Do you feel in control of your finances?
Money worries can have a devastating impact on a person’s life, causing untold stress and heartache day after day. So it is really important that you are not left feeling as if your finances are like a runaway juggernaut – out of control. Otherwise, you leave yourself vulnerable to a host of further financial problems, from growing debt and a worsening credit score, to struggling to put food on the…
Why are house prices falling?
Average house prices have been falling steadily for the last few months now. In fact, the latest figures from Halifax show that prices fell by 1.5 percent in December 2022, taking the average property value to £281,272. It was also the fourth monthly decline in succession, which is staggering when you think that even a global pandemic failed to stop house prices heading upwards. Figures also showed that on…
Could maths education unlock greater financial confidence?
As the cost of living crisis bites, millions of Britons are seeking to make their money work harder for them. But many people lack confidence when it comes to numbers, which can, in turn, harm their efforts to make ends meet and plan for the future. If people aren’t confident handling figures, how can they manage their money effectively and make the best financial decisions? Education is the obvious…
What is the Inheritance Tax Nil-Rate Band?
The inheritance tax nil-rate band, also known as the inheritance tax threshold, is currently £325,000, or £650,000 for a married couple. If your estate is worth more than this amount, you will be liable to pay inheritance tax, with the part of the estate above the nil-rate band being taxed at a rate of 40 per cent. Many people will not have to worry about paying this charge, as…
How to make the most of your investments in 2023
Investing can be a good way to make your money work harder for you, so you can build wealth faster than you could if you put it in a savings account. But the value of your investments can go down as well as up and can expose you to a greater level of risk than leaving your money in the bank. So how can you make the most of…
Set financial new year’s resolutions for 2023
The new year is almost upon us and we will all be setting our resolutions for the next 12 months. Perhaps you want to improve your diet, quit smoking, learn a new skill, or pick up an old hobby that you have let slide over the years. But have you thought about improving your financial habits too? The new year could be a perfect time to get to grips…
Why it is good to talk about money this Christmas
With inflation at its highest level in more than 40 years, and energy and food bills continuing to head upwards, many are feeling the pinch – but perhaps even more so now that Christmas is fast approaching. According to a recent poll by PayPal, 58 percent of Brits are anxious about the cost-of-living crisis, and 44 percent are worried about financial pressure over the festive period. But significantly, 75 percent…
Are you saving enough money?
How much money do you have in your savings account? How long would your head stay above water if you lost your main source of income? These are important questions, particularly as the cost-of-living crisis bites, but several new studies have revealed that many people have a worryingly small amount of money saved up. According to the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), nine per cent of UK adults only…
Can you get tax relief on pension contributions?
Paying into a pension is a great way of making your personal situation more tax efficient whilst simultaneously saving for your retirement. By paying into a pension, you can receive significant tax relief on your contributions, with money that would otherwise be partly lost in tax. This can make a big difference when you are saving for the future and working to reach a certain level of lifestyle in…
Could professional financial advice help you through the cost-of-living crisis?
With soaring inflation and rising interest rates, many people are feeling justifiably anxious about making ends meet. That is partly because the key triggers of the cost-of-living crisis are beyond our control. It is easy to start feeling completely helpless. But there is something you can do that may ease any anxiety you have. Speaking to a regulated, professional financial adviser like ourselves could make the difference. According to…
