Close Brothers’ Property Wealth Manager
With the Close Brothers’ property wealth manager arrangement you sell your house to the company who then lease it back to you. For your sale you do not receive cash just an investment into a load of other properties at pretty much the worst time to consider investment into property. The document given refers in […]
Cumulation
We are reviewing the advice given in relation to cumulation: I’ll give you a few options but be careful of one point, cumulation – I’ll explain (beware though, by my own admission this is quite a technical answer that you will have to read a few times but the tip is a good one): If […]
Terms & Conditions of Insurance Companies
Small print of terms and conditions of insurance companies: Be careful regarding the terms and conditions that insurance companies have on their plans. If you come to claim on a critical illness plan you’ll find that companies are well protected by the small print they have. That is too late of course to enter into […]
Child Trust Funds
I have grandchildren and wanted to save for them but wanted to know if saving into a child trust fund was a good idea. When the child trust fund was first announced, I have to say I nearly choked. To what problem was it a solution? I couldn’t fathom it out. Most people took the […]
Is BP’s Share Price Undervalued?
There are various conflicting views on BP and for most of us looking for a quick bargain on our shares, BP could easily be a target. Most of us already have high exposure to BP in any event. If you were to look at the top ten holdings in your pension fund or endowment policy, […]
Do I pay through the nose for financial advice?
Am I better paying my independent Financial Adviser via a fee or commission? The answer here relates to any financial adviser rather than just an Independent Financial Adviser. There is a perception in most people’s eyes that if they have not actually paid out a cheque for financial advice that they have indeed got it […]
The bottom of the UK housing market?
It was only a matter of time before house prices eventually would be supported by quantitative easing and lower interest rates. The Bank of England have not made the same mistake as last time and were aggressive in their monetary policy which has clearly had an impact on the confidence levels of the homeowner.
Pensions – the annuity rip off
Pensions, that’s a conversation stopper. How to clear a bar in a split second. However it is one of our biggest investments next to our house and the pitfalls are considerable. I’ll review the impact from the budget but also start with a very important tip that could save you thousands.
How To Choose the Best Funds
How do you decide which are the best funds to invest into? I know they say that past performance is no guide to the future but what is the best way to analyse which are the best funds? This is one of the most interesting arguments in the financial services marketplace. There is more noise around this subject than any other and the confusion that is created is fodder for the unscrupulous. This will be a reasonably technical answer so I apologise in advance.
Should I encash my endowment?
I have an endowment policy and I am wondering if I should encash it. I took it out for a mortgage and I no longer have that mortgage so I thought about just keeping it for a savings plan. Is that a good idea? It’s quite common for this to happen and it’s all too […]
Your Day to Day Tax Journey
As we move closer to the budget, the political noise becomes louder and louder, but few can get away from the points in relation to capital gains tax we covered last week. Vince Cable is now telling us that wealth should be taxed the same way as income, commenting that ‘it is quite wrong and an open invitation to tax avoidance to have people taxed at 40-50% on their income but only taxed at 18% on capital gains’ and ‘for reasons of fairness and practicality’ he wants to overhaul the entire capital gains scheme.
Hung Parliaments, Debts & Deficits
Hung Parliaments, Debts & Deficits Hung parliaments (good idea but for a different reason), Greecey debt, and a mounting deficit. For most, this is too hard to read let alone study and understand. To the volatility makers (hedge fund managers et al) it’s a dream. A flat market is no good to them, but uncertainty […]