Do you prefer the idea of a guaranteed interest payment on savings, or the chance of winning a prize draw? The latter, in simple terms, is what Premium Bonds offer. Yet are they a good deal? Below, our Padiham financial advisers explain how this investment from NS&I works, how it compares…
The lifetime ISA (LISA) is a highly popular investment “vehicle”. Since its introduction in 2017, around 775,000 people have opened one. Yet how does it work and is it worth it? In this guide, our Burnley financial planners offer a short guide to the lifetime ISA – offering ideas about how it can be integrated…
With inflation still running high in 2023 (7.9% in June), many investors are looking for ways to mitigate its impact on their returns. Gold and other commodities (e.g. silver) are often touted as effective ways to hedge against inflation. Yet are they a good idea? Below, our financial planners in Padiham explain how…
There is no shirking the matter. Since the UK’s cost of living crisis escalated in 2022, families have found it harder to put money aside. Investment levels were at a 3-year low in July 2022, and in May 2023 savers took out a record £4.6bn from savings as consumers struggled to meet their monthly bills…
Interest rates on cash savings can feel more attractive when they are going up. Yet, in the background, your money may not be growing in real terms. In fact, it could be losing value. This is because of inflation – i.e. the rising cost of goods and services in an economy over time. Below, our Burnley financial planners…
How many people do you know who lived to be 100 years old? According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were 15,120 centenarians in 2020 – 18% more than the previous year. Is it just luck of the draw, or do you have a say over whether you live to 100? The science suggests that we have…
Few people like to see their savings eroded by inflation, fees or taxes. A cash ISA can help you protect your money from the third by allowing you to earn tax-free interest. In principle, this may sound attractive. Yet cash ISAs may not be as useful as they appear. In this article, our Burnley financial planners explore the state of cash ISAs in 2023 and how they might fit…
According to numerous studies, “home bias” is very common amongst investors. UK investors tend to prefer investing in UK equities. The same holds true for US investors and their own market. The reasons for this are numerous including transaction costs, inaccessibility and a sense of unfamiliarity…
According to the 2020-21 English Housing Survey, renting in retirement (versus owning a home either outright or with a mortgage) has risen in popularity in recent years. Indeed, the number of over-65s in privately-renting housing is up by over 100,000 since a decade ago…
According to one study, around two-thirds of UK parents have helped their children with a mortgage deposit, averaging at £32,440. Nearly a quarter say that, without their financial help, their children would never have made it onto the housing ladder. A third of parents also provide ongoing support with rent…
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