In the UK, savers have had to become investors

The way people save has undergone a fundamental shift, but not a lot of people have noticed the change.

Traditionally, people would save into a high interest savings account, where the interest rate would be reasonably competitive, could vary from time to time, with higher rate accounts offering higher returns the less you touched your money (ie, notice accounts).

Those people with a lot of money to save would often look to save their money in multiple accounts with multiple savings providers, and those subject to higher rate income tax would probably focus more on putting their savings into an offshore bank account.

While there were additional tax free savings options, such as TESSA's, PEP's, then ISA's, and variations on savings such as the premium bonds, that was as complicated as it got.

Those who did not want to invest in stocks and shares, mutual funds or index funds, futures, bonds, or other investment vehicles as part of a portfolio, remained just savers.

What has happened since the financial crisis impacted is now those savers have become investors, without realising it.

Savings rates have been slashed as the Bank of England dropped rates to the record lows of 0.5% - with both current account and savings account rates following suit.

The result? Most current accounts now pay 0% interest, and savings accounts rarely offer more than 1.5% .

However, many savings providers are now offering higher rate savings through fixed rate bond accounts, where interest rates can be 4% or more above the Bank of England's base rate, so long as you lock you money in to the account for two, three, or five years.

The result is a major change in the savings landscape that few have even noticed, as savers are now finding themselves forced into putting their money into bonds for a fixed term. In effect, they are now investing in investment products, rather than saving in savings products.

The surprise is that only a few savings and investment brokers have noticed this change

While some commentators have suggested that 2009 saw the growth of green shoots in the economy, others remain adamant that we are looking at a W shaped recession.

Either way, it looks like the savings landscape is not going to change any time soon, and that fixed term plans will continue to force savers to become investors in all but name.

Moving to BT broadband

Well, it looks as though I'm finally moving ISP from Zen back to BT broadband, as I just called Zen for a MAC code.

It's a shame, really, as Zen has a far better reputation for service and support than BT, but the problem of wireless interference is a constant and annoying problem.

Plus BT are offering mobile broadband with their new broadband packages, and free BT openzone minutes, which will be very useful for business travel.

The caveat is that the pricing on the BT website is quite misleading, as those shown only apply to certain exchanges (apparently) plus they include 24-month pricing, which can take as much as 25%-30% off the 12-month price (so Option 3 is £45+VAT over 24 months, or £30+VAT over 12 months).

Still, at least I know from experience that the BT router supplied is far less susceptible to wireless intereference.

Which is very important, because if I couldn't get decent business broadband, I'd have to consider more serious broadband connection packages, such as a leased line or custom business SDSL, both of which are priced higher than normal mass-market broadband packages.

In the meantime, I can only hope the move to BT goes smoothly, and that I don't end up getting caught up in their cold automated support process - as BT customer service is not renown for being good.

UK economic collapse in play

The more I read about the impact of the financial crisis in the UK, the more it feels that the UK is doomed economically, and that the best option now while you have cash in Great British Sterling is to cash out and move aborad to somewhere more financially sound - ie, not threatened with collapse by the weight of its own debt.

That may seem somewhat alarmist, but despite the claims of "green shoots" earlier in the year, we have not seen any signs that the economy is returning to normal. In fact, anything but, and that at best we're moving into a "lost decade" similar as to what happened to Japan.

Britain's debt to GDP is spiralling out of control, and even measures to reduce costs being mooted by Labour and the Conservatives are plain in their limitations - we are in far too much of a hole to be able to dig us out even within the next Parliament. It's going to take a full decade to even begin to expect to bring British debt to normality, and during this period, there is no reason to presume the economy will fare any better.

Repossessions continue to be high, insolvencies are expected to increase, and consumer debt is growing through credit cards and loans at a time when paying are supposedly paying off debt. Unemployment continues to increase in leaps and bounds (forget that's its slowing - double dip, people), and rather than help employers hire, the government is actually going to tax companies more for employing people.

In the meantime, ratings agencies expect at least a further 15% fall in house prices in the UK, and at a time when the market is limping forward, the FSA wants to bring in tougher rules on mortgages, while at the same time demanding banks hoard more cash.

And that's before we even get into the threats of deflation and unknown consequences of "Quantitive Easing".

The result of all these pieces in play can hardly be good for Britain - worsening debt, worsening access to credit, worsening consumer spending, falling asset prices, etc. The strategies in play may be different to Japan in the 90's, but the state of play is looking increasingly like it.

The problem, of course, is that while matters are exacerbated in the UK, these are afflictions across the world economy. So where is safe?

The answer is relative - the financial crisis is firmly rooted in the US and Europe, and while other areas have been impacted, their fundamantals have been far less knocked by comparison.

Asia remains strong and a bulwark so far against global financial collapse. While no doubt asset bubbles there are growing, they still don;t have the problem of being so invested in complex debt instruments that have so far crippled US and European banks.

Personally speaking, Thailand looks idyllic, but remains subject to Typhoons, as does much of East Asia. A good place to consider investing in, though.

South America is another emerging economy as well, not least in terms of investments, such as land for sale Brazil & property for sale Brazil. If South America itself seems a little rough, you could always consider moving towards central America, not least Panama, which remains under US control, and still offers a lot of decent property for sale Panama.

Australia or New Zealand could even be places worth considering moving to - close enough to Asia to feel the economic benefit, but heavily Anglicised.

In the meantime, now seems to be the moment to batten down the hatches or move on - economic power is clearly heading East, and to developing nations, and for those who remain, only the prophets of doom are left to comfort us.

Phone and broadband clash

I don't normally write about technical issues. Though I can use computer technology, it all goes over my head and I don't have a clue how it all works.

I've come across an interesting problem while setting up my home office, though - wireless interference.

I was originally with BT as my ISP for broadband, but after previous problems with the company I decided quality of service was more important than price, so I moved to Zen Internet.

They sold me a Thomson TG784 router with the package, and all seemed to be running fine.

Until I bought a nice cordless phone, a Panasonic KX for the home office.

Both work very well and as required most of the time, but the problem is that whenever anybody rings, the broadband cuts out.

The result is quite annoying, especially as I keep getting sales calls from loan companies using autodiallers - which disconnects the internet every time, even when I pick up the phone on the first ring.

I've contacted Zen about the problem, but they haven't been much help at all. And I wouldn't expect much from Panasonic as the phone does exactly what is expected from it.

I was beginning to think I needed a different business broadband service. After all, there is a myriad of types to choose from - ADSL, SDSL, bonded broadband and even leased lines. And don't forget the satellite option!

Apparently, though, wireless interference is not all that uncommon.

The frustration is that if wireless interference is such a problem, then why is more effort not made by manufacturers to minimise the risk of it happening in

the first place?

This is especially when there appears to be quite a push to make much of home networking wireless.

It looks as though I will now have to look at changing my router to one that runs on a different frequency. which is obviously going to be cheaper than

having to get a new type of broadband installed.

It is still a pain, though. Still, I do not think I am the only one who has never got frustrated over a computer issue!

Onshore and offshore savings options

One of the more highlighted features of the financial crisis is that savings rates have plummeted on savings accounts. Anyone who has diligently saved over the past few years now faces being punished by existing low interest rates for savers. However, now that the threat of financial collapse is receding, savers are reportedly worrying less about how safe their money is, as much as getting decent returns on savings. This is especially important because the volume of savings in the UK has actually gone up, even though many current accounts are paying little interest - with some even paying zero interest. However, there are still options for serious savers to get a decent rate of return on savings.

Firstly, there are still a number of UK accounts which will provide a return of around 4-5%, as recently highlighted in the Telegraph, plus ThisIsMoney lists a number of internet-based savings accounts which offer better savings returns. The problem is, many of these set limits in place for issues such as missed payments or withdrawal frequency, offer decent interest only for a limited period, or else have limited bonuses in place to boost the savings rate. The disappointment is compounded by the fact that building societies used to be more competitive on savings rates, but at present they seem more focused on longer-term savings such as cash ISA savings accounts and eBonds.

The second option is to go offshore - which may raise jitters for some after the crash of Icelandic banks at the end of last year. However, offshore accounts are still generally offering better rates than high street banks, even where the bank owns the offshore savings company. This is actually a key point, because in the case of UK-owned offshore banks at least, the savings are guaranteed by the parent bank. In other words, you're only likely to lose your money if the parent bank goes bust, but as we've seen with RBS and HBOS, any large UK bank will be propped up by the government.

There are a number of interesting comparisons worth checking up if considering going offshore - MoneyFacts and Money.co.uk both offer comparison charts. Unfortunately, the best rates being offered again seem to be bonds - in other words, locking up your savings for a specified number of years. At present offshore tracker accounts may offer better savings rates than high street banks, but are still not as competitive as fixed term savings plans. Additionally, do be careful of risk - I noticed that a number of building societies offering particularly good rates, but do be aware that many of these had their ratings downgraded by Moodys. In the event of these building societies or banks going bust, or being nationalised, you may find yourself experiencing a lot of worry as to whether your money is protected or not.

Overall, the picture for savings remains pretty muted as you'd expect, but there are options available for improving the rate of return. The problem is that it mostly involves locking up savings for a fixed term of up to five years, which is not something savers really should have to consider. Additionally, despite the UK government's presence in the UK banking market via majority stakes in RBS and Lloyds Banking Group, ownership of Northern Rock and Bradford and Bingley, they seem more interested in seeing the banks recapitalise, than provide any kind of real service to consumers. The result is that the tax payer hasn't simply paid to rescue these banks, we're also paying to rebuild them.