Each month we will produce some comments about a topical subject that could affect your financial situation. If you would like to discuss any issues that we have covered please contact us.
Feb/11 - Concerned about your with profits investment?
It is likely that at some point in your savings life you will have come across with profits. Many endowment policies that were used to support mortgages were invested in with profits funds.
There are also many individuals who are exposed to with profits funds through their pension plans. Investors of lump sums were also encouraged to put their money into with profits bonds. In fact it is estimated that up to 20 million savers are investing in with-profits in one way or another.
Jan/11 - Invest this year’s ISA allowance & reduce your carbon footprint
As we approach the end of the tax year the traditional ISA season is looming where you can invest up to £10,200 into a stocks and shares ISA.
It is important that any ISA investment is made in a way that you are comfortable with the level of risk that you are exposed to.
Dec/10 - Funding for student fees
This month’s hot topic focuses on the hot political potato of student fees. I don’t need to repeat all that has been reported recently, suffice to say that it is going to cost a lot more for your child or grandchild to go through university than it did previously.
Nov/10 - To save or invest...that is the question
What is the difference I hear you ask? Well if you have an event some time in the future that needs paying for you would normally put money aside each month so that the money is available.
Most people would put monthly into a savings account with their bank or building society. Some will even put their spare cash into a biscuit tin and hide it under the bed.
Oct/10 - Pension reforms
From a Financial Planning point of view there really can only be one subject that I can tell you about this month...Pensions!
Who would have believed how popular this most boring of subjects would become.
Every day we seem to hear of a new update that is going to seriously affect our retirement plans. So what is happening?
Sep/10 - Why invest in "emerging" markets?
When asked to consider investing in emerging markets you would normally think that you are taking a big risk with your investment.
This is not the case anymore. Emerging markets should now be considered as part of everyone’s investment strategy, here are 5 reasons why this is so:
Aug/10 - The Economy - Which way is it going to go?
Well what do you think? Are we heading for a double dip recession?
House prices seem to be dropping which is not a good sign unless you are a first time buyer but, if you are, then you have your own problems as you can’t get a mortgage without the help of the Bank of Mum and Dad.
Jul/10 - Find out how the Government’s pension proposals will affect you
Following on from the June hot topic that dealt with the first budget from the new Government we have been receiving updates almost on a daily basis on proposals for changes to pensions.
We feel therefore that we should try and summarise these changes and highlight how they could affect your retirement plans...
May/10 - The Budget, strong hints about what will be targeted?
We now know the outcome of the General Election and it is already clear that the new Government will be introducing changes that will have a major impact on our financial plans for the next few years.
Apr/10 - Renewed volatility creeping into stock markets
With renewed volatility creeping into stock markets many investors are becoming nervous.
Mar/10 - The recent budget produced the following
The recent budget produced the following highlights; The ISA allowance has been confirmed at £10,200 for 2010/11.