Blog

Here you'll find the latest news from Oakbrook Loans plus lots of hints, tips and useful guides from the Oakbrook team.

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10 Tips on How to Find the Best Last-Minute Boxing Day Deals

Boxing Day is one of the biggest shopping days in the UK, with huge discounts both online and in stores. Whether you're looking for gifts, gadgets, or something for yourself, planning ahead can help you find what you need. Here's how you can make the most of the deals this year.

7 Last-minute Christmas party Ideas That Will Wow Your Guests

Christmas season is here, and with it comes the excitement of hosting a festive party! But sometimes, life gets in the way, and we realise we’ve left it until the last minute to plan. But don't worry—there’s still plenty of time to throw a great celebration that will impress your guests, even if you're short on time.

How to plan a Halloween Party on a Budget

Halloween is the perfect time to get creative, have some fun, and host an unforgettable party. With a little bit of planning and a focus on budget-friendly ideas, you can throw a spooky bash that’s as stylish as it is affordable. Here are some tips to help you plan a Halloween party on a budget.

What Is Car Loan? How Does It Work

When you're in the market for a new or used car, one way to finance the purchase is through a personal loan. A personal loan is where you borrow money from a lender to pay for a car upfront. You’ll then repay the loan in monthly instalments, which include both the amount you borrowed (the principal) and interest, over an agreed period.

Things To Consider Before Taking A Personal Loan

Taking out a personal loan could be a practical way to borrow a fixed amount, with repayments spread over a set term. You’ll pay interest on what you borrow, so it’s important to choose an amount and term that works for you. Lenders assess your financial situation before offering a loan and setting the interest rate. To help you make the best decision, here are a few key things to consider before applying.

6 Ways to Upsize Your Home Without Relocating

Upsizing your home doesn't always mean moving to a new location. With the right home improvements, you can create more space and make your current home feel brand new. Here are some ways to upsize your home without the hassle of relocating.

Tips for Successful Home Upsizing

Upsizing your home is an exciting project, offering a chance to create a living space that truly fits your growing needs. Whether it's for a growing family, more room for hobbies, or added comfort, upsizing allows you to tailor your living environment to fit your lifestyle. With thoughtful planning, you can find the perfect home that enhances your everyday life.

A Checklist to Keep Your Garden Thriving in Summer

As the UK experiences the hottest day of the year with temperatures soaring to 28.3°C, it's clear that summer is in full swing. With temperatures expected to reach as high as 31°C in some areas, it's important to ensure your garden thrives during summer conditions.

Here are essential tasks and tips to keep your outdoor space vibrant and healthy during the summer heat.

Should You Invest in Solar Panels for Your Home?

In 2023, the UK saw a surge in solar installations and heat pump installations, marking the highest numbers in over 12 years, according to industry reports. Nearly 190,000 rooftop installations were completed during this period.

But are solar panels really worth it? Is your home a good fit for solar panels? And what about the costs involved? These are the questions we'll delve into in this blog.

Can applying for online loans affect my credit score?

When you apply for a loan, lenders conduct a credit check. It's essentially a deep dive into your financial history to help them decide if they're comfortable lending you money. So, it's only natural to wonder about the impact a loan application might have on your credit score.

Before you apply for a loan, it’s a good idea to understand what credit checks are, the difference between hard and soft checks, and how they could affect your credit score.

Are wedding loans a good idea: pros and cons

Planning your dream wedding is exciting, but the costs can add up quickly. With the average UK wedding reaching £20,775 in 2024 as reported by London-based wedding planner, Bride book effective budgeting is crucial. Oakbrook Loans can help you finance your wedding with a loan, but there are other things you can consider too. Let’s take a look.

12 European Easter Breaks All the Family Will Love

Need some help with a last-minute family trips to Europe? Here you’ll find a list of our top holiday destinations to take the whole family for a break

Marriage and Money: What finance questions to ask before a proposal

As couples navigate the complexities of love and law, the question of a 'prenup' often arises before the "I dos." But hold on, before you even think about asking that special question, there's another important thing to talk about – money. It's crucial to ask the right financial questions before the proposal, making sure both of you are on the same page.

Best Ways to Cover Wedding Costs

A wedding is one of the most important days in anyone’s life. But planning the perfect day often comes with a hefty price tag. This is why proper wedding finance planning is so important.
So, what is the best way to cover the cost of a wedding? We’ll discuss the average cost of a wedding and ways to cover them.

Is Car Warranty Insurance Worth It? Exploring Your Options

What should you look for when you get a car warranty? We have compiled a complete guide in this article so you can make a more informed decision.

Credit in Control- How Building Strong Credit Opens Financial Pathways

Your credit score isn't just a number; it is a reflection of some of your financial habits. It plays an important role in determining your credit limit and interest rate. Whether it’s buying your first home, getting a new car, or landing that dream job, your credit score can certainly have an impact.

Considering cancelling car insurance: Here’s what you need to know

If you are considering cancelling your car insurance policy, it is important not to overlook the finer points in the policy such as lock-in periods and associated charges.

We've got you covered. To simplify the process, we have put together the information you might need on how to cancel your car insurance.

Car Breakdown: How to React When Your Vehicle Stops Unexpectedly

Sometimes, no matter how much we plan, things can just go wrong. You could be driving down the road and your car could, without any warning, break down.

Revitalize Your Finances: 5 Smart Moves for the New Year Ahead

January often brings a financial challenge with the holiday expenses lingering behind us. It's the perfect moment to reevaluate our financial strategies, take stock of our resources, and formulate New Year's resolutions that pave the way for a prosperous year ahead.

Boxing Day Sales 2023: Where Can UK Shoppers Get The Best Deals

As the festive cheer of Christmas fades, the Boxing Day sale awakens on December 26th. Steeped in tradition, this day originally began as a way to show gratitude and appreciation to servants and service workers. People would give food, money, or other necessities to these workers after Christmas.

Tips to Manage Christmas on a Budget

Christmas, often deemed the most wonderful time of the year, comes with a hefty price tag. Shocking statistics reveal that the average adult shells out a staggering £750-£1,500 annually on Christmas festivities. The Independent's research indicates a lifetime expenditure of £54,000 on Christmas, with one in three individuals resorting to credit cards to foot the bill.

Winter Money-Saving Tips: Stay Frugal in the Cold Season

In 2022, the cost of energy in the UK increased more than twice! This means about 7.3 million homes could not afford to heat their houses safely!

It is very important to understand how to save money this winter and keep your budget under control. In this article, we have compiled some budget-friendly holiday tips to keep you warm.

ULEZ Expansion 2023: How to Know If Your Car Is Compliant

The ULEZ zone has expanded from August 29, 2023. It's a big move aimed at keeping our air cleaner. If you're uncertain about whether your car meets ULEZ compliance standards, here's some information you might find helpful.

Smart Home Improvement Projects to Boost Your Home's Value

If you're wondering how to increase your home's value, here's the good news: Smart home improvement projects can not only boost its worth but also enhance your overall living comfort.

How to Price Up Your New Bathroom Project

In this blog post, we will explore the process of estimating the costs associated with a forthcoming bathroom renovation project. We'll delve into evaluating specific requirements and how to establish a budget for potential bathroom renovation expenses.

Home Improvement Headaches: How to Avoid Running into Issues with Your Local Council

Home renovations are a unique opportunity to create a space that suits your needs and looks great. However, things can get complicated if you face problems with your local council. It can potentially lead to your project getting scrapped because it didn’t meet the standards of planning or building regulations.

Why You Need a Wedding Website on Invitations

A couple of decades ago, if you’d asked someone whether they had a wedding website on their invitations, you’d have gotten some confused looks. But in recent years, the ‘wedding website’ has become growingly popular and more accessible.

6 Ways to Pay Off Your Car Loan Early

Discover effective strategies for paying off car loans early and saving money on interest. Implement these 6 tips to become debt-free faster.

Beating the January blues

Christmas is well and truly over so what can we do to beat those January blues?

7 Ways to Stretch Your Honeymoon Budget

We all dream of that once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon without breaking the bank. That's where this budgeting guide with actionable steps can help.

Best First Car for a Teenager 2022

If you’re a parent looking for your teenager’s first car, then it’s worth doing your research to determine which car(s) could be most appropriate.

How to Create a Healthy Home: The Basics

Creating a healthy home not only improves our well-being, both physical and mental, but also a space to connect with others and ourselves. Here's how.

The Best Commuter Bikes for 2022

Looking for the best commuter bikes for everyday commuting in 2022 and beyond? Here we break down the best options to suit every cycling need.

Should I Buy or Lease a Car? Buying vs Leasing

Stuck on the decision of should I buy or lease a car? We break down how you can choose the option that’s right for you and your lifestyle.

What is Open Banking? What Can It Do For Me?

Discover what open banking means for you and how it can transform the way you manage your money, giving you control and clarity.

6 Ways to Make Your Home Right for You

Is your home ideal for doing all the things you love or need to do? We round up the best ways to transform your space.

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The Beginners Guide for First-Time Buyers

Ready to buy your first home and are equal parts excited and terrified? This guide will help you navigate the house-buying process with ease.

5 Straightforward Tips For Home Improvement

Home improvement doesn’t have to be a complicated process. With these 5 easy tips, you can get the home refresh you want without the hassle.

Getting a Pet? What to Expect

Bringing a furry friend into the family? Here’s exactly what you need to know to be ready to care for your pet in the best possible way.

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How to Price Up Your Kitchen Renovation

Planning an upcoming kitchen remodel and wondering how much it will roughly cost? This guide will break down the average costs and what to consider.

How to Upgrade to a Bathroom Sanctuary

Discover how to start planning your dream bathroom renovations and transform it into a self-care paradise and your new favourite room in the house.

Why You Should Skip the Gym Subscription, Not the Workout

Is your gym membership weighing you down with the shame of not going? Here’s how you can skip that membership and work out your way.

4 Tips for Budgeting for a New Baby

Learn how to start your parenthood journey with confidence with these tips on how to budget for your new baby and their future.

How to Plan and Build Your Own Home Gym

With careful planning and our handy tips, you can plan and build your own home gym to boost your motivation and make the most of your workouts.

How to Stretch Your Home Improvement Budget

7 tips on how you can make sure your next home renovation doesn’t break the bank with a good amount of research and planning.

The Practical Guide to Wedding Budgeting

Learn step by step how to start budgeting for your wedding day and avoid any last-minute financial stress with this practical guide.

The Essential Guide to Loft Conversions

Lofts are a functional and stylish home improvement project that can transform your home and family life. To learn more, here's our loft conversion guide.

5 Practical Ways to Save for Your Child’s Future

Secure your child’s financial future with these 5 simple ways to start saving money early.

10 Straightforward Tips For Tying the Knot

Getting married doesn’t have to be stressful. Discover our best, straightforward advice for planning your dream wedding.

How to Plan Your Dream Conservatory This Summer

Discover how you can start your new conservatory planning project, ready for summer and cosy rainy days alike.

Why a No-Spend Weekend is Good for Your Wellbeing

Challenge yourself to a no-spend weekend, to boost your wellbeing and make you happier and healthier.

How Living Green and Healthy Is Actually Affordable

Living a greener, healthier lifestyle could actually be easier and more affordable than you might think.

Adding an Extra Bedroom: The Whys and Hows

Thinking of expanding to add an extra bedroom? Here’s what you need to be thinking about as you start planning.