2020: The story so far
2020 The story so far Little did we know, as we entered a new decade, what was in store for the global economy in 2020.... Learn More
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) You may have already arranged a Will* to deal with matters in the event of your death, but have you... Learn More
Life insurance – Mind the Gap
With policies like home insurance or car insurance, we’re all in the habit of reviewing our cover annually. With a life insurance policy potentially lasting... Learn More
Protecting you and your family
Losing your partner at any stage in life can be devastating, but it may be particularly devastating when children are involved because of the financial... Learn More
Keep your pension planning on track
The coronavirus outbreak is having a widespread impact across all aspects of our financial life, with many people finding their income reduced. At times like... Learn More
Home improvements to add value to your home
Evidence suggests that many more of us are putting down roots and choosing to stay in our current homes for longer. The average time a... Learn More
Investing for Children – The Junior ISA
There was welcome news for young savers in the March Budget with the government announcing the Junior ISA (JISA) allowance was to be more than... Learn More
Check your existing income protection policy
Insurance brokers have reported an increase in enquiries about income protection cover since the pandemic outbreak, with people concerned about becoming ill and being unable... Learn More
Pension planning for the self-employed
There are 4.8 million self-employed people in the UK and only a third have any kind of pension arrangement. A shocking statistic when you consider... Learn More
Now could be a good time to remortgage
Mortgage rates are now at record low levels, following two Bank of England rate cuts in March to bring the base rate down to 0.1%.... Learn More
What you need to know about self-build mortgages
If you’re thinking of building your own home, financing the project may be high on your list of priorities. Self-build mortgages are different from normal... Learn More
The Bank of…Granny and Grandad?
For many younger people struggling to get a foot on the property ladder, the Bank of Mum and Dad is the only option. With rent... Learn More
Spotlight on Enterprise Investment Schemes and Venture Capital Trusts
Complex tax-efficient investments such as Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) and Venture Capital Trusts (VCT) are a consideration for those who may be able to tolerate... Learn More
It’s time to think about life insurance
If you have dependents – people who rely on you financially – then you should have life insurance. In fact, if you have dependents and... Learn More
What is cashflow modelling?
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Financial planning is all about preparing for those things that may... Learn More
Are you engaged with ‘good’ investing?
Socially Responsible Investing and Environmental, Social and Governance Investing explained. Social and environmental change is accelerating at pace, with climate change one of the biggest... Learn More
Coming to terms with market turbulence
Coming to terms with market turbulence As a direct consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak, global stock markets are suffering a period of turbulence. When markets... Learn More
Is Joint Life Cover Best For Couples?
If you want to help make sure your loved ones will have financial security if you pass away, life insurance cover is the answer. But,... Learn More
Conservative Election Victory
The Conservatives look set to form the next Government, extending their period in office for another five years. The number one priority of the new... Learn More
All about ISAs
In the 2019/20 tax year, you can save up to £20,000 tax-free in an Individual Savings Account (ISA), and when it comes to your ISA... Learn More
Investing for the next generation
In the early years this might translate into a surplus of toys or days out, but this stage eventually passes, and thoughts turn towards the... Learn More
The factors influencing your pension choices
Planning the best way to draw your pension savings is not straightforward, after all, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to retirement.... Learn More
Take control of your investments
Getting a clear, concise view of your investment portfolio can be difficult and time-consuming. That’s why we use a secure, online system known as a... Learn More
How will changing working patterns affect your pension?
The sooner you start saving, the healthier your pension pot is likely to be when you need to draw on it. But what happens to... Learn More
NEED HELP TO BUY?
Do you aspire to own a new-build home? Are you looking to move home, but lack sufficient funds to afford the repayments on a low-deposit... Learn More
Why active investing is more effective in volatile markets
A glance at the performance of the major stock indices in 2018 shows that volatility was a common theme. US equities followed an upward –... Learn More
How a trust can help your financial planning
Writing a policy in Trust could be perceived as something that only the wealthy require, but the reality is Trusts can play an important part... Learn More
Helping you to save
Help to Save is a government savings account aimed at an estimated 3.5m people on low incomes. The scheme pays a bonus of 50p for... Learn More
Financial top tips for service personnel
Service personnel and their families can find it difficult to access commercial products and services because of the time spent outside of the UK. The... Learn More
The value of protection advice
Protection should be considered as the foundation of all financial planning. After all, if things go awry and you suddenly find yourself in dire financial... Learn More
How to prepare financially for long-term illness
While British life expectancy continues to rise, the same might not be said for the quality of health we could expect to enjoy as we... Learn More
First-time buyers: Boost your mortgage chances
You’ve decided to take the plunge and get onto the property ladder, having swapped fun and frivolity for fastidious frugalness to save the deposit. But... Learn More
Confused about pension planning?
With more UK employees saving for their retirement than ever you could argue that Automatic Enrolment has been a success since its launch six years... Learn More
Standard Variable Rate
The average homeowner moving from a specific mortgage deal onto their mortgage provider’s Standard Variable Rate (SVR) could save more than £2,500 a year in... Learn More
The difference between value and growth investing
Warren Buffet, sometimes known as the sage of Omaha, once claimed he preferred to “to buy a wonderful company at a fair price”. What he... Learn More
How a trust can help your financial planning
Writing a policy in Trust could be perceived as something that only the wealthy require, but the reality is Trusts can play an important part... Learn More
What’s stopping you from saving
Generally speaking, and subject to investment charges and performance, the more you save and the earlier you start saving the better shape your finances are... Learn More
The cost of retirement
How much money do you think you’ll need to receive each year of your retirement? According to the investment manager Schroders, working people in the... Learn More
The search for a reliable retirement income
It’s been over three years since the April 2015 pensions changes which scrapped compulsory annuities and gave pensioners greater choice over how to take their... Learn More
2018 Q2 Report
We’ve scoured the global news headlines to recap the most significant geopolitical and economic events which took place in the second quarter of 2018, as... Learn More
Auto enrolment contributions
The introduction of automatic enrolment in 2012 has led to a record high in pension participation, with more than 9.5 million people enrolled through the... Learn More
Are you thinking of downsizing?
According to a survey by Lloyds Bank, 45 per cent of empty nesters have no plans to downsize, despite the potential windfall moving to a... Learn More
Advice matters – whatever stage in life you’re at
The financial products and services we need to navigate through life will change with our circumstances. In the early years, our financial needs are likely... Learn More
The value of investment advice
Let’s be honest. Seeking advice on how to look after your money may not be as fun as the immediate thrill of spending it, but... Learn More
Don’t fall for a pension scam
Frank Field, Labour MP and chair of an influential parliamentary committee, has called for legislative action to help keep pension savings safe. This comes after... Learn More
Securing your company’s future
Business Protection is a crucial element in a company’s financial future, but how many have cover in place? According to a study from Legal &... Learn More
Freehold or leasehold: the ins and outs
When buying a property, you can do so either on a leasehold or freehold basis and there are important differences to be aware of before... Learn More
Going, going, gone to the auction!
If you think property auctions are only for professional property developers or investors think again. They can be a great place to pick up a... Learn More
Financial wellbeing in retirement
Financial wellbeing is an important factor when it comes to being able to enjoy life. While we’re earning, it’s possible to secure the living standards... Learn More
With protection comes choice
How many times have you heard the phrase “It won’t happen to me” when it comes to the chances of suffering a serious illness? Unfortunately,... Learn More
What’s your General Insurance start date?
When you’re in the process of buying a house, you might think the best time for your Home Insurance cover to kick in is on... Learn More
The path ahead for the global economy
Much has happened to keep us busy in 2018 so far, but there’s plenty to come in the second half of the year in terms... Learn More
The importance of diversification
With ISA season comes the usual fanfare in the money pages about which investments will deliver the best returns – peppered with the usual important... Learn More
It happened to him
Don’t let the ‘it won’t happen to me’ approach affect your decision on whether or not to take out critical illness cover. David thought he... Learn More
Auto-enrolment update
It’s reasonable to suggest that auto enrolment has been a major success story. In fact, more than 1 million employers and 9 million employees have... Learn More
Is now the right time to fix?
November 2017 saw the Bank of England raise interest rates for the first time in a decade, from 0.25 per cent to 0.5 per cent,... Learn More
Spring Statement
March has traditionally been the month for Budgets, but no longer. In Autumn 2016 the then new Chancellor, Philip Hammond made clear he thought the... Learn More
Taking a global view
Keeping your investments close to home may have its advantages, but only by looking globally can you be sure you’re making the most of diversification.... Learn More
Valuations vs Surveys
Buying a house… is a valuation sufficient, or should you opt for a full structural survey? Buying a house is probably the biggest financial purchase... Learn More
The value of protection
Buying a new home is possibly one of life’s biggest and most exciting events. It’s also a major financial commitment – one that could be... Learn More
Critical Illness cover can make a difference
If you’ve ever turned down a recommendation of critical illness because you can’t see the value of it, this real-life case study might make you... Learn More
Let Property Campaign
If you let out a residential property but haven’t declared the rental income, you might be interested in a new campaign from HM Revenue &... Learn More
Interest Rate Rise
In 2007 Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union, Lewis Hamilton got his first drive in Formula 1 partnering with Fernando Alonso at McLaren, the... Learn More
High inflation hits workers and savers
Employment is at a record high, but UK workers are starting to feel the squeeze as wages fall below inflation for the first time since... Learn More
Plugging the protection gap
If you’re one of the increasing number of people who’ve become self-employed in recent years, you may have found the switch has left you without... Learn More
Investment advice – what a relief!
Every client we meet has a unique and varied range of financial planning needs, so it’s important to establish priorities as the first step towards... Learn More
Protecting your mortgage repayments
We think protection advice is imperative when you have a home or family you want to protect. So, talk to us about a mortgage and... Learn More
Are you retiring soon?
If you are planning on retiring soon there are a few things you may like to consider before you make any important decisions. Gather all... Learn More
Pension Advice Allowance
Financial decisions affecting your retirement income will be among the most important you’ll make during your lifetime and investing in timely financial advice could provide... Learn More
Buying for the first time?
For first time buyers, getting onto the property ladder may seem like a daunting process, but there is help available. With demand outstripping supply in... Learn More
Pensions for stay at home parents
Could you survive on £8,000 a year or less, in retirement? If you’ve given up work to look after your family, you’ll be among those... Learn More
Thinking of fixing your mortgage?
If you think an increase in your mortgage repayments could have a negative impact on your lifestyle or financial wellbeing, you may want to consider... Learn More
What’s the cost of a comfortable retirement?
Have you ever stopped to think about the monthly income you’d need to provide for a comfortable retirement? If you’re thinking it would be the... Learn More
Are Cash ISAs worth the investment?
After the Bank of England (BoE) cut interest rates to reassure the market following the Brexit vote, cash ISA returns plummeted. According to Telegraph... Learn More
Business Survival Planning
If something happened to you, your co-owners or employees, could your business survive? A study by Legal and General shows 40% of businesses would fold... Learn More
The downside of downsizing
The decision to sell up and move to a smaller property could come as a result of children flying the nest, the need to free... Learn More
Inflation: This time it’s personal
Much is made about the impact of inflation on the ‘real’ value of your income and investments. That is, the impact inflation has on your... Learn More
Time for an upgrade?
Have you upgraded your mobile phone in the past two years? If the answer’s yes, your choice may have been driven by a change in... Learn More
The new £1m Inheritance Tax allowance
In the wake of the 2015 General Election, the Conservative Party confirmed it would deliver on its Manifesto promise that parents could pass their property... Learn More
First-time savers
The news is always full of stats about first-time buyers: in 2016 there were an estimated 335,750 first-time buyers – the highest figure since 359,900... Learn More
Pensions for stay at home parents
Could you survive on £8,000 a year or less, in retirement? If you’ve given up work to look after your family, you’ll be among those... Learn More
The value of mortgage advice
With so many mortgage lenders offering their products on the high street and online, it can be tempting to cut out the middleman and ‘go... Learn More
Risk Vs Reward
While homeowners can still benefit from low mortgage rates, savers will be struggling to enjoy any kind of growth on money they have on deposit,... Learn More
Achieving your financial goals
We lead complex lives in an increasingly complex world. As financial planning experts we can help you better understand your financial challenges, goals and needs,... Learn More
The value of mortgage advice
With so many mortgage lenders offering their products on the high street and online, it can be tempting to cut out the middleman and ‘go... Learn More
Saving for retirement: as easy as 123
Much is made of the tax benefits of saving into a pension scheme but there are other benefits to consider. As many corporate pension schemes... Learn More
Protection through the years
When it comes to protection insurance, we hold two firm beliefs: it should form the foundation of your financial plan. cover should be reviewed regularly... Learn More
Pension death benefits
With the introduction of pension freedoms in 2015, we now have a range of options when deciding how to fund our retirement. But few of... Learn More
Winter accident protection
The cold and icy conditions of winter bring with them a greater risk of people injuring themselves when out and about. Outside risks Now the... Learn More
Parent Landlords
With house prices rising faster than salaries, the younger generation face having to find a much bigger multiple of their income to buy a home,... Learn More
What makes a good Buy to Let investment?
With property prices continuing to rise, Buy to Let can be an attractive way to invest. But whether buying your first Buy to Let property,... Learn More
Warm your pipes this winter
Make sure you avoid expensive damage caused by frozen and burst pipes by following our top tips for winter survival. If a pipe containing water... Learn More
New Year’s resolution
Many of us will have over-indulged during the festive season and will start the new year wanting to get healthier. Whether it’s stopping smoking, losing... Learn More
More People Owning Their Own Home
The latest English housing survey, released on 21 July 2016, shows that the number of people owning their own home has stopped reducing for the... Learn More
How to Save for the Retirement You Want
For most, during working life, financial well-being will depend on whatever they do to earn money. However, as well as securing the living standards you... Learn More
The Value of Financial Advice
Everyone is unique. We all think – and work – differently. Some people are good with words, and others, numbers. The same might be true... Learn More
Your Financial Countdown When Moving House
Moving house can be a very stressful time, packing and unpacking and making sure that children, pets and prized belongings make it to the new... Learn More
Essential Planning For Retiring Abroad
If your dream retirement is somewhere with more sunshine and less rain than the UK, then it may be time to ask yourself “how will... Learn More