Home working opens new horizons
One effect of the coronavirus epidemic has been the pressure placed on many people to find viable ways of working from home, aided by technology. Where insurance, security, connectivity and any local planning constraints allow, it’s likely that a significant number of these workers may continue to be wholly or partially home-based after the virus […]
Timing pays off for the early bird ISA investor
Early tax year ISA investors could be thousands of pounds better off, according to research1 looking at the investing habits of hypothetical ISA investors over the last 10 and 20 years. The study concludes that if you were an ‘Early Shirley’ and invested your full ISA allowance on 6 April for the past 20 tax […]
Making sense of pensions withdrawals
Research1 has revealed that one in five over-55s with a private pension withdrew a lump sum during 2019, although the study does suggest that, for many, this was probably not a financially sensible course of action. ‘Stash the cash’ The most popular reason for accessing pension wealth was to put the money into a savings […]
Protection for your money
With the outbreak shocking nations around the world and impacting people’s finances, savers understandably want protection for any savings they may have. For UK savers, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) can provide a safeguard adding a valuable level of reassurance. If you have any money in an account with a UK authorised bank, building […]
You’re in safe hands
Buying a home is a major step that is much easier to take if you are well-informed and well-advised, regardless of whether you are a first-time buyer or someone who has moved before. Mortgage debt accounts for over 80% of total UK household liabilities, so finding a suitable mortgage is an important financial decision. Most […]
Know your numbers this tax year
It’s well worth being aware of the tax allowances and exemptions available in 2020–21 to be able to maximise them for your own individual financial planning. Here are a few figures worth knowing: Personal taxation The National Insurance threshold is now £9,500. The Personal Allowance remains at £12,500, while the £50,000 higher-rate threshold remains unchanged […]
Mortgage market update
Stamp Duty Holiday The recent Stamp Duty Holiday announcement in Rishi Sunak’s Summer Budget has come as a huge positive for all homebuyers, with many people now actively looking for a new property knowing they have a significant up-front saving given this great opportunity. To put this in context, the average stamp duty saving will […]
Time to remortgage?
Borrowers on a tracker, discounted or variable rate mortgage may have already benefited from base rate cuts in March, but borrowers whose mortgage deal is nearing its end, or those currently on a standard variable rate (SVR), should review their situation as there are some competitive products on the market. Remortgaging is where you take […]
Payment holidays – consider your options
Back in March, the Chancellor’s announcement, offering three-month mortgage payment holidays for homeowners experiencing financial difficulties due to the pandemic, came as welcome news to many. Mortgage lenders agreed with the Treasury that any customers in ‘difficulty’ would be eligible. Mortgage payment holidays have since been extended for a further three months to 31 October […]
Be vigilant and scam smart
There have been warnings from several UK bodies, including the Bank of England, National Crime Agency, and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) urging people to be vigilant. The warnings are aimed, in particular, at those who may have lost their jobs or are under financial pressure and may be tempted by scammers. Millions affected Over […]