5 practical ways to make your pension go further during the cost of living crisis
Posted by siteadmin on Tuesday 23rd of May 2023
Household bills have increased rapidly during the past year. The current cost of living crisis began with the Covid pandemic, causing problems for economies around the world and creating global supply chain delays. The war in Ukraine simply heightened an already difficult situation. Following such an extended period of price rises, you may be concerned about your household finances and long-term plans. If you are retired and rely on a defined contribution (DC) pension for your income, read on for five options that could help you make your pe...
Self Employed Protection
Posted by siteadmin on Monday 22nd of May 2023
Being self-employed can be a rewarding and fulfilling career choice, allowing freedom to work to your terms and pursuing passions. However, it also comes with its challenges, one being financial insecurity. Unlike those working within a company, if you’re self-employed you are responsible for your own financial stability. This means taking the necessary steps to protect yourselves from unexpected events.
While it may seem like an added expense, the cost of financial security is a small price to pay for the security it provides. Most of us don’t think twice when it comes to protecting our vehicles or mobiles phones and pets, so why not do the same when it comes to your source of income. Here are some ways you can protect yourself if you’re self-employed:
Income Protection
Being self-employed means your income y is directly tied with your ability to work. This means if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury you could suffer significant loss of pay. Income protection pays out a regular tax-free income, on a short or long-term basis, to cover expenses such as your rent or mortgage, bills and other living costs if you are unable to work.
This valuable insurance could help reduce stress, prevent your family suffering financial hardship, and give you the breathing space to help you get back on your feet when you most need it.
Critical Illness Cover
If you were to be diagnosed with a serious illness such as heart disease, it would have a significant impact on your ability to work. Critical illness cover usually pays out a tax-free lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a serious illness covered by your policy. These usually include, cancers, heart attacks and strokes.
Life Insurance
If you were to pass away unexpectedly, your family could be left in a difficult financial situation. Life insurance pays out either a lump sum or regular payments on your death, giving your dependants financial support after you’re gone. This can help them to cover expenses such as funeral costs, mortgages, bills and provide them with financial security during a difficult time.
If you’d like advice on how to protect your finances, or you’d like to review your protection needs, please get in touch.
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Life after your Fixed Rate mortgage. What happens when your mortgage deal expires?
Posted by siteadmin on Monday 15th of May 2023
If the end of your fixed rate mortgage is on the horizon (even if it’s months away), then it’s a good idea to start looking at your options today.
If you haven’t got a new deal in place when your fixed rate mortgage ends, your lender will put you onto their standard variable rate, which tends to be higher than the rates on most other mortgage options. So it pays to get the right mortgage for you in place.
When it comes to remortgaging, some people prefer to search the market themselves. This could be time consuming, and the right d...
Investing for children
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 10th of May 2023
As a parent, you want to do everything you can to ensure that your children have a bright and secure future. One way to do this is by investing on their behalf. Not only can they start adulthood with some savings, but getting children involved early with saving also helps them learn important lessons about money.
The earlier you start investing, the better. Time is a powerful tool when it comes to investing, and the longer you have, the more time your money has to grow. Even if you can only contribute a small amount each month, starting ...
Saving for for child's university education
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 10th of May 2023
Saving for your child’s university education requires careful planning and budgeting. By starting early, considering investment opportunities, encouraging your child to save, looking for scholarships and bursaries, and planning, you can make saving for university a manageable goal and give your child the best possible start in life.
What is the cost of university?
According to Save the Student, it costs roughly £61,000 to go to university in the UK. This figure comes from tuition fees costing most students £9,250 a year. As most courses ...
It's not all fixed rates
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 19th of April 2023
With over 10 years of record low interest rates, fixed rate mortgages offer borrowers the stability of knowing what the mortgage payment will be for a set period, which helps with budgeting.
Because of the way many lenders decide what rates to offer, we’re currently seeing tracker products priced a lot more competitively than fixed rate products.
Unlike a fixed rate, the monthly payment of a tracker mortgage fluctuates and the rate charged on the mortgage ‘tracks’ the Bank Rate usually for a set period. Whilst you may have to pay a penalty...
The cost of moving home
Posted by siteadmin on Monday 20th of March 2023
Buying a home comes with extra costs and fees you need to be aware of – from securing your mortgage to booking the removal van.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, downsizing or moving to your dream family home, it’s an exciting – and busy – time. It also comes with costs that could take you by surprise, so here’s a look at the ones you’re likely to come across and how we can help you through the journey.
Advice fee
We can help when you’re applying for your mortgage in principle, putting you in a strong position once an offer is accepted. ...
Finding your first home
Posted by siteadmin on Monday 20th of March 2023
Searching for your first home can be an overwhelming experience, but when it’s the biggest purchase of your life, you need to ensure that it’s right for you. There are so many things to consider, so to help you with one of the biggest decisions in your life, we have drawn up some helpful tips and guidance when finding your first home.
Start with an open mind
There is the danger of becoming too fixated on certain locations or certain properties. It’s important to be open when searching for your first home, ensuring that you’re considering a...
Spring Budget winners and losers
Posted by siteadmin on Thursday 16th of March 2023
The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, has delivered the next part of his plan: “a Budget for long term and sustainable growth”. Read on to find out who were the winners and losers from the 2023 spring Budget.
Winners
Over-50s returning to work
In his speech, the Chancellor said that “older people are the most skilled and experienced people we have”. So, he announced steps to make it easier for those over 50 to work for longer.
Firstly, the government announced an enhancement to the “midlife MOT” strategy – offering reviews to help individuals ta...
5 Steps to create a budget
Posted by siteadmin on Monday 27th of February 2023
The average British family used to be 2.4 children, these days it’s 1.7 children (and half a dog). Whether your idea of a family is two adults and two children or just you and a dog creating a family budget is an essential step towards managing your finances effectively.
By gathering information about your income and expenses, categorizing your expenses, setting financial goals, determining your disposable income, and creating a budget plan, you can take control of your finances and achieve your financial goal.
1. Compare income and expens...