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What music do you want played at your funeral?
A quick look at the current top 10 funeral songs turns up some predictable results. 'My Way' by Frank Sinatra is favourite, followed by 'Time to Say Goodbye' in second place. Another more ironic choice is 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' from Monty Python's...
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)
You may have already arranged a Will* to deal with matters in the event of your death, but have you considered what would happen if you became unable to handle your affairs while still alive? Peace of mind Have you considered how a physical or mental illness could...
Give your children a head start with financial education
Financial literacy isn’t a skill that we are born with. Learning how to manage money effectively means acquiring a few important life lessons that parents can pass on to their children from a relatively young age. With homeschooling on the agenda for many families at...
What is cashflow modelling?
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Financial planning is all about preparing for those things that may not be so certain (and taxes). Plans should be reviewed regularly so they adapt to changes in your circumstances and reflect...
The Bank of…Granny and Grandad?
For many younger people struggling to get a foot on the property ladder, the Bank of Mum and Dad is the only option. With rent taking a huge chunk out of their income and the requirement for increasingly onerous deposits, two in five renters do not believe they will...
Achieving your financial goals
We lead complex lives in an increasingly complex world. As financial planning experts we can help you better understand your financial challenges, goals and needs, and help you find appropriate ways to meet them. Even a seemingly straightforward financial goal can...
A Matter Of Trusts
Taking out a life insurance policy gives you valuable peace of mind: you know you’ve protected your family against financial hardship, should the worst happen. But how can you make sure your policy will pay out quickly, to those who’ll need it most, if you died...
The new £1m Inheritance Tax allowance
In the wake of the 2015 General Election, the Conservative Party confirmed it would deliver on its Manifesto promise that parents could pass their property up to the value of £1m to their children free of Inheritance Tax, thanks to a new ‘family home allowance’. The...
Exchanging contracts? Get insured first
Purchasing a property can be a busy, stressful time and it can seem like there are a million things to remember. Some things however, are more important to remember than others – for example, getting the right insurance in place at the right time. Many people believe...
Working from home – are you covered?
Following lockdown, many firms have closed workplaces, meaning that millions of people across the UK have are now required to work from home. Should I inform my insurer that I am working from home? The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has issued reassurance that,...
Assessing your post-COVID insurance needs
Insurance brokers have reported an increase in enquiries about income protection cover since the pandemic outbreak, with people concerned about becoming ill and being unable to continue working, or worried about losing their jobs. Income protection explained Income...
Embarking on a DIY project? Check your home insurance
You may have some extra time on your hands and judging by the queues outside hardware stores, people are seizing the opportunity to get some home improvement jobs underway, particularly with more Britons than ever working from home. Between February and March 2020,...
Exchanging contracts? Get insured first
Purchasing a property can be a busy, stressful time and it can seem like there are a million things to remember. Some things however, are more important to remember than others – for example, getting the right insurance in place at the right time. Many people believe...
Managing mortgage stress – we’re here for you
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a second- stepper or further up the housing ladder, buying a home and getting a mortgage is always a big move and can feel a bit like a roller coaster ride at the best of times. Now there is the added complications and worries that...
What you need to know about self-build mortgages
If you’re thinking of building your own home, financing the project may be high on your list of priorities. Self-build mortgages are different from normal mortgages. They release funds at stages during the building work, rather than in one lump sum when you complete a...
Client Feedback
We recently received this fantastic feedback for Mike, one of our mortgage advisors, which was given to our provider Openwork. They create ongoing client contact which is aimed at customers who have received advice in the previous month and gathers details of how...
COVID-19 affects retirement plans for over three million
Recent research shows 1 in 10 UK adults with a pension (and not yet retired) have reduced or stopped pension contributions because of Covid-19. 1 in 10 UK adults have reduced or stopped pension contributions 1 in 4 workers are worried about paying for everyday...
Pension planning for the self-employed
There are 4.8 million self-employed people in the UK and only a third have any kind of pension arrangement. A shocking statistic when you consider that State support is shrinking and we’re all living longer. Saving for a pension when you’re self-employed is not as...
Important Pension Update
You may be aware that Zurich has agreed to sell part of its UK wealth and investment business to the Embark Group. This includes the Zurich Portfolio which includes your Zurich ISA, Retirement Account or General Investment Account. The Financial Conduct Authority...
Your pension savings, your future options
Why you should consider modernising your pension, particularly in light of recent events, it's important to consider your future options.nsion savings As well as giving you greater freedom over how you access your savings, there are several other benefits when...
COVID-19 affects retirement plans for over three million
Recent research shows 1 in 10 UK adults with a pension (and not yet retired) have reduced or stopped pension contributions because of Covid-19. 1 in 10 UK adults have reduced or stopped pension contributions 1 in 4 workers are worried about paying for everyday...
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)
You may have already arranged a Will* to deal with matters in the event of your death, but have you considered what would happen if you became unable to handle your affairs while still alive? Peace of mind Have you considered how a physical or mental illness could...
Your pension savings, your future options
Why you should consider modernising your pension, particularly in light of recent events, it's important to consider your future options.nsion savings As well as giving you greater freedom over how you access your savings, there are several other benefits when...
Reviewing your pension contributions
As you approach retirement, you probably want to know when you can afford to stop working. Having worked hard throughout your career you deserve to enjoy your retirement without having to worry about your finances. It may be worth reviewing your pension contributions...
The Bank of…Granny and Grandad?
For many younger people struggling to get a foot on the property ladder, the Bank of Mum and Dad is the only option. With rent taking a huge chunk out of their income and the requirement for increasingly onerous deposits, two in five renters do not believe they will...
Why are equities volatile?
The more experienced investors among us will know that investing in equities involves a more volatile journey than some other asset classes, such as fixed income. What causes this volatility? When you invest in a bond, you are effectively lending money to the issuer,...
A global approach to asset allocation
Asset allocation is one of the key tools in our investment proposition to help strike the right balance between risk and reward in your portfolio. It applies to asset classes, such as equities, bonds and cash, and different global regions. The actively-managed Omnis...
All about ISAs
In the 2019/20 tax year, you can save up to £20,000 tax-free in an Individual Savings Account (ISA), and when it comes to your ISA investment, you have a number of options. Investors comfortable with the slightly higher risk Peer to Peer lending can also now invest in...
Bridging Finance
If you’re an existing homeowner and you want or need to move, there’s a lot to be said for moving into your new property before you sell your old one. The main advantage is that you know you have somewhere to go. This saves you either having to rush to find a...
What’s the point of a property survey?
You're not bound by law to have a survey done on a property you're buying, but while it may feel like an unnecessary expense given all the other costs involved in homebuying, it could actually save money and stress in the longer-term. A survey is basically a health...
Protection in trust
Taking out a Life Insurance policy gives you valuable peace of mind; you know you’ve helped protect your family against financial hardship, should the worst happen. But how can you make sure your policy will pay out quickly, to those who’ll need it most, if you...
Are you thinking of downsizing?
According to a survey by Lloyds Bank, 45 per cent of empty nesters have no plans to downsize, despite the potential windfall moving to a smaller place could create. For these empty nesters then, life seems pretty comfortable, but their new-found wellbeing could be at...
