April can be a time of financial opportunity and challenges. The new financial year begins on 6 April, bringing a fresh set of allowances – potentially helping you save on tax. However, the new tax year can also bring different tax thresholds and deductions, potentially increasing outgoings or take-home pay…
Divorce can be one of life’s most stressful and destabilising events. Psychologically, the death of a spouse is the only experience regarded as more difficult. Given the upheaval involved, it is not surprising that financial mistakes are often made – sometimes haunting people for years…
How can you unlock the value tied up in your property? You may be looking for ways to fund retirement. Or, you may want to fund some home improvements. Below, our Burnley financial advisers discuss two options: downsizing and equity release. This guide outlines the main pros and cons of each approach…
The Prime Minister has warned that the upcoming Autumn Statement (due on 30 October) will be “painful”. Before this, the Chancellor – Rachel Reeves – confirmed that tax rises will be necessary in the budget. Naturally, investor and business confidence is down to their lowest levels since December 2022…
What is happening in the UK economy? Are things “getting better” in the summer of 2024, or worse? How might the landscape change, and what are the implications for your financial plan? Below, our financial planners explore some of these questions in more detail. We hope these insights are helpful…
The Spring Budget of 2024 brought a range of key changes which bear upon UK households (not least the “headline” measure to cut National Insurance). Below, our Padiham financial advisers elaborate on our recent Budget Special newsletter to explain, in more detail, how readers’ financial plans may be impacted…
A stealth tax is a clever way for the government to raise money from taxpayers without overtly calling it a “tax rise”. A direct tax rise – e.g. increasing the Basic Rate from 20% to, say, 25% – risks drawing a lot of negative headlines and potential punishment at the polls during the next election…
When, exactly, should you start that next exciting stage of life – retirement? This is a very personal, often complex decision influenced by many factors. Indeed, there is no single form of retirement. It can look different from person to person. Below, our financial planners in Padiham offer some ideas…
A lot of attention is given to people who want to build a financial plan for their estate. Yet what about those who potentially stand to inherit it (the “beneficiaries”)? Receiving a large sum of money and/or valuable assets could be transformative to your finances if used prudently. However, without planning…
On 22 June 2023, the Bank of England (BoE) raised their interest rate (the base rate) again – this time, by 0.5% to now stand at 5%. Given that this is the thirteenth rise since December 2021, many people are asking how much higher the base rate could go. The base rate has a big impact on the cost of borrowing…
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