

Putting your affairs in order- what exactly does this mean?
The phrase ‘putting your affairs in order’ is quite commonly used, but what exactly does this process entail? We’ve written this blog to help explain in detail what may be involved in the process and we also highlight some of the key things you will need to consider along the way.


The roller-coaster of inflation
None of us know what the future might hold as we come out of lockdown, but we can try and make predictions. I don’t have a crystal ball, but I do study what is happening in the financial world and I have one prediction that may surprise you…..


Pension changes you may have missed in The Budget
There was scarcely a mention of the ‘P’ word in October’s Budget speech (believe us, we were listening closely for it!). Instead, Hammond used the Budget speech as an opportunity to unveil his ‘rabbit in the hat’ changes to income tax thresholds, an increase in NHS mental health funding and a ban on future PFI contracts.


4 key ways to prevent your grown-up children derailing your retirement savings
The Bank of Mum and Dad is a well-known concept and we all hate to see our children struggle financially, which is why many parents continue to support their children well into adulthood. Instead of being ‘empty nesters’, many parents discover that their offspring return to the family home straight after university (that is if they ever left in the first place!) due to the problems of getting a foot on the property ladder.


Are you keeping track of your pension pot?


Can we make inheritance tax simpler?


Why the experts say people need financial advisers
With the array of online tools and self-help resources available, it can be tempting to try and take your finances into your own hands from time to time. For some people, that’s the way to handle it but for the vast majority, getting advice tailored precisely for you from a qualified professional is the best approach.


Why it pays to retire early
Sound financial planning is not only good for your bank account – it could actually improve your life expectancy. If you’re reading this then you probably don’t need to be convinced of the benefits of looking after your money, but here’s another reason to add to the list.


March Market Commentary (archived)
“The first month of 2018 was a good one for the major stock markets which we cover in this Bulletin. We report on 12 markets and 11 of them made gains in January – in some cases, spectacular gains, which many investors would regard as more than adequate for a full year.”


The Collapse of Carillion – Lessons For Businesses
The collapse of Carillion in January 2018 has already triggered disruption throughout the construction industry. Businesses subcontracted by Carillion will soon feel the effects of the liquidation of the second largest construction company in the UK, with smaller private companies likely to be hit the hardest. The domino effect of the collapse of such a massive company is unfortunately unavoidable at this stage. But what lessons could businesses learn from the fallout of Carillion’s demise?


Will it really improve my retirement if I increase my pension contributions by 1% – or should I just enjoy the money now?
When retirement is decades away, it’s understandable that many people near the start of their working lives don’t give a lot of thought to exactly how much of a difference the amount they pay into their pension will make when they finally come round to needing it. Increasing your pension contribution by 1% might sound so small as to be insignificant, making it tempting to choose to enjoy more of your hard-earned money today rather than putting a little more of it away for years to come. But is that really the case? What difference would putting an extra 1% into your pension actually make?


What exactly is Mifid II and what does it mean for the ordinary investor?
If you’re an investor, it’s likely that you’ll have heard discussions or read reports around the arrival of Mifid II. It’s just as likely that you won’t have had much idea of what Mifid II is or how it might affect you and your investments.


Getting the best deal on a cruise to beat those winter blues!
There are those that believe I am well positioned to write this article, and they may be right!


4 steps to stop inflation eating your savings!
Don’t get caught out by the lifetime allowance rule change
The total tax paid by those exceeding their lifetime pension allowance amounted to £36 million in 2014/15, climbing steeply from £20 million in 2014/15 and equating to an 80% rise. The figure has climbed in recent years from £12 million in 2012/13 to £19 million in 2013/14 and up again to £20 million in the following year. The increased revenue has been generated through more stringent rules introduced last year regarding the lifetime allowance (LTA), the highest amount of money a person is allowed to save in their pension pot and benefit from tax relief at their marginal rate.


People who get financial advice are £40k better off
A recent study has revealed that people who seek the advice from an independent financial adviser (IFA) are on average £40,000 better off than those who don’t do this. The research has come from leading think-tank the International Longevity Centre, who have stated that both the ‘affluent’ group – wealthier people more likely to own their own homes and have degree-level education – and the ‘just getting by’ group – less wealthy people likely to be living in rented accommodation and have lower levels of education – benefit similarly from the financial advice they seek.


What is the skills shortage costing British business?
New research by the Open University has found that the cost of Britain’s skills shortages amounts to more than £2 billion annually due to higher salaries, temporary staffing bills and recruitment costs. The survey of 400 firms found that nine in ten respondents reported struggling to recruit workers with the correct skills within the last year. This is likely to exacerbate concerns over employers experiencing difficulties in filling key jobs, a situation many predict will be worsened after Brexit and a subsequent immigration clampdown.


Why retirement is worrying millennials and what steps they are taking


Is uncertainty becoming the new norm? (archived)
No matter how often we might have heard soundbites such as ‘strong and stable’ and ‘Brexit means Brexit’ which are intended to reassure us, it seems that every major political event of the past twelve months has delivered an unexpected result and an uncertain future. June’s general election was no different: Theresa May began streets ahead in the polls, and ended up scoring a political own goal in reducing the parliamentary majority she intended to increase, resulting in a hung parliament. You might expect the business world’s reaction to reflect the apparent turmoil in Westminster, but it’s relatively muted response perhaps suggests that those in business now see uncertainty as something to simply accept as part of daily life.


Bill to the Bank of Mum and Dad could reach £6.5bn


4 Things to do Before The End of The Tax Year


Britain Takes Back Control. Or Does It?


Need to Sort out Your Finances?
Around 50% of us make a New Year’s Resolution to 'sort out the finances’ but for most of us it's more of a wish than a firm commitment to take action. Looking at the January appointments we’ve had with wealth management clients here are the topics that we’ve discussed most often. If you’re determined to sort out your finances, these may give you some food for thought.


The True Cost of Divorce in Retirement
The financial effects of divorce last much longer than the initial cost of the break up.

