Your Spring Statement update – the key news from the chancellor’s speech
After Rachel Reeves’ impactful first Budget in autumn 2024, you might have been concerned about the announcements that would be included in her Spring Statement on 26 March 2025. Reassuringly, the major headline from this year’s springtime fiscal event is that Reeves made few announcements that are likely to affect you and your personal finances […]
Investment market update: February 2025
After reading headlines throughout February, you might be expecting a gloomy investment outlook. Yet, despite threats of trade wars and uncertainty around the world, there were market highs. Read on to find out more about some of the factors that influenced investment markets. As investment markets are experiencing volatility, it’s perhaps unsurprising that some investors […]
How to reduce your Capital Gains Tax bill in 2025
A combination of rising rates and panic ahead of the current government’s first Autumn Budget has led to HRMC collecting a record amount in Capital Gains Tax (CGT) towards the end of 2024. According to a report in the Telegraph, between July and November 2024, CGT generated more than £1 billion for the government – […]
3 retirement financial shocks that could affect your finances
Those who have retired or are nearing the milestone are consistently overlooking the risk of financial shocks when compared to other generations, a survey published in PensionsAge in December 2024 suggests. According to the report, 43% of over-50s had thought about financial shocks but not included the risks in their retirement plan. A further 32% […]
The potential perils of accessing your pension at 55
Reaching the minimum pension age and being able to access your retirement savings might mean new possibilities opening up. You may start thinking about giving up work, withdrawing a lump sum to pursue a goal, or using your pension to boost your regular income. It’s an exciting time, but it’s also important to evaluate your […]
How financial planning could help you overcome decision paralysis
How long do you leave essential tasks on your to-do list? If you’ve put off tasks because they feel overwhelming, you’re not alone, but delays could be harmful. Read on to find out how financial planning may help you overcome decision paralysis. According to a January 2025 study from the Post Office, half of adults […]
Behavioural bias: 5 cognitive biases that could affect your finances
When you’re making large financial decisions, basing them on facts and logic could help you choose the option that’s best suited to your needs. Yet, even when you take this approach, cognitive biases may affect the conclusions you draw. Over the last few months, you’ve read about how past experiences and emotions might affect your […]
Investment market update: December 2024
Political instability in Europe and further afield affected investment markets in December. Read on to find out what other factors may have influenced your investment returns at the end of 2024. Remember to focus on your long-term goals when assessing the performance of your investments. The value of your assets rising and falling is part […]
How to pass on assets to vulnerable family members
When creating an estate plan, there might be people you want to pass wealth to but they’re not in a position to manage their finances. Using a trust could provide a way to leave a vulnerable loved one assets and feel confident they’ll be effectively managed. Trusts aren’t used as commonly as other ways to […]
5 practical tasks that could help you get more out of your pension in 2025
If it’s been some time since you reviewed your pension, going through these practical tasks could help you get more out of your retirement savings in 2025. As retirement could be years away, it’s easy for your pension to slip off your list of priorities. In fact, a survey from The People’s Pension suggests that […]