Retirement at 60 or 65 used to be the default option, with a lucky few able to achieve financial independence even earlier. With increasing life expectancy, the likelihood is that many of us will need to work for much longer. The State Pension is already set to rise to age 68 and not everyone will …
The concept of buying low and selling high is well known. Achieving this consistently will inevitably result in profit. The ‘secret’ is knowing when to buy and sell. An investor may believe that a particular company is likely to do well following an event in the news. The consensus is that the share price will …
Both pensions and ISAs are extremely tax-efficient investments. Traditionally, pensions are the default option when saving for retirement. But just as retirement has evolved to encompass flexible working and winding down gradually, the options for funding your desired lifestyle have widened. So if you are thinking about investing for your retirement, would a pension or …
A job for life is no longer the default option. Moving between companies is easier than ever, and it’s not unusual to change careers, even more than once, over the course of a working life. If you set up a new pension every time you move employers, it’s easy to build up half a dozen …
Creating your own financial plan is fairly easy and accessible. The internet offers budgeting spreadsheets, investment calculators, and trading platforms. Everything you need to plan your future and build a financially independent lifestyle is literally at your fingertips. So why do we still struggle to build a sensible Financial Plan? The web can provide you …
A common question in financial planning is whether you should invest more or aim to reduce your mortgage. Borrowing at a low interest rate and investing for growth seems like a sound strategy, as the idea is to repay the debt comfortably and build a nest egg at the same time. This was the logic …
When you think of retirement planning, pensions are probably the first thing that comes to mind. Most people have a pension through their employer and have contributed for at least part of their working life. But the most effective retirement strategy uses a combination of approaches. Other investment options, such as ISAs, can make your …
Whether we are aware of them or not, we all carry biases which shape our thoughts and behaviour. Most investors know that making decisions based on emotion is likely to be counterproductive. But what about those subconscious beliefs that can fool us into thinking we are making an entirely rational choice? Biases are apparent in …
Two of the most important financial goals are getting onto the property ladder and securing a comfortable retirement. Sometimes these goals are in conflict with each other, as the more you save towards a deposit, the less you have available to top up your pension. Additionally, some investments are more tax-efficient than others and different …
It is a widely accepted wisdom in the financial world that asset allocation is the most important factor when seeking investment growth. This has been the conclusion reached by several academic studies over the years. This indicates that the types of investment you hold will have a greater impact on your returns than the individual …
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