23
May
2025
Woman with large yellow umbrella holding child’s hand while walking a tree-lined path

Could your family handle a financial shock? 3 essential ways to prepare

/
/
0
/
23 May 2025
Life is full of surprises. Some are pleasant and some are not. Whether it’s a sudden job loss or a costly home repair, if you’re not ready for the unexpected, you could find yourself out of pocket. The key to navigating these challenges could lie in proactive preparation. After all, building a robust financial safety net isn’t just about saving money, it’s about securing peace of mind and ensuring your long-term financial wellbeing. Let’s explore three essential steps you can take to build a secure financial safety net for yourself and your family. 1. Put an emergency fund in place to act as a buffer One of the first things you can do to help prepare yourself for a financial...
Read More
23
May
2025
Elderly couple lying in bed with the woman side-eying the man

5 surprising ways a “grey divorce” could affect your financial plan

/
/
0
/
23 May 2025
While it might be common knowledge that many marriages end in divorce, you might assume that if a relationship has survived the test of time, it’s unlikely to break down. However, the number of “grey divorces”, or couples who separate after the age of 50, is on the rise. In fact, Women’s Health reports that the rate of grey divorce has more than doubled since the 1990s. There may be many reasons for this, including financial disagreements, retirement disputes, and even “empty nest syndrome”. Ultimately, regardless of how it came to be, separating later in life can be challenging. For example, you may not be prepared for these five surprising effects a grey divorce could have on your financial plan....
Read More
30
Apr
2025
Pair of happy professional women talking in a modern office setting

6 important questions to ask your employer about your workplace pension

/
/
0
/
30 Apr 2025
Your workplace pension is an important part of your long-term financial security, yet many employees don’t fully understand the ins and outs of their schemes. By asking your employer a few key questions, you could ensure you’re taking full advantage of everything they have to offer and can make informed decisions that align with your retirement goals. From maximising employer contributions to understanding ethical investment options, clarity and knowledge will be your strongest allies. With that in mind, here are six questions you may want to ask your employer, whether you’ve been working for them for two years or 10. 1. How much am I contributing? A key part of understanding your pension begins with knowing the percentage of your...
Read More
30
Apr
2025
Excited woman sitting at a desk putting a coin into a piggybank

Should you save or invest? Finding a balance that works for you

/
/
0
/
30 Apr 2025
The age-old question of whether to save or invest might have you confused. The truth is, both saving and investing can play important roles in building your financial security, so understanding their unique purposes could be key to making informed decisions. In essence, saving prioritises stability and accessibility while investing focuses on potential growth and capital appreciation. Knowing what to choose, how much to save or invest, and when to do it can be daunting. I’m here to help you find a balance that works for you. Saving money may be a good idea if you need it within 5 years Short-term goals may look different for everyone. For some, a short-term goal could be: Putting a deposit down on...
Read More
29
Apr
2025

Guide: How financial planning could help you answer essential “what if?” questions

/
/
0
/
29 Apr 2025
Financial planning is all about helping you to reach your life goals. Ultimately, the objective is for your wealth to allow you to achieve all the things you want to do now and in the future. That might be as simple as being able to relax and enjoy a comfortable retirement or helping your children through education or onto the property ladder. Alternatively, you may want to start a business, retire abroad, or leave a legacy to causes you care about. When making a financial plan, you could be looking several decades ahead. During that time, a variety of unknowns could crop up, altering your ability to meet your goals. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a crystal ball. However,...
Read More
26
Mar
2025
Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, London

Your Spring Statement update – the key news from the chancellor’s speech

/
/
0
/
26 Mar 2025
After Rachel Reeves’ impactful first Budget in autumn 2024, you might have been concerned about the announcements that would be included in her Spring Statement on 26 March 2025. Reassuringly, the major headline from this year’s springtime fiscal event is that Reeves made few announcements that are likely to affect you and your personal finances directly. Although, it did reveal that none of the changes made in the Autumn Budget would be overturned. However, one significant change has been made to the High Income Child Benefit Charge, which could affect you or your family. The chancellor did announce that, due to global uncertainty and after the economy declined in January, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has downgraded its 2025...
Read More
1 2 3 … 7

My Story

Marnel Stafford

Nice to meet you! I’m Marnel Stafford, a dedicated financial planner who works with clients in London, Berkshire, Surrey, Kent and the surrounding areas. My mission revolves around equipping families and individuals with the knowledge necessary to make well-informed decisions and achieve their financial aspirations.

Get in touch

Find me on LinkedIn

Sign up to my newsletter

Get the latest news views straight into your inbox.

Marnel Stafford
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.