A grandfather and granddaughter on an autumn walk.

7 practical ways to beat the winter blues

As the nights draw in, it’s normal to want to spend more time indoors where it’s warm. However, if it affects your mood and motivation, you could be suffering from the winter blues. Luckily, there are often steps you can take to overcome it.  The NHS estimates that around 2 million people in the UK […]

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A crowd at a concert.

What do Taylor Swift and the weather have in common? They both affect the economy

The health of the economy can affect your finances. A strong economy could lead to the value of investments rising, or the need to raise public finances may mean your tax liability increases. However, predicting how the economy will perform can be difficult as numerous factors can have an impact.  When you think about what […]

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A woman holding up keys.

Why investing could hold the key to becoming an ISA millionaire

According to This Is Money, more than 2,700 people have built up an enviable £1 million in their ISA. Regular contributions and investing could be the secret to reaching this goal. Read on to find out why.  An ISA is a tax-efficient way to save or invest. In the 2023/24 tax year, you can place […]

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A person filling in paperwork.

How to help your family manage your affairs when you pass away

Planning for your death can be emotionally difficult, but it could be a huge help to your loved ones.  Research suggests administering an estate after a loved one has passed away can affect mental health and finances. Read on to learn more about some of the steps you could take to help your family manage […]

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Two people looking at financial documents.

2 key reasons why you may want to update your plan during a financial review

Regular financial reviews may help keep you on track to meet your goals and give you confidence in the steps you’re taking. As well as reviewing your assets, you might also want to make changes to your plan. Last month, you read about why you shouldn’t skip your financial reviews and how they could help […]

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Guide: 7 useful questions if you plan to take a flexible income from your pension

When you start to access your pension, how will you take an income? One of your options may be to withdraw a flexible income that suits your needs through flexi-access drawdown. A flexible income puts you in control and means you can adjust how much you withdraw from your pension if you need to. However, […]

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Business people walking into an office building.

Investment market update: September 2023

Economies around the world continue to struggle with high inflation and weakening demand affecting GDP. Read on to discover some of the factors that may have affected your investment portfolio in September 2023.  When reviewing short-term market movements, remember to focus on your long-term investment goals. UK Official data shows the UK economy contracted by […]

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A man writing notes in a planner.

5 simple tips that could help you make better decisions

When you’re facing big life decisions, it can be difficult to know which choice to take. Read on to learn some simple tips that could improve your decision-making.  According to Eva Krockow, a lecturer at the University of Leicester, the average person makes a staggering 35,000 decisions every day. Of course, many of these decisions […]

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A man withdrawing money from an ATM.

Inflation has cost savers £113 billion in real terms in the last year

High inflation over the last year has collectively cost savers billions of pounds in real terms, according to an Independent report. Have you considered the effect the rising cost of living could have on your wealth? While inflation may not reduce how much you have in your savings account, in real terms, the value may […]

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Someone handing a person a wrapped gift.

3 essential factors to consider if you plan to gift wealth to avoid Inheritance Tax

Figures suggest more families are gifting to avoid Inheritance Tax (IHT). While passing on assets to loved ones may seem like a clear solution, it isn’t always so simple.  More estates are becoming liable for IHT as thresholds for paying the tax are frozen. The Office for Budget Responsibility predicts HMRC will collect £8.4 billion […]

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