Although it’s common to set out new goals at the start of the year, those resolutions are often broken by the time spring rolls around.

If you’re wondering how to get back on track, now is the perfect time to acknowledge the achievements you’ve already made this year and to start planning out the next few months.

Spring is the ideal time to evaluate your new year’s resolutions

It’s customary to pick the goal you want to focus on for the year in January. However, these resolutions rarely last. A study found that around two-thirds of peop...

Research has found that many couples keep financial secrets. While you may want to keep your finances separate for a whole host of reasons, working together could mean your money goes further and you’re more likely to reach your goals. 

According to an Aviva survey, 38% of people in a relationship admit to having a secret account or money stashed away that their partner doesn’t know about. The average amount hidden in a savings account is £1,600, and half of over-55s have more than £2,000 squirrelled away. 

There are lots of motives for ...

The benefits of having a will in place are well-documented, although if you don’t have a will, or haven’t updated it in some time, you’re not alone. A recent survey from MoneyAge has found that 51% of adults in the UK currently don’t have a will in place.

Of those with a will, 43% haven’t updated it since it was first written. 

A will can be a fantastic way to: 

• Allocate your assets to loved ones

• Nominate legal guardians for your children

• Divide your estate as painlessly as possible

• Reduce your liability for Inheritan...

Do you find pension information confusing? You’re not alone; 50% of people in the UK describe the information they receive about their pension as “overwhelming”, according to a Standard Life study.

Fortunately, there are places where you can seek guidance or advice. The survey found 83% of people think financial advisers offer useful support.

If you’re not sure if your pension is on the right track, a financial planner could help put your mind at ease. Here are four reasons why. 

1. A financial planner can cut through jargon

Pension in...

Inheritance Tax (IHT) can affect what you leave behind for loved ones. It’s essential you understand if it’s something you need to think about, as there could be steps you can take to reduce a potential bill.

Over the last few months, you’ve read about what estate planning is and how to calculate the value of your estate. Mitigating an IHT bill should be an important part of your estate plan if you could be liable for it. Read on to find out when IHT is due.

The standard rate of Inheritance Tax is 40%

With a standard rate of 40%, IHT co...

On Wednesday 15 March 2023, chancellor Jeremy Hunt presented his spring Budget.

Focusing on the government's aims to halve inflation, reduce public debt, and boost economic growth, Hunt delivered his first official Budget alongside the latest economic and fiscal outlook from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

“Despite continuing global instability, the OBR report today that inflation in the UK will fall from 10.7% in the final quarter of last year to 2.9% by the end of 2023.”

Hunt opened his speech by admitting that, in the aut...

Just six months ago, Kwasi Kwarteng stood up in the House of Commons and delivered his controversial “mini-Budget”.

The announcements ultimately brought down the short-lived Truss administration, with current chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, announcing a series of policy measures in November 2022 aimed at calming the markets.

Having taken “difficult decisions to deliver stability and sound money”, the chancellor has delivered the next part of his plan: “a Budget for growth”.

Read on to find out who were the winners and losers from the 2023 spri...

Last year, chancellor Jeremy Hunt made some key announcements during the autumn statement that could affect how much tax you pay from April. Reviewing your financial plan could help you understand if you’ll be affected and make changes if necessary.

In sharp contrast to the mini-Budget delivered by former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng in September, Hunt’s statement, delivered just two months later, increased taxes. As a result, you may find that you need to update your existing financial plan or that the amount of tax you pay increases.

The ...

When a new tax year starts, your pension Annual Allowance resets. Maximising your allowance could help you reach retirement goals and it can be a tax-efficient way to invest for the long term.

The Annual Allowance limits how much can be added to your pension each tax year while retaining tax relief benefits. It covers all pension contributions, including those made by your employer and other third parties.

For most pension savers, their Annual Allowance is 100% of their annual income up to £40,000. If you haven’t made the most of your al...