Guide: 5 financial lessons to learn from Queen lyrics
If you “open your eyes, look up to the skies and see…”, you can find financial planning lessons in the most unexpected places. You’ve no doubt heard many of Queen’s greatest hits countless times. You might have danced to ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ at weddings, sung along to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ in the car, or stomped […]
6 useful tips for avoiding headline-driven decisions ahead of the Budget
The government will set out its tax, spending and economic plans for the year ahead and beyond on 28 October 2026 in the Autumn Budget. The weeks leading up to an Autumn Budget always feature rumours about what might change and how it could affect personal finances. With this Budget being the first for Prime […]
Why viewing your lifestyle goals as an experiment could lead to success
From abandoned new year resolutions to yet-to-be-visited bucket list travel destinations, failing to achieve the ambitious goals we set for ourselves is a universal experience. But what if we’re simply thinking about goal-setting the wrong way? A recent article (21 June 2026) in the Guardian suggests that approaching lifestyle goals with an “experimental mindset” may […]
Investment market update: August 2026
After months of volatility, markets were relatively calm in August, though economic data was mixed. Discover what factors may have affected your investment portfolio throughout August 2026. When markets opened on 3 August, it was a good start to the month. Falling oil prices led to the Stoxx Europe 600 index, which provides a broad […]
Explained: Capital Gains Tax and how you could reduce your liability
The amount HMRC is forecast to collect through Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is set to more than double between 2024/25 and 2030/31, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR, 9 February 2026). The good news is that there might be steps you could take to reduce a potential bill. CGT is a tax you […]
How to approach retirement conversations with your partner
Retirement is a major life event that most people spend years planning and looking forward to. And yet, research by Moneybox (3 July 2026) reveals that 43% of over-55s have never discussed their retirement finances with anyone, and just 44% have spoken about them to their partner or spouse. This could leave couples with different […]
The psychology behind favouring cash instead of investing
Psychology could be one reason why some people are reluctant to invest, even when it fits into their wider financial plan. Managing risk is an important part of life. You check the road before you cross the street, and you might be encouraged to take out home insurance just in case something happens. So, it’s […]
Understanding pension drawdown
Taking control of your pension income means considering the tax consequences Pension drawdown enables you to take money from a defined contribution pension while keeping the rest invested. Rather than receiving a fixed income, you decide how much to withdraw and when, giving you flexibility to adjust your income as your circumstances change.
Should you give your home to your grandchildren?
Gifting your home could help your grandchildren, but may carry tax and financial risks For grandparents with substantial property wealth, gifting their home may seem an attractive way to give younger family members a helping hand. It could provide grandchildren with a valuable asset or help them secure a home at a time when getting […]
Securing income in retirement
Building financial security for later life Retirement no longer has to mean simply buying an annuity and receiving a fixed income for life. Since pension freedoms were introduced, people have had greater control over how and when they access their pension savings.