Over 40% of buyers stressed by the mortgage process, don’t be one of them
Buying a home is, as we all know, high on the list of life events that are exhilarating and stress-inducing in equal measure. A recent industry survey1 showed that 41% of people felt stressed by the mortgage process, so here are some top tips to help you make a success of your property purchase. MAKE SURE […]
More people feel positive about their personal finances
A poll carried out by Opinium in January found that despite concerns over major issues such as Brexit, more Britons report feeling positive about their personal finances than they did last year. The survey found that workers think that their disposable incomes will increase by 3% on average, from £349 a month to £360 a […]
More women are working into their 70s
In yet another sign that retirement is becoming an increasingly fluid concept, figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the number of women working past the age of 70 has doubled in the last four years. The abolition of the compulsory retirement age in 2011 has meant that many more workers, men and […]
Why mortgage protection insurance makes sense
Life can be expensive these days. The list of bills families have to pay is a long one and it soon adds up; there’s the mortgage, council tax, food and energy bills for starters. And then there are often credit card bills, personal loans, transport costs, holidays and perhaps school fees too. So, if your […]
Tax traps the bank of mum and dad should avoid
With the Bank of Mum and Dad regularly helping to finance property transactions for their offspring, it’s important for parents to be aware of the tax consequences of doing so. Research has shown that scammers frequently search for information in social media profiles, emails and texts, that can help them sound genuine and authentic when […]
Pension scams persist – take note
Scammers are out in force again, trying to part us from our pension savings. One in six pension holders in the UK have been contacted by a company – other than their pension provider – to discuss making changes or transferring their pension, according to the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA). They report that […]
Mortgage advice for the self-employed
The growth of what’s been dubbed the ‘gig’ economy has led to more people joining the ranks of the self-employed and becoming small business owners. In the past, it could sometimes be more difficult for people who don’t have set employment and salary patterns to get a mortgage. However, times are changing and more lenders […]
Money doesn’t grow on trees – teaching your children the value of money
Financial literacy isn’t a skill that we’re born with. Learning how to manage money effectively requires acquiring a few important life lessons that parents can pass on to their children from a relatively young age. EARNING AND LEARNING It makes sense to encourage children to handle cash as soon as possible to help them […]
Two-thirds without life insurance despite health worries
A recent ‘Health, Wealth and Happiness’ report1 shows that poor health (29%) and concerns over family members’ health (24%) top the list of things likely to impact happiness, above the sudden death of a family member or friend (24%), terrorism (23%) and the impact of Brexit (17%). Despite health worries topping the list of concerns […]
Later life mortgage borrowing has become standard practice for many
The mortgage landscape has changed in a number of fundamental ways over the last few years. Diverse factors such as the increase in house prices, students leaving university with larger debts, the trend towards couples buying their first homes and starting their families later in life, the ability to access pensions from age 55, are […]