Understanding GDP and the Economy
Reader Writes:
I often hear about the ‘economy’ and wondered exactly what it is. GDP is often referred to and I never understand it. Can you explain?
The Banking Crisis – Where are we now?
As normal the noise abounds regarding where our economy is today and it is most interesting to read the views of those with vested interests.
How Much?! Currency Exchange Rates
I am just about to scoot off with the family for a skiing session in Andorra and having left my financial brain behind I am now enduring the implications of currency exchanges!! The words ‘how much?’ come to mind. It used to be when you went into any Eurozone area and you were given the price that you calmed yourself with knowing that the discount would apply (currency difference), so that pint was all the better. With almost parity with the Euro threatening, foreign holidays are, at best, very expensive.
Should I use lifestyling to manage my pension?
Reader Writes:
I have been advised to change my pension to a plan that allows for lifestyling. I have been told that lifestyling is the best way for my pension to be managed during the last ten or so years before retirement. Is this true?
Are financial institutions financially sound?
Reader Writes:
How many financial institutions do you think are financially sound? Do you think they will be able to continue in their current format?
The Credit Crunch – What on earth is that then?
Managing Director, Worldwide Financial Planning, Writes:
Somehow, somewhere, someone has managed to swing poor lending processes and swashbuckling investment decisions by banks, over to Mr poor mortgage payer in the good old USA. That’s a bit like trying to glue jelly to a tree.
Some Twinkly Lights for the Canny Investor
Managing Director, Worldwide Financial Planning, Writes:
So here we have it. A near zero interest rate for savers. Couple this with the fact banks are under pressure by regulators and markets to keep larger amounts of capital aside relative to the loans they have given, and you have a very tricky scenario.
How do you decide what to invest into?
Reader Writes:
How do you decide what to invest into? I was reading recently on a shares forum that banking shares could be a good option.
Are you fooled by market noise?
Managing Director, Worldwide Financial Planning, Writes:
I am often asked what I think of an individual share or marketplace/sector. ‘What do you think of the banking sector, northern rock, China’ is a typical one. It will often be followed by a recital of some news they have read elsewhere. Some of it can be from good sources, others can be from well, anywhere else.
Should I leave my New Star funds or just sit and wait?
Managing Director, Worldwide Financial Planning, Writes:
How the mighty have fallen! During the year, this share has traded from 167.50p to a halfpenny! The years fall is recorded at a horrible 98.96% which is pretty much as bad as it gets.1
Looking back looking forward. 2008 – 2009
What a great year that was! Will ’09 be any better or will we be wise after the event again? In many ways ’08 was no surprise, but for reasons most won’t have noticed. Noise was the biggest culprit, with everyone believing global demand was soaring. I didn’t believe that as this column explained a […]
Protecting yourself against mortgage interest rate rises
I have read about a policy that protects me in the event that my mortgage interest rate goes up and wanted to know if you have reviewed such a plan?