A timely proposition

Considering gilts for your investment portfolio?

High-interest rates make gilts an attractive option for some investors, especially higher-rate taxpayers who benefit from the tax exemption from capital gains. What exactly are gilts? These UK government bonds, or debt securities, are issued to finance public expenditure. Their appeal lies in their low-risk nature and guaranteed income.

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Taxing times for 2023

A year marked by several tax changes that impacted higher-rate taxpayers

As we approach the end of the year, taxpayers should begin assessing their tax obligations. This is not a task to be left to the eleventh hour, especially considering tax changes coming into effect in 2024.

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Decoding auto-enrolment

Good news on the horizon for future retirees

For employees, auto-enrolment is a crucial component of everyone’s retirement strategy. Understanding auto-enrolment becomes critical as we increasingly know the need for adequate retirement preparation. Historically, while some companies offered their employees the chance to contribute to a pension fund for retirement preparation, others did not.

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A crucial decade: financial planning in your 50s

Maximising your earnings or laying down a robust financial plan

As you sail into your 50s, it becomes pivotal to consider your financial strategy. Life has likely found a steady rhythm by now. Children have probably taken flight, becoming financially self-sufficient, and the idea of reducing work hours or even completing retirement starts to surface.

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‘Time in the market’, not ‘timing the market’

The allure of quick profits and instant gratification

In the investing world, the allure of quick profits and instant gratification often tempt some investors to employ a ‘market timing’ strategy. This method involves buying or selling financial instrument decisions based on predictions of future market price movements. Ironically, numerous studies and historical data have shown that this approach often leads to sub-optimal returns.

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High costs of private education

The significant decision of choosing a private school for children

Choosing the right educational path for your children is one of the most significant decisions you will make as a parent. Among the many considerations, private schooling often emerges as an option due to its perceived benefits, such as smaller class sizes, specialised programs, and personalised attention.

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The Family Bank

Planning to aid the next generation

According to new research, close to one in five (18%) of parents and grandparents have dipped into their own property wealth to assist their family members in climbing onto the property ladder [1]. Often, they turn to the equity of their homes to gather the needed funds, either through equity release, downsizing, or remortgaging.

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