The new tax year will start on 6 April 2026, and many of your important allowances and exemptions will reset. Checking whether you could use these valuable allowances before the end of the 2025/26 tax year on 5 April 2026 might help your money go further. Before you make any…
Mistakes, financial or otherwise, are a part of life, and it’s normal to make them from time to time. While mistakes can be frustrating, moving past them is important. Holding onto mistakes and letting them dictate the decisions you make now could cause problems. For example, feeling embarrassed about a…
Compared to other countries in Europe and the US, Brits are among the least likely to take out life insurance, and it could leave their families in a vulnerable position if the worst happened. Life insurance would pay out a lump sum to your beneficiaries if you passed away during…
When you’re investing for retirement, the time frame typically covers decades, and it could make sense to incorporate your values by considering ESG principles. ESG principles provide a framework for evaluating a company’s sustainability alongside its financial performance. As well as assessing profitability and long-term growth opportunities, you’d also consider…
Brits could face a worrying shortfall if they need care later in life. A report from the Just Group (8 December 2025) suggests that 6 in 10 over-45s are underestimating the cost of a care home by thousands of pounds. Industry figures suggest average residential care home…
On 5 April 2026, the current tax year will end, and the new one will start the following day. Making a note of the deadline in your calendar could help you make the most of tax breaks as part of your financial plan. Here’s why the start of a new…
If you’re saving for retirement, you will want to get the most out of what you’re putting into your workplace or private pension. Fortunately, there are plenty of tax efficiencies when you save your wealth into a pension. Indeed, any investment returns generated within your fund are typically free from…
There is perhaps no better time than the festive season to sit down and enjoy a favourite board game with your loved ones. But as many families know, a friendly game can quickly get competitive. Sometimes this even leads to heated arguments over who gets to be the banker or…
After months of speculation and rumour, chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered the Autumn Budget for 2025. In this update, we’ll explain the key changes and what they mean for you. Last year, in her maiden Budget, the chancellor sought to balance the public finances with tax rises to cover a…
In life, the finest wisdom often comes from the most unexpected places. So, you may be surprised to learn that Jane Austen – one of the most revered romance authors of all time and a paragon of women’s literature – has anything to teach you about the modern world of…
When you consider how bias might affect your financial decisions, it’s often the harmful outcomes that come to mind. However, there are ways you can leverage certain biases, including framing bias, to your advantage. Framing bias refers to the tendency for how information is presented to influence your perception or…
According to a September 2025 Financial Planning Today article, 39% of people say a guaranteed income is their main priority in retirement. Knowing how much income you’ll receive from certain sources can provide the certainty you need to enjoy retirement with greater confidence. There are several ways…
When you start searching for the best ways to build a retirement fund, private pensions might be the first option that comes to mind. However, they’re not the only way you can prepare for your life after work. An alternative is the Lifetime ISA (LISA) – a government-backed savings account.
A financial plan is rarely focused solely on the person making it. For many, a successful plan also benefits their family. When setting out your goals as part of your financial plan, your family might feature in them. Perhaps you want your retirement income to be enough so that you…
What’s the most important factor affecting the performance of your investments? Your mind might jump to the ups and downs of the market, and they do have an effect. When share prices rise, so too will the value of your portfolio. However, the markets aren’t the starting point of a…
Last month, you read about how retirement is changing, with almost half of workers aged over 50 exploring phasing into retirement. There are plenty of reasons why more people are considering a gradual retirement, including the emotional and financial benefits this option could offer. A gradual retirement could help you…
Having a stable income when you retire could give you the independence to enjoy a meaningful and fulfilling life after work. Indeed, a July 2023 survey by Legal & General found that 94% of UK adults said that financial security was their most important retirement dream. Your…
ESG investing provides an opportunity for your investments to reflect your values across three broad areas – environment, social, and governance. Negative screening, where you avoid investing in companies that engage in certain sectors, is one approach to ESG investing, but it could present some challenges. Read on to find…
