Downton and Ali Associates
info@downtonandali.co.uk
020 3021 0075 or 020 3135 0246
If you’ve always been a saver but never considered an Individual Savings Account (ISA) you could be losing out to the tax man. Make your savings work harder ISAs are tax-efficient savings plans that allow you to shelter up to £15,240 in the 2016/17 tax year from...
AEGON’s latest annual retirement readiness survey highlights the challenges faced by homemakers when it comes to retirement and reinforces the importance of advice when it comes to financial planning. The survey identifies homemakers as typically women, aged between...
If you use social media, you may have posted a picture by the pool or a selfie from the slopes. Even if you haven’t, you probably know someone who has. Did you know that sharing your current location or travel plans could void your home insurance? A quick swipe...
The average cost of a funeral in the UK has risen by £140 in the last year to £3,702. It’s hardly the most cheery subject, but updated figures suggest that funeral costs are on the rise, increasing faster than the rate of inflation over the past year. But it’s clear...
The Bank of England (BoE) last increased the base rate in July 2007 and interest rates hit rock bottom in March 2009. This has meant over 1.75 million UK homeowners have never faced a rise in the BoE base rate. Mortgage payments around 18% of income During 2014 these...
More accidents happen in the home than anywhere else. And during the winter months more time at home means more chance of an accident. You may take extra care whilst taking down the Christmas decorations or spring cleaning for Easter, but can you be sure your family...
New research suggests under-40s face a 148% hike in retirement living costs, while many over-45s are exposed to financial ‘shocks’ that could upset their retirement plans. monthly retirement expenditure to rise from £1,183 to £2,930 by 2050 (For pensioners who are not...
If something happened to you, your co-owners or employees, could your business survive? A study by Legal and General shows 46% of new businesses would fold immediately following the death or critical illness of a key person. The loss of a key person within a small or...
“How much do I need for my retirement” is arguably one of the most serious questions facing a working-age adult. The answer ultimately depends on two questions. When do you want to retire and what kind of retirement do you want to have? Planning Your Retirement If you...
Saving for a rainy day is what lets you buy an umbrella to keep you dry until the rain passes. Alternatively you may be saving with a specific goal in mind, for example to buy a house. Like many aspects of life, your saving needs and habits may change as time...