Goal-based investing explained
Although it might be tempting to think that investing is just about getting the best possible return on one pot of money, goal-based investing, structuring your investment around your specific financial aims, has become a widely-used way of helping people plan their financial futures. Thinking things through One of the most significant benefits to a […]
Side hustles – what they are and why they work
A side hustle is any type of work undertaken in addition to a full-time job. It’s often freelance or piecework in nature and provides extra income. It’s not the same as a part-time job, which entails working for someone else who governs the terms of your employment and the hours you work. Side hustles often […]
The impact of humble mortgage overpayments
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s worth making overpayments on your mortgage, then new research1 could help you decide. The data shows the benefits of a monthly £10 overpayment with interest rates at their current low level and illustrates that even modest overpayments can make a difference to the day when borrowers become mortgage free. If […]
Spouses unnecessarily paying tax on inherited ISAs
Data1 shows that six out of seven bereaved partners could be paying tax unnecessarily on ISA savings they inherit. Since April 2015, bereaved spouses or civil partners have been entitled to an extra ISA allowance. This is achieved by what’s called an Additional Permitted Subscription (APS). If the investor died before 6 April 2018, the APS […]
Are the best things in life really free?
Recent research1 shows that many of life’s most enjoyable events come with a hefty price tag. The research calculates that going to university, buying a house, getting married, having two children and then retiring could, on average, add up to £566,659 over the course of a lifetime. This is a huge sum and illustrates the need […]
Planning your pension in the new world of work
Not long ago, work meant a 9-to-5 role, probably spent with the same employer and ending abruptly when you reached retirement age. Things are very different today. People tend to move jobs more frequently and many more of us are self-employed, thanks to the rise of the gig economy. Those past State Pension age are […]
Rise in 10-year fixed mortgages
Despite mortgage rates being at their lowest level for years, two increases in the base rate in under a year, have prompted many mortgage holders to consider their options. Some providers have started to offer 10-year fixed rate mortgages, guaranteeing a consistent payment for a decade. Recent research1 revealed that over half of respondents to their […]
Where we spend our money
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in 2017, we spent more of our money in shops than we did online, but the growth of online sales is increasing rapidly, going up by 15.9% in comparison with 2016, to £59.8bn. The sharp rise in online sales means that store closures on […]
Make 2019 the year you get the protection you need
If you haven’t got proper insurance in place for you, your family and your valuables, then you could be vulnerable if you faced one of life’s unexpected crises. Insurance cover doesn’t just pay out if you die, it can also give you the satisfaction of knowing that if you fall ill, have an accident or […]
Time to top up your ISA?
If you’re planning to save into your ISA this tax year, don’t leave it too late and miss out on this great way to save tax-efficiently; remember you can’t carry any unused allowance over to the next tax year, so timing is important. The ISA allowance for the 2018-19 tax year is a generous £20,000 […]