The Reporter

The Reporter

In another blow for the struggling US dollar, the world's highest-earning supermodel is reportedly steering clear of the greenback and is said to be demanding payment in euros. According to a Brazilian magazine, Gisele Bundchen requested she be paid in euros when she signed deals to promote Pantene hair products and a new Dolce & Gabbana fragrance. "Contracts starting now are more attractive in euros because we don't know what will happen to the dollar," Patricia Bundchen, the model's sister and manager, told the Bloomberg news agency. It could well be a very wise move; most experts reckon the dollar has further to fall, with the housing market crisis threatening to pull the economy into recession.

Fans give Led Zep the finger

Overseas Led Zeppelin fans are up in arms again after the band were forced to postpone their forthcoming reunion gig at London's O2 Arena following guitarist Jimmy Page's finger injury. Devotees from around the world emailed music news website NME.com to complain that they had forked out large sums for flights and hotels based on the original date, November 26. Some said they wouldn't be able to afford to pay for new flights in order to attend the gig, now taking place on December 10. "With a show that is a one-off performance, these guys should be in a freaking padded room until three minutes before the show!" said US fan Stephen Brennan. Last.....continued below

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House prices will subside

Last Saturday, Guardian Money looked at the various predictions for what might happen to house prices next year. This week, accountancy firm Pricewaterhouse-Coopers added to the debate, saying it believed there was a one in five chance of a fall in house prices in cash terms between now and 2010. But overall, the group says it is most likely that there will be a marked slowdown in growth rather than a crash. "The most likely scenario is that house prices will continue to rise slightly faster than general consumer price inflation over this period, but well below the double-digit rates of house price increase seen in some recent years."

No interest in higher fees

Credit card companies look set to make £459m from balance transfer fees this year as consumers shift their debts to take advantage of 0% interest deals, according to research out this week. These fees have risen sharply over the past couple of years - from an average of 0.59% in 2005 to 2.73% this year, says comparison website uSwitch.com. Hundreds of thousands of people will be looking to transfer their credit card balance in January and they should pay close attention to how much they may be charged for doing this.

Turn over a new leaf