Category Archivenews
Independent Financial Advisers
Investment market update: September 2026
In September 2026, markets experienced some volatility due to conflict in the Middle East and the impact it had on energy prices. Discover other factors that may have affected the performance of your portfolio. Markets got off to a weak start on 1 September. A global government bond sell-off, caused by concerns about inflation and […]
5 potential red flags that could signal a scam that you shouldn’t ignore
Unfortunately, when you’re being targeted by a scam, it doesn’t come with a huge warning sign that’s impossible to miss, and it could mean you unwittingly fall for a fraudster’s tactics. Indeed, according to a Nationwide (25 September 2026) survey, the average Brit is targeted by scammers multiple times a week. About 15% of people […]
5 frightful tax mistakes you should be mindful of this Halloween
Halloween: the season of ghouls, goblins, and gremlins; warlocks, witches, and wizards. Children everywhere are preparing to dress up in their most frightening finery and fill their pumpkin-shaped buckets with sweets and chocolates. While you may have outgrown Halloween treats, that doesn’t mean you’re safe from tricks, particularly when it comes to your personal finances. […]
How to balance your goals when you’re flexibly accessing your pension
Flexible pension withdrawals have reached record levels since Pension Freedoms were introduced in 2015. While total control over your retirement fund can be liberating, it places the onus on you to ensure you’re managing your finances responsibly. UK retirees rely heavily on flexible access to their pensions, and the data supports this. According to figures […]
The hidden emotional challenges of gifting assets during your lifetime
Passing assets to your loved ones during your lifetime could have many benefits. Yet, that doesn’t mean it’s simple, and you might experience emotional challenges even if you’re sure it’s the right thing to do in your circumstances. According to an FTAdviser article (29 July 2026), 7 in 10 people believe financial support should be […]
Why financial freedom matters for enjoying retirement on your terms
Becoming financially free as you enter retirement could make a huge difference to this chapter of your life. Financial freedom doesn’t necessarily mean becoming wealthy. Instead, it’s about having enough to live the life you want on your terms, without having to worry about money. As retirement represents a chance to reassess what’s important to […]
5 common scams you need to be aware of
In last month’s article, you read about why it’s often more difficult than you expect to identify scams. With the amount of money lost to fraud rising, being aware of common types of scams could mean you’re in a better position to spot the warning signs. According to UK Finance (15 June 2026), £1.28 billion […]
6 useful tips for avoiding headline-driven decisions ahead of the Budget
The government will set out its tax, spending and economic plans for the year ahead and beyond on 28 October 2026 in the Autumn Budget. The weeks leading up to an Autumn Budget always feature rumours about what might change and how it could affect personal finances. With this Budget being the first for Prime […]
The psychology behind favouring cash instead of investing
Psychology could be one reason why some people are reluctant to invest, even when it fits into their wider financial plan. Managing risk is an important part of life. You check the road before you cross the street, and you might be encouraged to take out home insurance just in case something happens. So, it’s […]
4 steps to take before your child can access their JISA
After years of diligently saving into a Junior ISA (JISA) for your child, handing them control of the account might feel daunting. Will they appreciate your efforts and continue growing this fund to pay for something meaningful, such as university or their first home? Or might they splurge it all on something frivolous like extravagant […]