by Brian Downton | J, Jan, 2016 | Budget
On 8th July 2015, George Osborne will deliver the first completely Conservative budget since Kenneth Clarke in 1996. Given that George Osborne delivered his last budget on 18th March 2015, you could well we asking yourself “Why do we need another budget now?” The...
by Brian Downton | J, Jan, 2016 | blog, wealth-management
The phrase “use it or lose it” is very relevant to ISAs. As of April 6th 2015 you have 366 days to save up to £15,240 in your ISA. Even though 2016 is a leap year, giving you an extra day to achieve this, it’s recommended to get off the starting blocks quickly. Let’s...
by Brian Downton | J, Jan, 2016 | blog, wealth-management
It seems that wherever one looks in the media at the moment a commentator, government minister or journalist is stepping forward to tell us how awful annuities are and posing the question: why are annuities so bad? This, therefore is an important statement that should...
by Brian Downton | J, Jan, 2016 | blog, wealth-management
It’s hard to argue about the importance of saving for old age. Those still of working age need to look at how they are going to finance their later years. Those already retired need to think about getting the most out of their available finances. The exact rules...
by Brian Downton | J, Jan, 2016 | blog, wealth-management
One issue in the world of personal finance has dominated the headlines for months; the changes to Britain’s pensions industry that will have profound implications for savers and retirees for decades to come. Much of the focus of the reportage has been on the effects...
by Brian Downton | J, Jan, 2016 | blog, wealth-management
Some things are so easily lost. Car keys, mobile phone, wallet, or you entire financial future. At any given time a staggering five million people have lost track of their pension providers, like squirrels who bury acorns but forget where they put them. The result of...
by Brian Downton | J, Jan, 2016 | blog, mortgages
The Mortgage Market Review, which took effect in 2014, imposed “affordability criteria” on lenders. In simple terms it aimed to rein in high-risk mortgages. Like any change it triggered speculation about its potential effects....
by Brian Downton | J, Jan, 2016 | blog, general
This effect of change in the performance of the stock exchange can often be noticed around election times in general, so you might want to consider how to protect your portfolio. Sterling and the Importance of Image Outside of the Euro zone, most individual countries...
