3 insights from the FTSE 100’s performance that could help you curb impulsive decisions

Despite ups and downs throughout the year, 2025 proved to be a great year for the FTSE 100 – an index of the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. According to the Guardian (31 December 2025), the FTSE 100 increased in value by a fifth in 2025, marking the strongest annual gain...

The power of pension tax relief and how it could boost your retirement income

If you’re saving for retirement, you will want to get the most out of what you’re putting into your workplace or private pension. Fortunately, there are plenty of tax efficiencies when you save your wealth into a pension. Indeed, any investment returns generated within your fund are typically free from Income Tax and Capital Gains...

How to be a successful investor: Following a strategy that’s right for you

There’s more to being a successful investor than following the latest market trends and tips. Setting out a strategy that’s right for you could allow you to balance risk against your goals. Last month, you read about the importance of defining what success means for you. With your goals outlined, you can start to think...

Investment market update: January 2026

Geopolitical tensions and threats of trade tariffs continued to impact global investment markets at the start of 2026. Read on to find out what factors may have affected your investments at the start of 2026. Markets experienced highs, but geopolitical tensions continue to cause volatility On 2 January, the first day of trading in 2026,...

Investment market update: December 2025

After a year filled with uncertainty and rising trade tensions, markets were calmer in December 2025. Find out what may have affected the performance of your portfolio at the end of the year. Market volatility eased in December 2025 Markets were downbeat at the start of the month. Most European markets were in the red…

The salary sacrifice pension cap essentials business owners need to know

You might already know that salary sacrifice can be a practical way for your employees to bolster their retirement funds, while reducing their tax liability. However, in the 2025 Autumn Budget, the government announced changes to how salary sacrifice is treated for National Insurance (NI) purposes. From April 2029, a new cap will be introduced,…

2 reasons to combine your financial plan with your partner’s

Love is in the air with Valentine’s Day just around the corner. Amid planning romantic gestures, thinking about combining your financial plan with your partner’s could be valuable. Talking about finances might seem too practical for a day that’s about celebrating love. Yet, it could support your relationship. Here are two reasons why you might…

7 ways financial planning could help you set realistic goals

As 2026 begins, it’s a good time to think about what you want to achieve in the coming months. A tailored financial plan can help you set realistic goals. Creating goals on your own can be challenging, especially if they bring together several different parts of your financial plan or have a long-term time frame….

5 useful tips that could help you identify financial blind spots

There are times when you may make mistakes without realising it. These mistakes could be due to blind spots, such as habits, assumptions, or risks that go unnoticed, and could affect your financial decisions. Making mistakes is a part of life. However, because hidden mistakes often go unidentified, they may be repeated. Over time, the…

How to be a successful investor: Defining what “success” means

Every investor wants to be successful. Over the next few months, you can read about ways to improve your investment strategy. Defining success against the performance of others can encourage a short-term mindset What “success” means when investing is different for everyone, and defining what it means for you is crucial. You might be tempted…

6 origins of financial bias that could affect you

Bias can affect the decisions you make, including financial ones. But how are biases formed? Research suggests numerous factors influence biases, including the following six. 1. Evolutionary psychology Some forms of bias go back millennia and allowed early humans to prioritise safety. The ability to make quick decisions could have been the difference between survival…

Investment market update: November 2025

One of the biggest factors affecting investment markets in November 2025 was concern about an AI bubble. Despite this, there were still market highs recorded during the month. Remember to consider your risk profile when you invest and review your portfolio’s performance with a long-term outlook. AI concerns led to volatility throughout November 2025 With…