5 tips for managing your personal tax as a business owner
Running a successful business can be incredibly rewarding, but ensuring your hard-earned profits translate into personal wealth can be challenging. Indeed, this exercise requires careful, ongoing planning, and some entrepreneurs spend so much time managing their firm’s operational cash flow that they overlook their personal tax position. This could leave money on the table and…
Do ultra-long mortgages provide a solution for struggling first-time buyers?
Rising property prices have left many aspiring homeowners struggling to get on the property ladder. If you’re in this situation, you might consider taking out a so-called “ultra-long mortgage” that you repay over 30 to 40 years. Traditionally, first-time buyers have taken out a mortgage with a 25-year term. A combination of factors, including property…
Why gifting your home during your lifetime could be a mistake
With property prices rising across the UK, the home represents the single largest asset in the estate for many families. Indeed, research reported by Zoopla (17 July 2025) shows that the average UK home increased in value by 20% between 2020 and 2025. That being the case, it’s easy to understand why many homeowners consider…
How to balance your goals when you’re flexibly accessing your pension
Flexible pension withdrawals have reached record levels since Pension Freedoms were introduced in 2015. While total control over your retirement fund can be liberating, it places the onus on you to ensure you’re managing your finances responsibly. UK retirees rely heavily on flexible access to their pensions, and the data supports this. According to figures…
The hidden emotional challenges of gifting assets during your lifetime
Passing assets to your loved ones during your lifetime could have many benefits. Yet, that doesn’t mean it’s simple, and you might experience emotional challenges even if you’re sure it’s the right thing to do in your circumstances. According to an FTAdviser article (29 July 2026), 7 in 10 people believe financial support should be…
Investment market update: September 2026
In September 2026, markets experienced some volatility due to conflict in the Middle East and the impact it had on energy prices. Discover other factors that may have affected the performance of your portfolio. Markets got off to a weak start on 1 September. A global government bond sell-off, caused by concerns about inflation and…
Are you supporting adult children? Here’s why it should be part of your financial plan
A growing number of families are financially supporting their children or grandchildren as they navigate adulthood. A financial plan could help you understand the impact on your finances now and in the future. Stagnant wages, the rising cost of living, and difficulties getting on the property ladder mean younger generations are finding it difficult to...
How to approach retirement conversations with your partner
Retirement is a major life event that most people spend years planning and looking forward to. And yet, research by Moneybox (3 July 2026) reveals that 43% of over-55s have never discussed their retirement finances with anyone, and just 44% have spoken about them to their partner or spouse. This could leave couples with different...
How to stop following the crowd and set meaningful life goals
How are you setting your life goals? Are you following a well-trodden path or choosing aspirations that are meaningful to you? Everyone is different and spending some time thinking about what you want to achieve could lead to greater wellbeing and a sense of purpose. Imagine you're preparing for retirement. The traditional outlook would suggest...
6 useful tips for avoiding headline-driven decisions ahead of the Budget
The government will set out its tax, spending and economic plans for the year ahead and beyond on 28 October 2026 in the Autumn Budget. The weeks leading up to an Autumn Budget always feature rumours about what might change and how it could affect personal finances. With this Budget being the first for Prime...
The psychology behind favouring cash instead of investing
Psychology could be one reason why some people are reluctant to invest, even when it fits into their wider financial plan. Managing risk is an important part of life. You check the road before you cross the street, and you might be encouraged to take out home insurance just in case something happens. So, it’s...
Investment market update: August 2026
After months of volatility, markets were relatively calm in August, though economic data was mixed. Discover what factors may have affected your investment portfolio throughout August 2026. When markets opened on 3 August, it was a good start to the month. Falling oil prices led to the Stoxx Europe 600 index, which provides a broad...