Should we be concerned about rising inflation?
Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Wednesday 6th October 2021
Most economists expect inflation to pick up over the next few months as lockdown restrictions ease and shops and restaurants reopen. But is this a cause for concern?
As lockdown measures begin to lift, financial markets are making their adjustments in anticipation of a rise in inflation, with bond yields picking up (meaning prices have fallen) and stock markets rotating from defensive sectors into cyclicals.
What is inflation?
Put simply, inflation measures the change in the prices of goods and services. If it rises then it takes more of ou...
How to make the most of your lockdown savings
Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Wednesday 15th September 2021
The pandemic has reportedly created 6 million accidental savers, but what’s the best way to use this extra cash?
The effect of the lockdown on millions of bank accounts has been to boost savings for people whose incomes have remained the same but whose spending has dropped.
With the prospect of life returning to a new normal, it’s a chance to think about how to make the most of these savings and build on them too.
Where were savings made?
Working from home meant the cost of commuting was put on hold. Holidays were not booked, and the ...
Planning for Inheritance Tax
Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Monday 23rd August 2021
Following the news that thousands more people are expected to pay the standard 40% inheritance tax this year because of the effects of the pandemic, we explore some of the ways to navigate the complexities of inheritance tax.
The complex laws around inheritance tax (IHT) caught many people off guard during the Covid-19 pandemic. Along with the often-sudden loss of a loved one came the issues arising from IHT on gifts passed down to children and grandchildren.
This tax year marks the latest in a series where the number of people being cha...
How to make the most of your lockdown savings
Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Thursday 17th June 2021
The pandemic has reportedly created 6 million accidental savers, but what’s the best way to use this extra cash?
The effect of the lockdown on millions of bank accounts has been to boost savings for people whose incomes have remained the same but whose spending has dropped.
With the prospect of life returning to a new normal, it’s a chance to think about how to make the most of these savings and build on them too.
Where were savings made?
Working from home meant the cost of commuting was put on hold. Holidays were not booked, and the cl...
Investment Update May 2021: A positive outlook
Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Friday 7th May 2021
A positive outlook
The economic recovery is gathering momentum as the pandemic recedes and successful vaccination programmes continue to roll out on both sides of the Atlantic.
April saw the continuation of progress made in March, as a more settled month in the investment markets, with equities performing well and bonds showing stability and positive returns. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) increased its forecast for growth in 2021 to 6%, citing stimulus bills in richer countries helping economies bounce back from the Covid-19 ...
Protect your peace of mind when moving home
Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Thursday 29th April 2021
Moving home can be a hectic and exciting time, but don’t forget about protection – taking out the appropriate policies can save you a lot of stress in the long term.
If you’ve just moved home or are about to, it probably feels like you’ve been caught up in a bit of a whirlwind over the past few months. With searching for a property during a pandemic, making the move before the stamp duty holiday ends and potentially getting caught up in the resulting conveyancing backlog, protection policies are probably not top of your priority list.
Ye...
Springing into Action
Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Thursday 1st April 2021
Successful vaccination programmes are rolling out on both sides of the Atlantic, pointing to a brighter economic outlook.
The US and UK continued their rapid vaccine programmes to combat the coronavirus pandemic, while Europe lagged in its rollout, resulting in a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in some parts of the EU. As a result, the US and UK are likely to be able to reopen their broader economies sooner, while much of Europe still faces strict lockdowns.
Budget brings some relief
In his March Budget, Chancellor Rishi Sunak outlined sti...
Tax-free investing It's time to talk
Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Wednesday 17th February 2021
With the first wave of Child Trust Funds maturing this year, there’s a great opportunity to talk to your children about the benefits of saving and investing.
If one of your children has recently celebrated their 18th birthday then there’s a good chance they’ll have some money in a Child Trust Fund (CTF), which they can now access for the first time. It could be worth thousands of pounds depending on how much you’ve contributed over the years.
Although this might sound like a brilliant present, the responsibility that comes with r...
Could you live on the State Pension?
Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Wednesday 10th February 2021
Let’s be honest, on the morning of 21 October few of us were waiting with bated breath as the latest UK inflation stats were revealed. But, for millions of people, that moment was significant.
That’s because the September (Consumer Price Index) CPI inflation figure forms part of the government’s ‘triple lock’ formula used to determine the forthcoming rise in the level of State Pensions.
Triple lock
The triple-lock safeguard was introduced by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition in 2010 and aims to ensure that the value of the S...
‘No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow’
Posted by Rebecca Harbrow on Wednesday 3rd February 2021
As we entered the new year with further lockdowns and history making world events, the hope of spring hangs in the air, an enticing prospect, this year, more than ever. While we’re waiting for the green shoots of spring to emerge, why not use the time effectively by getting your finances in order before the end of the tax year?
The tax year ends on 5 April 2021, which is Easter Monday this year, so don’t wait until the last minute to double-check you’ve taken advantage of all the tax-efficient allowances available to you. To avoid a last-...
