Thousands of people in Wales are caught in a trap. They need money fast, but can't get a loan from a bank. And that's why one kind of lender is flourishing.
Loan sharks live in the heart of communities, lending money to anyone who needs it. But if you can't pay it back, that friendly face can suddenly become a lot more sinister.
Post categories: money
| 19:33 UK time, Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Tax! At the very mention of the word the majority of us do what ostriches are renowned for and bury our heads in the sand.
Figures released in 2007 suggest that over 5 million of us may be on the wrong tax code.
Being on the right code is particularly important as you get older because tax allowances change when you reach 65 years of age.
The driving challenges continue for a husband and wife from our X-Ray 100 panel.
June and Phillip Griffiths, from Swansea, went head to head to find out who's in pole position behind the wheel.
The mobile phone - it's a fantastic gadget allowing us walk, talk, text, take photographs, even listen to music. But with the constantly evolving technology, frequent upgrades are essential.
For one disabled pensioner, the mobile phone and the endless upgrades have become a curse - as she's hounded constantly for money.
After we featured cavity wall insulation last month, we heard a range of fresh horror stories from unhappy customers.
Three weeks ago we featured the problems some of our viewers were having with cavity wall insulation. We highlighted the problems experienced by residents of Heol y Garreg Las in Llandeilo, where severe damp has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.
A couple from our viewer's panel - The X-Ray 100 - are put to the test as they go back to driving school.
Revving up at the start line for this battle of the sexes were husband and wife Phillip and June Griffiths, from Swansea.
Both have very different driving styles. June said she's cautious while Phillip insisted he's no boy racer but makes decisions quickly.
Post categories: stories
| 19:32 UK time, Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Now we've all heard about animal cloning. There was Dolly the sheep and the whole debate about the ethics of creating carbon copies of a living being.
But now a very different kind of cloning is becoming a serious problem, much closer to home. Or in this case - in a vet's surgery.
If you spot a car for sale on the side it may look in pretty good condition and the seller may be keen to reassure you it's had one careful lady owner.
But an increasing number of people selling cars like this are not actually private sellers but traders.
Post categories: money
| 19:34 UK time, Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Once again, X-Ray has been looking at the activities of one of the UK's biggest sub-prime companies Yes Loans.
The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has had more than a thousand complaints about the Cwmbran based company over the years - but now there are questions about why it's being allowed to continue operating.
X-Ray advises Helen Williams and Ian Campbell on how to get help with training courses and job applications.
Emma, Alison, Dafydd, and Harriet are all A level students from Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi in Cardigan, who are busy planning what to wear to their school prom.
X-Ray decided to set them a challenge.
As the recession continues to bite hard a new breed of consumer is hitting the High Street.
The 'recession shopper' has evolved alongside the worsening financial climate.
They try not to pay full price for anything, they're always on the look out for a decent bargain and their wallets are bulging - not with banknotes, but with money-off vouchers and loyalty cards!
With companies announcing job cuts on a daily basis the Welsh workforce is feeling the squeeze. The number of people out of work in Wales rose by 44% in the last year.
So if you suddenly find yourself without a job, do you know what financial help you could get?
A one-size-fits-all approach to heating leaves Newport residents on the Dyffryn housing estate in hot water.
Like many of us, Helen Williams from Pengam near Blackwood loves her credit and store cards. When she goes shopping, she can't resist buying things on impulse - so we decided to set her a challenge.
We locked away her credit and and store cards and asked her to live on cash alone for a whole month.
Have you ever been tempted to save money and do without insurance when you go on holiday?
Around a quarter of us do succumb to that temptation, but it can land you in trouble.
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