals.

A report from swiftcover.com found many people are being dishonest about their claims and are trying to cheat the system.

The car insurer discovered as many as ten per cent of applicants do not disclose all of their previous claims but it stated the industry is clamping down on such fraudsters.

So, be warned. It is extremely useful to be on the lookout for less wallet-lightening premiums, but drivers should never resort to lying to knock a few quid off what they pay.

Young drivers face a tough decision when selecting the right deal - especially those attempting to overcome the 'boy racer' moniker.

But that cheaper cover can be found - it just requires patience, honesty and perhaps most importantly, continued discretion when on the road.

Changing career path 'a possibility' in these difficult times

Changing career paths can seem an awfully daunting prospect.

Having worked in the same or similar role for years, the thought of leaving all that behind and taking the bold step to head out of your comfort zone and go for something new is a difficult decision to make.

Yet, the choice could prove a success and the idea of having remained in your old job may soon seem a ludicrous option.

Altering a career path is scary but very often fulfilling, but in these times of economic instability and lack of employment security, such a move could soon become a necessity.

Losing a job can be disastrous, but those who have a contingency plan in place will be the ones to bounce straight back into the jobs market.

Writing for the Guardian, Mark King advised employees redundancy can also be seen as an opportunity.

The expert noted 610,000 jobs in the public sector alone are expected to be lost by 2015, but he claimed there are many options available to those forced out of the office.

Mr King observed: "You could look for a new permanent role, consider a portfolio career (where you take a number of part-time or freelance roles), start temporary or interim work, become self-employed, do volunteer work, train for a new career or think about a non-executive director role."

And perhaps one of the best ways to ensure a swift return to employment could be to focus on gaining qualifications in a field that you have always wanted to be involved in.

Part-time courses could offer individuals the chance to work their studies around their current jobs, while those thinking they would now like to hold a university degree may be encouraged by the words of Pam Tatlow, chief executive of higher education thinktank million +.

The industry expert noted: "There are calls of desperation from people who really haven't worked out that a degree qualification is still a much better basis for progression in terms of earnings."

She added such an achievement provides a much better basis for re-entry into the job market if a person happens to become unemployed.

Ms Tatlow added: "It would be much better to have people studying at universities than having them unemployed or taking jobs that people with lower qualifications could be taking."

And according to Mr King, taking a course of any type could be the ideal way for a worker to plug any gaps he or she may have on their CV.

But perhaps the key idea is for people to remain positive and stay reasonable with their expectations.

Mr King cited Corinne Mills, managing director of Personal Career Management, who said "reality-checking is key".

"Some people kneejerk into a similar role while others have the confidence to go for a promotion. Whatever you decide, make sure you are being realistic about your aims."

So, there you have it - a career change may seem frightening, yet it can also prove extremely rewarding.

Moreover, at this time in particular, the decision to make an alteration may even be one that is forced upon you.

Just make sure you are ready when it arrives.

Outdoor running - get fit for next to nothing

We're a country that has never been more obsessed with body image – everybody wants to look and feel the part to keep up with the daily demands of modern life.

Unfortunately, we are also a nation only just showing signs of economic recovery following the recession, meaning getting fit would have to be achieved on a budget.

With putting food on the family table more important than flouncing cash on a gym membership, the British public needs an alternative to costly get-fit-quick programmes and expensive home personal training equipment.

The answer, therefore, seems simple.

We need to don our running shoes and take to the streets – the population needs to rediscover the joys of jogging!

And not only can the practice help boost our fitness levels, it also gets us out in the open air and can even be done with friends – making it the ideal time to share the latest gossip or complain about our jobs.

Trotting around the block - as well as being more visually stimulating than being stuck indoors on a treadmill - also has a number of health motives, according to one expert.

Peter Hier, editor of Running 4 Women, said outdoor racing has numerous mental and physical benefits.

The specialist noted: "Mentally I think is the biggest advantage. Also there is what they call pronation – which is [caused by the fact] that no ground is perfectly flat."

He explained the unevenness of the surface means additional body parts are being worked as well as the usual muscle groups.

"Your ankle moves around and it strengthens nerve endings, in your ankle, knees and hips and develops muscles around those," Mr Hier went on to point out.

And for those of you not quite at the peak of your physical prowess - or simply not used to running around the block - the industry figure claimed newcomers should set out their training sessions by time, rather than distance, as this will allow for more structured runs.

So, street-running can be a fun, social and manageable way to get fit, but the main advantage in this time of economic uncertainty is surely its cheap cost.

The only expense that is absolutely necessary, Mr Hier advised, is purchasing a decent pair of trainers.

A pair of plimsoles will not cut the mustard when it comes to navigating roads as they will not provide the support needed.

This is especially true if a route involves all manner of terrains, including footpaths and tarmac.

The expert recommended: "It is important that you get your first pair of shoes correctly fitted so that you are wearing the right shoes."

He added: "Whether that be a cushioned shoe, a support shoe, or a neutral shoe, [getting them fitted] is vitally important."

And, according to research commissioned by Go Outdoors, it appears people in Britain are in desperate need of getting active.

The study revealed 40 per cent of the nation have never stood on top of a mountain, 50 per cent have yet to ride a horse and 41 per cent have not swam in natural water.

So what are you waiting for?

Get up, get out and get fit.

It is one of the only pastimes that doesn't require much financial outlay and it can be fitted in around the busiest of schedules – just don't forget the comfy trainers.