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…
Should you have Critical Illness Cover?
Saving and investing are always at the heart of a financial plan, so you can be sure that you are on course to achieve your future goals. But it is easy to make one big mistake – believing that this journey will go smoothly and that you won’t ever get knocked off course. What would you do if an emergency did arise, such as an unexpected health crisis? That…
Why Asset Allocation Matters When Investing
Investing is an uncertain pursuit, as you have to carefully navigate an ever-changing financial climate. Perhaps the only certainty is that the value of your investments will go up as well as down, so it is really important that you allocate your assets carefully to help you stay on course. Here are some key issues you should be considering when you are making crucial decisions: Exposure to risk If…
Is it ever too late to start Pension Planning?
As financial advisers, we will always recommend that you start preparing for retirement as early as you can. But if you are in your 40s or 50s and have only just started thinking about pension planning, then the rule of thumb is that something accrued is better than nothing. You still have time to secure your future. Below is a list of pointers, that will lead you to thinking…
Why you need an Emergency Fund
Even if you are highly organised, an unexpected curveball can still come your way, and this can often be extremely costly. That is why it’s always recommended to have an emergency fund in place: your safety net in case you are hit by circumstances you couldn’t possibly have predicted. Unforeseen emergencies are inevitable Even if you are meticulous with your finances, there are unexpected expenses at some point. For…
A Guide to Investing
Investing is a great way to increase your wealth and work towards achieving your financial objectives, or boost your income to improve your lifestyle. But, it is by no means a smooth process, so what should you do in order to make the most of your investments and stay on course to achieve your goals? Diversify – If you limit your investments to one market or industry, you could…
Common Pension Mistakes to Avoid
If you are to enjoy the lifestyle you want and deserve in retirement, careful planning is critically important. Indeed, you do not want to simply make ends meet. After decades of hard work, you want to have a sense of financial freedom, and fill your time with your hobbies, passions and priorities. But many of us can make mistakes without realizing, that can significantly hit our income in later…
How Can You Save for Your Child’s Future?
The main three choices that children of school-leaving age are faced with now are to attend university; to take up some form of training/learning on the job such as an apprenticeship; or to enter the workforce. Each of these carries its own financial burden. Whether that be the cost of tuition fees and housing at university, or the cost of transport and a work-wear wardrobe if they enter the…
How Taking Control of Your Finances is Good for Your Mental Health
Worries about money can have a very real impact on your wider health and wellbeing, particularly when so many factors, such as soaring inflation, rising interest rates and climbing mortgage rates are beyond your control. Unsurprisingly, high living costs are a huge cause of stress and anxiety across the UK right now, with the Mental Health Foundation noting that 35- to 64-year-olds are more anxious than any other group…
