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

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

You might see your future retirement as a period of relaxation, where you have more opportunities to travel and fulfil lifelong dreams. In fact, this is likely something you’re actively planning and saving for. However, if you need additional care in your later years, some of your plans might not come to fruition due to financial restrictions. The costs associated with aging, particularly long-term care, can be unexpectedly high. If you’re not prepared for them, you might find that your retirement reality doesn’t quite match up to your expectations. In fact, according to a report from Corporate Adviser, only 1 in 5 employees surveyed have considered the rising cost of care in their retirement plan. What’s more, retirement is becoming... Read More

Receiving a bonus is a significant achievement and a tangible acknowledgement of your dedication and hard work. While it may be tempting to splash out and treat yourself, taking a more strategic approach to managing this windfall could yield more fulfilling long-term benefits. So, prioritising how you’ll use your bonus before it reaches your bank account could make it easier to make your money work for you rather than have it simply disappear. The choice of what to do with the money is up to you, but I’m here to help you make informed decisions that align with your financial goals. So, let’s get started with these five tips for putting your bonus to work. 1. Funnel your bonus money... Read More

When a new tax year starts, many allowances reset. So, checking if you could use these valuable allowances before 5 April 2025, when the 2024/25 tax year ends, might help your money go further. It’s important to understand which allowances fit into your financial plan and suit your goals. So, this guide could help you assess which allowances you might want to use before the current tax year ends. The guide explains the: ISA allowance Junior ISA allowance Dividend Allowance Capital Gains Tax Annual Exempt Amount Marriage Allowance Pension Annual Allowance Inheritance Tax annual exemption Download your copy here: ‘7 allowances you might want to use before the end of the 2024/25 tax year’ to find out more now. If... Read More