Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surprised everybody on 22 May – including many in his party – with his announcement of a general election on Thursday 4 July. At the start of 2024, Rishi Sunak said that his “working assumption” was that the general election would be held “in the second half of the year”. His unexpected […]
Getting a mortgage in your 50s and beyond used to be a challenge, but things have changed! Nowadays, mortgage lenders are more willing to help older applicants buy homes or refinance. So, if you’re thinking about getting a mortgage later in life, here’s what you need to know. Age limits and what lenders look for […]
Every year brings new possibilities – and at the start of the 2024/25 tax year, it’s time to maximise your financial options and opportunities. If you’re an investor or saver then there are plenty of tax perks you can take advantage of. But the clock is ticking before the tax year door slams shuts and […]
You should base financial decisions on logic and facts. But psychology can have a much larger effect than you think, and it can lead to you making decisions that aren’t right for you. Read on to find out more about what behavioural finance is and how it could affect you. “Behavioural finance” was first coined […]
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more people to make decisions on your behalf during your lifetime. The people you appoint to manage your affairs are called the attorneys. An LPA is a completely separate legal document to your will although many people put […]
Life is busy, we get it. But is anything more important than being in control of your future? Recent research* suggests that only 44% of UK adults have made a will, which means that you’re far from alone if you haven’t yet got around to completing what, for some, appears to be a daunting task. […]
Hardly a day goes by without the cost of living hitting the headlines. For many homeowners the increasing costs of owning and running a home is having a huge impact on household budgets. Even if you are near the top end of your monthly budget, or are expecting a ‘payment shock’ when you come to […]
Jenny is a 47-year-old Account Manager with a long and varied CV. She hasn’t quite had more jobs than hot dinners but, when she thinks about the various pensions she’s acquired over the years, sometimes it feels that way. Jenny has recently been considering consolidating pensions. But is combining her pensions necessarily the best way […]
As we approach the end of the tax year, there’s still time for you to support your family finances, and ensure you use your allowances in an efficient manner. Kick start your child’s financial future Saving for your children’s future is a huge responsibility, although a rewarding one. To give your child a head start […]
At 12.30pm yesterday, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced the UK Spring Budget, as well as the economic and fiscal forecast by the Office of Budget Responsibility. These legislative announcements are game-changers for Britain’s economy, and Hunt’s announcements included a number of sweeping changes that could potentially affect the personal finances of everyone living […]