14 March 2022 In the first three months of 2022, the stock market has proved volatile for investors all around the world. The continued concern surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, supply chain disruptions, and the rising rate of inflation, have all caused turbulence in global markets. In the below graph, depicting […]
28 February 2022 Since the start of 2022, you’ve probably noticed that global markets – and perhaps the value of your pension or investments – have been a little uncertain. Over the last week or two, the ongoing situation in Ukraine has exacerbated this volatility. It’s natural to feel nervous or worried when national or […]
9 February 2022 In 2022, the idea that you become an “old person” when you reach your 50s and 60s is becoming increasingly outdated. After all, the UK’s average life-expectancy has steadily grown over the past 100 years. According to Statista, the current UK life-expectancy is around 81, compared with just 67 in the mid-20th […]
9 February 2022 Inheritance Tax (IHT) is often called “Britain’s most hated tax” – and for good reason. Charged at a rate of 40% on the value of your estate above the applicable nil-rate bands when you pass away, it can make a significant dent in the wealth you pass on to loved ones when […]
9 February 2022 In recent years, the so-called “Bank of Mum and Dad” has become synonymous with the idea of helping younger generations onto the property ladder. As property becomes less and less affordable for first-time buyers, the term has been coined to reflect the increasing contributions parents (and grandparents) are making towards helping their […]
18 January 2022 After a couple of quarters where it seemed as if life was slowly returning to normal, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus emerged in the final three months of 2021. Cases have once again risen, although a major vaccine booster drive has helped to reduce serious instances of illness. In addition, while […]
18 January 2022Your pension savings are likely to play a significant role in ensuring you can maintain the lifestyle you want when you retire. So, it can make sense to seek advice at this time to ensure your fund remains “enough” for the retirement you seek. Despite the importance of guidance at retirement, the Daily […]
18th January 2022 You’ve probably seen the recent headlines that inflation has reached its highest level in a decade. The BBC reports that the cost of living rose by more than 5% in the year to November 2021, driven by higher transport and energy costs. With experts predicting that inflation could rise even further in […]
7 December 2021 Thanks to the fact that Christmas is at the weekend this year, many people will be able to enjoy a few days break during the festive period. Once you’ve eaten your last mouthful of turkey curry or Christmas pudding, you may find yourself with a little bit of time on your hands […]
7 December 2021 According to UK Finance, in the first half of 2021 an eye-watering £753.9 million was stolen through fraud, an increase of 30% compared to the same period in 2020. While transactional “push payment” fraud accounted for much of this total, losses from investment scams were up 95% year-on-year to more than £107 […]