Savings – do you need a nudge?
Savings – do you need a nudge? According to data from the Office for National Statistics3, the UK is losing the savings habit. In the last couple of years, the savings ratio has been at about 4%, whereas in the 1990s it was closer to 15%. Statistics show that half of 20-somethings have no savings […]
What homebuyers regret
Although most people are happy that they made their move, some buyers admit to having made the wrong choice. Regrets include being too far from friends and family, compromising on location, finding the neighbours a problem, choosing the wrong-sized property and discovering that their new home had hidden and expensive-to-fix problems when they moved in. […]
Investment jargon made simple
Commonly used words and phrases in connection with investing can often seem confusing, but the good news is that we are well-versed in providing plain-English explanations of technical terms. Volatility You will probably have heard this term quite a lot recently. Volatility refers to the rate at which the price of an investment moves up […]
How much of your home do you own?
Although you may have purchased a property, how much of it do you actually own right now? It’s estimated that at point of purchase the average UK buyer in effect, owns the equivalent of the kitchen and a bathroom. Thinking of moving? If you’re contemplating your next house move, then you’ll need to work […]
Should you remortgage?
Over the last few years, we’ve all got used to shopping around for the best prices available on major household bills such as energy supplies and it makes sense to adopt the same approach when it comes to your mortgage. Reaching the end of your deal When your fixed-rate deal ends, your lender automatically […]
WORRYINGLY, 68% OF RETIREES DON’T TAKE ADVICE
If you’re looking ahead to your retirement, the good news is that nowadays there are more choices open to you than ever before. However, recent research7 shows that many retirees may not be exploring these options and aren’t shopping around at retirement, selecting instead to take the annuity or drawdown facility offered to them by […]
Gifting money for a deposit – what you need to know
Parents and grandparents keen to help their offspring get onto the housing ladder are increasingly helping them out with the money they need for their deposit. This can help reduce Inheritance Tax (IHT) too, but you need to be aware of the rules. Everyone has a yearly ‘gift’ allowance for IHT and can give away […]
Transfers of wealth – who gets what
Data from the Office for National Statistics5 show that various patterns are emerging in how wealth is transferred down the generations. Unsurprisingly, gifts and loans are more commonly made to those aged 25–34, with 11% in this age bracket receiving more than £500 during the previous two years, with the average across all age groups being […]
How can you pay for a mortgage if you lose your income?
Losing your income can be a major financial upset. However, there are policies designed to protect your income in this situation, giving you valuable peace of mind. Income protection These policies are designed to replace a proportion of your income should you be unable to work due to an accident or illness. You can also […]
Celebrating 20 years of the ISA
The Individual Savings Account (ISA) was launched on 6th April 1999 and it hasn’t looked back. Today it’s estimated that 42% of adults hold one, which is hardly surprising considering how simple and tax-efficient they are. When the ISA was launched, the annual allowance was £7,000 and it has risen steadily over the years. In […]