Inflation in 2021 is expected to hit 4%. Inflation means the cost of living will rise and, for mortgage holders, knock-on effects could mean the cost of a mortgage becomes... read more →
If Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a concern for you, taking out a life insurance policy could mean your estate passes to loved ones intact. With some careful planning, a life... read more →
Dividend Tax rates are set to rise, and it could affect the amount of tax you pay. The chancellor announced a hike in Dividend Tax rates, along with the introduction... read more →
Your State Pension may only make up a relatively small portion of your retirement income, but it’s an important part of it, and so it’s crucial you understand your entitlement.... read more →
Hopefully, you head into retirement confident in your finances and your retirement income. While your financial commitments and dependents may be fewer in retirement, it’s still important to have a... read more →
Figures suggest that an increasing number of people plan to work past the traditional retirement age. There are a variety of reasons for doing so and it also could help... read more →
Investment decisions should be based on logic and fact. But it’s easy for emotions and biases to affect your decisions, and this can lead to investment mistakes. Behavioural bias can... read more →
It’s that time of the year when the nights are getting darker and spooky films start to appear on the TV. While the sight of ghosts, vampires, and more could... read more →
Receiving an inheritance can be life-changing. It could provide you with the financial security to pursue your dreams or make significant changes to your lifestyle. However, it can be overwhelming,... read more →
How often do you discuss your finances? In the UK, talking about money and our long-term financial plans are often still seen as a taboo subject. Breaking down this barrier... read more →
Half of the adults in the UK don’t have a will. While you may have a reason for putting the task off, there are many compelling reasons to make time... read more →
You may have thought about who you’d like to benefit from your assets when you pass away and written a will to ensure your wishes are carried out. However, you... read more →
When you think about what your most precious resource is, you might say money or even time. Yet an author recently proposed a different resource that you may be overlooking:... read more →
While protection for scam victims is improving, the startling truth is that most scammers are not caught, and victims lose their money. It can have a devastating impact on your... read more →
Over your child’s life, you may have built up a nest egg to give them a helping hand as they become independent. If they’re planning to go to university, you... read more →
The Independent reports that 76% of parents and guardians in the UK are saving money for their children under the age of 18. Helping your child step into adult life... read more →
Are you thinking about relocating when you retire? If you are, you’re not alone. Millions of over-50s are planning to move away from their current home as a direct result... read more →
The age you can access defined contribution (DC) pensions is rising. Research suggests that many people are unaware of this, but it could affect your retirement plans. At the moment,... read more →
Back in May, I felt happy and content. Now I feel anxious and frustrated. A lot has changed in three months. It was inevitable, to be honest, and I should... read more →
When you’re making financial decisions, one of the challenges is understanding the impact that it could have on your long-term finances. Not understanding the impact means you’re unsure what you... read more →
Financial planning is about much more than simply growing your wealth. Not only can it reduce financial worry, but it can help you achieve long-term goals, reduce stress levels, and... read more →
House prices have reached record highs this year. While you may be pleased the value of your home is increasing, it may also mean you now need to consider Inheritance... read more →
There are many excellent reasons to save into a pension. One of them is the tax relief you benefit from, but many pension savers are overlooking this valuable boost to... read more →
What are your plans for your first few years of retirement? Being able to take a tax-free lump sum from your pension can open up a whole host of possibilities.... read more →
Pension Awareness Day is just around the corner and is the perfect time to review your pension to make sure you’re getting the most out of it. So, ahead of... read more →
While some lockdown restrictions are still in place, things are slowly returning to “normal”. Since Covid-19 measures were first introduced in March 2020, you may have missed some things you... read more →
It’s that time of the year when thousands of teenagers across the country are waiting to find out if they’ve been accepted to university. As your child or grandchild starts... read more →
Most people in the UK do not have any type of financial protection. While there may be a good reason for some, in others it’s a decision that’s sparked by... read more →
Millions of people are missing out on financial advice that could help them reach their goals because of misconceptions, research finds. Speaking to a financial planner can help you organise... read more →
How much do you need to live the retirement lifestyle you want? It’s a question that’s on the mind of many people as they near their retirement date. Now research... read more →
When saving into a pension, reaching £1 million can seem like an impossible challenge. But the magic of compounding can mean it’s easier to reach than you might think, especially... read more →
After over a year of uncertainty and homeschooling, you may be worried about the impact the pandemic has had on your child’s education. With the summer holidays just weeks away,... read more →
Inheritances are growing and becoming more important to household wealth, research finds. As the Inheritance Tax (IHT) thresholds are now frozen for five years, it’s essential those planning to leave... read more →
While the mantra might be “life begins at 40”, over 55s are planning to live their life to the fullest as Covid-19 restrictions lift. Retirement might be associated with taking... read more →
You may have seen the recent news that thousands of people have been underpaid by the State Pension. If it’s affected you, it could mean you’ll receive a lump sum... read more →
When you review your pension, it’s likely to be the forecast that you focus on. This figure is designed to give you an idea of how much your pension will... read more →
If you’re planning to retire this year, do you know how long your pension will last? Your pension savings will have an impact on the lifestyle you can afford and... read more →
As many of you will know, I have recently been running around the streets (and hills!) of Sheffield raising money for the Children’s Hospital Charity. My challenge is to run... read more →
The pandemic has placed pressure on families across the UK. So, it’s not surprising that more people are seeking financial advice and thinking about their long-term security. While financial advice... read more →
In the first nine months of 2020, there were 464,437 new babies welcomed across the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics. That’s more than one baby every minute!... read more →
Money has a huge impact on our wellbeing. Whether we have “enough” is often the focus when facing money challenges, but a new report suggests that our mindset and relationship... read more →
Across the UK, 6.5 million people provide informal care for a family member or friend. This care is hugely important for ensuring vulnerable people receive the support they need. However,... read more →
We all hope to achieve financial security in retirement, allowing us to focus on the things we enjoy. While retirement might be associated with indulging hobbies and aspirations, Generation X... read more →
When you think of risks to your retirement, do you include inflation? It can have a huge impact on your income throughout retirement. Yet, it’s often overlooked when creating a... read more →
The headline figure for wage growth of 4.5% in late 2020 – the highest level in almost two decades – is too good to be true, according to the Resolution... read more →
Technology encourages more investors to seek the “thrill” of trading and take bigger financial risks
Technology has made investing far more accessible. You can now invest and make changes to your portfolio with just a few taps on your smartphone. While more people investing for... read more →
The cost of funding care and delivering support to the elderly has become a national priority. However, research suggests it’s still not something individuals are thinking about when they make... read more →
The world of work is changing, and it means young workers today need to be more engaged with their pension than ever to build a secure retirement. A rising State... read more →
While the chancellor didn’t announce personal tax rises in this year’s budget, a freeze on allowances could mean your tax bill unexpectedly increases. High earners and those with defined benefit... read more →
In March, chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his second Budget. After a lot of speculation that taxes would rise to pay for the cost of Covid-19, you may have been relieved... read more →
As many of you will know I am running 1,000 miles during the first six months of 2021 to raise money for Sheffield Children’s Hospital and the Ryegate Centre and... read more →
In 1990 a couple held a ball for Sheffield Children’s Hospital, since then have raised £1.18m. Catherine Scott reports in the Yorkshire Post. L-R Isabel, Donna, Richard and James Fyfe... read more →
We all know that Covid-19 has affected the high street. Lockdown and social distancing restrictions have made the last year an extremely difficult environment for retail and hospitality businesses to... read more →
It’s been a year since lockdown was first announced in the UK in order to slow the spread of Covid-19. While restrictions have varied over the last 12 months, they... read more →
The pandemic has led to more people taking control of their finances and investing. If you’re looking for some investing tips, the following pearls of wisdom from Warren Buffett are... read more →
2020 was an eventful year. The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns around the world had a huge impact on life, which inevitably affected stock markets and investment portfolios. The stock market... read more →
Is the common saying “money can’t buy happiness” true? Research suggests that it isn’t, and that the opportunities financial security brings can deliver happiness and improve wellbeing. This latest study... read more →
Saving for retirement should be part of your financial plan and can help you secure the lifestyle you’re looking forward to. But watch out for these eight pension mistakes, which... read more →
Saving into a pension and accessing it comes with a lot of challenges as you need to think about how much income you need throughout retirement. Research from the People’s... read more →
Saturday 20 March is the International Day of Happiness. After the challenges of 2020, we could all use something to make us feel a little more cheerful. Yet, despite doom... read more →
Following a year of uncertainty, you may be worried about your finances. Covid-19 has had an impact in many ways, from reducing income to affecting investments. Some financial firms have... read more →
The current 2020/21 tax year will end on 5 April 2021. As a new year starts, many allowances reset. For some, it will be your last opportunity to use them.... read more →
As we continue to be in lockdown, you may find that you have far more time on your hands. It makes it the perfect time to look at how you... read more →
When the pandemic struck last year, thousands of workers began working from home for the first time. It’s changed the world of work and this situation could be here to... read more →
When children are still in primary school it can seem a little too early to be thinking about their careers. But the skills, passions, and knowledge they pick up in... read more →
Thousands of people have welcomed the shift in working from home. It’s helped us stay safe during the pandemic, as well as saving money and providing more free time. However,... read more →
How do you rate your financial security? When you think about your financial situation, what defines it as ‘healthy’? For 77% of Brits, financial success is having the financial freedom... read more →
Have you started preparing for retirement yet? If you’re nearing this milestone you may have contemplated whether your pension will be enough and how you’ll create an income. It’s often... read more →
For most people, their pension becomes available at the age of 55, rising to 57 in 2028, even if they plan to work past this point. It means you can... read more →
We hear a lot about the gender pay gap, but one area that’s often overlooked is the knock-on effect this has for retirement savings. While progress has been made, on... read more →
The Wealth Tax Commission has recently released a report recommending that if the government chooses to raise taxes as part of its response to the Covid-19 crisis, it should implement... read more →
A few months ago I read the book Progress by Johan Norberg. This book addresses some of the misconceptions we have about the world, in particular that the world is... read more →
My family had some great news this week. My son’s application for an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) was approved by the Special Educational Needs department at Sheffield City Council.... read more →
As financial planners, retirement is a key area when talking to our clients. In fact, as retirement specialists this is where we spend most of our time. So it came... read more →
Earlier this week, I was making my way home from my morning run when I bumped into a friend. It was great to catch up (at a suitable distance of... read more →
Recognising Opportunities Until the recent lockdown, life had become more fast-paced than ever and time was in short supply. Implementing changes in life and in business takes time and energy,... read more →
https://youtu.be/667MdjgfgKY
One area of financial planning that we often encounter is balancing clients’ plans for their children with their hopes for retirement. This can be difficult and we must consider a large number... read more →
Some of the best advice I’ve received was Last February, at the PFS’s Power Live event in Sheffield. Steve Martin of the FP Training Academy explained that financial planners need... read more →
