The London skyline.

The ups and downs of the FTSE 100 40-year history demonstrates time in the market matters

This year the FTSE 100 index turns 40. Over the last four decades, it’s become a way to measure the health of the UK stock market. During that time there have been highs that investors no doubt celebrated, and lows that serve as a reminder that there’s some truth in the saying: it’s time in […]

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A woman using her phone for online banking.

4 excellent reasons you may want to boost your ISA now

If you haven’t used your ISA allowance for the 2023/24 tax year, it could be wise to review your options over the next few weeks before the 2024/25 tax year starts. Read on to discover some of the reasons why an ISA could make sense for you. Government statistics show that ISAs are a popular […]

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A man in a hammock using a tablet.

Retirement planning: The importance of setting out your lifestyle goals

When you start thinking about the steps you need to take when retiring, your focus might be on the financial side. Yet, it’s often a good idea to start with your lifestyle aspirations. Last month, you read about the different options when deciding how you’ll retire. Now, it’s time to consider what your ideal retirement […]

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Guide: Everything you need to know about annuities when creating a retirement income

When you retire, you will often have a range of choices available to you about how you access your pension. One such method is an annuity, which could provide you with a reliable income.  If you’re not sure how annuities work or if they could be right for you, this guide explains the essentials you […]

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Someone looking at stock market performance on their phone.

Investment market update: December 2023

Many markets rallied during December based on the expectation that interest rates will start to fall in 2024. Read on to discover what else may have affected your investment portfolio in the final month of 2023. On 27 December, the MSCI World Stock Index, which comprises stock from nearly 3,000 companies to track global equity-market […]

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A “for sale” sign outside of a house.

4 insightful property market predictions for 2024

The property market experienced challenges in 2023, which may have affected your outgoings. But what could affect house prices and mortgages in 2024? Last year, rising interest rates as the Bank of England (BoE) sought to tackle high inflation led to millions of homeowners facing soaring mortgage costs. This had a knock-on effect, with some […]

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A man looking at some paperwork.

Why the numbers are essential for successful financial planning

When creating a financial plan, you often start with your goals. After all, setting out your aspirations first lets you create a plan that’s tailored to you. Yet, understanding your numbers is just as crucial for successful financial planning and they could help you understand the effect of your decisions. So, which numbers are the […]

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A man checking his taxes

“Stealth taxes” will push more than 3 million workers into a higher Income Tax bracket by 2029

While chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced he’d cut the rate of National Insurance (NI) in the 2023 Autumn Statement, he failed to change the thresholds or rates for Income Tax. While that might seem like a good thing – it’s better for your finances than a rate rise after all – your tax liability could still […]

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A woman paying for items in a shop.

Inflation is falling. Here’s what it could mean for your finances

High inflation has dominated headlines over the last two years. With the rate now slowly nearing the Bank of England’s (BoE) target, taking stock of what it means for your finances could be useful. The BoE is responsible for managing inflation and aims to keep it at 2%. The central bank explains keeping inflation stable […]

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Close-up of a person using a calculator.

The pension Annual Allowance increased in 2023/24. Have you reviewed your contributions?

The pension Annual Allowance increased significantly in the 2023/24 tax year. If you haven’t already reviewed whether the changes could mean you can tax-efficiently add more to your pension, doing so before the current tax year ends on 5 April 2024 might be beneficial. The Annual Allowance is up to £60,000 in 2023/24 The Annual […]

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