How to safely hold your investments
THE very first time I had a call delivering the sad news that a customer had passed away, it was pretty traumatic. A sudden death in the early 30s left a widow who was both traumatised and confused. Added to the stress were the questions: Am I going to be ok? Where are our bank […]
Creating a financial plan will help you – stay focused on your goals and aspirations
Creating a financial plan has many, many benefits. There is no doubt the last few years of disruption have impacted society on so many levels. One of the greatest issues facing most of the business sectors is that of finding employees. “People just don’t seem to want to work” is the general answer and it’s the […]
Investment bonds and ‘tax inefficiencies’
INVESTMENT bonds and tax inefficiencies. Have you ever heard of ‘rebasing’ an investment? I’d not heard the term for 10 years, but, over the last two weeks it has come up twice, much to my astonishment. This was a term used by financial salesmen to basically ‘churn’ investment bonds, causing the customer hefty charges each […]
Will the cost of living continue to soar? It’s the question on everyone’s lips!
OVER the last month I have written about inflation and the cost of living in detail, just in time for it to soar further as petrol/fuel prices hit the roof. As before when this occurs, blame is pointed to the ‘man on the street’, panic buying and filling up their cars. No. They only have […]
“Investing simply gives your money more buying power” – choose your investment adviser carefully!
WE have all read the shock financial headlines which lose you a fortune. There have been many shocks to financial markets – few of which can be seen in advance. Those which looked obvious, as obvious as a tornado with cows and picnic tables spinning in it, passed with the loss of a daffodil head. […]
Inflation: The Winners and Losers
OVER the last two weeks we have covered the cause of inflation and what that might mean for its future. For now, though, we have it. So who are the winners and losers? Naturally all those with savings are having a very tough time. With interest rates in savings accounts at around one per cent, […]
Will inflation continue to rise?
WILL inflation continue to rise? In 2018, I sought about making my own home as sustainable as possible, in fact ‘dirty energy’ free. Whilst an aim was to do my bit for the planet, I don’t mind admitting that my primary goal was to stuff those with their hands in my pocket – ‘dirty energy’ […]
As the man on the street struggles to feed their families companies are posting profits of billions
INFLATION. It’s a subject I will need to cover over the next two to three weeks given its potentially devastating impact on society. Firstly, what is really causing it? Over the last two years I have had many businesses explain how long it is taking to receive items needed to complete their build or car […]
There’s tax and then there’s inheritance tax – it’s about as popular as a politician!
INHERITANCE Tax is about as popular as a politician. Having worked all your life, and been clever and frugal, you rightfully think you can now pass your money to your children and make their life a little easier than yours was. Along comes that wonderful idea called Inheritance Tax. A tax of 40 per cent […]
The best time to invest in a pension is as early as possible
BACK in the early days of pensions, it was difficult for any of us to become motivated to invest into a product you reaped the benefits from 45 years later. The best time to be investing into a pension is, of course, as early as possible given the compound growth effect. But at age 20, the […]
Don’t procrastinate about protection planning – one day you just might regret it!
WE can all be plagued with procrastination on sticky subjects and finances is up there with ‘super glue’ sticky. If there is one subject, however, that should nudge its way to the top of our box ticker into the new year, it is that of protection planning for the family or business in the event […]
Selling Your Business – Get Everything in Order!
SELLING your business can be a big deal and it’s normally never a decision business owners take lightly. If you are in this position, where you and your business are parting ways, you will need a good exit strategy in terms of valuations, who’s going to buy it, what are the terms of the sale, […]