People are living longer. Simple demographics mean that supplementary income is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. Meanwhile, interest rates are at historic lows – even before you take account of inflation. So, relative to cash, the yield on equities and corporate bonds looks understandably attractive.
Despite footing the bill for further education, almost a quarter (23%) of parents worry that their children’s qualifications won’t be valuable in the workplace.
Workers have the best intentions to make the most of their saving potential when their salary increases, but they only consider doing this for up to a month before slipping back into old habits, according to research from YouGov.
We understand that no two people are alike and that each of us will have a unique set of objectives. As professional advisers, our starting point is therefore always to take the time to truly understand your goals and aspirations and to turn your vision into a reality that creates sustainable solutions for your aspirations.
As the tax year end approaches, people will be rushing to ensure they maximise their annual allowances and have their finances in good shape. This deadline applies equally to foreign expats (often referred to as ‘non-UK domiciles’) living in the UK as it does to those who were born in the UK. In fact, this year, foreign expats may have even more considerations due to new regulations coming into force from 6 April 2017.
Savers have had it extremely tough over many years now, and yet many still feel uncertain about making the switch to investing. This is largely because people don’t know quite where to start, and they are wary of the risk. However, people need to make their money work harder for them – not just to give them a higher level of income, but also simply to stop their money losing value in real terms.
A common mistake that some investors make is not diversifying their portfolio enough. To make sure investments are spread across different asset classes, it could contain a blend of equities, bonds, cash, property and others (such as commodities and gold) to benefit from their changing investment cycles.
Is it time to think about what you have and what you want to happen to it?
Everyone should have a Will, but it is even more important if you have children, you own property, you have savings, investments or insurance policies, or you own a business.
Filling the gap if you lose the capacity to deal with your affairs
There is a distinct possibility that you could lose the capacity to deal with your affairs well before you die. Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) are intended to fill the gap. An LPA is important, and it should be drawn up while you still have full capacity (they are often dealt with at the same time as a Will). Bear in mind that incapacity could be triggered by an accident or a sudden illness, rather than gradual decline.
Taking advantage of the new rules that apply from 6 April 2017
Unforeseen life events and circumstances can potentially impact your finances in a number of ways. We can help you to safeguard your wealth for future generations.