Great expectations as a new year dawns

We could be forgiven for focusing on life’s trials and tribulations heading into 2022, given the challenges that we’ve faced over the last couple of years. Despite inflation-related concerns, new COVID variants and supply chain disruption, which may be disconcerting for investors, there are indications that the coming year will present opportunities as well as […]

Blocking out ‘noise’ for the good of your portfolio

It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed by the endless barrage of negative news or ‘noise’, which can stoke anxiety about the performance of your investments and doubts over whether your investment strategy is on course. Learning to block out this noise, which may influence hasty or erratic investment decisions, is essential. By keeping a record […]

Financial advice and wellbeing: a match made in heaven

Recent research has found that those who receive professional financial advice are four times more likely to enjoy high levels of financial wellbeing1. In addition, clients who take advice build up three times more pension wealth on average (£246,000) than those who don’t (£95,000). Advised clients also accumulated more than double the non-pension savings (£65,000) […]

Becoming a financial wellbeing ‘all-rounder’

Financial wellbeing is closely aligned with the control people have over their financial future. People with high levels tend to meet their long-term financial goals and have a clear idea about what makes them happy and what they want from life. This allows them to identify and achieve more meaningful life goals before and during […]

FCA highlights need for adequate protection cover

Back in February, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) released its latest Financial Lives Survey. Firstly, and unsurprisingly, it revealed the severe strain the COVID-19 pandemic had put on the nation’s finances. Secondly, around a quarter of UK adults were showing signs of poor financial resilience, including over-indebtedness, low savings and low or irregular earnings. The […]

Sudden Wealth Syndrome: coping with a windfall

You’d be likely to feel happy and excited if you received a large windfall suddenly or unexpectedly. Whether you’re receiving an inheritance, have become a successful entrepreneur, or perhaps you’re selling your business, the reality is that for many, sudden wealth can feel overwhelming. It can even result in a recognised psychological condition called ‘Sudden […]

‘Flip the context’ and protect your hard-earned cash

Pension savers lost more than £2m to scammers in the first five months of this year. The average amount lost per victim so far in 2021 is a staggering £50,949 – more than double the £23,689 lost on average in 2020. This is according to worrying research from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which found […]

Grandparents increased generosity during the pandemic

Most grandparents are familiar with the financial challenges faced by their grandchildren as they progress through education and into the world of full-time work. Costs such as university tuition fees can leave upcoming generations with substantial debts even before they enter the workplace, making it harder for them to save for a deposit on their […]