ISA – 21 not out
When the Individual Savings Account (ISA) was launched in 1999, the allowance was £3,000 for a cash ISA or £7,000 for a stocks and shares ISA each tax year. Now at the grand old age of 21, the overall allowance has risen to a generous £20,000. In the early days, choice was limited to either […]
Small island living – rediscovering what we already have
In recent weeks, there has been an 800% rise in Brits searching for ‘Staycation UK’, as the uncertainty surrounding international travel during the pandemic continues to prevail1. Appreciating what you already have… Destinations such as Plymouth, the Isle of Wight and Exeter are expected to recover quickly due to the staycation tourism boost, according to […]
Getting financially fit for a new way of life
With millions of people having been affected financially by the pandemic, it’s possible that your finances no longer match your lifestyle and needs, so take some time to review your situation to keep on track. Budget and debt planning – Regularly review your income and outgoings, particularly if your circumstances have changed; also make sure […]
Famous last words…
However complex or divisive a character Winston Churchill may have been, there’s no doubt he had a way with words. While the former Prime Minister is perhaps most famous for his powerful speeches during the Second World War, he also had a surprising amount to say about the importance of life insurance. He stated: “If […]
The intergenerational impact of coronavirus
The pandemic has touched the lives of billions of people. Everybody, it seems, has been impacted in some way. However, evidence shows that the pandemic has affected different age groups in very different ways. A recent report1 indicates that although older generations have suffered the greatest health impact, young people have borne the social and […]
Changing equity release motivations in Scotland
The pandemic and ensuing lockdown forced many of us to adopt a back to basics approach to everyday life, a shift which has transcended to many people’s financial motivations too. For people choosing to release equity from their homes in 2020, different reasons emerged for doing so during the pandemic as a direct result of […]
Scottish property boom – the 3D effect
The reopening of the Scottish property market on 29 June has caused a post-lockdown housing boom, with homes in Glasgow and Edinburgh selling faster than anywhere else in the UK. According to Zoopla1, Glasgow properties sold within just 16 days between 13 May and 13 August this year, with Edinburgh hot on its heels at […]
Mortgage market recovery in Scotland
At the height of lockdown, dire predictions of economic disaster, huge job losses and a deep property market slump were relentless. It seemed there was no good news to be found. While uncertainty still prevails, sparks of hope are beginning to creep in. The July Residential Market Survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors […]
Titanic disaster led to historic life insurance payouts
When the ‘unsinkable’ Titanic hit an iceberg and sank in 1912, life and accident insurance companies lost $3,464,111, according to a contemporary article published in The Shore Press. The accident led to some of the largest insurance payouts ever, with the beneficiaries of business magnate John B. Thayer receiving a total accident insurance payout of […]
Age 20 or 50+? – Maintain your retirement focus
Research1 has revealed that almost a fifth of people aged 50 or over believe their retirement will be affected by the pandemic. Of these, a quarter say they have not been able to retire due to their finances, a fifth have had to use some of their retirement savings whilst out of work and a […]