Throughout March, the war in Ukraine continued to dominate headlines and affect investment portfolios around the world.

Many companies, from well-known businesses like L’Oréal and Coca-Cola to smaller firms, have withdrawn operations from Russia, including online sales. Others, such as Unilever and Nestlé, have halted investment in the country but are continuing to provide some goods.

This has led to some volatility within the markets, although they did rally towards the end of the month.

Sanctions on Russia mean the price of some goods...

Have you watched the Tinder Swindler or Puppet Master on Netflix and wondered how people could fall for the scams?

Watching the stories unfold through a screen means you can spot the red flags and inconsistencies, but when a scammer is targeting you, it can be much harder than you think to look at your situation objectively.

Over the last few months, TV shows showing huge scams that fraudsters have pulled off have become incredibly popular.

The Tinder Swindler racked up 45.8 million views in the first week it was available on Netflix, a...

Individuals aged between 40 and 60 – dubbed “midlifers” – are facing time and financial pressures as they try to support their families. Many are feeling the strain and don’t have the resources to focus on their own goals, and financial planning could help.

According to a survey from Legal & General, 6 million midlifers are finding themselves caught in the middle of providing financial support to adult children and providing unpaid care to ageing relatives. On top of this, it’s a crucial period for securing their own financial future and ...

The 2022/23 tax year has only just started, but you should already start thinking about how you’ll use your allowances over the next 12 months. It can help maximise your assets.

In the 2022/23 tax year you can deposit up to £20,000 into ISAs. If you don’t use this allowance before the end of the tax year, you lose it. You can save or invest tax-efficiently through an ISA, so making full use of your allowance can help your money go further.

The period from February to the beginning of April is sometimes dubbed “ISA season” as savers and i...

When you retire, your income may be coming from multiple sources, and it may not be regular. This can lead to some retirees being overtaxed. While you can claim back overpaid tax, it could affect your plans and you may not realise you’ve paid too much.

Understanding your tax liability can help you manage your budget and income in retirement.

Retirees have overpaid around £835 million in tax since 2015

In the last quarter of 2021 alone, HMRC returned more than £42 million in overpaid tax to those accessing their pension, according to an ...

If you’re nearing retirement, you may be starting to think about planning the next stage of your life.

What steps spring to mind? You may prioritise organising your pension, claiming your State Pension, or reviewing how much you have in a savings account. These steps are important for creating security, yet good retirement planning goes further than your finances.

So, what should retirement planning include? Setting out lifestyle goals is crucial for building a retirement plan that means you get the most out of your life.

Here are five ...

In 1793, a vast army of the French First Republic locked horns with a combined force of Royalists and their foreign allies at the port city of Toulon. It was in this battle that a young artillery officer caught the attention of his superiors, demonstrating not only a high level of organisational skill, but also tactical brilliance and the charisma needed to inspire his men.

This officer was, of course, Napoleon Bonaparte, and the Siege of Toulon would be the first major stepping stone in his long and glorious career.

When you’re looking ...

The 2021/22 tax year ends on Monday 5 April 2022. This is the date when many allowances reset, and it could be your last opportunity to make use of some of them.

Keeping track of how you’ve used your allowances can reduce your tax liability and help you boost your wealth. Reviewing your finances ahead of the tax year end could reduce the amount of tax you pay and improve your financial security in the future.

This guide covers seven allowances and exemptions you should consider making use of to ensure you’re ready for the new tax year:

As 2021 drew to a close, the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences continued to affect economies.

The first case of the Omicron variant was reported in South Africa at the end of November 2021. It quickly spread and some counties began to reintroduce restrictions and offer booster vaccine shots. As before, the measures taken to reduce the spread of Omicron affected many businesses, particularly those in the travel and hospitality sectors.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) also warned that surging inflatio...