An inheritance usually comes with mixed feelings. While the money can be enormously helpful, grief and guilt can sometimes factor into the decisions that follow. You may want to honour the wishes of the person who passed on, whether that involves saving prudently for the future, or spending the money on a once in a …
If you read the financial press, you will see a lot of speculation about what you can, or should, invest in. Social media is no different, with stock tips and investment forums building up a significant online following. But focusing on individual companies and microtrends can lead to missing the bigger picture. A single stock …
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 …
The theory behind passive investing is that no single fund can beat the market over the long term, so gaining exposure to the market as a whole is a more efficient way of capturing returns. Investors can create an entire portfolio of passive investments, and still gain the same level of diversification as an active …
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 …
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