What a year it’s been. Here are my reflections on some of the financial events of the year, and what we can take forward into 2023 from the experiences we’ve had. Who’d have thought it We started the year thinking that the pandemic was contained, and we could look forward to life as we knew […]
Category: Financial News & Events, Financial Planning
I write this column to help you make better money decisions and to improve your financial position, this is especially so in difficult times like now. After two years of a pandemic, we are likely to enter a recession which means the country is in a period of temporary economic decline, during which trade and […]
Category: Financial News & Events
With energy prices spiralling out of control and changes in Government it’s hard to keep track of what is going on and what you will be paying. Two Chancellors ago, in late May, the Government announced measures design to protect retail consumers from the October 2022 Ofgem price cap. At the time, the cap for […]
Category: Financial News & Events
With inflation at a 40-year high and with Ofgem’s announcement of a 178% increase in the energy price cap, to £3,549 per year for dual fuel from 1 October, it’s one of the toughest times I can remember for personal finances. So this week I want to focus on the help that’s available from the […]
Category: Financial News & Events
Scammers targeted pension pots large and small, with individual losses ranging from under £1,000 to as much as £500,000. The average victim was described as a man in his 50s – but this could happen to anyone, so what can you do to avoid it happening to you?
Category: Financial News & Events, Retirement & Pensions
We are living in a time of extreme uncertainty and the anxiety that comes along with it. Against the backdrop of war, humanitarian crisis, and economic hardship, it’s natural to wonder what effect these world events will have on our long-term investment performance.
While these challenges certainly warrant our attention and deep concern, they don’t have to be a reason to panic about markets when you’re focused on long-term investing.
Category: Financial News & Events, Saving & Investing
In his Spring Statement the Chancellor’s main focus was on measures to help those hit hardest by the rising cost of living. The annual inflation rate in the UK increased to 6.2 percent in February from 5.5 percent in January and above market forecasts of 5.9 percent. It is the highest inflation rate since March […]
Category: Financial News & Events, Money Management
After touching record highs in early January, many world markets have pulled back from their highs, and investors have been confronted with worrisome headlines in the financial press regarding record inflation and more recently the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.
Is rising inflation and Russia’s invasion a negative for equity investors? Do large losses in a handful of popular stocks signal a downturn ahead for the broad market?
Category: Financial News & Events, Saving & Investing
The government announced two major policy changes that are likely to directly affect your finances. A much-anticipated National Insurance rise will result in an increased burden on workers and employers, including for the first time, those above State Pension Age. And the government has suspended the State Pension triple lock, meaning that pensioners will […]
Category: Financial News & Events, Financial Planning
September is World Alzheimer’s Month and 21 September is World Alzheimer’s Day, an international campaign to raise awareness and highlight issues faced by people affected by dementia. Globally, dementia is one of the biggest challenges we face, with nearly 50 million people living with the condition worldwide. In my book The Money Plan I talk […]
Category: Financial News & Events
Amid the doom and gloom of the last eighteen months, something positive: £16.6bn of consumer credit was repaid last year, the most repaid since the Bank of England records began in 1993 and the first annual net reduction since 2011. While it has been tough on our finances, it’s also led to big changes in […]
Category: Financial News & Events
We have heard two major policy announcements from the government this week, that are likely to directly affect your finances. A much-anticipated National Insurance rise will result in an increased burden on workers and employers, including for the first time, those above State Pension Age. And, on a not so surprising note, due to the […]
Category: Financial News & Events
As an optimist, I like to look for some of the benefits we have gained over these last 18 months or so as we slowly emerge from the restrictions imposed on us. It’s essential we use this period to organise our finances, take lessons and secure our future. Part of that means supporting local businesses whenever you can.
Category: Financial News & Events
If your debts have become overwhelming and you don’t know where to turn, help is at hand. This month the government launched a new initiative called “Breathing Space”. The scheme has been designed to allow people struggling with debt to take 60 days as a breather. What does this mean in reality? Well once a […]
Category: Debt Repayment, Financial News & Events
With only days left before the tax year ends, here’s a guide to making the most of your opportunities to make some savings before it happens.
Category: Financial News & Events, Financial Planning
Chancellor Rishi Sunak set out the government’s tax and spending plans last week as the nation continues to deal with the effects of COVID-19. The Government has borrowed a record £355bn so far fighting the pandemic and has to come up with a way of paying it back. Sunak also needs to continue supporting the millions still out of work or on furlough due to the downturn. So what did he do, and how is it going to affect you?
Category: Financial News & Events
These current events we are all going through have been unprecedented and worrying for many, especially those who fear for their jobs, or their businesses. I have put together a matrix (which is updated regularly as new information comes out) to summarise the main announcements and who they may benefit. The latest version of the matrix is now available.
Category: Coronavirus, Financial News & Events
What a year it’s been. Here are my reflections on some of the events of the year, and what we can take forward into 2021 from the experiences we’ve had.
Category: Financial News & Events
A spending review is a process carried out by HM Treasury (the governments’ financial department) which sets out how much taxpayers money is allocated to each government department to spend on things like the NHS, schools, and the police. The treasury agrees with the departments how much money they will receive and what they need to deliver. The money covers their costs such as paying doctors and nurses salaries, running schools and the police force.
Category: Financial News & Events
Current rules allow employers to spend up to £150 per head (including VAT) towards the costs of an annual function such as a Christmas party without creating a tax or national insurance (NIC) liability for their employees and themselves – provided that certain conditions are met.
Category: Financial News & Events
Step by step is the way to get on top of your money matters
January 15, 2023
Change up your money habits in 2022
January 6, 2023
Looking back on 2022 to move forward in 2023
December 27, 2022
A gift your grandchildren won’t forget
December 18, 2022
Saving up doesn’t mean you need to be Scrooge
December 11, 2022
