Archive

05Sep
2018

The costs of caring for family

My wife and I have experienced the costs of caring as we have also had the joy of sharing our home with her father. It’s a good arrangement and has worked well for many years. Both my wife’s mother and father moved into a ...

13Sep
2017

Investment conundrums – 10 guidelines for investing after startling elections results and during Brexit

Ten years ago we were casually coasting into the credit crunch. Within months investment philosophies and savings strategies were sorely tested and most were found wanting. The golden rules of diversification and of not ...

06Sep
2017

Lifetime ISAs – A 25% bonus for 18-40 year-olds to help with house buying

Lifetime ISAs – A 25% bonus for 18-40 year-olds to help with house buying If you’re aged between 18 and 40 you can now build even more tax free savings. You can pay up to £4,000 into the new Lifetime ISAs in the current ...

01Jun
2016

All forecasts are wrong

Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark has accused Chancellor George Osborne of producing “ludicrous” economic forecasts about Europe. Earlier the former Secretary of State, Iain Duncan-Smith, dismissed a recent barrage of ...

17Feb
2016

Keeping your head

Keeping your head When Rudyard Kipling starts his famous poem, “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs …” he is alluding to that serenity of mind that allows you to stand back from the fray with ...

24Dec
2015

The new flat rate state pension and the ‘top-up’ scheme

The new flat rate state pension and the ‘top up’ scheme Those retiring after 6 April next year will be the first to experience the latest big shake-up of the state pension – the introduction of ‘the flat rate’ ...

24Dec
2015

Bank deposit protection is reducing

The level of protection provided for UK bank cash deposit accounts is changing. From 1 January 2016 the new limit will change to bring the UK into harmony with existing EU legislation. From then the Financial Services ...

24Dec
2015

Reductions in pension allowances

The amount that high earners can contribute to their pensions and claim tax relief is reducing from April 2016. For every £2 you earn over £150,000, your annual pension allowance will reduce by £1. This reduction continues ...

01Sep
2015

The Great Fall of China

Having survived the potential for economic tragedy in Europe courtesy of Greek-style money management the investment world is now being traumatised by the all-together more calamitous drama taking place behind the Great Wall. ...