Investing for the first time – seven tips to get you started
Investing for the first time – seven tips to get you started In this article, we offer tips and insights for those who are investing for the first time. If your goal is to ensure that your savings can effectively outpace inflation, you’ll probably need to seek out sound investment opportunities for your hard-earned money. […]
Should I overpay my mortgage?
Should I overpay my mortgage? Interest rates are on the up. Quite rightly, anyone with mortgage is concerned about affordability. If you have extra money to spare each month, should you overpay your mortgage? This would reduce both the mortgage amount and the overall mortgage term, thereby reducing the interest you would pay overall. It […]
Lump sum vs regular pension contributions; which is better?
Lump sum vs regular pension contributions Pension plans are one of the best ways to save for the long term. For starters, you get pension tax relief on your contributions. This means that you get a top up from the government, so it effectively costs you less to save more. In addition to that, your […]
5 ways to avoid pensioner poverty
How to avoid pensioner poverty The breadline, AKA pensioner poverty is a very real prospect for many at retirement. Most people born post-1970 are facing very different retirement prospects from those of their parents and grandparents. Back then, a job was for life and final salary pension schemes were commonplace. If you worked for a […]
5 ways to deal with the cost-of-living crisis
5 ways to deal with the cost-of-living crisis It’s all quite alarming. The cost of everything is going up. The weekly shop, filling up the car, public transport, holidays, energy bills – everywhere you look, the squeeze is on. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and depressed, especially when most household incomes are static. What to […]
Can equity release be used to reduce inheritance tax?
Can equity release be used to reduce inheritance tax? No one likes paying tax, but inheritance tax is probably the most unpopular tax of all. This is because inheritance tax is perceived as being a tax on the dead rather than the living. It is also a tax on giving rather than receiving. To rub […]
Five ways to prepare for interest rate rises
Five ways to prepare for interest rate rises Concerned about interest rate rises? Now, I don’t claim to be any sort of economist, but my logic works like this: Inflation usually rises when the economy overheats. This happens when people have more disposable income. Demand goes up and therefore prices go up. The Bank of […]
Insurance – what you need and what you don’t
Insurance is a crucial part of financial planning. This should be taken seriously. Having the right insurance could get you out of a hole at a time of desperation. But which insurance is non-essential, and which should you buy if you don’t already have cover? If you are single and have no dependents You may be […]
Can I gift my home to my children to avoid inheritance tax (IHT)?
Can I gift my home to my children to reduce inheritance tax? In today’s article, we tackle the issue of IHT, and whether gifting your home to your children can help avoid inheritance tax. Over the years, those liable for inheritance tax has risen, mainly due to rising property prices, particularly in the South East. […]
Is your financial castle built on sand?
Is your financial castle built on sand? Let’s be honest; building wealth is much more fun than protecting it. Building wealth would include buying your first home, saving money over the short, medium and long term, creating a pension fund and perhaps investing in property. Watching your assets grow over time can bring great pride […]
