How to act your (investor) age
Whilst we are all aware of the age differences between the generations, we might not have thought about how our age bears any relation to our investments. However, the number of years you have left to invest can help you make the right decisions about how much and where to put your money. 20s AND […]
To buy or rent? What you need to consider
Buying your own home is a big financial decision and one you need to approach with your eyes wide open. There are many things to consider and you’ll need to weigh up the pros and cons carefully before opting to become a homeowner. RENTING GIVES YOU FLEXIBILITY, BUT YOU PAY FOR IT Renting your home […]
Wills and power of attorney- Don’t leave it too late
Statistics from the Alzheimer’s Society show that there are around 850,000 people living with dementia and the number is expected to rise to over one million by 2025. Charities that care for the elderly advise everyone to plan for a time when they might not have the mental capacity needed to handle their own financial […]
Interest-only mortgages under investigation by the FCA
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that it will investigate mortgage lenders with borrowers on their books who have interest-only mortgages to ensure that they are being treated fairly. The FCA says that 1.8 million UK home owners have this type of mortgage (excluding buy-to-let) and many loans are due to be repaid over […]
Half of UK families couldn’t survive a month on their savings if ill health struck
A recent report from Aviva1 shows that 24% of UK families would have no savings to fall back on if ill health were to strike and almost half couldn’t survive financially for a month. It’s a sad fact of life that a major illness can strike at any time. Figures for the UK show more […]
With 11 buyers for every home, how can you get ahead in the race?
Figures from the National Association of Estate Agents confirm that housing demand remains extremely high, with an astonishing 11 buyers chasing every property on the market. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, second-stepper or a last-time mover looking for a property, with a shortage of houses for sale you’re likely to face some stiff competition. So […]
Why being bad at maths could cost you money
Getting your numbers wrong when working out how much home insurance cover you need could prove to be a costly mistake that could have serious consequences. If you don’t check your home contents sum insured on a regular basis, then you could find that if you need to make a claim you are underinsured. If […]
How the housing market must change to meet new needs
The arrival of the summer months is usually a busy time for estate agents. However, it seems that the market is being held back by a lack of supply. In their April survey, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors reports that there is a marked lack of property for sale, with each estate agent having […]
What families need to know about the residence nil-rate band
April 2017 sees the introduction of a new Inheritance Tax (IHT) nil-rate band that is available in addition to an individual’s own nil-rate band of £325,000. It covers the main residence (or other qualifying property the deceased had lived in) when it is passed to descendants. The new Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB) will apply […]
Pension savers set to miss out on unclaimed tax relief
Are you in a Defined Contribution Pension, such as a Stakeholder Pension or Personal Pension, or a SIPP? If you’re a higher rate taxpayer, you could be missing out on free cash because you haven’t claimed the correct tax relief on your pension contributions. This would be a shame, as tax relief on contributions represents […]