With the economy still in a sluggish state, people are trying to save money more than ever. While many are trying to cut down on expenditures due to financial hardship or decreased income, others are simply trying to put a bit more money aside, just in case the need for extra cash arises.

However, the economic recession aside, it’s always a smart idea to keep a savings account. After all, life has a way of springing surprises on each and every one of us – so it’s important to be prepared, no matter what happens.

If you don’t already have a savings account, now is the time to talk to your bank regarding opening one. However, keep in mind that banks usually offer various different kinds of savings accounts, so you’ll need to consider which type of account is right for you.

For example, you can open an online savings account, which gives you instant online access to your account, or a monthly savings account, which requires you to make a monthly, set-amount deposit. There are other types of savings accounts, which keep a close eye on savings opportunities for you – for instance, by tracking the Bank of England base rate, and applying changes to your account – or which offer tax-free or fixed rate tax-free terms. There are also dedicated savings accounts – such as students’ or children’s savings accounts – which are designed to cater to younger account holders.

A good way to acquaint yourself with all your savings account options is to speak with an account specialist at your chosen bank. A dedicated professional can explain the details of different savings accounts, enabling you to choose one that suits your financial needs. Another way to find out about your savings account options is to look through your bank’s website. You should find a comprehensive list of all the types of savings accounts offered by your bank online, enabling you to take your time to explore your options.

Ultimately, opening a savings account is a great way help you save up for a specific expenditure. However, it’s also ideal for helping you put money away for a “rainy day”. Because you never know what life will hold, it’s simply a smart idea to have that little bit of money saved up – just in case. Open a savings account today, and rest easy knowing you have a financial cushion if that rainy day should ever arrive.

Boston is the most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is the capital. As New Englands largest, most important city, Boston is far older than the republic. And is also a contemporary centre of high finance and higher technology, not to mention home of the pub that inspired televisions long running Cheers.

Boston is often called the most European of U.S. cities owing to its walk able scale and human sized Victorian and Colonial buildings, its bookish mien, acres of public parks, and lively cafe restaurant culture.

The nicest times to visit Boston is summertime it is worth considering for the sidewalk cafes, outdoor concerts, baseball games, and harbour cruises, winter is nicest in the holiday season when decorations and maybe a fresh snowfall make the historic parts of town into picture postcards. In September, students flock back to the universities of Boston and Cambridge, creating something of a carnival atmosphere.

Ice cream has been central to Boston living for more than 150 years, and many restaurants here include a few uncommon flavours on the menu. You may be offered a lobster sausage or wood-roasted lobster with a vanilla sauce. Bostonians have caught the passion for artisanal breads, brewpubs with homemade ales, espresso shops with fine cakes.

In the 1930s Boston had no fewer than 50 performing arts theatres by the 1980s, the citys downtown Theatre District had all but vanished. Happily, in the late 1990s several historic theatres saw major restoration, opening to host pre Broadway shows. More recently, the long awaited renovation of The Opera House in 2004 has added new light to the district. For its size, Boston is the most musical city in America.

Downtown Crossing near Boston Common is home to one of the citys most famous attractions for stylish bargains Filenes Basement a no car area. Newbury Street, a renowned, eight-block stretch whose shops cater to every taste, from upper crust to cutting edge. Quincy Market is definitely a top tourist spot and filled with them but you cannot beat this area for the people watching, shops, and restaurants and street performers.

Boston nightclubs are divided into crowds. Armani clad international students head out late, after taking over one of the swanky restaurants on Newbury Street for pre clubbing martinis. Baseball cap sporting students fill up clubs and pubs along Lansdowne Street, and hipsters bar-hop from Cambridge clubs to Allston Rock City and Jamaica Plain to catch live bands. There is also a thriving lounge scene in downtowns coolest hybrid bar restaurant clubs.

Personal finance is firmly on the school curriculum with over 10,000 pupils in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland looking forward to gaining finance qualifications, that they hope will enable them to pursue careers in the financial services industry.

The teenagers are studying optional GCSE, AS and A-level equivalent courses that have been designed as ‘stand-alone’ qualifications, and are delivered by the IFS School of Finance educational charity. Although approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) schools can choose whether or not to offer the additional subjects to students.

The GCSE equivalent courses were only launched a year ago and have already attracted 5,700 students. This follows on from the success of the AS and A-level equivalent courses that have attracted 4,500 pupils to enrol since 2005. Although the content of the GCSE course is designed to enable students to grasp basic financial concepts such as budgeting, opening and maintaining accounts and using different payment methods, the AS & A levels are far more in-depth providing a foundation for those wishing to work in the financial services sector.

Director of external affairs at IFS School of Finance, Anne Kiem said: “The fact that more than 10,000 14-19 year olds are now gaining the skills necessary to manage their own finances and make informed financial decisions is clearly great news.”

It is hoped that as well as basic financial skills the courses will encourage pupils to find out more about how the financial markets work in the UK, and offer a simple understanding of how complex financial products such as mortgages and life insurance work. Currently, schools must include citizenship in their curriculum but there is no requirement for personal finance to be taught at any level.

However, the government has announced plans to include personal finance modules within existing, related subjects such as personal social and health education (PSHE), following expert advice that the subject should be taught more widely in the UK.

Secretary of State Ed Balls has indicated that pupils will be taught “essential financial life skills” through the functional maths and revamped PHSE, which from September 2008 will include a new module covering economic wellbeing. But, he has stated that the “economic wellbeing” aspect will remain voluntary prompting the IFS School of Finance to lament a missed opportunity.

With the backing of the Building Societies Association and the British Bankers Association it believed that personal finance should be put on an equal footing with subjects such as history, geography and modern languages, meaning that although all students are not compelled to study personal finance, the schools will be forced to offer it as part of the curriculum.