Be wary of the crypto-craze
You might be thinking about whether to invest in crypto currencies. We explain why it may not be the right choice, and how to better... Learn More
How to make ISAs work for you
Make the most of your tax allowances by using the different types of ISAs that are available. Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) were first introduced in... Learn More
Investment Update – Dicing with the delta variant
With the UK leading the way in lifting its pandemic restrictions, the coronavirus Delta variant has put many countries on edge. Nations experiencing a surge... Learn More
Investment Update July 2021: Almost fully open for business
June saw a delay to the planned reopening of UK business and services, a drop in unemployment and some promising world economic news. June brought... Learn More
Should we be concerned about rising inflation?
Most economists expect inflation to pick up over the next few months as lockdown restrictions ease and shops and restaurants reopen. But is this a... Learn More
Investment Update June 2021: Inflation rises, along with commodity prices
The combined economic effects of stimulus measures, inflation and increased spending all contributed to an eventful month. In May, vaccine rollouts gathered pace and pandemic-based... Learn More
What’s in a name?
We explore what makes an emerging market and why they can offer attractive investment opportunities. For example, South Korea is one of the world’s largest... Learn More
Don’t lose out to inflation
Putting your hard-earned cash into savings accounts may not be the most efficient way to make your money work for you. If you’ve been placing... Learn More
Investment Update May 2021: A positive outlook
The economic recovery is gathering momentum as the pandemic recedes and successful vaccination programmes continue to roll out on both sides of the Atlantic. April... Learn More
The power to change the world
The power to change the world Ethical and sustainable investing are both popular and it’s useful to understand the difference between the two approaches. Investing... Learn More
Use it or lose it
The current tax year ends on 5 April 2021, so now’s a good time to make sure your finances are in order and book an... Learn More
Investment Update March 2021: Great expectations
With hopes rising about vaccines and the end of lockdowns, could we see a rise in inflation when the economy reopens? As vaccines continue to... Learn More
Investment Update February 2021: Heading in the right direction
Despite rising coronavirus cases and increased lockdown measures, there was a renewed sense of optimism about the global recovery as we said goodbye to 2020... Learn More
‘No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow’
As we entered the new year with further lockdowns and history making world events, the hope of spring hangs in the air, an enticing prospect,... Learn More
Happy 21st to the ISA
Happy 21st to the ISA An Individual Savings Account (ISA) is a tax wrapper for your money. There are two main types available depending on... Learn More
2020 spending review at a glance
2020 spending review at a glance Forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) show the economy will contract by 11.3% this year It may... Learn More
The Bank of…Granny and Grandad?
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... Learn More
Markets react positively to election news
Markets react positively to election news After days of tension, news came in over the weekend that Joe Biden won the key battleground of Pennsylvania,... 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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Putting A Buy To Let Investment To Good Use
For many of us, financial uncertainty seems to be a key feature of life; saving and investing for the future in a time of low... Learn More
Save Like The Young Ones
Saving for a rainy day is what lets you buy an umbrella to keep you dry until the rain passes. Alternatively you may be saving... Learn More
More Accessible Investing With Social Media
In the past ten years social media has become so all pervading that it seems to have seeped into every area of work and personal... Learn More
Tips For A Cautious Investor
With interest rates offering little to get savers excited, now may be a good time to look at other options. If you are a first... Learn More
The Help To Buy ISA Explained
This blog is focused on explaining the complexities of the help to buy ISA
Protect Your Portfolio
This effect of change in the performance of the stock exchange can often be noticed around election times in general, so you might want to... Learn More
The Theory of Every Asset
Physics is a more exact science than finance, and judging by recent Oscar nominations, it’s often more romantic and glamorous. Stephen Hawking, one of the... Learn More
You Can Invest In Property With Buy to Let
Back in the day Ten years ago, nearly every TV show across a wide range of channels was property related. Not only was it cheap,... Learn More
Cashing In On The New NISA
For decades now, successive governments have aimed to encourage saving. Arguably it is very much in their interests to do so. People with savings, pretty... Learn More
What The General Election Means For Your Wealth
With the General Election now less than 100 days away, the contenders are throwing their economic hats into the ring. Although none of the 3... Learn More
NISAs – End of Year, Part 2
If one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2015 was to improve your finances and ensure that you maximise your savings, the new tax year... Learn More
NISAs – End of Year, Part 1
As the end of the financial year approaches in April, taking stock of the performance of your savings is an essential task for anyone who... Learn More
Becoming a property investor with buy to let
Talk of “the housing market” often focuses on buying property and in particular the challenges facing first time buyers. There are, however, a number of... Learn More