Financial Freedom is a Journey
What does financial freedom look like for you? For most, it means having enough income, savings or investments to live life on their own terms, without having to worry about the consequences. But financial freedom isn’t something that can be achieved overnight. It is a target that you need to work towards over many years, with strategic and careful planning. Set clear goals The first step to achieving financial…
Outcomes of the Spring Budget 2024
Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has delivered his Spring Budget, and we wanted to keep you informed about what has just been announced. Taxes Employee National Insurance to be cut from 10% to 8% from April. Self-Employed National Insurance to be cut from 8% to 6% from April. Non-dom tax regime to be scrapped and reformed, with new rules being introduced in April 2025. Under the new…
Do you need Life Insurance?
When a person is putting together a financial plan, life insurance can often be overlooked. Yet, this financial product can provide invaluable support to your loved ones in the event of your death, and act as a crucial safety net for those you care about most. So why should you consider getting life insurance sooner rather than later? 1. Protect your dependents If you have dependents, such as a…
What is the Future of the State Pension?
Currently, the age at which you are entitled to claim the State Pension is 66. This is expected to rise to age 67 in 2036, and then to 68 in 2046. A think-tank has recently floated the idea that, in order to make the State Pension sustainable, pensionable age needs to be increased to 71 by 2050. A falling birth rate, combined with an increase in life expectancy means…
How Much Will You Need In Retirement?
We all want to look forward to a happy and fulfilling retirement, but that doesn’t happen by itself. It is the result of careful planning and making the right decisions throughout your working life, so you can have the financial means to enjoy the lifestyle you want and deserve. But shifting economic sands and events entirely beyond your control means your retirement plans can’t be set in stone. For…
Mid 30s is the Perfect Pension Planning Time
Adjusting to adulthood can be a difficult stage of life, as you strike out on your own for the first time and adapt to huge changes at home and at work. It is therefore understandable that getting to grips with your finances can get pushed down your list of priorities, in particular, saving for your pension. Of course, auto-enrolment has helped many young adults get started with planning for…
How Can I Improve My Credit Score?
Having a good credit score can make a big difference to your life, such as helping you qualify for a credit card or being approved for a loan or mortgage. Your credit score can be the key that unlocks countless opportunities, so what do you need to do to make sure yours is as good as it can possibly be? Be punctual with your repayments It’s vital that you meet…
Savers are missing out on extra money
What do you do with your monthly earnings when they land? Do you leave all the money sitting in your current account? Or do you invest some elsewhere, so you can make your money work hard for you and maximise your returns? A new survey by the Building Societies Association (BSA) reveals that many of us are, worryingly, not really doing anything at all! According to the data, 34%…
Should you consider downsizing?
When your children have grown up and left home, your house can suddenly feel a lot bigger and emptier. But despite there being many compelling reasons to move to a smaller property, many of us stay put. So should you be thinking about downsizing? According to a study by Zoopla, most homeowners aged 65 or above either live on their own or just with their partner. Nevertheless, more than…
Autumn Budget
Jeremy Hunt says the government has taken difficult decisions to put the economy back on track and halve inflation, but “the work is not done”. His priorities are to avoid big government spending and high tax, and instead cut taxes and reward those working hard. He set out 110 “growth measures” in the Autumn Budget. The main 12% rate of employee national insurance that we currently pay is going…
