Social media and the younger investor
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is concerned about the influence social media is having on younger investors, who it believes are taking on significant financial risks. This younger, more diverse group of investors, it said, is highly reliant on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok for investment tips and advice, but lacks […]
Keeping up with the Joneses? – your personal goals matter more
Did the way some people tend to crave and display material success all start with yuppies and Harry Enfield’s ‘Loadsamoney’ character in the 1980s? No, it goes back much further, to 1913, when a New York Globe comic strip ‘Keeping Up With the Joneses’ first appeared and created an enduring, meaningful expression. Envy about others’ […]
Mortgage myth-busting
When it comes to taking out a mortgage, there are lots of myths flying about – especially when it comes to that all-important deposit. We’re here to bust those mortgage myths and help you onto the property ladder. You need a huge deposit to get a mortgage There’s a prevailing belief that you need a […]
Stay one step ahead
Nearly a third of homeowners (31%) would only consider purchasing protection insurance if they fell ill1 – too late to support them financially if they couldn’t work. Other triggers for taking out protection cover include a change in employment status (25%) or having an accident (24%), while 22% say there is no circumstance that would […]
Mortgage guarantee scheme reassures lenders
Launched in April 2021, the government guarantee scheme for 95% loan to value (LTV) mortgages has been welcome news for prospective homebuyers with a 5% deposit. The scheme offers a government ‘guarantee’ on 95% LTV mortgages to encourage cautious lenders to bring back these deals. The guarantee applies to the portion of the loan over […]
Holiday season is officially on (but make sure your home is protected)!
With the limited resumption of international travel prompting a flurry of holiday bookings, whether you’re raring to fly or sticking with a staycation, make sure you don’t leave your home vulnerable. With lockdowns preventing us from going on holiday for much of the past year, it’s little wonder we’re all desperate to get away. However, […]
Multi-jobbers – listen up!
Workers on lower salaries with more than one job are at risk of a poorer retirement, as they miss out on employer pension contributions, a new study has concluded1. Excluded from auto enrolment Auto enrolment was introduced to encourage people to save more in their pensions during their working years. Under the scheme, employers are […]
In the News – Home Finance
Investing in your garden It seems that gardens have become more important to UK homeowners during the pandemic1, with 58% saying that their garden has become more of a priority, resulting in a willingness to spend considerably more on their outdoor space. Just 12% of homeowners normally spend more than £600 on their garden each […]
In the News – Money
Holiday selfie could invalidate insurance With travel back on the agenda for many, think twice before posting a holiday selfie on social media. Your insurer may consider this as advertising the fact that you are away from home, leaving your property unoccupied and invalidating your insurance cover. Unfortunately, more and more criminals are using social […]
How your front door could add value to your home
With the pandemic and Stamp Duty holiday causing a stampede to move home, canny sellers have been keen to add as much value to their property as possible. So, they might be interested in new research1 which has discovered a little-known way of increasing the value of your home: door colour. Lockdown blues According to […]